There were six goals in the second half as Platinum Stars beat Bidvest Wits in their MTN8 semi-final first leg.

Wits scored first and last, but between those two goals Dikwena carved their opponents open at will.

The visitors took the lead just after the break through Ryan Chapman, but from then on in it was all Dikwena as they netted through Siphelele Mthembu (two), Mogakolodi Ngele and Henrico Botes.

Getaneh Kebede gave Wits some hope for the second leg on September 24 with a late goal.

Faty Papy had two great headed chances in the first half, but could not convert with either, while Ngele struck the crossbar and Mthembu wasted the rebound.

The deadlock was finally broken on 48 minutes as Chapman took advantage of the Stars defence backing away from him and blasted the ball home with a low shot.

Stars equalised on 56 minutes when Mthembu split the centre-backs with his run and fired the ball past a helpless Moeneeb Josephs.

Wits seemed shell-shocked and they fell behind seven minutes later as Ngele beat the offside trap and scored.

The third goal came on 72 minutes through an error from Tinashe Nengomasha.

The veteran Zimbabwean midfielder was attempting to clear in his own penalty-box, but stood on the ball and fell to the ground, allowing Mthembu a clear run on goal to score.

And it was 4-1 three minutes later as the ponderous Wits defence were split open again. Ngele played a delightful ball to vuyo Mere on the right and he slipped in Botes behind the defence. The Namibian international’s low finish past Josephs was clinical.

Wits gave themselves some hope with a goal eight minutes from time. Matthew Booth had been deployed up-field to use his height and his low centre ball was back-heeled into the net by Ethiopian star Kebede.    

The second leg will be on September 24 at Bidvest Stadium, with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

By Obakeng Maje

North West-Police in the North West arrested a total of 900 suspects for various crimes during operation in the past seven days between Sunday 18 and Sunday, 25 August 2013.

The suspects include 9 for murder, 195 for Assault GBH & Common, 10 for attempted murder, 44 for Burglary residential & business, 41 for shoplifting, 54 for drug related crimes, 19 for rape, 70 for Possession of suspected stolen goods and for many other crimes. 

Also 52 undocumented persons were also arrested. 

The police also managed to confiscate as well as to recover goods such as 7 cellphones, 12 knives, 2 stolen vehicles, 55 ammunitions, 14 firearms & 2 magazines, counterfeit cigarettes and drugs such as mandrax, dagga, rocks and tik.

Most of these suspects appeared before various courts while those that were arrested during the weekend will be appearing tomorrow, Monday, 26 August 2013.  

“We really appreciate support of the community in the fight against crime by coming forward with information that led to arrest of some of the suspects”, said North West Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Zukiswa  Mbombo.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – The Central African Republic’s ousted dictator Francois Bozize says President Jacob Zuma’s broken promises made during a secret back-room deal led to his downfall.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times in Paris last week, the deposed strongman said that he sent his son, Jean Francis Bozize, then the CAR’s defence minister, to Pretoria in December to cut a deal with Zuma to send enough South African troops and weapons to halt the Seleka rebel advance on the capital, Bangui – but far fewer than promised arrived.

He also said he held frantic talks for three hours with Zuma just three days before Bangui fell, to remind him to honour their back-room deal. He said he held Chad’s President Idriss Deby, his former friend who backed the coup that put Bozize in power in 2003, personally responsible for the deaths of 15 South African soldiers when his troops let rebel columns advance on Bangui without putting up a fight.

Bozize said he is lobbying for support to return to power, hinting that he might use force if necessary.

The original defence agreement between South Africa and the CAR, negotiated by former president Thabo Mabeki, provided for 28 troops to be sent to Bangui in 2007 as military trainers and to beef up Bozize’s presidential guard. This deal was secretly renewed for another five years in December, when Bozize sent his son to meet Zuma. Another 200 troops arrived in Bangui in January.

But he said the number of troops sent fell far short of the number promised by Zuma. 

News24

Johannesburg – University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) would introduce new scholarship programmes for poor pupils, vice-chancellor Prof Adam Habib said on Saturday.

“We will introduce the vice-chancellor’s equality scholarship targeted at the top students in quintile one and two schools, those that are the most marginalised and depressed in the country,” Habib said during his inauguration as Wits vice-chancellor.

Top performing students who originated from the schools would be given a similar fully funded scholarship. “This is to ensure that talented students from economically marginalised communities are also given access to Wits.”

Habib said his task as vice-chancellor and principal would be challenging.

“Building and managing any university is challenging in the 21st century, but undertaking this responsibility in South Africa is an even more onerous one.”

This is because managerial challenges tend to be more acute, he said.

“Structural poverty and inequality seep across institutional boundaries and forces the university’s executive to confront challenges such as starving students and residential overcrowding.”

Habib’s inauguration was presided over by Wits chancellor Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and chair of council Dr Randall Carolissen.

Science and technology minister Derek Hanekom said he believed that Habib would confront social and economic issues through new and direct ways. Habib is an analyst and a political commentator.

