Table of contents for 2024-10-04 in DFA News

THE NORTHERN Cape High Court this week heard an appeal from Vincent Rosen, one of the accused in the high-profile “Barney trial” involving alleged members of the “Hollanders gang”. Rosen is challenging the trial court’s decision to deny him bail. Rosen is among 17 co-accused who are standing trial on 56 charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault, gang activity, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, kidnapping, rape, and public violence. According to the State, the motive behind these incidents was to secure a monopoly on drug dealing in Roodepan. Members of the gang are identified by tattoos reading “Barney’s Property” on their faces and arms. The accused were arrested following acts of suspected gang activity that were committed in Kimberley and Kuruman between August 2020 and February 2023. Rosen was…

A NORTHERN Cape businessman who failed to submit his tax returns to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) during the Covid-19 pandemic has been fined. Rhulani Innocent Tshuketana, 35, was convicted and sentenced by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crime Court this week. Tshuketana, the company director of Ribilwa Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, was found guilty of contravening the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. He was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) in the Northern Cape. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said that in March 2020, the accused was appointed by Renosterberg Municipality to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 outbreak. “The accused received payment from the municipality amounting to R1,611,455 and he failed to submit his tax returns to South African Revenue Service.…

The Astro-Tourism Strategy is designed to establish South Africa and the Province as a premier astro-tourism destination THE NORTHERN Cape is set to unveil a pioneering attraction for tourists, marking a first for the African continent, as announced recently by the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. The minister said that while the Northern Cape is already rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, the Department of Tourism was excited to introduce a new dimension to its tourism offerings – Astro-Tourism. “Together with the Department of Science and Innovation, we are launching the National Astro-Tourism Strategy, positioning South Africa as the first country in Africa to embark on this journey,” said De Lille. She made these remarks during the launch of the National Astro-Tourism Strategy, held in Carnarvon, Northern…

COSATU members in the Northern Cape will embark on a march to the Office of the Premier in Kimberley on October 7. This demonstration is part of a nationwide protest to draw attention to the challenges faced by workers, including high unemployment rates and the rising cost of living. The march will start at the Honoured Dead Memorial in Memorial Road at 9am on Monday and will proceed to the Office of the Premier. Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi said that around 1,000 members were expected to take part in the march. “The purpose of the march is, amongst others, to halt escalating retrenchments and job losses, address weakened economic growth and to combat the unaffordable high costs of living,” said Moraladi. He added that a memorandum would be handed…

AFTER an impressive start to the WXV II tournament, the Springbok Women are gearing up for their next challenge against Australia tomorrow in Cape Town. Fresh off a 31-24 victory over Japan, the South African team is focused on delivering another competitive performance. Springbok Women’s scrum coach, Laurian Johannes-Haupt, expressed the team’s excitement about the upcoming match, following a recent intense training session at Green Point. “It is a wonderful challenge for us, playing Australia and being tested in a different way than Japan did,” said Johannes-Haupt. The Wallaroos are coming into the game after an impressive 37-5 win against Wales, showcasing a well-rounded performance. Johannes-Haupt acknowledged the strength of the Australian side, particularly in the scrum, but emphasised that the Springbok Women have their own strategies for the encounter.…

The 2024 AG Archery National Tournament was a standout event on South Africa’s archery calendar, bringing together enthusiasts from all corners of the country. Held at the SANDF 10 Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Diskobolos, Kimberley, Northern Cape, this year’s tournament welcomed an impressive 1,050 participants, making it one of the most anticipated and well-attended competitions in recent years. The event was a celebration of the ancient art of archery, with participants engaging in various competitions that showcased their skills and precision. The Bull’s Eye Championships took place in three massive Defence Force hangars, with 32 archers competing simultaneously in each, ensuring a fast-paced tournament that remained right on schedule. For the 3D Championships, participants took to the Regiment Soccer Field, where they tested their accuracy on life-sized targets in a challenging…

THE REMARKABLE journey of South African Chief of Army, Lieutenant-General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, is now immortalised in his biography, “Planning is Everything”. The book provides an in-depth look at the upbringing and career of the esteemed military leader. Mbatha launched his biography in his hometown of Kimberley, hosting an intimate book signing event at the McGregor Museum. During the event, he praised the book’s author, Corporal Khorombi, a member of his communications team, for his unwavering determination. Despite facing numerous rejections, Khorombi persisted in his quest to document Mbatha’s life. “It took about three years before I agreed to have this book written and published. The young man, Corporal Khorombi, who wrote this book is part of my staff and was in the process of completing his Master’s degree when…

WHILE the bereaved family of Eareng Victoria Sidilang, 55, still do not have closure following her brutal murder, they will be able to bury her this weekend in Batlharos village in Kuruman after they obtained a court order to prevent her spouse from cremating her. The family argued that the body might need to be exhumed if required for a criminal investigation. Onalenna Kasebidile said that his sister was shot in the head on September 20, at around 9pm, after returning home from work. “Her death remains unsolved. No one was arrested for her murder and no autopsy was conducted. She was taken straight to the mortuary after she was killed,” said Kasebidile. He added that the deceased’s estranged husband, Lapologang Sidilang, had indicated that he wanted to bury her…

