Table of contents for 2023-05-26 in DFA News

AN INFLUENTIAL political figure, who is currently serving a 15-year sentence for corruption and money laundering at the Upington Correctional Centre, will be added as an accused in the investigation involving the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital. He was the MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works at the time of the alleged offence and resigned as ANC provincial chairperson in 2015. Two other prominent figures were the first individuals to be arrested this week in connection with the “colossal mess”, where the original contract of R290 million for the mental hospital ballooned to R2.1 billion and construction took 14 years to complete. The individual who is listed as “number two” on the charge sheet is expected to join his co-accused – the former head of the Department of Roads and…

KIMBERLEY police station is ranked in the top 30 “worst police stations” in the country when it comes to escalating incidents of serious crime. Northern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola told the portfolio committee on police, during a visit to the city this week, that zama zamas were draining available resources. Otola indicated that police personnel were constantly attending to damage caused to infrastructure, cable and copper theft and crime at Ekapa mine. “There is a sprawling township in the Samaria area where there is an influx of foreigners and zama zamas that is creating a big challenge.” She explained that Kimberley police station handled an average of between 200 to 300 dockets per day. “Whenever there is protest action all crime-prevention personnel must manage acts of unrest. Although…

AROUND two years ago I found a pair of sneakers that I really liked. They were the colour I prefer (black), they fitted so well that my tootsies felt as snug as a bug in a rug; and, to top it all off, they were on sale, marked down quite a bit. So for the past two years I have been bouncing around the city in my stylish takkies, feeling rather chuffed with myself. Oh, seeing as they were my favourite pair, I made sure I kept them looking good with a foam cleaner. However, they eventually started getting a bit ‘vaal’. A voice in my head – you know that voice you never argue with – said, “It’s time to wash them; they probably smell like the Gogga Pump…

WHILE De Beers Sightholder Sales South Africa (DBSSSA) officially unveiled its new rough diamond sorting, valuation and sales facility in Johannesburg recently, the minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has asked De Beers not to leave the Northern Cape. The relocation event was attended by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe and Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Tasneem Motara as well as De Beers Group CEO Al Cook. De Beers Group announced in January that it was relocating its Sightholder Sales activities in South Africa from Kimberley, where it has been operating since 1974, to Johannesburg following a review of its sorting activities in the country. According to De Beers, the relocation supports the government’s strategy to consolidate the country’s mineral beneficiation sector into one area at the…

AS THE Currie Cup draws ever closer to its critical stages, the Windhoek Draught Griquas find themselves in a delicate position, currently sitting in fifth place with 28 points on the table after 11 rounds of intense rugby action. With must-win games looming ahead, the Griquas are fully aware that their chances of securing a play-off spot heavily depend on their performance in the upcoming matches. Tomorrow, they face the formidable Toyota Cheetahs XV, who currently hold the top spot on the log with 38 points. The Griquas have had a mixed season so far, securing six wins along with five losses. Their most recent triumph came in an impressive away victory against the Griffons, where they flexed their muscles and claimed a convincing 47-21 win and a bonus point…

A FORMER member of the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) and chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation, Ross Henderson, has questioned the “hurried arrest” of individuals implicated in the multimillion-rand Kimberley Mental Health Hospital fraud, corruption and money laundering case. The former head of the Department of Roads and Public Works, Patience Mokhali, 63, and a company director of Babereki Consulting Engineers, Tshego Motaung, 59, were arrested by the Hawks this week in connection with the case. The former Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, who is currently serving a prison sentence, will be joined to the charge sheet as an accused. Henderson pointed out that the parole hearing of the accused, who was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for corruption and money laundering relating…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of May 17-20 and what’s on next week’s programme. Results for the week of May 17 to 20 are: It was a busy week at the Club. The Wednesday, May 17 OBC sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Harry Welham on 44 pts with Jacques Gouws 2nd on 35 pts. Third was Gavin van Zyl on 34 pts and 4th Donald Witbooi on a count-out with 32 pts. The Thursday, May 18 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Charn-Marc de Meillon with 27 pts. Second was Neville Alexander with 26 pts and 3rd André Williams on a count-out with 24 pts. The Friday, May 19 ICECEBI Golf Day was a highly anticipated and successful event. The 18-hole scramble…

