13 March 2026- The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Dr Desbo Mohono will host Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi and the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) Supreme Council during an official visit to the North West Provincial Legislature in Mahikeng on 17–18 March 2026. Mohono said the visit marks a significant engagement between the Provincial Legislature and one of South Africa’s most prominent traditional leadership institutions and is expected to strengthen cooperation between democratic governance structures and traditional authorities.
She further said during the two-day visit, the Royal Bafokeng Nation delegation will receive an institutional briefing on the constitutional mandate and functioning of the Provincial Legislature, while also engaging with Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) on matters relating to governance, legislative processes and development initiatives affecting communities within the North West. Mohono added that the visit forms part of the Legislature’s commitment to fostering collaboration between democratic institutions and traditional leadership structures in advancing development and improving the lives of communities across the province.
“Members of the media wishing to cover engagements during the visit are encouraged to liaise with the Legislature’s Communications Unit for further details,” she said.
Picture: Former Steinhoff at Work, Group Audit Executive Hein Odendaal
By BAKANG MOKOTO
13 March 2026- The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced the former Steinhoff at Work, Group Audit Executive Hein Odendaal (67 ) to four years direct imprisonment or a fine of R2 million. Odendaal was further sentenced to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five years, on condition that he is not convicted of contravention of Section 34 (1) of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) committed during the period of suspension and that he subject himself to one year correctional supervision in terms of section 276(1) (h) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said Odendaal was convicted and sentenced after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the state in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Mahanjana said in his capacity as the Group Audit Executive, Odendaal was negligent in that he ought to have suspected that other employees within Steinhoff group committed fraud therefore did not report to the police.
“Where on 21 November 2016, Iwan Peter Schelbert, while acting on instructions from the then Chief Financial Officer, Andries Benjamin La Grange, generated a fraudulent invoice to TG Sources SARL, a company based in Martigny, Switzerland.
“Following the generation of the invoice, Stephanus Johannes Grobler and others created supporting documentation and caused payments to be affected to falsely represent that the invoice reflected a legitimate transaction between Steinhoff at Work and TG Sources SARL,” she said.
Mahanjana further said this fraudulent scheme resulted in the inflation of Steinhoff’s financial statements by more than R376 million. She added that, the NPA welcomes this conviction and sentence, which marks the fourth conviction secured in the Steinhoff matter.
“This outcome demonstrates the commitment of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI)and the NPA to holding perpetrators accountable in one of the largest and most complex corporate fraud cases in South Africa’s history.
“The investigation and prosecution of this matter required extensive collaboration and technical expertise due to its scale and complexity,” said Mahanjana.
She said it is to be noted that the NPA takes these nature of cases serious. Mahanjana said this case is treated according to its merits.
“The plea bargains do not militate against the seriousness of these offences,” she said.
Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Andy Mothibi said: “These outcomes should demonstrate to the public that NPA will continue to prosecute all cases whether in public or private sector without fear , favour or prejudice.
“The case against the remaining accused, Stephanus Johannes Grobler (64), has been postponed to 14 May 2026 for further proceedings.”
13 March 2026- The Kimberley Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating an inquest after the body of an unknown adult man was discovered in an open veld near Moore Street in Kimberley on 11 March 2026, at approximately 7am. The police said the deceased appears to be in his late 20s and was found wearing brown trousers and a multi-coloured jersey.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said anyone who is able to identify the deceased or assist with locating the next-of-kin is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Moagi Mokatsane on 0833143855. Ehlers said the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively the MySAPS App can also be utilised.
“All information will be treated confidentially,” she said.
13 March 2026- The Kimberley Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating an inquest after the body of an unknown adult man was discovered in an open veld near Moore Street in Kimberley on 11 March 2026, at approximately 7am. The police said the deceased appears to be in his late 20s and was found wearing brown trousers and a multi-coloured jersey.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said anyone who is able to identify the deceased or assist with locating the next-of-kin is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Moagi Mokatsane on 0833143855. Ehlers said the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively the MySAPS App can also be utilised.
“All information will be treated confidentially,” she said.
Picture: Deputy Minister in Presidency, Kenny Morolong/Facebook
By REGINALD KANYANE
13 March 2026- The Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong will handover school shoes to nine schools in Taung and Schweizer Reneke in the North West province, as part of his endeavours to contribute to a supportive learning and teaching environment, that restores the dignity of underprivileged learners. Morolong began the school shoes donation drive in 2025, as part of Mandela Day and 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy commemorations.
13 March 2026 – The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries has noted with sadness reports that a primary school child, Imibongo Ntamehlo, committed suicide as a result of bullying. The Committee said it sends its deepest and heartfelt condolences to Ntamehlo’s family and the learners and educators at the school.
The Chairperson of Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries Makhi Feni said it is not normal that a learner as young as Ntamehlo will commit this kind of act. Feni said they therefore called for a thorough investigation into this incident.
“Bullying is a challenge in our schools that educators should never be tired of fighting. Our children must find parental love and protection in schools. This is a sad story that will reflect on our system, and the better these kinds of incidents are attended to and resolved the better.
“On Thursday, reports indicated that a grade three student committed suicide due to bullying at school. The details are not readily available. The school and provincial and national departments of Basic Education must address bullying in schools to ensure incidents like this one never happen again,” he said.
Feni further said the reality is that schools lack social work and welfare services as well as learner security. He added that the committee will seek further information on this matter.
“The province must assist the family with all in its power,” said Feni.
12 March 2026 – The police said the boy, Tshiamo Pitso (3), who was reported missing was found on a nearby farm on 11 March 2026, after he wandered off and could not find his way back home. He is currently at a local clinic for medical evaluation and treatment.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said Pitso was last seen by his mother on 8 March 2026, in Extension 3, in Itekeng, Biesiesvlei when he was playing with his siblings aged 8 and 13. Morake said the SAPS appreciated the communities’ assistance.
