SA Revenue Service’s (SARS) customs officials confiscated drugs to the value of almost R80-million at the Kopfontein border post with Botswana in North West on Saturday.

“Two foreign nationals have been arrested for drug smuggling and handed over to the police,” SARS said in a statement on Sunday.

“The bust happened when an empty truck was stopped for routine inspection. The customs detector dogs reacted positively to narcotics.

“It was found the truck had false compartments to stash away 141 packages of Mandrax. Thus 1,428,140 tablets worth R78,547,700 were confiscated.”

The two men, truck, and tablets were handed over to the SA Police Service, SARS said.

Courtesy- Africa News Agency

BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG- Two men aged 44 and 24 respectively were arrested after they defrauded a man R370 000 in Meriting outside Rustenburg on Friday. Two Ugandan men are expected to appear in Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court for fraud and being in possession of suspected fraudulent documents. They were arrested after a tip-off.

North West police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said a 42-year-old man from Meriting, outside Rustenburg opened a case after being defrauded R370 000.

“It is alleged that the victim started to consult the fraudulent healers since August last year. He saw a pamphlet advertising their services. It is further alleged that during one of the consultations, he was advised to resign from his work. They claimed that the victim’s ancestors were going to double his pension money.

“The victim allegedly resigned in December last year. Two suspects allegedly accompanied him to the bank where he went to fetch his money. They waited for him outside and took him to their house afterwards,” Moleko said.

The victim was allegedly shown two safes at the suspects’ house. He was instructed to put his money in one of the safes. He was taken to his house afterwards with the wrong safe. The victim was instructed not to open the safe until both traditional healers return to perform the last ritual.

The victim was forced to open the safe by family members after he did not hear anything from the bogus traditional healers after a few days. He opened the safe and realised that there was no money inside.

Moleko said police found fraudulent medical certificates and vehicle registration certificates amongst others in possession of the suspects during the arrest. The police also urge community members who were conned in the same way to contact Constable Tsholofelo Matube 082 772 6491 or (014) 590 4258.

-TDN

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Sigi Burger and Renske Stoltz were on fire for the North West Flames as they beat the Free State Crinums 55-44 in their Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League encounter tonight (16 April 2016.) This was the third win in a row for North West, who maintain a 100% record this year. The match played at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, was anything but heartfelt as both team played competitive netball as they gunned for the win.

North West though pulled the early trigger as they lead 12-11 after the first quarter. One could see that North West had not yet hit their straps in the first 15 minutes and gained momentum in the second quarter. Burger and Stoltz carried on from last year’s Varsity Cup exploits for Pukke as their synergy grew stronger by the minute. The Flames duly took a 5 point lead at the start of the second half to lead 29-23 at halftime.

The Flames hit the 40 goal mark in the third quarter to lead 41-31 with one quarter to play.
The Crinums, Maryke Holtzhausen, was still an ever present threat and could easily get her team back in the game with her goal shooting ability. Burger and Stoltz though had other plans as their accurate and precise shooting made it a comfortable win for the North West. Lauren-Lee Christians also had a good game for the Free State side, but was kept in check.
Credit must also be given here to Flames captain, Nadia Uys and Rome Dreyer who had a cracking game.
“We have been working hard on our fitness. We had a great game,” said Burger, all smiles after receiving her player of the match award.
“The Crinums did well and we thank them a great game. I am proud of my players tonight. I believe in my team from the starting line up to the bench and I know they can do the job. The season is still in its early stages and it’s important to still focus on every game ahead,” said Dorette Badenhorst, coach of the North West Flames.

Courtesy: http://www.potchhearld.co.za

JOHANNESBURG – The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has slammed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, for calling on black people to have more babies, saying the comment is irresponsible and ignores the plight of poor black people. 

This week in Meadowlands, Malema called on black people to reproduce for their legacy to remain dominant, then accused white people of discouraging this so that they can take over politically. 

Sanco says this statement ignores the importance of family planning in human development and will push poor people into further poverty if they heed his call.

Spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu says the EFF leader should be aware of the power of his words.

“There are issues of poverty that people are confronted with and we believe such a statement, especially for people who may not be knowledgeable, might take Malema for what he says.”  
Courtesy: http://www.ewn.co.za

The North West Flames made the perfect start to their 2016 Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League campaign with the dismantling of the Eastern Cape Aloes by 68-36 in their first match.
The Flames wing defence, Jeanté Strydom, was named Player of the Match for her efforts as her no-nonsense style of play disrupted the offensive tactics of the Aloes.
North West looked comfortable on the ball in attack and quickly rushed to a 39-17 lead at half-time. The Flames extended that in the second half and ran away as comfortable winners.
“We need to make sure that our young team can step up during the nine-week tournament. It is good that everyone gets exposure,” said a satisfied Flames coach, Dorette Badenhorst, to Netball South Africa.
The Flames next take on the Mpumalanga Sunbirds at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria at 18:00 on Friday, 15 April and the Free State Crinums at 18:00 on Saturday, 16 April.
The action is live on SuperSport 210.

