14 August 2025- A woman (33) from Carnarvon has broken the silence on abuse after being assaulted by her brother (30). On 4 April 2025, at approximately 3:45pm, the victim arrived home when the accused demanded money from her.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said when she was unable to comply, he became aggressive and assaulted her. Shemane said neighbours intervened and came to her rescue.
“The victim, who was protected by a court-issued protection order, reported the incident to the police. A case was opened, and the accused was arrested.
“The matter was subsequently transferred to the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation,” he said.
Shemane further said the accused remained in custody pending the finalisation of the case. He added that on 13 August 2025, the accused was found guilty by the De Aar Regional Court of contravening a protection order.
“He was convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Management welcomed the conviction and commended Detective Sergeant Marlon Eksteen of the Carnarvon FCS Unit and state prosecutor, Philisiwe Khosa, for their exemplary teamwork in ensuring that justice was served and the accused is held accountable.
14 August 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education said it has noted with shock and disgust social media images of the “blackface” incident involving an educator at the infamous Duineveld Hoerskool in Upington, Northern Cape.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Joy Maimela said she is utterly shocked that an educator would partake in an incident that clearly has been identified as racist behaviour. Maimane said, however, she is not surprised that racism once again poked out its ugly head at the school.
“During an oversight visit by the committee in October last year, the committee noted several exclusionary practices at the school and urged the Northern Cape Education Department (NCED) and the national Department of Basic Education to address this.
“The latest incident allegedly occurred at a school function last week and went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage. In the video, the educator, Jaco Liebenberg, can be seen with his face painted black and wearing a black wig,” she said.
Maimela further said it’s the second incident of racism at the school in less than a year. She added that, in September last year, a video went viral of a learner repeatedly using the k-word.
“In the video, which has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, the pupil and three others join a live TikTok chat with a man identified as content creator @UncleSeeno, calling him a “k***** and a n*****”.
“During an oversight visit late last year, we highlighted concerns that the school application forms and all its policies were, for example, only in Afrikaans,” said Maimela.
She said that it reeks of exclusionary practices for any parent not understanding the language. Maimela said by default, they are excluding any person that does not speak Afrikaans.
“The committee noted the swift action by Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo by placing the implicated teacher on suspension on the understanding that the investigation will unfold free from intimidation.
“Although we commend the action, the issue is broader than this incident. During our visit, we were assured the school is undergoing social cohesion programmes for learners,” she said.
Maimela said clearly learners are not the only ones in need of such sessions. She said they will interrogate the matter further with the provincial education department to establish what progress, if any, has been made with these sessions.
Picture: Some of unemployment youth emabrked on protest/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
14 August 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said as per the 2nd Quarter Labour Force Survey released yesterday by Stats South Africa, North West still holds the highest unemployment rate in the country.
The DA said despite a marginal 0.3% drop from the previous quarter and a 1.2% drop from the same time last year, the official rate sits at 40.1% and the expanded rate at a staggering 54.7%.
The DA Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile said more than 1.5 million residents remain without jobs. Sonkaile said their absorption rate of 31.6% is the lowest in the country and labour force participation is among the lowest nationally at 52.7%.
“On 4 July this year, the DA marched to the Office of the Premier, handing over a memorandum demanding urgent action: declaring unemployment a provincial disaster, launching a Premier-led Youth Employment War Room, implementing a turnaround jobs plan with measurable targets, prioritising infrastructure to unlock growth, and publishing quarterly reports on investment and job creation.
“While we understand that job creation is primarily driven by the private sector, it remains the essential role of government to establish conducive environments and implement strategic plans that enable and accelerate sustainable job growth,” he said.
Sonakile further said one month later, there has been no response from the North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi. He added that there is currently no jobs crisis plan, as he ignores memorandums and proposals to address this challenge.
“Jobs are not created by cutting ribbons, hosting road shows, or attending every ceremonial opening. These statistics indicate a province on autopilot, with no urgency for economic reforms.
“We have formally requested that the Portfolio Committee responsible for oversight of Premier, places this matter high on its agenda during engagements with Mokgosi,” said Sonakile.
He said Mokgosi’s continued silence is a betrayal of North West residents. Sonakile said while he may be crisscrossing the province, the results speak for themselves.
