Table of contents for 2024-06-14 in DFA News

THE FOUR-year-old girl who died during a shanty fire in Chris Hani Park, hid under her bed in an attempt to avoid the flames that engulfed her home last week. Local non-governmental organisations rallied to assist the family, while a memorial service was held at the Bantu Hall yesterday. A funeral service for four-year-old Lesego Luthanda Tshaka is scheduled for today. The Galeshewe police are investigating the cause of the fire, which occurred on June 7 at around 10.40pm, leaving the family bereft of their loved one and all their belongings. Neighbours said they were awoken by screams for help as Lesego’s eight-year-old sister struggled to free them from the blazing inferno. They indicated that the area did not have any street lights. “The landlord’s son kicked the door open.…

AN ACCUSED who provided the shoelaces that were used to strangle a motorist, who was also assaulted, kidnapped and robbed, was found guilty of murder in the Northern Cape High Court this week. The accused, Nicholas Masiza Manci, 33, was also charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and the kidnapping of Edwin Jonathan Haai. Haai was assaulted with a bag of tools, stabbed, kicked and strangled in an incident that took place near Kathu, Postmasburg, Olifantshoek and Danielskuil on March 17, 2019. He was tied up and thrown into the back of a bakkie that travelled around the John Taolo Gaetsewe District. Manci’s co-accused, John Setlogelo, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. Judge Albert Nxumalo stated that Manci was an accomplice who stole Haai’s vehicle by force.…

I LOVE watching babies and toddlers. Wait, that came out wrong and could be misinterpreted to sound a bit creepy. Let me rephrase that: Babies and toddlers are fascinating people, and we can learn a lot from observing them. The main thing we “oldsters” can learn from these tiny-humans is their enthusiasm. When they get involved with something, or want something, or even don’t want something, they are quite animated about making their preferences known. Earlier this week, I was walking behind a couple who had just exited a toy store in one of our malls, with their toddler cradled in his mom’s arms. Who knows how much time they had spent in the store, but by the look on the new human’s face, it wasn’t nearly enough. He kept…

RESIDENTS of Soka Street in Greenpoint are living a nightmare due to an unresolved water pipe leak that has been flooding their street for the past three years. The leak, originating from near the railway station side of the settlement, has exposed about 10 households to dampness, flooding and a mosquito infestation. The residents have expressed their distress over the situation, which they say has led to illnesses and the constant need to supervise their children. The dampness has also proven costly, with home structures and furniture deteriorating daily due to the water damage. In their quest for a solution, the residents have attempted to redirect the water towards the Greenpoint graveyard by digging furrows. They have also tried filling their yards with soil or rubble, but these efforts have…

RUGBY enthusiasts who find themselves at the Kimberley Rugby Club grounds (Players Pub) tomorrow are in for a treat, as a day full of high-octane matches at the venue promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Starting at 10.30am, the Griquas Women will square off against the Pumas, and this match will be the stage for an action-packed line-up of games through the day. At noon, the Griquas Under-21 team will face the Van Druten Rugby Under-21s, as the future stars of the sport are showcased. The excitement will build up to the highly-anticipated Kimberley Regional Rugby League final at 4pm, featuring what promises to be a fierce clash between the Kimberley Rugby Club and Sol Plaatje University’s rugby team. This final, a battle between the league’s…

BEACONSFIELD Park Bowling Green Club and Sol Plaatje West End Bowls Club played host to a weekend where exceptional talent and fierce competition was on display as the Northern Cape Bowls Under-30 and Veteran Masters took place. With the top Under-30s competing at Beaconsfield Park and the veterans showing their prowess at Sol Plaatje, it was certainly a weekend to remember. Mathewson –Under-30 Master The Under-30 Masters saw CP Mathewson emerge as the champion after a thrilling final against Driaan van Niekerk. Mathewson, in outstanding form throughout the tournament, showcased the skill and determination that ultimately led to his clinching the title. Defending champion Kieran Kelly, who has been a dominant force in previous years, managed to secure the bronze medal. Kelly triumphed over Diann Cilliers from Sishen in a…

