Picture: A missing woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan found unharmed/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
12 December 2025- The police in Kakamas said a woman, Ichrene Savada Sussana Windstaan (40), who was recently reported as missing, has been found through the assistance of the public and is safely reunited with her family. The police said they acknowledge and appreciate the community members who are always willing to assist in policing.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the public is urged to stay safe this festive season by enhancing child safety precautions and security measures. Masegela said incidents can be reported to the police on SAPS Emergency line 08600 10111/ MySAPSApp.
12 December 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Friday applauded the recent three life terms of imprisonment imposed on convicted Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) perpetrator, Mothupi Tjale Tau (36) from Brooklyn in Sekhukhune District by the Limpopo High Court. SAUCIC said Tau who had presented himself as a prophet to offer spiritual guidance to the Malepe family, was given additional 37 years imprisonment for multiple offences, including two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
SAUCIC President Cardinal Arch Bishop Dr Patrick Modiri Shole said on behalf of affiliated Federations of Charismatic, Evangelical Outreach Mission Ministries and Pentecostal Churches, they trust that the stiff sentence would serve as a different to other heartless perpetrators of GBVF who are abusing their authority, as well as trust gained by virtue of them masquerading as servants of God, while they are deceitful and manipulative wolves in sheep skin.
Shole expressed hope that the family that had lost two of their loved ones, i.e. Helen Teiwa Malepe and her daughter Kgaogelo Michelle Malepe will find closure knowing that justice has been served.
“The appropriate sentence will go a long way towards restoring confidence in the criminal justice system, while also sending an unequivocal message against gender-based violence and femicide.
“Characters like Tau who target vulnerable victims that are desperate are scammers and fraudsters that are a disgrace to the Body of Christ and also bring the church into disrepute,” he said.
Shole further said his coldblooded murder of the mother and her daughter, as well as the despicable rape are heinous and treacherous acts. He added that the trauma that Tau had caused to the boy (5), by subjecting him to barbaric and psychological torture was unimaginable and heartrending to say the least.
“Tau’s removal from society as per the court judgement is not only appropriate but desirable for the safety of everyone in the area. The court had found that Tau, who had pleaded not guilty, presented himself at the Oaks village to the house of the deceased, Hellen Malepe between 29 and 30 December 2023, to demand money for services rendered.
“He forcefully dragged the deceased from her house to the nearby bushes, where he stabbed her multiple times leaving her for dead, robbing her of her cell phone before fleeing the scene,” said Shole.
He said the accused then went back to the house of the deceased (mother) and found the second deceased, her daughter and strangled her until she was unconscious, thereafter raped her inside their home. Shole said Tau also inflicted grievous bodily injuries on her.
“She later succumbed to her injuries and was certified dead at the scene inside her home. After the ordeal, he stuffed her son (5) with a jersey in his mouth, tied him with a masking tape around his mouth and tied his hands behind his back and locked him inside the house, leaving him in full exposure of her deceased sister’s lifeless body.
“After thorough investigation by the police, the accused was arrested and kept in custody until his trial. The accused was ultimately found guilty of these charges after he claimed that he was not responsible for these vile acts,” he said.
Shole said the court further ordered for his name to be registered in the National Register of the Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the firearms control Act 60 of 2000. He said the accused is further not eligible to work with children.
Picture: Drugs confiscated during Operation Shanela II/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 December 2025- As part of Shanela II and Safer Festive Season activities, a joint operation involving Upington Border Police, K9 Unit, and Crime Intelligence acted on information regarding alleged drug activity at a residence in Paballelo. A search and seizure warrant was executed, leading to the discovery of a significant quantity of dagga on 11 December 2025.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the discovered dagga estimated at a street value of R189 000 was confiscated. Masegela said the police arrested a man (26) for dealing in dagga and he is expected to appear in court soon.
“This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between SAPS units. We will continue to disrupt the supply and trade of illicit substances in our communities,” she said.
Picture: SMMEs owners receive funding from the North West Department of Social Development/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it strongly condemns the reckless and unlawful misallocation of public funds by the North West Department of Social Development. EFF said this follows an event in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, where the department handed business equipment to small enterprises.
EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said this action represents a fundamental and deliberate violation of the department’s mandate and a gross misappropriation of funds earmarked for the most vulnerable in our society. Moema said the official 2025-26 Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the North West Department of Social Development, which was tabled and adopted in the Provincial Legislature, confirms that there is no programme, sub-programme, or allocated budget for the provisioning of business equipment to SMMEs.
“The APP clearly outlines programmes for Social Welfare Services, Children and Families, Restorative Services, and Development and Research, all of which are exclusively focused on core social welfare services.
“The department’s actions in financing and distributing business equipment constitute a gross violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) as it is an unauthorized and wasteful expenditure on a mandate that does not belong to it,” he said.
