Daily Archives: August 14, 2012

A mother,son perish in a blazing fire

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By Obakeng Maje 

Morokweng- Police has opened a case of arson on Sunday, 12 August 2012. 

According to information received, the police got a call from a community member at about 20:30.

The caller alleged that there was a shack on fire at Blekkies section in Morokweng and that there might be people inside.

Police went to the scene, also Fire Emergency services were also called and managed to extinguish the fire.  

“It is alleged that a 40-year-old mother and her six-month-old baby boy were sleeping inside the shack, when a neighbour saw the fire”.

“According to the deceased’s 15 year-old daughter, her mother came home at about 19:00, under the influence of liquor. She asked the teenage girl to light the candle and there after the girl went to sleep in another room. Whilst sleeping, the teenager was woken up by her three year old sister’s cry and she discovered that their home was on fire” Captain Nkwalase said.

A 15 year-old daughter, 11 & seven year-old boys as well as their three year-old sister survived the ordeal.

They were left homeless as their house was reduced to ashes and claimed the life of their mother and infant brother. 

School books, birth certificates, clothes and blankets were completely destroyed.

The remains of the two deceased were taken to Vryburg Government mortuary.

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SANEF slams PSL over new competition

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has objected to the new Premier Soccer League competition for soccer reporters.

 

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza announced the new competition on Friday where winners who correctly predicts the outcome of matches will be rewarded with R500 000 for each of the three categories; print, television and radio after the end of each quarter, with the new season having been divided into four quarters. Quarter one will have eight fixtures and so forth.

 

Sanef have released a statement, saying the new competition for the reporters doesn’t only violate the journalism code, but also undermines the ethics of the profession.

 

“Sanef wishes to place on record that it was not party to this ‘extensive’ consultation process, nor is it aware of any other credible industry bodies that were consulted about this competition,” the statement reads.

 

“Had Sanef been consulted, we would have made it clear to the PSL that the competition undermines the ethics of our profession. This competition seeks to turn journalists who use their skills to report and analyse football into gamblers.

 

“It risks opening the door for corrupt practices which our profession has no desire to be part of. Equating this competition with other awards is disingenuous. Genuine journalism awards reward excellence and hard work.

 

“The proposed competition is also a direct violation of our professional codes, which state that journalists should avoid conflicts of interest and ‘arrangements or practices that could lead audiences to doubt the press’ independence and professionalism’.

 

“However, should journalists wish to participate in lotteries and sweepstakes in their individual capacities they are free to do so. But this cannot be done under the guise of professional work. Journalists are not allowed to use their roles in media outlets – broadcast, print and digital – for gambling purposes.”

 

Sanef says it will be seeking a meeting with the PSL to voice their concerns about this competition and “its potentially corrosive impact on journalism and media ethics”.

Caster Semenya hit back at critics

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Caster says people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.

POWERFUL: South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Russia’s Elena Arzhakova compete during their 800m final race. Photo: Getty Images

 They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so yeah, I tried my best 

 

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South Africa’s lone track medallist in two Olympic games, Caster Semenya, hit back on Tuesday at criticism of the tactics which resulted in her winning a silver medal in the women’s 800m race.

 

There was speculation that Semenya did not go all out to win the race.

 

“[There is} nothing much I can say. I try my best and I won a silver,” Semenya told reporters at OR Tambo International Airport on the team’s arrival from London.

 

Semenya said people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.

 

“So whatever people are saying, they always talk, they know nothing about athletics.

 

“They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so yeah, I tried my best.”

 

Semenya’s medal was the first for South Africa in a track event since Mbulaeni Mulaudzi’s silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

 

Despite her individual success, she was disappointed at being the only member of the track team to finish in a podium spot.

 

“For me, I’m a little disappointed about the results. We had a strong team so we were expecting at least another four medals, but at least we have a silver.”

 

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula highlighted the performance of Semenya, who was South Africa’s flag-bearer for the games.

 

“When you were running there our hearts nearly stopped. We don’t [know] what your strategy was.

 

“Caster represents the greatest guts for women. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you represent a symbol of [a] courageous woman in South Africa.”

 

Mbalula congratulated all the medallists.

 

“There are no words that can describe the joy you have delivered. I don’t think you can comprehend what you have done for this nation.

 

“Today we are united — black and white — with your deeds. For what you have done it will remain in the annals of history. You did not ask, but you obeyed.”

 

Mbalula said the gold medal won by Cameron van der Burgh in the 100m breaststroke, in a world record time, was the catalyst for the South African team.

 

“When Cameron got that first gold, like we said, if you don’t believe don’t catch that flight. When that gold was delivered it changed for our nation.

 

“I want to say to you Cameron, job well done. We would have been disappointed had you not delivered that gold.

For more details go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za 

North West premier Mme Thandi Modise concerned about Lonmin drama

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By Obakeng Maje 

The North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise has expressed concern about the violence triggered by union rivalry that has thus far claimed nine lives and also resulted in destruction of property at Lonmin Marikana Mine.

 

Two policemen, two security guards, three protestors and two other men were killed and another policeman was critically injured by Monday afternoon.

 

“We wish to convey our condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones in the violence that is allegedly triggered by union rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).Survival of the fittest, anarchy and lawlessness shouldn’t characterise wage negotiations in the mining sector. We call for cessation of hostilities and for a return to the negotiation table” said Premier Modise.

 

Modise expressed optimism that extra police deployed in the area will bring the situation under control.

 

Lonmin reportedly announced that the body of a man with gunshot wounds believed to be linked to the violence was found on the premises.

 

Another man died in hospital on Sunday after being hacked with a panga as he left the mine after the evening shift. On Saturday, two security guards were killed when the car they were travelling in was set alight.

