SA bracing for a tough match against Niger

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Picture: Bafana Bafana interim coach, Molefi Ntseki/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

14 August 2025- South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki and his charges are bracing for a tough match when they face Niger in a must-win African Nations Championship (CHAN) group clash at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday night.

The South Africans are third on the Group C standings with four points from two matches and are two points behind leaders Uganda, who have already played three games. Ntseki’s charges will be seeking maximum points if they are to ensure that they remain in control of their destiny as the group stages near their conclusion.

Second-placed Algeria faced Guinea earlier in the day in the other Group C match that could give the South Africans an idea of what they need to do later in the evening. Ntseki said they will take some important lessons to the clash against Niger after they were stretched by Guinea but still emerged 2-1 victory at the same venue on Monday.

“I think the lessons learned from that game (against Guinea), which we view as positives, include the (strong) mentality of our players and their high level of concentration, despite the fact that they were under siege for the better part of the match.

“We stuck to our discipline, we stuck to our game plan and every member of the team had to dig deep to make sure that the result ended in our favour,” he said.

Ntseki further said the most important thing was the technical discipline when we were out of possession and this was very important. He added that they carried out their technical discipline for almost 60 minutes during the game and there were turnovers in between and there were transitions for and against.

“We managed to hold onto the ball for a longer period and in between we managed to create goal scoring opportunities, and we managed to score the two goals.

“So in terms of not conceding towards the end of the game when the pressure was mounting on us, I think it was a very good lesson and also a plus for our players to show that we can still play under pressure, we can still grind out the results despite the fact that the opponents were coming at us,” said Ntseki.

Senior player and defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele said they respect every team in the tournament and would approach the West Africans with the same regard they afford to all opponents.

“For us as a team, we never underestimate anybody. We treat each game with respect and approach it with a positive mindset.

“One of the strongest components we have in our team is that we’re mentally very strong. We don’t look at the name of the country,” he said.

Mphahlele said whoever they play against, they always try and give their best because they know that they are representing their country. He said so, whether they play Niger, Sudan, or Nigeria, they can never walk onto a football pitch and think they have won the game already.

“We go out there every day to suffer, to protect the badge and to fight for our country. So, in this team, there’s never a moment where we look at the country and say it’s a small country because they haven’t won a game, and then we approach it with a negative mindset.

“We always focus and play to win. So, whether it’s Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, we go in with the same mentality,” said Mphahlele.

Meanwhile, the CHAN tournament is being held in East Africa in three countries – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – between 2 and 30 August 2025.

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Potchefstroom is one of hotbeds of crime

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Picture: Some of the drugs seized by the police/Supplied 

By AGISANANG SCUFF

15 August 2025 – More than 85 suspects were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (mostly Malawians). Two suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs and three suspects were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen property.  

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said items such as copper cables, mostly cut into 2m lengths to an estimated street value of R74 552 were seized during the operation. Myburgh said a variety of drugs that included nyaope, crystal meth, mandrax, rock and dagga, a bicycle, six cell phones, were also seized during the operation.

“Since the early hours of Wednesday, the police executed a very successful intelligence-led cordon and search operation in two buildings (flats) in Potchefstroom, situated in Auto Avenue and James Moroka Street.

“The team that embarked on the operation comprised members of the South African Police (SAPS) from Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police (POP), Tactical Response Team (TRT), K9, Visible Policing and Detectives,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said: “The police will continue to squeeze the space and flush out criminals from their supposedly safe havens.

“This is exactly why this cordon and search operation was executed in this area of Potchefstroom that has become a hotbed for all types of crimes.”

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1000 teachers trained to boost learners’ performance

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 August 2025- The North West Department of Education said it has stepped up its commitment to teacher development with over 1000 educators already trained in various areas of specialisation, including language, mathematics, science, and other critical areas of learning since the beginning of the 2025 academic year.

The department said its ongoing training interventions are designed to sharpen teaching skills, enhance subject mastery, and align classroom practices with modern curriculum demands.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said currently, Quarter 2 training sessions are underway, ensuring that educators continue to receive relevant, high-quality professional development in preparation for the final stretch of the academic year. Motsumi said this sustained investment in teacher capacity is one of the Department’s strategies to reach the 95% learner performance target set for year-end results.

“The department has also entered into collaboration with the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) to design and implement a capacity-building programme for school principals.

“Scheduled to roll out in September 2025, the programme will focus on jointly developing and delivering context-specific training for principals

– Building ethical, accountable, and visionary school leadership,” she said.

Motsumi further said this includes empowering education managers to embrace digital transformation. She added that they are expected to apply foster change management to keep school leadership aligned with evolving educational demands.

