Picture: A suspected stolen copper cable seized/Generic
By STAFF REPORTER
15 October 2026 – Six Lesotho nationals have appeared in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft of essential infrastructure and contravention of immigration legislation following the discovery of copper cables in a vehicle allegedly travelling in convoy with another vehicle. The accused, Ntoane Mokoto (42), Nako Lengau (25), Teboho Molupe (42), Major Mohlolo (48), Katleho Ramphaololi (40) and Thuso Leeto (40), appeared in court on 14 October 2026.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the Free State, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said they were arrested on 12 October 2026, following a police operation prompted by a tip-off received regarding two vehicles allegedly transporting copper cables. Senokoatsane said the police stopped a vehicle bearing Lesotho registration plates and discovered rolls of copper cables inside.
“The vehicle had four occupants, including the driver. A second vehicle, a bakkie bearing North West registration plates and carrying two occupants, was also stopped. No copper cables were found in the bakkie.
“The preliminary information indicates that the two vehicles were travelling in convoy and that the owner of the bakkie was a passenger in the vehicle in which the copper cables were found. All six accused are Lesotho nationals,” he said.
Senokoatsane further said the four accused produced passports, which remain subject to verification, while the other two allegedly failed to produce travel or identification documents required to establish their immigration status. He added that the accused allegedly did not provide police with information regarding the origin of the copper cables.
“The relevant municipal infrastructure unit and Eskom are expected to conduct further investigations to establish the ownership and origin of the recovered cables. The matter was postponed to 23 October 2026, for bail information and a possible bail application.
“The NPA views the theft and damage of essential infrastructure in a serious light. Cable theft undermines the delivery of critical services, imposes significant financial costs on the state and affected communities, and compromises the reliability of electricity and other essential services,” said Senokoatsane.
He said the NPA remains committed to prosecuting those who allegedly target essential infrastructure and to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable through the criminal justice system.
15 October 2026 – The case against Fani John Sibeko (46), who is accused of killing four ANCYL members and injuring three others during a shooting incident in Katlehong North, Gauteng, briefly appeared before the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court. Sibeko faces four counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of discharging a firearm in a public place and failure to safeguard a firearm.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Magaboke Mohlatlole said the charges relate to an incident that allegedly occurred on 13 October 2026, when a group of African National Congress (ANC) supporters was returning from a memorial service for the late councillor, Jeanese Magugu at Mogobeng Primary School. Mohlatlole said it is alleged that while the group was walking and chanting, gunshots were heard from behind them.
“A man driving a motor vehicle allegedly approached the group and initially fired shots into the air before firing multiple shots into the crowd. Four people were killed and three others injured. The deceased have been identified as Nqobile Faneli (23), Njabulo Ngcongo (23), Zanga Bingwa (21) and Yonwaba Tunce (27).
“Following the incident, Sibeko allegedly handed himself over to the police and remains in custody. The case docket has been assigned to the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) for further investigation,” he said.
Mohlatlole further said the state requested a seven-day postponement to allow for further bail investigations. He added that the matter was accordingly postponed to 22 October 2026.
“The NPA remains committed to ensuring that serious violent crimes are prosecuted effectively and that those alleged to be responsible are held accountable through the criminal justice process,” said Mohlatlole.
Picture:New species of jumping plant lice: Paternapsyllidium mckayi/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 October 2026 – Three tiny insects that lived about 90 million years ago have helped a North West University (NWU) researcher uncover new clues about life on earth during the age of the dinosaurs. The discovery also sheds light on how insects fed on plants and how some became the crop pest farmers face today.
A senior lecturer in Agriculture at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus, Dr Sandiso Mnguni, has identified plant-feeding insects as fossils, which includes two new species of jumping plant lice and one aphid, found at Botswana’s Orapa Diamond Mine. Mnguni said the aphid is unique as it is the first complete fossil aphid from Africa and it had an unusual mouthpart.
“The insect has distinct body parts that helped him identify it. The other two insects have unusual wing patterns that set them apart from previously known species of jumping plant lice. The fossils were collected at the diamond mine during the 1980s and stored at the University of the Witwatersrand, where they remained available for further study.
“I began examining the collection in 2018, while studying towards my PhD. I had previously studied ancient beetles, but decided to explore other insect groups. One of the discoveries (the first jumping plant lice) has special meaning for me,” he said.
Mnguni further said he named it Paternapsyllidium mckayi in honour of his late PhD supervisor, Dr Ian McKay, who trained him in the study of ancient insects. He added that the second jumping plant lice, Derivatupsyllidium kimperlitis, takes its name from kimberlite, a type of rock linked to diamond deposits.
