Residents warned about overtopping as DWS opens 5th sluice gate  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass cautioned the communities in low-lying areas of the riverbanks in the Northern Cape of possible overtopping following the opening of the 5th sluice gate of the Vaal Dam on 6 April 2025, by the Department of Water and Sanitation. Vass said due to the increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflow at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the 100 metres.

He further discourages people from conducting rituals at the rivers and activities like baptisms, swimming and fishing and crossing the rivers by foot or with motor vehicles on submerged bridges. Vass added that, they have engaged all five District Disaster Management Centres across the province to submit situational reports to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), so that should the need arise for immediate intervention and mobilisation of resources, they are ready at the PDMC to provide such support.

“The department through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is on high alert for immediate response.  The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said due to the rapid increase of inflows into the Vaal Dam, a 5th sluice gate has been opened on Sunday to manage water levels that have increased overnight as a result of the ongoing rainfall in the Vaal River catchment.

Mavasa said this is 24-hours after the department opened the 4th sluice gate at the Vaal Dam.

“The water storage levels at the dam stood at 108% on Friday, but as of Sunday, the levels had risen to 109%. The outflows at the dam will increase from 550 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) to just under 700 mᵌ/s.

“The inflows into the dam have increased since this morning from 1000 m3/s to 1200 m3/s by midday.

Bloemhof Dam storage levels have also risen from yesterday’s 103% to 107% this morning and water releases will be staggered incrementally from the current 1000 mᵌ/s to 1 100 m³/s at 10am; 1 200 m³/s at 12h00; 1 300 m³/s at 14h00 and the last increase at 16h00 to 1 400 m3/s,” he said.

Mavasa further said the increased outflows from Vaal Dam are expected to reach the Vaal Barrage in about 6 hours and Bloemhof Dam in 3 to 4 days and will result in water levels rising in both the dam and the river, overtopping the riverbanks. He added that, due to increased water releases by the five sluice gates, there might be a possible overflowing at the riverbanks downstream and this will affect infrastructure built in lower lying areas within the 100-year floodline.

“People living within the high floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area, and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock.

At Grootdraai Dam located in Mpumalanga in the Upper Vaal River Catchment, upstream of the Vaal Dam, one sluice gate remains open to enable water releases. The Dam is currently sitting at 102%.

“The department is implementing these necessary controlled water releases at the dams as part of dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure. DWS is continuously monitoring the water levels in the Vaal River System,” said Mavasa.

He said through various platforms, the department continuously shares hydrology reports and provides regular updates regarding the water levels in the dams, with recommendations in order to provide early warnings in case of flooding.
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A man raped and killed his eight-days old daughter

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By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025- A man (37) was sentenced to two life terms imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria for rape and murder. This comes after the accused, Hugo Ferreira from Carletonville, raped and killed his 8-days old daughter, Caithlyn Ferreira.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Ferreira and the child’s mother, who were in a relationship, lived together in Welverdiend, Carletonville. Mahanjana said on 8 June 2023, the mother left home to sell clothes to buy nappies, entrusting the infant to Ferreira’s care.

“Before she departed, Ferreira instructed her to return within five minutes as the baby was breastfeeding. When she failed to return on time and the baby began crying, Ferreira, enraged, assaulted, and raped the newborn.

“He used his fingers to violate her and rubbed his private parts against hers, later claiming he was “giving the baby a reason to cry.” Upon the mother’s return, Ferreira initially hid the injured child and refused to hand her over,” she said.

Mahanjana further said the mother then called the police. She added that, as he was handing the baby over in the presence of the police, her injuries became evident.

“Ferreira was arrested immediately and the infant was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day.  In court, Ferreira pleaded guilty to the charges of rape and murder and said he acted out of anger toward the mother.

“During sentencing, he requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that his guilty plea saved court time and demonstrated remorse,” said Mahanjana.

The state prosecutor, advocate Andre Wilsenach, strongly opposed this and asked for life imprisonment. Wilsenach said Ferreira’s acts were heinous and he committed them against his own defenceless 8-day-old baby to spite the mother for her delay.