“We encourage strengthening unity and partnership between the Department and SADTU in transforming education. Other teacher unions in the province will also implement similar programmes to equip principals with the necessary leadership skills and to provide them with ongoing professional support.

“These parallel initiatives ensure that regardless of affiliation principals receive consistent and impactful training to improve learner outcomes. This approach aims to strengthen instructional leadership, ethical governance, and professional management across schools, ensuring that curriculum delivery is both innovative and responsive to learner needs,” said Motsumi.

She emphasised the importance of these efforts in meeting the performance target. Motsumi said their investment in teacher and principal development is about equipping our educators with the right tools, skills, and mindset to inspire excellence in every classroom.

“The strides we are making through ongoing training, and now through the teacher unions collaboration, are laying the foundation for us to reach and even surpass the 95% mark.  

“A strong curriculum depends on strong teachers, and strong teachers need strong leaders. The Department will continue to prioritise teacher development as a critical driver of curriculum improvement, learner support, and sustainable excellence in the province’s education system,” she said.

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Man sentenced to five years imprisonment for impregnating a minor

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Picture: A teen impregnated/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 August 2025- A man was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Calvina Regional Court for impregnanting a girl (15). This comes after a girl, who was in a romantic relationship with the accused, was admitted at hospital.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was alerted on 12 September 2024, by the Northern Cape Department of Health employee about the pregnancy of a girl in Calvinia.

Shemane said Constable Anthony Willemse of the Calvinia FCS, attended to the complaint and immediately initiated an investigation.

“The investigation revealed that the sexual offences occurred between 1 April 2023 and 12 September 2024, when the pregnancy was discovered.

 “During questioning, the accused admitted to being the father of the unborn child and confirmed that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with the minor,” he said.

Shemane further said the accused pleaded guilty in the Calvinia Regional Court and was convicted of statutory rape and sentenced to five years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. He added that the SAPS in the Northern Cape remains resolute in its fight against crimes targeting women and children.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Willemse for his diligence, which led to a successful conviction.

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Reivilo High School principal, Motsamai Mokgara ‘placed’ on precautionary suspension for ‘assaulting’ a learner

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Picture: Reivilo High School principal, Motsamai Mokgara/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

15 August 2025- A Grade 10 learner, Koketso Manyeke (16) from Reivilo High School, near Taung, who was allegedly assaulted by the school principal, Motsamai Mokgara, was left dejected. In a letter, Koketso reminisce her ordeal and said the whole incident was sparked by a commotion that ensued between her and other three learners, Gorataone Jonas, Oratile Ntaolang and Kamogelo Keakwa, after they threw leaves of the tree mixed with sand into her face.

Picture: Koketso Manyeke after being assaulted

“This happened a few minutes before I was about to write my examination. After my examination, I came across one of the learners who threw sand into my face near the library, and then I confronted her.

“I asked her why she threw the sand into my face, and then she said because she wanted to. That made me upset and we fought. However, the principal passed by driving his vehicle and he stopped,” she said.

Koketso further said that Mokgara then took a belt from one of the AAs, and assaulted her. She added that she tried to explain the situation, but Mokgara did not want to listen.  

The wretched mother of the affected learner, Galaletsang Manyeke, said she is disappointed by the behaviour of Mokgara. Galaletsang said: “As a parent, I was called by my daughter saying that the principal assaulted her with a belt because she was in a fight with a fellow learner.

“It is disheartening because the principal only assaulted my daughter. I just wonder what discretion he used to find my daughter at fault alone.”

Manyeke said according to information, Mokgara took a belt from one of the AAs and assaulted her daughter.

“Koketso said she was shocked to see how the principal beat her and she was just standing there crying. She said no one intervened, while she was being assaulted with a belt,” said Manyeke.

She said she wondered why Mokgara decided to assault her daughter without summoning her parents to the school or temporarily suspend her, instead of disciplining her in a form of corporal punishment.

The North West Department of Education, Mphata Molokwane said they are aware that allegations of corporal punishment have been made against the Reivilo High School principal. Molokwane said these allegations have been backed up by written reports.

“These serious claims are currently under disciplinary review and investigation. To protect sensitive information and ensure fairness, all details remain confidential. The principal was placed on precautionary suspension during the inquiry, a step taken to allow the investigation to proceed, not as punishment.

“Once the investigation is complete, the suspension will be lifted, following legal rules to ensure due process and transparency,” he said.

However, one of our reliable sources said Mokgara is still at the school and he is not suspended as the North West Department of Education alleges.   

Meanwhile, the statistics show that corporal punishment has a negative impact and can cause both physical and psychological harm and hinder learners’ academic and social development. The report said corporal punishment can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and even increased aggression, while also disrupting the learning environment and potentially causing learners to drop out.

