Uncle sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for raping his nephew

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 November 2025- A man (30) was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Christiana Regional Court for rape. This comes after the accused, Boikanyo Seemohela raped his nephew (9) in 2021.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the investigations revealed that Seemohela is the uncle of the victim. Gunya said the accused, the victim’s mother, and the victim, were staying together in a three-bedroom house in Christiana.

“The mother slept in the bedroom alone, and the victim slept with his uncle on a mattress in the sitting room. Evidence presented in court revealed that between August and September 2021, Seemohela would wait for the mother of the victim to go to sleep, whilst on the mattress, he undressed the victim and sexually assaulted him.

“After the incident, the victim was afraid to inform his mother. The mother became aware of the assault after 8 months, while the victim was bathing, he bent, and the mother noticed something strange on him and confronted him. After being confronted, he told his mother about the assault by his uncle,” he said.

Gunya further said the case was opened and the uncle was arrested. He added that Seemohela was later released on bail, but it was cancelled after he absconded during the trial.

“He was remanded in custody until the finalisation of the trial. During the trial, he pleaded not guilty and denied his involvement in the assault. In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Gcinumuzi Radebe, argued that the offence is serious and prevalent of rape in his arguments. He articulated that Seemohela’s actions constituted a violation of the victim’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and lasting trauma.

“In handing down the judgment, the court found that the rape degraded the dignity of the victim and the courts have a duty to protect the victims.  Finding substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, the court imposed 18 years imprisonment, and his name was to be included in the sex offender registry,” said Gunya.

Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, praised Radebe, the investigating officer, and the South African Police Service for their diligent collaboration. Makhari said the NPA remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and holding perpetrators accountable.

“This conviction sends a clear message that the NPA will relentlessly pursue GBV perpetrators, ensuring justice restores safety and dignity for victims. The NPA’s partnership with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) provided critical psychosocial support to the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach,” she said.

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North West Provincial Treasury welcomes new cohort of interns

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Picture: Head of Department of North West Provincial Treasury, Ndlela Kunene

By AGISANANG SCUFF  

12 November 2025- The North West Provincial Treasury said it welcomes its new intake of interns as they commence their journey in the workplace environment. The department said this initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, skills development and strengthening the professional capacity of the public sector.

The Head of Department, Ndlela Kunene said through the internship programme, young graduates will gain valuable exposure across critical areas of the Treasury’s mandate ranging from financial governance, supply chain management, infrastructure management, macro-economic analysis, communication, research and administration. Kunene said this practical workplace experience will enable interns to contribute meaningfully to improved financial management and efficient service delivery within the province.

“An internship serves as the foundation for future employment. So, interns must take full advantage of this opportunity by building strong professional networks and working collaboratively with supervisors and mentors. This programme is not only preparation for roles within Provincial Treasury, but for the broader world of work.

“Education and ethical behaviour is important and we urge you to pursue further qualifications to enhance your competitiveness. We have a collective responsibility to address the socio-economic challenges our country continues to face. We need fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from young people who are ready to be part of the solution,” he said.

Kunene further said honesty, transparency and professionalism must guide everything they do.

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‘Kagisano Molopo Regional Bulk Water Scheme tender awarded fair and square’

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By REGINALD KANYANE

12 November 2025- The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has refuted allegations that the COIDA certificate of HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD that was awarded Bid No. RDM2024-008A for Kagisano Molopo Regional Bulk Water Scheme: Cluster 6 – Morokweng Contract A worth approximately R111 million was expired. The Municipal Manager of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Itumeleng Jonas said the COIDA Certificate of HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD was valid at the time of appointment as verified on the system.

He further said, so it is not factually correct that HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD’s COIDA certificate was expired at the time the tender was submitted. Jonas added that it is true that he requested HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD to submit a valid COIDA certificate within seven days after the awarding of the tender and there is nothing unprocedural about that because it is legislated.

“It is a common cause that HT Pelatona’s COIDA certificate was valid at the time the tender was submitted. No company was disqualified for having an expired COIDA. Also, it is not true that during the briefing for the said tender, it was mentioned that no company will get more than one allocation in this cluster of projects.

