Category Archives: NEWS

Consequences of Expropriation Bill being exaggerated

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Picture: Economist at North West University, Professor Waldo Krugell/Google

By BAKANG MOKOTO

29 January 2025- The Republic of South Africa president, Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law. Simply put, the bill allows the state to expropriate land in the public interest, including without compensation.

The economist at North West University (NWU) Professor, Waldo Krugell said signing of the Bill elicited no little backlash from the public, as well as from certain political parties, while others praised it. However, Krugell asked if all the fanfare warranted?

“The answer is an unequivocal no. Ramaphosa’s signing of the Expropriation Bill is not, on the face of it, the crisis that some people make it out to be. It is important to remember that the state has always had the power to expropriate.

“The process of updating the law began in 2004, and last week’s signing of the Bill is not directly related to the debate on expropriation without compensation of 2017 and 2018,” he said.

Krugell further said the new Bill replaces the original law of 1975 and defines the circumstances under which the state can expropriate land in the public interest. He added that it also defines the process by which the state must engage property owners and compensate them.

“The law will now be applied and interpreted by the courts. Although the reaction to the signing of the Bill might have been taken out of proportion, a clearer, more focused message would have done wonders to allay market fears.

“The fact that this sometimes sounds like a crisis says something about our politics. People feel the state can expropriate, but not everyone trusts this government to do so fairly,” said Krugell.

He said political analysts say the President signed the law now because he had to send a signal to ANC loyalists that he still supports their agenda of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). Krugell said he does not know if that faction of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party can still be persuaded, but the signal does nothing for the unity in the Government of National Unity (GNU).

“For the sake of investors and the economy, one would much rather hear a focused message of market-oriented reform. Research shows that policy uncertainty is bad for investment and low levels of investment are bad for economic growth.

“Faster growth is all that can create the opportunities that can reduce the inequalities of the past,” he said.

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Three suspects nabbed for being in possession of dagga

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Picture: Dagga seized by the police/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

29 January 2025- Three suspects aged 22, 32 and 35, were arrested for possession of dagga in Danielskuil on Tuesday. The police, who were executing crime prevention patrols in and around Danielskuil policing precinct, spotted a suspicious blue Hyundai Gets vehicle and allegedly instructed the driver to pull off the road for a routine inspection.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said upon searching the vehicle, the police allegedly found 10kg of dagga with an estimated street value of R25 000, inside the vehicle. Sam said they arrested the suspects and confiscated the vehicle used in the commission of crime.

“Three suspects were charged for illegal possession of dagga and will appear in the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court on 29 January 2025,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District Commissioner, Major General Monica Sebili, praised the police for being vigilant and proactively sweeping drugs off the streets and communities. Sebili said the public is encouraged to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services.

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Five foreign nationals nabbed for kidnapping, possession of unlawful firearm and ammunition  

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By REGINALD KANYANE

29 January 2025- Five foreign nationals briefly appeared at Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court for kidnapping, unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and extortion. It is alleged that, Afghan national Maisa Hussain (24), Pakistan nationals Gulfam Azam (29), Yasir Mahmood (29), Bilawal Arif (30), and Faisal Khuoot (30), all residing in Laudium, kidnapped a boy (9), on 19 January 2025 in Laudium.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said a boy was allegedly playing with his cousin on the driveway outside his relative’s home when a car stopped nearby. Mahanjana said five suspects allegedly exited the vehicle, grabbed the boy and drove away.

“The victim’s cousin ran into the house to alert the family, who immediately reported the matter to the police. While at the police station, it is alleged that the victim’s mother received a phone call from one of the accused, demanding a ransom of R15 million for her child’s release.

“The ransom demand was later reduced to R6 million. Following an investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the vehicle used in the kidnapping was traced to a shop in Laudium on 24 January 2025, where Hussain and Azam were arrested,” she said.

Mahanjana further said the accused then led the police to a house in Danville, where a victim (9) was found along with Mahmood and Arif, who were arrested at the scene. She added that later that same day, Khuoot was arrested at his residence in Laudium.

“In court, the matter was postponed to 29 January 2025, to arrange for a foreign-language interpreter. The NPA commends the SAPS for their swift action, ensuring the safe recovery of the child and the arrest of the accused.

“The NPA will continue to pursue justice in this matter,” said Mahanjana.

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Lesotho national sentenced to five years imprisonment for robbery

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By OBAKENG MAJE

29 January 2025- A Lesotho national was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane for robbery. Bereng Lesuoa (25) threatened four men and robbed them of their cash and two cell phones at Luka village, near Phokeng in the early hours of Saturday morning, 1 April 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Lesuoa was arrested a year later and made first appearance in court on 4 April 2024. Mokgwabone said he was convicted after several court appearances and sentenced to five years direct imprisonment.

“Lesuoa was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Bojanala Sub-District 2 Commissioner, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, welcomed the sentence, which she said will serve as a deterrence to potential criminals. Ntoagae also thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant Tshepang Badirwang and prosecution for a job well done.

