Picture: North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
22 August 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng condemns violent behaviour by people targeting private vehicles claiming to be taxi industry representatives. Morweng has called on police and other law enforcement entities to deal decisively with a group of people who claim to represent taxis owners and operators by stopping private vehicles and forcing other passengers to use taxis.
“One incident was experienced by some private vehicle owners between Brits and Letlhabile this past Sunday. According to the information received, a group of people were stopping cars and where they found passengers, they forcefully removed them and placed them in taxis.
“We have cautioned those behind such illegal actions. I have heard about one incident in Brits that started Sunday, though our Provincial Regulatory Entity managed to deal with it, I am cautioning others to refrain from that.
“It’s illegal and we won’t tolerate that. Those who experienced that treatment must also open criminal cases at the nearest police stations as that actions are pure criminality,” he said.
Morweng further said they are a constitutional country not a banana republic, where everybody must just wake up and infringe on somebody’s constitutional rights. He added that the Provincial Regulatory Entity is also monitoring other roads for similar incidents and traffic officers are on high alert to assist private vehicle owners and users.
22 August 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa, Motseothata Seoleseng (35) wa kwa motseng wa Majaneng, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung go fitlha 9 Lwetse 2025. Go begwa fa kgotlhatshekelo e ntshitse lekwalo-tshwaro kgatlhanong le Tshotlhego mabapi le go sa iponatse kwa kgotlhatshekelo fa a tlhokega.
Seoleseng one a tshwara le go latofadiwa ka go tlhaba le go bolaya tsala ya gagwe, Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk (31), ka thiba.
Go begwa fa Seoleseng ga mmogo le moswi, ba ne ba le mmogo, mme ba ile ba ya kwa gabo molatofadiwa ko ba fitlhetseng morwa rragwe molatofadiwa, Tshotlhego, a na le lekgarebe la gagwe.
Mongwe wa bo maratahelele wa tlhalosa: “Go begwa fa go ile ga runya kgakgauthano ya mafoko ma gareng ga molatofadiwa le monnawe. Sebakwa sa kgakgauthano ke gore, molatofadiwa one a botsa monnawe gore goreng a tlisa lekgarebe kwa gagabo.
“Ene ya re fa e ya matsogong, tsala ya molatofadiwa, van Wyk a leka go tsiriganya. Fela go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ne a mo tsogela kgatlhanong, mme a mo tsatsanka ka thipa. Go ya ka dipego, moswi one a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa sedika jwa Taung, fela one a balelelwa le badimo mo letsatsing la Tshipi.”
Go begwa fa kgetsi ya polao ene ya bulwa, mme mmelaelwa one a tshwarwa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are kgetsi ya polao e butswe.
22 August 2025- In commemoration of Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains steadfast in its mission to ensure justice for women, children, and other vulnerable members of society. The SAPS in Northern Cape said the focus was placed on the commendable achievements of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sergio Kock said over the past year, the Kuruman FCS Unit has secured four life sentences and achieved 30 convictions for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and sexual offences, amounting to a total of 369 years of imprisonment collectively handed down to offenders.
The acting Kuruman FCS Commander, Captain Caren Nel, expressed pride in her team of 13 dedicated and committed investigating officers, one loyal Provisioning Administration Clerk, and a compassionate Captain serving as the unit’s Forensic Social Worker. Nel said the unit effected 223 arrests in the past year for various offences relating to family violence, child protection and sexual offences in Kuruman and surrounding areas.
One notable case was led by Detective Constable Lorato Michelle Badukane, a mother of two who is deeply committed to ensuring justice is served. Through her diligent work, a life sentence was secured in a Bothitong rape case, in which a grandfather (60) repeatedly raped his granddaughter (11).
“It is heart-breaking to handle cases involving children, especially as we are parents ourselves. However, sentences such as these give us some comfort, knowing that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are convicted and permanently removed from society,” said Badukane.
