Author: Motlhaping Modise

North West MEC for Social Development Susanna Dantjie has condemned the alleged murder of a woman in Rustenburg, allegedly at the hands of her husband, describing the incident as another tragic case of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The victim, from the Popo Molefe–Siza section at Sunrise Park, was reportedly found dead in her home after allegedly being killed and covered with a blanket. According to preliminary reports, her body was discovered by her two children after they returned from school, before they alerted a family member. Dantjie said the incident highlights the ongoing violence faced by women and children,…

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Foreign Ministers have pledged stronger cooperation to boost regional integration, policy coordination and sustainable development across member states. Meeting at a retreat in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, ministers discussed the impact of rising global tensions on trade, energy, food security and financial systems. They also committed to strengthening regional institutions and presenting a more unified SADC voice in international affairs. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said ministers acknowledged growing risks linked to geopolitical instability, including the Middle East conflict, climate pressures and global supply-chain disruptions, which are contributing to higher food and fuel…

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Wessels Morweng has commended police for the swift arrest of three suspects linked to the fatal shooting of a taxi operator at the Rustenburg taxi rank on Friday. The shooting occurred while the taxi rank was crowded with commuters, causing panic among members of the public. According to reports, an off-duty police officer who was at the scene immediately alerted colleagues after witnessing the incident. Police were reportedly informed that a vehicle with Gauteng registration plates had arrived at the taxi rank before three men, believed to be in their early…

The owners of a farm in Swartruggens near Rustenburg, where a multi-million-rand illegal drug laboratory was uncovered last week, appeared in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Friday alongside 11 co-accused after handing themselves over to police. The accused face multiple charges, including drug manufacturing, illegal possession of precious metals, unlawful possession of hazardous materials and contravention of the Immigration Act. The arrests follow an intelligence-driven operation led by several SAPS Crime Intelligence units, which uncovered what police described as a sophisticated crystal meth manufacturing operation on the farm. Eleven suspects were initially arrested during the raid before the farm owners…

Low-cost carrier FlySafair is in trouble again, this time for allegedly contravening multiple sections of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred the airline to the National Consumer Tribunal over its controversial practice of overbooking and/or overselling flight tickets between November and December 2024, and January 2025. The commission said the referral follows an investigation initiated in terms of the CPA after concerns emerged in the media, including on social media platforms, regarding the allegations against FlySafair. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the NCC’s national spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba, said the airline has publicly acknowledged that…

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed concern over a rise in violent crime in the province following the murder of Mahikeng community activist Thato Molosankwe. Molosankwe was shot and killed at his home in Lomanyaneng near Mahikeng in the early hours of Wednesday morning, an incident that has sparked renewed calls for stronger policing and improved intelligence capacity. Committee chairperson Freddy Sonakile has urged law enforcement to work swiftly to apprehend those responsible, extending condolences to Molosankwe’s family, friends and community. Sonakile said Molosankwe was well known to the committee and…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Gauteng says it has received submissions which highlight a prima facie violation of the constitutional right of the people of Gauteng to be provided with adequate water. The commission kicked off its three-day inquiry into the water crisis in the province at its offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The inquiry follows numerous complaints received by the commission concerning persistent and widespread water shortages, recurring service delivery disruptions, ageing infrastructure, governance failures, and the deteriorating reliability of water supply systems across the province. The province has in recent times experienced recurring disruptions in water…

Mahikeng’s Bophirima Long and Local Distance Taxi Association (BOLDTA) has assured commuters and learners that operations will return to normal on Tuesday morning after an agreement was reached with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to address their grievances. Minibus taxi services were disrupted on Monday morning, leaving learning and teaching at several schools in Mahikeng affected due to a taxi dispute between SANTACO-affiliated BOLDTA operators, illegal operators, and so-called 4-plus-1 seater minibuses operating on their routes. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, BOLDTA Chairperson Mooketsi Sekei said the decision to disrupt services and blockade all entrances and exits…

The North West Department of Traditional Affairs has conveyed well wishes to hundreds of initiates, traditional surgeons, caregivers, traditional leaders, parents, and all stakeholders for a safe and successful winter initiation season. The initiation season commenced on Friday and is expected to conclude on 17 July at all registered and accredited centres across the province. The Department’s MEC, Oageng Molapisi, has urged all initiates, particularly non-school-going initiates who will be travelling from various areas to initiation schools, to prioritise safety and strictly adhere to all lawful and cultural processes throughout the initiation period. “As the winter initiation commences, we wish…

Non-profit organisation Public Interest SA says it is confident that its detailed written comments submitted on the eve of the deadline set by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the draft Protected Disclosures Bill, 2026 (Whistleblower Bill) will be considered when the final draft of the bill is presented to the National Assembly and the National council of province (NCOP) before it ultimately signed into law by the President. Thursday marked the closing date for public comments on the bill which was published in April by the department. The Chairperson of the Public Interest SA Tebogo Khaas told…