 

Scores of other people have been injured in the violent unrest in the last four days allegedly caused by the NUM and AMCU fighting for control of local mines. Police also reported that eight vehicles were torched on the mine property on Sunday.

 

Lonmin has called for an end to the violence, which begun on Friday following an illegal work stoppage and protest march by about 3000 rock drill operators. Both unions have blamed each other for the violence.

 

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Bester to be sentenced

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CAPE TOWN – The so-called Facebook Rapist will learn his fate on Tuesday.

Thabo Bester is expected to be sentenced in the Western Cape High Court.

On Monday he entered into a plea bargain with the state in terms of which he confessed to murdering a Gauteng woman, Nomfundo Tyulu, in Cape Town last year.

The judge explained in detail to Thabo Bester and his lawyer the charges he faced.

Bester simply nodded each time he was asked if he understood the proceedings.

In a plea statement he admitted to stabbing Nomfundo Tyulu to death last September, while the two were holidaying at a bed and breakfast in Milnerton.

They met several times in Johannesburg several months earlier, when Tyulu sold a car to Bester.

In the statement he said he was deeply sorry for what he did and added he didn’t know what motivated him to take someone’s life.

He is already serving a 50-year jail term for a series of rapes and robberies he committed in Durban.

For more details go to http://www.ewn.co.za

Situation in Lonmin stable…for now

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Rustenburg – The situation at the Lonmin’s Marikana mine in the North West was stable on Tuesday morning following the deaths of nine people, police said.

 

Captain Dennis Adriao said police had been monitoring the situation at the mine where violence had erupted from Friday.

 

“At this stage no other incidents were reported throughout Monday night.”

 

Nine people – two police officers, two security guards, three protesters and two other men – had been killed by 20:30 on Monday.

 

The deaths were linked to violence apparently triggered by union rivalry.

 

3 000 workers protest

 

Adriao said the two police officers were killed on Monday afternoon and three protesters were shot dead.

 

One other police officer was critically injured, he said.

 

About 3 000 Lonmin rock drill operators started an illegal work stoppage and protest march on Friday.

 

Earlier, officials from the platinum mine announced that the body of a man was found on the premises. He had been shot dead.

 

Adriao said the man’s death was believed to be linked to the violence.

 

Another man died in hospital on Sunday after being hacked with a panga as he left the mine after the evening shift.

 

On Saturday, two security guards were killed when the car they were travelling in was set alight.

 

Scores of other people have been injured in the violent unrest in the last four days. Police also reported that eight vehicles were torched on the mine property on Sunday.

 

‘Stopping the violence’

 

Violence at the Lonmin Marikana mine has been linked to clashes between members of the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), which are reportedly fighting for control of local mines.

 

Lonmin has called for an end to the violence.

 

“Whilst our first thoughts must be with the families of those killed and injured in these criminal clashes, our operational priority is to see the violence stop,” says Lonmin CEO, Ian Farmer.

 

Num has condemned the violence and has called for immediate action from the police.

 

“[We are] alarmed at that the escalating violence has been allowed to continue unabated by the law enforcement agencies in that area in North West Province,” said Num general secretary Frans Baleni.

 

“We call for the deployment of a special task force or the SANDF to deal decisively with the criminal elements in Rustenburg and its surrounding mine.”

 

Baleni dismissed statements that it was a rivalry attack and said the Num was a victim of Amcu. By Monday afternoon, police had made no arrests.

 

In February, the two unions also clashed over membership at Impala Platinum’s mines in Rustenburg.

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A farmer killed in Hartbeesfontein

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By Obakeng Maje

Hartbeesfontein-Police are investigating a case of murder after a woman  was attacked on her farm today 13 August 2012 at about 9:00 in Witklip near Hartbeesfontein.

It is alleged that the woman was about to open her gate and was about to leave the farm when she was approached by three suspects.

“According to the information received, it is alleged that the three suspects were hiding near a house close to the gate when they shot her three times”

“The woman aged 35 to 39 was shot her on her face, arm and on the chest” Brigadier Thulani Nguane said. 

Police were called by a passerby and the ambulance also arrived and she died on her way to the Hospital.

At this stage the police do not know the motive of the killing.

The suspects fled the scene with a brown van and investigation continues.

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51 year-old man arrested after assaulting two officers

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By Obakeng Maje

Ventersdorp Police arrested a 51-year-old Afrikaners for allegedly assaulting two female traffic officers.

According to the information received, three traffic officers were part of a roadblock that was conducted .

The incident occurred on the 13 August 2012 at about 12:00 on the Derby Road outside Ventersdorp.

It is alleged that the suspect did not want to corporate with the traffic and became violent. The suspect then started assaulting the three traffic officers aged 37, 39 and 53. 

Among these three traffic officers the woman (37) is pregnant.

“Police were called and a case of common assault, abstracting traffic officers while on duty and failing to give names to the traffic officers was registered” thulani ngubane said.

 The suspect is expected to appear before Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14 August 2012.  Investigation continues

 

 

Five people died in an accident and other four critically injured

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By Obakeng Maje

The Mahikeng police are investigating a case of Culpable Homicide after five people die while four are critical in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Mahikeng due to accident.

  The accident happened on 12 August 2012 at about 18:00 on the Zeerust road, 10 km away from Mahikeng, near Manyane Game Reserve.

  Five people of the Nissan Tida occupants died at the scene while four occupants of the Corolla were taken to Bophelong Hospital. 

The four survived occupants of the Corolla are in critical conditions in Bophelong ICU. 

“The occupants of the Nissan Tida were on their way from Rustenburg to Mahikeng and occupants of the Corolla were travelling from Mahikeng to Pietersburg when the two cars collided” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.   

Culpable Homicide investigations continues, and names of the deceased cannot yet be revealed as the next of kin still needs to identify their beloved ones.

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