Picture: A man found burnt beyond recognition in a vehicle/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 June 2026 – The police in Orkney are investigating a case of murder and defeating the ends of justice following an incident wherein a body of a man (71) was found burnt beyond recognition. It is alleged that on 10 June 2026, at around 6am, the police were alerted by mine security about a burnt vehicle at a remote veld behind Shaft No 6 in Orkney.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered a body which was burnt beyond recognition at the back of a panel van. Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation on the vehicle led investigators to an address in Orkney, wherein they could not gain immediate access to the house as it was locked.
“Blood stains were observed on the driveway, leading to the neighbour’s house. Later it was determined that the alleged suspect and deceased are neighbours. Furthermore, the police managed to gain access into the neighbour’s house as it was not locked and a suspected murder weapon and some of the deceased belongings, including a cellular phone were found.
“A suspect (20) was traced to a local hospital, where he was arrested and placed under police guard,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned this heinous act of crime in the strongest possible terms. Naidoo applauded the police for their swift reaction and promised that the alleged perpetrator will face the full might of the law.
12 June 2026 – The Vryburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) made another breakthrough after three accused were successfully prosecuted and sentenced recently to a combined 38 years imprisonment by the Ganyesa Regional Court. In the first incident, Pako Mahokomabe (29), was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment following a rape case that was reported in Ganyesa on 9 March 2019.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said court heard evidence that at around 11:40pm, the victim (16), went from Tlapeng village to Ellias accompanied by a friend. Tselanyane said whilst at Ellias, she was forcefully taken by the accused to his residence and he raped her twice during the night.
“The following morning, the victim went back to her friend’s home and the matter was reported to the police. Ultimately the suspect was traced and arrested and eventually sentenced. The second incident was reported in Ganyesa on 5 July 2022, at around 8pm.
“The complainant (43) was walking from her uncle’s house at Phaposane village to her home and along the way, she was grabbed by Onkemetse Koos Thembisa (38). Thembisa threatened the victim and ordered her not to make a noise. When the victim screamed for help, he assaulted her,” he said.
Tselanyane further said Thembisa forcefully dragged the victim to an abandoned shop and raped her twice. He added that, after this whole ordeal, the accused then forced the victim to his residential place, where he raped her for the third time.
“In the early hours of the next day, the accused freed the victim, who went home and reported the matter to the police. The accused was traced, arrested and he was released on bail. In 2025, he was again arrested for rape and thereafter bail was denied and he was kept in custody until his sentencing to 18 years imprisonment.
“The last incident was also reported in Ganyesa on 8 March 2024, at around 3am. The victim (17), was walking from a tavern in Tlakgameng village with the accused. As they approached the victim’s home, the accused forced her to walk past her home and, in the process, he also slapped her,” said Tselanyane.
He said the vixtim was then threatened and dragged to Gaarathebe River in the village, where the accused raped her. Tselanyane said the matter was reported to the police and the accused, Baleseng Kakgola (28), was arrested and convicted.
“He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for rape,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the Investigating Officers, Detective Sergeants Tebo Leepile and Mogakolodi Molelekwa, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the sterling job. Naidoo said that sentences will definitely serve as a warning to those who continue to prey on the vulnerable.
“They will eventually face the consequences of their actions and do time in jail,” he said.
12 June 2026 – The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has refuted allegations that he was involved in the sale of North West Transport Investment (NTI) buses. This comes after startling allegations surfaced on various social media platforms alleging that Lehari sold NTI buses, during his tenure as the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management.
Lehari further said he strongly rejected and dismissed unfounded allegations circulating on social media alleging his involvement in the sale of NTI buses. He added that the allegations widely circulated on social media are devoid of truth, malicious and intended to tarnish his reputation and standing in society as a leader and as a Member of Executive (MEC).
“The department that was under my political leadership, exercised oversight over NTI, but did not participate in its day-to-day management or operational affairs. Like all State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs), NTI operates under its own governance structures and statutory mandates.
“The auctions conducted by NTI formed part of its operational responsibilities and were undertaken in accordance with its governance processes. Reports on these auctions were duly submitted to both the Executive Council (EXCO), in its capacity as shareholder representative, and the Portfolio Committee responsible for overseeing the department,” he said.
Lehari said it is important to also emphasise that during the period in question between 2018 to 2022, all departments were under national government, through the invocation of Section 100(1)(b) with administrators sent from national government to the province, as key decision-makers, in the running of the provincial government. He said it is also important to note that NTI has its own executive management board that runs the entity and reports to the administrator sent by the national government.
“It is therefore impractical that an MEC whose department is under administration can issue such an instruction or be involved, as wrongfully alleged. Prior to this malicious accusation, I had already submitted detailed responses, regarding all matters related to NTI to the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management,” said Lehari.
10 June 2026 – Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says the team will be ready to face Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup this week.
The team has been training at its base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, since last week to help the players acclimatise to the altitude of 2,300 metres above sea level.
Since arriving, Bafana Bafana have been preparing for the global spectacle, with millions of football fans around the world expected to tune in.
