28 August 2026 – The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) secured a preservation order valued at R5 million linked to a theft of platinum in Rustenburg. The preservation order granted by the North West High Court, emanates from a case in which six suspects were arrested in Rustenburg and Brits by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in August 2024, for alleged dealing in platinum and possession of platinum valued at R350 million.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said: “Their arrest followed a lengthy investigation after a tip-off received about alleged theft of platinum from a mine in Rustenburg and was then transported to Brits.
“The preservation order include a portion of land in Rustenburg and 20 vehicles belonging to one of the suspects.”
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari have commended the efforts of the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit in securing the preservation order.
Picture: PGM-bearing material seized by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
28 August 2026 – Three suspects were arrested by the police in Rustenburg in collaboration with the Operation Prosper team during an intelligence-driven operation targeting suspected illegal buyers and receivers of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) originating from an illegal mining site at Nkaneng. The police said the operation was conducted on 26 August 2026, following a tip-off regarding a suspected receiver of PGM-bearing material operating in the Rustenburg area.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said the intelligence indicated that the suspect, who is allegedly based in Pretoria, had employed a buyer to receive PGM material in bulk. Morake said further intelligence identified a stockpile of PGM-bearing material at an address in the Rustenburg area, as well as vehicles allegedly involved in transporting the material from the Nkaneng illegal mining site.
“The intelligence-driven team identified a white Nissan NP300 with Gauteng registration travelling along the R24 road. The vehicle was followed to an identified address, where three suspects were found in possession of PGM-bearing material, with additional material still inside the vehicle.
“The suspects were requested to produce the required permit or authorisation for the material in their possession but failed to do so,” she said.
Morake further said they were subsequently arrested for possession of unwrought precious metals without the relevant licence or authority or in excess of the prescribed mass. She added that the police seized the Nissan NP300 and three 10kg sacks containing PGM-bearing material with an estimated value of R130 000.
“A further stockpile of PGM-bearing material, estimated at approximately R3 million, remains at the identified premises under police guard pending further processing.
“The cellphones allegedly belonging to the receiver and suspected ring leader were also obtained from the suspects for further profiling and investigation,” said Morake.
She said the investigation continues and further arrests cannot be ruled out. Morake said the three suspects aged between 25 to 39, are facing charges of for possession of PGM-bearing material.
“They remain in police custody and are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate Court on 28 August 2026,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams said this operation demonstrates the importance of intelligence-driven policing and their continued commitment to disrupting the criminal networks that support illegal mining activities. Adams said they will not only focus on those operating at illegal mining sites, but will also pursue the individuals who facilitate, finance, transport and receive unlawfully obtained precious metals.
“Our message is clear, those who profit from illegal mining and the associated criminal activities will be pursued and brought before the courts,” he said.
Picture: The suspect arrested for triple murder/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE 27 August 2026 – The acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has once again expressed her appreciation to communities across the country, as well as members of the media and social media users, for their assistance in the swift apprehension of James Mohajane (41). Mohajane was the subject of an intensive manhunt after he was identified as the alleged perpetrator in the brutal murders of his girlfriend, Moipone Lefoka, her sister, Esther Lefoka and Esther’s boyfriend, Tshepo Molekwa.
The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the three victims were allegedly hacked to death with a spade at a house in Moeka Vuma, near Makapanstad in the North West over the weekend. Mathe said less than 12 hours after SAPS issued a public alert and circulated Mohajane’s photograph, the community of Moeka Vuma stood up and played a critical role in bringing the suspect to police.
“SAPS can confirm that at approximately 9am this morning, members of the Moeka Vuma community handed Mohajane over to the police,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has commended the community for its vigilance and cooperation, emphasising that community participation remains a critical component in preventing and solving serious and violent crimes.
“Once again, our communities have demonstrated that they are an important partner in the fight against crime.
“The swift response by the community of Moeka Vuma, together with the assistance of the media and social media users who shared the suspect’s photograph, has contributed significantly to bringing this wanted suspect into police custody,” she said.
Dimpane further thanked everyone who played a role. She added that just last week, members of the community in Klerksdorp assisted police in apprehending a wanted boyfriend who had been on the run after allegedly killing his girlfriend in a backroom in Soweto.
