7 August 2026 – The accused, Alinah Machobane (35) and Vusimuzi Machobane (46), who are a married couple, briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 6 August 2026, facing charges of fraud. The couple was arrested on 6 August 2026, by members of the Klerksdorp-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said their arrest emanates from an investigation into misappropriation of funds claimed from Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme. Mathebula said it is reported that the accused, as directors of Klerksdorp Youth Club, applied for UIF Covid-19 TERS on behalf of their employees for the period of 27 March 2020 to 30 April 2021.
“Their application was reportedly approved and they received over R358 000. An investigation by the serious commercial crime investigation revealed the accused claimed for 16 people who were not employees of their company.
“Following an investigation, the duo was apprehended and charged with fraud. They appeared in court and were granted R5000 bail each. Their matter was postponed to 14 August 2026, for first appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Klerksdorp,” he said.
7 August 2026 – South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Themba Matlou said every month, millions of women receive social grants that enable them to provide food, education, healthcare and dignity for their families. Matlou, who held CEO Media Engagement at Marang Hotel in Rustenburg on Thursday, said women remain the largest recipients of social grants, particularly Child Support Grants and Older Persons Grants, making them central to South Africa’s social protection system.
He further said beyond social assistance, SASSA continues to support government programmes aimed at empowering women through financial inclusion, improved access to services, digital transformation and partnerships with other institutions that promote economic participation and self-reliance. Matlou added that women’s empowerment remains at the heart of building resilient families and stronger communities.
“This year marks a historic milestone. SASSA celebrates 20 years since its establishment in 2006 as a Schedule 3A Public Entity for the National Department of Social Development. Twenty years ago, the government made a bold decision to establish a single national agency responsible for administering social assistance.
“That decision transformed South Africa’s fragmented grant administration into one of the largest and most comprehensive social protection systems in the developing world. During its first years, the focused on integrating provincial grant systems into one national system establishing nine regional offices, transferring around 6 000 grant administration staff from provincial governments,” he said.
Matlou said they have improved grant payment systems and service delivery mechanisms. He said today, SASSA administers social grants to approximately 19 million permanent grant beneficiaries every month.
“Behind every grant payment is a child who is able to attend school, an elderly person who can buy medication or a person living with disability who can live with greater dignity. These grants are not simply financial transfers. They represent government’s constitutional commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
“Over the past two decades, SASSA has undergone significant reforms. We have strengthened governance. We have improved payment systems. We have expanded digital services. We have enhanced financial controls. We have invested in stronger verification processes,” said Matlou.
He said SASSA has modernised payment systems and expanded access channels to provide beneficiaries with greater convenience, security and choice. Matlou said key interventions include migration from cash-based payments to electronic payment systems, increased use of bank accounts and digital payment channels.
“This includes electronic queue management systems, mobile and digital service channels and modernisation of call centres. We continue to improve accessibility for rural communities through outreach programmes and partnerships with various stakeholders.
“Importantly, we are building an organisation that is more responsive, transparent and accountable to the people we serve. Our vision for the future is clear. We want a modern SASSA that offers services that are accessible, secure and citizen-centred,” he said.
Matlou said they want to ensure there are biometrics and eKYC in place to strengthen identity authentication, fraud prevention and real-time verification. He said they have also implemented mobile, online, chatbot and call-centre modernisation to extend access beyond traditional office boundaries.
“Automated means testing, external data integration and legacy-system migration support and end-to-end digital processing. The future SASSA will increasingly rely on technology to improve service delivery, while ensuring that no beneficiary is left behind.
“Beneficiaries should spend less time standing in queues and more time living productive lives. Our modernisation programme focuses on expanding digital service channels, improving online application processes, strengthening electronic verification systems and integrating information systems with other government institutions,” said Matlou.
Picture: Former Kaizer Chiefs FC player, Glody Makabi Lilepo
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 August 2026 – The Democratic Republic of Congo-born forward Glody Makabi Lilepo has completed a move from Kaizer Chiefs to Libyan side Al Ahly Benghazi, following an agreement on the transfer fee between the two Clubs. The 29-year-old versatile attacker joined the Soweto giants in January 2025 from French outfit Valenciennes.
During his time at Amakhosi, Lilepo featured in 56 matches in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists for the team. His versatility as both a winger and forward made him a valuable option in Chiefs’ attacking setup.