Broos said the South African senior men’s national team is eager to embrace the occasion when it takes on 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Mexico in the tournament’s opening match at a packed Estadio Azteca on Thursday, 11 June 2026.
Asked for his view of the Mexico national team, Broos described the side as formidable and said Bafana Bafana would have to be at their best.
“They are dangerous in every area. It is a very complete team, with a lot of movement and strong team spirit. We will have to be at our best if we want a good result. I watched the game against Serbia, and the way they played, especially in the first half hour, was fantastic.
“Their movement, aggression and solidarity stand out. The whole team attacks and the whole team defends. They are a very complete side, and it will be very difficult for us on Thursday. But a football match is a football match.
“We must not think we have no chance against Mexico, because that is not true either. But we have to prepare very well and play at our best level,” the head coach said.
Although the team will play in a stadium filled mostly with Mexican supporters, Broos said Bafana Bafana know South Africans are backing them from home.
“We all know there will be many Mexicans in the stadium and perhaps only a few South Africans, so we cannot count on strong support inside the venue. But we do know we have the support of the nation.
“We felt that in recent days, and during the past week when we began our preparations in South Africa. The whole country is behind us, and we are playing for everyone who believes in us,” he said.
The coach was addressing members of the media ahead of the opening match.
Call to rally behind Bafana Bafana
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national men’s football team.
“They carry with them the best wishes of more than 62 million South Africans who will be cheering them on at every stage of the tournament. Bafana Bafana are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since we hosted the event in 2010,” the President said last Monday in his weekly newsletter to the nation.
The soccer tournament will be held in Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada.
President Ramaphosa said the country’s journey mirrors that of the national football team, noting that South Africa has emerged from a challenging period and is looking ahead with renewed optimism.
“Much like the national squad, the country has emerged from a prolonged period of difficulty and now looks to the future with hope,” he said.
He pointed to the country’s democratic progress, the strength of its Constitution, the launch of the National Dialogue process and signs of economic recovery as reasons for growing confidence in the future.
The President urged citizens to celebrate not only the team’s achievements but also the progress South Africa has made in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
“So, as we cheer our team on from the stands, at fan zones and in our homes, we should also cheer ourselves on as a country. We should celebrate how far we have come in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa,” the President said.
He concluded by calling for unity as South Africans support the national team on the world stage.
“For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance. For 90 minutes, as they play, we will simply be South Africans standing together behind our national team and behind our flag.
“One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa. United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za
Picture: North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and Administration of Construction SETA, Oupa Nkoana/Facebook
By STAFF REPORTER
10 June 2026- Over 4000 young people, women and people with disabilities across the North West are expected to benefit from a three-year programme which will harness their skills to enter the job market. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and Construction SETA in Mahikeng.
Mokgosi said the initiative forms part of the province’s ongoing efforts to tackle unemployment in the province. He further said it will be confined within the built environment sector to assist the province address unemployment through skills development in architecture, civil engineering, town planning, quantity surveying and construction management among others.
“Through the creation of strategic partnerships with various stakeholders in the skills development sector the province seeks to empower the most vulnerable stratums in the province to participate meaningfully in the economy.
“The provincial government has identified the construction sector to drive the provincial economy and create jobs as averred in the Growth and Development Strategy,” he said.
Mokgosi further said as the provincial government, they are deeply concerned by the high levels of unemployment affecting the communities. He added that women and youth often encounter limited access to economic opportunities, while persons with disabilities remain underrepresented in skills development and employment programmes.
“This MoU demonstrates our shared commitment to changing this reality. The MoU seeks to expand access to accredited skills development programmes within the construction and built environment sector by increasing participation of youth, women and persons with disabilities in learnerships, apprenticeships, internships, and artisan development programmes.
“We appreciate Construction SETA for recognizing the potential of our province and for partnering with us in advancing skills development initiatives that will improve the lives of our people,” said Mokgosi.
He said as the province forges ahead with this initiative, they have implored government departments, municipalities, industry partners, training providers and community organisations to work together to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are reached and supported.
Meanwhile, this sentiment was shared by the Administration of Construction SETA, Oupa Nkoana.
“This collaboration aligns with the priorities of government to build a capable workforce, stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote social inclusion,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Mosetsanyana o tlhokafetse kwa Magogong/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
10 Seetebosigo 2026 – Sepodisi mono Taung se batlisisa kgetsi ya morago ga loso. Se, se tla morago ga go tlhokafala ga mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le tlhano kwa Diplankeng kwa motseng wa Magogong mono Taung mo letsatsing la maabane.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are go begwa fa moswi a ile a ngongorega ka matlho a botlhoko, mme ba lelapa ba ile ba mo tshela molemo wa matlho. Van Rooyen are go bontsha fa seemo sa gagwe sa pholo se ile sa etegela, mme go ile ga bidiwa batlankela ba thuso ya potlako.
