Table of contents for 2025-08-01 in DFA News

City soldier killed in the line of duty to receive military honours SOUTH African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier Private Xavier Raynard, who is believed to have been killed after being trampled by a herd of elephants in Limpopo, will receive a military funeral in Kimberley. SANDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala stated that the bereaved family would determine the date of the funeral. “Private Raynard was a dedicated member of the 10 Anti-Air Regiment of the South African Army who died tragically in the line of duty. He is entitled to either a full or semi-military funeral based on the wishes of his relatives,” said Tshabalala. He explained that Raynard was deployed under Operation Corona in the Madimbo area of the Limpopo province at the time of the incident.…

A FORMER company director who was arrested in connection with the multibillion-rand Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital case will be sent for psychiatric observation. The defence for Edward Charles Pullen Petzer, 89, who was arrested in Cape Town by the Hawks on May 28, indicated that he is “frail” and has been diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. During court proceedings in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on July 30, Petzer had to leave midway to use the bathroom due to an “urgent need that could not wait”. Petzer appeared virtually, while his co-accused — the former Public Works MEC and former ANC provincial chairperson John Block; Tshegolekae Motaung, a director of Babereki Consulting Engineers; former heads of the Department of Public Works Patience Mokhali, Motlalepula Elias Selemela and Ruth Palm;…

A MASSIVE haul of abalone, worth nearly R2 million, has landed three Chinese nationals in hot water — culminating in a suspended prison sentence and a hefty R400,000 fine after a sting operation on a Douglas farm. Yanhul Yang, 34, Zhang Shuicai, 24, and Jinxiang Chen, 60, were sentenced in the Kimberley Regional Court recently after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the State. Their arrest followed a tip-off received on April 26 by the SAPS Provincial Organised Crime unit about a suspected drug lab at Olierivier Farm near Douglas. Instead of narcotics, officers stumbled upon an illegal abalone processing operation. According to Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe, police discovered drying equipment, including gas burners, gas bottles and fans, along with 8,136 units of abalone with…

In a night that highlighted both fierce rugby rivalry and deep-rooted regional spirit, Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) edged Hartswater 33-30 to claim the 2025 Frances Baard Cup under the floodlights in Hartswater on Saturday. The match kicked off at 7pm, and a good turnout of more than 800 spectators packed the venue, with local fires burning around the field and energy running high as the home team looked to defend their turf. The final was played from the start with both sides showing intent, exchanging tries and territory in a tightly contested battle that kept the crowd on edge. With Hartswater leading 30-26 in the dying seconds, KRC surged forward with one last attack. A decisive try and successful conversion turned the scoreline in their favour, sealing a 33-30 victory…

IN WILLIAM Goldman's 1973 novel, The Princess Bride, there’s a chapter where Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya has a sword fight against the mysterious man in black. Both start off duelling with their left hands, but at one point, Montoya asks his opponent if he knows why he’s smiling during the fencing contest, even though the man in black seems to be the superior swordsman. The man in black says he does not, and it’s then that Inigio reveals that he’s not left-handed at all, and is more skilled with his right hand. He then switches hands, and the duel takes a turn to his favour as he easily starts to drive the man in black back with confident thrusts and swishes. It’s a universal fact that if you are multi-dimensional…

A BRUTAL breach of a protection order has landed Lerato Ratikane, 35, behind bars for five years after he stabbed his ex-girlfriend multiple times in a violent outburst in Lethabo Park, Roodepan. The Kimberley Regional Court found Ratikane guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) following the attack, which took place on the morning of October 28 last year. According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam, Ratikane confronted the woman and insisted she accompany him to his shack. When she refused — citing the protection order — he became aggressive, produced a knife, and launched the assault. The victim lost consciousness and only awoke later in the hospital while receiving medical treatment. In addition to the five-year sentence, the court also declared Ratikane unfit…

IT HAPPENED suddenly one day. There I was, driving my car listening to an Oldies radio station, when one of my all-time favourite bands’ songs started playing. “Hold the line … Love isn't always on time,” Toto’s Bobby Kimball sang. And I chuckled, “Fools! Who set up this app? How can a Toto tune be a ‘Golden Oldie'?’” Then, as Kimball continued belting out the lyrics, I did some calculations, and suddenly felt the urge to pull over and weep when it occurred to me that the album with that song on its playlist was released in 1978 … that’s almost 50 years ago – that qualifies for the Golden Oldie label. I remembered how, when my parents wanted to listen to their music, “teenage-your’s-truly” would want to barf, nauseated…

