19 February 2025- The police in North West said the process to identify 93 bodies of suspected illegal miners retrieved from Buffelsfontein Gold Mine’ Shaft No 11 between 3 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, is still underway. According to the police, the process came after they conducted post-mortems on all bodies.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said nine bodies were brought to the surface through a pulley system/rope by community volunteers between 3 December 2024 and 9 January 2025. Mokgwabone said 78 bodies were brought to the surface between 13 and 15 January 2025, during the Mine Rescue Operation.
“Five suspected illegal miners died, while admitted in hospitals between 20 January and 12 February 2025. Of this number, four resurfaced at Buffelsfontein shaft No 11 and one at Margaret Shaft. One was brought to the surface at Margaret Shaft.
“In the investigation into the inquest dockets of the nine initial bodies, three were successfully identified and handed to family members. All are from Mozambique,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said as part of investigations, DNA samples were obtained from 78 bodies retrieved during the Mine Rescue Operation. He added that 54 fingerprints were obtained from 78 bodies for comparison.
“This process resulted in the identification of 10 bodies through previous arrests in the country. The nationalities of the identified deceased showed that seven are from Mozambique, one Zimbabwe, one Lesotho and one from South Africa.
“In an effort to get more identifications, members of the public and the community who do not know where their next-of-kin are and they know or suspect that they were working in and around Khuma/Stilfontein as zama zamas,” said Mokgwabone.
He said those who have not seen or heard from their next-of-kin for some time, were requested to get into contact with the investigation team at Stilfontein Police Station between 4 and 14 February 2025. Mokgwabone said this led to the obtaining of 45 control samples.
“The nationalities of the next-of-kin from whom samples were taken showed that 18 were from Mozambique, 6 from Lesotho, 8 from Zimbabwe, 12 from South Africa and 1 from Botswana.
“The working relationship among the above-mentioned countries continues in an attempt to identify the bodies. For enquiries regarding the identification process, Colonel Francois Jacobs can be contacted at 082 373 8216,” he said.
19 February 2025- A man (27) sentenced to two life sentence terms and 44 years for rape by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley for rape. Itumeleng Reclin Machabe, who is also known as Bendow, was convicted for raping and killing Relebogile Segami (11), raping two other minors and distributed pornographic images of young people.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused raped a girl (13), committed fraud, contravened Section 19 (a) of Act 32 of 2007 (exposing or displaying of child pornography or pornography to a child) and committed crimen injuria. Senokotsoane said Machabe also committed attempted extortion and raped a girl (15).
“He was charged for attempted murder too. On 30 March 2022, Relebogile Segami was reported missing by her family and the police, together with members of the Galeshewe Community, began searching for the young girl.
“Unfortunately, her body was discovered on 31 March 2022, near the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature in Kimberley. During investigations, the police discovered that Machabe was the last person seen with the victim before her disappearance,” he said.
Senokotsoane further said the police promptly managed to arrest Machabe and he made his first court appearance on 4 April 2022. He added that the accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
“When the accused applied for bail in the Galeshewe District Court, the court heard that the accused was facing another charge of rape and that he was out of bail on that matter.
“The prosecution’s successfully opposed bail application against the accused in this Schedule 6 matter, given the seriousness of the charges against him,” said Senokotsoane.
He said during the police investigations into the accused, other victims of the accused came forward to open cases against him. Senokotsoane said the investigations established that the accused’s path of terror began as early as 2013 when the victim (13), and the accused a minor himself, alleged that the accused had raped her.
“A case docket was then registered and later withdrawn by the family after dragging for some time. The main reason being that the ongoing case was affecting the victim horribly and she could not cope with her school work and resulted in her failing twice in the two years during the case in court.
“Upon Machebe’s arrest in 2022, the victim gathered some strength to testify against the accused this time around, even though the crime dates back over 10 years and during the emotionally charged trial in the High Court,” he said.
