BY Obakeng Maje

Wolmaranstad-Police have registered an inquest docket after an eight-year-old girl`s lifeless body was found in the bushes.

Police alleged that the minor and her friend were playing on the streets when torrential rains started pouring heavily on Tuesday  at about 18:30.

 “It is alleged that the kids were on their way home in the bad weather when the floods started and blew the eight year-old away. The deceased was allegedly carried away by storm water that plunged her to a nearby bushes” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.

The victim’s friend managed to run away and informed the victim’s mother police said. 

“A eight year-old girl was taken to a local clinic where she was certified dead on arrival” Moiloa said.

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on believers to pray for families of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) that lost their loved ones in the Central African Republic (CAR), for peace and unity in countries on the continent experiencing violent conflicts and against the scourge of rape during their Easter gatherings.

“Conflicts on the continent and violent crimes which are robbing families and communities of their loved ones and peace should be high-up on prayer lists .As religious leaders amplify the anti-rape campaign, believers should remember those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and also pray for the speedy recovery of those who are in hospital,” said Premier Modise.

The Premier wishes those that will be driving to various destinations a safe travel and urged communities to be vigilant against opportunistic crime.

“The Easter Arrive Alive/Duty Calls law enforcement operations will only be successful if there is cooperation and everyone takes steps to support the Decade for Road Safety Campaign aimed at reducing road crashes and fatalities. We call on communities to report suspected criminal activities and for parents not to leave their children alone,” Modise added.

She urged motorists not to drink and drive and to observe safe following distance in the wet weather.

The provincial government is liaising with the SANDF and other stakeholders in the province towards preparations for the proposed national day of mourning and memorial services for the fallen heroes two of whom are said to be from the North West Province.

“The re-militarisation of the police in recent years has not garnered greater
community respect, nor has it secured high conviction rates”

National police chief Riah Phiyega said yesterday that plans were in place for the demilitarisation of the police under the National Development Plan.

She said this while being cross-examined at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry in Rustenburg by evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga, SC.

He asked her about efforts she had taken to bring the SAPS in line with recommendations contained in the NDP.

Reading several extracts of the plan, Madlanga said it called for “an urgent demilitarisation” of the police service.

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

Rustenburg -A scuffle broke out on Tuesday between police officers and a group of protesters outside the Rustenburg Civic Centre where the Farlam commission is holding public hearings.

Police officers seized a stack of placards from a group of protesters during the lunch break.

The protesters shouted at the police officers, accusing them of murdering the Marikana mineworkers.

“Shoot us all, that is what you are used to,” a woman shouted at the large contingent of police officers.

“You have murdered our brothers. (Police commissioner Riah) Phiyega must say the truth,” shouted another protester.

Most of the placards read: “Do not let police get away with murder”.

A police officer took the stash of placards into a vehicle parked nearby.

A spokesman for the Marikana Support Campaign, Rehad Desai, said the protesters had been angered by the “evasive” evidence being given to the Farlam commission by Phiyega.

“The people are very angry; these are community members demanding justice. We have every right to protest in this country,”  he said.

“The police seized our placards, we do not know the reason for that. The placards demand that the police should be brought to book  and we also want Phiyega fired.”

He said a number of activities would be held across South Africa  on August 16 annually to commemorate the death of 34 mineworkers.

When the hearings resumed, Ishmael Semenya, SC, for the police, told the commission that the officers would be informed that the people had the right to protest outside.

Phiyega was still on the witness stand, giving evidence regarding the police’s intervention on August 16 last year.

Under cross examination, Phiyega said the police intervention plan for the troubled Marikana mines was good, but got disrupted during implementation.

Because of this disruption the outcome included the shooting deaths of 34 striking mineworkers, which was unintended, she told the commission.

Evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga, SC, asked the police commissioner whether the police intervention at Marikana could be described as a success.

“Taking into account all the factors you have referred to, would  you say that the operation was a success?” he said.

“On August 16, we do know that 34 people were killed and more than 70 were injured. I want you to make a judgment and tell this commission whether based on the SA Police Service’s own tests, you can say the (Marikana) operation was a success?”

Phiyega said: “I think I need to be responsible when answering. I have said the plan was good, and it was disrupted. It is important for me to take all those issues into context.

“The outcome was intended. The plan was good, it was disrupted and we had an unintended outcome. We cannot have a simplified definition of success.

