Bloemfontein – Negotiations for a possible plea bargain were mentioned during a right-wing coup plot trial in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Monday.

Prosecutor Tory Pretorius said the State was busy with negotiations that could shorten the trial significantly.

The matter was postponed to Wednesday.

The trial was set down to start on 18 November.

Mark Trollip, 48, and Johan Hendrik Prinsloo, 49, face charges of high treason for their alleged involvement in plans to bomb the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung last December.

According to the charge sheet, Trollip and Prinsloo planned to acquire weaponry such as AK-47, R1 and R4 rifles to execute the coup.

They remain in custody.

– SAPA

Kimberley – Griekwastad farmer Deon Steenkamp and his wife Christelle died of multiple bullet wounds, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Monday.

“The head wounds of the man and the woman were probably [caused by] the same weapon,” pathologist Lemaine Fouche of the Northern Cape health department said.

Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo is hearing evidence in the trial of a 17-year-old youth accused of the murders of Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14. They were shot on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on 6 April 2012.

The teenager also faces a charge of raping Marthella and defeating the ends of justice.

Bullet wounds

Prosecutor Hannes Cloete painstakingly took Fouche through her evidence-in-chief as the State’s first witness this week. She described Deon Steenkamp as a big, strong man, saying he was shot three times.

“He lost a lot of blood,” Fouche said.

The farmer had a bullet wound behind the left ear. Fragments of the bullet were found in his brain.

Deon had lacerations on his head, which could have been caused by him being hit with a blunt object such as a revolver.

His wife had a bullet wound in the back. The bullet probably first went through a jacket and grazed the wooden back of a chair before it struck her. She had a bullet wound in the back of her head.

The trial continues.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Retired apartheid generals attacking the police crime intelligence division threaten the country’s security, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) said on Monday.

“The various allegations levelled at the leadership of crime intelligence division… and the clear turf battles seeming to be raging… is a threat to the security, peace and stability of our country,” MKMVA chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe told reporters in Johannesburg.

He said generals and colonels who served in the apartheid-era security intelligence had retired at the dawn of democracy and established private intelligence institutions.

“These are trained people… Those generals are paraded as experts on crime fighting and have the audacity to regularly bash the SA Police Service (SAPS), especially its crime intelligence division.

“We in the MKMVA, knew these generals and colonels as criminals who never upheld any law, except racist apartheid, which was declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations.”

Mdluli saga

He said civil society had been against the establishment of a crime intelligence unit, and was intent on discrediting the police.

“Today those apartheid activists readily discredit the statistics provided by the SAPS and enthusiastically condemn all action taken by the SAPS in efforts to transform itself to better serve our society.”

He singled out former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli as an example of this.

“Civil society has been against him returning to perform his duty as a policeman. It is dangerous. We will wake up one morning to an uprising and question why did it go about without being detected?”

Lobby group Freedom Under Law won an application in September for a review and setting aside of the decision to withdraw criminal and disciplinary charges against Mdluli.

Mdluli was suspended amid charges of fraud and corruption, and charges relating to the murder of his ex-lover’s husband.

Last week, the Institute for Security Studies accused the police of miscalculating crime levels and downplaying the rate of violent crime.

“The statistics presented by the police underplay the shocking reality of crime, especially the most traumatising acts of crimes,” ISS governance, crime and justice division head Gareth Newham said at the time.

Defence dept ‘has lost many rifles’

Maphatsoe said the veterans knew who was discrediting the police.

“We know them, we are not going to name them as yet.”

He said the MKMVA was interested in matters affecting the crime intelligence division because once it was destabilised, the security of the country would be compromised.

“We are concerned that the department of defence has lost many rifles… It is very dangerous to lose focus.”

He called on police management to investigate allegations of police misconduct and to take action.

“We call on civil society movements to be measured in criticising the SAPS, and acknowledge that those who stand in the forefront of damning the SAPS today, yesterday stood at the forefront of bolstering the erstwhile apartheid South African police force.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Police officer Enoch Motsepe is not a flight risk, the Germiston Regional Court heard on Monday.

The Pretoria constable has applied for bail on kidnapping and extortion charges.

“I am the only accused in this matter and I intend to plead not guilty to all charges,” his lawyer Tsepiso Matubatuba read from his affidavit in support of his bail application.

“I am not a flight risk. I have too much to risk if I abscond my trial. I will not interfere with the witnesses or the evidence.”

