Former AmaZulu defender Belux Kasonga has completed his move to the Thai Premier League, having penned a deal with BEC Tero Sasana.

Kasonga spent over a month in Thailand on trial with a number of clubs before committing his future to Sasana. The player’s signing was confirmed to the Siya crew by his agent, Ali Tlhoaele, of KN Sports and Virgin Talent.

“Belux Kasonga has signed a six-month long deal with BEC Tero Sasana in Bangkok. The club has the option to extend his contract for a year,” said Tlhoaele.

Kasonga endured a frustrating spell with AmaZulu this season, after he failed to secure the necessary paperwork that would have allowed him to play in the PSL.

Still in Thailand, Tlhoaele is aiming to secure deals for both Siyabonga Vilane and Lindokuhle Bengu. The two players have also been in Thailand for the past month, as they look to ply their trade in Asia.

For more details go to www.soccerladuma.com

Kaizer Chiefs’ top goalscorer, Bernard Parker, will not play a part in his side’s upcoming league fixture against Chippa United after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Wits on the weekend.

The 26-year-old, who is in double figures for the Amakhosi so far this campaign with 10 goals, will be suspended for the clash with the Chilli Boys as his team look to bounce back from their 1-1 draw with the Clever Boys that stopped them from extending their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership.

However, good news for the Amakhosi faithful is that the Bafana Bafana man will only serve a one-match ban, meaning that he will be available for selection when Stuart Baxter picks his side for the Soweto Derby that takes place on Saturday afternoon.

Parker has been in inspired form for Chiefs this season under Baxter, and while both coach and player will be disappointed that he will miss the trip to Cape Town, it could be a welcome rest for their talisman ahead of their encounter with rivals, Orlando Pirates.

Meanwhile the club’s Bafana defender, Tsepo Masilela, could also miss the game against the Chilli Boys after picking up a muscle injury and will undergo a late fitness test to see whether he will be fit to play.

For more details go to www.soccerladuma.com

Kimberley – A 12-year-old girl was seriously injured after a brick wall collapsed on top of her while she was walking down the stairs at Denise Court, at the Roodepan flats, at the weekend.

The Roodepan police, ambulances and the municipal firefighters rushed to the scene, where hundreds of people had gathered on Saturday at about 4pm.

Residents also complained that the derelict building posed a grave danger.

Sol Plaatje emergency services had to demolish a section of the staircase to prevent further injury and have cordoned it off. 

ER24 paramedics, who transported the patient to the Kimberley Hospital indicated that the patient, Monique Brandt, had sustained serious head, neck, shoulder and back injuries.

The Roodepan Primary School learner had to undergo a number of tests to determine the extent and severity of her injuries on Saturday but was later discharged and is recovering at home.

Her father, Roderick Brandt, who was sitting downstairs at the time of the incident, sharing a beer with neighbours, said that he felt powerless when he witnessed how the bricks came tumbling down. “I wanted to help my daughter but I couldn’t do a thing.”

He added that he was still in a state of shock and was concerned that his daughter may have suffered permanent damage.

Stanley Norman, a neighbour, said that he heard a loud thud as the bricks pelted Monique, causing her to collapse.

Another neighbour, Marlon van Wyk, added that his children Kristin and Teslin nearly suffered the same fate.

“I called my children, who are four and two years old, inside the house, about five minutes before the wall caved in. We are living in a dangerous environment,” he said.

“Building inspectors never come to the flats although the walls are cracked and this neglected building is broken and rusted. How many lives need to be lost before something is done to improve safety?” 

Van Wyk added that the staircases of the other blocks of flats in Roodepan had also been condemned.

“The residents are now forced to make use of the dark stairways that are unlit but are afraid because  they are frequented by drug lords, rapists and other criminals.”

Van Wyk pointed out that there were also no fire escapes in the building.

“Should a fire break out, the residents will be trapped. The flats do not comply with the safety requirements, yet we are living here like rats.”

Residents said that they had repeatedly brought the wobbly stairs and dilapidated state of the flats to the attention of the ward councillor, who was “not interested” in their problems.

“The councillor is only interested in our votes and drinks beer all day at his tavern. He is nowhere to be found when there is a crisis,” one resident said.

Ward councillor, Vaughan Settley, visited the family on Sunday and explained that his absence was because of an ANC warm-up campaign that he had to attend ahead of the by-elections in Warrenton on Wednesday.

“We regret this tragic incident and will engage with the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to look into the matter because there are several structural defects and loose roofs. I have also spoken to the municipal manager to get a team to investigate what happened,” Settley said.

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

North West – The State opposed bail in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday for eight men accused of murdering ANC North West official Obuti Chika.

Prosecutor Riekie Krause said if the men were released, local residents would be shocked and outraged. Several of them had also failed to disclose previous criminal convictions or pending cases.

Chika, 33, was shot point-blank range in the driveway of his Klerksdorp home on December 14. He died in a local hospital.

North West local government MEC China Dodovu is among the eight accused.

“The State has a strong case against the applicant (Dodovu),” Krause said.

She said he had three passports, a diplomatic one and two personal ones.

Another accused, Sihlangu Sekhakhane, had previously confessed to the crime. He had also led police to his gun.

Krause said forensics had later matched the bullets which killed Chika to this gun.

The other six accused are community member Jeffrey Letuka, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, municipal worker William Malefo, and taxi driver Kgotso Kali.

The court heard that Sekhakhane had claimed to have met Kali in a BMW X5 shortly before the crime.

Kali allegedly told him that, before he could attend the African National Congress’s conference in Mangaung, in December, Chika had to be killed.

Krause confirmed that Baboile owned a BMW X5.

She told the court an unnamed witness had also confirmed to the State that some of the eight had previously discussed murdering Chika during a meeting.

