Category: English

A series of successful operations under the Vala Umgodi initiative has led to several arrests and the seizure of illegal goods and equipment across the Free State province.

On Saturday, Vala Umgodi operators working together with mine security, were called to a mine near Hennenman, where three men emerged from underground. 

“The suspects were found in possession of antiretroviral (ARV) medication and mining equipment, indicating their involvement in illegal mining activities,” said Free State police adding that four illegal foreign nationals were also arrested in Allanridge, Virginia and Thabong.

The operation continued in the Khuma section, where two more males, both 19 years old, were arrested. They were also found in possession of gold-bearing material and gold processing equipment.

On Thursday, 21 August 2025,  Vala Umgodi operational members engaged in a disruptive operation in Van Standensrus. Police on patrol near the border spotted two bakkies loaded with sheep wool.

“Officers intercepted the vehicles and found large quantities of sheep wool. The 45-year-old driver of a Ford Ranger had a load valued at an estimated R25000, while the 31-year-old driver of a Toyota Hilux had a load valued at approximately R15000.
“Neither driver was able to produce receipts to verify ownership of the property. The two individuals will be processed by the Stock Theft Unit and charged with possession of suspected stolen property,” said the police.

The police urged communities  to urge community members to report any suspicious activities related to illegal mining, illicit trade, and cross-border crime. Information can be reported anonymously to the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. –SAnews.gov.za

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, is set take the Matric Support Programme to the Northern Cape.

The two-day sessions in Kuruman and Douglas will get underway on Monday.

The Matric Support Programme is part of Deputy Minister Gondwe’s vision to enhance access to higher education and bring it closer to communities.

According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the programme aims to assist Matric learners in accessing information about higher education, including available study opportunities and funding options, before entering the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

The Northern Cape visit come following the successful launch of the programme in the Eastern Cape earlier this month.
READ | Matric support programme to bridge gap to higher education

In implementing the programme, the office of the Deputy Minister collaborates with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the National Skills Fund and Old Mutual.

The entities together with Old Mutual and the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, will share essential information with learners about access, training and funding in the higher education and training sector. –SAnews.gov.za 
 

The police have arrested three suspects following an attempted robbery in Belfast, Mpumalanga on Friday night.

The suspects aged between 30 and 42 are expected to appear at the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, said the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to a report, a group of armed individuals who falsely identified themselves as police officers, held the occupants of a VW Polo that had stopped on the side of the road at gunpoint.
The occupants of the Polo had stopped by the side of the road to relieve themselves.

“Fortunately, members of the police were busy patrolling the area due to prior reports of robberies. The members were tactically working … to prevent similar robberies recurring as directed by SAPS Operational Plans. Upon detecting something suspicious on the roadside, the vigilant members of the SAPS team swiftly came closer and introduced themselves as police officers.
“It was during this time when the suspects, out of the blue, began firing shots on the members whilst attempting to flee in their vehicle, a white Datsun Go with Mpumalanga registration plates,” said police.

One of the suspects fled on foot. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in the suspects’ vehicle crashing into a tree on Bhekumuzi Masango Drive. 

It was during this period when the suspects were cornered at the scene, that a police detective, aged 54, from Pienaar SAPS, was found deceased in the rear seat of the vehicle. 

“It is suspected that he could have sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire however that is subject to an investigation. Two firearms and ammunition were also recovered at the scene, and these items were confiscated to form part of the investigation.”

The other suspect, who fled on foot, was also apprehended near the N4 road towards Machadodorp.
The suspects are facing various charges, including attempted car hijacking, robbery with a firearm, and attempted murder as well as the illegal possession of firearms with ammunition. 

“The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified, and a full investigation is underway regarding this incident. A police van, [a] Toyota Hilux from Pienaar detectives, was also recovered at a … farm in Belfast, near where the incident occurred. 
“The state vehicle was the one used by the said detective member for standby duties and at this stage, police cannot rule out the possibility that the state vehicle could have been used without authority granted, that will be investigated as well.”

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomed the arrest of the suspects as well as the recovery of the firearms with ammunition whilst commending members for their bravery as they defended themselves when faced with an attack. 

“It is a shameful act when an individual sworn to uphold the law is found on the other side of it. As the SAPS, we distance ourselves from any criminality. It is either our members are with us against crime or consequences will follow for their criminal activities, as one cannot serve two masters,” the General cautioned. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has held talks with European leaders on the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts. 

In a statement, the Presidency said the series of telephone calls held on Saturday followed meetings hosted by United States of America President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several other European leaders. 

“President Ramaphosa spoke to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Alexandar Stubb of Finland. Additional calls with other European leaders will follow in the coming days and weeks.”

The Presidency added that President Ramaphosa also appreciated the briefing he received last week from President Putin following his meeting with President Trump. 

