Table of contents for 2023-09-01 in DFA News

MURDER accused Mbubanzi Zwakala, 48, an SANDF warrant officer attached to the military base at Diskobolos in Kimberley, who was charged with the murder of Kimberley Boys’ High School pupil Amogelang Assegaai, 19, outside his home in Verwoerdpark on October 1, 2022, has not been suspended following a disciplinary hearing. Concerns were raised by State witnesses that if he was instructed to vacate the army barracks, their safety could be jeopardised. Zwakala was granted bail of R10 000 in April on the condition that he does not leave the army base or district for the duration of the trial without written permission from the investigating officer, or intimidate any of the witnesses. His supervisor, who is a colonel in the SANDF, agreed to allow him to stay at Diskobolos until…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday called the more than 70 deaths in an apartment block fire in Johannesburg "a great tragedy" and said he hoped an investigation would help prevent a repeat of the incident. More than 70 people were killed overnight when fire raged through a five-storey apartment block, one of the worst such disasters in the city's history. Gutted, blackened by soot and still smouldering yesterday as emergency services gathered around it and bodies lay covered in blankets on a nearby street, the building stood in a rundown area. It was owned by municipal authorities who, 12 hours after the blaze broke out, were still unable to provide a clear picture of who had lived there. One official said some rooms may have been rented out by criminal gangs.…

A POSTMASBURG labour inspector is still at home despite winning a labour award ordering his reinstatement and compensation for an unfair dismissal. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) stated that the Department of Employment and Labour had referred the decision for reinstatement to the Office of the Director-General, while the labour inspector, Obakeng Moshweu, was instructed to “go home”. Moshweu was dismissed on May 24, 2022, on charges of misconduct and failing to submit applications for sick leave. The General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) ruled that he should be reinstated and awarded compensation of R70 000, equivalent to five months’ salary, by August 15. While he suffered from frequent epileptic attacks, Moshweu refused to accept an office-bound job as he considered it to be a…

A BENTLEY luxury vehicle and a multimillion-rand plot of land belonging to Kimberley nightclub owner Kenyaditswe McDonald Visser are among the assets listed for seizure by the State in the latest personal protective equipment (PPE) tender investigation. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that the property related to an erf in Ceres Street, Hillcrest, that was acquired by Visser for R4.4 million. Senokoatsane added that Visser’s 2015 model Bentley Continental GT V8 convertible was purchased for an amount exceeding R2 million. "Both the property and vehicle that are registered in the name of Stilofin (Pty) Ltd and were bought with the proceeds of the money received from the Northern Cape Department of Health are included in the preservation order." Senokoatsane indicated that Visser and MKV Investments (Pty)…

THE GALESHEWE Magistrate’s Court was packed to capacity earlier this week when 18-year-old murder accused Jemaine Long made another bail appearance in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Toma Raadt. Raadt was fatally stabbed in front of his home in Santa Zone 2, Galeshewe, on Saturday, April 29. According to preliminary investigations, an 18-year-old male suspect was involved in an argument with a female who lived in the same street. The suspect went to his home to fetch a knife and when he returned he allegedly stabbed a bystander who was standing in front of his yard. Raadt died on his way to the hospital after an ambulance failed to arrive. Long was arrested by the police after he was attacked by an angry mob. The mob also torched his…

Kevin Nkoane Primary School’s Under-14 girls’ soccer team displayed their exceptional talent, securing the championship title at the inter-regional games with determination and finesse, abut dding to the dazzle, sixth-grader Mpumelelo Moncho emerged as a standout sensation on the field. Moncho’s soccer journey began four years ago when her mother, a former soccer player herself, introduced her daughter to the sport. Starting at just 10 years old, Moncho quickly caught Coach Mbulelo Jack's attention. Under his guidance, her skills flourished, making her a formidable presence on the soccer field. Her remarkable achievement of scoring 24 goals during the tournament has solidified her spot in the team and marked her as a rising star. Affectionately called the ‘Jazz Queen’ by teammates, Moncho’s prowess not only secured her school’s victory but also…

