Bloemfontein – ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe’s move to contest the leadership of the party brings hope for many South Africans, an expert said on Monday.

“The nomination outcome indicates there is a voice of reason out there,” said Sethulego Matebesi, political analyst at the University of the Free State.

He said despite the possibility that Motlanthe would be out in the wilderness after the party elections, he had accepted the presidential nomination.

“Irrespective of the outcome, the move has given many South Africans hope, at least there will be a democratic process.”

Matebesi said this would bring confidence back to South Africans in the ANC.

President Jacob Zuma and Motlanthe were nominated for the position of party president at the ANC’s national conference on Monday afternoon.

Matebesi said it was to an extent a surprise that Motlanthe had reconsidered his position as deputy president.

“My feeling looking to the interaction between them – Zuma and Motlanthe – one could actually feel the tension. I do get the feeling Jacob Zuma looks a bit overconfident.”

Matebesi said the loud cheers for Zuma in the tent when his name was called was not the voting process itself and much could still happen.

Mathews Phosa, Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale were nominated for the deputy president position. Five candidates were nominated from branch and provincial structures, but both Baleka Mbete and Motlanthe withdrew.

The nominations for national chairman were Mbete and Thandi Modise.

The secretary-general position would be contested between Gwede Mantashe and Fikile Mbalula.

Matebesi said Mbalula’s decision to accept his nomination was also surprising because of the feeling that he was still too outspoken.

“It is maybe a bit early for Mbalula.”

Matebesi said the withdrawals for nomination to deputy secretary-general left Jessie Duarte as the only candidate for the position, and this was an indication of the confidence delegates had in her.

Nominations for treasurer-general were Paul Mashatile and Zweli Mkhize.

Tokyo Sexwale and Lindiwe Sisulu declined their nominations for this position.

It was announced that the votes would be counted by hand.

Earlier it was confirmed that Free State and North West delegates would be part of the conference.

The credentials meeting of the national conference decided that voting delegates from the two provinces could participate, ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said. This meant they could vote for the party’s top six officials.

The two province’s delegates were asked to leave the conference venue at the end of the credentials meeting for a decision on the matter to be taken. -Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed her disappointment that 24 hours had hardly lapsed since she decried that the involvement of police in crime undermines the confidence that the public has on law enforcement that two more policemen are facing murder charges.

Premier Modise reiterated her earlier statement that there should be no place in the police service for those who disgrace the dignified blue uniform, those who terrorise our communities instead of protecting them.

“The conduct of police officers should at all times be above reproach whether they are on or off duty. We expect the immediate suspension and disciplinary action to be taken against the three officials arrested for criminal activities” stressed Modise.

The Premier was reacting to reports that a police constable was arrested for allegedly shooting dead a relative in Potchefstroom. According to Lieutenant Colonel Lesego Metsi, the officer allegedly used his service pistol to shoot the 36-year-old man from behind during an argument on Sunday afternoon.

The bullet hit him in the left shoulder. He died at the scene.

The constable was expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, a police reservist was arrested for allegedly stabbing a man to death near Bloemhof.

A woman police constable and two other people were earlier arrested for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting and robbing a man in Taung after accusing him of having stolen their property.

They are also expected to appear before their respective courts tomorrow.

Obakeng Maje

The recovery of thirty head of cattle which were reportedly stolen from Verdwaal village near Itsoseng is encouraging, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.

The stock valued at R80 000 which was reported stolen last week Monday was found kept in a kraal at (Venter Silo) Bodibe village on Friday.

The owner of the kraal was arrested after he failed to convince the police when questioned as to how did he came to possess the cattle and why is he keeping them in his kraal.

The suspect is expected to appear briefly before Itsoseng Magistrate Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen Stock and Stock Theft on Tuesday 18 December 2012.

In commending police for the breakthrough, Premier Modise urged them not to spare any effort to stamp out stock theft as it impoverishes subsistence farmers and commercial officers.

Modise called on 

traditional leaders, farmers unions, farmers, sector departments, crime prevention structures and stakeholders in farming communities to work with the police in order to address challenges experienced with regard to stock theft in the province.These include lack of brand marking, insufficient fencing, part time farmers not always on their farms, improper record keeping of stock and insufficient stock taking, insufficient pounds and the fact that not all farmers are incorporated in Agricultural Unions.

