Picture: Home-made firearms and ammunition seized/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (54) was arrested for unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of home-made firearms in Christiana. Carel Jacobus Van Heerden was arrested on 3 April 2024, after police found a firearm, ammunition and home-made firearms at his place.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the Christiana Visible Policing and Vryburg K9 Unit members, received a tip-off and operationalised it. Mokgwabone further said Van Heerden had firearms at his residence.
“Consequent to the search, ammunition was found in a hole near the kraal. A further search inside the house led to the discovery of a rifle, home-made firearms and ammunition.
“The accused was, as a result, arrested after failing to account for the possession. It was also established through circulation that the rifle belongs to the late Barend Lambertus Crous of Stellenbosch, Western Cape,” he said.
Mokgwabone said Van Heerden briefly appeared at Christiana Magistrate’s Court on 4 April 2024 and granted a R1000 bail.
Picture: The suspects arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three men were arrested for possession of crystal meth in Pampierstad, while a woman was arrested in Hartswater for being in possession of suspected mandrax tablets. The police further confiscated money believed to be proceeds of crime and recovered one 9mm Pistol toy gun, one 9mm magazine, three blank ammunition and one knife.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, the suspects were arrested by the Vala Umgodi Multi-Disciplinary Operation, comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Roving Team, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Crime Intelligence, that conducted a clandestine operation in Hartswater and Pampierstad on 5 April 2024.
“The police received a tip-off regarding drugs believed to be sold at identified locations within Hartswater and Pampierstad. The team raided the identified locations and confiscated crystal meth in Pampierstad and mandrax tablets in Hartswater.
“All suspects will appear in Hartswater and Pampierstad Magistrate Courts soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, applauded the law enforcement agencies involved for their collaborative efforts in the fight against crime. Ngubelanga also encouraged community members to report any criminal activities to the police.
“All received information will be treated confidentially,” he said.
Picture: One of the firearms confiscated by the police/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two men aged (28) and 32 respectively, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court of business robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm. Reabetswe Seeti (28) and Tiabu Mthimunyi (32), were arrested by the members of Letlhabile Detectives and Visible Policing on 2 April 2024.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the police received a tip-off regarding a robbery at Letlhabile Shopping Complex.
“On arrival at the scene, the police were briefed about the suspects and a Nissan NP 200 bakkie, allegedly used to flee from the scene. A search was launched and a vehicle matching the given description was spotted at Centreville, but without occupants.
“The police continued with the search and ultimately spotted a group of men entering two suspicious vehicles, a white Volkswagen Polo and a Kia Rio. The said cars sped off and that led to a car chase,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said, the occupants of the two cars allegedly shot at the police, who returned fire. He added that the Kia Rio with four occupants was followed after the cars took different directions and two suspects were ultimately arrested, while the other two ran away.
“One of the suspects sustained injury on the leg. The police searched the car and found an undisclosed amount of cash, a firearm and two cell phones belonging to the supermarket employees.
“The police also found and confiscated the Volkswagen Polo, which was used by the suspects. They were charged for business robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. The matter was postponed to 10 April 2024, for bail application,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, hailed the police for their rapid response, which led to the success.
Picture: Banyana Banyana player’s against Nigeria/Google
By SAFA
Banyana Banyana will have to give it all in the second leg of the CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier after going down 1-0 to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the first leg on Friday at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The visitors had a slow start with the hosts dominating the first half and doing most of the attacking.
The constant pressure finally paid off in the 43rd minute when defender Noko Matlou committed a foul inside the box and the Falcons were awarded a penalty. Rasheedat Ajibade made no mistake converting from the spot as Banyana Banyana went to the break trailing by that solitary strike.
Banyana Banyana came back from the break a much more improved side but failed to convert the few chances that came their way.
Outstanding goalkeeper Kaylin Swart had to work overtime to deny the hosts from extending their lead.
Despite creating numerous chances for an equaliser, the game ended 1-0 for the Super Falcons.
The two African giants will lock horns for the second leg on 9 April 2024 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria where coach Desiree Ellis’ charges will be hoping to overturn the deficit. And coach Ellis believes they are still in the game and can turn things around in the second leg on Tuesday.