“Batlhankela ba thuso ya potlako ba ile ba tlhalosa fa mosetsanyana a setse a tlhokafetse. Kgetsi ya morago loso e ile ya bulwa, mme go fitlha ga jaana, sepodisi se ka se netefatse gore sebakwa sa loso ke eng. Dipaltisiso mo kgetsing e, di a tswelela,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, van Rooyen ga netefatsa dipego tse di sa tlhomamang tse di tletsetletseng mo mafaratlhatlheng a boitapoloso tse di shupang fa moswi a ile a kubugelwa ke bolwetsi morago ga go ja dimonamone tse a di rekileng kwa lebenkeleng la batswakwa. Van Rooyen are go fitlha ga jaaka ga ba belaele fa go nnile le letsogo la tshwene mo losong le.
10 June 2026 – The North West Department of Education and Moretele Local Municipality schools received donations for learners from Gift of the Givers Foundation in partnership with Moretele Local Municipality on 9 June 2026. Learners from Modimokwane Primary School in Mathibestad and Mmamudu Primary School in Makapanstad, received 1500 beanies, 150 sanitary packs, 2 food bulks, detergent bulks, 50 breakfast packs, pairs of school shoes and stationery packs from the Gift of the Givers Foundation.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the primary objective for the gifts is to motivate learners to attend school throughout winter and summer seasons. Motsumi said the gifts are aimed at complimenting the food that is provided at school and to restore the dignity of learners.
“As a gesture of gratitude, learners and staff at Modimokwane Primary School welcomed the donations with songs, poems and performances. The school further demonstrated its commitment to education by having learners recite and sign a pledge in which they committed to working hard, arriving at school on time and respecting their teachers.
“I also signed the pledge and expressed gratitude for the donations. So, on behalf of the entire department, we appreciate the positive gesture by the Gift of the Givers Foundation. It is true that education is a societal matter,” she said.
Motsumi further said it is important to invest in the future of this country by supporting learners at an early age. She added that next year, they are going to turn things around by putting more focus on primary schools.
“For many years, we have focused mostly on high schools. Primary schools are the foundation of our results, and we must make sure they get the necessary support from the department. We encourage parents and guardians to register learners across since learner registration will end on 30 September 2026.
“The winter warmer campaign continues to bring hope, dignity and much-needed relief to vulnerable learners, while strengthening collaboration between government, communities and humanitarian organisations,” said Motsumi.
Meanwhile, the Moretele Local Municipality mayor, George Manyike, received a framed photograph accompanied by a message of appreciation, while Motsumi and Bojanala District Education Director, were each presented with trophies in recognition of their support and commitment to education.
Manyike said they are pleased that the dignity of learners in the municipality will be restored.
10 June 2026 – The vigilance and alertness of the police in Brandvlei, resulted in the apprehension and arrest of two alleged female drug dealers on 9 June 2026 at approximately 19:40. The police said the information indicated that duo who were believed to be in possession of drugs, were seen in Burger Street in Brandvlei.
The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said they were apprehended and escorted to the police station, where a search was conducted. Magerman said the two females aged between 21 and 27, were found in possession of drugs with an estimated street value of R30 260.
“They were subsequently charged for possession of drugs and are expected to appear in the local court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, issued a stern warning to the public that drug activities will not be tolerated and encouraged the community to play their part and take responsibility by cooperating with the police and provide vital information in order for SAPS to respond decisively especially drug related matters.
Picture: Some items allegedly used during commission of crime/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
10 June 2026 – The police in the Greater Kimberley area said they have noted with concern the increase in incidents of damage to electrical boxes causing widespread power outages. They said addressing essential infrastructure related crimes remains a priority for the police in the Northern Cape.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the SAPS recognises the importance of essential infrastructure in providing basic services. Ehlers said the unacceptable occurrence of crimes relating to essential infrastructure, which poses a risk to inter alia, public safety, electricity supply, water, sanitation, communications and transportation is concerning.
“Tampering, damaging or destroying essential infrastructure, is a criminal offence. The following precautionary measure can be implemented to curb crimes relating to essential infrastructure. Install physical deterrents such as fences, impact resistant glass and strong locks and doors.
“Have bright security lights inside and outside the property. Clean up vandalism and remove or repair any damaged item as soon as possible. Install video surveillance and hire security services companies to provide security guards,” she said.
Ehlers further said the public should provide SAPS with information on illegal activities and the whereabouts of criminals. She added that the theft of ferrous and non-ferrous metal is an economic threat, which requires immediate intervention by all stakeholders concerned in an integrated and coherent manner.
“Reject and report any goods you suspect could have been stolen to the police and blow the whistle on acts of essential infrastructure theft, unscrupulous dealers, suspicious individuals, suspected stolen goods and cable theft to your nearest police station or anonymously contact SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS App.
“All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” said Ehlers.
10 June 2026 – The Kimberley Serious and Violent Crimes unit is appealing to the public to assist in locating missing Letitia Anita Bucks (32) of 46501 Diamond Park, Greenpoint in Kimberley. The police said Bucks was last seen on 4 June 2026, at her residence by her mother, Linda Visagie.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said at the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a dark blue jacket, pink tracksuit top and light blue tracksuit pants. Shemane said anyone with information about the whereabouts of Bucks can contact Detective Sergeant Kelaegile Mosala on 082 302 0407 or crime stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the MySAPS app.
“The public is reminded that there is no waiting period to report a person missing,” he said.
The Guardian 