Category Archives: NEWS

Two accused in court for illegally fitting blue lights in a private vehicle

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Picture: Two accused, Afzal Abramjee and Manuel Sarafim Pinto/Supplied

By STAFF REPORTER

6 July 2026 – The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has granted bail of R10 000 each to Afzal Abramjee (40) of Centurion and Manuel Sarafim Pinto (49), a Mozambican national residing in Robertsham, Johannesburg. The two accused are facing a charge of operating a motor vehicle fitted with, or displaying, lamps emitting blue lights in contravention of the law.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Tshegofatso Makhudu said it is alleged that on 4 June 2026, during a police roadblock operation in Wierdabrug, police stopped a vehicle driven by Abramjee’s wife. Makhudu said the police discovered that the vehicle had been fitted with blue lights.

“When questioned, she informed police that the vehicle belonged to her husband. The police subsequently contacted Abramjee and requested that he come to the scene. Upon his arrival, both he and his wife were taken to the Wierdabrug Police Station for further questioning.

“The vehicle was seized and the pair were later released pending further investigations. Following the conclusion of the police investigation, Abramjee and his co-accused, Pinto, were arrested at their respective residences on 3 and 4 July 2026,” she said.

Makhudu further said during their court appearance, the state did not oppose bail as neither accused was considered a flight risk. She added that, however, the prosecution requested that stringent bail conditions be imposed to safeguard the integrity of the investigation.

“The court found that it was in the interests of justice to release both accused on bail of R10 000 each, subject to strict conditions. These include reporting once a week to their nearest police stations between 5pm and 8pm, surrendering their passports to the investigating officer within 24 hours and refraining from directly or indirectly contacting any witnesses involved in the matter.

“The case was postponed to 5 August 2026, for further investigation,” said Makhudu.

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Dikampa tsa marematlou di amegile morago ga magatwe a sepoko

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Setshwantsho: Sekolo se segolwane sa Milner

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

6 Phukwi 2026 – Lefapha la Thuto mono Bokone Bophirima le ganeditse ditatofatso tsa gore sekolo se segolwane sa Milner kwa Klerksdorp se a poka. Se, se tla morago ga ditatofatso tsa gore baithuti bangwe ba shupe fa ba bone sepoko kwa diphaphosi-bonno (hostels) morago ga go tlhokafala ga moithuti mongwe dingwaga tse di fetileng.

Ga jaana, baithuti ba marematlou go tswa kwa dikolong tse di farologaneng, ba tsenetse dikampa tsa maretlou kwa lefelong leo. Go begwa fa kgwedi ya Phukwi e rogwa, bontsi jwa baithuti ba ile ba tlhakatlhakana, go goeletsa le go nna le letshogophetelela (hysteria).

Sebueledi sa Lefapha La Thuto mono Bokone Bophirima, Vuyo Manthsule are seo se ile sa baka tlhakatlhakano. Mantshule are batsadi ba baithuti ba, ba ile ba bidiwa ga mmogo le badiri ba thuso ya potlako.

“Badiri ba thuso ya potlako, ba ile ba lekola moithuti a le mongwe fela, o go neng go botsha a nnile le letshogo. Fela moithuti o, o ile a tlhalosiwa fa a siame morago ga go tlhatlhobiwa. Dithuto di ile tsa tswelela ntle le matshosetsi ape.

“Bagokgo ba dikolo di le pedi tse baithuti ba tsone e leng karolo ya dikampa tse, ba ile ba bidiwa le go buisana le bathuti ba. Motsamaisi wa diphaphosi tsa bodulo o ile a ikuela go baithuti go se ise dipelo mafisa, gonne dikgang tse e se tsa boammaruri,” Mantshule wa tlhalosa.

Mantshule are seemo se ile sa boela sekeng, mme dithuto di ile tsa tswelela jaaka go ne go rulagantswe. Mantshule are morago ga dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng, go ile ga fitlhelelwa fa baithuti bangwe ba ne ba bonwa ke motlhokomedi ba tsuba matokwane pele ga tiragalo e.        

“Baithuti bao ga ba itsiwe gonne ba ne ba sa apara diaparo tsa sekolo ebile nako e le ya lefitshwana. Bontsi jwa batsadi bo ile jwa itelekela jwa sekolong se morago ga go bona dikgang tse mo metsweding e farologaneng ya boitapoloso. Ba ile ba nna le tshono ya go lekola bonno jo, le go bona bana ba bone.    

“Batsadi ba ile ba itumelela seemo sa bonno jo, mme ba kopa lefapha go tswelela ka dikampa tse. Re tla tlhalosa gore se, ene e le kgomo ya mmopa e e bopilweng ke baithuti bangwe ba ba kgatlhanong le dikampa tse,” Manthsule wa tlhalosa.

