Table of contents for 2025-03-20 in DFA News

AFRIFORUM has taken a firm stand against the recent directive issued by the Northern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS), which mandates that all official communication and statements be written exclusively in English. The civil rights organisation filed a complaint with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) this week, citing concerns over language rights and constitutional violations. The controversy arose after a letter from Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga, the Northern Cape deputy provincial commissioner, surfaced. The letter instructs that, effective immediately, all SAPS documentation in the province must be conducted solely in English. The decision has sparked widespread criticism, particularly given that the Constitution of South Africa guarantees the right to use multiple official languages. IRONY Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s head of Cultural Affairs, expressed her dismay at the directive, highlighting…

THE LEGAL Practice Council (LPC) is in the process of suspending Advocate Celeste Nameka after several complaints were lodged against her. An application brought against her by the LPC was postponed in the Northern Cape High Court last week. LPC senior manager for communications and engagements Kabelo Letebele confirmed this week that 11 active complaints had been formally registered against Nameka for investigation. “Disciplinary measures are currently under way against Advocate Nameka, which includes an application for suspension that is currently before court. There are other matters involving the practitioner that are subject to the LPC disciplinary processes. These are being considered by our disciplinary bodies, who will make recommendations to the Provincial Council and National Council on further steps that need to be taken against this legal practitioner,” said…

GLADYS Mthukwane, the mother of rape accused Douglas Mthukwane, steadfastly believes that her son “is not a rapist”. Douglas is standing trial for the rape of a 14-year-old girl and two other women, who were allegedly threatened at gunpoint. Testifying in the Northern Cape High Court recently, Gladys stated that her son did not possess a firearm. “I help him clean his flat and do his laundry, as I have a washing machine at home. While I do not know what happens at his flat when I am not there, as I have my own place, I do not know my child to be a rapist. I have a problem with these allegations of rape,” she said. She added that she was aware of the contents of items stored at…

THE BLITZBOKS will hope that the return of forward Zain Davids will galvanise the squad at next weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens. Davids missed the Vancouver Sevens in Canada last month with an injury that he picked up at the Perth Sevens. His robust style of play and leadership is a welcome boost as the South Africans look to go one step further and win the title after losing 19-12 to Argentina in the Canada final. Apart from Davids, another stalwart in playmaker Dewald Human is back after being rotated for the Canada event, while teenager Gino Cupido is set to make his debut in Hong Kong in the squad announced by SA Rugby on Wednesday. From the Canada squad, Ronald Brown is sidelined with an injury, David Brits is being…

THE FORMER head of ministry (HOM) at the Northern Cape Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Darius Babuseng, described how an act of self-defence drastically changed the course of his life. He said that he spent four months in Rooigrond Correctional Centre after being sentenced to serve 15 years imprisonment for murder. He won an appeal against his conviction and sentence in the Mmabatho High Court last year. In an exclusive interview with the DFA, he explained that he attended a family funeral in Mafikeng in November 2020. At around 8.30pm, the incident took place. “I was dropping off my 72-year-old aunt at home that evening. My aunt walks with a limp after undergoing hip replacement surgery. As I assisted her in walking across the street, a car approached…

DO YOU know those times when you try to do your best but still get into trouble? Seriously ... how was I supposed to know there was a better Afrikaans word for “lizard”? Having only learned a few Afrikaans words, and all just in the year before starting my Primary School career, my vocabulary was limited and dodgy at best. I would try to communicate with my Afrikaans friends, but mostly through gestures and semaphore flags – my Afrikaans was THAT bad. And knowing full well that I suffered with that language handicap, my parents nonetheless sent me off to school one day. I suspect that they did it, not because I was ready for school, but they needed the peanut butter to last at home. Now, surviving primary school…

Suzuki Griquas chase third straight SA Cup victory as they prepare to face Bulldogs The reigning champions of the SA Cup, the Suzuki Griquas, have commenced their 2025 campaign with remarkable form, securing two decisive victories that underscore their dominance in the competition. In their opening match on March 8, Griquas faced the Leopards at Olën Park in Potchefstroom. And demonstrating their championship pedigree, they delivered a commanding performance, triumphing with a 7-66 scoreline. This match highlighted the Griquas’ offensive prowess and defensive solidity, setting a high standard for the season ahead. Building on this momentum, Griquas hosted the Valke at Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley on March 15. The hosts then once again showcased their attacking flair, overwhelming the Valke with a 68-15 victory. This win proved that their offensive…

It’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Rassie Erasmus coaching the Springboks, after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the legendary Bok coach will likely leave his post. The fact is that the contract of Erasmus ends after the 2027 showpiece event, and after leading South Africa to two Webb Ellis Trophies in 2019 and 2023, he has already achieved everything he could as Springbok coach. Meanwhile, Felix Jones was an assistant coach at the Springboks in 2019 and 2023. After moving to England after the World Cup, Jones left in August 2025. Finally, Jones left England and returned to South Africa last month. Should the 37-year-old former Ireland international remain with the Springboks for some time, he could be next in line for the Springbok head coach position. That’s at…

THE R50,000 bail of former ANC Northern Cape provincial chairperson John Block (pictured) was reinstated this week after he presented a medical certificate on March 18 to explain his absence from a previous court appearance. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on March 4. The charges relate to a R51 million tender for the Kimberley Mental Hospital, which was awarded to Babereki Consulting Engineers CC by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works in 2003. Construction took more than 14 years to complete, with the final cost exceeding R2.1 billion. Block and his co-accused – the former head of department (HOD) at the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Patience Mercia Mokhali, and…

THE AIR was thick with anticipation at the Seed4Africa National Hackathon, where young minds from across South Africa gathered in Victoria Bay to tackle one of the world's most pressing challenges – food security. Over two intense days, from March 11 to 12, teams poured their hearts into innovative solutions, but when the final announcement came, it was the Northern Cape’s Concordia Care team that emerged victorious. Their reward? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent South Africa in Italy this July, competing on an international stage. The competition, co-funded by the European Union and hosted by Learning Academy Worldwide, challenged participants to develop practical and sustainable food security solutions. For Concordia Care, the approach was simple yet powerful – reviving traditional farming techniques that require minimal equipment, making them ideal for…

ROUND 5 of the FNB Varsity Shield had the tournament showing who is hungrier for glory as the campaign passed the halfway mark. Log leaders CPUT were hammered 40-17 by Varsity College, which took them top of the standings. UWC beat UKZN 44-31, securing them the second spot on the table. Meanwhile, lower down the table, but closer to Kimberley hearts, the Gemmies broke hearts in Alice as they snatched a late 39-33 victory over the Blues at Davidson Stadium. SPU will also have noted that the Madibaz cruised past WSU at Sisa Dukashe Stadium. The Gemmies’ interest will be due to the fact that they will next face the Madibaz in their backyard on Friday when their Round 6 clash kicks off at 4pm at the Madibaz Stadium in…