25 August 2025 – A multi-disciplinary Inter-Provincial Cross-Border Operation involving the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State was executed simultaneously from 19 to 21 August 2025. The focus areas included drug-related offences, the proliferation of firearms, illicit mining, tracing of wanted suspects, and combating contact crimes.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the operation delivered significant results with 116 suspects arrested across the Frances Baard, Namakwa and Pixley Ka Seme Districts. Kock said numerous liquor outlets were inspected for compliance, while several unlicensed premises were closed.
“High-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks saw 319 vehicles and 8 345 persons stopped and searched across the province. Several wanted suspects were among those arrested.
“One of the most notable successes occurred in Colesberg on 20 August 2025, when SAPS members, supported by SARS Customs and SAPS Crime Intelligence, confiscated illicit cigarettes and a truck collectively valued at approximately R7.5 million,” he said.
Kock said in a separate incident, the police at the Colesberg weighbridge, discovered suspected stolen goods, including perfumes, counterfeit clothing and cell phones with erased serial numbers worth approximately R50 000 on 21Augiust 2025. He further said a suspect was arrested and the vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, a maroon VW Polo, was seized.
“During the course of the operation, police also confiscated counterfeit goods, dangerous weapons, firearms and ammunition, alcoholic beverages, drugs and cash,” added Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended all four provinces, relevant departments and law enforcement agencies for their coordinated efforts. Otola extended her gratitude to Community Police Forums (CPFs) and the public for their continued support in the fight against crime.
“The collective efforts of law enforcement and our communities remain key in curbing and eradicating criminal activities across our provinces,” she said.
25 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole said they successfully hosted the Northern Cape Blended Finance Roadshow held at Flamingo View in Kimberley in collaboration with the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and joined by the Land Bank, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), under the theme: “Unlocking Inclusive Agricultural Development in the Northern Cape.”
Manopole said the event provided a platform to raise awareness of blended finance opportunities for farmers, improve access to affordable and sustainable finance, and foster meaningful engagement between policymakers, financiers, and farmers to explore innovative financing mechanisms aimed at addressing persistent challenges in the agricultural sector. She emphasised that blended finance, combining concessional public funding with private sector investment, was a strategic tool to bridge the agricultural financing gap. She noted that smallholder and emerging farmers often face barriers such as limited collateral, climate-related risks, and high production costs, making access to affordable credit difficult.
Manopole further said in the past year, over 1000 producers received training, 1300 subsistence farmers were supported with garden establishment packs, agriculture contributed R11 billion to the provincial GDP in 2023 as reported by Stats SA, and 13 000 new jobs were created in the Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of 2024. She added that, looking ahead, the department aims to increase agriculture’s GDP contribution from 7% to 10%, support 60 land reform farms, train another 1,000 producers, and create 750 additional jobs in the sector.
“The road to agricultural prosperity is long, but it is not out of reach. When resilience meets opportunity, transformation follows. Through blended finance, we can unlock not only funding but the full potential of the Northern Cape’s agricultural sector.
“Over 600 farmers from all five districts of the Northern Cape attended the roadshow, welcoming it with open arms as a gateway to unlocking financial opportunities. The Roadshow concluded with a strong call for partnership and accountability, reinforcing that blended finance is not a hand-out, but a collaborative investment in sustainable agricultural growth and rural economic empowerment,” said Manopole.
Picture: The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe
By BAKANG MOKOTO
25 August 2025- The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, will continue the Matric Support Programme in Kuruman and Douglas in the Northern Cape on 25 and 26 August 2025. The Matric Support Programme is part of Gondwe’s vision to enhance access to higher education and bring it closer to communities.
Gondwe said the programme primarily aims to assist Matric learners in accessing information about higher education, including available study opportunities and funding options, before entering the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector. She further said the Northern Cape visit comes after a successful launch of the programme in the Eastern Cape earlier in August.
“In implementing the programme, my office collaborates with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the National Skills Fund, and Old Mutual. All three entities, together with Old Mutual and the DM’s Helpdesk, will share essential information with learners about access, training, and funding in the higher education and training sector.
“I will be joined by Councillor Ikgopoleng Ephraim Aiseng, the Council Speaker of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, along with Councillor Itumeleng Matebese, the MMC for Finance and Corporate Services,” said Gondwe.
25 August 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture said it has learnt with shock the passing of legendary actress, Nandi Nyembe on Sunday. The committee sent its deep heartfelt condolences to the family, industry and the general public.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Joe McGluwa said it is sad that South Africa has lost this giant of television, film and theatre. McGluwa said Nyembe is departing with a wealth of experience, which has benefited many and should have benefited many more.
