North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed the life sentences and stiff jail sentence given to the husband of Mmabatho resident and public servant, Ketlagomang Ivy Motsepe and his three accomplices in her gruesome murder as appropriate and a necessary deterrent to perpetrators of gender based violence.

“The sentences meted on Friday by the North West High Court for the March 2012 murder should sent a stern message to men not to opt for violence if love is lost in their relationships but to seek professional help in order to assist them to respectfully part ways with their partners in an amicable manner if the situation is beyond reconciliation,” stressed Premier Modise.

The Premier said that repulsion that the community of Mmabatho Unit14 had shown towards crime during the debacle leading to the arrest of Klass Molefe, Penny Tatushe, Elizabeth Mosweu and Thabo Thamaga and the support gave the police in their investigation should serve to unite them to uproot the scourge of crime in their area.

“The unity that they and the late Ivy Motsepe’s colleagues in the department of Finance have shown us in their quest for truth and justice is a lesson in love and true compassion,” added Modise.

Klaas Molefe – the husband of Ivy, his concubine Elizabeth Mosweu and Thamaga were given life sentences for murder, as well as 15 years for robbery and 10 years for kidnapping while Tatushe was imprisoned for 22 years for murder, 12 for robbery and 10 for kidnapping.

The sentences for each charge will run concurrently.

According to police, it appeared the relationship between the Molefes had broken down.”Instead of parting ways, the husband chose foul play…he resorted to getting rid of the wife so he could keep what [money and assets] were there,” said Spokesperson for the North West Police Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

Molefe’s husband reported her missing after she never returned from work on March 14 2012.

Police searched for her and also called on priests and traditional healers for assistance.

The four were arrested in April 2012 before Thamaga made a confession and pointed out where Molefe’s body had been hidden. 

Police Investigations had established four murderers had taken Molefe to a bank to draw money before killing her. They had also stolen her car.-TDN

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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has congratulated Orlando Pirates for qualifying for the final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final.

Pirates played to a one-all draw against draw against Esperance at the Stade Olympique de Rades in Tunisia on Saturday, 19 October 2013. Defender Rooi Mahamutsa silenced the home side when he scored for the visitors in the 52

nd minute before Esperance equalized five minutes later.

The South Africans go through on the away goal rule after they held the Tunisians to a goalless draw at the Orlando Stadium a fortnight ago.

“As the South African Football Association we would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates for a magnificent achievement in the CAF Champions League semi-final clash against Esperance. We would like to say to the players and the technical team your feat in Tunisia was of heroic proportions. You have made the whole country proud with your guts, determination and resilience. Not many gave you a chance but you did well,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

”This is indeed a wonderful day for South African football and this milestone augurs for the game in this country. Your success is our success too as an Association because you are representing not only us but also millions of football fans in South Africa. In our view, you are already champions just by reaching the finals, and we have faith that you will go all the way and lift the trophy. We would like to assure you of our support.“

In the final, Pirates will face the winner in the other semi-final clash between Al Alhy of Egypt and Cottonsport of Cameroon who play on Sunday, 20 October.

The first leg of the final is scheduled for Saturday, 2 November 2013 with the second leg set to be played a week later (Saturday, 9 November).

Orlando Pirates return to South Africa on Monday morning (21 October).

Johannesburg – A man has been left seriously injured after being struck by lightning in Randfontein, paramedics said on Saturday.

“He was struck by lightning while walking on the road,” said Netcare 911 paramedics spokesperson Santi Steinmann.

The man was treated on the scene before being taken to hospital for further medical attention.

SAPA