22 July 2025- Four men who have been arrested in connection with the murder of SA DJ, Oupa John Sefoka, who was popularly known as DJ Sumbody are set to appear in Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Sefoka was killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022.
The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Gauteng organised crime detectives worked on the case and later roped in the SAPS Political Killings Task Team to assist. Mathe said the arrests were all effected in Gauteng on Monday afternoon and three of the suspects are believed to be hitmen and one is believed to have ordered the hit on the DJ.
“The weapon allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized and has since been linked to other murders. All four suspects are in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon,” she said.
Mathe said three hitmen and alleged mastermind are facing three counts of murder, these charges include the murder of DJ Sumbody and his two bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the latest breakthrough by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team working closely with Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives. Masemola said this is a significant breakthrough that will hopefully provide closure to families involved.
“Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is a culmination of hard-work and dedication to justice. This is one of those complex cases that our teams needed to take their time in ensuring a thorough investigation so that we could ultimately bring a strong case before court,” he said.
Masemola said amongst the charges they are facing include murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Picture: Banyana Banyana players celebrating during the match
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
22 July 2025- The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it will on Tuesday host Banyana Banyana Fan Park in Brandvlei, Randfontein. The department said this is to rally support for South Africa women’s national football team ahead of the semi-final clash against the Super Falcons of Nigeria during the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie spokesperson, Stacey-Lee Khojane said the Fan Park idea seeks to galvanise and mobilise national support for women’s national football team, Banyana Banyana, as they renew their historic rivalry with Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Khojane said Banyana Banyana, the defending WAFCON champions, will be fighting for a place in the continental tournament final.
“The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, will attend the event. The Banyana Banyana Fan Park is also a nation-wide rallying call to encourage all South Africans to unite in support of Banyana Banyana as they strive to retain their African title.
“The match will be screened at Brandvlei, Randfontein, West Rand,” she said.
Picture: The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela
By REGINALD KANYANE
22 July 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes the appointment of Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training and Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. The cabinet reshuffle was announced by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said Manamela has served as the Deputy Minister in the same department since the 6th Administration and is a seasoned leader with strong ties to the youth and student movement. Bhengu said his experience positions him well to lead the transformation agenda in this sector.
“Manamela’s appointment comes at a critical time and is well aligned with the urgent task of consolidating transformation, restoring governance integrity, and revitalising skills development across the sector.
“Drawing from his long standing experience and oversight role in the sector, including the Sector Education and Training Authorities, Manamela is well positioned to advance the movement’s vision of a responsive, inclusive, and future-ready post-school education and training system,” she said.
Bhengu further said Dube-Ncube, a former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and an experienced public servant, brings valuable governance expertise. She added that her appointment under Section 93(b) of the Constitution enhances executive capacity and reflects confidence in her proven leadership.
“The ANC is confident that this new leadership team will advance access, equity and quality in the higher education sector. We extend our gratitude to the former Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane for her service and wish her well in her future endeavours.
“These appointments reaffirm our commitment to a capable, ethical, and developmental state,” said Bhengu.
Forum for South Africa (FOSA) said it welcomed the appointment of Manamela as the Minister of Higher Education and Training.
FOSA national leader, Tebogo Mashilompane said: “It is our observation and believe that Manamela understands the complexity of the department unlike Nkabane. Nkabane was a very arrogant Minister simply because she did not understand the sophisticated department.
“As a result, she was more defensive than proactive. And her attitude did not help the department to progress. Having stated that, it is our plea to the Minister to not allow him to be swallowed by the cabinet and as a result fail to deliver as he used to as the Deputy Minister.”
Mashilompane said they want to bring to the attention of the Minister the fact that there are serious challenges in the CETC – Community Education and Training Colleges. He said there is an existing element of corruption and they will be addressing the Minister on such issues.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the removal of Nkabane was long overdue. Ndhlela said they strongly believe that the decision to remove Nkabane was necessary.
“The former Minister’s failure to account for the irregular and unlawful allocation of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board positions raised serious questions about the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU)’s governance, their lack of transparency and the severe political interference that has become quite characteristic of the former liberation movement.