“The name reflects the fossils’ origin at Botswana’s Orapa Diamond Mine. A volcanic eruption triggered by volatile gases like carbon dioxide, steam and mineral-rich fluids from the kimberlite resulted in a crater lake in the centre and helped form the rock deposits at the mine.
“The third insect, an aphid named Oviparosiphum adamas, takes its name from the Latin word for diamond. The name reflects the diamond mining operation where the fossils were discovered. The findings help scientists understand how insects lived and survived millions of years ago,” said Mnguni.
He said the work contributes towards a more accurate documentation of diversity and enables us to map their distribution at the time. Mnguni said during that period, flowering plants became more common, which changed the environment and created new food sources for insects.
“Like their modern relatives, these ancient insects fed on plant sap. Today, similar insects damage crops, spread plant diseases and affect food production. The descriptions provide further insight into the insect diversity of the Orapa Diamond Mine during the Cretaceous period, a time between 145 million and 66 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
“We worked with researchers from the Agricultural Research Council, Citrus Research International and the University of Fort Hare due to their expertise on working with modern relatives of the ancient insects,” he said.
Mnguni plans to continue studying the fossils to understand how these insects are related to other species. His work will help scientists build a clearer picture of ancient life and how insects have changed over millions of years.
Mnguni said the work will also help crop farmers to understand how the insect pests have evolved over the years. He said the work shares insights into plant-insect relationships.
“The knowledge can support the development of more effective and sustainable crop protection and integrated pest management strategies in the future,” concluded Mnguni.
15 October 1016 – An alleged attack on nurses by approximately 60 young people carrying dangerous weapons and a toy gun at Mamusa Community Healthcare Centre (CHC) in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke, prompted healthcare workers to protest for several days, demanding the deployment of armed security guards before returning to their duties. The incident allegedly occurred at approximately 3am on Sunday, 4 October 2026, at the healthcare facility in Extension 5.
Mamusa Local Municipality’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure, Nomathemba Mvala, disclosed details of the incident in a video published on the municipality’s official Facebook page.
“There was an incident at Mamusa Community Health Centre in Extension 5, Ipelegeng, where approximately 60 young people allegedly attacked nurses at around 3am on a Sunday. They were carrying dangerous weapons, including a toy gun,” Mvala said.
According to Mvala, the incident resulted in healthcare workers protesting for approximately 3–4 days, during which the facility was not operating. The nurses reportedly refused to return to their duties until their concerns regarding security at the facility were addressed.
“The nurses protested for approximately 3 to 4 days following the incident, and the facility was not operating during that period,” she said.
Mvala explained that the municipality subsequently intervened and engaged senior managers from the Mamusa Health Sub-District to address the situation and find a solution to the employees’ concerns. She said as the municipality, they had to intervene and meet with senior managers from the Mamusa Health Sub-District to address the situation at the facility.
“The healthcare workers had demanded armed security personnel as a condition for returning to work, raising concerns about their safety while performing their duties.
“The healthcare workers requested that security at the facility be strengthened through the deployment of armed guards. They indicated that they would only return to work once those security measures were implemented,” Mvala said.
Mvala said the municipality and senior health officials held a meeting on 11 October 2026, where decisions were taken to strengthen security at the facility. She said during their meeting with the senior managers from the Mamusa Health Sub-District on Sunday, they agreed on the necessary security measures to address the concerns raised by the nurses.
“The decisions were implemented the following day, allowing healthcare workers to resume their duties and the facility to return to normal operations.
“The decisions taken during Sunday’s meeting were implemented on Monday, allowing the healthcare facility to resume normal operations,” Mvala said.
However, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has indicated that no attack was reported at the healthcare facility, raising questions about whether the alleged incident was formally brought to the attention of law enforcement authorities.
Responding to an enquiry from The Guardian, police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said the Ipelegeng Police Station had no record of a criminal complaint relating to the alleged incident.
“The Ipelegeng Police Station confirmed that no case was opened in this regard and there was no attack reported at the clinic,” Van Rooyen said.
Meanwhile, North West Department of Health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane acknowledged being aware of the incident when approached for comment.
“The department can confirm that an incident occurred at Mamusa Community Healthcare Centre (CHC), wherein armed members of the community forcefully entered the facility. No nurses were attacked or injured.
“Yes, the facility was temporarily non-operational during the night and patients were referred to the hospital. The department has deployed armed security at the CHC. This was demanded by staff members who felt unsafe following this incident,” he said.