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A woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death to apply for bail

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Picture: The murder accused, Lebohang Felicia Shuping/Facebook

By STAFF REPORTER

6 July 2026 – A woman (31) has been remanded in custody after appearing before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on charges of allegedly killing her boyfriend (44), during a domestic dispute in Kanana Township, near Orkney. The police were called to a domestic violence complaint at approximately 3am on 2 July 2026.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said upon their arrival, it was alleged that an argument between the couple had turned violent, with the woman, Lebohang Shuping allegedly stabbing her boyfriend with a knife. Skalkie said the police reported that Shuping fled the scene shortly after the incident and sought refuge at her parents’ home.

“The police later traced and arrested her. She subsequently led police back to the scene, where the body of her boyfriend was discovered lying outside with multiple stab wounds to the neck. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel declared the victim dead at the scene.

“Shuping was arrested and charged with murder. She briefly appeared before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 3 July 2026, where the matter was postponed to 6 July 2026, for a formal bail application,” she said.

Commenting on the incident, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned the fatal attack and called on members of the public to seek help before domestic disputes escalate into violence. Naidoo said the police have reiterated the importance of reporting domestic violence and encouraged individuals experiencing abusive relationships to make use of available support services before conflicts result in tragedy.

“Investigations into the murder are continuing,” he said.

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A woman accused of defrauding municipality R424 000 denied bail

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By REGINALD KANYANE

6 July 2026 – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully opposed a bail application based on alleged new facts brought by Janitha van Reenen Coetzee (25) in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. Coetzee faces a charge of fraud involving approximately R424 000, allegedly defrauded from the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

The NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Tshegofatso Makhudu said it is alleged that the accused misrepresented herself as an independent agent capable of assisting residents in obtaining discounts on outstanding municipal accounts. Makhudu said the victims allegedly paid her money to make discounted payments to the municipality on their behalf.

“However, the funds were allegedly never paid over to the municipality. The accused also allegedly submitted claims to the municipality on behalf of the victims. It is further alleged that the municipality paid approximately R424 000 to the accused, which was never paid to the intended beneficiaries.

“The alleged fraud was uncovered when the then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Martha Mani Rantsofu, who has since passed away, identified suspicious claims amounting to approximately R424 000 and reported the matter to her manager,” she said.

Makhudu further said following an internal investigation, the municipality reported the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. She added that during the bail proceedings, the state, represented by prosecutor Moses Raditsela, opposed the application and argued that the accused posed a flight risk because her residential address could not be properly verified due to inconsistencies regarding her place of residence.

“The state further submitted that no genuine new facts had been presented to the court, as the issues raised had already been considered and addressed during the previous bail application. It argued that releasing the accused on bail would not be in the interests of justice.

“In delivering judgment, the magistrate agreed with the state’s submissions and found that the information presented by the accused did not constitute new facts. The court further held that it would not be in the interests of justice to release the accused on bail,” said Makhudu.

She said consequently, the bail application based on new facts was dismissed. Makhudu said the matter was postponed to 23 July 2026, for further investigation.

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SA is building a secure and inclusive digital future

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

6 July 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the country’s ambition to be a leading digital investment destination is being recognised by some of the world’s leading technology companies. Ramaphosa said one of these is Google, which last week hosted its first-ever African Cloud Summit in Johannesburg.

He further said the company chose South Africa to host one of its most important technology and enterprise events and affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem. Ramaphosa added that at the summit, Google announced a range of investments as part of its ‘Building for Africa’ initiative, which is designed “to support the greater adoption of cloud technologies and to equip local ecosystems for AI-driven innovation.”

“Among these investments is a new Digital Exchange Port that will be built in the Eastern Cape, the first of four connectivity hubs on the continent that will ensure reliable cloud services. Google has committed to skilling the local workforce.

“A R3 million digital innovation centre will be built at the South West Gauteng TVET College in Soweto. Later this month, applications will open for the 2026 South African cohort of the Google for Start-ups Accelerator, through which 15 local start-ups will be selected to receive AI training, mentorship and funding,” he said.

Ramphosa said investor confidence in South Africa’s digital economy trajectory is growing. He said beyond the Google investment, in 2023 Amazon Web Services announced plans to invest R30.4 billion in its South African cloud infrastructure.

“Last year, Microsoft announced plans to invest R5.4 billion to develop local hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure. Just last week, Mastercard launched its Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. Starting with a phased rollout in South Africa and Nigeria, this initiative aims to strengthen cyber resilience and enable more secure digital growth across Africa.