“It was evident that the appointments disproportionately favoured individuals with strong ties to the ANC. A pattern that cannot be ignored in a constitutional democracy such as South Africa,” he said.
Ndhlela said they were deeply concerned by Nkabane’s persistent and blatant refusal to attend critical Portfolio Committee meetings and her unwillingness to provide clear answers to repeated inquiries regarding the criteria and processes used in the appointment of the SETA oversight panel. He said such conduct is unacceptable from any public office bearer, let alone one entrusted with the future of our education and skills development institutions.
Meanwhile, the South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said they welcome the appointment of Manamela and Dube-Ncube and wished them well in their new responsibilities. Shole said the appointments will assist to stabilise and bring the necessary energy to consolidate and deepen transformation within the higher education and training sector.
“We wish to congratulate Manamela who has shown commitment as well as consistency and earned the respect of the various stakeholders within the higher education and training sector ranging from student formations including the academic.
“Manamela and Dube-Ncube have the necessary governance and leadership experience to build on the milestones of the sector and resolve current challenges including the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) Boards debacle that has been in the public domain,” he said.
Picture: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie
By OBAKENG MAJE
22 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie of strangling grassroots sports, in favour of grand vanity projects that risk grand corruption. The DA said it condemns McKenzie’s ‘reckless’ decision to cut funding to national sports federations, undermining grassroots development and threatening South Africa’s Olympic future.
The DA spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture and Member of Parliament (MP), Joe McGluwa said they will move forward with an urgent oversight meeting in the Sports, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee in Parliament, where McKenzie will have to come and explain his choice to strangle grassroots sport federations.
McGluwa said instead of investing in proven pathways for young athletes, the Minister is diverting funds to grand vanity projects, stripping funding from federations and directing it into these larger, and less transparent projects.
“The DA cautions loudly and clearly that this shift risks grand scale corruption. Diverting grassroots money to massive vanity projects in the sports space, with expensive bids, secrecy and confidential deal elements will risk a looting frenzy for insiders.
“For sports to flourish, and for SA to remain competitive, we need grassroots sports development support, funding, capacitating and resourcing – not strangling them in favour of massive international bids, games, and races,” he said.
McGluwa further said if these grand international sporting events could be courted for South Africa without defunding local sport there would be benefit in them. He added that they may bring fantastic investments into South Africa, but if they defund and strangle local sport federations in the process, they are undermining and damaging local sports possibly irreparably.
“The damage caused by McKenzie’s defunding of local sports is already clear. Olympic codes like athletics and swimming face cuts of up to 60%. SASCOC, tasked by law to coordinate Olympic sport, has been completely defunded, despite receiving just R12 million over three years.
“Young athletes from the Cape Flats are currently stranded in Europe (Spain or Portugal according to different reports), a tragic symbol of a collapsing system. Without functioning federations, there is no pipeline, no preparation, and no performance so McKenzie’s claim of “direct funding to athletes” is hollow,” said McGluwa.
He said the sports and arts communities are up in arms and rightfully so. McGluwa said the allocation to this department between the 2024/5 and 2025/6 financial years has not differed more than 1.6%, yet entities are facing cuts of 50-70%.
“And to date, McKenzie has not furnished Parliament with the details and schedule of these cuts. He is working in private, in silence, and without oversight or transparency. Despite repeated requests during the department’s appearance in Parliament, it remains secret.
“It is time for Parliament and South Africa to be apprised of these simple facts. Where is the money going? The DA has profound concerns as McKenzie defunds sports and arts: This looks like a scheme of patronage dressed up in tracksuits,” he said.
McGluwa said South African sport deserves much better.
Meanwhile, McKenzie who tabled his departmental budget for 2025/26 financial year said, over the past year, they have seen so many stars in both sports and the arts, both young and experienced, realise their God-granted potential and make us proud to say that we are South Africans. He said they must be honest, though, that what their home-grown talents are achieving is often despite the circumstances they are facing and not because of the platforms they are giving them.
