13 MARCH 2025- The police in Deben request the assistance of the public in tracing two persons of interest in solving a business robbery case that occurred in Deben on 18 April 2024. It is alleged that the business man (34), was robbed of his cell phone and an undisclosed amount of money by three unknown men.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the suspects pointed at him with a firearm and tied his hands with an electrical wire. Shemane said the two men of interest depicted in the identikits can assist the police with their investigation.
“Anyone with information who may know the whereabouts of the two men can contact Deben Detectives on 072 563 3233 or on 053 791 0003, during office hours or make use of SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App to send a tip-off.
“All information will be treated confidentially,” he said.
14 March 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has been briefed on public comments from the submissions received on the National State Enterprises Bill [B1-2024]. The committee stressed the importance of grounding the legislation in clearly defined policy frameworks and aligning the proposed regulatory system for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with well-researched international best practices from countries facing similar challenges to those in South Africa.
The committee agreed on a comprehensive programme of engagement with stakeholders, which include
National Treasury, the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Unit (Presidency) and with NEDLAC. The committee will use its oversight week visit programme to visit key SOEs, including South African Airways, Eskom, Denel, Transnet and the South African Post Office.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Teliswa Mngweba said the committee will use its planned oversight visit to SOEs from 24-28 March 2025, to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges these entities experience to ensure that the National State Enterprises Bill is realistic and creates the envisaged practical operational standards. Mngweba said, moreover, the committee will explore the feasibility of an international study tour to analyse best practices in SOE regulation in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China and Denmark, coordinating with the Office of the House Chairperson regarding this initiative.
“The committee will consider holding public hearings on the National State Enterprises Bill across all nine provinces and seek guidance on appropriate scheduling,” she said.
Picture: The suspects arrested during Operation Vula Umgodi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 March 2025- Ten suspects were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, and other crimes during Operation Vala Umgodi. The police said Operation Vala Umgodi will continue undoubtedly to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the Namakwa and Frances Baard Districts of the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said this was evident when the multi-disciplinary teams that included the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services arrested the suspects for contravention of the Immigration Act, and other crimes during operations that commenced on 12 March 2025.
“The team’s actions and activities included visibility patrols, stop and searches and raids at specified addresses. The team in the Frances Baard District, pounced on a construction site in Kimberley and detained 6 undocumented immigrants and issued a fine of R2500 to the employer who employed undocumented persons.
“All the undocumented suspects were verified and processed for Court by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services. The team further arrested 2 more suspects aged 27 and 41 years, respectively for suspected stolen property,” said Sam.
He further said in the Namakwa District, the team received information about illegal dealing of drugs at two addresses in Port Nolloth, they operationalised the information and arrested the suspects aged 25 and 48, respectively for dealing in drugs. Sam added that numerous fines were issued for contravention of the Road Traffic Management Statutes, at various VCPs by the police.
“All arrested suspects are expected to appear soon in the Kimberley and Springbok Magistrate Courts respectively. The police, through Operation Vala Umgodi, will continue to stamp the authority of the state in clamping down on illegal mining and other related crimes.
“If you see something, say something. Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111,” he said.
14 March 2025- The South African Government said the Human Rights Month is commemorated in March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. The Human Rights Day on 21 March falls within this period.
The government said the month of March is a heightened period in South Africa to mark Human Rights Month, commemorated under the 2025 theme, “Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights”. It said in a statement that the 1960s were characterised by systematic defiance and protest against apartheid and racism across the country.
“On 21 March 1960, the community of Sharpeville and Langa townships, like their fellow compatriots across the country, embarked on a protest march to protest against passing laws.
“The apartheid police shot and killed 69 of the protesters at Sharpeville, many of them shot while fleeing. Many other people were killed in other parts of the country,” it said.
The government further said the tragedy came to be known as the Sharpeville Massacre and it exposed the apartheid government’s deliberate violation of human rights to the world. It added that the democratic government declared 21 March Human Rights Day to commemorate and honour those who fought for our liberation and the rights we enjoy today.
“Our constitution is hailed as one of the most progressive in the world. The Constitution is the ultimate protector of our Human Rights, which were previously denied to the majority of our people under Apartheid.
“We commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our constitution. These rights include equality – everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.” said the government.
The government said everyone has inherent dignity and have their dignity respected and protected. It said freedom of movement and residence – everyone has a right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in the country.
“Language and culture – everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice. Everyone has the right to life.
Whether we are at the workplace, within communities, at schools, or with our partners and children, we all need to demonstrate the kind of responsibility that we would like to see in our country’s future.
“We call on all South Africans to use Human Rights Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation-building and a shared national identity. It is our duty as a nation to strive for inclusive socio-economic development while ensuring that we combat scourges such as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances, as well as Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which are undermining our human rights culture,” it said.
14 March 2025 –The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, have welcomed the decision by the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to terminate the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) amid the deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC.
The Chairpersons welcomed the decision, especially following the death of 14 SANDF soldiers in the DRC and the need to explore other political and diplomatic options to resolve the impasse. The Chairpersons stressed that the termination of the mandate should not be viewed as the complete abandonment of the DRC, but as a refocus on using other diplomatic options to achieve the objective of peace and stability in the DRC.
Gigaba said: “The recommendation by SADC Heads of State to support other interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the DRC reaffirms our belief that dialogue should be placed at the centre of efforts to resolve the DRC conflict.
“Achieving peace and stability in the eastern DRC is a precondition for economic growth and development of not only the DRC but of the region.