According to the Statistics SA report in 2023, corporal punishment still is being practiced in schools despite the ban. The Abolishing of Corporal Punishment Act, No. 33 of 1997 banned the use of corporal punishment in schools.

“Despite the ban, corporal punishment is still used as a form of discipline more than 20 years later. Of those that reported experiencing violence at school, the most common form of violence experienced was corporal punishment by teachers.

“This is according to a recently released report by Statistics South Africa called Children Series Volume I Children exposed to maltreatment, 2021. In 2019, just over 1 million out of 13 million school-going children aged 5 – 17 years reported that they had experienced some form of violence.”

The report said of those who experienced violence at school, close to 84% experienced corporal punishment by teachers, followed by verbal abuse by teachers (13,7%) and physical violence by teachers (10,6%). Between 2009 and 2019, the percentage of children who experienced verbal abuse by other learners increased by six percentage points from 18,1% in 2009 to 24,1% in 2019.

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NEHAWU to attach properties of the Department of Water and Sanitation over unpaid R4 million

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By REGINALD KANYANE

14 August 14, 2025- The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] will on Friday. be attaching properties of the Department of Water and Sanitation through the Sheriff of the Court. The attaching follows the failure by the Department of Water and Sanitation to adhere to a labour court order, which directed them to pay NEHAWU members approximately R4 million after they were unfairly dismissed by the department in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape.

Nehawu national spokesperson, Lwazi Nkolonzi said the attachment of the properties by the sheriff will take place at Sedibeng Building, 185 Francis Baard Street in Pretoria at 10am.

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Meyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung o latofadiwa ka go tlola molao wa lekwalo-thibelo (Protection Order)

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Setshwantsho: Meyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

14 Phatwe 2025- Meyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe (44), o latofadiwa ka go tlola molao wa lekwalo-thibelo (Protection Order). Se, se tla morago ga gore mosadi wa gagwe, Lerato Gaoraelwe, a mo direle lekwalo-thibelo.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are Lerato yo go begwang fa ele kgale a tswile kwa ntlung ya bone ya lenyalo, one a goroga kwa ntlung eo ga mmogo le batlhakela ba sepodisi go ya go neela monna wa gagwe, Tumisang Gaoraelwe lekwalo-thibelo kgatlhanong.

“Go begwa fa mosadi wa ga Gaoraelwe a ne a tsenya kopo ya lekwalo-thibelo la nakwana kgatlhanong le monna wa gagwe. Go begwa fa Lerato a ne a tsamaya le mapodisi go isa lekwalo-thibelo leo, le go ya go tsaya dilwana dingwe tsa gagwe koo.

“Go begwa mo kgorogong ya gagwe, monna wa gagwe one a neelwa lekwalo-thibelo leo, fela one a gana go neela mosadi wa gagwe dilwana tsa gagwe. Seo, se ne sa dira gore sepodisi se mo bulele kgetsi ya go tlola molao wa lekwalo-thibelo,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

Fela van Rooyen are Gaoraelwe ga ise a tshwarwe go fitlha ga jaana.

Kgabagare, Gaoraelwe ga araba mogala kgotsa go inkarabela ka molaetsa mabapi le kgang e. Lekwalo dikgang la The Guardian le tla tsenya dikarabo tsa ga Gaoraelwe fa a setse a ikarabetse.

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Calls for prosecution against perpetrators of DHA fire

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Picture: Home Affairs burned in Germiston

By AGISANANG SCUFF

14 August 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said it has learned with despair of the fire at the Department of Home Affairs’ Germiston office. The Committee called for a speedy investigation that will lead to prosecution, as the damage is not only infrastructural, but will negatively impact users’ ability to access home affairs services.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mosa Chabane said: “The burning of public infrastructure during a protest is regressive and robs citizens of accessing the necessary services from the DHA.

“This trend also puts more pressure on an already stretched fiscus as more resources would have to be found to establish a new office.”

Chabane further said the South African Police Service (SAPS) must move with speed to investigate and arrest whoever is involved in the incident. He added that the South African Constitution recognises and protects the right to protest, but that must be done within the confines of the law.

“The lawlessness that resulted in the burning of the DHA office must not be tolerated. We welcome the swift action by the DHA in making available mobile trucks to ensure that innocent clients are not deprived of DHA services while investigations are underway.

“In addition, the activation of additional nearby offices will ensure that citizens who rely on the Germiston offices are not adversely affected,” said Chabane.

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A brother sentenced to five years imprisonment for contravention of protection order

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

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.

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Committee not surprised by racism at Duineveld Hoerskool in Upington

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Picture: Teacher, Jaco Liebenberg/Twitter

By BAKANG MOKOTO

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.

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