Northern Cape- The Christmas festive season has hit it’s high pitch and accompanied with this, people have become more relaxed and lackadaisical. Police throughout the country are performing special operations in line with Operation: Duty Calls and thus far this Province has yielded the desired results so far.

Proactive measures need to be in place in order to ensure that everyone enjoys a crime free safer festive season. The SAPS would like to warn the community to take heed of the following and to assist law enforcement agencies in taking measures in safeguarding their own property .

Here are a few useful hints that homeowners and the public can take note of:
– House keys should never be left lying around or kept dangling on the outside doors. They should be kept in a safe place and out of sight.
– Owners to park their vehicles in the garages (if they have one). Even if vehicles are parked in the garage, make sure that the garage doors and vehicle is locked and that the vehicle’s alarm is activated.
– Never leave valuable items (laptops, cellphones) lying around before retiring for the night. Don’t’ ignore the irritating bark of your or your neighbour’s dogs. Housebreakers will rarely enter through the front of a house as they can be easily seen from the road. It has been reported that criminals are scaling over walls and getting away. Dogs will alert you of exactly where they are. Phone the police immediately of any suspicious or unusual activity or barking.
– Take note and be observant of any bushy or vacant area near your house. Most of the time, criminals will hide the stolen items in the bush and return later to fetch it.

– Firearm owners to make sure those firearms are locked away in a safe and that the keys are kept with the owner at all times. Failure to do so may result in criminal cases being opened against the firearm owner.

– Drugs and substance abuse contributes enormously to the commission of various crimes such as assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, rape and murder as well as incidents of domestic violence. Many suspects are intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances when they commit crime. Parents need to know where their children are at all times. Women should not walk home late at night or during the early hours of the morning. This usually happens after women are highly intoxicated and when leaving the taverns. This behaviour makes them vulnerable to attacks.

– Avoid isolated ATM’s and using an ATM late at night. Never give your card or pin number to anyone for any reason – not even a bank official, security personnel or a police officer. Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. If you are distracted by someone while you are attempting to make a transaction, cancel your transaction immediately.

– Be aware of the 419 scam. You may be offered the opportunity to claim monies worth millions of rands. Under no circumstances should you attempt to reply, either by email, phone or post.

Police in Roodepan, Galeshewe and Kagisho have arrested several suspects during a simultaneous suspect raid held on Thursday evening (12/12) . A total of 31 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from Rape, Robbery, Attempted murder, housebreaking, Contravention of Protection Orders, Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and theft. Some of these suspects have already appeared in court on Friday, 13/13 while the rest will appear on Tuesday, 17/212.

The fight against crime is everyone’s responsibility and we appeal to the community to join hands with us and together we can enjoy a crime free and safer festive season. The South African Police Service and partners will be out in full force to ensure that you, the community is safe. Those who break the law will face the full might of the judicial system.-TDN
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(Unedited statement from Northern Cape South African Police Service)

Johannesburg-The South African U20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) will be looking to round off the second leg of this FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Tanzania in style.
They meet the East Africans, already leading 4-1 from the first leg. The match will be played at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday and Basetsana are hoping to make it a formality having walloped the visitors in convincing style in the first leg played in Dar es Salaam a fortnight ago.

The return leg will kick-off at 15h30.

Basetsana completed their first training session at Edenvale Football grounds on Monday (16 December) morning and head coach, Sheryl Botes was oozing confidence. She has a full complement of players in camp and added it was all systems go for this crucial second leg clash.

“It a good thing to start preparations with everyone in camp. The only exception is Vuyo Mkhabela who is down with a bout of flu. Botes has given Mkhabela time off to recover and should be back at training soon.

“The girls looked sharp at training this morning. They are hungry for success and want to make the country proud,” said Botes.

Botes said it was important for the girls to remain focussed on the matter at hand until they overcome the final hurdle to the 2014 Edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for Canada.

Basetsana return to the Edenvale Football grounds this afternoon for the final training session of the day.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after an

accident occurred approximately 20 km outside Kimberley on the Barkly West

Road.

The male driver,27, and his female passenger were allegedly travelling from

the direction of Barkly West en-route to Kimberley on Monday at approximately 00:20 with a white Audi A3.

“It is alleged that the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to crash through the

fence of the right-hand side of the road and rolled several meters into the veld. The

driver was strewn out of the vehicle.” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

“ Both occupants allegedly died on the scene. The two deceased’s were travelling alone hence their identities cannot be revealed at this stage as the next of kin is yet to identify them” said Kock.

All information regarding the incident can be forwarded to Det Const Gwyneth Paulsen

at 082 302 0407.

The investigation continues.-TDN
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Hebron-Corruption and fraud impoverishes businesses and requires those on its receiving end to take a stand to uproot it, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.

In commending the Hebron businessman who reported a police officer who tried to collect unauthorised donation from him, Premier Modise called on businesses and members of the public who are approached for coerced donations and bribes to report such approaches to law enforcement agencies.

“Those approached for donations should ensure that their contributions do not benefit the individuals who are approaching them on behalf of the organisations but the cause towards which they are donating. One way of achieving this is to insist on depositing requested donations into bank accounts in the names of the beneficiary organisations and issuing of receipts for donations,” emphasised Modise.

