Picture: The acting Minister ofPolice, Prof Firoz Cachalia
By OBAKENG MAJE
4 November 2026 – The acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia has assured South Africans that the police are taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for voters as the country prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Cachalia made the assurance during a visit to the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) National Operations Centre at Gallagher Convention Centre on 3 November 2026.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo and the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel. The delegation met with IEC Commissioners, who briefed them on the progress of the two-day special voting process and the operational arrangements ahead of the main voting day on Wednesday, 4 November.
Cachalia acknowledged that several incidents had been reported in different parts of the country during the special voting process. He confirmed that police had made arrests in connection with reported incidents.
Cachalia warned that lawlessness and any conduct that threatens the integrity of the electoral process would not be tolerated.
“The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) continues to coordinate security operations and strengthen preparedness to ensure that all necessary measures are in place for voting day.
“The Ministry of Police, working together with the IEC and other relevant stakeholders, was committed to supporting the delivery of free, fair and peaceful elections,” he said.
Cachalia reiterated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would enforce the law impartially and decisively to ensure that all eligible South Africans could exercise their democratic right to vote in a safe and secure environment.
3 November 2026 – The Municipal Manager of Uthukela District Municipality, Langelihle Sphiwekuhle Jili (46) has been denied bail, while his co-accused, Bongumenzi Dlamini (26), has been granted bail of R20 000 by the Durban Magistrates’ Court. The two accused appeared in court on 3 November 2026, for a bail ruling following an opposed bail application by the State.
Jili faces two counts of corruption and one count of attempted extortion, while Dlamini faces one count of corruption. As part of his bail conditions, Dlamini is required to report to the Durban Central South African Police Service (SAPS) twice a week.
NPA regional spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara matter has been postponed to 9 December 2026 for further investigations.
Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa ba kgothoso o tlhometse le maiteko a polao, Alex Phimdile Nomngcayi, Mothoka Godfrey Mathipa, Mokhema Jan Maishone, le Thabo Thomas Motlhonglong/Facebook
OBAKENG MAJE
3 Ngwanatsele 2026 – Kgetsi ya maiteko a polao le kgothoso o tlhometse kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa ba le bane e leng Alex Phimdile Nomngcayi (29), Mothoka Godfrey Mathipa (56), Mokhema Jan Maishone (53) le Thabo Thomas Motlhonglong (27), e buseditswe morago go fitlha 13 Ngwanatsele 2026. Go begwa fa molatofadiwa (26) wa botlhano a fetogile paki ya puso.
Nomngcayi, Mathipa, Maishone ga mmogo le Motlhonglong ba buseditswe gape kwa ntlolefitshwana. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba tshwarwa morago ga go golaganngwa le tiragalo ya kgothoso e e tshotseng karolo kwa polaising nngwe kwa Syferfontein, Ventersdorp fa kgwedi ya Diphalane e ne e tlhola matsatsi a le 28.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh, banna ba, ba ile ba itelekela kwa polasing eo, mme ba fitlhela modiri mongwe. Myburgh are go begwa fa ba ile ba mo dira motshwarakananyo, le go mo bofa.
“Go begwa fa ba ile ba emela mong wa polasi e leng Donovan Marx (50). Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo kgorogela le go mo thuntsa pele ga ba ka mo bofa. Go begwa fa banna ba, ba ile ba segolola ditsebe tsa ga Marx pele ba inaya naga ka dithunya tsa gagwe ga mmogo le sejanaga.
“Makala a farologaneng a sepodisi a ne a bolotsa letsholo-patlo. Ba ile ba tshwara balatofadiwa ba le babedi pele ga ba ka tshwara ba le bararo kwa motsesetoropong wa Promosa kwa Potchefstroom. Batlhankela ba sepodisi ba ile ba fitlhela dithunya di le nne tse go belaelwang fa di dirisitswe mo kgothosong eo,” ga rialo Myburgh.
