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A call for strict measures after undocumented foreign nationals found in a bus

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

6 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said it welcomed the interception of a cross-border bus by the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport on 3 April 2026. According to the Portfolio Committee, the bus, which was travelling from Zimbabwe to Cape Town, was found to be carrying 32 undocumented foreign nationals in addition to 43 passengers who had been duly processed at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in accordance with all prescripts and procedures.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane said it is alleged that the 32 undocumented passengers were picked up after the bus had crossed into South Africa, specifically in Makhado and Johannesburg. Chabane said the interception highlights the need for stricter enforcement and accountability within the cross-border transport sector.

“We commend the provincial department for its vigilance and decisive action. This interception exposes serious violations that undermine the integrity of our immigration system and border controls.

“We call on the Border Management Authority (BMA) to set an example by suspending the bus operator, Rimbi Travel and Tours, pending investigation on how the 32 undocumented passengers got to be in the bus,” he said.

Chabane reiterated the importance of effecting consequence management to send a strong message to operators who deliberately flout the law, saying that failure to act decisively will only embolden non-compliance and weaken the country’s border management systems. Furthermore, he called on a coordinated and integrated approach among law enforcement agencies, including Immigration Officers, the South African Police Service and metro police departments, to address the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the country.

“An integrated law enforcement approach is critical to ensure that undocumented individuals within our borders are identified and processed in line with the law. This requires ongoing collaboration and information-sharing between all relevant authorities.

“We indicate that the committee will, in the next parliamentary term, propose a joint meeting with its sister committee responsible for policing matters to explore sustainable and coordinated interventions,” said Chabane.

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Picture: 32 undocumented foreign nationals found in a bus

Concerns raised over chaos surrounding SASAC

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Picture: Athletics from Curro partaking in South African Schools Athletics Championship/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

6 April 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo said it has engaged Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Jerry Maseko over serious concern regarding the uncertainty and apparent mismanagement surrounding the 2026 South African Schools Athletics Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 8–11 April at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. The DA said conflicting communication from national authorities and organising bodies has left learners, parents, coaches, and provincial departments in a state of confusion.

DA Limpopo spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Advocate Franco Marx said while the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has purportedly indicated that the event has been postponed due to the unavailability of the venue, other stakeholders have suggested that no final decision has been made. Marx said this lack of coordination is deeply troubling.

“Learners from Limpopo, many of whom have trained tirelessly to compete at this prestigious event, are now faced with uncertainty at the eleventh hour. This comes at the back of last year’s disappointment in Bloemfontein coupled with the failures of the primary school athletic championship event in Cape Town last month, caused by the Limpopo department.

“Equally concerning is the financial impact on the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, which has already incurred significant costs relating to travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements,” he said.

Marx further said this situation raises serious questions about planning, communication, and accountability at a national level. He added that major events of this nature require proper coordination and confirmed venues well in advance, not last-minute cancellations that place undue strain on provinces and unfairly disadvantage young athletes.

“Maseko has indicated that he is aware of the situation and has further committed to issuing a formal statement on behalf of the department as soon as there is clarity regarding the way forward.

“The DA will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not hesitate to demand accountability should it emerge that poor planning or negligence has resulted in financial losses or prejudice to Limpopo’s learners,” said Marx.

He said they call on Maseko to urgently provide clear, consistent communication and a definitive way forward to affected athletes in Limpopo.

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Monna o tshwerwe mabapi le go tshola ditlhobolo tse di seng mo molao

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Setshwantsho: Dithobolo tse di seng mo molaong

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

6 Moranang 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 35 o tshwerwe kwa Mooinooi ka Lamatlhatso mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go tshola ditlhobolo tse di seng mo molao ga mmogo le dikolo. Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a golaganngwa le kgothoso go tlhometswe le go thopa ka dikgoka e e diragetseng tseng kwa Mooinooi mo go yone kgwedi e.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Constable Thuto Bobelo are se, se diragetse morago ga gore lephata la sepodisi la botlhodi kwa Brits, le longwe tsebe. Bobelo are lephata la sepodisi la botlhodi, le ile la batlisisa gore ditlhobolo tseo ga mmogo le dikolo di kwa kae.

“Go ile ga bolodiwa letsholo-patlo ke ba Brits Trio Task Team, Public Order Policing (POP) deployed team, and Mooinooi Visible Policing (VISPOL), go ka samagana le morero o. Sepodisi se ile sa fitlhela ditlhobolo di le nne ga mmogo le dikolo kwa lefelong lengwe kwa Bapong.  

