Committee welcomes withdrawal of SANDF soldiers from DRC


By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

5 May 2025 – The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, have welcomed the update through a media briefing by the Minister of Defence and the South African National Defence Force Military Command Council on the phased withdrawal of SANDF members from the Eastern DRC.

The soldiers formed part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the withdrawal follows the 13 March 2025, decision by Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Phala said they welcome the assurance that SAMIDRC commanders have, in consultation with both opposing parties, agreed that all Prime Mission Equipment will be withdrawn and that no equipment will be left behind. He further said this guarantee is critical to ensure that no equipment is left behind and could be used for nefarious reasons.

“We also highly-appreciate appreciated Rwanda’s cooperation in allowing movement by road from Goma to the assembly area and Tanzania’s cooperation in using the assembly point for the withdrawal.

“This cooperation is critical in ensuring that the withdrawal is seamless. Despite the withdrawal, we reiterate the importance of diplomatic and political engagement to ensure peace and stability in the region. This tactical withdrawal paves the way for diplomatic engagements between warring factions to find solutions as guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which encourages diplomatic engagement to find peace,” said Phala.

Gigaba shared the same sentiments. He said they continue to urge the AU and all regional bodies to offer diplomatic support and ensure peace and stability are achieved. He said they appreciate the move by the Minister of Defence and the SANDF Military Command Council to brief the nation, which ensures accountability and openness.

“Upon conclusion of the phased withdrawal, the committee will convene a meeting to get a full briefing on the mission in general and the support of the remaining cohort of soldiers that form part of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Gigaba.

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North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi acknowledges scholar transport challenges


By REGINALD KANYANE

5 May 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, briefly appeared before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 29 and 30 April 2025, during a two-day investigative enquiry into the province’s scholar transport challenges in Mafikeng. The enquiry convened by the SAHRC sought to examine and assess the systemic issues affecting the provision of learner transport across the province, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas.

This follows numerous complaints about the inadequate, unreliable and often unsafe scholar transport services that threaten learners’ rights to education, safety and dignity as enshrined in the constitution.

Motsumi said she acknowledges the challenges and explained the structural complications as the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA) is responsible for learner transport, while the learners fall under the North West Department of Education.

“We acknowledge the concern and aim to fast-track the review of the Memorandum of Understanding with COSATMA. We understand and support the SAHRC’s stance because this is fundamentally about the constitutional rights of our learners.

“Unreliable and unsafe scholar transport undermines those rights and negatively impacts learner attendance, safety and performance. We acknowledge the real and pressing challenges concerning scholar transport in our province,” she said.

Motsumi further said the current arrangement, where the Department of Education is responsible for learners, but the transport function lies with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, has created a fragmented approach that needs urgent resolution. She added that the Department of Education will fast-track the review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with COSATMA to reflect the practical and lasting solutions that emerged during the enquiry.

“The department is committed to continue with implementative engagements to ensure learner safety, restore dignity in service delivery and promote consistent school attendance among learners,” said Motsumi.

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Mmeteledi, Bakang Katong ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae ba tla tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo mabapi le kgetsi ya polao


OBAKENG MAJE

5 Motsheganong 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, e tla boela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Bakang Katong (32), yo o atlholetsweng dingwaga di le robedi kwa kgolegelong mo kgetsing ya petelelo, ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae mo kgetsing ya polao, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34), ba ne ba tshwarwa dingwaga di le tharo tse di fetileng morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso Mothibedi (35), setlhogo.

Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo teketa le go mo golegelela mo generateng. Seno se tla morago ga gore ba mo latofatse ka go ba utswetsa madi a seatleng a lekang ka R20 000 le motsoko wa R600.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Sam Tselanyane, o ile a tlhalosetsa ba lekwalo-dikgang la The Guardian Newspaper gore dipatlisiso di shupa fa tiragalo e, ele ya di 29 Moranang 2022. Tselanyane are go ile ga begwa fa moswi a ile a siela kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Fela, go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go mo latela. Go begwa fa go gorogeng ga bone kwa motseng wa Manthe, ba ile ba mo gokelela mo generateng, mme ba mo teketa go fitlhelela a tlhokafala.

