Residents from villages surrounding Mahikeng have criticised Eskom, claiming that the power utility had failed to compensate them for damage to their property caused by the load shedding crisis that left many parts of the country in darkness in 2008.

During a recent visit by Deputy Minister of Energy Barbara Thompson, who was joined by Mahikeng mayor, Lena Miga, to switch on electricity to households in three villages, the residents threatened to ask the public protector to help them recover expenses incurred for damages to their propert.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

The ANC caucus at the Tlokwe local municipality has threatened to reve rse all decisions taken by ousted DA mayor Annette Combrinck after the North Gauteng High Court ruled that her election as first citizen of the metro was illegal.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Twelve young ladies will take on each other in what is promised to be tense competition for the JNR FACE OF MHK on the 04th May at Mmabatho Palms Resort Hotel. From 17:30 to 22:30. 

Pre Judging was held at Mafikeng mall were judges wanted to see if girls got what it takes to be great young Ambassador around Mahikeng.

“We sending them to Miss Teenagers of South African. The girls need more training and workshop before the final day. Said the reigning Face Of Mahikeng “Molebogeng Nkagisang.

“On the 20th of April we will have Display Fashion Show were we will unveil the designers who will be dressing the Jnr Face OF Mahikeng on that nite” said Lesco Molamu. 

Molamu said the entry is free, but urges those who will attend to come to with their unsued clothes for donation. 

“We urge people to donate their unused clothes as we have home (shelter) to help in Itsoseng” plea Molamu.  

Second round of Pre-Judging will be held at undisclosed place were their Ambassador, Mr King SA Christ Mocks will be there to evaluate the girls more and he will be accompanied by Xhabiso Mxaba Mr SA Finalist 2013, Face OF MHK Molebogeng Nkagisang and Mr MHK Lawrence Modise said Lesco Molamu.  

Pageant presents opportunity to many young girls not only to showcase their modelling talents at a bigger stage, but they are also presented with a platform to launch their career and ease with confidence. 

“We urge young boys to take pageant serious.I am busy with my career right now. I want to be the next Mr SA. This year I decided to build my profile and brand first” said Mr MHK Lawrence Modise. 

“The objective of Face Of Mhk is to build self-esteem amongst teenagers an also help them to be capable of speak in public.

We want to empower and nurture them at the younger age” Chris Mocks said. 

“Good luck to all those who be taking part” said Pageant Ambassador Chris Mocks.

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By Obakeng Maje

Roodepan-Police are investigating a case of murder after a 37-year-old Eric Brand being stabbed to death with a broken bottle of beer. 

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this atrocity. 

“It is alleged that the suspect and the deceased had an argument, however it is not clear at this stage as to what was the argument all about between the two” Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the Lorato Park, after the deceased pestered with suspect’s girlfriend from a local tavern in Lorato Park said Tawana.  

“However the investigation continues to adduce the crux of the matter” said police. 

It appears as if during the argument the suspect broke off the empty beer bottle and stab Eric in the left side of the head, adjacent to the ear. After stabbing the deceased, the suspect left the crime scene and he was arrested few hours later at his home. 

“The deceased was certified dead on the scene” Olebogeng Tawana said.

The suspect is due to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges of murder.

North West – The mining industry does not like workers, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“The industry does not like mineworkers, they want to exploit you to make more money,” Mantashe said.

He was speaking about problems in the mines during his political lecture at the Ben Marais hall in Rustenburg.

He said the mining industry would send workers home if they lost limbs or were injured because they were no longer productive.

He said the mines wanted to see the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) destroyed because the union was fighting against exploitation.

“The attack on the NUM is an attack on us. We know the attack is on us. They want to hijack and steal our revolution. They see the mineworkers as a vehicle to hijack the revolution,” he said.

“You are not being victims because of your membership to NUM but because you are a loyal member of the revolution.”

Mantashe said to restore peace and stability in the mines, companies should not close the NUM offices but leave them open and open an office for the other emerging unions.

“Leave the NUM to service its members and let the workers see the difference.”

He said the NUM had a track record and all the other unions were fighting for what NUM had already achieved.

“This is their blood and sweat. The new unions do not bring anything new. What new things are they are bringing? They want all that NUM gains.”

Mantashe said the African National Congress had a responsibility to make sure that conditions were improved in areas around the mines.

“The ANC must make sure there is a road in Nkaneng. These conditions are being used to mislead people.”

The NUM has lost members since the violent strikes at Impala Platinum in February last year, and at Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin Platinum mine in August and September.

In his welcome speech ANC Bojanala regional chairman Louis Diremelo said NUM had lost close to 35 000 members to the Association of Mine and Construction Workers Union (Amcu).

