Picture: Street vendors and small business operators
By STAFF REPORTER
29 June 2026 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Sonja Boshoff has called on small business operators and street vendors to exercise extreme caution on 30 June and to avoid exposing themselves to unnecessary danger. Boshoff said the concerns many South Africans have regarding the impact of illegal immigration are genuine and deserve to be heard.
She further said these concerns point to systemic failures that require decisive and lawful action by the government. Boshoff added that, however, no grievance can ever justify vandalism, intimidation, assault or any other form of criminal conduct.
“The constitutional right to protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must always be exercised peacefully, responsibly and within the confines of the law. The rights of those who protest must be balanced with the rights of others to safety, dignity, freedom of movement and the protection of their property.
“The committee has called on street vendors, particularly foreign nationals operating in affected areas, to avoid confrontation with protesters and to exercise heightened caution until the situation has stabilised,” she said.
Boshoff said the unofficial deadline of 30 June, set by anti-illegal immigration activists, has generated significant public attention, with demonstrations taking place across parts of the country over the past two months. She said while the frustrations expressed by many communities cannot simply be dismissed, any attempt to take the law into one’s own hands must be unequivocally condemned.
“The current situation highlights the urgent need for the government to demonstrate that immigration laws are being enforced consistently, fairly and without fear or favour. Government must communicate a clear and credible plan beyond the 30 June deadline.
“Failure to do so will create risks, uncertainty and allow legitimate public concerns to be exploited by opportunists or political actors seeking to incite instability,” said Boshoff.
She also called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to uphold the constitution by acting professionally, impartially and without political interference. Boshoff said the police have a constitutional duty to protect every person within South Africa, to facilitate lawful and peaceful protest, and to act decisively against violence, intimidation, looting and criminality, regardless of who is responsible.
“Lawful protest must never be obstructed, but equally, the rule of law must prevail, and those who commit criminal acts must be held accountable. We urge all South Africans to act responsibly and peacefully.
“Our democracy is strongest when the constitution is respected, the law is applied equally and grievances are addressed through lawful processes rather than violence. South Africa must remain a country governed by the rule of law, where public order and human dignity are protected without exception,” she concluded.
25 June 2026 – The Northern Cape Provincial Joint Structure (PROV JOINTS) comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS), government departments, municipalities and other law enforcement and security stakeholders, wish to assure communities across the province that comprehensive operational plans are in place to ensure the safety and security of all residents ahead of the planned 30 June shutdown actions and any related activities. The Provincial Joint Structure said it has been closely monitoring developments, including calls for protest action, public gatherings and sentiments targeting foreign nationals.
The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said while the right to peaceful protest is protected by the constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), this right must be exercised within the confines of the law and should not infringe on the rights, safety and dignity of others. Otola said the security forces will not tolerate any acts of violence, intimidation, destruction of property, disruption of essential services, criminality or any form of discrimination and xenophobic-related actions directed at individuals or communities based on nationality or any other grounds.
“We directed that all operational deployments remain focused, intelligence-driven and coordinated to maintain public order, prevent crime and respond swiftly to any incidents that may threaten the safety of communities.
“Law enforcement officers will be deployed strategically across identified areas to ensure visibility, monitor developments and facilitate a safe environment for residents, businesses, road users and visitors throughout the province,” she said.
Otola further said the public is urged to remain calm and to obtain information from credible sources and are encouraged to work together with law enforcement agencies by reporting any suspicious activities, acts of violence or criminal behaviour to the relevant authorities. She added that the Northern Cape remains committed to promoting social cohesion, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“The Provincial Joint Structure further calls on all residents to reject violence, hate speech and actions that may create division within communities. The safety and security of every person living in the Northern Cape remains a collective responsibility.
“The Provincial Joint Structures are ready and committed to ensuring that peace and stability is maintained before, during and after the planned activities,” said Otola.
