North West – A sangoma who was meant to testify during the Farlam commission of inquiry was killed as a result of taxi wars, according to a report on Monday.

“The cold-blooded murder of tat’uNdzabe is totally not related to Marikana,” Uncedo service taxi association president Ntsikelelo Gaehler said at Alton “Ndzabe” Joja’s funeral on Saturday, the Dispatch Online reported.

The funeral was held at Ludeke Halt in Bizana, near Port Edward in the Eastern Cape.

“Mr Joja is lying here dead because of us – he has been killed by those in the industry.”

Joja, 69, was shot outside his home in the Ludeke Holt village in Mbizana on March 24.

The Dispatch Online reported that a week before the murder Joja called Gaehler telling him that money was being raised to have him assassinated by people in the taxi industry.

“It is wrong that we are confusing the family, the community and the police by making them believe the Ndzabe murder was associated with Marikana while we know it is some of us in the industry. We have to talk truth,” Gaehler reportedly said.

The Farlam commission heard last month that Joja was believed to have performed rituals on protesting Lonmin mineworkers before the shooting on August 16, during which 34 of them were killed. – Sapa

Bloemfontein Celtic were unable to grab all three points against a resilient Maritzburg United side in a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership encounter at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.

The team of Choice opened the scoring through Byrone Hendricks just before halftime before Mduduzi Nyanda equalised for the home side 30 seconds into the second stanza.

Bloemfontein Celtic started the game the stronger of the two sides as they looked to grab an early opener.

Despite all the possession in the opening ten minutes, Phunya Sele Sele were unable to break down the Maritzburg defence.

The first chance of the match fell to Rodreck Mutuma in the 13th minute of the game.

The powerful forward got on the end of a Tsietsi Mahoa cross but the striker was only able to direct his header over the crossbar.

The home side had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 20th minute of the game.

Letladi Madubanya played a good ball across the face of goal but somehow Maritzburg cleared their lines without Tladi Majake and Mutuma being able to stab the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Delron Buckley constructed the first chance for the Team of Choice in the 37th minute of the game.

The experienced midfielder controlled the ball with his chest before hitting a stinging strike towards goal but Tignyemb was up to the task, and tipped the ball over crossbar for a corner.

It was from the corner that the Team of Choice opened the scoring, completely against the run of play through Byrone Hendricks in the 38th minute of the game.

Patrick Tignyemb was unable to overpower Cuthbert Malajila in the air and as a result the ball fell to Hendricks at the far post who tapped into an empty net from close range.

Siwelele equalised immediately after the break through Mduduzi Nyanda. The midfielder dribbled the ball into the box before hitting a powerful shot past Shu-Aib Walters for his first goal of the season.

The goal gave Celtic renewed energy and they dominated proceedings.

Mutuma had a great chance to give Celtic the lead in the 64th minute of the game.

The ball evaded everybody in the box from a free-kick before falling to the feet of the Zimbabwean but he was unable to direct a strong effort towards goal from point blank range.

Phunya Sele Sele had another good opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the match through second half substitute Vuyani Ntanga in the 74th minute.

The forward got on the end of a Limbikani Mzava long throw but the striker blasted his shot over the crossbar.

Tsietsi Mahoa nearly snatched all three points for Phuya Sele Sele in the final minute of regulation time. The midfielder hit a fierce effort from outside the area but the strike only managed to trouble the post.

Maritzburg United managed to hold on to grab a valuable point away from home.

Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 1 (Nyanda 46’)

Maritzburg United (1) 1 (Hendricks 38’)

Teams

Bloemfontein Celtic:

Tignyemb; Mzava, Nthethe, Motlhaping, Mahoa, Majake (Mogorosi 53’), Arwuah, Madubanya, Nyanda (Ntanga 71’), Bacela (Gamildien 66’), Mutuma

Maritzburg United: Walters; Petersen, Booysen, Hendricks, Evans, Morton, Cloete, Buckely, Sheppard (Matuka 87’), Isaacks (66’ Mandaza), Malajila.

For more www.psl.co.za

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter hailed the character of his player despite their slip-up on Saturday against Lamontville Golden Arrows in the Absa Premiership title race, which he conceded will now go down to the wire.

Amakhosi played almost two thirds of the match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban with 10 men following the 33rd minute red carding of Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and still managed to secure in a goalless draw.

After the incident, both coaches exchanged heated words and a spectator also ran onto the field and struck referee Lwandile Mfiki with a vuvuzela.

