Picture: Police patrolling the mining dumps/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 March 2025- Five suspects were arrested separately for various offenses during Operation Vala Umgodi. A foreign national (27), was arrested for dealing in drugs in Greenpoint, near Kimberley.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the suspect will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs. Sam said another suspect (55), was arrested in Lerato Park, for possession of drugs.
“The team further arrested three suspects aged 30, 40 and 47 respectively, at the Otties Koppies Mining Dumps for illegal mining, as well as tresspassing. Drugs including dagga, mandrax and tik as well as several mining implements were confiscated during these operations.
“Two suspects were detained and fined for riotous behaviour and contravening the Road Traffic Management Act. The Northern Cape multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team tasked to combat illicit mining activities, will continue to execute these actions,” he said.
Sam further said these suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon. He added that, if community members see something, they should say something.
“Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111,” said Sam.
6 March 2025- A man (18) was sentenced to five years imprisonment (suspended for five years) by the Kakamas Magistrate’s Court for statutory rape. In October 2024, a concerned mother reported a case of statutory rape to Kakamas SAPS upon discovery that, the accused had sexual relations with her minor daughter.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela said the accused was charged by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, and investigations revealed that the accused had a sexual relationship with the girl (14), while aware of her age.
“The management in the ZFM District welcomed the sentencing and applauded the commendable investigation by Constable Chatel Beukes of Kakamas FCS Unit and Prosecutor Twane,” said Masegela.
South Africa requires upwards of R440 billion in the next 10 years to expand its transmission infrastructure, says Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Addressing the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town on Tuesday, the Minister said the country’s transmission development plans have identified the need to modernise and expand the grid for 14 000 kilometres in the next 10 years.
“This is going to require an enormous amount of investment. The fiscus won’t be able to carry that. The Eskom balance sheet is not sufficient, so it is important to find bespoke financing instruments to make this possible,” the Minister said.
He called on financial actors to actively take steps to significantly lower the cost of borrowing for the investment of the continent’s development, climate resilience and clean energy transition initiatives.
“We expect the increase in electricity trade volumes to grow by about 300% by 2040 and by that time, the projection is that Africa’s population will be at about two billion people from the current 1.5 billion. For us to be able to achieve this level of ambition, there are huge investments that are required.
“One of the studies done by some of the… organisations suggests that Africa will need upwards of R2.6 trillion in investments in the energy sector by 2040. The pool of financing is enormous. Even if you had to consolidate the balance sheet of the continent, I don’t think we are going to get anywhere near raising this money.
“That is why it is important that we are able to design a financing instrument for us to be able to achieve this level of ambition,” Ramokgopa said.
He expressed support for a single electricity market on the continent, as advocated for by the the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“We think that the ambitions of achieving a single electricity market on the continent is not far-fetched .For us to have universal access by 2063, as advocated for in Agenda 2063, which makes a point that we can achieve that through regional integration… there has to be significant investment on interconnectivity,” the Minister said.
With South Africa hosting the Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency, Ramokgopa outlined the G20 technical energy group priorities, which include energy security and forging reliable and affordable access; achieving just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions, as well as African connectivity and energy pools.
These priorities were canvassed through the platform of the African Union.
According to Ramokgopa, 43% of the total population in Africa does not have access to electricity.
“This is a big issue. Before you can talk about transitioning, people need to have access to whatever form of electricity, irrespective of the fuel sources.
“As a country and the continent, we bear the responsibility to ensure that we are able to provide this access in a manner that doesn’t degrade the environment and keep to our obligations to ensure that we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, although we contribute less than 2.5% of the CO2 emissions. Going into the future, gas will still be part of the mix on the continent,” the Minister said.
Focus on just transition
South Africa’s G20 Presidency will elevate the issue of just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions.
“That is important because we are of the opinion that there is no single transition. Any transition should take into account the unique circumstances of individual countries, and the pace and scale that they can afford.
