Daily Archives: September 2, 2014

Farlam to visit Marikana

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Pretoria – Several areas linked to the August 2012 shooting of Lonmin mineworkers will be inspected next week, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry announced on Monday.

“We are confining our attention to the events of the 16th (August 2012). We anticipate that it will probably take us the whole day,” inquiry chairman retired judge Ian Farlam said at the public hearings in Pretoria.

“Parties are requested to communicate with evidence leaders which spots they would want to be inspected by close of business on Wednesday. We have held other inspections earlier.”

The inspection in loco would be held next Monday.

The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West, in August 2012.

Thirty-four people, mostly striking mineworkers, were shot dead in a clash with police on August 16. Over 70 people were wounded and over 200 were arrested. Police were apparently trying to disarm and disperse them.

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were killed.

During an October 2012 inspection, Farlam and his team were led by two North West crime scene experts around the area where the 34 were shot dead.

Warrant Officer Patrick Thamae pointed out where bodies were found near the hill where the mineworkers had assembled in the days leading up to August 16.

Another inspection was done in March 2013 near Lonmin’s K3 shaft. The commission’s members retraced the steps of miners and police officers on August 13.

On that day Warrant officers Hendrick Tsietsi and Sello Ronnie Lepaaku were hacked to death in a confrontation with protesting mineworkers.

Sapa

A man wanted in connection of rape


By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley police are investigating case of rape. The suspect is a coloured male, approximately in his late 20’s, medium built, light in complexion and 1.5 metre tall.

He is suspected of raping a 29-year-old woman on the 17 August 2014 on the N8 direction Griquatown.

Any person who can assist in identifying the suspect on the Identity kit can contact the Kimberley police on 0538384 100 / Constable Gumede 082 3020 468 / 10 111.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

A man wanted in connection of rape


By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley police are investigating case of rape. The suspect is a coloured male, approximately in his late 20’s, medium built, light in complexion and 1.5 metre tall.

He is suspected of raping a 29-year-old woman on the 17 August 2014 on the N8 direction Griquatown.

Any person who can assist in identifying the suspect on the Identity kit can contact the Kimberley police on 0538384 100 / Constable Gumede 082 3020 468 / 10 111.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

N West women traffic officers created safer roads during Women’s month


Motorists and road users were left with no choice but to adhere to road rules throughout the August month, following the law enforcement special operations by women traffic officers.

More than 317 traffic fines were issued with the value of R265 800 to defaulting motorists for various offences such as using cell phone while driving,

  driving without drivers license, unroadworthy vehicle and safety belts.

About 1 397 vehicles were stopped and checked by women traffic officers who have shown their commitment and worked hard to stamp authority on the provincial roads.

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi send his message of gratitude to the road users for their corporation during women’s month special operations.

Molapisi said, if all road users continue to corporate on the roads as they did during August month the battle against fatalities and incidents would be soon defeated.

“We only had one unfortunate incident where the Pastor allegedly insulted our traffic officer but throughout the month everything went very smooth.

The fight against these high rates of fatalities and incidents on our roads is a winnable battle with the cooperation and support of the road users.

Working together we can save the lives of our beloved ones and let us all be road safety ambassadors,” said Molapisi.

The case of crimen injuria, interference and defeating ends of justice, where the pastor allegedly insulted a woman traffic officer along the N12 is still under police investigation.

Meanwhile, the department hosted a successful women’s month commemoration at Majakaneng in Moretele where hundreds of women from different stakeholders took the centre stage to discuss and deliberate ways of defeating corruption in the public service.

In his address during the event, MEC Molapisi said the newly elected government is confronted by the challenge of corruption which needs brave women who will fight it to the bitter end.

“We are faced with a monster that is eating our government from within. Corruption is taking away from the poor, it is denying our children to have a decent meal, attend decent schools and it is denying government to fight the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

“Our success in the fight against corruption will speed-up service delivery and thus making the people of Bokone Bophirima to develop and live in a developed, safer and secured environment,” concluded Molapisi.

