By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-North West police confirmed that 12 people died in a fatal accident that involved two minibus taxis.

Two taxis were involved in a collision on Sunday after a failed attempt of overtaking.

Amongst the dead, were three kids who are under the age of 12.

“Three people are critical at Tshepong hospital and 12 died at the scene” brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

Ngubane refutes earlier reports by Er24 medical team who said 16 people died on the scene.

“The one of minibus taxis involved was from Taung” Ngubane said.

One of the taxi drivers allegedly tried to overtake a truck when he collided head-on with an oncoming taxi on N12.

Taung Long Distance Taxi Association (TALDTA) said the taxi involved in a collision, is not from their association.

“The Taung taxi that was allegedly involved in a collision, is not from our association. It is alleged that is one of taxis that was carrying school kids” Taxi association deputy chairperson Frank Theheaven said.

Police are still at the scene and investigations continue.-TDN

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Johannesburg – A Soweto man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a forensic director at an auditing firm in Houghton, north of Johannesburg, Gauteng police said on Sunday.

The man was arrested in Soweto on Saturday morning, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said.

Lawrence Moepi was allegedly followed into the parking lot of the SizweNtsalubaGobodo offices in October, by men in a Volkswagen Golf.

He was then shot allegedly by the 40-year-old and an accomplice, whilst he was getting out of his car.

The pair then allegedly fled the scene. The accomplice was still at large.

According to a statement on the firm’s website, Moepi had worked closely with the police’s commercial crime unit and the now defunct Directorate of Special Operations, known as the Scorpions.

In his capacity as PricewaterhouseCoopers forensic services director, Moepi testified in the fraud trial of former Scorpions official Geoffrey Ledwaba.

It was reported that he had been appointed to work on the probe into the country’s multi-billion rand arms deal.

The arresteed man was expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

SAPA

Johannesburg – An investigation into the leaking of the provisional Nkandla report under Thuli Madonsela’s watch, must be launched, the SACP said on Sunday.

“The time has come for an independent investigation into the leaking from the office, and to establish whether all those within the office have the appropriate security clearance,” the party said in a statement.

The SA Communist Party had wrapped up their three-day central executive committee meeting, that was held in Johannesburg at the weekend.

“There have also been other concerning issues,” the party said.

“We were puzzled by her earlier public statement that some people ‘would be disappointed’ with her final report on Nkandla, as if this important investigation was about playing to a gallery and dishing up a particular pre-determined outcome.”

The comments were in reaction to a Mail & Guardian article published on Friday, that President Jacob Zuma had received substantial personal benefits from the multi-million rand upgrade to his Nkandla residence.

“The office of the Public Protector is a critically important institution, anything that undermines confidence in the office, or that gives the impression of over-reaching or limelight-seeking will weaken the office and, paradoxically, it will create a smoke-screen behind which those who are corrupt will seek to hide.”

The party expressed deep concern at the ‘ongoing ructions’ within the Congress of SA Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) biggest affiliate union, National Union of Metalworkers SA.

“[We have] noted and condemned the persisting disruptive behaviour of a leadership clique within Numsa.”

The SACP accused Numsa of deviating from its primary mandate of building the working class.

It said Numsa leaders were focusing on personal ambition and personal wealth accumulation.

“Irvin Jim and his deputy general secretary and long-standing business partner Karl Cloete should be challenged to undergo independent life-style audits.

“[They] must be asked to come clean on the work of the [union’s] investment arm and its relationship to its holdings in Dove, the funerals, insurance and finance company. What is the relationship?” the party asked.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-Sixteen people allegedly perished in a fatal accident near Klerksdorp on Sunday.

Er24 paramedics confirmed that a minibus taxi was involved in an accident and 16 people died.

“Our paramedics are still at the scene in Klerksdorp after 16 people perished a horrific accident” Er24 spokesperson Chris Venter told ewn.co.za.

South Africa experience many accidents toward festive season and many people die on the roads across the country.

According Chris Venter the accident took place near North West and amongst the deceased there are children.

More details of where the taxi was from and heading to will follow soon.-TDN

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Johannesburg – The collective wealth of the 20 richest people in South Africa grew by 8.6% compared to last year, the Sunday Times reported.

The mining and manufacturing sectors suffered, while retail, health and media sectors gained in value.

Shoprite magnate Christo Wiese toppled mining businessman Patrice Motsepe as the wealthiest South African.

His assets were deemed close to R27.5bn at the end of March, compared to a wealth of R15.2bn at the same time last year.

Last year’s third place holder Lakshmi Mittal took a plunge down six places and was replaced by Aspen Pharmacare boss Stephen Saad.

Fourth place went to Assore mining company’s Desmond Sacco and the Rembrandt Trust – connected to the Rupert family – came in at fifth place.

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa came in at number 19 on the list with stakes listed in Bidvest, Mondi, MTN, SABMiller and the Standard Bank Group.

Former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was placed 137 on the list, former ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa was placed at 210 and former environmental and tourism minister Valli Moosa was placed at 236.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Delareyville-A 34 year-old woman has been raped by unknown man, North West police said.

Police said a suspect allegedly gained entry through the window and tied up a child minder.

The incident took place on Friday at around 15:00 in Delareyville.

“A 34 year-old child minder was allegedly raped by unknown man. The suspect tied up a woman and raped her” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.

A suspect allegedly ransacked the house before he fled.

“He allegedly stole laptop, camera and other belongings” Molale said.