“I would also like to commend the investigators and police members involved for working tirelessly to ensure that wanted suspects are brought to justice,” concluded Dimpane. taungdailynews@gmail.com
27 August 2026 – Today, the South African Police Service (SAPS) introduces Warrant Officer Gloria Vatiswa Nontshokweni (46), the acting unit commander of Makhanda Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Eastern Cape. Nontshokweni’s career kicked off in 2008 as a constable at Kensington Police Station’s Community Service Centre (CSC).
Known for taking down quality statements, the Station Commander recommended that she become an investigator and two years later she joined the Cape Town Central Detective Service. Investigating cases involving women and children lies near Warrant Officer Nontshokweni’s heart.
“I give all the cases assigned to me my best. But it gives me great pleasure when my investigations lead me to trace and arrest perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
In 2013, I joined the Motherwell FCS Unit in the Eastern Cape as an investigator. Now at Makhanda FCS Unit, I wear both the hats of acting unit commander and investigator,” she said.
Nontshokweni further said she always makes it her mission to ensure victims receive services of the highest standard. She added that being an FCS investigator gives her an opportunity to serve the country with dignity, honour and pride.
A recent success includes the sentencing of convicted serial rapist Anele Mabheka Lati to six life terms of imprisonment on 27 March 2026, by the Makhanda High Court. Lati was found guilty of multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted rape.
He targeted boys between 2022 and 2023, the youngest of whom was 8 years-old at the time. Nontshokweni identified a similar modus operandi across several case dockets and began connecting the dots.
The Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said Lati’s victims were playing with groups of friends when he approached them. Gatana said he would ask a victim to accompany him to get something to eat before luring them to a dumping site, where he sexually assaulted them.
“Nontshokweni takes pride in the outcome of this case and keeps the young victims motivated throughout court proceedings. She also took them to psychologists for counselling. An avid long-distance runner, Nontshokweni prioritises her physical and mental wellbeing, recognising that staying fit and resilient is essential to remaining operationally ready and performing at her best in a demanding profession.
“She is armed with a Bachelor of Policing Practices degree at Stadio and a Diploma in Policing at Tshwane University of Technology. Nontshokweni embodies the values of a woman in policing, who is leading the SAPS Reset Agenda. She serves as a role model of perseverance, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to justice,” she said.
Picture: The acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia
By BAKANG MOKOTO
27 August 2026 – The acting Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia, the Deputy Ministers of Police, Cassel Mathale and Dr Polly Boshielo, together with the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, will present the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year (April 2026 – June 2026).
The event will take place at GCIS Auditorium, Tshedimosetso House, corner Francis Baard and Festival streets in Hatfield on Friday at 12pm.
Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 August 2026 – In a continued effort to accelerate the delivery of services to communities across the province, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will on Friday, be joined by the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele in his capacity as the National District Development Model (DDM) Champion for Ngaka Modiri Molema District to lead the delivery of integrated services in Mahikeng Local Municipality.
The joint Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole and DDM Open Service Delivery Day will bring together all spheres of government and strategic partners to deliver coordinated services.
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said this collaborative approach will strengthen and complement the district and local municipalities’ ongoing service delivery efforts, thereby ensuring that communities have improved access to government services. Tatai said the residents of Moshawana, Signal Hill, Setumo Park, Seremane View, Molelwane, Lonely Park, Top Village and Matsatseng in Slurry, are set to benefit from a range of social services to be provided by various government institutions and strategic partners on the day.
“The leadership will conduct an oversight visit to the district funded Water Supply MIG project to assess progress in its implementation. The project is aimed at improving access to a reliable water supply for residents of Molelwane, Signal Hill and Lonely Park.
“Other service delivery activities will include potholes patching, the distribution of garden tools, compliance inspections of local businesses, the clearing of illegal dumping sites, and other interventions aimed at addressing the immediate needs of communities,” he said.
Tatai further said Thuntsha Lerole is a flagship provincial programme aimed at accelerating service delivery, strengthening direct engagement with communities, and monitoring the implementation of infrastructure and social development projects. He added that this approach is aligned with the objectives of the District Development Model (DDM), an operational model that seeks to strengthen intergovernmental relations by enabling all spheres of government to plan, budget and implement programmes jointly, thereby maximising impact through the “One District, One Plan and One Budget” approach.
