Commendable achievements GBV-related cases

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By OBAKENG MAJE

22 August 2025- In commemoration of Women’s Month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains steadfast in its mission to ensure justice for women, children, and other vulnerable members of society. The SAPS in Northern Cape said the focus was placed on the commendable achievements of the Kuruman Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Northern Cape.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sergio Kock said over the past year, the Kuruman FCS Unit has secured four life sentences and achieved 30 convictions for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and sexual offences, amounting to a total of 369 years of imprisonment collectively handed down to offenders.

The acting Kuruman FCS Commander, Captain Caren Nel, expressed pride in her team of 13 dedicated and committed investigating officers, one loyal Provisioning Administration Clerk, and a compassionate Captain serving as the unit’s Forensic Social Worker. Nel said the unit effected 223 arrests in the past year for various offences relating to family violence, child protection and sexual offences in Kuruman and surrounding areas.

One notable case was led by Detective Constable Lorato Michelle Badukane, a mother of two who is deeply committed to ensuring justice is served. Through her diligent work, a life sentence was secured in a Bothitong rape case, in which a grandfather (60) repeatedly raped his granddaughter (11).

“It is heart-breaking to handle cases involving children, especially as we are parents ourselves. However, sentences such as these give us some comfort, knowing that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are convicted and permanently removed from society,” said Badukane.

Nel said Kuruman FCS Unit marks Women’s Month 2025 with a renewed vow to ensure that no GBVF or sexual offender escapes justice. He further said the team remains unwavering in its courage and commitment to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

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DA to table motion on abandoned stands in Kgetlengrivier

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By AGISANANG SCUFF

22 August 2025 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality said it will submit a petition and table a motion at the ordinary council sitting on 28 August 2025, calling for urgent action on abandoned stands that pose a serious health and safety threat to communities.

The DA said this follows a joint effort with a concerned resident of Ward 4, who initiated a petition to clean up a neglected stand in Reagile.

DA PR councillor in Kgetlengriver Local Municipality, Mduduzi Maphanga said residents overwhelmingly voiced concerns that the site had become a hiding place for criminals, while illegal dumping created unbearable odours and health risks for neighbouring households.

Maphanga said after engagement with the Acting Director of Local Economic Development (LED), Linda Phakati, the DA resolved to bring this matter before Council.

“The motion will call on Council to explore available legislative mechanisms within South African law, while respecting the constitutional right to property, to determine whether abandoned stands can be seized and rehabilitated for community safety.

“The Ward 4 case in Reagile is not an isolated incident. Similar challenges exist in Derby and other areas, where abandoned stands have remained hotspots for crime,” he said.

Maphanga further said these concerns were also highlighted during discussions with members of the Safety and Transport Committee on their recent oversight visit to Derby. He added that they trust that after this motion is tabled and discussed, council will put in place a fair and workable plan to deal with abandoned stands, so that residents can live in safe and healthy communities.

“The DA will continue to fight for the right of Kgetlengrivier residents to live in safe and dignified communities, free from crime and neglect,” said Maphanga.

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Five learners suspended over ill-discipline

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Picture: Learners allegedly pouring water over a teacher/Screengrab

By BAKANG MOKOTO

22 August 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she strongly condemns the ill-discipline displayed by the Hoër Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp learners on Tuesday. This comes after a group of learners allegedly entered the school restrooms dressed in overalls and balaclavas, disrupting the teaching and learning environment at the school.

Motsumi said a teacher promptly responded by going to the restroom area to encourage the learners to return to class.

“During this interaction, the incident escalated to a situation wherein learners poured water onto the teacher. The learners continued by throwing papers at the teacher.

“The school staff responded promptly and effectively to the situation, prioritising learners’ safety by securing the premises and removing the individuals involved,” she said.

Motsumi further said the school management finally succeeded in bringing order and sanity to the school and eventually, normal academic activities resumed. She added that an immediate investigation was initiated and the learners involved were identified.

