Community members buy and install street lights

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Picture: Some of street lights bought by community members/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

23 December 2025- Baagisani Ba No 2 in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke said they have taken a stand against crime. The community members said after realizing that their ward is plagued by a high rate of house-breaking, cable theft, robbery, assaults and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), they have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The Chairperson of Baagisani Ba No 2, Thabo Sehloho said they bought streetlights using their own money and with the help of the Mamusa Local Municipality, they installed them. Sehloho said their ward will no longer be dark and conducive to evil activities.

“Big up to the ward 2 community for contributing R25 each and make this happen. Our next projects are street humps and removal of illegal dumping sites. We have taken an oath to make ward 2 safer and crime-free again. We also have trained and well-equipped patrollers, who are working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure our ward is secure.

“We call on the community to cooperate with our patrollers and report any suspicious activity. Together, we can make Ward 2 a safer place,” he said.

Meanwhile, on 5 March 2025, the Chairperson of the North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile expressed satisfaction with the 3.9% overall decrease in crime recorded for this period. Sonakile said it is important to recognize that this period covers the festive season, a time when crime rates typically surge.

He further said this decrease is a testament to the impact of the various initiatives launched by SAPS during that period. Sonakile added that, however, there are still areas requiring particular attention.

“The committee has taken a specific interest in police stations that continue to register high crime rates. Notably, Ikageng in Potchefstroom, is the leading station in the province for contact crimes and contact-related crimes, ranking 50th and 18th nationally.

“Rustenburg is the highest in property-related crimes and other serious crimes in the province, ranking 6th and 13th nationally, followed by Klerksdorp and Brits. Tlhabane, Mooinooi, and Letlhabile – the top three stations in crimes detected as a result of police action,” he said.

Sonakile said Taung is the highest in the province and nationally for arson cases. He said Mogwase recorded as the highest in the province and nationally for cash-in-transit robberies, while Mmabatho recorded as the highest in the province for attempted sexual offences, ranking 2nd nationally.

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Bafana Bafana get 2025 AFCON campaign off to a winning start

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players against Angola

By REGINALD KANYANE

23 December 2025- Bafana Bafana got their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start after beating Angola 2-1 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday night. The irrepressible Oswin Appollis opened the scoring in the first half when he beat Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques with a brilliant strike in the 21st minute.

Show Cafumana equalised for the Angolans in 35th minute, but Man of the Match, Lyle Foster brilliantly beat Marques to win the match for the South African senior men’s national team in the 79th minute.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos said the introduction of Tshepang Moremi at the start of the second half proved to be decisive as he gave the Angolans plenty to think about. Broos said the livewire Moremi kept the Angolans on their toes and even managed to find the back of the net in the 51st minute, but the referee and VAR ruled the goal as offside.

“We got some things right during halftime, and I think Momeri also gave us good service. He played very well, was quick and was a threat for the Angola defense. This changed a lot of things.

“We were also more aggressive. We put more pressure on the opponent. We had some chances and even got a goal from Moremi. But okay, it was offside,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana plays their next AFCON Group B match against Egypt on Friday, while group rivals Zimbabwe face Angola in the other match.

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Monna o tshwerwe mabapi le polao ya kwa Kgomotso

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Setshwantsho: Sepodisi kwa lefelong la tiragalo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

23 Sedimonthole 2025- Monna wa dingwaga di le 29 o tshwerwe mabapi le polao kwa motseng wa Kgomotso, gaufi le Taung. Go begwa fa mmelaelwa o, a ile a ya kwa mong wa lebekele le le gaufi le kwa go bonweng setopo teng ka letsatsi la Mosupulogo mo mosong, mme a fitlha a kopa dibokoso gore a fise matlakala.

Go begwa fa mong wa lebenkele yo e leng motswa-kwa, a ile a mo latolela fa a sena dibokoso.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, are e ne ya re moragonyana, mong wa lebenkele o ile a ntsha matakala go ya go a fisa, fela o ile a makadiwa ke go bona molelo o tuka kwa go fisiwang matlakala gone. Van Rooyen are mong wa lebenkele o ile a bona setopo sa motho, mme a letsetsa sepodisi.