Dressed in a blue T-shirt and blue jeans, he entered the dock and looked at the public gallery, which was almost empty save for journalists.

Motsepe sat down and looked straight ahead during proceedings.

The court heard that Motsepe had a child who was dependent on him.

He asked the court to consider the child’s rights.

Motsepe indicated that he could afford R2 000 bail.

He said the reason he was pointed out during an identity parade on 8 November was because two of the four witnesses saw him at the police cells after he was arrested, and they were there to open the case.

The 32-year-old gave the address of a flat he was renting in Sunnyside, Pretoria, and that of his aunt.

However, prosecutor Thabo Motlhamme indicated there was a third address and that the investigating officer would be called to testify.

Adjournments

The matter was briefly adjourned three times on Monday morning.

The first adjournment was because the investigating officer was not present, the second was due to a power failure, and the third was because the court equipment froze after the power outage.

Magistrate Pieter du Plessis indicated he had no problem proceeding without electricity, but the power was restored minutes later.

Motsepe is a detective from Silverton, Pretoria, and made a brief court appearance on 30 October, but the matter was postponed for further investigation.

Police are looking for five other people in connection with the kidnapping of a Bedfordview, Johannesburg, resident, on Monday, 28 October. According to the State, four men entered the victim’s home claiming they were police officers.

They took jewellery worth about R150 000, a BMW, and a cellphone.

They kidnapped the man and demanded a R100 000 ransom from his family.

Motsepe was arrested after allegedly collecting the ransom at a Caltex petrol station on the N1 highway in Midrand.

Police accidentally shot and wounded hip hop singer Khuli Chana when he allegedly failed to stop at a roadblock they had set up at the petrol station’s exit in an attempt to catch the kidnappers.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – It is important that parents lead from the front in taking care of their children, Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu Xingwana said on Monday.

She was speaking at a prayer day in Diepsloot, where a 7-month-old baby was found dead on Sunday, following the recent deaths of two cousins aged 2 and 3-years-old, and a 5-year-old girl.

She was accompanied by Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau and religious leaders. Xingwana said government would ensure justice was done.

“We pledge solidarity with the community. We will leave no stone unturned. Government cannot do much without the support of the community,” she said.

Attacked by rats

Tau said he was in the area on Sunday when the baby was found dead.

According to The Star, the baby’s mother reported the death to the police early on Sunday morning, claiming her child had been mutilated by rats. When police arrived on the scene, the woman had disappeared.

Pathology tests apparently confirmed that rats attacked the child.

But, Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said a case of murder was being investigated.

“We have registered a case of murder, but initially it was an inquest,” Mofokeng said.

Police arrived to find the baby’s body with a foot missing from the body.

“Further investigations informed police that [the foot] was bitten off by rats.”

Police were still awaiting the results of the post mortem to definitively determine the cause of death.

Bodies found in toilet cubicle

Mofokeng said the baby’s mother was missing and had still not been located by Monday morning, contrary to media reports that she had reported the matter to police.

In October, Yonelisa Mali, 2, and her cousin Zandile Mali, 3, were found dead in a toilet cubicle by a resident.

After the murders were discovered, Diepsloot residents stoned cars and burnt tyres in the street outside the local police station in protest.

A 29-year-old man faces charges of murder, rape and kidnapping in connection with the cousins’ deaths.
In September, 5-year-old Anelisa Mkondo was found dead in the same area.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Medupi Simasiku said the police were still investigating Mkondo’s case.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-The Police are investigating a case of murder after a 13 year-old boy was found with head injuries in the early hours of Saturday outside a tavern in Jouberton Township.

“It is alleged that the victim was found lying outside the tavern and he was taken to Tshepong Hospital in Jourbeton. On Saturday the victim allegedly passed on” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.

A 19 year-old suspect was arrested on Monday and he will appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court.
“The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mbombo is appealing to parents to look after their children and always know the whereabouts of their children, as the police are experiencing challenge with underage children who are involved with alcohol and drugs” Molale said.-TDN

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The Church is the cornerstone of all rulers and people and its role in our lives cannot be undermined, North West Premier Thandi Modise told over three thousand delegates attending the West Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the Mmabatho Convention Centre, Mahikeng on Sunday.

Premier Modise, who was accompanied by South Africa’s first Woman Judge President Justice Monica Leeuw, encouraged members of the AME Church to register for the election in order to exercise their democratic rights to vote.

