By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad-Northern Cape police are investigating an arson cases after two taxis were allegedly burnt down.

The ernomity took place in Pampierstad where one taxi was allegedly burnt down in the early hours in April 2013.

Orapeleng Moremi,57 is a taxi owner in the area and his two taxis were allegedly burnt down in separate incidents.

“My two taxis were parked in my yard and we were woken up by blazing fire at around 01:00 am in April this year” Moremi sadly said.

He said the two taxis were allegedly parked side-by-side and they only managed to rescue only one taxi as the other one was reduced to ashes.

Moremi is a businessman who relies on his taxi business to survive.

He is transporting school kids to various areas, including Magogong village.

He believes his two taxis were burnt down because of jealousy and he fears the ruthless suspect/s will come for other taxis left.

“I am relying on this taxis to put food on the table and my other taxi was burnt down while I took it for maintenance. According to a craftsman, he was also woken up by ranging fire and he could do less to safe the wreckage” said despondent Moremi.

Even though Moremi is ambiguous regarding who could commit this monstrocity deeds, he want some answers and said he wouldn’t rest until he sees requital handed over.

Police confirmed that they investigating an arson cases and said investigations are continue.

“We can attest to that we investigating two cases of arson after Moremi’s taxis were burnt down. Up to so far there is no lead and we request to anyone who has information that could lead to any arrest to come forward” said Pampierstad Police Station spokesperson Setumiso.

However Moremi thinks police are fonderous regarding the case.

Northern Cape police told our crew that they trying their level best to bring perpetrator to book despite being so evasive.

 Our crew spoke with Investigating Officer captain Moratiwa and said he couldn’t answer our questions and referred us to Officer Setumiso.

Police investigations continue.

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Pretoria – Nelson Mandela remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, disputing a TV report stating that the former president was unresponsive.

The presidency did however confirm reports stating that the military ambulance transporting Mandela experienced engine problem on 8 June, the day Madiba was transported to hospital.

Doctors were satisfied that the former president suffered no harm during this period, the presidency said.

“The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The convoy also included two quick response vehicles,” the statement said.

On Friday, Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela was quoted in The Star as saying the ailing former statesman was expected to be discharged “soon”.

Ndaba said his family was grateful for Madiba’s life and they were not ready to contemplate his death.

“Only God can take him… but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we’ll continue to celebrate him.”

On Friday, United States-based CBS News reported that Mandela’s liver and kidneys were functioning at 50%, and that the ailing former statesman had two procedures, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a tube.

According to the report, Mandela had not opened his eyes in days and was unresponsive.

However, Maharaj said the presidency has been the “source for authoritative reporting on Mandela’s health”.

“Our reports are based on the reports we receive from doctors. We avoid clinical details because we want to ensure no transgression into the privacy of Mandela and his family is ensured,” Maharaj said.

“The presidency needs to ensure the dignity of the former president and need to ensure the circumstances are not surrounded by undignified speculative reports.”

Family members have been seen entering and leaving the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for the last two weeks.

SAPA

Pretoria – There was no harm to Nelson Mandela when his ambulance broke down on 8 June, the night he was hospitalised, the presidency said on Saturday.

Speaking to eNCA, presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said “no incidents arose” and there was a full complement of medical staff to look after Mandela when his ambulance broke down on the side of the highway for 40 minutes.

When asked how it was that an ambulance with engine trouble came to be used to transport the former president, Maharaj said: “It happens in life, no one can predict [that a] fully functional vehicle would have a breakdown.”

When asked about a report stating that Mandela was unresponsive and hadn’t opened his eyes in days, Maharaj said it was “highly reckless to tell lies”.

He said there was no information yet on when Madiba will be discharged as doctors were treating him and they will say when Mandela is well enough to be discharged. 

News24

Johannesburg – Seven people were arrested on Friday for attacking and robbing a farmer in Somerset, near Machadodorp, Mpumalanga police said.

On their way to the scene on Thursday night police spotted a car with two men outside the farm, police psokesperson Leonard Hlathi said.

“When they were questioned about their presence on the farm, they became evasive and told the police that they were in the vicinity to buy oranges.”

Police became suspicious as there were no orange farms in the area.

The men then said they were waiting for other men who had gone onto the farm to collect something.

The two were arrested.

A neighbouring farmer made his private helicopter available to help the police.

After a lengthy search, three more men were arrested.

Hlathi said they were found trying to hitch-hike towards Mbombela.

“After their arrest, they disclosed the whereabouts of the sixth man. The police followed the information and the man was nabbed also hitch-hiking towards Nelspruit.”

He was found in possession of a gun and a laptop.

He shot dead a police dog and tried to conceal the weapon by throwing it into a river.

Police divers retrieved the gun on Friday morning.

Another laptop which had been stolen from the farm was found in the grass near the river.

Police were still searching for a seventh suspect, believed to be armed.

All six, aged between 21 and 46, would appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Police said the men had been linked to several crimes across the province.

One of them was out on parole after serving a jail sentence for murder.

The farmer was not injured in the attack.

“He was tied up but managed to untie himself and get help from his brother who alerted the police,” said Hlathi.

It was unclear if any other possessions were stolen from the farm house.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will investigate the living conditions of residents of an informal settlement in Polokwane, the DA said on Friday.