Police said the child was not harmed.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Lichtenburg-North West police arrested a 25 year-old man after he allegedly raped his mentally handicapped cousin on Friday at 22:00.

A 25 year-old man allegedly was sitting outside at their residential area at Helenia farm when he called his cousin outside.

“A 22 year-old girl was taken to local clinic for medical attention and the suspect will appear before Lichtenburg Magistrate Court on Monday” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.

Police said a suspect allegedly grabbed the girl and dragged her to the nearest field where the ordeal took place.

The investigations continue.-TDN

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Mamelodi Sundowns are the 2013 Sasol National championships winners after overcoming a determined Limpopo-based Ma-Indies 2-0 in a hard-fought final played at 

Matlosana in Klerksdorp on Sunday, 1 December 2013.It took a 58

th minute penalty by former 800 track and field world champion Maria Mutola to break the deadlock before Alocha Thobekela scored in the referee’s optional time to ensure Downs are new champions.

In a match played in drizzling rain and driving wind, Downs missed a first half penalty but were worthy winners of this year’s tournament which produced great and entertaining football in which some wonderful goals were scored.

The goalless first half saw a few scoring chances and apart from the missed penalty, was a well-balanced affair.

Downs looked more determined in the second half and when Mutola was brought down in the box and converted from the spot, the writing was on the wall for the Limpopo side which, to their credit, never stopped attacking and trying to unlock the new champions’ defence.

The Limpopo side were then duly punished deep inside injury time when, in a desperate effort to find the equaliser, pushed players upfront in numbers. Thobekela took a long range shot which eluded everyone as the Pretoria side erupted into wild celebrations.

Despite falling on the final hurdle, Ma-Indies in which inspirational Banyana Banyana striker Noko Motlou was outstanding will take a lot of pride at the way they played.

The final was attended by SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, his deputy Lucas Nhlapo, SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble and NEC member Gerald Don.

In the third place play offs, Bloemfontein Celtic defeated Cape Town Roses 2-0 to claim the Sasol League National Championship bronze medal.

In an award ceremony held after the final, several individuals where recognised for their sterling work during the tournament.

Award Winners:

Referee of the Tournament – Sebabatso Malope

Coach of the Tournament – Rhulani Mathebula,  Ma-Indies

Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Andile Dlamini, Mamelodi Sundowns

Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Noko Matlou, Ma-Indies

Player of the tournament – Busisiwe Ndimeni, Mamelodi Sundowns.-TDN

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Johannesburg-Coach Shakes Mashaba has named a strong Under 20 squad to play in the Cosafa tournament in Lesotho.

Here is the full squad:

Goalkeepers

 Jody “joema” February

Dumisani “Magemfuza” Msibi

Sibongiseni “Bhodwe” Mkhize

Defenders

Kabelo “Lahm” Seriba

Motjeka “Ace” Mashida

Tebogo “Marcelo” Moerane

Ayabulela “Gustavo” Magqwaka

Rivaldo ” Riva/Ramos” Coetzee

Midfielders

Skhumbuzo “Skunaldo” Mazibuko

Tshepo “Shobi” Mashigo

Tlotlo “Lion” Leepile

Nhlakanipho “Nanana” Ntuli

Strikers

Pule “Shuffle” Maraisane

Fagrie “Hulk” Lakay

Ntando ” Bhubesi” Ngubane

Siyanda “Rooney” Ngubo

-TDN

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Granting a murder and gender based violence suspect bail has proven to be too costly for a 27-year-old mother of three, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in expressing shock and condemning the brutal murder of the Rustenburg woman who was allegedly killed by her husband who was out on bail.

“Although we respect the independence of our courts and their rulings, we cannot help but say that in  this case the justice system might have failed Bonang Kgakatsi and cry out loud louder throughout the 16 days of activism on no violence against women and children that enough is enough. How many more women should be brutally murdered and children left without mothers before we are heard on our call for no bail for perpetrators of gender based violence? ,” the infuriated Premier Modise asked.    

Modise said that escalating incidents of gender based violence demand for united action to prevent brutality against women. She said that one death of a woman at the hands of an abuser is a death too many.

The Premier called on women in abusive relationships not to die in silence but to speak out before it’s too late.

Modise reiterated that women should no longer accept that their partners are simply jealous by allowing them to answer their cellphones or question them after every phone call they have received.

“Mistakening this for love has proved to be costly to many women in the long run,” added Premier Modise who conveyed her condolences to the family.

An uncle of the murdered woman, Jacob Moroke corroborated the police report that the woman from Mahlatsi Marwana Section near Lefaragatlhe village was travelling in a car with her husband Mpho Kgakatsi on the R510 Tsitsing road at around 9:00 am when another argument he suspect was related to the earlier incidents erupted.

The victim reportedly managed to get out of the car and ran away, but the suspect caught up with her and stabbed her about nine times in the chest.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said that the victim who stayed in died on the scene.

Moroke said that the man who was out on bail pending his murder and attempted murder trial having allegedly shot dead a colleague of his wife who had answered her cellphone and wounded her on her leg a few weeks ago was in defiance of a contact restriction court order and pressurizing her to drop her case against him.

According to Neo Maape her distraught employer at Leungo Construction Enterprise, the deceased woman had left the construction site at Boitekong Health Centre where she was employed unceremoniously without alerting anyone where she was going after receiving a couple of persistent calls. She had been employed on the renovation project as a safety representative.

Molale  had earlier said that the arrested suspect is expected to appear in the Tlhabane Magistrates’ Court on Monday to answer to an additional charge of murder.