By Obakeng Maje
North West police arrested a total of 696 suspects through various operations in the past seven days between 20  and 27 July 2014 for Contact, Contact related, Property related and other crimes.

The arrests include 8 for murder, 116 for assault GBH and common, 14 for Rape, 37 for burglary residential and business, 31 for driving under the influence of liquor, and  63 for drug related crime.  

“It was during the operation that the police managed to recover and seize properties such as various drugs, illegal cigarettes, dangerous weapons as well as numerous electrical appliances” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.  

Most of the suspects have already appeared in various courts within the province while others are due  to appear on Monday.
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Hebron- North West police are investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder after a police was shot, says North West police spokesperson Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

Ngubane said police were attending a crime scene after they received a call.

“Police were at a local tavern attending a crime scene were people were allegedly engaged in a fight. There was a suspect allegedly robbing a tuckshop next door and police reacted. The suspect released shots after realising that he was cornered” Ngubane said.

One police officer was shot on a low body and was rushed to a local clinic.

The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday and the police was later discharged from Wisane Medclinic in stable condition.

The suspect allegedly fled the scene on foot with airtime vouchers worth R7000 and a cellphone.

Police investigations continue.-TDN
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Johannesburg- Cape Town All Stars are the SAFA/ABC Motsepe League national play-offs champions after beating fellow promoted side Highlands Park 5-4 on penalties after the match had ended goalless in regulation time.

The match, which was played on a somewhat cold Sunday at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, went straight into penalties and the Capetonians emerged winners to pocket a handsome cheque in the inaugural ABC Motsepe-sponsored play-offs.

The final, which was attended by SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, SAFA NEC members and the Motsepe Foundation top representatives, started at a fiery pace with both teams looking at finding an early opener but tight defences from both teams denied the respective strikers.

However, midway through the first half, Teboho Kalake could have given Highlands Park the lead but was foiled by Jermaine Bowers just when he was about the pull the trigger.

Moments later, Mogamat Gasnola in goals for the Cape side, pulled off an acrobatic save as the Gauteng side laid a mini-siege on Cape Town All Stars goal area.

Sensing danger, All Stars manufactured their own opportunity but Highlands cleared the danger during a goal mouth scramble.

The second half began the way it started in the first with both teams looking for the opening goal but both goalkeepers were hardly tested.

Amigo Memal then missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock for All Stars midway through the second half when he failed to tap in a tantalizing cross into an empty net as his teammates watched in disbelief.

They were almost made to pay for the miss when Thabo Mokgothu’s curling long range shot was tipped over the bar by Gasnola.

Moses Dlamini of Highlands Park was then given the red card for indiscretion, handing the advantage to the Cape side.

Despite being a man down, the Gauteng side continued to pile the pressure and Tshepo Lebetha watched in disbelief as his pile-drive hit the crossbar as the referee blew for fulltime. The match was then decided on penalties with the Cape side emerging victorious.

Teams line-up:

CT All Stars: Mogamat Gasnola (GK), Mandilakhe Qambela, Sphelele Mkhize, Jermaine Bowers, Howard Davids (c), Marawaan Bantam, Marcelino Johnson, Amigo Memal, Kristopher Bergmann, Ismaeel Stanfield, Sizwe Mdlinzo

Highlands Park: Pule Konopi (GK), Charles Kokobane, Teboho Kalake, Matome Mabeba, Thabo Mokgothu, Simphiwe Tshabalala (C), Moses Dlamini, Mzwakhe Shili, Mothobi Mvala, Sanele Queface, Collen Zimba.

Johannesburg – A truck driver burnt to death after his vehicle crashed and caught alight on the N3 in Germiston on Sunday, said Ekurhuleni Emergency Services.

The vehicle hit a pillar of a bridge close to the Van Buuren Road offramp at around 02:00.

Emergency workers found the man trapped in the burning vehicle, Ekurhuleni Emergency Services said in a statement.

The road was temporarily closed.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear and would be probed by the police.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Gauteng police on Saturday offered a R50 000 reward for information about a Lenasia man linked to the murder of another man earlier this month.

Koobendran Moodley, travelling in a Silver Nissan Navara, allegedly shot and killed another motorist in a Silver VW Polo and injured the passenger along Starling street in Lenasia South extension one on 6 July, Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.

Moodley then fled the scene and police were still looking for him.

Two weeks ago, a witness reportedly told The New Age that Moodley went to a tavern on the day, got into a fight with patrons and was forced to leave.

He was then involved in a car accident, but did not stop to exchange details.

