8 October – As anticipation builds for the 2025 Engen Champ of Champs taking place this weekend at the Tuks High Performance Centre, two remarkable alumni Gopolang Taunyana and Katlego Malebana, have returned to inspire the next generation of footballers, reminding them that it’s their moment of glory. Both players, who once showcased their talents in the Engen Knockout Challenge and Champ of Champs, shared heartfelt reflections during the official media draw on Thursday.
Gopolang Taunyana, now part of the Kaizer Chiefs Reserve Team and a U20 African champion, credited the Engen youth football platform for helping him unlock his full potential. Taunyana said Engen set the stage for him and he took this moment.
“These tournaments taught me discipline, focus, and belief. To every young player competing this weekend this is your time to shine. Own your journey and make the most of your moment of glory,” he said.
Katlego Malebana, who plays for the Mamelodi Sundowns (16), echoed the sentiment, highlighting the opportunities that emerged from her participation. Malebana said the Engen Knockout Challenge and Champ of Champs opened doors.
“I never even imagined. It’s not just about football, it’s about growth, exposure, and realizing what’s possible when you give it your all,” she said.
Their stories embody the true spirit of the Engen Champ of Champs, a tournament that continues to shape South Africa’s future football stars and provide a platform for young talent to be seen, celebrated and inspired. As the 2025 edition kicks off, the message is clear for every player stepping onto the field this weekend: “It’s Your Moment of Glory.”
8 October 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said Eskom’s latest financial results, showing a return to profitability for the first time in eight years, are a testament to the value of staying the course and to the benefits of partnerships. Ramaphosa said when they announced the National Energy Action Plan in 2022, the national power utility’s losses stood at R12.3 billion and its debt had ballooned to over R300 billion.
He further said at the time, Eskom’s auditors noted that there was “material uncertainty relating to Eskom’s ability to continue.” Ramaphosa added that the relative improvement in Eskom’s financial position reflects the significant recovery in Eskom’s operational performance.
“Thanks to the collaboration between different Government departments, the stewardship of the National Electricity Crisis Committee (NECOM) and hard work by the leadership and staff of Eskom, Eskom is turning the corner. Eskom’s improved financial position will enable it to invest in critical infrastructure and maintenance under its Generation Recovery Plan that has been pursued with diligence.
“There are plans to invest more than R320 billion in expanding existing infrastructure. As the reliability of Eskom’s coal-fired plants has improved there has been less need to burn diesel, resulting in approximately R16 billion in savings on diesel costs. In the 2025 financial year, the country experienced load-shedding in just 13 days, down from 329 days the year before,” he said.
Ramaphosa said Eskom is to be congratulated on this achievement. He said, however, there are still serious challenges.
“Municipal debt arrears have grown by 27% since the previous financial year. That is why we continue to work with municipalities to come up with sustainable solutions that enable municipalities to settle their accounts with Eskom, as this is key to its financial viability.
“Even as Eskom continues along the path to recovery, we continue to pursue the other pillars of the Energy Action Plan with equal vigour. These are accelerating the procurement of new generation capacity, increasing private investment and pursuing structural reforms to transform the electricity sector,” said Ramaphosa.
He said in this regard, the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act that came into force in January is a step towards progressively opening up the sector and paves the way for a more competitive electricity market. Ramaphosa said the legislative amendments allows for the restructuring of Eskom into separate generation, transmission and distribution units, as well as for private sector investment and diversification that will ultimately benefit consumers.
“With grid expansion being central to getting more capacity, Eskom, in partnership with the private sector, has plans to build approximately 14 000 km of new transmission lines over the next decade.
“On the road to achieving energy security, social partners will continue to be key. The role played by these partners in NECOM and the Government Business Partnership has been invaluable. Two years since its inception, this collaborative model continues to yield results not only around energy but also in the other work-streams of transport and logistics, crime and corruption and youth unemployment,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the financial improvement at Eskom bears witness to the strength of these multi-sectoral partnerships, but also to the value of consistency and forging ahead with long-term goals, even in the face of strident criticism. He said the ongoing structural reform process represents exactly this consistency and resilience.
“We will continue along this recovery path across the economy to achieve our goal of inclusive economic growth that creates more jobs for our people,” said Ramphosa.
8 Diphalane 2025- Sepodisi sa Taung se tlhotlhomisitse fa se batlisisa ditatofatso tsa petelelo kgatlhanong le motsamaisi wa Boxer Liquor Store mono Taung. Go begwa fa modiri wa dingwaga di le 20, teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store, a ne a tsweletse ka tiro ya gagwe ya go paka dilo fa motsamaisi a ne a mo biletsa kwa kantorong ya gagwe ka Lamatlhatso motshegare.
