The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit has secured a high court preservation order over a farm and several vehicles linked to the large-scale drug manufacturing operation in Swartruggens, North West.

The order, granted under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, follows a police and Hawks raid on the farm on 13 May, when officers uncovered “a sophisticated clandestine drug laboratory”.

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The NPA said the order was an important step in targeting the assets allegedly used in the operation, which police have said was linked to the manufacture of methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine remains one of the most destructive illicit drugs affecting communities across South Africa. Its manufacture and distribution fuel organised crime, substance dependency, violence, and other serious social harms,” the NPA said.

The raid was carried out by Organised Crime Investigations and the

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The Democratic Alliance has won its first township ward in Gauteng after narrowly defeating the ANC in Emfuleni’s Ward 28 in Evaton West, during the latest round of by-elections, while the ANC comfortably retained a key ward in Mahikeng in the North West.

The DA edged out the ANC in Wednesday’s by-election, narrowly securing 32.36% of the vote against the ANC’s 32.14%.

The result marked a dramatic shift from the 2021 local government elections, with the DA saying its support in the ward rose from 14.21% to 32.36%, while the ANC dropped from 50.90% to 32.14%.

In a statement on Thursday, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the result demonstrated that voters were increasingly turning to the DA in search of functioning local government and improved service delivery.

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“This historic victory marks the

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Only 263 houses out of a planned 1 667 have been fully completed in the troubled R900 million N12 Catalytic Housing Project in Matlosana Extension 10, also known as Jacaranda, in the North West, nearly a decade after the development was launched.

This emerged during an oversight visit by the National Council of Provinces delegation to the project in Matlosana during the week.

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According to the statement, the development was conceptualised during the 2015/16 financial year by the North West Department of Human Settlements and the City of Matlosana Local Municipality.

During the delegation visit, the parliament found out that the project has become mired in delays, infrastructure failures and allegations of poor communication with residents, with many houses still incomplete and some occupied homes lacking basic services such as water and electricity.

“We can properly account

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Learners at Makgori Primary School in North West were expected to return to class on Wednesday after teaching was disrupted by protests over dilapidated infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, the provincial education department said.

The department said a high-level delegation met concerned parents and community members in Makgori Village, in the Ratlou Local Municipality, on Tuesday to address the crisis at the school.

It said measures were being put in place to fill a vacant teaching post, particularly for Natural Sciences and Technology, to help stabilise teaching in the first term of 2026. It also said the school would implement a catch-up plan, including extra classes, to recover lost learning time.

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Parents and community members had raised concerns about deteriorating infrastructure and staff shortages, which they said were undermining teaching and learning conditions. Parents shut

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it expects Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) to set out clear, measurable steps to tackle unemployment, stabilise struggling municipalities and revive economic growth in the North West.

Mokgosi is set to deliver the address on Thursday during the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature.

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DA North West caucus leader Freddy Sonakile said the speech must be backed by practical interventions.

“After years of decline, mismanagement and broken promises, the people of North West need decisive action and measurable delivery,” Sonakile said.

The party called on the Premier to declare unemployment a provincial disaster, given that the North West has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

“We are looking forward to a comprehensive jobs plan from the Premier to revitalise the economy,”

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The Department of Employment and Labour has warned companies in North West province to be on guard against “impostors” posing as labour inspectors and attempting to sell workplace legislation posters.

The department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services Branch said it had received reports of a group “purporting to be labour inspectors, selling legislation posters” and targeting firms that do not have the required posters on display.

The scammers allegedly extort money by claiming non-compliance with labour laws and issuing spot fines, according to a statement from the department.

Provincial Chief Inspector Chris Sithole said all inspection services from the department are free. He said the department does not sell any labour publications, including charts, pamphlets and posters.

“The business community must be cautious and report any suspicious activities or visits. They should report to the South African Police Services or the nearby office of the department. If they

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The Select Committee on Finance has urged government to take decisive action on the future of the Mahikeng Airport in the North West, following years of controversy, mismanagement, and uncertainty surrounding the dormant facility.

During a two-day oversight visit to the province this week, the committee inspected the airport and received a briefing from the provincial Department of Community Safety and Transport Management on possible plans to repurpose the facility into a cargo hub, aviation training school, or aircraft maintenance centre.

The department estimated that at least R1 billion would be needed to refurbish and upgrade the airport’s infrastructure.

The Mahikeng Airport, officially known as the George Dick Montshioa International Airport, opened in 1984 but ceased commercial operations in 2014 due to low passenger demand.

Despite its closure, the provincial department continues to spend around R5 million annually on maintenance and security.

Committee chairperson Sanny Ndhlovu commended

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As part of its accelerated service delivery programme, North West government officials are in Moses Kotane Local Municipality on Friday where a number of events have been planned.

Premier Lazarus Mokgosi’s spokesperson, Sello Tatai, said seven events were planned, including handing over of school furniture, funding of R1.5 million to three non-profit organisations, and  giving keys to three new homeowners.

“Lesedi Modderkuil Home-Based Care, Arise and Shine and Ithuso Disability Community Centre will each receive a dummy cheque worth over R500,000,” Tatai said in a statement. 

Residents who would benefit from the service delivery programme included Manamakgoteng, Modderkuil, Mabele-a-podi, Ledig, Mogwase, and Segakwaneng areas. 

The accelerated service delivery programme, known as Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded, aims to improve the quality of life for residents, promote economic growth and foster a sense of community.

Tatai said two more local women farmers “will become bulls’ beneficiaries in line with the

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