By Abigail Visagie
The search for Benjamin van Wyk’s(20) body, who drowned inside the Heidedal Quarry located behind Twin City Mall in Bloemfontein, is now in its third day.
On Thursday afternoon, Van Wyk (20) and two friends went swimming when tragedy struck.
He reportedly jumped into the water...
The father of Constable Boipelo Senoge, one of three police officers who went missing earlier this year and were later found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion, says the past five months have been incredibly difficult for the family.
He said Boipelo was the sole breadwinner.
Constables Keamogetswe Buys, 30, Boipelo, and Cebekhulu Linda, 24, were all reported missing before their bodies were recovered days later from the Hennops River.
The trio, who were stationed in the Free State, drowned in April after their white Volkswagen Polo was swept into the river during heavy rains.
Buys and Linda were part of Operation Vala Umgodi in Limpopo, a police task force targeting illicit mining activities.
Buys served in the cybercrime division, while Linda worked in crime intelligence. Senoge was stationed at Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein.
At the time of their deaths, Senoge and Linda were in a relationship.
Speaking to IOL News, Boipelo’s father, Paul Senoge, expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the investigation.
“The last time we heard from the police was before the funeral. They told us they were busy with the investigation and would update us, but since then, there’s been nothing,” he said.
The three officers were buried in May.
Senoge said the delays in the investigation have deeply affected the family emotionally and mentally, making it hard to find closure.
“We are really struggling to come to terms with what happened. It keeps bringing back the memories. Just when we think we are healing, the wounds are reopened again and again,” he said.
He added that despite promises from police to look into the matter, no substantial feedback has been provided.
“They said they would investigate, but we have heard nothing from them… The only thing we are told when we call the investigator is that they are still busy with the case. It’s so painful.”
“What we need is closure. I don’t know what’s going on with the SAPS. I thought we were moving forward as a country, but now I don’t know.”
Senoge voiced concern about the slow progress of the investigation, adding that he fears it could drag on for years.
“There’s so much corruption in this country. These investigations could take five more years. We are not satisfied with how this is being handled and we will never heal until we know what happened to my daughter.”
He said the family is waiting for the investigation report, which they hope will provide some answers.
“If we get the report and go through it, and we are satisfied, maybe we will find closure. But if not, we will take it further.”
Senoge said his daughter, Boipelo, was the only one in the household who was working, and since her death, the family has been battling to make ends meet.
“What hurts the most is that she was the one who put bread on the table. When we think about how she used to support us, we are reminded of the gap she left,” said her father.
“Nothing is the same anymore. She was the only breadwinner. Her older sister is also unemployed. Since her death, we have been really struggling… I’m not working, my wife is not working, and neither is my eldest daughter.”
Meanwhile, in response, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the investigation is still ongoing and is receiving “focused attention”.
“Both SAPS and private specialists have submitted reports as prescribed. Preliminary post-mortem reports have been received, but final reports, including blood alcohol results, toxicology, and histology, are still outstanding. These are critical to concluding the investigation,” Mathe said.
She added that an analysis of physical evidence is also ongoing.
“This process is complex as SAPS relies on external specialists for certain examinations. While the SAPS accident expert report has been finalised, it is not conclusive on its own.”
In many parts of Africa divorce often carries a heavy stigma, leaving women vulnerable and disempowered.
But imagine a place where the end of a marriage is not just accepted, but celebrated, a joyous declaration of newfound freedom and opportunity.
Such a place exists in the North African nation of Mauritania.
Here, a unique cultural phenomenon, often described as a "divorce market," showcases a matriarchal Moorish culture where women enjoy remarkable autonomy, and remarriage is not just encouraged but actively celebrated.
In Mauritania, divorce is common, with some estimates suggesting that nearly a third of all marriages dissolve.
What sets this country apart is the celebratory atmosphere surrounding a woman's divorce.
Instead of shame or sorrow, women often find themselves at the centre of elaborate festivities.
"Divorce parties," far from being sombre affairs, are vibrant gatherings filled with music, dance, and feasts, where the woman, surrounded by friends and family, rejoices in her newfound freedom.
These events are not just social gatherings; they serve as public declarations of a woman’s availability for remarriage, openly inviting new prospects.
Here, women hold significant social and economic autonomy, and their experience from previous marriages is highly valued.
A woman with a history of marriage is often seen as a more desirable prospect than a young, inexperienced bride.
This empowers women to initiate divorce if their needs are not being met, actively challenging traditional narratives that often portray women as passive participants in their marriages.
Islamic law and divorce
Mauritania's legal system, governed by Islamic law, includes a crucial provision known as 'khul'.
This allows a wife to seek divorce by compensating her husband, typically by returning the bride price. This legal framework provides women with a significant degree of power in ending their marriages, a rare and progressive feature in many Muslim-majority countries.
Challenges
However, this distinctive system is not without its challenges. The high divorce rate inevitably raises questions about the potential impact on children and overall family stability.
