Author: Motlhaping Modise
Rustenburg Local Municipality says the implementation of Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act is expected to significantly reduce municipal revenue, with 70% of traffic fine collections now being redirected to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA). The municipality officially implemented the new system on 1 July 2026 after presidential proclamations designated Rustenburg as one of 62 municipalities nationwide to roll out Phase 2 of AARTO. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, Executive Mayor Sheila Mabale-Huma said the loss of traffic fine revenue would place additional financial pressure on the municipality, which previously relied on the income…
ActionSA has officially announced its three mayoral candidates for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections in North West. The candidates were unveiled by party president Herman Mashaba and his deputy, Dr Mbahare Kekana, during an event at Mmabatho Palms in Mahikeng on Wednesday. ActionSA’s provincial secretary and Rustenburg Local Municipality councillor Ofentse Jerremia Kombe will contest the Rustenburg municipality, while Lerato Selebogo will stand for Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality and Egorogile Matolong will contest Greater Taung Local Municipality. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, Mashaba expressed confidence in the three candidates, saying they represented the party’s values and commitment to ethical leadership.…
More than 60,000 Impala Platinum workers are expected to return to work at the company’s Rustenburg operations in the North West on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, following an eight-day shutdown aimed at resetting underground safety systems. The temporary halt brought mining and processing operations to a standstill after two fatal incidents occurred weeks apart. Both accidents involved underground locomotives fitted with advanced safety sensors designed to prevent fatal collisions. The shutdown has come at a significant operational and financial cost to the mining company, which relied on surface stockpiles to maintain sales between Friday, 24 July and Tuesday, 28 July.…
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has criticised Department of Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode after he failed to appear at a subpoena hearing into delays in processing a citizenship application. Makhode and the department’s North West Provincial Manager, Eunice Mhlanga, had been subpoenaed to appear before the Commission at its Rustenburg provincial office on Monday. However, only Mhlanga attended the hearing. The inquiry followed a complaint over prolonged delays in the processing of a citizenship application, which the SAHRC says has remained unresolved since 2022. Speaking to YOUFM Newshour, SAHRC North West Provincial Manager Shirley Mlombo said Commissioner…
Motorists traveling between Mogwase and Sun City in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the North West can expect some relief as President Drive (Road P53/1) has been partially reopened to traffic. The vital corridor was closed over a month ago due to a massive sinkhole and culvert/bridge damage, forcing road users to use lengthy and costly detours via the R510 and R556. The road was among those severely affected by the torrential rains and heavy storms across parts of the province in May. The devastating weather also caused widespread flooding, structural damage, and major road closures, particularly in districts…
University of KwaZulu-Natal Public Law lecturer Dr Suhayfa Bhamjee says the misconduct allegations brought by former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi against South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Andrew Chauke collapsed after Batohi declined to complete her testimony. Bhamjee’s comments follow the findings of an inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, into Chauke’s fitness to hold office. The inquiry cleared Chauke of all the allegations levelled against him by Batohi. Among the allegations, Chauke was accused of misconduct relating to the prosecution of the Cato Manor unit and his decision not to…
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has criticised the government’s decision to secure a US$1.5 billion (R25 billion) Development Policy Loan from the World Bank, arguing that additional borrowing will do little to revive economic growth or address the country’s structural challenges. The criticism follows the National Treasury’s announcement that the loan will support reforms in the electricity, freight and logistics sectors, while helping to improve water and sanitation infrastructure. Treasury says the funding is intended to remove infrastructure bottlenecks, stimulate investment and create an environment conducive to economic growth and job creation. However, SAFTU argues that previous…
A legal battle is brewing at the Madibeng Local Municipality in Brits, North West, over allegations surrounding a controversial office furniture purchase. Embattled Executive Mayor Douglas Maimane has threatened legal action against an individual who claimed his office spent R800,000 on just ten office chairs. Speaking to Motlhaping Modise on YOU FM Newshour, Maimane described the claims as malicious, misleading and entirely without factual basis, demanding an immediate apology and retraction. “We have just reviewed the social media post and identified the individual who fabricated these allegations. “The matter has been referred to my lawyers, who are currently preparing the…
The North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs has concluded the 2026 Winter Initiation Season, reporting six initiation-related fatalities among registered and unregistered schools across the province. MEC Gaoage Oageng Molapisi praised hundreds of initiates who completed the cultural rite safely at 151 accredited and monitored initiation schools, while also recognising the work of the North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) in maintaining safety standards. Molapisi said the committee had played a key role in protecting the tradition from illegal operators who attempt to exploit initiation practices for personal gain. “We once again commend the…
A 52-year-old Lesotho national has been arrested after police allegedly found him in possession of dye-stained banknotes believed to be linked to a series of ATM bombings in the Bojanala Platinum District. The suspect was arrested in Seraleng, near Rustenburg, after North West police acted on a tip-off regarding individuals who had allegedly deposited dye-stained banknotes into several bank accounts across the district. North West police spokesperson Constable Thuto Bobelo said investigations, conducted in collaboration with bank investigators, established a link between the suspicious deposits and a specific bank account. “Acting on further intelligence, members of the Bojanala Crime Intelligence…