Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-15 i DFA News

LABOUR unions and political parties remain sceptical about whether decisive action will be taken to address the findings of the Health Ombudsman into the maltreatment and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RSMH), and are concerned that it may fizzle into a whitewash report. The report found that patients suffered severe neglect and that two patients froze to death at the NCMHH. Cope acting national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi stated that the police had refused to open criminal charges against the management of the Northern Cape Department of Health. “Senior managers at the SAPS were vehemently opposed to opening cases of murder, attempted murder and/or culpable homicide. This smacks of political interference of the highest level,” said Dikgetsi. SAPS Northern…

The Kyokushin Karate Sako Juku Academy has long stood as a beacon of discipline, focus, and community pride in Kimberley. Under the leadership of 7th Dan black belt, Kancho Lawrence Booi, the academy has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless young people in Galeshewe, using the art of karate not only as a sport but as a way to build character. And the character building is set to continue on August 15, when 23 of the academy’s dedicated students will travel to Cape Town to compete in a prestigious national karate championship. Competitors will range from white belt beginners to seasoned black belts, showcasing their skills in both Kata, the precise and disciplined form-based performance, and Kumite, the intense combat sparring discipline. This championship goes beyond the Academy's…

THE STENCH hits before the door even opens. Step outside, and you are greeted, not by fresh air or the sound of birds, but by the overwhelming reek of raw sewage. It curls into your nostrils, makes your stomach churn, and kills any appetite you might have had. For residents of Seochoareng Street in Witdam, opposite the new Kimberley Academy School, this is not a one-day problem; it has been their life for six long months. Since February, sewage has been spilling into their yards, turning their homes into disease traps. They have called the Sol Plaatje Municipality countless times, each call rewarded with a fresh reference number, but no action. February brought two reference numbers, March two more, and April the same. By August, the list of unanswered complaints…

Kimberley’s Chloe Ashlin Kester, a Grade 8 Girls High learner, recently made her city and province proud by winning the prestigious ATKV National Public Speaking Competition held on August 5 2025 at ATKV Goudini Spa in Cape Town. Chloe was the only learner from the Northern Cape schools to claim a prize at this event, which featured 24 top young speakers from across South Africa and Namibia. Her victory followed a remarkable journey of dedication and steady progress in public speaking competitions that span several years. Chloe earned her place in the national competition by coming first in the Northern Cape Provincial round for Grades 8 and 9, held at Fanie Malan School in Upington. This success was the result of years of hard work and preparation. “I first…

Kimberley competitors show their pedigree at AGA World Tournament in Namibia The cool Atlantic breeze of Walvis Bay carried with it more than the salty scent of the ocean late in July; it also carried the dreams of four young archers from Kimberley, each representing their schools as well as the entire Northern Cape at the prestigious AGA World Tournament in Namibia. For Hezekiah Lodewyk from Homevale Primary, Otniël van Wyk from Adamantia High, and Kimberley Girls High’s Athrah Arnold and Fathima Mustapha, the journey to the international stage was a story of rapid growth, unshakeable faith, and the unyielding spirit of community. A rapid rise for Northern Cape archery Organised archery in the NC is still in its infancy, having only taken root in late 2021 and early 2022.…

THE FORMER head of the Northern Cape Department of Health, Steven Jonkers, who is currently employed as a deputy director-general in the Office of the Premier, intends to sue the state and individuals in their personal capacity for being subjected to a “malicious prosecution”. He was found not guilty of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) after a R384 million tender was awarded to Defensor Security Systems by the Department of Health in 2017 for guarding services at 671 sites. His co-accused, Gert Renier van Rooyen and Claudius Peterson, directors of Defensor Security Services, were found guilty on a charge of fraud and contravening the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) Act in the Northern Cape High Court this week. Jonkers said he was aggrieved that he was “handcuffed…

WHAT a colourful week we’ve endured. Since the recent Open Chats podcast furore, people have been a bit touchy. The backlash on social media following the degrading comments on the show about Coloured people has been severe! Suddenly, battle lines were drawn, threats were made, camps were formed, and everywhere there were those who were determined to support the “us” and reject the “thems”. It’s like we have gone back to square one! It’s as if Apartheid really did a number on us; apparently there are still pockets of resentment long after its supposed demise. It’s as if the spirit of Apartheid may not have been effectively exorcised. Consider: The purpose of that system was to maintain one group’s rule and create racial segregation. Those at the top, in the…

... while Sharks hunt Currie Cup redemption in Kimberley The Suzuki Griquas have picked themselves up in their 2025 Currie Cup campaign after their early wobble against the Airlink Pumas, securing solid wins since then against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers in Round 2 and DHL Western Province last week. The Kimberley side’s win over WP was particularly impressive as they outscored their Cape Town visitors by seven tries to three on their way to that commanding 47-17 victory at Suzuki Stadium. Against the Capetonians, Griquas showed that they could stick to their game plan, handle pressure, and stay disciplined, which bodes well for the rest of the campaign. And they will need these qualities when they come up against a hungry and wounded HollywoodBets Sharks team this afternoon. The KZN…