“Ditlhobolo tse, di akaretsa tlhobolo ya 9mm e go shupang fa e ne e shutlhilwe nomoro ya botlhokwa (serial number). Tlhobolo e nngwe ke ya 7.65mm e le yone e ne e shutlhilwe nomoro ya botlhokwa. Sepodisi se fitlhetse tlhobolo e nngwe e phatsimang ya modiro wa revolver, tlhobolo ya pallet ga mmogo le dikolo di le nne,” Bobelo wa tlhalosa.

Ba lephata la sepodisi ba Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) ba ile ba tsaya ditlhobolo tseo ga mmogo le dikolo, mme mmelaelwa o solofetswe go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Brits ka Labobedi.

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o akgotse batlhankela ba sepodisi morago ga matsetseleko a ba a dirileng. Naidoo are botlhodi bo tshameka karolo e botlhokwa mo sepodising go lwantsha bosinyi.

“Re ikuela go sepodisi go tswelela ka ntwa kgatlhanong le twantsho ya ditlhobolo tse di seng mo molaong,” Naidoo wa tlhalosa.

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Motlhankela wa sepodisi o tshwerwe mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go utswa leruo

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Setshwantsho-papiso: Lepodisi le tshwerwe mabapi le bogodu

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

6 Moranang 2026 – Motlhankela (42) wa sepodisi sa Afrika Borwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Hartswater o tshwerwe mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go utswa dipudi kwa motseng wa Magogong, gaufi le Taung. Go begwa fa Sarasanta o, a direla lephata la matseka teng kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Hartwater, mme ka tsalo, a tswa kwa motseng wa Mokasa, mono Taung.

Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a tshwerwe ke ba babatlisisi ba kwa Kimberley Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) ba go begwang fa e le kgale ba mo tlhomile matlho sebakanyana morago ga go amogela dingongora tse di mo latofatsang ka go nna dinalanyana.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa Kapa Bokone, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, motlhankela o wa sepodisi, o tshwerwe ka Labone. Shemane are mmelaelwa o, o solofetswe go rotola matlho fa pele ga kgotlhatshekelo ya Hartswater ka Labobedi.

Kgabagare, Mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi kwa Kapa Bokone, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, are ke matlhabisa ditlhong go bona bangwe ba batlhankela ba sepodisi ba amega mo bogodung.

“Batlhankela ba sepodisi ba tshwanetse go direla baagi ka boammaruri le botshepegi. Go tlile go bolodiwa dipatlisiso tsa ka mogare kgatlhanong le motlhankela o wa sepodisi,” Mphuthi wa tlhalosa.

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49 drivers fined for driving over speed limit

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Picture: One of the traffic officers during roadblock/Facebook

By STAFF REPORTER

5 April 2026 – As part of ensuring compliance on the road by motorists traveling this Easter, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management has positioned its law enforcement officers to operate speed camera relay on major roads of the province that are linking to other provinces.

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said speed is one of the major causes of road incidents and fatalities. Morweng urged motorists to adhere to the speed limit and cooperate with others.

“Speeding is a huge challenge and goes with human behaviour. So, we plead with our motorists to always remember that speed kills and the road is a space to share. About 49 motorists were fined for driving over the speed limit with two drivers fined heavily for excessive speeding.

“First driver was caught doing 153 km/ph on a 120km zone, while the second one was driving at 120km/ph on a 80km zone. Already 287 summonses have been issued for different violations with 46 vehicles discontinued since the official activation of the Easter Road Safety and Law Enforcement Operations,” he said.

Morweng further said long distance traveling motorists are encouraged to take a rest every after 200km or two hours of driving.

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DA to lodge complaint against Minister of Social Development over alleged ethics breaches

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Picture: Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe 

By REGINALD KANYANE

4 April 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) will lodge a complaint with the Public Protector against the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe for suspected breaches of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act 82 of 1998 and the Executive Ethics Code. This comes after serious allegations that Tolashe failed to follow legal prescripts and defied the President in initiating disciplinary steps against the former Director-General (DG), Peter Netshipale and in the process to appoint a new DG.

The DA spokesperson on Social Development and Member of Parliament (MP), Nazley Sharif said in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994, the President is responsible for the career incidents of Director-Generals, including appointment, suspension and disciplinary proceedings. Sharif said for a Minister to act on behalf of the President, a clear delegation must be granted.

“According to reports, this did not occur. It has been reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote to the Minister noting violations of the Public Service Act in both the disciplinary action taken against the former DG and the advertisement of the post for a new DG.

“Ramaphosa allegedly demanded that the job advertisement be withdrawn. The subsequent withdrawal of the DG advertisement and the appointment of an acting DG point to a clear failure by the Minister to follow due legal process,” she said.