Go begwa fa go tseneng ga bone kwa kantorong eo, motsamaisi o ile a lotlela lebati la kantoro. Go begwa fa e ne ya re fa modiri o a sentse a maketse gore go diragalang, ke fa motsamaisi a mo phamola a mo atla ka nkane.
Go begwa fa motsamaisi o, a ile a mo fekeetsa ka maatla, mme a mo apola borogwe. Go begwa fa motsamaisi o, a ile a mo rapamisa mo tafoleng le go mo betelela a mo tlhaga kwa morago.
Go begwa fa kgetsi ya petelelo e ile ya bulwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung, fela ga ise go tshwarwe ope.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Dipatlisiso mo kgannyeng e, ditsweletse,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
8 October 2025- A man (22) was sentenced to five years imprisonment for assault. The accused, Arnold Jonkers was arrested and sentenced for assaulting a minor child in Williston.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said Williston Magistrate’s Court heard that on 19 March 2023, the victim (3), was walking home with her parents when they encountered two known individuals fighting near their residence. Pilane said the victim’s father intervened to stop the altercation.
“After the fight had been broken up, the accused allegedly began throwing stones and bricks toward the family, striking the child on the head with a brick and seriously injuring her. She was rushed to a local medical facility for treatment.
“The incident was subsequently reported to the police, and the suspect was arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Detective Constable Anthony Willemse of the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, led the investigation,” she said.
Pilane further said Willemse successfully opposed bail for the accused, who made several court appearances before being convicted and sentenced. She added that the court further declared Jonkers unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the acting Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Colonel Diketso Lekgwathi, welcomed the sentence. Lekgwathi commended Willemse for his thorough investigation and dedication to ensuring that violent crimes against children are effectively prosecuted and perpetrators held accountable.
Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
8 October 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said they welcome the arrest of five police officers for stock theft and possession of endangered animals. Morweng said three detectives stationed in Vryburg have appeared in court for allegedly stealing four sheep belonging to a local farmer.
He further said upon realising that four of his sheep are missing, the farmer checked the security cameras, which then indicated the registration number of the vehicle in which apparently the stolen sheep were loaded. Morweng added that preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle belongs to Vryburg Detectives.
“Further investigation led the police to a house in Dithakwaneng village, outside Vryburg where a skinned carcass of a sheep was found. The three officers were then arrested alongside a local man at whose house the carcass was found. After appearing in court the three officers were granted R1000 bail and the civilian was also released on R500.
“They will appear in court again next month. On another unrelated matter, two officers stationed at Sun City Police Station were arrested in an undercover operation in Pretoria for possession of endangered species,” he said.
Morweng said the two officers, allegedly accompanied by two civilians, were selling pangolins for R160 000. He said it was as they were concluding a deal with an alleged buyer when undercover officers pounced on them.
“Though arrest of police officers is regrettable, this is nonetheless a further indication that no one is above the law. In order to clean the system and restore the confidence of communities in law enforcement as a whole, we have to arrest those that contravene the law among our ranks. We welcome their arrest and applaud the police applying the law indiscriminately,” said Morweng.
8 October 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape welcomes the recent approval of the Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) for Theewaterskloof Municipality by the Western Cape Government. The plan represents a decisive step towards restoring stability, accountability and service delivery in a municipality that has faced severe financial and governance collapse under the previous ANC-led administration.
DA Western Cape spokesperson on Finance and Budget, Leon van Wyk said Theewaterskloof was once a financially sound municipality, collecting over 95% of its revenue in 2022/23 and maintaining a healthy surplus. Van Wyk said within just two years, however, the municipality’s finances deteriorated dramatically.
“Collection rates dropped to 64%, debt to Eskom ballooned above R50 million and critical oversight structures such as the Municipal Public Accounts Committee were left inactive. These failures were the result of political instability, poor financial controls, and the capture of municipal administration.
“The approved Financial Recovery Plan will help reverse this decline. It sets out a phased approach to rebuild cash flow, strengthen financial systems, and restore public confidence. The plan will also focus on long-term sustainability by embedding sound financial management practices and improving service delivery capacity,” he said.
Van Wyk further said this intervention reflects the DA-led Western Cape Government’s commitment to responsible and proactive oversight. He added that where the ANC allowed collapse, the DA acted to rebuild.
“The work now being done in Theewaterskloof is proof that disciplined financial management and clear governance systems are the foundation of better services and stronger communities.
“The Financial Recovery Plan is a necessary and welcome measure to correct years of mismanagement. By enforcing fiscal discipline and rebuilding proper governance, we can restore trust in local government and ensure that residents receive the reliable services they deserve,” said van Wyk.
