National Anti-Crime Forum launched in Pampierstad


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By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- The community of Pampierstad gathered together to experience the birth of a newly-formed National Anti-Crime and Community Development Forum near Mountainview, Pampierstad.

A newly formed community forum was formed in response to community outcry where crime, poverty, unemployment, bad condition of roads and abandoned houses issues were under discussion.

According to the founder Tlhopego Sele, a small technical team representing the community was formed before to deal with crime prevention in promoting safety and precautionary measures among citizens.

“We had a team that was operating as volunteers, but we had conflicts with police and we could not agree on other matters. Crime is so rife in the area and we managed to identify what might lead to that. We have high rate of unemployment,rape, murder and high rate of alcohol consumption ” Sele said.

Sele said they launched Anti-crime and Community Development Forum so that they can deal with burning issues like unemployment.

“We believe that unemployment creates poverty and that lead to committing crime. If more people are working, they will diverge from crime. So we will try to bring more projects and ascertain that the majority of beneficiaries really do come from local community” he said.

Many stakeholders graced the event like Sanco, Saps and they were given more information about Community Policing Forum(CPF). Sele said there are more abandoned houses that attract vagrants and are used as crime nests.

He also said bad condition their roads are in, also does not augur well because when is rainy, roads are slippery and become no-go area. Police could not respond swiftly because of bad roads.

He said developing the economy, Pampierstad will be a better place and eventually a crime free area.-TDN
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Salga embark on name changing process


By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- The Department of Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs through its Provincial Geographic Names Council embarked on an awareness campaign starting at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati on Friday at Coleridge hall at 09h00.

The awareness took a form of a conference/seminar and has invited key stakeholders such as Dikgosi, Historians and Community Leaders amongst others, addressed by the member of the Executive Council Ms. Tebogo Modise.

Amongst of the key issues discussed was on;
 Engagement process of changing names,
 The main strategy of the council,
 As well as the launch of the campaign by the MEC.

“There is more to learn about the PGNC and its purpose, existence and key responsibilities, we therefore urge all role players to know how to apply for name change process” MEC Tebogo Modise said.

Lungile Dantjie also applauded people who came out in numbers at Dr. Ruth Segomotsi District so that they make their contribution,” said Dantjie.

Most people who raised their concerns, said they will appreciate that process as some of the names are degrading them and does not show humanity.
-TDN
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Modise denies ignoring warnings


Cape Town-Former North West Premier Thandi Modise has denied media report by City Press and its sister paper Rapport that alleges that she was warned about potential crisis on her Modderfontein farm outside Potchefstroom.

Thandi Modise had as a new entrant to farming requested for contacts from whom she could source feed and appreciates greatly the expertise advice and valued support that Agri-North West Management gave her after she had shared with them her frustration in sourcing feed and selling her livestock.

“The allegation that Modise was warned of a potential crisis on her farm by the organisation is farfetched and a misrepresentation of facts as its involvement was limited to getting her in touch with contacts from whom she could source feed and sell her meat” NCOP chair spokesperson Neo Moepi said.  

Moepi said it is unfortunate that an impression is being created that Modise ignored warning from the organisation, animal feeding specialists and individual farmers some of whom had not even spoken to her.

“It is common knowledge and a standard business practise that an indication by a first time supplier that feed supplied would last for two weeks is not necessarily a warning, but a tacit attempt by the seller to secure the next order” Moepi said.

Modise and her farm manager were not captive clients and cannot be blamed by a supplier for their loss of business and for exercising their discretion of sourcing feed from another supplier at a reasonable price.

The former Premier was upfront in confiding to the Agri-North West Management that as an emerging farmer, she could not rely on support from the Provincial Department of Agriculture as any assistance she received would have been misconstrued and interpreted by her detractors to be preferential treatment given the position she held in the provincial administration.-TDN
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SA U17 registers fourth victory on the road


Johannesburg- One goal midway through the first half was enough to see the South African Men’s Under-17 National Team (Amajimbos) end their tour of Lesotho and Botswana with four victories in four games.

Amajimbos saw off a spirited Lesotho at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, Lesotho on Sunday, 13 July – their second victory against the host nation. South Africa beat Lesotho 2-0 on Thursday at Mafeteng Stadium.

This was the last match before Amajimbos head off to Tanzania on Tuesday (15 July) for a 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier that will take place on Friday, 18 July.

Lesotho started the better of the two sides but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 23rd minute through Vuyo Mkatshana.

