By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp- North West police and the Hawks made a breakthrough on a case of ANC Regional Secretary Oubuti Chika’s murder.

The Hawks acted swiftly when they arrested a 38 year-old man from Kwazulu-Natal.

The police said they have arrested a seventh suspects on the case of Chika who was gunned down in cold-blood at his house.

“We have arrested a 38 year-old man in Johannesburg,but he is originally from Kwazulu Natal” Hawks spokesperson said.

Paul Ramaloko explains they also consficated a gun that suspected to be used during crime.

“The suspect took us to his place in Msinga in Kwazulu Natal where we discovered a firearm” Ramaloko said.

The police has arrested six suspects linked to the murder and they have appeared before magistrate.

A 38 year old suspect will appear before court today.

Senior members of ANC has been arrested and some of them are Baboile,Molebatsi who occupy senoir positions in the party.

Chika,33 was shot dead a day before ANC elective conference on 14th of December 2012 in Mangaung.

“We really condemn the involvement of our members in any crime. We hope those who are implicated in the killings of Oubuti Chika will face the full mighty of law” Kenny Morolong said.

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Johannesburg – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has written letters to South African medical students in Cuba who embarked on an illegal strike, defining the government’s position on the strike, his department said on Thursday.

On February 7, 187 of the 1 200 South African students studying medicine in Cuba went on strike, spokesperson Joe Maila said in a statement.

Their demands include a more than 300-percent stipend increase, that a health attache be sent to Cuba, and that they no longer want to be served any meal that contains pork.

“In dealing with this matter the department suspected that there might also be problems of cultural differences, adaptability and perhaps psychosocial changes, which make it difficult for them to cope with their studies,” he said.

“In this regard, the department promptly dispatched a team consisting of a senior social worker, a senior psychologist, HR manager and a doctor… to assist the students accordingly.”

He said the team joined the ambassador in Cuba, academic staff at the university and the Cuban government to negotiate with the students.

During the negotiations the students gave the embassy two ultimatums, Maila added.

“That the ambassador sign a document that these demands will be met or they come back home,” he said.

“Ever since the South African-Cuban medical programme started, South Africa has never had a health attache in Cuba. The minister decided last year already to appoint, and sent a health attache to Cuba.”

The attache was expected to start in January but had to complete other commitments, and the department said it was “ not understandable why this matter is arising” because a decision was made a long time ago.

He added that on the issue of food, it has always been a matter negotiated between students and universities, even in South Africa.

“Up to now we know of no student who has to abandon studies because such a matter was not resolved. Our students in Cuba are usually served alternate diets consisting of beef, chicken or pork.”

“However, for the two or three weeks, the Cuban government had problems in acquiring beef and chicken, hence they could only serve what was available, which was pork,” he added.

Maila added that the stipend would not change as accommodation, food, transport and tuition is jointly sponsored by the two governments.

“For the students to firmly believe that if such a demand is not met they rather come back home, have left the minister with no option but to grant them their wish, because under no condition will the government be willing to meet such an outrageous and unreasonable demand of $700 (about R6 200) per month.

“In the letter written to individual students, the minister has stated this point unambiguously and emphasised that at no stage will such a demand ever be entertained,” he said.

The students currently receive a stipend of $200 (about R1 800). – Sapa

Oscar Pistorius’s bail application in the Reeva Steenkamp murder case has been postponed for the third time till tomorrow by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Earlier, State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that Pistorius failed to provide exceptional circumstances why he should be granted bail. Nel says Steenkamp was defenceless when she was fatally shot inside a toilet. He says no court will ever accept that Pistorius acted in self-defence.
Nel has argued that that even on Pistorius’ own version, there was no imminent danger in the bedroom whatsoever. Nel says, Pistorius never woke Steenkamp up and asked her if she had heard an intruder. According to Nel, these were the actions of a man ready to arm himself and kill.
Arguing against Pistorius statement in the affidavit that he felt vulnerable, Nels says this can’t be true since Pistorius stormed the bathroom.
Nel also did not rule out the possibility that Pistorius had orchestrated the scene to his benefit.
In a dramatic day, investigating officer, Hilton Botha was himself implicated in an attempted murder case after he shot at the wheels of fleeing taxi. The court also had to be evacuated briefly after a security threat.    