Senokotsoane said during the trial, the prosecution, represented by state advocate Elmari Kruger, put it to the court that the accused had intentionally targeted minors, whom he knew were vulnerable, young, innocent and naïve. He said Machabe was not remorseful for all the heinous crimes he had committed against minors and how he had destroyed the lives of not only the victims, but their families as well.
“The court, through testimonies of the victims and witnesses, heard how the accused had lured victims and how he had utilised social media platforms to use the victims’ compromising photos and published them on his platforms after requesting the nude photos.
“The court also heard how the accused had raped one of his victims, who was a minor at the time multiple times. The accused had intentionally molested the minor, wanting her to perform unspeakable acts on him as well,” said Senokotsoane.
He said the victim told the court that the accused intimidated her by telling her that he was going to throw her in a dam should she scream. Senokotsoane said although there was little substantial evidence as the swabs taken on victims, including the deceased body of one victim and the clothing that was found around her neck, showed insufficient male DNA, the forensic report explained this may have been caused by many factors such as weak sperm count, the male being asospermic, does not have a nucleus in his sperm cell.
“The male could have ejaculated outside of the body, he may have used a condom, may have cleaned the victim, or the victim may have cleaned herself and does not necessarily exempt one from a crime.
“The state mainly relied on circumstantial evidence and urged the court to take note of the discrepancies and improbabilities in Machebe’s version of events,” he said.
Senokotsoane said the NPA envisages that the sentencing of Machabe will not only give the victims hope, closure and a sense of freedom but also send a harsh message to criminals of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) related matters in that the prosecution working with law-enforcement partners will act harshly in investigating and prosecuting these crimes and they shall face the full might of the law should they be found guilty of such criminal conduct.
Meanwhile, in aggravation, the prosecution argued that it is a known fact that South Africa faces insuperable levels of violent crime, particularly targeting vulnerable groups, which include women and children. The state further argued that there were no substantial and compelling factors that could make the court deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life when it comes to crimes of this nature.
In sentencing, the court found the accused guilty on all counts except for count 17 (attempted murder) due to a lack of evidence. The court sentenced the accused to life terms and 44 years imprisonment.
The court also ordered that the name of the accused be registered in the National Register of Sex Offenders. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The accused was sentenced on the day Segami was to celebrate her 14 years birthday.
Picture: The embattled Tswaing Local Municipality mayor, Norah Mahlangu/Screengrab
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
19 February 2025- The ANCWL Provincial Task Team (PTT) in North West came out guns blazing in defence of suspended Tswaing Local Municipality mayor, Norah Mahlangu. This comes after the ANC in the province, placed Mahlangu on a month-long special leave pending investigation.
Last week, Mahlangu was seen in a scandalous nude video that went viral, where she was found to be in a compromising position. In the video, Mahlangu was seen taking off her bra and tights and playing with her punani.
The video was immensely shared across various social media platforms. This prompted the ANC in the province to suspend Mahlangu for putting the party into disrepute.
In the letter written to Mahlangu and seen by Taung DailyNews, the ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo said, on or about 12 February 2025, the organisation was provided with Mahlangu’s indecent social media video, whereby she was seen engaging in unethical and immoral conduct. Diremelo further said the conduct detracts from the character, values and integrity of the deployee of the ANC.
“You are further reminded that your immoral and indecent social media video, has the potential to bring the organisation into disrepute. Actually, the video has brought the organisation into disrepute after being circulated and seen by the members of the public.
“As a result of the above stated facts, you are hereby directed to take a special leave. This will allow the organisation to institute its own investigation regarding the circumstances leading to the leakage of the indecent and immoral social media video,” he said.
Diremelo added that the ANC expected to be furnished with special leave by the close of business on 14 February 2025. He said there are terms and conditions that will apply during the period of her special leave.
“This includes not reporting for duty or visiting the municipality premises unless being invited by the chief whip of the organisation to attend council sitting.