“The NUM must fight. The action starts today,” he said.

SA Communist Party provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha said the struggle for mineworkers should not be used by those who wanted to further their careers.

“You cannot lead workers to a strike and never submit demands to management. In Bokoni, workers went on strike for two months without submitting demands, the only demand was to close the NUM office.”

He said the political lectures on Sunday were held to clarify lies being spread about the NUM. – Sapa

North West police are searching for a man who repeatedly raped a 92-year-old woman in Mmakau in the early hours of Sunday.

“The Gogo’s front door was locked by chains, but forcefully broken, in order for the suspect to gain entry,” said Captain Adele Myburgh.

She said the man repeatedly raped the woman for three hours before fleeing on foot.

The elderly woman was severely traumatised and taken to hospital.

“The police would like to urge all children of elderly parents to not allow their parents to stay alone.” – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-North West police were called to a scene where a suspect was give a wrath of justce by angry community members after business robbery.

A 37 year-old man and his accomplice allegedly pounced on a owner of a bottle store in Montshioa.

Police said two suspects produced a firearm and a knife and ordered the owner to handed over cash.

“Two suspects allegedly robbed a bottle store undisclosed money and one was arrested by angry mob” captain Adele Myburgh said.

One suspect was chased after by bottle store employees after they fled the scene said police.

“Another suspect is still at large and a 37 year-old suspect was allegedly assaulted and is in ICU at a local hospital” Myburgh said.

A firearm used in a crime was handed over to police and injured suspect is under police guard at a hospital.

Police investigation continues and the suspect will appear before Mmabatho Magistrate Court as soon when he is fit.

Premier Modise calls on police to investigate whether abducted woman was not raped

North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on police to investigate whether the Ventersdorp woman who was allegedly abducted for eight days and assaulted during her ordeal had not been raped. This follows the arrest of a man in connection with the alleged crime.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible violence against women and call on women who are in abusive relationships to speak out so that they are could be assisted before it’s too late,” stressed Premier Modise.

In commenting police for the arrest Premier Modise added that there is no place in our society for those who dehumanise women and treat them as objects upon which they could vent their emotions.

According to Captain Adele Myburgh, the man was arrested on Friday for the alleged crime and is due to appear in court on Monday.

Captain Myburgh said that the woman who claimed that she was assaulted with a spade, throttled with a tie and locked inside the suspect’s home .She was rescued by her family after they had launched a search and found her at the arrested suspect’s home.

The woman has since been taken for medical examination and treatment.

Premier Modise calls for intensified united action to protect elderly against rape

Perpetrators of sexual violence against the vulnerable, particularly elderly women should have no place in society, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Sunday.

Expressing shock about the rape of a 92 year old Mmakau granny, who was allegedly repeated raped in the early hours of Sunday morning, Premier Modise reiterated her earlier call for intensified united action against crime and the scourge of rape.

“When the elderly are living in fear of being raped by children old enough to be their grandchildren in some instances, society should stand up to stamp the tide of the scourge of rape and say enough is enough,” said Modise.

The Premier added that crime was eroding the moral fibre and needs to be fought on all fronts.

She also called on the community to assist police in their investigations to ensure that the perpetrator responsible for the heinous crime is behind bars.

Modise also called on crime prevention structures such as Community Policing Forums, street committees and neighbourhood watch to look into providing elderly women who are staying on their own with whistles which they could blow to alert their neighbourhood of the threat of the scourge of rape and other crimes in their homes.According to police, the perpetrator had forcefully broken the granny’s front door which was chain locked in order to gain entry.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Captain Adele Myburgh said the man repeatedly raped the woman for three hours before fleeing on foot.

Myburgh said that the elderly woman who was severely traumatised was taken to hospital.

Phokeng cemetery rape despicable and shocking-Premier Modise

The rape of a woman at a cemetery is not only despicable and shocking but highlights the need for intensified united action against the scourge of rape, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Sunday.

In condemning the incident, Premier Modise called on women to desist from going to places that increase their vulnerability such as shebeens and pubs as most perpetrators tend to target women who were either drunk and or those who are asking for lifts from strangers.

“Young girls and women should carefully consider those that they choose to go out with at night and the places they go to for entertainment given that not even infants are safe from sexual violence,” added Modise. 

 According to police a 20-year-old victim was at a tavern in Phokeng, when she was forced to accompany a 37-year-old suspect, known to her, to the local grave yard on Saturday.

The man apparently then forced the woman to undress and then raped her.

The matter was reported to the police on the same day and he was subsequently arrested.

The man was expected to appear in the Phokeng Magistrates court on Monday