Daily Archives: May 20, 2021

‘Outstanding DNA results delay Hartswater triple murder case’

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Picture: Five suspects arrested for Hartswater triple murder

By OBAKENG MAJE

A triple murder case against five accused was postponed by the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court today. Donald Seolesang (20), Tshepo Visagie (36), Realeboga Manyedi (19), Kgomotso Mpumlwana (43), and Tshepaone Melato (19) were arrested in July 2020, following the abduction and murder of an elderly couple, Breggie (73) and Danie Brand (83) and their daughter, Elizabie (54).

According to the police, the suspects allegedly robbed the deceased of their belongings like laptops and money on their farm before they fled the scene. They allegedly kidnapped Elizabie and dumped her body in Takaneng village near Taung.

The suspects were arrested by police in Pudimoe Township in Taung on N18 road while driving the SUV vehicle belonging to the deceased.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mohale Ramatseba said: “Police have recovered a Sahara laptop and Samsung J5 cellphone which was pawned at a shop for R400 at Vaaltyn village in Taung.

“The recovered items belonged to the member of the Brand family who was brutally murdered in Hartswater. Police also recovered a handbag at one of the suspects’ home, Mpumlwana.

Ramatseba added that the handbag contained different kind of cards including driver’s licenses, identity document and shop cards.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Annette van Wyk lambasted the police and accused them of failing the justice system. Van Wyk said the ‘outstanding DNA results’ continue to delay proceedings in the case.

“While the trial was meant to start today, the murder trial is now on hold until 8 July 2021, in the hopes that almost one year after the murders, the DNA results will have been received.

“Today’s postponement, which is not the first, has once again failed to bring any true consolation to the remaining family, the local community, and especially the farming community,” she said.

Van Wyk further said instead, this rural community continues to bear the brunt of poor police visibility in their areas, as farm murders and farm attacks, are allowed to go unpunished, while the failure of SAPS to harness the potential of scientific evidence in the form of DNA results, allows justice to be delayed.

“This further creates an enabling environment in which violent crime can thrive. According to the latest information, there is currently a backlog of more than 200 000 DNA case exhibits at the National Forensic Science Laboratories (NFSL).

“This has been caused by the ongoing lack of basic consumables and the lack of maintenance of highly sensitive equipment, stretching back more than two years. For the sake of combatting violent crime, the situation needs to become the top priority for the SAPS,” said van Wyk.

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Netball SA and Twizza launch new Netball Club Competition

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Picture: Netball players/Mail&Guardian

By REGINALD KANYANE

Netball South Africa and Twizza have launched a new Netball Club Champions across the country. The Netball South Africa president, Cecilia Molokwane said this initiative will take netball back to the people. Molokwane said their quest to grow the game seems to be finally coming to fruition.

“It is always a pleasure to work with partners that understand the vision that we have as Netball South Africa and see the value in investing towards the growth of the sport. We are grateful to Twizza for throwing their weight behind this club netball tournament.

“This will help us to begin the journey of giving more players access to the sport. We believe that this is the start of greater things to come. I would like to urge all players to get involved in this tournament and challenge districts in making sure that we make this possible,” she said.

Molokwane further said the Twizza Netball Club Championships will be played over a four-month period between May and September 2021, and will be broken down into districts, provincial and national levels.

She added that the formation of the tournament will bridge the gap in the netball pyramid and help them to unearth talent at a local level.

“This tournament will provide players, coaches, umpires and administrators with the opportunity to showcase their abilities at a competitive level, and to contend for selection for the SPAR National Championships, followed by The Telkom Netball League, and eventually the SPAR Proteas.

“Event organisers are hoping to see about 52 districts hosting their own leagues with about 20 clubs per district participating. The top two teams from every district will compete at an inter-provincial netball competition which will run between July and August,” said Molokwane.

She said the winners of each provincial tournament will then compete in a national competition to determine the best club in South Africa and these finals will take place between the 23 and 26 September 2021.

Molokwane said growing the sport and making it professional is not an overnight job, neither is it a task that they can do alone.

“The federation has a 2025 vision themed ‘Magnificent 3M’ which seeks to have at least three million netball people registered, irrespective of whether they are coaches, players, umpires, or administrators, she said.

 Meanwhile, the Twizza’s Group Marketing Manager, Lance Coertzen said: “Sport is one of the world’s greatest unifying forces and one that as a country we can all get behind. As a proudly South African company, we are honoured to sponsor the rising young stars of the netball courts.

“We’ll also, be seeing many memories and Twizza moments being made in every match.  The competition seeks to attain a few objectives which are to ensure that we develop grassroots netball at a club level.”

Coertzen said this will assist the league to unearth netball talent across the country and most importantly, provide consistent competition for all players across South Africa.

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

A girl (4) raped, strangled to death in Kgomotso village

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Picture: The deceased, Tshimologo Lotshabeng/ Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A body of a girl was found dumped in the bushes in Kgomotso village near Pampierstad on Wednesday. According to information, Tshimologo Lotshabeng (4) went missing on Saturday.

North West police spokesperson, Lit Colonel Amanda Funani said on Friday evening, the girl’s mother (32) took Tshimologo to her friend’s place, where she left her with six other children and went to a local tavern.

“It is alleged that the mother came back drunk in the early hours of Saturday morning, accompanied by two friends. The mother, who found the children sleeping, apparently slept in her friend’s room.

“She woke up in the morning and realised that her daughter was missing. As a result, she went to her residential place to look for Tshimologo but did not find her. A missing person inquiry was ultimately reported on Saturday,” Funani said.

She said subsequently, the search was conducted in the area, and the girl’s naked body was found in the bushes on Sunday. Funani further said the preliminary investigation revealed that the young girl was allegedly raped and strangled to death.

“Investigation into the matter continues and the police request anyone who may have information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect to call the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Akanyang Pitsonyane on 082 378 3262 Alternatively, SAPS Crime Stop can be called on 08600 10111,” said Funani.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe condemned the incident and urged the community of Kgomotso to work with the police to ensure that the perpetrator is arrested. 

She further conveyed her condolences to the family and advised parents to be cautious with their children and not to leave them unattended.

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