“If you need to remove any belongings, such to be done after the arrangements with the office of the chief whip. You are expected to fully cooperate with the organisation during the investigation of the matter,” said Diremelo.
He said Mahlangu is expected not to interfere with the investigations and or any potential witnesses. Diremelo said from time-to-time, she will be provided with the progress of the investigation.
“The investigation report and its recommendations will be made available to you upon the conclusion of the matter,” he said.
However, ANCWL PTT coordinator, Nombuyiselo Adoons said they will not leave this matter lying down. Adoons said Mhlangu is a victim here and she cannot be victimised.
“We wish to express our deepest concern regarding the recent victimization of Mahlangu, who found herself at the centre of a distressing situation following the unauthorized leaking of her private, intimate video by individuals once considered close friends.
“Such conduct is a blatant violation of her privacy and dignity, and constitutes a serious infringement on her rights. It is disheartening that, despite being the clear victim in this matter, Mahlangu has been instructed to take a special leave,” she said.
Adoons said they believe this decision not only undermines her position as mayor, but also perpetuates a harmful culture wherein victims of privacy violations are punished rather than supported. She said Mahlangu has already demonstrated good faith and accountability by submitting an apology to the ANC and to the community of Tswaing and the province.
“We call upon the ANC to treat this letter with the gravity it deserves and to recognise that Mahlangu’s actions and statements illustrate her commitment to the party and the community she serves.
“We therefore demand that the ANC withdraw its letter calling for Mahlangu’s special leave with immediate effect. We urge the organisation to stand firmly by its commitment to protect and empower women and to uphold the rights and dignity of its members,” said Adoons.
She said the leaking of private material without consent is a criminal act and must be addressed as such. Adoons said victims should be supported, not further traumatised through administrative or disciplinary measures.
“We stand in solidarity with Mahlangu and call on all relevant authorities and party
structures to take decisive steps against the perpetrators.
“We further request that the ANC institute clear protocols to support members, who fall victim to such invasions of privacy, ensuring that survivors are not isolated or re-victimised,” she said.
19 Tlhakole 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le lekawana la kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 202 Tlhakole 2025, ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung. Simon Molale (22), yo a latofadiwang ka go tlhaba le go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe, Tshepiso Medichane (21), o kwa ntlo-lefitshwana morago ga go ganelwa ka beile.
Go begwa fa Molale a ne a tlhaba Medichane le go mo bolaya, mme one a tshaba kwa lefelong la tiragalo morago ga go bona batho. Fela, go begwa fa ba lelapa la gagwe ba ne ba mo tshwara le go mo isa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung di ura morago ga tiragalo e.
Go begwa fa Molale a lekile go tsaya botshelo jwa gagwe pele ga ba lelapa la gagwe ba ka mo neela sepodisi ka motsi o. Molale o ile a amogelwa kwa bookelo jwa selegae jwa Taung morago ga magatwe a gore o ile a itlhaba ka thipa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are Molale one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ya ga Medichane.
“Ke nnete molatofadiwa mo kgetsing e ya polao o tshwerwe. Molatofadiwa one a isiwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi ke ba lelapa la gagwe.
“One a na le dikgobalo, mme o ile a amogelwa kwa bookelong jwa selegae. Molatofadiwa o lebagane le kgetsi ya polao, mme thipa e e dirisitsweng go bolaya moswi ene ya fitlhelwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo.”
Go fitlha ga jaana, bosekisi bo tlhalositse fa bo setse bo emetse dipholo tsa diteko tsa thipa e go begwang fa Molale a e dirisitse go bolaya Medichane, mme dipatlisiso mo kgetsing di a tswelela.
Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa mo kgetsing ya polao, Phemelo Maine (40) ga mmogo le Okemetse Phatlhanyane
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
19 Tlhakole 2025- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 24 Tlhakole 2025. Se ke go neela bosekisi tshono ya go botsolotsa balatofadiwa, Balatofadiwa, Phemelo Maine (40) ga mmogo le Okemetse Phatlhanyane (27), di potso.
