Picture: Explosives discovered during roadblock/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
14 December 2025- On 12 December 2025, Stilfontein Police during Operation Shanela 2, discovered and seized explosives hidden in a motor vehicle travelling on the N12 between Stilfontein and Klerksdorp. The police stopped the motor vehicle, whilst conducting a routine roadblock.
The North West police spokesperson, Thuto Bobelo said upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered six bags containing explosives and explosive accessories. Bobelo said three suspects aged between 41 and 48, were immediately arrested for possession of explosives according to the Explosives Act, 26 of 1956, section 28(1).
“A bomb technician was called to the scene and safely packaged and sealed the explosives. There were estimated 150 shock-tube detonator assemblies, close to 40 electric shock-tube initiators, and 5 blasting cartridges.
“The trio are expected to make their first appearance on Monday before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the team’s vigilance and said that the police will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure a safer festive season.
Picture: Former Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
14 December 2025- Former Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Reginald Gaoraelwe is challenging his removal and has given the municipality 48 honours to reinstate him. Gaoraelwe has allegedly sent summons to the municipality through his lawyers saying that the municipal special council meeting convened in Seoding Community Hall, near Taung on 27 November 2025, to remove him through a motion of no confidence was unlawful.
In the letter that was seen by The Guardian Newspaper, Gaoraelwe alleged that, on or about 25 November 2025, he was served with a “(Notice of a special council meeting”) in terms of Section 29(1) of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) scheduled for 27 November 2025 at Seoding Community Hall. He alleged the agenda, as served, listed a motion of no confidence.
“The abovementioned motion was tabled with recommendation for the immediate removal of me as well as my immediate removal from the executive committee by councillors Masego Mokua, Pico Seepamere, Amogelang Matuane and Lephoi respectively.
“The motion was subsequently granted and I was removed from office. The reasons for such removal as cited in the motion, was citing non-attendance of certain council meetings, as well as having brought the municipality into disrepute as a result of motor vehicle collisions, which I was involved in with vehicles owned by the municipality,” he said.
Gaoraelwe further said his removal did not comply with Standard Procedure in terms of the “Standing Rules of Order for Council Meetings of Greater Taung Local Municipality”(the “Rules”) as adopted by the abovementioned council in 2022, in that, he was not given prior mandatory notice of the “Motion of No Confidence”. He added that, due process was not followed as this would have allowed him an opportunity to be aware of the allegations.
“It is therefore my contention that my removal violates mandatory statutory and procedural requirements, rendering the decision null and void and impacting severely on the fundamental aspect of fairness relating to such matters.
“Rule 21 was not complied with in that the motion was not entered on the agenda paper, in the order that it was received in accordance with Rule 21.8 resulting in the motion being procedurally invalid,” said Gaoraelwe.
He said furthermore, a violation of Section 53 of “the Act” in that no prior notice was given of the motion of no confidence, prior to the meeting and he only became aware of the motion whilst at the meeting convened. Gaoraelwe said this was therefore procedurally unfair and in contravention of the Audi Alteram Partem Rule.
“Furthermore, there was a breach of the Code of Conduct, where an investigation of the facts and circumstances of the alleged breach, providing the councillor with reasonable opportunity to respond to the alleged breach and reporting the matter to a meeting of the municipal council after (a) and (b) as mentioned above have been complied with, were not carried out by the speaker.
“None of these requirements were met. It is furthermore my contention that proper governance process was not followed as Conflicts of Interest were not managed. The speaker failed to request that I recuse himself, while simultaneously failing to afford me any opportunity to respond,” he said.
Gaoraelwe said this violates the principles of impartiality, natural justice and ethical governance. He said as a result of the abovementioned actions, the speaker’s office is in breach of the “Act” and the “Rules” and consequently results in the motion of no confidence being invalid.
“The removal decision is null and void and the election of Thandiwe Sebe as a mayor, is therefore unlawful. So, I remain the lawful mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality. I now hereby demand that the unlawful decision of 27 November 2025, be withdrawn immediately.
“I must be reinstated to my position as a mayor within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. Written confirmation of compliance will be provided to me. Council ceased all activities, inconsistent with my lawful reinstatement,” said Gaoraelwe.
He demands full reinstatement within 48 hours, failure of which will result in him launching an urgent High Court proceeding seeking a declaratory order setting aside the unlawful removal. Gaoraelwe said he will seek an order to reinstate him as a mayor, costs on the attorney-and-own client scale, including further appropriate relief.