“We will be meeting with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and are hoping that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will be release to the public soon. The plan will explain how we see the transitions unfold in the country,” Ramokgopa said.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency is the fourth consecutive emerging market Presidency, and it is also the first African Presidency.
It commenced on 1 December 2024 and all engagements are being held under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
The year-long deliberations will culminate in a G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025.
The G20 was established to tackle pressing global economic and financial issues. Together, G20 members account for around 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade.
It comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies, namely the European Union and the African Union.
The grouping plays a critical role in influencing global policy making and fostering global economic stability. – SAnews.gov.za
6 March 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will on Friday, lead the rollout of Accelerated Service Delivery Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Programme in Matloding village, near Mahikeng. The roll out of Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded activities in Matloding comes after the pronouncement by Mokgosi in his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) that the Matloding Cultural Village is expected to be completed by the end of next month.
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said to give impetus to this announcement, Mokgosi will on Friday conduct an oversight visit to the cultural village, to monitor progress in this regard. Tatai said this visit underscores the commitment to completing the project on time, which aims to enhance cultural heritage and tourism in the region.
“In recognition of the challenges faced by young people in the area, Mokgosi will also lead the handing over of livestock and vegetables packages linked to the Presidential Employment Stimulus Phase 3, to nine local beneficiaries. The packages include animal feed and medication, fertilizers, water tanks and garden tools.
“Additionally, utensils for the National School Nutrition Programme will be delivered to Mothusi Marumoloa Secondary School, while fresh vegetables will be donated to the Matloding Community Nutrition Development Centre, benefiting the Masamane and Matloding areas. Integrated health services will be provided on-site, offering a range of essential health interventions aimed at improving residents’ overall well-being,” he said.
Tatai further said, assistive devices, including six wheelchairs and five walking frames, will be issued to identified beneficiaries during the feedback session. He added that road maintenance and improvement activities will also be carried out to enhance road safety and infrastructure.
“Planned activities include the blading of Road Z455 from D414 through Matloding to Logageng, as well as potholes patching on D414 from Seweding to Matloding. Maintenance work will also be done on roads D979 and D970 covering the stretch from Setlagole N18 through Mosita to P183/1 Matloding, benefiting various villages along the route. “Potholes patching and blading of the Logageng internal roads in Ward 4 will also be performed. As part of encouraging a cleaner environment and proper waste management in rural areas, a campaign will be held to address illegal dumping in Moshawane, Logageng and Matloding villages,” said Tatai.
He said these initiatives aim to improve the overall condition of the roads and maintain a cleaner, safer environment for all residents in the affected areas. Tatai said Mokgosi will be joined by Members of Executive Council (MECs), District and Local Municipality Executive Mayors and the local traditional leadership.
Picture: One of the alleged corrupt policemen arrested/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
6 March 2025- Four policemen who were arrested for allegedly aiding underground kingpin, Neo Tsoaeli, who also known as Tiger, briefly appeared in Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The accused persons, Jack Motlhabya (37), Menzi Shabalala (38), Ntuthuko Dladla (40) and Samkelo Mbotho (38), are facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and aiding and abetting a detainee to escape.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said it is alleged that on 15 January 2025, several illegal miners were rescued and brought to the surface at a mine shaft in Stilfontein. Gunya said they were arrested by members of SAPS posted to perform duties on the Vala Umgodi Operations.
“A person known as “Tiger” was identified by several illegal miners as the person who was in charge, whilst they were underground. Tiger escaped on the same day, and the Anti-Corruption Unit launched an investigation which led to the arrest of the four officials.
“On 31 January 2025, four SAPS members attached to the National Intervention Unit, were arrested for defeating the ends of justice and aiding and abetting a detainee to escape,” he said.
Gunya further said they appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on the same day and were released on R1000 bail each. He added that their bail has been extended until 29 May 2025, for further investigations.