Lilepo’s departure marks the end of an impactful one-and-a-half-year spell at Naturena, where he contributed several memorable performances whenever he donned the Chiefs jersey. Some of the highlights include winning the Nedbank Cup barely four months after his arrival at Chiefs and being nominated for goal-of-the-season in the PSL awards in 2025/26 season.
“The Club wishes Lilepo success in Libya and throughout the remainder of his football career,” said Kaizer Chiefs FC.
6 August 2026 – The dedicated investigative work of Ikageng Detectives, supported by the Tactical Response Team (TRT), led to the successful resolution of a kidnapping and murder case, resulting in the arrest of two suspects connected to the kidnapping, murder and concealment of the body of a woman (31) from Greenfields, Ikageng Township in Potchefstroom. The victim was reported missing by a family member on 27 February 2024, after it was alleged that her former boyfriend, Nelson Matusse, had taken her from her home.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said an inquiry was subsequently registered. Morake further said the victim’s sister received text messages and voicenotes from the suspect demanding a ransom.
“The investigating officer, Detective Constable Lipuo Ngesman, with intensive investigation, linked the suspect to the crime and crime scene in Lenasia. On 16 March 2024, under the authority of former Major General Molefe, who was the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Crime Detection, a multidisciplinary team comprising Ikageng detectives and TRT members travelled to Lenasia to trace the suspect.
“The team successfully traced and arrested the suspect at another location. During questioning, the suspect confessed to murdering the victim on the same day he abducted her,” she said.
Morake said he further pointed out the location in Ikageng, where he had disposed of her body. She added that while returning to Ikageng, he admitted that he had paid a second suspect to burn the victim’s body approximately one week after the murder in an attempt to conceal the crime.
“The suspect subsequently led police to an open field between Extension 7 and Promosa, where the burnt remains of the deceased were recovered. The first accused, Nelson Matusse (37), was charged with murder, kidnapping, and violation of a corpse.
“The second accused, George Matusse (35), was charged with defeating the ends of justice and violation of a corpse. During the investigation, both accused were also linked to and charged in separate cases of housebreaking and theft,” said Morake.
She said on On 29 July 2026, the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court sentenced Matusse to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping, 10 years imprisonment for violation of a corpse and 11 years imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
“The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently with the life sentence. Matusse remains in custody and is expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 28 September 2026, on charges of defeating the ends of justice, violation of a corpse, and four counts of housebreaking and theft,” concluded Morake.
Picture: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile
By OBAKENG MAJE
6 August 2026 – The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management calls for urgent intervention by the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Management after uncovering alarming operational and security deficiencies at the SAPS Explosives Unit in Brits during the Legislature’s Oversight Week. The committee said it found that the highly specialised unit, responsible for bomb disposal, bomb threats, explosives control, inspections at mines and other explosive-related incidents, serves 16 police stations from Marikana to Makapanstad with only four police officers and one cleaner.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Freddy Sonakile said they also discovered that the unit’s operational capacity has been severely compromised by a shortage of reliable vehicles. Sonakile said of its three vehicles, one is standing without tyres, another is undergoing repairs, while the third one has reportedly been at a SAPS garage for approximately six months.
“As a result, the unit has been forced to borrow a vehicle from the Rustenburg Explosives Unit to carry out its duties. Equally concerning were the security conditions under which the unit operates.
“The facility is housed in leased premises shared with other tenants and situated adjacent to a busy restaurant. The premises have no CCTV cameras, no alarm system, no dedicated security personnel and no signage identifying the building as an Explosives Unit, raising serious concerns about the protection of specialised personnel and equipment,” he said.
Sonakile said the committee further noted that similar challenges were identified at the Rustenburg Explosives Unit, suggesting that the deficiencies may be systemic rather than isolated to Brits. He added that the situation as unacceptable.
“These are specialised units entrusted with dealing with some of the most dangerous and sensitive policing operations. We cannot expect officers to protect communities from explosive threats while they themselves operate without adequate resources, proper security and suitable facilities.
“What we have found in Brits, together with similar conditions in Rustenburg, points to a pattern that requires urgent national intervention,” said Sonakile.
He said the committee has resolved to formally write to the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, detailing the deficiencies identified and requesting urgent intervention together with a comprehensive response from SAPS National Management. Sonakile said in addition, the committee has tasked the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service to inspect the remaining three Explosives Units in the North West within the next two weeks and submit a report to the committee.
“The assessment will assist in determining the full extent of the challenges affecting specialised policing units across the province. The committee will not wait for a tragedy before asking whether these units had the resources to perform their responsibilities.