“No real jobs have been created, nothing is attracting the private sector, and the province remains left behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West is sitting at 54,7% unemployment rate and recorded the highest expanded unemployment rate in Q2:2025, followed by MP (48,4%). NW, KZN, MP, and NC recorded more than 14 percentage points difference between expanded and official unemployment rates
Picture: Laundry at Masakhane Provincial Laundry/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
14 August 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the Masakhane Provincial Laundry is supposed to clean the linen at 14 hospitals and 54 clinics in the Tshwane area, but only 1 of its 6 tunnel washers is working. The DA said this was revealed yesterday in an oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Health Committee to this laundry located in Rosslyn, north of Pretoria.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Dr Jack Bloom said a tunnel washer is a large, industrial-scale washing machine that is essential for the high-volume cleaning of hospital laundry. Bloom said other broken machinery includes four out of 9 roller ironers, two out of 4 stand-alone dryers, one out of 2 small industrial washing machines and five out of 6 rotary presses.
He further said this includes both of the 2 finishing tunnels. Bloom added that there are 31 vacant posts, forcing the staff to do excessive overtime.
“Poor management is also indicated by the lack of a linen management plan, nor is there a maintenance plan for the machines. These plans are only being drawn up now.
“Patients are the victims of this inefficiency which causes frequent clean laundry shortages that increases the risk of infection. Facilities affected include the Steve Biko, Kalafong, George Mukhari, Pretoria West, Tshwane District, Mamelodi, Weskoppies, Odi, Jubilee and Bronkhorstspruit hospitals,” he said.
Bloom said he is not convinced that the department’s recapitalisation programme will solve the deep-rooted problems at the Masakhane laundry. He said a DA-run administration would review the five provincial laundries to ensure optimal cost-efficiency and output, working with the private sector to ensure clean laundry is never a problem for our public hospitals.
14 August 2025- Thabiso Kutumela has found his happy place and the satisfaction is very visible in Kampala, Uganda. Kutumela is part of the South African men’s team that is representing the country in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa and he has already found the back of the net twice in the matches against Algeria (1-1) and Guinea (2-1) during the group stages of the tournament. He capped off his performance against Guinea with the Man of the Match award.
He said the settled environment that has been created by coach Molefi Ntseki, the technical and support staff in camp has enabled him to rediscover his love for the game and finding the back of the net.
“I’m happy for myself and for the team, we’re progressing so well, we’re on four points now as we head to another game on Friday where we need to make it seven points.
“I am happy that I can help the team to go forward here. I think when you get the chance and your confidence is going up, it means you’re getting to what you’re best at,” said Kutumela.
He further said this means you’re happy where you are, you have to accept and adapt to it, give more at every training session and score more goals, so that it becomes easier for you when you get to the game. Kutumela added that part of the challenge can be attributed to inaction and not getting regular time on the pitch in the last few weeks.
“For me personally, I did not play for a long time where I was last season. I managed to train alone by myself, but, you know, when you go to the gym, it is not like a (competitive) game.
“So, I think we were tired (against Guinea), yes. I think what made us tired was the first game (against Algeria) because it drained us,” he said.
Ntseki said the team visibly tired in the group match against Guinea on Monday and while the South Africans beat Guinea 2-1, he still wants to get them to a satisfactory level before Friday’s match against Niger.
Meanwhile, the South Africans turn their attention to Friday’s encounter against Niger and Kutumela said they will continue to work very hard and hoist the country’s flag high. The CHAN tournament is being held in East Africa in three countries – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – between 2-30 August 2025.
Picture: Traditional healer jailed for rape/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
13 August 2025- A traditional healer, Bongani Mafolela (24) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Molopo Regional Court for two separate sexual offences and five years for attempted rape. Mafolela committed the offences in 2024.
He was also sentence to 10 years for rape he committed in 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the sentences will run consecutively. Gunya said Mafolela’s name will be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders, underscoring the NPA’s unwavering commitment to fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“On 6 February 2022, Mafolela met one of the victims in the Imperial Reserve, Mahikeng. Claiming to be a traditional healer, he prophesied that she had an evil spirit that needed to be removed and persuaded her to visit his surgery the following day.
“During the consultation, Mafolela prepared a bath for the victim to “cleanse” herself. She became suspicious when he refused to leave the room, but complied because she believed she needed help,” he said.
Gunya further said after the bath, Mafolela instructed her to lie on the bed so he could “remove the evil spirit” by inserting his hand into her private parts, covering her eyes with a cloth. He added that, Mafolela then raped her, claiming he was placing “muthi” deep into her body.
“He warned her not to tell anyone, or she might be involved in an accident — a threat she believed because her grandfather was a prophet. In April 2022, after discovering she was pregnant, the victim reported the matter to the police, leading to Mafolela’s arrest.
“He was later released on bail. While out on bail, on 4 September 2024, Mafolela met another victim in Montshioa Township, near Mahikeng. After claiming she had a spiritual calling, he shared a drink with her, which made her feel dizzy and sleepy,” said Gunya.
He said while she was lying down, she realised her track pants had been pulled down and saw Mafolela undressing himself. Gunya said Mafolela told her that he wanted to put “muthi” into her vagina.
