Table of contents for 2024-09-20 in DFA News

THE DEFENCE has objected to lengthy delays in the trial involving the “Hollanders gang”, which will only commence in the Northern Cape High Court on March 24, 2025, as one of the legal representatives is also representing another accused in the Thabo Bester prison escape trial in Bloemfontein. Legal representatives pointed out that their clients had been kept in custody for a long time. The accused – George “Barney” Pieters, Britney Arends, Stephanie McAnda, Simone Rose, Chinaaz Mentoor, Abigail van Wyk, Chane Adams, Michael Pieters, Clive Pieters, Deon May, Palmerston Mentoor, Henry Blom, Thabo Sekapano, Vincent Rosen, Tshepo Malambi, Nico Hofuza and Shawn Smith – are facing 56 charges including murder, attempted murder, assault, gang activity, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, kidnapping, rape and public violence. Many of the…

SOL PLAATJE Municipality will investigate the need to fence off an area in Roodepan after a nine-year-old boy drowned near the Midlands dam on the weekend. Community members indicated that other drownings had occurred in the same place and called for the area to be cordoned off to the public, as children also played soccer near the dam. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the Roodepan police are investigating an inquest following the boy’s death. “It is alleged that on September 15, at about midday, the nine-year-old boy and his friends went for a swim in a dam near Midlands, Roodepan, when he drowned. The SAPS Search and Rescue unit retrieved the boy's body from the dam on Sunday,” said Kock. He requested anyone with information that could assist…

SO EVERY now and again, I feel a twitch in my eye and have to remind myself to start cutting down on my screen time. In my case it’s rather difficult seeing as I spend my entire day glaring at my laptop screen just to get through my pile of work. On the plus side, however, is the fact that I cannot touch-type, so at least part of the time that I am slogging away at my desk, I am looking down at my keyboard. And by the way, because I constantly have to look at the keyboard, I recently disabled the ‘autocorrect’ feature on my smartphone. I think it’s one of the best choices I have made in a long, long time. You see, when I am not using…

THE EXCITEMENT is building with the SA Rugby Under-21 Shield already well and truly under way. With eight teams competing in this year's inter-provincial tournament, the competition is divided into two sections, with teams from both the South and North battling it out for a place in the final. In the South section, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, and SWD are fighting for dominance, while the North section features the defending champions, the Pumas, 2022 champions the Griffons, with Griquas and the Valke hoping to make their presence felt in 2024. Each team will play home and away matches in a single-round format, providing ample opportunity for thrilling encounters. The semi-finals, featuring the top two teams from each section, will be held on October 19, with the winners facing off in…

In South Africa, cricket is more than just a game; it’s a tool of change, a bridge to opportunities, and a platform that can transform lives, particularly for the youth. As the new cricket season kicks off, there's already excitement, not only for the international fixtures that lie ahead but also for the domestic competitions that will set the stage for future stars. And to this end, maybe we should reflect on how cricket, from grassroots to professional levels, impacts young talent and how it can serve as a catalyst for broader social change. Cricket has long been a source of national pride and a key player in nurturing young talent. The sport’s unique blend of mental strategy, athleticism, and teamwork fosters essential life skills that can profoundly impact young…

A RAPE accused, Douglas Mthukwane, has been released from custody after he completed his 30 days of mental observation. He was taken into custody at Kimberley Correctional Centre in August as there were no outpatient facilities. Acting Northern Cape High Court Judge Sharon Erasmus postponed the matter until March 10. State advocate Catherine Jansen stated that the medical report had been handed over to the defence to scrutinise. Mthukwane is standing trial for the rape of two women and a 14-year-old girl, whom he allegedly threatened with a firearm at his flat in Beaconsfield after offering her a lift to school in May 2016. On August 20, 2017, he allegedly raped another woman at gunpoint after asking her for directions as she was on her way to a tuck shop.…

A KIMBERLEY father, who was exonerated after charges of raping his nine-year-old biological daughter were withdrawn against him, intends to take legal action against the individuals he believes tried to orchestrate his downfall. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane confirmed that the accused was recently found not guilty in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court. In an exclusive interview with the DFA, the father, who is employed as a government official, stated that he would be suing five parties for defamation, as well as for wrongful arrest. “I will claim damages of over R5 million against those who tried to destroy me. While I knew that I was innocent all along, how many men are rotting away in a jail cell after they were falsely accused?” He added that he…

