Klerksdorp- The ANC Women’s League in the North West province condemns the brutal killing of Sipho Nhlahlo, a 20 year old boy who had a physical disability and whose body was left to rot on the open streets of Jouberton, Extention 7 in Klerksdorp in the early hours of Sunday morning, 12 October ANC Women’s League Condemns the Killing of a 20 year Old Disabled Boy

2014.

Nhlahlo who stayed with his siblings, was kidnapped from his home at the time of no supervision by alleged suspects who were later arrested for their crime.

“It is alleged that his decomposed body was mutilated for ritual purposes as it was found with no brains and private parts, including buttocks, later to be thrown at an area where commuters could see it” ANC North West Women’s League secretary Meokgo Matuba.

Since the 1913 anti-pass campaign in the Free State, South African women have remained resolute at the forefront of the struggle for the liberation and emancipation of our people as a whole, not only women. To this date women are still at the forefront on the struggle against a violent and crime infested society.

“We are distraught and disgusted by these inhumane acts of evil and we will make certain that we defend and fight against such, as the gallant fighters we are and always have been.

“We pay tribute and appreciate the work performed by our forces, our South African Police Service (SAPS) in whom we have placed our outmost trust to guard and protect the lives and rights of all human dignity as enshrined in our constitution, for a speedily response in handling this case” Matuba said.

ANCWL North West said women will never cease to exist, fight and ensure that all rights of people are protected, dignified and given equal opportunities as they pave way for the second phase of the transition towards a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.-TDN
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Rustenburg – Going back to basics by making sure that street lights are operational, storm water drainage pipes are in good condition and approved building constructions follow the stipulated standards is one of the ways that municipalities can deal with disaster risk effectively.

This is the message by the Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance, Andries Nel, at the disaster risk reduction celebration that took place in Rustenburg yesterday.

Deputy Minister joined North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, Local Government and Human Settlements MEC Collen Maine and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction representative Sharon Rasu to address the older persons of Bojanala Platinum district as part of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction which is commemorated on 13 October.

In commemorating of the day the province of North West led by the Premier committed to adopt key principles for inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction. The province will ensure that:
Specific requirements of older persons are understood by policy makers in municipalities and are responded to within all disaster risk reduction activities.

Older persons’ capabilities and capacities are not overlooked due to their physical limitations but they are involved and encouraged to participation in community decision making.
Older person’s knowledge, skills and wisdom is acknowledged, valued and engaged by government as an invaluable asset in disaster risk reduction.

This year’s commemoration focuses on the older persons and the contribution they can make in the strategies to build disaster-resilient communities and general disaster risk mitigation.

According to the recent Census, 41% of the population in South Africa constitute older persons. General improvement of health care and access to government social services have resulted to improved life expectancy putting more pressure on governments to accommodate older persons in their policy development.

Disaster risk management practitioners in the country have recognised this as an opportunity to tap into the older persons’ experience and knowledge of disaster risk management – a call supported by the government.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Postmasburg- Northern Cape police are investigating a case of sexual assault after an unknown man allegedly sexually assaulted two boys, says lieutenant Sergio Kock.

According to police, four boys aged 9 and 10 were allegedly playing in the streets at Postdene, in Postmasburg when unknown man in his twenties pounced on them. 

“Police are requesting assistance in the search for a suspected rapist. On 23 April 2014 at approximately 15:30 four boys(9 and 10) respectively were playing on the pavement in Postdene, Postmasburg when an unknown suspect approached them” Kock said.

The suspect allegedly requested the boys to go and buy him some cigarettes.

In their return, the suspect allegedly raped two of the victims. “He is in his mid-twenties, 1.7m tall, slender-built and dark in complexion” he said.

Police request anyone who could assist police with any information that could lead to any arrest, can forward it to Detective Constable David Mongake on 078 302 4353 or sms anonymously to 32211.

The investigation continues.   
-TDN
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Mahikeng- Bokone-Bophirima Premier Supra Mahumapelo will officially launch the versatile transformative programme called Setsokotsane at the Montshioa Stadium in Mahikeng on Friday, 17th October 2014.  

Led by the Premier and all Members of the Executive Council, Setsokotsane will pull all government resources together in a bid to speed up service delivery, eradicate poverty and create a responsive, caring and accountable Government in Bokone-Bophirima.

“Communities often raise concerns about the slow intervention by government, weak interactions with communities and poor monitoring of projects. Setsokotsane programme seeks to respond to such challenges which also include amongst others potholes, water, lights in our streets, housing and crime”, says Premier Mahumapelo. 

Setsokotsane Programme which will be launched in all four Districts of the Province and attended by Community Development Workers, Community Development Practitioners, Expanded Public Works Programme workers, Ward Councillors and Tribal Councils, will be addressed by the Premier.  

The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Launch is scheduled to be held as follows:

Venue: Montshioa Stadium, Mahikeng

Date: Friday 17th October 2014

Time: 09H00
-TDN
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Johannesburg- Bafana Bafana were held to a goalless draw by a revamped Congo Brazzaville side at a pouring Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result delayed Bafana Bafana’s celebrations for a place in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco next year. A win could have guaranteed Shakes Mashaba’s side a place at Africa’s biggest football showpiece and although they remain in the driving seat, those celebrations now remain temporarily on ice.

Bafana Bafana never rose to expectations as Congo man marked most of the key players including Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie. Both had to be substituted in the second half as persistent rains made structured play almost impossible.

It was Rantie who made the first foray in the 9th minute but his surge on the byline was cleared by the Congolese.

Congo seemed content trying to disturb Bafana Bafana’s rhythm in the opening minutes and having managed to do so, fashioned some really threatening moments late in the first half.