12 December 2025- In reaffirming the SAPS pledge to root out all crime this festive period, a team composed of members from the ZF Mgcawu District Task Team and Upington Crime Prevention, arrested an alleged drug dealer (30) in Raaswater on 9 December 2025. The police said this comes after they received a tip‑off regarding a man allegedly selling drugs in Raaswater.
ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the team operationalised the intelligence and secured a search warrant authorizing them to search the premises. Masegela said a coordinated search of the premises was conducted where Tik (methamphetamine) and Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R 140 200 were discovered hidden in a container on the roof of the house.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon. The operation underscores our commitment to the community policing strategy to prevent, combat, and investigate crime.
“SAPS commended the informer for this brave action of sharing pivotal information which resulted in a positive success,” she said.
Picture: Law enforcement officials during roadblock/ Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
12 December 2025- The police said Operation Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations continue to gain momentum with disruptive actions. The police said the operation is comprised of SAPS members from Kimberley, Galeshewe, Kagisho, the Tactical Response Team, Flying Squad, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, K9 Unit, Mounted Unit, Provincial Firearms, Liquor and Second Hand Goods (FLASH), Proactive Policing, ORS, the Northern Cape Liquor Board, Sol Plaatje Municipal Traffic, Peace Officers and the Department of Home Affairs.
The Kimberley police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said a parade was conducted under the Operational command of the Kimberley Police Station Commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana together with Brigadier Simon Bopape from the FLASH Head Office participating in the police actions. Gopane said several Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) were set up across the greater Kimberley area, during which 204 vehicles were stopped and 334 persons searched.
“Multiple traffic fines amounting to R24 450 were issued along with admission of guilt fines totalling R3000. In addition, pamphlets were distributed to motorists. Compliance inspections were carried out at tuck shops, shebeens and liquor outlets.
“Four businesses were closed for non-compliance and fines were issued. During the second phase of the operation, high-visibility patrols were conducted, including stop-and-search activities,” she said.
Picture: A missing woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan found unharmed/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 December 2025- The police in Kakamas said a woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan (40), who was recently reported as missing, has been found through the assistance of the public and is safely reunited with her family. The police said they acknowledge and appreciate the community members who are always willing to assist in policing.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the public is urged to stay safe this festive season by enhancing child safety precautions and security measures. Masegela said incidents can be reported to the police on SAPS Emergency line 08600 10111/ MySAPSApp.
12 December 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Friday applauded the recent three life terms of imprisonment imposed on convicted Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) perpetrator, Mothupi Tjale Tau (36) from Brooklyn in Sekhukhune District by the Limpopo High Court. SAUCIC said Tau who had presented himself as a prophet to offer spiritual guidance to the Malepe family, was given additional 37 years imprisonment for multiple offences, including two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
SAUCIC President Cardinal Arch Bishop Dr Patrick Modiri Shole said on behalf of affiliated Federations of Charismatic, Evangelical Outreach Mission Ministries and Pentecostal Churches, they trust that the stiff sentence would serve as a different to other heartless perpetrators of GBVF who are abusing their authority, as well as trust gained by virtue of them masquerading as servants of God, while they are deceitful and manipulative wolves in sheep skin.
Shole expressed hope that the family that had lost two of their loved ones, i.e. Helen Teiwa Malepe and her daughter Kgaogelo Michelle Malepe will find closure knowing that justice has been served.
“The appropriate sentence will go a long way towards restoring confidence in the criminal justice system, while also sending an unequivocal message against gender-based violence and femicide.
“Characters like Tau who target vulnerable victims that are desperate are scammers and fraudsters that are a disgrace to the Body of Christ and also bring the church into disrepute,” he said.
Shole further said his coldblooded murder of the mother and her daughter, as well as the despicable rape are heinous and treacherous acts. He added that the trauma that Tau had caused to the boy (5), by subjecting him to barbaric and psychological torture was unimaginable and heartrending to say the least.
“Tau’s removal from society as per the court judgement is not only appropriate but desirable for the safety of everyone in the area. The court had found that Tau, who had pleaded not guilty, presented himself at the Oaks village to the house of the deceased, Hellen Malepe between 29 and 30 December 2023, to demand money for services rendered.
“He forcefully dragged the deceased from her house to the nearby bushes, where he stabbed her multiple times leaving her for dead, robbing her of her cell phone before fleeing the scene,” said Shole.