“I thought at the start of the game we were very sloppy and very flat for some reason and we allowed the game to become stretched out, which meant it became a bit of an end-to-end game,” Baxter said afterwards. “We didn’t play with a lot of quality.

“The sending off, which I don’t think should have been a red card, was a collision at best.

“But that seemed to galvanise the team in some way. What the supporter did, you don’t like to see that and we’re absolutely against that sort of behaviour.

“At half time, we changed the shape of the team because we had a man sent off and a man injured after Morgan Gould had to come off.

“It was difficult to balance things, but the players played with great quality in the second half and I thought their tactical understanding was excellent.

“What encourages me, in the middle of a miserable feeling really, is the character of the players in the second half.

“With a little bit of luck, we could have won the game 2-0 or 3-0. So I’m very proud of the players.”

The one point took them to a total of 52, seven clear of Platinum Stars, who are now second and have a game in hand, and eight points in front of Orlando Pirates – the other Soweto club having two games in hand.

“This game is the same as the last one and the same as the next one,” Baxter said. “It’s one game and this is going to go down to the wire.

“A point in this game could win us the league, this one point could be the difference between winning or not winning the league.

“So you’ve got to play every game like it’s a cup final from now on. We have to win every one of them. We have to move on.”

The Englishman was also adamant that his players were not beginning to feel the heat following a second successive game without victory – they drew 0-0 with Maritzburg United in midweek.

“I think we’ve been top of the league since the first ball was kicked. You don’t produce a performance like we did in the second half if you’re nervous. I don’t think they’re feeling the pressure,” he quipped when quizzed about the pressure.

Abafana Bes’thende coach Manqoba Mngqithi, whose side remained 12th, was satisfied with the point, saying the circumstance meant it would have been difficult to take more from the game.

“Against any other team I think it would be considered as a chance missed,” he added. “But this is a big team that is leading the championship.”

For more http://www.psl.co.za

The province has finally released its Easter road accident report, which shows that 22 people died on North West’s roads during the long weekend.

The 22 include five youths who died when a Johannesburg-based lawyer, Mandla Gumbi, crashed into a group of 12 people in Ledig, near Sun City on April 1.

Capt Adele Myburgh said the deaths were recorded between March 27 and April 3. Last year, 19 people lost their lives during the same period.

“A total of 15 culpable homicide cases were opened and are under investigation,” she said. In some of the incidents, drivers lost control of their vehicles, resulting in crashes and loss of life.

“For instance, one person died after a motorist lost control of his vehicle at about 2am on the Lichtenburg/Coligny road on March 27 and nearly the same incident happened the following day at Mooinooi when another person was killed after a motorist lost control of the vehicle at about 4am,” she said.

An eight-year-old boy lost his life in Ipelegeng, Potchefstroom, when he fell off a trailer at about 4pm on March 28.

Myburgh added that two vehicles collided and three people died on the R501 road between Muiskraal and Klerkskraal at around 1am on March 28, bringing more concern to motorists travelling at night.

“This applies also to the incident in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp, on March 30 where a motorist died after his vehicle left the road and hit a tree at about 11pm,” she said.

The issue of pedestrians dying on the roads also raised concern especially after the incident where five young people were killed early the morning of April 1 in Ledig.

Five other pedestrians lost their lives on the same day in other incidents.

“Some of the incidents include the one in Boitekong, near Rustenburg where a pedestrian died after being hit by a vehicle on the R510 road at about 8pm. Earlier, another pedestrian lost his life near Sun City after he was hit at about 6pm.

“Another incident was recorded along the N12 in Potchefstroom at about 8pm on the same day.

“Motorists should drive cautiously, rest every two hours and not exceed the speed limits. Alcohol or medication can also impair concentration.”

Residents from villages surrounding Mahikeng have criticised Eskom, claiming that the power utility had failed to compensate them for damage to their property caused by the load shedding crisis that left many parts of the country in darkness in 2008.

During a recent visit by Deputy Minister of Energy Barbara Thompson, who was joined by Mahikeng mayor, Lena Miga, to switch on electricity to households in three villages, the residents threatened to ask the public protector to help them recover expenses incurred for damages to their propert.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

The ANC caucus at the Tlokwe local municipality has threatened to reve rse all decisions taken by ousted DA mayor Annette Combrinck after the North Gauteng High Court ruled that her election as first citizen of the metro was illegal.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Twelve young ladies will take on each other in what is promised to be tense competition for the JNR FACE OF MHK on the 04th May at Mmabatho Palms Resort Hotel. From 17:30 to 22:30. 