A HARASSMENT order has been obtained against three Grade 8 pupils at Warrenton High School to prevent them from emotionally abusing and bullying a fellow pupil. In terms of the order, they may not swear, threaten, intimidate or harass the pupil and are to suspend all forms of communication with her. The father of the affected pupil stated that his daughter was receiving letters in which demeaning remarks were made about her. In the letter, the pupil was told that she would be beaten up and that she was “stupid and ugly because she was Tswana”. In one of the notes it stated “jou ma en pa se ****” and that the pupil’s mother was squint and “sy maak my **** naar”. “I am glad that she is no longer…

FOR THOSE with a love for the outdoors and a passion for nature conservation, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and get ready for a thrilling nature adventure as the Kimberley Harriers Running Club proudly presents the seventh Vulture Conservation Trail Run. This exciting event is set to take place tomorrow, starting at 8am. The run takes place in the picturesque Dronfield Nature Reserve, offering participants an opportunity to combine their passion for running with their love for conservation. The Vulture Conservation Trail Run offers a challenging 16-kilometre trail winding through the captivating landscapes of the Dronfield Nature Reserve. As participants traverse the trail, they’ll be immersed in the natural beauty of the reserve while contributing to the preservation of its precious inhabitants. The participation fee for this…

AS WOMEN’S Month draws to a close, women in the Northern Cape continue to suffer gender-based violence and abuse at the hands of their intimate life partners. A 35-year-old woman was apparently murdered inside a shack in Donkerhoek, Galeshewe, earlier this week. The shanty was later set alight. Neighbours, who struggled for almost an hour to put out the fire, said they were not aware that the deceased was inside when the flames engulfed the structure. Eyewitnesses claimed they saw the owner of the shanty carrying a knife before it caught alight and indicated that he later fled the scene. They said an argument broke out between the deceased and her boyfriend prior to the fire. “The deceased stayed with the suspect and they had a baby together. The deceased…

ASSUMPTIONS, when disproven, can make one look and feel pretty dopey. That’s why one thing I have learned over all the years that I have been assuming ‘facts’ on this planet is that it’s best to keep your assumptions to yourself. Here’s a simple example. When I was still a small human – the time before I was shipped off to school – our family had a dog named Butch, and a white, fluffy cat named Snowy. I also had an older brother (a boy) and a younger sister (a girl); therefore I assumed that Butch, being bigger, was a boy and Snowy, the smaller of our pets, was a girl. Yes, for a few glorious, ignorant years to me dogs were male and cats were the female of the…

Kimberley’s Diamantveld High School is on the verge of making history in the Diamond City. The school, in collaboration with the Northern Cape Cricket Union, recently announced the inaugural top-tier high school cricket tournament set to take place at the Kimberley Diamond Oval. This groundbreaking event will mark the first school cricket tournament to be held on an international cricket field, with broadcasting rights secured by SuperSport Schools. Nine elite schools from across the country are gearing up to participate in this tournament and be part of history. The line-up includes esteemed institutions such as Grey College Bloemfontein, Saint Andrew’s Bloemfontein, Paarl Boys’ High, Potchefstroom Volkskool, Hoërskool Noord-Kaap, Hoërskool Kalahari, Noord-Kaap HUB Team, Carlton van Heerden, and the hosting school, Hoërskool Diamantveld. The tournament promises to be an action-packed affair…

The town of Postmasburg recently observed a remarkable showcase of natural skill and unwavering determination within its boxing community. The Freedom Boxing Club, based in Galeshewe’s Recreation Hall, left a strong impression during a developmental tournament that took place on September 19th. This event, hosted by the Postmasburg Boxing Club and framed by the town’s iconic City Hall, united aspiring fighters from the entire region, providing a platform for them to demonstrate their prowess and love for the sport of boxing. With great enthusiasm, teams from Kimberley, including the Home Defenders, Freedom Boxing Club, Platinum Boxing Club, and the Northern Cape Academics team, stepped into the ring. They were joined by competitors from the Kuruman and Tsantsabane Boxing Clubs. The day of intense boxing featured a total of 15 bouts,…

“YOUNG women should not make excuses for taking up their rightful space.” This was the advice from the deputy leader of Build One South Africa (Bosa), Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, who recently addressed businesswomen in Kimberley, as well as young girls at Roodepan High School and elderly women in Ritchie. Hlazo-Webster said the two-day event was not only to commemorate Women’s Month but also to encourage women, young and old, to rise up and “take up space” in their respective areas. “We have programmes across the country. The aim of the programmes is to encourage women to take up leadership in their respective societies. Women are already leading and we need to implant that mindset into our younger generation. Our elderly community has shown and paved the way for the younger generation,”…