“Keep following our social media pages to stay informed,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 March 2026- The embattled North West Department of Education is under scrutiny after the AG’s findings uncover a staff debt book of more than R100 million, which includes payments to individuals who had resigned, retired, or passed away. It is alleged that such payments have occurred because there was a continuous breakdown in payroll verification, HR controls, and supervisory oversight.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Education in North West, Wolfgang Wallhorn said these incidents are not isolated errors. Wallhorn said they represent a systemic governance collapse that placed public funds at serious risk.
“We are alarmed by the material irregularity uncovered by the Auditor General (AG) in the North West Department of Education’s payroll system, a major financial scandal that exposes deep-rooted failures in internal controls, financial oversight and consequence management.
“While the department has now introduced the Automated Leave and Termination Management System (ALTMS) to improve termination tracking and prevent future overpayments, the DA stresses that systems alone do not remediate accountability failures,” he said.
Wallhorn further said ALTMS will have to be taken through stringent live tests to assess effectiveness in practice to ensure similar incidents cannot occur again. He added that equally concerning is the continued lack of clarity around disciplinary and consequence management processes.
“The public deserves clarity as to who authorised these payments, who disregarded warning signs, and what actions have been taken against responsible officials. Without visible and credible disciplinary outcomes, any reform measures risk being meaningless.
“The DA therefore insists that the department submit regular, detailed progress reports to the Portfolio Committee covering investigations, recovery of funds, disciplinary proceedings, and system control improvements,” said Wallhorn.
He said these reports will determine the next oversight steps. Wallhorn said the residents of North West deserve assurance that public money is protected, that negligence is punished, and that this payroll scandal is resolved with full transparency and accountability.
“The DA will continue to pursue this matter until every responsible party is identified and every recoverable rand is accounted for,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department spokesperson, Vuyo Mantshule said: “The department is aware of the Material Irregularity (MI) 01 of 2022/23, which was formally raised by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on 31 July 2023. This MI relates to the reported staff debts identified in the department’s financial statements.
“The Auditor-General’s Material Irregularity (MI) arises directly from disclosures made by the North West Department of Education in its 2022/23 annual financial statements. The department proactively reported staff debts as part of its statutory financial reporting obligations, demonstrating transparency and adherence to financial reporting requirements.”
Mantshule said the staff debts stem from delayed terminations and resignations that occurred shortly after salary runs. He said at the time, these processes were managed manually, which contributed to timing gaps and overpayments.
“The department acknowledges that these historical procedural limitations played a role in the accumulation of staff debts and steps have been taken to strengthen termination controls to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“The department emphasizes that these delayed terminations were isolated incidents, primarily resulting from the limitations of manual processes in place at the time,” said Mantshule.
He said these cases do not reflect systemic wrongdoing, but rather procedural shortcomings that have since been addressed through improvements and use of technology.
He said the department confirms that these incidents do not represent a systemic governance collapse. Mantshule said while the identified staff debts highlight areas where manual processes created vulnerabilities, they are isolated cases and do not reflect a broader failure in the department’s governance structures or oversight mechanism.
12 March 2026 – A man (36) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for raping a girl (14). On 6 July 2024, in Mountain View, near Pampierstad, the victim visited her aunt, who was the girlfriend of the accused, Luburu Micheal Phama.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said on the day of the incident, the victim was sleeping in the bedroom with her aunt when Phama snuck in the room and raped her more than once, while the aunt was sleeping. Gunya said as a result, the victim fell pregnant.
“She did not report the assault instantly until she was told by her teacher that she was pregnant. After she told her teacher of what happened, a rape case was opened. The accused was arrested.
“During the trial, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of rape. In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa addressed the court that the victim is young and was subjected to sexual violence at a young age.
“Mokgopa said the victim will forever live with the trauma and that there are no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Mokgopa submitted the Victim Impact Statement (VIS), compiled by the victim with the assistance of the Court Preparation Officer Thembinkosi Madiba, which detailed the profound physical and psychological trauma she endured, including ongoing fear and distress,” he said.
Gunya further said in delivering the judgment, the court found that there were compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, citing the accused’s personal circumstances. He added that the court ordered that his name be included in the Register of Sexual Offenders and prohibited him from working with children.
“He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended both the prosecution and the investigative teams for their diligence and dedication. Makhari reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Picture: Police engaging community through Midday Magic programme on Radio Kaboesna/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
12 March 2026 – On Wednesday, the meet-and-greet segment continued on the Midday Magic programme on Radio Kaboesna, hosted by radio presenter Elridge, featuring Warrant Officer Anthony Swift from SAPS Calvinia, Pastor Matthys and Mr Booi Whites from the Spiritual Crime Prevention Desk in Calvinia. Whites provided background on his apostleship and how he became involved with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and further explained how spiritual leaders offer valuable support to the community through counselling, spiritual assistance, and community projects.
The Namakwa District police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said strong emphasis was placed on encouraging community members to connect with spiritual leaders and churches, noting that through prayer for both the community and the police, a meaningful change can be brought about in working towards a crime-free town. Magerman said the Spiritual Crime Prevention Desk also highlighted its role in supporting community members during times of need, including trauma assistance.
“Discussion also covered the importance of community members feeling comfortable approaching SAPS, CPF leaders, spiritual leaders, and Community in Blue Patrollers. When asked whether prayer can stop crime, the answer was a definite yes — from which a proposal arose for spiritual leaders to gather and hold a day of prayer.
“Long-term plans between and the CPF, include providing emotional and physical support to both the community and SAPS members. A special word of thanks was extended to members of SAPS for their involvement, and the programme was concluded with a prayer for the community and SAPS members,” he said.
The Guardian 