Johannesburg – A third of adults in South Africa fear the police, a Futurefact survey recently found.

“Three in 10 adults fear going to a police station to report a crime themselves, while a third say they are scared of the police,” the research company found.

Seventy percent of respondents indicated they were constantly alert to the risk of crime and afraid of it.

Nearly half, 44%, felt there was no point in reporting crime to the police.

The study was based on the results of a survey conducted late last year on a probability sample of 3 048 adults throughout South Africa, representing 22.8 million adults.

Given the findings relating to fears around reporting crime to the police, the research implied that a more distant method of reporting criminal activity, such as Crime Line, was likely to prove useful.

Last week the SA Institute for Race Relations (SAIRR) released a report, titled “Broken Blue Line 2”, that some SA Police Service members played a major role in perpetrating serious violent crime.

SAIRR CEO Frans Cronje said at the time that such police officers often used their policing powers and official equipment to perpetrate crimes, and that criminal gangs appeared to benefit from internal support from police.

SAPS management have questioned the methodology of the SAIRR report, saying it was based on assumptions and inferences and the research had not been stress-tested.

“The report contains dangerous generalisations, apparently mostly based on media reports, interviews with journalists and some form of engagement with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate,” police spokesperson Solomon Makgale said at the time.

Johannesburg – The SA Human Rights Commission on Monday called on the government to act on the “sporadic attacks” on immigrants and the looting of their businesses across the country.

The SAHRC said it had visited some of the communities affected by the attacks.

“We remain concerned at the attacks which have all the hallmarks of xenophobia, since only foreigners and their property seem to be targeted, save for the few nationals who were also caught in the cross-fire,” it said.

“The targeted approach of these attacks on foreign shop owners irresistibly bears xenophobic undertones and not only as criminality as it has been suggested in a number of statements by some government spokespersons.”

SAHRC said that acknowledging this would enable those responsible in dealing with these challenges to do so from a correct perspective.

The commission said the escalation in the number of non-nationals entering South Africa had posed various challenges and in some instances, human rights violations were reported to be perpetrated against non-nationals.

“The commission has been aware of the simmering tensions between locals and foreigners for some time from the number of complaints we have received and dealt with,” it said.

The commission said that in 2008, South Africa experienced unprecedented levels of violence and discrimination against non-nationals, during which more than 60 people were killed and thousands were displaced.

“The Commission calls on government to move quickly to address the underlying issues that continue to negatively affect foreign nationals in the manner the country has experienced in the recent weeks.”

It said dealing with xenophobia would need a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and collective human rights approach based on basic human rights.

Cape Town – Sentencing proceedings are expected to begin on Tuesday in the case of a Zimbabwean man who pleaded guilty to stabbing Mbuyiselo Manona and removing his heart.

Andrew Chimboza, 35, entered into a plea agreement on the first day of his trial in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on Monday.

The State accepted his plea and Judge Ashley Binns-Ward found him guilty of murder without premeditation.

In his plea explanation Chimboza apologised for killing Manona, 62, at the Gugulethu home of a former female client of his, Chimboza’s, in June.

When he arrived there, he said, Manona insulted him, hit him in the face and accused him of having sex with his partner, Chimboza’s former client.

Chimboza said he was aware that Manona wanted to stab him.

He disarmed Manona and used his knife to stab him multiple times.

Chimboza said he knew his actions were wrong and exceeded the boundaries of self-defence.

On Monday, no mention was made of allegations that witnesses saw Chimboza eating pieces of Manona’s heart.

Prosecutor Jacqueline Sibiya said she believed the removal of the heart was not the cause of death per se and thus did not have too much bearing on the plea of murder.

The doctor who performed the post mortem was expected to testify in aggravation of sentence on Tuesday.

JOHANNESBURG – The South African Development Community, has condemned Sunday’s attack at Lesotho’s Royal Palace.

At least two bodyguards of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane were shot and wounded.
For more http://www.enca.com

Mahikeng- MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine has welcomed the commitment by the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Human Settlements to support the work done by the Department in rescuing ailing municipalities.

Chairperson of the Committee, Raymond Elisa, has also applauded the department for its tough stance on zero corruption in municipalities throughout.

This follows a recent report presented to the Committee on the progress registered on the Constitution’s Sections 139 and 154 interventions in Maquassi Hills, Ditsobotla, Matlosana, Madibeng, Lekwa Teemane and Ngaka Modiri Molema district and local municipalities.

When presenting the report to the Committee recently, MEC Maine said the Section 154 intervention in Maquassi Hills local municipality yielded positive result in that there exist a system to manage and monitor council resolutions and a financial recovery plan has been developed. Section 139(b) intervention at Ditsobotla local municipality resulted in all the bottle necks on service delivery issues such as water shortages, electricity connections and patching of potholes, being removed albeit shortage of funding. Matlosana local municipality was also placed under Section 139(b) in December 2014 and an Administrator and a team of officials from the Department have been deployed to rescue the situation.

