Monthly Archives: December 2013

Elephant put down after Kruger Park attack

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Mbombela –

 

An elephant bull has been put down after it attacked a couple in the Kruger National Park on Monday, trampling their blue Volkswagen car.

 

The attack took place at a water hole near Pretoriuskop in the south of the park, SA National Parks spokesman Ike Phaahla said on Tuesday, a Sapa correspondent reported.

 

“Apparently the South African couple were following the elephant bull to videotape it and suddenly the animal turned on them and pushed their car into the bush for about 400m. According to eyewitnesses the animal was extremely aggressive and our rangers were alerted of the incident by the tourists,” Phaahla said.

 

A park physician advised the woman to go to the Medi-Clinic Hospital in Nelspruit for observation. The man was unharmed, but in shock.

 

Phaahla said the couple’s names were being withheld until their families had been informed.

 

The elephant was put down because it had shown such aggressive behaviour before and posed a threat to other tourists.

 

“The elephant had to be put down. Since it was in its musth phase, the elephant had gotten into a fight with another dominant bull before and was very aggressive,” Phaahla said.

 

During this phase an elephant’s elevated testosterone levels cause them to become aggressive, even when unthreatened.

 

“Musth happens in the breeding season when young bachelor bulls try to enter a breeding herd to mate with a female,” said nature conservationist Bryan Jones, of the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre.

 

“They are often driven away by the dominant male of that herd and may divert their frustration onto something else, sometimes humans.”

 

Phaahla advised tourists to park at a safe distance from animals.

 

“We need to respect their space. They are wild animals and behave naturally in the wild. Their behaviour can be very unpredictable and if they feel under threat they will attack to defend themselves.”

 

Apart from this incident Phaahla said the festive season had so far been uneventful in the park.

 

Some tourists had been caught getting out of their cars and several speeding fines had been issued. – Sapa

Cops nabbed a man for murder


Durban – Four people have been arrested while making a getaway in a metered taxi from a Westville home after they allegedly shot dead a man through a patio door.

The man had been sitting outside the home in Waterfall Avenue with his family early on Tuesday.

Police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said the family was sitting outside the home at 1am when they were approached by three gunmen who came out of a metered taxi which parked at the gate.

The family fled and the man tried to lock out the assailants, who fired at him through the glass door.

Police found the taxi, and recovered three cellphones and a wallet belonging to the deceased, said Zwane.

Two firearms were also found and will be sent for ballistics testing. The four men, including the taxi driver, are due to appear in court for the murder this week.

Daily News

SAFA wishes fans prosperous 2014


South Africans have a moral obligation to work hard in order to fulfill the spirit and legacy of departed liberation hero Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

In a New Year message, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said the country was starting the 2014 without their beloved icon (Madiba) who passed away on 5 December 2013 at his Houghton home, Johannesburg. The former state President was 95.

“As for football and SAFA in particular, this will be the first time since our readmission into the world football family of FIFA without the physical presence of our beloved icon. But in order to fulfill what he stood for, let us all work together and make the Rainbow Nation a winning nation. That is what brought joy to Madiba,” said the SAFA President.

While 2013 is coming to a close, 2014 would be a bumper year for soccer lovers starting with the CHAN tournament that kicks off in Cape Town on 11 January 2014 when hosts Bafana Bafana face Mozambique in the tournament opener.

“During the CHAN tournament, CAF has organised a professional club football workshop which will be spearheaded by some renowned soccer personalities. This is an initiative of CAF President Issa Hayatou,” said Dr Jordaan.

“Soon after the CHAN tournament, the country will welcome arguably the best football playing nation on the planet, Brazil who play Bafana Bafana on 5 March 2014 at FNB Stadium. This is a rare opportunity for South African soccer fans to see the likes of Neymar, Hulk and goalkeeper Julio Cesar in action.

“This will provide an opportunity for Itumeleng Khune to stake a claim as a rising international superstar. He showed his grit in the match against Spain and being on the opposite side of one of the greatest goalkeepers of modern times (Cesar) provides him with a new challenge to prove his mettle.”

The year 2014 will also be challenging for both the U20 women and men teams. The women U20 are scheduled to play Nigeria in the World Cup final qualifying match. The winner will qualify for the World Cup finals in Canada 2014.

“2014 is also a year when Banyana Banyana will play qualification matches for the 2015 World Cup in Canada. It is a year when the draw for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will take place in which we expect our Bafana Bafana to make a strong statement.

“We will also play Australia, Down Under just before they leave for the World Cup finals in Brazil. So this is going to be a really bumper year for football fans; but in spite of all the international demands, the key focus for the new SAFA executive remains youth development,” emphasised Dr Jordaan.

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with all stakeholders. In the meantime, rest well and let’s approach 2014 with renewed energy.”-TDN
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Premier Modise welcomes arrest of Orkney rape suspects and calls for vigilance during new-year eve festivities


North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the rape of a 27- year-old Orkney woman and called for no bail when they appear in court for bail application on 9 January.

 

In reiterating her earlier call for united action against the scourge of rape, Premier Modise called for vigilance against opportunistic crime during new-year eve festivities and  fro women to take the precaution of not leaving their children alone or with strangers.

 

“Young girls and women could assist reduce rape incidents by carefully considering those that they choose to go out with to welcome the new year and the places they go to for entertainment given that perpetrators target women who are drunk and that not even infants and children of both sexes are safe from sexual violence from people that are known to them and those that are related to them,” highlighted Modise. 

