Author: Koketso Dikobe

Communities in the Taung Local Municipality have raised concerns over prolonged water shortages, with some residents reporting that they have gone for more than a month without reliable access to clean drinking water. Residents say the situation has forced them to buy water when they can afford it, while some households are left without clean drinking water for days when they do not have the means to purchase it. They also report challenges in accessing water for basic household needs, including bathing and preparing children for school in the mornings. Residents have further expressed concern over the failure of communal…

Residents of Matloding in Ward 4 of the Ratlou Local Municipality, outside Mahikeng, can now access healthcare services closer to home, 15 years after their local clinic was destroyed during community protests. The Matloding Clinic was burnt down by community members in 2011, leaving residents without a permanent healthcare facility in the area. The destruction placed an additional burden on vulnerable residents, particularly elderly people and pregnant women, who were forced to travel approximately three kilometres to the neighbouring village of Logageng to access basic medical services. In an effort to continue providing healthcare to the community, the North West…

The North West Department of Traditional Affairs has stepped up efforts to strengthen safety measures at traditional initiation schools ahead of the province’s upcoming summer initiation season. The department convened a safety measures workshop bringing together traditional leaders and initiation authorities to discuss ways of protecting children, preventing fatalities and ensuring that customary initiation is conducted safely and in accordance with the relevant requirements. The engagement comes as preparations intensify for the summer initiation season, with registration for initiation schools currently open and scheduled to close on 9 October. Kgosi Jeffry Montsioa, who welcomed initiation authorities to the workshop, stressed…

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads Elizabeth Mokua has welcomed the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) contribution to strengthening the business capabilities and competitiveness of contractors in the province. Mokua was speaking at the launch of the Certificate in Construction Management Programme in Rustenburg, an initiative aimed at equipping contractors with the management, technical and business skills required to operate more effectively in an increasingly competitive construction market. The MEC said the long-term sustainability of the construction industry depends not only on creating opportunities for contractors, but also on ensuring that businesses have the capacity to compete for…

The North West Department of Health has found no evidence of physical assault in its investigation into the death of 40-year-old mental health care user Quiton DuPlessis at Witrand Specialised Hospital. However, the probe uncovered broader weaknesses in patient care and hospital operations. Health MEC Jonas Sello Lehari released the findings during a media briefing in Mmabatho on Thursday, following an investigation commissioned after public concern and allegations of abuse surrounding DuPlessis’ death in June 2025. The investigation team reviewed patient records, interviewed staff, inspected facilities and assessed clinical services, nursing care, security, infrastructure and management systems. The investigation established…

North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism Bitsa Lenkopane has called on media organisations to use digital platforms to help drive tourism growth, attract visitors and unlock greater economic opportunities for businesses across the province. Speaking at the Tourism Month media launch, Lenkopane urged journalists and media houses to produce compelling digital content showcasing the North West’s tourism assets, including its wildlife, heritage, culture, food, entertainment and hospitality sectors. She said media coverage should extend beyond established attractions to highlight lesser-known destinations, tourism businesses and communities that form part of the province’s tourism value chain. The call…

The North West Department of Education has confirmed that 60 schools across the province have sustained damage following strong and destructive winds that swept through parts of the province between 4 and 5 September. The damage includes roofs, mobile classrooms and other school infrastructure, with the department continuing to assess the extent of the destruction. The storm damage comes as the department is already dealing with the impact of recent school fires, placing additional pressure on its infrastructure programme and efforts to provide safe and conducive learning environments. The department has indicated that measures are being put in place to…

EFF President Julius Malema has placed the health, safety and well-being of North West residents, particularly children and elderly people, at the centre of the party’s provincial manifesto launch in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. Addressing supporters and community members at the launch, Malema called for stronger measures to protect children in schools, stressing that their safety must be treated as a priority. He also urged the prioritisation of elderly residents in the delivery of basic services, including access to free water and transportation. Malema further called for the cancellation of outstanding electricity bills, arguing that residents should not be left struggling under…

KLIPVOORSTAD — A 62-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of a suspected clandestine drug laboratory at a farm in Klipvoorstad, near Jericho. The discovery was made on Wednesday after community members alerted law enforcement to suspicious activities at the property and reported a strong, unpleasant chemical smell coming from the premises. Police found four men at the scene, two South African nationals and two foreign nationals. Three of the men allegedly fled into the surrounding bushes when police arrived, while the 62-year-old man was arrested. North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Galerekwe Tlhapi says the suspected…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has set a target of achieving 50% representation of women in the sheriff profession, highlighting opportunities for greater participation, professional growth and leadership in the sector. Kubayi was speaking at the South African Board for Sheriffs’ annual Women’s Day celebration at Sun City, outside Rustenburg. The event, held under the theme “Balance the Scale: Give to Gain”, focused on recognising the contribution of women to the sheriff profession and the broader justice sector. Women accounted for only about 10% of representation in the profession last year, highlighting a significant gap and potential for…