“She resisted and reported the matter to the police, leading to his re-arrest the following day. In court, Mafolela pleaded not guilty.
Advocate Kefentse Diseko argued that youthfulness should not automatically mitigate sentences in serious offences like rape and urged the court to consider the alarming prevalence of GBV in South Africa,” he said.
In delivering judgment, Regional Court Magistrate Mathews found that Mafolela abused cultural beliefs and his position as a traditional healer to exploit his victims. The court further ordered a search and seizure operation at his premises to check for drugs or weapons.
Welcoming the sentence, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended Diseko and all role-players for securing the conviction.
“This judgment not only delivers justice to the victims but also sends a powerful message that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will not be tolerated in South Africa. We hope it serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” she said.
Setshwantsho- Setlhopa sa Modimong Lovely Movers FC
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
13 August 2025- Barati ba kgwele ya dinao go ralala Taung, ba itumeletse lobebe lwa kgwele ya dinao le le neng le tshamikiwa kwa Women’s Day Top 8 Tournament kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, mo mafelong a beke. Ditlhopa di le dintsi di ne di ntshitse ga tshwene, fela setlhopa sa Modimong Lovely Movers FC, se ile sa fetoga bafenyi ba tonamente morago ga go ruta setlhopa sa Mighty Boys FC kwa diphala di nwang metsi gone.
Setlhopa sa Modimong Lovely Movers FC, se fentse setlhopa sa Mighty Boys FC ka nno e le nngwe go lefela.
Mokatisi wa setlhopa sa Modimong Lovely Movers FC, Jacob Tshilo are motsameko wa bone kgatlhanong le setlhopa sa Mighty Boys FC, e ne ele o tsitsibanyang mmele. Tshilo are motshameko one o bulegile, mme seo se ba file tshono ya go tsenya kgatelelo.
“Re tshamikile kgatlhanong le setlhopa se se popota. Fela le rona re ne re eme pudi matsheba. Re tshamekile le ditlhopa tse di di phatsa, mme ene ya re fa re fetsa go di fenya, ke fa re lemoga gore re na le tshono ya go ikgapela sejana.
“Fela re kopane le setlhopa se se popota eleng sa Mighty Boys FC. Gape, ke itumeletse go bona matshetshe a kgwele ya dinao. Re ikuela go ditlhopa tse dikgolo go tla go lebelela lobebe la kgwele ya dinao, le go lebelela bokgoni jo batshamiki ba rona ba nang le bone,” Tshilo wa tlhalosa.
Mokatisi wa setlhopa sa Mighty Boys FC, Sifiso Nukeri are: “Batshameki ba rona ba ile ba palelwa ke go tsepanya mogopolo mo go se ba se dirang. Gape, puisano ya bone e ne e se e e edileng kwa morago.
“Batshamiki ba rona kwa morago ba ne ba sa ele tlhoko batshamiki ba setlhopa se re neng re tshameka le sone. Ke ka moo re ileng ra nosiwa nno.”
Fela Nukeri are ba tla dira botokwa mo nakong e e tlang.
Mongwe wa barulaganyi ba tonamente e, Charlie Ramonnye, are ba itumetse thata gore ba be ba rulagantse tonamente e, mme ba e lebisitse go bomme botlhe. Ramonnye are go le gantsi bomme ba shotlakakiwa ka mekgwa e farologaneng.
“Jaanong re rulagantse tonamente e, go ka ema nokeng ntwa kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya bomme le bana. Re gopola bomme ba ba ileng ba ipetsa sehuba, mme ba ema kgatlhanong le tshotlakako ya bomme.
“Seemo sa kgwele ya dinao se ne sele kwa godimo thata, mme le barati ba kgwele ya dinao le bone ba bone matshetshe,” Ramonnye wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare setlhopa sa Modimong Lovely Movers FC se ikgapetse madi a lekanyediwang go R24 000 ga mmogo le dimetale tsa gauta, sejana le kits, fa setlhopa sa Mighty Boys FC ba iponetse madi a lekanyediwang go R10 000 ga mmogo le dimetale tsa selefera le kits.
Picture: North West MEC for Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
13 August 2025- The disenchanted Orbit College FC coach, Pogisho Makhoye accused the North West Department of Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation of making empty promises. This comes after the North West MEC for Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi allegedly made a promise that her department will bear some of the cost regarding Orbit College FC’s pre-season camp in Potchefstroom.
According to Makhoye, that was just a ‘pep talk’ and nothing has been done thus far. Makhoye also raised the issue regarding the readiness of Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg.
