Picture: The missing Letlhogonolo Daniel Matebele/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
21 January 2026 – The police in Lichtenburg request the community’s assistance in locating a teenage boy, Letlhogonolo Daniel Matebele (17), from Blydeville, near Lichtenburg. The police said Matebele was last seen on Monday night, 29 December 2025, when he told his parents that he was going to sleep.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said a search commenced around Lichtenburg and extensive investigations were conducted without any positive results. Morake said according to his parents, the boy is epileptic and mentally unstable.
“His parents cannot remember what he was wearing at the time of his disappearance. Matebele is dark in complexion and slender built. The police request anyone who may have information regarding the missing person’s whereabouts to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Alpheus Moremi on 079 080 7284.
“Alternatively, one can call the local police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” she said.
21 January 2026- Four suspects aged between 20 and 25 were arrested for being in possession of dagga. The suspects were arrested in Seven Miles in Mothibistad on 19 January 2026.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the as the police were busy conducting patrols, they received a tip-off from reliable sources of a vehicle that is believed to be transporting dagga and doing deliveries not far from where they were conducting patrols. Shemane said the police operationalised the information received and spotted the vehicle fitting the description given parked in the street in Seven Miles in Mothibistad.
“The police tactically approached the vehicle and ordered the three suspects who were inside to disembark the vehicle. The driver was requested to open the boot upon which 15 black plastic bags presumed to be dagga was found in the bag in the boot.
“An undisclosed amount of money was found in possession of the driver, who could not give satisfactory account as to why he had the money. With the assistance of the Kuruman K9 unit, the house where the vehicle was parked was searched,” he said.
Shemane further said one suspect was found inside the premises in possession of dagga. He added that dagga with an estimated street value of R135 000 was seized by the police, as well as the vehicle as it was used in a commission of a crime.
“In an unrelated case, the police were on patrol at Seven Miles when they received a tip-off of a person who is in possession of suspected stolen goods. The information was operationalised and the suspect was found with the property and could not give proper account of how he got hold of the property.
“The property was positively identified by the complainant. The suspect (32) was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, which was later linked to a case that was reported on 25 December 2025 in Seven Miles,” said Shemane.
He said all the suspects are expected to appear in the Mothibistad Magistrate’s Court soon.
Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe Police District Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, applauded the police for their swift and unwavering commitment in the fight against crime and for removing drugs from the streets and the recovery of the stolen property.
21 January 2026- The police in Northern Cape said as the schools reopened for 2026, they are continuing striving to create a safe and secure learning environment for all learners and teaching staff at all learning institutions across the province. The police said for them to achieve their mandate, they urge learners to know their parents contact details, full names and their home addresses.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Constable Thabo Fourie said they encourage learners to report any type of bullying whether on or outside school premises to a trusted adult, guardian or educator. Fourie urged them not to share any personal information with strangers nor walk or talk to them.
“They should walk in groups and in common roads, which are not identified as crime hotspots. They should not walk using their gadgets such as cell phones as that can attract possible threats. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is also pleading with parents to be present in their children’s day-to-day lives so that their kids do not become victims to social media predators.
“We urge them to monitor their children’s social media engagements and to limit their interactions with older people. Encourage your kids to be kind to one another, so that bullying can be a topic of the past. Ensure that your kids’ transport is reliable and all safety precautions are followed to avoid and prevent accidents and injuries,” he said.
Fourie further said parents should play their part in ensuring that their children are and feel safe.
Setshwantsho-papiso: Moithuti o tlhabilwe ka sekere
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
21 Ferikgong 2026- Moithuti (19) wa kwa sekolong se segolwane sa Bore kwa Ganyesa, gaufi le Vryburg, o lebagane le ditatofatso tsa maiteko a polao. Se, se tla morago ga gore moithuti o, go begwa fa a tlhabile boithuti jaaka ene wa dingwaga di le 19 ka sekere.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are go begwa fa baithuti ba, ba ile ba nna le nganyisano kwa sekolong. Van Rooyen are go begwa fa baithuti ba, ba ile ba tsweletsa nganyisano ya bone morago ga sekolo fa ba ne ba le mo tseleng ya go ya magaeng.
“Go begwa fa moithuti o, a ile a ntsha sekere le go tlhaba moithuti jaaka ene. Motswasetlhabelo o ile a rwalelwa kwa bookelong go bona thuso ya potlako morago ga go tswa dikgobalo.