“Look, we said it was going to be a tight game but we are hopeful of overturning this result in the second leg.”
“We are still in the game. We created a couple of chances, a penalty decided the match but the game is not over. I thought in the second half we raised our game a lot and created good chances and could have equalized. Maybe we could also have gotten a penalty at the end when Jermaine was fouled but I’m very proud of the team and we will take it back to Pretoria,” said Ellis.
A man (23) has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Lichtenburg Regional Court for raping a minor. The incident took place in Coligny on 14 January 2023.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, it was reported that the victim is a cousin to the accused. Mokgwabone said she was walking from town to the Scotland Informal Settlement when she met the accused, who volunteered to accompany her.
“They were walking in the maize field when the accused grabbed, undressed, raped her. He also stabbed her with a knife and the victim was assisted by passers-by who heard her screaming.
“The passerby managed to restrain the accused and called the police. The accused who was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), has been in custody since his arrest,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, applauded the Investigating Officer, Constable Tsekiso Tau of Lichtenburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for good investigative work and collaborative efforts with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), including Advocate Itumeleng Boikanyo to secure the conviction on crimes against women and children.
Kwena said the members of the community were also commended for their cooperation and bravery that resulted in one of the arrests.
A man (33) has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Itsoseng Regional Court for raping a girl (15). The girl was walking home with a friend at Verdwaal village, near Itsoseng on 28 December 2014, when she met the accused who is her relative.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the latter grabbed and asked the girl if she did not see his girlfriend. Upon being told that his girlfriend went to Springbokpan village, the accused forced the minor to go and show him where his girlfriend was.
“The accused, who was carrying a knobkerrie, consequently took out a gun, threatened the girl and raped her in the maize field. Although the victim was warned and threatened not to disclose the incident to anyone, she ran home and informed her mother.
“The matter was reported to the police, who successfully traced and arrested the accused in Itsoseng in March 2015. The court ordered that the accused’s name be put in the National Register for Sex Offenders. He was further declared unfit to work with children,” he said.
Picture: Drugs that were confiscated by police during the arrested/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (35) has been arrested for dealing in dagga in Upington on 4 April 2024. It is alleged that, the police in ZF Mgcawu District, received a tip-off regarding the alleged drug sales at the Upington Taxi Rank.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the police found dagga that led them to an address in Pabalello Township, where dagga is believed to have been stored.
“The police seized dagga valued at approximately R130 000 and arrested the suspect for dealing in drugs. The suspect is expected to appear in the Upington Magistrate Court soon.
“In a separate incident, a Congolese man (52) was arrested by a team composed of Upington Border Police and the ZF Mgcawu District Highway Patrol for selling drugs in Upington on 4 April 2024,” he said.
Sam further said the police in the ZF Mgcawu District, will continue with their relentless efforts in eradicating drugs from the streets.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the police units for squeezing the space for drug dealers to operate within communities. Ngubelanga encouraged the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services.
Picture: The Banyana Banyana players during training/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Banyana Banyana are bracing for a titanic battle against long-time rivals Nigeria when the two teams meet in the first leg of an eagerly anticipated Olympic showdown in Abuja on Friday afternoon.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ charges have set their sights on qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but they must first get past the Super Falcons of Nigeria over the two legs of this CAF Women’s qualifier.
As part of the tough challenge ahead, the Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s team had a local camp that was held outside of the FIFA dates from 25 – 31 March 2024. They then travelled to Nigeria early to acclimatize ahead of the match on Friday.
A lot will be at stake as the two fierce rivals missed out on the last edition of the Olympics Games in Tokyo in 2021. Many believe that Banyana Banyana have the edge going into the two matches after emerging victorious in the last two encounters against the Super Falcons, winning 4-2 in 2021 in the Aisha Buhari Cup and again in the group stages of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in a 2-1 victory.
Ellis and captain Refiloe Jane, both emphasized that it would be a different ball game on Friday and past results would not matter in the all-important qualifier.
Jane, who is making a return to the team since being sidelined by an injury at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, believes that with the number of days the team has had to acclimatize in Nigeria have been crucial for their preparations.