He served as a deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and advancement at the University of Johannesburg before moving to Wits.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Atamelang-Police in Delareyville are investigating allegations of child stealing after an 18 year old mother failed to account for a newborn baby.   

“It is alleged that an 18 year old girl from Atamelang was brought to Delareyville Hospital by her mother on the Wednesday, 21 August 2013 for allegedly suffering from stomach pains” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.  

The girl allegedly gave birth to a baby boy on arrival at the hospital, after her mother left her after admission.   

She was discharged from the hospital together with her baby boy on Thursday,and left without anyone accompanied her as her relative was still on the way to fetch her.  

“According to the information received,upon arrival at the hospital the relative was told that the girl was discharged in the morning” Mokgwabone said.

She allegedly called the girl who informed her that she was in town. 

Upon meeting the girl, the relative found that the girl was not with her newborn baby. 

“It is further alleged that the girl informed her relative that when she was on her way home, satanists took the baby from her. 

Police were informed and conducted a search around the area with dogs looking for the missing baby, but the search did not yield any results. Investigation regarding the matter continues and nobody has been arrested.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Obakeng Maje

Groot Marico-Two accused, Johannes Sanke (40) and Samuel Motladiile (38) are expected to appear before Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 17 September 2013 for Theft of building materials. 

A case of theft was registered after the accused were found in possession of building materials that included 76 bags of cement, 12 door frames, 2 steel doors, 6 poles and 20 damp course plastic rolls, 1 roll of roof wire, all to the value of R20 945.00.

The incident happened last week Saturday at Reboile Location, Groot Marico. 

“It is alleged that the vehicle belonging to Ramotshere Moilwa Local Municipality was seen loading building materials and the construction company foreman was informed about the incident” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. “He reported the matter to the police and investigation was conducted, and it led to recovery of stolen goods”. 

According to information received, the accused are employees at Ramotshere Moilwa Local Municipality and they allegedly used Municipal vehicle to transport the stolen goods that are used for building of RDP houses in Groot Marico. 

“They were granted R1000.00 bail each upon appearance before the court on Wednesday, 21 August 2013” Mokgwabone concludes.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_Dailynews or @IceT_

By TDN

Johannesburg-Daine Klates free kick goal early in the first half was the difference as Orlando Pirates defeated archrivals Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their MTN8 first leg semifinal at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The Buccaneers took the lead in the 12th minute when Klate curled a lovely free-kick that was positioned at the edge of the box and swerved around the Chiefs wall and beat a desperately lunging Itumeleng Khune on his right side, 1-0. 

Chiefs were rattled by the early goal and could have conceded more as Pirates pilled on the pressure in the early stages of the match. Striker Bernard Parker, the leader of a somewhat disjointed forward line for Chiefs, tried numerous times with long range efforts that only found the stands. 

The entrance of Knowledge Musona into the match at the start of the second half was the tonic Chiefs needed as the Zimbabwean international came close five minutes after the restart when he volleyed his effort over the crossbar from eight-yards. 

The on-loan striker from Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga was at it again moments later when he let rip with a cracking shot which went high over the bar from outside the box. 

Chiefs had their best chance to equalise in the 67th minute when strikers Musona and Parker both played a one-two with each other over the Bucs defenders which ultimately ended with Parker seeing his effort come off the post. 

Ten minutes later Kermit Erasmus, who had only been on the pitch for just two minutes, could have doubled his teams lead when the former SuperSport United striker received a ball from the right flank and just saw his header go marginally wide of the target. 

If Erasmus was close then Tshabalala went closer, with just six minutes remaining in the contest, as he tried another audacious effort, breaking free from his marker and letting rip with a powerful left footed shot that went just wide. 

The match ended with Bucs sealing a narrow win with the return leg being played at their Orlando Stadium home ground on September 24. 

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0 

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Klate 12) 

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Masha, Mathoho, Masilela, Katsande, Yeye, Shabba, Parker (Nkhatha 69), Majoro (Musona 46), Lebese (Masango 81) 

Pirates: Meyiwa, Jele, Matlaba, Mahamutsa, Lekgwathi, Masalesa, Manyisa, Myeni (Moholo 87), Bacela (Gabuza 65), Klate (Erasnus 75), Segolela-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Mendoza – A last-minute penalty by flyhalf Morné Steyn sealed an unimpressive 22-17 win for South Africa over Argentina Saturday in a scrappy Rugby Championship Test here on Saturday.

As it happened: Argentina v SA

After a humiliating 60-point defeat in Soweto last weekend, the passionate Pumas were the better side in chilly Mendoza for much of the match and led until eight minutes from time.

Steyn slotted two penalties in the closing minutes to keep South Africa top of the table – level on nine points with New Zealand but ahead on points difference.

South Africa started with the same side that won 73-13 in the first round while Argentina made five changes and still lacked injured skipper and No 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Desperate to put the huge loss behind them, the Pumas made a fiery start and were ahead within two minutes when flanker Juan Martin Leguizamon dived over in the corner.

The veteran took the ball after a line-out near the tryline, burst into the short side and swivelled past several Springboks to dot the ball down with centre Felipe Contepomi converting.

