10 October 2025- A man (19), who impregnated a girl (15), was sentenced to five years imprisonment for statutory rape by the Victoria West Regional Court on Wednesday. However, the sentence was wholly suspended for five years.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said in June 2025, a social worker from the Northern Cape Department of Social Development in Victoria West, received a tip-off from a community member regarding a girl in Loxton, who was reportedly pregnant. Shemane said acting on the information, the social worker visited the mother of the victim and confirmed the pregnancy.
“During the investigation, the victim disclosed that she was in a relationship with the accused. The victim’s mother subsequently opened a case against him. The case was assigned to the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
“The accused was arrested and later released on bail. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Shemane further said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape remains committed to thoroughly investigating crimes committed against women and children, as these offences affect all sectors of society.
Meanwhile, he added that the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Management commended Detective Constable Bedwell of the Carnarvon FCS Unit for her dedication and commitment in ensuring that justice was served for one of the most vulnerable members of society.
10 October 2025- Two men sentenced to life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase. The accused, Sibongiseni Ngubane (33) and Thabani Lethukuthula Gwala (30), were convicted of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm following the brutal killing of Rustenburg businessman, Ben Gumbi (50) in August 2023.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the conviction stems from a tragic incident on 23 August 2023, when Gumbi and his wife stopped at a local coffee shop. Gumbi went inside to order coffee while his wife remained in the locked vehicle. Gunya said while waiting for his order, he stepped outside to take a phone call.
“Moments later, a car pulled up and two men got out and opened fire on him, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene. The suspects later abandoned the getaway vehicle and switched to another car.
“The police investigations, aided by surveillance footage from the coffee shop and fingerprints found on the abandoned vehicle, led to the arrest of Ngubane and Gwala in September and December 2023, respectively,” he said.
Gunya further said in court, both accused pleaded not guilty, but were convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. He added that during sentencing, the state prosecutor advocate Dibuseng Ntsala, argued that violent crime has reached alarming levels in South Africa, leaving many families in grief.
“Ntsala told the court that Gumbi’s life was taken in an extremely brutal, violent and callous manner. He was shot in cold blood and in full public view. The state urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for the murder.
“The court agreed with the prosecution and sentenced both men to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years each for possession of an unlicensed firearm. The sentences will run concurrently,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, welcoming the outcome, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended Ntsala for her diligence in bringing the matter to a successful conclusion. Makhari emphasised that the sentence serves as a strong deterrent to perpetrators of violent crime.
10 October 2025- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has promised that his charges will fight like lions when they meet Zimbabwe in a highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.
Kick-off is on Friday at 6pm.
Broos said this is the penultimate match of the South African senior men’s national team’s qualifying campaign and it will be all hands on deck at the Durban stadium today. He said the team remains committed to the task at hand and they are the same group of players that have worked tirelessly to keep South Africa in the race for qualification for two years.
“Nothing has changed. I feel that the group, the boys, the players, know that they are the same players from two months ago. They are the same team with the same quality and with a fantastic mentality.
“Today at 6pm, the game starts. We will fight for it like lions because we want to win that game today. You can be sure of it,” said Broos.
Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams said the team would work very hard and ensure that they get the required number of points from these last two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in Mbombela, Mpumalanga next Tuesday.
“We know what is at stake. This is the business end of the qualifiers, but nothing has changed and we need to be the same team we have been for the last two or three years.
“We have been growing, and we have been so good, but we need to finish it on a positive note. We have set ourselves high standards. When we started the World Cup campaign, we said we wanted to qualify and it is close now,” he said.
Bafana Bafana arrived in Durban on Thursday morning and was given a rousing welcome by fans at the King Shaka International Airport and at the team hotel in North Beach. Broos said he hopes to see the same passion in the stands at the Moses Mabhida on Friday.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sports arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, KwaZulu-Natal Sport Confederation President Thami Mchunu, and SAFA NEC member and SAFA KZN, Chairperson Kwenzakwakhe Ngwenya, paid the team a visit on Thursday to wish them well.
