2 April 2025- A man (39) sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the North West Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Mmabatho for 157 counts of fraud and 53 counts of money laundering. The accused, Jan Jacobus Van Niekerk was sentenced to further five years for money laundering.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, effectively resulting in 15 years of imprisonment. Gunya said in addition, Van Niekerk was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“The conviction stems from his tenure as a Financial Accountant at Botselo Mills, a company producing maize products such as super maize meal, samp, and rice near Delareyville, in the North West.
“As an accounting officer, Van Niekerk had access to the company’s bank account and was authorised to transact within its banking system. Investigations revealed that between 5 January 2017 and 29 July 2022, he fraudulently created authorisation forms to release funds, misrepresenting transactions to divert company money into his six personal bank accounts.
“Posing as legitimate service providers, he siphoned over R8 million from the company over six years. Van Niekerk’s actions resulted in severe financial setbacks for the company, leading to retrenchments. He was arrested and later released on bail,” he said.
Gunya further said Van Niekerk pleaded guilty to all charges. He added that, during sentencing, state prosecutor advocate Matshidiso Ramakgaphola, argued that his crimes were motivated by greed, as he was already earning a salary.
“She further emphasised that his fraudulent activities had direct consequences, including job losses. Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Mothibi noted that Van Niekerk showed no remorse and failed to apologise to the complainant.
““The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to fighting commercial crime and ensuring justice is served,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, said: “We welcome this sentence as a warning to others who may consider engaging in financial crimes.”
2 April 2025- A former boyfriend (32) was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court for kidnapping and rape. On 1 November 2022, a woman (26), and her friends, visited her former boyfriend in Greenpoint, Kimberley.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the accused chased the friends away and locked the shanty with the victim inside. Kock said the accused assaulted, strangled and raped her during the night inside his shanty.
“The victim managed to escape the next morning and reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested the same day. Bail was denied until he was sentenced on 25 March 2025.
“The accused was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for rape and three years for kidnapping,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Constable Shaun Boer of Kimberley FCS for his dedication and hard work throughout the investigation that led to the outstanding GBVF sentence. Otola also thanked the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), for the sound collaboration, proving that the long arm of the law will not be selective nor will it be kind to GBVF perpetrators.
2 April 2025- The radio personality and entrepreneur, Thys Khiba has dumped Klerksdorp-based community radio station, Star FM. Khiba, who joined the station a few months ago, announced his resignation two days ago.
In a statement, he thanked his listeners at Star FM and said this choice has not been an easy one, as his time at the Star FM has been filled with invaluable experiences and cherished memories.
“This serves to inform you that after much reflection and consideration, I have made a decision to resign as Breakfast Rush show host and employee at Star FM.
“This decision comes earlier than the end of my contract and before the announcement of a new line up, which is expected to be changed before 1 April 2025,” he said.
Khiba further said it was not an easy decision as he always wanted to serve the people of his hometown, Klerksdorp on the broadcasting space. He added that, however, he will still continue to serve them as the senior journalist of City Reportnewspaper, which is covering the local stories and events of the City of Matlosana.
“I celebrate and cherish every memory created, and the joy of connecting with our wonderful and respectful audience. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from my colleagues, management, and most importantly, my family. I am preparing myself to join another radio station that I will announce its name and my new role soon.
“Of course, this includes my other roles as a journalist for Free State Report and City Report. I have always wanted to be in the space that challenges me and allows me to grow professionally.
“I cannot conclude without extending my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey since 2013, when I joined NWU River FM, Karabo FM 103.7, Platinum North West TV, Central News, Free State Report and NWU Student 24/7,” said Khiba.
2 April 2025- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said he condemn in the strongest terms possible, the barbaric acts of violence, by a group of people that had brought in an injured individual at Bapong Community Healthcare Centre, in the early hours of Sunday morning, 30 March 2025. Lehari said the preliminary report, indicates that a group of five people, who were allegedly unruly and are suspected to have been consuming alcohol, arrived at the facility and refused to be searched by security officials at the gate, as per regular protocol, and made their way into the facility.
He further said the group also allegedly refused to queue and wanted to be attended to immediately before all other queuing patients, who had been patiently waiting for their turn to be attended to by the nurses. Lehari added that, the unruly group then allegedly assaulted a security official, who was trying to intervene and maintain order at the facility.
“The department wishes to also debunk social media reports and set the record straight that none of our healthcare professionals in particular nurses were ever assaulted during this ordeal. I want to say to these individuals that, we have opened a criminal case against them and we will follow it through until they are arrested.