“Wilsenach emphasized Ferreira’s role as the biological father, who should have protected his child and not abused his position to harm her. He also highlighted Ferreira’s criminal history, including five previous convictions, one for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), underscoring his violent tendencies. 

“Therefore, he asked the court not to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence. The NPA welcomes this sentence, which reflects the gravity of a father’s crimes against his child,” she said.

Mahanjana said this case reaffirms their unwavering commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of justice.

Meanwhile, Judge Portia Phahlane, rejected Ferreira’s plea for leniency and agreed with submissions made by the state. Phahlane ruled that his guilty plea stemmed from overwhelming evidence the state had against him, not genuine remorse, and found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the minimum sentence.

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A man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping another man

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By OBAKENG MAJE

7 April 2025- The accused, Mpho Mokoena (40), was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Regional Court for the gang rape of a man (35) and an additional three years for kidnapping. The court ordered that the sentences should run concurrently with the life sentence and further declared Mokoena unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Mokoena and the victim are both from Mamelodi East and knew each other. Mahanjana said on 9 December 2014, at approximately 17:30, the victim was walking in Mamelodi when he met Mokoena, who was in a vehicle with his accomplices who remain at large.

“The group asked the victim for directions to a drinking spot and he got into the car. However, instead of heading to the drinking spot, they drove to a cemetery in Silverton. Upon arrival, the perpetrators forcibly removed the victim from the vehicle, held him against it and Mokoena proceeded to rape him causing severe injuries.

“They then abandoned him at the scene. The victim then went to Mamelodi Hospital medical assistance and reported the incident to the police. Following an intensive police investigation, Mokoena was handed over to the police by his mother,” she said.

Mahanjana further said he was later released on bail. She added that the trial commenced in October 2017, and after the victim testified, proceedings were set to resume in February 2018.

“Mokoena, however, absconded, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. He was eventually re-arrested on 27 June 2023, after being found already serving another sentence in prison.

“During sentencing, Mokoena, through his legal representative, asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. However, the state prosecutor, Anton Burger, urged the court to impose life imprisonment, emphasising the gravity of the crime, the common purpose with his accomplices and that Mokoena showed no remorse for his actions,” said Mahanjana.

She said Burger also argued that the gender of the victim should not influence sentencing as minimum sentence legislation applies equally to all victims regardless of gender. Mahanjana said, additionally, Burger brought to the attention of the court that Mokoena had four prior convictions for theft and one for drug possession,” said Mahanjana.

In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Mncube concurred with the state, highlighting that Mokoena exploited the trust of the victim, who had considered him a friend. Mncube said the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.

Meanwhile, the NPA said it welcomes the sentence as it underscores the seriousness of the crime and reinforces the justice system’s commitment to protecting society from heinous acts. Mahanjana said the NPA commends the court for ensuring that the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions.

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Two men nabbed for raping a minor in Schweizer Reneke

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 April 2025 – Two men aged 56 and 59, were arrested and appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court for rape. The accused were arrested for the alleged rape of a girl (7), on 6 December 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused were remanded in custody upon their appearance in court until 10 April 2025, for bail application. Manyoba said the investigation into the matter continues.

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NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri meets with entity’s interim board  

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Picture: NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The newly appointed North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) interim board, held a meet-and-greet session with management and staff at the NWHC offices in Mahikeng, following their appointment by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi.

The NWHC CEO, Sello Mogodiri said the engagement focused on fostering collaboration and aligning strategic priorities. Mogodiri said the programme included a formal induction session, where Molapisi addressed the board and management.

“He emphasised the need to prioritise Smart and Mega City projects, highlighting the Lokaleng/Mahikeng Student City

project as an urgent priority due to growing public interest and traditional leadership concerns. Molapisi also called for the swift review of the NWHC Act and

urged strong cooperation between the board and executive management.

“The board received a presentation on the entity’s operational performance, finances and governance framework. Key areas discussed included the 2024/25

Quarterly Performance Reports, Strategic and Annual Performance Plans, Audit Outcomes, and the Revenue Enhancement Strategy,” he said.

Mogodiri further said the Chairperson of interim board, Dr Manketsi Tlhape, welcomed the opportunity to serve and committed to strengthening governance, accountability, and the Corporation’s role in delivering sustainable human settlements across the province. He added that they reaffirmed management’s commitment to working closely with the board.