“Sepodisi se ile sa goroga kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme ba fitlhela setopo se se sheleng sa ga Silara Sebeela (35). Dipatlisiso tsa go sa le gale, dishupa fa mmelaelwa a ile a fitlhelwa ka dilwana tsa moswi mo go ene. Mmelaelwa o ile a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao.

“Mmelaelwa o solofetswe go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Kgomotso ka Laboraro,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, modulasetilo wa lekoko la ANC kwa kgorwaneng ya bo 20, Itumeleng Maribe, are ba tshositswe ke tiragalo e. Maribe are moswi o bolailwe setlhogo a be a fisiwa.

“Re akgola sepodisi morago ga go tshwara mmelaelwa mo tiragalong e. Jaaka lekoko, re kgala ka bogale tiragalo e, mme re romela molaetsa wa matshidiso go ba lelapa, balosika le ditsala ba moswi. Re rata go rotloetsa sepodisi go tswelela ba dire tiro e ntle, gape re ikuela go baagi go ema seoposengwe kgatlhanong le bosinyi jo bo diragalang mo motseng wa rona,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.

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Monna o latofadiwang ka bogodu jwa leruo o bolailwe

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

23 Sedimonthole 2025- Sepodisi mono Taung se tlhalositse fa se batlisisa kgetsi ya polao. Se, se tla morago ga gore monna wa dingwaga di le 34, a thopiwe ka dikgoka le go teketiwa pele ga a ka bolawa.

Go begwa fa moswi, eleng Rapelang Molale yo go begwang fa e le moagi wa kwa motseng wa Mothanthanyaneng mono Taung, a teketilwe ke baagi morago ga go latofadiwa ka go utswa dinku. Go begwa fa monna o, ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe, ba ile ba kgorogelwa ke bangwe ba baagi le go ba tlhoma di potso mabapi le dinku tse di nyeletseng.

Go begwa fa ditsala tsa ga Molale ba ile ba netefatsa fa e le bone ba tshotseng dinku le go tlhalosa gore ba di neile mang. Go begwa fa Molale ene a ile a nna le thamo, mme seo se ile sa shakgatsa baagi.

Go ya ka dipego, baagi ba, ba ile ba ikadima Molale, mme ba ya go mo nwetsa kwa molapong.  

Mongwe wa baagi o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe are: “Rona re bone fela batho batla ba tshwaraganetse setopo sa ga Molale, mme ba fitlha ba se baya fa fatshe kwa baagi ba neng ba kopanetse teng kwa Tiping. Re ile ra makala, mme re a tlhaloganya, gonne bogodu jwa leruo ke tlhoba-boroko go ralala Taung.

“Basimanyana ba ba utswang leruo, ba utswa ka bodipa, gonne ba dirisana le bangwe ba batlhankela ba sepodisi. Jaanong, le fa go itseela molao mo matsogong go sa siama, go bolaiwa ga ga Molale go tla dira gore sepodisi se batlisise dikgetsi tsa bogodu jwa leruo ka botswapelo, gonne baagi ba utlwile ke go senyediwa fa sepodisi ga se dire sepe.”

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya go thopa ka dikgoka, kgetsi ya go teketa ka maikaelelo a go ntsha dikgobalo tse di tseneletseng, ga mmogo le ya polao. Mokwabone are ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana, fela dipatlisiso di tsweletse.

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Two men sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for murder

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By OBAKENG MAJE

23 December 2025- Two men were sentenced to a combined 40 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for murder. This comes after the accused, Madaka Boikanyo Bless (35) and Nonei Brown Michael (38), killed Itumeleng Mabihi (30).

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said thr incident occurred at at a shebeen in Eifell village, Heuningvlei on 28 March 2013, at approximately 11pm. Shemane said the police from Heuningvlei responded to a complaint of murder.

“Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered the body of a man with a fatal stab wound. The deceased was later identified as Itumeleng Mabihi. According to witness testimony, an altercation erupted between Michael and a friend of the deceased.

