Daily Archives: June 2, 2012

TWO CHARGED FOR FRAUDING THE LIQUOR BOARD

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BY Obakeng Maje

Zeerust :  Two suspects are arrested and charged with fraud on Thursday 31 May 2012.  It is alleged that the two Penny Ndona (44) and Petrus Molatlhegi (47) issued a fake handwritten liquor licence to a 41-year-old of Sandton Liquor Tavern, in Braaklagte. 

 

The hand written licence was discovered during the station operation on the 18 May 2012 and the matter was referred to Liquor Board for clarity. 

 

It was alleged that according to the records the licence number that was issued to Sandton Liquor Tavern, belongs to Barcellos Restaurant in Rustenburg.

 

 “The licence was issued without South African Police Station  inspection and recommendation. Ndona is an employee at Liquor Board in Mafikeng, she is the one who issued cash receipt of R200-00 for fake licence and Molatlhegi is a consultant at Liquor Board” Sergant Moiloa said. 

 

The two appeared before Lehurutshe Magistrate Court on 31 May 2012 charged with fraud, and were granted R1000-00 bail each. 

They will appear again before Lehurutshe Magistrate Court on  2July 2012.

SERIAL RAPIST AND MURDERER RECEIVES SIX LIFE SENTENCES IN RUSTENBURG HIGH COURT

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BY Obakeng Maje

The hefty sentences handed down by Judge Gura in  Rustenburg High Court on Thursday 31 May 2012 was widely welcomed by family, Police investigators, as well as the community at large.

  Many people attended the trial of the accused, 27-year old Reuben Tshepo Modise from Mabalstad, near Mabeeskraal. 

 

“The accused was on trial for the murder, robbery and rape of an elderly grandmother, the 55-year old  Mpho Caroline Mosheshe, who died on 11 September 2010 after she was strangled in front of her 6-year old grandson” Brigadier Ngubane said. 

The brave little boy ran away after his grandmother was murdered and hid in the bushes. 

“The toddler was later found and brought to safety.  After the arrest of the accused, and during an identification parade, the little boy, bravely and without hesitation, pointed out the murderer of his grandmother” Ngubane said.  

 

The accused was also found guilty of raping  four women and rob them of cell phones, handbags and clothing items in and around Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg. 

 

The accused would lure his innocent victims to a bushy and isolated area between the Rustenburg graveyard and the Olympia Park Stadium, pretending that he was going to employee them to sell cheap jewellery for him. All the victims were assaulted before being raped.  

 

His evil deeds commenced during February 2010 and continued until  12October 2010, ranging over a period of nine months.  On 13of October 2010, with the assistance from the community, the accused was arrested. 

 

It was heartbreaking to hear the testimony of some of the rape victims in court, reflecting on how the rapes, robberies and assaults have changed their lives forever. 

 

In handing down of the sentence, the Honourable Judge Gura remarked that the accused had to be removed from the community forever. 

The Rustenburg Cluster Commander, Maj Genl Patrick Asaneng has congratulated the Rustenburg Detectives, under the skilful guidance of Captain Anton van der Merwe, for a job well done. 

 

The investigating officer, W/Off Godfrey Mogari put in a lot of effort to ensure the arrest of the serial rapist. 

He is commended for his diligence and for the highly professional investigation, ensuring that this cruel offender is brought to book. 

 

Argentina edge past Japan into the final at the 8-Nation International tournament

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BY Obakeng Maje

Argentina was made to work hard for their place in the semi-finals of the 8-Nation International Tournament, advancing with a 1-0 win over Japan at Athlone on Friday (1 June) night.

Japan were the better side for the first half, but failed to make use of their chances, while Argentina only really found their stride in the final 35 minutes.

Japan made a positive impression during the opening 20 minutes – their quick pass-and-move football keeping the Argentina side working hard to limit the threat on their goal, which for the most part they did.

Bafana Bafana’s confidence boosted by moving up four places on the FIFA rankings

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BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana was counted among the best movers with a rise of four places from 71 to 67 on the latest Coca Cola FIFA World Rankings released on Friday, 01 June 2012.

South Africa is placed 14th on the continent.

The move should come as a morale booster ahead of South Africa’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier against Ethiopia that will take place on Sunday, 3 June at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg.

Kickoff is at 15h00.

Bafana Bafana will share the venue with their female counterparts, Banyana Banyana, who will be hosting Nigeria in an international friendly match starting at 19h00, also on Sunday.

Both teams have been practicing in the Northwest Province – with Banyana Banyana’s eye on the Olympic Games to be held in London late next month, while Bafana Bafana are embarking on the road to Brazil in 2014.

“Everyone is anticipating a good game and a win from Bafana Bafana and we promise our supporters that we will go all the way and win the first game and get all three points,” said Khune.

“That is possible with the support of our fans. We know that in the past people have written us off saying we are not delivering as we were not scoring goals, but I think things will change come this Sunday. We haven’t tasted success in the last few games and that is why the nation has lost confidence in us, but I believe good days are coming back starting this Sunday. The more goals we score and win games the more it helps to bring back the crowds.”

But the Kaizer Chiefs captain has also cautioned that it won’t be an easy match despite the visitors being ranked 138th.

“The teams that we think are small are the ones that catch us by surprise because we go into the match thinking we are going to win. So we don’t have to underestimate any opponent because more often than not, small teams are highly motivated to play against the big teams and they will want to prove a point but we are up to the challenge,” added Khune.

