Tonga – An Mpumalanga first-year mechanical engineering student found guilty of stabbing his friend to death during a tavern brawl has been handed an effective three-year community service sentence.

Collen Sabelo Shongwe, 25, of Mdladla village near Malalane, was sentenced in the Tonga Regional Court on Tuesday, a Sapa correspondent reported.

Shongwe was arrested on 3 November 2013, and had pleaded guilty to culpable homicide before his sentencing.

He previously admitted to stabbing and killing his friend Thami Khoza during a tavern fight.

“His Legal Aid attorney, Xolani Mahlalela, read his sworn affidavit in court, stating that Khoza was stabbed with a broken beer bottle, killing him on the scene.

He said Khoza accused Mahlalela of stealing his money at the tavern and started punching him in the face, forcing Mahlalela to walk out of the tavern.

“My client told me that Khoza then followed him outside the tavern where a fight ensued. Shongwe grabbed a broken beer bottle, stabbed him once and he fell on the ground and died,” he said.

Shongwe then rushed home to inform his aunt about the incident.

The aunt called the police.

In accordance with the plea, Magistrate Edgar Moletsane found Shongwe guilty.

On Tuesday, Mahlalela pleaded with the court to hand his client a light sentence.

He said Shongwe and Khoza’s families had forgiven each other.

Moletsane handed Shongwe an eight-year jail sentence suspended to five years on condition that he does community service for three years.

“You will voluntarily give services at your local clinic by working 10 hours per month,” said Moletsane.

Shongwe is out on R1 000 bail.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- A 53-year-old Sthembiso Nkala appeared in Vryburg Magistrates Court on Monday for being in possession of drugs. 

The accused was arrested on Friday at a hiking spot in Vryburg.  

“The apprehension came after members received a tip-off and followed up information about the alleged possession of drugs that were in possession of the suspect who was hiking to got to Kuruman. Upon arrival at the hiking spot, the suspect was seen taking the bag that was allegedly hidden in the dustbin and got into a car” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

The car was stopped and upon search, the accused was found in possession of a black bag containing more than 500 Mandrax tablets with  estimated street value of R40 000. 

The case has been remanded until 6 October 2014, and the suspect will remain in custody until, next appearance.  
-TDN
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Mahikeng- The North West Provincial Coordinating Council (NWPCC) has during its special sitting held today in Mahikeng endorsed the implementation of Setsokotsane, a programme initiated by Premier Supra Mahumapelo to pull government resources together in addressing local service delivery challenges without delay.

The NWPCC comprises the Provincial MECs, Executive Mayors, Mayors, Heads of Departments, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and is chaired by the Premier Mahumapelo.

Targeted for launching and rolling out during the month of October 2014, Setsokotsane programme will see the Premier, MECs and Mayors visiting all local municipalities over a period of four months during which integrated planning will be enforced, while also solving local communities’ problems on the spot.

Taking the NWPCC through the objectives and key deliverables of the programme, Premier Mahumapelo said it seeks to address incoherent approach to planning, implementation and monitoring of government services and projects in the Province.

Other activities that will be incorporated into this programme include amongst others, the establishment of a sector-base database for Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMME) and taking stock of collapsed government projects in various wards, for possible resuscitation.

“There is a need for us to move away from convention, and we are positive that the implementation of Setsokotsane will contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of the conceived strategy of Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of the Province”.

“We will immediately consult all stakeholders including the traditional leadership and public and private sectors about this programme because their commitment and pledge to this initiative is important for the realisation of the programme’s objectives,” said Premier Mahumapelo, who maintained that as a unique programme to the Province, Setsokotsane has great potential for local job creation opportunities and entrepreneurship.

Setsokotsane – a Setswana word which means whirlwind – will be launched in Ngaka Modiri Molema District in October, and will thereafter be taken to Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Bojanala Platinum Districts.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- The Naledi Community Against Crime Organisation vow to fight crime in Dr Segomotsi Mompati district and make the area a crime-free district.

Chairperson of Naledi Community Against Crime Organisation Seisho Shorane told Vaaltar FM that their planning to launch an anti-crime body in the district that will work hand-in-hand with police.

“We will be launching an anti-crime organisation in Tlakgameng village, as our plan is to amalgamate all anti-crime organisations in Dr Segomotsi Mompati District in November 2014” he said.

According to Shorane, the organisation will be called Bophirima District Community Against Crime.

The Naledi Community Against Crime patrol was launched in Vryburg area and their visibility has reduced crime in the CBD.

Shorane said they have installed cameras at the hotspots areas and since then, they have reaped the reward.

There are various crimes taking place in our district, like for in case in Taung they experience livestock theft and smash and grab mostly and in Vryburg House-breaking is an issue.

“By working hand-in-hand with other representatives from different areas, that will help because most criminals do not operate within their area. Some move around and uses other areas as ajourns for their criminal activities” Shorane said.

Pudumoe Police Station spokesperson sergeant Tebogo Thebe said they support the notion and believe this will be the best initiative. “We are aware that Crime affects society in different ways, and our view remains that we will only be able to address crime if we work together from an individual to the community at large” he said.

Thebe said they are very thankful to those people who volunteer to be part of  Community Policing Forums as their involvement goes a long way in decreasing crime. “We will continue to forge relationships with NGOs, or any organised Community so that we can fight Crime together and with partnerships, we hope will continue growing and making an impact on our core mandate of Crime reduction” concludes Thebe.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom- A 60-year-old woman escaped injury this afternoon after a veld fire trapped her in her home on a farm 30km outside of Potchefstroom, North West Province.

ER24 as well as provincial fire services received the emergency call for assistance and immediately responded to the farm.

“Once on the scene, rescue workers discovered the route blocked by a raging veld fire. Fire services battled for some time to get the blaze under control before the woman could be rescued” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

Fortunately the son of the trapped woman was able to reach his mother before she sustained any harm.

A fire fighting helicopter was called in to assist in fighting the blaze.
The cause of the incident is not yet known but local authorities are on scene for further investigations.-TDN
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