“Go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tabogisetsa moswi kwa kliniking ya selegae fa ba bona a neela mowa. Baoki ba ne ba tlhalosa fa go se sepe se ba ka se dirang go boloka moswi, gonne one a setse a balelelwa le badimo,” Tselanyane wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ile ba bolotsa mogwanto kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa, mme ba ile ba fisa matlo a bone a le mararo mo tiragalong e. Gape, baagi ba ile thuba le go senya ntlo-maitiso ya balatofadiwa, mme ba itseela le nnotagi.

Go begwa fa Katong le Lenyai ba boleletse lekgotlha ka mokgwa wa tiriso ya lekwalo gore, ba ipona molato mo ditatofatso tsotlhe kgatlhanong le bone, mme ba tlhalositse fa Mosimege le Phenyo, ba ne ba sena seabe mo tiragalong e.

Mo letlhakuring le lengwe, bosekisi le bone bo tlhalositse fa boitekanetse go ka tswelela ka tsheko, mme bo shupa fa bona le kgetsi e kwenneng kgatlhanong le banna ba, ba le bane.

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Abandoned new-born baby safe and sound


By REGINALD KANYANE

2 May 2025- The baby who was abandoned at Ext 4, in Boitumelong Township, near Bloemhof, will be under the care of social workers. According to the North West Department of Health in Bloemhof, the new-born baby was discovered by a community member on 28 April 2025 at around 8:40pm, and called the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The North West Department of Health (Lekwa-Teemane Health Sub-District) spokesperson, Omphile Morwaagae said upon arrival, the EMS discovered a cold and fatigued baby boy dressed in a red t-shirt and wrapped in a blanket behind a rock. Morwaagae said after assessment, they immediately ferried him to Bloemhof Community Healthcare Centre, where he received medical attention.

“Nurses provided care and took the baby’s vital signs. They also ensured that he was examined by doctors. The department confirms that the baby is in good health and high spirits.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) and the North West Department of Social Development were promptly informed and appropriate procedures are being followed,” he said.

Morwaagae further said the North West Department of Social Development has now made arrangements and secured a safe and temporary home for the child. He added that the baby will soon be transferred there as he is not currently admitted as a departmental patient.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, commended the Department of Social Development (Lekwa-Teemane Service Point), the Department of Health (Lekwa-Teemane Health Sub-District, SAPS in Bloemhof and ward 2 councillor, Mapaseka Mongalane from the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, for their collaborative efforts in addressing this distressing situation.

Dantjie emphasized that such service-driven initiatives strengthen community trust and confidence in the government.

“This is exactly the kind of unity and collaboration the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) envisages when encouraging the people to build the province together.

“We express gratitude for the swift and coordinated efforts that ensured the young boy would spend many more nights in a safe home. At this stage, the child’s parents, family, or next of kin remain unidentified and efforts to locate them are underway,” she said.

Dantjie said the public is encouraged to assist in locating them by contacting the department via Facebook at Lekwa-Teemane Health Sub-District or calling 078 302 0075 / 078 274 0568. She said those who would like to provide additional support can reach out to Childline South Africa at 0800 055 555 or 116, which is a free helpline dedicated to protecting children from all forms of violence and promoting a culture of children’s rights in South Africa.

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North West dept apologies to service providers amid payment delays 


By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 May 2025- The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management said it acknowledges challenges faced by service providers as a result of delay in processing payments. The department said it has processed all invoices as received, however, there has been a delay due to internal system error.

The Head of Department (HoD) of North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Dr Has Kekana said the error has been resolved and they can confirm that the service providers will receive payments as from 6 May 2025. Kekana said the department appreciates the patience exercised by service providers and inconvenience caused is regretted.

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Kgetsi ya polao e boela kgotlhatshekelo


Ka OBAKENG MAJE

2 Motsheganong 2025- Monna wa kwa motseng wa Qhoo, gaufi le Taung, o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Se se tla morago ga gore molatofadiwa, Pogisho Tshibithi (18), a tshwarwe le go latofadiwa ka polao.

Go begwa fa Tshibithi a ile a tlhaba Itumeleng Patrick Sinyolo (18) ka thipa le go mo bolaya ka gangwe fa Moranang a ne a tlhola matsatsi a le 28, teng kwa motseng wa Qhoo. Go begwa fa Sinyolo le Tshibithi ba ne ba lwela lekgarebe lengwe le go begwang fa le setse le le kwa tlase ka dingwaga. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh are tiragalo e, ke ya ura ya borobedi mo bosigong. Myburgh are sepodisi se ile sa bilediwa kwa ntlung nngwe, kwa ba ileng ba shupediwa setopo sa ga Sinyolo se se neng sena le dintho tsa go tlhabiwa.

