DFA News -julkaisun 2026-01-16 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

ACTIVISTS from the Safety and Security Task Team, a community organisation leading proactive crime-prevention operations in Kimberley, were assaulted and injured on two occasions on January 14 in Stockdale Street. After laying a charge of assault at the Kimberley police station on Wednesday morning, Task Team members Tumelo Mosikare and Thabiso Louw were attacked by a group of people in Stockdale Street at around 12.40pm. One of the men who was apparently involved in the scuffle that broke out reportedly yelled, “I am not going to leave here”, before he later fled the scene. Residents said the CBD was being made “ungovernable” by foreign national drug dealers, who were the “kingpins” of Stockdale Street. Mosikare indicated that, despite being attacked unprovoked, they would not be deterred from ridding the city…

THE ALLEGED leader of the Hollanders gang, George “Barney” Peters, has objected to being sent for 30 days’ psychiatric observation, saying he fears contracting an infectious disease in the hospital section of the Kimberley Correctional Services facility. Peters is facing a range of charges, including murder, attempted murder, gang activity, the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, racketeering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping, fraud, and drug dealing. He appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week, while awaiting a bed to be made available so that he could undergo a psychiatric evaluation. After being subjected to a one-day observation, it was recommended that he undergo further mental assessment after he attempted to dismiss his legal representative…

RESIDENTS of Lerato Park set tyres alight and blocked roads with broken glass and rocks this week over a stalled electrification project near Roodepan. Community members said they had been living for several years without sanitation, water or electricity, as well as other basic services. “We will have to make a plan to buy electricity once it is finally installed, as we are not sure if we will be able to afford the high costs,” they added. Residents said two contractors were supposed to be introduced to the community for phases 7 and 8 of the electrification of 173 stands in Bobo se Plaas on January 12. “We will continue with protest action until the Sol Plaatje executive mayor and Speaker tell us where the funds that were allocated for…

WARRENVALE Stars FC, a community-based football club from Warrenton in the Northern Cape, is celebrating a standout showing by one of its young players at a national talent identification event. Club and player in the spotlight The club confirmed that Leandre Beukes delivered an impressive performance at the SAFA Girls Academy assessments held in Pretoria last weekend, an event organised by the South African Football Association to identify emerging talent. Leandre, who hails from the Warrenton community, took part in the two-day assessment, where she was evaluated alongside other young players by SAFA coaches and scouts. According to the club, her performances drew positive attention for her skill level, commitment and professionalism across the sessions. Warrenvale Stars FC described Leandre’s showing as a proud moment for both the club and…

KIMBERLEY is set to come alive with colour, culture, and competition when the Phakamile Mabija Human Rights Half Marathon makes a powerful return on Saturday, March 21, promising one of the most exciting road races on South Africa’s athletics calendar. Now in its sixth edition, the 21.1 km event will once again start and finish at Kimberley Boys’ High School, bringing together elite athletes, passionate social runners, and communities united by sport and history. Hosted in honour of fallen Struggle hero Phakamile Harry Mabija, the race forms a central part of Human Rights Day commemorations, blending high-level athletics with deep social meaning. Renowned for its unique city and Kasi "gees", the Phakamile Mabija Half Marathon has grown into a must-run event, attracting top local talent and leading runners from neighbouring…

KIMBERLEY-based freelance journalist Douglas Mthukwane has dismissed his conviction on four charges of rape, relating to incidents that took place between 2016 and 2019, as “utter nonsense” and has indicated that he will appeal. In an unrelated matter, Mthukwane’s girlfriend, who reported that she was raped and assaulted with a knobkierie on August 1, 2025, at Mthukwane’s flat in Beaconsfield, has since withdrawn the charges. The State has, however, decided to proceed with the matter in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on January 27. Mthukwane remains in custody, as the latest rape charge was allegedly committed in contravention of his bail conditions. His previous bail application was dismissed in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court. Should he be granted bail in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court, Mthukwane is also expected to apply for bail…

IN THE EARLY hours of Saturday, January 10, at about 3am, officers from the Mothibistad SAPS were conducting a routine blue-light patrol along the N14 near Kagung Village when they stumbled upon a makeshift “stop‑and‑go” checkpoint. The obstruction – a cluster of road construction signs and equipment – had been deliberately placed to mimic an official work zone. According to the police, the set‑up was a ruse: motorists who stopped were allegedly ambushed with stones and robbed of their belongings. Acting quickly, the patrol removed the signs, cleared the road and restored normal traffic flow. No arrests were made and, at the time of writing, no formal robbery complaints had been lodged. “These criminals are trying to turn a legitimate safety measure into a trap for unsuspecting drivers,” said a…