“When Mabihi attempted to intervene and stop the fight, Michael broke a bottle and stabbed him several times, causing him to collapse to the ground,” he said.

Shemane further said Bless subsequently joined in the attack and also assaulted and stabbed the deceased, while he was lying on the ground. He added that, the police were alerted and both suspects were arrested and charged with murder following an investigation.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Sergeant Tshepiso Bernard Dioka of the Heuningvlei Detective Service for his thorough and meticulous investigation, which led to the successful conviction. Otola also applauded the detective for removing two violent perpetrators from society and for ensuring justice and closure for the family of the deceased.

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Acting Minister of Police to visit Bapong following a spike of illegal mining activities

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Picture: Illegal mining in Bapong

By BAKANG MOKOTO

21 December 2025- The acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia and North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, will visit Kgosi Andrew Nkoana Mogale and Bapo ba Mogale Traditional Council following a spike of illegal mining activities in Bapong village, near Brits on 22 December 2025. The national Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, as well as the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo will also be in attendance.

The acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi said, visit forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to illegal mining activities in Bapong and surrounding areas by engaging various stakeholders and in this regard, the Bapo Ba Mogale Traditional Council. Mogotsi said to date, 21 illegal miners have been arrested since police started a crackdown on illicit mining operations in the area.

“Heavy machinery has since been seized and removed from the site as police continue to follow all possible leads in identifying the masterminds behind these operations. The visit will be held at Bapo Ba Mogale Royal Palace (R104-Old Pretoria Road) on 22 December 2025, at 10am.

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DA demands swift investigation into the brutal murder of DJ Warras

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 December 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng extends deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of DJ Warras, known to his audience as Warrick Stock. The party said DJ Warras was outspoken, fearless, and unapologetic in his views.

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Crezane Bosch said he was a leader in his own right, someone who used his voice, platform and lived experience to speak honestly about the realities facing the communities. Bosch said whether people agreed with him or not, he stood firmly for what he believed in and was never afraid to confront difficult issues.

“Dj Warras’ senseless and brutal killing is a devastating loss, not only to those closest to him but to our society. It highlights the rising wave of brutal targeted violence in our country, leaving citizens in constant fear as lives are taken with impunity.

“His murder further lays bare how unsafe our country has become, and how shockingly easy it is to take a human life in broad daylight without fear of accountability. It challenges law enforcement agencies to act decisively to bring an end to this relentless cycle of violence that has already claimed so many lives,” she said.

Bosch said they strongly condemn his killing and calls for swift investigation and accountability. She said they will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that justice is served.

“No family should have to bury a loved one because crime has been allowed to spiral out of control. May his family find strength during this painful time. Rest in peace, DJ Warras,” said Bosch.

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Treble murder and double rape case against Masila postponed   

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By REGINALD KANYANE

21 December 2025 – The accused, Sipho Ngwako Masila (39), briefly appeared before the Temba Magistrate’s Court on 17 December 2025, on three charges of murder and two of rape. Masila was remanded in custody until 9 January 2026.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the accused was arrested on Monday night, 15 December 2025, at his house in Moeka Vuma village, after the police responded to a domestic violence complaint. Myburgh said Masila, who allegedly pointed his girlfriend with a firearm, was also accused of raping the latter’s two daughters aged 12 and 16, between 31 March and 14 December 2025.

“During the arrest, the police found an illegal firearm and numerous suspected stolen goods in the house. Initial investigations linked the accused to the murders and it was determined that the goods belonged to the three murder victims.

“The first murder incident was reported in Moeka Vuma Police Station in the early hours of Sunday morning, 6 July 2025. The body of Lefu Lucas Tloomen (37) was found with a gunshot wound inside a yard in Angola Section, Randjiepan village. The victim’s hands and feet were tied up,” she said.

Myburgh further said the second murder incident was reported at around 10am on 28 July 2025. She added that the body of Timothy Hlongwane (52) was discovered by a passer-by in the bushes in Moeka Vuma, also with a gunshot wound.

