11 March 2025- More than 1000 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela across the North West province. The police in North West said they will continue to crackdown on criminality as 5143 actions were executed in various parts of the province between 3 and 9 March 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the actions that amongst others, included the inspection of licenced liquor premises, Second-Hand dealers and informal businesses. Myburgh said this includes searching of premises, persons and vehicles that resulted in the arrest of 1115 suspects for different offences.
“Of these arrests, 419 were effected during Detectives’ suspect raiding operations. The suspects included 159 for possession of drugs, 21 for illegal dealing in liquor, 174 for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, 13 for murder, three for attempted murder, four for rape and 18 for robberies.
“Twenty six suspects were arrested for burglaries, 39 for malicious damage to property and 41 for driving under the influence of liquor and drugs,” she said.
Myburgh said furthermore, a total of 49 illegal migrants were apprehended and processed by the Department of Home Affairs. She said as part of the operations, two unlicensed liquor premises were closed down.
“The operations also led to the confiscation of more than 700 litres of alcohol, 7kg of copper cables, a variety of drugs, tobacco products and three vehicles,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said the police working with other role players, remain steadfast in stamping the authority of the state to ensure a safe and secure environment for all people in the province.
Picture: A policeman arrested for committing crime/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 March 2025- A policeman who was stationed at Wolmaranstad Police Station, Sergeant Leepile Mtimkulu (46), remanded in custody until 14 March 2025. This comes after Mtimkulu was arrested on Saturday afternoon, 8 March 2025, for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend, Dikeledi Ingrid Serake (40), in the neck with a knife.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Serake was declared dead at the scene at Tswelelang Township, Wolmaranstad. Mokgwabone said following the incident, Mtimkulu handed himself over to the police.
“The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, condemned the incident and said it is disheartening to see a police officer being arrested for a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) related incident, which was committed during International Women’s Day by someone whom the public is looking to for protection. Asaneng urged police to use the professional services of the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) rather than resorting to violence.
11 March 2025- Four men who brutally killed two police officers, Constable Simon Ntsekeletsa (50), and Sergeant Mojalefa Molete (42), in Mareetsane village, outside Mahikeng, were sentenced by the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng. The accused, Benjamin Kerneels Jacobs (45), Gaorekwe Jeremiah Mongale (28), Rapula George Keaikitse (27), and Mathews Modukanele (23), were found guilty on multiple charges, including theft of stock, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of murder, defeating the ends of justice, malicious damage to property, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said the convictions stem from a tragic incident on 26 July 2021, where Molete and Ntsekeletsa, from Mareetsane Police Station, stopped a vehicle carrying 18 goats. Gunya said the occupants failed to provide a valid permit for transporting the livestock and were instructed to follow the officers to the police station.
“On the way, the suspects’ vehicle experienced mechanical issues, prompting them to ask the officers for assistance. As one officer attempted to secure a tow rope, the suspects attacked both officers with hammers, restrained them with a rope, and loaded them into the back of the police van.
“Later, authorities discovered a burnt police vehicle at Mosita Wildlife Farm, near Vryburg, with two bodies inside, burnt beyond recognition. The vehicle was confirmed to be the SAPS bakkie used by the deceased officers,” he said.
Gunya further said following a swift investigation, police arrested three of the accused at a residence in Logageng, where they also recovered a Z88 pistol with nine live rounds hidden under a mattress. He added that the fifth accused, who was 16 years old at the time, turned state witness and provided crucial testimony that assisted the prosecution.
“As a result, the charges against him were withdrawn. It was later revealed that accused number one was the father of the state witness. In court, all four accused pleaded not guilty, but were convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.
“In aggravation of the sentence, state prosecutor advocate Siphiwo Jika, submitted Victim Impact statements from the police and the family members of the deceased, emphasising the devastating impact of the crime,” said Gunya.
He said Jika urged the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence, as they all showed a lack of remorse throughout the trial. Gunya said the presiding Judge agreed with the state.
“She said the community still needs to have confidence in the police. Benjamin Jacobs, Gaorekwe Mongale and Rapula Keaikitse were each sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for stock theft, 15 years for robbery aggravating circumstances, 10 years for count of kidnapping, two counts of life imprisonment for murder, 6 years for defeating the ends of justice, 10 years for malicious property damage, 15 years for unlawful possession of firearms and 10 years for possession of ammunition.
“Sentences to run concurrently with life imprisonment for murder. Mathews Modukanele was sentenced to 5 years for stock theft, 15 years for robbery aggravating circumstances, 10 years for each count of kidnapping and 4 years for malicious property damage,” said Gunya.
He said the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently with the 15 years imprisonment for robbery aggravating circumstances. Gunya said the accused were all declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng and the acting Provincial Head of the
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, welcomed the sentence and thanked all the role players for their collaborative efforts to ensure that justice is served. They pointed out that the killing of police officers undermines the authority of the state and that the sentence will convey a strong message that those who kill police officers or any other person who serves to protect society and our citizens deserve a harsh punishment as seen in this case.
Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass on oversight visits/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
11 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, has embarked on oversight visits in Perth and Heuningvlei, where the One Billion Rand Housing Project will commence. The project was launched by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2024.
Vass who was accompanied by the executive mayor of the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Pulane Mogatle-Thoane, the District Municipality Speaker, Ephraim Aiseng, the Joe Morolong Local Municipality mayor, Dineo Leutlwetse-Tshabalala, Kgosikgolo Hastings Jantjie and Kgosikgolo Pule Bareki, and several councillors, also had community engagement with the housing beneficiaries in Heuningvlei.
“We briefed the delegation on the housing project for the JTG District and its progress. Over 500 houses will be built in Joe Morolong Municipality as part of the One Billion Rand Housing Project to address the housing backlog in the JTG District.
“This provided us with a first-hand opportunity to observe the progress in the JTG District and to engage with the contractors responsible for the area. The successful visit was concluded with a community meeting, where we engaged 200 housing beneficiaries at the Heuningvlei Community Hall,” he said.
Vass further said as the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG, they intend to expedite the One Billion Rand Housing Project and ensure that the beneficiaries receive their quality houses sooner. He added that, to this end, they receive a weekly progress report, and the Human Settlements team is working closely with the contractors to ensure adherence to the project timelines.
“A follow-up meeting between COGHSTA, the Traditional Council, and the District and Local Municipality, will take place to address some of the challenges highlighted by members of the community, including beneficiary administration and job opportunities and sub-contracting issues.
“Following the briefing, we handed over two houses to Albert Mothobi and Selita Nkgari’s family in Churchhill. These two families were assisted after news reports on the dire state of their mud houses,” said Vass.
11 Mopitlwe 2025- Modulasetilo wa setlhopha sa Indomitable Lions FC sa kwa motsesetoropong wa Pudimoe, gaufi le Taung, Archibald Aotlotlwe Seothaeng (50), o fitlhilwe kwa dirapeng tsa baswi kwa motseng wa Dryharts, mono Taung ka Lamatlhatso. Seothaeng o neetswe phitlho ya manobonobo, o kailwe jaaka motho o neng a le boikobo, bonolo, ebile a rata thuto.
Batla phitlhong ba ne ba tlile ka bontsi jo bo thibang letsatsi go tla go felegetse Seothaeng.
Mokatisi wa setlhopa sa Indomitable Lions FC, Olebogeng Kalabatane are ba simolotse go dira le Seothaeng ka 2021, fa ba ne ba aga setlhopa sa seo. Kalabatane are Seothaeng, one a le botlhale, mme ba fitlheletse dilo di le dintsi thata motlase ga tsamaiso ya gagwe.
“Bontsi jwa nako, re kopane le mathata mme Seothaeng one a dumela mo go baleng. One a itse melao ya kgwele ya dinao. One o tla bona seo fa go na le dikgogakgogano. Gape, Seothaeng one a dumela mo go tsweleleng pele.
“Seothaeng o thusitse setlhopa ka keteledi-pele ya gagwe e manontlhotlho. Se se utlwisang botlhoko ke gore, ga nke re itse nako ya loso ke leng. Gona le dilo di le dintsi tse oneng a batlile go di direla setlhopa mo ngwageng o,” Kalabatane wa tlhalosa.
Mokhuduthamaga kwa LGSETA, Inneeleng Molete, o tlhalositse Seothaeng jaaka motho oneng a rata tiro ya gagwe. Molete are LGSETA tiro ya bona ke go rotloetsa basha le go bula ditshono tsa ditiro le dithuto.
“Kgang ya rona ke go bula ditshono, mme re dira gore go nne le kgolagano magareng ga dimasepala tsotlhe go ralala naga. Re thusa bana ba dikobo dikhutsane gore ba bone madi a go tsweletsa dithuto tsa bone kwa di unibesiti tse di farologaneng.
“Karolo eo, e tshamikilwe ke Seothaeng mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima. Boeteledipele jwa gagwe ene ele jo bo namatshang,” Molete wa tlhalosa.
Modiri-mmogo wa maloba wa ga Seothaeng kwa Lefapheng La Badiri, Paul Motshweneng are Seothaeng o dirile jaaka Employment Officer kwa lefapheng la bone, mme one a le bonolo. Motshweneng are Seothaeng o iponetse dikgele di le mmalwa jaaka modiri o gaisitseng wa ngwaga.
Kgabagare, morwadia Seothaeng, Kganya, o tlhalositse rragwe jaaka motho oneng a dula a ba rotloetsa thata gore ba tseye dithuto tsa bone tsia. Kganya are bat la dula ba mogopola ka dinako tsotlhe.
10 March 2025- Eight suspects aged between 27 and 42, were arrested contravention of the Immigration Act, dealing in and possession of drugs, resisting arrest, assault on a police official, defeating the ends of justice and robbery with a weapon. The suspects were arrested during Northern Cape multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team, tasked to combat illicit mining activities.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the operation was executed from 6 March 2025, in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts, respectively. Sam said the police from the Kimberley and Kleinsee Venue Operations Centres (VOC), executed disruptive activities, including vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, as well as crime prevention patrols in and around the mining areas and communities.
