Table of contents for 2024-04-05 in DFA News

A GRAVE mix-up at the Roodepan Cemetery has left two families, the Lawans and the Brandts, in distress and seeking justice. The families discovered that their loved ones were mistakenly interred in the wrong graves eight years ago, leading to a demand for compensation from Sol Plaatje Municipality. The families are seeking compensation of R50,000 after learning that the municipality had exhumed the graves without their knowledge to confirm the mix-up. They have rejected the municipality’s offer of R3,500 compensation each, which they regard as an insult, especially considering that two other families who suffered the same fate received nearly 10 times that amount. In 2023, the Lawan and the Brandt families sought intervention in the matter from the Office of the Public Protector. John Lawan, the spokesperson for the…

THE FAMILY of late Danielskuil DA councillor Johannes Baaitjies have called for a new investigation to be launched to reveal the “real masterminds” behind their loved one’s murder, as well as the killing of his business partner Jeffery Nouse. Baaitjes and Nouse were killed on the road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg in 2016. Baaitjie’s sister, Silvia Edwards, recently stated that the family was “still looking over their shoulders” eight years following his death. “It is with great dismay and pain that my brother’s murder is being used as a bargaining chip. Our family has tried so hard to come to terms with his untimely and brutal death. It is disgusting that his name is being dragged into filthy acts of infighting and candidate lists. His death is being used as…

RESIDENTS and businesses in Kimberley have indicated that although it is an inconvenience and safety risk, they have made the necessary preparations for the planned water shutdown that started last night and will last until Monday. Colville and Floors residents who do not own JoJo tanks at their homes, said that their wish is for Sol Plaatje Municipality to fix the city’s water supply infrastructure permanently. The municipality informed residents that a planned water shutdown will be in effect until Monday in order to conduct repair work on four major leaks on the bulk water pipeline. A resident from Colville, who lives in a two-room shanty with 11 family members, said they have no space to store their buckets of water. “I am staying inside the shank with my husband…

A PROMISING young talent with an already impressive list of achievements has made his entrance on the local chess scene. At just seven years old, Adam Meyers, a Grade 2 student at Staats Primary School, is already making significant strides in the game. Young Adam’s journey into the world of chess began when he was even younger and was fueled by his passion for board and card games. However, of all the games he dabbled in, it was chess that captured his interest the most, leading him to embark on a serious pursuit of the game at the age of five. After receiving his training through the Frances Baard Schools Chess Club and actively participating in Chess Tanza/Knights Social competitions, Adam has honed his skills both within his school’s chess…

I HAVE been blessed to have been travelling quite a bit recently; enough to make any mere mortal’s head spin. In fact, such has been the experience of these jaunts that I sometimes wonder to myself, “Was I, or am I dreaming?” This uncertainty of whether I have breached the veil between the dreamworld and reality got a bit ridiculous just more than a week ago, when I again started to wonder, “Have I left South Africa again?” Unfortunately for my restless spirit, but fortunately for my stretched budget, I was right here in good old Kimberley, but what I experienced was – I think one could call – an ‘out of city experience’. I was standing in the parking area at the local Shoprite Centre, between Sidney Street and…

Kimberley Golf Club results for March 27-30 and a look ahead to the period of March April 5-14. Results for the week of March 27-30 are: The Wednesday, March 27 John Dory’s sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Muzapher Doc Allie with 36pts. Second was Barend Burger on 35pts and 3rd Melvyn Geldenhuys on 34pts. The Thursday, May 28 KWV Niner was won by Willie Delport on 25pts with Jade Paton 2nd on 22pts and Keith Brown 3rd on 19pts. The Easter Weekend tournament over nine holes was played on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th March. The Friday BBS Scramble Drive was won by the team of Zughdi Adikary and Ghaalid Norman with 26pts. The Saturday morning 9-hole BBS was won by Lionel Jacobs and Kyle Moon with 25pts. The…

While the Sol Plaatje Masters League Easter Football Tournament was drawing football fans in Kimberley, over in Groblershoop another Easter tournament had enthusiastic crowds enthralled. The !KHEIS Local Football Association Easter Tournament, held over the weekend at Groblershoop High School, concluded in a thrilling fashion as Pearls United emerged victorious after a tense battle on the pitch. The tournament, which drew 24 teams from across the province, showcased the finest talent in local football, culminating in an epic showdown between Pearls United comprising players from the Barkly West and Kimberley areas, and Dragons from Groblershoop. In a tightly contested final, both teams displayed remarkable skill and determination, but neither could break the deadlock, resulting in a scoreless draw at the end of regulation time. With the title on the line,…

MORE shocking revelations have emerged after an offender convicted of the murders of Danielskuil DA councillor Johannes Baaitjies and his business partner, Jeffrey Nouse, threatened to expose “ANC top dogs” who allegedly orchestrated the killings. A day before he was due to be sworn in as a DA councillor at Kgatelopele Local Municipality in 2016, Baaitjies was brutally shot at as he tried to escape from the boot of a moving vehicle. The Hawks’ investigating officer at the time had related how the investigation was fraught with political meddling and intimidation. The accused in the matter –Zoniselo Richard Magawu, Tshame Frank Baxane, Thompson Mncedisi Mphondomisa, Matthews Legodu and Richard Hasane – are currently serving time for the murders, ranging from 18 years to double life sentences. The charges against a…

AS RESIDENTS face yet another city-wide water shutdown until Monday evening, it appears as if nightly interruptions will not end any time soon. Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni stated at a press conference this week that the repairs, as well as the provision of water tankers, will be funded from the budget facility for the bulk infrastructure grant, although they were not able to immediately provide the costs of the planned shutdown. “We can only provide a breakdown of the figures after repairs are complete. There will be 28 water tankers as well as five or six water flatbeds that will distribute water,” said Sonyoni. He said that they aimed to end the nightly shutdowns but did not provide an exact date as to when the water interruptions would…

Excitement is again brewing in Kimberley as the Suzuki Griquas prepare to face off against the Border Bulldogs in the upcoming SA Cup third-round clash at Kimberley’s Suzuki Park tomorrow. The anticipation is palpable as the Peacock Blues gear up for the showdown after a significant overhaul to their line-up, showcasing confidence in their depth and versatility. Griquas have implemented a staggering 14 changes to their squad, a strategic move that underscores the team’s robust reservoir of talent. This depth will prove to be a valuable asset deeper into the competition. But for now, as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak following a resounding 66-25 victory against the Valke in Kempton Park last week, their first goal is to reaffirm their position at the top of the standings. In…

The annual Sol Plaatje Masters League Easter Soccer Tournament is a cornerstone event for soccer enthusiasts in Kimberley, showcasing the fervour and passion of the local soccer scene in the Northern Cape, confirming the cherished sentiment that “local is lekker”. This year’s Easter Soccer Tournament was as impressive as ever, featuring 41 eager teams vying to make their mark on Kimberley’s soccer legacy. The high level of participation highlighted the strong commitment to the Sol Plaatje Masters League, where the ultimate goal awaited the victors at the tournament’s end. The tournament, held at the Diskobolos Sport Grounds, took place across four fields and organisers worked hard to ensure that the tournament unfolded seamlessly over the course of several action-packed days. The play-offs After the weekend’s action, the sun rose on…