Author Archives: The Guardian

Inherent challenge of trust in the police a concern

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

26 August 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said he has noted Statistics South Africa’s release of the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey 2024/25, which highlights the worrying and inherent trust deficit between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader community.

Cameron said it is worrying that it is estimated that only about 43% (43,4%) of households that experienced house-breaking in the 2024/25 financial year reported some or all incidents to the police and that about 51% (51,3%) of households that experienced home robbery reported some or all incidents to the police.

He further said this is a worrying low number of reported incidents to the police and points to an inherent trust deficit. Cameron added that, while these challenges are evident in the high police-to-population ratio and the perennial lack of tools of trade, such as vehicles, the SAPS should use the statistics to enhance their efforts and adopt a data-driven approach to policing.

“The most common crime consistently experienced by South Africans is housebreaking/burglary/robbery. The South African Police Service must do more to enhance visible policing, especially in hotspot areas, to ensure a feeling of safety, especially in their homes.

“The increase in sexual offences is also a point of concern. It is worrying that Stats SA reported that about 132 000 individuals experienced sexual offences over the past five years, an increase of 13.8%,” he said.

Cameron said in its recent visit to KwaZulu-Natal at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Laboratory division, the committee highlighted concerns around processing DNA samples to ensure effective prosecution of GBV cases. He said the increase in cases highlights for the SAPS the need to urgently resolve the matter to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

“The only deterrence against GBV is effective prosecution. It is also worrying that the proportion of adults aged 16 and older who felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day declined from 85% in 2020/21 to 80,4% in 2023/24, before edging up slightly to 81% in 2024/25, pointing to declining perceptions of safety.

“The visible policing is important, especially at night, where only 36,1% adults feel safe in the 2024/25 financial year. While we acknowledge SAPS’s shortcomings in resolving the current crime challenge, he has also called for a broader societal reflection on how, as a society, we can contribute to efforts to fight crime,” said Cameron.

He said it is important that they adopt a whole-of-society approach to fight crime, either by sharing information with police or establishing functional community policing forums to enhance collaboration in the fight against crime. Cameron said the police cannot do it alone.

“The committee intends to interact with Statistics South Africa and SAPS on the general crime statistics, especially the misalignment between the SAPS’s crime statistics and the perception on the ground, as revealed in the Stats SA survey,” he said.    

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A sigh of relief as Atamelang employees return to work

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Picture: Former employees of Atamelang Bus Company during a meeting at GD Montshioa Airport/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

26 August 2025- Following the North West High Court ruling last week on the Atamelang case, which set aside an interdict on the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, the management has finally appointed an operator replacement who is expected to operate on the same routes as previous operator.

In a meeting with employees of the previous operator providing a commuter service in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the department confirmed that the operator replacement will absorb all the employees from the four depots based in Mahikeng, Zeerust, Lichtenburg and Delareyville.

About 265 employees attended a meeting at the GD Montshioa Aiport outside Mmabatho. They are expected to meet the new operator replacement following a meeting with the department.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng spokesperson, Charles Matlou said the new operator replacement is expected to resume operation immediately after finalising the administrative processes, which includes signing of new contracts, assessing, training and testing of drivers.

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Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa Manthe e buseditswe morago

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Setshwantsho: Mobeteledi, Bakang Katong ga mmogo le balatofadiwa-nae monkgetsing ya polao, Phenyo Katong le Katlego Mosimege

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

26 Phatwe 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, e tlhotse e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno go fitlha di 10 Sedimonthole 2025. Bakang Katong (32), yo o atlholetsweng dingwaga di le robedi kwa kgolegelong mo kgetsing ya petelelo, ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae mo kgetsing ya polao, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34), ba ne ba tshwarwa dingwaga di le tharo tse di fetileng morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso Mothibedi (35), setlhogo.

Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo teketa le go mo golegelela mo generateng. Seno se tla morago ga gore ba mo latofatse ka go ba utswetsa madi a seatleng a lekang ka R20 000 le motsoko wa R600.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, o ile a tlhalosetsa ba lekwalo-dikgang la The Guardian Newspaper gore dipatlisiso di shupa fa tiragalo e, ele ya di 29 Moranang 2022. Tselanyane are go ile ga begwa fa moswi a ile a siela kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Fela, go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go mo latela. Go begwa fa go gorogeng ga bone kwa motseng wa Manthe, ba ile ba mo gokelela mo generateng, mme ba mo teketa go fitlhelela a tlhokafala.