“The third and last murder was reported on Friday morning, 22 August 2025, also in the bushes at Randjiepan village. The body of Jose Timoteo Mucuacua (38) was found inside a red BMW, with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. The victim’s hands were also tied up,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, congratulated the police at Moeka Vuma for their quick reaction and attentiveness during the arrest of the suspect. Naidoo said police will continue to work hard to ensure that those who commit serious and violent crimes are brought to book to face the full might of the law.

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Rethink of qualification requirement for ECD educators

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Picture: The Chairperson of the Select Committee, Makhi Feni

By OBAKENG MAJE

21 December 2025- The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries has called on the Department of Basic Education to ensure that the continued integration of Grade R into the schooling system does not disrupt learning. The committee said the Department of Basic Education now requires all Grade R teachers to hold a diploma or degree qualification under the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act that was signed last year into law.

The Chairperson of the Select Committee, Makhi Feni said the reported qualifications requirement from people who had been with the ECD for over 30 years has a potential to disrupt not only learning, but labour peace. Feni said that would be an antithesis of the intentions of migrating the ECD functions into the department.

“It would be ideal to first ensure success in implementing the migration and the needs of our children within a school set up. Qualifications are a good thing to have, but we cannot in a space of a year be making such statements that threaten to collapse an entire sector. Government leaders must be responsible in how they implement policies.

“In line with the BELA Act, ECD educators are reportedly required to have at least a diploma from 2026, something which some educators especially the experienced ones had not been adequately prepared for. The committee in its recent oversight visit to the Amathole West District and Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape found many infrastructure challenges related to the ECD function, including schools like Bodiam Primary School where our children are accommodated in zinc structure,” he said.

Feni further said the schools hardly have kitchens to prepare good nutritious foods for these kids, and most lack friendly sanitation and facilities for kids. He added that this demand for qualifications will disrupt education and there has to be a rethink and a halt.

“We proposed timeframes that will allow educators to acquire the qualifications. The committee will attend to this matter when it returns from the December recess,” said Feni.

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A baby dies after clinic closes early

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Picture: A baby dies after clinic closes early/Generic

By AGISANANG SCUFF

21 December 2025- A 13 month-old baby has allegedly tragically died after suffering a short, but severe bout of diarrhoea, after the Gwadana Clinic, which should have been available to provide care, had closed its doors early in the afternoon. It is alleged that the child’s grandmother reportedly sought help at around 3pm, only to be informed by a nurse that the clinic had already closed at 1:30pm.

The DA Shadow MEC for Health and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Jane Cowley said this is in direct contradiction to provincial policy, which requires clinics to remain open to the public from 7:30am until at least 4pm. Cowley said for a family in distress, the absence of accessible care at a critical moment had devastating consequences.

“The DA has written to the Head of Department of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Dr Rolene Wagner, requesting a full report explaining why the Gwadana Clinic closed so far outside its mandated operating hours.

“We have further requested to be kept informed of any disciplinary action taken against the Clinic Manager who allowed the clinic to close early. Wagner herself confirmed standard clinic operating hours during a recent Health Portfolio Committee meeting, making this incident particularly concerning,” she said.

Cowley further said when official policy is clear, yet services are unavailable, it raises serious questions about oversight, accountability and patient safety in rural healthcare facilities. She added that community members have further alleged that staff at the Gwadana Clinic frequently arrive well after opening time, delaying the start of services.

“These allegations, if confirmed, point to a deeply troubling culture of disregard for patients who rely entirely on public healthcare facilities for care. This raises the disturbing question of how many other families in Gwadana may have suffered similar losses due to the unavailability of healthcare services when they were needed most.

“Rural residents already face significantly longer emergency medical response times than their urban counterparts, which makes the consistent operation of clinics even more critical,” said Cowley.

She said the DA will continue to fight for the right of every citizen to access healthcare services when and where they are needed. Cowley said they will continue to demand a professional public health system that treats patients with dignity, urgency, and respect.

“The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers accountability, ensures access to care, and protects the most vulnerable among us,” she said.

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