6 January 2026- The Deputy Ministers of Police, Cassel Mathale and Dr Polly Boshielo alongside the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng and the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, as well as the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, will on Tuesday and Wednesday lead crime prevention ministerial imbizo in the North West.
The imbizo aims at creating a platform for effective interaction between police, provincial leadership and communities to address Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and other crimes prevalent in the area in efforts to find lasting solutions and interventions to ensure safety and security. The event will take place at Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mahikeng at 11am.
On Wednesday, the event will take place at Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg at 10am.
Picture: 20 excavators, two delivery vehicles and two trucks confiscated during illegal mining operation/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
25 December 2025 – As part of clamping down on the illicit economy, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, led a multidisciplinary illegal mining operation on a farm in Kroondal, outside Rustenburg. The operation was executed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), District and Rustenburg Visible Policing, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police (POP), Provincial Detectives, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and Glencore Mine officials.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said although the suspects fled into the bushes and evaded arrest, the police confiscated equipment used in illegal mining, which included 20 excavators, two light delivery vehicles and two trucks. Mokgwabone said investigations into the illegal mining activities in the area and others in the province are underway.
“Naidoo warned that the police, in collaboration with other role players, will act decisively against illegal mining to protect the legitimate economy and residents whose lives are affected by these unlawful acts,” he said.
Picture: Community members allegedly assaulted two armed suspects/Screengrab
By AGISANANG SCUFF
16 December 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, together with the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, said they have noted with concern a viral video currently circulating on various social media platforms putting to show a traffic officer being attacked. Morweng said the alleged incident took place on Monday afternoon, 15 December 2025.
He further said the preliminary investigations indicate that the incident happened on the R503 road between Klerksdorp and Hartbeesfontein. Morweng added that this follows an alleged armed robbery that occurred shortly before the video was recorded.
“It is reported that two suspects aged 44 and 26, who are accused of having committed an armed robbery, were apprehended by members of the public. The traffic officer, who was on patrol duties, was stopped by community members and the suspects, who were being pursued, ran for cover in a traffic officer’s vehicle.
“Their pursuers then attacked them inside the traffic vehicle. The traffic officer called the police who responded quickly and the community members fled from the scene. The two suspects, who were severely beaten, were taken to the hospital under police guard. A firearm with ammunition, believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged armed robbery, was also handed over to the traffic officer,” he said.
Morweng said the suspects remain under police detention, while receiving medical treatment. He said the firearm and ammunition have been seized as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo said the duo will appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on charges of armed robbery and for illegal possession of a firearm with ammunition as soon as they are discharged from the hospital. Naidoo said a suspect (26) will also be charged for the contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.
“The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the events depicted in the video. Further action will be taken in line with the outcome of the investigations. The public is urged to allow police to conduct their investigations without interference and to refrain from the circulation of unverified information that may cause unnecessary alarm or misinformation.
“We strongly condemn acts of violence and vigilantism, and caution members of the public against taking the law into their own hands. While community cooperation in reporting crime is encouraged and appreciated, the apprehension and punishment of suspects remain the responsibility of law enforcement, including justice agencies,” he said.
The Guardian 