Setshwantsho: Motsamaisi wa kwa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
9 Diphalane 2025- Kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le motsamaisi wa lebenkele la Boxer Liquor Store, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi (32), e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Mahusi o tlhotse a tlhageletse ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go betelela modiri wa mosadi wa teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store.
Sebueedi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are tiragalo e, ke ka Lamatlhatsho motshegare kwa lenekeleng la Boxer Liquor Store. Mokgwabone are diplatisiso mo kgetsing e, di tsweletse.
Go begwa fa modiri wa dingwaga di le 20, teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store, a ne a tsweletse ka tiro ya gagwe ya go paka dilo fa motsamaisi a ne a mo biletsa kwa kantorong ya gagwe ka Lamatlhatso motshegare. Go begwa fa go tseneng ga bone kwa kantorong eo, Mahusi o ile a lotlela lebati la kantoro. Go begwa fa e ne ya re fa modiri o a sentse a maketse gore go diragalang, ke fa Mahusi a mo phamola a mo atla ka nkane.
Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo fekeetsa ka maatla, mme a mo apola borogwe. Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo rapamisa mo tafoleng le go mo betelela a mo tlhaga kwa morago.
Kgabagare, kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung, e buseditse kgetsi e go fitlha ka di 16 Diphalane 2025, go netefatsa bodulo jwa ga Mahusi le theetso ya beile.
9 Diphalane 2025 – Kgetsi ya go teketa le go shupa ka sethunya kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa, Korononea Jeremia Modise (34) wa kwa motseng wa Dikhuting, gaufi le Taung, e solofetswe go reediwa kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Modise one a tshwarwa mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go teketa ga mmogo le go shupa ka sethunya. Go ya ka dipego, monna wa kwa Picong, Batsile Eric Sebico (43) one a tlhaselwa le go teketwa ke Modise ka kgwedi ya Seetebosigo mono ngwaga.
Go begwa fa Sebico a ile a kgorogelwa ke banna ba ba neng ba tsamaya ka sejanaga sa Toyota GD6 ga mmogo le Volkswagen Polo e khibidu ka mmala kwa legaeng la gagwe.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are go begwa fa banna bangwe ba ile ba tsena kwa legae la mongongoregi le go mo teketa. Mokgwabone are go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba thuntsa dokolo di le pedi mo setswalong sa mongongoregi pele ga ba ka tsamaya.
“Sepodisi se butse dikgetsi di le tharo kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa, eleng kgetsi ya go teketa, tshenyo ya dithoto ga mmogo le go shupa ka sethunya.
“Jaaka sepodisi, ga re na bopaki jwa gore banna ba, ba tshabiwa ke sepodisi, ebile ba amega mo dikgetsing tse dingwe. Jaanong, re ikuela go mongwe le mongwe o a nang le bopaki mabapi le seo go tsenya ngongora gore sepodisi se batlisise ntlha eo,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, go begwa fa Modise gape a buletswe kgetsi ya go teketa Christopher More (70). More one a tlhaselwa gabedi ka dinako tse difarologaneng kwa motseng wa gagwe wa Picong le go fitsetswa ntlo ga mmogo le sejanaga.
Gape, go begwa fa a ne a tlhaselwa le go shupiwa ka sethunya kwa legaeng la gagwe kwa Monoto-mosetlha kwa motseng wa Tlapeng.
8 October 2025- The Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for securing guilty verdicts in two separate child abuse cases. Mtukushe said in the first case, the court heard that on 8 October 2024, a girl (14), was at home with her mother and uncle when an argument ensued.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said during the altercation, the suspect assaulted the victim with an electric cord. Pilane said he then continued the attack by kicking and punching her and was only stopped by a nearby community member, who intervened.
“The severely assaulted victim was taken to a local clinic for medical treatment, and the matter was promptly reported to the police. The suspect was arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“In an unrelated case, the parents of a girl (15) became concerned about her suspicious behaviour during the course of 2024. Upon questioning her, they discovered that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a man (43). The suspect was arrested and charged with statutory rape,” she said.