Nel said Kuruman FCS Unit marks Women’s Month 2025 with a renewed vow to ensure that no GBVF or sexual offender escapes justice. He further said the team remains unwavering in its courage and commitment to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
22 August 2025 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality said it will submit a petition and table a motion at the ordinary council sitting on 28 August 2025, calling for urgent action on abandoned stands that pose a serious health and safety threat to communities.
The DA said this follows a joint effort with a concerned resident of Ward 4, who initiated a petition to clean up a neglected stand in Reagile.
DA PR councillor in Kgetlengriver Local Municipality, Mduduzi Maphanga said residents overwhelmingly voiced concerns that the site had become a hiding place for criminals, while illegal dumping created unbearable odours and health risks for neighbouring households.
Maphanga said after engagement with the Acting Director of Local Economic Development (LED), Linda Phakati, the DA resolved to bring this matter before Council.
“The motion will call on Council to explore available legislative mechanisms within South African law, while respecting the constitutional right to property, to determine whether abandoned stands can be seized and rehabilitated for community safety.
“The Ward 4 case in Reagile is not an isolated incident. Similar challenges exist in Derby and other areas, where abandoned stands have remained hotspots for crime,” he said.
Maphanga further said these concerns were also highlighted during discussions with members of the Safety and Transport Committee on their recent oversight visit to Derby. He added that they trust that after this motion is tabled and discussed, council will put in place a fair and workable plan to deal with abandoned stands, so that residents can live in safe and healthy communities.
“The DA will continue to fight for the right of Kgetlengrivier residents to live in safe and dignified communities, free from crime and neglect,” said Maphanga.
Picture: Learners allegedly pouring water over a teacher/Screengrab
By BAKANG MOKOTO
22 August 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she strongly condemns the ill-discipline displayed by the Hoër Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp learners on Tuesday. This comes after a group of learners allegedly entered the school restrooms dressed in overalls and balaclavas, disrupting the teaching and learning environment at the school.
Motsumi said a teacher promptly responded by going to the restroom area to encourage the learners to return to class.
“During this interaction, the incident escalated to a situation wherein learners poured water onto the teacher. The learners continued by throwing papers at the teacher.
“The school staff responded promptly and effectively to the situation, prioritising learners’ safety by securing the premises and removing the individuals involved,” she said.
Motsumi further said the school management finally succeeded in bringing order and sanity to the school and eventually, normal academic activities resumed. She added that an immediate investigation was initiated and the learners involved were identified.
“Their parents were promptly informed of the incident. On Wednesday, the School Management Team (SMT) convened an urgent meeting. Following the instructions of the School Governing Body (SGB), it was resolved that all involved learners would be suspended for five school days.
“This suspension is an interim measure pending the outcome of a formal disciplinary process as per the school’s code of conduct. The parents of the learners were invited to an official meeting today, during which they were informed of the decision to suspend,” said Motsumi.
She said the suspension was implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners and staff. Motsumi condemned the ill-discipline caused by the learners.
“This behaviour displayed by these learners is extremely barbaric and is unacceptable. We are not going to tolerate learners who assault our teachers, they do not belong in our schools.
“I am going to instruct the School Governing Body of this school to take drastic steps against these learners. The steps taken by the school should send a message to other learners to never attempt such horrible behaviour,” she said.
Motsumi said she has instructed the district to arrange teachers and learners, who have been affected by this incident. She expressed her appreciation to the SGB, the Department of Education staff, teachers, parents, and the broader community for their continued support in upholding these values. She said her department remains committed to fostering an environment where discipline and safety are paramount.
“The disciplinary process will continue according to departmental policies and the school’s code of conduct,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality building
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
22 August 2025- In a bid to hold municipalities accountable for the contamination and pollution of Molopo River in Mahikeng, the Deputy Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo said he will lay criminal and civil charges against the municipalities that are responsible for polluting water resources.
