SA is building a secure and inclusive digital future

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

6 July 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the country’s ambition to be a leading digital investment destination is being recognised by some of the world’s leading technology companies. Ramaphosa said one of these is Google, which last week hosted its first-ever African Cloud Summit in Johannesburg.

He further said the company chose South Africa to host one of its most important technology and enterprise events and affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem. Ramaphosa added that at the summit, Google announced a range of investments as part of its ‘Building for Africa’ initiative, which is designed “to support the greater adoption of cloud technologies and to equip local ecosystems for AI-driven innovation.”

“Among these investments is a new Digital Exchange Port that will be built in the Eastern Cape, the first of four connectivity hubs on the continent that will ensure reliable cloud services. Google has committed to skilling the local workforce.

“A R3 million digital innovation centre will be built at the South West Gauteng TVET College in Soweto. Later this month, applications will open for the 2026 South African cohort of the Google for Start-ups Accelerator, through which 15 local start-ups will be selected to receive AI training, mentorship and funding,” he said.

Ramphosa said investor confidence in South Africa’s digital economy trajectory is growing. He said beyond the Google investment, in 2023 Amazon Web Services announced plans to invest R30.4 billion in its South African cloud infrastructure.

“Last year, Microsoft announced plans to invest R5.4 billion to develop local hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure. Just last week, Mastercard launched its Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. Starting with a phased rollout in South Africa and Nigeria, this initiative aims to strengthen cyber resilience and enable more secure digital growth across Africa.

“Across the world, the digital economy is a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. Google estimates that its Johannesburg Cloud Region can contribute approximately R1.7 trillion in additional gross economic output by 2030 and support approximately 315,000 jobs,” said Ramaphosa.

He said digital technologies are increasingly being adopted to overcome developmental challenges in education, healthcare, service delivery and climate change. Ramaphosa said to build the economies and workplaces of the future, countries need to build digital infrastructure, including cloud computing and AI.

“South Africa currently houses a significant proportion of Africa’s large data centre capacity and is the continent’s largest cloud market. An increasing number of South African businesses are moving to cloud infrastructure and adopting machine learning and AI in their businesses.

“Small, medium and micro enterprises particularly stand to benefit, with one study estimating that SMME adoption of cloud computing could potentially unlock more than R185 billion for the country’s economy by 2030,” he said.

Rampahosa said Cloud enables small businesses to spend less on IT costs, improve their productivity and become more competitive. He said it can help them to expand market access and make use of e-commerce.

“As these businesses grow, they create more employment and stimulate local economies. Through the likes of the SA SME Fund, the Black Business Supplier Development Programme and digital transformation partnerships with the private sector, we are working to make cloud and other technologies more affordable for small businesses.

“Cloud infrastructure rollout can also improve government efficiency and service delivery. For example, cloud-based platforms in education can improve the availability of digital textbooks and other learning materials,” said Ramaphosa.

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

NFVF equips filmmakers with funding and production skills

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Picture: Some of attendees at NFVF workshop

By BAKANG MOKOTO

6 July 2026 – Aspiring filmmakers and film producers from across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and neighbouring towns from Northern Cape, gathered at Mmabana Arts Centre in Taung on 1 July 2026, for a National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) workshop aimed at strengthening the local film industry and encouraging more applications for national funding.

The workshop focused on equipping participants with practical skills in filmmaking, while also guiding them through the application process for the NFVF’s Production Funding Programme, whose application deadline is approaching next week. Delegates received hands-on training on completing funding application forms, developing quality film productions and creating content capable of reaching broader audiences.

Speaking during the workshop, NFVF representative Mlamli Kama said the training forms part of the organisation’s efforts to ensure that filmmakers, particularly those from underserved areas, have the knowledge and confidence to access funding opportunities and grow sustainable careers in the film industry.

Among those in attendance was acclaimed Taung filmmaker Vincent Moloi from Mogopela B, who welcomed the initiative and emphasised the importance of providing emerging filmmakers with access to industry knowledge and financial support.