“The SAHRC in Limpopo on Friday agreed to a DA request to investigate the appalling conditions under which the people of Disteneng informal settlement in Polokwane live,” spokesperson Jacques Smalle said.

“Around 27 000 people live in Disteneng, share 20 self-made toilets and only three water taps. The settlement has existed for more than a decade now and not a single basic service delivery measure has been provided to them.”

SAHRC spokesperson Victor Mavhidula said the organisation would first conduct an inspection of the area before sending an investigator to look into the matter further.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Agang SA will launch as a formal political party on Saturday, four months after its leader Mamphela Ramphele announced the formation of the platform.

“This is a momentous week for Agang SA as we prepare for the launch of our party on Saturday,” Ramphele said.

“Agang offers the prospect of restoring the promise of freedom and a hope for the future that is striking a chord with people across the country.”

Ramphele has spent the past few months visiting communities around South Africa as part of Agang SA’s consultation period.

She has been vocal about the problems facing the country, such as education, health, and land.

The former activist and businesswoman has also spoken out about electoral reform and raised concerns about the independence of elections.

Earlier this week, Ramphele told the Cape Town Press Club that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had eroded as an independent electoral commission.

She said Agang SA was in talks with other political parties, the DA in particular, to double-check certain IEC processes.

Ramphele said that during a four-month tour of the country, she became aware of “sinister” intimidation of voters.

She had heard of some people being required to take pictures of their ballot papers with their cellphones to be “rewarded for doing the right thing”.

“Voters don’t actually know that they have a choice. Many are being told that if you go into that ballot box, we can see who you vote for and, therefore, we will punish you and take away your grants or your RDP houses,” she said.

Ramphele said she believed it was necessary to launch Agang SA as a political party, despite fears that it would divide the opposition.

Naming battle

Last week, a non-governmental organisation laid claim to the name “Agang”.

The Hola Bon Renaissance (HBR) Foundation said in a statement on Thursday one of its “strategic programmes” was called “Agang”.

In response Agang SA said it launched in February and its trademark application was still underway.

“It appears that an alternative trademark application was made in April. However, our legal advisers suggest that this should be unsuccessful,” the party said in a statement.

On Friday, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said someone of Ramphele’s calibre should be welcomed into South African politics.

“… I have known Dr Ramphele for more than 30 years as a brave and principled leader who has been ready to take costly stands for social justice,” Tutu said in a statement.

He said a strong constitutional democracy was strengthened by the presence of a vibrant and credible opposition.

Agang SA would be launched at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria with an entertainment line-up of local musicians which included MiCasa, Sibongile Mngoma, and Imilonji KaNtu.

“I would like to invite South Africans from all walks to join the thousands of our supporters, who will be there from 09:00, for a day of celebration with music, food, and entertainment,” said Ramphele.

The party said supporters would be able to register as members at the launch.

– SAPA

Former Grand Slam tennis doubles champion Bob Hewitt has denied allegations that he sexually molested young girls he coached in South Africa decades ago, The Star reported on Friday.

“I am innocent. These charges have caused my family and me huge hardship and with the lawyer’s permission I am going to sue,” he was quoted as saying
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Residents of Cape Town’s townships and informal settlements want service delivery, jobs and houses.

They got a one on one audience with President Jacob Zuma during a community outreach visit. They also highlighted social ills like gangsterism and drug abuse plaguing communities. President Zuma gave them assurances that their needs would be addressed.

Hout Bay is one of the richest neighbourhoods in the country. But in the midst of the wealth, is the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu. Here the ANC President found shocking living conditions, with a lack of basic services like electricity, water and sanitation.

Residents blame the municipality for neglecting them. Zuma has promised to take up their complaints with local authorities. He also visited several other Cape Town townships. Also raised here are issues of poor service delivery, unemployment, gangsterism and drugs. Across in Hangberg, alcohol and drug abuse are rife.

The election campaign has not officially commenced, but judging by the reaction of the communities as they interact with politicians, it’s clear that jobs and service delivery will feature strongly.

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

The Polokwane Magistrate’s court has dismissed an application by Julius Malema’s defence to have his money laundering and racketeering charges struck from the roll.

Magistrate Mohamed Shaik has ruled that Malema’s case will be heard in the Polokwane Circuit High Court between November 19 and 29.

Malema’s lawyer, Tumi Mokoena, had wanted the case struck from the roll. Malema and five-co accused face charges relating to a R52 million rand tender awarded to On-Point Engineering for road maintenance in Limpopo.

Wits have succeeded in their efforts to secure Benjani Mwaruwari for the upcoming 2013/14 PSL season.

Soccer-Laduma revealed last week that Mwaruwari was a target for The Students, with the Braamfontein club now having all but concluded the deal.

Mwaruwari and Wits have agreed on terms, with deal currently being finalised.

Wits CEO, Jose Ferreira, confirmed that the deal is being concluded with the finer details being ironed out. The deal is expected to be finalised soon, with the player expected to turn out for the Gavin Hunt-coached outfit in the new camapign.

“Yes, you are correct. The deal is as good as done,” said Ferreira, Wits’ CEO.

With the deal having been agreed to in principle, an official announcement from the club is expected to be made in the near future.

The striker played for Chippa United this past season, after signing with the club in February. However, he left this past month due to contractual disputes between himself and the club’s management.
Source: http://www.soccerladuma.com