DIAMOND Knights Bikers Club hosted their third successful annual charity run at the Galeshewe Stadium on August 26. Motorcycle clubs from all over South Africa, as well as from Lesotho and Botswana, attended the event, which this year also included prayer sessions. A mass ride made its way to Bophelong Old Age home, near Barkly Road, where food hampers, toiletries and cleaning materials were handed over. The biker club’s annual charity run coincided with the old age home's anniversary. Diamond Knights Bikers Club also committed to provide further assistance to the old age home and promised to return at a later stage to fulfil their outstanding commitments. Galeshewe families in need were also identified and they too were provided with food parcels, toiletries, including sanitary towels for young girls, and…

THE NORTHERN Cape Heat cricket team, in conjunction with Party and More, collaborated to launch an exciting new adventure park in a city where residents have been crying out for ‘something to do’. In a thrilling development for sports and adventure enthusiasts, the NC Heat and Party and More have established the new Backyard Paintball and Adventure Centre. Located at Kimberley’s cricket headquarters, the Diamond Oval, the park promises a unique blend of athleticism and leisure for individuals, families, schools and businesses alike. NC Heat coach Mark Charlton expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership during the official opening ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon. He highlighted the opportunity this venture presents to his team, saying, “By utilising the obstacle course and the equipment, we will get our players active on a…

STRIKE action will continue at Ekapa Mine as wage negotiations remain unresolved. Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) embarked on an indefinite strike on August 7 in demand of a 17 percent wage increase and salaries of R17 500 for all workers. The union is also demanding that housing allowances be increased to R2 850 and that medical aid be increased to R2 650. Numsa regional organiser Tshepo Mokhele said a meeting was held with management on August 31, but negotiations are still at a stalemate. “The employer is not budging from their offer of a 6.5 percent salary increase over the next three years. There is no social plan to benefit the lives of the people of Kimberley or workers who are earning R5…

THE NORTHERN Cape Provincial Community Police Board (NCPCPB) received a donation from PMG Mining, which included 100 blue reflector vests, 100 flashlights and 100 whistles. NCPCPB public relations officer Jozi Themba Gomba said the generous donation would assist the community policing forum and NCPCPB in rendering crime-prevention activities, help increase visibility and boost crime-fighting efforts across the Northern Cape. “It will assist in ensuring the safety and security of communities across the Province. Crime affects us all and it is incumbent upon us all to mobilise our resources and to fight it resolutely. In an effort to enhance policing partnerships, we encourage the private sector to actively work with us towards a united, safe and peaceful Northern Cape,” said Gomba. – Sandi Kwon Hoo…

Kevin Nkoane Primary School’s Under-14 girls’ soccer team were crowned the undisputed champions of the recent inter-regional games. The school team represented the Sol Plaatje Municipality in a fierce competition against the teams representing the municipalities of Magareng, Dikgatlong and Phokwane. In a thrilling series of matches, the young athletes left an indelible mark on the tournament. The opening match saw Kevin Nkoane Primary clash with Olehile Manchwe Primary from Phokwane, the game ended in a nail-biting 1-0 victory for the Kimberley team. They next faced Hoërskool Vaalrivier from Dikgatlong, and Kevin Nkoane’s momentum only grew stronger as they triumphed with an impressive 8-0 scoreline. Their third and final match of the tournament was equally intense, as Kevin Nkoane secured another victory and another clean sheet with a 2-0 win…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of August 23 to 26, and next week’s programme. Results for the week of August 23 to 26 are: The Wednesday, August 23 John Dory’s sponsored 18-hole IPS competition was won by Gary Hepburn on 39pts with Gavin Schafer 2nd on 38pts and Fuad Mahri 3rd on 37pts. The Thursday, August 24 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Braam Botes with 27 pts on a count-out over Keith Brown also on 27pts. Third was Shane Arthur on 22pts. The Friday, August 25 Griquas Golf Day was a great success. Many stayed after to watch the Boks thump the All Blacks and you all can imagine the excitement amongst our Griquas and everyone else watching (except Cedric). The…