Participants described the workshop as informative and empowering, saying they had gained valuable insights that they plan to share with aspiring filmmakers in their respective communities.

The NFVF also raised concern over the low number of funding applications received from the North West province. According to the foundation, the province continues to lag behind others in both participation and the economic contribution of its film industry.

The workshop formed part of the NFVF’s ongoing efforts to stimulate growth in South Africa’s creative sector by expanding access to funding, skills development and opportunities for filmmakers in rural and underserved communities.

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Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa Ethiopia e buseditswe morago  

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Merkose Desaleng/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

6 Phukwi 2026 – Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa nageng ya Ethiopia, Merkose Desaleng (29), e buseditswe morago go fitlha kgwedi eno ya Phukwi e tlhola matsatsi a le 13. Desaleng one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ga mmogo le go nna mo nageng ya Afrika Borwa ntle le ditlankana tse di maleba.

Go begwa fa Desaleng yo o nang le lebenkele kwa motseng wa Magogoe Tshepang, gaufi le Mahikeng, a ne a tlhaba Obakeng Santo morago ga gore go tsoge ngangisano magareng ga bone kwa lebenkeleng leo.  

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Majang Skalkie are tiragalo e, e diragetse fa Phukwi a tlhola letsatsi ka ura ya 4:30pm. Skalkie are go begwa fa molatofadiwa a tlhabile moswi ka sengwe se se bogale morago ga kgakgauthano.

“Santo o ile a tabogisediwa kwa kliniking ya selegae, fela o ile a begwa fa a setse a tlhokafetse. Kgetsi ya polao e ile ya bulwa, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga molatofadiwa. Desaleng o tlhageletse ka boripa kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Mmabatho.

“Kgetsi ya gagwe e buseditswe morago go rulaganyetsa molatofadiwa moranuledi,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa nama-o-sa-tshwere wa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e, mme o amogetse go tshwarwa ga ga Desaleng.

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Former financial administrator nabbed for R4.6m fraud remanded in custody

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By STAFF REPORTER

6 July 2026 – Former financial administrator (43) at Kathu High School, who was arrested for fraud, forgery and uttering, remanded in custody until 7 July 2026, for formal bail application. The accused, Maria Jessica Kuhn was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team working together with their counterparts from Serious Organised Crime on 2 July 2026, at her place of residence in Kathu, near Kuruman.

The Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Kuhn who previously served as a financial administrator at Kathu High School, is accused of embezzling school funds to the tune of R4.6 million rands. Thebe said the modus operandi included creating separate private banking accounts, where school funds were diverted.

“Financial discrepancies were identified in October 2025, when an audit detected irregularities in the school’s financial records. The stolen funds included normal school fees and donor amounts, which are used to pay School Governing Body (SGB) teacher’s salaries.

“The Directorate’s investigation revealed that the accused created fictitious invoices purporting to be legitimate school suppliers and authorised payments which went to her private account and for her benefit. Allegations are, the accused further paid herself overtime, despite the school’s policy prohibiting such payments,” he said.

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Soliciting of bribes from illegal immigrants disputed

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By OBAKENG MAJE

6 July 2026 – The management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West has noted the circulation of a social media video containing allegations relating to the Station Commander of Cyferskuil and the policing of undocumented migrants within the Cyferskuil policing area. The SAPS wishes to categorically reject the false and unsubstantiated allegation that the Station Commander is collecting money from undocumented migrants as a “protection fee”.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said at this stage, there is no information or evidence available to substantiate these claims. Skalkie said regarding the events referred to in the video, the Station Commander addressed members of the community in the presence of a local councillor after concerns were raised about intended actions against undocumented migrants.

“During the engagement, the Station Commander appealed to community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and not to conduct house-to-house actions aimed at forcibly removing undocumented migrants. The community accepted this appeal and no such action took place.

“SAPS also wishes to clarify that the allegation that a truck transported and offloaded undocumented migrants into areas within the Cyferskuil policing precinct is false. No such incident has been reported or verified,” she said.