Amajimbos could have increased their lead in the 41st minute but the upright denied Mkatshana with the Lesotho goalkeeper, Ramalefane Monaheng well beaten.

South Africa looked the better of the two sides in the second stanza, enjoying a lot of ball possession but they missed some chances to add on to their odd goal.

Later on Sunday (13 July) coach Molefi Ntseki was going to announce the 18 players that will be travelling to Tanzania.

This is how they lined up:

Lesotho U17: Ramalefane Monaheng (GK), Matlopong Seana, Moalosi Mosoeu, Katlego Tatai, Mokokoane Rethabile (c), Thulo Kamohelo, Boseka Motlatsi, Toloane Tsepo, Makhomo Napo, Mohapi Bonang, Thetsane Lesia

Subs: Phatela Khaya (GK), Nkune Tom, Mphosi Thabo, Moebo Moloantoa, Mokhachane Neo, Mokoena Thaane, Ramanki Hlompho, Tsakoa Liteboho

South Africa U17: 16-Mondli Mpoto (GK) (c), 2-Simon Nqoi, 10-Notha Ngcobo, 4-Katlego Mohamme, 15-Keanu Cupido, 6-Athenkosi Dlala (Tshepiso Mahlangu), 7-Vuyo Mantjie (Charles Baloyi), 19-Samuel Nkomo (Thendo Mukumela), 17-Khanyisa Mayo (Edwin Sekhwama) 9-Vuyo Mkatshana, 18-Benedict Matlawe (Felix Noge, replaced injured) (Thato Ramogogodi)

Subs: 1-Mxolisi Skei, 11-Felix Noge, 20-Charles Baloyi, 3-Thendo Mukumela, 13-Tshepiso Mahlangu, 14-Thato Ramogogodi, 12-Edwin Sekhwama.
-TDN
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More bones found on Pongola pastor’s property


Durban – More bones have been discovered in the yard of a Pongola pastor who was earlier arrested following the discovery of a dismembered corpse of a four-year-old boy at his church, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday.

While the remains of Kiki Ntuli had been found in a plastic bag on Saturday, forensic specialists who probed the pastor’s yard found more bones on Thursday, said Captain Thulani Zwane.

“The bones have been taken for forensic analysis to verify whether they are those of a human being or not,” Zwane said.

The 51-year-old pastor had, however, not been charged.

Zwane said investigations were ongoing.

While searching for the rest of Ntuli’s body parts on Tuesday, police discovered a skull and skeleton at a woman’s house in Ncotshane.

It was unclear whether those bones were linked to the Ntuli case or whether they were that of a human being.

The bones were taken for forensic testing.

Angry Pongola residents went on the rampage on Tuesday and torched the pastor’s church and woman’s house.

Fifteen people were arrested for violence and were scheduled to appear before the Ncotshane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The court was, however, petrol bombed on Wednesday night.

The group finally appeared in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where they were released on a warning.

Their case was postponed to 28 July.
SAPA

Court orderly sent for observation


Cape Town – A court orderly, who allegedly accepted a R150 bribe to allow an awaiting trial prisoner to have sex with a prisoner’s girlfriend, was sent for 30 days’ psychiatric observation on Friday.

Warrant Officer Bongani Ndikho, 42, who is out on warning, was in charge of prisoners appearing in court, when the alleged incident happened in the holding cells at the Wynberg Regional Court in Cape Town in March last year.

He appeared before magistrate W Rixana, who at the request of prosecutor Simone Liedeman, ordered him to report at the Valkenberg psychiatric hospital for an assessment as an outpatient, and to be admitted as an in-patient as soon as a bed became available.

The prosecutor said she had a medical certificate as well as a psychiatric letter stating that Ndikho had severe depression, and was unable to focus on the proceedings.

He also had difficulty in interacting with people, poor memory, and concentration, she said.

Media presence

As Ndikho stepped out of the dock, he complained to the court that he had been chased through the streets in Bellville after his previous appearance, by a media cameraman.

He lamented that he was unhappy about the media presence in court, and did not want his photograph in the newspapers.

Ndikho added: “This is a corruption case, and the media presence affects me and my ailing mother.”

He said the photographer had chased him for about 500m, and “they abuse their right”.

Ndikho asked the court for help, and said he did not want to be chased through the streets.

The magistrate said the media had to bring a formal application if they wished to take photographs, or TV footage, in the courtroom.