Fa go ntse jalo, Mokomišenara wa Sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, o amogetse ka diatla tsopedi go tshwarwa ga babelaelwa bano, le go akgola mapodisi a Lephata la Bopatlisisi la Ventersdorp le Yuniti ya Porofense ya go Lwantsha Digongwana tsa Bosenyi ka boineelo jwa bone, go dira bosigo jotlhe le go dirisana mmogo mo maitekong a go batla le go tshwara batho ba ba amegang mo bosenying jono. Adams o rile go tshwarwa ga babelaelwa bano, go supa boikemisetso jwa maloko a mapodisi jwa go netefatsa gore batho ba ba dirang bosenyi kgatlhanong le maloko a setšhaba ba lebisiwa kwa tshiamisong.
“Re akgola setlhopha sa babatlisisi se se eteletsweng pele ke Captain Bonita Dry ka boitshoko le boikemisetso jwa sone jwa go sala morago tshedimosetso le matshwao a a bonweng le go tshwarwa ga babelaelwa ba bangwe le go bonwa ga dithunya mmogo le dilo tse dingwe tse di ka dirisiwang jaaka bosupi.
“Babelaelwa ba batlhano, ba tlhageletse kwa kgotlhatshekelo go lebana le ditatofatso tsa kgothoso o tlhometse le maiteko a polao ga mmogo le go nna le dithunya le dikolo tse di seng ka fa molaong,” o buile jalo Adams.
3 November 2026 – The National Consumer Commission (NCC) said it would like to inform consumers that Stellantis South Africa (Pty) Ltd is recalling certain Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. NCC said the recall affects a total of 1896 vehicles, of which 1 881 were sold nationally.
The National Consumer Commission spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba said the affected vehicles were made available for sale between 2021 and 2025. Ntaba said according to the supplier, the affected vehicles are fitted with an Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPS), which may have an electrical connection susceptible to high resistance.
“This could result in a warning indicating the loss of power steering assistance or a “Service Power Steering”. In certain circumstances, high-resistance electrical activity may take place in the area of the EHPS connection, causing overheating of combustible materials. Overheating of combustible materials in the vehicle or surrounding area may potentially lead to a fire.
“This may result in increased risk of occupant injury and injury to persons outside the vehicle. The NCC urges consumers to take their vehicles to the nearest authorised Jeep dealership for inspection and the necessary repairs, which will be carried out at no cost,” she said.
Ntaba further said consumers can also check whether their vehicles are affected by using the VIN check facility on the Jeep website. She added that questions and queries relating to this recall may be directed to: ProductRecall@thencc.org.za
3 November 2026 – The African National Congress (ANC) has rejected the United States administration’s announcement that South Africa will lose its eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from 1 January 2027, saying the decision will not force the country to abandon its economic transformation agenda. In a statement, the ANC said it would not allow economic pressure to dictate South Africa’s foreign policy or undermine efforts to address the injustices of colonialism and apartheid.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said the party argued that AGOA provides preferential tariff access to the US market and that its withdrawal does not mean South African businesses will be completely shut out of the American market or that the country’s economy will collapse. Bhengu said, however, the ANC acknowledged that the government must take steps to protect affected workers and industries, strengthen local production and expand access to alternative international markets.
“We would also like to defend land reform, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and employment equity and describe them as democratic instruments aimed at addressing historical economic inequalities,” she said.
Bhengu said abandoning these transformation policies would reinforce the economic legacy of apartheid and undermine the gains achieved through political freedom. The party further criticised AfriForum, Solidarity and the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing them of campaigning against transformation policies and contributing to international pressure on South Africa.
“We would like to raise concerns about the timing of the US announcement, which coincided with the special voting period ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The timing, together with what it described as economic misinformation raised concerns about possible attempts to intimidate voters and undermine democratic choices.
“South Africa’s history of resistance, the Freedom Charter and the Constitution required the country to defend its sovereignty, equality and economic justice. Despite its criticism of the US decision, we remain committed to diplomacy and mutually beneficial trade relations with the United States,” she added.
Bhengu said they support diplomacy and mutually beneficial trade with the United States.
“We will not surrender transformation for preferential market access. We maintain that the withdrawal of AGOA benefits would not bring an end to our pursuit of economic emancipation. AGOA may be withdrawn, but our struggle for economic emancipation will continue.
3 November 2026 – Bashimane Bantsheng (30) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for two counts of rape. Bantsheng raped a girl (11) and a woman (32).
