Early Christmas shoppers received the shock of their lives on Monday morning when they arrived in central Mahikeng with the hope of beating the festive season rush only to be met by thick plumes of black smoke rising in the air and huge flames of fire fiercely eating away parts of eight stores in the city centre.

The police in the province have strengthened the fight against criminality. This became evident when a total of 221 suspects were nabbed for various offences during Safer Festive Season Operations held between last Friday and Sunday.

The residents of Setlagole and the surrounding villages in Ratlou Local Municipality will on Monday access integrated government services at a service delivery blitz led by Social Development MEC, Boitumelo Moiloa.