Picture: The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality
By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 June 2025- The Democratic Alliance in the North West said it has opened criminal cases against the Ditsobotla mayor, Molefe Morutse , the municipal speaker, Manana Bogatsu and the Municipal Manager, Oloatse Bojosinyane, under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, for fraud, intimidation, coercion and extortion. The DA said these criminal cases relate to the establishment of an illegal parallel municipal council at a meeting held in March 2025, where it is alleged that fraudulent resignation letters from the ‘legitimate’ mayor, speaker and legally appointed acting Municipal Manager, were presented and where they were illegally removed from office.
The DA North West Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Chris Steyl said after this illegal parallel council meeting, Bojosinyane allegedly managed to gain access to the Ditsobotla municipal offices, resulting in two gunfights which saw two persons injured and the death of another. Steyl said in addition, by some form of manipulation, it is alleged that Bojosinyane gained access to the Ditsobotla municipal bank account, completely subverting the authority of the legitimate council and its officials.
“All transactions facilitated by Bojosinyane since his hostile takeover is tantamount to fraud, if not theft. In addition, this unlawful parallel troika and council have not only resorted to violence, but now employ mafia tactics like intimidation, coercion and extortion by withholding the salaries of councillors and municipal workers, who refuse to legitimise the unlawful behaviour of these pretenders, Morutse, Bogatsu and Bojosinyane, under the guise of an employee verification exercise.
“There are no less than four High Court judgements confirming that the legitimate Ditsobotla Troika consists of Mazwi Moruri as the mayor, Jarious Modisakeng as the speaker, and Rasupang Mooketsi as the acting Municipal Manager,” he said.
Steyl further said the High Court handed down its judgements on 15 March, 10 April, 30 April, and 9 May 2025. He added that the SAPS must investigate these charges swiftly to ensure arrest and successful prosecution.
“In addition, the DA has also written to the National Minister of COGTA, Velenkosini Hlabisa, bringing these latest criminal developments to his attention and urging him to place the Ditsobotla Local Municipality under Section 139(7) national government administration, as we requested in January 2025.
“Ditsobotla residents continue to suffer unimaginable hardship as electricity blackouts and water shutdowns continue unabated while ANC factions fight over who is mayor and who is not. This must be put to an end immediately,” said Steyl.
He said while the situation in Ditsobotla is dire, hope remains. Steyl said the DA in North West will continue to pursue every mechanism at its disposal to fight for the rights and services residents are entitled to.
“DA councillors in Ditsobotla remain resolute and will continue to serve residents, working with community members and business stakeholders to respond to service delivery needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the municipal speaker of Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Jairous Modisakeng said the municipality continues to be plagued by the unlawful actions of dismissed Municipal Manager, Olaotse Bojosinyane, who, in concert with Morutse (who illegally presents himself as mayor) and Bogatsu (who illegally presents herself as the speaker), maintains an illegal tenure through force and division within the council. Modisakeng said these individuals, having been explicitly ordered by a court to cease representing themselves as municipal authorities, have systematically excluded the majority of councillors and employees from the municipal payroll.
“This punitive action is taken against those who refuse to recognize their illegitimate authority. On 18 June 2025, councillors and employees who sought clarification regarding their non-payment were met with violence.
“Private security personnel, acting under the direct instruction of Morutse and Bojosinyane, denied them entry to the municipal premises. While standing peacefully outside, these security personnel launched an unprovoked and brutal assault, severely injuring at least one councillor and several employees,” he said.
Modisakeng said this alarming incident occurred directly in the presence of South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, who failed to intervene. He said this inaction by SAPS Lichtenburg is part of a disturbing pattern.
“Previously, SAPS Lichtenburg refused to open a case of trespassing against these security personnel, and cases involving employees shot with live ammunition (by one of the security personnel) have seen the perpetrator released just after two days and the case not pursued any further.
“I was assaulted by the same security personnel in front of police, with no subsequent action taken on the opened case. Evidence strongly suggests that SAPS Lichtenburg, and by extension, the province under the Acting Provincial Commissioner, is compromised by local politics,” said Moadisakeng.