According to police, Joseph Dlomo, 19, and Johannes Moabi, 29, allegedly chased the 27-year-old woman and her friends when they left a local tavern.Captain Pelonomi Makau alleged that the two men grabbed the woman, threatened her with a knife and took turns raping her. They were later arrested.-TDN
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Mogale unsung heroine of our struggle for liberation-Premier Modise   


North West Premier Thandi Modise has described ANC Veteran Juliet Mogale as an outstanding patriot and unsung heroine of the struggle for liberation, a human rights and a gender activist. Mogale who was a former secretary to ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu and deliverer of letters for world icon Nelson Mandela was buried at the  Letlhabile  cemetery near Brits today.

Premier Modise said that MamaJuliet Mogale, daughter of the business woman where ANC activists in the 40s & 50s used to consult at her restaurant – Blue Lagoon situated in Princess street, Johannesburg was a selfless cadre who served with humility and was part of women political and trade union activists who brought attention to the class, race and gender oppression and exploitation of women and contributed towards placing non-sexism alongside non racialism and democracy as key liberation principles. 

“Mama Mogale cared deeply for our people and even established a crèche for the benefit of the Itsoseng community near Hebron in her old age. She has left an indelible mark and will always be remembered as an embodiment of ubuntu. Though she deserved better, she never felt that she was owed for her gallant contribution. Hers was a life well lived in service of her people. We are saddened by her death and wish to convey our condolences to her family and the community that she loved and served,” said Modise.

 

Mogale worked for the ANC for years dating back to the 50s in Soweto came to reside in Itsoseng near Hebron in the North West Province where she continued working with like the late Francis Baard and others.-TDN
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A woman raped, suspects arrested


By Obakeng Maje
KANANA-Police are investigating two counts of rape after a 27 year -old victim from Kanana Township near Orkney was allegedly raped by Joseph Dlomo,19 and Johannes Moabi,21, on Monday at about 02:30, says captain Pelonomi Makau.

“The suspects appeared on Monday at Orkney Magistrate’s Court. They will appear again on 9 January 2014 for bail application” said Makau. 

It is alleged that the victim and her friends were from a local tavern when they were chased by the suspects. According to the information, the suspects managed to grab the victim and threatened her with a knife.

Captain Makau said it is alleged that the suspects took the victim to an open field and they took turns in raping her. The suspects were later arrested.-TDN
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A woman raped, suspects arrested


By Obakeng Maje
KANANA-Police are investigating two counts of rape after a 27 year -old victim from Kanana Township near Orkney was allegedly raped by Joseph Dlomo,19 and Johannes Moabi,21, on Monday at about 02:30, says captain Pelonomi Makau.

“The suspects appeared on Monday at Orkney Magistrate’s Court. They will appear again on 9 January 2014 for bail application” said Makau. 

It is alleged that the victim and her friends were from a local tavern when they were chased by the suspects. According to the information, the suspects managed to grab the victim and threatened her with a knife.

Captain Makau said it is alleged that the suspects took the victim to an open field and they took turns in raping her. The suspects were later arrested.-TDN
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No bail for teen’s rape suspect-Premier Modise


North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for no bail for the man accused of raping a 14 year old girl. The suspect who appeared in court on Monday is to appear again in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

 

In condemning the alleged rape in the strongest terms possible, Premier Modise said that it is sad that 80% of perpetrators of rape are known to their victims and that children who had been taught to trust and obey adults are raped by male adults who are known to them. 

“We call on real men need to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape. We need to unite in action and intensify the Million Signature Anti-rape campaign to ensure that women and children are safer in their homes and in our neighbourhoods,” highlighted Modise.

   

According to police, the girl was visiting her aunt, who stayed in a rented house in the 34-year-old man’s yard.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said that the man is alleged to have called the girl to his bedroom on Friday morning and asked her to iron his clothes. He reportedly then grabbed her and raped her.-TDN
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No bail for teen’s rape suspect-Premier Modise


North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for no bail for the man accused of raping a 14 year old girl. The suspect who appeared in court on Monday is to appear again in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

 

In condemning the alleged rape in the strongest terms possible, Premier Modise said that it is sad that 80% of perpetrators of rape are known to their victims and that children who had been taught to trust and obey adults are raped by male adults who are known to them. 

“We call on real men need to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape. We need to unite in action and intensify the Million Signature Anti-rape campaign to ensure that women and children are safer in their homes and in our neighbourhoods,” highlighted Modise.

   

According to police, the girl was visiting her aunt, who stayed in a rented house in the 34-year-old man’s yard.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said that the man is alleged to have called the girl to his bedroom on Friday morning and asked her to iron his clothes. He reportedly then grabbed her and raped her.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

 

No bail for teen’s rape suspect-Premier Modise


North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for no bail for the man accused of raping a 14 year old girl. The suspect who appeared in court on Monday is to appear again in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

 

In condemning the alleged rape in the strongest terms possible, Premier Modise said that it is sad that 80% of perpetrators of rape are known to their victims and that children who had been taught to trust and obey adults are raped by male adults who are known to them. 

“We call on real men need to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape. We need to unite in action and intensify the Million Signature Anti-rape campaign to ensure that women and children are safer in their homes and in our neighbourhoods,” highlighted Modise.

   

According to police, the girl was visiting her aunt, who stayed in a rented house in the 34-year-old man’s yard.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said that the man is alleged to have called the girl to his bedroom on Friday morning and asked her to iron his clothes. He reportedly then grabbed her and raped her.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_