Pistorius’s legal counsel, Barry Roux, has asked the court to reconsider its decision to handle the bail application as a schedule six offence.

Nel has also told the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court that murder-accused,  Pistorius has failed to provide exceptional circumstances why he should  be granted bail.
Nel says he is astonished that two parties could have such different arguments with the same facts.
Pistorius is charged with the murder of Steenkamp last Thursday. He has denied  this in an affidavit, and has said he thought there was an intruder in  his home.       
Pistorius’s legal counsel, Barry Roux, has,  meanwhile, asked the court to reconsider its decision to handle the bail application as a schedule six offence. Roux argued there were  exceptional circumstances why Pistorius should get bail.
Roux  claims that Pistorius gave a comprehensive version of events and that  the investigating officer conceded that the athlete’s affidavit was  consistent with forensic evidence.
Roux says Pistorius’s statement should carry more weight as there are no eyewitnesses to the shooting.

In another development outside the court, Johannesburg businessman John  Koch called on South Africans to intensify campaigns against women and  children abuse. He was picketing all by himself in front of the  building. Holding a placard that read “Oscar…. did Reeva get bail?”
Koch said the court should not give bail to men who kill or abuse women and children.
“I’m here to say that as a male individual of South Africa, I’m tired of  crime and our icons need to responsibility of their actions. This is  where it starts and this is where it ends.”

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

Pretoria – Prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked on Thursday why paralympian Oscar Pistorius didn’t see that his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was not in bed when he reached for his firearm.

“There’s only two people in the house and you want to protect her, but you don’t even look at her?” asked Nel in Pistorius’ bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Pistorius is charged with the murder of Steenkamp, who died in a shooting in his Pretoria home last week.

He has denied shooting her deliberately, saying he thought there was a burglar when he fired shots at the bathroom door, killing her.

Nel said: “I’m just saying that his version is so improbable…”

Even with Pistorius’ version, there was no imminent danger in the bathroom.

Pistorius had said that there had been threats on his life and to his security at home, but he had never opened a case with the police.

“He was keen to arm himself and get to the intruder; his action is indicative of a man ready to arm himself, and ready to kill.”

He said one could not create a danger and then act in self-defence.

It was “improbable” that Pistorius felt vulnerable, but still headed for the bathroom door, Nel said.

“It is our respectful submission that he fired four shots, not one shot. The only reason you fire four shots is to kill.”

Nel continued: “At the least there will be culpable homicide.” – Sapa

Mmakau-Police arrested two male suspects aged 28 and 31 respectively on Tuesday for armed robbery that took place in Brits.

“It is alleged that the truck driver was in Brits on his way from Vryburg to Polokwane when forced to stop by an unknown object that hit the truck” police said.

“According to the driver, he was outside the truck and investigating what happened when one unknown male appeared and pointed him with a firearm. The man allegedly instructed him to keep quiet and lie down, and suddenly seven other suspects emerged” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

Police said the suspects demanded the safe but the victim explained to them that there’s no safe in the truck.

They searched the truck inside while the other one was keeping an eye on him.

“It is alleged that they took his wallet containing R140.00 cash Nokia cellphone valued at R500.00 as well as six boxes of chicken meat worth R2200.00” police said.

They allegedly instructed him to move away and not to look back, but managed to go back to the truck after realising that the suspects had vanished.

He reported a case at Garankuwa after requesting assistance from passing motorists.

“The victim was at the Police Station when he spotted and recognised two males passing nearby as some of the suspects who robbed him” police adds.

He alerted the police and the suspects were arrested.

They appeared before Brits Magistrate Court on Wednesday. Wilbert Matabane (28) and Jeffrey Kgafela (31) were remanded in custody and will appear before the court again on Tuesday 26 February 2013 for bail application.

The other suspects are still at large and investigation continues.

BY Obakeng Maje

A 39 year old Tanzanian Citizen was arrested on Wednesday  for suspected stolen vehicle North West police said. According to information, members at the Ramatlabama Port of Entry  were on duty at about 14:30 at the searching point  when a Silver Grey Toyota Hilux with a false registration number approached the searching point.