SOL PLAATJE municipal manager Thapelo Matlala could return to his desk next week if he succeeds in an urgent application to overturn his suspension. The municipality withdrew an urgent application in the Northern Cape High Court on January 12 to prevent Matlala from entering the municipal offices in Kimberley to protect the integrity of disciplinary proceedings against him. The charges relate to the awarding of a tender, reportedly worth R25 million, to upgrade the Roodepan and Legaeng pump stations, and to the appointment of the chief financial officer. Matlala reported for duty on January 5 with private bodyguards after his three-month precautionary suspension automatically lapsed on December 17. He was unable to enter as the locks and keys to his office had been changed. The Speaker, Dipuo Peters, proceeded to…

IT HAPPENED again. So there I was on the Discovery Bay to Mui Wo Hiking Trail at midnight as 2026 rolled in. My brother-in-law and I had climbed the “1,000 steps” (which is actually over 1,300 exhausting steps and a few energy-sapping ramps) with the aim of watching the drone show over Hong Kong, less than 20km away. As it turned out, from our vantage point, we couldn’t see Victoria Harbour, but we did get to watch the fireworks and an impressive drone show over Hong Kong Disneyland, which was about halfway closer, just across Discovery Bay. I am not saying all this to boast. The fact is, thanks to some massive generosity on the part of my hosts, I was extremely fortunate to be here to witness the spectacle.…

THE DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Lions face decisive fixtures in the final pool round of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, with their play-off prospects on the line. The Toyota Cheetahs, meanwhile, will aim to end their European campaign on a positive note after their elimination last week. The Bulls open the weekend’s action for the South African teams on Friday night when they face Section Paloise at the Stade du Hameau in France. Two matches will take place on home soil on Saturday, with the Sharks hosting Clermont Auvergne in Durban and the Stormers facing off against Leicester Tigers in Cape Town. In the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions travel to France to meet Perpignan on Saturday evening, while the Cheetahs conclude the weekend’s…

BLEEDING can be a pleasant experience. Yes, read that again; it can be a fulfilling, endearing experience to have blood leave your body … in a controlled environment, of course. What I am referring to is blood donation. I have been a donor for a few years, and just knowing that I have been, in a small way, holding out a lifeline for someone in a life-or-death situation is pretty humbling. The inconvenience of a needle prick and a few minutes doesn’t seem so bad when you consider the bigger picture. In my experience, the staff at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in Kimberley have always been efficient, friendly and professional. Yes, they are there to take a pint of blood from you, but there is a constant…

WHEN the doors of the Duggan-Cronin Gallery, a satellite of the McGregor Museum, open on January 29, visitors will step into more than a photographic exhibition. They will enter a carefully curated journey through memory, community, and history, guided by the lens and pen of one of Kimberley’s most revered chroniclers, the late Vusi Tukakhomo. Titled The Return of the Eagle’s Eye, the exhibition is curated by emerging Kimberley filmmaker and creative director Frellet Koope of Frellets Pictures. Made possible through the support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Mzansi Golden Economy, the exhibition honours Tukakhomo’s powerful body of photographic work and the lasting legacy he left behind. Koope, who has established herself as a storyteller rooted in Northern Cape narratives, describes the exhibition as both a…

KIMBERLEY’S long-standing road running tradition will continue to keep runners on the road when the 56th edition of the Diamond Marathon takes place on Saturday, March 7. The Diamond Marathon, widely regarded as one of the flattest and fastest races in the country, is among the largest marathons in the Northern Cape. First run in 1970, it is also the second-oldest marathon in South Africa, giving it a special place on the national running calendar. The race will be hosted at St Patrick’s CBC in Belgravia, with access to the parking area from Du Toitspan Road. All three distances will start from the same venue, with the full marathon (42.2km) and half-marathon (21.1km) getting under way at 6am, followed by the 10km race at 6.15am. Entries for the event are…

ROAD runners across the Northern Cape can mark their calendars as one of Kimberley’s most anticipated road running events makes its return. The Meerkat Marathon is officially set for Saturday, January 31, promising a bigger, bolder, and more energised edition than ever before. Hosted at Vermeulens on the N12 Cape Town road, the event continues to grow in stature and remains a favourite for both competitive athletes and social runners. This year’s race carries extra significance as it is once again an official qualifying event for two of South Africa’s most iconic long-distance races: the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon. With its fast route and enthusiastic support along the way, the Meerkat Marathon offers runners a perfect opportunity to chase a personal best or simply enjoy the vibrant…