He said their failure to act against criminal conduct, even when committed in their full view, severely undermines their willingness to combat crime and uphold the law. Modisakeng said this grave dereliction of duty will be formally reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
“Such conduct by SAPS effectively enables Bojosinyane and his associates to disregard the rule of law with impunity.
Furthermore, ABSA Bank, the municipality’s primary banking institution, has consistently refused to remove the dismissed Municipal Manager, Bojosinyane from accessing public funds.
“This refusal persists despite multiple court orders. By enabling Bojosinyane to access these funds, ABSA Bank is effectively enabling the use of public money for his personal legal battles and to pay for a private security company that was controversially appointed even before he officially reported for duty,” he said.
Modisakeng said this raises serious concerns regarding corporate ethical standards. He said the communities of Ditsobotla are bearing the severe consequences of this ongoing governance crisis, manifested in a profound lack of service delivery.
“Every attempt to secure intervention from sector government or establish service delivery collaborations with the private sector is actively disrupted by those who benefit from the prevailing dysfunction and collapse of governance. The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has been reduced to a mere “spending center” incapable of sustaining itself.
“We reiterate our urgent call for a national government intervention. Such intervention is critical and must be expedited for the benefit and well-being of the communities of Ditsobotla,” he said.
3 April 2025– Five accused briefly appeared in the Koster Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion at the construction site, intimidation, malicious damage to property and kidnapping. The accused, Andrew Matane (42), Blasius Makati (49), Chapel Mahlasela (50), Thabo Frederick (50) and Lazarus Mazaleni (54), were arrested after an investigation conducted subsequent to Provincial Organised Crime receiving an extortion complaint in March 2025, a South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) contractor appointed to reconstruct the road between N4 and Koster.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused allegedly disrupted the construction and intimidated the contractor, project managers and employees, after their bids for appointment as sub-contractors did not succeed. Manyoba said they allegedly intimidated and forced construction officials to stay in a meeting, despite responding to issues they were called to clarify.
“Additionally, the accused allegedly mobilised members of the community to disrupt and stop the project, leading to the closure of the site. In a positive response to a serious concern of extortion, a multidisciplinary team consisting of the Provincial Organised Crime, Anti-Gang Unit and Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP) arrested five suspects on 1 April 2025, in Koster.
“During the release of the Provincial Third Quarter Crime Statistics, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, in response to the concerns of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, and the Provincial Executive, sent out a strong message that those who commit acts of extortion and protests that often target contractors and critical infrastructure will be hunted down, arrested and be prosecuted,” she said.
Manyoba further said this arrest is just one of many to follow. She added that the case was postponed to 7 April 2025, for a bail application and all accused remain in custody.
3 April 2025– Five accused briefly appeared in the Koster Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion at the construction site, intimidation, malicious damage to property and kidnapping. The accused, Andrew Matane (42), Blasius Makati (49), Chapel Mahlasela (50), Thabo Frederick (50) and Lazarus Mazaleni (54), were arrested after an investigation conducted subsequent to Provincial Organised Crime receiving an extortion complaint in March 2025, a South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) contractor appointed to reconstruct the road between N4 and Koster.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused allegedly disrupted the construction and intimidated the contractor, project managers and employees, after their bids for appointment as sub-contractors did not succeed. Manyoba said they allegedly intimidated and forced construction officials to stay in a meeting, despite responding to issues they were called to clarify.
“Additionally, the accused allegedly mobilised members of the community to disrupt and stop the project, leading to the closure of the site. In a positive response to a serious concern of extortion, a multidisciplinary team consisting of the Provincial Organised Crime, Anti-Gang Unit and Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP) arrested five suspects on 1 April 2025, in Koster.
“During the release of the Provincial Third Quarter Crime Statistics, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, in response to the concerns of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, and the Provincial Executive, sent out a strong message that those who commit acts of extortion and protests that often target contractors and critical infrastructure will be hunted down, arrested and be prosecuted,” she said.
Manyoba further said this arrest is just one of many to follow. She added that the case was postponed to 7 April 2025, for a bail application and all accused remain in custody.
The Guardian 