The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of heavy winds and hail, expected on Monday, for Gauteng and the western parts of the country. This comes in the wake of a persisting heat wave sweeping through the country, causing several water supply disruptions.

According to forecaster Bransbey Bulo, “We have issued a watch for possible severe weather that will be accompanied by some hail and strong winds. The areas that are likely to be affected are Gauteng, western parts of North West province, Eastern parts of North West Province, Western parts of Limpopo and the extreme western parts of Mpumalanga.”

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

-TDN

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Paris – Hours after the synchronised attacks that terrorised Paris, French police questioned and released the suspect who is now the focus of an international manhunt, officials told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Saleh Abdeslam, 26, was one of three men in a getaway car, headed for France’s border with Belgium, when police pulled them over after daybreak on Saturday.

The French president had already announced new border controls to prevent the perpetrators from escaping. Hours had passed since investigators identified Abdeslam as the renter of a Volkswagen Polo that carried hostage-takers to the Paris theatre where almost three-quarters of the 129 victims were killed.

For more http://www.news24.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE beleaguered Ditsobotla municipality affianced with Eskom in quest to reach an agreement after the municipality defaulted in their monthly payments. The municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said they met with Eskom in quest to come up with payment plan.

“We had a meeting with Eskom recently and we came up with a payment plan after the municipality defaulted in its monthly payments. We believe that this will help municipality in settling its bill with the giant electricity. We can confirm that the municipality owes Eskom R138m which needed to be settled. However we reached an agreement that no power cut will take place as it was previously reported,” Batsile said.

Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe said: “It is true that we met with Ditsobotla municipality last week. We have reached an agreement even though there were some other issues to be finalized. However, everything went sound and we actually not doing this with Ditsobotla municipality alone, we are also in talks with other municipalities that defaulted in their monthly payments.

“The national treasury also intervened and instructed all municipalities which owe us to reach an agreement with us. They said they will cut the equitable share provided to the municipalities if they do not come up with a plan. So everything is running smoothly so far. We want municipalities to commit, to show that they are willing to settle their bills.”

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MORE than R34 000 was raised during Bakwena’s Annual Potjiekos Competition last week Saturday. The event was held at the Voortrekker Monument Cultural and Picnic area in Pretoria. The organizer, Thandakazi Mashalaba said they rose over R34 920 for three community projects situated along the N1 and N4 toll route.

“Bakwena is dedicated to uplifting the communities that reside along the N1 and N4.The money was handed over to three charities. The three organisations that benefited from this year’s potjiekos were President Kruger Children’s Home which received R11 640 as well as some stationery. Trust Hope Faith Youth Development Organisation, received R11 640 as well as stationery and lastly, Solidarity “My Held” received R11 640 as well,” Mashalaba said.

She said this year’s competition brought industry stakeholders together to enjoy a fun day. Mashalaba said the event was an opportunity for all the participants to interact and network while working towards a cause relevant to them all.

“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Bakwena’s finance team. The event ran smoothly from start to finish. However, none of it would have been possible without sponsorship from generous donors. The competition itself was tight and the judges had a tough time choosing between the delicious potjies on offer. However, a decision had to be made and the team from Bigen was announced as the first prize winners, followed by National Asphalt in second place and Scan RF who came in third,” she said.

Bakwena spokesperson, Charmaine van Wyk said: “We are grateful to all the volunteers, participants and donors for making the day such a success. We looking forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s event.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE 

A Murder case against a 30 year-old man from Maphoitsile village, near Taung was postponed on Friday. Boitumelo Seoposengwe briefly appeared before Taung Regional Court for murder of his own son. He allegedly hanged his 5-year-old son, Remoratile Sehemo on Christmas Eve last year.

Seoposengwe allegedly went to fetch Remoratile and locked themselves in one of the backyard rooms. He hung his son on the rafters of the roof. The atrocity was reported by one of Remoratile’s friends who went to look for him. The boy saw the lifeless body of Remoratile suspended from the roof in the room and screamed for help.