“We will ensure that you receive all the necessary information and that our operations remain transparent. I believe your combined experience will bring valuable insight and wisdom to help us improve service delivery.

“The session concluded with a joint commitment to uphold good governance, transparency, and effective service delivery in line with the developmental goals

of the North West Provincial Government,” said Mogodiri.

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A man nabbed for being in possession of explosives

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Picture: The cable confiscated by the police/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025- A man (46) who was arrested for allegedly being in possession of explosives during Operation Vala Umgodi, was granted a R500 bail by the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court. The accused, Petrus Madika was arrested during a stop and search operation.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said Madika was charged for contravention of the Explosives Act, which prohibits the possession of explosives.

Manyoba said the explosives are used to commit illegal mining.

“The same team conducted operations at one of the illegal mining hotspots at Shiva Uranium mine and they seized explosives, which were apparently hidden by illegal mining suspects. The seized explosives included four blasting cartridges, one connector fuse cap and 27 metres of detonating cord.

“This discovery is yet another commendable work by the police in eradicating illegal mining. The Vala Umgodi team will continue to make breakthroughs in addressing illegal mining and related crimes,” she said.

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Three nabbed for kidnapping, extortion and aggravated robbery

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By OBAKENG MAJE

7 April 2025- Five suspects were arrested for kidnapping. This comes after a man (39), was allegedly kidnapped for ransom.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba, the various South African Police Service (SAPS) National and Provincial units were activated following the incident reported in Wolmaransstad on Friday night, 4 April 2025. Manyoba said subsequent negotiations led the team to Welkom and Virginia in the Free State Province, where five suspects were arrested and a kidnapped victim was rescued unharmed. 

“During the arrest, the team seized three cell phones, including the victim’s and a replica firearm. The suspects aged between 29 and 45, are due to appear in the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court on 7 April 2025, facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, aggravated robbery and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH),” she said. 

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, commended the police for their commitment, dedication and bravery in tracking, arresting and safely rescuing a victim of kidnapping linked to extortion. Asaneng said the police worked tirelessly, before arresting the suspects at the hideout in the Free State.

“This arrest should send a strong message to heartless criminals that the police shall pursue them wherever they are and no resources will be spared in making sure that they are removed from society and jailed for their heinous crimes,” he said.

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Concerns over lack of women’s participation in peace-building roles

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Picture: The NA speaker, Thoko Didiza

By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 April 2025 – The multi-party delegation representing the South African Parliament at the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union voiced deep concern over the lack of significant progress in ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes. The delegation highlighted the absence of women’s groups as signatories to peace agreements in 2023.

The National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza said it emphasised the missed opportunity, given the well-documented sustainability of peace agreements when women are involved. She said while commending countries promoting women’s inclusion in peace-making efforts, the delegation acknowledged the need for more substantial actions to achieve true gender parity in peace processes.

“Specifically, South Africa proposed that parliaments worldwide enact legislation mandating the inclusion of women in peace envoys and potentially involving the establishment of quotas or affirmative action measures.

“In addition, they advocated for implementation of robust monitoring mechanisms to review women’s participation and the impact of their involvement in peacebuilding efforts,” she said.

Didiza further said South Africa pressed for allocation of resources towards training programmes and capacity-building initiatives to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective participation in peace processes. She added that the delegation asserted that by embracing these measures, parliaments worldwide can ensure women’s active engagement in peace processes, thereby leading to more effective and sustainable agreements and outcomes.

“These efforts seek to amplify women’s impact on fostering a more comprehensive and sustainable peace,” said Didiza.

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First-ever publication in Nature highlights space debris threat

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Picture: NWU Prof Thembinkosi Malevu/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 April 2025- The North West University (NWU) has achieved a milestone with its first-ever publication in the journal Nature with Prof Thembinkosi Malevu of the subject group Physics sharing possible solutions to the risks posed by space junk. Co-authored with Prof Richard Ocaya from the University of the Free State, the research focuses on the risks posed by space debris, pieces of old satellites and rockets, falling back to earth. The study highlights incidents where large metal fragments have crashed in places like Kenya and Uganda.

