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.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

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.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

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.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

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.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews 

By Obakeng Maje

North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed shock at the suspected poisoning and suicide incident in which four children and their mother were left dead in Hartbeespoortdam area over the weekend.

Premier Modise has called on parents who are overburdened and experiencing pressure in their lives to approach authorities for professional help instead of opting to take the lives of innocent children and or ending their own lives.

“We wish to convey our condolences to the husband and family and call on churches, Non-government organisations and community organisations to assist us identify where intervention is required to prevent such tragic incidents” stressed the Premier.

The Office of the Premier has dispatched officials to investigate conditions and the extend of the help that the family might need.
According to police four children, including a three-month-old baby, were found dead inside a shack at Shaumburg informal settlement in Skeerpoort on Sunday morning.

The children’s father reportedly arrived home at around 10pm on Saturday night after watching a soccer game at another place and found the children, aged 10, seven and two asleep on the floor in the same room where their mother was sleeping with the three-month-old baby on the bed. He allegedly went to his room to sleep.

However, in the early hours of Sunday the father allegedly heard some noise and movement but dismissed the concern after he allegedly thought his wife was attending to the baby. He allegedly woke up at 9am and found that the children were still asleep, which was strange to him because usually at that time, they were awake.

The father purportedly went to check on them in the bedroom, only to find them sleeping and facing the same direction and one of them with a foam substance on the mouth. Upon checking closely, he realised that the children were dead. Though the whereabouts of the mother could not be established at the stage, the baby was also found dead on the bed.

The matter was reported to the police and a case of murder was registered for further investigation. The man’s wife who is reportedly from Mozambique was later found late that afternoon after the matter was reported to the police and a case of murder was registered for further investigation. She was found dead hanging from the tree with a red cloth around her neck approximately a kilometre from Shaumburg.

Though the motive for the incident is still unknown police at this stage police suspect that the mother could have poisoned the children before committing suicide. They reportedly do not suspect foul play on the part of the mother’s suicide at this stage.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Johannesburg – Head coach Gordon Igesund hopes for a repeat of Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) victory in 1996.

South Africa are again hosting the tournament in 2013, after Libya withdrew due to political unrest in the country, with Bafana having lifted their only Afcon trophy as hosts 16 years ago.

“If you go to ’96, it was magnificent,” Igesund said on Tuesday.

“We want to emulate that now. We want to get into the semi-finals, and the final, and do well. I believe we have the players to do that.”

Igesund said his main task in the build-up to the event was to reduce the size of the national squad.

“The league has been really exciting which means now my job is becoming very tough. The squad I have of 35 has to be cut down,” he said.

“After the game against Malawi, our preparations will really begin.”

Igesund assured that there was still a chance for players to cement their places in the final squad.

“Because of the fact that we have a match against Malawi, then a three-day break and then another camp, I can’t call one squad for this and one squad for the other.

“So that is why I have called up a squad of plus-minus 30 players and keep on changing them.

“I would also like to give some of the players who have recently returned to action after injuries, a chance to prove themselves.”

At this stage, Igesund said he had an outline of the core group of players he would use for Afcon, but the selection of the final team would present a challenge.

“We never said it was going to be an easy task. It’s going to be a difficult task.

“Right now I’ve got a (confirmed) squad of about 16 or 17 players and I need to make sure of the other group of players.

“It would have been nice to work with the players every single day.”

Igesund expected little known Cape Verde, their opponents in the opening match at FNB Stadium on January 19, to pose a difficult challenge.

“Cape Verde are not going to be a walk in the park. Twenty of their players are playing in the league in Portugal. We need to know a lot more about them.”

South Africa will play three warm-up matches against Malawi in Durban on December 22, Norway in Cape Town on January 8, and Algeria in Soweto on January 12. – Sapa