By Obakeng Maje

Taung-The residents of Sewedi Park in Tlapeng were left despondent after they alleged that a contractor’s truck broke the water supply pipe in the area.

According to some of residents, the contractor was hired to install electricity in the RDP houses.

“The electrical contractor hired to install electricity in the area alleged stamped on the main supplier pipe and that caused the pipe to burst” said ward councillor.

Makgotlha Menyatso said the pipe burst caused a delay in the area,but there are water tanks to help out residents.

Water shortage has been a problem in the province and all four districts came under fire.

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Following the grave political situation unfolding in the Central African Republic (CAR), we have received numerous media enquiries regarding the safety of Bafana Bafana during the return match in Bangui scheduled for June 2013.

We would like to point out that, while the scheduled return match is still months away, we are very concerned by the apparent instability and are closely monitoring events and developments on the ground. Our concern is heightened by the fact that the military activity occurred between our troops and the insurgents who appear to be in control of the capital, Bangui.

Given these extraordinary circumstances, we will communicate with our government and FIFA to inform them of our concern for our team’s safety.

We will keep our supporters informed of any new developments in this regard.

Meanwhile, we extend our sincerest condolences to the 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops who lost their lives during the weekend fighting with the insurgents who overran Bangui over the weekend.

We want to add our voices to those of our fellow citizens in mourning the passing of these heroes in service of our country and wish for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the fighting this past weekend.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman was discharged from hospital after earlier fears that he might have broken his facial bones.

But after being taken to the nearest hospital, the scan revealed no complications and was released shortly after to join his teammates in celebration at the team hotel.

The industrious midfielder was injured in an aerial tussle in the first half of Bafana’s impressive 2-0 win over Central African Republic and initial fears were that he might have broken some of his facial bones.

He was replaced immediately by Kagisho Dikgacoi who also had a blinder of game.

The two (Furman and Dikgacoi) return to England tonight (Sunday, 24 March)

From By Obakeng Maje

Pudumong-North West police a searching for three suspects after a 55 year-old woman was raped in Maganeng, near Taung.

Police said three men entered the house of victim looking for their daughter.

“Three suspects stormed the house of 55 year-old woman looking for their daughter. When they realise that the daughter was not there, they allegedly raped a woman” sergeant Tebogo Thebe said.

“Susepcts were armed and after the ordeal they fled the scene” Thebe said.

The woman was taken to a local clinic for medical check and investigations continue.

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Johannesburg – Across Soweto and Orange Farm, the police moved in. It was the early hours of the morning and detectives had located where each of their four suspects were bedding down. They had to hit them in one go, to make sure they got the whole gang.

And they were there because of a car found abandoned 500-odd kilometres away.

Leading this Joburg investigation were out-of-town detectives from Kuruman police station in the Northern Cape.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

Bloemfontein – Six people accused of murdering an elderly couple in Bethulie in  the southern Free State appeared in the Bethulie Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“The matter was in court and it was postponed to April 15. They are still in custody,” said court official James Mjika.

Tshepo Ramatlama, 18, Sphiwe Sakman, 18, and four minors face charges of murder, house breaking, and theft of a motor vehicle.

They allegedly murdered Gordon Adam, 70, and his wife Lorraine Adam, 70, on February 9 at their farm near Bethulie. – Sapa

Kimberley – The Steenkamp family discussed all possible angles as to what could have happened during the 2012 Griekwastad farm killings, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Monday.

The court was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.

Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6, 2012.

Deon Steenkamp’s sister Marianna Smith, was the State’s first witness on Monday.

She testified that several family members went to the farmhouse to make a list of possible stolen items.

A one stage, she and her mother Bettie Steenkamp, stood in the living room and speculated how Deon and Christel could have been overpowered in the house.

“My scenario was that somebody came down the passage  1/8of the house 3/8 and shot Christel in front of the computer.”

Smith said she had discussions with the boy in the days after the murders.

She testified that he appeared to behave normally the first time  she met him.

“He did not cry,  1/8was 3/8 not emotional or heartbroken.”

Smith testified that a day later she met him again and this time  he was buoyant and even spoke of future plans.

