Monthly Archives: December 2013

Modise: Deny bail to rape accused

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 The man arrested for the alleged rape of his 10-year-old neighbour should be denied bail, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.

 

“There is no place in society for those who rob our young children, including infants, of their innocence and the elderly of their dignity,” she said in a statement.

 

“We call on real men to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape.”

 

Police arrested the 19-year-old man on Wednesday, just a few hours after he allegedly raped the girl.

 

Captain Pelenomi Makau said the man allegedly asked the girl to accompany him to a nearby village and she agreed.

 

“It is alleged that on their way the suspect grabbed the victim [and took her] to a nearby plantation where he allegedly raped her,” said Makau.

 

The girl reported the incident to her parents when she got home.

 

“She was taken to the hospital and rape was confirmed. The suspect was later arrested,” said Makau.

 

He was expected to appear in the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

 

SAPA

A naked body found in Madibogo


Madibogo-A man was murdered in Madibogo in the North West, police said on Wednesday

“Police in Madibogo are investigating a case of murder after a 35-year-old man was found naked, and murdered by unknown suspects… at about 07:30 [on Wednesday] outside Tlhaping village,” said Captain Pelonomi Makau.

“According to the information, the victim was seen by a passerby who informed the police.”

Police believed the man was badly assaulted.

The motive was unknown and it was not known how many people were involved in the murder.

Police urged any residents with information about the murder to contact them.

In the same province, a 25-year-old woman from Hartbeesfontein was raped twice at Tigane cemetery by two men around 00:30 on Tuesday, Makau said.

“It is alleged that the victim was with [her] boyfriend on their way to the victim’s home when they were confronted by two suspects wearing balaclavas,” she said.

“The suspects threatened them with an unknown sharp object.”

The couple attempted to run away from the men but then the woman fell. She was grabbed by the men who took her to the cemetery and took turns raping her.

“They took her cell phone before they fled the scene,” said Makau.

“After this ordeal, the victim managed to report the incident to the police station.”

She was later taken to the hospital. Police were searching for the men.

SAPA

North West cop arrested for stealing R20 from the dead


By Obakeng Maje
Itsoseng-A 47 year-old Warrant Officer, Christopher Ross stationed at Itsoseng police station near Lichtenburg appeared  in Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 December 2013 on charges of Theft. 

He was warned to appear again on 16 January 2014.

“It is alleged that Warrant Officer Ross attended a Culpable Homicide scene on 19 December 2013 between Bodibe and Meetmekaar roads where a 39 year-old man from Bodibe village lost control of his vehicle and died on the scene at about 05:00” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

According to the information, after arriving at the scene, Ross collected the items of the deceased including an amount of R900.00.

“Ross allegedly gave a laptop, a digital camera and a cellphone to the deceased brother who was already at the scene”.

“It is further alleged that Ross informed the deceased family that he had R500.00 that he will only release to the family after they have produced the deceased and his brother Identity documents at the police station” said Setlhako.

The family brought the required documents at the police station as they were requested in order to get the deceased money. At the station the deceased family met with Captain Ida Dube who noticed that Warrant Officer Ross did not register the Culpable Homicide case and the alleged money mentioned was not recorded and Ross was off duty.

“It is alleged that Captain Dube went to Warrant Officer Ross’ home and questioned him of the money he alleged collected at the accident scene. According to the information, Ross denied knowledge of the alleged money” said Setlhako.

Captain Dube  together with Ross went to another police official, Warrant Officer Mogatusi who was on duty with Ross and he confirmed that Ross received R900.00 from the Fire Emergency Services member at the accident scene.

“Captain Dube went back to the police station with Warrant Officer Ross  to meet with the deceased family. After deliberations, Ross took out an amount of R780.00 instead of R900.00 he alleged to have received” said Setlhako.

A case of theft was opened against Warrant Officer Ross and he was arrested on 20 December 2013 at his home in Itsoseng.-TDN
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Royal Family: ‘Do not undermine Graca Machel’


Johannesburg – No member of the Mandela family may intimidate former president Nelson Mandela’s widow Graça Machel, the AbaThembu royal family said on Tuesday.

They could not subject her to abusive language or threaten her to leave the Mandela homes in Houghton or Qunu, spokesperson Daludumo Mtirara said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The passing of Mandela does not terminate his commitment to Machel,” he said.

It was recently reported that family members were fighting over Mandela’s estate and were moving to evict Machel from the house she and Mandela shared.

Attempts by her and human rights lawyer George Bizos SC, a close family friend, to stop the family feud had failed.

The royal family condemned family members who were disrespectful to Machel, said Mtirara.