However, the North West MEC for Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi spokesperson, Motheo Sebolaaneng said Olympia Park Stadium is the responsibility of the Rustenburg Local Municipality and they are the one that committed to fix the stadium in the stakeholders meeting held at Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg.
Sebolaaneng said the municipality confirmed in a meeting that they have the budget to fix the stadium.
“So, blaming the North West Department of Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation in matters related to the local government is unfair. However, Tlhapi met with the local municipality and made arrangements with the private sector to speed up the renovation of the stadium.
“On the issue of camping, the department made a commitment for the camp in Potchefstroom and instructed the Sport Academy, an entity of the department, to settle the payment,” he said.
Sebolaaneng further said, however, upon arrival, the Academy Manager was told that the club has already paid for the accommodation. He added that the process now is for the Academy, upon receiving its transfer from the department, to refund the team and they were made aware of that.
“The commitment made by the department was to support the Orbit College FC with R400 000, which R100 000 was supposed to be for the camp and R300 000 for the pre-season tournament. So, this is the amount which will be paid.
“Unfortunately the process of government needs to be followed, especially that the department wants to maintain its clean audit,” said Sebolaaneng.
Meanwhile, the Rustenburg Local Municipality acting spokesperson, Odirile Modiba told Radio 2000that: “Indeed, we understand the frustration and we are working around the clock to address that. There are four issues that were highlighted by the Betway Premier Soccer League (PSL) regarding the use of Olympia Park Stadium.
“So, the Rustenburg Local Municipality is addressing those issues and hopefully by the end of September, the Orbit College FC will be back to its home ground.”
13 Phatwe 2025- Kgetsi ya go teketa le go shupa ka sethunya kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa, Korononea Jeremia Modise (34) wa kwa motseng wa Dikhuting, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung go fitlha ka di 8 Lwetse 2025. Modise one a tshwarwa mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go teketa ga mmogo le go shupa ka sethunya.
Go ya ka dipego, monna wa kwa Picong, Batsile Eric Sebico (43) one a tlhaselwa le go teketwa ke Modise ka kgwedi ya Seetebosigo mono ngwaga. Go begwa fa Sebico a ile a kgorogelwa ke banna ba ba neng ba tsamaya ka sejanaga sa Toyota GD6 ga mmogo le Volkswagen Polo e khibidu ka mmala kwa legaeng la gagwe.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are go begwa fa banna bangwe ba ile ba tsena kwa legae la mongongoregi le go mo teketa. Mokgwabone are go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba thuntsa dokolo di le pedi mo setswalong sa mongongoregi pele ga ba ka tsamaya.
“Sepodisi se butse dikgetsi di le tharo kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa, eleng kgetsi ya go teketa, tshenyo ya dithoto ga mmogo le go shupa ka sethunya.
“Jaaka sepodisi, ga re na bopaki jwa gore banna ba, ba tshabiwa ke sepodisi, ebile ba amega mo dikgetsing tse dingwe. Jaanong, re ikuela go mongwe le mongwe o a nang le bopaki mabapi le seo go tsenya ngongora gore sepodisi se batlisise ntlha eo,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, go begwa fa Modise gape a buletswe kgetsi ya go teketa Christopher More (70). More one a tlhaselwa gabedi ka dinako tse difarologaneng kwa motseng wa gagwe wa Picong le go fitsetswa ntlo ga mmogo le sejanaga.
Gape, go begwa fa a ne a tlhaselwa le go shupiwa ka sethunya kwa legaeng la gagwe kwa Monoto-mosetlha kwa motseng wa Tlapeng.
Picture: Some of counterfeit items seized by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
13 August 2025- During on-going Operation Shanela II disruptive actions, SAPS members successfully conducted targeted compliance inspection operations in the Okiep, Nababeep and Concordia areas, respectively on 12 August 2025. The joint operation team comprised members from the Namakwa District office, Provincial District Organised Crime Units and Local Police Station personnel.
Namakwa District Communication Officer, Captain Ivan Magerman said during the five-hour operation, 28 tuckshops were visited and inspected for regulatory compliance. Magerman said the inspection revealed several violations, resulting in the identification and seizure of counterfeit goods from multiple establishments.
“Successes achieved during the operation including six First Information Cases (FICs) registered, six shop owners issued fines totalling R6 500 and counterfeit goods seized.
“This operation demonstrated SAPS on-going commitment towards eradicating the trade in illicit or counterfeit goods in the area. Local businesses are warned that continued inspections will be conducted to enforce compliance and ensure regulatory standards are complied with,” he said.
Magerman further said the seizure of counterfeit merchandise protects consumers from purchasing potentially substandard or harmful products while supporting legitimate businesses.
Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the execution teams for their display of commitment and dedication to eradicating illegal activities in the district.
The Guardian 