“Their parents were promptly informed of the incident. On Wednesday, the School Management Team (SMT) convened an urgent meeting. Following the instructions of the School Governing Body (SGB), it was resolved that all involved learners would be suspended for five school days.

“This suspension is an interim measure pending the outcome of a formal disciplinary process as per the school’s code of conduct. The parents of the learners were invited to an official meeting today, during which they were informed of the decision to suspend,” said Motsumi.

She said the suspension was implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners and staff. Motsumi condemned the ill-discipline caused by the learners.

“This behaviour displayed by these learners is extremely barbaric and is unacceptable. We are not going to tolerate learners who assault our teachers, they do not belong in our schools.

“I am going to instruct the School Governing Body of this school to take drastic steps against these learners. The steps taken by the school should send a message to other learners to never attempt such horrible behaviour,” she said.

Motsumi said she has instructed the district to arrange teachers and learners, who have been affected by this incident. She expressed her appreciation to the SGB, the Department of Education staff, teachers, parents, and the broader community for their continued support in upholding these values. She said her department remains committed to fostering an environment where discipline and safety are paramount.

“The disciplinary process will continue according to departmental policies and the school’s code of conduct,” said Motsumi.

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Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality among 20 WSAs worst performing in the country

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Picture: The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality building

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

22 August 2025- In a bid to hold municipalities accountable for the contamination and pollution of Molopo River in Mahikeng, the Deputy Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo said he will lay criminal and civil charges against the municipalities that are responsible for polluting water resources.

Seitlholo made these remarks during the oversight visit to Mahikeng on 18 August 2025, to assess the state of pollution of water resources caused mostly by poorly functioning municipal waste water systems.

He joined by the Chairperson of Magalies Water Board, Dr Lydia Sebego and Limpopo Olifants Catchment Management Agency, Dr Thato Moeng, met the Executive Mayors of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) and Mahikeng Local Municipalities, councillor Olehile Losaba and Tshepiso Mphehlo and led the delegation to an inspection of Molopo River, Mafikeng and Mmabatho Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTWs).

During the oversight visit, Seitlholo lamented that the lack of operation and maintenance of waste water infrastructure by the municipalities, as well as illegal connections of the sewage from their households was the main cause of sewer spillages into the environment such as rivers and streams. He further indicated the spillages have led to contamination of water resources and compromise of health of communities.

“We have also identified littering and illegal dumping of refuse and foreign objects into the Molopo River by surrounding communities as another major contributor of pollution of the water course.

“We encourage the municipalities to undertake awareness programmes to educate communities about the consequences of pollution of water resources,” said Seitlholo.

He added that everything starts and stops with municipalities. Seitlholo said, if South Africa is to work, municipalities must work.

“However, it is unfortunate that municipalities have undermined operation and maintenance of the infrastructures and the implementation of by-laws.

“The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has taken enforcement actions against the district and the local municipality due to the malfunctioning of its WWTWs and the surrounding water use activities that are impacting on Molopo River and Lotlamoreng Dam,” he said.

Seitlholo said criminal cases have since been opened by the department and investigations are currently underway. He said the District Municipality is among the 20 Water Service Authorities (WSAs) categorised as the worst performing out of the 144 WSAs in the country.

“In August 2025, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina tasked me to be the custodian of the National Water Act (NWA), particularly Section 19 of the Act, in terms of the management of pollution water resources and to ensure that all necessary actions were taken against the culprits who cause pollution of water resources across the country.

“The Green Drop Report and the subsequent assessments reports of the performance of WWTWs by WSAs indicated poor compliance to the national norms and standards,” said Seitlholo.

He said the Green Drop report released by the DWS tells them that the biggest contributors of pollution to the water resources are waste water infrastructures that are dysfunctional and critical and end up discharging partially treated and untreated sewage into water resources. Seitlholo said this therefore makes it difficult to treat waste water to the required quality standard.