READ | President Ramaphosa receives briefing from Russian counterpart

“In all the discussions European leaders openly shared their perspectives, appreciated South Africa’s role in engaging with both sides to the conflict and provided President Ramaphosa with a firm commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.”

President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States as key to signal a firm commitment to ending the war. 

“President Ramaphosa calls on all parties to seize this moment and sustain the momentum towards peace between Russia and Ukraine,” said the Presidency. –SAnews.gov.za

A suspect implicated in the murder of a female prosecutor in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape is due to appear in court on Monday.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) denounces in the strongest terms the brutal killing of [a] regional court female prosecutor (42), who was allegedly assassinated in cold blood by four armed men on the evening of 31 July 2025 in Gqeberha. 

“Following the incident, a multidisciplinary investigation team led by the Gqeberha Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) of the Hawks, working in close collaboration with various SAPS units, immediately set out to trace those responsible,” said the DPCI in a statement on Saturday.

The attack on the prosecutor was carried out in front of her home and in the presence of her partner.
Following investigations, the 33-year-old suspect has been linked to the incident.

While investigators were pursuing leads in Johannesburg, information was received indicating that the suspect was travelling back towards Gqeberha.

“It was established that the suspect fled to Johannesburg shortly after the incident in an attempt to evade justice. Acting with precision, the team strategically coordinated roadblock in the early hours of 22 August 2025. The suspect’s vehicle was intercepted, and he was successfully apprehended,” said the DPCI of Friday’s arrest.

The suspect is currently in custody and is scheduled to make his first court appearance in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 August 2025.

“The arrest is a significant step foward, but by no means the end. The Hawks will not allow criminals to intimidate the justice system,” said the provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya. –SAnews.gov.za

A 26-year-old suspect arrested for the alleged murder of his ex-girlfriend, is expected to appear before the Temba Magistrates’ Court on Monday, police in the North West said.

“The suspect allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Kgaugelo Marota and attempted to kill his 20-year-old current girlfriend. Reports suggest that the lifeless body of Kgaugelo Marota was found lying on the ground, with multiple stab wounds on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at a tavern in Maubane village. Marota was declared dead on the scene by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS),” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

Further investigations into the matter revealed that the suspect, after allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend, went back to his house where he stabbed his current girlfriend multiple times.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where she is receiving medical treatment. 
“Following the incidents, the suspect posted the reasons behind his evil deeds on social media,” said the police adding that he faces charges of murder and attempted murder.

Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in the North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng welcomed the swift response of Makapanstad police that led to the arrest of the suspect in the early hours of Friday morning, 22 August 2025.
Police made the arrest in Carousel View, near Maubane. –SAnews.gov.za

The Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa (STEASA) will be among the 15 companies participating in the Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Nigeria and Ghana next week.

The mission, scheduled to take place from 25–30 August 2025, is being facilitated by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) as part of efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties between South Africa and key West African economies.

Established to develop sustainable and internationally competitive carbon steel tube and pipe export markets, STEASA’s participation is set to reinforce South Africa’s drive for industrialisation, job creation and beneficiated export growth.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of STEASA, Keitumetse Moumakoe, the organisation is looking to expand its presence in West Africa, particularly within the hydraulic and pneumatic sectors as well as mining industries.

“Our motivation for participating in this mission is clear – we want to expand our value-added services into two of the biggest markets in West Africa.

“The structured platform provided by the dtic will enable us to engage with companies operating in the hydraulic space, where demand for our products and services continues to grow,” said Moumakoe.

The company will showcase an extensive range of specialised engineering and reconditioning services, including honing, chroming, boring, bronze plating, precision grinding, and welding.

Its product line features high-end solutions such as cylinder rods, honed barrels, chrome bars, honed tubes, hydraulic cylinder kits and conveyance pipes used in oil, gas and bulk water infrastructure.

Moumakoe said Nigeria and Ghana are attractive entry points into the region’s industrial value chains.

“Nigeria and Ghana are gateways to West Africa. Their rapid industrialisation and expanding mining activities make them sound markets for our products and services. We already have representation in Ghana, and through this mission, we are seeking to establish a solid footprint in Nigeria,” he said.

Beyond business expansion, STEASA views the mission as part of a broader continental shift toward deeper trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The AfCFTA provides an opportunity for African companies like ours to displace imports from non-African markets. Competitiveness will be key to unlocking demand in these sectors, and through this mission, we aim to position ourselves strategically to benefit from the trade framework,” he said.

He emphasises that for STEASA, the success of the mission will be measured by tangible commercial outcomes.

“We are looking forward to generating requests for quotations, signing partnership agreements, and exploring requests for local investment.

“These outcomes will not only benefit our company and employees but also contribute to South Africa’s export revenue and industrial development,” said Moumakoe.

The OSM is part of the dtic’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) programme, which supports South African companies in developing new export markets and attracting investment.

Through this initiative, the dtic aims to deepen economic diplomacy and position South Africa as a reliable trade partner within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area. – SAnews.gov.za