Smith was the family member who went to the Kimberley mortuary to identify the bodies of her brother, sister-in-law, and niece.

On Monday, the court started after a short delay when the boy’s defence team received documents from the prosecution which they had  to discuss first.

Smith’s cross-examination would start after the lunch break. – Sapa

Kimberley – Police in Kimberley were recently criticised by some members of the public for being to “heavy handed” in the fight against crime. But their tough stance against crime might just have saved the life of a 52-year-old city woman.

The woman was attacked late on Friday night by a man armed with a beer bottle. Her attacker apparently struck her over the head and severely assaulted her. He then allegedly tried to rape her.

Members of the police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) were on patrol near the Santa Centre in Galeshewe at about 9pm. Their deployment was part of a weekend crime operation called “Operation Paseka”.

They spotted a 35-year-old suspect allegedly trying to rape the woman in an open piece of veld.

Police spokesman, Lieutenant Sergio Kock, said the suspect was standing over the woman and he allegedly used a beer bottle to hit her over the head and assaulted her repeatedly. The attacker is unknown to the woman.

When the police arrived, the woman was bleeding excessively from her head and also sustained injuries to her right hand. The woman was visiting family members in the area and was on her way to the taxi rank when the man attacked her.

The suspect was arrested and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance where she is said to be in a serious but stable condition. 

The man is expected to appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon. Kock said the police intend to oppose bail.

“The Galeshewe Cluster Commander, Major General Kollie Mathys, who was in uniform and on the ground with his members, lauds the TRT members for their actions. He added that they probably saved this victim from being raped or even losing her life.

“The police still view crimes against women and children in a very serious light and will definitely be opposing bail in this regard,” Kock said. 

Meanwhile, Operation Paseka also had several other successes in Galeshewe over the weekend. 

“The operation comprised of stop-and-searches, vehicle patrols, foot patrols (in Club 2000, Galeshewe), visits to taverns, liquor outlets and tuck shops to ensure that they are operating within their licence conditions.

“We also patrolled hiking spots, parks, cemeteries and other secluded areas. The operations were executed to combat crime in order to ensure a safe environment for all residents, especially because we are approaching the Easter season,” Kock added. 

“Disruptive actions at spontaneous gatherings were also targeted where a substantial amount of fines for drinking in public areas were issued to persons while some of these offenders were arrested for being drunk in public.” 

Kock said more than 32 liquor outlets were visited and fines were issued. During the stop-and-search operations, 282 people were searched and several weapons, including knives and pangas, were confiscated, in support of the “No Knife” campaign.

Several persons wanted for crimes including murder, rape, theft, robbery and drunken driving, were arrested.

“The operation also concentrated on contact crimes against women and children and, through the extensive visibility of police vehicles in the Galeshewe area, we also managed to curb the occurrence of rapes and murders.”

The police, with the assistance of the municipal traffic department and other relevant role players, will continue with roadblocks and random vehicle searches in support of the Arrive Alive Campaign and through this, also arrest persons for driving under the influence of alcohol and ensure vehicle safety.

“Operation Paseka is held throughout the Northern Cape and will be conducted on an ongoing basis during the Easter holidays and beyond,” Kock said.

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Durban – A Wild West shoot-out outside a Durban supermarket on Friday afternoon has left a Newlands West father dead and a 70-year-old granny wounded.

The families of both victims are now calling for an independent police investigation to probe who shot their loved ones – was it police or the robbers?

The robbers made off with R150 000 in cash and cellphones from the Spar, in Inanda Road, Newlands West.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-The Acting Chairperson of petition from North West provincial government Veronica Keketsi confirmed that indeed the road between Taung Hospital and Manokoane preparations will start in two weeks.

This came after a meeting held by North West provincial government representatives and the residents of Manokoane last week friday.

Head of Department(HoD) for Public Works Samuel Thubakgale announced that the road will be tarred.

“We can confirm that the Head of Department for Public Works is mandated to introduce appointed contrator to the community within 14 days” Keketsi said.

The residents of Manokoane were enchanted after learning their their request has been granted.

Even though some of them had mixed emotions, according to Veronica Keketsi the budget has been allocated already.

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