“We call on the community to work with us and identify these individuals who are disregarding the laws of our country,” he said.
Lehari said they convened a meeting on the same day, which was attended by senior officials from the department both from the district and the province – and all affected stakeholders at the facility, including local councillors, MMC for Health at the Madibeng Local Municipality, unions’ representatives, security officials, and healthcare professionals, amongst others, to delve deep into this matter.
He said they agreed on that a criminal case be officially opened, all healthcare professionals including security personnel that were on duty on the day, are afforded psycho-social support and security being reinforced at the facility, including sending more arm guards.
“Security is being equipped with all necessary tools, including metal detectors. Enhance working community centred campaigns on the delivery of healthcare services.
“We send a stern warning to those that are frequenting healthcare facilities in the wee hours, as a results of brawls from places that sell alcohol to behave, saying otherwise anyone undermining health processes is challenging the state,” said Lehari.
He said their healthcare professionals are doing so much to save lives and the last thing they need, is individuals, who had consumed alcohol to come and cause chaos in the facilities, demanding to skip the queue. Lehari said they will face the full might of the law and will set a good example with these ones who assume that they are more important that other patients.
“We call for calm and assuring all residents in and around Bapong village and the surrounding areas – that the facility is safe and remain operational,” he said.
2 April 2025- More than 761 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for variety of crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of explosives used mainly in the commission of illegal mining and Cash-in-Transit robberies, dealing in and possession of drugs and driving under the influence of liquor, among others.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the operations led by the District Commissioners, were conducted from 24 until 30 March 2025. Mokgwabone said out of the 761 arrested suspects, it is worth noting that 470 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists.
“In addition, 18 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act, while others were apprehended for illegal mining in Klerksdorp and Hartbeespoortdam policing areas. As part of Operation Shanela, the police identified crime generators through Joint law enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.
“Four unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and large quantities of liquor and items such as refrigerators were confiscated. In Sun City, a team comprising various police unit, arrested two suspects in Mogwase on 28 March 2025, where they were attending court as accused in a case of murder allegedly committed in September 2024,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the pair was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a man (32) in Ledig village near Sun City on 23 March 2025. He added that, during the arrest, police confiscated a red Toyota Corolla and a choking apparatus.
“The duo, Zamile Zinzile (37) and Robert Kgakatsane (33), briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 31 March 2025, for kidnapping. Meanwhile, the search for the kidnapping victim paid off when his body was found along the R566 road between Tlaseng and Tsitsing villages, outside Rustenburg.
“Similarly, the team arrested the third suspect (34). He is expected to appear in court on 3 April 2025, together with the initial accused and they will all be facing charges of kidnapping and murder,” said Mokgwabone.
He said in Buhrmansdrift, members of Mahikeng Flying Squad were on routine patrol duties on 17 March 2025, when they stopped a suspicious blue Toyota Avanza on the R49 (Mahikeng/Zeerust) road for a search. Mokgwabone said the action led to the discovery of copper cables in the boot of the car.
“The suspects who indicated that they are both security officers, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. Further investigation into the matter established that the cables were stolen from a transformer in Zeerust,” he said.
Picture: Illicit cigarettes smuggled in the border/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
2 April 2025- A Zimbabwean man was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment or to a fine of R40 000 by the Lehurutshe Regional Court for contravening the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. In addition, the accused, Joseph Kusekwa (43) received a wholly suspended sentence of 24 months or a fine of R20 000 suspended for five years on the condition that he is not convicted of contravening the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 during the suspension period.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Sivenathi Gunya said Kusekwa was convicted of failing to declare goods upon entering South Africa. Gunya said the conviction stems from an incident on 21 July 2023, when a truck with two trailers was stopped and searched at the Skilpadshek Port of Entry.
“The driver, Kusekwa granted permission for the search, which led to the discovery of 1119 master cases of Derby cigarettes concealed in the truck. Kusekwa was unable to provide documentation for the cigarettes.
“A South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officer called to the scene, confirmed that while the cigarettes complied with the Tobacco Product Control Act Regulations, they were not declared in terms of the Customs and Excise Act,” he said.
Gunya further said, Kusekwa was arrested and both the truck and cigarettes were seized by customs officials. He added that, the court heard that had the cigarettes been legally imported, the payable duties would have amounted to R29 million.
“However, SARS suffered no direct financial loss since the goods were intercepted before reaching the illicit local market. In court, Kusekwa pleaded guilty in terms of a Section 105A Plea and Sentence Agreement.
