4 February 2025- More than 780 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela across the North West. The suspects were arrested for various offences such as murder, attempted murder, driving under the influence of alcohol, dealing in drugs, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said this includes illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, as well as burglary at business and residential premises. Mokgwabone said of these arrests, 468 were effected during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.
“Still in arrests, Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit members apprehended a wanted suspect, Tshepo Lebotso (36) during crime intelligence-led operation on Tuesday morning, 28 January 2025.
“Lebotso was arrested in Lonely Park village after a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 2022. He was wanted in connection with a rape committed in August 2018. In Vryburg on Thursday morning, 30 January 2025, a multi-disciplinary operation conducted at the taxi rank led to the confiscation of 18 small packets of dagga with estimated street value of R900,” he said.0
Mokgwabone further said 11 suspected undocumented foreign nationals were detained following the operation. He added that this brought a number of suspected undocumented persons taken in for processing by Immigration Officials in the province, to 55.
“As part of the operations, 449 premises, 1380 persons and 955 vehicles were searched. Moreover, the operation led to confiscation of alcohol, 37 rounds of ammunition, tobacco products, and 10 cellular phones,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, committed that police working together with other law enforcement agencies and role players remain steadfast in ensuring that Operation Shanela puts criminals behind bars. Asaneng also lauded all law enforcement officers and other role players for their dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the communities.
Picture: The Upington SAPS Detectives Branch- Economic Crimes, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Faro/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
4 February 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) said cybercrime is a fast-growing area of crime. The police said more and more criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet to commit a diverse range of criminal activities that know no borders, either physical or virtual.
The Upington SAPS Detectives Branch- Economic Crimes, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Faro, who deals with fraud cases on a daily basis, urged the public to be alert and call on parents to monitor the online presence of children to avoid incidents.
“These crimes can be divided into three broad areas such as attacks against computer hardware and software. For example, botnets, malware and network intrusion. Financial crimes and corruption such as online fraud, penetration of online financial services and phishing.
“Abuse in the form of grooming or ‘sexploitation’, especially crimes against children. Kindly apply prevention tips by using strong passwords – use different user ID/password combinations for different accounts and avoid writing them down,” he said.
Faro further said the users should make the passwords more complicated by combining letters, numbers, special characters (a minimum of 10 characters in total) and change them regularly. He added that they should also secure their computer by activating their firewall.
“Firewalls are the first line of cyber defence. They block connections to unknown or bogus sites and will keep out a number of types of viruses and hackers. Use antivirus/malware software and prevent viruses from infecting your computer by installing and regularly updating antivirus software.
“Prevent spyware from infiltrating your computer by installing and updating anti-spyware software. Be social media savvy – Make sure your social networking profiles, for example, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MSN, among other social networks, are set to private,” said Faro.
He said individuals should check their security settings. Faro said they should be careful of what information they post online.
“Once it is on the internet, it is there forever. Secure your mobile devices and be aware that your mobile device is vulnerable to viruses and hackers. Download applications from trusted sources.
“Install the latest operating system updates and keep your applications and operating system, for example Windows, Mac, and Linux, up to date with the latest system updates. Turn on automatic updates to prevent potential attacks on older software, he said.
3 February 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has called for in depth investigations into the cause of a fire that broke out at the North West Transport Investment (NTI). The fire which was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning at a sleeping ground in Moretele village, destroyed nine buses at a go.
Morweng said NTI management, have opened a case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and further investigations will determine the circumstances around the cause of the fire as well as the extent of the damage. He also expressed dismay at the unfortunate turn of events at the entity.
“We have recently turned a new leaf with our intervention at the entity by addressing the leadership instability experienced for some time now. We have also ensured that employees received their salaries as promised. Therefore, we believe that we have made great effort to assist the entity in realising its full potential.
“This however is a set back and overall unfortunate incident. At this point it is unclear whether this was an accident or an act of sabotage, and therefore we make a call to the authorities to deal with the matter decisively,” said Morweng.
He further said the NTI Acting Group CEO, Dr Dikobe and management at the entity has plans in place to limit the impact of services rendered to commuters in and around the Moretele. Morweng said at the meantime, the department as a shareholder in the company, will continue to play a supportive role in order to ensure that service delivery is not compromised and that commuters are not left stranded.
