Table of contents for 2024-06-07 in DFA News

THE EDUCATE a Boy Child (EBC) non-profit organisation (NPO) is gearing up for its first fund-raising event, “The Big Walk ya Kasi”, a 5km walk aimed at empowering local schools. Scheduled for June 8 (tomorrow), the event will take place in the Galeshewe township. Founded with the welfare of young boys in mind, EBC operates out of Santa Zone 2. The “Big Walk” event forms part of the organisation’s winter drive and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of education among children. The founder of the NPO, Fikile Mocwana, has urged community members to register for the event. He explained that the registration fee of R60 includes a plate of food for participants of the walk, which will start at the Sasol garage in Barkly Road and conclude at…

THE KGATELOPELE Local Municipality mayor has admitted to making use of the mayoral vehicle to travel to Kimberley over the election weekend but denied that she was abusing municipal resources. Opposition Kgatelopele councillors slammed the alleged reckless spending on the petrol card where the bill is believed to have risen to over R70,000 over the last four months. PA councillor Frikkie Sebelogo stated that he had advised the mayor to purchase her own car so that she could experience the “pain at the petrol pumps” that ordinary residents do. “It is easy to swipe the petrol card to fill the car at the municipality’s expense. The car does not belong to the mayor or the ANC,” said Sebelogo. “She told me to shut my mouth and dared me to report…

THE KIMBERLEY police are requesting assistance from members of the public in locating the relatives of an approximately 30-year-old deceased man whose body was found at the Craven Street taxi rank. Police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the body of the deceased was found on Wednesday. “The police are investigating a murder case after the body was discovered with a stab wound at the taxi rank. The deceased was wearing a blue and green beanie, a blue tracksuit top with a red stripe and pants and Carvela shoes. The police do not have any information regarding the identity of the deceased. “Anyone with information regarding the deceased is urged to visit the Kimberley police station or to contact Detective Constable Jon-Ross Webb on 072 212 7682 or 08600 1011 or…

Now, while the kiddos in the south accepted their lot when it rained, sometimes we up north had the luxury – when the rain was really pelting down – of some concerned parents seeing it fit to keep their dear lambs safe and dry at home; and an unexpected day off from school was a kind of special treat. But children in the Cape would take it for granted that when it rained it would be up to them to keep as dry as possible as they made their way to school; they just adapted to the soft, soaking, misty rain. It’s amazing how adaptable human beings can be. Now, our teachers must have been cognisant of the fact that laaities in the Cape had no choice but to attend…

The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, reiterated the South African Police Service’s commitment to child protection. She stressed that all children have the right to be protected, a priority that the SAPS continues to uphold. As part of this commitment, the Northern Cape SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, along with various other departments and organisations, celebrated Child Protection Week from May 29 to June 5. According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock, the event was a collaborative effort involving the SAPS Visible Policing units, Detectives, Sector Policing, Women’s Network, Men for Change, Community Police Forums, Social Crime Prevention, and participants from the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, the Education Department, Famsa, and the Department of Social Development. Multi-disciplinary teams from the…

WHILE Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is adamant his side cannot afford to lose either of their two upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers, he is realistic that it will take something special to overcome juggernauts Nigeria on their home turf. Bafana take on Nigeria at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium this evening in their third game in Group C of their Fifa World Cup Caf qualifiers. Then on Tuesday, Bafana will welcome Zimbabwe to Bloemfontein for their second crunch tie in less than a week. Buoyed by his side’s Africa Cup of Nations performance earlier this year when they claimed a bronze medal, Broos said he was keen to build on those achievements. “If you see our performances in the last six months, at the Afcon and our game against Algeria,…

GENDER-based violence and femicide (GBVF) organisations are calling for the court to revoke the bail of a Kimberley husband who allegedly stabbed his wife with a knife in her genitals and attempted to murder her. The complainant detailed the extent of her injuries on social media and posted a video showing the accused allegedly injecting drugs into her stomach. It is alleged that she was raped after she was assaulted and three different cases of assault and domestic violence were reported between November 2023 and May this year. The woman has since been placed in a place of safety along with her two young children. SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police in Kimberley were investigating a rape and attempted murder case following the rape and assault of a…

THE PUBLIC Servants Association (PSA) has requested the Department of Labour to issue a prohibition notice on the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital as patients and staff have been plunged into darkness due to a non-functioning generator. PSA full-time office-bearer Victor Selabe stated that the R2 billion building was not safe for occupation. “Less than five years after the facility was opened, it is uninhabitable. We supplied the nurses and security with torches as they have to take care of around 160 patients in the dark. The generator has been out of order for weeks, and when it is not functioning the whole facility is without power,” said Selabe. He indicated that the geysers, laundromat, hot water system and lights were also not working. “Staff are concerned as they are working…

AS THE country observed Child Protection Week, hundreds of children from four community early childhood development (ECD) centres around Noupoort in the Northern Cape were brought together to mark eight years of support from the local wind farm. The event, funded by Noupoort Wind Farm, highlighted the crucial roles of child safety and community development, fostering support through partnerships with local businesses. Held at Siphiwo Ntsizakalo Stadium, it also served as a reminder that children are the most vulnerable members of society. Noupoort Wind Farm economic development manager Sandisiwe Mntonintshi explained that the event was organised by Grob and Alex Services, a local women-owned business and the wind farm’s ABCD grant beneficiary. Mntonintshi said that the event brought together close to 200 children from the four ECD centres. Another enterprise…

