Table of contents for 2025-11-14 in DFA News

STRIKE action was called off after the Sol Plaatje Municipality agreed to absorb the first batch of 125 casual workers from December 1, following several days of tense protests. Workers were infuriated after discovering that certain employees had been issued letters of permanent appointment and notch increases, while many of them had been employed as casual labourers for more than 15 years. They convened at the Kimberley City Hall on Monday and marched to the Sol Plaatje municipal offices, with piles of rubbish strewn along the streets in their wake. Workers were advised to use their tools of trade – including tyres and diesel – when management took its time to address them. They were prevented from entering the council building, which was heavily guarded by the police. Members of…

JUDGMENT is expected next week in the Northern Cape High Court in the murder trial of Alberto Matthews (pictured), who is accused of shooting his ex-wife, Mandy Bailey, multiple times. The accused is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault GBH, the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and pointing a firearm. The post-mortem report indicated that Bailey died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. State advocate Leshnee Pillay said this week that she believed there was overwhelming evidence proving the guilt of the accused. “He contravened a protection order when he went to the home of the deceased, where he allegedly broke in at the property in Main Road, Beaconsfield, on December 27, 2024. The deceased’s daughter, Erin Cupido, stated that the accused entered through…

The 2025/26 Kimberley Men’s and Women’s Pairs tournaments concluded this past weekend with edge-of-your-seat action, as players battled not just each other but the ever-threatening rain. Fortunately, the weather held just long enough for a full slate of sectional rounds and play-offs at Sol Plaatje West End and Beaconsfield Park. At Sol Plaatje West End, the Men’s Pairs showcased top-tier competition. CP Mathewson and David Paulse dominated the field, dropping only a single sectional game. They carried that momentum into the semi-finals, defeating Rudi Witteveen and Johan Botes, while Driaan van Niekerk and Jobo de Villiers overcame Clint Kneen and Kieran Kelly in the other semi-final. The final saw Mathewson and Paulse deliver a commanding performance to lift the Men’s Pairs trophy for 2025/26. In the battle for third place,…

A SINGLE fingerprint was lifted from the cellphone that was found under the vehicle in which Kimberley businessman Jayson Afrique was fatally shot. Several shots were fired as Afrique and his wife, Micayla, approached the driveway of their house in Black Street, New Park, on July 31, 2024, where Jayson shielded Micayla from the bullets. The accused, Capital Guard Security director John-Ross Crossbery Henderson, reported his cellphone missing on August 1, 2024. He is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, attempting to make a false report to the police, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Sergeant Tshepo Mogoiwa from Provincial Crime Scene Investigations testified in the Northern Cape High Court this week that weighing scales were among the “strange things” found at the crime scene, which were sent…

THE ANNUAL Under-15 Norman Community Cup is set to take place tomorrow in St John’s Street in the Colville and Floors area, bringing together young footballers, local teams, and the wider community for a day of sport, talent, and inspiration. The tournament, now a well-established fixture in Kimberley’s youth sports calendar, is designed to give back to the community, unearth raw talent, and help combat crime and substance abuse by providing positive opportunities for young people. This year, eight teams will compete in a Top 8 knockout format. These teams are: Kimberley Bucks Development, Motherwells, Kimberley City, Forever United, Norman Football Club, Tswarangano All Stars, Jokers FC, and Academy of Sparks. Ahead of the competition final, spectators will also be treated to a special match featuring the Kimberley Legends against…

OFFICIALS mentioned in the Health Ombudsman and South African Human Rights Commission investigation into the deaths of Northern Cape psychiatric patients are being subjected to disciplinary processes in line with the recommendations of the report. The report, released in July, uncovered maltreatment, neglect and human rights violations. One patient froze to death, while another suffered permanent neurological damage from a stroke and was left bedridden following brain surgery. A third patient died after contracting double pneumonia, possibly due to exposure to severe cold. A complaint was lodged by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on October 10, 2024, following the deaths of two patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and the critical condition of two others who were admitted to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH). The incidents occurred…

KIMBERLEY Rugby Club (KRC) celebrated the achievements of its players, coaches, and volunteers at its annual awards ceremony held last night, marking the conclusion of an exceptional 2025 season. The event was a vibrant gathering of the club’s community, united in recognising the dedication, teamwork, and passion that have defined KRC’s journey this year. Adding a special touch to the evening, three Griqua Currie Cup winners, Louerens Oosthuizen, Gustav Erlank, and Tiaan Lange, were on hand to present the awards. Their presence highlighted the close ties between KRC and the wider rugby community, inspiring players and supporters alike. Awards were handed out across several categories, celebrating excellence and commitment on and off the field: • Player of the Year: Sean Harding • Players’ Player of the Year: Thapelo Mashodi •…