However, the court had no control over what happened outside, the magistrate explained.

He said the court could not make an order that it could not enforce.

Right to privacy

He said Ndikho had the right to privacy, and he needed to discuss the problem with his lawyer, Chantelle Morgan, who could launch a civil suit on his behalf, for damages against the newspaper that published his photograph without his permission.

With Ndikho in the dock was prisoner John Maggot, who allegedly gave Ndikho the R150 bribe.

Ndikho faces two counts of corruption. One relates to the alleged R150 bribe for sex, and the other alleges that he received additional bribes totalling R12 000 to smuggle dagga parcels to Maggot.

Maggot similarly faces two counts of corruption.

Both also face one charge each of dealing in drugs.

The charge sheet tells of a number of cellphone sms messages, allegedly arranging for dagga in parcels to be given to Ndikho, to smuggle to Maggot in the court holding cells, and for the alleged payment of bribes.

In one sms, Ndikho is alleged to have said if the bribe was “not a block (R1000), don’t bother coming”.

The prosecutor alleges that Ndikho deposited R12 000 into his bank account on March 27 last year.

The case was postponed to 18 August, for the psychiatric assessment.
SAPA

Don’t mix business and politics, says Vavi


Johannesburg – Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi reiterated that political representatives should not get involved in business, following reports of dying animals on a farm owned by National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson Thandi Modise.

Vavi expressed his shock over the issue in a speech prepared for delivery at the Food and Allied Workers Union’s regional congress in Port Elizabeth.

“We were all shocked at the story of the dead and dying animals on the farm of…Modise,” said Vavi.

“It reinforces our insistence that political representatives should not get involved in business. They must choose one or the other, and not try to fight for the poor, while enriching themselves from their businesses.”

Last weekend, police and officials of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) went to the farm and discovered pigs, sheep, geese, goats and ducks that had been without water and food for around two weeks.

There were no farmworkers on the property, no electricity, and the water pumps were broken.

At the time, Modise told the Sunday Independent newspaper that she was still “trying” to farm: “I am learning. But if you are a woman and you are learning you are not allowed to make mistakes.”

SAPA

A man wanted for rape in Potchefstroom


By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom- North West police are looking for a fugitive man who is around twenties for rape. The suspect is sought after a case of Rape which occurred on the 9th May 2014 around 11:00 at Ikageng location, in the bushes near the Sarafina road, Potchefstroom. 

“The suspect is short, he is of medium build, has a teardrop tattoo under his left eye and speaks Tswana” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
-TDN
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TRADITIONAL LEADERS REVIEW EXECUTIVE LEKGOTLA RESOLUTIONS


The North West Provincial House of Traditional Leaders reviewed the resolutions that were taken by the Executive Lekgotla in August 2013 during a sitting held from 1st to 3rd July 2014.

The Executive Lekgotla discussed amongst others, the role of Traditional leaders in crime prevention, stock theft, witchcraft and gender based violence as well as ritual killings.

The House will embark on a review of its Strategic Plan as well as look at how chieftainship disputes are handled with the aim of presenting a comprehensive report to the Executive Committee.

Meanwhile the House received a first visit of its kind by Premier Mahumapelo and his Executive Council during the sitting. The main aim of this visit was to foster the spirit of oneness and corporation philosophy “saamwerk saamtrek” between Dingaka and Provincial Government.

The House also requested the Premier to visit again in order to engage on pertinent issues such as,
 African Creative Connection: this organization has programmes which can bring information technology to benefit education of children and to facilitate the tribal administrative system also to be considered by the house.
 Data World: this organization has been appointed by the Department of Land and Rural Development to map out rural villages and determine their respective boundaries.
 Industrial Development Corporation: They presented on how they finance business enterprise.

One other important matter was on Initiation Schools.

Traditional Customs and Culture Committee conducted a workshop on a newly published Regulation on Initiation Schools in Provincial Government Gazzette No. 7256 dated 27 March 2014. The traditional Customs and Culture Committee dissolves illegal initiation schools within the Province as well as requests parents to also take responsibility to ensure compliance of initiation school before sending their children.-TDN
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Man killed in Mpuma crash


Johannesburg – A man was killed and three people were injured when their car rolled on Evander Road in Secunda, Mpumalanga on Friday, paramedics said.

The three injured were treated on the scene and taken to Evander Hospital for treatment, ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the car lying on its side.

The cause of the accident would be investigated.

SAPA