Pre Judging was held at Mafikeng mall were judges wanted to see if girls got what it takes to be great young Ambassador around Mahikeng.

“We sending them to Miss Teenagers of South African. The girls need more training and workshop before the final day. Said the reigning Face Of Mahikeng “Molebogeng Nkagisang.

“On the 20th of April we will have Display Fashion Show were we will unveil the designers who will be dressing the Jnr Face OF Mahikeng on that nite” said Lesco Molamu. 

Molamu said the entry is free, but urges those who will attend to come to with their unsued clothes for donation. 

“We urge people to donate their unused clothes as we have home (shelter) to help in Itsoseng” plea Molamu.  

Second round of Pre-Judging will be held at undisclosed place were their Ambassador, Mr King SA Christ Mocks will be there to evaluate the girls more and he will be accompanied by Xhabiso Mxaba Mr SA Finalist 2013, Face OF MHK Molebogeng Nkagisang and Mr MHK Lawrence Modise said Lesco Molamu.  

Pageant presents opportunity to many young girls not only to showcase their modelling talents at a bigger stage, but they are also presented with a platform to launch their career and ease with confidence. 

“We urge young boys to take pageant serious.I am busy with my career right now. I want to be the next Mr SA. This year I decided to build my profile and brand first” said Mr MHK Lawrence Modise. 

“The objective of Face Of Mhk is to build self-esteem amongst teenagers an also help them to be capable of speak in public.

We want to empower and nurture them at the younger age” Chris Mocks said. 

“Good luck to all those who be taking part” said Pageant Ambassador Chris Mocks.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Roodepan-Police are investigating a case of murder after a 37-year-old Eric Brand being stabbed to death with a broken bottle of beer. 

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this atrocity. 

“It is alleged that the suspect and the deceased had an argument, however it is not clear at this stage as to what was the argument all about between the two” Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the Lorato Park, after the deceased pestered with suspect’s girlfriend from a local tavern in Lorato Park said Tawana.  

“However the investigation continues to adduce the crux of the matter” said police. 

It appears as if during the argument the suspect broke off the empty beer bottle and stab Eric in the left side of the head, adjacent to the ear. After stabbing the deceased, the suspect left the crime scene and he was arrested few hours later at his home. 

“The deceased was certified dead on the scene” Olebogeng Tawana said.

The suspect is due to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges of murder.

North West – The mining industry does not like workers, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“The industry does not like mineworkers, they want to exploit you to make more money,” Mantashe said.

He was speaking about problems in the mines during his political lecture at the Ben Marais hall in Rustenburg.

He said the mining industry would send workers home if they lost limbs or were injured because they were no longer productive.

He said the mines wanted to see the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) destroyed because the union was fighting against exploitation.

“The attack on the NUM is an attack on us. We know the attack is on us. They want to hijack and steal our revolution. They see the mineworkers as a vehicle to hijack the revolution,” he said.

“You are not being victims because of your membership to NUM but because you are a loyal member of the revolution.”

Mantashe said to restore peace and stability in the mines, companies should not close the NUM offices but leave them open and open an office for the other emerging unions.

“Leave the NUM to service its members and let the workers see the difference.”

He said the NUM had a track record and all the other unions were fighting for what NUM had already achieved.

“This is their blood and sweat. The new unions do not bring anything new. What new things are they are bringing? They want all that NUM gains.”

Mantashe said the African National Congress had a responsibility to make sure that conditions were improved in areas around the mines.

“The ANC must make sure there is a road in Nkaneng. These conditions are being used to mislead people.”

The NUM has lost members since the violent strikes at Impala Platinum in February last year, and at Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin Platinum mine in August and September.

In his welcome speech ANC Bojanala regional chairman Louis Diremelo said NUM had lost close to 35 000 members to the Association of Mine and Construction Workers Union (Amcu).

“The NUM must fight. The action starts today,” he said.

SA Communist Party provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha said the struggle for mineworkers should not be used by those who wanted to further their careers.

“You cannot lead workers to a strike and never submit demands to management. In Bokoni, workers went on strike for two months without submitting demands, the only demand was to close the NUM office.”

He said the political lectures on Sunday were held to clarify lies being spread about the NUM. – Sapa