Seitlholo made these remarks during the oversight visit to Mahikeng on 18 August 2025, to assess the state of pollution of water resources caused mostly by poorly functioning municipal waste water systems.
He joined by the Chairperson of Magalies Water Board, Dr Lydia Sebego and Limpopo Olifants Catchment Management Agency, Dr Thato Moeng, met the Executive Mayors of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) and Mahikeng Local Municipalities, councillor Olehile Losaba and Tshepiso Mphehlo and led the delegation to an inspection of Molopo River, Mafikeng and Mmabatho Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTWs).
During the oversight visit, Seitlholo lamented that the lack of operation and maintenance of waste water infrastructure by the municipalities, as well as illegal connections of the sewage from their households was the main cause of sewer spillages into the environment such as rivers and streams. He further indicated the spillages have led to contamination of water resources and compromise of health of communities.
“We have also identified littering and illegal dumping of refuse and foreign objects into the Molopo River by surrounding communities as another major contributor of pollution of the water course.
“We encourage the municipalities to undertake awareness programmes to educate communities about the consequences of pollution of water resources,” said Seitlholo.
He added that everything starts and stops with municipalities. Seitlholo said, if South Africa is to work, municipalities must work.
“However, it is unfortunate that municipalities have undermined operation and maintenance of the infrastructures and the implementation of by-laws.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has taken enforcement actions against the district and the local municipality due to the malfunctioning of its WWTWs and the surrounding water use activities that are impacting on Molopo River and Lotlamoreng Dam,” he said.
Seitlholo said criminal cases have since been opened by the department and investigations are currently underway. He said the District Municipality is among the 20 Water Service Authorities (WSAs) categorised as the worst performing out of the 144 WSAs in the country.
“In August 2025, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina tasked me to be the custodian of the National Water Act (NWA), particularly Section 19 of the Act, in terms of the management of pollution water resources and to ensure that all necessary actions were taken against the culprits who cause pollution of water resources across the country.
“The Green Drop Report and the subsequent assessments reports of the performance of WWTWs by WSAs indicated poor compliance to the national norms and standards,” said Seitlholo.
He said the Green Drop report released by the DWS tells them that the biggest contributors of pollution to the water resources are waste water infrastructures that are dysfunctional and critical and end up discharging partially treated and untreated sewage into water resources. Seitlholo said this therefore makes it difficult to treat waste water to the required quality standard.
22 August 2025 – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named the preliminary team to face Nigeria and Lesotho in two crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played in South Africa next month. Broos’ charges will be away to Lesotho in the first FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State on 5 September 2025.
The South African senior men’s national team will then host Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the same venue on 9 September 2025. Both matches will be played at 6pm.
Tickets to the Bafana Bafana vs Nigeria showdown are available at all Ticketpro Outlets. This includes Spar, SuperSpar, Postnet and the Shell, BP and SASOL garages among others.
Bafana Bafana are top of Group C in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 13 points after six matches and they are followed by second-placed Rwanda and Benin, who are both on eight points. The Nigerians are fourth with seven points followed by Lesotho (six points) and Zimbabwe (four points).
Tickets to the match are available at Ticketpro and other participating outlets. Tickets for South Africa vs Nigeria | Ticketpro
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari with triplets/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
22 August 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari visited Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital (JMMH) in Vryburg to commend healthcare workers following the successful and safe delivery of triplets – the first set to be delivered at the facility. Lehari said the babies, two girls and one boy, were delivered on 12 August 2025, through a planned caesarean section by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and nurses.
He further said the delivery followed weeks of specialist monitoring after the mother, who was referred from a local clinic as a high-risk patient due to hypertension and carrying triplets, received consistent care from the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team.
Lehari added that baby 1 (female) was born at 09:02, weighing 2.16kg, while baby 2 (female) was born at 09:03, weighing 1.5kg and baby 3 (male) was born at 09:03, weighing 2.09kg.