“There is no such clause or line item in relation to the appointment on more than one project in the tender documents that were approved and subsequently advertised,” he said.

Jonas also refuted allegations that there were arithmetic errors calculated and companies were never notified of those errors they committed before awarding them of the tender of going to the next stage of evaluation. He said Clause 3.9 on the last line item is very clear.

“It says notify a tenderer upon written request received after the closing date of tenders of all arithmetical errors made by that particular tenderer. In this instance, there was no written request received by the municipality to necessitate the notification of arithmetical errors. No irregularity was thus committed as insinuated.

“The allegations that the acting Senior Manager refused to sign minutes of any bid committee meeting citing his unhappiness of awarding any contract to a company with expired COIDA is a foreign procedure to the tender process as minutes are only signed by the Chairperson. The Senior Manager concerned gave his dissenting views, which could not have precluded the signing of the minutes by the Chairperson,” said Jonas.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Thapelo Phokoje said a whistle blower alleged that HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD, submitted an expired COIDA certificate on 31 May 2025, and Jonas issued a condition on the appointment letter to HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD to submit a valid COIDA within 7 days of having received the appointment letter.

Phokoje said their role as councillors, while distinct from the executive functions, are integral to the democratic governance of the municipality. He said their responsibilities included representing community interests, ensuring that the diverse needs and concerns of our wards and communities are heard and addressed in council decisions and the integrated Development plan (IDP).

“This includes oversight and accountability. Our roles are to exercise robust oversight over the executive, the administration and municipal entities to ensure transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public resources. We are actively participating in the creation and review of by-laws and policies that facilitate sustainable service delivery and local development.

“The current challenges facing the municipality require a united, responsive and accountable approach. We must work together and rise above political divisions and focus on our core constitutional obligation, which is to ensure sustainable, effective and efficient municipal services and promote social and economic development for all residents.

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A call to address full pit latrines and stalled bulk water supply scheme challenges in Setlagole

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Picture: The Deputy Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo

By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 November 2025- The Deputy Minister of Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo together with the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe and the MMC of Infrastructure Development at Ratlou Local Municipality, Thabo Motlapele, met and deliberated on the solutions on sanitation challenges at the RDP Section of Setlagole village, near Atamelang in North West, as well as the incomplete bulk water supply scheme that has been stalled for the last ten years.

Seitlholo said South Africa observes Sanitation Month, introduced by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) from 15 October (Global Hand Washing Day) to 19 November (World Toilet Day) to break the taboo of talking about sanitation and to also raise awareness of the consequences of lack of sanitation, which includes the increase of makeshift toilets at households that do not have access to dignified sanitation and an increase to open defecation.

He further said World Toilet Day seeks to raise awareness of the 3.4 billion people living without access to safe toilets globally and to accelerate action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which is focused on water and sanitation for all, by 2030. Seitlholo added that the DWS is committed to ensure access to proper sanitation and to bring awareness on the need for appropriate, dignified, and safe sanitation.

“This is in line with the Department’s approved Water and Sanitation Norms and Standards, which stipulates that a municipality designated as a Water Services Authority (WSA) should provide basic sanitation services to all consumers or potential consumers in its jurisdictional area inclusive of people residing on private owned land as guided by the Water and Sanitation policy on privately owned land of 2023.

“The standard of basic sanitation services includes a provision of a toilet with a functional hand washing facility in the yard, which is safe and reliable, environmentally sound and easy to clean, provide privacy and protection against weather, well-ventilated and keep smells to minimum as well providing for an effective and acceptable sanitation technology,” he said.

Seitlholo said the standards also require the municipality to ensure proper waste water treatment and faecal sludge management including a safe faecal sludge emptying, transportation, treatment and the disposal or beneficial use method. He said, however, this is a different case at some of the households in Setlagole RDP Section, that are faced with the challenge of full pit latrines that have not been serviced or emptied by the municipality since the construction of the houses in 2015.

