Daily Archives: February 9, 2014

Where are the born-frees?


Cape Town – Less than a quarter of South Africa’s born-frees have registered for the 7 May general election.

Figures from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) show that 22%, or 427 655 of South Africa’s almost two million 18- to 19-year-olds, had registered to vote before this weekend, City Press reports.

The commission said it hoped to register about 500 000 of these first-time voters during this weekend’s final registration push.

The born-frees – those born after South Africa’s democracy in 1994 – make up 6% of South Africa’s total voting population of 31.4 million.

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said the commission was worried about the low registration of eligible young voters.

Bapela said the IEC was running television and radio campaigns featuring musicians and other celebrities in a bid to appeal to young voters.

– City Press

Land Redistribution Malema’s Priority


Johannesburg – Land redistribution would be the first order of business for EFF leader Julius Malema if he were to succeed President Jacob Zuma in the upcoming general election.

“The first decision I make as president would be the redistribution of land back to the people,” Malema said while visiting the Thusong Youth Centre in Alexandra on Sunday.

“And the land would be to produce food and create jobs.”
A voting registration outlet had been set up at the centre.

Wearing a red EFF beret and a white shirt, Malema received a warm welcome in Alexandra as people, particularly children, smiled, clapped and shook his hand.

Malema entered the voting station after 13:00 and greeted IEC officials at the registration office.

He spoke briefly with them before making his way onto 12th Avenue to speak to residents.

Malema said government had failed the people of South Africa.

“It is very clear and evident through the uncontrollable service delivery protests that South Africans are looking for an alternative,” he said.

“They have absolutely failed our people in a big way. People were losing interest in politics until the EFF arrived.”
Asked whether many South Africans had lost interest in voting, he said:

“No, they will vote.”

– SAPA

Lolly Jackson’ suspect to be extradited


Johannesburg – The man wanted in connection with the murder of Teazers boss Lolly Jackson has been returned to South Africa, police said on Sunday.

“A team comprising SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Interpol extradition team and the department of justice has successfully repatriated George Louca from Cyprus,” said Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale.

Louca fled South Africa after the murder of strip club boss Jackson at a house in Edenglen on 3 May 2010.

He was wanted by the Hawks in connection with the murder since then.

Louca made several attempts to evade extradition, but he failed when he lost his final appeal in the Cypriot Supreme Court.

“The accused was brought into the country at 07:15 this morning by Interpol and he has since been handed over to the Hawks.

“The Hawks are also investigating other cases to which he could possibly be linked,” Mokgale said.

SAPA

‘Zuma relaxes while SA burns’


Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma was relaxing in Nkandla while the country burns, DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said on Sunday.

Maimane was addressing around 50 people outside the Lefika primary school in Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg.

“People are dying during protests and the president or his senior staff fail to address their people. This is not the ANC of Nelson Mandela.”

Maimane was expected to visit the family of Lerata Rabolila, who was shot and killed during the violent protests in Boiketlong.

He said he would mobilise the community of Boiketlong to register to vote.

“We want to show the current government that the pen is mightier than the bullet,” said Maimane.

– SAPA

More tha one million register to vote


Johannesburg – More than one million people registered to vote over the weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission said on Sunday.

“It is estimated that yesterday [Saturday] there was total registration activity of about 1.2 million across the country,” spokesperson Kate Bapela said.

She said about half of the people who registered to vote on Saturday were new voters aged between 18 to 29 years.

“Early indications from the country’s 22 263 registration stations showed that young people were heeding the call to participate in the elections which mark the 20th year of democracy.”
President Jacob Zuma announced on Friday that the fifth national general elections would be held on 7 May.

“The Electoral Commission calls on all unregistered voters to make sure they visit their registration stations today to make use of this final weekend day to register,” Babela said. Registration stations in the country were operating smoothly.

“Heavy overnight rains in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Free State caused some logistic challenges to registration stations, especially those in tents, but in most cases officials had re-erected structures and signage in time for opening,” she said.

– SAPA

Sars after Kebble killer


Johannesburg – The taxman is after Brett Kebble’s hit man, Mikey Schultz, for unpaid taxes on blood money he earned in the 2005 shooting.

According to the Sunday Times, the South African Revenue Services has gone to the High Court in Johannesburg in a bid to sequestrate Schultz over outstanding taxes of more than R240 000. When asked in 2011 to explain the source of R400 000, Schultz said it was for money received for Brett Kebble’s assisted suicide.
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Two arrested for house robbery


By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-Two suspects aged 30 and 33 were arrested for House robbery that took place in Randlespark a suburb in Klerksdorp on Friday. 

“It is alleged that the victim was inside the house, when he heard someone calling his name from outside. The victim went out to investigate and saw a blue Mazda vehicle with two occupants inside it” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa.

They told him that they know him from Piennarsdorp.

The victim welcomed them into his house where they pointed him with a firearm. 

“It is alleged that the suspects robbed the victim of his cash, jewellery, Plasma TV and his cellphone” she said.   

The police were informed about the matter and arrested the two suspects.  The suspects  are expected to appear before Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday.-TDN
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Delareyville man arrested for murder


By Obakeng Maje
Delareyville-A 26-year-old suspect was arrested for the murder of a 35-year-old victim by Delareyville police on Saturday.  

The police were allegedly patrolling around when they received a call about a fight that was taking place in Duikersbos farm.

“They found the victim lying on the ground, with a stab wound in his chest. The victim bled profusely and was taken to Delareyville Hospital by an ambulance” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa.   

The suspect was traced and arrested.

The police were later called and informed that the victim has died. 

“The suspect was charged with murder and he is expected to appear in Delareyville Magistrates’ Court on Monday.-TDN
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One bludgenoed to dead, suspect arrested


By Obakeng Maje
Zeerust-The police arrested one suspect for the murder of a 27-year-old victim. The incident took place in Gerrit Maritze street in Zeerust on Saturday at about 21:20.

The police were called to the scene of crime after they were informed about a person who died in Gerrit Maritze Street. 

“Upon arrival at the scene, the deceased was found lying dead in a pool of blood . He had stab wounds in the neck and left ear. According to the information, the victim was walking from the tavern to his residential place when he met with the suspect and asked him for cigarette” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said. 

Police said that an argument allegedly occurred between the two and the suspect took out a knife and stabbed the victim to death. The knife was found at the scene and the suspect was later arrested.

He is expected to appear in the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of Murder.-TDN
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8 murdered, 25 raped in N West


By Obakeng Maje
The North West police arrested a total number of 642 suspects through various operations in the past seven days between 2 and 9 February 2014 for Contact, Contact related, Property related and other crimes.

The arrests include 8 for Murder, 25 for Rape, 31 for Assault common as well as Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 43 for burglary residential, 18 for common robbery, 25 for shoplifting, 15 for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, 81 for Drug related crimes, 26 for Possession of suspected stolen goods and many other crimes.  

“The following were also seized during operations: 8 cell phones,  4 computers, 12 knives. Most of the suspects have already appeared in various courts while others are expected to appear on Monday, 10 February 2014” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.-TDN
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