Tag Archives: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management

Two armed suspects who allegedly committed robbery assaulted by community members   

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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.

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Morweng concerned about blatant disregard of basic traffic regulations

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By REGINALD KANYANE

10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, said he is concerned about the blatant disregard of basic traffic regulations by road users. Morweng said this comes after the report for the first ten days of law enforcement operations indicated that most moving violations are what should be basic traffic regulations.

He further said the province’s weighbridges have also been at the peak. Morweng added that over 1200 heavy motor vehicles had been weighed so far.

“Of the 5107 vehicles that had been stopped at various operations throughout the province, almost half of the motorists have contravened one or more of the National Road Traffic Act statutes. Some of the violations include common offenses like excessive speeding, failing to obey traffic signs, seatbelt non-compliance and using of mobile phones while driving.

“In the last 10 days, 92 drivers did not have driving licenses, 11 were transporting passengers without Public Passenger Transport Permits, 240 were overloading passengers, 25 were driving unlicensed vehicles and 62 were not wearing seatbelts,” he said.

 Morweng said more drivers are still speeding excessively as 112 were caught by speed cameras since the beginning of December 2025. He said worryingly, 77 drivers were driving unroadworthy vehicles for which 54 fines were issued and two of those were discontinued whilst one was impounded.

 “In total, 829 contraventions were recorded of which either fines were issued or arrests effected. I have directed that there be visibility of law enforcement on all arterial routes coming to or going through the province including local routes which statistics indicate are prone for pedestrian accidents.

 “To ensure visibility is heightened, a 24-hour law enforcement operation on all major roads has been embarked upon. A friendly warning to all who will be traveling to or through the North West is that, we will be welcoming for all who obey the law, but you will find us inhospitable for all those who will be in contravention of any regulation,” said Morweng.

He said the department has purchased 37 new vehicles for traffic officers and will be used to specifically patrol N4, N12, N14, N18, R24, R30, R49, R503 and R510. Morweng said the last quarter of the year has also recorded an increased registration of vehicles.

“From September 2025, registered vehicles in the country stood at 13 646 029 vehicles. Of these, 684 000 were registered in the North West. Added to this, is the expected number of holidaymakers who will be visiting the province as ecotourists. 

“I have implored on all law enforcement officers to be disciplined at all times notwithstanding occasional provocations from some motorists. We are living in a world obsessed with and preoccupied by social media. Many people will be travelling determined to make content for their social media pages out of your behaviour,” he said.

Morweng said many will provoke law enforcement officers, record their conduct and their response to their provocation. He urged the law enforcement officers not to give them the satisfaction and treat everyone with utmost respect.

“During this period, we expect you to resist all kinds of temptations that will present itself to you. During this festive season, when the risks of impaired and reckless driving, speeding, moving violations and driver fatigue will be on the increase, vigilance and dedication and ultimate discipline from you will make a difference.

“We continue to admire your commitment to service, we appreciate your courage and implore on you to ensure South Africans Arrive Alive,” said Morweng.

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Morweng handed over 37 new vehicles to traffic officers

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Picture: New 37 vehicles to traffic officers to ensure visibility on all arterial routes in the province/Facebook

By AGISANANG SCUFF

8 December 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said all road users without exception will be expected to comply with traffic regulations. Morweng said those who will be caught bending the rules will face the wrath of the law.

He handed over new 37 vehicles to traffic officers to ensure visibility on all arterial routes in the province.

Morweng further said the handing over of the vehicles followed a Joint Inter-Provincial law enforcement operation with Gauteng Province just outside Potchefstroom, led by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy. He added that they were accompanied by the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua.

“If we are to reduce road fatalities, we have to be intentional in our approach. There must be a zero tolerance to all infractions however innocuous they may be. We are giving you these new 37 high-powered vehicles to specifically patrol and ensure visibility on N4, N12, N14 and N18.

“Patrols must also include all regional roads in the province. The target is to be visible especially during night which statistics have indicated record major crashes. The vehicles will enable traffic officers to efficiently patrol roads that have previously experienced not only high traffic volume but fatal accidents as well,” said Morweng.

He said the elite traffic policing unit will patrol N4 from Brits Toll Plaza which marks the boundary with Gauteng, all the way down to Skilpadshek, which marks the border with neighbouring Botswana. Morweng said the same patrolling will be on N12, N14, N18, R24, R30, R49 and R510.

“Since 1 December 2025, most of the fines issued for traffic offences ranged from drunk driving, speeding and reckless and negligent driving. Some of the drivers who were stopped had outstanding warrants of arrests against their traffic fines that they had ignored to pay.

“Traffic officers must clamp down on lawlessness on the road because previous records show that fatalities are as a direct result of excessive speeding, brazen disregard for the law and senseless recklessness,” he said.

Morweng said in the third quarter from September 2025, registered vehicles in the country had increased to 13 646 029 vehicles. He said of these, 684 000 were registered in the North West.

“Given that the province is both thoroughfares for SADC and other provinces, traffic is expected to heighten as holidaymakers will be coming to or passing through the province. This will add more pressure on the traffic officers and congestion on the roads during peak travel periods is also expected.