Women who attended the event discussed challenges that they are facing and the best ways to defeat corruption at the workplace.
-TDN
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R73m project to benefit Taung residents


Taung- Unemployed youth in Greater Taung Local Municipality are benefiting from the construction of a multi-million rand old age complex in Pudumong, North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe said during her day long site visit to the departmental projects on Monday.

This project worth R73 million. It has contributed immensely in the economic spin-offs such as creating jobs for more than 110 young people including women who are either working as skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Gaolaolwe said the multi-million old age home is comprised of 64 beds for frail care unit, 30 independent rooms and 6 beds for respite care services. She said the project would be completed over 24 months and handed over to the beneficiaries.

On Monday, Gaolaolwe led her departmental management to project to monitor progress and inspected another construction of In-patient treatment centre at Taung Hospital.

Upon completion, Gaolaolwe said the facility would be the only state-run inpatient treatment centre for management of people addicted to drug and other related substances in the province.

“To this end, Gaolaolwe said her department has started with the construction of a 20 bed facility at an estimated cost of R 20.1 million.

Community liaison officer Boitumelo Mokgatle said the construction of the facility has decreased unemployment in the area. He said most of the unemployed youth including women came from the surrounding villages in Greater Taung local municipality.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

R73m project to benefit Taung residents


Taung- Unemployed youth in Greater Taung Local Municipality are benefiting from the construction of a multi-million rand old age complex in Pudumong, North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe said during her day long site visit to the departmental projects on Monday.

This project worth R73 million. It has contributed immensely in the economic spin-offs such as creating jobs for more than 110 young people including women who are either working as skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Gaolaolwe said the multi-million old age home is comprised of 64 beds for frail care unit, 30 independent rooms and 6 beds for respite care services. She said the project would be completed over 24 months and handed over to the beneficiaries.

On Monday, Gaolaolwe led her departmental management to project to monitor progress and inspected another construction of In-patient treatment centre at Taung Hospital.

Upon completion, Gaolaolwe said the facility would be the only state-run inpatient treatment centre for management of people addicted to drug and other related substances in the province.

“To this end, Gaolaolwe said her department has started with the construction of a 20 bed facility at an estimated cost of R 20.1 million.

Community liaison officer Boitumelo Mokgatle said the construction of the facility has decreased unemployment in the area. He said most of the unemployed youth including women came from the surrounding villages in Greater Taung local municipality.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Former Scopa chair to testify at Seriti Commission


Johannesburg – Former chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) Gavin Woods is expected to testify at the Seriti Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.

Woods, who was an Inkatha Freedom Party MP, resigned from his position as chairperson of the key watchdog committee in 2002.

Upon his resignation, Woods released papers stating that he was stepping down due to interference in Scopa’s work by Cabinet ministers, former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, former national assembly speaker Frene Ginwala and President Jacob Zuma who was the deputy president of the country at the time.

Woods also claimed that Scopa was prevented from ensuring that the public’s concerns over the arms deal was properly looked into.

His testimony was expected to be concluded in two days.

The Seriti Commission of Inquiry, sitting in Pretoria, was established by Zuma in October 2011 to probe allegations of corruption in the arms procurement deal.

Government acquired, among other hardware, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the air force, and frigates and submarines for the navy.

Meanwhile, three arms deal critics announced last week that they wanted to withdraw from the commission, claiming that its primary outcome would be to cover up.

Commission spokesperson William Baloyi said their withdrawal was being considered but indicated that if their approach was to be followed, the commission would sit until 2016.

SAPA

Man nabbed for 2011 murder


Johannesburg – A 26-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Thabane Mcube three years ago was arrested in Wadeville, Germiston, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.

Warrant Officer Xoli Mbele said the man and an accomplice allegedly stabbed Mcube to death on 24 April 2011 in Johannesburg.

“It is alleged that the victim had an argument with two suspects. He demanded his cellphone from them. They asked the victim to accompany them to their flat where they stabbed him,” he said.

Mbele said the man was arrested after his photograph was published in newspapers on Friday.

He would appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

His accomplice was still at large, he said.

SAPA