Sharif further said these developments must also be viewed alongside a previous ethics complaint lodged by the DA. She added Tolashe was accused of allegedly issuing a misleading reply to a parliamentary question and submitting a misleading report to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development regarding Netshipale’s appointment.

“We have concluded that Parliament had been misled on two separate occasions. This matter remains before the Ethics Committee.

“Further concerns arise from conflicting explanations provided by the Minister regarding the terms of Netshipale’s contract, as well as reports that the authenticity of a related contract letter is under investigation,” said Sharif.

She said in addition, allegations have surfaced that the Minister failed to declare the donation of two vehicles in 2023 and may have misrepresented the nature of these donations. Sharif said taken together, these issues point to a pattern of conduct that raises serious questions about the Minister’s fitness to hold office.

“The DA will also be writing to the Chairperson of Portfolio Committee to summon the Minister to account for all the alleged scandals. There is too much controversy surrounding the minister and she must explain.

“We must summon the Minister because it is Parliament’s responsibility to hold the executive accountable. South Africans deserve a Department of Social Development that is properly led and focused on serving the people,” she said.

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MECs for Finance and COGTA introduce the PER to the City of Matlosana

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Picture: North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi, Executive Mayor of City of Matlosana, Fikile Mahlophe, PER, Dr Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe, North West MEC COGHSTA, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi and Speaker of Matlosana, Stella Mondlana-Ngwenya/Supplied   

By OBAKENG MAJE

4 April 2026 – As part of the revised Provincial Mandatory Financial Intervention and Support Strategy, the North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Gaoage Molapisi, introduced Dr Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe as the Provincial Executive Representative (PER) to Matlosana Local Municipality. The deployment of Dilotsotlhe is effected in terms of Section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution, read together with Sections 146 and 147 of the MFMA.

Molapisi said it follows the determination that the municipality experienced serious financial distress requiring a mandatory Financial Recovery Plan (FRP), which remains a legally binding instrument. He further said the North West Provincial Executive Council has taken this decision for several compelling reasons to restore stability, good governance, and effective service delivery to the City of Matlosana.

“The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is sending a clear and final message to the City of Matlosana Council that this is not merely a support mechanism. It is a binding framework for corrective action to create a stable, capable, and ethical municipality that delivers services to its people.

“This strengthened intervention is consistent with the constitutional principles of cooperative governance. It allows us to scale up our support and oversight in a manner that is both necessary and proportional to the deepening institutional control collapse we are witnessing,” added Molapisi.

He said to give effect to this strengthened intervention, the approved measures such as Amendment of the Terms of Reference must be implemented with immediate effect. Molapisi said the Terms of Reference will be amended to empower the PER to impose the FRP by fully assuming the functions and powers of the accounting officer.

“COGTA and Provincial Treasury, will immediately augment the intervention team with additional capacity in the critical areas of service delivery, governance, legal and technical and financial support of the PER.

“Quarterly technical “war room” meetings will be convened to rigorously review progress on the implementation of the FRP and other identified priorities,” he said.

Molapisi said he and Mosenogi will urgently engage with the political leadership of the municipality to clearly outline the objectives, expectations and the new terms of engagement between the intervention team and the council. He said they will submit a joint report to the executive council on the progress of this intervention.

Mosenogi said: “The PER is no longer a purely advisory figure, but a strategic oversight and enforcement agent acting on behalf of EXCO to ensure that recovery commitments are honoured and delays are addressed decisively to strengthen oversight, monitoring and enforcement of the Financial Recovery Plan.

“The municipality remains fully responsible for implementing the approved, complying with all financial restrictions and recovery measures, and submitting credible monthly progress reports to my office.”

She said the PER is also not going to work alone, but will be strengthened by terms of administrative capacity and support, jointly by the Provincial Departments of CoGTA and Treasury. Mosenogi said Dilotsotlhe has in excess of eleven years’ experience in senior management, having been in the local government environment as the Technical Lead (CoGHSTA), Provincial Executive Representative, Section 139(1)(c) Administrator, acting Municipal Manager, and Strategy Execution Consultant.

“He has also occupied senior management positions such as CEO, Chief Visionary Officer (Consultant) in the private sector. So, we call upon the municipality, as well as all stakeholders—the municipal administration, labour, business, and the community—to work with the intervention,” she said.

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Three farmers sentenced to life imprisonment each for killing a farm dweller

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Picture: Three farmers, Jaco Wessels Kemp, Louise Coetzee, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

2 April 2026 – Three farmers were sentenced to life imprisonment each by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria for the premeditated murder of Dumisani Phakathi, a farm dweller. On 16 September 2023, three farmers, Jaco Wessels Kemp (36), Louise Coetzee (29), and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen (38) were having a braai at the chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said at approximately 4pm, they saw Phakathi walking past the farm gate on his way to collect water from a nearby furrow, which community members commonly used as a water source. Mahanjana said the three approached him and assaulted him.