“Our oversight has revealed serious vulnerabilities that demand immediate corrective action and we expect SAPS National Management to respond with the urgency this matter warrants,” he concluded.
Picture: SAFA management handing over nomination lists/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
6 August 2026 – The nominations for various positions that will be contested at the SAFA Elective Congress next month were handed over to the Governance Committee by the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Wednesday. SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao handed over the files to Governance Committee members, Victor Mogajane (chairman), Tumi Dlamini, Abel Ramolotja, Shakespeare Hadebe and Anzel Laubscher at SAFA House in the presence of members of the media.
Monyepao said the Governance Committee, which is an independent body, will be tasked with dealing with any issues around the candidates, and checking whether they meet the criteria for nomination in terms of the SAFA statutes. She further said the documents submitted at the Press Conference held at SAFA House on Wednesday are of the candidates nominated in various positions.
“The aim of this Press Conference was to hand over all the files with all the nominations that we have received on 29 July 2026, which was the deadline for the submission of nominations for various positions within the SAFA executive committee.
“The SAFA Elective Congress is on 12 September 2026, and we have almost four weeks to work on these files before you. Our submission will be probably around 28 August 2026, and so we will hit the ground running in that regard,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Governance Committee, Victor Mogajane said they really appreciate that they have been entrusted with this responsibility once more in 2026.
Picture: Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality mayor, Sebang Motlhabi evaluates state of service delivery
By BAKANG MOKOTO
6 August 2026 – The mayor of Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, Sebang Motlhabi, together with the Municipal Manager, Zengisa Kgatlha, convened a Service Delivery Review meeting attended by senior managers, line managers and supervisors representing all municipal departments. Motlhabi said the meeting was convened to evaluate the current state of service delivery across the municipality, assess progress made in the implementation of key programmes, identify operational challenges and develop practical interventions to strengthen service delivery to communities.
“During the session, departmental representatives presented progress reports on their respective areas of responsibility, highlighting achievements, operational constraints and proposed measures to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness of municipal services.
“Accountability is important, including teamwork and proactive leadership in ensuring that the municipality fulfils its mandate of delivering quality services to residents,” he said.
Motlhabi further emphasised that continuous monitoring, coordinated planning and timely implementation are critical to improving service delivery outcomes and restoring public confidence. He added that the meeting also provided an opportunity to review ongoing municipal programmes, identify priority areas requiring immediate intervention and agree on practical actions to enhance interdepartmental coordination and expedite responses to service delivery challenges.
“The meeting concluded with a clear commitment from all departments to implement the agreed interventions, strengthen institutional collaboration, and improve operational performance in line with the municipality’s service delivery objectives.
“Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality remains committed to building a responsive, accountable and people-centred institution that delivers sustainable, efficient and quality services to all communities within the municipality,” said Motlhabi.
Picture: Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 August 2026 – Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga has underscored the importance of forging stronger partnerships across government, business and academia to accelerate women’s economic empowerment. Delivering the keynote address at the 8th Annual Regenesys Women in Business and Leadership Conference in Sandton on Wednesday, Chikunga said no single sector could achieve an inclusive economy on its own.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring that inclusive growth benefits all women, particularly young women, women with disabilities and in rural and township communities.
Held under the theme: “Building an Inclusive Economy – The Role of Government, Business and Academia”, the conference brought together leaders from government, business and academia to explore practical solutions for advancing women’s economic participation.
Chikunga said government, business and academia are the three pillars of a functional economy and must work together rather than in isolation.
“Government cannot legislate its way to inclusion without the productive capacity of industry players. Businesses cannot thrive without the enabling framework and stability of an innovative public service, and neither government nor business can build a workforce, or a citizenry, capable of driving inclusion — without academia.
“If we are to achieve real results, these three pillars must move in unison, not in parallel; in partnership, not in silos,” she said.
Chikunga further said meaningful partnerships should focus on creating opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups by investing in education, skills development, entrepreneurship and access to finance. She called for a new generation of public-private partnerships centred on human capital development, saying these collaborations can bridge financing gaps, accelerate service delivery, strengthen innovation and improve the quality of public services.
“However, I would like to warn that partnerships must be guided by equity, transparency, accountability, and sustainability, to ensure they benefit those most in need rather than entrench existing inequalities.
“We acknowledge early childhood development, technical and vocational education, healthcare, digital infrastructure and innovative financing are key sectors where collaboration between government, business and academia could drive inclusive economic growth,” said Chikunga.
