Table of contents for 2025-02-28 in DFA News

RESIDENTS of Kimberley living in complexes are facing a significant discrepancy in electricity costs depending on their location, with some paying nearly double per unit compared to others. Despite raising concerns and seeking clarity from the Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM), no official response has been given. At the heart of the issue is how SPM bills different residential properties. Freehold standalone homeowners pay the standard residential tariff of approximately R3.84 per kWh. However, residents in complexes, particularly those under sectional title ownership, face significantly higher charges as they are placed under bulk services and billed at industrial rates. HOW COMPLEXES ARE BILLED There are two types of residential complexes in Kimberley: • Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs): These properties have erf numbers and generally receive electricity directly from SPM, allowing them…

THE DEFENCE for murder accused John-Ross Crossbery Henderson described further delays in the case as “unbelievable” after the State indicated in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week that cellphone records, DNA results, and cellphone analysis were still outstanding. The State indicated that the docket could only be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision once all outstanding reports had been finalised. Henderson is charged with the murder of Jayson Afrique and the attempted murder of Afrique’s wife, Micayla. Jayson was fatally wounded when several bullets were fired at the couple’s vehicle as they drove into the driveway of their house in New Park on July 31, 2024. Henderson’s legal representative, Herholdt Robertson, pointed out that his client had been in custody for five months while the…

water upgrade takes shape A LONG-awaited milestone was reached this week with the arrival of the first batch of 1,200mm water pipes for installation between Riverton and Kimberley. This marks a critical phase in the ambitious Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) project – a R2.5 billion initiative aimed at overhauling Sol Plaatje Municipality’s ageing and failing water infrastructure. For years, Kimberley residents have endured water disruptions, burst pipes, and a deteriorating supply system, but change is finally under way. With the pipes arriving on February 24, the long-awaited physical upgrades are beginning – bringing renewed hope that the city’s persistent water woes may soon be a thing of the past. A City’s Battle with Water Infrastructure Challenges Water security has long been a pressing issue in the Sol Plaatje Municipality,…

Gemmies out to give Varsity College a hostile reception at Suzuki Park cauldron SOL PLAATJE University (SPU) play their third match of the Varsity Shield against Varsity College tomorrow, in a game that kicks off at Kimberley’s Suzuki Park at 7pm. This match will give the Gemmies the opportunity to shine under lights. With a 50% record in the competition, SPU will be determined to get back their winning momentum. Their campaign started on a high note with a well-earned victory against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Captain Sello Maketlo says that he believes the team’s success in their first game stemmed from their ability to execute their game plan effectively. “In the win against UKZN, we executed our game plan effectively, stayed disciplined, and capitalised on key moments of…

KIMBERLEY is set to celebrate a remarkable milestone in its rich sporting history as the 55th Diamond Marathon takes place tomorrow. Hosted by the Kimberley Harriers Running Club, the third-oldest operating running club in the country, the marathon continues to attract athletes from across the nation. And as the second-oldest official marathon in South Africa, this prestigious event has become synonymous with endurance, excellence, and community spirit. A Grand Celebration This year’s Diamond Marathon is set to be a grand celebration. The event will be held at St. Patrick’s CBC and promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family. Club secretary Ria Janse van Vuuren shared her excitement about the day’s festivities, stating, “There is a lot going on at the event this year. We have activities for…

REMEMBER the days when television commercials were actually entertaining? When people stayed put during ad breaks because their “favourite ad” was on? One classic from the ’90s featured a businessman at a service counter, puffing out his chest and intimidating the staff, demanding, “Do you KNOW who I am?” The young person who had been sipping her beverage calmly apologises, and then makes an announcement over the intercom: there was a poor, unfortunate man at reception who didn’t know who he was. The businessman was left humiliated, a fitting end for his self-importance. The image of that entitled man always stuck with me. Even back then, it captured a growing trend of people using intimidation to get their way. Three decades later, we see the consequences: bullies are on the…