“Mokgosi and Gungubele will be accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and the leadership of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Mahikeng Local Municipality for a joint programme that will be held at Lonely Park Multipurpose Centre, Mahikeng on Friday starting from 8am,” concluded Tatai.
27 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration called for stronger accountability and improved affordability at the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). GEMS briefed the committee on its performance from January to June this year, as well as strategies to address fraud and waste in its operations.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Jan de Villiers said the meeting was important because, although GEMS is not funded from the fiscus, it is funded through member and employer contributions. De Villiers said since it was established through an Act of Parliament, the committee has an oversight responsibility over the Scheme.
“The meeting followed concerns previously raised by the committee about fraud-related claims and affordability issues. The committee is also on record for its concern about the impact of waste on GEMS’ financial sustainability and ability to provide affordable healthcare to public servants and their dependents.
“Committee members raised a number of concerns. They asked about the payment of public servants who were acting as trustees and whether they are doing so with the requisite approvals for paid work outside the public service,” he said.
De Villiers further said some members were particularly concerned about double-dipping. He added that the committee noted GEMS’ strategies to prevent, detect and recover losses from fraud and waste.
“The scheme reported that 3 062 instances were detected in 2025, while remediation and recoveries amounted to R257 million. Members stressed that fraud should be clearly distinguished from waste, abuse and error so that suspected criminal conduct can be referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation.
“The committee also examined GEMS’ contribution increases, hospital-centred benefit design and claims management, among other things. Members stressed that cost containment must not become a barrier to members accessing necessary healthcare,” said de Villiers.
He said members also welcomed a proposal by the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Pinky Kekana, that a joint meeting be called of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, the Portfolio Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Finance to further interrogate governance matters in GEMS. De Villiers said the committee supported the proposal, adding that organised labour and the Council for Medical Schemes must also be invited.
“We reiterate that the committee’s focus is to ensure that GEMS fulfils its purpose of providing accessible and affordable healthcare to public servants,” he said.
Picture: Firearms seized by the police during the operation/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
27 August 2026 – The police in Mothotlung, supported by Brits Crime Intelligence and the Brits Tactical Response Team (TRT), arrested a suspect (59) and seized several unlicensed firearms and live ammunition during an intelligence-driven operation conducted on 25 August 2026. The operation followed a tip-off regarding individuals allegedly terrorising communities in and around the Mothotlung area and suspected of being in possession of illegal firearms.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said the investigation led the police to Extension 2, Mothotlung, where a suspect was located driving a bakkie. Morake said the vehicle was stopped and searched, resulting in the discovery of a 9mm CZ pistol and 15 rounds of live ammunition.
“The suspect could not produce a valid licence for the firearm and was immediately arrested. The police then proceeded to the suspect’s residential address in Mothotlung, where a further search resulted in the seizure of two pistols, one rifle, one shotgun and various rounds of live ammunition, including rifle and handgun ammunition.
“The police are conducting further investigations to establish the ownership of the firearms and ammunition and to determine whether they may be linked to other criminal activities. The suspect is facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she said.
Morake further said the suspect is expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 27 August 2026.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, commended the police involved in the operation. Adams said the seizure of the unlicensed firearms and ammunition cannot merely be regarded as a job well done, as the ballistic analysis and possible linking of the firearms to other crime scenes is eagerly anticipated.
“We acknowledged the commitment and diligence of SAPS members in ridding communities of illegal firearms and urged the public to continue providing information to the police,” he added.
27 August 2026 –A man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Zeerust Regional Court for rape. On 27 July 2024, the victim’s mother left her children, together with the children of a friend at the residence she shared with the accused, Sunnyboy Manyako before accompanying him to a local tavern.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Lindiwe Mabasa said while at the tavern, the victim’s mother’s friend enquired about the whereabouts of her children and subsequently went to the residence to fetch them. Mabasa said the evidence before the court revealed that Manyako later left the tavern and returned to the residence, where he found the victim awake with her sibling.