Skalkie further said, there was no incident reported that indicated that undocumented migrants voluntarily left the area.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, urges members of the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media, as the dissemination of false information can create unnecessary panic, damage reputations and undermine public confidence in law enforcement. Naidoo encourages anyone with credible information regarding criminal conduct or corruption to report it through the appropriate official channels so that it can be investigated.

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Monna o tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo mabapi le polao

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

6 Phukwi 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 25 o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Brits mabapi le polao. Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a thuntsa le go bolaya monna wa dingwaga di 51 mme a latlhela setopo sa gagwe kwa mmileng kwa motseng wa Letlhakaneng, gaufi le Letlhabile.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Captain Majang Skalkie are tiragalo e, e diragetse fa kgwedi ya Seetebosigo e tlhola matsatsi a le masome a le mararo ka ura ya 10:30 bosigo. Skalkie are baletamotse ba ba neng ba tlhokometse motse wa bone, ba ile ba bona sejanaga sa modiro wa Volkswagen Polo se ema kwa mmileng le go latlhela setopo sa monna mongwe kwa mmileng o.

“Go begwa fa setopo sa monna o sa itsiweng se ne sa latlhelwa mo thoko ga tsela pele ga sejanaga seo se inaya naga. Baletamotse ba, bai le ba letsetsa sepodisi. Moswi o fitlhetswe ka dintho tsa go thuntshiwa. Batlhankedi ba potlako ba ile ba bilediwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme ba tlhalosa fa monna o a setse a tlhokafetse,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Skalkie are kgetsi ya polao e ile ya bulwa, mme go ile ga bolodiwa dipatlisiso. Skalkie are sepodisi se ile sa dirisa ikwadiso ya sejanaga seo go batlana le mmelaelwa.

“Mmelaelwa o ile a tshwarwa fa kgwedi ya Phukwi e tlhola matsatsi a le mabedi. Dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng, di dirile gore sepodisi se fitlhelele madi a motswasetlhabelo mo tlase ga setulo mo sejanageng sa mmelaelwa ga mmogo le sethunya sa AK-47.

“Sepodisi se ile sa thopa sethunya seo sa AK-47 ga mmogo le sethunya ya pistol go tswa go mmelaelwa. Ga jaana, dithunya tseo, di ile go lekolwa gore a ga di amege mo bosinying jo bongwe gape. Dipatlisiso tsa go sa le gale di shupa fa polao e ka tswa e golaganngwa le dikgogakgogano mabapi le madi,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Are mmelaelwa o solofetswe go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Brits mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le polao.  

Kgabagare, mokomishinara wa sepodisi wa nakwana mono Bokone Bophirima, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, o kgadile ka bogale polao e e setlhogo e, le go akgola babatlisisi ba kgetsi ka ntlheng ya matsetseleko a ba a dirileng mo kgetsing e.

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Three men arrested for stock theft to apply for bail

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Picture: Three men nabbed for stock theft/Generic

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

6 July 2026 – Three men were arrested for stock theft in a coordinated efforts. On 27 June 2026, a stock theft case was registered at Potchefstroom Police Station after a livestock owner reported the theft of 25 head of cattle.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said a multi-disciplinary operation comprising members of the Potchefstroom Public Order Police (POP), Potchefstroom Flying Squad, Potchefstroom Crime Intelligence, Potchefstroom Stock Theft Unit, together with local farmers, was immediately activated. Skalkie said the operation yielded positive results when three men, identified as Santo Ponya (47), Moeti Peter Mosia (43), and Samuel Nhlapo (34), were arrested along the N12 road near Potchefstroom.

“The suspects were found in possession of 16 head of cattle, which were positively identified by the lawful owner as part of the stolen livestock. The trio appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 29 June 2026, on charges of stock theft and possession of suspected stolen livestock.

“They were remanded in custody until 6 July 2026 for a bail application,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the police and all stakeholders involved for their swift response. Naidoo said the excellent collaboration between the police and the farming community, led to the successful arrest of the suspects.