NORTHERN Cape provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola said that the increasing number of child-on-child rapes involving very young victims in the province was deeply concerning. Releasing the crime statistics for the third quarter (October to December 2024) this week, she highlighted that cases where children were both victims and perpetrators of rape were a “serious concern”. “The youngest victim was three years old and the youngest perpetrator was 12 years old. In the incidents reported, the children knew each other and were either friends or neighbours,” said Otola. She explained that child-on-child rape cases are handled as criminal matters under the Child Justice Act. “Three rape incidents occurred at school premises, where pupils were the victims and in some instances also perpetrators. Efforts will be intensified to address sexual…

The festival kicked off last Saturday with game one taking place at the Ikutseng Grounds. This first match saw Fast XI Ladies make their intentions clear for the competition in a 6-0 demolition of Warrenvale High. Later, at the same venue Kgatlope Ladies managed a tight 1-0 win over Diamond Ladies. Other results were Norman FC 0-1 Cameroon FC, Phelindaba FC 2-0 Cameroon FC, Diamond Ladies 1-1 Phelindaba FC and Kgatlope Ladies 4-0 Norman FC in what turned out to be a thrilling start to the competition. This initiative was originally aimed at giving 320 young girls from the Frances Baard District the opportunity to participate in competitive football, with the aim of fostering both their skills as well as boosting the development of women’s football in our region. Organisers…

FOR NEARLY four months, the taps in Delportshoop, a small town within the Dikgatlong Local Municipality, have either been completely dry or have supplied only a trickle of water - far from adequate for daily living. As frustration among residents mounts, AfriForum has stepped in, calling on the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, to intervene and bring an urgent resolution to the crisis. The water shortages stem from a damaged pipeline, which was compromised in November last year when a contractor’s truck struck it. Since then, several streets - including Kruger, Buys, Rivier, Bredenkamp, Selzer, Pretorius, and Saamloop streets - as well as Alpha Road, have either been completely without water or have experienced an inconsistent and inadequate supply. Despite repeated assurances from the municipality’s head of technical services…

COMMUNITY members in Ward 31 will embark on a protest march next month after officials failed to attend a community imbizo held at the Kutlwanong Community Hall in Club 2000 on Wednesday to hear their grievances. This follows the closure of the Department of Social Development offices in Club 2000, which was targeted by criminals. Residents are also demanding that a satellite police station be established in the area to address increasing incidents of gender-based violence and femicide and general crime in the area. The chairperson of Operation Fiela, Thabisho Louw, said that only the SAPS attended the meeting, but residents did not receive satisfactory responses to their concerns. “The community have decided to embark on a peaceful march as they feel undermined. Ward 31 is a vast area and…

MURDER accused Deon Cloete, 50, was granted bail of R5,000 in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week. Cloete had been in custody since his January 30 arrest and faces charges of murder and attempted murder after Roelien Archer, 42, was fatally shot at his home in Hillcrest. According to the investigating officer, Constable Jefferies from the SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Archer went to collect clothes from Cloete’s home at the time of the incident. She was accompanied by an eyewitness. Magistrate Maimane Booi stated that, upon arriving at the accused’s home, Cloete invited them in and offered them drinks. “As the deceased was putting the clothes in the boot of the car, an argument erupted. The complainant in the attempted murder case came between them when he heard…

IN A HEART-WARMING demonstration of sportsmanship and community spirit, the NC Heat cricket team has stepped up to make a lasting impact off the field. Under the guidance of interim head coach Deon Carolus and the leadership of Northern Cape Cricket, the team recently launched an initiative to support learners at Kgabang Primary School in Ritchie, while also using their platform to raise awareness for cancer. Recognising the importance of education and dignity, Coach Carolus and his players personally contributed R300 each to purchase brand-new school shoes for 25 students at the school. Their generosity was met with additional support from New Vaal Motors, which matched the funds raised. This act of kindness, while seemingly simple, will go a long way in ensuring these young learners walk into school with…