JOHN-ROSS Crossbery Henderson, 38, the director of CapitalGuard Security and a former police constable, claims he was framed for the murder of Kimberley businessman Jayson Afrique and the attempted murder of Afrique’s wife, Micayla. The weapon used in the shooting has not yet been recovered. However, fingerprints found on a cellphone at the crime scene were positively matched to those of the accused. On the night of the incident, Henderson reported his cellphone stolen about an hour and a half after the shooting occurred. Jayson Afrique was fatally shot four times – in the head and body – at around 8.30pm on July 31, as he entered the driveway of his home in New Park. Micayla sustained facial bruises as her husband shielded her from 10 bullets fired at their…

THE NORTHERN Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, along with the deputy director of Correctional Services, Phillip Phajane, hosted a joint heritage celebration at Kimberley Correctional Services this week. The event, themed "Celebrating the Lives of Our Heroes and Heroines Who Laid Down Their Lives for Freedom," brought together senior officials from both the SAPS and Correctional Services. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers reported that the event was attended by high-ranking officers, including Major-General Jacques Raymond, the acting deputy provincial commissioner for Crime Detection and Corporate Services, Brigadier Teresia Bosman from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, and Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana, the station commander of Kimberley SAPS, along with provincial heads, unit commanders and senior officials from Tswelopele and Kimberley correctional centres. In her keynote address, Lieutenant General Otola…

Garsfontein (Pretoria) Captain Xander Venter and his Hoërskool Garsfontein team will be using the Diamantveld T20 Cricket Festival to prepare for upcoming tournaments. Venter emphasized the team's mantra, "Cool in the head, Fire in the heart," which helps them stay calm under pressure while playing with passion and intensity. Hans Moore (Benoni) Hans Moore High School, led by captain Warren Minnaar, is making the long journey from Benoni with high hopes. Coach Werner Swart is confident that his team will be competitive, with a focus on all-round cricket and a few standout performances expected. Grey College (Bloemfontein) Grey College captain Ruben Maree and coach Adri Swanepoel believe their rigorous preparation will pay off. Maree highlighted the importance of understanding game situations and running between the wickets, while Swanepoel pointed to…

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison stated that it would refurbish the weighbridges on the N1 and N12 roads this financial year, following concerns over the deteriorating state of weighbridges in the Province. The DA provincial spokesperson for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Reinette Liebenberg, stated that only the Springbok weighbridge was in operation. “All but one Northern Cape weighbridge has fallen into utter disrepair, resulting in low revenue collection for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison,” said Liebenberg. She added that the Kimberley weighbridge was exposed and enclosures and building materials had been stolen and vandalised. “The air conditioner has also seemingly been vandalised in the office on the property. “The only operable weighbridge is situated in Springbok on the N7, while the remaining two in…

IF YOU ask me, one of the most frustrating, most infuriating experiences one can endure is to be delayed when you need to be somewhere, or get something done. Who hasn’t been caught behind a driver crawling along at a snail’s pace while they read their texts, blissfully oblivious to the fact that there’s a string of cars behind them? For the record, sometimes one gets caught behind a learner driver, and I don’t mind that at all. In fact, the only reason I make a point of overtaking a learner driver, is because I remember what it was like to have a car looming behind you while you’re gripping the steering wheel with sweaty palms, trying to stay between the white line on your right and the bushes, or…

THE NEWLY-appointed municipal manager of Siyathemba Municipality, Thomas van Staden, who was acquitted of sexual harassment charges, has attributed the allegations that were levelled against him as being part of a plot to tarnish his name. He said the complaints were lodged against him by two of his subordinates in December 2020 and February 2021 when he was the chief director of human resources at the Northern Cape Department of Education. “According to the allegations, their ordeals started when my predecessor left for the Western Cape in 2015. The false and malicious sexual harassment allegations against me were widely reported. However, no one reported on the R1 million defamation case I opened against one of the complainants in 2021,” said Van Staden. He stated that he was acquitted on September…

THE DIAMANTVELD High School Cricket Festival is set to bring together 18 schools from across the country for what promises to be a spectacle of top-tier cricket. Hoërskool Diamantveld cricket captain Luhan De la Rey, spoke to the DFA and expressed confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of the upcoming T20 tournament, and said the hosts’ focus will be on power hitting. “As a team, we’ve worked hard to cover all aspects of our game, but we’ve particularly focused on power hitting,” De la Rey said. “In modern T20 cricket, high run totals are chased down with ease, so it’s crucial to be ready for that challenge.” De la Rey also emphasised the importance of staying composed under pressure. “As captain, my aim is to lead by example and keep…

Kimberley’s Diamond Ladies football team made their mark at the prestigious Engen Tournament held at Wits Marks Park in Emmarentia, breaking a 22-year record despite not reaching the semi-finals. Representing their province with pride, they competed against some of the top teams in the group stage, including heavyweights like Mamelodi Sundowns, the Storm Ladies from Mpumalanga, the Sisters from Limpopo, and the Ixias Ladies from Welkom, Free State. The Kimberley team started the tournament with a strong showing, securing a 1-1 draw against Sisters in their opening game, followed by a goalless draw with Storm Ladies. On Saturday, they narrowly lost 1-0 to Ixias Ladies. In their final match against the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns, a late lapse resulted in a 2-0 defeat, with Sundowns scoring twice in the second half.…