Kimberley – The Steenkamp family discussed all possible angles as to what could have happened during the 2012 Griekwastad farm killings, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Monday.

The court was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.

Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6, 2012.

Deon Steenkamp’s sister Marianna Smith, was the State’s first witness on Monday.

She testified that several family members went to the farmhouse to make a list of possible stolen items.

A one stage, she and her mother Bettie Steenkamp, stood in the living room and speculated how Deon and Christel could have been overpowered in the house.

“My scenario was that somebody came down the passage  1/8of the house 3/8 and shot Christel in front of the computer.”

Smith said she had discussions with the boy in the days after the murders.

She testified that he appeared to behave normally the first time  she met him.

“He did not cry,  1/8was 3/8 not emotional or heartbroken.”

Smith testified that a day later she met him again and this time  he was buoyant and even spoke of future plans.

Smith was the family member who went to the Kimberley mortuary to identify the bodies of her brother, sister-in-law, and niece.

On Monday, the court started after a short delay when the boy’s defence team received documents from the prosecution which they had  to discuss first.

Smith’s cross-examination would start after the lunch break. – Sapa

Kimberley – Police in Kimberley were recently criticised by some members of the public for being to “heavy handed” in the fight against crime. But their tough stance against crime might just have saved the life of a 52-year-old city woman.

The woman was attacked late on Friday night by a man armed with a beer bottle. Her attacker apparently struck her over the head and severely assaulted her. He then allegedly tried to rape her.

Members of the police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) were on patrol near the Santa Centre in Galeshewe at about 9pm. Their deployment was part of a weekend crime operation called “Operation Paseka”.

They spotted a 35-year-old suspect allegedly trying to rape the woman in an open piece of veld.

Police spokesman, Lieutenant Sergio Kock, said the suspect was standing over the woman and he allegedly used a beer bottle to hit her over the head and assaulted her repeatedly. The attacker is unknown to the woman.

When the police arrived, the woman was bleeding excessively from her head and also sustained injuries to her right hand. The woman was visiting family members in the area and was on her way to the taxi rank when the man attacked her.

The suspect was arrested and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance where she is said to be in a serious but stable condition. 

The man is expected to appear in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court soon. Kock said the police intend to oppose bail.

“The Galeshewe Cluster Commander, Major General Kollie Mathys, who was in uniform and on the ground with his members, lauds the TRT members for their actions. He added that they probably saved this victim from being raped or even losing her life.

“The police still view crimes against women and children in a very serious light and will definitely be opposing bail in this regard,” Kock said. 

Meanwhile, Operation Paseka also had several other successes in Galeshewe over the weekend. 

“The operation comprised of stop-and-searches, vehicle patrols, foot patrols (in Club 2000, Galeshewe), visits to taverns, liquor outlets and tuck shops to ensure that they are operating within their licence conditions.

“We also patrolled hiking spots, parks, cemeteries and other secluded areas. The operations were executed to combat crime in order to ensure a safe environment for all residents, especially because we are approaching the Easter season,” Kock added. 

“Disruptive actions at spontaneous gatherings were also targeted where a substantial amount of fines for drinking in public areas were issued to persons while some of these offenders were arrested for being drunk in public.” 

Kock said more than 32 liquor outlets were visited and fines were issued. During the stop-and-search operations, 282 people were searched and several weapons, including knives and pangas, were confiscated, in support of the “No Knife” campaign.

Several persons wanted for crimes including murder, rape, theft, robbery and drunken driving, were arrested.

“The operation also concentrated on contact crimes against women and children and, through the extensive visibility of police vehicles in the Galeshewe area, we also managed to curb the occurrence of rapes and murders.”

The police, with the assistance of the municipal traffic department and other relevant role players, will continue with roadblocks and random vehicle searches in support of the Arrive Alive Campaign and through this, also arrest persons for driving under the influence of alcohol and ensure vehicle safety.

“Operation Paseka is held throughout the Northern Cape and will be conducted on an ongoing basis during the Easter holidays and beyond,” Kock said.

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Durban – A Wild West shoot-out outside a Durban supermarket on Friday afternoon has left a Newlands West father dead and a 70-year-old granny wounded.

The families of both victims are now calling for an independent police investigation to probe who shot their loved ones – was it police or the robbers?

The robbers made off with R150 000 in cash and cellphones from the Spar, in Inanda Road, Newlands West.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-The Acting Chairperson of petition from North West provincial government Veronica Keketsi confirmed that indeed the road between Taung Hospital and Manokoane preparations will start in two weeks.

This came after a meeting held by North West provincial government representatives and the residents of Manokoane last week friday.

Head of Department(HoD) for Public Works Samuel Thubakgale announced that the road will be tarred.

“We can confirm that the Head of Department for Public Works is mandated to introduce appointed contrator to the community within 14 days” Keketsi said.

The residents of Manokoane were enchanted after learning their their request has been granted.

Even though some of them had mixed emotions, according to Veronica Keketsi the budget has been allocated already.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Greater Taung United Taxi Association held a meeting today at Batlhaping Ba-ga Phuduhucwana to discuss way forward of the temporary taxi rank.

The matter came to light after taxi drivers went on beserk on friday.

They insinuated their way beside busy roads of Taung as they claim the makeshif rank allocated to them is too small.

Eminent members of Taung Taxi Association contemplate the matter and agreed upon that all local taxis will continue operating in the streets as others are parked next to Vaaltar FM studios and others next to KFC.