BY Obakeng Maje

Eighteen people living with HIV and Aids in Ngaka Modiri Molema District are to undergo training to run their own farming empowerment project . The skills development programme for beneficiaries of the initiative which is the brainchild of North West Premier Thandi Modise is to commence early in the new year.

Speaking at the launch of the job creation and farming empowerment project recently, Premier Modise said that it should serve as a model for three more projects to be rolled out for people living with HIV and Aids in three other districts in the province.

 Modise said that the project will provide people living with HIV And Aids with access to healthy and nutritious vegetables.

 While it will create permanent and seasonal jobs for the local community, it will assist beneficiaries to establish a viable market level of conventional vegetable production for them to sell them to local and other markets and also assist farmers to be trained at the adjacent Kgora Farmers Training Centre understand how to take care of and support employees infected with the virus.

   Project Coordinator and mother of three, Gladness Seetseng says that the project has not only given hope to people living with HIV and Aids.

“Most of us are unemployed so the project is a lifeline for us to grab the opportunity with both hands,” says 39 year-old Seetseng.

Provincial Chairperson of People living with HIV and AIDS, Rev Neo Moepi said that the project is an appropriate intervention and empowerment programme that expresses in more ways than one the compassion and care that the sector expects from their government and Premier Modise’s foresight and visionary leadership.

BY Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng- A 34 year-old suspect from Lonely Park was arrested in the early hours today for rape North West police said.

“The arrest followed a rape of a 31 year-old woman. According to the victim, she was at  a tavern last night when the suspect asked her to accompany him” Lesego Metsi said.

“The victim further alleges that along the way the suspect pulled out a firearm and threatened to kill her if she scream for help” He adds.

The suspect allegedly raped her and he was arrested this morning by Mahikeng police.

A case of rape has been launched.   

BY Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom- North West police in Ikageng  are investigating a case of murder after the death of a 31 year-old Keitumetse Masilo  of Promosa.

“According to the information the suspect who is known but not yet arrested  and the victim  had a relationship and  the deceased was stabbed by the suspect after an argument ensued between the two yesterday Saturday at about 19:30” Colonel Lesego Metsi said.

The deceased was reported dead on the scene of crime.

Police are still tracing the suspect.

BY Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-Police are investigating two cases of murder on separate incidents.  In the first case a white male person age unknown was found dead along N12 between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.

“According to the information the deceased was found lying on his back with bruises on his head. His waist belt was found next to him.  The  police are suspecting that he could have been robbed before he was killed” Colonel Metsi said.

No one is arrested and police are investigating.

BY obakeng Maje

Rustenburg- Two vehicle collided head on yesterday afternoon at about 17:15 in Rustenburg North West police said.

“The vehicles were travelling on opposite directions along Olifantsnek road when the accident happened. The driver of one vehicle died on the spot and the other who was travelling with his wife were taken to Fencrest Private Hospital” Colonel Lesego Metsi said. Police are investigating a case of Culpable Homicide.

BY Obakeng Maje

Taung- North West police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a  31 year-old woman from Mokgareng,near Taung was knocked down by a police vehicle.

“The accident happened yesterday afternoon at about 15:30. According to information the on duty police officer was responding to a complaint when he could not notice the victim who was then crossing the road and was knocked down by the state vehicle” Colonel Lesego Metsi said.

“The deceased  was then taken the local clinic where she was certified dead upon arrival and police are investigating if the might be any reckless driving precipitated the accident” He said.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Taung– North West police arrested one of their own member and another man after they allegedly assault and kidnap a man the police said.

It is alleged that a 29 year-old cop who serves as a constable and her co-accused aged 42 year-old pounced on a 32 year-old man at his house and accused him of theft.

“A cop who serves as a constable and a 42 year-old man pounced at a house of a 32 year-old man at Lokgabeng village, near Taung and accuse a man of steal her property” Colonel Lesego Metsi said.

“They allegedly tight him with a rope and drove away with him to designated area where the ordeal continued. They allegedly assaulted and robbed him his cellphone and undisclosed amount of money” He said.

According to a victim the suspects accused him of theft and he was beaten up after he could not burge.

The two accused will appear at Taung Magistrate Court tomorrow on charges of kidnapping,assault and robbery.

Investigation continues

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