Kimberley – The 14-year-old girl killed in the Griekwastad farm murder left a trail of blood through the kitchen on her way to try and reach the telephone, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Wednesday.

“It will be one of those days that will not be pleasant,” prosecutor Hannes Cloete warned relatives in court before photographs taken of the crime scene and of the post mortems were shown.

He then led police crime scene expert Captain Marius Joubert in his evidence-in-chief.

He is a crime scene and blood spatter expert from the police forensic science laboratory in Cape Town.

Joubert said the blood from the gunshot wound to Marthella Steenkamp’s chest flowed down her body, her right leg and arm, right hand and dripped onto her feet.

She left a trail of drops from the kitchen back door, through the washing room (scullery) and into the kitchen.

He showed the court photographs of where the girl, covered in blood, had leaned against the kitchen counter.

The blood trail went around the counter to where the telephone was.

Halfway to the phone she stopped between the counter and the wooden dining room table.

There was a collection of blood spatters on the floor and a bloody handprint on the dining room table.

“The spatters are concentrated in one area. The victim must have stood for a while and left blood to collect,” Joubert said.

Shots fired

The court heard on Monday that Marthella Steenkamp was shot once in the chest and three times in the head. She collapsed and died near the phone.

Referring to a blood smear found near her father, Deon Steenkamp, Joubert said it was created by a forearm which had moved inwards towards the body.

“Possibly by the victim to make himself comfortable… pulling in [his] arm.”

Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo is hearing evidence in the trial of a 17-year-old youth accused of the murders of farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and their daughter Marthella.

They were shot dead on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on 6 April 2012.

State witness Warrant Officer Phillip Bekker of the crime scene unit and laboratory in Port Elizabeth was excused from the stand after the defence team decided they had no questions for him.

The trial continues.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Kuruman- Police arrested a 40 year-old Mozambican national for allegedly raping a 2 year-old baby girl from Bankhara village in Kuruman.

On Tuesday, at about 20:45, Kuruman Station Commander, Lt Col Jacobus Van Wyk arrested the suspect at Bankhara village, after being pointed out by the victim’s mother.

“The victim’s mother alleged that on Saturday the toddler was playing outside her home not far from the suspect’s shack. At about 13:00, she realised that the child was not around, she then went to search for the child and knocked on the suspect’s door” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Kock said while enquiring from the suspect about the child’s whereabouts, she saw her daughter emerging from the bedroom with her underwear pulled down. The mother became suspicious and after consulting with an older woman in the community, a case of rape was opened on Monday.

The suspect will appear before the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for rape.-TDN
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The board of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust met today in Johannesburg, South Africa, to assess the progress of the first grants that were issued at the beginning of the year and set the requirements for the next phase of applications.

Under the chairmanship of the South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr. Danny Jordaan, and with representatives of FIFA, SAFA, the South African government and the South African Business Community, the board commended the work achieved so far. The 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust was established in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to promote and extend the development of football in South Africa and support initiatives using football as a tool for social development. The first 973 beneficiaries were approved in January 2013 and the initial results are promising.

In the area of social development, the Legacy Trust is supporting a number of Football for Hope Centres across Africa, an initiative which has already brought education and health services to over 70,000 young people in disadvantaged communities in 16 countries across Africa.

Moreover, a total of 800 legacy bags that consist of football equipment to the value of ZAR 7500 were distributed to clubs and schools across the country.

The Legacy Trust also funded a number of key football grassroots activities implemented by the South African Football Association and its regional and local affiliates, including a Women`s High Performance Programme and Women`s Regional Leagues, as well as U-13, U-15, Beach Soccer and Futsal competitions.

In an effort to ensure accountability and compliance, all awarded projects have to submit a progress report and are being monitored by the administration of the Trust.

Looking at the next phase of application for the period March 2014 to February 2015, the board approved a total budget of ZAR 60 million to be allocated to projects and has set the following categories for the presentation of applications:

· Equipment and kit

· Bursaries

· SAFA

· Regional football entities

· Sport schools, including public specialised schools

· Academies

· Football for Hope

· NGOs working on social development through football

The application process will now be opening on the 20th November 2013 and close on the 31st January 2014.

The Chairperson of the Trust, Dr. Danny Jordaan said that he was particularly pleased with the outcomes of the first phase of funding and noted that “the World Cup left a lasting legacy given the positive response received from beneficiaries particularly the grass roots clubs. The impact of this funding can now be seen through the emergence of the leagues for the U13 and U15 boys and girls at the various Local Football Associations and the qualification of the Youth Teams at international levels”.

FIFA Secretary General Mr Jerome Valcke said that “Our commitment when we set up this Trust was to ensure that the FIFA World Cup leaves a lasting legacy in its host country by supporting long term football development in South Africa and social development organisations. I’m happy to see that we are making progress and fulfill our commitment”.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Koster-Police are investigating a case of ATM bombing as per Sec 27(1) of the Explosives Act 26/1956, Attempted Murder & Malicious Damage to property after two ATM’s were bombed.

“It is alleged that in the early hours of Tuesday, the Community Service Centre received a tip off from a community member that there are ± 5 African males tempering with ATM’s in town. Patrol vehicle as well as crime prevention were summoned to the scene” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

According to the information given, upon arrival at the scene the suspects shot at the police and no one was injured.
“Suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash in a black BMW. At the scene of the crime, there were 16 empty cartridges of R5, 2 empty cartridges of K47 and one R5 live ammunition” Ngubane said.
An investigation continues and the police would like anyone with the information that can lead to the arrest to contact the Koster Police on 014 545 8618.-TDN
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Johannesburg – The ANC has quietly paid its former chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe R1.7m earlier this year for loss of income, the Sowetan reported on Wednesday.