The first incident occurred on 26 January 2019, when the girl was returning home with her siblings. Bantsheng accosted her and took her to a secluded area, where he raped her.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Lindiwe Mabasa said following the incident, the child sought assistance at a nearby house, while Bantsheng fled when occupants responded to calls for help. Mabasa said the second incident occurred on 6 June 2019.
“The complainant, who knew Bantsheng, was at her home when he arrived and asked for food. When she asked him to leave, Bantsheng threatened her with a knife and increased the volume of the radio to prevent her calls for help from being heard. He subsequently raped her despite her pleas.
“Bantsheng was arrested and linked to the first rape through DNA evidence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence from witnesses, including the complainants and first-report witnesses, as well as medical and DNA evidence,” she said.
Mabasa further said the court accepted the state’s case and convicted Bantsheng on both counts. She added that in aggravation of sentence, the state emphasised the seriousness of the offences, the violation of the complainants’ bodily integrity and dignity and the lasting psychological and emotional consequences of sexual violence.
“The court sentenced Bantsheng to nine years imprisonment on the first count and 25 years imprisonment on the second count. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years imprisonment.
“Bantsheng was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. The court further ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders and found him unsuitable to work with children,” said Mabasa.
She said the NPA welcomes the conviction and sentence. Mabasa said rape is a serious violation of human dignity, bodily integrity and fundamental human rights.
“The NPA remains committed to the effective prosecution of sexual offences, particularly offences involving children and other vulnerable persons, and to ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable through the criminal justice system,” she said.
3 November 2026 – From the villages of Ganyesa to the streets of Pudumong and Morokweng in the North West, emerging musician Morena Lerole (41), is determined to take his musical journey beyond local boundaries while using his talent to inspire hope, faith, education and positive change. Born Kagisho Segapo in Ganyesa, Lerole is an artist whose identity is deeply rooted in his upbringing, cultural heritage, spirituality and love for music.
Known by several names, including Dusty, Ladidade, Dadam, Gaveg, Nyam-Nyam, Dodos, Dusty’K and Morena, he describes himself as a humanitarian who believes in using his abilities to contribute positively to society. Although born in Ganyesa, Lerole was raised in Pudumong, a township under the Greater Taung Local Municipality, which he affectionately calls P-Town Lowethu.
“I describe Pudumong as the place that shaped my identity and continues to occupy a special place in my heart. To date, I am who and what I am because of Lowethu. It is the one place that will forever hold the number one position in my heart.
“My connection to these communities is reflected in my upcoming song BTK (Back To Kasi), which forms part of my forthcoming Via Dolorosa album scheduled for release in April 2027. I currently have a production space in Ganyesa and I’m also in the process of establishing my main creative space in Pudumong,” he said.
Segapo further said his family also have roots in Morokweng, where they currently reside. For him, these places represent more than geographical locations and they form part of his identity and the foundation of his journey.
“My relationship with music goes beyond entertainment and financial success. I believe music is a calling that I could never abandon, despite the challenges I have experienced while trying to establish myself in the industry.
“My passion has kept me going through difficult periods when opportunities to penetrate the mainstream music industry were limited. Music came to me as a calling, I would like to believe that, because if it was not for the love and passion I have for music, I would have long given up, considering the struggles I have encountered in trying to penetrate the industry,” added Segapo.
He regards music as a powerful tool for healing, building communities, developing people and inspiring positive change. According to Segapo, his songwriting is influenced by his spirituality and his desire to communicate messages that can benefit humanity.
“I did not choose music, but music chose me. My musical influences include some of South Africa’s most recognised hip-hop and kwaito figures such as the late HHP, Zola, Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Chiskop, ProVerb, Mo’Molemi, Zikode, Mzambiya, Crowded Crew, Baphixile and Immortal Technique.
“My music journey spans approximately 20 years, during which I have worked on numerous singles and released three albums. My debut album, Dumela Mo’Afrika, was released in 2009 and consisted of 15 tracks. In 2015, I released Remokgatlho (Stsokotsane), featuring 18 tracks,” he said.
Segapo followed this with Moengele, a 21-track album released in 2021, which included songs such as Re Chitse, Running with My Team and Faith. He is now preparing for what he describes as a major milestone in his musical career: the release of his fourth album, Via Dolorosa, in April 2027.
