Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched a coffee bean production project in collaboration with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) to diversify and expand the agricultural sector. The project was launched at the Kgora Farmer Training Centre near Ramatlabama in Mahikeng on Monday. Among its key focus areas will be coffee cultivation, processing and the creation of new economic opportunities for emerging farmers in the province. The department’s MEC, Madoda Sambatha, is confident that the new development will inspire growth and promote skills transfer. “This project marks an important step towards diversifying agriculture in…
Alleged crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has withdrawn from a plea and sentencing agreement with the State after objecting to a proposed 12-year prison sentence in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Matlala made a brief appearance in court on Monday morning in connection with the R228 million SAPS tender corruption case involving his alleged company, Medicare24. The development follows Matlala’s guilty plea to several counts of fraud and money laundering, as well as his agreement to testify for the State. The original plea agreement proposed a minimum sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment, with seven years suspended. However, the…
Police in the North West have deployed additional resources to investigate a cash-in-transit robbery that occurred on Friday morning at the Olympia Park traffic circle near Rustenburg Mall. They have also appealed to community members who may have information to contact their nearest police station to help bring those responsible to justice. According to the provincial SAPS preliminary report, unknown suspects rammed a cash-in-transit vehicle at the traffic circle. “Armed suspects, estimated to be approximately ten unidentified males, then opened fire on the cash-in-transit vehicle before using explosives to gain access to the cash compartment. The three security officers on…
Eskom has removed five provinces from its Load Reduction Eradication Programme, marking a significant milestone in the power utility’s drive to improve electricity reliability and strengthen South Africa’s distribution network. The programme, launched in September 2025, has now delivered load-reduction relief to more than one million residents, achieving 65% of Eskom’s overall eradication target. Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Northern Cape, North West and the Free State are the latest provinces to be removed from the programme, following targeted interventions aimed at reducing pressure on local electricity networks. Eskom attributed the progress to coordinated efforts by employees, improved operational management and decisive…
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has begun hosting a series of orientation workshops across all nine provinces aimed at assisting registered political parties and independent candidates with the use of the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS) ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections in November. The workshops officially commenced on Tuesday, 7 July, in Limpopo and will be followed by provincial sessions leading up to Election Day. In a statement, the Commission outlined the benefits of the workshops. “Participants will learn how to capture candidate and supporter information, pay election deposits electronically, and receive early feedback on the voter registration…
The Department of Basic Education has achieved a major milestone by completing all pit toilet eradication projects identified under the 2018 Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative. According to the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, all 3,372 pit toilets identified during the 2018 national audit have now been replaced with safe and appropriate sanitation facilities. “This achievement means that schools across the country now have access to safer and more dignified sanitation facilities. More than three million learners have benefited from these improvements, while over 48,000 teachers now work in healthier and more dignified environments,” said Gwarube. The Minister…
The ad hoc committee established by the North West Provincial Legislature to investigate allegations made by Naledi Local Municipality Mayor Clifton Groep against Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced the conclusion of its work and the formal adoption of its final report. The committee was formed to probe Groep’s accusations of improper conduct against Mokgosi, as well as allegations of political interference regarding the appointment of Modisenyana Segapo as the Municipal Manager. According to Groep, Mokgosi instructed a former municipal employee, Thabo Appolus, to manipulate a crucial report relating to the recruitment of Segapo in 2023. Several witnesses appeared before the…
North West police are investigating the attempted murder of Madibeng Local Municipality Municipal Manager, Quiet Kgatla. Police have launched an investigation after Kgatla was allegedly shot by unknown suspects and sustained injuries on Wednesday evening. According to a preliminary report by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the incident occurred on the Zilkaatsnek Road towards Hartbeespoort Dam. “It is alleged that a charcoal-coloured VW Polo TSI with Gauteng registration plates overtook his vehicle, and two unidentified male occupants opened fire, discharging multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. The victim sustained two gunshot wounds, one to his leg and another to…
The time has come for seasoned radio host, entrepreneur and soul/R&B DJ Sweetness Motsepe to leave her footprints in the sand at YOU FM. She departs the North West-based commercial radio station after 11 years of dedication and an impeccable work ethic. Motsepe, affectionately known as The Sweet Caramel or Sweet Mama by listeners, joined the station in 2015 and made her mark through shows such as The Sweet Spot, Purple Soul Train and the drive-time programme, 326 Avenue. In a heartfelt tribute during her final 326 Avenue show on Tuesday, 30 June, the station’s Chairman, Tebogo Pooe, described Motsepe’s…
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has issued a traffic advisory ahead of planned immigration demonstrations scheduled to take place in Pretoria on Tuesday, 30 June. Authorities have warned motorists to expect road closures and traffic disruptions in and around the Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) as protestors gather and march through the city. According to the TMPD, participants are expected to assemble at Church Square at 10:00 before proceeding to Sunnyside Police Station. Buses transporting demonstrators will drop off passengers at the corner of WF Nkomo and Bosman streets, near the Church Square entrance, before continuing to the Old…