“The family announced the sad news on Sunday. Nyembe passed after a long illness and had been wheelchair bound for a while. Her passing is a loss to the industry and to the country. This is a person we have come to accept as a mother, aunt, sister and many other things from our television screens.
“Nyembe passed old age but it feels she was way younger and hence this news shocked us. She played in such illustrious productions as Yizo Yizo, Zone 12, and Soul City. She was 75 at the time of her passing,” he said.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass
By REGINALD KANYANE
25 August 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, will be handing over houses to beneficiaries of the Dalton 100 Housing Project in Dalton, Douglas, in the Siyancuma Local Municipality (Pixley Ka Seme District) on 25 August 2025. Vass said Dalton 100 Housing Project is part of the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project launched in January 2024.
He further said he will also hand over title deeds to beneficiaries from around Douglas.
“A title deed is a crucial legal document that proves that a person is the rightful owner of a property or piece of land, and serves to protect rights of citizens, whilst contributing to their economic upliftment, through the leveraging of their properties for various financial and developmental opportunities,” added Vass.
25 August 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes developments and efforts to broker peace between the countries of Russia and Ukraine. The former liberal party said this signals an end towards a conflict that had ravaged the two countries, with the ripple effects on regional stability, the global economy, accounting for many deaths and displacement of millions of citizens.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said in the midst of this conflict, they are consistent with their policy of non-alignment, non-aggression and call for resolution of conflict by peaceful means. Bhengu said their quest is to see a world devoid of war.
“South Africa has collaborated with six African nations comprising Zambia, Senegal, Comoros, Uganda and Egypt. Led by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, they have met with both Russian president, Vladimir Putin and Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky in an effort to broker peace between the two countries.
“This was followed by a series of diplomatic and presidential visits by the presidents of the two countries on their separate visits to South Africa. This was to lay a path and remove obstacles for peace. South Africa assumed its rightful place in the community of nations, asserting its sovereignty in the diplomatic space by leading peaceful efforts in a bid to end the conflict that ravaged the two countries, with debilitating effects on agriculture, gas and trade, imports and exports,” she said.
Bhengu further said the recent interaction between Ramaphosa and Putin and the meeting with the leaders of the European Union, is a quantum leap and a major development since South Africa’s peace efforts and other peace initiatives by other countries. She added that the world had undergone major changes, from protectionism, unilateralism to progressive internationalism, peace and inclusive multinationalism.
“For this conflict to end, the world, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) should act in the best interests of both Russia and Ukraine above western interests and NATO expansionism. We owe this to the people of Russia and Ukraine who perish every day in a conflict that is not theirs.
“The ANC looks forward with hope to bilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. As a global advocate, champion and mainstay for peace, the ANC notes with appreciation a seed that had germinated into hope, heralding an end to the conflict. We commend the leadership of Ramaphosa and the ANC subcommittee
on International Relations for their role in the peace initiatives,” said Bhengu.
24 August 2025- A total of 43 719 candidates across North West will sit for the preliminary exams that will commence on 25 August 2025. The North West Department of Education said this includes 41 924 full-time candidates and 1,795 part-time candidates who will begin with a three-hour Information Technology paper in the morning followed by Home Language Paper 1 in the afternoon.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department is ready to commence the 2025 preliminary examinations, which are scheduled to start on 25 August 2025. Motsumi said her department has made extensive preparations to support learners ahead of the exams.
“During the recent winter camps, significant efforts were invested in bridging content gaps and providing targeted academic support to ensure candidates are well-prepared for this crucial stage of their examinations.
“We convey our well-wishes to the candidates. We have full confidence in our candidates as they take this important step towards their preliminary exams. We urge them to approach the exam room with focus and determination, knowing that their hard work and commitment will yield positive results that will lead us toward the 95% pass mark we set for year-end,” she said.
Motsumi further said they also call on parents, guardians and communities to create a supportive environment for candidates to refrain from any activities that may disrupt examinations. She added that her department emphasises that communities play a vital role in ensuring a smooth examination process by being accommodating and supportive of learners throughout this period.
“We welcome communities to report any incidents that may threaten the smooth flow of exams. The preliminary examinations will run for five weeks, concluding on Thursday, 25 September 2025,” said Motsumi.
24 August 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said they welcome the North West High Court ruling that set aside the Atamelang Bus Service interdict. Morweng said the bus company that was providing a commuter service in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, had gone to court to forbid the department from acquiring a new service provider.
He further said following the failure of the company to provide the service in the district, which essentially contravened the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the department, their contract was terminated in December 2024. Morweng added that his department consequently embarked upon a process of acquiring a new service provider through a normal procurement procedure.
“The department was about to conclude the process and Atamelang went to court to interdict us. This impacted negatively on commuters many of whom are in rural areas who had to endure the last two quarters without commuter transport.