According to police, Warrant Officer Vusimuzi Sibiya is to appear in the Brits Magistrates Court tomorrow for a formal bail application.

The 44 year old officer stationed at Hebron Police Station was arrested last Monday while allegedly trying to collect unauthorized donation money from one of the local businessmen.Spokesperson for the North West Police, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said that the member allegedly went to the manager of one of local businesses on Tuesday under the pretext that he was sent by a senior police official to request donation for year-end function.

Ngubane said that according to information, in the process the manager called the police without the knowledge of the member to confirm the request. The manager was informed that nobody was sent to request for donations, and he requested the member to come back later.

“It is alleged that the member did not come back as requested and only went back to the businessman few days after. Upon his arrival the businessman informed the senior police official that the member came to collect the donation,” Ngubane said.

The senior official went to the businessman and took the official to Brits Police Station and opened a case of corruption and fraud.

Further investigations were conducted and it is alleged that the member had successfully collected money under the same pretext.

Premier Modise also commends senior police official for the swift and appropriate action that led to the arrest and for instituting internal disciplinary investigations.

“This should send a clear and unequivocal message that corruption within the SAPS is not tolerated and that police will not spare their own when it comes to corruption,” added Modise.
The Premier echoed Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo’s appreciation of the cooperation of the business community with the police in exposing dishonest members.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Douglas-The police are investigating a case of dealing in dagga after arresting a 52 year-old female in in Breipal, Douglas. 

“On Friday,at approximately 11:10 the police followed up on information of drug dealing at the specific premises” lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

The respective Crime Prevention Units of Douglas and Campbell and the K9 Unit pounced on the suspect while she was least expecting it. 

“During the search police confiscated 43 kg of dagga consisting of 3 refuse bags of dagga, one stripe bag containing 13 arms of dagga , 1 black bag containing 4 arms of dagga, 11 brown paper bags , one roll of masking tape, 3 face masks and 1 siffing mesh” Kock said. 

The dagga has an estimated street value of R215 000,00.

“The Kimberley Cluster Commander, Major General Jean Abrahams commended the police members for their vigilance and swift reaction on the information received from the community”.

“The community is also lauded for their assistance in this regard, that yielded this great results” said Kock.

The suspect remains in custody and will appears at Douglas Magistrates’ Court soon. 

The investigation continues.-TDN

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South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan said the victorious COSAFA Under-20 champions should remain on the M-Road on their way to the World Cup which will be held in Moscow in 2018.

“This team is on the M-Road; from Maseru to Moscow. But en route to Moscow, they will have to go through Rio in 2016 for the Under-23 Olympics in Brazil,” said Dr Jordaan in welcoming the Under-20 squad and coach Shakes Mashaba.

The past 10 days have been tough and painful for South Africans, following the passing on of the country’s anti-apartheid icon and former State President, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

“But you (Under-20) have brought happiness to the country and wherever Madiba is, he is happy about your achievements.  Madiba was not a quitter and was not after easy challenges. He pursued goals to the end – and I am seeing this trait in the way this Under-20 squad plays,” he said in reference on how they overcome Zimbabwe in the penultimate stage despite playing the remainder of the second half with one man short.

Dr Jordaan added that the victory could not have come at better time.

“Today we celebrate the Reconciliation Day, which in essence is the Madiba Day because he is the architect of what this day stands for.”

Coach Mashaba said he felt some Madiba Magic at the way his charges defied the odds especially in the semi-finals.

“In addition to doing it for Madiba and putting smiles back on mourning South Africans, the squad also did this for the new SAFA executive,” said Mashaba.

The junior mentor also praised the Basotho people at the way they supported Amajita.

“They were behind us through thick and thin. We never expected such support,” he said.

Amajita never conceded a goal in normal playing time on their way to gold and Mashaba attributed this to discipline, dedication and most importantly in honour of Madiba.

Pretoria – A 9m high statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled on Monday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, a day after the anti-apartheid icon’s funeral in Qunu. 

The unveiling of the bronze statue was delayed on Monday when dignitaries had to wait for members of the Mandela family.

Minutes later, Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela walked down the red carpet to the VIP marquee. 

President Jacob Zuma arrived soon afterwards with his wife Thobeka Madiba Zuma.

Several dignitaries, including former president Thabo Mbeki, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, and Dali Tambo, head of Koketso Growth, which made the statue, were present.

Many local and international journalists were nearby. Broadcasting equipment had been set up on the lawns of the Union Buildings.

Zuma is due to unveil the nine-meter-high statue of Mandela on Monday morning. The R8m statue was created by South African sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren.

“The unveiling, taking place just a day after the burial of the former president, signals the start of celebrating and living the late Madiba’s legacy and the end of the mourning period,” presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said on Sunday.

“The statue is expected to draw large numbers of people to the Union Buildings.”

Monday, the Day of Reconciliation, marks the centenary of the Union Buildings.

Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, aged 95, on December 5. He was buried in his childhood village of Qunu on Sunday.

SAPA