The family was clear that she was a committed wife to Mandela.

“We do not doubt her contribution in the later years of the world icon,” he said.

In Mandela’s absence, she became “the key member of the core of the Mandela house” and was expected to emulate Mandela in all family matters.

“We are aware that she dedicates this time to mourning for the passing on of her treasured husband.”

Members of the family were also expected to dedicate this time to mourning.

The royal family condemned those who had shown unfamiliar disrespect to Machel, and said this was not in line with its culture.

“Nkosikazi Nosizwe Graça Machel remains the umbrella of the Mandela family and members of the family who do not respect her must refrain from that trend because it is a disgrace that undermines our custom,” said Mtirara.

Shortly after Mandela’s death, his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela described reports of a renewed family feud as “mischievous innuendos” and “apartheid-style” tactics.

It was reported that, days after Mandela died, his eldest daughter Makaziwe ordered that the locks be changed at the family homestead in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, and that his eldest grandson Mandla Mandela was locked out.

Mandla and Makaziwe have been involved in a bitter public spat about control of Mandela’s legacy and the leadership of the fractured family.

Last week, Mtirara said Mandela pronounced to the Thembu nation six years ago that Mandla was the head of the family and the traditional spear was handed over to him.

SAPA

North West police warn motorists of hitch-hikers


Police in the North West province warn motorists to exercise caution and be alert to avoid at all costs giving lifts to hitch-hikers irrespective whether they are males or females as some of them victimising the same motorists who offered them lifts by robbing them their vehicles or goods.

 

Police also appeal to people who will be offered hikes or lifts to their destinations to be warned that when they get into any vehicle that they are not familiar with, they must be able to identify the vehicle they are traveling with, take the registration numbers and if possible they must inform their relatives immediately after getting into those vehicles or lifts.

 

Hitch- hikers are also advised to take note of the type or model of the vehicle and they must be able to identify the driver.

 

 

Motorists as well as hitch- hikers can contact the nearest police station in case of any incident they come across or any suspicious strangers or hitch-hikers. Police can be contacted on 08600 10111.  

 

Police will be working hard on members of the community who attack police officials and prevent them from doing their job when they are arrested for the crime they have committed.

Peter Mokaba’s mothe dies


Johannesburg – The mother of the late ANC MP Peter Mokaba has died, the Star reported on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, community and anti-apartheid activist Priscilla Mokaba, 76, died of lung cancer at the Polokwane home of her daughter Mapula on Sunday.

She was one of several political activists jailed in the 1980s. Her son was a former president of the ANC Youth League.

The African National Congress reportedly described her as a distinguished activist who had stood firm against the apartheid regime.

President Jacob Zuma reportedly phoned the family to convey his condolences.

At the time of her death, Mokaba was reportedly involved in establishing soccer teams for elderly women and girls, teaching people beadwork, and running a vegetable project.

SAPA

The body found at collapsed Tongaat mall


Johannesburg – The body of a suspected robber has been discovered at the collapsed Tongaat mall in KwaZulu-Natal, The Star reported on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, the man allegedly robbed a woman of her necklace at a nearby shop before fleeing to the cordoned off construction site.

Colonel Jay Naicker reportedly told the paper that a passerby became aware of the body about two weeks later, because of a strong smell.

Two people died at the site on 19 November, when a concrete slab collapsed on top of workers building the mall. Several others were injured.

SAPA

Malaria claims 14 lives in Limpopo


Polokwane – Malaria has claimed the lives of at least 14 people in Limpopo since October.
While the number of deaths is normal for this time of year, the number of individual malaria cases has risen sharply, said provincial health spokesperson Adele van der Linde.

Last year, only 548 malaria cases were reported between April and December.

This year, 1 498 cases have already been reported and this figure is expected to rise even more, she said.
“As we are approaching the middle of the summer, more malaria cases are to be expected in the known malaria transmission areas of Vhembe, eastern Mopani, Giyani, Musina and Malamulele,” warned Van der Linde.
She said the department is monitoring all health facilities in the province daily to detect any increases and to respond when necessary.

Malaria tests and treatment are already available at all health facilities. 

Van der Linde said 42 teams are currently spraying the inside of homes in malaria risk areas to ward of mosquitoes.
“The target is to spray 990 000 structures during the current malaria season. Of these, 560 000 structures have already been sprayed,” she said.

Limpopo uses the DDT residual spraying programme to control and prevent malaria.
DDT, which has been banned in many countries, was used in South Africa from 1946 until 1996 when the government also banned its use because of its effect on the environment, on the human immune system and on human hormones.
After it was banned, South Africa was hit by a malaria epidemic that left hundreds dead and thousands infected.

