Cape Town – A woman who allegedly made a false R900 000 claim against the Road Accident Fund (RAF), was referred on Thursday to a psychiatric hospital for 30 days’ observation.

Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg ordered Elizabeth Ndikandika to be sent for assessment, when she appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town.

Legal aid lawyer Hayley Lawrence told the court she had consulted Ndikandika, who did not seem to understand what was being asked of her, despite the use of an interpreter.

“She needs to be referred for observation,” Lawrence told the court.

Prosecutor Annette de Lange suggested that Ndikandika first be assessed by a district surgeon, and only be sent to a psychiatric hospital for observation if the district surgeon considered it necessary.

De Lange said the case was ready for trial, but that the trial had so far been delayed twice by postponements.

Sonnenberg said the court was obliged to refer Ndikandika for psychiatric observation if it appeared that she was unable to understand the proceedings due to mental illness or defect.

She said this was in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The matter was postponed to 11 July.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The e-toll violation processing centre will be unavailable to process transactions from Saturday due to maintenance work, said the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).
“This will impact on customers who want to query or pay their violation accounts through both the internet and at customer services stations,” Sanral said in a statement on Thursday.
“The website will remain active for registered customers only, so maintenance work will not affect them if they need to make online enquires and payments.”
The maintenance work was scheduled for Saturday 18:00 to Tuesday 08:00.
SAPA

Cape Town – A fifth pre-trial conference will be held in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, for three men allegedly linked to the murder of paediatrician Dr Louis Heyns.

At their last appearance on May 23, lawyers for Malmesbury business owner Juan Liedeman and brothers Marthinus and Sarel van der Walt told the court the matter was not yet ready for trial.

In a pre-trial conference in April, prosecutor Samantha Raphels said a trial date for the three had been set down for August 4.

Raphels said a possible plea agreement was on the table for Liedeman, but that nothing had been finalised.

Judge President John Hlophe postponed the matter for another pre-trial conference.

Heyns, a University of Stellenbosch medical professor, went missing last May. His body was found in a shallow grave in Strand that month.

The brothers face charges of killing and robbing him.

Liedeman faces charges of being in possession of Heyns’s stolen vehicle.

The Director of Public Prosecutions decided to charge him with robbery as an accessory after the fact, and defeating the ends of justice.

He was released on R20,000 bail in June last year, after proving exceptional circumstances existed to warrant his release.

Liedeman said in a bail application affidavit that he had received threats from the Van der Walts before and after his arrest last year.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Thursday called on land owners to be humane when enforcing evictions.

She said she was unhappy with evictions in winter when it was cold and while children were writing exams.

“I fail to understand why a property owner will receive a court order in summer and wait until winter to effect it,” she said in a statement.

“It is inhumane and it is bad timing. It is totally unacceptable.”

The Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act required that land and property owners act against illegal occupiers within six months of the illegal occupation.

“Should the owner fail to do so, they are required to provide temporary accommodation as part of the eviction plan,” she said.

Sisulu called on landowners to suspend evictions nationwide until such requirements were met.

Evictions recently took place in Lwandle, near Somerset West; Alexandra in Johannesburg; and Bokamoso near Phuthaditjhaba.

Last week families living in abandoned factories in Alexandra were evicted following a court order.

In Lwandle, about 800 people living on SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) land next to the N2 highway were evicted last week following an interim court order.

Their shacks were demolished and set alight. Many lost their personal possessions and were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

The families were taken to alternative Sanral-owned land in Blackheath, largely an established residential area.

Residents of the area were reportedly outraged at the arrival of the families and demanded that the families leave.

On Wednesday, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille announced the families would be moved back to Lwandle while they waited for a housing development project to accommodate them.

Sisulu has set up an inquiry into the Lwandle evictions.

SAPA

Rustenburg- North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has welcomed the news that Lonmin and AMCU have reached a wage settlement, thereby laying a firm ground for return to stability in Marikana.

“The Province of the North West is ready to work with all parties to implement a sustainable programme of unity, healing and reconciliation.  Equally, we call on all parties particularly the leadership of unions to work with law enforcement authorities to normalise the situation.
” Mahumapelo said.

Premier Mahumapelo has already invited AMCU,NUM, LONMIN AND BAPO BA MOGALE tribal authority to a meeting to discuss practical steps to be taken by all parties including Provincial Government as a contribution to lasting peace in Marikana. 

“Government extends its gratitude to all parties and role players whose tireless efforts over the months have contributed to the resolution of the wage dispute. 
Let peace reign in Marikana” he said. 
-TDN
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