Krause said bail was also being opposed because some of the applicants knew “witness X”. – Sapa

Cape Town – A high-speed chase ended with the death of a motorist on the corner of Buitengragt and Strand street in the CBD early on Monday morning.

The woman was killed when a Toyota Avanza, driven by suspected hijackers, crashed into her Opel Corsa, at about 5am on Monday.

The two occupants of the Toyota were being pursued by police.

They were suspects in a hijacking that occurred in Nyanga earlier on Monday morning, said Merle Lourens, spokeswoman for the city’s traffic services.

The hijacking was picked up by Skytracker, which notified the police. The flying squad gave chase, and followed the Toyota into the CBD. Police confirmed that a gun was found on the scene of the crash.

Speaking on CapeTalk on Monday morning the woman’s sister-in-law, who identified herself only as Janine, said the victim’s husband was trying to get to the scene of the accident.

However, he could not get through because of the heavy traffic congestion.

The woman’s body was taken to the Salt River mortuary before he could reach the scene.

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

Johannesburg – The family of the taxi driver who died while in police custody expressed disappointment on Monday with the way the Benoni Magistrate’s Court had handled the case.

“We don’t feel okay…. They actually said nothing today,” Badanisile Ngwenya said outside the court. Mgwenya was speaking on behalf of the family of Mozambican Mido Macia, 27. He had rented a room in her backyard. She walked out of court with Mido’s father Joseph.

“This man is here to fetch his son’s corpse home…. It’s not fair what they did and we are leaving without answers,” she said.

The frail man aired his dissatisfaction in a soft voice.

The eight policemen implicated in Macia’s death did not appear in court after the prosecution said an identity parade still had to be held.

The identity parade is scheduled for Thursday. They are expected to apply for bail on Friday.

About 100 Daveyton residents protested outside the court. Many of the women wore traditional Mozambican garments over their clothes.

“Steve Biko also died in police custody,” read a poster waved by one of the demonstrators.

Protesters complained they had been sent them from pillar to post on Monday.

It was initially reported that the case would be heard in the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court and several residents went there only to be told it had been moved to the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.

They vowed to be at the court for the duration of the trial when it started.

Two warrant officers and six constables have been charged with the murder of Macia, who was allegedly tied to the back of a police van and dragged along a street in Daveyton on Tuesday. An eyewitness filmed the assault.

Macia was found dead in the local police station’s holding cells several hours later. A post mortem revealed he had died of head and internal injuries.

At the time, Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman Moses Dlamini said police claimed they ordered Macia to move when they found his minibus illegally parked.

“It is alleged that the taxi driver then assaulted the constable and took his police firearm. The warrant officer overpowered the taxi driver and handed the firearm back to his colleague,” he said.

Dlamini said the officer then called for backup.

The police claimed they put the “resisting suspect” into the police van and took him to the police station.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions alleged that police had said Macia died when other men attacked him in the cells. – Sapa

Rustenburg- North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on women to break the silence on rape and stop protecting perpetrators of sexual violence in their homes, workplaces, churches and communities. Premier Modise made the appeal in her keynote address delivered at the Provincial Interfaith Prayer Service held at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Sunday.“We should name and shame perpetrators. Teenage pregnancies in our schools point to decay in our moral fibre. We fail our children when we cannot be their role models. We demand truth and accountability from our educators, parents and politicians because our communities are demanding truth, stability and service delivery,” emphasised Premier Modise in formally launching a campaign against the scourge of rape and gender based violence.

The campaign aimed at getting signatures of a million people who are denouncing rape by signing a pledge against sexual abuse of women rape will be taken to a deeper and higher level with the involvement of faith based organisations, men organisations, non-government organisations, community organisations and other social partners. The targeted number of signatures is expected to be reached by the end of next month.

The National Interfaith Council of South Africa-North West Chapter, North West FM and the North West Provincial Council on Aids are the latest partners to join the campaign that was initiated by Premier Modise. Motsweding FM is already a partner of the campaign that is supported by the Executive Council (Exco).

Modise said rape has reached an unacceptable levels and should be combated by all of us and called on all community members to join in the campaign to say no to high rate of rape taking place in the province and other part of the country.

“We are not going to sit back and do nothing as the provincial government about this sick behavior of men who are raping innocent members of our communities.

BY Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng- Police swift reaction led to the arrest of two suspects for House robbery that was committed at about 03:00 on Saturday at Lonely Park, in Mahikeng North West police said.

“It is alleged that the complainant was at her place when the suspects gained entrance into the house by breaking the door. They threatened her and robbed her R900 and fled the scene” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

“The suspects were later traced and arrested after the matter was reported to the police.  The suspects aged 16 and 17 respectively are expected to appear before the court soon” police said. 

BY Obakeng Maje

Coligny: A 20-year old suspect is expected to appear before Magistrates’ Court today for alleged murder of a 24 year old man North West police said.

The incident took place on Saturday at approximately 19:10 in Tlhabologang location,near Coligny. 

“It is alleged that the suspect and the victim were involved in an argument over a girlfriend, and that led to a fight. The suspect allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the victim in the neck and shoulder” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

“According to the information received, the victim died on the scene” police said.

Investigation regarding the matter continues.

Cyferskuil-Police arrested a 23- year old suspect for allegedly raping a 16-year old minor on Friday North West police said.

“It is alleged that the survivor was on her way to school when the suspect approached her” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

 Police said a suspect allegedly forced her to the nearby bushes where he raped her. 

“The survivor went home after the incident and informed her mother about the ordeal” Mokgwabone said. 

“They were in a taxi to the local clinic when the victim spotted the suspect and the taxi driver stopped to call him. He allegedly responded to the call, but ran away when he saw the survivor” police said.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was traced and arrested. 

He is expected to appear before Temba Magistrates’ Court soon.