Picture: The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola
By REGINALD KANYANE
3 February 2025- The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has urged the United States of America (USA), President Donald Trump’s advisors to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s constitutionally guided and democratic policies as they investigate the Expropriation Act. This comes after the reports that Trump has moved to halt future funding to South Africa as his administration investigates allegations of “land confiscation” – following Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s assent of the Expropriation Act.
US funding to South Africa is related to PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Aid and constitutes some 17% of the country’s HIV/AIDS programme.
On Monday, Lamola told SAnews, expropriation laws are not unique to South Africa.
“We trust Trump’s advisors will make use of the investigative period to attain a thorough understanding of South Africa’s policies within the framework of a constitutional democracy. This approach will promote a well-informed viewpoint that values and recognises our nation’s dedication to democratic ideals and governance.
“It may become clear that our Expropriation Act is not exceptional, as many countries have similar legislation, commonly referred to as eminent domain in the United States and governed by various acts in the United Kingdom,” he said.
On Monday, Ramaphosa said in a statement that the South African government is “looking forward to engaging” with their US counterparts on the matter.
“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters,” he said.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa emphasised that the Act is “not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the Constitution”. He added that the Expropriation Act states that property may not be expropriated arbitrarily or for a purpose other than a public purpose or in the public interest.
“The Expropriation Act, which underwent a five-year public consultation process, was deliberated in Parliament, and is in line with the South African Constitution. The Act repeals the Expropriation Act of 1975 and allows for the State to expropriate land in the public interest – subject to just and equitable compensation,” said Ramaphosa.
Picture: The Boipelo Informal Settlement in Reivilo/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
3 February 2025- The aggrieved residents of Boipelo Informal Settlement in Reivilo said they continue to live in squalor without basic needs such as electricity, roads, accessible clean and drinkable, including sanitation. The residents blame the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) for failing to provide real solutions to rescue them.
One of the community leaders, Piet van Neck said, to rub salts into their wounds, the municipality is relocating them. Van Neck said they have occupied the land for some years, but they are continuing to be harassed by the government.
“The municipality has failed us dismally and could not provide us with real solutions to our basic needs. No solution to improve our well-being. We are faced with constant challenges regarding service delivery.
“The municipality has given us pipe dreams a few years ago, instead of delivering on their promises, they opt to remove us. They alleged that we have occupied private land and they want to relocate us,” he said.
According to van Neck, slow service delivery infuriates them.
Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “Yes, the municipality is very much aware of the dire situation in Boipelo Informal Settlement, hence we have established a formally proclaimed township to relocate them. The informal site is privately owned and within a flood line.
“The municipality had a couple of community meetings before relocating them to go through the relocation plan and hear their queries and concerns. The Water and Sanitation Unit is aware of the water challenges at the area and a short-term measure has been put in place.”
Oliphant further said the Town Planning Unit under Department of Spatial Planning and Human Settlement has established a formally proclaimed township at Boipelo, where Department of Infrastructure Development and Engineering Services are busy with blading of access roads to ensure accessible roads. He added that, last year, the Water and Sanitation Unit provided the area with a 1000L Jojo Tank and installed 4x stand water pipes.
“The residents have access to water within less than 200m radius. Yes, the residents occupied the land properly and some of them are already on the site. The Human Settlement unit provided a beneficiary list of occupants who will be relocating to the new settlement.
“The unit is finalising the relocation process of other residents on the site. There is a challenge of having residents who are already on the site, but they do not qualify according to the list of the beneficiaries,” said Oliphant.
He said the residents that do not qualify and those encroached on the privately-owned property, will be moved into the identified alternative land in Boipelo Township, which is municipality owned. Oliphant added that a layout plan has already been drafted.
“Due to the dolomitic nature of Reivilo, studies need to be conducted on the site to determine the suitability of land for human settlement,” he said.
Picture: A car hijacker pointing passenger to open the door/Generic
By REGINALD KANYANE
3 February 2025- Two suspects who are part of an alleged motor vehicle theft syndicate, have been arrested by the police. This comes after a multi-disciplinary Task Team comprises of the Provincial Investigation Unit, Rustenburg Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, (VCIU) Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP), unearthed an alleged syndicate that has been operating mainly in Tlhabane and the surrounding areas.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said a syndicate, among others, allegedly stole a police officer’s private car in Tlhabane on 15 December 2024. Mokgwabone said further probing into the matter revealed that the group operates in the provinces of North West and Mpumalanga, and sells stolen cars to clients in Mozambique and South Africa for prices ranging from R20 000 to R35 000.
