Table of contents for 2025-06-06 in DFA News

FIVE alleged extortionists – including a pastor, a taxi driver, a former police reservist, and a former police officer – appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week, with two of the accused abandoning their bail applications. The accused – James Chimboyo, Luthando Mangaliso, Kgositsile Moseki, Andrew Pillay, and Jonas Riedt – are from Kimberley, Ritchie, and De Aar. They face charges of extortion, impersonating a police officer, and kidnapping. In addition, Chimboyo, a former police officer, was charged with possession of ammunition. The accused have previous convictions and pending cases related to fraud, kidnapping, extortion, and corruption allegedly committed in various locations in the Northern Cape. According to the State, the complainant, who is from Upington, met two unknown men at the Information Centre in Kimberley on April 23,…

NORTHERN Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has come under sharp criticism for emblazoning his face on 23 containers that were handed over to SMMEs in Springbok shortly before the by-election held in Ward 6 on May 28. The ANC claimed a 39.38 percent win in the Nama Khoi municipal by-election. The PA received 30.11 percent of the vote, the Namakwa Civic Movement 16.57 percent, the DA 13.06 percent, while the EFF received 0.87 percent. The PA, meanwhile, won the Karoo Hoogland by-election on May 28, with 51.5 percent of the vote, followed closely by the ANC with 48.5 percent. Political parties and socio-economic activists questioned why the containers were branded with the premier’s image instead of the business names of the local entrepreneurs, labelling it a flagrant misuse of taxpayers’…

... but their struggles off the field of play reveals a harder truth The Frances Baard Rugby Region Under-21 boys were all smiles in Calvinia, medals clinking around their necks after being crowned Griquas Regional Champions for a second year running. With commanding wins over Van Druten, Logan, and Namakwaland, they looked every bit the dominant force in Northern Cape youth rugby. But beneath the celebrations lies a quiet, persistent struggle – one not visible in the final scoreline. In their opening game, they outpaced Van Druten’s “Fears” side 38-24. Then came a clinical 28-10 upset of tournament hosts and pre-tournament favourites Logan. And when they dismantled Namakwaland 26-3 in the final, they cemented their legacy as back-to-back champions. The story, however, doesn’t end with silverware. For these players –…

BOXING action returns to Kimberley tomorrow, when some of the Northern Cape’s most promising young fighters step into the ring for a high-energy tournament hosted by New Champions Boxing Academy and Platinum Boxing and Fitness Club. The event takes place at the Kimberley Health and Occupational Centre on Molyneaux Road within the Kimberley Ekapa Mines premises, and promises a full day of intense, grassroots boxing action. Weigh-ins are scheduled for 8.30am, with the first bouts starting at 1.30pm. Organisers say the collaboration between the two local clubs is about more than just competition. “Boxing is growing in the Northern Cape, and this tournament is a platform for clubs and athletes to connect, compete, and uplift one another,” said Brad Delport from the organising committee. “We invite the public to come…

A MOTHER and her one-year-old son died after their shack caught fire in Greenpoint on Monday morning. It is believed that the father is in critical condition in hospital. A community member said one of the older children managed to drag the parents out of the burning shanty. “The mother went back inside to fetch the baby. A cupboard that had caught alight apparently fell on top of her, and both she and her son were trapped inside.” Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the Kimberley SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit had opened an inquest into the deaths. “The shack reportedly caught fire and burned down in Soga Street, Greenpoint, during the early hours of June 2. A 35-year-old mother and her one-year-old son perished in the…

THE NATIONAL Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) has announced the 19 top performers in physical science and mathematics who have been selected for the prestigious 2025 NSTF Brilliants Programme. These outstanding students, representing all nine provinces in South Africa, have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. Cherise Angelique Müller, Andre de Boer and Kgopolo Danny Ibang from the Northern Cape have been selected for the Brilliants Programme. The NSTF Brilliants Programme, now in its 24th year, provides a national platform to recognise and celebrate students' excellence in science and mathematics. This year's cohort includes seven students who have been selected to attend the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) in the United Kingdom. Andre de Boer from Hoërskool Diamantveld will be attending the LIYSF. The LIYSF…

