Table of contents for 2025-04-17 in DFA News

FOLLOWING a recent DFA article where residents referred to Kimberley as a “varkhok”, members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kimberley have made a bold, community-driven statement by taking it upon themselves to clean the area around the Honoured Dead Memorial – just ahead of the Wildeklawer Sports Tournament. About 20 DA volunteers gathered to clean the historic monument and its surroundings, located prominently in front of Diamantveld High School, one of the central venues for the elite school sports tournament that attracts teams and supporters from across the country. Ockert Fourie, a prominent DA member in Kimberley, said the initiative stemmed from frustration over the lack of action by the Sol Plaatje Municipality. “We are not going to sit around and wait for the municipality to act,” Fourie said.…

THE NATIONAL Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) is demanding the permanent absorption of 1,600 community health workers (CHWs), as well as health facility assistants, in the Northern Cape on salary level 3, with benefits. Marches and pickets were held this week in Kuruman, Groblershoop and Heuningsvlei to protest poor working conditions and the termination of contracts for CHWs who are over the pensionable age of 65, as of March 31. Memorandums were handed over, giving the Northern Cape Department of Health seven days to respond to the workers’ demands. Nupsaw national organiser Sbonile Jeza said CHWs had been mugged while on duty. “CHWs have to do the work of both nurses and cleaners, as most clinics do not have any nursing and cleaning staff. CHWs and HFAs…

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) has called on the Northern Cape Department of Health to provide quarterly reports on the province’s growing surgery backlog, which currently stands at 6,518 cases. The party argues that transparency and regular updates are necessary to ensure that the backlog is effectively managed and does not continue to affect the quality of life of thousands of patients. During a recent provincial legislature session, Health MEC Maruping Lekwene revealed the current breakdown of the backlog: • Orthopaedics: 1,200 • Oncological Surgery: 200 • Neurosurgery: 190 • General Surgery: 425 • Urology: 465 • Ear, Nose and Throat: 975 • Ophthalmology: 2,694 (including 2,060 cataract cases) The backlog has seen significant fluctuations over the past two years. In May 2023, the waiting list stood at 4,000 cases but…

Excitement builds ahead of Masters Easter Tournament THE MUCH-anticipated Sol Plaatje Masters Football League Easter Tournament kicks off on Friday, April 18 2025) at 10am at the SANDF Diskobolos Sports Grounds in Kimberley. With 41 teams ready to showcase their talent over the long weekend, excitement is building across the city for what promises to be a thrilling football spectacle. Last year’s champions, Diamond Park Masters, will be returning to the field with confidence and determination as they aim to defend their title after a memorable 2024 tournament victory over the formidable Aztec Masters. Their opening fixture against Pescodia Masters is scheduled for 11.10am on Ground A. Chairperson of the Sol Plaatje Masters Football League, Seabata Makhele, highlighted the tournament’s significance both on and off the field. “The Sol Plaatje…

IN A HEARTFELT and symbolic gesture, Aztec Masters Football Club on Sunday presented a framed T-shirt to their president in appreciation of his unwavering dedication and leadership. The tribute coincided with the club’s recent 40th anniversary, marking both a celebration of its legacy and a personal token of gratitude. Though slightly delayed – with Aztecs officially turning 40 last month – the presentation was filled with emotion as members honoured the man who has guided the club through four decades of resilience and growth. The framed T-shirt, now a lasting symbol of his service, captures the unity, work ethic, and passion that have defined the team since its founding. Club founder Omphemetse ‘Stopa’ Mabula shared his appreciation during the ceremony, saying: “It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I…

A CASE of common assault has been opened against a freelance journalist following an altercation at the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on April 11. The suspect is already facing three charges of rape in the Northern Cape High Court. During the incident at court, the suspect reportedly complained that a gender-based violence and femicide activist had drawn up a petition calling for him to be denied bail pending the finalisation of investigations into the rape charges. The suspect allegedly slapped the complainant’s hand and shouted: “Don’t point your finger at me! I will sue the hell out of you. You must prove that (the rape allegations).” SAPS Northern Cape provincial spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers stated that the Kimberley Detectives were investigating a case of common assault after an alleged altercation outside…