“This status quo poses a serious health risk for the community and needs an urgent intervention by all three spheres of government. We have therefore called for an audit of functional and non-functional toilets in Setlagole village to ensure that the department, jointly with Ratlou Local Municipality and Ngaka Modiri District Municipality, brings the solution to address the problem of pit latrines that are at full capacity.

“This situation not only poses a great environmental and health risk for the community, but it also causes a risk to young children and livestock that can fall into these pits that are left opened and just covered with a zinc sheet. Some of the households have resorted to build their own alternative pit toilets in their yards because the ones provided by the government are at full capacity and cannot be utilised anymore,” said Seitlholo.

He said this is quite a challenge and they are calling for both the municipalities with support from the Department of Water and Sanitation, to implement the faecal sludge management system that will ensure that the sanitation services provided to these members of the community comply with the norms and standards of provision of basic sanitation services, as dictated by the Water and Sanitation Act 108 of 1997.

Molefe has acknowledged the challenge of full pit latrines in RDP Section in Setlagole village, which was mainly caused by a lack of maintenance of the toilets by the local municipality after they were handed over ten years ago.

“Our expectation was that the local municipality will maintain the toilets when they are full, but this has not been happening. There was indeed a vacuum to service the toilets once they were full, but with the intervention of the Department of Water and Sanitation, I have issued a directive to have experts that will provide support to Ratlou Local municipality to provide services to address this challenge,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the North West, approximately 72.7% of households had access to basic sanitation with 49% of households using a waterborne sanitation system connected to waste water treatment works. There is however 51% of households that still use on-site sanitation, a system where waste is managed on the property where it’s generated, such as with pit latrines or septic tanks.

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Select Committee welcomes report on forensic investigation on PSA oxygen plant tender

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

12 November 2025 – The Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and the Minister in the Presidency said it welcomes the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s report on the forensic investigation conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant tender administered by the Independent Development Trust (IDT).

In his opening remarks, the committee Chairperson, Rikus Badenhorst said their interest in this matter is rooted in accountability, transparency and integrity of public procurement. Badenhorst said the PSA Oxygen Project, which is valued at over R800 million, was intended to deliver life-saving services, ensuring that hospitals across the country have reliable oxygen supply, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.

“Allegations that surfaced of irregular appointments, inflated costs and non-compliance of the South Africa Health Professional Regulatory Authority’s (SAHPRA) requirements raise serious questions about governance within the IDT and the stewardship of the public funds.

“The committee said it notes the report that disciplinary and criminal processes have been initiated and that the CEO has been suspended and that the matter has been referred to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks),” he said.

Badenhorst further said the committee appreciates the comprehensive work undertaken to uncover the facts surrounding the alleged maladministration, fraud and corruption in the management of this project, originally intended to deliver vital oxygen infrastructure to 60 hospitals across South Africa. He added that the findings highlight serious governance lapses, irregular procurement practices and failures in compliance oversight.

“I wish to commend the department and the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpheson, for acting decisively in commissioning an independent investigation once concerns emerged. The committee supports the Minister’s view that the integrity of the investigative and disciplinary processes must be protected to ensure that accountability is both fair and effective.

“It is essential that neither political pressure nor public speculation be allowed to compromise the credibility of the process now under way. The committee notes with appreciation that disciplinary proceedings have commenced, criminal referrals have been made to the Hawks, and corrective steps have been taken to strengthen supply chain management within the IDT. These are critical actions to restore public confidence in the State’s infrastructure-delivery institutions,” said Badenhorst.

He said the committee looks forward to receiving the full presentation and post-investigation implementation plan at the appropriate time, once all due processes have been completed. Badenhorst said their oversight role will remain focused on ensuring that every recommendation of the PwC report translates into meaningful reform, improved governance, and value for money in the use of public funds.

“Accountability, transparency, and professional competence are non-negotiable foundations of public service. The committee will continue to uphold these principles in its engagement with the department and all its entities,” he said.

