Community News

Staff Reporter On Monday 22 June 2020 the Kathu Regional Court convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old paedophile after linking him to the rape and sexual grooming of a 10-year-old victim in Kathu during February 2025. The offences came to light on Sunday, 16 February 2025, when the accused borrowed his cellphone to a witness. While using…

Boipelo Mere Swift action by the Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) led to the shutting down of an illegal initiation school in Jan Kempdorp after three underage boys were referred to hospital for medical attention on 20 June 2026. It was discovered that the school was…

Boipelo Mere The MEC for the Department of Social Development, Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, Mase Manopole, led the successful commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) at the Maruping Village Community Hall in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District on 18 June 2026. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually…

Staff Reporter The Northern Cape Department of Education extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and learners affected by the tragic loss of the educator from Kathu Primary School, who tragically passed away during a bus accident that occurred on Saturday, 13 June 2026. The accident occurred at approximately 07:20,…

Staff Reporter MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) in the Northern Cape, Bentley Vass, has extended condolences to the families of the three firefighters from the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, who lost their lives in the horrific road accident on Friday, 12 June 2026. The…

Boipelo Mere The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is hosting a series of local books for Youth Month as part of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of June 16. The initiative seeks to promote a culture of reading, education, and storytelling amongst young people while honouring the legacy of the 1976 youth who fought for…

Staff Reporter The Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni launched a holistic empowerment approach aimed at supporting women-owned enterprises across the entrepreneurial value chain countrywide mid-May in Kimberley. The enterprise, dubbed ‘Imbali For Her’ Programme, is the first fully integrated SEDFA support initiative…

Staff Reporter  The love for reading is growing among the community of Kenhardt, thanks to the newly implemented Read Aloud Programme implemented by Aries Solar Power.  Hosted at the local primary school and a new school library, the programme is beneficial for children and their parents to develop a growing love for reading.  It is…

Boipelo Mere On Wednesday, 6 May, Kathu Solar Park welcomed it’s second intake, consisting of eight interns, into it’s internship programme. The youth development programme has thus far provided opportunities to 21 graduates from John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District since it’s launch in 2024. Celebrated alongside key programme stakeholders,…

Boipelo Mere TWO Lethabo Park residents were arrested along with a 14-months baby after being assaulted by Policemen during an arrest on Sunday, 31 May. John Mogotsi, 48 is recovering from serious internal injuries,  was treated at a local hospital after the duo’s brief appearance at court, on Tuesday, 2 June.  The incident happened at…

Karabo Ntanzi Legal Aid SA intervened and secured the best interests of a child in settling a dispute between a grandparent and the biological father of two minor children in Cape Town. The children were living with their mother, who was a substance abuser. The maternal grandmother was concerned for the children's well-being and pleaded with…

By Khumo Makame Sol Plaatje University marked a historic milestone on 22 May 2026 when Professor Debra Meyer was formally installed as the institution's third Vice- Chancellor and Principal, becoming the first woman to hold the office since the university’s establishment. The installation ceremony, held at the SPU Great Hall in Kimberley,…

An 18-year-old male was arrested on a charge of statutory rape in Colesberg on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, and is expected to appear in court soon. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said it was alleged that the suspect had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, and the girl fell pregnant. Litabe explained that the arrest…

Staff Reporter The police in Hartswater are requesting the community’s assistance in tracing a 71-year-old Kgomotso Christina Pelema who was reported missing on Monday, 11 May 2026. According to information available to the police, Pelema’s family last saw her at approximately 18:00 on Wednesday, 06 May 2026, at her residence in…

By Khumo Makame The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform; Lebogang Motlhaping, opened the 4th Annual Northern Cape Provincial Extension Conference and MEC’s Extension Awards, which is currently underway at Bontjieskraal. The three-day conference will focus on the future of…

Staff Reporter The Northern Cape Department of Education reminds parents who have not yet registered their children for space at public ordinary schools for the 2027 school academic year that they have only this week to do so. The Online Learner Admission System for Grade R, 1 and Grade 8 closes on 29 May 2026 for parents/ legal guardians to…

Staff Reporter Kimberley Division of the High Court granted the Hawks Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and National Prosecuting Authority‘s Asset Forfeiture Unit a forfeiture order amounting to R49 500 against Sephano Thumeng (36), who was found with uncut diamonds. During April 2025, members of Port Nolloth SAPS received information…

