Pretoria – A 2-year-old boy from Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, has been electrocuted while playing with friends outside his family home, police said on Thursday.

“The 2-year-old boy was playing outside on Wednesday when he touched the live electrical cord,” said Warrant Officer Mike Mbewe.

Mogau Naka was killed by illegally connected electrical cables passing outside the gate of his family home in Phase Three of Mamelodi.

He was taken to the Stanza Bopape Clinic, but was declared dead on arrival.

Mbewe said an inquest docket had been opened.

– SAPA

A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, has been arrested, Free State police said on Thursday.

The man had been on the run since September after allegedly killing a woman in her rented room, said police spokesperson Chaka Marope.

“The woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, was found dead with several stab wounds on her head,” said Marope.

The 26-year-old man was arrested in Lusaka Square, Mangaung, on Wednesday and would appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – The independent candidates disqualified from taking part in Tlokwe’s recent by-elections were severely prejudiced, the Electoral Court said this week.

The court was making known its reasons for handing down an order postponing the by-elections in five Tlokwe wards on 17 September, on Wednesday.

Due to the urgency of the matter, which was heard a day before the by-elections of 18 September, the court issued only an order and indicated it would supply reasons later.

The court ordered that the by-elections in five wards – one, four, 11, 12 and 20 – be postponed.

It instructed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to investigate the conduct of suspended Potchefstroom electoral officer John Makodi.

It further held that former ANC candidates Aaron Mhlope, Johanna Xaba, Ntombi Dikupe, Catherine Molefe, and James Zicina, standing as independents, be allowed to register in their wards for the postponed by-elections.

Giving its reasons for the decision, the Electoral Court held that the IEC had failed to facilitate the participation of the candidates in the by-elections. This would have resulted in the elections not being free and fair.

Candidates reviewed

Makodi’s conduct in not properly helping the candidates, in compliance with the Municipal Electoral Act, also severely prejudiced them. For this reason the IEC’s disqualification of the candidates was reviewed and set aside.

The court said the IEC had a duty not only to act as a verifying agent regarding strict compliance with legislation, but also had a duty to help voters and candidates obtain sufficient knowledge of the electoral process.

“It should promote a culture of helpfulness to all involved in elections; it should display willingness to assist those members of the public who wish to participate in elections, such assistance not being restricted to voters alone, but also to candidates,” the court found.

It held that the IEC should develop a system to verify compliance with legislation when candidates submitted documents, and to help prospective candidates comply with the requirements.

The court found that the IEC’s independence and impartiality would be strengthened if it effectively responded to issues and helped candidates participate in elections.

– SAPA

Cape Town – Two passengers who had been making inappropriate comments on board a Mango airlines flight on Thursday, were escorted from the plane and arrested upon arrival at the destination.

The flight operated by low cost airline Mango was between Johannesburg and Durban.

Hein Kaiser, Mango spokesperson, says two people on board the plane were displaying “negative behaviour” towards passengers and crew throughout the flight.

“Upon arrival the two people were escorted off the plane,” says Kaiser.

“No type of airline will allow this type of behaviour on board their aircraft, it may become a safety issue,” said Kaiser.

The airline did not want to elaborate on the behaviour of the individuals.
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Johannesburg – There will be a full water shutdown in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, for a number of nights to enable reservoir levels to build up and stabilise, a city official said on Thursday.

The shutdowns would be from 22:00 to 05:00, starting on Friday, Sol Plaatje municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie said.

Recurring problems with the main pipeline at the Riverton water treatment plant had caused a substantial loss in pumping hours. This had led to a larger than expected drop in the water level at the Newton reservoir.

“To enable us to build up the water levels again and to stabilise it at an acceptable level, we have to put measures in place to achieve this as soon as possible,” Matsie said.

Residents would be notified when the water levels were restored.

“An appeal is made to all water users in Kimberley to conserve water as much as possible over this period,” he said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – It was suggested that two girls who survived an alleged satanic ritual on a hill in Linmeyer, Johannesburg, in October 2011 should be “finished off”, the South Gauteng High Court heard on Thursday.

“Lester [Moody] said he could feel that their souls were still up there [on the hill] and we should go and finish them off,” Linden Wagner, the alleged mastermind of the ritual, told the court, which is sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

“Jeremy [King] said yes… but no one actually agreed to go back,” he said.

King and Moody had confessed to the crime and were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, five of them suspended.