Moema further said the budgeted money the department is allegedly squandering was meant for critical social development projects. He added that these funds could have been directed to struggling Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and orphanages that are collapsing due to a lack of funding for food, salaries and basic appliances needed to care for our people.
“While enterprise development is crucial, it is the explicit mandate of the Department of Economic Development and other dedicated agencies. The DSD is overstepping its boundaries and using its own budget to perform functions of another department, thereby failing in its primary duty to protect and uplift the poor, the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.
“This deliberate overreach sets a dangerous and unacceptable precedent for governance and public finance management. If this act of impunity is not addressed decisively, it will signal to all other departments that they may freely divert their budgets to programmes outside their legal mandates, leading to complete budgetary anarchy and the collapse of service delivery,” said Moema.
He said the DSD must be held accountable for this unlawful expenditure. Moema said they demand an immediate investigation by the Provincial Treasury, SCOPA and the Auditor-General into this unauthorised spending, and we call for consequence management, including possible criminal charges, against the political and administrative leadership responsible for this violation.
Picture: One of the initiation schools set on fire/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has commended members of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for their swift and coordinated response that led to the safe rescue of 64 initiates (male and female) and shut down of five illegal initiation schools, which operated in three districts.
Molapisi said the successful operation which began last week, resulted in rescuing 14 male initiates in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 15 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and 24 male initiates and 11 female initiates from bogus initiation schools.
“Our PICC members acted with precision and urgency. We applaud their proactive approach in ensuring the safety of our initiates. We will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with unregistered and illegal initiation schools in the province.
“We urge communities and parents to remain alert and report any suspicious or unregistered initiation activities to authorities without delay. The PICC and the department have embarked on campaigns to make our people aware of the Customary Initiation Act and processes to follow to register the initiation school and comply,” he said.
Molapisi further said the time for complacency is over. He added that they are going to shut down all illegal schools and safeguard the lives of the young people.
“If you want to operate an initiation you must comply” concluded Molapisi.
Picture: Three of four murder accused persons/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- A murder case against a rapist and alleged murderer, Bakang Katong (32), his co-accused, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34), was postponed to 19 January 2026, by Taung Regional Court for pre-trial.
The accused persons were arrested three years ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), in cold blood. This comes after they accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.
“The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” he said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.
: The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie calls on communities across the province to continue to protect the rights of women and children beyond the observation of 16 days ratified by the UN member states. Dantjie’s appeal comes at the time when the country observes International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2025.
She further said they mark the International Human Rights Day today. Dantjie added that as they do so, they also call on community members to continue to promote respect, observance and protection of human rights for everyone.
“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is the violation of human rights. Let us therefore, take it upon ourselves to promote human dignity, freedom and security of the vulnerable groups among us if we are to sustain our human rights culture and eradicate gender based violence.
“Despite the shrinking fiscus, our department is providing funding to Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) to enable them to play a crucial role in combating gender based violence by rendering essential services and support to victims beyond the 16 days of activism campaign and other commemorative days,” she said.
Dantjie said their services include community engagements, awareness campaigns, sheltering, counselling, court preparations and psychosocial support to the victims.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi
By REGINALD KANYANE
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi said she has noted with serious concern, the denial of issuing report cards of some learners. Motsumi said currently, schools across the province are in the process of issuing reports to learners.
She further said in some schools, learners have been denied report cards due to various reasons involving outstanding fees they owe to the school. Motsumi added that she strongly condemned those schools that deny learners report cards.
“I have received numerous calls from parents and learners across the province, who complained about learners being denied their report cards. This action is highly unacceptable, and those school principals should desist from doing so. Every year at this time, I continue to repeat the same message that learners should be given their report cards.
“Schools should deal with parents, not learners to ensure that they recover any outstanding money. Parents need to fulfill the commitments they make to schools,” she said.
10 Sedimonthole 2025- Ba lelapa la ga Othusitse Nini Mocwiri (39) wa kwa dipolasing tsa matlhotsana, gaufi le Schweizer Reneke, ba re ba belaela fa morwa wa bone a bolailwe. Se, se tla morago ga gore setopo sa ga Mocwiri se bonwe kwa nageng.
Go begwa fa Mocwiri a ile a amogela mogala go tswa go mongwe wa tsala ya gagwe kwa polasing e gaufi gore a ye go tsaya nama ya kgomo. Go begwa fa Mocwiri a ile a adima setobetobe (bycicle) ya mongwe go ragogela kwa polasing eo.
Fela, go begwa fa a sa boela gae ka lone letsatsi leo. Go begwa fa kgarebe ya gagwe, e ile ya tlhobaetsega, mme ya leba kwa tsaleng ya ga Mocwiri o neng a mo tshepisitse nama.