Staff Reporter The South African Police Service in the Northern(SAPS) appeals to communities to break the silence about statutory rape by working together with law enforcement agencies in safeguarding children through reporting sexual exploitation and abuse. Statutory rape occurs when an adult engages in sexual activities with a child who is…

By Khumo Makame picture:  sourced As South Africa commemorates Africa Month in May, the government has condemned violence and divisive narratives targeting foreign nationals and instead called on citizens to promote unity, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.  Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May annually to mark the founding of the…

Staff Reporter Justice has been served for a 10-year-old victim who was raped by her 24 year old  neighbour from the age of 8-years-old between 2023 and in Kuyasa. Throughout the rape ordeal, the young girl was too afraid to report her ordeal. On 5 May 2025, a friend of the realised that something was bothering her, subsequently resulting…

Staff Reporter An electrical contracting business rooted in Kenhardt, Kai !Garib Local Municipality, has transformed from a compliance-challenged start-up into a growing local employer of 32 community members, thanks to support from a local enterprise development programme. Registered in 2020 but only became operational since 2025, Talita…

Khumo Makame The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr. Zamani Saul, welcomes the classification of a National Disaster by the Head of the National Disaster Management Center, Dr.  Bongani Eilas Sithole, following heavy rainfall across the country. The Northern Cape experienced heavy rainfall between 24 and 30 April 2026, affecting John Taolo…

By Khumo Makame The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Northern Cape marked International Workers' Day with a strong call for worker protection and unity in the alliance during its Workers' Day celebrations at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre on 1 May 2026. The event brought together alliance partners, including the African…

: In addition to celebrating the elderly at the Thembelihle Service Centre in Paballelo, the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, together with the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi and the District Commissioner…

The Northern Cape Department of Education is deeply concerned about the persistent rainfall that has caused severe flooding in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District. These conditions have rendered several schools inaccessible and caused minor damage to school infrastructure. As a result, 26 schools in the district have been closed, affecting more…

Legal Aid South Africa (Legal Aid SA) is pleased to share the news that Mr Paul Gerber, a paraplegic person with severe disabilities, who suffers from morbid obesity and uncontrolled chronic diseases, has finally been placed in a suitable state facility which can offer him the 24-hour care his physical condition requires. Mr Gerber, originally from…

By Khumo Makame By Khumo Makame The Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture hosted Freedom Day commemoration under the theme “Freedom and the Rule of Law: Thirty Years of Democratic Citizenship” for the Francis Baard District on 27 April 2026. The event brought together artists, young people, and community members for…

By Khumo Makame The Mayor of Siyancuma local municipality, Patrick McKlein, officially launched a 150MW twin Solar plant at Graspan Solar PV, a partnership between Engie and Pele Green Energy, on Tuesday, 21 April. The plant, which is partly situated next to the N12 outside Hopetown, is also on the borders of the Free State province. Pele…

By Khumo Makame The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Nontobeko Vilakazi, apologised to Galeshewe residents after they were left without access to critical healthcare services on Wednesday, 29 April, following a staff strike at Mapule Matsepane Clinic in Dinokwane Street. Patients and community health workers arrived to find only one auxiliary…

Man found guilty for brutally assaulting a six-year old A 25-year-old man from Kakamas was recently found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) by the Kakamas Magistrate’s Court. The conviction follows an incident that occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, 25 April 2025, where the accused threw a stone at a…

A 61-year-old man is expected to make his first appearance in the Prieska Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 04 May 2026, following his arrest for possession of drugs with an estimated street value of more than R20 000-00. Police acted on intelligence-driven information and conducted an operation at a residence in Pedro Street, Prieska, on Wednesday,…

Runners from the Northern Cape SAPS Marathon Club, the ‘Blue Machines’ recently participated in the Annual Kuruman Freedom Run. Athletes united in sport to recognise national unity, social cohesion and reflect on the progress made in overcoming poverty, inequality and discrimination.…

Supplied A 31-year-old woman from Prieska, together with her family, can now find a sense of relief following the sentencing of her 63-year-old uncle to eight (8) years’ direct imprisonment by the Prieska Regional Court. The incident dates back to Friday, 24 September 2021, when the victim returned home at approximately 21:00 after visiting a…

A 46-year-old man, Tshepo Lovemore Morole, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of the rape of a 20-year-old woman in Kimberley in November 2023. The incident occurred on Friday, 03 November 2023, at approximately 04:00, when the victim was walking home and noticed three men following. Upon catching up with her, one of…

Boipelo Mere Employees, patients and friends of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital participated in commemorating World Haemophilia Awareness Day on 17 April at the hospital premises.   The day started with a session of aerobics. Haemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder where blood cannot clot properly due to a deficiency in clotting…

