Sheryl Botes’ Bantwana are on the verge of making history.

Bantwana are now firm favourites to qualify for the Under/17 women’s World Cup after holding Zambia to a 3-3 draw at Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka on Sunday in the first leg of the final qualifying round.

Bantwana’s goals were scored by Gabriella Salgado who netted a brace and Anelisa Ndyebi.

It was a see-saw battle which saw the lead swing between the two sides.

Zambia took the lead in the 15

th minute but Bantwana equalised almost immediately. The Zambians again went in front in the 27

th minute but the resolute Bantwana scored two quick goals to go to half-time leading 3-2.

However, the pendulum swung again as the hosts forced a draw through the only strike of the second half for a final 3-3 scoreline.

Head of delegation and SAFA NEC member, Ria Ledwaba said she was happy with the outcome.

“Coming away with a draw from Zambia who crushed Botswana recently is a commendable achievement. We gave the girls a motivational talk telling them to make history for themselves, their families and the country – and they did exactly that,” said Ledwaba.

“We should be in a position to finish off the job when Zambia comes here in a fortnight’s time. It will be nice if the girls do qualify for the World Cup. They have worked hard for this and I am proud of them,” added Ledwaba.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Atamelang-Police arrested a suspect in Middleton,near Atamelang on allegations of Stock theft on Friday.

“Police received a tip-off about possible stock theft. They went to the mentioned place and found the suspect in possession of seventeen cattle” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

Police said he alleged failed to produce the relevant documents for the cattle and he was arrested. The legal owner of the cattle was traced and found. 

“The suspect will appear in Atamelang Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of Stock Theft” said Makau.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Stilfontein-North West police are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and arson after a 38 year-old man allegedly killed his wife and set her house of fire.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said a couple’s 12 year-old daughter suffered minor injuries from the fire.

The atrocity took place at Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp and police said a suspect handed himself over at police station.

“He will appear at Stilfontein Magistrate Court on Monday for murder, attempted murder and arson” Makau said.

Police investigations continue.-TDN

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KwaZulu-Natal defending Champions Durban Ladies fought to a 4-2 victory over Remax Shooting Stars in their Sasol League provincial championships match at the Sasol League road show held at Impumelelo Stadium, Dundee on Saturday.

Having not lost a game this season and boasting a number of Banyana Banyana players, the Durban Ladies were favourites going into the much anticipated game which did not disappoint when it came to action. Both sides captained by national team players where looking to draw from the inspiration that the Banyana Banyana players would bring to the field.

Durban Ladies controlled the early stages of the game, having the majority of the possession and spending most of the time in their opponents half.

The first half deadlock was broken when Durban Ladies were awarded a penalty after Banyana Banyana striker, Silindile Ngubane was bought down in the box. Nomfundo Mchunu stepped up and slotted it in to the corner. A first half brace from Ngubane meant that the Durban Ladies went into the break with a 3 -0 lead.

Remax Shooting Stars pulled back two goals in the second half, though Nomthandazo Khubeka and Samkelisiwe Ncongo and its seemed the game was on until Ngubane netted her third goal and with that giving her a hat-trick.

Ngubane’s hat-trick and her contribution to the game saw her being awarded the Sasol “Shikisha” Moment as well as the Sasol Diski Queen for her influential performance.

The game ended 4-2 to Durban Ladies and they advance to their fifth consecutive championships.

Earlier in the day Banyana Banyana Coach Joseph Mkhonza and his technical held an open trials session where they put 42 players through their paces in an effort to identify potential talent, in order to grow the ever increasing pool of players from which the national team coaches, of all age groups, can draw from for future international matches. 

“As we look forward to the 2014 Banyana Banyana season, we need to start strengthening our National Team for the 2014 African Women’s Championship in Namibia. We need to put our best team forward in a bid to qualify for our first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be taking place in Canada in 2015. Events such as the Sasol League road shows afford us the opportunity to do a nationwide search for the best women football players in the country,” said Mkhonza

The other Sasol League match on the day, saw Sunflower FC take on Galaxy Ladies. Galaxy Ladies provided most of the attack early in the game. Sunflower kept their composure and absorbed the pressure which resulted in an 18

th minute counter attack goal by Fanele Mhlongo which put Sunflower FC a goal up. It was the brace from Sunflower FC captain, Mbali Bhengu that put the result to doubt and gave her team a 3 – 0 victory over Galaxy FC. The brace and an outstanding all round performance saw her being award the title of the Sasol Diski Queen for this match and her spectacular free kick goal from 25 metres out was awarded the Sasol “Shikisha” Moment of the game.

The 2013 Sasol League season will come to an end at the Sasol League National Championships taking place in Klerksdorp, North West from Monday, 25

th November – Sunday, 01 December 2013.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has come down heavily on malcontents who took football matters to court by handing down maximum sentences on offenders.

This follows a matter whereby some members of Free State’s Xhariep region took their matter to court ahead of SAFA’s Elective Congress on 28 September which ushered in a new executive.