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42 000 jobs created in North West in quest to alleviates unemployment  

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By REGINALD KANYANE

12 November 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said he has noted and welcomed the recent figures of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, where unemployment in the province dropped by 2%. Mokgosi said the third quarter report on the unemployment rate in the North West by Statistics South Africa indicates that the province managed to create 42 000 jobs between July and September 2025.

He further said early this year, the province adopted the Growth and Development Strategy to drive economic recovery plans centered on infrastructure development, service delivery, investments and job creation.  Mokgosi added that while the province is not out of the woods yet, the figures are encouraging.

“These figures are indicative of an administration hard at work to address the scourge of unemployment and poverty confronting the province. I have been crisscrossing the province speaking to various enterprises to see how best we can turn the tide on high unemployment figures in the province, and I believe that our efforts are yielding desired results.

“Efforts to create jobs in the province will be given impetus by the Provincial Mining Indaba and Investment Conference planned for early next year. We recently met with the Cabinet where we tabled our efforts to lure investments and drive our economic recovery initiatives and President Cyril Ramaphosa gave us thumbs up on these ambitious efforts while offering some counselling on how we can circumvent these challenges,” he said.

Mokgosi said the province has also made some significant strides in deterring job losses in ferrochrome mines. He said all these efforts and many others will find expression through a jobs summit that is aimed at devising strategies on preserving the available jobs while creating new ones in various industries as envisioned in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy.

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Amajimbos to face Japan in FIFA U17 men’s World Cup knockout stage 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

12 November 2025- South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jorda an has applauded Amajimbos for progressing to the round of 32 at the FIFA U17 Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar. The South Africans managed a win, a draw and a defeat in their three group stage matches, and the four points were enough to see them advance to the knockout stages.

Coach Vela Khumalo’s charges finished in second place behind log leaders Italy, who made it three wins out from the same number of games, including a 3-1 victory over Amajimbos.

SAFA president, Danny Jordaan said: “You can see this team can play football. Arsene Wenger said so in Morocco already after he watched them and he said this is a very good team. Even the FIFA observers at the game were very impressed and said this team can play.

“The quality of both teams – Italy and South Africa – was very high. Of course South Africa made a few mistakes and it’s suicidal if you make mistakes at this level, but I’m sure that they’ve learned through that process.”

Jordaan further said but if you look at the team, you look at the U17s of Italy you find some of those players are already playing in the upper levels and the top leagues in Italy, while in South Africa they are not giving these boys a chance at the higher levels.  He added that but he thinks that they’ve grown through this tournament and become a better team and better individuals in the team.

“This was Amajimbos’ second appearance in the FIFA U17 World Cup – the last time was in 2015 in Chile under Molefi Ntseki. This time the South Africans not only got out of the group but also won their opening match of the global tournament – a feat no South African national team has achieved.

“With the progression to the knockout phase of a FIFA World Cup, Khumalo’s youngsters emulated the 2009 Amajita squad led by Serame Letsoaka in Egypt, Desiree Ellis’ 2023 Banyana Banyana team in New Zealand and Australia, and, more recently, Raymond Mdaka’s Amajita team in Chile in last month,” said Jordaan.

He said Amajimbos’ success was planned alongside FIFA’s Wenger. Jordaan said they started in Soweto in the COSAFA tournament and when he saw them, they played very well and they lost in the final, but one could see that this is a team that once it jells, it will make an impact on the African continent.

“Subsequent to that they qualified for the AFCON in Morocco, reached the quarterfinals and qualified for the U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. I am very happy to see how this team has emerged and become an integrated structured unit.

“One of the persons whose brainchild this is Arsene Wenger. He had many meetings with us and they are now looking at starting at U15. In Miami, there was a workshop about this and I’m certain that by next year they will announce an U15 tournament on a global basis. The gap between European and African teams is that European teams play regular competition at junior level – and CAF did not,” he said.

