Monthly Archives: May 2012

Implats: NUM and AMCU at Log Aheads!!!!

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PHOKENG: One member of the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) was shot in the head this morning at Impala No. 8 hostels.

Phokeng SAPS members together with the Bafokeng Public Order Police were called to attend the scene of crime where members of NUM were allegedly kidnapped.

It is alleged that Impala mine employees, who were against being represented by the NUM shop stewards since their last wage strike and allegedly joined the AMCU, attacked the NUM representatives as they were starting to work in their offices situated inside Impala No. 8 hostel.

Two of the NUM representative managed to escape and run for their lives.  They allegedly managed to hide in some of the hostel rooms and the Police rescued them.

” One of the victims who was shot in the head and ran towards the road trying to get out of the hostel, was also rescued by the Police.  There was a group of +- 800 mineworkers who were surrounding him upon arrival of the Police” North West Spokesperson, Thulani Ngubane said.

 

It is alleged that the dispute between the two labour unions’ members, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is being influenced by the fact that AMCU has now recruited more members since after the Implats strike. 

The AMCU members are allegedly out numbering those of NUM and they forcefully want NUMmembers to vacate the shaft as well as offices at No. 14 shaft.  

They also want their own office bearers to occupy the offices.   

 

The victim of the incident that happened at No. 8 hostel, sustained a bullet wound to the right side of his head and he is in a  critical condition. 

He was transported to Impala Mine Hospital by an ambulance where he received medical attention at the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, other two members were rescued by the Police from where they were hiding inside the Hostel.

 

A case docket of attempted murder was opened and no arrest is yet been made. Police are currently on high alert and closely monitoring the situation.  Investigation is continuing.

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27 PROTESTERS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC VIOLENCE IN LOGAGANE VILLAGE!!!

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MAHIKENG: Police in Mahikeng arrested 27 protesters, 17 women and 10 men for Public Violence.  It is alleged that at about 02:00 in the morning of Thursday, 17 May 2012.  Community members of Logagane Village outside Mahikeng started to gather and barricade the road linking Mahikeng and Tsidilamolomo.

  According to information received, residents are complaining about the promises that were made to them by the Municipality but not being fulfilled. 

Allegedly they were promised that a Clinic as well as Community Hall will be built in Logagane, but that has never happened.

 

“At about 04:00, Police were called after the said road was barricaded.  Police tried to negotiate with the protesters to peacefully disperse and remove the barricades” North West SAPS spokesperson said. 

Protesters were also informed that the gathering was illegal and were advised to go and raise their concerns with the relevant authorities, but protesters refused to co-operate.  At about 10:00,  protesters were forcefully dispersed by the Police with teargas and 27 suspects aged between 19 and 65 were arrested.

 

“All 27 suspects were charged with public violence and they appeared before the Makgobistad Periodical Court on Thursday, 17 May 2012.  They were released on a warning to appear again before the Mahikeng Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 18 July 2012” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.  

Investigation continues and we will keep you posted about any developments.

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Motaung: There is no ‘Pretoria Soccer League’ now

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Despite Kaizer Chiefs no-show in the title challenge, chairman Kaizer Motaung says he is pleased to see the end of the ‘Pretoria Soccer League’. 

Either Orlando Pirates or Moroka Swallows will take the League tomorrow, ensuring that the trophy stays in Soweto, and Motaung wishes both teams “all the best”.

Defending champions Pirates are favourites to lift the trophy, as they lead second-placed Swallows by two points going into the final matches.

“I want to wish the two teams which will be fighting for the League on Saturday all the best; I know we are not there,” Motaung says. 

“At least the League will remain in Soweto, there is no more that thing of the Pretoria Soccer League now.” 

‘What Dr Khoza wants, he gets’

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Our mole can reveal that Orlando Pirates are hot favourites to sign Bloemfontein Celtic defender Erick Mathoho. 

‘Tower’ has attracted interest from Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs as well, but according to our reliable sources the Mighty Buccaneers have beaten their rivals to land the Bafana Bafana defender’s signature.


“There has always been an outstanding agreement between Celtic and Pirates that if Mathoho didn’t move overseas he would sign for Bucs the next season,” the source reveals.

“You must also remember that what [Pirates boss] Dr Khoza wants he will get – and even though Sundowns have put more money down, Pirates look like they have won it …”

Mathoho’s agent, Tim Sukazi of Quality Talent Sports agency, could not clear the air regarding the player’s next destination, but he did confirm that Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns are currently talking to Celtic.

“It is pretty much normal for a player of Mathoho’s calibre to trigger interest among the big clubs,” Sukazi says. “In fact, I would have been surprised if the situation was the opposite.

