By Kedibone Molaetsi
Kimberley- The South African Police Service welcomes the rape and murder sentencing that was handed down to two Galeshewe men on Friday.

Patrick Sekgoro(30) and Elvin Alton Barends(27) were both sentenced to two life sentences, in the Northern Cape High Court, for the rape and murder of Agnes Kediemetse Phoku.

The incident took place on the evening of 29 June 2013 at approximately 22:00pm.

The 53-year-old victim was accosted by the two accused in Ramatsela Street in Galeshewe and dragged to a nearby veld. The accused severely beat, raped and left her for dead in the veld under a tree. The half-naked victim was discovered by a nearby neighbour the following morning at approximately 06:00.

“She had suffered serious head injuries and was bleeding from her face and hands. Ambulance services transported the victim to hospital for medical treatment but she succumbed to her injuries and died on 9 July 2013” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

The police followed up information and arrested both suspects in November 2013.

Police opposed bail and the accused remained in custody up until their sentencing.
 
“The Galeshewe Cluster Commander, Major General Kolie Mathys lauds Detective Sgt Tanya Serfontein and her team Sgt Gradwell Peters and WO Godfrey Khatwane for a brilliant job done, which ensured that no impunity is granted to the criminal of this heinous crime. We are approaching 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children and the SAPS hopes that these sentences will serve as a deterrent to others who consider committing similar crimes against women and children.

“The SAPS sees crimes against women and children as priority and will continue with our endeavours to ensure that the society is and feels safe and secure” he said.
-TDN
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By Kedibone Molaetsi
Kimberley- The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Martha Bartlett and the Provincial Commissioner for the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lt Gen Janet Basson officially launched the festive season operation Duty Calls on Friday, 21st November 2014 in Batlharos in Kuruman.  

The launch kicked off with a spectacular showcase of resources by various government departments.

At the launch, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Rasmati Shuvuri officially handed over the Northern Cape Festive season plan to the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen  Basson.

“In her address to the community, Lieutenant General Basson iterated that Operation Duty Calls is to police and to safeguard the citizens of the Northern Cape during the festive period and beyond to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful holiday season for all the people in the Northern Cape” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.

She added that ‘one of the strategic priorities is community mobilisation.

During this period and beyond, the SAPS will re-enforce efforts to address priority crimes namely murder, assault, all sexual offenses, robbery, burglary, illegal possession of firearms, theft of motor vehicles, drug related crimes as well as the abuse of alcohol.

“All available resources will be utilised effectively and specialised units ( Tactical Response Team, K9 units, Public Order Policing etc) will be incorporated to address serious and violent crimes.  Law enforcement will follow an integrated approach and will work ‘hand in glove’ with our counterparts such as the Provincial and municipal traffic etc – fighting crime is everyone’s business” Naidu said.

She further went on to say that ‘the Northern Cape police re-affirms its commitment towards the community we diligently serve.’

The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Martha Bartlett also mentioned in her message that fighting crime is a shared responsibility and that it is through action and partnership that crime and criminals can be defeated in our society. 

Bartlett said the launch comes at the right time when we are entering the 16 Days of Activism campaign to mobilise the communities to act against all forms of abuse. The negative impact of violence against women and children has a demoralising effect on our society.

“It is during this period where we must intensify the fight against crime and make sure that working together to build a crime free society” she said.

MEC also sent out a stern warning to those involved in crime, that they have a war on their hands and that through partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, they are united in the quest to combat crime. 

Messages of support for the campaign were also delivered by representatives from Business Against Crime, the Provincial Community Policing Forum.

The South African Police Unions, SAPU and POPCRU.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – A woman who claimed her husband was killed on their farm by robbers was sentenced to 18 years in jail after it emerged she was the killer, Rapport reported on Sunday.

The Afrikaans newspaper’s sister Beeld reported previously that Petro and “young farmer” Johan Taljaard were attacked by at least two men in their bedroom on the farm Rietpan in Delareyville on Saturday 12 April 2003.

She said she was woken up by a window breaking and later had a knife held to her throat. She said her husband was shot four times during a struggle with a robber who had grabbed his gun from under his pillow. They made off with the firearm and the cash she had in her purse.

Klerksdorp police investigated a “farm murder” and appealed for information but the case went cold.

Adv Hannes van Niekerk said the case was reopened when there were complaints over it not being solved. According to photographs taken, forensic specialists decided her injuries had been self-inflicted, and that she had scratched herself with a sharp object.

Other anomalies included her waiting so long to call the police and not being sure about how many robbers there were.

Four days into the eventual trial in Mahikeng North West, she changed her plea from not guilty to guilty when she saw the evidence mounting against her.

The motive was thought to be money. She had inherited the farm.

SAPA

Johannnesburg – The murderous Islamic State (Isis) is active in South Africa and has been recruiting citizens to fight in Iraq and Syria. So far, three have died fighting for the terrorist group.

Iraq’s ambassador to South Africa, Dr Hushaim al-Alawi, said on Saturday that the men’s deaths were subsequently covered up as car accidents. The trio had travelled to Syria separately.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Member nations of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) have resolved not to accept the invitation of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) to attend the opening of the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco next month.

This principled stance has been taken in solidarity with CAF, who stripped Morocco of the right to host the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Final Tournament after FRMF insisted the tournament be postponed over fears of the Ebola virus.
For more http://www.kickoff.com