Lekgethwane said the matter was reported to the police when the incident occurred and the police were part of the multi-disciplinary team attending to the matter. He said the facility is fully operational.
15 October 2016 – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it is ready to proceed with the case against Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama (40), who is facing multiple charges stemming from an alleged incident at Vlamo Restaurant in Randburg. The NPA said the state had furnished the defence with the contents of the case docket and that the matter had been transferred to the Regional Court at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court for further proceedings.
The NPA spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said the NPA is ready to proceed with the matter and remains committed to ensuring that cases are prosecuted diligently and that all accused persons are afforded a fair trial.
“Mudzinganyama was arrested on 20 September 2026, at the Randburg Police Station. He was initially released on warning on a charge of intimidation,” he said.
Kganyago further said, however, following further investigations, including the collection of witness statements and the securing of video footage, the State added further charges against him. He added that Mudzinganyama is now facing three counts of intimidation, three counts of assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), three counts of crimen injuria and one count of fraud.
“The charges relate to an incident that allegedly occurred on 18 September 2026 at Vlamo Restaurant in Randburg.
“According to the state, Mudzinganyama allegedly entered the women’s restroom and demanded to take photographs of one of the witnesses. He is also accused of threatening three witnesses with violence and death,” said Kganyago.
He said crimen injuria charges stem from allegations that he insulted the complainants and impaired their dignity by calling them a derogatory name in the presence of other people. Kganyago said the fraud charge relates to an allegation that Mudzinganyama falsely presented himself to the witnesses as the owner of Vlamo Restaurant, despite allegedly knowing that he was not its lawful owner.
“The defence requested additional time to consult with the accused, resulting in the matter being postponed to 30 October 2026, for a trial date to be determined. His bail was extended until his next court appearance.
“The NPA reiterated its commitment to prosecuting cases diligently while upholding the right of every accused person to a fair trial,” he said.
Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie addressing young people/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
15 October 2026 – The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie has urged young people to draw inspiration from their peers who have turned challenges into opportunities through entrepreneurship. Dantjie said entrepreneurship could serve as a pathway to economic independence, encouraging young people to move away from relying solely on government for employment and instead explore opportunities to establish their own businesses.
She was addressing community members who gathered to access government services during the Re thuse re go thuse programme at Kraaipan village in the Ratlou Local Municipality on Wednesday.
“Government has many programmes that, if you take advantage of them, could open doors to greater opportunities in life.
“There are many potential employers among you, but unfortunately, you see yourselves only as employees,” said Dantjie.
To illustrate the importance of entrepreneurship, Dantjie further shared the story of a young woman from Ventersdorp who started a laundry business with just one load of washing. She added that through determination and hard work, the young woman managed to grow her business, employ another young person and begin exploring opportunities to expand into dry-cleaning services.
“The woman’s journey from humble beginnings to business ownership should inspire young people to identify and pursue opportunities within their own communities.
“So, I would like to young people in Kraaipan to use the available space in their residential yards to establish backyard vegetable gardens, which could eventually develop into sustainable businesses,” said Dantjie.
She said they should start small with a backyard garden and then approach the relevant government departments for assistance. Dantjie also they need young people to establish cooperatives that can supply goods and services.
“Government departments should also explore opportunities to support these cooperatives through procurement.
“Young people should work together to establish cooperatives that could create employment, stimulate local economic activity and contribute to the development of their communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dantjie handed over school uniforms to 62 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, comprising 18 boys and 44 girls. She said the uniforms were procured from a cooperative and distributed to learners identified as needing assistance.
“The intervention was intended to ensure that financial hardship did not prevent learners from attending school with dignity or concentrating on their education.
“It is important that children do not feel uncared for because they lack proper school uniforms. Instead, they must be able to focus on their lessons without worrying about their circumstances,” said Dantjie.
She said with this uniform handover, they hope to restore and preserve the dignity of learners and their parents. Dantjie said initiatives such as entrepreneurship support and assistance to vulnerable learners formed part of her department’s efforts to promote community empowerment, encourage self-reliance and support families facing socio-economic challenges.
Picture: A woman killed during farm attack/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 October 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West demands urgent action after the brutal farm murder of Hannetjie van Zyl (55), near Ottosdal. The DA said rural communities deserve effective, responsive policing.
DA provincial leader and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile said they call for stronger rural policing and equal protection for all. Sonakile said DA demands urgent intervention following another shocking and brutal farm murder in the Ottosdal/Wolmaransstad area on 5 October 2026.
“The brutal and vicious murder of van Zyl took place at the entrance security gate to her farmhouse. Criminals attacked her from behind, striking her several times on the neck and head with an iron bar before stealing her handbag and cell phone.
