Tag Archives: Gauteng

Police commended after major drug bust sting operation

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Picture: Drugs seized by the police/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 October 2025- The Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia commends the police for their outstanding work following a major drug bust in Midrand, Gauteng, which led to the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately R20 million. Cachalia said on Tuesday evening, 28 October 2025, a crime intelligence-driven, multidisciplinary operation led by Crime Intelligence Head Office, with the support of the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, SAPS Johannesburg K9 Unit, and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), resulted in the discovery of 80 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a storage room on a small holding in Blue Hills, Midrand.

He further said the team had been acting on intelligence regarding the storage of illegal narcotics on the premises. Cachalia added that the preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs had been brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town, Western Cape.

“A 56-year-old man, believed to be the owner of the property, was arrested on the scene and is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later this week on charges of possession and dealing in drugs. We commend the operation and is a significant step in the ongoing fight against the scourge of drugs and organised crime. This successful operation is yet another example of the dedication and professionalism of our men and women in blue.

“It demonstrates what can be achieved when intelligence and operational capacity work hand in hand. The removal of R20 million worth of cocaine from our streets is a major blow to organised criminal syndicates and a massive victory for law enforcement agencies and the long suffering parents whose children have been victims of these drug cartels. We will continue to intensify our efforts to root out drugs and dismantle criminal syndicates that threaten the safety and wellbeing of our people. We commend every member involved in this operation for their relentless pursuit of justice,” he said.

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SANCO calls on North West govt to address flood risks

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Picture: A man trapped in the water on N18 road near Vryburg in 2021/Generic

By BAKANG KOKOTO

12 January 2025- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West has called on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to take urgent and decisive action to reduce flood risks and improve infrastructure in our communities.

SANCO said climate change is a reality, and its effects such as prolonged heavy rains are increasingly evident across South Africa, including in provinces like North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said in the past two weeks, the province has faced severe flooding, causing significant damage to roads, homes, and critical state infrastructure, including hospitals. Jam said these floods have exposed the government’s inability to maintain essential infrastructure, including storm-water systems and healthcare facilities.

“For decades, communities have voiced their concerns about the deteriorating state of government infrastructure, often citing that the government of the day seems to have an attitude towards a solid foundation inherited from the former Bophuthatswana Government.

“However, instead of preserving and improving these assets, we are witnessing a decline. The health sector, in particular, highlights this neglect. Hospitals such as Thusong in Itsoseng have collapsed due to poor maintenance, leaving communities reliant on overburdened facilities like Lichtenburg Hospital and the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital,” he said.

Jam further said Gelukspan Hospital is also deteriorating rapidly and they will not be surprised should it collapse like Thusong because instead of the government responding to community requests to increase health facilities, they are failing in their face.

He added that the lack of maintenance across the province is actually threatening the sustainability of health services.

“Recent floods have worsened the situation with floods damaging the General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, forcing the transfer of patients to other facilities.

“These severe flooding also disrupted operations in the Moses Kotane Hospital, necessitating the relocation of patients. Many of these hospitals were built over 50 years ago, yet they continue to operate with outdated infrastructure,” said Jam.

He said the lack of investment in maintenance and expansion has left health facilities unable to meet the growing needs of the population. Jam said despite the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari’s “Rebona ka Matlho” program aimed at identifying and addressing these issues, no meaningful improvements have been seen.

“The community’s frustrations persist as services decline, with ambulance response times taking hours and patients sleeping on hospital floors due to overcrowding.

“Our hope for an improved public health sector is now in the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative, which other people see as another project that is going to fail and be used by corrupt individuals to enrich themselves,” he said.

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