Courtesy: Potch Herald
-TDN
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Tendai Ndoro hit a brace as ten-man Orlando Pirates beat Golden Arrows 4-1 on Saturday to move within two points of Kaizer Chiefs on the Absa Premiership table.

Ndoro netted either side of Luvuyo Memela’s 21st minute strike to take his tally to nine goals for the season from his last eight appearances.

Nduduzo Sibiya pulled one back for Arrows shortly after Lehlogonolo Masalesa was sent off in the 54th minute at Moses Mabhida Stadium, but Issa Sarr scored for Pirates at the death.

Amakhosi can regain a five-point advantage on Bucs when they play their game in hand tonight against Ajax Cape Town at FNB Stadium.

Ndoro opened the scoring with a neat finish in the 13th minute in Durban.

Memela doubled the advantage midway through the stanza after being released by Masalesa.

Ndoro got his second on the stroke of half-time from the spot after Thabo Matlaba was pulled back by Siyabonga Dube in the box.

Pirates’ momentum was disrupted when Masalesa was dismissed early into the second period after receiving two yellow cards in rapid succession.

Abafana Bes’thende hit the post soon after through Kwanele Hlongwane and then scored via substitute Sibiya in the 64th minute following a quick free-kick from Deon Hotto.

Sarr, however, smashed in a volley in the dying stages to extend Arrows’ winless run to five games, leaving them in 11th spot in the standings.
Courtesy- http://www.kick-off.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE
A man believed to be in his twenties has drowned in the Vaal river in Barkley West, Northern Cape on Saturday.

According to reports the man w8as with friends when he went swimming in the river.

Netcare 911 spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe said: “The man allegedly experienced difficulty in the water and drowned.

“Netcare911 paramedics , the Provincial Emergency services and the police diving unit were on scene.”

The man was found  by police divers and declared dead by Paramedics.

-TDN

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Residents of Mahikeng allege that police are involved in drug dealing in the area.(SABC)

The community of Mahikeng in North West is up in arms against drug-peddling in the provincial capital. The enraged community members say police are not taking action against those dealing in drugs, although they are well known to the community.  

It is alleged that at least three people have already died in the feud between the community and the alleged drug paddlers. The residents are supporting one of their own. Community member Katlego Sekeleko is still in police custody accused of murdering an alleged Nigerian drug lord.

Residents spoke with contempt about the ills caused by the growth of drug use in the provincial capital. Some are blaming foreign nationals for the infiltration of drugs in the area.

“The drug problem in Mahikeng has really affected me because we have brothers who have become hobos (people living on streets) and our parents have passed away because of the heart ache caused by these drugs. We do not want Nigerians anymore in our village because they have caused us too many problems.”

Police say they are working with the community to counter drug trade in the area

Community leaders are accusing the police of turning a blind eye.

“There are Nigerians dealing with drugs in our town and there is hear say that those Nigerians are working with some of our police. We do not want to fight on our own as a community because at the end of the day it will mean that we as the community take the law into our own hands.  We no longer want to take the law into our own hands. We want the police to work with us to fight this thing of drug abuse,” says community member Thebeitsile Matenge.

Meanwhile police say they are working with the community to counter drug trade in the area.

“Anyone with information regarding that allegation; our police stations are open, anyone can bring such information so that we can see how we can work on that information but I must say that really it is strange that we are seen as people who are protecting drug peddlers. I want to stand against that because we know for a fact that there are many people who were arrested across the country that are found to be dealing in or selling drugs,” says Brigadier Leonard Hlathi.

Police say the post-mortem results of the foreign national who was killed at his Golfview house are yet to be released and allegations that the man died as a result of a drug overdose have yet to be confirmed. 
Courtesy: SABC

EFF MPs will soon be barred from wearing their trademark overalls, hard hats and gumboots in parliament as the institution enforces its dress code.

Overalls, helmets and gumboots are among informal wear and headgear deemed inappropriate by parliament’s review of rules subcommittee, according to the final draft of the proposed guidelines.

ANC MP and rules review subcommittee chair Richard Mdakane told Sowetan the new guidelines were not designed with any political party in mind. “Parties and individuals come and go,” he said.

Mdakane said parliament’s rules state that MPs should dress in a manner befitting the decorum of both houses.
For more http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

Two woman, both in their 50s, were killed and two others injured this morning following a collision between a bakkie and light motor at the R24 Ventersdorp Road Intersection in Krugersdorp.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 09h00 this morning and found that two vehicles had collided. A light motor vehicle lay in a ditch next to the road while a bakkie had come to rest against a road sign.

On closer inspection, paramedics found the lifeless bodies of two women in their 50s lying trapped inside the light motor vehicle. On assessment, paramedics found that the woman had already succumbed to their injuries. Nothing more could be done and they were declared dead on scene.

A man and woman, both in their 30s, were discovered seated inside the bakkie, both having sustained only moderate injuries.

Paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported them to Yusuf Dadoo hospital for further treatment.

The exact cause of the collision will be investigated by local authorities.
-TDN
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