6 March 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Northern Cape said it expects the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul to focus attentively on growing jobs and the economy during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) today. The DA’s provincial leader, Harold McGluwa, who is also a Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Northern Cape Provincial Legislature said, they want to see more outcomes of the State-Owned Construction Company that Saul announced at the start of his first term in 2019.
McGluwa said it must turn the entire province into a large scale construction site. He further said Saul must break the silence on the State-Owned Mining company to stop illegal mining costing the province millions in lost revenue.
“Ongoing late payments to SMMEs must be curbed from harming small businesses because they cause critical services like health to suffer when suppliers hold back on medicine deliveries and the repair of service vehicles gets put on ice.
“We hope that growing water crises across our towns will be announced as a provincial priority. We welcome the R2,5 billion investment into Sol Plaatje’s water infrastructure and want to see it transform the capital city of Kimberley into a building site of its own, ending the Kimberley water crisis once and for all,” he said.
McGluwa added that corruption must be acted on, not only spoken about. He said Saul must explain the government’s response to the disciplinary recommendation that Roads and Public Works CFO, Bradley Slingers, be fired.
“Where disciplinary hearings haven’t taken place for HODs and senior management members implicated in wrongdoing, this must be corrected. Saul must also give us a report on lifestyles audits conducted with the Special Investigative Unit (SIU), as well as consequence management implemented to address uncovered irregularities.
“The Northern Cape needs hope, the repair of basic services like health and education, and movement on the Premier’s promises made over the last six years. He must focus more on selling vandalized government buildings and moving ahead with initiatives, like the mega city and convention centre, promised in Upington,” said McGluwa.
He said they anticipate that Saul will come with tangible solutions and express a genuine willingness to work together for the betterment of all the people of the province.
6 March 2025- South Africa hosted a successful first G20 Tourism Working Group meeting virtually from the Head Office of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) today. The Director General of the South African Department of Tourism, Victor Vele who chaired the first Tourism Working Group meeting which was attended by senior officials and experts in the tourism sector of the G20 countries, invited guest countries and international organisations, said delegates deliberated on and agreed to work on four priorities for the year.
Vele said they will be working on People-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation to enhance Travel and Tourism Start-Ups and SMMEs, Tourism Financing and Investment to Enhance Equality and Promote Sustainable Development, Air Connectivity for Seamless Travel, and Enhanced Resilience for Inclusive, Sustainable Tourism Development. He said the meeting was the first of a series of engagements that will take place throughout the year, ahead of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in September 2025.
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille welcomed the delegates through a video-recorded message.
Dellie said: “South Africa is excited to welcome all G20 delegates, member states and organisations to our beautiful country and proud to host the G20 for the first time on African soil. As you convene during the first Tourism Working Group, I implore all delegates to focus on how we can use tourism to change people’s lives, communities and the world.”
Vele further said the Tourism Working Group will exchange knowledge and best practices among the member countries with a view of crafting actionable deliverables. He added that the Tourism Working Group is among the 16 working groups of the G20 during South Africa’s Presidency focusing on solidarity, equality and sustainability.
“As the first African country to preside over the G20 presidency, South Africa is utilising its term to drive a developmental agenda to benefit the African continent. Going forward, the G20 Tourism Meetings are planned in South Africa to discuss the 2nd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting – from 11 till 13 May 2025, KwaZulu Natal Province, 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting – from 10 till 11 September 2025, Mpumalanga Province, G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting – on 12 September 2025, Mpumalanga Province.
“The G20 economies represent around 85% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. In 2023, the G20 welcomed 69% of all international tourists and accounted for 71% of tourism exports worldwide. In 2023 Tourism Direct GDP reached 3.1% of the G20 economies,” said Vele.
He said Tourism plays a critical role in the global economy and is one of the vital economic sectors contributing significantly to socio-economic development, but it remains vulnerable to natural and manmade hazards. Vele said for many countries, the tourism economy is growing faster than most other economic sectors.