She also highlighted Africa’s youthful population as both an opportunity and a challenge, warning that the continent’s demographic advantage could become a liability without sustained investment in the health, education and wellbeing of young people. Chikunga added that a demographic dividend is not automatic.
“Without deliberate, massive and sustained investment in the health, education and wellbeing of our young people, our demographic bulge could become a demographic disaster — with youth unemployment, social instability, and lost potential as our legacy.
“Several priority areas requiring urgent action, including increasing women’s participation in economic decision-making, expanding access to financial resources and capital, and recognising the care economy as a critical enabler of women’s economic participation,” she said.
Chikunga said among the measures proposed were specialised banking initiatives for women, expanded microcredit programmes, gender-responsive financial technology and strengthening public procurement opportunities for women-owned businesses. She also called for greater investment in affordable childcare, flexible workplace policies and shared household responsibilities to reduce the unpaid care burden that continues to limit many women’s participation in the economy.
“We would also like to pay tribute to generations of women who fought against discrimination and exclusion. So, we urge stakeholders to honour their legacy by translating commitments into measurable action.
“As we mark the Platinum Jubilee of the 1956 Women’s March, let us leave this conference committed to concrete action, with timelines and accountability, and with the understanding that we owe the next generation of women more than we inherited,” said Chikunga.
Picture: NWU Soccer Institute head coach, Nkululeko Malgas and Captain Aphelele Sibisi/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
6 August 2026 – The North West University (NWU) has reaffirmed its status as one of the leading sports universities in South Africa. This comes after the university secured six of the top honours at the 10th North West Sports Awards edition, with its football, athletics and road running programmes all recognised during the ceremony held at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday.
The biggest success for the university came through the NWU Soccer Institute, which was named Team of the Year following its promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Head coach, Nkululeko Malgas received the Coach of the Year award, while team captain Aphelele Sibisi was crowned Sport Star of the Year after a public vote.
On the athletics track, Commonwealth Games representative Liezel Gouws claimed the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability award. Sprinter Bradley Nkoana completed a memorable evening by winning both the Sportsman of the Year and Young Athlete of the Year awards.
Adding to the achievements of the university, NWU staff member and three-time Comrades Marathon champion, Tete Dijana received the MEC’s Special Excellence Award in recognition of his contribution to sport and his achievements in ultramarathon running.
NWU executive director for Corporate Relations, Marketing and Sport, Clement Manoko, said the awards reflected the commitment of the university to developing excellence on and off the field.
“These awards demonstrate the strength of the sports programme at the NWU and the dedication of our athletes, coaches and support staff. We are proud to see our student-athletes and staff being recognised at provincial level.
“Their achievements reflect the commitment of the university to creating an environment in which talent is developed and excellence is pursued,” he said.
Meanwhile, six awards capped a memorable evening for the NWU and reflected the growing influence of the university across football, athletics and distance running at provincial and national level.
Picture: Sol Plaatjie University Setswana Teaching lecturer, Ogodiseng Joseph Mokakale/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
6 August 2026 – The Sol Plaatjie University has appointed Ogodiseng Joseph Mokakale as a lecturer of Setswana Teaching. Mokakale previously served at North West University (Potchefstroom Campus), where he contributed significantly to the advancement of Setswana Language and Literature.
He is an accomplished author whose Setswana poetry anthology, Tswina ya Poko, received the South African Literary Awards (SALA) for Best Poetry Book in 2023. The anthology is prescribed as a Creative Writing text for first-year students at Sol Plaatje University.
Mokakale is the Chairperson of the Setswana National Language Body, a structure of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), where he plays a leading role in promoting, developing and preserving the Setswana language. His contribution is also immense on MTBbE, the Department of Basic Education project on reading for understanding on Foundation Phase learners.
He is currently pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), with a research focus on the relationship between language and culture within Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Mokakale scholarly interests include language preservation, indigenous languages, African cultures, lexicography, Terminography and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into higher education.
“Throughout his academic career, he has chaired and coordinated initiatives commemorating International Mother Language Day (IMLD) and International Dictionary Day, promoting multilingualism, language development, and cultural heritage.
“Beyond academia, Mokakale presents a weekly programme on SABC’s Motsweding FM every Friday. The programme promotes the correct use of the Setswana language and celebrates Batswana culture, with a particular focus on engaging young people and students across Batswana communities,” the university said.
Sol Plaatjie University said through his teaching, research, literary contributions, language activism and media engagement, Mokakale continues to make a meaningful contribution to the promotion, preservation and development of the Setswana Language and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