THE KIMBERLEY Basketball Super League continued to captivate audiences last weekend, and the added prospect of supporting the Under-18 team’s journey to the National Championships adding a new layer of excitement. Kimberley’s Maloof Skate Park played host to some incredible action last Saturday. In the Women’s section, the Celestials once again showcased their dominance, securing yet another emphatic victory over the Greenpan Wolves ladies. The Celestials continued to solidify their position as the team to beat in the league. Meanwhile, in the men’s section, the Greenpoint Wizards and the Sishen Cobras rose to the top of the standings with resounding victories. Wizards demolished Saints 38-81, while the Cobras overpowered the Kimberley Super Bulls 41-27. The two teams are perched on the top of the Basketball Super League log with 12…

CELLPHONE activity has linked the accused to the crime scenes where members of the Brand family – Danie, 83, his wife Breggie, 73, and their daughter Elzabé, 54 – were assaulted, abducted and murdered. The three family members were taken from their smallholding in Magogong near Hartswater before they were killed and their bodies disposed of near Takaneng village on July 26, 2020. The accused in the matter – Donald Seoleseng, 22, Tshepo Visagie, 38, Kgomotso Mpulwana, 45, and Tsepaone Melato, 21 – appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. Charges were withdrawn against Section 204 witness Realeboga Manyedi, 21. Under cross-examination, SAPS cellphone analyst Captain Hanlie Conradie indicated that the cellphone towers…

AFRICAN Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Member of Parliament Marie Sukers expressed shock and disbelief at the manner in which Magareng Local Municipality is handling the water crisis in Warrenton. Sukers this week paid an oversight visit to Warrenton’s multimillion-rand water treatment plant and the collapsed main water pipeline that runs across the Vaal River. The MP, who led a delegation of concerned community members and the media on Wednesday, found no workers at the sites. Warrenton residents have been experiencing water woes for years and depended on a water treatment plant that was built back in 1972. Fingers were pointed at the municipality, with residents blaming a lack of commitment from the local authority with regard to the expansion and reconstruction of the treatment plant, for which R84 million has…

THE KUMGANG Taekwondo Club, situated at the Kimberley Big Hole grounds next to the Occidental Bar, was filled with excitement on Saturday, as students prepared for their highly-anticipated grading. The club, established in 1999, had grown steadily over the years, producing skilled practitioners of the Korean Martial Art. The dojo currently has 40 students, between the ages of five and 40 years old. On the day, 11 students –Daniel Anderson, Keegan Kotze, Kiera Kotze, Stephanie de Clrek, Tazkiah Meyers, Johannes Faber, Taheem Boer, Ezekial Mouton, Sumaiyah Toffar, Declyn Koopman, and CJ Speek – were all clad in their crisp white uniforms, eagerly awaiting their turn to demonstrate their abilities. The grading was a comprehensive test that evaluated students in both the traditional and sport aspects of the Martial Art. It…

The DFA has been finding out more about this season’s Griquas players. This week Danie van der Lith speaks to Lubabalo Dobela and Derik Pretorius. Pictures: Louis Botha Lubabalo Dobela ‘Lubs’ 25 years old, born in East London plays at flyhalf Previous Team: Blitzboks • What sports do you enjoy apart from rugby: Soccer, American football, cricket • Who was the one person that inspired you as a young player: My brother • Your biggest sporting hero outside of rugby: Tom Brady • Favourite book: Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky • Favourite movie: The Way Back • What type of music do you enjoy: Hip Hop/Rap • Top three favourite songs: Any songs by Rodwave • Droëwors? Biltong? Chillibites: Biltong • Water – still or sparkling: Still…