In a trance

Earlier, Wagner told the court how he was in a trance as he assaulted Kirsty Theologo, 18, and her 14-year-old friend, before dousing them with petrol. He set Theologo alight, and when he heard a scream before setting the 14-year-old alight, he came “back to reality”. Theologo died of her burns a week later. Her friend survived.

Wagner said he and his accomplices then ran away.

“I had fear within my heart,” he said.

Several hours later, Wagner heard the girls had made it home and he went to check on them.

“Kirsty’s mother ran towards me crying, saying Harvey [Isha] and his friends had burnt Kirsty. She pointed where they were,” said Wagner.

“I came to where they were and I looked at her [Kirsty]. We had eye contact but I couldn’t see her anymore [because of her injuries].

“I asked if she was all right and she didn’t respond.”

Wagner said when he saw the others who had participated in the ritual they suggested that they finish the girls off.

No control

Wagner told the court he knew what he was doing, but had no control over it.

“From the way I recall it, I knew what I was doing… I knew where everything was [for the ritual].”

The girls had been used as part of a “soul-selling” ritual and were friends with their attackers.

Wagner said he had no feeling, thoughts or emotion during the attack. He had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“I remember strangling [the girl who survived],” said Wagner.

He placed his arms around her neck and held on until she was unconscious. He then tied her hands with a scarf.

“I don’t remember having a conversation with anyone or even seeing what I was doing until I saw them [the other people involved in the ritual] around Kirsty,” said Wagner.

“I then picked up a rock and walked up to her and dropped it on her head. It bounced and I lifted it up and hit her two times,” he said.

He and the others cut their hands and let their blood drip into the fire they had started. A Bible was put into the blaze.

“Kirsty had regained consciousness and was standing. I splashed her with petrol. I then looked for a light. I heard Kirsty say she thought we were friends,” Wagner said.

It was then that he set her alight and she was engulfed in flames.

Wagner, Isha, Robin Harwood and Courtney Daniels are charged with murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. All have pleaded not guilty.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Christiana-A teacher along with two assistants were allegedly suspended by the school after internal investigations.

This came after two children drown at a swimming pool in Christiana School For The Blind.

A 9 year-old partially blind learner perished and according to North West Department of Education the kids were under no supervision.

“A teacher was held responsible for the incident and that led to the suspension” Sadtu Thabo Sematle told YFM News.

Sematle said after investigations, the findings show that teacher along with two assistants were ignorant.

It is alleged that a 9 year-old learner sneaked through and jumped over into the pool.

On Monday North West Department of Education MEC Wendy Matsemela held a cleansing ceremony at school.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Biesiesvlei-A councillor was allegedly arrested and fined R500 for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. 

Biesiesvlei police station spokesperson sergeant Mpho Moshoeshoe said a 28 year-old ward councillor allegedly came across his ex-girlfriend who was visiting friends.

The incident took place two weeks ago at Itekeng Location, near Biesiesvlei.

“He allegedly confronted her and call his friend to come pick her up. He dragged his ex into a car and sent her packing back to her township in Blydeville and ordered her not to set a foot at Biesiesvlei again or else…” Sergeant Mpho Moshoeshoe.

 A 21 year-old woman was taken back to Blydeville location, near Lichtenburg.

She allegedly went to seeking help at Lichtenburg Magistrate Court where she applied for interim protection order.

“On 04 October 2013, a councillor appeared before court and was fined R500 and released” concludes Moshoeshoe.-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise will be hosting a gala dinner to celebrate the Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree (Honaris Causa) that the North West University will be conferring on Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng at its summer graduation ceremony to be held tomorrow.

The auspicious event that is to be graced by the highest judiciary of South Africa, government leaders, academia, leaders from across the political landscape, business, religious, traditional leaders and civil society will be held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in the evening.

“The gala dinner hosted by Premier Modise will be to celebrate honour of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng Mogoeng will follow the awarding of the Honorary Doctorate of Law degree (Honaris Causa) to the Chief Justice by the North West University in recognition of his leadership and the achievements for the role he continues to play in advancing the rule of law in the Republic, Continent and Globally” premier’spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said. 

Premier Modise says that the province has undeniably produced some of the finest leaders in various fields and disciplines who continue to make the province proud with their achievements and contributions and that it is therefore important that such achievements do not go uncelebrated and that such sons and daughters of the South Africa are given the recognition they deserve by the people of the province.-TDN

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Kimberley – Street prostitution is apparently on the increase in the Northern Cape due to the growing number of child-headed households.

This is according to the Young Communist League of South Africa, which said in a statement issued on Monday, that an increase in street prostitution, especially involving girls and young women, had been noted.
For more http://www.iol.co.za