Striker Eleazar Rodgers hasn’t been in the national team since 2008 after he played two games against Malawi. He made his debut a year earlier against the same Malawi.

“It’s an honour to be here, and it’s a good feeling because everybody wants to represent their national team. It’s a great opportunity that I got and will use it wisely if I get the opportunity to play. Opportunity is there to be taken, and sometimes we get an opportunity but take it for granted and it never comes back, so I have been lucky to get it the second time around,” said Rodgers.

The Santos marksman only joined the Bafana Bafana camp after the postponement of the National First Division play-offs which his club was involved in.

“Everything happens for a reason, things worked out the way they have and I believe God has put me here for a reason and I will just make the best of it,” he said.

Bafana Bafana will hold their last training session on Saturday (2 June) morning at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.

Ethiopia, who arrived in South Africa on Friday afternoon, will complete their preparations at the match venue on Saturday evening.

SA U20 bow out of 8-Nation International tournament

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BY Obakeng Maje

The Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, 01 June 2012 was witness to a thrilling 8-Nation International Tournament semi-final which saw Brazil inching out South Africa 4-3 on penalties after the match had ended 2-2 after extra time.

Amajita, spurred on by a lively and sizable home crowd, took the game to their more illustrious opponents in the opening 20 minutes.

The South Africans played some incisive, exciting football, at times mesmerising their opponents with the skill and pace of their attacks.

Snethemba Ngidi, Thabanbi Mthembu and Cebo Meyiwa were particularly prominent for the host nation in a storming opening, during which time their best chance saw Junior Sibande volleying a corner kick straight at the Brazil keeper.

So it was certainly against the run of play that Brazil were to score the opener in the 26th minute, the goal being netted from a low first time shot by Misael Bueno, following a pin point cross from Bruno Mendes.

Character was needed by Amajita, and the players obliged.

The equaliser was a well worked move, ending with Mthembu taking the ball on the edge of the box, running across a defender and lashing a 16-yard shot past Matheus de Oliveria; 1-1 on the half hour mark.

But, parity was only to last for 10 minutes when Amajita gifted Brazil a goal as Gershi Kock fumbled a routine shot, before he and defender Sibande became entangled and ended up combining to put the ball in his own net.

To Kock’s credit he had twice earlier done really well to rush off his line and intercept moves that had seen Brazil bearing down on goal.

After the restart Amajita were able to reassert themselves as they again found their rhythm.

In the 54th minute Mthembu broke clear of the Brazil defence, but succeeded only in dragging the ball across the goal, not missing by much.

Three minutes later Ngidi was also close when he curled a left-footed shot onto the roof of the net.

The hosts then lost their momentum somewhat and had to apply some last ditch defending to keep out a goal-mouth scramble 10 minutes from time.

But they soon regrouped before again starting to threaten the visitors’ goal.

And the reward for their persistence came, when, with eight minutes of regulation time left, Sibande whipped in a dangerous ball at the near post, which saw Mthembu doing superbly to head into goal from an awkward angle.

Closing minutes saw all the action taking place in the Brazil box as South Africa surged forward powerfully for a winner, but they could not find a way past a desperate Brazil defence, taking the match to extra time.

Amajita had the first chance of extra time when Maselaelo Seango hit a beautiful 35-yard shot which was bound for the top corner until de Oliveira made a superb diving save.

Seun Ledwaba then brought out another great save from de Oliveira with a shot from the edge of the box.

There was a chance apiece in the second half of extra time as Mthembu just failed to get a decisive touch on Ledwaba’s cross, while at the other end Jean Deretti was inches wide with a grass-cutter.

The game went to penalties and each team missed a spot kick, before Daylon Appolis was unlucky enough to see his penalty hit the upright.

Banyana Banyana ready for Nigeria

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BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) has completed preparations for the friendly international match against Nigeria to be played at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Sunday, 3 June 2012.

Kick-off time is at 19h00.
 
The friendly encounter will be preceded by the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia which kicks off at 15h00.
 
Following two successive victories over Tanzania (4-1) in a friendly encounter and Zambia in the African Women’s Championship qualifier (3-1), the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana believe the friendly against the African champions will give them some challenge and more experience as they prepare for the London Olympic Games to begin next month.

Banyana Banyana’s last encounter against the African giants was during the 2010 edition of the African Women’s Championship that took place in South Africa.
 
Banyana Banyana captain, Amanda Dlamini believes the upcoming match will be a good test for the team as they prepare for the Olympics.

“We are expecting a tough encounter against Nigeria but we will be going into this friendly match brimming with confidence but that shouldn’t make us complacent as this is a different game altogether. The games we won have given us a boost and we should now go into this encounter ready mentally, focused and determined to do our best against them,” said Dlamini.

“We are expecting a competitive game. We look to apply all we have learnt during our training sessions to ensure we overcome the Nigerians.”

South Africa’s head coach Joseph Mkhonza believes the encounter against Nigeria is the kind of test they need as they prepare for the Olympics.

 “Playing Nigeria will be a real test of character for the players as we also look to be number one in Africa.   It’s not going to be an easy encounter but we hope to produce positive results. Our plan is to get our heads into the game from the beginning of the match and work on what we have learnt from the past two matches. It is important that we win this match as it forms a part of preparations for London,” said Mkhonza.