“During sentencing, the state prosecutor, advocate Cain Nontenjwa, emphasized that illicit trade in goods results in significant tax losses and negatively impacts the legal cigarette market,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the efforts of law enforcement and the prosecution team. Makhari stressed the importance of enforcing South Africa’s tax laws to uphold justice and prevent non-compliance.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reaffirmed its commitment to combating illicit trade and ensuring adherence to customs regulations,” she said.
Picture: The alleged shoes for rape victim, Cwecwe/Facebook
By REGINALD KANYANE
1 April 2015- The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has joined the nation in outrage following the horrific sexual assault of a girl (7), in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The Chairperson of the Committee, Liezl van der Merwe stated that the committee calls for swift justice in this case, echoing the voices of all South Africans demanding accountability. Van der Merwe said during a committee meeting today, members expressed deep concern over the high rates of child rape and abuse in South Africa, particularly in areas like Umlazi, which has recorded the highest number of child rape cases in the country.
She said the committee resolved to prioritise an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape to further investigate this crisis and engage with all relevant stakeholders.
“It is clear that as leaders and as a collective, we need to do more to ensure the safety of our children. The committee will be meeting with the Department of Social Development on 22 April 2025, to discuss the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, as well as the devastating impact of budget cuts on NPOs providing critical services to vulnerable women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“The committee remains committed to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society. It calls on all stakeholders, from government to civil society, to join in the fight against gender-based violence and the abuse of children,” said van der Merwe.
1 April 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today urged the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) to get its house in order and stabilise the organisation as its inefficiencies impacted the work of government. The Chairperson of the Committee, Xola Nqola said, the meeting comes hot on the heels of the committee’s oversight visit last week to entities in the justice portfolio in KwaZulu-Natal, where SITA was singled out as a major impediment to courts operating effectively due to connectivity and infrastructure issues.
Nqola said it comes across as if there are delays in what the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) have been planning to do due to SITA. He further said as far back as last year, they took an official committee decision to call SITA and the department to iron out the challenges.
“Today, the committee received a briefing on the implementation of the integrated justice system (IJS) from the DOJ&CD, which are the lead departments on the matter. The Office of the Auditor-General (AGSA), the Department of Social Development, the National Treasury, Legal Aid South Africa, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) provided input.
“The committee took a dim view that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) indicated that it would not participate in the meeting and the fact that the South African Police Services did not respond at all to the meeting invitation,” he said.
Nqola added all these systems should speak to each other. He said Home Affairs is the starting point.
“You need to be registered at birth and later receive an identity document for identification. Yet they are not here to make valuable contributions. The committee heard that the primary objective of the IJS Programme is to electronically enable and integrate the end-to-end criminal justice business processes, from reporting a crime to releasing a convicted person through technology solutions.
“Furthermore, it aims to manage the related inter-departmental information exchanges across the criminal justice system (CJS). The IJS is also used to fight fraud in the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and verify the identity of social grant beneficiaries using the Home Affairs Database,” said Nqola.
He said the IJS enables integration of SASSA to DHA, making near real-time person verification service available. Nqola said the committee heard that SITA does not have the capacity to deliver on IJS projects.
“SITA resources are used to work on multiple projects simultaneously and end up being inundated with work. SITA supply chain processes are also cumbersome. The DOJ&CD said a further concern is an ageing and/or obsolete infrastructure, which remains a challenge across the CJS and may lead to vulnerability to cyber-attacks.
“SITA acknowledged that it has capacity issues due to a high vacancy rate. The organisation is unstable due to a challenge with a previous board that was dissolved and who took the matter to court. An interim board was appointed, and the court reinstated the old board,” he said.
Nqola said the end product was the interim board mixed with the old one. He said the Integrated Justice System (IJS) programme is a government initiative that strives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the South African criminal justice process.
“It is driving a multi-department effort to increase the probability of successful investigation, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation of offenders and their release back into society to realise a national objective that all South Africans are and feel safe.
“The AGSA highlighted the fact that SITA was slow in addressing the AG’s recommendations and has now received a disclaimer audit opinion. The meeting was constructive as the committee believed in a joint solution to joint problems,” said Nqola.
He said the committee and the AG now bear the responsibility of strengthening accountability to see through the problems engulfing the entire system. Nqola urged the acting Chairperson of the SITA Board to stabilise the organisation so that it could make progress.
“The SITA has short-term and long-term goals. Getting the OCJ and high courts online is a short-term goal; it’s low-hanging fruits that you can quickly pick. We urge SITA to work with DOJ&CD to ensure connectivity in the courts, or the case backlog will pile up.
