Table of contents for 2025-07-11 in DFA News

A MURDER case that rocked the Kimberley community has ended with a split verdict — offering a measure of justice for some, while leaving deep emotional wounds for others. SANDF soldier Mbubanzi Desmond Zwakala, 50, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Amogelang Assegaai, a matric learner at Kimberley Boys’ High School. His co-accused, David Khangumbe, walked free — haunted, he said, by the three years he spent behind bars awaiting trial. The shooting incident took place in Impala Road, Verwoerdpark, Kimberley, in October 2022 following a confrontation regarding Zwakala’s son’s cellphone. Acting Judge Dries van Tonder was not convinced that the murder was premeditated, noting: “It is not unusual to carry a loaded firearm if it is used for self-defence. There is…

OUR PARENTS insisted on a policy of honesty in our home. Many years later, however, we learned that they were less than truthful themselves. Only after coming of age did I learn that playing around and poking at a fire with a stick at night would not cause me to wet the bed; our folks always insisted it would. My siblings and I don’t trust our father anymore, because we also learned that if you swallow chewing gum, there is very little chance of you blowing gum bubbles in your underwear when you fart. Yet, because of our parents’ influence, we are a pretty honest bunch. I had no choice, because I would blush if I tried to lie. The problem is that I would also blush when I was…

A WAVE of shock and outrage has swept through the community following what many have described as a lenient sentence handed to a Zimbabwean national convicted in a hit-and-run incident and subsequent collision that claimed the lives of three young people in Kimberley. The trial, held in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court, was concluded within just three days, from July 7 to 9. The tragic chain of events unfolded on June 30, 2024, when 16-year-old promising cricket player Omphile Jonas was fatally struck while crossing the road near the intersection of Barkly Road and Seleke Street. Moments later, the same vehicle crashed into a minibus taxi transporting local members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), leaving Mikayla Booysen, 19, and Cavino Matthews, 24, critically injured. Both later died in the hospital from…

If you’ve spent any time at the Kimberley Skate Plaza, chances are you’ve seen Brad Balie, effortlessly landing tricks, cheering on his fellow skaters, or mentoring a group of eager youngsters who look up to him. The 24-year-old has become a familiar and beloved figure in the local skateboarding scene, not only for his technical skill on the board but also for his deep passion for growing the sport in his community. Born and raised in Kimberley, Brad’s journey into skateboarding started in an unexpected but fateful way. “I first got into skateboarding when my parents were selling food at a competition,” he recalls. “Watching the action, and the minute I stepped on the board, I knew that this was for me.” That moment of inspiration set him on a…

It’s easy to think that every time trial needs to be a new personal best. But sometimes, what you really need is just to show up – to lace up, line up, and let your legs do the rest. That’s what the Kimberley Harriers did this past Tuesday. Whether chasing minutes or simply chasing daylight, each runner and walker added another layer to the club’s rhythm of consistency. With cool winter air and clear skies overhead, the city streets once again echoed with footfalls, breath, and the low hum of commitment. Some came to push. Some came to pace. Everyone, though, came with purpose. Next Tuesday brings another chance to turn up. No pressure, no podium — just a road, a route, and a reason to run. Official times for…

THE SPRINGBOKS have named a side full of fresh faces and seasoned hands for tomorrow’s second Test against Italy – a blend that speaks to the team’s forward planning as much as it does to honouring experience. At the heart of it all stands Willie le Roux, who will become just the eighth South African to reach 100 Test caps when he runs out at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The veteran fullback, who made his debut against the same opponents in 2013, has played a pivotal role in two Rugby World Cup triumphs and will now add a century milestone to his decorated career. Tomorrow’s match also marks a notable shift in team selection, with only seven players retained from the squad that beat the Italians 42-24 in Pretoria. The…

WITH electioneering in full swing in Platfontein and Roodepan ahead of the Ward 1 by-election on July 23, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) is already claiming the ward as its own. PA leader Gayton McKenzie, who was in Kimberley this week, pointed out that Platfontein only becomes a focus of attention during elections. “I eradicated pit toilets in the Karoo and I can do the same in Platfontein. The PA is responsible for the by-election – we removed our former councillor Johan Loff because he missed three council meetings. We would rather have someone hardworking. Our candidate is Rufaro van der Ross. We will appoint a resident from Platfontein to serve as the PR councillor after the by-election,” said McKenzie. He criticised the use of taxpayers’ money to run election campaigns…

