Johannesburg – Those involved in killing six people accused of gangsterism in Khutsong on the West Rand will face the full might of the law, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Monday.

“We strongly warn the perpetrators of such disturbing incidents because mob justice is unjustifiable,” Mthethwa said in a statement.

“You cannot resolve crime through committing crime; it is simply unacceptable.”

Six people, including a sangoma, were killed in Khutsong allegedly by residents on Sunday.

This happened after about 400 men, believed to be Khutsong residents, held a meeting to discuss gangsterism.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Neville Malila said a group of men went to a house in Khutsong Extension Three, where they attacked a 61-year-old traditional healer, setting him and his house alight.

The man died on the scene.

Perceived as heroes

Other splinter groups from the meeting went to Extension Four, Phase Two, where two young men, allegedly members of a gang, were assaulted and set alight. They also died at the scene.

Malila said that in Extension Five, Carletonville, the groups assaulted a number of people they accused of being gangsters.

“Two alleged gang members were stoned, one died on the scene and the other at the Carltonville Hospital.”

The body of a sixth man was found on Sunday night. He had been set alight.

Mthethwa said: “What is really worrying is the fact that the perpetrators of such acts are often perceived as heroes by some members of communities when such barbaric killings take place.

“Police are in hot pursuit of these so-called ‘heroes’ because there is nothing heroic when you burn and kill people.”

Police have increased visibility in the area and were being assisted by the public order policing unit to stabilise the area.

“Currently, the area is volatile and police are patrolling,” said Mthethwa.

– SAPA

Durban – Police are searching for the driver of one of the vehicles involved in a head-on collision near Nongoma that killed eight people.

The driver of a Ford Sierra escaped unscathed from the accident with a Nissan bakkie late on Saturday evening on the R618 between Nongoma and Vryheid.
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Cape Town – Judgment in the murder trial of Thandi Maqubela and her business associate will take a few days to hand down, Judge John Murphy said in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.

The judgment was over 220-pages long, he said. It contained complex issues of facts and law and would take two to three days to read out.

He asked the media to be prudent in this time and avoid reaching preliminary conclusions “because the judgment is so complex and there are so many factual findings to be made”.

Murphy denied an application by Maqubela on Monday morning to re-open her case.

Marius Broeksma, for Maqubela, had told the court they wanted the case to be opened “to a very limited extent” on counts two and three, that of fraud and forgery.

He handed up a founding affidavit and said the intention was to call more witnesses.

Maqubela and her co-accused Vela Mabena have pleaded not guilty to suffocating her husband, acting Judge Patrick Maqubela, with cling-wrap in his Sea Point, Cape Town, flat on 5 June 2009.

Forgery charge

She has also pleaded not guilty to forging her husband’s signature on his will, and then fraudulently presenting it at the Johannesburg office of the Master of the High Court.

The forgery charge on the indictment was recently amended from “making of the signature” to “making of the will”.

The State previously told the court no will was lodged at the time of Maqubela’s death and his financial adviser was adamant there was no will.

It was only on 23 April 2010, that the Master’s Office received a letter from his widow stating she had found a will among some documents in boxes and that it was dated March 2009.

Broeksma said on Monday he wanted to call witnesses to prove that the boxes contained the judge’s personal effects.

He said the application would not be pursued if the State conceded this fact.

“No such concession will be forthcoming from the State,” replied prosecutor Bonnie Currie-Gamwo.

She criticised the defence for bringing an application at such a late stage and questioned when the matter would be finalised when some witnesses were in Johannesburg and the United Kingdom.

“None of them [the witnesses] can tell us what exactly was inside the boxes in any event,” she said.

Randall Titus said his client, Mabena, wanted the trial to conclude as soon as possible and asked the court to consider his interests.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A case of attempted murder against musician Khuli Chana is continuing, Gauteng police said on Monday.

“He has not been charged yet. The investigation has not been completed. The director of public prosecutions would be the one to decide whether to charge him or not,” said police spokesperson Neville Malila.

A case of attempted murder against Chana, whose real name is Khulane Morule, was brought on Friday.

Police said they had obtained CCTV footage and statements from witnesses about what transpired last Monday at the Caltex garage along the N1 highway.