THE ACCUSED standing trial for the controversial R384 million security tender that was awarded by the Northern Cape Department of Health to Defensor Electronic Security Systems (Pty) Ltd in 2017 have made an application for the recusal of the presiding judge, following audio recordings that allegedly contain “damning evidence” against the judiciary. The former HOD for the Department of Health, Steven Jonkers, along with two company directors from Defensor Electronic Security Systems, Gert Renier van Rooyen and Claudius Gerald Peterson, were charged with fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. The State alleges that Defensor was not fully compliant when it was appointed and was not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) when it was awarded the contract, where procurement processes were flouted. The regional…

THE SOL Plaatje Municipality yesterday unveiled a state-of-the-art firefighting truck, a nearly R10 million investment, in a move that promises to bring much-needed relief to the Kimberley Fire Department and the city at large. The city, which has been heavily reliant on a single dependable fire truck, now boasts a major pumper that is set to revolutionise emergency services. Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni said the truck will ensure that speedier emergency services are rendered to city residents in the city. “The addition of the major pumper to our firefighting fleet marks a significant investment in our emergency services and disaster management responsiveness. I am equally thrilled that it will immediately get to serve our communities. We have been on a wing and a prayer in that we only…

KIMBERLEY Technical High School (THS) secured second place for the second consecutive year at the prestigious 2024 SA Youth Water Prize. The school’s presentation, by Grade 11 learners Sibusiso Mazabane and Uwami Kumalo, showcased their innovative “ECO-FLOW innovation” at the national competition held at the Xylem Water Solutions Offices in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The achievement is the result of months of dedication and hard work from these young water and sanitation enthusiasts. Their efforts have not only earned the duo a cash prize of R15,000, laptops, a second-place trophy and bursaries for further education but also recognition and accolades at the provincial level where they earlier secured the top two positions and a cash prize of R20,000 for educational purposes. The competition, a collaborative effort of Xylem Water Solutions, Water…

THE CAPTAIN of the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Rugby Club, Franco Stassen, is gearing up for a monumental clash against his former team, Kimberley Rugby Club, in tomorrow's (Saturday) eagerly-anticipated league final. The match marks a significant milestone for SPU, as it is the team’s first-ever appearance in a final. Stassen, who moved from Kimberley Rugby Club to SPU last year, expressed his pride in leading his team. “This is a big match for us; it is the first time that we will be going into a final. It is good to know that the team is backing me, and I back them. We really have a good relationship, and they have worked really hard to trust each other at the end of the day,” he told the DFA. Reflecting…

Local karateka out to make SA pround on international stage TWO STUDENTS from the Zanshin Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Academy, Mïcke Strydom and Alwyn Smit, have achieved a significant milestone by being selected for the Karate South Africa (KSA) National Team. The two karateka will represent South Africa in the prestigious AUSC UFAK Region South Championship, set to take place from June 19-23, 2024, in Swakopmund, Namibia. The AUSC UFAK Region South Championship is an annual event that brings together the best karateka from southern African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This all-styles karate tournament is highly regarded in the region, showcasing top-tier talent and competitive spirit. Strydom has been ranked number one for kata and number four for kumite in her division…

WITH local boxer Mosa Ntlangula stepping up to make a difference in the Northern Cape’s boxing community, an amateur Youth Day boxing tournament is scheduled to take place tomorrow at Pescodia High School in Roodepan. Home Defenders Boxing Club The Home Defenders Boxing Club, a local staple since 1975, is poised for a significant outing this weekend. Coach John Marumo, who has been at the helm since 2010, announced that the club will be sending 12 of its 13 boxers to compete in the Youth Day tournament. “Five of our fighters are novices, while the others are seasoned at the club and provincial levels,” Coach Marumo told the DFA. “We have been eagerly awaiting a tournament like this, as there hasn’t been enough boxing activity recently.” The coach emphasised the…