“Go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tabogisetsa moswi kwa kliniking ya selegae fa ba bona a neela mowa. Baoki ba ne ba tlhalosa fa go se sepe se ba ka se dirang go boloka moswi, gonne one a setse a balelelwa le badimo,” Tselanyane wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ile ba bolotsa mogwanto kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa, mme ba ile ba fisa matlo a bone a le mararo mo tiragalong e. Gape, baagi ba ile thuba le go senya ntlo-maitiso ya balatofadiwa, mme ba itseela le nnotagi.

Go begwa fa Katong a boleletse lekgotlha ka mokgwa wa tiriso ya lekwalo gore o ipona molato mo ditatofatso tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene. Lenyai le ene go ne ga begwa fa a ipone molato mo ditatofatsong tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, fela one a fetoga mme a kopa lekgotlha fa a batla go fetola mmueledi wa gagwe.

Katong o tlhaloseditse lekgotlha fa Mosimege le mogoloe, Phenyo, ba ne ba sena seabe mo tiragalong e.

Kgabagare, bosekisi le bone bo tlhalositse fa boitekanetse go ka tswelela ka tsheko, mme bo shupa fa bona le kgetsi e kwenneng kgatlhanong le banna ba, ba le bane.

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Monna wa kwa Maphoitsile o tshwerwe mabapi le dikgetsi tse pedi tsa go shupa ka sethunya

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Setshwantsho-papiso- Monna o kgothosa mokgweetsi

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

26 Phatwe 2025- Monna wa kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung, o tshwerwe mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le dikgetsi tse pedi tsa go shupa ka sethunya. Go begwa fa monna o, e le kgale a batliwa ke sepodisi.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, o ganne go neelana ka ditlha tse di feletseng gore ditatofatso kgatlhanong le mmelaelwa ke tsefe le gore o tlile go tlhagelela leng kwa kgotlhatshekelo. Van Rooyen are tshedimosetso eo, e tla ama dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi.

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Mong wa lebenkele o tshwerwe poo kwa Lokaleng

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

26 Phatwe 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya kgothoso go tlhometswe. Se, se tla morago ga gore mong wa lebenkele wa dingwaga di le 26, a tshwarwe poo kwa motseng wa Lokaleng, gaufi le Taung.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are mong wa lebenkele one a kgorogelwa ke banna ba le bararo, mme ba mo tseela madi a seatleng a sa totobadiwang gore ke bokae.

“Go fitlha ga jaana, ga gona ope o tshwerweng. Fela, kgetsi e butswe mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

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Public Service Committee welcomes leadership changes at Government Pensions Agency

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

26 August 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration today welcomed the leadership changes at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) announced by National Treasury. This follows allegations of procurement irregularities reportedly amounting to approximately R1.2 billion.

The Minister of Finance announced the decision to place the GPAA Chief Executive Officer on precautionary suspension. At the same time, a forensic investigation is underway to allow investigations into the matter to be carried out without prejudicing any of the current employees at GPAA.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Jan de Villiers said Job Stadi Mngomezulu, Deputy Director-General: Corporate Services at National Treasury has been appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). De Villiers said noting the decision, the committee expressed support for the actions and for the National Treasury’s stated commitment to restore stability at the agency, strengthen governance and ensure accountability in managing the pension funds of more than 1.7 million public servants and pensioners.

“We welcome the latest developments and also commended the president’s action in endorsing this intervention. This sends a clear message that maladministration and corruption in state entities will not be tolerated.

“We expect this investigation to lead not only to corrective action but also to set an example of consequence management in practice,” he said.

De Villiers further said pensioners and government employees must have confidence that their savings and benefits are protected by sound governance and free from interference. He added that the committee also urges the newly appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer to act swiftly by instituting disciplinary proceedings against all executives implicated.

“We stress that this matter must not only be investigated internally, but also referred for criminal prosecution where necessary, so that there are consequences for those responsible for endangering billions of rand in state pensions and resources.