Phala said they are encouraged by the reassurance that SADC will continue to work with the East African Community (EAC) to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes to enhance peace-building in the DRC. He further said, while they acknowledged that the details of the phased withdrawal of SANDF soldiers who form part of the SAMIDRC remain unclear for now, an urgent meeting where the minister provides the committee with details is needed.
“We will schedule an urgent meeting to get the envisioned phased plan of action to implement the decision by Heads of State.
“Also, this meeting must address the implications of the withdrawal in the context of the soldiers that will remain part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the assessment of the security risk thereof,” said Phala.
He added that the meeting envisioned will also provide details of how the SANDF plans will ensure the safe return of the SANDF’s Prime Mission Equipment, given the volatile and unpredictable dynamics in the eastern DRC. Phala said they reiterated their previous call for all parties in the conflict to commit to a ceasefire and stress dialogue as a way to resolve the conflict.
14 Mopitlwe 2025- Monna (35) wa kwa motseng wa Modutung kwa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, o solofetswe go rotola matlho fa pele ga magistrata wa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la kamoso. Monna o, o ile a tshwarwa mabapi le polao ya ga mmagwe, Masego Irene Nkwane (56).
Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga thefosano ya mafoko magareng ga moswi le mmelaelwa. Go ya ka dipego, mmelaelwa one a tsaya garawe le go kgenetha mmagwe ka yone.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are, kegtsi e butswe, mme mmelaelwa o lebagane ke kgetsi ya polao.
Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ne a lebotsa phokoje morago ga tiragalo. Sepodisi se ile sa mo tshwara ka Laboraro.
Kgabagare, baagi ba ikuela go puso go ka tlhoma seteishene sa sepodisi kwa motseng wa Magogong, gonne o fetogile kgapamadi.
13 March 2025- A woman (36) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Postmasburg Regional Court for murder. On 24 December 2023, the accused, Ilse Freemen, went to the victim’s shack at Maranteng in Postmasburg.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said Freemen, confronted the victim (32), about a stolen door and gossip stories that were spread. Shemane said an argument ensued between the two women and the accused strangled the victim to death.
“The accused reported the incident to the victim’s boyfriend, who then called the police. The accused was subsequently arrested,” he said.
Meanwhile, ZF Mgcawu District management commended Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Tshonto Kgomonyane, for his thorough investigation work in ensuring that the accused served time for the heinous crime.
Picture: A bus crashed killing numerous people/Google
By BAKANG MOKOTO
13 March 2025- The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Jane Mananiso, has noted with appreciation the outstanding assistance provided by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) yesterday to the victims of a bus crash in Ekurhuleni. The accident occurred on the R21 near the OR Tambo International Airport where, according to media reports, 12 people died and several others were injured, three of whom later died of their injuries.
Mananiso said the presence and assistance of the SANDF members calmed and reassured the survivors of the accident.
“We are really grateful that defence force members are able to assist in emergency situations like that one. We should see more of such actions, as they reflect positively on our defence force.
“South Africans should note these kinds of acts and acknowledge them. Gauteng government leaders from all spheres quickly arrived at the site of the accident and victims were taken swiftly,” she said.
Mananiso emphasised the value of acknowledging the goodwill demonstrated by soldiers at times such as these, when they are helping society outside of conflict zones and times of war.
13 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass on Thursday, met with the Implementing Agents (IAs) and contractors appointed for the 1 Billion Rand Housing Project for the Northern Cape, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, in January 2024.
Vass said the project was launched to address the huge housing backlog in the Northern Cape and will deliver a total of 2500 units as part of the first phase of the project, across 13 local municipalities, in the 5 districts of the province. He further said the meeting was part of ongoing engagements with the contractors to address delays in the building process that may delay the delivery of these houses to the beneficiaries.
“There is a need for contractors to accelerate the pace and to meet their contractual obligations and agreed timelines. We are not going to tolerate undue delays or shoddy workmanship, because our communities deserve good quality houses, sooner than later, from this government.
“We are monitoring your performances closely across the five districts, and we are going to ultimately terminate non-performing contractors because we cannot continue at this slow pace,’’ said Vass.
He added that two Implementing Agents (IAs) and nineteen contractors, were appointed by the department in 2024 to be part of this project. Vass said the IAs are responsible for overseeing the entire project.
“They committed to monitoring the contractors closely and to apply necessary proactive measures to prevent any delays,” he said.
13 March 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education said it welcomes the briefing from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) regarding the appointments of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) board members. The committee said it has acknowledged the progress made by some SETAs, such as achieving clean audit reports, but emphasised that others still require significant improvements in their governance systems.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Tebogo Letsie said the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, informed them that the Skills Development Act is among the key pieces of legislation targeted by her department for amendment in the near future. Letsie said according to the DHET, the National Skills Authority assessed SETA boards to evaluate their effectiveness in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities.
“The study revealed that there are 315 board member positions across all 21 SETAs, with each SETA comprising 15 members as per the standard SETA Constitution.
“The DHET also highlighted that board members generally possess high levels of educational qualifications, which align with the specific skills and knowledge required for effective governance within their respective sectors,” he said.
Letsie further said there have been cases where SETA board members’ frequent attendance at meetings involved substantial travel and accommodation expenses. He added that this is concerning and to address these measures, lifestyle audits should be implemented to ensure transparency and reinforce boards’ commitment to public service.
“We implore the DHET to ensure the appointment of ethical board members for SETAs. We do not want individuals who view this as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the sector. Instead, they must see this sector as a vehicle for uplifting young people and driving meaningful change.”
“SETAs must critically review their annual performance plans to ensure they are not merely target-driven exercises but are instead informed by the country’s needs and aligned with the aspirations of young people,” said Letsie.