“We are not out of order as government and the Church to encourage young people to exercise rights that God gave them to exercise – the right to vote. No government shall be legitimate unless if it is based on the will of the people. This speaks to the legitimacy which God called for in the very beginning,” said Premier Modise.

Premier Modise also took the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the pioneers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charlotte Maxeke.

She said Maxeke, a founder member and president of the Bantu Women’s League and a forerunner of the ANC Women’s League, provided an exemplary leadership that all South Africans must be proud of.

The Right Reverent of the African Episcopal Church, RT. Rev Paul Jones Mulenga Kawimbe who prayed for peace and prosperity in the North West, said he was very thrilled by Premier Modise’s address, saying that she did not speak like a politician but like a child of God.

“We pray for the blessings upon you. You have done a lot for this audience today. This audience will remember you. It is clear that you are not here by mistake, but by God’s appointment,” said the overjoyed RT. Rev Kawimbe.

Premier Modise who is a firm believer in the church’s power to bring about peace, stability, spiritual restoration and development in society said there was too much rape, anger, disrespect and dishonesty in the province, adding that she was confident that the church will continue to play a big role in helping to stamp-out social ills that continue to trouble the province, the country and the entire continent.-TDN
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Johannesburg – ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has urged a Limpopo resident to vote or else the “Boers” will come back to power, the Star reported on Monday.

“If you don’t vote the Boers will come back to control us,” Ramaphosa reportedly said in Seshego.

He was speaking to disgruntled resident, Johanna Phala, 49, who had vowed not to vote in next year’s elections because the ANC had disappointed her.

The unemployed single mother of three blamed the high unemployment rate on the ANC and said she had lost hope in the party.

Ramaphosa asked her to reconsider her anger towards the ANC-led government.

He was in Seshego, hometown of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, to drum up party support.

“If all South Africans don’t vote, we will regress. The Boers will come back to control us.”

Ramaphosa’s remarks echoed a study released in April by consumer insights company Pondering Panda which found that 46% of youth respondents of all races believed the DA would bring back apartheid if it won next year’s elections. 

SAPA

By Kgatliso Ramose

Cairo-The pyramid of Egypt were too high for Orlando Pirates to climb for the second time around as they bite the dust in their quest to a second star.

Orlando Pirates lost 3-1 in aggregate against the defending champion of Confederation of Africa Football Champions league Al Ahly in Arab Contractor Stadium in Cairo last night.

Orlando Pirates’ fairytale began on 15 February. After qualifying for champions league, Orlando Pirates were in Group A, a group that were regarded as ‘group of death’. They were up against the 7 times winner and defending champions Al Ahly,5 times winner Zamalek and AC Leopard. 

Their heroic performance saw them claiming 7 vital points from 2 best teams in Africa,Zamalek and Al Ahly and a point from AC Leopard which saw them finishing in second position with 8 points. Top of the log was Al Ahly with 11 points while Zamalek and AC Leopard ended up locking horns with 4 points each.

The two legged Semi final saw Orlando Pirates facing off 2 times champion Esperance. First leg was played at home and ended in a goalless draw. 

Pirates progressed to the final with away goal rule advantage after playing one all.

After progressing to the final,everyone believed that Orlando Pirates will walk on the footprint of the class of 95 which won the competition as the scenario was almost the same.

Messages of support poured from all over the country including the Office of the President, Minister of Sports and Recreation Mr Fikile “Rasmatazz” Mbalula,the newly elected SAFA president DR Danny Jordan and South Africans all over the country.

The two legged final saw Orlando Pirates hosting Al Ahly at home playing one all draw and conceded a goal which put them in a smoke. They went to Cairo knowing that they have a pyramid to climb. 

It was so close yet so far for Orlando Pirates which missed a clear cut chances on the second leg of the champion.

Al Ahly were crowned champions for the record 8 times after beating Pirates 2-0,winning in 3-1 aggregate.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Ikageng- Police have registered a case of murder in Promosa Section, near Potchefstroom after a wife (42) stabbed his husband (51) with a knife on the left side of his chest yesterday at about 09:15.

Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said the argument ensued between two after a woman sent her kid to go and fetch the money from her husband.

“The kid allegedly came to setch money from the father as he was playing pool (snooker) at a nearby tarven. A man gave his kid the money as asked, but after a while his wife came along” Molale said.

Police said an argument ensued between the two and a wife drew a knife and stabbed her husband few times.

He died on the scene and his wife was arrested immediately.

“She will appear before Ikageng Magistrate Court on Monday for murder” concludes Molale.-TDN

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