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North West High Court to deliver verdict on Mohokare’s murder case

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Picture: The deceased person, Iris Mohokare

By OBAKENG MAJE

28 January 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Tuesday expressed hope that the conclusion of the Iris Mohokare (47) murder trial will bring much needed closure for the family when the verdict is delivered on Friday. The MRM said the respected healthcare worker was murdered in Ipelegeng Township, outside Schweizer Reneke in 2022.

Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said that the case which resumed on Monday this week in the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp, represents a protracted and unwarranted delay that has undermined the efficiency of the criminal justice system. Kgwele said Bongane Gregory Shebi (27), was apprehended three days after he was reportedly seen walking near the crime scene in blood-stained clothing on the day Mohokare’s body was discovered in October 2022.

 “Though a speedy conviction in the gruesome and callous murder would have send an unequivocal message that there is no place in our society for heartless murderers, any further delay and failure to secure a conviction would be nothing but a travesty of justice.

“The life of the highly committed public servant was cut short by her senseless killing and communities robbed of a community builder as well as committed healthcare worker that served with utmost dedication throughout her nursing career,” he said.

Kgwele further said Mohokare’s illustrious career was defined by Ubuntu, humility and excellence that is still uncommon. He added that her landlord lost not only a tenant, but an adopted daughter while the community lost the jewel that represented their hope for service delivery distinction after her recent promotion to Facility Manager at Charon Clinic,” said Kgwele.

He decried that delays in finalising ghastly cases of this nature including the Senzo Meyiwa are sending undesirable message that, criminals can get away with murder. Kgwele said the family of the victim, colleagues, as well as her loved ones and the community have had to deal with unbearable pain and worst trauma over the past decade and three years while the perpetrator hoped to evade justice.

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Police urge motorists to apply safety measures

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Picture: Motorist hijacked/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 January 2025- The police in the Northern Cape said they have noted with concern isolated incidents and social media trends involving motorists becoming victims of crime in and around traffic intersections, hence requesting the public to adhere and implement the safety measures as a matter of ensuring motorists’ safety.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are in good condition when planning to go on a journey. Sam said They should also ensure that the fuel tank of their vehicle always has sufficient fuel.

“Always lock your vehicle’s doors and keep the windows closed. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute. Avoid stopping at remote places and park your vehicle in a place that is well lit.

“If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide –only 5cm is enough to have a discussion. If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather drive away,” he said.

Sam further said motorists should limit their trips at night or at least take someone along with them. He added that they should vary the route they travel to work and back, if this is possible.

“If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention. If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past.

“If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station. Car hijackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car. If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help,” said Sam.

He said the motorists should not reach for their purses or valuables. Sam said they should leave everything behind, if they are forced out of their cars.

“Your life is more valuable than your possessions. Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon. Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away. A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

“Do not give strangers a lift. A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device. If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage,” he said.

Sam said motorists should not open their garage doors before their gates are closed. He said victims need to immediately report any criminality to the nearest police station or through the police Crime Stop number, 08600 10111or the MySAPS App.

“All received information will be treated confidentially” said Sam.

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DA calls on Ramaphosa to address the nation amid SANDF soldiers alleged capture in DRC

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Video: SANDF soldier allegedly raising a white flag to surrender to M23 rebels 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 January 2025- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said it has noted with concern the widespread misleading claims, suggesting that the SANDF soldiers have surrendered to M23 rebels. The SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini said they wish to set the record straight that, the footage in question, depicts a white flag raise, which is an outcome of discussions between the opposing fighting forces to agree on a truce to allow M23 rebels to recover their dead and injured in the vicinity of their base.

“This will also open the route for our troops to access the medical facilities. This is common practice in any war. Let the public not be alarmed by the video clip and its meaning.

“The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC),” said Dlamini.

He further said their troops continue to operate with resolve, courage and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, South Africans awoke this morning to disturbing footage of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers raising a makeshift white flag to the M23 Rebels, Hattingh said the unconfirmed reports this morning indicate that troops have been captured, after being surrounded by M23 rebels yesterday following heavy fighting.

“This includes alarming accounts of four more South African fatalities, with numerous others wounded. M23 rebels now control the airspace and make evacuation efforts perilous. We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation immediately.

“Since the recent deaths of yet more troops, SANDF Commander in Chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has yet to address the nation to provide comfort to families grieving and assure South Africans of the safety of our Defence Force,” he said.

Hattingh further said with the conflict now before the UN Security Council, Ramaphosa has also entered South Africa into a diplomatic crisis. He added that Ramaphosa has failed to provide leadership in an operation he authorised.

“Instead, more bodies are returning home and more taxpayer funds are gone. The deafening silence from the President and Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, shows a lack of compassion and deliberate withholding of information.