One such threatening opportunity came in the 35th minute when Congo won a corner and from the resultant kick, captain Senzo Meyiwa who is turning out to be the rock for the revived side, pushed the ball out of danger from the line.

With Congo really looking competitive, Bafana Bafana hardly created meaningful opportunities in the first half as Rantie was caught offside on a number of occasions.

In the second half, the rains which bucketed down Polokwane seemed to increase the tempo and both teams lost possession and in the process created few meaningful chances.

However, Mandla Masango and Kermit Erasmus fashioned some good opportunities but the match was always destined to end in a goalless draw.

Once again, Andile Jali and Dean Furman’s combination was a joy to watch and late in the second half created some great opportunities.

Bafana Bafana remain top of the Group on 8 points, one ahead of second placed Congo.

Their next game is a home fixture against Sudan.-TDN
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Johannesburg – Western Cape police were on Wednesday searching for people linked to the murder of a police officer’s mother in Manenburg, Cape Town.

“No arrest has been made as yet,” said Captain FC van Wyk.

The police constable’s 71-year-old mother was shot dead on Monday night and his 44-year-old brother was shot and wounded during the attack.

“Cases of murder and attempted murder are under investigation,” said Van Wyk.

Western Cape community safety MEC Dan Plato said in a statement on Wednesday the man and woman were family members of Constable Lutfie Eksteen, a member of the SA Police Service’s anti-gang and drug unit.

“My sincerest condolences to Constable Eksteen, the extended family, colleagues and friends for their loss and trauma experienced,” said Plato.

He urged the Manenburg community to work with police to arrest the people involved in the attack.

“We cannot allow such a brazen and heinous attack to deter the SAPS to act against unscrupulous criminals, murderers, gang bosses or drug lords,” said Plato.

The provincial community policing board on Wednesday condemned attacks on police officers and their families.

“Our members who under trying circumstances and challenges passionately pursue their duties in serving and protecting our communities,” chairperson Magdalene Moos said in a statement.

“Our men and women in blue are also human beings and an attempt on the lives of these officers is an act of treason and must be dealt with the severest of punishment.”

SAPA

Johannesburg – The deadly multi-vehicle pile-up that occurred on the N12 East near Alberton should not be described as an accident, Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi said on Wednesday.

Vadi said labelling it as an accident was simply a euphemism.

“This is not an accident, it’s a crash,” he said.

Four people were killed when a truck smashed into almost 50 cars in early morning traffic.

At least 16 others were injured.

Describing the crash scene, Vadi said it looked like a bomb had exploded, overturning some cars.

He was speaking at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg where three of the injured were being treated.

Two of them were critical while another was in a serious condition.

Trauma specialist Lizel Taylor who was on duty when the crash happened on Tuesday, said they expected a lengthy hospital stay for the injured people.

“Anything could happen from now,” she said.

Three operations

One of the injured people was on a ventilator after sustaining injuries to the chest, heart, and lungs.

Another patient was admitted with heavy bleeding on the head and suffered internal bleeding to the liver and chest.

He had undergone three operations since being admitted shortly after the crash.

The third patient suffered fractures to the arm. He was to undergo brain scans but was alert.

Vadi said exposing the victims to the media would put undue pressure on them.

“Two of them are heavily sedated. They are not in a condition to be seen by the public,” said Vadi, adding that they were in a state of shock.

The crash coincided with “transport month”.

Vadi said it had “put a damper on the campaign and weakened the spirit”.

The truck driver, who has since been arrested for the collision, claimed his brakes failed.

Vadi echoed the sentiments of Transport Minister Dipuo Peters who called for the truck’s owners to also be brought to book if this was found to be true.

“In my personal opinion, there should be dual accountability,” Vadi said.

This was perhaps one of the worst accidents the province had seen.

SAPA

Pretoria – A social worker struggled to explain to the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday how house arrest for Oscar Pistorius would deter other criminals.

“What in this particular matter must the court, in its sentence, deter others from?” prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked Annette Vergeer, who is also a parole officer.

Nel was cross-examining her during sentencing proceedings for Pistorius, who was found guilty last month of the culpable homicide of Reeva Steenkamp, his girlfriend.

“The fact that he used a firearm and that people are negligent with the use of a firearm,” Vergeer replied.

“How can that be what you had in mind? The sentence should deter people from owning legal firearms?” Nel asked.

Correctional supervision

On Tuesday Vergeer presented her report on Pistorius, which the defence had paid her to compile, to the court. In it she recommended that the paralympic athlete get three years of correctional supervision and community service for killing Steenkamp.

She cited prison overcrowding, understaffing, and a lack of facilities for the disabled as the reasons for her recommendation.

“I’m not exactly sure what I should answer on,” Vergeer replied on Wednesday, looking confused.

At one point Nel stood, his chin propped on his hand, as Vergeer rattled off a list that had nothing to do with what he wanted to know. She spoke of an offender’s remorse, crime statistics, and the seriousness of the offence.

When she had finished, Nel said: “You haven’t answered my question.”

Nel finally asked her: “Should people be deterred from firing four shots through a locked door in the middle of the night?”

“In fact so, My Lady,” said Vergeer.

Judge Thokozile Masipa last month found Pistorius guilty of the culpable homicide of Steenkamp, but not guilty of her murder. Pistorius had claimed he thought there was a burglar in his toilet when he fired four shots through the locked door in the early hours of 14 February last year, killing Steenkamp. The State had argued he killed her during an argument.

Masipa found Pistorius guilty of discharging a firearm in public, when he shot from his friend Darren Fresco’s Glock pistol under a table at Tasha’s restaurant in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, in January 2013.

Pistorius was found not guilty on two firearms-related charges — illegal possession of ammunition, and shooting through the open sunroof of a car with his 9mm pistol while driving with friends in Modderfontein on 30 September 2012.

SAPA