Malila said the evidence obtained corroborated the claim of police officers at the scene, that instead of stopping, the driver had tried to run over the uniformed police officers who were flagging him down.

Chana was then accidentally shot and wounded by police when they mistook his luxury vehicle for that of kidnappers they were tracking.

Enoch Motsepe, a detective from Silverton, in Pretoria, was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and appeared in the Germiston Regional Court on Wednesday.

The case was postponed to 11 November for further investigation and a formal bail application.

Ransom money

Motsepe was arrested last Monday after collecting the R100 000 ransom money at the filling station.

Chana’s lawyer, Cliff Alexander, defended his client.

“Whether or not Khuli was or was not flagged down by unknown people still does not justify the [SAPS] having fired shots at him,” he said in a statement.

“They [the police] have certainly exceeded the bounds as contained in section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act.”

Alexander said neither he nor Chana were aware of any CCTV footage.

“At this stage, we are unaware of any other CCTV footage other than the footage from the garage.

“We have not been provided with an opportunity to view any CCTV footage, despite having a constitutional right to view the same in order to fully protect his rights.”

An attempted murder case brought by Chana is under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – The treason trial of two alleged rightwing plotters was postponed by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Monday.

Mark Trollip, 48, and Johan Prinsloo, 50, made a brief appearance during which the case was postponed until 11 November.

A small group of close family members attended court on Monday.

Trollip’s legal representative withdrew from the case last week and Judge M B Molemela postponed the matter at the request of his new lawyer Kenny Pretorius, to give him time to study the case and consult his clients and other witnesses.

Pretorius received the docket only on Friday. The State did not oppose the request.

Trollip and Prinsloo face charges of high treason for their involvement in plans to execute President Jacob Zuma and other ministers during the ANC’s national conference last December.

On 31 October, Judge Albert Kruger declared a third accused, Martin Keevy, 49, unfit to stand trial.

He was declared a State president’s patient last week, and will be held at the Free State Psychiatric Complex.

During a short sitting on Thursday, prosecutor Silas Chalale informed the court that four psychiatric reports concluded that he was unable to stand trial.

‘Battle of Mangaung’

After attending a rightwing meeting in Kroonstad, Keevy apparently told people the “Slag van Mangaung” (Battle of Mangaung) was imminent and would take place on “Geloftedag”, 16 December 2012.

Keevy also went to the University of the Free State campus in Bloemfontein and took photos of the ANC’s elective conference halls and surrounding areas.

According to the charge sheet, the accused planned to gather weaponry, such as AK-47, R1 and R4 semi-automatic firearms, mortars and a G6-canon, to execute their plans.

The ANC held its 2012 national elective conference at the UFS Bloemfontein campus from 16 December last year.

In relation to the treason and conspiracy charges, the State alleges the men tried, between July 2012 and December 2012, to overthrow the government.

They apparently tried to get hold of mortars, firearms and ammunition to kill, among others, Zuma, Cabinet members, and other ANC members in Mangaung.

The State alleges the men intended putting themselves, other people unknown to the State, and the “Boerevolk” in a position to govern South Africa.

The State attached a list of 36 witnesses, who would testify at the trial.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Galeshewe- Police are investigating a case of theft of motor vehicle after a 19 year-old man was caught in the act of allegedly stealing a motor vehicle. Members of the SAPS Public Order Policing were busy with routine patrols in Retswelele, near Galeshewe location when they spotted the white Ford Bantum bakkie parked on the pavement on Sunday, at approximately 02:25am.

“The police members stopped next to the vehicle and upon inspection inside they noted the suspect trying to hide self. The police saw that the small window of the bakkie was broken and also saw that the ignition wiring was ripped out. The motor gate of the house opposite the scene of crime was open and the police did some enquiries in this regard” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Kock said the police confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from this specific yard and that it was pushed out silently by the suspect after he broke the padlock on the motor gate.

“The police noted that thieves are also targeting the older model vehicle. The police request that all vehicle owners install motor vehicle alarm systems and tracking devices as a safety measure in this regard.