Khumo Makame The launch of the EE-Phepha Buyback Center, an e-waste recycling pilot project in Ga—Segonyana Local Municipality in Mothibistad, Kuruman, marks a significant step towards improving waste management and unlocking economic opportunities in the Northern Cape. EE-Phepha was launched on 16 April by Deputy Minister of the Department…

Justice has been served on behalf of the family of the late Jim Seokamo (51) following the conviction and sentencing of Eldine Swarts (30) for murder. On 27 April 2025, the accused fatally stabbed the deceased with a knife at Ditloung New Stands in Olifantshoek after he informed her that he no longer wanted to continue the relationship. The…

A 25-year-old man from De Aar in the Northern Cape has been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his eleven-month-old child. The incident occurred on Saturday, 30 November 2024. Police were summoned to the scene at approximately 19:30 following reports that the accused was assaulting his girlfriend and toddler. Upon arrival,…

Boipelo Mere The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Northern Cape acknowledges the inconvenience experienced by beneficiaries due to system challenges encountered at some local offices and sincerely apologises for the disruption caused. This comes after SASSA offices started observing a significant increase in the number of…

The SAPS Provincial Management in the Northern Cape welcomed the conviction and sentence handed down in the Kimberley High Court to 45-year-old Douglas Mthukwane on Friday, 10 April 2026. The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Shaniel Antonie of the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit was praised for her…

 The Namakwa District Management welcomed and embraced the lengthy conviction handed down to Elton Pieterse, 40 years old, from Calvinia, who was sentenced to 50 (fifty) years imprisonment in the Calvinia Regional Court on 09 April 2026 after pleading guilty to all charges. On 13 December…

By: Boipelo Mere The Department of Water and Sanitation revealed that most dams and reservoirs in the Northern Cape province have experienced a slight decrease, but satisfactory levels. The weekly report on the status of water reservoirs released this week indicates that the levels have declined from last weeks’ 103.9% to 96.7% this week.…

ALERT: PLANNED WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION (09:00 TO 17:00) FOR THE ENTIRE KIMBERLEY ON SATURDAY, 11 APRIL 2026. Reason: new valve installation as part of the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) at reservoir 91 megalitres and repair work on 600 mm diameter pipeline on the Newton Reservoirs Complex. Pumps Switch-Off: The pumps at Newton…

By Khumo Makame and Boipelo Mere In commemorating Human Rights Month, Oral Historian from the McGregor Museum, Geronime Louw, took the opportunity to share developments in research started in November 2025 on a displaced community in Ronaldsvlei.  The session was held at the McGregor on 12 March 2026. This once thriving community was home to…

Boipelo Mere The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in the Northern Cape handed over a R55 million refurbished wastewater pump station and an outfall line to Phokwane Local Municipality for Jan Kempdorp on Sunday, 22 March. Phokwane Local Municipality’s sanitation infrastructure underwent an emergency refurbishment and upgrade through…

Karabo Ntanzi Khumo Makame For many years to come, 24th March 2026 will be deeply engraved in the hearts mind of Kimberlites especially those who had the privilege of attending Dr Thebeitsile Investiture as Chancellor for Sol Plaatje University (SPU). Ikalafeng is the second Chancellor since the inception of SPU, one of two universities…

Karabo Ntanzi World TB Day was observed globally on 25 March. The theme for 2026 is: "Yes! You and I Can End TB”. The Northern Cape Department of Health commemorated the day at West End Specialised Hospital, Kimberley, with MEC for Health, Nontobeko Vilakazi. The Northern Cape is burdened by TB. Sixty-one thousand one hundred and sixty-five…

Karabo Ntanzi In commemorating Human Rights Day, Sol Plaatje Municipality’s Executive Mayor Cllr Martha Bartlett accompanied Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, in handing over a multipurpose sport court to Roodepan High School worth R2.1 million. " This has been a defining handover, signifying our long held battle cry and…

Supplied The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has noted with concern recent media reports alleging tha t an amount of R10 million was made immediately available and constitutes a misrepresentation of facts. Such discommunication appears to stem from inaccurate sources and seems intended to mislead the public and discredit both the…

Karabo Ntanzi The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in collaboration with the Office of Tax Ombud (OTO), held the first stakeholder engagement in the Northern Cape. Amongst the delegates were Tax Consultants, SMMEs, NPOs, and individual tax payers. The objective was to inform the public about OTO services, educate taxpayers about how to…