“With its extensive value chain and labour absorption capacity, it is acknowledged as a tool for inclusive economic development, playing a significant role in responding to socioeconomic challenges. Tourism is an important economic sector in Africa. In 2023 the continent’s, Tourism direct gross domestic product reached 85 US billion representing 3.5% of the region’s GDP.
“This value is still below the pre-pandemic US billion 94 reached in 2019 (4.3% share). The challenges facing the African travel and tourism sector include air connectivity, limited investments, financing for tourism development, positioning and marketing, social and environmental sustainability, as well as safety and security amongst others,” he said.
He said South Africa’s tourism priorities for the 2025 G20 Presidency are aligned with the continental priorities as expressed in Agenda 2063 as well as with the core objectives contained in the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth, the strategic roadmap guiding the promotion of sustainable tourism development across the African continent. Vele said this meeting also appreciated South Africa’s intention to build on the efforts and successes of the last three G20 Presidencies of the Global South and to champion Africa’s developmental agenda.
Picture: The ANC Chief Whip in North West Provincial Legislature, Motlalepula Rosho/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
6 March 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature, Motlalepula Rosho on Tuesday urged the provincial government not to spare any effort to defuse the ticking time bomb of youth unemployment. Rosho called for rigorous economic transformation programmes that will revitalise industrial sites to be implemented in order to address unemployment among youth that is standing at 52.4%, the highest in the country, during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) debate in the provincial legislature.
She further said these sites possess the efficient ability to accelerate the creation of an enabling environment for investment in improved manufacturing competitiveness, which remains the most reliable sustained employment creator with the highest jobs
multiplier. Rosho added that, the State-owned Enterprises (SoEs) must be repositioned to contribute towards job creation as part of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy that focuses on mining, agriculture and tourism to stimulate economic growth and development.
“The turnaround strategy of SoEs must realise return on investment for an inclusive economy that benefits everyone particularly women, youth and people with disabilities.
“The North West Development Cooperation (NWDC) must fully exploit job creation opportunities across the province as part of full realisation of its mandate with manufacturing as a priority sector,” she said.
Rosho also expressed concern regarding the delayed establishment of the Bojanala Special Economic Zone, which has the potential to create 15 000 job opportunities for the unemployed in the Moses Kotane Local Municipalities and surrounding areas. She assured the people of the North West that the government’s programme of action announced last Thursday by the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi in his SOPA, will be closely monitored on how many jobs it will create.
“The POA’s priority must be more jobs and nothing less but more jobs. We do not have the luxury not to deliver on this priority.
“The ANC-led government must through the critical interventions create new and sustainable jobs, by continuing the engagement with the private sector on job creation, to contribute to the provincial efforts to reduce and create employment opportunities for communities,” said Rosho.
She said engagement with the agricultural sector, mines, private business and all stakeholders must be pursued to create conditions that will enable small businesses to emerge, grow, access new markets as well as create new products and more sustainable employment opportunities for young people. Rosho said beneficiation of the mineral resources will reverse decades of an extraction economy that has not contributed much to creating local jobs to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and equality.
“We welcome the opening of a newly refurbished Gold Processing Plant at Orkney, which forms part of the R9 billion investment by China Africa Precious Metals aimed at creating and preserving 10 000 jobs.
“The support provided to youth owned enterprises, with financial and non-financial business development interventions through the National Youth Development Agency Grant Programme, should be buttressed with expansion and allocation of more funds to capacitate SMME’s,” she underscored.
Picture: Two accused persons, Elias Koketso Mongale and Joyce Catherine Phiri nabbed by the Hawks/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
5 March 2025- Two people briefly appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 5 March 2025, facing charges of fraud and contravention of tax administration Act on cases emanating from Project Expresso. The accused persons, Elias Koketso Mongale and Joyce Catherine Phiri, were arrested by the Mahikeng based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation on Tuesday, following their alleged fraudulent activities in declaring their gross income to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse, said probe into the matter revealed that Joyce Catherine Phiri was registered with SARS for personal tax income. Malwetse said, however, Phiri allegedly failed to declare her gross income between the years 2016 to 2022.