He said the accused then went back to the house of the deceased (mother) and found the second deceased, her daughter and strangled her until she was unconscious, thereafter raped her inside their home. Shole said Tau also inflicted grievous bodily injuries on her.
“She later succumbed to her injuries and was certified dead at the scene inside her home. After the ordeal, he stuffed her son (5) with a jersey in his mouth, tied him with a masking tape around his mouth and tied his hands behind his back and locked him inside the house, leaving him in full exposure of her deceased sister’s lifeless body.
“After thorough investigation by the police, the accused was arrested and kept in custody until his trial. The accused was ultimately found guilty of these charges after he claimed that he was not responsible for these vile acts,” he said.
Shole said the court further ordered for his name to be registered in the National Register of the Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the firearms control Act 60 of 2000. He said the accused is further not eligible to work with children.
Picture: Drugs confiscated during Operation Shanela II/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 December 2025- As part of Shanela II and Safer Festive Season activities, a joint operation involving Upington Border Police, K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence acted on information regarding alleged drug activity at a residence in Paballelo. A search and seizure warrant was executed, leading to the discovery of a significant quantity of dagga on 11 December 2025.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the discovered dagga estimated at a street value of R189 000 was confiscated. Masegela said the police arrested a man (26) for dealing in dagga and he is expected to appear in court soon.
“This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between SAPS units. We will continue to disrupt the supply and trade of illicit substances in our communities,” she said.
Picture: SMMEs owners receive funding from the North West Department of Social Development/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it strongly condemns the reckless and unlawful misallocation of public funds by the North West Department of Social Development. EFF said this follows an event in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, where the department handed business equipment to small enterprises.
EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said this action represents a fundamental and deliberate violation of the department’s mandate and a gross misappropriation of funds earmarked for the most vulnerable in our society. Moema said the official 2025-26 Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the North West Department of Social Development, which was tabled and adopted in the Provincial Legislature, confirms that there is no programme, sub-programme, or allocated budget for the provisioning of business equipment to SMMEs.
“The APP clearly outlines programmes for Social Welfare Services, Children and Families, Restorative Services, and Development and Research, all of which are exclusively focused on core social welfare services.
“The department’s actions in financing and distributing business equipment constitute a gross violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) as it is an unauthorized and wasteful expenditure on a mandate that does not belong to it,” he said.
Moema further said the budgeted money the department is allegedly squandering was meant for critical social development projects. He added that these funds could have been directed to struggling Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and orphanages that are collapsing due to a lack of funding for food, salaries and basic appliances needed to care for our people.
“While enterprise development is crucial, it is the explicit mandate of the Department of Economic Development and other dedicated agencies. The DSD is overstepping its boundaries and using its own budget to perform functions of another department, thereby failing in its primary duty to protect and uplift the poor, the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.
“This deliberate overreach sets a dangerous and unacceptable precedent for governance and public finance management. If this act of impunity is not addressed decisively, it will signal to all other departments that they may freely divert their budgets to programmes outside their legal mandates, leading to complete budgetary anarchy and the collapse of service delivery,” said Moema.
He said the DSD must be held accountable for this unlawful expenditure. Moema said they demand an immediate investigation by the Provincial Treasury, SCOPA and the Auditor-General into this unauthorised spending, and we call for consequence management, including possible criminal charges, against the political and administrative leadership responsible for this violation.
Picture: One of the initiation schools set on fire/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has commended members of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for their swift and coordinated response that led to the safe rescue of 64 initiates (male and female) and shut down of five illegal initiation schools, which operated in three districts.
Molapisi said the successful operation which began last week, resulted in rescuing 14 male initiates in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 15 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and 24 male initiates and 11 female initiates from bogus initiation schools.
“Our PICC members acted with precision and urgency. We applaud their proactive approach in ensuring the safety of our initiates. We will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with unregistered and illegal initiation schools in the province.
“We urge communities and parents to remain alert and report any suspicious or unregistered initiation activities to authorities without delay. The PICC and the department have embarked on campaigns to make our people aware of the Customary Initiation Act and processes to follow to register the initiation school and comply,” he said.
Molapisi further said the time for complacency is over. He added that they are going to shut down all illegal schools and safeguard the lives of the young people.
“If you want to operate an initiation you must comply” concluded Molapisi.
Picture: Three of four murder accused persons/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- A murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32), his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), was postponed to 19 January 2026, by Taung Regional Court for pre-trial.
The accused persons were arrested three years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.
“The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” he said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.
The Guardian 