Mtukushe praised Detective Constable Dineo Potjeng and Detective Warrant Officer Jacobus Fritz for their dedication and the swift finalization of both cases. She further emphasized the importance of protecting children from all forms of abuse and ensuring they grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Pilane added that both accused were convicted by the Carnarvon Magistrate’s Court and received suspended sentences.
8 Diphalane 2025- Rre wa bana ba le bararo yo eseng wa madi, o atlholetswe ngwaga le dingwedi di le thataro ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Hartwater. Se, se tla morago ga gore rre wa dingwaga di le 32, ga mmogo le mmagwe bana wa dingwaga di le 32, ba latofadiwe ka go sotlakaka bana ba bone ba dingwaga di le 6, 7 le 10.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa porofenseng ya Kapa Bokone, Sergeant Molefi Shemane, bangwe ba baagi kwa Jan Kempdorp, ba ne ba itsise badiri ba katlatlelo-loago mabapi le tshotlakako e ya bana. Shemane are, go begwa fa batlhankedi ba katlatlelo-loago, ba ne ba itsise sepodisi ka kgang e.
“Ene ya re go utlwa gore sepodisi se boloditse dipatlisiso mabapi le kgang e, rre o le mmagwe bana ba, ba ne ba tsaya bana le go tsena ka lenga la seloko. Go begwa fa batsadi ba ga mmogo le bana, ba ne ba siela kwa motseng wa Reddersburg kwa porofenseng ya Free State. Fela, batlhankela ba katlatlelo-loago kwa Free State, ba ile ba batlana le bone go fitlhela ba ba bona.
“Ba ile ba tsaya bana bao, mme ba ba tsenya mo tlase ga tlhokomelo. Batsadi ba, ba ile ba tshwarwa fa kgwedi ya Ngwanatsele e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 9, ka ngwaga wa 2023. Ba ile ba tlhagelela fa pele ga kgotlhatshekelo ya Hartswater. Ba ile ba ganetswa ka beile go fitlhela ba seka,” Shemane wa tlhalosa.
Shemane are ka Laboraro, kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Hartswater, e ile ya bona rragwe bana ba yo eseng wa madi molato wa go teketa, fa mmagwe bana ene a sa bonwa molato. Shemane are rragwe bana ba, yo eseng wa madi, o ile a atlholelwa ngwaga le dingwedi di le thataro kwa kgolegelong, fela katlholo e ile ya beelwa kwa thoto.
“Katlholo e beetswe kwa thoko dingwaga di le tlhano. Monna o, o ile a kaiwa fa a sa tshwanelwa ke go tshola sethunya, mme leina la gagwe le tla tsenngwa kwa National Register for Sex Offenders. Sepodisi se ikanne fa se tlile go lwa kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya basadi le bana.
“Re rata go akgola mmatlisisi wa kgetsi e, Detective Sergeant Nlathi go tswa kwa Hartswater Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, mabapi le matsetseleko mo go batlisiseng kgetsi e,” Shemane wa tlhalosa.
Picture: Winners in the National Awards category of the National, EduPlant school greening and food nutrition programme competition 2025/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
8 October 2025- Gauteng schools take top honours this World Food Month for developing thriving food gardens that fight food insecurity and hunger. EduPlant, South African premier school greening and food nutrition programme, has named the winners in its National Competition 2025.
Molefe Mooke Primary School from Gauteng took first place in the National Award category, while Dilopye Pre-Vocational School from Gauteng was placed first in the National Centre of Excellence Awards category. Second and third place in the National Award category went to Nkabini Primary School from KwaZulu Natal and Toronto Primary School from Limpopo respectively.
The Director of Transformation and Enterprise Supplier Development at Tiger Brands, Maanda Milubi said the National Award category recognises schools, which have excelled in implementing theoretical and practical learning during their participation in the EduPlant programme, establishing thriving food gardens at their schools. Milubi said second place in the National Centre of Excellence Awards category went to Nobanda Primary School in KZN, and Alabama Primary School from the North West province placed third.
“This award category celebrates EduPlant alumni schools, which mentored the new schools participating in the programme in the 2024/2025 cycle. Winning schools receive a share of R221 000 in cash prizes to support further food-growing efforts.