“Our amazing success on the field is too often balanced by the dysfunction we continue to face off the field. Ours is a system that too often still excludes the majority of people in our country, from school age on through their adult lives.
“We are realising perhaps just 5% of our potential as a country, and still we are winning at just about everything we turn our hands and hearts to. Sipho in Khayelitsha can’t play hockey because the price of a hockey stick comes at the cost of a week’s food for his family. There are many Siphos in South Africa and we face similar challenges in the music industry,” said McKenzie.
He said they have many successful people who’ve received training in acting, music and singing – but many more who’ve had to make it by relying on raw talent alone. McKenzie said they are the exceptions.
“Imagine if more of us had the chance to hone these great talents, and be guided in expressing them. We have heard from many people over this past year who have been resistant to the changes being brought in this department.
“They want to see familiar decisions and behaviour. But how can we rely on the old ways of doing things if the old ways have not solved the problems of the past three decades? Change is difficult, but it’s necessary – otherwise Sipho and the other Siphos and Sashas will never play hockey one day for a gold medal at the Olympics,” he said.
McKenzie said that’s why the budget signifies them trying to start doing things differently. He said these changes will keep coming as they continue to adapt and change how they spend and support their plans to make sport, the arts and culture accessible to all their Siphos, Celines, Salmans and Siyamthandas.
“Today, I want to bring honour to our cricket players, netball heroines, the Springboks, our Olympic squad, our sprinters and runners, our boxing champions, our swimmers, and so many more. Of all the people I met over the past year, I’d like to tell the story of a group of young bulky Afrikaners coming to see me to help popularise their sport, a sport I knew very little or nothing about: strongman.
“I approached many sponsors on their behalf. I worked the phones. Most people were not interested except for SuperSport and Betway. Years after the majority of companies did not give a positive response, most of them were calling me asking to be introduced to the world’s strongest man, Rayno Nel,” said McKenzie.
21 July 2025- Four men aged between 45 and 60 were arrested in connection with the murder of SA DJ, Oupa John Sefoka, who was popularly known as DJ Sumbody. Sefoka was killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022.
The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Gauteng organised crime detectives worked on the case and later roped in the SAPS Political Killings Task Team to assist. Mathe said the arrests were all effected in Gauteng on Monday afternoon and three of the suspects are believed to be hitmen and one is believed to have ordered the hit on the DJ.
“The weapon allegedly used in the commission of the crime was seized and has since been linked to other murders. All four suspects are in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon,” she said.
Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the latest breakthrough by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team working closely with Gauteng Organised Crime Detectives. Masemola said this is a significant breakthrough that will hopefully provide closure to families involved.
“Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is a culmination of hard-work and dedication to justice. This is one of those complex cases that our teams needed to take their time in ensuring a thorough investigation so that we could ultimately bring a strong case before court,” he said.
Masemola said amongst the charges they are facing include murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
21 July 2025- A coordinated operation by the Northern Cape Tracking Team led to the successful arrest of a wanted murder suspect in Paballelo, Upington on 19 July 2025. The members of the Provincial Tracking Team, with the assistance of Rosedale SAPS Detectives, acted on intelligence regarding the whereabouts of a female suspect (25).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said she was wanted in connection with the brutal murder of her husband, which took place in 2020 in the farming area known as “Ses Brugge,” near Upington. Sam said after evading arrest for five years, the suspect was successfully traced and apprehended in the Paballelo Informal Settlement.
“She is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon. The SAPS Provincial Management commended the members involved for the successful apprehension of a suspect listed among the province’s top 50 most wanted individuals.
“The police appreciate the public for their continued support and for sharing valuable information that assists in bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice,” he said.
Picture: New Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela
By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 July 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 91 (2) appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training. Ramaphosa said Manamela was until this appointment, serving as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, a role he held from the 7th administration.
“Consequently, I have in terms of Section 93 (b), appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. Dube’s long government leadership experience includes serving as KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs and Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.