“Morweng had directed that the department should expedite provision of the subsidised commuter service to the communities that have no other alternative than this essential mode of transport provided by the government,” he said.
24 August 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Sunday applauded the arrest of a suspect (33) apprehended in connection with slain Gqeberha Regional Court prosecutor, Tracy Brown’s murder. SAUCIC said the development is a significant step towards ensuring justice and providing closure to Brown’s family.
The President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole commended the arrest by the multidisciplinary Hawks team, led by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) unit that is working with SAPS divisions to track down the perpetrators. He further said a breakthrough in the investigation gives them hope that contract killings that seek to undermine the functionality of the criminal justice system are being pursued relentlessly.
“No effort must be spared until all four suspects responsible for the ghastly and gruesome assassination are behind bars. The arrested culprit attempted to evade justice by fleeing to Johannesburg before being apprehended at a roadblock on 21 August 2025.
“The killing of judicial officers and police are an attack on the authority of the state aimed at entrenching a culture of impunity and senseless violence,” he said.
Shole further said the attempt to intimidate the judiciary through cowardly brutal attacks carried out by heartless murderers must be stamped out to avert anarchy and a slide towards lawlessness in order to restore the rule of law as well as confidence in the criminal justice system. He added that they call for concerted effort to bring the three remaining culprits who are still at large behind bars.
“None of our communities will be safer with armed heartless criminals responsible for such heinous acts roaming our streets and neighbourhoods,” stressed Shole.
24 August 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the first National Convention of the much-anticipated National Dialogue concluded last week Saturday with a resounding call for the conversation among South Africans to begin. Ramaphosa said the convention, which was attended by just over 1000 delegates from organisations drawn from all sectors of society, was the kick-off for thousands of public dialogues that will take place for the next few months and into the beginning of next year.
He further said the public dialogues will take place at a local level in wards and at a sectoral level. Ramaphosa added that citizens will also be encouraged to organise their own dialogues, bringing people together to discuss the issues that concern them and to look for solutions to the challenges they face.
“The outcomes of each of these dialogues will be recorded and collated through a special digital platform. There will also be mechanisms in place to enable those without access to the technology to submit the outcomes of their dialogues.
“All of these discussions will culminate in a second National Convention to be held during the first half of 2026. It is anticipated that this convention will produce a clear vision for the country and adopt a social compact that outlines the roles and responsibilities of all sections of society, from citizens to the arms of the state, from business, labour, traditional leaders, religious bodies to civil society, activist and civic organisations,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the form and content of these outcomes will ultimately be determined by the South African people through their discussions. He said the first National Convention reflected the great diversity of the country’s people and their enthusiasm to get involved in the debate.
“Delegates were clear that citizens themselves must determine the issues discussed and must use whatever approaches and methods that suit them and their circumstances. They noted that what might work in a densely-populated city may not work in a rural area where villages are far apart. What might work in a sector that is well organised may not work among people who may not be part of organised formations.
“There was a strong emphasis at the convention on inclusion and participation, with some delegates expressing concern that important voices were missing from the gathering. There was a firm view that special efforts should be made to reach and include groups and people who were often left out or marginalised. Preparations for the National Dialogue have been underway for many months, drawing together foundations of struggle stalwarts, civil society bodies and the Presidency,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they were given the responsibility to organise the first National Convention and lay the basis for the public dialogues that would follow it. Ramaphosa said the convention was the moment at which the people of South Africa would take over the National Dialogue.
“Delegates discussed the formation of a Steering Committee, consisting of nominees from all sectors of society, to take the process forward. Each of the sectors held discussions at the convention on how they would select their respective nominee for the Steering Committee by the end of August 2025.
“They agreed that these processes need to be inclusive and that the Steering Committee needs to be representative. In taking the National Dialogue forward, the Steering Committee would be supported and guided by the Eminent Persons Group, prominent South Africans tasked with championing the dialogue and providing advice,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the Eminent Persons Group will also advise the Head of State as the convenor of the National Dialogue to ensure that it is inclusive and credible. He said there should be no person, no part of society and no institution – either public or private – that is excluded from the conversation.
“The dialogue should break down the barriers between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ and challenge notions of ‘us’ and ‘them’. At the same time, we should not seek a form of unity that is based only on sentiment, but a unity that is forged through constructive and honest discussion on the difficult questions our country faces – and an agreed programme of action.
“We should not be afraid to disagree. Disagreeing is part of engaging in a meaningful and robust dialogue. It is through the expression of different views that we will be able to give full legitimacy and credence to the dialogue. We should therefore make a determined effort to air our differences with a view to finding agreement on the actions we need to take together to build a better society, in which every person has an equal opportunity to prosper,” said Ramaphosa. taungdailynews@gmail.com
The Guardian 