“The 21-track project is expected to feature songs including The Swiss, Back to Kasi, Mokaulengwe, Brighten the Corner, Via Dolorosa and Bambi (Reloaded). Other anticipated singles associated with his upcoming extended releases include Bophirima to UAE, I Receive, Every Weekend, Greatest of the Greatest and Jeso Oetla.
“Through this project, I hope to broaden my audience and position my music for international opportunities. My musical style is diverse, with a strong foundation in Motswako and vernacular rap, while incorporating traditional music, soul, worship, amapiano and Afro-pop influences,” concluded Segapo.
Picture: NWU Deputy Registrar Prof Michael Temane caps veteran broadcaster Tim Modise during the conferral of an honorary doctorate in Communication Science at the Mahikeng Campus on 22 October 2026, in recognition of his contribution to South African broadcasting, journalism and democratic dialogue
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
3 November 2026 – A career that began behind a microphone in Mahikeng more than four decades ago, came full circle on 22 October 2026, when the North West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate in Communication Science on veteran broadcaster Tim Modise. The university honoured Modise at its Mahikeng Campus Great Hall for his contribution to journalism, public communication and democratic dialogue.
His career helped shape how South Africans engaged with political leaders during the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy. For Modise, the recognition carried personal meaning. He began his broadcasting career at Radio Bop in Mahikeng in 1982.
“This honorary doctorate holds a special place in my heart because it comes from an institution in Mahikeng, where my broadcasting journey began. Returning to this city to receive such recognition brings back memories of where it all started.
“The honour recognised the role broadcasting played in building democracy and creating opportunities for public debate. I have always believed that broadcasting should educate, inform and bring people together. I receive this honour with gratitude and hope it inspires young journalists to use their voices to make a difference in society,” he said.
Modise further said his career took him from music broadcasting to political journalism during one of South Africa’s most defining periods. He added that in 1994, he served as a panellist during the televised debate between Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk ahead of the country’s first democratic elections.
“Broadcasting gave me the opportunity to engage political leaders, ask difficult questions and help ordinary South Africans understand the changes taking place in their country. I would like to describe my contribution to the country’s democratic transition as one of my proudest achievements.
“The lasting measure of my career is not the awards I have received, but the conversations I helped create. Journalism is about more than reporting events. It is about holding those in power accountable, giving people a voice and encouraging informed conversations that can move society forward,” said Modise.
From the airwaves in Mahikeng, Modise’s career became a platform through which millions of South Africans could hear their leaders, question authority and take part in the country’s democratic journey which continues as the country heads for the polls in the November local government elections.
Dr Joe Molete, NWU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Life, Transformation, People and Culture, said the honorary doctorate recognised Modise’s contribution to communication and nation-building.
“Tim Modise’s career demonstrates the power of communication in shaping society. Through his work, he created platforms for dialogue, encouraged accountability and helped South Africans engage with issues affecting their future. His contribution reflects the values of responsible communication that we seek to instil in our students,” said Molete.
Modise’s career includes working at the SABC, Radio 702, SAfm, Metro FM, eNCA and Carte Blanche. He also helped establish Power FM and served as Chief Communications Officer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee. His achievements include being named SABC Broadcaster of the Year in 1991 and induction into the South African Radio Hall of Fame in 2011.
3 November 2026 – The South African Communist Party (SACP) in North West has described its independent participation in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGEs) as a historic milestone in the party’s political journey. The party said its decision to contest the elections independently, following a resolution adopted at its Special National Congress, marked a significant turning point since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994.
SACP provincial secretary, Smuts Matshe said for the first time since the country’s democratic breakthrough, the SACP is contesting local government elections independently, with its red emblem appearing on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ballot papers outside the traditional Alliance platform. Matshe said the development represented an important opportunity for the working class and poor communities to have direct political representation in municipal councils.
Quoting revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, Matshe said: “There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen.” He said the party viewed its independent participation as a watershed moment that would help strengthen its identity and distinguish its political programme from other organisations within the broader liberation movement.
“The first great victory of this revolutionary campaign is the decisive shaping of the independent class profile of the Communist Party of Cde Moses Kotane. This is of paramount importance because for decades, our communists correctly focused most of their consistent political energies on building the broad liberation movement, which in turn made it difficult to distinguish the communist from the non-communist within the movement.