Phatlhanyane o solofetswe go dira kopo ya beile, fa Maine ene a phuagantse kopo ya gagwe. Maine le Phatlhanyane, ba latofadiwa ka go bolaya Boingotlo Makaota (16). Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2. Go ya ka moagisani, one a utlwa segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya ga Maine.
Go begwa fa moagisani o, gape a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona Maine ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa ga Makaota.
“Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se phuthetswe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe. Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong.”
Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la ga Maine, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng. Mokgwabone are, Maine o tshwerwe ka Lamatlhatso morago ga go ineele kwa sepodising.
“Monna o, o ile a isiwa kwa sepodisi ke morwa rragwe, mme one a tshwarwa. Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa Phatlhanyane o bonweng a tsamaya le Maine fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme le ene o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le malala-a-laotswe.
Kgabagare, Maine o ile a ipona molato mabapi le ditatofatso tsotlhe kgatlhanong le ene, mme o solofetswe go ka nguna-nguna seo le mmueledi wa puso. Phatlhanyane ene o setse a inkeme fela ka gore a neelwe beile, mme kopo ya gagwe e ka rediwa fa kgetsi e boela kgotlhatshekelo.
Picture: Drugs seized by police during arrests/Supplied
By BAKANGMOKOTO
18 February 2025- Two alleged drug dealers aged 33 and 46, were arrested separately by the relentless members of the Springbok Public Order Police B-Platoon for being in possession of drugs. The suspects were arrest during vehicle and foot patrols in hotspot areas in Springbok and Nababeep.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said one suspect was arrested at the hiking spot on the N7 road for being in possession of drugs and the other one was arrested in Bergsig, following routine stop and search actions.
“During crime prevention actions in Bergsig on 16 and 17 February 2025, the police arrested a man, who was allegedly found to be in possession of mandrax tablets.
“Another suspect was nabbed at a hiking spot on N7 road allegedly with Tik worth approximately R10 000 in his possession. Both the suspects are expected to appear in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of dealing in drugs,” he said.
Kock further said these actions will continue unabated and communities can share valuable information and assist the police by utilizing the MySaps app or contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 to report crime.
The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass
By REGINALD KANYANE
18 February 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass is set host a special Municipalities and MEC (MUNIMEC) meeting on 19 February 2025, in Springbok (Namakwa District) to discuss critical issues affecting local government.
Vass said the MUNIMEC is a strategic meeting of the MEC with Executive Mayors/Mayors and Municipal Managers, of all 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape.
He further said the special MUNIMEC will receive and discuss presentations on the ward configuration processes in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Vass added that this includes the progress made by municipalities to adopt the standard draft by-laws for the registration of businesses.
“We will also receive a presentation on the security clearance (vetting) of Municipal Managers and Directors reporting directly to the Municipal Managers, amongst critical items on the agenda of the special meeting.
“We are looking forward to this special MUNIMEC, as we have identified a few matters that must be dealt with on an urgent basis to ensure that municipalities are aware of a few changes to the legislation or regulations,” he said.
Vass said they also need to familiarise themselves with legislative measures as there are upcoming Local Government elections. He said municipalities need to work closely with the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) in the unfolding process of the ward configuration.
“All 31 municipalities in the Northern Cape are expected to take part in the MUNIMEC. Some key sector departments, and local government eco-system partners, are also invited to attend the MUNIMEC that will take place at Springbok Guest Farm (Springbok, Namakwa District) on 19 February 2025,” said Vass.
18 February 2025- The North West Gambling Board said it has launched an investigation into the disappearance of tender documents related to the appointment of a service provider from its Head Office in Mahikeng. The board said the incident has prompted a criminal investigation and the precautionary suspension of two employees.
The North West Gambling Board acting Corporate Relations Manager, Lerato Mokgoje said missing documents contained tender bids from various service providers to provide services to the Board. Mokgoje said these bids were stored in four boxes within a walk-in safe of which two of the boxes were removed.
