Pietermaritzburg – Three courageous high school pupils have been hailed as heroes for braving an inferno to rescue a stricken 83-year-old woman and her two dogs just seconds before the roof of her home collapsed.
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Monthly Archives: April 2014
Protesters block route
Johannesburg – Residents of Olievenhoutbosch in Centurion were protesting along the R554 on Tuesday morning, Gauteng police said.
Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said residents had gathered and blocked the route.
“They did not use anything to block the road, they just gathered in the middle of the road.”
He said it was not yet clear what they were protesting about.
“Police are monitoring the protest, so far no violence was reported.”
SAPA
A woman smashed by a train in Bloemhof
By Obakeng Maje
Bloemhof-North West police are investigating a case of inquest after a woman committed suicide.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said police were called after a body of a woman in her early thirties was found near railway line.
“Police discovered a body at around 13H45 on Monday at a railway line. It is alleged that a woman went to the railway line and waited for a good train and threw herself in front of it” Mokgwabone said.
Mokgwabone said police found the clothes of a woman next to the railway and a suicide note.
“She probably took off her clothes before she was smashed by a train. She was lighter in colour and police ask anyone with information to come forward and identify her as her face was badly damaged” he said.
The police are appealing to the community of Bloemhof to come to the police station or call Lieutenant Sebolai on 053 433 1047 or 072 505 3045 to assist in identification of the deceased.
“The deceased is light in complexion and has an afro hair” concludes Mokgwabone.-TDN
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Premier Modise slams stoning of cars outside Mahikeng
The tide of lawlessness and criminality carried out under cover of darkness should be stemmed out, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in slamming the stoning of cars near Rooigrond informal settlement on the Mahikeng-Lichtenburg road on Monday evening.
“The trend to plunge communities in violence without a second thought or regard for consequences is disturbing. We cannot afford to have a situation private and public properties are torched, people’s possessions stolen and vehicles belonging to innocent passers-byes are stoned and people threatened with violence under the guise of service delivery protests, “Premier Modise said
.Modise appealed to communities to refrain from unlawful action and violent protests but to instead opt for dialogue and constructive engagement around their community development issues.She called on law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations that the attempt to plunge targeted municipalities into anarchy is coordinated action orchestrated by senior leaders with personal interests.-TDN
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Oscar’s version becoming more improbable- State
Pretoria – Murder accused Oscar Pistorius’s version of the night he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp is getting “more and more improbable” the State said on Monday.
“You see Mr Pistorius, it’s getting more and more improbable,” prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the Paralympian in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
“You’re building a version that is so improbable that no one would ever believe you.”
He said Pistorius left the gun in the bathroom after he shot Steenkamp.
Nel accused Pistorius of tailoring his evidence as the trial continued.
Pistorius has been charged with murdering Steenkamp when he shot her through a locked toilet door of his Pretoria home on 14 February last year.
He says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder.
Pistorius has pleaded not guilty and in his plea statement denied he had argued with her shortly before the shooting.
On Monday, Nel questioned Pistorius on what happened after he shot and what he did with his gun.
Pistorius said, gun in hand, he ran to the bedroom checked behind the curtains while looking for Steenkamp. He said he only put it down when he tried to break open the door.
He said he was running with a cocked gun.
Nel said in the State’s version Pistorius fired at Steenkamp and put the gun on the floor.
“Your version is so improbable. You wouldn’t have run up and down with a gun in your hand,” Nel said.
Pistorius said: “I wasn’t thinking about the firearm.”
As Pistorius got emotional, Nel said: “Mr Pistorius, you’re not using your emotional state to escape, are you?”
Pistorius is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act, one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public.
He allegedly fired a shot from a Glock pistol under a table at a Johannesburg restaurant in January 2013.
On 30 September 2012 he allegedly shot through the open sunroof of a car with his 9mm pistol while driving with friends in Modderfontein.
He has also denied guilt on these three charges.
SAPA
Government improves functioning of institutions of traditional leadership – MEC Manketsi Tlhape
Mahikeng- North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Manketsi Tlhape says government has made great strides in improving the functioning of institutions of traditional leadership.
Tlhape said this during the official opening of the Ninth Session of the Fifth Term of House of Traditional Leadership with the theme “20 years of moving traditional communities forward”.
MEC Tlhape said “a lot has happened since the inception of a democratic South Africa. A number of policies have been developed to further strengthen and support traditional leaders but also to involve them when planning for development of communities under traditional leadership”.
The Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act 41 of 2003 also provides for amongst others, the recognition of traditional communities and the establishment and recognition of traditional councils.
“The Department has successfully completed the first traditional council elections recently and is also clamping down on illegal initiation schools while awaiting a bill to regulate the establishment of initiation schools” she said.
The Commission on Tribal Disputes has made a lot of progress and is finalizing 48 outstanding cases having dealt with 40 already.
During the opening session, MEC Tlhape handed over 19 vehicles to Dikgosi, which will be used by the traditional council in making their daily duties easier.
“In giving effect to the provision of the Constitution which recognizes the institution, status and role of traditional leadership, the Department continues to provide Dikgosi with the much needed tools of trade. The process has already started with the provision of vehicles, offices, furniture and computers to such offices to ensure the full functioning and improved provision of service by traditional councils”, she said.
The Chairperson of Provincial House of Traditional Leadership Madoda Zibi thanked the government in uplifting the livelihood of the Dikgosi. Since the establishment of House of Traditional Leaders we have seen a lot of changes which made us feel our worth as Dikgosi.
Amongst others, the ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Pontsho Maubane, representatives of Houses of Traditional Leaders from other provinces, representatives from Botswana and Namibia as well as dignitaries from other government departments.
