Author: Malebogo Putu

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $140.6 million loan to Eswatini for the first phase of a road infrastructure program aimed at enhancing national and regional mobility, creating jobs, and supporting socio-economic development. The initiative, which focuses on the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions, is expected to create at least 200 well-paying jobs and address long-standing infrastructure challenges. The program will upgrade 105.9 km of paved roads, including the Siphofaneni-Sithobelath-Maloma-Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma-Siphambanweni (MR21) sections. These roads will be expanded to 12.3 meters wide, with 2-meter paved shoulders on each side, and adapted to withstand climate change impacts. This…

The lab, established through partnerships with the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), STEMpower, DHL, and other stakeholders, aims to empower students and local residents with digital and STEM-related skills. Picture: Supplied. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, officially opened a cutting-edge STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Lab at the University of Limpopo on Saturday, heralding it as a symbol of progress and opportunity for students and the surrounding community. “This STEM Lab represents hope, progress, and opportunity. For the youth in Mamotintane, Ga-Motholo, Mankweng, and nearby areas, it is a gateway to skills…

Law enforcement officers in KwaZulu-Natal intercepted a shipment of pure cocaine worth over R80 million at Durban Harbour on Monday, December 2, 2024. The drugs were hidden in a container disguised as kidney beans.Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the bust was the result of an intelligence-driven operation. Police had tracked the vessel, which departed from Brazil in early November, after receiving credible information about its illicit cargo. The ship, which made a stop in another country before arriving in South Africa, docked at Durban Harbour on Saturday, November 30.Following its arrival, the identified container was transported to a warehouse on South…

Five men were shot dead in a violent incident at the Madikizela informal settlement on Sunday afternoon, police confirmed.The tragic shooting occurred in a shack located at the corner of Polisa and Deputy Streets. The victims, aged between 19 and 30, were found with gunshot wounds when police arrived on the scene, said Police Brigadier Novela Potelwa.Authorities have opened a murder docket, and the investigation is being led by the provincial serious violent crimes unit. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and no arrests have been made.

An illegal water connection from the municipal main line was discovered during a joint compliance inspection at a Kimberley mining site on Friday, 15 November 2024.The inspection was conducted by law enforcement officers in collaboration with Sol Plaatje Municipality security personnel. This discovery underscores the extent of resource theft linked to illegal mining operations in the region.Authorities have labeled such activities as a threat to public utilities and vowed to prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.Operation Vala Umgodi continues to unearth various crimes associated with illicit mining, including infrastructure tampering and resource misappropriation.

A suspect was arrested in New Park, Kimberley, following the seizure of dagga valued at R7,000 and cash believed to be proceeds of crime during a police operation.The operation, part of the broader Operation Vala Umgodi, was intelligence-driven and targeted drug-related criminal activities in the area.This arrest ties into the province-wide effort to combat crimes linked to illegal mining.Police have linked drug sales to the broader network of illegal mining syndicates, highlighting the interconnected nature of these crimes. Community tip-offs played a crucial role in the successful operation.Authorities are urging residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement to root out…

Seven men, aged between 20 and 42, were arrested for contravening immigration laws during Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape.The suspects were apprehended during stop-and-search and disruptive actions targeting illicit mining hotspots in the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts. These arrests form part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and associated criminal activities.This crackdown highlights the intersection of illegal mining and immigration law violations.Undocumented immigrants are frequently exploited by syndicates in illicit mining operations, creating additional challenges for law enforcement. Operation Vala Umgodi has pledged to address these overlaps by targeting not only miners but also those profiting…

A 35-year-old man was arrested for illegal mining near the R31 road in Kimberley on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, as part of the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi targeting illicit mining activities in the Northern Cape. According to the South African Police Service in the area, the arrest occurred during a routine stop-and-search operation in known illegal mining hotspots. Law enforcement officers, supported by proactive and combat teams, have intensified efforts to curb such activities in the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts. Operation Vala Umgodi aims to disrupt criminal networks and secure compliance at mining sites. Authorities have emphasized their commitment…

Dr. Taunyane, originally from Jouberton in the North West province, played a pivotal role in the province’s first-ever Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (Off Pump CABG), conducted this week at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex. Dr. Taunyane collaborated with renowned Indian specialist Dr. Vettath and a team from Wits/Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital to perform the innovative procedures on 11 and 12 November 2024. “These operations, completed while the heart is still pumping, represent a breakthrough in local healthcare,” said the hospital’s CEO, Thulane Madonsela. Health MEC Sello Lehari expressed pride in the achievement and commended the team’s efforts, highlighting…

The North West province has benefitted from an international partnership, with specialists from India and Wits/Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital teaming up to perform two groundbreaking heart surgeries at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex. The Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (Off Pump CABG) were conducted on 11 and 12 November 2024. Indian specialist Dr. Vettath, with over 5,000 such procedures globally, led the team, assisted by Dr. Taunyane, a native of Jouberton. “This operation is different because it is done while the heart is still pumping,” said hospital CEO Thulane Madonsela, emphasizing its complexity and innovation. Health MEC Sello Lehari…