“The police members who were conducting a search and circulated the vehicle with the chassis number” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

“It was discovered that it is sought in a theft of motor vehicle case that was registered in Rustenburg” police said.

“The driver of the vehicle was arrested and detained at Nietverdiend Police Station” police said.

A case of possession of suspected stolen vehicle was registered.

The suspect is expected to appear  before the Lehurutshe Magistrate Court tomorrow and investigation continues.

By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Police officers arrested 32-year-old foreign national man with reported stolen laptops and cellphones during routine patrols in Kimberley CBD. 

The suspect was carrying a heavy loaded black bag on his way to the taxi rank to hitch-hike to Johannesburg said police. 

“The police became very suspicious and approached him, and upon investigation they searched his black bag and discover four laptops, three laptops chargers and nine cellphones” Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said. 

“He could not account for the laptops and cellphones when he was questioned to produce the authentic documents to confirm the ownership of the laptops and cellphones” Tawana adds.  

Instead he told the police that he bought them from unknown men in the City CBD. 

Furthermore the police investigation revealed that these laptops were reported stolen during house breakings, robberies and theft out of motor vehicles between last year and this year. Police said among these cellphones, there was a galaxy S3 that the owner reported it being robbed of during armed robbery last week. “Three of the laptops and three cellphones have been positively identified by the relevant owners with authentic supporting document proofing ownership” police said.

The suspect was also in possession of fraudulent identity document with identity photo tampered with.

“The suspect has been charged with possession of stolen goods, fraud and robbery. He is due to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate Court soon.

Black Leopards striker, Thabo Mongalo, is thought to have joined the list of players keen to leave the club.

According to Siya crew sources, Mongalo, along with the likes of Tiyani Mabunda, Raymond Monama and Rodney Ramagalela, could all be set to leave Lidoda Duvha after deciding that they would rather continue their professional careers elsewhere.

Mongalo, who rejoined Leopards following an unhappy spell in Phokeng with Platinum Stars, has been blowing hot and cold since his return.

The forward will see his current deal come to an end in June, and as it stands, he will be playing his football elsewhere when the 2013/2014 season begins next year, with the club yet to open talks with him regarding a new contract.

Sources have indicated that even if the club was to table a new deal, he would, in all probability, turn down the offer as he seeks a new challenge in his career.

Members of the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress on Thursday accused authorities of giving “special treatment” to Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius who stands charged of murdering his girlfriend.

Pistorius is accused of shooting dead his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home a week ago, in a case that has hogged local and international headlines.

Members of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) are unhappy about him being kept in police holding cells rather than a prison during bail proceedings.

“The ANCWL would like to register our dissatisfaction at this special treatment that Pistorius is getting and would like prosecutors to take this issue up,” said a statement.

“Unlike other alleged offenders who are in prison Pistorius’s family are permitted to visit him at all hours not just prescribed visiting hours as would be the case in prison.”

South Africa’s prison are notorious for overcrowding and violence and suspects awaiting trial often spend months and even years in custody.

But authorities have rejected claims of special treatment, saying the double amputee athlete was being kept in police holding cells to allow him access to his legal team.

“There is no celebrity status (at play) here. It’s not a common practice, but it is a decision of the court,” spokesman for the prosecutions authority Medupi Simaku told SAPA news agency

Pistorius has told the Pretoria Magistrates Court that he shot Steenkamp, 29, in a horrible accident after he mistook her for an intruder.

The state is arguing that the killing was premeditated.- AFP

South Africa still has some way to go to achieve the society it desires, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Replying in the National Assembly to points raised during the debate on his state-of-the-nation speech, Zuma said next year would mark the first 20 years of freedom and democracy.

In celebrating this milestone, the government would recommit to achieving a non-racial, non-sexist, peaceful, and democratic society.

South Africa today was considerably better than the South Africa of 20 years ago.

“It’s not been any easy road.” It was still a long road to go to achieve the “type of society that we want to achieve, but we are getting there steadily”, Zuma said. – Sapa