Picture: The vehicle that the trio was travelling in intercepted by the police/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
14 December 2025- Three accused, Menzi Mngadi (42) driver, Peter Legong (39), ward councillor at Madibeng Local Municipality and ANC regional secretary in Bojanala, Raymond Mogaile (40), have appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court following their arrest at Menlyn on 11 December 2025, by the Anti-Corruption Investigation, Head Office of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
The trio were arrested in an intelligence-driven operation after they demanded a gratification amounting to R300 000 from a local businessman in exchange for the awarding of a tender, which was advertised by the Madibeng Local Municipality during November 2025.
The Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale said it is alleged that the complainant was contacted by one of the suspects inquiring if the businessman was interested in being assisted to secure a tender. Mogale said subsequently, the trio is reported to have arranged a meeting with the businessman, wherein they discussed the amount to exchange hands.
“The law abiding businessman then reported the matter to the Serious Corruption Investigation who in turn obtained the necessary documents to set up an operation.
“The case against the trio was postponed to 15 December 2025, for further investigation,” she said.
20 November 2025- Three accused, Simphiwe Dube (22), Fekeza Mathe (36), and Mathews Pitse (48), briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 19 November 2025, facing charges of fraud. The trio were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation on 17 and 18 November 2025.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said in October 2019, a member of the public, who is still at large, allegedly submitted an application for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Mathebula said it is reported that a claim of over R53 000 was processed and paid to the claimant.
“Investigation revealed that the claimant was never an employee of the company he claimed to have worked for. It was further established during the investigation that, Mathews Pitse, the registration supervisor at the Department of Labour based in Klerksdorp, used the centre number of Mmabatho when he processed payment for the claimant, instead of Klerksdorp’s where he is stationed.
“After receiving the funds, the claimant allegedly transferred R24 500 to Simphiwe Dube and a further R21 500 to Fekeza Mathe, who was also the registration supervisor at the Department of Labour based in Klerksdorp,” he said.
Mathebula further said following an investigation, the suspects were apprehended and charged with fraud. He added that they appeared in court and were granted R2000 bail each.
“Their matter was postponed to 7 January 2026,” said Mathebula.
31 October 2025- Three accused, Letlhogonolo Selaledi (34), Thabang Kgalapa (33) and Kenneth Chauke (34), were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Taung Regional Court for damaging essential infrastructure. Selaledi, Kgapala and Chauke were convicted of tampering with essential infrastructure and each received 15 years of direct imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 12 May 2024 in Pudimoe Township, near Taung, where police received information that three men were digging up copper cables near the Pudimoe Police Station. Gunya said acting swiftly, the police proceeded to the scene and found the accused removing copper cables and loading them onto a truck.
“The stolen cables were valued at R151 778.28. When questioned, the men claimed they had been contracted by Openserve. However, upon verification, the company’s Area Manager confirmed that no such contract existed between Openserve and the accused. The men were immediately arrested on the scene. During the trial, all three pleaded not guilty to the charge of tampering with essential infrastructure.
“The state prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa, led evidence from the Openserve Area Manager, who refuted any employment or contractual relationship with the accused.
In aggravation of sentence, Mokgopa emphasised the seriousness of the offence and its broader impact on society, highlighting that the destruction and tampering of infrastructure disrupt essential services such as electricity supply, contributing to challenges like load-shedding,” he said.
Gunya further said in delivering judgment, Magistrate Buti Zulu concurred with the state, describing the accused’s actions as selfish and detrimental to the residents of Pudimoe. He added that Zulu subsequently imposed a sentence of 15 years imprisonment on each of the three men.
Welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Mokgopa, the investigating officer and all stakeholders for their dedication in securing the conviction.
“The NPA remains committed to combating crime and upholding the rule of law. We hope this sentence will serve as a strong deterrent and help safeguard essential infrastructure that is vital to community livelihoods,” said Dr Makhari.
Picture: Suspected stolen goats seized by the police/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
22 October 2025- Three accused, Melton Francois Mapsanganhe (35), Boa Camaroes Koza (39) and Aobake Johnson Gwayisa (23), were remanded in custody until 27 October 2025. The trio briefly appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on 20 October 2025, for possession of suspected stolen goats.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the accused’s court appearance emanated from their apprehension on Thursday morning, 16 October 2025, after 26 goats, including two that were already dead, were found inside their Toyota Quantum. Myburgh said according to information, traffic officials were conducting their daily patrols on the N14 road between Ventersdorp and Coligny when they stopped the Quantum along the road and discovered the goats.
“The traffic officers also found other stolen property, including clothing in their vehicle. The trio failed to account for the livestock and were immediately arrested. Investigations conducted by the Stilfontein Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES), positively identified the owner of the goats in Mmabatho.
“It was also determined that two of the accused (Koza and Gwayisa) are from Mozambique and illegally in the country. As a result, they will be facing additional charges of contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, congratulated the traffic officers for their vigilance that led to the interception of the trio, and indicated that the police and other JOINTS role players will continue to work hard together in the combating of crime including stock theft.
8 August 2025- Three accused, Samuel Mlambo (38) and Serame Moroke (29) who were arrested for murder by the Hartbeespoortdam Crime Prevention, remanded in custody until 19 August 2025 for bail application. Mlambo and Moroke were charged with murder that was allegedly committed in 2023.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said this comes after the mutilated, partly burnt and badly decomposed corpse of a woman, Gontse Makhubela (20), who had been reported missing by her family, was recovered at a refuse dumping site in Elandskraal, Brits on 23 November 2023.