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Broos announces preliminary Bafana squad

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos

By REGINALD KANYANE

22 August 2025 – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named the preliminary team to face Nigeria and Lesotho in two crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played in South Africa next month. Broos’ charges will be away to Lesotho in the first FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State on 5 September 2025.

The South African senior men’s national team will then host Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the same venue on 9 September 2025. Both matches will be played at 6pm.

Tickets to the Bafana Bafana vs Nigeria showdown are available at all Ticketpro Outlets. This includes Spar, SuperSpar, Postnet and the Shell, BP and SASOL garages among others.

Bafana Bafana are top of Group C in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 13 points after six matches and they are followed by second-placed Rwanda and Benin, who are both on eight points. The Nigerians are fourth with seven points followed by Lesotho (six points) and Zimbabwe (four points).

Tickets to the match are available at Ticketpro and other participating outlets. Tickets for South Africa vs Nigeria | Ticketpro

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Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital delivers triplets

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Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari with triplets/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

22 August 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari visited Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital (JMMH) in Vryburg to commend healthcare workers following the successful and safe delivery of triplets – the first set to be delivered at the facility. Lehari said the babies, two girls and one boy, were delivered on 12 August 2025, through a planned caesarean section by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and nurses.

He further said the delivery followed weeks of specialist monitoring after the mother, who was referred from a local clinic as a high-risk patient due to hypertension and carrying triplets, received consistent care from the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team.

Lehari added that baby 1 (female) was born at 09:02, weighing 2.16kg, while baby 2 (female) was born at 09:03, weighing 1.5kg and baby 3 (male) was born at 09:03, weighing 2.09kg.

“All three babies were safely delivered. While baby 3 briefly required admission for respiratory distress and was discharged after three days, baby 2 remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for weight gain.

“Babies 1 and 3 have since been discharged to the care of their maternal grandmother, while their mother remains in the Post-Natal Clinic as a lodger mother and is stable,” he said.

Lehari, accompanied by the Department’s Deputy Director-General for Hospital Services, Polaki Mokatsane, conducted an in-loco-inspection and expressed pride in the professionalism and dedication of the hospital team. He also presented gifts to the proud mother of the triplets.

“The safe delivery of these triplets is a clear demonstration of the commitment and skill of our healthcare professionals.

“As the North West Department of Health, we place the health of mothers and babies at the centre of our work because we know that healthy families form the backbone of sustainable communities,” said Lehari.

He highlighted that such achievements reflect the North West Department of Health’s commitment to strengthening maternal and child health services, ensuring that even high-risk pregnancies receive the necessary specialist attention in public health facilities.

“Our contribution to reducing maternal and child mortality speaks directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages especially in pregnant women and postpartum,” he said.

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SAPS to investigates a case of alleged abuse of a destitute man

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Picture: The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng

By BAKANG MOKOTO

21 August 2025- The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said he has instructed the Mahikeng Police Station Commander to contact both the SABC News and the North West Department of Social Development, to get information on the alleged robbery committed against the elderly man (77). Asaneng said he did this immediately upon seeing a video footage on the SABC News about a destitute man living in squalor in a village, outside Mahikeng.

He further said the South African Police Service (SAPS), which has a constitutional and legal duty to prevent, combat and investigate crimes, views this information in a very serious light and would want to immediately investigate the alleged abuse, harassment and attack of a vulnerable and defenceless old man so that those involved are identified and arrested. 

Asaneng added that the police are therefore, calling upon anyone who has information that could lead to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the culprits, to call the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or share information via MySAPS App.

“By remaining silent while knowing or being aware of this crime will only encourage those criminals to continue with their abhorrent deeds. Let us rise and work together to rid our communities of crime and criminals,” he said.