“Given allegations of collusion and manipulation of procurement processes by senior management of the GPAA, the Chairperson said the role of private contractors must also be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

De Villiers said such collusion undermines the integrity of public institutions and erodes public trust. He said the committee reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous oversight of the GPAA and other public entities.

“It will monitor the investigation closely to ensure that good governance, transparency, accountability and consequence management prevail across the public service,” said De Villiers.

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A manhunt launched amid foiled Cash In Transit robbery

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Picture: Cash In Transit robbery taking place place/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

26 August 2025 – The police in North West have launched an investigation following attempted Cash In Transit (CIT) robbery that occurred on Monday evening, 25 August 2025, on the N4 road near Majakaneng village, Mooinooi. It is alleged that a silver Mercedes Benz vehicle hit the CIT van which was travelling to Rustenburg.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said although the occupants of the Mercedes Benz fired shots towards the CIT van, the driver drove into the bushes and arrived at a one of the mines in the area, where SSG security officers managed to assist. Mokgwabone said the suspects’ Mercedes Benz was later found burning next to the road.

“No one has been arrested, but investigations into the matter are ongoing to ensure that suspects are tracked,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, commended the driver of the CIT vehicle and members of SSG security for their bravery, courage and quick-thinking actions that outsmarted and thwarted these heavily armed, brazen robbers who beat a hasty retreat and fled empty-handed with their long tails between legs.

“Wherever and whoever they are, they must know that they will be tracked down and will face the full might of the law. The police are calling upon all law-abiding and patriotic citizens to come forward with information that will lead to their identification and arrest,” he said.

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Letsema la ANC le thusa bagodi kwa Itireleng

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Setshwantsho: Maloko a ANC a tlhatswetsa bagodi kwa Itireleng

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

26 Phatwe 2025- Ba lelapa la ga Motlogelwa kwa motseng wa Itireleng, gaufi le Taung, ba lebogile maloko otlhe a lekoko la ANC ba ba ileng ba tsaya karolo mo go ba rekeleng dilwana tsa mo ntlung le go ba phephafaletsa. Se se tla morago ga gore maloko a ANC ga mmogo le baagi, ba tsweletse letsema le go thusa lelapa le.

Mosadimogolo Maria ga mmogo le monna wa gagwe, Benny Motlogelwa ba ba dingwaga tse di kwa godimo ga 70, mme ba sa itsholela, ba dula mo mokhukhung wa phaphosi e le nngwe. Maloko a lekoko la ANC ga mmogo le baagi, ba ile ba ipopa ngatana e le nngwe, mme ba reka setofo, diaparo, bolao le disamente tsa go tshela mokhukhung wa bone mo fatshe.     

Mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Witness Jakwe are ba lebogela kemo-nokeng e ba e boneng go tswa go maloko a ANC le baagi. Jakwe are ba lelapa le, kgale ba tshelela mo tshotlegong, mme o solofela fa dithuso tse ba di boneng di tla tlisa pharologanyo le go tokafatsa matshelo a bone.

“Re tlhotse re semeletse ka letsema morago ga gore re bone seemo se se sa itekanelang kwa lelapeng la ga Motlogelwa. Re ile ra bua le mmusa-kgotlha kwa kgorwaneng ya rona ka seemo seo, mme o ile a fetisetsa kgang eo kwa pele.

“Re ne re na le mokhuduthamaga wa Lefapha la Katlatlelo-Loago mono Bokone Bophirima, Sussana Dantjie. Go botsha fa lefapha leo le ile la tsiboga ka bonako. Jaanong, re leboga gape le baagi ba ba ileng ba tsaya karolo mo letsemeng le,” Jakwe wa tlhalosa.

Jakwe are ba ile ba phephafatsa le go tlhatswetsa bagodi ba. Jakwe are ba lebogela matsapa a baagi le maloko a lekoko la ANC a ba a tshotseng go dira pharologano.

“Se, se bontsha gore ra ba kgathalela. Bagolo ba neetswe dilwana jaaka setofo sa go apaya, diaparo, bolao le television. Re leboga matsapa otlhe, mme re rotloetsa baagi go tshwaragana le go tsweletsa letsema le kwa mafelong a mangwe.