EXTENSIVE damage was caused to the Northern Cape Urban TVET College offices in Long Street, Kimberley, on Wednesday evening after the building was set alight by protesters. Passing cars were also pelted with stones. Long Street was closed to traffic by traffic services and the police from around 6pm, with stun grenades fired to disperse the protesters. The fire brigade was reportedly prevented from entering, but later managed to extinguish the blaze. Students had been protesting peacefully in Long Street over delays in receiving their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payments. Many have been left stranded, unable to pay rent or study fees. NSFAS earlier indicated that “transitional challenges” were experienced during the switch to direct payment partners and the subsequent return of this function to NSFAS in the…

Cheers rang out and arms shot skyward in celebration as Olympic Primary School’s Under-13 netball team sealed a dominant 15-4 victory over Grootdrink Primary in the Frances Baard Primary School League final in Upington. The win went beyond earning them a tournament title, because the win earned the talented team the right to represent the province on the national stage. Now the challenge for the team is getting there. Olympic Primary’s Under-13s will fly the Northern Cape flag at the national play-offs in Polokwane from July 24 to 26. But before they take to the courts, they’ll need support from the community to cover travel and accommodation costs. The team’s path to the top has been paved with dedication and discipline. The girls train three times a week under the…

FOOTBALL fans on the streets of Vaalspan had reason to celebrate after last weekend, in the wake of Skema United FC cementing their status as the pride of Jan Kempdorp with a clinical performance in the SAFA Frances Baard Hollywoodbets Regional League positional play-offs held at the Ikhutseng Stadium in Warrention. The Stream C winners came into the play-offs with purpose – and left with something even more valuable: a place in the upcoming provincial promotion tournament, where they’ll compete against champions from across the Northern Cape for a spot in the ABC Motsepe League. Skema made their intentions clear in their opening match, ruthlessly dispatching Stream B’s Kgatelopele 9-0. The latter had already suffered a 3-0 loss to Sol Plaatje University (SPU) earlier in the day, and had no…

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) has raised alarm over the Northern Cape Department of Social Development’s alleged failure to effectively oversee the operations and financial management of Sinothando Kids Haven, a child and youth care centre in Galeshewe. According to Priscilla Isaacs, MPL and DA Northern Cape alternate spokesperson on Social Development, the party is investigating potential negligence by the department regarding its handling of funds intended for the care of vulnerable children at the centre. “Child and youth care workers at Sinothando have not received their May salaries, and there are threats of no payment in June,” Isaacs said in a statement. “This appears to stem from alleged maladministration, corruption, and serious mismanagement of funds.” Isaacs further highlighted the plight of an employee who had been contributing to a pension…

FOR AS long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in art, especially sketching. I remember the other newborns in the maternity ward avoiding me because, even though we all looked like prunes at the time, art was all I would talk about. They’d call me nasty names like Rembrandt the Raisin or Van Go to Hell. That passion hasn’t faded. Just the other day, I was watching an artist on a video streaming channel doing a sketch – and it turns out he was ambidextrous. I was so impressed, it felt as if my brain went out of joint. “WHAAAAT?? Two hands to draw with? That’s amazing,” I thought. Naturally, my mind wandered to a potential column on training your lazy hand – you know, for emergencies. Like…

ON TUESDAY evening, the Kimberley Airport was filled with emotion and excitement. Not because of a celebrity or a visiting dignitary, but because of a young woman whose story captured the hearts of her community. When the doors to the arrival hall opened, 21-year-old J-Dean Bridges stepped into a shower of love, tears, balloons, and homemade posters, symbols of pride and celebration for what she had accomplished thousands of kilometres away. Born in Klerksdorp but raised in the modest town of Barkly West in the Northern Cape, so small that it’s easy to miss if you blink while passing by, J-Dean recently placed as the 3rd runner-up at the prestigious Miss Petite International Beauty Pageant in El Salvador. Her return was more than just the arrival of a contestant; it…

Northern Cape bowlers put on a stellar performance at the prestigious King Price Namibia Nationals Bowls Week held in Windhoek, Namibia, showcasing their talent against some of the best bowlers from both Namibia and South Africa. The tournament, hosted across three top venues, Eros Bowling Club, Windhoek Bowling Club, and United Bowling Club, attracted around 300 players from various clubs across Namibia, with a strong contingent from South Africa adding to the competitive spirit of the event. The Nationals featured five main disciplines: singles, pairs, trips, fours, and mixed pairs. With its open format, the competition proved to be fierce, drawing seasoned bowlers from across the region. "The competition was tough, especially with top South African bowlers in action," said one participant. "It was a real test of skill and…