After its reintroduction in 2000, the number of malaria cases dropped from 64 868 to 7 754 in 2005.
Malaria can be prevented by remaining indoors between dusk and dawn, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and spraying aerosol insecticide for flying insects indoors, especially the bedrooms after closing the windows, at dusk.
Mosquito coils or mosquito mats may also be burned in living and sleeping areas during the night.
People can also hang a mosquito-proof net over bed, with edges tucked in under the mattress.

African Eye

Malria claims 14 lives in Limpopo


Polokwane – Malaria has claimed the lives of at least 14 people in Limpopo since October.
While the number of deaths is normal for this time of year, the number of individual malaria cases has risen sharply, said provincial health spokesperson Adele van der Linde.

Last year, only 548 malaria cases were reported between April and December.

This year, 1 498 cases have already been reported and this figure is expected to rise even more, she said.
“As we are approaching the middle of the summer, more malaria cases are to be expected in the known malaria transmission areas of Vhembe, eastern Mopani, Giyani, Musina and Malamulele,” warned Van der Linde.
She said the department is monitoring all health facilities in the province daily to detect any increases and to respond when necessary.

Malaria tests and treatment are already available at all health facilities. 

Van der Linde said 42 teams are currently spraying the inside of homes in malaria risk areas to ward of mosquitoes.
“The target is to spray 990 000 structures during the current malaria season. Of these, 560 000 structures have already been sprayed,” she said.

Limpopo uses the DDT residual spraying programme to control and prevent malaria.
DDT, which has been banned in many countries, was used in South Africa from 1946 until 1996 when the government also banned its use because of its effect on the environment, on the human immune system and on human hormones.
After it was banned, South Africa was hit by a malaria epidemic that left hundreds dead and thousands infected.

After its reintroduction in 2000, the number of malaria cases dropped from 64 868 to 7 754 in 2005.
Malaria can be prevented by remaining indoors between dusk and dawn, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and spraying aerosol insecticide for flying insects indoors, especially the bedrooms after closing the windows, at dusk.
Mosquito coils or mosquito mats may also be burned in living and sleeping areas during the night.
People can also hang a mosquito-proof net over bed, with edges tucked in under the mattress.

African Eye

Cokonyane alleged serial rapist remains in custody


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-A case of Cokonyane alleged serial rapist and murderer Gaopalelwe Sedimo,21, was postponed for further investigations.

Sedimo was arrested after he allegedly raped, kidnapped a 16 year-old girl, Tsholofelo Thobi and allegedly murdered her grandfather Joseph Thobi,56.

Police said Sedimo allegedly visited Thobi’s family on Saturday prior the atrocity. He allegedly sat with Joseph Thobi under the tree and chat.
On Sunday the following day, Sedimo allegedly came to the house and tried to enter Tsholofelo Thobi’s shanty where she was sleeping.

Police said Tsholofelo was allegedly sitting with her grandfather Joseph Thobi at his bedroom and left at around 00:15 to go and sleep. She allegedly heard someone on top of the shanty trying to remove corrugated iron to gain entrance.

She allegedly screamed after she swa Sedimo’face.

Tsholofelo said she screamed for help and heard someone talking to her grandfather few minutes afterwards.

It was alleged that Sedimo kicked opened the Shanty’s door opened and kidnapped Tsholofelo and stabbed her with a knife.

Sedimo took Tsholofelo to his residential area where rape took place, according to Investigating Officer, Solomon Kagisho Phemelo.

Phemelo said Sedimo allegedly stabbed the victim two times on a shoulder and locked her up in the bedroom. Tsholofelo allegedly escape from Sedimo’s bedroom through the window and was taken home by the suspect’s father.

Police said Tsholofelo found people gathered at her home and was told that Joseph Thobi was allegedly stabbed to death.

However Sedimo’s lawyer refutes the claim that connect Sedimo with murder, kidnapping and rape.

Loeto Ikanyeng said his client will plead not guilty on all charges. He said Sedimo and Tsholofelo allegedly had cosensual sex and were lovers and still are.

Ikanyeng claims that Sedimo did not stab nor kill the grandfather and he will elaborates more during trial.

He argues that Sedimo must be granted bail as he is no threat to anyone including the victim. Ikanyeng said Sedimo will relocates to another area and will not bother nor interfer with investigations.

Sedimo’skeletons came out of the closet like dinosaurs fleeing Juriseen park as his two separated pending case were brought forward.

The Cokonyane-born man was remanded in custody and will appear back in court on 08 January 2014.

Sedimo will not plead guilty on all charges.
Police investigations continue.
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