Rustenburg –

The purpose of the weapons striking miners wielded before the deadly August 16 shooting in Marikana was debated at the Farlam Commission, in Rustenburg, on Tuesday.

Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, for the families of 34 workers shot dead, was cross-examining Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa.

Ntsebeza said the families he represented believed the SA Police Service and Lonmin mine management were responsible for the Marikana shooting.

He asked Mathunjwa: “Is it your evidence that if people are armed with assegais and pangas, it does not necessarily make them a violent people?”

Mathunjwa responded: “That is correct.”

Ntsebeza asked Mathunjwa why he was “unperturbed” by the crowd of armed protesters and their singing and clashing of weapons.

Mathunjwa said: “It is because of where I am coming from. In my culture, it is December now and we will be going back home where I will take my sharpened stick.

“As we sing and dance, we do the clashing of the weapons every time.”

Ntsebeza said that in the Xhosa culture, people attended initiation ceremonies armed to the teeth, but that nothing happened. Sometimes there were stick fights in which people were injured.

Mathunjwa agreed.

Ntsebeza then referred to a song which was led by Amcu national organiser Dumisani Nkalitshana, in Mathunjwa’s presence, during a visit to a hill where workers had gathered on August 16.

The lyrics say: “le NUM sizoyibulala kanjani, iNUM siyayizonda (How can we kill NUM? We hate NUM).”

Ntsebeza asked Mathunjwa to explain the role of songs in cultural events.

At that stage, Lonmin counsel Schalk Burger SC, objected.

“Can my colleague (Ntsebeza) explain what he means by cultural event? What is the meaning of a cultural event? I want to be following but I can’t,” said Burger.

Ntsebeza then asked Mathunjwa to explain the role of songs at ceremonies.

Burger objected again: “What ceremony was it at the koppie (hill)? I don’t know whether he is referring to an event at Loftus (rugby stadium), the gathering at the koppie or a wedding. What kind of gathering is he (Ntsebeza) referring to?”

The commission’s chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam, said there was a need to distinguish between the songs and the events.

Ntsebeza said that at stadiums, fans sang songs suggesting that they wanted “to kill and finish off” their opponents.

“When (Orlando) Pirates and (Kaizer) Chiefs play, words like ‘Wafa wafa’ are used. (Die, die, you are going to die),” said Ntsebeza.

“In intense situations, these songs are meant to give courage to those who face confrontation. Students used to do it when they were surrounded by police with dogs.”

The three-member commission is probing the deaths of 44 people in strike-related violence at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West.

They include 34 people shot dead by the police, who opened fire while trying to disperse a group of strikers gathered on a hill near the mine on August 16.

In the preceding week, 10 people, among them two policemen and two security guards, were hacked to death near the mine.

President Jacob Zuma announced the commission in August, saying it would complete its work within four months, and would have to submit its final report a month later. – Sapa

Rustenburg –

Amcu leaders did not do enough to warn police about the threat of violence and prevent bloodshed at Marikana, the Farlam Commission heard on Tuesday.

Takalani Masevhe, for the family of Warrant Officer Tsietsi Monene, said Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union president Joseph Mathunjwa did not act responsibly after hearing the threats of violence made at the hill where striking workers had gathered.

Monene and his colleague, Warrant Officer Sello Lepaaku, were killed near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg, on August 13, allegedly by striking workers.

Masevhe asked Mathunjwa about his visit to the hill on August 16, and striking mineworkers’ reaction.

The commission has already seen video evidence of Mathunjwa’s trip.

It shows a mineworker standing near Mathunjwa taking a megaphone and addressing the crowd.

“If the police claim to have safety, they should go and apply that safety to the employer. We are not leaving this place unless we get what we want,” he tells the crowd.

“Let them (police officers) go immediately. Those police brought here are going to remain here. They will not be able to get back into that hippo (the armoured police Nyala vehicle). We will finish them here,” he said to laughter from his audience.