He lost his job following his suspension in November 2007, after he was found guilty of sexual harassment by a party-appointed disciplinary committee.

Goniwe was charged on 25 October 2006 with abuse of office by trying to obtain sexual favours from Parliament intern Nomawele Njongo.

The payment to Goniwe was confirmed to Sowetan on Tuesday, by his legal representative, Frans Smit, who said the money was paid earlier this year.

“I [have] been to Luthuli House [ANC headquarters] several times, met with senior leaders who made promises to pay but never kept them. But after putting pressure, the ANC paid R1.7m,” Smit said.

Goniwe took the ruling party to court in 2011 and the South Gauteng High Court ordered the ANC to pay him R1.2m plus interest of about R800 000 for loss of income.

Smit said the ANC failed to pay on time, hence they had to pay R1.7m.

Goniwe was now in talks with his successor, Stone Sizani, for a new position in Parliament.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Shootings and bomb blasts in Bedfordview targeting Radovan Krejcir have turned the area into the “Wild West” a resident says where a man warned that ‘blood will flow”.

The blast at Krejcir’s Money Point shop on Tuesday night killed two people, both associates of the controversial businessman, and critically injured three others.

The Life Bedfordview Gardens Hospital was in lockdown on Tuesday night, the Times reported, leaving concerned friends and family of the injured waiting outside.

A heavily armed man who was standing with grieving relatives was overheard telling family members that “blood will flow. I tell you, now blood will flow”.

A crime intelligence officer told the newspaper that the blast was just the build up and that “a storm is coming”.

In July, Krejcir escaped unharmed from an apparent bid to kill him outside his office.

“It is alleged that he [Krejcir] arrived at the premises and parked his vehicle,” police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini said at the time.

“As he was leaving the parking spot, an explosive device was detonated from the back of a vehicle, a VW Polo, parked opposite his vehicle.”

Eyewitness News said that it is thought that Krejcir is still in hiding following Tuesday night’s incident.

Krejcir is wanted in the Czech Republic where he was sentenced in absentia to six-and-a-half years for tax fraud. He was also charged with conspiracy to murder, counterfeiting, extortion, and abduction.

– News24

Johannesburg – North West traditional leadership and claims commissioner Joe Mafereka has died, Premier Thandi Modise’s office said on Wednesday.

“Commissioner Mafereka died in hospital the past weekend after a short period of illness,” Modise’s spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said in a statement.

“Mafereka leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and dedication. His untimely death has robbed the country of a humble but assertive leader who performed his duty with utmost integrity and without fear or favour.”

Kgwele said a backlog of traditional disputes and claims had been cleared under Mafereka’s leadership.

“Commissioner Mafereka has left an indelible mark and will forever be remembered as a fearless warrior, a loyal servant of our people, a skilled negotiator, a unifier, and peacemaker.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Police were unsure on Wednesday of the motive behind the explosion at Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir’s business premises which claimed the lives of two of his associates.

“At this stage the motive is unknown, but investigators have taken statements from a few people,” Brigadier Neville Malila told reporters on the scene.

Krejcir was not considered a suspect at this point.

“Investigators took a statement from him last night [Tuesday] and at this stage he is not a suspect. They will be able to get hold of him if it is needed,” said Malila.

The device went off late on Tuesday afternoon at Krejcir’s Money Point gold and diamond exchange office, next to the Eastgate shopping centre in Bedfordview, on the East Rand.

Five people were injured. Three were still in hospital, with one believed to be in a critical condition.

Police helicopters landed at the scene on Wednesday morning.

A forensic expert said the building’s roof had collapsed because of the magnitude of the blast.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said police were still trying to establish what kind of explosive was used.

Malila said police could not reveal the names of the deceased as they had not yet been identified.

The type of device used was not known, as crime scene experts were still combing the scene.

Malila said the evidence would be taken to a laboratory for analysis.

He said the matter was being investigated by detectives from the Hawks and the national and provincial police.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – South Africa avoided civil war and has made progress in achieving peace since the demise of apartheid, says suspended Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

“We have made many strides that are worth celebrating since 1994. The biggest of them all is that South Africa avoided a civil war and has made tremendous progress in achieving peace and friendship with our neighbours and the world.”

Vavi was speaking in his personal capacity to members of the Rand Club, in Johannesburg, on Tuesday.

He said the political violence that ravaged and displaced hundreds of thousands of people was no longer a feature of society.

“I do acknowledge that there has been a lingering political violence with a number of persons killed in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape, and at least one in the Free State, but the scale is nothing compared to the thousands murdered in the internecine violence of the 1980s and 1990s.”

Vavi said South Africa’s democracy was stable and election results enjoyed legitimacy.

“At the socio-economic level the country has massively improved access to electricity, sanitation services, housing and other social needs. Despite problems with the quality of services, we have to acknowledge that the scale of access to education is a far cry from pre-1994 levels.”

He said the state was directly responsible for ensuring, through the social grants system, that over 15 million people were not living in abject poverty.

“In all of these areas progress has been achieved. Today we can say without any fear of contradiction that the South Africa of today is not comparable to our ugly past and is a better place to live in, notwithstanding its remaining challenges.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The teenager allegedly raped by Kwaito star Brickz is terrified of him, the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court heard on Wednesday.

“When I interviewed the victim she was visibly traumatised,” investigating officer Warrant Officer Joel Ngobeni testified.

“She became terrified every time I mentioned Brickz’s name.”
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