“EduPlant is a Food & Trees for Africa (FTA) programme in partnership with Tiger Brands. The programme is in its 28th year geared at tackling the critical challenge of malnutrition and hunger in South Africa. Tiger Brands invest in initiatives such as EduPlant because we understand that a hungry mind cannot learn well,” he said.
Milubi further said EduPlant’s focus on sustainability, environmental ethics and food security matches their vision of resilient, food secure and healthy communities. He added that they are encouraged that learners in the programme can share their knowledge with others at home and in their communities, who are then empowered to do the same and multiply the impact.
“Thirty-two schools from across South Africa were shortlisted from a total of 300 schools onboarded as EduPlant participants at the start of 2024. The schools received extensive training in permaculture practices to assist them in growing their own vegetables, fruit, and herbs.
“The produce is harvested and served as part of the schools’ learner feeding programmes. Any surplus crops are shared by the schools with their surrounding communities. The thirty-two schools shortlisted in the national competition were singled out for the way learners implemented their newfound knowledge to grow a successful garden,” said Milubi.
He said by involving schools in permaculture food gardening, it teaches students important life skills while improving food security, promoting better nutrition, and creating a healthier ecological balance.
Executive Director of Food & Trees for Africa, Chris Wild said: “While food security and nutrition is at the core of the EduPlant programme, it is more than that. We see learners becoming leaders. They practice communication and teamwork skills and have experiences that they otherwise would not have.
“These learners will carry these experiences with them for the rest of the lives, and I feel privileged to be part of something that can influence a learner to such an extent.”
Wild said the EduPlant programme culminates in a national awards ceremony recognising the best school food gardens across the country. He said these are schools which are transforming their grounds into vibrant living classrooms through permaculture food gardening, cultivating both food security and environmental champions.
“The rigorous selection process included the submission of a video documentary and a Portfolio of Evidence from each school, culminating in an in-person presentation the day before the awards ceremony. This is the first time since 2019 that the national finalist awards have been hosted in-person.
“Children from finalist schools were bussed from across the country to the host venue – Konka Tours in Rustenburg in the North West province. For many, this journey was a life-changing first – leaving their towns and joining peers from across the country for a two-day, activity-filled camp experience,” said Wild.
He said over the two-day programme, learners presented their skills, showcased their gardens, and participated in enriching activities like herb workshops, drumming circles, and tree planting. Wild said over the past two years, the programme has fostered environmental literacy and self-sufficiency in hundreds of under-resourced schools.
“By engaging learners and educators in hands-on permaculture, it equips students with vital life skills, improves nutrition, supplements the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), and establishes ecological balance.
“The impact of these gardens is profound. They provide essential nutrients to children, consequently improving their ability to concentrate and learn. This success also creates a powerful ripple effect. Financial savings from food purchases are strategically re-routed, allowing schools to invest in garden resources, educational materials, educator training, and volunteer stipends, uplifting the entire community,” he said.
Wild said furthermore, schools with community-supported gardens report better neighbourhood relationships, reduced vandalism, and decreased absenteeism, strengthening the social fabric of entire communities.
Provincial school winners:
Eastern Cape: Jamangile Senior Secondary School
Free State: Dr MG Mngoma Public School
Gauteng: Philip Kushlick Special Needs School
KZN: Kwa Ngubeni Primary School
Limpopo: Moriting Primary School
Mpumalanga: Mahushe Agricultural School
North West: Temoso Special School
Northern Cape: Simololang Primary School
Western Cape: Rouxville Primary School
The Winners:
NATIONAL CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Molefe Mooke Primary School (Gauteng)
SECOND PLACE
Nkabini Primary School (KZN)
THIRD PLACE
Toronto Primary School (Limpopo)
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE CATEGORY
FIRST PLACE
Dilopye Pre-Vocational Schol (Gauteng)
SECOND PLACE
Nobanda Primary School (KZN)
THIRD PLACE
Alabama Primary School (North West)
PROVINCIAL WINNERS (SEE FULL LIST OF FINALISTS BELOW)
8 October – As anticipation builds for the 2025 Engen Champ of Champs taking place this weekend at the Tuks High Performance Centre, two remarkable alumni Gopolang Taunyana and Katlego Malebana, have returned to inspire the next generation of footballers, reminding them that it’s their moment of glory. Both players, who once showcased their talents in the Engen Knockout Challenge and Champ of Champs, shared heartfelt reflections during the official media draw on Thursday.