“Go butswe kgetsi ya maiteko a polao, mme ga ise go tshwarwe ope go fitlha ga jaana. Fela dipatlisiso di a tswelela,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
20 January 2026- The police said recent business robberies reported are alarming and concerning. The police said their preliminary investigations indicate that not sufficient safety precautionary measures are taken into consideration by business owners and managers.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said the police have detected that large amounts of cash is not banked or deposited on time into business drop safes or (depository safe). Shemane said the police in the province are making an urgent plea to all business owners to adhere and implement the following safety hints and measures to prevent businesses being targeted and becoming victims of robberies.
“Deposit money into the drop safe as quickly as possible to prevent planned internal theft. Avoid having large amounts of cash on the business premises, bank or drop it on regular time intervals. The police cannot overemphasize the importance of the installation of sufficient surveillance cameras on the business premises.
“Employ enough security personnel and always be vigilant when working with money. Do not use the same routes to bank daily cash. Avoid operating after hours and remain within the business hours. Avoid being alone in the business, especially at night and do not sleep on the premises,” he said.
Shemane further said business owners should not open for anyone after the business is closed. He added that they should always try to be two or three when opening and closing the business.
“Train your staff and share robbery prevention and response guidelines on how to act prior to or during business robberies,” said Shemane.
Picture: The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Nathan Oliphant
By REGINALD KANYANE
20 January 2026- The North West Provincial Legislature’s Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Clifton J Groep against the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will resume its work from 26 to 30 January 2026. This comes after the conclusion of the first round of witness testimonies during the Committee’s sittings held from 24 to 27 November 2025, as well as the extension of the Committee’s mandate by the Legislature until 31 March 2026, to allow sufficient time for the completion of its work.
The Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Nathan Oliphant said the forthcoming sittings will commence with the continuation of testimony by the former Director: Corporate Services at the Naledi Local Municipality, Thabo Appolus. Oliphant said evidence will continue to be led by the senior counsel, Pule Seleka.
“The hearings will take place at the Sun City Convention Centre, daily from 9am. I reaffirm that the Committee continues to execute its work in a manner that is fair, transparent and consistent with the principles of natural justice and the Legislature’s constitutional oversight responsibilities, and emphasised that the Committee will not pre-empt the outcome of its deliberations.
“Members of the public and interested stakeholders are encouraged to access the Ad Hoc Committee webpage for more information on the work of the Committee at: https://nwpl.gov.za/adhoc-on-premier/. Further details regarding the programme and procedural arrangements will be communicated in due course,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa ba polao, Bakang, Phenyo Katong le Katlego Mosimege
OBAKENG MAJE
20 Ferikgong 2026- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, e tla boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung fa kgwedi ya Ferikgong e tlhola matsatsi a le 22. Bakang Katong (32), yo o atlholetsweng dingwaga di le robedi kwa kgolegelong mo kgetsing ya petelelo, ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae mo kgetsing ya polao, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34), ba ne ba tshwarwa dingwaga di le nne tse di fetileng morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso Mothibedi (35), setlhogo.
Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo teketa le go mo golegelela mo generateng. Seno se tla morago ga gore ba mo latofatse ka go ba utswetsa madi a seatleng a lekanyediwang go R20 000 le motsoko wa R600.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant Colonel, Sam Tselanyane, o ile a tlhalosetsa ba lekwalo-dikgang la The Guardian Newspaper gore dipatlisiso di shupa fa tiragalo e, ele ya di 29 Moranang 2022. Tselanyane are go ile ga begwa fa moswi a ile a siela kwa motseng wa Longaneng.
“Fela, go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go mo latela. Go begwa fa go gorogeng ga bone kwa motseng wa Manthe, ba ile ba mo gokelela mo generateng, mme ba mo teketa go fitlhelela a tlhokafala.
“Go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tabogisetsa moswi kwa kliniking ya selegae fa ba bona a neela mowa. Baoki ba ne ba ba tlhalosa fa go se sepe se ba ka se dirang go boloka moswi, gonne one a setse a balelelwa le badimo,” Tselanyane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ile ba bolotsa mogwanto kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa, mme ba ile ba fisa matlo a bone a le mararo le sejanaga mo tiragalong e. Gape, baagi ba ile thuba le go senya ntlo-maitiso ya balatofadiwa, mme ba itseela le nnotagi.
Go begwa fa Katong a boleletse lekgotlha ka mokgwa wa tiriso ya lekwalo gore o ipona molato mo ditatofatso tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene. Lenyai le ene go ne ga begwa fa a ipone molato mo ditatofatsong tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, fela one a fetoga mme a kopa lekgotlha fa a batla go fetola mmueledi wa gagwe.