He said the DA will continue to monitor this process closely to make sure this recovery plan delivers change on the ground.
Picture: Department of Correctional Services official with inmates/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
8 October 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has called on the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), to urgently attend to the kitchens at prisons and ensure that they are compliant with health and safety standards in the country. The committee kick-started its week-long oversight visit to the Eastern Cape yesterday, with a walkabout at the Mthatha Correctional Centre as well as Mqanduli.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the kitchens at the Mthatha Facility did not meet the standards required for the DCS kitchens. Ramolobeng said it is frightening that the committee found the kitchens in the conditions they are in.
“The state of both kitchens is a serious health hazard and needs to be attended to with urgency. The roof foil is just hanging and could fall on the food; the paint is falling from the walls and requires repainting.
“It worried the committee also that food testing seemed to be an infrequent activity against what the policy required. In fact it does not seem that the food is tested daily as required,” she said.
Ramolobeng further said the committee heard that there was a low uptake of skills programmes and study opportunities in Mthatha. She added that the participation in the skills programme is too low.
“These programmes need not only focus on the lifers, but the general population of the prisons, in line with the government policy position on corrective approach. How do we impart skills to the inmates if the participation is this low?
“The issue of the Eastern Cape has been highlighted as one of the provinces where participation in the skills program does not happen. The committee also heard about challenges related to filling of vacant senior positions. Today the committee will visit East London correctional facility,” said Ramolobeng.
Picture: South Africa’s ambassador to France, the late Nathi Mthethwa
By AGISANANG SCUFF
7 October 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, will pay homage to the family of Nathi Mthethwa. The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said this visit is a mark of respect and solidarity with the Mthethwa family, honouring the life and contribution of Nathi, who served their movement and the people of South Africa with unwavering dedication and commitment. Bhengu said the visit will take place at Mthethwa Residence, KwaMbonambi on Wednesday at 11am.
Mthethwa (58), who was South Africa’s ambassador to France, died after he allegedly fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris.
The Minister of International Relations, Raymond Lamola said the Government of the Republic of South Africa announced with deep sorrow and profound regret the untimely passing of Mthethwa. Lamola said Mthethwa was a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service in critical ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Police and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.
“He also served on the Board of Directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee. His lifelong commitment to public duty was further exemplified by his longstanding contribution to the African National Congress through its highest decision-making structures.
“In his diplomatic role, to which he was appointed in December 2023, Mthethwa was tasked with strengthening the vital partnership and bilateral ties between South Africa and France,” he said.
Lamola further said they have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss, but is also felt within the international diplomatic community. He added that the circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities.
“The Government of South Africa extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Mthethwa and to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief. He is survived by his wife and children.
“We honour his legacy of unwavering patriotism and service to our nation,” said Lamola.
7 October 2025- The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court postponed the case against Brian Molefe and his co-accused to 18 November 2025, for the provision of an indictment and a date for the matter to be transferred to the high court.
Molefe, who is the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Transnet is charged together with Anoj Singh a former Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), Siyabonga Gama a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Thamsanqa Jiyane who was the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in the Transport Freight Rail (TFR) division within Transnet.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said they are facing 17 charges that include the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption and the Contravention of the Companies Act.
Mamothame said their court appearance emanates from the period in which Transnet engaged in the process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise the country’s rail infrastructure, to which they allegedly flouted the tender process by irregularly awarding three contracts to provide Transnet with 95, 100 and 1064 locomotives, resulting in a loss of millions of rands to Transnet.
“Their R50 000 bail was extended and they are expected to be back in court when the matter resumes in November 2025,” he said.
7 October 2025- The police in Phokeng request the community’s assistance in locating a police officer, Kutlwano Joy Tshepe (25) of Monakato Township, outside Rustenburg. Tshepe was last seen at home on Thursday morning, 2 October 2025, by his mother when she left for work.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the mother received a call at around 11am from her son’s colleagues after he failed to report for duty at Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). Mokgwabone said as Tshepe had recently lost his cell phone, her mother then looked for him, including at their relatives and his girlfriend’s place, but that did not yield positive results.
“He was ultimately reported missing on 5 October 2025. Subsequently, searches were conducted around the area, but nothing positive came out of that. At the time of his disappearance, Tshepe was wearing navy blue jeans, with a black T-shirt, and an Adidas top.
“He is light in complexion with a well-built body. The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in tracing the missing person, to contact the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dipotso Montsho at 076 834 3531 or your nearest police station,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop can be called at 08600 10111. He added that anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS App.
The Guardian 