A REPORT into the deaths and maltreatment of psychiatric patients at health facilities in the Northern Cape has revealed chilling cases of neglect and human rights violations. One patient reportedly froze to death, another remains bedridden and dependent on nursing staff following brain surgery, and a third died after contracting double pneumonia, possibly due to exposure to severe cold. The findings, released by Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena on July 30, concluded that patients received inadequate medical care and that the deaths could have been avoided. The investigation was conducted by the Health Ombud in collaboration with the South African Human Rights Commission. The R2.1 billion Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) was described as a “death trap”. A complaint was lodged by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on October…

The FNB Football First Festival returned to the FNB Astro Turf in Galeshewe on Saturday, bringing together Under-15 boys and girls teams from local football clubs in a celebration of talent, community, and opportunity. The annual festival, a fixture on the provincial football calendar, serves as more than just a day of spirited matches as it serves as a platform for youth development and talent identification. By the end of the day, Diamond Ladies (girls section) and Colville (boys section) had lifted the trophies, but it was the players' flair, determination, and love for the game that stole the show. The tournament followed a round-robin and play-off format in both sections, culminating in hard-fought finals that had spectators on the edge of their seats. In the girls section, Royal Wizards…

THERE’S an old story, maybe it’s a South African urban legend, but I once overheard someone tell it very convincingly, with real passion and conviction. He said that the big Sunday meal tradition in South Africa came from the Anglo-Boer War, when the Boers would sometimes go home to their families for a week away from the front. Then, prior to their return to battle, the wife or mother would cook a big meal, with rice and roasts and stews and baked goods and puddings. The intention was to treat their brave son, husband or father to a good home-cooked feast, but the other reason was that they could send him off with some provisions, seeing as he would be eating rations like biltong and biscuits for quite a while.…

PROTEST action continued in Tyson Street yesterday, despite Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala donning his gumboots to inspect leaking sewage, littered streets, and blocked drains in Galeshewe earlier this week. The road has been obstructed with rocks and burning tyres since July 29, with protesters claiming that around 6,000 residents in the ward are suffering due to service delivery failures, high unemployment, and escalating crime and drug abuse in the area. A strong police presence continues to monitor the area. Situation volatile SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said yesterday that the situation remained volatile. “Members from the Kimberley Public Order Police dispersed a crowd of protesters in Tyson Street in Galeshewe on July 30 at approximately 7pm. The protesters reportedly barricaded the road with burning tyres and…

THE STATE is not prepared to withdraw charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) against an accused who has been diagnosed with a substance-induced psychotic disorder. A doctor who examined the accused, Sello Kganyego, at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, indicated that Kganyego told him he bore “the mark of the beast”. Testifying in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week, the doctor stated that Kganyego was admitted as a mental health patient in 2024, as he was “not sleeping and talking alone” and had been using cannabis. “He related that he had been using cannabis since the age of 14. At that age, the brain is not fully developed, and it could have been injured by the illicit substance,” said the doctor. He added that…

A 100-year-young resident, Tomeletso Maria Serache, celebrated her birthday recently with family members and a giant cake. Serache was born on July 22, 1925, in Barkly Road and has 10 children, 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She attended school at St Matthew's Educational Centre in Kimberley. Family members said that Serache remains active by walking around the yard, baking, cooking and sewing. They added that she had used medicinal herbs for her well-being for her entire life and had never believed in Western medication. “She doesn’t consume any alcohol except the Old Buck that she mixes with the herbs and then uses it as medication,” they said.…

For CP Mathewson, it was the one title that had always seemed just out of reach. But in Klerksdorp this past weekend, he finally got it. Mathewson, already a decorated bowler with district and national titles to his name, has now added the Central Districts Singles Champion of Champions trophy to his long list of accomplishments. It’s a title he has chased for years, one that has repeatedly slipped away due to scheduling clashes or narrow defeats. This time, however, there was no stopping him. Bowling under the Northern Cape banner, Mathewson produced a masterclass in skill, precision, and focus. His ability to draw consistently and deliver pressure shots when needed gave him the edge over top players from Southern Free State, Northern Free State, and North West. On the…

By now, readers who have visited our website have heard about the city’s first-ever women-only road race. Hosted by the Kimberley Harriers Running Club, the event attracted 188 women last weekend and made waves, thanks to the turnout, and also for the spirit it ignited. But even days later, the impact is still resonating. Not because records were broken or elite athletes made headlines, but because something deeper took root: a shared sense of purpose, pride, and power. “This was more than a race,” said one of the participants. “It was a movement.” The theme of the event – Movement. Motivation. Momentum. – proved fitting. Women from all walks of life lined up for either a 4.5km or 10km route, united by more than pace,as the experience was valuable. One…