“Added to that, inclement weather as we are in the rainy season will also pressure them more. We therefore are appealing to all motorists to work with us. Those who will be in contravention of the law will find us uncompromising,” he said.

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Motsweding FM sports presenter, Oshebeng Koonyaditse wins a prestigious award

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Picture: Motsweding FM sports presenter, Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse/Facebook

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 December 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has congratulated one of the department’s employees, Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse on being awarded the Telkom Radio Award. Morweng said Koonyaditse, who analyses sports for Motsweding FM on weekends, won at the awards held at Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday evening.

He further said the Telkom Radio Awards are South Africa’s most prestigious platform for recognising outstanding and innovative achievements in the radio industry. Morweng added that they have been awarded to individuals and stations for outstanding performances for over a decade.

“Koonyaditse had a long career in the media industry before joining public service, currently serving as the Head of Communications at the department. We applaud him for this achievement,” he said.

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Morweng concerned amid police killings in Ganyesa

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng during march/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

4 November 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said he is concerned about the police killings, which appear to be random. However, Morweng said a life lost is one too many.

He led a march against police killings on Monday following the murder of off-duty police officer, Constable Boikanyo Molale (29) in Ganyesa, outside Vryburg. Molale’s body was found on Saturday morning at 5:30am. Morweng said four accused, Beziwe Kiet (27), Phemelo Kiet (22), Thabiso Kgosiencho(22) and Keookantse Kgosiencho (23), briefly appeared in Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 3 November 2025.

“This is the second incident of police murder in the same area in seven months following that of a murder of Constable Eric Tekolo (41) in April 2025. Three accused were arrested and their court case is ongoing. What is disturbing is that the accused in both murders are young people.

“They are very young and that makes one wonder what could lead young people to commit such heinous crimes. What is wrong with our society to take the life of someone protecting the society? We must send a message to stop police killings,” he said.

Meanwhile, the murder case against four accused was postponed to 1 December 2025, pending investigation. The accused decided to abandon bail.

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North West educators jet-off to China

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Picture: Three North West educators/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 October 2025- Three educators from the North West are part of the Department of Basic Education contingent jetting off to the People’s Republic of China on a DBE-Chinese Embassy Partnership from 20 October to 13 November 2025. The partnership, among others, involves Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology E-learning educators who shall have emerged through the processes of the National Teaching Awards will take part in the learning exchange programme.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said one of the three educators is Dimakatso Sefora from Moremogolo Primary School in the Bojanala District. Motsumi said Sefora won the 2023 competition and obtained position 3 in the Technology-enhanced Teaching and Learning Category.

“She is also a SchoolNet winner due to her integration of ICT-centred teaching. Her passion for digital learning had in the past earned her the award of Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) Super Teacher of the Year and the EduWeek Africa ICT Implementer of the Year (2018).  

“Another educator is Itumeleng Komane, is a young and vibrant North West University alumni who has just been promoted to be the Departmental Head at Boitekong II Secondary School in the Bojanala District. He is the 2024 national winner of the ICT-enhanced teaching category,” she said.

Motsumi further said another educator, Mxolisi Tyobeka, is the E-learning specialist in the North West Department of Education and has played a role both as a Provincial Adjudicator and coach of the Technology-enhanced teaching and learning category. She added that Tyobeka is an ardent proponent of digital learning and integration of ICT in teaching and learning.

“We wish them a wonderful journey and a productive learning experience in their three-week stay in the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of the department, I wish our educators a very safe journey to the Republic of China.

“They should ensure that they learn everything they come across during their tour, so they can share their experiences with peers in our schools. Let’s grow the North West and South Africa together,” said Motsumi.

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Morweng to launch Provincial Safer Festive Season Operation

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By BAKANG MOKOTO

16 October 2025 – The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said during the festive holidays, the South African government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to address the heightened risk of criminal activity. Morweng said this initiative, known as Safer Festive Season operations, is spearheaded by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster.

He further said it is against this background that he and the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, will launch the Provincial Safer Festive Season Operations, which runs from 1 October 2025 until 31 January 2026, in conjunction with Operation Shanela. Morweng added that the launch will take place at Mpheqeke Stadium in Kanana Township, in Orkney on Friday.

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Morweng: ‘No one is above the law’

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 October 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said they welcome the arrest of five police officers for stock theft and possession of endangered animals. Morweng said three detectives stationed in Vryburg have appeared in court for allegedly stealing four sheep belonging to a local farmer.

He further said upon realising that four of his sheep are missing, the farmer checked the security cameras, which then indicated the registration number of the vehicle in which apparently the stolen sheep were loaded. Morweng added that preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle belongs to Vryburg Detectives.

“Further investigation led the police to a house in Dithakwaneng village, outside Vryburg where a skinned carcass of a sheep was found. The three officers were then arrested alongside a local man at whose house the carcass was found. After appearing in court the three officers were granted R1000 bail and the civilian was also released on R500.

“They will appear in court again next month. On another unrelated matter, two officers stationed at Sun City Police Station were arrested in an undercover operation in Pretoria for possession of endangered species,” he said.