Gopolang Taunyana, now part of the Kaizer Chiefs Reserve Team and a U20 African champion, credited the Engen youth football platform for helping him unlock his full potential. Taunyana said Engen set the stage for him and he took this moment.
“These tournaments taught me discipline, focus, and belief. To every young player competing this weekend this is your time to shine. Own your journey and make the most of your moment of glory,” he said.
Katlego Malebana, who plays for the Mamelodi Sundowns (16), echoed the sentiment, highlighting the opportunities that emerged from her participation. Malebana said the Engen Knockout Challenge and Champ of Champs opened doors.
“I never even imagined. It’s not just about football, it’s about growth, exposure, and realizing what’s possible when you give it your all,” she said.
Their stories embody the true spirit of the Engen Champ of Champs, a tournament that continues to shape South Africa’s future football stars and provide a platform for young talent to be seen, celebrated and inspired. As the 2025 edition kicks off, the message is clear for every player stepping onto the field this weekend: “It’s Your Moment of Glory.”
8 October 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said Eskom’s latest financial results, showing a return to profitability for the first time in eight years, are a testament to the value of staying the course and to the benefits of partnerships. Ramaphosa said when they announced the National Energy Action Plan in 2022, the national power utility’s losses stood at R12.3 billion and its debt had ballooned to over R300 billion.
He further said at the time, Eskom’s auditors noted that there was “material uncertainty relating to Eskom’s ability to continue.” Ramaphosa added that the relative improvement in Eskom’s financial position reflects the significant recovery in Eskom’s operational performance.
“Thanks to the collaboration between different Government departments, the stewardship of the National Electricity Crisis Committee (NECOM) and hard work by the leadership and staff of Eskom, Eskom is turning the corner. Eskom’s improved financial position will enable it to invest in critical infrastructure and maintenance under its Generation Recovery Plan that has been pursued with diligence.
“There are plans to invest more than R320 billion in expanding existing infrastructure. As the reliability of Eskom’s coal-fired plants has improved there has been less need to burn diesel, resulting in approximately R16 billion in savings on diesel costs. In the 2025 financial year, the country experienced load-shedding in just 13 days, down from 329 days the year before,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Eskom is to be congratulated on this achievement. He said, however, there are still serious challenges.
“Municipal debt arrears have grown by 27% since the previous financial year. That is why we continue to work with municipalities to come up with sustainable solutions that enable municipalities to settle their accounts with Eskom, as this is key to its financial viability.
“Even as Eskom continues along the path to recovery, we continue to pursue the other pillars of the Energy Action Plan with equal vigour. These are accelerating the procurement of new generation capacity, increasing private investment and pursuing structural reforms to transform the electricity sector,” said Ramaphosa.
He said in this regard, the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act that came into force in January is a step towards progressively opening up the sector and paves the way for a more competitive electricity market. Ramaphosa said the legislative amendments allows for the restructuring of Eskom into separate generation, transmission and distribution units, as well as for private sector investment and diversification that will ultimately benefit consumers.
“With grid expansion being central to getting more capacity, Eskom, in partnership with the private sector, has plans to build approximately 14 000 km of new transmission lines over the next decade.
“On the road to achieving energy security, social partners will continue to be key. The role played by these partners in NECOM and the Government Business Partnership has been invaluable. Two years since its inception, this collaborative model continues to yield results not only around energy but also in the other work-streams of transport and logistics, crime and corruption and youth unemployment,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the financial improvement at Eskom bears witness to the strength of these multi-sectoral partnerships, but also to the value of consistency and forging ahead with long-term goals, even in the face of strident criticism. He said the ongoing structural reform process represents exactly this consistency and resilience.
“We will continue along this recovery path across the economy to achieve our goal of inclusive economic growth that creates more jobs for our people,” said Ramphosa.
The Guardian 