“Mathoho is currently contracted to Celtic and, in so far as I understand, all the interested clubs are in discussion with Celtic. We just have to wait and see how this one pans out and we will deal with it when our involvement becomes of relevance.”

Ernest Fakude

Lovers’ tiff takes a nasty turn

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crime scene_dec 7

A former Jomo Cosmos striker allegedly crashed his car during a domestic violence incident with his wife on Thursday.

The Malawian soccer player, whose name is known to The Star, was reportedly arguing with his wife as he was leaving their complex in Laser Park, Roodepoort.

It is believed that he accused her of cheating on him with a Kaizer Chiefs defender in 2010. His wife opened the car door and grabbed the steering wheel to try to stop him from leaving, when the open door hit a tree and knocked her over.

The footballer made a U-turn, drove back to where his wife was lying on the ground and allegedly kicked her before driving off. He returned later and the two had a row in the house. He then got in his car and tried to speed off, but lost control and crashed into the wall of another complex.

The Star

Brit caught with roasted foetuses

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iol pic wld arrested

Six human foetuses which had been roasted and covered in gold leaf as part of a black magic ritual have been seized from a British citizen in Bangkok, Thai police said on Friday.

Chow Hok Kuen, 28, who is of Taiwanese origin, was arrested with the grisly haul in the city’s Chinatown on Thursday, police said. The corpses had been packed into luggage and were set to be smuggled to Taiwan.

The suspect bought the foetuses several days ago from a Taiwanese man in Thailand for 200 000 baht ($6 500) and planned to sell them in Taiwan for up to six times that amount, police said. The origin of the foetuses was unclear.

“He said he planned to sell the foetuses to clients who believe they will make them lucky and rich,” said Colonel Wiwat Kamchamnan of Bangkok police.

The man faces one year in prison and a 2 000 baht fine for possession of the foetuses.

In Thai black magic rituals, also observed among some Chinese communities, preserved foetuses are believed to bring good fortune to the owner and are often kept in shrines within homes or businesses. – Sapa-AFP

Casino accused claim police torture

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IOL news apr 17 gavel_nov 15

Two men accused of being part of a six-man gang which robbed three casinos in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, claimed police officers had assaulted them and forced them to confess to the crimes.

Thulani Hlatswayo, Malvern Ndlovu, Lumkani Dube, Bongani Lukhele, Philani Gumpu and Innocent Shabalala were facing eight counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and two counts of attempted murder.

Among other crimes, they have been accused of carrying out robberies at Sibaya casino, near uMhlanga, Black Rock Casino in Newcastle and the Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein in 2010.

On trial before Durban Regional Court magistrate Sharon Marks, all have pleaded not guilty.

Police said during the men’s bail application in 2010 that there was video footage of all three casino robberies in which the men’s faces could be clearly seen.

On Thursday, advocate Fanie Slabbert, who was representing all six men, questioned police Captain Dumisani Hlongwa, who had taken a confession from Hlatswayo, about whether he had noticed that Hlatswayo had had injuries.

Hlongwa said he had recorded the injuries that he had seen. “The scars looked to be a few days old, not very recent.”

Slabbert said Hlatshwayo would testify that his ear had been cut and was bleeding when he saw Hlongwa.

Hlongwa denied that Hlatshwayo had been bleeding and said he had appeared “calm and collected”.

Police Captain Hendrik Delport was also questioned about why he had taken a confession from one of the men who had been in custody for more than 48 hours.

Delport said he had not asked the investigating team when the accused had been arrested.

“I was asked to take a confession and that’s what I did. I was not given any details of the case.”

All the accused said they had been assaulted and tortured by officers from the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit and forced to make confessions.

Slabbert said the men would testify that they had been shown pictures of people reportedly killed by the unit and told that if they did not co-operate, they would also be killed.

The trial continues next week and the men were remanded. – The Mercury


Botswana lioness escapes into SA

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“It is alleged that it may have escaped from the Kgale farm in Botswana,” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

The big cat had been seen near the Swartkopfontein border post between Botswana and Mahikeng.

“It was first seen by villagers and police officers on the South African side of the border on Wednesday.”

Conservationists had been working with police to find the lioness since Thursday.

“It’s important for people to be on the lookout as it is a wild animal.”

It was hoped the lioness could be darted and taken back to Botswana

Govt to appeal finding on Sex Offences Act

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Cape Town – The government will urgently appeal a Western Cape High Court finding that 29 sexual offences are not punishable because the Sexual Offences Act does not specify penalties for them, The Cape Times reported on Friday.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe was quoted as saying that he was aware of two other judgments, in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State, where a different conclusion had been reached.

Last Friday, the Western Cape High Court upheld a decision by the Riversdale Magistrate’s Court that a man who forcibly fondled a woman could not be sentenced because the behaviour had no penalty under the act.