“The fitting of a visible gear lock, extra lighting in yards and guard dogs will also assist as deterrent to thieves. The suspect should be appearing in the Galeshewe Magistrate Court soon” he outlines.
The investigation continues.-TDN
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SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan has appealed to all South Africans from all walks of life to go out and buy their tickets for the Bafana Bafana versus World and European champions Spain match on 19 November.

Tickets for the titanic match, to be played at South Africa’s home of football FNB Stadium, go on sell on Tuesday, 5 November 2013 and will be sold from all Computicket outlets as well as the following stores; Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers.

The ticket prices for the match will be as follows:
•R50 (Fifty rand) for the top tier (Level 5);
•R100 (Hundred rand) for the lower level and
•R200 (Two-hundred-rand) for the middle tier (Level 2)
•The hospitality package is R1 650 (Booking Hotline: 0825608993. For more information send e-mail to bookings@sail.co.za).

“The Champions are Coming to our shores and this is a rare opportunity to come and witness the finest players in action against our own Bafana Bafana,” said SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan.

“We have received overwhelming requests for the tickets, so to avoid disappointments, do yourself a favour and buy yours as early as the tickets go on sale on Tuesday.”

The match kicks off at 21h00.
TDN
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Griekwastad-A police officer rejected claims by a rightwing woman that she played a part in the Steenkamp murders on a farm near Griekwastad last year, the Northern Cape High Court has heard.

“There is no truth in these allegations,” investigating officer Dick de Waal testified.

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

De Waal told the court he had received information from three sources since the court last heard the matter.

The new information was received from a woman in Kuruman, a man who called a State witness, and a woman, Cornelia de Wet, who was in prison in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

It was reported De Wet, a member of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging, had confessed to her alleged role in the murders of the Steenkamps.

The Diamond Fields Advertiser reported 37-year-old De Wet, in custody for possession of explosives and ammunition, alleged the Steenkamp murders were part of a plan to attack white farmers in an attempt to instil fear and incite racial hatred.

Prosecutor Hannes Cloete questioned De Waal on how he had handled all the additional information in the case since the last court sitting. De Waal testified all the information was followed up, statements were taken and added to the docket.

The boy’s defence team was given all the statements.

The court heard the State brought De Wet to Kimberley so the boy’s defence team could consult with the woman.

– Sapa

Potchefstroom-North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on schools to take firm action against perpetrators of racism in their schools in order to send a strong message that racism of any form would not be tolerated in this country.

“Incidents of racism such as the one reported undermine our efforts at nation-building and social cohesion that seek to unite all communities across racial, ethnic and gendered lines.” said Premier Modise.

In reacting reacting to newspaper reports on claims of racism at a North West school, Premier Modise called for human rights education, values and anti-racism to be intensified as part of the curriculum and for the department of education  to ensure that racism is tackled head-on in an integrated manner.

It was earlier reported that that 14-year old twin brothers Kago and Kagiso Mangope, who are doing Grade 8 at Potchefstroom Gimnasium school were constantly being referred to as “kaffirs.”

The twins’ bother, Lebo Mangope was quoted as saying that the racial slurs were hurled in front of a teacher but the teacher acted as if nothing happened.

The school has untaken to investigate the matter. Premier Modise says her administration would request a report from the school and take action if necessary.

“Schools play a pivotal role in society. Students coming from these institutions go on to occupy influential positions in business, politics, government and other sectors. It is therefore important that pupils are taught properly so that they become responsible citizens who will contribute towards building a free, fair and just society that we in South Africa aspire. There will be no place for racists in South Africa, never again, said Premier Modise.-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed assurance by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) that the noble gas and iodine release that occurred at the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (NECSA) Pelindaba facility near Brits over the weekend posed no danger to members of the public.

“The regular emergency exercises that are conducted at the site by the nuclear licensee, with the participation of the relevant local and provincial authorities and emergency services and evaluated by the NNR gives us confidence that NECSA’s nuclear emergency plan is effective to mitigate or reduce the consequences of an accident at its source, prevent serious deterministic health side effects and reduce the stochastic health effects,” said Premier Modise.

According to NECSA there was no need to activate the off site emergency plan due to the small nature of the gas that was release into the environment.

NNR CEO Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka said that the regulator and Necsa are monitoring the situation and will be provide more information as soon as it becomes available.-TDN

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