“It would be a broad definition of success.”

Madlanga said the evidence-leading team would argue that the Marikana operation was chaotic and did not represent the best of responsible policing.

On August 16 last year, 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead and 78 were injured when the police opened fire near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana.

Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed near the mine in the preceding week. – Sapa

Durban – A final-year UKZN Medical School student – just weeks away from completing her medical degree – was found raped and murdered in her room at the St Hillier Court student residence in Umbilo on Monday night.

Provincial police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said today that a 27-year-old man had handed himself over to police in connection with the crime.

“He has been charged with murder and rape and is expected to appear in court soon,” Zwane said.

A student who stays at the residence said another student had to break the door to get access to the room. 

“Apparently her parents had been trying to get hold of her, but she was not answering,” she said. The student said she had seen the girl’s father entering the residence.

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

Cape Town – Startling statistics on police brutality were presented at Parliament on Tuesday.

MPs heard that:

* Cases of police brutality leapt by more than 300 percent in the past decade, from 416 during 2001/2002 to 1 722 cases by 2011/2012.

* Of the 720 deaths reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate in 2011/2012, one in five involved police criminality.

* Only one out of every 50 people who experienced or witnessed police abuse reported it.

* The SAPS was facing civil claims totalling R1.1 billion related to shooting incidents, and assault cases of more than R800 million.

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

Johannesburg – A picture of a pretty girl flashing an innocent smile is carefully propped up, a burning white candle next to it.

On a mattress, on the floor, sits her grief-stricken grandmother.

Gladys Madonsela is trying to make sense of the rape and murder of Thandeka Madonsela.

She was just 14 years old, a Grade 8 pupil at Rand Girls High in Parktown, Joburg.

She was raped, disembowelled and murdered in the early hours of Saturday morning. Her alleged assailants are two boys, aged 16 and 17.

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

Johannesburg-As part of the “I Play Fair, Say No to Doping” campaign, Bafana Bafana players and technical staff participated in an hour-long anti-doping workshop conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) at the Cape Sun Hotel last Thursday, 21 March 2013.

SAIDS is an affiliate of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an organisation that promotes and co-ordinates the fight against doping in sport internationally.

The presentation by SAIDS project facilitator, Fahmy Galant, covered aspects of anti-doping and specific emphasis was placed on supplements and steroids and the adverse effects they can have on an athlete’s body. This is inclusive of how drugs affect the general performance of an athlete.

The presentation was aimed at giving the 23 national team players as well as the Bafana Bafana Team Doctor and officials an understanding on topics such as the purpose and context of SAIDS and their “I Play Fair, Say No to Doping” campaign and how it ties in with the Spirit and Ethics of Sports.

The anti-doping workshop is an initiative of the SAFA Medical Office and is meant to empower national team players with a deeper understanding of anti-doping laws and how they apply to football players.

The campaign is also aimed at giving a deeper understanding on how the anti-doping code applies to their specific code, in particular the athlete, coach, team management as well as parents. It is aimed at helping them understand doping control and procedures as well as the dangers of doping.

The ultimate synopsis is to see that all national team players understand the repercussions of doping. At the end of the hour-long presentation, the players were given pamphlets that provide information on the preferred medication and the banned substances.

By Obakeng Maje

Taung- Four suspects are due to appear before Taung Magistrate Court today for assault. Four accused are taxi drivers and they allegedly assaulted a private car victim whom they accuse of stealing their commuters.

North West police said the incident took place on Monday next to Taung District Hospital and the accused are aged between 25 to 36.

“Four suspects are due to appear before Taung Magistrate Court today for assault. They allegedly assaulted another motorist who allegedly picked hikers” police spokesperson Kelebogile Moiloa said.

Taung police said the victim was taken to a local clinic for medical attention and a case of assault was opened.

The confusion in taxi industry came to light after the old taxi rank was put under construction and the new makeshift taxi rank was allocated to taxis.

The taxi drivers vowesd that they will not use the new taxi rank as is too far and too small, however the Greater Taung municipality refutes the claims called them absurd as all needed elements are in place.

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Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson has been making the most of his quiet week at the Rustenburg-based club.

With most of Dikwena’s first-team squad back after being away on international duties at the weekend, the Absa Premiership rookie coach will have a full-strength squad to wreak havoc when struggling Mamelodi Sundowns visit the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.

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