Masevhe asked Mathunjwa what he did after hearing the threats.

“I did not only address the crowd. I reprimanded them, but not specifically that speaker. We then left for the JOC (joint operations centre),” Mathunjwa replied.

Masevhe said Mathunjwa had met North West deputy police commissioner Maj-Gen William Mpembe, but had not alerted him to the threats.

“Why didn’t you find it important to warn the police that the protesters are saying police officers will be finished at that koppie (hill)?” Masevhe asked.

Mathunjwa responded: “We had waited for some time for Gen Mpembe. As he came out of a room, he said to me: ‘Mr Mathunjwa I have explained to you that I am no longer in charge of this operation’.”

He said Mpembe showed he was not willing to listen.

“All those things happened in a short space of time. He showed that he didn’t want to take anything from me. He then said let me call her (North West police chief Lt-Gen Zukiswa Mbombo). He went away and didn’t come back,” said Mathunjwa.

“There was protocol which had been laid down (for reporting) and it had to be followed.”

Masevhe then asked Mathunjwa why he had not raised the matter with other officers.

“There was an exchange of text messages between you and other senior police officers. Why did you not include this vital piece of information to the officials?”

Mathunjwa said it had not crossed his mind as he was supposed to report to the provincial commissioner.

Masevhe said: “Let me inform you, Mr Mathunjwa, that at the end of this commission we are going to argue that you did not act responsibly by not telling police officers that there was a threat looming at the koppie. You had heard the protesters.”

She said the people killed were breadwinners and fathers.

Mathunjwa said: “I will dispute that. Subsequently, there were no police officers killed on that day, after I had left. Only the workers were killed.”

The commission’s chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam, adjourned the hearings until December 12.

The three-member commission is probing the deaths of 44 people in strike-related violence at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West.

They include 34 people shot dead by the police, who opened fire while trying to disperse a group of strikers gathered on a hill near the mine on August 16.

In the preceding week, 10 people, among them the two policemen and two security guards, were hacked to death near the mine.

President Jacob Zuma announced the commission in August, saying it would complete its work within four months, and would have to submit its final report a month later. – Sapa

Northam –

A woman’s half-naked body has been found in a river near Northam, North West police said on Tuesday.

It was found by youths fishing in the river on Monday morning, said Sergeant Philani Nkwalase.

“She was found only wearing a navy-blue, floral top and her legs and arms were tied with a plastic rope,” he said.

It appeared that the woman, who was thought to be aged between 25 and 30, was raped and strangled before her body was dumped in the river early on Monday.

Nkwalase said she was light in complexion and had shoulder-length black hair extensions. – Sapa

Hebron, North West –

Two men were arrested after being found in possession of suspected stolen cable worth R500 000 in Hebron, North West police said on Tuesday.

The men, aged 29 and 37, were arrested during an operation at Phiring section in Kgabalatsane on Sunday, said Sergeant Philani Nkwalase.

Police could not immediately provide a court update after the men appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. – Sapa

Johannesburg – Convicted murderer Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye does not pose an ongoing danger to society, a forensic psychiatrist told the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto during sentencing procedures on Wednesday.

Prof Merryll Vorster told the court that in her opinion, Maarohanye had “no anti-social behaviour tendencies”.

“He is mildly depressed… has no ongoing behaviour of substance abuse, but admitted that he regularly took ecstasy.”

Vosloo was called by Maarohanye to compile a pre-sentencing report.

On October 16, the court found Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder, of using drugs, racing on a public road, and driving under the influence of drugs.

They were drag-racing in Protea North on March 8, 2010, when they crashed into a group of schoolboys, killing Prince Mohube, Mlungisi Cwayi, Andile Mthombeni, and Phomello Masemola, and leaving Frank Mlambo and Fumani Mushwana permanently brain damaged.

State prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa said that during the trial Maarohanye had denied ever taking drugs.

“So he lied saying he never takes drugs?” Mathenjwa asked Vorster.