“We had a meeting today to discuss a way forward with our taxi drivers. Even though fewer taxi drivers attended the meeting, we agreed that only long distance taxis will be based at the new taxi rank in Extension 6” Tshidiso Letlhaku said.

“All our taxis cannot be accomodated at the makeshift taxi rank so we would like to apologise to our commuters for any inconvenience caused” Taxi Association spokesperson said.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-ANC North West called all their councillors in the province to a summit.

The meeting was held yesterday in Mahikeng.

Provincial Executive Committe(PEC) was discussing the role of the ANC and its representatives in the communities.

“We reminded our councillors that what’s their role within the communities their serve” Kenny Morolong said.

“Service delivery is one of our major challenges. Councillors must held monthly meetings with their respective communities” Morolong said.

ANC spokesperson explains that the ruling party councillors represent the party.

He said as the face of ANC, they need to be competent and fullfill the mandate of ANC.

“We told our councillors to know their role in the communities and their behaviour and reputation will be scrutinised” Morolong concludes.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Thirteen SA soldiers have been killed and 27 wounded during a clash with rebels in the Central African Republic, the SA National Defence Force said on Monday.

Thirteen SA soldiers have been killed and 27 wounded during a clash with rebels in the Central African Republic, the SA National Defence Force said on Monday.

“It was 200 of us against 3000 rebels,” SANDF chief General Solly Shoke said.

He said SANDF members were engaged in an high intensity battle that lasted for 13 hours.

“Our troops are in Central Africa. There is a relative truce for them. They are in position. They cannot run away or walk away,” Shoke, said.

“The safety of our people is paramount and we will use all means at our disposal,” Shoke said, “For us running away is not an option. That is a force we must be proud of.”

President Jacob Zuma announced the thirteen deaths earlier.

“We are deeply saddened by the events and developments in that country over the past 72 hours, which saw violence escalating and many innocent lives lost. We have confirmed that 13 of our brave soldiers who were committed to fighting for peace and stability in Africa fell in Bangui,” Zuma said at a briefing in Pretoria.

In December, Zuma sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to the Central African Republic to assess the security environment and general situation which was tense after the Seleka rebel coalition launched an armed campaign.

The report from that mission recommended an intervention, he said.

On January 2 2013, Zuma as the commander-in-chief authorised the deployment of up to 400 South African soldiers to CAR.

Only 200 of the soldiers had been sent at the time of the attack.

Zuma said South Africa and CAR had signed a military co-operation agreement in 2007. This was renewed for a further five years in December 2012.

That agreement entailed provision of military training to the CAR army and refurbishment of military infrastructure.

The deployment of SANDF troops in CAR was part of the country’s effort to contribute towards peace and stability in the region, Zuma said.

SANDF was tasked with building the capacity of the CAR defence force and help the CAR with the planning and implementation of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process.

“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.

The just over 200 soldiers fought armed forces numbering over 1000 in a high tempo battle which lasted nine hours until the rebels raised a white flag and asked for a cease fire.

“South African soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandits,” he said.

Zuma said the South African government had not taken any decision to withdraw the army from CAR.

“We have not taken a decision to withdraw. You would in a sense appreciate that there existed an agreement between two countriesAnd our being there was related to the task that we were given. We defended our base successfullyThere has been no reason for us to leave. What we’ve been looking at is how do we enforce our forces, how do we ensure that there are no further casualties,” said Zuma.

“There is no reason for us to issue a command for withdrawal.”

President Jacob Zuma should have withdrawn South African troops when Central
African Republic President Francois Bozize failed to honour a peace agreement,
the SA National Defence Force Union (Sandu) said.

“The president… should have withdrawn our troops at the very moment Bozize dishonoured his obligations in this respect,” Sandu national secretary Pikkie Greeff said in a statement.

“His dishonouring of that agreement should have been the green light for the withdrawal of our troops from that country.”

Greeff called on Zuma to withdraw “our troops with immediate effect, even if it entails launching a military offense to relieve our troops in distress”.

On Sunday the SA National Defence Force said South African soldiers were killed and injured during the clashes in the CAR.

“Following the engagement that we had between the SANDF members and the CAR rebels there were some casualties from both sides,” Brig-Gen Xolani Mabanga said.

“We are at the moment still trying to assess the information from the people on the ground. We cannot therefore confirm any figures.”

However, some media reported that at least six South African soldiers have died.

Mabanga said the situation in the CAR was calm by Sunday afternoon and there was no threat to the lives of South African soldiers.

“But we don’t take anything lightly. We are taking all the precautionary measures.”

He said the contact between SANDF members and CAR rebel forces took place on Saturday.

The clashes happened at an SANDF base on the outskirts of Bangui, the CAR capital, as well as other isolated incidents.

CAR President Francois Bozize fled the capital early on Sunday after hundreds of armed rebels threatening to overthrow him invaded the city, the Associated Press reported.

By midday on Sunday the rebels reportedly took control of Bangui.

A peace deal was signed on January 11 which allowed Bozize to finish his term that expires in 2016, but the rebels soon began accusing the president of failing to fulfil the promises that were made.

They demanded that Bozize send home South African forces who were helping bolster the country’s military. And they sought to integrate some 2000 rebel fighters into Central African Republic’s armed forces.

For more details go to www.sowetanlive.co.za