“He proceeded to rape the child before leaving the residence again. Later that evening, the victim’s mother returned home and enquired about the whereabouts of Manyako. The victim then disclosed the rape to her mother.
“The mother searched for the accused, found him in the street, and returned with him to the residence, where the victim repeated her account in his presence. Manyako subsequently assaulted the victim’s mother,” she said.
Mabasa further said she fled to her parental home for safety and the matter was reported to the authorities. She added that this led to the accused’s arrest and prosecution.
“During sentencing proceedings, state prosecutor Kagiso Modibedi urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, emphasising the gravity of sexual offences against children and the need for courts to send a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated.
“In agreeing with the state’s submissions, the court found that the accused had breached the trust placed in him. The victim had been left at his residence, a place where she should have been safe and protected. Instead, the accused exploited that trust and subjected her to a horrific sexual assault,” said Mabasa.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the sentence, stating that it appropriately reflects the seriousness of the offence and the devastating impact that sexual violence has on children and their families. Makhari also acknowledged the valuable support provided by the Thuthuzela Care Centre, which assistance helped ensure that the victim received the necessary care and support throughout the prosecution process.
“The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of sexual offences against children are held accountable and that victims receive the support and protection they need throughout the criminal justice process,” she said.
27 August 2026 – The Department of Employment and Labour inspections of higher education institutions has found that in the financial year 2025–2026 for the period covering (April–March) these were found to be non-compliant with the Employment Equity Act (EEA) – indicating that compliance risk is likely understated, not overstated, by current inspection coverage. The department briefly appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education in Cape Town to brief and update it regarding the monitoring of compliance by South African universities with the Employment Services Act, 2014, and the Employment Equity Act and other relevant legislation, specifically in relation to the appointment of foreign nationals.
The inspections happened during the transition period following the coming into effect of the new EE Act of 2022 and the setting of five-year sectoral targets.
The acting Chief Director of Department of Employment and Labour’s Statutory and Advocacy Services, Advocate Michael Msiza said the department completed 1 948 inspections, 181 were found to be compliant and in 1 767 of inspections were found non-compliant. Msiza said the department has allowed the institutions to prepare themselves to put systems in place to implement and monitor their EE Plans.
“Soon, we will be cracking the whip to ensure compliance with the laws of the country. The department was appearing before the committee alongside the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on updates regarding investigations in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, including the issuance of study and work permits, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Department of Home Affairs on the issuance of work and study visas within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, as well as progress on the development of the Critical Skills List.
“Elaborating on the performance of the institutions of higher education, we warned that overall, at the rate these institutions were implementing transformation, this country may not be transformed,” he said.
Msiza further said institutions of higher education are centres of excellence, skills development, research and scholarship and talent identification. He added that, therefore, there is no excuse that they do not have qualified candidates within.
Msiza said the question that needs to be asked is what is really happening in these institutions? He singled out the University of Cape Town and Witwatersrand as problematic.
“We have identified allegations of another area of growing concern, where academic personnel were being appointed without interviews,” said Msiza.
The Department’s Inspector General Aggy Moiloa said the department will be focusing its inspection energies on the accommodation provided to students in relation to compliance with Occupational Health and Safety.
Director of Employment Equity in the Department, Dr Ntsoaki Mamashela, said the rise in the number of foreign nationals at institutions of higher learning, especially at senior and top levels, is worrying.
“Given the high level of unemployment, one wonders what skills foreign nationals are bringing that do not exist in South Africa. Universities produce graduates, but they seem not able to absorb their own products.
“We cannot fail in our statutory obligation and hide behind internationalisation,” she expressed concern.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) has obtained a proclamation to investigate illegality in the obtaining of study visas. It said in its submission that it was not against the policy of internationalisation, however “it cannot be a free for all”. The SIU said that there can never be a justification why an institution will hire a foreign national when there is a South African.
“Processes must be followed. Universities cannot break the law and claim internationalisation. In some institutions, we feel the law has been broken,” said SIU.
SIU disclosed that foreign nationals obtain study visas on the strength of submitting fraudulent documents, and this was done in collusion with officials from education institutions and the Department of Home Affairs.
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