“The team also discovered that the syndicate consists of a former employee of a tracking company, a signal jammer operator, remote controlled gates specialist and a police officer. The investigations and efforts to arrest more suspects and recover stolen vehicles are underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, thanked the team members for the enthusiasm they displayed to ascertain that those who unlawfully dispossess the citizens of their property are dealt with effectively.
Picture: SANDF soldiers in a fight against M23 rebels in DRC/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
3 February 2025- In the last two weeks, 14 soldiers of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after coming under attack. They were allegedly killed in violation of a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda facilitated by President João Lourenço of Angola.
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said SANDF soldiers are in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Ramaphosa said the UN Security Council has roundly condemned the attack, reiterating that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.
“As a nation, we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers. They are South African and African heroes. They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless men, women and children who are the victims of one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
“Since 1996, the conflict in the DRC, and the hunger and disease it has caused, has claimed millions of lives. According to the UN, more than 7 million Congolese have been internally displaced,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said the various state and non-state actors involved in the conflict have been implicated in grave human rights abuses, including large-scale attacks on civilians, abductions and extrajudicial killings, torture, the recruitment of child soldiers, forced labour, human trafficking and mass rape.
He added that South Africa has been a troop contributing country to MONUSCO since 1999 and they have lent their support to the SADC mission deployed to the region in 2023.
“This is anchored in our commitment towards silencing the guns across Africa. Supporting peacebuilding and the resolution of conflict in Africa has been a cornerstone of our country’s foreign policy since the advent of democracy, as we have sought to draw on our experience of political dialogue and national reconciliation.
“Since 1994, our country has contributed to UN peace operations in Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, Nepal and to the UN-AU Mission in Darfur. South Africa has been part of fostering peace in Lesotho, Burundi and South Sudan,” said Ramaphosa.
He said in 2022, they hosted negotiations that brokered a ceasefire between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Ramaphosa said last year marked the end of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) of which SANDF troops formed part.
“The mission was deployed for three years to combat extremist groups in the Cabo Delgado province. The government of Mozambique has praised SAMIM for its efforts to restore stability to the region and for contributing to a vastly improved security situation.
“In the wake of the tragic killing of our soldiers, some have questioned South Africa’s presence in the eastern DRC. Some have said that we have no business being there. But, violence and conflict in Africa is the business of all Africans,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the humanitarian, economic and social effects of these conflicts are felt across borders and regions. He said instability in any part of the continent affects the prospects for growth and development across the continent.
“For a lasting peace to be secured in the eastern DRC, there must be an immediate end to hostilities and a ceasefire that must be respected by all.
“South Africa’s participation in the DRC is subject to the SAMIDRC mission, which has operational timeframes and an end date. The mission will wind down in accordance with the implementation of various confidence-building measures and when the ceasefire we have called for takes root,” said Ramaphosa.
He said as this happens, securing the safety of their troops remains paramount. Ramaphosa said the situation in the areas where their troops are stationed remains highly volatile.
“We are making every effort to ensure that our soldiers are well-equipped and sufficiently supported during the mission. A ceasefire is a necessary precondition for peace talks that must include all parties to the conflict whether they are state or non-state actors, Congolese or non-Congolese.
“Diplomacy is the most sustainable pathway to achieving a lasting peace for the DRC and its people. We call on all parties to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honouring the Luanda Process,” he said.
Ramaphosa said strong political will and leadership will be required from all parties to the conflict, as well as respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC. He said they endorse the call by the UN Security Council for the reversal of the territorial expansion by the M23 rebel group and for the exit of external forces from the DRC.
“Achieving a lasting peace and security for the eastern DRC and the region requires the collective will of the community of nations. As a country, we have a duty of support towards the nations of Africa whose solidarity and material support helped secure our liberation.
“South Africa will not let up in its support to the people of the DRC so that they may have the peace and security they rightfully deserve,” said Ramaphosa.
Setshwantsho: Mmelaelwa wa borokutlhi kwa moepong wa Stilfontein, Neo James Tsoaeli
Ka KEDIONE MOLAETSI
3 Tlhakole 2025- Sepodisi sa Afrika Borwa mo Bokone Bophirima, se kaile fa se se kitla se tswelela go tshwaela mo magatweng a gore mmelaelwa mogolo mo kgetsing ya go epa go se mo molaong kwa moepong wa Stilfontein, Neo James Tsoaeli, yo gape a itsegeng ka leina la Tiger o tlhokofetse kana nnya.