Argentina were struggling in the early scrums and South African pressure earned a penalty on nine minutes which ace goal-kicker Steyn placed between the posts.

Within two minutes a far more fired-up Pumas side than that of last weekend regained a seven-point advantage as veteran Contepomi kicked a penalty.

But South Africa drew level on 15 minutes as Steyn converted from the touchline a try by left-wing Bjorn Basson in the left corner at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.

After brave defending repelled several Springbok attempts to score in the right corner, Argentina failed to clear and the visitors passed along the backline for Basson to sprint over.

Juandré Kruger went over the tryline soon after only for the score to be disallowed because fellow lock Eben Etzebeth had knocked on in an aerial duel.

South Africa opted to kick for touch a penalty well within the range of Steyn and Argentina drove the green and gold back to leave the visitors questioning their decision.

A Contepomi penalty drifted to the right from in front of the posts, but Argentina were back in front on 37 minutes when centre Marcelo Bosch dived over near the posts.

Patient multi-phase Pumas pressure took them within a few metres of the line and Bosch drove between centre JJ Engelbrecht and prop Jannie du Plessis for a try Contepomi converted.

Steyn narrowed the gap to four points in first-half stoppage time by kicking his second penalty and four minutes after half-time he repeated the feat to leave just one point between the sides.

With Contepomi replaced by Santiago Fernandez, Bosch took over as goal kicker and was not far off target with a long-range attempt midway through the second half.

With 20 minutes to go it was 17-16 to Argentina – a far cry from seven days ago when the Springboks ran in nine tries for a record Rugby Championship victory.

But eight minutes from time South Africa gained the lead for the first time as prop Marcos Ayerza collapsed a maul and Steyn maintained his 100 percent kicking record from the penalty.

Another Steyn penalty one minute into additional time sealed success for the Springboks, who trooped off knowing they will play better in future and lose.

Scorers:

Argentina:

Tries: Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Marcelo Bosch

Conversions: Felipe Contepomi (2)

Penalty: Contepomi.

South Africa:

Try: Bjorn Basson

Conversion: Morné Steyn

Penalties: Steyn (5)

Teams:

Argentina:

15. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14. Gonzalo Camacho, 13. Marcelo Bosch, 12. Felipe Contepomi (captain), 11. Horacio Agulla, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martin Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Mariano Galarza, 4. Julio Faras Cabello, 3. Juan Figallo, 2. Eusebio Guinazu, 1. Marcos Ayerza

Substitutes: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Nahuel Lobo, Matas Diaz, 18. Tomas Lavaninni, 19. Benjamin Macome, 20. Tomas Cubelli, 21. Santiago Fernandez, 22. Juan Imhoff

South Africa:

15. Willie le Roux, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Francois Louw, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Gürthro Steenkamp, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Flip van der Merwe, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Jano Vermaak, 22. Patrick Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein

AFP

The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West has accepted the the party’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) decision to overturn the expulsion of its 14 Tlokwe councillors, it said on Saturday.

“The ANC in the North West notes, accepts, respects and unreservedly embrace the NDC decision to reinstate the membership of the 14 members in Tlokwe,” spokesperson Kenny Morolong said in a statement.

Committee chair Derek Hanekom announced on Saturday that the councillors have been reinstated.

The ANC’s provincial executive committee had only charged the councillors who voted in a motion of no confidence against Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle seven months after the date of the alleged misconduct, Hanekom said in a statement.

“This was in contravention of the ANC constitution which provides that charges must be instituted within three months.

“Based on this procedural irregularity, the councillors were found not guilty.”

In July, the 14 councillors were found guilty on four counts of misconduct by the ANC’s North West provincial disciplinary committee (PDC) and were expelled from the party.

The councillors were charged for participating in a motion of no confidence against Maphetle in November last year which resulted in the mayor being replaced by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.

They were also charged for failing to endorse the appointment of the municipal manager in June this year.

Hanekom said the NDC found that the evidence brought forward by the councillors for not supporting Maphetle were “possibly true”.

Morolong said the party would engage with the reinstated members, branches in Tlokwe to communicate the decision of the NDC.

“We urge all members and supporters of the ANC in Tlokwe to respect the decision of the NDC.”

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police arrested a 22 year-old man who allegedly bludgeoned his grandmother to death at Dryharts village, near Taung.

The incident took place on Thursday and according to police, a suspect bludgeoned his gogo after an argument ensued between the two that led to stabbing.

“A 22 year-old man was arrested in connection of murder after he allegedly stabbed gogo to death” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

Police said a neighbour allegedly saw a 79 year-old gogo lying in pool of blood at her house and informed the police.

The police were summoned to the scene and on arrival they found a 22 year-old man sitting on the stoep.

They ordered him to open the door of the house, but he tried to run away.

“Police arrested a man after a chase and was arrested in conncetion of murder. A gogo suffered an open wounds on her forehead and below her ear” Mokgwabone said.

According to unofficial statement, a man allegedly demanded a share from gogo’s pension money and that led to an argument. 

He was arrested and will appear at Taung Magistrate Court on Monday for murder.

Police in vestigations continue.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_