“She had opened the gate and was getting back into her vehicle to enter her property when she was attacked. Her husband, Sarel van Zyl, found her brutally battered body. He immediately reported the incident to the agricultural security groups, which remain the only immediate response mechanism available to many farming communities in the North West,” he said.
Sonakile further said Hannetjie van Zyl was a very kind-hearted person who was well-known in the communities of Ottosdal, Migdol and Wolmaransstad. He added that tragically, she lost her life on the way to hospital in Klerksdorp.
“Her death is a stark example of the systemic failures that continue to deny justice, safety and security to rural communities in the North West. Her family, friends and the wider community demand decisive action and a thorough investigation by SAPS.
“The failure to adequately fulfil its mandated safety and security obligations in rural areas is placing the lives and livelihoods of farmers, farm workers and rural communities at increasing risk.
SAPS Ottosdal, approximately 17 kilometres from the farm, was contacted and only arrived at the scene an hour later,” said Sonakile.
He alleged that, according to the family, police indicated that they did not regard the incident as a farm attack, but rather as the theft of a handbag, despite the fact that a woman had been brutally beaten and ultimately lost her life. Sonakile said the reality of brutal farm attacks and murders must be acknowledged and acted upon.
“These crimes must be treated as a priority because recognition without action is meaningless. The DA’s position is clear that rural safety requires a properly resourced and accountable policing system that recognises the unique challenges faced by farming communities.
“The DA supports stronger provincial policing capacity, improved cooperation between SAPS, provincial government, local government, farmers and rural safety structures, and dedicated resources to ensure that police can respond swiftly and effectively to crimes in rural areas,” he said.
Picture: Women in Construction with North West MEC, Oageng Molapisi
By AGISANANG SCUFF
15 October 2026 – North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi recently met with women contractors in the province to address barriers hindering their participation in the industry and explore ways in which the department could assist them in overcoming these challenges. Molapisi said the platform provides the department with an opportunity not only to celebrate women’s valuable contributions to society, but also to engage in meaningful discussions about the opportunities available to them.
He further said this includes challenges they continue to face, particularly in the construction and human settlements sector. Molapisi added that women are builders, entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders and decision-makers and their contribution is essential to the growth and development of our communities
and the economy.
“We call on women in the construction and human settlements sector to strengthen their collective voice through organised structures that advocate for their interests and promote meaningful participation in the industry.
“Structures such as the South African Women in Construction and Built Environment (SAWIC and BE) are important, as they can provide a platform for women to collectively address challenges, advocate for their needs and advance their interests in the
Sector,” he said.
Molapisi stressed that such structures should play an active role in advocating for women in construction, ensuring that their concerns are heard and that they have access to opportunities that support their growth and development. He emphasised that women would be better positioned to influence decisions and address common challenges if they worked together through representative structures rather than raising their concerns individually.
“There is a need to deliberate and bring inclusive interventions to support the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses, while ensuring that women, youth and persons with disabilities are not left behind in the province’s economic development efforts.
“We become stronger when we are organised because we can collectively advocate for our issues instead of approaching them individually. I would like to caution that achieving transformation and inclusion required deliberate action, noting that government policies were intended to address existing imbalances and
create opportunities for groups that had historically been disadvantaged,” said Molapisi.
He said if they are not deliberate in their efforts, they will not achieve the objectives they have set themselves. Molapisi further emphasised the need for accountability in implementing measures
aimed at empowering women, particularly the commitment to allocate 40% of procurement spending on companies owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Picture: EPWP employees participate in the programme/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
15 October 2026 – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Greater Taung said it condemns the alleged politicisation of public employment opportunities. This comes after the the Department of Public Works allegedly approached the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) and requested the municipality to inform unemployed individuals about its job opportunity drive called Taung Participant Recruitment Plan, which will last for six months.
The purported recruitment programme seeks to appoint 800 unemployed individuals to participate in categories such as Itirele, NYS Building, General Workers, Call Centre and Building Maintenance.
However, EFF Member of Parliament (MP) and mayoral candidate for the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mothusi Montwedi raised serious concerns regarding the distribution of the 800 participant opportunities. Montwedi said following an engagement with the Department of Employment and Labour, the EFF understands that a meeting was held with the Speaker of Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Grace Moipolai and the mayor’s office to communicate the available opportunities and facilitate their broad distribution.
“The intention was to ensure that information reached communities across the Greater Taung so that deserving and eligible residents could apply. However, the EFF is concerned that this intended broad distribution did not take place as expected.
