BY OBAKENG MAJE
Three men were arrested by cops in Kimberley on Thursday for being in possession of illicit cigarettes.

The Northern Cape police spokesman Lieutenant Sergio Kock said crime prevention unit received information that suspects were hiding illicit cigarettes in their shop.

“The police immediately went on to search the shop after tip-off and make a huge discovery at the back of the shop. Illicit cigarettes were stacked in boxes and three suspects were arrested” Kock said.

Kock said the estimated street value of cigarettes was R100 000 and also R20 000 cash was consficated by police.

The suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrates Court soon.

The Station Commissioner Brigadier Dennis Fourie commended the crime prevention members for a job-well and emphasize that teamwork is of utmost importance to achieve these kinds of successes.

Klerksdorp– The MEC responsible for Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in the Bokone Bophirima Province Mr. Collen Maine welcomes the Labour Court Judgement on Friday against the suspended Municipal Manager of City Matlosana Mr Elie Tsietsi Motsemme.

“I wish to put it on record that as Provincial Government led by Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo we do not have any single room for fraud and corruption in our Municipalities, therefore the Municipal Manager has to be given an opportunity to come forward to clear his name and answer to allegations of maladministration which has been going on for some time in the Municipality. In the event that it becomes evident that he has put his hands in the public purse, harsh action must be taken against him” Maine charged on Friday.

The Labour Court dismissed his Court application with costs and therefore the effect of the judgement is that he still remain suspended and allegations of misconduct against him are still pursuit by Municipality. The Municipality has instructed its Attorneys to ensure that he hand over any property of the Municipality in his possession as a condition of his suspension.

Elie Motsemme was given an opportunity by municipality to indicate why he should not be suspended following rampant allegations of fraud and corruption which has been in the centre of Municipality. The Municipal Manager failed to respond and he was put on precautionary suspension on the 23 February 2015.

-TDN

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Mahikeng- Boikagong Child and Youth Care Centre in Mahikeng was partly burnt down on Wednesday, causing damage to the structure and other amenities used at the centre, North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe said.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) around 16h30 single block of the centre mysteriously caught fire which was later put down by fire extinguishers.  Some mattresses, the ceiling, windows and water pipes were destroyed by fire. With God’s help no children or staff members were hurt during the incident,” Gaolaolwe said, adding that her department is still to assess the damage and draw a plan to renovate the centre.

The cause of the fire Gaolaolwe said is unknown and the police have started with the investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

-TDN

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Potchefstroom- Four people were injured following an accident involving two vehicles on the N12 in Ikageng, Potchefstroom last night at around 23h00.

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found one vehicle had come to a standstill on its roof and there were still two occupants inside the vehicle. Upon assessment of the two occupants, paramedics found them to have sustained critical and serious injuries respectively.

Two children were also ejected from the vehicle during the rollover accident and after receiving treatment at the scene, the two children were transported to hospital for further medical care.

“Fire department had to make use of the Jaws of Life to extricate the two entrapped patients from the vehicle and once removed, both patients were treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care” Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said.

Upon assessment of the occupants from the second vehicle, paramedics found that the occupants had miraculously escaped the accident without any injury.

Exact detail surrounding the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
VRYBURG- North West police arrested 13 people at Rekgaratlhile location, near Stella after they embarked on illegal protests on Saturday at around 20:00.

Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said the unrest started after police pounced on illegal taverns and shebeens by raiding the area.

She said that caused the community to be on rampage and allegedly looted two foreign shops in the area.

“Public policing police unit was called and dispersed the protesting members and arrested 13 suspects for public violence.

“They will appear at Vryburg Magistrate Court soon facing public violence and police investigations continue” Moleko said.
-TDN
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BY OBAKENG MAJE

Polokwane- Parliament’s Presiding Officers, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, National Council of Provinces Chairperson Thandi Modise and their deputies Lechesa Tsenoli and Raseriti Tau, on behalf of Parliament expressed their shock and deep sadness at the sudden death this morning of Minister Collins Chabane.

Chabane had a long history of service to building democracy as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) since the 1980s, as a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee and as a member of the democratic Parliament.

Chabane became a member of the first democratic Parliament ‘s National Assembly in 1994, serving in several Parliamentary Committees.

He left in 1997 to serve in the Limpopo Provincial Legislature but returned to the National Assembly in 2009 and was appointed Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation.

“He returned again as a Member of the National Assembly after the 2014 elections and was then appointed Minister of Public Service and Administration. The dedication, humility and good humouredness he displayed in carrying out the various responsibilities assigned to him will be greatly missed” National Assembly Chairperson Baleka Mbete said.

Mbete said they extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Announcements will be made in due course about Parliament’s arrangements for occasions to mark Mr Chabane’s passing.

-TDN

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