In the subsequent disciplinary hearing, the following LFAs, Letsemeng, Kopanong, Naledi and Mohokare’s official were charged for misconduct for contravening SAFA Statutes, Article 71.1. On 27 September 2013 they referred a football matter to ordinary court of law, a move that brought the Game, SAFA and its sponsors into disrepute.

The Association decided to withdraw the charges against Letsemeng LFA as its members distanced themselves from the decision or any actions to take SAFA to court. The disciplinary hearing found no proof that they were part of such a decision.

The disciplinary committee found the following members guilty and, with immediate effect, expelled them from all football activities.

Kopanong:  Motlatsi Tsoaeli, Retshidisitswe Mphaphuli, Moramang Taole and Thabo Hlasa; Naledi: Mmota Leballo, Moeketsi Madiehe, Thembi Fako and Tshitso Qopane; Mohokare: Thabo Ramanyake, Lebusa Morapeli, Ntombizanele Gojo, Thabo Mojaje, Nobelungu Thumana, Pierre Minnie and Bhadi Adoons. 

“This ruling should send out a strong message that SAFA will not tolerate individuals who flagrantly violate FIFA Statutes by taking football matters to courts. Football has mechanisms and structures to resolve internal disputes and there is no need to refer such matters to courts,” said SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Brits-North West police have re-arrested an alleged serial rapist, Jacob Kgatlhane(32) on Friday for allegedly escaping from lawful custody on 17 September 2013.

“It is alleged that the accused was initially arrested on 13 August 2013 on 13 charges of rape committed in the areas of Letlhabile, Limpopo and Lethabong near Brits, which were committed between 2009 and 2012” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

The alleged victims were between 14 and 17 years. Some of the victims were raped and robbed of their belongings when they were on their way to school.

According to the information, the suspect escaped from the police van when he was transported from court to the cells after his appearance. 

“It is alleged that the suspect kicked open the backdoor of the police vehicle at the robots in Letlhabile. The police tried to chase after the suspect and he managed to escape” Ngubane said. 

The accused was at large until he was re-arrested on Friday at about 23:00.

“The accused has been hiding at the nearby bushes at Zone 6 in Letlhabile township and was arrested as a result of community participation who assisted the police in tracing him. Information has it that the suspect was frequently visiting a shack in zone 10 for food and refreshing” police said.

Ngubane said after the suspect was arrested, police had to ensure that the relevant and the right person has been arrested.

“This had to be done through confirmation of his fingerprints and other relevant information” he said. 

The suspect will appear at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of Escaping from Lawful custody .

The police would like to thank the community and the media houses that assisted in the tracing and re-arrest of this dangerous accused rapist. 

“Partnership policing is the key in solving crime in our community” said Ngubane.-TDN

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The North West Executive Council (Exco) has adopted a revised Job-Access Plan to accelerate employment of persons with disabilities. In terms of the plan, close to 1200 more people with disabilities are targeted for employment by the provincial administration within the next 10 months.

Premier Thandi Modise who had recently urged provincial government departments to endeavour to employ more people with disabilities, whites, coloured and Indians within the provincial administration says that the plan is product of intense debates during the consultative process involving departments and the Provincial Disability Forum.

Modise had said that building an inclusive society, requires that departments should go beyond placing people with disabilities as interns to employing them and advancing their upward mobility within the public service.

Approval of the plan will bring changes to employment practices including the inclusion of disability interests in short-listing and interview panels.

In addition to mainstream recruitment process, Exco has directed departments to work with the Office of the Status of People with Disabilities(OSPD) to identify posts for exclusive recruitment of Persons with Disabilities.

The OSPD and relevant structures in government have also been mandated to coordinate initiatives aimed at preparing and placing job-seekers Persons with Disabilities.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-A 44 year-old man was allegedly found dead on Thursday at about 21:00 in his shack at Ikageng location, near Potchefstroom.

North West police said that the deceased sister alerted the police after she found his brother dead that morning.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said Emergency Medical Services were summoned to the scene and certified the victim dead.

“According to the information by emergency services, the deceased had a swollen eye and he bled from his nose” Makau outlines. 

No one has been arrested and investigation continues.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Jouberton-North West police are investigating a case of murder after a 25 year-old man was allegedly shot dead at his place on Thursday at about 19:00.

“It is alleged that the victim was standing in front of his gate when he was shot in his chest by an unknown suspect” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

Police said the suspect is sought and investigations continue.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Christiana-North West police arrested a 14 year-old suspect for allegedly stabbing a 17 year-old victim at Utlwanang township near  Christiana on Friday at about 18:00.

“It is alleged that both the suspect and the victim fought in the street and the suspect took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the stomach” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

Emergency Medical Services were called and the victim was certified dead on the scene. 

The suspect was traced and arrested by police. 

Makau said the reason led to a bloody fight is not yet known.

The suspect will appear at Christiana Magistrates Court on Monday, in connection of murder.

Police investigations continues.-TDN

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