“It is further alleged that she also omitted to submit returns for tax assessment, despite constant reminders from revenue officials. Reports indicate that in some instances, Phiri either under-declared her income or misrepresented herself by making false entries to evade tax.
“As a result, SARS suffered a total prejudice amounting to R1.9 million. Investigation revealed that Elias Mongale defrauded SARS by submitting personal income tax with false information that he received no taxable income between 2015 and 2022. As a result, SARS suffered a total loss of R1.8 million,” she said.
Malwetse further said they appeared before court and Phiri was released on R5000 bail, while Mongale was released on R3000 bail. She added that, both matters were postponed to 16 April 2025, for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the arrest and commended the investigation and prosecution team for their collaborative efforts with SARS to fight tax corruption and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
5 March 2025- The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality said it has terminated the employment contract of the suspended Municipal Manager, Olaotse Bojosinyane. The municipality said in a statement that, this decision was taken on 30 January 2025, however, it was taken on a judicial review by the aggrieved party at labour court on 14 February 2025, on an urgent application and of which judgement was handed down by his lordship, Makhura J on 28 February 2025, ordering the reinstatement of Bojosinyane as a Municipal Manager.
The acting Municipal Manager of Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Rasupang Mooketsi said, on Monday, the whole judgement was appealed and the effects of which suspended the operation and or implementation of the judgement as regulated by Superior Court Act. Mooketsi said to that extent, a communication was done to Bojosinyane by the mayor, Mazwi Moruri, regarding the notice of application for a leave to appeal.
“Regrettably, Bojosinyane disregarded the communication and took office by force being aided by his private security. The chaos then erupted between a security company employed by the municipality, some municipal employees and the private security of Bojosinyane.
“During the chaos that erupted, live ammunition was used by the private security shooting at municipal employees and injured two. One employee sustained a gunshot to the chest and he is in a critical condition at hospital, whilst the other one sustained a gunshot to the lower leg,” he said.
Mooketsi further said on the fraudulent letters of resignations by municipal speaker, Jairous Modisakeng and Moruri, the municipality would like to put it on record that viral letters of resignation are fake and fraudulent. He added that, to this extent, cases are registered with South African Police Services (SAPS) for further investigation.
“The speaker and mayor view this as an attempt to cause confusion and uncertainty. Those committed to continuously change and undermine the political office bearers have today, unlawfully convened a council meeting out of jurisdiction of Ditsobotla Local Municipality. A notice of council meeting was circulated undersigned by Bojosinyane (who is no longer an employee of the municipality pending the finalisation of the appeal).
“These actions are nothing but desperate attempts to create parallel structures of governance. It is rather sad that few councillors are in support of this attempt to create a state of dysfunction. The public and stakeholders are cautioned not to interact with Bojosinyane in any capacity related to the Ditsobotla Local Municipality,” he said.
Mooketsi said on 5 March 2025, Modisakeng had convened a properly constituted special council sitting, at which the council received an update from Moruri regarding the visit by the Office of the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Department of Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation. He said since the end of January 2025, their municipality through the intergovernmental relations, has been engaged in continuous engagements to source resourceful support and interventions to assist the municipality provide much needed basic services to residents.
“We would like to apologise to the public, residents, consumers as well as stakeholders about the recent incidents of public disorder that disrupted provision of services in the municipality. We wish to reaffirm the commitment to provide basic services within our financial limitations and daunting challenges confronting the municipality,” said Moruri.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor at Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Manana Bogatsu and ANC councillor, Molefe Morutse, were elected as municipal speaker and municipal mayor during a special council sitting today allegedly convened by Bojosinyane.
*Meanwhile, Bojosinyane has not responded to Taung DailyNews request regarding allegations levelled against him yet. His response will be incorporated in the article when received.
The Guardian 