“The Board believes that individuals accessed the safe and removed the documents without management approval or knowledge. Upon discovering that the documents were missing during the annual audit conducted by Auditor General (AG), the Board swiftly reported the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and filed a criminal case of theft at the Mahikeng Police Station in July 2024.
“It is suspected that the documents were removed from the premises during the last quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year. In a proactive measure to assist the investigation, all employees and management voluntarily participated in polygraph tests,” she said.
Mokgoje further said the accounting authority of the Board, Boitumelo Qalinge, emphasizes that misconduct of such nature cannot be tolerated from those employed to serve the citizens of the North West and the country at large. She added that, the North West Gambling Board has zero tolerance towards corruption, gross misconduct and criminal acts.
“The Board commended the South African Police Services (SAPS) for their rapid and efficient response to the matter. As a direct result of the combined efforts of management, employees and the police, two employees have been placed on precautionary suspension pending further investigation.
“Criminal charges are expected to be filed against individuals identified as primary suspects in the case. The investigation is ongoing, and the North West Gambling Board is committed to fully cooperating with the SAPS to bring those responsible to justice,” said Mokgoje.
She said the Board assures the public that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure the integrity of its procurement processes and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Mokgoje said the incident underscores the importance of robust security measures and internal controls within public institutions to safeguard sensitive information and maintain public trust.
“The Board reiterates its commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and serving the people of the North West with integrity and transparency,” she said.
Picture: The school principal, Nonofatso Jerminah Tlhabanelo nabbed for corruption/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 February 2025- The principal of Makgethe Middle School in Matsheng village, near Taung, Nonofatso Jerminah Tlhabanelo (57), briefly appeared before the Taung Magistrate’s Court, facing six counts of corruption. Tlhabanelo was arrested by the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on Monday, for alleged corruption.
It is alleged that during the period between January 2022 and November 2024, the suspect was an acting school principal when she offered the complainant a contractual post of Head of Department (HoD) at the same school.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports allegedly indicate that the complainant contract was duly renewed in 2022 and 2023.
Mathebula said, however, in 2024, it was not renewed as another candidate was considered for the same post.
“The suspect reportedly informed the complainant that she would recommend to the department that he be given the acting principal post. Furthermore, the suspect allegedly informed the complainant that she would expect a payment of R4500 in monthly instalments for her acting allowance, which she would have forfeited.
“The complainant was subsequently hired as an acting school principal and allegedly started paying the suspect in February 2024, an amount ranging from R4500 to R5200,” he said.
Mathebula further said investigation revealed that the suspect was paid R30 500 in total. He added that, following an investigation, the suspect was apprehended and charged with corruption.
“She was granted a R3000 bail and her matter was postponed to 8 April 2025, for further investigation,” said Mathebula.
Picture: The school principal nabbed for corruption/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
18 February 2025- The school principal (57) from Matsheng village, near Taung, was arrested by the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on Monday, for alleged corruption. It is alleged that during the period between January 2022 and November 2024, the suspect was an acting school principal when she offered the complainant a contractual post of Head of Department (HoD) at the same school.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports allegedly indicate that the complainant contract was duly renewed in 2022 and 2023. Mathebula said, however, in 2024, it was not renewed as another candidate was considered for the same post.
“The suspect reportedly informed the complainant that she would recommend to the department that he be given the acting principal post. Furthermore, the suspect allegedly informed the complainant that she would expect a payment of R4500 in monthly instalments for her acting allowance, which she would have forfeited.
“The complainant was subsequently hired as an acting school principal and allegedly started paying the suspect in February 2024, an amount ranging from R4500 to R5200,” he said.
Mathebula further said investigation revealed that the suspect was paid R30 500 in total. He added that, following an investigation, the suspect was apprehended and charged with corruption.
“She will appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 18 February 2025,” said Mathebula.
The Guardian 