Go begwa fa Katong o tlhaloseditse lekgotlha fa Mosimege le mogoloe, Phenyo, ba ne ba sena seabe mo tiragalong e.
Kgabagare, bosekisi le bone bo tlhalositse fa boitekanetse go ka tswelela ka tsheko, mme bo shupa fa bona le kgetsi e kwenneng kgatlhanong le banna ba, ba le bane. Tsheko mo kgetsing e, ene ya bosediwa morago mo letsatsing la maabane gonne balatofadiwa ba bangwe ba ne bas a iponagatsa kwa kgotlhatshekelo ntle le Bakang Katong.
Picture: The Meat Brother’s Pub in Lokaleng village, near Taung
By OBAKENG MAJE
20 January 2026- The Magistrate, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other stakeholders involved in an attempted murder case against The Meat Brother’s Pub owner, Tshwaro Mangwegape (41), will conduct a loco inspection today. This aims to gather firsthand information regarding what might have happened on 17 December 2023, when Mangwegape allegedly shot and killed the NWU Soccer Institute player, Undivile “Vilo” Mdi (28) and injured his friend, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (33).
The trial in this case commenced on Monday.
On 17 December 2023, Mdi and Kokwe were amongst patrons who visited The Meat Brother’s Pub that was full to capacity. It is alleged that Mdi and Kokwe went outside and the security guards refused them entry on their return because the area was packed to capacity. Mdi and Kokowe allegedly tried to gain entry forcefully, but Mangwegape allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at them.
Mdi was fatally shot, while his friend was rushed to the hospital with terrible gunshot wounds. The injuries led to Kokwe’s leg being amputated. Mangwegape was arrested and charged with attempted murder and murder. He is out on a R5000 bail and the trial continues.
20 January 2026- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Naledi said it will march to the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today. SANCO said it will be marching regarding the alleged numerous tragic incidents that occurred at a privately-owned residential area in Vryburg.
SANCO Zonal Secretary, Tumisang Badise said about four victims, who were tenants in that yard, have been brutally attacked by pit bull dogs and unfortunately, two of the victims succumbed to their injuries. Badise said these incidents are inclusive of Remoratile Maphike (12), who was attacked by these pit bull dogs on 16 June 2024.
“Although she survived this ordeal, it has left her with severe physical injuries and psychological trauma. The recent incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 1January 2026 in the same yard. The victim, Mahommed Shahete (39), died on 2 January 2026 at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg.
“The motive behind the march is to seek clarity from all relevant stakeholders as to why the pit bull dogs were not killed immediately after the first incident to avoid continuous loss of lives and injuries to others. The South African Police Services (SAPS), SPCA and the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management were aware of the first and second incidents, but no arrest was made,” he said.
Badise further said the pit bull dogs were not seized or killed. He added that, according to the police, the owner of pit bull dogs, Annamei Smith and her boyfriend, were arrested after the attack on Maphike, but she was released on warning because according to the court, it was her first offence.
“This puzzles us because before the attack on Maphike, these pit bull dogs killed a man. The third victim had to relocate without opening a case because he received threats from some police officials and the landlord, while trying to lay charges.
“He was ordered to leave Vryburg and he sold his businesses. The mother of a 12 year-old victim is now currently receiving threats from unknown numbers for speaking out to the media and seeking intervention. These threats have provoked the community and swear that there will be no rest, if something happens to the victims,” said Badise.
He said Smith has not paid any hospital bills or compensated any of the victims, not even a follow-up after all these incidents. Badise said instead, she is rude, provocative and racist.
“SANCO, Bua Moagi, Pakistan Association in South Africa, Naledi Council of Churches, ANCWL and the community at large, have been triggered and have raised their concerns for lack of safety in this town. There is no accountability and now the community lives in fear.
“The post-mortem has confirmed that indeed the recent victim was killed by the dog bites, but the owner is still walking free with no remorse,” he said.
19 January 2026 – The two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), will convene a virtual Joint Programming Committee (JPC) meeting tomorrow, to plan and coordinate Parliament’s programme of work for the 2026 parliamentary year. The JPC plays a critical coordination role between the two Houses, ensuring alignment on the legislative, oversight and public participation programme of Parliament.
Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said the meeting will consider strategic priorities, key legislative milestones, oversight focus areas and the parliamentary calendar for 2026. Mothapo said the outcomes of the meeting will inform the scheduling of plenary sittings, committee work and joint activities, and will support Parliament’s constitutional mandate to pass legislation, exercise oversight over the Executive, and facilitate meaningful public involvement in its processes.
“The meeting will be held via virtual platform on Tuesday at 9am,” he said.
The Guardian 