FIFTEEN-year-old Eunike Deyzel from Kimberley might appear quiet and gentle at first, but beneath that calm exterior lies a young woman of remarkable strength and artistic talent. Despite her ongoing battle with leukaemia, Eunike has cultivated a deep passion for photography, using her lens to express her profound connection with nature. In a heart-warming collaboration, Mattanu Private Game Reserve and the Reach For A Dream organisation joined forces to create a “Dream Day” for Eunike that went far beyond a typical wildlife experience. What started as a regular game drive quickly transformed into something extraordinary for Eunike and her family. Unbeknownst to her, a dream close to her heart was about to be fulfilled – a professional 150-600mm camera lens, perfect for capturing wildlife in all its glory, was waiting…

THE NORTHERN Cape Bowls Under-30 team is set to defend their title at the highly-anticipated Bowls South Africa Under-30 Inter Districts Tournament, taking place from September 21 to 24 at the Maritzburg West Bowling Club in Pietermaritzburg. As reigning champions, the NC team is eager to maintain their winning streak and prove their dominance in this prestigious event. Returning to the team are key players Driaan van Niekerk and Charl Labuschagne, who both played instrumental roles in last year’s victory. This duo’s experience is invaluable, particularly as the team navigates changes in its line-up. The squad will be without their previous lead, LeRoux Fourie, who has aged out of the Under-30 category after his final tournament in 2023. However, LeRoux's position will be filled by Kieran Kelly, a rising talent…

WITH the construction of additional early childhood development centres (ECD), the Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, has announced an increase in funding for the ECD programme to R215 million for the current financial year. This announcement was made by the MEC during his 2024/25 budget speech this week, where he presented an overall budget of R8.11 billion. Vosloo emphasised that expanding access to ECD learning is a top priority for the department. “Early childhood education will be one of our main priorities, to formalise the sector to comply with the norms and standards. The department has finalised its ECD strategy and will provide Grade R classrooms incrementally over the next five years at all primary schools, where no Grade R classes are offered. The department is also in…

THE MUCH-anticipated 2024 Solly Hunter Memorial Lecture (SHML), presented by the William Pescod Alumni Trust, is set to take place tomorrow at the Sol Plaatje University at 9am, continuing its annual tradition of honouring the lasting impact of educators on the lives of alumni and society at large. Established in 2012, the lecture has grown into a powerful platform for reflection and dialogue, tackling critical issues such as education, politics, poverty and social justice. The lecture, named after the late visionary Solomon “Solly” Hunter, celebrates his tireless efforts to promote equal education and democracy. Hunter, who turned down lucrative career opportunities to stay connected with his community, is remembered for his role in eradicating inequalities, particularly in sports and civil society. His work remains a beacon of hope, and the…

Diamond Ladies Football Club is in the final stages of preparation for the highly anticipated national Engen Tournament, set to take place from September 27 to 29 at WITS Marks Park in Johannesburg. Participation in this tournament marks a significant milestone for the Kimberley-based team as they gear up to face some of the most competitive sides in South African women’s football. The local players are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of representing their province on such a prestigious platform. They view the tournament as more than just a competition, but see it as a golden opportunity to showcase their talent and take a step closer to their dreams. With national powerhouses like Mamelodi Sundowns and Durban Ladies, who are fixtures in the Hollywood Bets Super League, on the…

The much-anticipated District Unified Soccer Tournament took place on Friday, August 23 at the FNB Turf Soccer Field in Kimberley. The event saw a spirited competition between Boitumelo Special School and Jannie Brink Special School, showcasing the talents of athletes from special schools alongside their peers from mainstream schools and local clubs. In the boys’ match, Boitumelo emerged victorious with a commanding 6-1 win over Jannie Brink Special School. The unified team, consisting of 12 players – 7 athletes from special schools and five partners from schools or clubs – played a seven-a-side format, with four athletes and three partners on the field. Tournament regulations ensured that partners, who assist athletes on the field, never outnumbered the athletes themselves. On the girls’ side, the competition was equally fierce, with the…