THE NORTHERN Cape Provincial Legislature will be exploring uncharted territory when it holds its first sitting following the May 29 elections, to elect the new premier, speaker and deputy speaker by way of a secret ballot on June 14. There is no outright majority in the legislature, with 15 ANC, seven DA, four EFF, three PA and one FF+ members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) set to be inducted by Northern Cape High Court Judge President Pule Tlaletsi in the legislature chambers at 10am today. The list is believed to include ANC provincial chairperson Zamani Saul, ANC regional chairperson Mangaliso Matika, DA premier candidate Isak Fritz, EFF provincial chairperson Shadrack Thlaole, PA premier candidate Sharifa Ferris and the FF+’s Theo Joubert. Former DA member of Parliament (MP) Karen Jooste is…

“A CHILD in sport is a child out of court”. This belief motivated Kathutshelo Mafadza, an employee of the Northern Cape Department of Education, to form a soccer team for teenagers in Santa Zone 2, Galeshewe. Mafadza founded the Santa XI Bullets in February of this year, moved by the everyday sight of teenage boys playing soccer in the streets. The team has since seen a significant increase in its membership. “I pass Santa daily when I go to and from work. I saw these youngsters playing soccer in the street every day. I was fascinated by the ball skills some of them had. I felt compelled to assist them instead of just talking and admiring their skills,” said Mafadza. “I started by arranging a proper soccer field where they…

THE LGBTIQA community has condemned the brutal murder of a Grade 10 transgender pupil who was stabbed multiple times. Eighteen-year-old Karabelo Pudumo’s body was found near his home in Lethabo Park, Roodepan, two weeks ago. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said that two men, aged 18 and 24, met at a tavern in Roodepan on June 1 at about 3am. “The 24-year-old suspect and the deceased, 18, were allegedly involved in an argument after they went to the suspect’s shanty,” said Kock. He stated that the deceased allegedly hit the suspect over the head with a bottle and stabbed him in the hand. “The suspect overpowered him and allegedly stabbed him multiple times. The deceased succumbed to his injuries on the scene.” Kock added that the suspect was immediately arrested…

TWO NORTHERN Cape police sergeants were arrested for the alleged theft of firearms and ammunition from the Petrusville police station. A multi-disciplinary operation led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, Crime Intelligence and the Kimberley Flying Squad resulted in the arrest of the two officers, aged 44 and 43, in Petrusville on Wednesday. According to Hawks regional spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, a complaint was lodged with the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in November last year regarding the theft of firearms and ammunition from the Petrusville police station on November 6, 2023. Consequently, a case docket was opened with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) team for further investigation. The stolen firearms were later recovered in Senekal and Marquard in the Free State and a suspect…

IN RESPONSE to a recent article in the DFA highlighting the struggles of local boxers to arrange matches between clubs in the Northern Cape, local boxer Mosa Ntlangula is stepping up to make a difference in the Northern Cape’s sporting community. With a record of five wins, including three knockouts, and only two losses, Ntlangula has taken on a new challenge. His company Kharisma Projects, in conjunction with the Frances Baard Boxing Organisation, organised an amateur Youth Day boxing tournament scheduled to take place tomorrow at Pescodia High School in Roodepan. Ntlangula aims to promote boxing among the youth in the Northern Cape, and according to him, this will be the first time a boxing tournament of this scale will be held in Roodepan. Ntlangula said that Kharisma Projects’ purpose…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of June 5-8 and a look ahead to the period of June 19 to 23. Results for the week of June 5-8 are: Wednesday, June 5 was the Konica Minolta sponsored BBS which was won by Thabang and Marumo Setlare on 43 pts with Riad Henderson and Ricky Joseph 2nd with 43 pts and Phillip Maritz and Muzapher Allie 3rd on 42 pts. The Thursday, June 6 KWV sponsored Niner with power play options was won by Lyndon De Meillon on 30 pts with Kevin Antill 2nd with 26 pts and Braam Botes 3rd on 26 pts. The Friday, June 7 Flamingo Casino sponsored Niner was won by Shane Arthur on 19 Pts with Donald Whitebooi 2nd on 17 pts over 3rd placed…