“Across the world, the digital economy is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. Google estimates that its Johannesburg Cloud Region can contribute approximately R1.7 trillion in additional gross economic output by 2030 and support approximately 315,000 jobs,” said Ramaphosa.

He said digital technologies are increasingly being adopted to overcome developmental challenges in education, healthcare, service delivery and climate change. Ramaphosa said to build the economies and workplaces of the future, countries need to build digital infrastructure, including cloud computing and AI.

“South Africa currently houses a significant proportion of Africa’s large data centre capacity and is the continent’s largest cloud market. An increasing number of South African businesses are moving to cloud infrastructure and adopting machine learning and AI in their businesses.

“Small, medium and micro enterprises particularly stand to benefit, with one study estimating that SMME adoption of cloud computing could potentially unlock more than R185 billion for the country’s economy by 2030,” he said.

Rampahosa said Cloud enables small businesses to spend less on IT costs, improve their productivity and become more competitive. He said it can help them to expand market access and make use of e-commerce.

“As these businesses grow, they create more employment and stimulate local economies. Through the likes of the SA SME Fund, the Black Business Supplier Development Programme and digital transformation partnerships with the private sector, we are working to make cloud and other technologies more affordable for small businesses.

“Cloud infrastructure rollout can also improve government efficiency and service delivery. For example, cloud-based platforms in education can improve the availability of digital textbooks and other learning materials,” said Ramaphosa.

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

NFVF equips filmmakers with funding and production skills

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Picture: Some of attendees at NFVF workshop

By BAKANG MOKOTO

6 July 2026 – Aspiring filmmakers and film producers from across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and neighbouring towns from Northern Cape, gathered at Mmabana Arts Centre in Taung on 1 July 2026, for a National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) workshop aimed at strengthening the local film industry and encouraging more applications for national funding.

The workshop focused on equipping participants with practical skills in filmmaking, while also guiding them through the application process for the NFVF’s Production Funding Programme, whose application deadline is approaching next week. Delegates received hands-on training on completing funding application forms, developing quality film productions and creating content capable of reaching broader audiences.

Speaking during the workshop, NFVF representative Mlamli Kama said the training forms part of the organisation’s efforts to ensure that filmmakers, particularly those from underserved areas, have the knowledge and confidence to access funding opportunities and grow sustainable careers in the film industry.

Among those in attendance was acclaimed Taung filmmaker Vincent Moloi from Mogopela B, who welcomed the initiative and emphasised the importance of providing emerging filmmakers with access to industry knowledge and financial support.

Participants described the workshop as informative and empowering, saying they had gained valuable insights that they plan to share with aspiring filmmakers in their respective communities.

The NFVF also raised concern over the low number of funding applications received from the North West province. According to the foundation, the province continues to lag behind others in both participation and the economic contribution of its film industry.

The workshop formed part of the NFVF’s ongoing efforts to stimulate growth in South Africa’s creative sector by expanding access to funding, skills development and opportunities for filmmakers in rural and underserved communities.

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Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa Ethiopia e buseditswe morago  

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Merkose Desaleng/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

6 Phukwi 2026 – Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa nageng ya Ethiopia, Merkose Desaleng (29), e buseditswe morago go fitlha kgwedi eno ya Phukwi e tlhola matsatsi a le 13. Desaleng one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ga mmogo le go nna mo nageng ya Afrika Borwa ntle le ditlankana tse di maleba.

Go begwa fa Desaleng yo o nang le lebenkele kwa motseng wa Magogoe Tshepang, gaufi le Mahikeng, a ne a tlhaba Obakeng Santo morago ga gore go tsoge ngangisano magareng ga bone kwa lebenkeleng leo.  

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Majang Skalkie are tiragalo e, e diragetse fa Phukwi a tlhola letsatsi ka ura ya 4:30pm. Skalkie are go begwa fa molatofadiwa a tlhabile moswi ka sengwe se se bogale morago ga kgakgauthano.

“Santo o ile a tabogisediwa kwa kliniking ya selegae, fela o ile a begwa fa a setse a tlhokafetse. Kgetsi ya polao e ile ya bulwa, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga molatofadiwa. Desaleng o tlhageletse ka boripa kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Mmabatho.

“Kgetsi ya gagwe e buseditswe morago go rulaganyetsa molatofadiwa moranuledi,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e, mme o amogetse go tshwarwa ga ga Desaleng.

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Former financial administrator nabbed for R4.6m fraud remanded in custody

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By STAFF REPORTER

6 July 2026 – Former financial administrator (43) at Kathu High School, who was arrested for fraud, forgery and uttering, remanded in custody until 7 July 2026, for formal bail application. The accused, Maria Jessica Kuhn was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team working together with their counterparts from Serious Organised Crime on 2 July 2026, at her place of residence in Kathu, near Kuruman.

The Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Kuhn who previously served as a financial administrator at Kathu High School, is accused of embezzling school funds to the tune of R4.6 million rands. Thebe said the modus operandi included creating separate private banking accounts, where school funds were diverted.

“Financial discrepancies were identified in October 2025, when an audit detected irregularities in the school’s financial records. The stolen funds included normal school fees and donor amounts, which are used to pay School Governing Body (SGB) teacher’s salaries.

“The Directorate’s investigation revealed that the accused created fictitious invoices purporting to be legitimate school suppliers and authorised payments which went to her private account and for her benefit. Allegations are, the accused further paid herself overtime, despite the school’s policy prohibiting such payments,” he said.

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Soliciting of bribes from illegal immigrants disputed

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By OBAKENG MAJE

6 July 2026 – The management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West has noted the circulation of a social media video containing allegations relating to the Station Commander of Cyferskuil and the policing of undocumented migrants within the Cyferskuil policing area. The SAPS wishes to categorically reject the false and unsubstantiated allegation that the Station Commander is collecting money from undocumented migrants as a “protection fee”.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said at this stage, there is no information or evidence available to substantiate these claims. Skalkie said regarding the events referred to in the video, the Station Commander addressed members of the community in the presence of a local councillor after concerns were raised about intended actions against undocumented migrants.

“During the engagement, the Station Commander appealed to community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and not to conduct house-to-house actions aimed at forcibly removing undocumented migrants. The community accepted this appeal and no such action took place.

“SAPS also wishes to clarify that the allegation that a truck transported and offloaded undocumented migrants into areas within the Cyferskuil policing precinct is false. No such incident has been reported or verified,” she said.

Skalkie further said, there was no incident reported that indicated that undocumented migrants voluntarily left the area.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, urges members of the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media, as the dissemination of false information can create unnecessary panic, damage reputations and undermine public confidence in law enforcement. Naidoo encourages anyone with credible information regarding criminal conduct or corruption to report it through the appropriate official channels so that it can be investigated.

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Monna o tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo mabapi le polao

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

6 Phukwi 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 25 o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Brits mabapi le polao. Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a thuntsa le go bolaya monna wa dingwaga di 51 mme a latlhela setopo sa gagwe kwa mmileng kwa motseng wa Letlhakaneng, gaufi le Letlhabile.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Captain Majang Skalkie are tiragalo e, e diragetse fa kgwedi ya Seetebosigo e tlhola matsatsi a le masome a le mararo ka ura ya 10:30 bosigo. Skalkie are baletamotse ba ba neng ba tlhokometse motse wa bone, ba ile ba bona sejanaga sa modiro wa Volkswagen Polo se ema kwa mmileng le go latlhela setopo sa monna mongwe kwa mmileng o.

“Go begwa fa setopo sa monna o sa itsiweng se ne sa latlhelwa mo thoko ga tsela pele ga sejanaga seo se inaya naga. Baletamotse ba, bai le ba letsetsa sepodisi. Moswi o fitlhetswe ka dintho tsa go thuntshiwa. Batlhankedi ba potlako ba ile ba bilediwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme ba tlhalosa fa monna o a setse a tlhokafetse,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Skalkie are kgetsi ya polao e ile ya bulwa, mme go ile ga bolodiwa dipatlisiso. Skalkie are sepodisi se ile sa dirisa ikwadiso ya sejanaga seo go batlana le mmelaelwa.

“Mmelaelwa o ile a tshwarwa fa kgwedi ya Phukwi e tlhola matsatsi a le mabedi. Dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng, di dirile gore sepodisi se fitlhelele madi a motswasetlhabelo mo tlase ga setulo mo sejanageng sa mmelaelwa ga mmogo le sethunya sa AK-47.

“Sepodisi se ile sa thopa sethunya seo sa AK-47 ga mmogo le sethunya ya pistol go tswa go mmelaelwa. Ga jaana, dithunya tseo, di ile go lekolwa gore a ga di amege mo bosinying jo bongwe gape. Dipatlisiso tsa go sa le gale di shupa fa polao e ka tswa e golaganngwa le dikgogakgogano mabapi le madi,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Are mmelaelwa o solofetswe go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Brits mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le polao.  

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa sepodisi wa nakwana mono Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o kgadile ka bogale polao e e setlhogo e, le go akgola babatlisisi ba kgetsi ka ntlheng ya matsetseleko a ba a dirileng mo kgetsing e.

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