johannesburg – More than 2100 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol since December 1, the transport department said on Wednesday.

“This can’t be normal… (between) December 1 and today (January 2), over 2100 people were arrested for drunk driving,” said spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso.

“Families and the economy continue to suffer and bleed because we are losing manpower when people are killed in accidents. The department is concerned because we continue to witness unnecessary loss of lives.”

In the accidents over the festive season, alcohol and excessive speed were “common denominators” in many of the fatal crashes.

“We need to remove habitual offenders from our roads – they are turning our roads into killing fields,” he said.

“Some horrific fatal crashes on our roads are a result of negligence and reckless driving, where some fool decided to drink, get into a car and drive – and wipe out a whole family.”

On Monday, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) announced that 1207 people were killed in 1006 accidents since the beginning of December.

The festive season period starts on December 1 and ends on January 10. He said a realistic figure of how many people died on the roads would only be available after January 10.

Rikhotso said the department relied on the police to verify the numbers.

Road users had failed South Africa, not the plan to halve the festive season death toll by 2015, RTMC spokesman Ashref Ismail said on Wednesday.

“In general the plan is working… If anyone failed, it’s the road users that failed,” Ismail said.

“People must learn to behave, because only 80 percent of motorists are complying: others are aggressive and hostile.

“It is too early to say if the plan is working or not. Let the campaign run its course. We will come up with the necessary comparisons after the campaign.”

He was responding to a report in The Star on Wednesday that the road traffic safety management plan had failed.

The newspaper reported that during the December 2006/January 2007 festive period the death toll was 1261.

In 2008, the transport department announced a plan to halve this figure by 2015.

Rikhotso said co-operation and partnerships between government departments on provincial and national levels, as well as civil society and the private sector, was needed to decrease the number of deaths on the road.

He said the department was looking at strengthening road regulations and procedures for people to get driver’s licences.

The department was also working with the department of justice to obtain stronger sentences and fines for people convicted of road-related offences.

“Once judgment has been handed down for serious road-related offences, those people are prohibited from driving on our roads and their licences are taken away, and they have to re-apply,” Rikhotso said.

On the first day of 2013, 18 people died and 17 were injured in various accidents across the country, according to a tally of accidents from Sapa reports.

After a long time of being on the sidelines at Orlando Pirates, goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was given a chance after an injury to Moeneeb Josephs. He has performed exceptionally well, so much so that he has earned himself a place in the Bafana Bafana 23-man squad to represent the country in the Afcon 2013 starting on January 19. 

The former Amajita and Amaguluglug goalkeeper tells Soccer-Laduma that what has happened is unbelievable considering the short time he has played as first choice keeper. He gave thanks to God and also thanked everyone who has been there for him through thick and thin. 

“I think it has all to do with my team work. I thank my goalkeeper coach, my fellow goalkeepers at the team and everyone at Orlando Pirates for helping me be where I am today. Yes I have played for Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 but to be part of an Afcon team is unbelievable. 

For more details go to http://www.socceladuma.com

The matric pass rate is up for the fourth year running, with a pass rate of 73.9 percent for the first graduating class of “born frees”.

In a speech announcing the results this afternoon, education minister Angie Motshekga said the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams were “the ultimate measure of achievements of twelve years of schooling”.

Over 377 000 pupils passed the exams this year, up by nearly 30 000 from last year when the pass rate was 70.2 percent.

In 2010, the pass rate was 67.8 percent, and 60.6 percent in 2009.

The Minister said a number of measures had been put in place to improve the standards of education in South Africa.

“We’re encouraged by the notable improvements in the education of children and society,” said Motshekga. “Sustained improvements on matric results are a consequence of systematic interventions for strengthening and raising performance in all levels of the system.”

Last week, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education (Umalusi) said the 2012 were fair, valid and credible.

Mankweng – Three teenagers and a man have been arrested following the murder of a senior Limpopo government official, police said on Wednesday.

They were arrested in Mankweng on Tuesday and charged with the murder of Ephraim Mashiane, 54, a director in the province’s economic development, environment and tourism department, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

Mashiane went missing on September 1 last year. His burnt-out car was later found in Ga-Mothapo, about 35km east of Polokwane.