Prof Thembinkosi Malevu said as more satellites are launched into space, the chance of debris falling into populated areas increases, creating risks for people, buildings, land and air traffic. Malevu said the study explains that many space agencies and companies do not have clear plans for removing old satellites from orbit.

“Most of these satellites fall back to Earth, making it difficult to predict where they will land. The research also discusses international agreements that hold countries responsible for damage caused by falling space debris, but these agreements were created before modern satellite technology and do not fully address today’s challenges.

“The researchers warn about a possible chain reaction in space, where pieces of debris collide with working satellites, creating more debris that could make space travel and communication systems unsafe. They point out that many small fragments are too tiny to track, making it difficult to prevent accidents,” he said.

Malevu further said the study calls for better monitoring systems and stronger rules to manage space traffic and prevent dangerous collisions. He added that, to reduce the risks, the study suggests solutions such as better satellite designs that ensure old equipment burns up safely in the atmosphere.

“It also explores possible cleanup methods, including robotic arms, nets and lasers that could remove large pieces of debris from orbit.

“The NWU’s first publication in Nature is an important step in addressing global challenges related to space safety. The study contributes to discussions on policies, environmental impact and the future of space exploration,” said Malevu.

He said the Journal Nature, established in 1869, is a multidisciplinary science journal that has a 90.0 CiteScore, according to Scopus, a SCImago journal rank of 18.509 and a Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) rating of 10.010. Nature is not to be confused with journals in the Nature Portfolio.

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‘Legal marriage age a major issue’

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By REGINALD KANYANE

7 April 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has successfully held three public hearings on the Marriage Bill in Mpumalanga. The final hearing was held in Witbank, where the main point of contention was the legal age for an individual to get married.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Mosa Chabane said the Bill received mixed reviews from participants, with the majority in support of the Bill, while others shared various reservations about certain clauses. Chabane said a number of participants argued that while they agreed with the intentions of the Bill to increase the legal age of marriage, they were concerned about the proposed 18 years as too young as they believe an 18-year-old does not have the maturity required to marry and must still finish school and establish themselves in the world.

“Some proposed that the age limit should rather be increased to 21 or 25. There was also a concern that by setting the legal age at 18, it will expose young people to exploitation by foreign nationals intending to get married just to regularise their stay in South Africa.

“Some participants disagreed and argued that the Bill contradicts other laws. They based this argument on the fact that legislation sets the age of sexual consent at 16 years of age. They argued that this incongruency between the two pieces of legislation is problematic and difficult to understand,” he said.

Chabane further said, meanwhile, there were opposing views on the proposal that a man intending to enter into a polygamous marriage must receive written consent from the first wife. He added that those against this provision argued that it is oppressive and said it will destroy a well-established cultural practice.

“Some also contended that the Bill represents the imposition of Western practices and laws on African and traditional practices, which will lead to the dilution and destruction of African culture.

“Some of the participants also argued that the clause is problematic because they believe that many wives will not consent to polygamy,” said Chabane. 

He said those in support of the clause argued that it will end the suppression of the rights of women in polygamous marriages. Chabane said, furthermore, it will also ensure that the property rights of women in polygamous marriages are protected for the benefit of both the wife and children.

“Also, some argued that this provision will prevent delays in the winding up of the deceased estate, in the case of the husband passing away. Some participants from the Muslim community argued that the Bill is not responsive to the Women’s Centre Trust vs the President of the Republic of South Africa Constitutional Court ruling, as the Bill does not recognise Muslim marriages in accordance with Islamic law.

“There was also an argument that the Bill does not regulate the consequences of marriages according to Islamic law. Participants emphasised that while they welcomed legal recognition of Muslim marriages, they did not support the Marriage Bill because Muslims have a unique Personal Law system, and they believe that the Bill converts Muslim marriages into civil marriages,” said Chabane.

He said the committee has now concluded public hearings in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Chabane said the committee will in due course communicate dates for the next batch of public hearings in the five remaining provinces.

“The committee reiterated its appreciation for all South Africans who have come out in their numbers to make a meaningful contribution to the Bill,” he said.

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