“The positive reception received from working-class communities and poor residents during the campaign had strengthened the party’s confidence that it could secure representation in municipal councils,” he said.
According to Matshe, the SACP is contesting in almost every ward in the province, with the intention of ensuring that working-class interests are directly represented in local government. He further said the provincial leadership also expressed appreciation to its members, Red Brigades and community activists who campaigned despite serious financial constraints. Matshe added that the campaign was guided by the party’s slogan: “Build People’s Power Where We Live – Socialism is the Future, Build it Now!”
He said the party remained confident of electoral success, but cautioned members that winning elections was only one part of the broader struggle to achieve socialism. Matshe said they are confident of victory, but they caution their membership that while electoral victory is key, it is but one terrain of struggle and one key section of power in their march towards a socialist order.
“State power alone does not equal socialism. The party further called on its councillor candidates, should they be elected, to uphold the highest standards of revolutionary discipline, accountability and ethical leadership.
“The candidates were expected to follow the example set by the party’s former General Secretary, the late Chris Thembisile Hani. The SACP was contesting the elections in Hani’s revolutionary name, with a commitment to addressing service delivery challenges, fighting corruption and advancing working-class interests in municipalities,” he said.
Matshe said the party also released the voting details of its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members, including their respective wards, voting districts, municipalities and scheduled voting times. He said the information formed part of its election participation update as members prepared to exercise their democratic right.
3 November 2026 – The North West Department of Health has intensified interventions to improve the availability of medicines at healthcare facilities across the province amid ongoing national and provincial supply constraints. During the second quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year, provincial medicine availability declined from 84% to 81%, largely due to medicine stockouts and supply disruptions.
The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said his department has prioritised the challenge through a dedicated medicine availability turnaround strategy, supported by pharmacist-led interventions and regular progress monitoring. Lehari said the latest district update shows encouraging improvements in Bojanala District, where the availability of essential medicines increased from 78% last week to 80% this week.
“The availability of epilepsy medicines improved from 70% to 75%, while contraceptive availability increased from 71% to 73%. Further improvements in contraceptive availability are expected in the coming weeks.
“However, the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, tuberculosis (TB) medicines and vaccines remained unchanged during the latest reporting period,” he said.
Lehari further said medicine availability was fundamental to delivering quality healthcare and ensuring that patients received the treatment they needed. He added that the availability of medicines is fundamental to delivering quality healthcare and ensuring that patients receive the treatment they need.
“We recognise the concerns experienced by patients and healthcare professionals when medicines are unavailable. We are therefore intensifying our efforts to strengthen medicine availability through improved stock monitoring, the redistribution of available medicines between facilities, engagement with suppliers, and the prioritisation of payments to suppliers whose accounts have been placed on hold.
“Our focus is to ensure that available resources are used effectively and that facilities experiencing the greatest challenges receive the necessary support,” said Lehari.
He said the department’s turnaround plan includes accelerating the distribution of medicines from depots to hospitals, ensuring the equitable allocation of limited stock, conducting regular medicine availability meetings and assigning clear responsibilities and timeframes for corrective action. Lehari said his department is also exploring clinically appropriate alternative medicines, where necessary, reviewing facility stock levels according to patient numbers and disease profiles, and monitoring supplier performance.
“These interventions are aimed at reducing the impact of supply disruptions while strengthening medicine management across all levels of healthcare.
“The department further acknowledged that medicine supply constraints affecting the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases are being experienced nationally,” he said.
Lehari said while these challenges require coordinated action across the health sector, healthcare professionals have been advised to consider actual local stock levels when determining the quantities of medicines to prescribe or dispense, particularly where routine multi-month dispensing could place additional pressure on limited supplies. He said patients have been urged to consult their nurses, pharmacists or doctors if their prescribed medicines are unavailable so that appropriate alternatives or collection arrangements can be considered.
“The department cautioned patients against stopping or changing their treatment without seeking professional medical advice. We reaffirm that the department’s commitment to improving medicine availability and strengthening the reliability of the provincial medicine supply chain.
“We will continue working with national health authorities, suppliers, pharmacy teams and healthcare facilities to address supply challenges and monitor progress,” said Lehari.