Mongwe wa ba lelapa, Tebogo Gabonewe, are lekgarebe la ga Mocwiri le ile la makadiwa ke gore fa a botsa tsala ya ga Mocwiri gore o mokapelo wa gagwe o kae, one a mo laela fa a tlhokafetse. Gabonewe are e ne ya re ka go makala, lekgarebe la ga Mocwiri la kokota gape, mme a botsa tsala ya ga Mocwiri gore o raya jang fa are o tlhokafetse.
“Ke fa monna yo, a tswa ka selepe, mme a mo lelekisa. Ka Tshipi, go ile ga tla mapodisi, mme ba ile ba tlhalosa fa ba se kitla ba ya go batla Mocwiri, mme bone ba tlile go tsaya pegelo (statement) fela. Morago ga gore mapodisi a tsamaye, baagi ba ile ba tsaya tshwetso ya go tswa letsholo mabapi e le go batlana le Mocwiri.
“E ne ya re fa baagi ba tswa, ba ile ba kopana le sejanaga sa sepodisi se sengwe, mme ba se emisa. Ba ile ba neela mapodisi ao kgang e, mme ba ile ba makala ka mokgwa o mapodisi a a neng a biditswe ba tshotseng kgang e botsatsa ka teng. Mapodisi a, ba ile ba kopa dinomoro tsa tsala ya ga Mocwiri, ga mmogo le mong wa polasi e go begwang fa Mocwiri a ne a ile go tsaya nama kwa go yone,” Gabonewe wa tlhalosa.
Gabonewe are baagi ba ile ba tswelela ka letsholo-patlo la bone, mme ga ba k aba bona sepe. Gabonewe are ka Labobedi, baagi ba ile ba tswelela ka letsholo-patlo la bone.
“Fela go ya ka dipego, ba ile ba fitlhela setopo sa ga Mocwiri se rapaletse mo tseleng. Baagi ba ile ba letsetsa sepodisi, mme se ile sa tla le go ba kopa gore ba se shupe ope ka monona ntle le bopaki. Sepodisi se ile sa tlhalosa fa se belaela fa Mocwiri a lomilwe ke noga. Ba forensiki ba ile ba fitlha le go tsaya setopo sa ga Mocwiri.
“Sepodisi se tlhalositse fa se tla ntsha pegelo ya morago ga loso. Ka Laboraro, ba losika ba ile ba amogela mogala yo o supang fa pego ya morago ga loso e shupa fa loso la ga Mocwiri e le la tlholego,” Gabonewe wa tlhatlhosa.
Fela Gabonewe are ka bokhutsane, balosika ga ba kgotsofalela ka mokgwa o sepodisi se tsamaisitseng kgetsi e ka teng.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Ee ke nnete sepodisi se a itse ka tiragalo e. Moswi o ile a begwa fa a timetse fa kgwedi ya Sedimonthole e tlhola letsatsi. Fela, setopo sa gagwe se ile sa bonwa mo letsatsing le le latelang kwa polasing nngwe.”
Picture: Child malnutrition continues to rise/Generic
By AGISANANG SCUFF
10 December 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent national intervention as newly released parliamentary replies confirm that child malnutrition in South Africa continues to claim hundreds of young lives each year. In answer to a written parliamentary question by the DA [RNW6755], the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed that between May and September 2025, 92 and 206 children under 5 years died in public hospitals with moderate and severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition, respectively.
The DA Spokesperson on Health and Member of Parliament (MP), Michele Clarke said during the same period, 1776 and 2944 children under 5 years-old were admitted to public hospitals with MAM and SAM. Clarke said these numbers follow earlier findings that revealed that between January and April 2025, 155 children under the age of five died in public hospitals with MAM and SAM as an underlying condition and 4 759 children were admitted to public hospitals with moderate or severe acute malnutrition.
“Another PQ [RNW6979] revealed that 19 186 and 5 810 children under 5 years received treatment for MAM and SAM, respectively at public health clinics, while 30 390 children under 5 years (new cases) received food supplementation.
“These numbers highlight a system overwhelmed by preventable hunger and poor early childhood nutrition. To address this crisis, the DA is finalising the Feed the Nation Private Members’ Bill, which aims to bolster the fight against malnutrition by making it easier for supermarkets and consumers to donate unsold edible food to distribution organisations and creating processes for this to be done,” she said.
Clarke further said the Bill proposes clear processes to ensure food safety, accountability and efficient delivery, allowing edible food that would otherwise be discarded to reach families in need. She added that no child in South Africa should die of hunger.
“Malnutrition is both preventable and treatable, and its persistence reflects a failure of governance, coordination, and political will. The DA will continue to fight for the adoption of practical, life-saving reforms and for the protection of every child’s right to nutrition, dignity, and survival,” said Clarke.
The Guardian 