“They then dragged him into a storage facility inside the chicken farm, where the assault continued until he succumbed to his injuries. In the early hours of 17 September 2023, at approximately 2am, Kemp and Coetzee were stopped by police during a stop-and-search operation on the R511 towards Brits, while driving a bakkie.

“The vehicle was loaded with black refuse bags. During the search, police noticed human legs protruding from underneath the bags. Upon further inspection, they discovered the bloodied body of the deceased, with his head covered in plastic,” she said.

Mahananjana further said Kemp and Coetzee were immediately arrested at the scene. She added that Van der Westhuizen handed himself over to the police on 19 September 2023, after investigations linked him to the offence.

“In court, all three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and shifted blame onto one another. However, the state prosecutor, advocate Lawrence More, presented compelling evidence through state witnesses, proving the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“In mitigation of sentence, the accused requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence because of the time they had already spent in custody since their arrest and that they have children to take care of,” said Mahanjana.

She said, however, More argued for life imprisonment because the trio killed the decease for no reason. Mahanjana said the deceased was killed in an inhumane and cruel manner, his body placed in rubbish bags in an attempt to throw it in a dumping site. 

“More also read into the record the Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lebogang Lebese, where the sister of the deceased expresses that she no longer trusts white people because of the incident.

“In delivering the sentence, the judge agreed with the state that the three showed no remorse for the offence, they killed a man for no apparent reason.  Therefore, the only conclusion he can derive from the killing is that it was racially motivated,” she said.

Mahanjana said the court further declared all three accused unfit to possess firearms and ordered them to surrender all firearms, ammunition, licences, authorisations, and permits to the investigating officer. She said the NPA welcomes the sentence and reiterates its commitment to ensuring accountability for violent crimes, particularly those committed against vulnerable members of society.

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A policeman jailed for 12 years for stealing cattle

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Picture: A policeman nabbed for committing crime/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2April 2026 – A constable police attached to the Cullinan Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Rhulani Herbert Maringa (44) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court. This follows his conviction for stock theft valued at R80 000.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Maringa was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mahanjana said on 17 April 2019, two accused persons who have since turned state witnesses stole cattle from Zonderwater Correctional Services in Cullinan at the instruction of Maringa.

“The matter came to light after police received a tip-off from a farmer to whom the stolen cattle had been sold. When the two individuals returned to the farm to collect payment, they were arrested.

“Upon their arrest, the two accused cooperated with the police and told the police that Maringa was involved in the planning of the offence and escorted them to the Goudveld Farm, where there is an abattoir and butchery,” she said.

Mahanjana further said during the trial, Maringa pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. She added that, however, the state prosecutor, Advocate Patsy Jacobs, presented compelling evidence that proved the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“In mitigation of sentence, Maringa through his legal representative asked for leniency on the basis that there was no financial loss ultimately suffered as the cattle were recovered and returned to the Department of Correctional Services.

“Jacobs opposed this, arguing that Maringa, as a police officer assigned to a stock theft unit, had a heightened duty to prevent such crimes and had instead abused his position,” said Mahanjana.

She said Jacobs urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.

Mahanjana said in handing down the sentence, the Regional Court Magistrate agreed with the state, emphasising that police officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and that the courts have a responsibility to protect the property rights of citizens. She said the NPA welcomes the sentence and commends the prompt and effective response by the police in this highly organised and premeditated offence involving a police official.

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Two suspects nabbed for allegedly stealing cattle

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Picture: The suspected stolen cattle confiscated by the police/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 April 2026 – Two suspects aged 36 and 41 were arrested after the members of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit recovered three Bonsmara cattle valued at more than R40 000 on 1 April 2026. The suspects were arrested while attempting to sell the cattle at a feedlot, which is a feed yard where primarily beef cattle are taken to be forced fed for market before being slaughtered in Kuruman.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the police were alerted to the incident and swiftly followed up on the information. Litabe said upon arrival at the feedlot, members identified brand markings on the cattle and circulated the details on the SAPS system.

“Further investigation led the police members to Camden village, near Kuruman, where it was established that the cattle had been stolen from a cattle post. The rightful owner was notified and a case of stock theft was registered at Kuruman Police Station.

“The recovered cattle were returned to the lawful owner. A white one-ton bakkie and a trailer that were used in the commission of the crime, were confiscated and booked into the SAPS 13 store as evidence,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, commended the members of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit for their swift response and dedication and encouraged them to continue their diligent efforts in combating stock theft. Baloyi said the police remain resolute in clamping down on stock theft incidents throughout the province.

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