Meanwhile, Oratile Mashaba (10) was awarded a merit certificate by the House of Traditional Leadership for his outstanding performance in the 1200m during the Primary Schools Athletics Championships in Paarl, Western Cape Province.
Mashaba who is doing Grade 5 at Sedumedi Primary School received a gold medal for his participation in the race.-TDN
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Premier Modise to switch on electricity for Tlhabologang residents
North West Premier Thandi Modise is to switch-on electricity to celebrate the completion of the Phase 1 of the electrification project that has benefitted 1830 households in Tlhabologang Township outside Coligny.
“The delivery of the R36 million project by Eskom will reduce crime, fire disaster incidents we had experienced in the area and restore the dignity of the residents most of whom are farm workers who were evicted from neighbouring farms,” Premier Modise said ahead of the switch-on.
The project was implemented from the budget of R2 billion, one hundred and forty-one million that was allocated by government towards the National Integrated electrification programme for new connections across the country in the past financial year.
The switch-on to will be held at Reboneilwe Secondary School as from 17:00 this afternoon.
The programme for the event includes a visit to the substation that is under construction to carry additional new connections in the area.-TDN
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Chiefs and Pirates avoid each other before final
Johannesburg – Kaizer Chiefs have drawn Wits in the next round of the Nedbank Cup, with Orlando Pirates set to play Maritzburg United.
According to the Soccerladuma website, Orlando Pirates have overcome Thanda Royal Zulu, Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns to make it to this stage of the competition and will fancy their chances, after reaching three cup finals this season but returning empty-handed on all occasions.
Vladimir Vermezovic said after the weekend’s win over Sundowns that his players know how to reach cup finals and he knows how to win cup finals, so it will be interesting to see how the Bucs players respond to the coach’s call to get through the next step, before his “turn” comes.
Kaizer Chiefs had to wait until the dying minutes to beat SuperSport United via a George Lebese brace in a very cagey encounter and are favourites to lift the trophy, especially with their pedigree in cup competitions.
Maritzburg United hung on for a tough 3-1 win against National First Division side, African Warriors, and will be keen for a spot in the final, after coming close on several occasions since their promotion to the PSL. Also, Steve Komphela has never won a trophy as a coach, so he will be keen to go all the way with the rejuvenated Team of Choice.
Wits are one of the on-form teams in the league at the moment, and have proved their quality and pedigree against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Last 8 on the weekend, dominating the home side for most of the game and eventually booting them out of the competition.
Dates and venues for the semi-final fixtures are set to be announced at a later stage. However, both Soweto giants have got an away draw.
Sport24
Amajimbos confident ahead of trip to Namibia
Johannesburg- The South African National Under-17 side, Amajimbos are oozing confident ahead of their trip to Namibia for the Four-Nation tournament which commences this week.Amajimbos held two training sessions for the first time under the watchful eye of coach Molefi Ntseki on Saturday morning and afternoon. They also played a friendly match against the SAFA Transent School of Excellence on Sunday morning.
“We have had a great weekend, where we have managed to analyse the team and got them to play as a unit. Many of the boys played in two tournaments prior to this camp, and have a few niggling injuries, however our medical team is working on this.
“We have also been working hard at getting the boys re-hydrated as the humidity and desert conditions in Namibia could pose a threat to the fitness levels of the squad,” said an upbeat Ntseki.
Junior national teams coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba will serve as Technical Advisor to Amajimbos for this tournament and he also expressed confidence in the team.
“There are only two ways of playing football these philosophies will never change, a team must attack and defend. And the best way of attacking is scoring goals,” said Mashaba.
Amajimbos will travel to Swakopmund, Namibia on Monday 14 April 2014, to compete in a Four Nations Tournament. They will play against hosts Namibia, Ghana and an invitational German team (Westphalia).
South African u17 Squad
Player’s name
Club
Walter Kubheka
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Sanele Tshabalala
Bidvest Wits FC
Lebogang Shima
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Victor Mbatha
Bidvest Wits FC
Luyanda Mdlalose
Kaizer Chiefs FC
Notha Ncobo
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Christopher Mbele
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Itumeleng Shoba
Bidvest Wits FC
Thendo Mukumela
Ngwenani Chiefs (Limpopo)
Lethabo Mashifane
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Nicholas Ladeira
Bidvest Wits FC
Reeve Frosler
Bidvest Wits FC
Buhle Mfondololo
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Felix Noge
Harmony Academy (Free State)
Maleboge Modise
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Katlego Mashego
Kaizer Chiefs FC
Thulani Cele
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Avuyile Mkhundla
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Shungu Ditiro
Bidvest Wits FC
Romario Morris
Titanic FC (KZN)
Bloemhof learners back at school after unrest
Bloemhof- The positive response of thousands of learners and educators who turned up for learning and teaching to commence at schools in Bloemhof, Bodibe and Itsoseng is encouraging and should be applauded, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.
Premier Modise said that she is hopeful that all learners in both areas will be in school by tomorrow after provincial education authorities reported a 98% attendance.
“The recovery plan tailored according to learning and teaching time lost at each of the over 45 schools should ensure that the province is on track to claim the top spot in the matric results at the end of the year,” the Premier said.
“Anarchists who have hijacked genuine concerns of our communities in pursuit of their personal interests without regard for the future of our children and the rule of law should be isolated,” added Modise.She said that the provincial government will be following up on all issues raised during engagement with the said communities.
Premier Modise said that the Executive Council intervention team will also engage the Khunotsoane protestors outside Zeerust where schooling was still affected at Khunotsoane Primary and Motsaalore Secondary School as roads were still blockaded.-TDN
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The Guardian 