Tsoaeli yo go begwang fa ele moagi wa kwa nageng ya Lesotho, o ile a ngwega ka motsi wa fa baepi ba ba seng mo molaong fa ba ne ba ntshiwa kwa tlase lefatshe kwa Stilfontein. Go ya ka dipego, Tsoaeli o thusitswe go ngwega. Seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga Warrant Officer Jack Motlhabya (37), Warrant Officer Menzi Shabalala (38), Sergeant Ntutuko Dladla (40), ga mmogo le Sergeant Samkelo Mbotho (38).
Bone jo, bo lebagane le ditatofatso tsa go tsietsa molao.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi bosetshaba, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe wa tlhalosa: “Ka nako e re neng re amogela dipego tsa gore Tsoaeli o ngwegile, mokomishinara wa sepodisi wa bosetshaba, General Fannie Masemola, o ile a laela mokomishinara wa nama o sa tshwere mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, go ka tlhoma setlhopa sa babatlisise se se kwenneng go ka batlisisa morero o.
“Jaanong, go fitlha ga jaana, go setse go tshwerwe mapodisi a le mane. Ga nkitla re opela pele moropa o lela, gonne seo se tla re tlogela ka fa mosing. Dipatlisiso di tla re bolelela gore go diragetseng, mme maitlhomo a rona ke go batlisisa gore Tsoaeli o kae.”
Mathe are ba solofela go ka fitlhelela bonnete jwa kgang morago ga go tshwara mapodisi a le mane. Are go fitlha ga jaana, Masemola o itumeletse ka mokgwa o dipatlisiso di tsamayang ka teng.
“O tla gopola gore morero o, o kwa kgotlhatshekelo, jaanong ga nkitla re tshwaela go ya kwa pele,” Mathew a tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, modula-setilo wa komiti e e etseng tlhoko lefapha la Tshireletsego ya Baagi le Dipalangwa kwa Kgotlha-theo molao wa mono Bokone Bophirima, Freddy Sonakile are, ba amogela go tshwarwa ga mapodisi ao. Sonakile are le fa go tshwarwa ga mapodisi ao ele sengwe se se tla ba isang kwa nneteng ya gore Tsoaeli o ngwegile jang, go sentse go le go ntsi go go tla dirwang.
“Re batla molao o dire, mme re ikuela go lephata la bosekisi (National Prosecuting Authority) go ka netefatsa fa mapodisi ao a lebagana le melato e mengwe gape. Jaaka komiti, ga re kitla re letlelela boitaolo jo bo diragalang,” Sonakile wa tlhalosa.
3 Tlhakole 2025- Mosadi wa dingwaga di le 45, wa kwa motseng wa Mocweding, gaufi le Taung, o tlhokofetse morago ga go iphanya ka nnotagi. Go begwa fa mosadi yo, a ne a ile kwa lefelong la maitiso le le gaufi, mme a itisa le ditsala tsa gagwe ka Lamatlhatso.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, mosadi o, one a leka go ya gae, fela one a wela mo tseleng. Van Rooyen are, ba thuso ya potlako ba ile ba bidiwa, mme ba tlhalosa fa maloba ene ele maabane.
“Ke nnete, kgetsi ya morago ga loso e butswe. Dipego tsa morago ga loso di tla tlhalosa gore mosadi o, a ka tswa bolailwe ke eng. Go fitlha ga jaana sepodisi ga se belaele fa mosadi o, a ka tswa ka bolailwe,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
Picture: A firearm confiscated by the police/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
3 February 2025- A suspect (33), was arrested by the Brits Trio Task Team and Bojanala Crime Intelligence police for attempted murder and pointing of a firearm on 31 January 2025. This comes after the team was assembled and tasked the District Commissioner of Bojanala Sub-District 1, on 29 January 2025, to trace and arrest the suspect.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the crimes were allegedly committed late last month in Damonsville, outside Brits. Mokgwabone said consequent to gathering information and keeping observation, the suspect was arrested during a tactical operation.
“During the arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a licensed firearm, a magazine and 16 rounds of ammunition that were seized for investigation purposes. The suspect is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 3 February 2025, for attempted murder and pointing of firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major Genera Asaneng, expressed his gratitude to the police for their commitment towards the fight against crime through frequent arrests and detention of alleged perpetrators.taungdailynews@gmail.com
The Guardian 