“The President’s tenure as CiC has only seen the rapid decline of our nation’s defence capabilities. The DA wishes to honour and commend the unwavering courage and dedication of our soldiers, who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and the indomitable spirit for which South African troops are renowned, despite the lack of essential support,” said Hattingh.

He said they express their profound condolences to the families of those lost, in a tragedy that never should have occurred.

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Setopo sa mosimanyana se ntshitswe kwa nokeng  

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Setshwantsho-papiso: Setopo sa mosimanyana se ntshitswe kwa nokeng

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

28 Ferikgong 2025- Setopo sa mosimanyana wa dingwaga di le 15, se ntshitswe kwa nokeng ya Vaal gaufi le toropo wa Christiana mo letsatsing la maabane. Se se tla morago ga gore mosimanyana o, a nwele ka letsatsi la Tshipi. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, moswi ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe di le pedi, ba ne ba thuma kwa nokeng eo, ka motsi wa tiragalo. Mokgwabone are, go lebega fa mosimanyana o, a ne a go thuma kwa lefelong le le boteng fa a ka nwela.

“Go ile ga bidiwa sepodisi se se thumang, mme setopo sene sa bonwa mo letsatsing la maabane. Ga gona letsogo la tshwene le le belaelwang mo losong le,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

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Kgetsi ya polao ya kwa Motlhako 2 e boela kgotlhatsekelo

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Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa ba polao, Phemelo Maine le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane/Morongwa News

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

28 Ferikgong 2025- Kgetsi kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, e tla boela kgotlha-tshekelo mo letsatsing la gompieno. Go begwa fa Phemelo Maine (40), a ipone molato mo ditatofatsong tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, fa molatofadiwa-naye, Onkemetse Phatlhanyane (27), ene a ka tswelela ka kopo ya beile.

Lekgotlha la bosekisi la National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), le tlhaloseditse kgotlha-tshekelo fa le tlile go tlaleletsa ditatofatso kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa. Bosekisi jwa re bo tlile go tlaleletsa ka kgetsi ya go thopa ka dikgoka.

Maine le Phatlhanyane 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, mo dibekeng tse di fetileng.

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 thatilwe 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 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, mongwe wa leloko la lelapa la kwa ga Makaota, Lesley Sirwe are: “Re ne re tlile kgotlha-tshekelo gompieno, go tla go itseela ka tsebe. Fela se ke se lemogileng kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ke gore, balatofadiwa ga ba tlotle le kgotlha-tshekelo, mme ba botsha ba tletse lenyatso.

“Re sentse re ikuela gore tshiamiso e diragale. Dikakanyo tse ke tla di neelang baagi ba motse wa rona wa Matlhako 2 ke gore, are tsweleleng ka letsema la go lwa kgatlhanong le dipolao tse di kana-kana kgatlhanong le bo mme le bana.”

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G20 Summit an important business event

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Picture: Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille

By OBAKENG MAJE

28January 2025- The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said she is thrilled that the Meetings Africa has reached its 19th edition. De Lille said over the past 19 years, this platform has played a pivotal role in transforming and advancing the African business events industry.

She further said the G20 Summit is an important business event to be hosted in South Africa. De Lille added that this year is truly a special one for not only the South African business events sector but the rest of the African continent too.

“South Africa has assumed the Presidency of the 2025 G20 Summit, following Brazil in 2024 and preceding the United States in 2026. This landmark event being hosted on the African continent for the first time will bring over 40 global heads of state to our shores with over 130 meetings hosted in South Africa during 2025.

“This will solidify South Africa’s standing as a premier tourism and business events destination. With G20 nations representing 85% of the global economy, 75% of international trade, and 67% of the world’s population, the summit promises significant benefits for our business events and broader tourism sectors,” she said.

De Lille said as the only African member country of the G20, South Africa offers a vital voice on global discussions, particularly on issues affecting developing nations and the African continent. She said the G20 Summit and Ministerial Meetings will be held under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

“It also allows South Africa to showcase its capacity to host safe and successful global events, further boosting our country’s international reputation – an opportunity we openly welcome.

“We are excited to host the Tourism Minister’s G20 meeting in Mpumalanga in September this year which will include a Tourism Investment Conference to showcase tourism investment opportunities to a global audience,” said De Lille.

She said Meetings Africa value and benefit Meetings Africa 2025 aims to continue to spotlight Africa’s diverse destinations and unique offerings for business events by unlocking Africa’s Opportunities Through Quality Connections. De Lille said key features at this year’s Meetings Africa, will include promoting the continent’s diversity through the new entrants of exhibitors, which make it an attractive choice for business events buyers looking for a diversity of products from our African continent.

“Equally, Meetings Africa 2025 will bring together industry leaders, local stakeholders, international buyers, event planners, suppliers, and policymakers, facilitating collaboration within the MICE sector.

“The event serves as a platform for business deals, knowledge sharing, and cross-sector partnerships, with a strong emphasis on enabling meaningful networking opportunities to support industry growth,” she said.

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