“It feels good to be back with the team. It has been a long journey of recovery, but all of it is behind me now. I am more focused on re-joining the team and making sure that I am able to share the experience I have gained over the years,
“We have a mandate to qualify for the Olympic Games and that is what we are focused and working on as a team. We know the qualities that we have as a team and we will try to pool all that together and make sure we succeed,” she said.
Jane further said even though they have played Nigeria a couple of times and recently won against them. She added that they still need to give them the respect they deserve.
“They are still the undisputed African champions when you look at the number of times they have ruled the continent in the WAFCON,” said Jane.
Meanwhile, Ellis shared the same sentiments and further expressed gratitude to the South African Football Association (SAFA) and to sponsors, Sasol for work that went into the preparations for the qualifier.
“Firstly, I want to say thank you to SAFA and Sasol for making sure that we got here early and acclimatized. Even though we have got a heat wave in South Africa, it is a completely different heat.
“We put in a lot of work at home and we have also put in a lot of work here. The players have come in and put all of it together. I am very excited about the training, commitment, and the effort,” she said.
Ellis said from the final 24-member squad announced a few days ago, Sinoxolo Cesane, is the only player missing from the group and she will join the team in the return leg in South Africa.
The first leg will be played on 5 April 2024 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, and kick-off is at 5pm (18:00pm CAT).
Picture: Professor Peet van der Merwe from the North West University’s Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES)/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
Professor Peet van der Merwe from the North West University’s Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) said Africa must take ownership of its own wildlife. Van der Merwe said Botswana has proven how effective it is at sustainable wildlife conservation.
He further said hunting is an effective tool to manage wildlife sustainably. Van der Merwe added that Germany’s proposed ban on the import of hunting trophies over poaching concerns has drawn the ire of Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
“Botswana is home to the world’s largest elephant population, which has grown to more than 130 000. Marauding elephant herds wreak havoc on local crops, properties and are endangering the lives of the country’s citizens, and Masisi says that hunting is one way to stem the destructive tide.
“However, Germany’s environment ministry has called for stricter rules on the import of hunting trophies, to which Masisi vowed to send 20 000 elephants to Germany. Botswana has already given 8 000 elephants to Angola and has promised about 500 to Mozambique,” he said.
Van der Merwe said that the continent’s conservation should be left in local hands.
“I completely agree with Masisi’s stance on how Botswana wants to manage wildlife, especially elephants. Africa must take ownership of its own wildlife. I think it is time that Germany and other countries stop telling us how to manage our wildlife. It is our wildlife, and we know the best way to do it.
“Botswana has a very good conservation management system and model, and they have proved over the years how effectively and sustainably they can manage their wildlife,” said van der Merwe.
He said hunting is one of the tools one can use to manage wildlife sustainably. Van der Merwe said there are many poverty-stricken communities in Botswana and if they cannot plant or harvest crops due to elephant populations destroying their crops, what are they going to do?
“How will they survive? Hunting generates a lot of income for local, impoverished communities. That money can be used to uplift those communities and there can be investments in those communities.
“Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, to name but a few, all have very good conservation management strategies. We have healthy wildlife populations and we have proven that we can manage them sustainably,” he said.
Picture: The former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, briefly appeared at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, on charges of corruption and money laundering. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, this comes after Mapisa-Nqakula handed herself over at the Lyttleton Police Station in Centurion.
Mamothame further said, Mapisa-Nqakula was granted a R50 000 bail and her bail conditions are that she should surrender her passport to the investigating officer and should have no direct or indirect contact with the state witnesses. He added that the matter was postponed to 4 June 2024 for the arrest of the second accused in this matter.
“The Investigating Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority (IDNPA), brought 12 charges of corruption and one of money laundering against Mapisa-Nqakula, following investigations into allegations that during her tenure as the Minister of Defence, in the period between 2016 and 2019, she allegedly solicited an amount of approximately R4,5 million, of which R2,1 million was received in cash.
“Prior to her handing herself to the authorities, a search and seizure operation was carried out at her home by members of the ID on 19 March 2024, as part of investigations against her. On 2 April 2024, the Pretoria High Court dismissed her application with costs to interdict her arrest,” said Mamothame.
The Guardian 