“Two suspects were arrested after a meticulous and unrelenting investigation by the District Serious and Violent Crimes Team on 6 August 2025. The police followed the leads after acting on credible information.
“Mlambo and Serame are positively linked to the barbaric and wicked murder after the police recovered the deceased’s cellular phone. Further investigation led the police to Winterveldt, Gauteng Province, where the third suspect was arrested after being found in possession of the deceased’s organs,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said investigation has since revealed that the victim was tricked and lured to death by Moroke, who was tasked by Mlambo to find a young woman fitting a particular profile to be murdered in order that Mlambo could have her organs for muthi. He added that investigation has also revealed that Mlambo is an illegal Mozambican witchdoctor, who claims to be a traditional healer and on his orders, the deceased was kidnapped before she was brutally murdered, dismembered and burnt.
“In addition to the murder, the first two accused were charged with kidnapping, violation and or defiling a corpse as well as Contravention of Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act against the Mozambican upon appearance before the Brits Magistrate’s Court.
“The third accused, who is also a traditional healer from Mozambique, is expected to appear in the Garankuwa Magistrate’s Court on 11 August 2025. Investigations into the matter continue and there are possibilities of more arrests,” said Mokgwabone.
12 July 2025 – Three accused, Danny Mashaba (35), Samson Machigera (33) and Raphael Movela (24), are expected to briefly appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2025, for trespassing. Mashaba, Machigera and Movela were arrested for allegedly trespassing at Sibanye Stilwater’s Operation Belt 4 in Marikana on 8 July 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said this comes after the security officers responded to an alarm at the shaft and upon investigation allegedly saw a group of people, who were on the way to walk out of the decline shaft gate (the shaft was closed for production in March 2024). Myburgh said upon seeing security officers, the group allegedly ran back into the shaft and left three dead bodies behind.
“The bodies were found fastened to self-made stretchers. Furthermore, four men were arrested. Out of the four, two were taken to hospital. One was treated and arrested after being discharged.
“The other one is still admitted under police guard. The police have also opened an inquest docket for investigation of the three bodies and the deceased are to be identified,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, immediately after the incident was reported to the police, instructed both the acting District Commissioner and the Provincial Operational Coordination Centre Head to plan a multi-disciplinary operation at this mine, which has never reported any incidents of illegal mining, trespassing or other illegal mining related crimes. Asaneng said the arrest of these suspects and the discovery of the three unidentified corpses are deeply worrisome after what was recently experienced in Stilfontein Buffelsfontein Gold mine.
“This latest incident clearly shows that what happened in Stilfontein are just the tip of the iceberg and a ticking time bomb on the extent and gravity of the illicit economy that is illegal mining.
“The police through Operation Vala Umgodi, have managed to stabilise the situation in the Gold mining sector in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, which have seen more and more incidents of illegal mining for chrome and associated crimes being reported in other districts and parts of the province such as Mooinooi, Tlhatlaganye, Tweelagte, Witrandjie and Masebudule, outside Zeerust and even in Ottoshoop, outside Mahikeng,” she said.
Asaneng said the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has been contacted as in all of these areas, rival community groupings and land owners are in the forefront of the disputes. He said sometimes violent confrontations are caused by either competing mining permits or land ownership disputes between families and traditional authorities and as such.
“The police will require the active involvement of all key role players to address this problem,” said Asaneng.
Picture: The accused arrested for alleged fraud/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
5 June 2025- Three accused, Tshiamo Justice Makwati (51), the Director of TJ Mampe Trading and Projects Close Corporation, Mosimaneapula Jonas Molefe (65), the former North West Housing Corporation Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Shanice Ditlhare Morubane (46), the former secretary at Koikanyang Incorporated Attorneys, briefly appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud.
Makwati, Molefe and Morubane were arrested on Wednesday morning by The Hawks’ members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. It is alleged that, between 2005 and 2009, the accused participated in the fraudulent sale of properties owned by the North West Housing Corporation.
Reports indicate that Makwati paid deposits on different occasions as per an agreement with the Housing Corporation. The purchase prices of the properties ranged from R14 000 to R124 000. Investigation revealed that ten properties were transferred to Makwati’s company. Molefe reportedly confirmed that one of the properties transferred to Makwati’s company was fully paid. Morubane allegedly forged the signature of an attorney in respect of the power of attorney on one of the properties. It was established during the investigation that Makwati did not pay the purchase prices in full, and as a result, the Housing Corporation suffered a loss of over R455 000.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the accused made a brief court appearance and were granted bail. Gunya said Makwati was granted R3000 bail, while Molefe and Morubane were granted R1000 bail each.
“Their matter was postponed to 11 July 2025 for first appearance in the Regional Court. Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, the North West acting Hawks Head and Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, have welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused,” he said.
Three accused, Olebogeng Modikoe (39) Thulare Joseph Radise (40) and Kabelo Patrice Mosuwe (40), briefly appeared before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 March 2024, on charges of fraud and money laundering.
It is alleged that, between December 2020 and January 2021, Modikoe, who is employed by the North West Department of Education as a Principal Human Resource Officer, created and hired two ghost employees on a contract basis for the period of three months. The said employees were remunerated a total amount of R150 092 87.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said, the investigation by the Klerksdorp based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation revealed that, the monies were deposited into Mosuwe and Radise’s bank accounts.
Malwetse said on 23 March 2024, the trio was arrested by the Hawks during a sting operation conducted at Rustenburg and Midrand respectively.
“They appeared before court and were each granted R5000 bail. Their case was postponed until 11 June 2024,” she said.
The Guardian 