“All three babies were safely delivered. While baby 3 briefly required admission for respiratory distress and was discharged after three days, baby 2 remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for weight gain.
“Babies 1 and 3 have since been discharged to the care of their maternal grandmother, while their mother remains in the Post-Natal Clinic as a lodger mother and is stable,” he said.
Lehari, accompanied by the Department’s Deputy Director-General for Hospital Services, Polaki Mokatsane, conducted an in-loco-inspection and expressed pride in the professionalism and dedication of the hospital team. He also presented gifts to the proud mother of the triplets.
“The safe delivery of these triplets is a clear demonstration of the commitment and skill of our healthcare professionals.
“As the North West Department of Health, we place the health of mothers and babies at the centre of our work because we know that healthy families form the backbone of sustainable communities,” said Lehari.
He highlighted that such achievements reflect the North West Department of Health’s commitment to strengthening maternal and child health services, ensuring that even high-risk pregnancies receive the necessary specialist attention in public health facilities.
“Our contribution to reducing maternal and child mortality speaks directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages especially in pregnant women and postpartum,” he said.
Picture: The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng
By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 August 2025- The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said he has instructed the Mahikeng Police Station Commander to contact both the SABC News and the North West Department of Social Development, to get information on the alleged robbery committed against the elderly man (77). Asaneng said he did this immediately upon seeing a video footage on the SABC News about a destitute man living in squalor in a village, outside Mahikeng.
He further said the South African Police Service (SAPS), which has a constitutional and legal duty to prevent, combat and investigate crimes, views this information in a very serious light and would want to immediately investigate the alleged abuse, harassment and attack of a vulnerable and defenceless old man so that those involved are identified and arrested.
Asaneng added that the police are therefore, calling upon anyone who has information that could lead to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the culprits, to call the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or share information via MySAPS App.
“By remaining silent while knowing or being aware of this crime will only encourage those criminals to continue with their abhorrent deeds. Let us rise and work together to rid our communities of crime and criminals,” he said.
21 August 2025- The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court postponed the case against Mervyn Casterns and seven others to 29 October 2025, for further investigations. Three of the accused, Daniel Nathan, Martha Rapetsoa and Kuben Moodley, have indicated their intention to file applications for their bail conditions to be relaxed.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henr Mamothame said bail proceedings will be heard on 9 September 2025. Mamothame said Zarina Prasadh (formerly Kellerman) was arrested on Monday and had appeared before the same court.
“The state opposed bail. After a formal bail hearing bail was set in the amount of R50 000 subject to strict conditions. Prasadh was expected to appear with the rest of the accused today. However, her attorney informed the court that she was admitted to hospital.
“A warrant for her arrest was issued, but the execution thereof stayed until 4 September 2025, when she is expected to appear before court,” he said.
Mamothame further said Mervyn Casterns, the CEO of the Alexkor RMC Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (“PSJV”) together with Daniel Nathan, his company Alexander Bay Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd – formerly known as Scarlet Sky Investments (Pty) Ltd (“SSI”), Kubentheran Moodley, Martha Rapetsoa, Roslyn Crossingham, Raygen Phillips and Zarina Prasadh, are facing numerous charges of fraud and offences in terms of the Diamonds Act.
He added that the charges emanate from two diamond marketing tenders that were awarded to SSI in 2015 and again in 2016, which gave SSI exclusive right to market and sell all diamonds produced by the PSJV, a joint venture formed between Alexkor SOC and the Richtersveld Community.
“SSI allegedly acquired all unpolished diamonds produced by the PSJV and sold it on behalf of the PSJV. It is alleged that several individuals and affiliated entities did, through the marketing tenders, acquire unpolished diamonds from sales conducted by SSI for the PSJV over a period of more than five years.
“The Alexkor investigation conducted by the IDAC, emanates from findings of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector Including organs of State,” said Mamothame.
The Guardian 