“Section 93 (b) empowers the President to appoint no more than two Deputy Ministers from outside the Assembly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane said she would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ramaphosa for entrusting her with responsibility to serve as Minister of Higher Education and Training. Nkabane said it has been a privilege to lead this important portfolio.
“I am grateful to the sector and the people of South Africa for their support and for allowing me to serve in this capacity. I remain committed to the service of our people and the advancement of our country’s development,” she said.
21 Phukwi 2025- Banna ba le bane ba dingwaga di le 19, 21, 22 ga mmogo le 33, ba tshwerwe morago ga magatwe a gore ba tshwere kgwebo poo kwa motseng wa Kgatlheng, gaufi le Taung. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba kgorogela mong wa lebenkele, mme ba mo shupa ka sethunya pele ga ba ka mo tseela madi a sa totobadiwang a seatleng, metsoko ga mmogo le dilwana tse di jaaka flash machine.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane are tiragalo e, ke ya letsatsi la Tshipi nako e le ura ya bo 9:30 mo mosong. Tselanyane are banna ba, ba ile ba inaya naga morago ga moo.
“Fela sepodisi se ile sa bolotsa dipatlisiso, mme ba ile ba ba tshwara. Banna ba, ba lebagane le kgetsi ya go thuba kgwebo, fa o mongwe wa bone a tlile go lebagana le kgetsi ya go tshola sethunya. Ba tla tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la kamoso,” Tselanyane wa tlhalosa.
Setshwantsho: Banna ba le babedi ba ba latofadiwang ka polao
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
21 Phukwi 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, e buseditswe morago go fitlha 7 Phatwe 2025, ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung. Balatofadiwa, Phemelo Maine (40) ga mmogo le Okemetse Phatlhanyane (27), ba latofadiwa ka go bolaya Boingotlo Makaota (16).
Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2.
Go ya ka moagisani, one a utlwa segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya ga Maine. Go begwa fa moagisani o, gape a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona Maine ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa ga Makaota.
“Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se phuthetswe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe. Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong.”
Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la ga Maine, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng. Mokgwabone are, Maine o tshwerwe ka Lamatlhatso morago ga go ineele kwa sepodising.
“Monna o, o ile a isiwa kwa sepodisi ke morwa rragwe, mme one a tshwarwa. Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa Phatlhanyane o a bonweng a tsamaya le Maine fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme le ene o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le malala-a-laotswe.
Kgabagare, Maine o ile a ipona molato mabapi le ditatofatso tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, mme o solofetswe go ka nguna-nguna seo le mmueledi wa puso. Phatlhanyane ene o setse a inkeme fela ka la gore a neelwe beile, mme kopo ya gagwe e ka rediwa fa kgetsi e boela kgotlhatshekelo.
Picture: Missing Christiaan van Blerk and Donovan van der Walt, including the vehicle they were travelling in/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
21 July 2025- The police in Klerksdorp are requesting community assistance in locating two missing men, Christiaan van Blerk (34) and Donovan van der Walt (25). The police said according to information received, they were last seen at work on Monday morning, 14 July 2025, at Afrikaner Plot in Wessel Street in Meirings Park, Klerksdorp.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said they left their place of work in a white Toyota Hilux Raider bakkie, registration number KWF 254 NW, to collect spare parts in Klerksdorp Industria, but never returned. Myburgh said a search was conducted and all leads were followed, but it did not yield positive results.
“Christiaan van Blerk (34) is slender built with long brown hair, brown eyes and about 1.8m tall. He has a scar on the right side of his face (cheek), a tattoo of a cross on his upper arm and a horse shoe tattoo on his upper leg.
“Donovan van der Walt (25) is slender built with brown hair, light blue eyes, a black moustache and beard (unshaven) and about 1.6m tall. He has various tattoos on his body, with a lion tattoo on the left arm/hand,” she said.
Myburgh further said anyone who may have information regarding their whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Louis Harmse of Klerksdorp Detectives on 083 607 1395 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on number on 08600 10111. She added that anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone.
“Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011,” said Myburgh.
The Guardian 