A 39-YEAR-old man from Galeshewe has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after the brutal murder of his long-term partner during a domestic altercation that played out in front of their two young children. Kimberley police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the incident took place on May 25, 2024, in Rhythm City, where the couple lived together in a shack. Following a heated argument, the man fatally stabbed the woman in a horrifying attack witnessed by their children. The Galeshewe Regional Court found Theophilus Chabalala guilty of murder and handed down a direct prison sentence of 12 years. He has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm. The police have welcomed the outcome, describing the case as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gender-based violence and…

TRYING something new – especially outside your comfort zone – can be terrifying. Whether it’s raising your hand in class or stepping onto a skateboard for the first time, fear can stop you in your tracks. But that fear fades fast when you’re surrounded by people who believe in you — and that’s exactly what close to 60 young girls experienced last Saturday at the Kimberley Skate Plaza. Led by Olympic skateboarder and hometown hero Boipelo Awuah, the 053 Girls Kimberley Winter Skateboarding Workshop offered a safe, welcoming space for girls to step onto the ramps, many for the first time. The event, hosted by Boipelo’s nonprofit 053 Girls Skateboarding, brought together girls aged eight and up for a day of confidence-building, connection, and creativity. “For many of the girls,…

While the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) renewed commitment to supporting boxers across Africa has brought a wave of optimism, local clubs have been urged not to get swept away in the excitement just yet. IOL Sport’s Julian Kiewietz recently reported that the IBA recently reaffirmed its plans to grow both amateur and professional competition structures, offering what could become a career-changing opportunity for athletes training at grassroots level. “Future IBA.Pro competitions will continue to feature some of the world’s most established professional boxers and will also include amateur match-ups, in line with the feeder-system design that the IBA aims to grow,” said IBA.Pro director Al Siesta. That vision resonates deeply with fighters sweating it out in gym halls from Kimberley to Cairo – places where opportunities are often few and…

THE RISING number of residents in Club 2000 seeking flood relief payouts from the Sol Plaatje Municipality have been advised to take out insurance policies. The list of claimants has grown from an initial 50 to 110 households. Their homes are repeatedly flooded during heavy rains, while spillages from the Tlhageng retention dam – which was supposed to be reinforced – remain a threat due to the risk of collapse. A group of affected homeowners living near the dam have threatened to stage a sit-in at the municipal offices this week until they receive the compensation they were reportedly promised. They claim that, while a select few have received payouts, the rest have not received a cent. “We are wasting taxi fare going up and down to the municipality while…

THERE is “no turning back”, according to the organisers of the city-wide shutdown planned for Monday in protest against high electricity tariffs, poor service delivery, and corruption. The shutdown aims to close streets in and around Kimberley on July 14, from 5am until 3pm. A march will commence from various gathering points and proceed to the Premier’s Office, where a memorandum is expected to be handed over at around 10am. A community meeting to finalise arrangements will be held at the Galeshewe circle on Sunday, July 13, at 3pm. A number of groups – including taxi operators, Ward 18 residents who protested outside the Sol Plaatje Municipality on Thursday over housing complaints, Homelite residents affected by ongoing power outages this week, water meter installers who are aggrieved over payment tariffs,…

It seems like yesterday, but it was five years ago that the DFA carried the story of a little girl whose passion for skating started when she was just five years old. By the time that we spoke to her, she was 13 and had by this time demonstrated what passion and dedication could accomplish when she participated in the first Maloof Skateboarding Championship. The Grade 8 Northern Cape High School pupil – yes, we’re referring to Kimberley’s own Boipelo Awuah – said she started off “stealing” her older brother’s skateboard. “I used to fall so much that my mother prevented me from skating out of fear that I get hurt,” Awuah told the DFA. She went on to say that she did, however, fulfil her dream of becoming a…

The 2025 Northern Cape Open Masters delivered thrilling action over the weekend at Sol Plaatje West End Bowling Club. Twelve men and 12 women were invited to compete in this prestigious event, braving frost-covered greens in the early mornings, with some of the first ends being played quite literally on ice. Men’s Division: CP Mathewson Dominates Once Again In Section 1 of the men’s competition, seasoned campaigner CP Mathewson made his intentions clear from the outset, winning all his round-robin matches with clinical precision. Trailing behind him were Stephan Enslin and Driaan van Niekerk, who were both in pursuit of the second play-off spot. Stephan eventually edged out Driaan to book his place in the 3rd/4th play-off. Section 2 saw a showdown brewing between Clint Kneen and Michael Siepker, both…