According to Remoratile’s grandfather, Basimane Sehemo, both parents, Mmamokete and Boitumelo had a rocky relationship.

“They were on loggerheads after Mmamokete alleged that Boitumelo raped her. She laid a rape charge against him after he allegedly went to the house and forcefully had sex with her. However, she dropped the rape charge, and opted for protection order instead. Boitumelo came to the house and requested Remoratile to accompany him to his house. We suspect he wanted to kill our daughter and himself. He claimed that he has been spending his money on her and now she wants to be separate with him,” Sehemo said.

The case was postponed until November 25 and Boitumelo was denied bail. He will be remanded in custody until then.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects appeared before Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane on Thursday for stock-theft. Petrus Mokoena, 26, and Pheko Tinkane, 39 were sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of a fine.

The two accused were arrested at Tlaseng village near Phokeng by members of Stock Theft Unit on August 16 in 2010, says North West police.

Provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said: “The two men were awaiting trial and were on bail since the incident. The accused stole six Afrikaner cattle valued R90 000 from a cattle post near Rietspruit and sold them at the stock auction. Both accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103(1) of the firearms control act, Act 60 of 2000. They will serve their sentence at Mankwe Correctional Centre in Mogwase.” she said.

-TDN

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Mahikeng- The leader of the Democratic Alliance in the North West province, Joe McGluwa, was sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) on Friday.

“There is no greater honour than to serve the people of this province, every day, and I welcome the chance to lead from within the border of the province,” said McGluwa who had been serving in the national parliament.

“I have come to the legislature to hold to the fullest account the ANC of Supra Mahumapelo, and to stand against government corruption and failure to deliver to our people.”

McGluwa will also become the DA caucus leader in legislature. He was elected provincial leader in May.

“I relish the opportunity to serve our people, and I will work tirelessly to grow freedom, fairness and opportunity in the North West,” he said.

His seat in parliament will be filled by Herman Groenewald, who would vacate his seat in the National Council of Provinces.

Long serving North West MPL and former North West leader Chris Hattingh takes up Groenewald’s seat in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

Hattingh served as an MPL for 21 years and had been leader of the DA in North West for 16 years.

North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie bid farewell to Chris Hattingh on Thursday.

Courtesy of: (African News Agency)

Rustenburg – Copper cable theft has silenced Mafisa FM, a community radio station in Rustenburg, the station said on Friday.

“Our transmitter was stolen last Saturday in Lefaragatlhe near Rustenburg – that is the reason we are not on air,” said Jacob Dikgang, secretary of the Mafisa FM board.

The station went off air on Saturday and upon investigation it was found that its transmitter was stolen. Copper cables were also stolen.

The station opened a case of theft at the Tlhabane police station.

Dikgang said the theft of the transmitter had cost the station a great deal of revenue.

“We cannot run adverts, we cannot serve our clients. This is costing us,” he said.

He said the station was speaking to Sentech with a view to having signal from Sentech transmitters relayed to the radio station.

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

Durban – The family of a 19-year-old Durban girl who died at St Augustine’s Hospital, allegedly from medical negligence, is suing the hospital for R8 million for the suffering she endured prior to her death.

A high court application has been brought against the hospital, and two doctors, Dr Sudarshan Naidoo and Dr Bala Govender.

The deceased, Jadene Naidoo, was involved in a car accident on September 9. She sustained minor injuries but was admitted to the hospital’s ICU for treatment and observation. Her parents, Trevor and Pathmavathy Naidoo, said she complained of severe abdominal pain. But despite this, she responded well and doctors assured them she was in good health and recovering well.

“She had minor injuries to her face and underwent surgery. On the same day, she was certified fit by the doctors to be transferred to a surgical ward. This is where the challenges started to unfold when she was neglected by doctors and nursing staff.

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