Other offences without a penalty are sexual assault, consensual sexual acts with children, sexual exploitation and grooming of children, and sexual offences against mentally disabled people.

“They said in cases where the law does not prescribe a penalty or sanction, it is up to the judicial officer to use their discretion. We have two divergent views. The higher courts must bring clarity,” Radebe said.

According to the report, Parliament’s justice portfolio committee was urgently discussing if amendments to the Act were necessary.

 

– SAPA

Mayhem as taxi protest turns violent

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IOL news may 18 nm taxi march 11 (25431658)

 

Taxi drivers turned central Durban into a war zone on Thursday as they trashed streets, assaulted passengers, stoned taxis and brought traffic to a standstill in protest at Metro police “harassment”.

The violence was sparked when about 500 drivers and taxi operators marched to the city hall about 10.30am in protest at alleged corruption and harassment by the metro police.

They also demanded that metro police go soft on traffic violations and taxi inspections during commuter peak times.

The protest turned violent soon after the march and traffic officers had to close off several streets. By late afternoon thousands of commuters remained stranded or stuck in the traffic jams that ensued in several parts of the city.

Eventually members of the SAPS and the metro police used tear gas to disperse some of the protesters.

Police also sprayed water mixed with a green dye.

Any taxis that were transporting passengers in the city centre were forced to a halt by protesters, and passengers and drivers were hauled out of the vehicles. In some cases, passengers were dragged through open taxi windows. Several taxis were dented by rocks and knob-kieries, and windows and windscreens were smashed.

Dr Pixley Kaseme (West) Street came to a standstill as the drivers marched, while scores of SAPS officers battled to control the situation.

Carrying sticks and knobkieries, the drivers marched through the CBD, hurling insults at metro police head Eugene Nzama.

Several shops and a number of banks evacuated customers and closed their doors.

Violence broke out near the Durban University of Technology (DUT) City Campus after police fired tear gas at the protesters, causing students and bystanders to scatter.

On Anton Lambede (Smith) Street, a taxi driver had to dodge marchers and eventually came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road.

He was made to watch as his taxi was stoned and bashed with sticks and knobkieries.

The driver described how the marchers removed his passengers and struck one of them on the head with a knobkierie.

The provincial secretary general of the SA National Taxi Council, Mdu Xaba, distanced his organisation from the protest.

March organiser Jerry Sibisi said the average taxi driver logged up R5 000 in fines a week, yet was paid only R700 in weekly wages.

“The fine does not go to the owner of the taxi. The police ask us for bribes or they arrest you.”

Asked about the violence, Sibisi said: “I do not know those people (behind the violence). They are not with us.”

Some drivers also requested that ticket fines and warrants be printed in Zulu.

The taxi drivers said they wanted the city to respond to their grievances within seven days.

After the marchers reached the city hall, the violence intensified as drivers spread out to other areas, including Warwick Avenue, which was shut.

Police said at least 20 people were arrested for public violence.

They also fired tear gas at a group of men who banged their hands and fists against police vehicles.

At the Umlazi taxi rank in Joe Slovo (Field) Street, vehicles were stoned, while metro police were nowhere to be seen.

A senior metro police officer said his men had withdrawn after being attacked repeatedly during the day.

“We were concerned about the safety of our officers,” he said.

The crowd also spread to Greyville, near the Independent Newspapers building.

Photographer Sibonelo Ngcobo saw drivers forcing passengers to get out of taxis.

“They fled when the police arrived,” he said.

Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said drivers had been given permission to march to the city hall, but had become violent and unruly. At least one policeman was in hospital after being struck by a stone.

Late on Thursday, large numbers of commuters were walking along King Dinizulu (Berea) Road towards Chesterville and Cato Manor.

Others stood in long queues waiting for transport, while taxis stood motionless at the ranks.

Mandla Sibisi, his wife, Nomusa, and their six-month-old baby were left stranded at the Pinetown taxi rank, unable to find transport take them home to Etshelimnyama near Mariannhill.

“I finished my shift and found that there was no transport to go home,” Sibisi said. “I have not slept, yet I have to report for duty at 6pm. I’m going to be in trouble with my boss because I am not going to make it to work without transport.”

Stations were crowded as commuters turned to trains to get home.

Metrorail spokeswoman Thandi Mkhize said staff had to deal with long queues of people desperate to get tickets.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the organisers of the march had failed to maintain control over the large number of people.

“Charges of public violence and contravention of the Gatherings Act have been registered for investigation with the Durban Central SAPS and 21 people have been arrested.”

Police deployments would remain in place to continue to monitor affected areas until order had been restored. – The Mercury