Yet, despite these concerns, Mauritania's "divorce market" stands as a powerful example of how cultural practices can redefine social norms and empower individuals, particularly women, in ways that defy conventional expectations.
A lesson for Africa?
This unique Mauritanian approach could offer valuable insights for other African countries grappling with the complexities of traditional marriage and divorce.
Encouraging a more supportive and celebratory environment for women navigating divorce could significantly reduce stigma and open new pathways for personal growth and remarriage across Africa.
For many Mauritanian women, the end of a marriage is not merely a conclusion, but a celebration of new beginnings and the promise of a brighter future.
Senior Counsel Advocate Matthew Chaskalson has been appointed as the Chief Evidence Leader of the Madlanga Commission tasked with probing allegations of criminality, political interference, and criminality in the criminal justice system.
This takes place amid speculation and uncertainty over Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau, who held the position in the high-profile inquiry.
When speculation first swirled over Motau’s future in the probe, the Commission remained mum, emphasising that the focus was on the work of the Commission, which is upholding the rule of law.
The hearings continue with crime intelligence head Lt-General Dumisani Khumalo on the stand at 9:30 am.
Khumalo, a central figure who is expected to assist the commission in “joining the dots,” has been painting a picture of the alleged infiltration of crime cartels in the criminal justice system, particularly the Big Five cartel, which includes the alleged membership of Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Katiso Molefe.
Godongwana says the thorny issue of immigration is one that requires an objective debate by political parties and not from a position of xenophobia.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has questioned the affordability of metros continuing to provide free services to undocumented foreign nationals, saying the constitution has put the country in a difficult position.
Addressing the mayors of metropolitan municipalities on Monday to discuss new reforms aimed at improving the management of utility services, Godongwana acknowledged the frustrations expressed by some mayors regarding the strain that unplanned population growth is having on their cities.
Godongwana says the thorny issue of immigration is one that requires an objective debate by political parties and not from a position of xenophobia.
Godongwana says it's estimated that for every 100 people who enter South Africa, at least half of them remain in Gauteng.
This does not include the impact of urbanisation as people from different parts of the country in search of a better life.
Godongwana says he’s sympathetic to municipalities that can't legally deny services, such as healthcare, to foreign nationals.
"The constitution says South Africa belongs to all who live in it, which was a grave mistake."
Godongwana said those words were penned at a different time in the country's history and the toll of immigration on limited resources can't be ignored.
"People must come to our country, legally. The ones who are sitting here illegally in the country, surely we should be sending them home."
He said foreign nationals living in informal settlements are receiving housing even before those waiting in backyard accommodation for years.
Police in North West have welcomed the sentencing of 40-year-old Lesotho national, Elias Tsetla, who received two life terms for raping his girlfriend.
The Potchefstroom Regional Court handed down the sentence, following the brutal attack which took place in Ikageng, Potchefstroom, in January 2023.
According to evidence presented in court, the victim, then 28 years old, arrived home to find Tsetla, who accused her of having affairs. The accused then assaulted and raped her twice.
The matter was investigated by the Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Tsetla was arrested three days after the case was registered. He also faced an additional charge under the Immigration Act after failing to prove his legal status in the country.
Although he pleaded not guilty, the court found him guilty and sentenced him as follows:
Count 1: Rape – Life imprisonment
Count 2: Rape – Life imprisonment
Count 3: Violation of Immigration Act – R3,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment
The court further ordered that his name be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.
North West provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone praised the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors.
“We extolled Warrant Officer Jaco Jonker, the prosecutor, advocate Annecke Du Toit and everyone who played a critical role to ensure that the conviction is secured as part of the entities’ commitment to deal firmly with violence against women and children,” he said.
“The SAPS will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who harm women and children are brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, the acting provincial commissioner of police in North West, Major General Dintletse Molefe, said crimes against women and children will not go unpunished.
“This sentence clearly demonstrates our resolve to deal with those who commit heinous crimes against women and children," said Molefe.
Dr Rachel Makhari, director of Public Prosecutions in North West, has also hailed the conviction, stressing that it sends a strong message to perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The East London Magistrate’s Court is set to deliver judgment on Monday morning in the long-running firearms discharge trial of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
Malema and his personal protector, Adriaan Snyman, face charges of contravening the Firearms Control Act, including the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The charges stem from an incident seven years ago at the EFF's 5th birthday rally in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.
During the rally, a video captured the moment Malema allegedly fired a rifle near a large crowd. Snyman is accused of handing the weapon to Malema immediately before the alleged discharge.
In court, Malema pleaded not guilty, arguing that the item in question was a fake firearm and contained no live ammunition. He told the court that any object lacking live rounds cannot be considered a firearm, and thus, he had not breached the Firearms Control Act.
The EFF leader further testified that no one at the rally appeared concerned about the firearm, which he claimed served as proof that the weapon was a prop.
The East London Magistrate's Court will deliver its long-awaited judgment on the matter on Monday morning.
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