“Sepodisi se ile sa bontshiwa setopo seo ke rragwe moswi. Go ile ga bidiwa ba thuso ya potlako, mme ba ile ba netefatsa fa Senyolo a setse a tlhokafetse. Molatofadiwa o setse a tlhageletse makgetlho a le mabedi kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le ditatofatso tsa polao,” Myburgh wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, lekawana le, le ile la busediwa kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, mme o solofetswe go ka dira kopo ya beile mo letsatsing la kamoso.

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Lekgarebe le ipolaile ka go nwa botlhole  


Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2 Motsheganong 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se butse kgetsi ya morago ga loso. Se se tla morago ga dipego tsa gore lekgarebe la kwa motseng wa Ditshilong, gaufi le Taung, le ipolaye. Go ya ka dipego, go ile ga tsoga nganyisano magareng ga moswi, Omphile Chweu (18), ga mmogo le batsadi ba gagwe ba ba neng bam o kgalemelela go ya kwa ntlung e rekisang nnotagi.

Fela go begwa fa seo se ile sa se tseye Chweu sentle, mme a itswalela mo phaphosing ya gagwe ga borobalo mo go begwang fa a ile a nwa bolthole jo bo dirisiwang go bolaya tlhaga  kgotsa matokwane.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh are, moswi one a rwalelwa kwa bookelong jwa sedika jwa Taung go bona thuso ya potlako. Myburgh are go begwa f aka maswabi, Chweu a ile a tlhokafala fa kgwedi ya Moranang ene e tlhola matsatsi a le 24.

“Sepodisi si ile sa biletswa kwa bookelong kwa se ileng sa bontshiwa setopo sa ga Chweu. Kgetsi ya morago ga loso e ile ya bulwa,” Myburgh wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, go begwa fa Chweu a tla bolokiwa mo letsatsing la kamoso.

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Sepodisi se boloditse dipatlisiso mabapi le go bolawa ga ga Godhlo


Ka OBAKENG MAJE

2 Motsheganong 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se tlhalositse fa se batlisisa kgetsi ya polao. Se, se tla morago ga gore monna wa kwa Machonisa Section, kwa motseng wa Lokaleng, gaufi le Taung, Buti Godhlo (42), a bolawa setlhogo ka Laboraro bosigo.

Go begwa fa Godhlo a ne a robetse kwa ntlung ya gagwe, mme a tsenelelwa ke batho ba ba sa itsiweng. Go begwa fa go ile ga runya ntwa magareng ga moswi le banna bao, mme ba ile ba mo thuntsha mo tlhogong le mo legetleng, pele ga ba ka mo fisa ka oil.

Go begwa fa sepodisi se bone sekupu sa oil se se neng se diriswa ke dilalome tse kwa lefelo la tiragalo.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, kgetsi ya polao e butswe, mme ga ise go tshwarwe ope.

“Re ikuela go mongwe le mongwe o a ka tswang a na le kitso mabapi le polao e, a letsetse mmatlisisi wa kgetsi, Sergeant Monchwe mo dinomorong tsa 082 469 0332,” Van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, baagi ba tlhalositse Godhlo jaaka motho o neng a na le lerato, ebile a sa tshwenyane le batho. Ba tlhalositse fa loso la gagwe le ba amile thata, gonne Godhlo ene ele motho oneng a tsena kereke, mme a sa romulane.

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Opinion: The Municipal Manager of Mamusa Local Municipality, Rantsho Gincane’s administration equals to none


By BONGANI MADEVU

2 May 2025- Dear Mr Rantsho Gincane, I hope this finds you well. This would be my second public apology to you. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me.

Growing up in Mamusa, I was fortunate enough to have known your Boy Akapana “Tumi” during my high school days. We would go to town as a class, if not two classes, saying we are going kobo Wezy ( referring to the Library and the park both clean and green).

You did not know many of us, but not even once did you look down on us. My point is, at a personal level, I do not have anything against you Papa Ga Tumi.