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Molapisi to convene a MUNIMEC engagement session in Rustenburg

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Picture: The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

26 August 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said his department will launch a forum called MUNIMEC in Rustenburg. Molapisi said this will address intergovernmental programmes and how the department and municipalities will work in a more integrated manner.

He further said the forum is constituted by Members of Mayoral Council of all municipalities responsible for Human Settlements, across the province. Molapisi added that MUNIMEC is an intergovernmental relations forum, where he interacts with municipal leaders to improve service delivery and governance at municipal level.

“It is a consultative platform involving the MEC, Mayors, Municipal Managers and other stakeholders within the Human Settlements value chain to foster cooperation and coordination between the provincial department and the municipalities to ensure effective service delivery to communities.

“The forum will deliberate on the progress report in addressing the housing backlog as well as the status of housing delivery across the province. The forum will ensure that there will be alignment between planning and budget processes in identifying needs by communities,” he said.

Molapisi said this will allow him to share with municipalities, the Minister and MEC’s meetings and Executive Council resolutions, regarding issues relating to Human Settlements. He said among others, the forum will monitor and evaluate projects in local municipalities and further advise the department on relevant issues to be attended to.

“The forum will also assist in curbing the sporadic community protest and keep communities informed about departmental programmes and plans for individual municipalities.

“The forum will further assist in coordinating other critical issues of Human Settlements Developments, such as water, electricity and sanitation, and also keep community leaders updated on plans and challenges relating to the department,” said Molapisi.

He said the forum will meet quarterly and assist in coordinating service delivery in local municipalities. Molapisi said the department will use the MUNIMEC platform to explain housing policies, programmes and qualifying criteria.

“Through this platform, the department will also guide municipalities to develop and approve township layouts that meet the housing code standards, and help to avoid costly designs.

“This forms part of our effort to strengthen the District Development Model (DDM) and improve planning at local level. The department has from time to time appealed to municipalities to work closely with it,” he said.

Molapisi indicated that it’s critical for both spheres of government to discuss service delivery and also the special needs of communities. He also called on both municipalities and his department’s officials to work beyond the call of duty in making sure that delivery is realized at the local level.

“The forum will be launched at Rustenburg Civic Centre, Rustenburg Local Municipality on 28 August 2025 at 8am,” said Molapisi.

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898 suspects nabbed for various crimes

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Picture: Illicit cigarettes seized/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

26 August 2025 – More than 898 suspects were arrested for various crimes during a weekly High Density Operation Shanela 2 across the North West. The police also seized items that included 67 rounds of ammunition, 10 cellular phones, liquor and tobacco products.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Mburgh said the arrested suspects among others, included 66 for possession of drugs, 22 for illegal dealing in liquor, 111 for assault with the intent to do previous bodily harm, 67 for common assault, 32 for burglary and 15 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Myburgh said the operations were conducted between 18 until 24 August 2025.

“Out of the 898 arrested suspects, 430 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists, they included five for murder, five for house robbery, 27 for rape and 147 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.

“In addition, 41 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act. The Vala Umgodi team arrested a further 46 illegal immigrants, one person for unlawful possession of ammunition,” she said.

Myburgh further said an employer was issued with a fine for employing an illegal immigrant. She added that through joint law enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts, 21 unlicensed Liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and more than 4300 litres of liquor were confiscated.

“Disruptive operations conducted in Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom and Ikageng between 18 and 20 August 2025, by the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) and Crime Intelligence members in conjunction with the South African Revenue (SARS)’s Customs officials, to enforce the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, (Act No. 91 of 1964), with focus on illicit cigarettes and alcohol, yielded positive results.

“The items worth R 236 740 were confiscated. The police confiscated 6 x master cases of cigarettes, 645 x cartons of cigarettes, 185 x packets of cigarettes, 5 x boxes of bubbly, 158 x cartons of hubbly and 266 x packets of hubbly,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said: “These continuous, weekly High Density operations will be intensified in preparation and anticipation of the critical pre-festive season events and festivities, such as end of year examinations, music, cultural and sporting events.

“The public is advised to report crime at their nearest police stations or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application. Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 0800 911 011.”

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