“Shift B of the Kimberley VOC while patrolling,& received information of drug dealing at a house in Galeshewe, Ramatshela Street. They verified and operationalised the information and found Mandrax tablets, Crystal Meth and Khat, with a total value of approximately R3180, as well as R8 780 cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
“The team further arrested 3 assailants who robbed a member of the public not far from were they searched the drug house. All suspects will appear in their respective Courts of Kimberley and Port Nolloth soon,” he said.
Sam further said numerous traffic violation fines were issued at several VCPs in Frances Baard and Namakwa. He added that, the combat teams will intensify its efforts by squeezing the space for illegal miners to operate.
“If you see something, say something. Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111,” said Sam.
10 March 2025- A man (50) was sentenced to six years imprisonment for fraud and theft of a motor vehicle. In November 2020, the accused, Hanro Pietersen, visited the complainant at Riverside Farm, near Plooysburg.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said Pietersen informed the complainant that he was a mechanic and would be able to fix his Nissan X trail vehicle, which is valued at R70 000. Shemane said the victim paid the accused R15 000 to do the repairs on the vehicle and Pietersen then towed the vehicle to Kimberley.
“The accused took the vehicle papers with him and informed the complaint that he was taking the papers in case the police stopped him along the road. Instead, the accused went to the Kimberley Traffic Department and forged the signature of the complainant and put the vehicle on his name.
“After the accused repaired the vehicle, he then sold it to a person in Roodepan in Kimberley. It then came to the attention of the owner that the vehicle has been sold,” he said.
Shemane further said the complainant approached the police and a case of theft of motor vehicle and fraud was registered. He added that, the police recovered the vehicle and arrested the accused.
“On 5 March 2025, the Kimberley Regional Court convicted and sentenced him to six years imprisonment, and he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the District Commissioner of Pixley Ka Seme, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Samuel Witbooi of De Aar Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit in securing the conviction and bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Picture: A missing patient, Elias Lumkwana/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
10 March 2025- The Kimberley SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes unit are requesting the assistance of the public in locating missing Elias Lumkwana (55). The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said Lunkwana is originally from Colesberg and was admitted to the Robert Sobukwe Mangaliso Hospital in Kimberley, 4 March 2025.
“A family member went to visit the following day, but could not find him at the hospital and reported him missing on 6 March 2025, at the Kimberley SAPS.
“Anyone with information can contact Detective Sergeant Moagi Mokatsane on 083 314 3855 or call SAPS crime stop on 08600 10111 or utilize the MySaps App,” he said.
Kock said the public is reminded that there is no waiting period to report a missing person.
10 March 2015- The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Koliswa Otola conferred ranks to the newly promoted officers and members of the SAPS at the Provincial Headquarters during an Extended Provincial Crime Combatting Forum Management meeting in Kimberley on Monday.
Otola was joined by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Policing, Major General Keagekae Besnaar, Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Crime Detection, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga and the District Commissioner of Frances Baard, Major General Gabathata Makgari.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said in attendance, were the Provincial Heads of various components, while the other four District Commissioners with their respective stations linked via the virtual platform. Litabe sais the newly promoted officers, whose appointment date is 1 March 2025, included Colonel Itumeleng Pudule (The new Provincial Head of Employee Health and Wellness Services),
Lieutenant Colonel Mosimaneotsile Letsapa, the new Station Commander of Kathu,
Lieutenant Colonel Bakang Kgwadi, the new Station Commander of Keimoes.
“These members, Captain Tebogo Oliphant (Plooysburg), Captain Aloycia-Motlatsi (Hondeklipbaai), Captain Xolani Ralarala (Vanwyksvlei), Captain Renard Setlhabi (Onseepkans), Captain Anel Thiro (Marydale), Captain Melvin Wales (Phillipstown), Captain Frank Witbooi (Olifantshoek), Captain Silulami Nomyayi (Fraserburg) and Captain Johannes Bekker (Aggenys), were appointed to the rank of Captain as new Station Commanders.
“Prior to conferring the ranks, Otola invited the new appointees into the EPCCF meeting so that they could catch a glimpse of what she expects from the station commanders,” he said.
Meanwhile, in her congratulatory message, Otola indicated that with the new rank comes new responsibilities and accountability. She said before they make her proud, they must make themselves proud.
“We also urged them to take command of their respective offices and not be intimidated by any person.” She said.
Picture: The police are looking for person of interest/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
10 March 2025- The Galeshewe Police Serious and Violent Crimes Unit requests the assistance of the public in tracing a person of interest in solving a business robbery case that occurred in Barkly Road in Galeshewe on 4 February 2025. The police said the preliminary investigations indicate that the person of interest depicted in the picture, allegedly involved in the robbery and fled the scene.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said: “Anyone with information is urged to contact the Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Chrisna Von Wielliegh at 082 469 0547 or make use of SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or make use of the MySAPS App to send a tip-off.
The Guardian 