It is also politically rude and uncalled for to be calling leaders of your calibre, Rantsho Gincane, lack of respect. Given that, I’m also a human and not immune to any form of mistakes.

Politically or otherwise, neither do I pose any monopoly of wisdom.

POLITICALLY

Mr Gincane, irrespective of how many are in denial about your administration including me, I have come to a realization that I was wrong about your administration. In fact, your administration is the best compared to many.

You are not an administrative saint. There will be shortcomings, even in the best developed public administration states in the world such as Sweden, there are hiccups.

The reason I am now fully supporting your reinstatement is that you are the first Municipal Manager at Mamusa Local Municipality post-apartheid to have brought infrastructure in the township, where the majority of our people can access it. You gave us an adequate library near all schools, adequate multi-purpose, which was a great idea.

Post-apartheid, you have increased the availability of electricity into households, especially in informal settlements. Out of jealousy and sabotage, many stood in the way of ensuring that Mamusa became one the first paved throughout the province.

In fact, the national government started loving your idea of a pavement because it is suitable, thus the Minister of Transport used pavement to sustain the N12 route T-junction between Wolmaranstad and Klerksdorp to Schweizer Reneke. It was during your administration that we saw high employment opportunities, be it permanent or temporary.

This one is important, out of all Municipal Managers in the country, you are the only one who never drove a luxury car, yet boldly accused you of embezzlement. You never left your people and went straight to fancy new townhouses at the expense of the taxpayers’ money.

The reason why your administration cannot get a clean audit is because of poor revenue divisions laws, which the national parliament has to address. The intergovernmental relation is failing municipalities throughout the country.

I wish I could expand on this, but it will consume much time. Ke mang Mr Mabokela ene?

You know, I just realized that deployed ANV cadre from nowhere is sabotaging our hometown, which we all love. You know I just realized that Mr Mabokela terminated EPWP programs, which were meant to abolish and root out hunger.

His faction is increasing our unemployment rate in a place, where there are few opportunities and some do not have the privilege to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Imagine, if one person works at EPWP and has a household of seven people and you terminate the contract?

That decision will affect seven people, who are completely depending on that individual. So, if you terminate over 100 jobs, where will they go?

After your term, you will be going to your hometown, leaving us to deal with your mess.

Bagolo, go botlhoko gore baeteledipele ba rona ba senngwa (destoeweng) ka ntlheng ya gore gona le batho, kgotsa motho o a batlang ale one, motho o competeng a batle gore gohle go tlage ene ale one.

My fellow people guard against propaganda. To those who are confused, I’m not a friend of party politics, I’m guided by left ideologies without any fear of contraction. I’m a Marxist.

Bye Batsi and his crew

Your comrade

Bongani Madevu

(Note: The views or content raised in this article does not necessarily represent The Guardian Newspaper or its associates. The content remains of the author and The Guardian Newspaper does not agree nor disagree with it.)

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Bafana brace for tough CHAN qualifier against Malawi


By REGINALD KANYANE

2 May 2025 – Coach Molefi Ntseki’s Bafana Bafana squad departed for Malawi on Thursday afternoon ahead of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) first leg qualifier against their COSAFA neighbours. The two countries meet at the Republic Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday and Ntseki said the main objective is to find the back of the net away from home.

He further said after initially struggling to secure players, he is happy to have a team that he believes can compete over two legs.

“The good thing is that they are all here and we are ready to go. We just have to play a game in Malawi with a very clear understanding that a goal in Malawi will be very important for us.

“We have spent a considerable amount of time analysing their opponents and they are anticipating a tough clash in Lilongwe,” said Ntseki.

He added that he thinks they have gone through the team that they have selected. Ntseki said, basically, they have selected all their best local players and these are the players that are playing for the national team.

“Local players, these are the players that are playing in the AFCON qualifiers. These are the players that are playing in the World Cup qualifiers.

“So, we are expecting a very tough team in Malawi, but I think we have done our homework and our players are looking forward to this game. So irrespective of whoever they have in camp, we also have to bring our A game,” he said.

Ntseki said their A game is more of a very good attitude, high level of determination, and high level of self-belief to say. He said they will go into Malawi and implement their tactics, their approach and come back with a point or come back with three points.

Meanwhile, the team will return home on Monday, 5 May 2025 ahead of hosting the return match at Loftus Stadium in Tshwane on Sunday, 11 May 2025.

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