Heartbreak and grief once again gripped the Beaufort West community as justice was handed down for the brutal killing of Constable Courtlin Lackay (23), a young police officer whose life was cut short while responding to an incident last year.

A 17-year-old was sentenced for the murder in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on Monday, while his accomplice, Siyamthanda Mafata (22), received a suspended sentence after entering into a plea agreement with the State.

The name of the teenager cannot be revealed as he is still a minor.

Hawks spokesperson in the Western Cape, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said the incident occurred on 24 August 2025 when police responded to a complaint at a place of entertainment in Gaba Road, Kwa-Mandlenkosi, Beaufort West.

“Upon arrival, members found the body of the deceased officer with a stab wound to his back. The accused fled the scene on foot and Constable Lackay was declared dead at the scene.”

The case was handed over to the Hawks’ George Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for further investigation.

“The matter was then referred to the Hawks from George Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for further probing. An intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of the two accused on the same day of the incident,” Hani added.

The minor accused has been housed at a place of safety since his arrest, while Mafata remained in custody throughout the court proceedings.

The court sentenced the 17-year-old to four years’ compulsory residence at a youth centre. In addition, he was handed a further four years’ direct imprisonment, which will commence immediately after completion of the compulsory residence sentence.

Mafata was convicted of defeating the ends of justice and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years on condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period.

Paarl Hospital is steadily returning to full operation after being severely damaged in a fire earlier this year.

The fire, which broke out in January 2026, forced several departments to close and led to the temporary relocation of patients and services. However, restoration work has progressed faster than expected, with most major repairs now complete.

Also read: No injuries after section of Paarl hospital goes up in flames
 

Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, confirmed that the project, originally expected to take up to 12 months, has made significant progress in just six months.

“When the fire broke out in January, the initial expectation was that restoration could take up to 12 months. Instead, through a tremendous effort from our teams, major restoration work has been completed in just six months, and services are already returning to repaired areas of the hospital.”

The department says it expects services to fully return in June, as specialist equipment is still being installed.

“All major infrastructure work has now been completed, and most equipment and furniture have already been delivered and installed. While some specialist medical equipment is still expected to arrive over the coming months, these timelines were anticipated and incorporated into the broader restoration plan,” Wenger said.

The City has announced a temporary lane closure at the Buttskop Road level crossing for today and tomorrow, Thursday. This temporary lane closure will take place between 9 am and 3 pm daily.

A temporary lane closure at the Buttskop Road level crossing

The Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says the temporary closure, with traffic accommodation in place, will affect the section of Buttskop Road between Trafford Road and Van Riebeeck Road. Residents and road users should become aware of this.

To improve safety at the Buttskop Road level crossing

Quintas says that he understands that lane closures can cause inconvenience to motorists and residents, but that these maintenance activities are necessary to improve safety at the Buttskop Road level crossing. He has called on everyone using that road to be patient. Quintas is also asking that road users adhere to temporary traffic management measures and exercise caution in the area while this important work is underway.

An existing Maintenance Agreement

The MMC further explained that the City of Cape Town and Metrorail have an existing Maintenance Agreement. This encompasses the maintenance of railway level crossings and the approach roads where the City is the road authority. Quintas added that the temporary lane closure will allow officials from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa to conduct a joint condition assessment and undertake maintenance work required by the Railway Safety Regulator. According to a media statement, the City apologises for any inconvenience caused. At the same time, City Officials have thanked residents and commuters for their understanding and cooperation.

As the Western Cape starts counting the cost of the devastating storms experienced over the past two weeks, stories of hope are starting to emerge, including the rescue of a Calitzdorp woman who went into labour.

At least 651 people were rescued from floodwaters across the province, with rescue crews from multiple agencies involved.

On one such occasion last week, EMS crews were dispatched to a maternity case on a farm outside Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo. Floodwaters prevented ambulance access, while adverse weather conditions meant AMS could not respond by air.

On the ground, Calitzdorp EMS Shift Leader Norman Swartz worked closely with EMS Ladismith Station Manager, Janine Ruiters Makier, to assess access routes and coordinate the response.

Their efforts were supported by local farmers, who were monitoring river levels and road conditions in the area.

Janine described the moment when rising floodwaters cut off access to a pregnant patient due to give birth.

“We knew there was flooding. We know the river and thought if we could just find a road to get through, or get a ladder from the local fire station, we could reach the mom and baby. But after assessing, we realised this would not be possible.”

At the patient’s side was Cornelle Meiring, a local teacher from Calitzdorp, who stepped in to assist.

Together, Janine and Norman made the decision to provide remote clinical support.

Working with the local emergency control centre and healthcare colleagues, including the Oudtshoorn Hospital maternity unit, arrangements were made to support the patient as best as possible under the circumstances. The maternity team also made telephonic contact to check on the mother and offer additional support.

Janine guided Cornelle through preparing for the delivery, using available resources to ensure basic safety measures.

“We asked her to get the supplies needed. If there were gloves, scissors and some other supplies, we asked her to get them ready.”

As labour progressed, a video call was made to guide the process. At approximately 17:15, the patient went into active labour. With calm, step-by-step support, the baby was successfully delivered.

“When I saw the baby for the first time, I was so grateful. I could see the pink cheeks and that the baby was okay. We asked them to check the fingers and toes to make sure everything was fine.”

Janine remained in contact to monitor both mother and baby until further assistance could be arranged. Once weather conditions improved, AMS airlifted the mother and baby for further care.

Janine emphasised that the response was a collective effort: “In rural areas, you help each other. Because we know each other, everyone comes together and does their part,” she said.

She highlighted the role of local farmers, including farmers from Kannaland, and community members, who provide early warnings and critical local knowledge.

“They tell us when the rivers are coming down and when flooding starts. They help us stay aware of what is happening on the ground.”

Expressing her appreciation, she added: “To the community of Calitzdorp, the farmers in Kannaland and beyond, and all the EMS staff and local municipality, I can only thank them. I can only be the manager I am because of them; they are my hands and my eyes.”