Jordaan said but once Patrice Motsepe took over, he recognized that the first thing to do is to deal with school sport and he took his own money and invested in school sport and that was a kick start of the improvement of African teams in junior competitions and finally senior competition. He said Amajimbos will face Japan in the round of 32, where they have joined the likes of Portugal, Senegal, Croatia, Argentina, Belgium, Egypt, Venezuela, Switzerland, South Korea, Brazil, Zambia, the USA, Ireland, France, Canada and Austria, among others.

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Department and JB Marks Local Municipality sign agreement to speed-up housing delivery

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Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

11 November 2025- The North West Provincial Government through the Department of Human Settlements has granted the JB Marks Local Municipality accreditation to perform Level 1 subsidy functions. This means that the municipality will be responsible for managing and administering housing subsidies in the area. 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said the agreement will facilitate a collaborative framework in which the provincial government and the local municipality operate as partners towards a shared commitment to service delivery and excellence.

“Housing is not merely about brick and mortar; it is the cornerstone of dignity, security and opportunity. Through this implementation protocol, we are entrusting the JB Marks Local Municipality with greater autonomy and resources to address the housing needs of our residents.

“This decentralization of power is a bold move that underscores our belief in local governance and its proximity to the people, for they better understand the needs of a community than those who pass-by its streets every day,’’ he said.  

Mokgosi further said that the signing of the agreement will go a long way in addressing the housing backlog the Department of Human Settlements is currently faced with. He added that with this development, the municipality will be able to implement housing projects faster and the department will retain its role of oversight.

Sharing Mokgosi’s sentiments, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said that the municipality will be responsible for the management and administering of housing projects and programmes as per the level one accreditation functions, this includes budget planning, identification of housing projects and programmes, beneficiary management and housing subsidy registration among many other programmes. 

Molapisi said his department has already appointed a service provider as part of its post accreditation support plan to assist the municipality with the implementation protocol.

“The department will provide the municipality with all the necessary assistance for them to be able to carry out these tasks and ensure that communities receive efficient housing services,” he said.

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A murder case against Khumalo postponed

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

11 November 2025- A man (30) is expected to appear before the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 24 November 2025, for a bail application. The accused, Nkosinathi Ziyanda Khumalo appeared for the first time in court on 3 November 2025, on a charge of murder.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Khumalo was arrested by the Provincial and National Psychology Investigation Unit members on 30 October 2025, in Escourt, KwaZulu-Natal, consequent to a thorough investigation of muti-related murder allegedly committed in July 2025 in Maologane village in the policing precinct of Sun City. Mokgwabone said it was reported at the time of the incident that the accused allegedly killed Innocent Buthelezi, then cut his fingertips and private parts.

“After becoming aware of the matter, the team conducted a thorough investigation and positively linked the accused with the crime and arrested him. Upon arresting the accused, the police found him in possession of the deceased’s firearm and eight rounds of ammunition.

“As a result, the accused appeared before the Escourt Magistrate’s Court on 31 October 2025, for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was then brought to the province for appearance in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court,” he said.

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North West kicks-off 2025/26 grain planting season

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Picture: North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

11 November 2025- The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha is set to lead his department’s Provincial Grain Planting Launch, marking the start of the 2025/26 planting season in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality. Sambatha said for the 2025/26 summer grain season, the programme will support 50 farmers across 2700 hectares in all five local municipalities of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.

“The R23 million allocation will be used to provide inputs, technical guidance, and essential resources to promote sustainable grain production and enhance food security.

“Farmers attending the event will benefit from live demonstrations on key aspects of the planting season, including soil profiling to assess fertility and guide fertilizer application, proper soil preparation for optimal seedbed conditions, planter and boom sprayer calibration to ensure uniform seed placement and safe agrochemical use, and effective weed control techniques to enhance crop yields,” he said.

Sambatha further said the launch forms part of the government’s Crop Massification Initiative, which targets fallow land in communal areas and strengthens access to productive resources for vulnerable farmers. He added that they will engage with farmers and experts at the start of a productive planting season in the North West.

“The launch is scheduled to take place at Retladirela Agricultural Cooperative in Dwaalskraal, Sannieshof on Wednesday at 9am.

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