North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has appealed to the youth to stay away from smoking, alcohol, drugs and premature sexual activities.

Mahumapelo was speaking during the official handover ceremony of a newly completed community hall in Vaalboschloot near Brits on Friday, the 13^th of March.

The hall, which has the capacity to accommodate 340 people, was sponsored by PCC cement company to the tune of R4, 8 million. It consists of an administration office, kitchen and ablution facilities, cashier room with steel roller doors, drop-off and loading area, among others.

“I appeal to you to look after this property, it is yours. It will be able to assist to host community events. I also want to warn the youth to be weary of smoking, alcohol, drugs and engaging in sexual activities prematurely if they want to have a better future, ” said  Mahumapelo who was accompanied by MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson, the Executive Major of Madibeng Local Municipality Jostina Mothibe, and representatives from PCC cement, among others.

Mahupamelo commended PPC’s contribution, saying that the move was a clear example of the saamtrek saamwerk principle which he has so persuasively espoused.

PPC’s General Manager Bheki Mthembu described the completion and handover of the hall to the community as a real demonstration of PPC’s continued commitment to uplifting the communities living in areas where his company operates.

“This community hall can be utilised to host meetings, community events such as weddings and other services provided by the local municipality. It can also be used as a centre for SASSA payments. We are also glad that we were able to create thirty four temporary jobs during the construction of the hall,” said Mthembu.

The process to build the hall begun in 2012 and was facilitated by the Madibeng Local Municipality.

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
TAUNG- A case against Maphoitsile man resumed for trial at Taung Magistrates Court on Monday.

Joseph Pebe(58) was subsequently arrested days after he allegedly assaulted his wife, Grace Akanyang Pebe(52) back in October 2014 where he allegedly hit her against the wall.

According to Grace Pebe, her husband left the house in the morning prior to the atrocity and came back later on.

“He asked me where was Aloe Vera herb medicine that we’ve been drinking the whole week, but I told him the medicine was finished.

“That made him angry and called me names. He grabbed me and hit me against the wall where I sustained few injuries” Grace Pebe sobered.

The case was adjourned as Pebe’s defense alleged time was against them.

The case was postponed until 01 April 2015 for trial continuation.

Joseph Pebe was granted R300 bail and will remain outside.
Police investigation continues.
-TDN
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Ventersdorp- Six people have tragically lost their lives and multiple people were injured following a head-on collision on the N14 approximately fifteen kilometres from Ventersdorp this afternoon.

Exact detail surrounding the cause of the head-on collision and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

“Netcare 911 paramedics, its rescue unit, provincial services and other services arrived at the scene and found that crumpled remains of a light delivery vehicle and minibus. Upon assessment of all the occupants they found that the driver of a light delivery vehicle tragically lost his life during the collision. Five occupants from the minibus also lost their lives during the collision” Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said.

Three people were found to be in a critical condition and the Netcare1 helicopter was activated to airlift one of the critically injured patients to hospital for the urgent medical care required. The other two critically injured patients were also airlifted to hospital by a medical helicopter.

The remaining injured patients were treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.

Traffic is severely affected as a result of the crash and will remain closed until recovery of the vehicles have been completed and all the vehicle debris cleaned up.

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
TAUNG- TWO suspects who were subsequently arrested in connection of stock-theft, were granted R1000 bail each on Monday.

Edwin Legakwe(48) and Nicholas Hlela(38), who originates from Kwazulu-Natal were arrested by community members in Morokweng village, near Taung a month ago.

Legakwe who resides in Morokweng, allegedly sold 31 goats to Hlela and according to investigations all those goats were stolen in Manthe and Morokweng village respectively.

They were granted bail of R1000 bail each and that left the community members who packed court to rafters dejected.

One of the community members Tumelo Mokoto said they will never ever budge to fight stock-theft in their area as livestock is their bread and butter.

“We’re very disappointed after the suspects were granted bail. We all know that stock-theft is rife within our region and that cripple our economy” Mokoto said.

It is alleged that two suspects opened a counter-charge of assault against some of the community members who are expected to appear in court on 17 March 2015 at Taung Magistrates Court.

The two suspects will be back in court on 23 April 2015.

Police investigation continues.
-TDN
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A huge banner was unfurled by an enthusiastic crowd in the Southern side of the Dura Stadium in Palestine on Saturday afternoon with a message that read: “The Muslim Youth of Palestine welcomes the South African Olympic team” shortly before the arrival of Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football Association.

It was a friendly international that was won 2-1 by South Africa who overturned a classic strike from a freekick by Mohammed Maraba in the 10th minute to reply through Abednigo Mosiatlhaga in the 35th minute before Yazan Iwaiwi handed the visitors a priceless victory when he turned Stanley Makgoka’s cross into his own net in the 85th minute.

But the significance of the occasion did not go unnoticed as gigantic banners draped the Eastern side of the Stadium bearing posters of the late Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat, the latter former President of the Palestine National Authority, Mahmoud Abbass as well as Rajoub, SA President Jacob Zuma and Fifa President Sepp Blatter.

In fact, a letter from Blatter directed to the South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan and read to the SA delegation shortly before kick-off captured the mood of the event succinctly, indicating that this was no ordinary match as there were heavy political undertones to the event.

“I would like to congratulate you on the organization of the friendly match between Palestine and South Africa in Hebron my dear brothers, dear Presidents, dear friends,” reads a part of Blatter’s letter to Jordaan.

“The match will not only be an excellent preparation for your qualifying campaigns for Rio 2016 but a great illustration of the solidarity that exists in football. South Africa is a country that knows too well what it means to fight for the cause of freedom, and I am sure that their team’s visit to Palestine will be a great encouragement to their Palestine brothers.”

But the solidarity and brotherhood was shelved as soon as the referee blew his whistle signaling the start of the match, with the home side knocking at the visitor’s door but repelled by a stout defending duo of Owen da Gama’s boys where both Lozenzo Gordinho and Sifiso Nkosi stood firm.

But after their poor organization in manning their wall which was breached by Maraba with a bending freekick that curled wickedly beyond the diving goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa in the 10th minute, South Africa closed shot and tightened their rearguard, then started asking questions of their own.

Sibusiso Mahlangu smashed his own free-kick from the edge of the box, but it sailed harmlessly over the bar in the 19th minute. But Palestine could not withstand the pressure for too long and eventually cracked when Khayelihle Shozi’s header was spilled by goalkeeper Rami Hamada and Mosiatlhaga leveled the score in the 35th minute.

Maraba was proving to be a nuisance and after breaking through the visitor’s rear-guard on a rare occasion, found himself with the goal in sight but hurriedly blasted his chance over the top from close range, it was to be the only time they ventured in the opposition half as the visitors turned on the charm and increased pressure with their one-touch passing game.

With the home side seemingly resigned to a stalemate, Makgoka raced down the right flank and his hard cross was expertly turned into goal by Iwaiwi in the 85th minute. Still SA kept pushing for another goal to record a convincing victory, but the hosts held firm and that turned out to be the final score.

SA were awarded gold medals and a floating trophy, with the FA President hinting that they wish to extend yet another invitation next year. For Da Gama, this was a perfect exercise to indicate whether he needs to strengthen the team or not ahead of Saturday’s All Africa Games qualifier against Sudan in Khartoum.
-TDN
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