“Instead, Moipolai allegedly shared information about the opportunity within her ANC political network, creating the impression that a government employment opportunity intended for the public, was being treated as an opportunity for ANC comrades,” he said.
Montwedi further said they reject any practice that makes access to public employment dependent on political affiliation, personal connections or membership of a particular political network. He added that, these allegations require a transparent response from the relevant municipal leadership to establish how the opportunities were communicated and whether all eligible residents had a fair chance to apply.
“EFF calls for a transparent and non-partisan recruitment process. During our engagement with the Department of Employment and Labour, we called for a transparent and inclusive recruitment process.
“We proposed that application forms and information about the opportunities be distributed through the offices of traditional leadership, as well as through public platforms accessible to communities throughout Greater Taung,” said Montwedi.
A ward councillor candidate of Alliance For Social Equity in Taung, Bakang Mankuroane said: Typical of the ANC and everything is about themselves and themselves alone. This is a living proof that poverty is systematic and deliberate under the ANC-led government.
“They deliberately deprive our people of opportunities that could have improved their lives, so that they can control them. I was asking myself that, why would CVs for EPWP Programme be collected by Crespo, fearing lack of integrity and fairness being compromised.”
Mankuroane said they are also aware that they go around threatening older persons. He said that they threatened older persons and alleged that, if they do not vote for ANC, government will stop social grants.
“Mandela once said, if the ANC does to you what the apartheid regime did to you, then do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid regime. Now, the time has come for our people to liberate themselves from all the disrespect and disregard they receive from the ANC.
“Poverty and unemployment affect us all, not only ANC supporters. I want to conclude by reminding our people that, they can continue to subject themselves to such injustices or they can change the status quo by voting for someone who is both capable and willing. The ball is in their court, I urge them to vote wisely,” said Mankuroane.
However, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Itumeleng Maribe refuted these allegations and described them as absurd. Maribe said indeed they are quite aware of the recruitment process for EPWP programme.
“However, the issue of recruitment is the competence and directive of the Department of Labour and Employment. The Department of Labour and Employment, has established a database of unemployed youths within the community of Taung in general.
“In previous years, the Department of Labour and Employment, visited various areas to establish and register unemployed young persons. Now, they already have that database. They have communicated and informed us about this recruitment,” he said.
Maribe said they can attest that the recruitment process is open to the public and transparent. He said it is not ANC programme, but government process.
“I can assure you that, we have been interacting and indicated that recruitment process is in the public for any unemployed young person interested in applying. So, we encourage unemployed persons to submit their Curriculum Vitae (CVs) to the Department of Labour and Employment to be captured.
“Now, we are calling on various political parties to order because what is happening is interference. They must allow the Department of Labour and Employment as a relevant authority through Department of Public Works to implement this process without interference,” said Maribe.
He said he is chairing inter-governmental relations committee and they meet often as government to ensure that all processes that are beneficial to the public are fair and transparent.
“So, it will be reckless and irresponsible for political parties to alleged that there are some individuals who are being recruited in the darkness without following due diligence procedures or being recruited by a certain political party.
“I condemn that kind of statements and as a leader of government at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, the recruitment process is going to be fair and transparent,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Mayor, Lekgotlha Crespo Menyatso refuted allegations that, he had collected CVs of any job seekers. Menyatso, who threatened to take legal action against Mankuroane said, they have been directing job seekers who wanted to submit their CVs to the Department of Labour and Employment.
14 October 2026- The police in the Namakwa District has welcomed the sentencing of a man (27) to 20 years imprisonment for rape, commending the investigating officer for conducting a thorough investigation that led to his conviction. Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman, said the incident occurred on 20 December 2025, when a woman (48) was at her residence on Oorlogskloof Farm in Nieuwoudtville.
Magerman said the suspect, who is the victim’s nephew, arrived at her residence, where he attacked and raped her before fleeing the scene. He said the victim received assistance from a neighbour and the incident was subsequently reported to the police.
“The case was assigned to Detective Constable Gregory Settley, whose thorough and dedicated investigation led to the suspect’s arrest and the successful gathering and linking of evidence to secure a strong case in court.
“On 12 October 2026, the accused, Jakobus Kotze, pleaded guilty to rape and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment,” he said.
Magerman said the court further ordered that the accused’s name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders in terms of Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
In terms of Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended Settley for his professionalism and commitment to ensuring justice for the victim. Andrews added that the SAPS remains committed to fighting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
“We urge victims of such crimes to report incidents at their nearest police station so that perpetrators can be brought to justice,” he said.