“The financial position of the municipality is continuing to deteriorate as the main creditors i.e Eskom and Midvaal Company are increasing and standing at R240 million and R50 million, respectively. The debtors book stands at R1.1 billion”, he said.

MEC Maine concluded that stability has been brought to the council of Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality, albeit challenges in the administration, filling of key positions, financial recovery, quality services delivery and labour matters.
-TDN
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Cape Town – A British coroner is considering resuming an inquest into the murder of Anni Hindocha in 2010, meaning that her husband, Shrien Dewani, could face public questioning under oath, according to reports.

Dewani was accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife while they were on honeymoon in South Africa in November 2010. He was extradited from Britain and faced a high-profile trial in the Western Cape High Court, but was acquitted in December 2014.

For more http://www.news24.com

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Gaoage Molapisi will launch the Safety and Security focus month in Madibeng.

The MEC has during his budget speech indicated that the conference will be held to reflect on the mandate of CPF’s and Boards, as well as exploring measures of strengthening them to enhance their functionality The Department aims to ensure broad stake holder mobilization through a series of activities to be performed during the February month targeted as a Safety and Security focus period. This is to continue creation of partnerships through working together by the Criminal Justice System cluster institutions in Government, the civil society and business sector in the fight against crime.

The MEC is expected to outline the programme of action and schedule of activities to unfold during the February and community members are invited to be part of the launch. Members of the media are invited to cover the launch and form partnership with the Department for the duration of the two campaigns.

The event will unfold as follows:

Date : Tuesday, 03 February 2015

Venue : Mooinooi ( Sgandaf Sports Grounds)

Time : 9H00
-TDN

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By Lesedi Setlhodi

What’s up your sleeve this Valentine’s?

Expectations have already started to build up as in just two weeks it will be Valentine’s Day. Women are expecting to be swept of their feet whereas men are pressured to impress their women. On the other hand others are really just not bothered.

Well, if you used to treat your partner to an indoor Valentine’s Day this year you might want to twist things a bit; make reservations at a place your partner will enjoy the food, drinks and the atmosphere has to be “IT”.

Things do not need to be too extravagant just impressive enough, after all you ought to know your partner better.

Given that you will be exploring the outdoors you may amongst others have a picnic with your partner, watch the sunset together.

There are also game drives, walks in the park or gardens, boat cruises, or even a spar treatment for the both of you so that by the time you get home you will be extra relaxed for some late night fun. Something that most movie lovers will be catching at different movie houses across the country is the long awaited 50 Shades of Grey. Cinemas around South Africa are experiencing a lot of bookings for this erotic movie based on the book/s by E.L. James that hits the big screen on the 13^{th February 2015. Talk about strategic timing.}

In case for a few Valentine’s you have been going out all the time, this year you could try staying in. I know, staying in means most if not everything from the food to the setting up of a romantic atmosphere will rest upon your shoulders but it could also be fun and score you countless points with your partner. Whether things go south or north an effort to impress is always acknowledged. Despite that being said if you are going to prepare the food yourself at least have an idea of what you are doing in the kitchen and if you will be ordering out make sure it is something your partner will really enjoy.

If you having wine let it be sweet and fruity, some strawberries or cherries and chocolates will also do. Break out the nice dishes and silverware and if possible use cloth napkins as they add an elegant touch and show that you are willing to go an extra mile. Scented or beeswax candles; music (a bit of jazzy sounds or soul to R&B jams not some distractive tunes); soft warm dimmed lights; red rose petals / roses should set you up for your whimsical atmosphere. See not so complicated.

Depending on how your plans are, you could massage her feet; she could rub your neck or back or both of you could just go all sensual on the massage. A warm bubble bath for two might be something that you both might also want to indulge in.

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A 14-year-old boy from Soweto, whose death triggered widespread lootings in various townships, has been laid to rest at the Slovoville Cemetery. Siphiwe Mahori was shot dead allegedly by a foreign shop owner last Monday.

He was reportedly part of a group that wanted to rob a shop.

His funeral service was held at the Doornkop Community Hall. It was a sombre mood in the Doornkop community hall as mourners paid their last respects to the teenager.

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Five men have been arrested after they robbed a cellphone store in the Cape Town CBD.

After the robbery the men fled to Khayelitsha where they were apprehended by police.

Police spokesperson, Tembinkosi Kinana says when officers arrived on the scene, the suspects were counting cellphones and iPads stolen from the store.

Kinana says they confiscated more than 80 mobile devices. The suspects aged between 21 and 37 are expected to appear in court next week.

For more http://www.sabc.co.za