THE ASSISTANT manager for supply chain management (SCM) at the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Francois Clark, was suspended this week after being locked out of his office. Clark said he was charged with gross insubordination and staging an illegal protest after he used the corridors as his workstation from April 10 to 11. He was instructed to hand in his office keys and was reassigned a new job title as the music and dance co-ordinator. Clark believes that the head of department (HOD) and chief financial officer (CFO) are abusing their powers, claiming he is being targeted for being a whistle-blower. “I was never consulted on the transfer and I am being victimised and bullied. I have been targeted ever since I highlighted incidents of…

A WARRENTON resident accused of killing his partner may walk free if crucial DNA evidence, which has gone missing, cannot be retrieved from the forensic laboratory. There is a staggering backlog of over 140,000 cases at the national SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory. The defence this week argued that charges against Butiki Simon Maboitshege should be struck off the roll due to outstanding DNA results. Maboitshege appeared in the Northern Cape High Court on April 15, where he is facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice after he allegedly murdered his partner during a domestic dispute in Warrenton on February 27, 2024. State advocate Elmari Kruger explained that a DNA exhibit was lost at the forensic laboratory, while a reference sample was not found in the docket. She…

Kimberley’s Blade Shotokan Karate Club proudly flew their flag at the WUKF South Africa National Championship and Afro-Asia Open, with 13 dedicated karatekas stepping onto the national stage. The club brought home three well-earned medals: Ayama Mngxaso claimed silver in kata with a sharp, focused performance, while Oratile Modise earned bronze in the same discipline. G’zinn Saul showed grit and determination in kumite to secure another bronze. Several other athletes made it through to the semi-finals, gaining valuable experience and showcasing the club’s growing depth. The dojo expressed pride in every competitor, celebrating their passion, discipline and commitment to the sport.…

A 21-YEAR-OLD Colville resident sustained severe injuries after she was allegedly attacked and bitten by a pack of dogs in Agatha Street. The incident occurred a few days after a pit bull mauled 10-year-old Reatlegile Pitsoemang in Phutane Street, Galeshewe, on April 2, leaving her with severe facial injuries and resulting in the loss of her eye. While the pit bull involved in that incident was euthanised, Fatiema Joubert said that the six dogs that attacked her stepdaughter, Denelle Duiker, were still roaming freely in the streets. “Even though the dogs are very aggressive, they are not chained, and pedestrians are at risk of being bitten,” said Joubert. She explained that her stepdaughter was walking past a tavern at around 7.30pm on April 9 when the attack happened. “She was…

WHERE have all the laaities gone? Where do the young folk hang out these days? Since the Oppenheimer Gardens were fenced off, I don’t see them anymore. I used to drive by their gatherings just to fume over their loud music, okka pipes, litter, and fashion choices. Now that they're gone, life feels too peaceful – and oddly unsettling. Over the past few years, the youth have been shunted from one location to another. First it was the Civic Centre in Square Hill Park, then the Trim Park, then Libertas Avenue. Each time, complaints from nearby residents shut them down. I wrote about this a while ago – angrily, I admit – especially about the mess left behind in the Oppenheimer Gardens. I said if they cleaned up after themselves,…

DISGRUNTLED ANC members in the Northern Cape have called for the outcomes of the recent regional conferences to be declared unconstitutional, alleging that the processes were “rigged”. They warned that the 2026 local government elections would be “very difficult” to campaign for, and predicted that party support could dwindle to 40 percent. ‘Many members are joining opposition parties such as MK and the EFF, or have dual membership with the ANC,’ they claimed. Members apparently stormed into the Frances Baard regional offices armed with pangas last week while registration was taking place because their preferred candidate was prevented from contesting. While Wende Marekwa was elected as the new Frances Baard regional chairperson, some members believed that former regional chairperson Mangaliso Matika and advocate Thulani Binase – the HOD of the…

Kimberley’s Flamingo Aquatics Club delivered a showstopping performance at the recent SA Schools Swimming Championships, leading the Northern Cape to its best showing in decades. The Province walked away with a haul of 20 medals – a massive leap from the five won in total over the past four years. Of those 20 medals, a staggering 15 were earned by swimmers from Flamingo Aquatics, with the club also sharing in a 16th medal as part of a historic relay team podium finish – the first time in many years that the province has achieved such a feat in relay events. Newly-appointed Flamingo Aquatics coach, Jaco Gous, was full of praise for his swimmers: “Every single one of our athletes swam personal bests in almost every race,” Gous said. “They didn’t…