“We need to reach the objectives of the IJS, which state that it must be efficient and effective. We will have regular meetings to track the progress on IJS,” said Nqola.
1 April 2025– The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has unanimously agreed on a motion to be recommended to the National Assembly (NA) on the upper limit for donations received by a political party, and the disclosure threshold for political parties, independent candidates and independent representatives.
The committee is confident that the process has produced a motion that strikes a balance between the considerable cost of running political programmes and the need for transparency.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mosa Chabane said following an intensive process of public consultation and deliberation, the committee resolved to recommend to the National Assembly
that the amount referred to in Section 8(2) of the Political Funding Act of 2018 (upper limit of donations) be set at R30 million in a financial year and that the amount referred to in Section 9(1)(a) (disclosure limit) of the Act be set at R200 000 in a financial year. Chabane said this process has been rigorous and involved and recognises the value of public involvement, openness and transparency.
“The recommendations made are also evidence-based, and they take into consideration that there was no framework that guided the previous upper limit and disclosure threshold.
“The resolution we have made today is crucial to bring the threshold in line with inflationary increases over time. In making the decision, the committee acknowledged that there might be a need to review the Political Party Funding Act, particularly in light of the gaps and shortcomings of the Bill,” he said.
Chabane further said, also, the committee acknowledged that the unfolding process undertaken by the Electoral Reform Consultation will directly affect the funding of political activities going forward. He added that, they appreciate the inputs provided by all stakeholders, including the public, the Parliamentary Budget Office, and the Parliament’s legal team.
“This was certainly an all-hands-on-deck approach, and we are confident that the proposal on the table is measured and achieves the competing goals of openness and fairness.
“Meanwhile, as part of the public hearings on the Marriage Bill, the committee conducted an unannounced visit to the Department of Home Affairs offices in Umtata, Komani and Gqeberha,” said Chabane.
He said the committee raised concerns about the continuing downtime at Home Affairs offices and its impact on service delivery. Chabane said the committee has resolved to call the minister and senior leadership of the department to find solutions to the continuing challenge.
Picture: The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize
By BAKANG MOKOTO
1 April 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday resolved to integrate two legislative proposals aimed at stabilising coalition governments at the local level. The committee discussed the Private Members Bill – the Local Government: Municipal Structures Second Amendment Bill, introduced by George Michalakis, a member of the National Assembly, which seeks to provide legal clarity and help stabilise coalition governments.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Dr Zweli Mkhize said Michalakis told the committee that following the 2026 Local Government Elections, coalition governments will be the “new norm”. Mkhize said to him, this will mean political parties and independent candidates will have to come together and form workable coalitions for the good of South Africa.
“Currently, many local government coalitions are highly unstable and plagued by frequent motions of no confidence, impacting their capacity to ensure stable, consistent and quality service delivery to residents.
“These motions of no confidence are often used by smaller parties, in cooperation with opposition benches, as a political tool, rather than a way to hold government accountable for failing to fulfil their duties adequately,” he said.
Mkhize further said this will continue in the absence of much-needed legislation to ensure stable coalitions. He added that, the committee noted that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), has a similar Bill – the Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill – underway and that there is significant overlap between the two Bills.
“Members were concerned that since the two Bills seek to address the same issues, it may lead to duplication, delays and possibly confusion among the public during public hearings. We noted that the Private Member’s Bill has already been formally introduced to the committee and that the department’s efforts, also currently underway, must be aligned to ensure coherence and, importantly, timeliness.
“Presenting two similar Bills separately for public comment within a short space of time would be procedurally inefficient and impractical. The public and Parliament would be forced to consider overlapping Bills twice,” said Mkhize.
He said they must avoid that. Mkhize said they acknowledge the need to process and finalise the legislation speedily ahead of the local government elections next year.
“The committee resolved that Michalakis must engage with the Minister of COGTA to find ways to integrate the proposals into a single bill. The committee stated that this must be done within one month and that the Minister must thereafter brief the committee.
“During this briefing, the Minister must provide an update on the status of the department’s Bill and its readiness for introduction to Parliament, the department’s proposals on integrating the private member’s proposals, and provide the committee with a timeline for the expeditious tabling and processing of the bill to ensure that the legislation is in place ahead of the 2026 local government elections,” said Mkhize.
He said the committee will deliberate and decide on the best course of action, including consideration of the motion of desirability on the Private Member’s Bill. Mkhize said the committee stressed that the process must be without unnecessary procedural delays.
“The process must also be done in a manner that respects both parliamentary procedure and the public interest,” he said.
The Guardian 