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Corruption and fraud case postponed

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 August 2025- The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court postponed the case against Mervyn Casterns and seven others to 29 October 2025, for further investigations. Three of the accused, Daniel Nathan, Martha Rapetsoa and Kuben Moodley, have indicated their intention to file applications for their bail conditions to be relaxed.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henr Mamothame said bail proceedings will be heard on 9 September 2025. Mamothame said Zarina Prasadh (formerly Kellerman) was arrested on Monday and had appeared before the same court.

“The state opposed bail. After a formal bail hearing bail was set in the amount of R50 000 subject to strict conditions. Prasadh was expected to appear with the rest of the accused today. However, her attorney informed the court that she was admitted to hospital.

“A warrant for her arrest was issued, but the execution thereof stayed until 4 September 2025, when she is expected to appear before court,” he said.

Mamothame further said Mervyn Casterns, the CEO of the Alexkor RMC Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (“PSJV”) together with Daniel Nathan, his company Alexander Bay Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd – formerly known as Scarlet Sky Investments (Pty) Ltd (“SSI”), Kubentheran Moodley, Martha Rapetsoa, Roslyn Crossingham, Raygen Phillips and Zarina Prasadh, are facing numerous charges of fraud and offences in terms of the Diamonds Act.

He added that the charges emanate from two diamond marketing tenders that were awarded to SSI in 2015 and again in 2016, which gave SSI exclusive right to market and sell all diamonds produced by the PSJV, a joint venture formed between Alexkor SOC and the Richtersveld Community.

“SSI allegedly acquired all unpolished diamonds produced by the PSJV and sold it on behalf of the PSJV. It is alleged that several individuals and affiliated entities did, through the marketing tenders, acquire unpolished diamonds from sales conducted by SSI for the PSJV over a period of more than five years. 

“The Alexkor investigation conducted by the IDAC, emanates from findings of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector Including organs of State,” said Mamothame.

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A man sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for raping a minor

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By REGINALD KANYANE

21 August 2025- A man (33) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Pofadder Regional Court for rape. The accused was convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences and related crimes committed against a minor victim (14).

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said the offences occurred on 1 July 2023, when the accused abducted, assaulted, robbed, and repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim over a two-day period. Magerman said he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for assault.

“The accused was sentenced to three years imprisonment for robbery, two years for kidnapping, 25 years imprisonment for rape on count 1 (5 years suspended) and another 25 years imprisonment for rape on count 2 (5 years suspended).

“The sentences will run concurrently. In addition, the name of the accused has been placed on the National Sex Offenders Register and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000),” he said.

Magerman further said the case was successfully prosecuted by advocate Basil Kock, with Detective Sergeant Rowen Nortje, leading the investigation. He added that their combined efforts ensured that justice was served.

Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the swift police response, the thorough investigation and the victim’s bravery in coming forward. Andrews said he reaffirmed the commitment of the police to protect the most vulnerable, particularly children and ensuring that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) face the full might of the law.

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More than 70 learners receive uniform

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Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 August 2025- More than 70 learners at Dingateng primary school near Setlagole village received school uniforms from the authorities to advance their studies. On Wednesday, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie took her outreach programme to Dingateng in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to distribute school uniforms to learners facing undue hardship and whose parents cannot afford school uniforms and other important amenities.

Dantjie further said the learners both males and females received two sets of shoes, socks, trousers, vests, sport shirts, school bags, tunics and tracksuits to the value of more than R4000 per learner. She added that the government has developed programmes to provide for the needs of learners and adults alike in its intervention in the plight of learners.

“We call on officials to protect the children’s right to education and ensure that they have birth certificates and identity documents. Of the 235 registered learners, 25 of them do not have birth certificates or identity documents.

“About 208 learners receive social grants. In the next seven days, our social workers will profile needy learners and their families in this area. Based on their home circumstances report, we will intervene with our social relief of distress and Re thuse re go thuse programmes, which includes provision of food parcels, school uniform, sanitary towels and other amenities to our communities,” said Dantjie.

She vowed to bring her Re thuse re go thuse flagship to needy communities so that they access government services at their doorsteps.

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