Lentswe, Stilfontein - The second kidnapping for ransom in as many weeks in the Stilfontein/Khuma area brought together a specialised team consisting of hostage negotiators, police officers, the air wing and private security firms working around the clock to bring the kidnappers to book.

Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The N12 between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom is also a hotspot in the recent vehicle spiking incidents. According to the Motor Industry Staff Association these incidents are born out of desperation and the dire social economic state amongst the 11,7 million unemployed South Africans. “This is not organised crime syndicates or sophisticated crimes, but rather a situation of desperate people realising motorists at night are isolated soft targets.  

Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The DA in Klerksdorp is still calling for Matlosana Mayor James Tsolela’s resignation, even though ANC Councillors disrupted proceedings at the council meeting last week, preventing a motion of no confidence in the mayor to be heard. DA Cllr Portia Burrel said the council meeting on Tuesday April turned chaotic when ANC councillors defended and shielded the mayor from accountability. “They even went so far as to dismiss their own ANC provincial executive committee’s decision that he must resign with immediate effect. “We are aware that documents are doing the rounds allegedly implicating Mayor Tsolela in fraudulent payments. It is alleged that R52 000 was paid into the mayor’s bank account.’’

Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Police in Ventersdorp are searching for a missing five-year-old girl. Maletlhogonolo Hlongwane went missing on Sunday April 28 at about 06:00. She and another sibling, aged three, were left alone at home in Goedgevonden village, by their parent who allegedly went to a local tavern. When the parent arrived back home, Maletlhogonolo was nowhere to be found. A case of child neglect is also under investigation against the parent. “An intensive search was conducted around Goedgevonden, but that did not yield positive results. Maletlhogonolo was last seen wearing a red tracksuit top, peach trousers and no shoes. She is dark in complexion,” said Col Adéle Myburgh, police spokesperson.