Morweng said the two officers, allegedly accompanied by two civilians, were selling pangolins for R160 000. He said it was as they were concluding a deal with an alleged buyer when undercover officers pounced on them.

“Though arrest of police officers is regrettable, this is nonetheless a further indication that no one is above the law. In order to clean the system and restore the confidence of communities in law enforcement as a whole, we have to arrest those that contravene the law among our ranks. We welcome their arrest and applaud the police applying the law indiscriminately,” said Morweng.

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Morweng welcomes the arrests of six police officers for various crimes

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Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng

By REGINALD KANYANE

3 October 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said he welcomes the arrest of five police officers for alleged stock theft and possession of endangered animals. Morweng said detectives stationed in Vryburg, have appeared in court for allegedly stealing four sheep belonging to a local farmer.

He further said upon realising that four of his sheep are missing, the farmer checked the security cameras which then indicated the registration number of the vehicle in which apparently the stolen sheep were loaded. He added that investigations revealed that the vehicle belongs to Vryburg Detectives.

“Further investigation led the police to a house in Dithakwaneng village, outside Vryburg where a skinned carcass of a sheep was found.

“The three officers were then arrested alongside a local man at whose house the carcass was found. After appearing in court the three officers were granted

R1000 bail and the civilian was also released on R500,” said Morweng.

He said they will appear in court again on 11 November 2025. Morweng said in another unrelated matter, two officers stationed at Sun City Police Station, were arrested in an undercover operation in Pretoria for possession of endangered specifies.

“The two officers allegedly accompanied by two civilians were selling pangolins for R160 000. It was as they were concluding a deal with an alleged buyer when undercover officers pounced on them.

“Through arrest of police officers is regrettable this is nonetheless a further indication that no one is above the law. In order to clean the system and restore confidence of communities in law enforcement as a whole, we have to arrest those that contravene the law among our ranks,” he said.

Morweng said they welcome their arrest and applaud the police applying the law indiscriminately.

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Ikhwezi Tasmica Joint Venture appointed as new bus operator

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Picture: Ikhwezi Tasmica Joint Venture buses/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

1 October 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the previous operator’s contract was terminated due to repeated violations of the Service Level Agreement (SLA). Morweng said despite being contracted to operate 133 buses, the operator consistently provided only 55 buses, a mere 40% of the required capacity.

He further said this left many passengers stranded, as scheduled routes and trips could not be adequately serviced. Morweng added that his department engaged extensively with the operator before the termination by holding several intervention meetings and issuing numerous letters in an attempt to resolve the challenges.

“Unfortunately, the situation did not improve. On 21 November 2024, a termination notice was issued, giving the operator three months to improve services. Instead of recovery, service delivery continued to decline until operations collapsed entirely.

“Consequently, in accordance with the SLA, the contract was formally terminated on 5 March 2025. As a caring government, we could not allow communities, who rely solely on this service to continue suffering. In engagements with employees, bus drivers reported being instructed to overload buses and to drive vehicles with serious mechanical defects, including faulty brakes, thereby endangering passengers’ lives,” he said. 

Morweng said commuters echoed similar frustrations, citing unreliable service, unsafe conditions, and financial losses when monthly tickets could not be honoured. He said the Commuter Forum also submitted a memorandum highlighting these grievances.

“Following the termination, the department initiated a process to appoint a new operator in line with Supply Chain Management (SCM) guidelines. This process was delayed by court challenges from the previous operator, but after a protracted legal battle, the North West High Court dismissed their appeal on 26 September 2025, confirming the department’s right to proceed.

“Today, I am pleased to officially introduce the new operator for commuter services in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District: Ikhwezi Tasmica Joint Venture. This operator has the capacity to provide safe, reliable, and efficient commuter transport ensuring passengers are neither stranded nor overloaded. As I have previously committed, the new operator has been engaged and agreement reached that priority will be given to former employees of Atamelang,” said Morweng. 

He said their absorption will occur in three phases. Morweng said current employees are still in service, former employees who resigned under financial pressure and those dismissed under questionable circumstances.

“The operator committed that training for drivers, ticket sellers, and other staff will commence as a matter of urgency. Employer/Employee committees have been formed to ensure smooth transition. Services will be introduced in phases, beginning with high volume critical routes in and around Mahikeng, Lichtenburg, and Zeerust.

“I appeal to commuters for patience, as all routes will eventually be restored once depots and facilities are fully secured. At present, the Mahikeng depot remains under Atamelang’s ownership, while the Lichtenburg depot has been destroyed, leaving Lehurutshe as the only secured facility,” he said. 

Morweng said he wishes to express his gratitude to the taxi industry for stepping in and assisting communities during this transition. He further calls for continued cooperation between the bus and taxi industries, as they complement one another.

“We rely on SANTACO leadership to nurture this partnership going forward. Ladies and Gentlemen, the resumption of the commuter service in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District marks a new beginning for reliable public transport in our Province. We are committed to restoring dignity, safety and efficiency for all commuters,” said Morweng.

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