THE NORTHERN Cape Theatre in Kimberley came alive on June 1 as young talents from across the region showcased their skills in the much-anticipated "Show Your Talent Northern Cape" event. Children from various towns, including Strydenburg, Hopetown and Barkly West, participated either as individual acts or in groups, demonstrating a wide array of talents such as singing, dancing, ballet, gymnastics, storytelling, rapping and playing musical instruments. The event was orchestrated by Merissa Meyers, the dedicated director of Mon Percée Consult, a company renowned for co-ordinating corporate, social and promotional events. Meyers expressed her heartfelt admiration for the incredible talents displayed and the dedication of the individuals and groups who made the journey to Kimberley. "I am truly humbled by the talents exhibited and the commitment from groups who travelled such…

NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) members are threatening to shut down the supply chain management unit at the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. They accuse the management of failing to address a complaint of victimisation, intimidation and harassment of women in the workplace that was lodged against an assistant director. Lunchtime pickets were held this week and Nehawu branch chairperson Victor Modise stated that female officials were being bullied and subjected to verbal abuse. “Three officials were hospitalised and are suffering from depression as they are being forced to work in a hostile environment. They are overworked, forced to work weekends, overtime and while they are on sick leave,” said Modise. He added that female colleagues were afraid of reporting their grievances, for fear…

PLAYERS from Kimberley’s very own C-Pac 2 Pool Club recently performed well at the South African Blackball Pool National Championships held at the at the Sun Coast Casino in Durban. The players’ skill and determination left a lasting mark of excellence in the tournament. Amidst a field of the nation’s top players, the Kimberley players showcased their skill and determination, earning recognition for their outstanding performances across various categories. In the junior section, C-Pac 2 Pool Club’s rising stars proved their mettle with remarkable displays on the tables. The club’s Ashwon Thomas proved that he’s certainly a promising talent by securing an impressive 12th place finish in the Under-18 group, earning himself a coveted spot in the upcoming World Championships. However, Thomas faces a daunting challenge ahead as he must…

THE CASE against 38-year-old Daniel Alberts, who was arrested after allegedly gunning down two Kimberley Flying Squad members, has been postponed to August in order to centralise fraud charges against him. Alberts was arrested on August 22 last year after he allegedly fatally shot Constable Okaetse Mandindi, 35, and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo, 45, following a high-speed chase. This was after the two police officers were following up on information about a motor vehicle that was stolen in Bloemfontein and en route to Kimberley on the day. The two officers were reportedly shot and killed while trying to apprehend Alberts, who was wanted in connection with the theft of a motor vehicle. Alberts allegedly shot the officers after he overpowered them and turned one of their own R5 rifles on them.…

AN INTELLIGENCE-driven tactical operation led to the arrest of two suspects who were in possession of suspected explosives in Seleke Street, Galeshewe, on June 5. The operation was spearheaded by the Provincial Organised Crime Security Intelligence team, with support from the Kimberley Flying Squad, Kimberley K9, and Bomb Disposal units. “The team seized shock tubes, exploret V6 blasting cartridges, and isogram cone packs,” said Sergeant Timothy Sam, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS). Sam explained that the operation was activated following a tip-off, leading to surveillance and subsequent interception of the suspects in Seleke Street. The street was closed for approximately two hours as the operation unfolded. The team intercepted the suspects, a 29-year-old female and a 36-year-old male, and arrested them with the consignment of suspected explosives.…

THE ANC is in the process of finalising its search for a coalition partner this week, after failing to secure an outright majority in the national and provincial elections. The Northern Cape ANC handed in its report to the party’s national secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, yesterday following power talks in the Northern Cape to find a possible coalition partner. It is believed that some opposition parties demanded that their candidates be elected as premier as a bargaining chip to the formation of a coalition. The ANC lost its grip on the Province with support dropping to 49.3 percent following last week’s elections. The Northern Cape Provincial Legislature will be hung, with 15 seats going to the ANC, seven to the DA, three to the PA and one to the FF+. The…

The Kimberley Rugby Club will face Sol Plaatje University after they advanced to the Kimberley Regional League final following a thrilling victory over Prieska last weekend IN A HIGH stakes semi-final filled to the brim with excitement, the Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) beat Prieska Rugby Club 55-32 in a match held at the Kimberley Rugby Club Grounds (Players Pub) in West End. The match that took place in the late afternoon last Saturday, delivered an intense battle from start to finish. The triumph sets up a mouthwatering final match where Kimberley Rugby Club will host the Sol Plaatje University Rugby Club next Saturday, June 15 at the same venue. With both teams in excellent form, the final promises to be a thrilling contest. Pieter Streak, the KRC coach, expressed his…

Kimberley Golf Club results for May 29 to June 1 and a look ahead to the period of June 12 to 16. Results for the period of May 29 to June 1 are: Wednesday, May 29 was the Club sponsored IPS which was won by Shane Arthur on 41 pts with Jody Van Wyk 2nd with 41 pts and Paul Marais 3rd on 40 pts. The Thursday, May 30 KWV sponsored Niner with power play options was won by Jomar Dippenaar on 25 pts with Keith Brown 2nd with 24 pts and Lyndon De Meillon 3rd on 23 pts. The Friday, May 31 Flamingo Casino sponsored Niner was won by Peter Salo on 22 Pts with Sadick Thomas second on 21 pts over third placed Clynton Clarke on 19 pts…

DESPITE cold and rainy weather, the Northern Cape Bowls Mixed Pairs play-offs played Sol Plaatje West End Bowls Club in Kimberley recently, providing a day of intense competition and high drama. The event, despite the challenging weather, was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication of the players and the support of the local community. It served as a reminder of the sport’s enduring appeal and the incredible talent within the Northern Cape bowls community. The formidable mother-and-son duo of CP and Annelie Mathewson once again showcased their exceptional skills, emerging as champions after a nail-biting final against Jan Erasmus and Caren vd Westhuizen from Sishen. The final was a spectacle of top-tier lawn bowls, with both teams demonstrating strategic prowess and technical precision. The match remained deadlocked after 19…