The driver of the car he crashed into followed him home where an argument ensued, during which the driver was shot dead and others were injured.

Gauteng correctional services spokesperson Ofentse Morwane confirmed to the newspaper that Moodley was out on R1 500 bail after being arrested for theft.

SAPA

Soweto – Orlando Pirates were crowned Carling Black Label Cup champions after they defeated staunch rivals Kaizer Chiefs 6-5 on penalties after the match ended goalless at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

As it happened: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates

After 90 minutes of play, the match went straight into an enthralling penalty shootout. It was midfielder Thabo Matlaba’s spot kick that clinched victory for the Buccaneers after the teams took 18 nail-biting penalty kicks.

Pirates have the edge over their Soweto neighbours in the cup competition, having won three of the four cup games.

During the match, Chiefs’ midfielder George Maluleka missed a penalty in the 66th minute after it was rightfully awarded by referee Victor Gomes.

This was after Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa fouled winger George Lebese in the penalty box.

With the 90,000-seater stadium packed to capacity with an expectant crowd, the stage was set for the players to deliver an exciting contest, which however ended goalless.

It was the fourth edition of the pre-season cup concept which allows fans to vote for their preferred starting teams.

In the cup’s first year in 2011, Pirates were victorious with a 5-4 penalty win after a goalless draw. They retained the title the following year, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Chiefs hoisted the trophy for the first time last year after a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal from mercurial striker Lehlohonolo Majoro, who has since joined Pirates and started the match against his former teammates.

Majoro had a futile spell in front of goal as his every touch of the ball was thwarted by Tefu Mashamaite and Eric Mathoho in the Chiefs central defence.

It was initially thought that Majoro would provide his new employers with an advantage against his former side.

Chiefs, likewise, had a new striker in Katlego Mphela spearheading the attack. However, the former Mamelodi Sundowns’ sharpshooter had a torrid match and never looked like threatening the goal.

Both Majoro and Mphela were eventually substituted by Lennox Bacela and Josta Dladla respectively before the half-hour mark.

It was evident from the repetitive flow of the game both teams had yet to hit their stride after the off-season.

The match, in many ways, failed to live up to expectations and the players looked lethargic and unfit at times.

For the coaches the match may perhaps have been a preparation game for the new season, but for the fans it was a fierce duel where pride and honour were at stake.

Both sides had a number of forced substitutions after some players picked up injuries. With the new season set to begin next week, both clubs have a lot of work to do before both their campaigns kick off.

Chiefs and Pirates begin their campaigns against Mpumalanga Black Aces and SuperSport United respectively in the MTN8 next week.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters is the solution to the problems facing South Africa, party leader Julius Malema said on Saturday.

“South Africa is in trouble and we are the medicine to the crisis our people are facing,” he told supporters at Thokoza Park in Soweto.

Malema was addressing supporters at the party’s one year anniversary. He said the EFF was shaking the political landscape in the country and making those in power accountable to the people.

He said the party was the only formidable opposition to the ruling party since the dawn of democracy.

“For the first time in South Africa there is an opposition. Some are even losing weight because they have to think before they open their mouth,” he said.

Malema said the party was going to change the order of proceedings in Parliament to ensure that things were done differently.

He called on EFF supporters to make sure that people respected the organisation.

He said they did not care what opposition parties in Parliament say about their ways.

“As long as our masses are happy, then we are happy,” Malema said.

He lashed out at the SABC for failing to broadcast the rally live. He called on supporters not to pay their TV license and said nothing would be done to them if they absconded from paying.

“They can’t even take you the credit bureau,” he said.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters accused the SABC of withdrawing its promise to provide live coverage of the party’s one-year anniversary in Soweto on Saturday.

“The SABC had confirmed that it will cover the EFF anniversary rally live on the 24-hour news channel as well as on an SABC free channel,” national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.

He accused the SABC of pulling out at the “11th hour”.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said he was not aware of the matter.

“I was not aware that we were going to do any live coverage of [the event].”

Ndlozi said it seemed the broadcaster was only committed to events held by the African National Congress.

“The SABC is supposed to be a public broadcaster, and serve the interests of the entire citizenry equitably,” he said.

“Its major programs only cater for the ruling party.”

SAPA

The North West MEC for Finance and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson announces the suspension of the Head of Department, Pringle Raedani with effect from 25 July 2014.

MEC Nelson said, “Raedani has been put on precautionary suspension pending investigation”.

To ensure the smooth running of the department, Deputy Director General for Sustainable Resource Management, Ndlela Kunene has been appointed as the Acting Head of Department.
-TDN
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