“I would like to emphasise that rural safety remains a priority as it contributes directly to the country’s economy and the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains committed to combating stock theft and ensuring the safety and security of rural communities,” he said.

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A Nigerian man nabbed for dealing in drugs

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Picture: The drugs allegedly seized from the suspect/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

6 July 2026 – A Nigerian (35) was arrested by the police in Potchefstroom on 3 July 2026, for allegedly dealing in drugs. This comes after the police received a tip-off regarding suspected drugs concealed in an alley behind a local bakery.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie, said the police immediately operationalised the information they received. Skalkie said through further investigation, the police followed up on additional leads, which led them to a flat, where the suspect had allegedly been seen.

“The suspect was searched and the police allegedly found drugs, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash in his possession. He was immediately arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs.

“The suspect is expected to appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 6 July 2026, on a charge of dealing in drugs,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, describing them as a serious threat to the safety and well-being of communities.

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Nine Lesotho nationals arrested in connection with double murder

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By STAFF REPORTER

6 July 2026 – An intelligence-led operation conducted by Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, with support from Sun City and Phokeng Visible Policing, resulted in the arrest of nine Lesotho migrants in connection with two alleged murders that took place at an illegal mining site in Witrantjie, near Sun City on 4 July 2026. The suspects are also believed to be irregular migrants.

The North West police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ofentse Mokgadi said this follows a tip-off to police about suspects traveling from Witrantjie to Rustenburg. Mokgadi said a white Toyota Quantum was stopped around 6:45am on the R565 road between Boshoek and Phokeng, where seven men and two women were detained.

“Initial investigations have allegedly linked three of the suspects to the fatal stabbing of a Lesotho man reported on 3 July 2026. In what is believed to be a retaliation attack, another Lesotho man was shot dead, with his body found in a mining pit with multiple gunshot wounds on Saturday morning, 4 July 2026, also in Witrantjie.

“The remaining six individuals will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs to verify their immigration status,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Police Commissioner, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, praised the arrests and commended the police for their quick response. Mamotsamai stated that the arrests demonstrate the police’s dedication to fighting illegal mining and related violent crimes.

“The police will continue to pursue all those involved and ensure they are brought to justice. Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are possible,” she said.

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Monna o bolailwe ka go thuntshiwa mono Taung

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, James Chipeta o thuntsitswe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

5 Phukwi 2026 – Monna wa dingwaga di le 48 o thuntsitswe le go bolawa mono Taung. Go begwa moswi, James Chipeta a ne a kgorogelwa ke banna ba le bararo ba ba sa itsiweng ba ba neng ba rwele bomamatlhwana fa a ne a tsamaya le mosadi wa gagwe gaufi le seporo sa terena magareng ga toropo ya Taung le motse wa Matolong ka Labotlhano bosigo.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Majang Skalkie are go begwa fa banna ba, ba ne ba tlhasela bobedi jo. Skalkie o bega fa Chipeta a ile a leka go iphemela kgatlhanong le banna ba, mme mongwe wa babelaelwa, o ne a ntsha sethunya le go mo thuntsha.

“Sepodisi se ile sa bilediwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme ba ile ba fitlhela moswi ka dintho tsa go thuntshiwa. Moswi o ile a tlhalosiwa fa a tlhokafetse.

“Ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana. Fela sepodisi se boloditse dipatlisiso. Sepodisi se ikuela go mongwe le mongwe o a ka thusang ka tshedimosetso e e tla lebisang kwa go tshwarweng ga babelaelwa go ka ikgolaganya le mobatlisisi wa kgetsi, Detective Sergeant Tebogo Monchwe, mo dinomoreng tsa mogala tsa 082 469 0332, kgotsa a ka letsetsa sepodisi go SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111,” Skalkie wa tlhalosa.

Skalkie are moneela tshedimosetso fa a batla go nna tlhokaina, a ka dira jalo go MySAPS mobile application.

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