She responded: “He admitted to taking ecstasy.”

Vorster told the court Maarohanye had no dependency on drugs.

The Soweto courtroom was packed on Wednesday, and many people had to stand in the public gallery. Over 10 police and metro police officers were seen standing at the back of the court.

Family of the schoolchildren killed and injured in the crash sat in the first three rows in court.

Family members wore white, golf T-shirts carrying the names of the children involved in the crash.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala’s family and friends were also in court.

The two were denied bail after judgment was handed down.

Maarohanye has since applied to the High Court in Johannesburg for bail, but this was denied.

When sentencing procedures continue, Rudi Krause, for Maarohanye, is expected to call a social worker as a witness. – Sapa

Head Coach, Stuart Baxter paid a glowing tribute to his charges following a comprehensive 3-0 win against Ajax Cape Town at a drizzling Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Ajax Cape Town who came in the game on a high following their win against Chippa United was quickly brought down to earth by a rampant Amakhosi.

“It was a difficult game for two reasons; we came up against a very talented side in Ajax Cape Town and also the ‘derby factor’ coming up on the weekend.

I am not sure if the latter contributed in us starting slowly in the first half. We lost too much possession of the ball. I spoke to the players at halftime and they responded excellently in the second half.

“The movement was superb and we were able to create quite a number of chances. I feel that the 3-0 score line is not a true reflection of our game this evening.

We created quite a number of chances and I feel we should have scored more goals. I am not complaining though because I think the players were excellent against a good team. We also showed that we can play good football at high tempo. It is satisfying to go to the next game following this kind of performance.

A relieved looking Baxter said it was now time to think about the Soweto derby; “It is a big game that everyone in football want to take part in and of course now with this (Ajax game) over we can start focusing on the Soweto derby.

“As a player and even coaches you look forward to playing in front of more than 80 000 supporters. I remember the feeling of playing in the Champions League game against Barcelona in front of more than 80 000 supporters. It is a big game and we are all looking forward to it,” added Baxter.

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By Obakeng Maje

Hartbeespoortdam– The 26 year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly raping a 6 year-old minor North West police said.

This happened on Sunday at about 14:30 in Skeerpoort, Hartbeespoortdam.  According to the information received the child’s mother and the suspect are backyard dwellers who have been staying in the same yard for two years.

“It is alleged that the mother asked the suspect to fetch her child from her aunt’s place” Sergeant Nkwalase said.

“The suspect took the child to an abandoned house where the alleged rape took place. Two eye witnesses saw him entering the deserted house after a while they followed him. When the suspect noticed that he was busted, he ran away” Sergeant Nkwalase added.

The suspect was chased and caught by two eye witnesses who returned the child to the aunt’s house.

The mother of the victim was informed  and the police were called.

The suspect was arrested and the child was taken for medical examination.

Police investigation continues.

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By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-Yesterday at about 00:08 am a 47 year-old victim was fast asleep at her house in Moloseng near Dichaba Kopano in Mmabatho.

She was unexpectedly woken up  by a 36 year-old suspect who gained a forced entry through the door and threatened to kill her with a knife before he allegedly raping  her.

“The known suspect is not staying too far from the victim’s house. After the incident the suspect left and the victim informed her daughter who stays in another village who in turn informed the neighbours and the police were called” Sergeant Nkwalase said.

The suspect was arrested and police investigation continues.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng- The police have arrested a 77 year –old man for allegedly raping a 9 year-old victim North West police said.

The incident happened at Top Village in Mahikeng on Monday at about 09:00. According to the information received the victim was playing with her friend when the neighbour took her to his house and allegedly raped her.

“According to the mother, she was looking for her daughter from 09:00 until 17:00 not knowing where she was. On arrival she told her what had happened and that the suspect threatened to kill her if she tells her mother about the incident”  Sergeant Philani Nkwalase said.

The matter was then reported to the police and the suspect was later arrested.

The victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination and police investigation continues.

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