His body was found floating in Schoonoord dam in Sekhukhune, about 150km from the initial crime scene, a month after his disappearance. He been stabbed several times. It was suspected that he was hijacked before he was killed.

The four were arrested during an operation conducted by members of a police special task team.

The four, a 16-year-old, two 19-year-olds and one aged 20, were expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of kidnapping, hijacking and murder.

The motive for the killing was still unknown. – Sapa

Reitz – A two-year-old boy died and four people, including two children, were injured when their car crashed into a tree near Reitz, in the Free State, on Wednesday morning, paramedics said.

The boy was declared dead on the scene, on the R26, after resuscitation attempts failed, Netcare 911 spokeswoman Santi Steinmann said.

“A female occupant of the vehicle sustained serious injuries and the other three occupants, of which two were children, sustained moderate injuries.”

All the injured were treated on the scene before being taken to a local hospital. – Sapa

KwaZulu-Natal – The new year literally began with a bang for thousands of Durban revellers who enjoyed fireworks displays, but hospitals, the Kloof and Highway SPCA and metro police experienced the darker side of the pyrotechnics.

Metro police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi, said 25 people were fined R200 each for the illegal use of fireworks.

“It was much quieter than last year. This could be due to the weather or more people complying with the city’s by-laws. Last year, 140 people were charged and fined,” he said.

Fireworks may only be used on New Year’s Eve from 11.45pm until 12.15am of the new year.

Hospitals contacted yesterday reported seven fireworks-related injuries, including one person who had two fingers amputated.

Two adults were treated at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Phoenix for fireworks related injuries.

One had two fingers amputated and was admitted overnight while the other was treated and discharged.

King Edward VIII Hospital reported five fireworks related injuries. Three adults and two children were treated for injuries to their fingers.

uMhlanga Hospital reported one incident.

A teenage boy was treated yesterday for burns to his hand. He was burnt as he tried to light a firecracker.

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

A photographer hoping to snap a few pics of Justin Bieber’s Ferrari died after being hit by another car.

According to gossip site TMZ, the paparazzo had been following Bieber’s white Ferrari when it was pulled over during a routine traffic stop by California Highway Patrol. The photographer tried to take pictures of the event, but was advised to move back by the traffic officials because they feared the situation was unsafe.

Unfortunately for the photographer, that indeed proved to be the case as, some time later, he was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

Justin Bieber wasn’t even in the vehicle. According to TMZ’s sources, the Ferrari was being driven by a friend of the pop star.

After firstly being suspended by Black Leopards, coach Ian Palmer has now officially parted ways with the Venda side. 

The two parties agreed on New Year’s day that they won’t further their partnership in 2013 as the differences between them continue to disrupt efforts to strengthen the team. 

A Soccer-Laduma source close to the matter said that Palmer was not happy with the way the Thidiela family wanted him to coach the team. 

“They have parted ways and as we speak Leopards are looking for a coach. I don’t really know who they are talking to right now but they want a coach urgently,” said the source. 

Asked for comment, P Management, who are taking care of the coach’s affairs, sent in a statement which read:

“It is true that Leopards and coach Ian Palmer have mutually decided to end the contractual relationship that existed between them due to irreconcilable differences. This is a  matter between the two parties and as a result of different professional approaches to the game. The two parties have greatest respect for each other and seek that media can respect the decision of the split.” 

For more details go to http://www.soccerladuma.com

It’s not only women who deal with bedroom fears. Men too are victims. Here are some common fears that make men nervous in bed.

It’s commonly believed that men are more sexually active as compared to their female partner. But very often, they too encounter several fears related to their bedroom romp, which can in turn cause doldrums in their sexual relationship.

Fears related to their sexual performance, sex position, ejaculation period, a satisfying orgasm and wild acts in bed often end up killing their passion. With these fears running through their mind, men not only fail to satisfy their female partner, but are unable to enjoy the act themselves.

Chandigarh-based sexologist Dr. Deepak Arora explains, “Men always relate sex and sexuality with their egos and they never want to fail there. This is the biggest fear in them which converts to performance anxiety. This anxiety leads to a man failing to perform well in bed and if their female partner does not have the patience to bear with them, relationship goes for a toss easily.”

Relationship counsellor Dr. Gitanjali Sharma adds, “Men need to understand that when it comes to sexual performance, they can’t outperform themselves. The urge for performing better each time has to come from within by raising your consciousness to higher levels. And when self satisfaction comes, there is no question of under performing. You have sex for enjoyment and not to perform, under perform or out perform. It’s a joy, sheer joy, so shed all your inhibitions and concentrate on the act.”

As most male fears revolve around satisfying the female partner, Gitanjali suggests, “Till the time your women is emotionally satisfied, you can easily satisfy her sexual needs. The more emotionally connected you are, the more enjoyable physical intimacy will be. Try and indulge in physical intimacy only when your woman is ready, as it helps creating a comfort zone where she will participate equally. And while having sex, stay calm, relaxed, indulge in foreplay and nothing will stop you from performing the desired way.”

Here are some common fears that make men nervous every time they gear up for a steamy romp…

Fear fright # 1: Leaving her unsatisfied

The foremost fear of leaving the female partner unsatisfied has a direct correlation with a male’s organ size. While a woman thinks bigger the better, the man keeps worrying about what if he’s unable to give the desired pleasure. This fear of not giving their best somewhere triggers a feeling of being an imperfect sex partner, which may even hit a man’s ego directly.

Get over it: Dr. Gitanjali Sharma explains, “The fear of not satisfying a women leads to many questions in a man’s mind. He starts thinking that will she look for that sexual satisfaction elsewhere and that thought of her being with someone else (because of his under performance) will make him more complex. This is like a vicious cycle, as the more he thinks on this subject, he gets driven by performance anxiety, thus leaving her unsatisfied most of the times. Performance in bed mainly depends on a woman’s state of mind at that time. You need to be comfortable with your woman’s body to feel a strong connection. Go slow and steady and understand your woman by awakening her sensitive parts rather than worrying about your size.”

Fear fright # 2: Premature ejaculation

A gratifying sex quickie is all about giving and receiving pleasure. While men make every efforts to please their female partners, they would, most of the times, remain anxious about their own climax and this fear is driven by the ejaculation period. It’s a very common apprehension that men come across where they suffer premature ejaculation due to which they end up spoiling sex.

Get over it: Dr. Arora elucidates, “Medically, if a man is able to hold his ejaculation for at least one minute, he is not a patient of premature ejaculation. But unfortunately very few people know this fact and they are being misguided with fake ads and while watching porn movies, which makes them think that they are unable to have sex for a longer period. This creates a feeling of insecurity about their female partner and the sexual stress mounts, which gets converted into performance anxiety. In most of the cases, the problem practically doesn’t exist, but the fear is creating it.”

Fear fright # 3: Not getting her pregnant

Though it’s not necessary that every sex session should be aimed at getting the woman pregnant, but still men do carry impotency fears in their minds. The continuous worry of not getting a woman pregnant puts men in a serious stigma, which adversely affects their sexual performance.

Get over it: Dr. Arora says, “Having a child is related with both male and female health and destiny too. There are numerous cases where medically everything is normal, but the female is unable to conceive. You should try to have a healthy life style, a proper diet and a positive attitude about yourself. If there is any problem with your semen, it can be treated, so no point worrying about it. The first need is a good sex life, not having a child.”

Fear fright # 4: Lacking porn value

It’s a normal practice that men watch porn to learn certain sexual acts and then repeat them with their partner. In an attempt to try something new and opt for wild acts, men repeatedly indulge in bringing out the porn elements in their sex life. And many a times, if the female partner is not responding positively, men start feeling that they are lacking somewhere.

Get over it: Dr. Gitanjali says, “Men often compare their sexual performance with porn scenes or with that of their female partner and the fear that they might be less experienced makes them panic. Men should understand that performing in bed has nothing to do with any experience. It’s the mental connection with the female partner which can exist even without taking any inspiration from the porn acts.”

Fear fright # 5: Masturbation done in the past

Several studies have claimed that masturbation done during one’s childhood or adolescent years doesn’t impact a person’s sex life in his later years. Yet there exists numerous fears attached to the same. Men often blame their masturbation habits for their weak bedroom performance and with this illogical apprehension; they fail to focus on their present sexual acts.

Get over it: Dr. Arora advices, “Masturbation doesn’t harm much, but the guilt of masturbating is more harmful, and this is just due to lack of sex education. Every healthy male masturbates many times in his life in various stages of age, there is nothing to worry about.”

– TOI