The sentencing proceedings of convicted murderer Anthony Strauss were on Wednesday cut short due to water issues at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

The building had no water since early on Wednesday morning. All the accused were taken back to prison a few hours earlier than usual.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the water disruptions.

A homeopathic doctor had on Wednesday taken to the stand to testify in Strauss’s mitigation of sentence.

He was expected back on the stand when court proceedings resumed on December 2.

Strauss had on Tuesday also taken to the stand where he gave the court reasons as to why he should not be handed the harshest sentence.

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FILE – In this Tuesday, Oct . 7, 2014 file photo, Iraqi security forces hold a flag of the Islamic State group they captured during an operation outside Amirli, some 105 miles (170 kilometers) north of Baghdad, Iraq. The Islamic State group may be sprouting tentacles across the region but it is struggling in Syria, part of its heartland, where it has stalled or even lost ground in fighting with multiple enemies on multiple fronts. There are signs of tensions and powers struggles emerging among its ranks of foreign jihadis. (AP Photo, File)

Paris – French police commandos fired more than 5 000 shots into an apartment near Paris on Wednesday during a raid against a heavily armed jihadist group that lasted seven hours and turned the area into a war zone.

The fighting was so intense that not only were the police unable to identify the bodies of the militants after they had finally entered the apartment, but they could not even determine whether two or three people had died during the assault.

With forensic experts still scouring the building in the St. Denis suburb north of the capital, the Paris chief prosecutor and the police chief who leads the crack RAID commandos spoke of a complex operation that ran into problems from the word “go”.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE
THREE suspects were arrested after dealing with dagga in Mmakau village near Brits.

The suspects aged between 19 and 37 were nabbed after Mmakau Reaction Unit and Cluster CIG found 25 small packets of dagga were found in their shack.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The suspects were reprimanded and warned not to engage in this type of activities.”
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
ANC Women’s League in North West said they were  shocked and disturbed by the discovery of a lifeless body of an infant dumped near a construction site of Mahikeng Mall in Wednesday.

The league’s provincial secretary, Bridgette Seokamo said: “The infant was inside the plastic bag and could only be identified through the protruding head from plastic bag. We view this as a very horrible act any human being could ever do to the little innocent life.

“The ANCWL is mostly disturbed that this ugly act could only happen just when the country could start focusing its attention on the national campaign of 16 Days of no violence against women and children.”

Seokamo said they calling on the community who may have information about this act to report the matter to the police so that the culprit should be arrested.

“This act cannot be expected when our democratic country has systems in place to financially support children through Child Support Grant and also when the adoption is legal.

“We therefore appeal on our people to use available support structures of government in the department of Social Development where social workers are trained enough to deal with any social related problems,” She said.

NB: North West police spokesperson, sergeant Kelebogile Moleko could not confirm the incident at the time and promised to gather more details before returning to us.

Moleko failed return to us before we could go to print despite all attempts.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
EIGHTEEN Police officers were busted in a biggest clamp down for corruption, fraud and defeating the end of justice.

The arrests took place on Wednesday in Zeerust.

Rustenburg Technical Response team backed up by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigative team made the arrests in a sting operation at Kopfontein Port of Entry.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said they targeted 20 corrupt officials.

“Thirteen police officers were arrested at the boarder,  other seven were arrested at their respective homes. Two Immigration officials were among the arrested officials. Those who were arrested were suspended with immediate effect.

“Internal disciplinary measures will be taken immediate effect. We have been investigating them for more than a year now. The charges range from dealing with illicit cigarettes, letting illegal immigrants to enter the boarder without legal documents and a massive cover-up.” Ramaloko said.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West police, Major General Jacob Tsumane vowed to support all endeavours intended at promoting integrity of the police service.

“These members were posted at this Port of Entry to facilitate the movement of people and goods, but they neglected their mandate. The arrested officials will be taken to court soon on corruption charges.” Tsumane said.
-TDN
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Berlin – A special German task force arrested three people near the western German city of Aachen as part of a Europe-wide search for a suspect in the Paris terrorist attacks, police say.

“We received information that one of the fugitives connected with Paris could be staying in our area,” a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The circumstances surrounding the arrests in the town of Alsdorf, near the border with the Netherlands, have not been released. The identities of those arrested have also not been disclosed.

For more http://www.news24.com

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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Motsweding FM compilation between two presenters, Phenyo Phushudi and Obonye Nelly Moruri is talk of the town currently. From the manner they walk, talk and carry themselves, these two exude nothing but buoyancy and boldness. The two presenters are both approachable and relaxed.

Phusudi and Moruri present an entertainment show called Ke Moteng every Saturday from 6-9pm. The listeners could not get enough of the craziness throughout the show.

Moruri explained where it all started and she has this to say: “I went for an audition at Mafikeng community radio station. I was so nervous when called back for a re-audition. I worked for three years at the station until I was recruited by Motsweding FM in 2011. It has been enjoyable moment and I believe thorough research on issues we discuss is very important. However we are spontaneous and that is one element that vends our show. I can safely say Phenyo is the best co-host I ever worked with. He knows how to get the best out of me. He is very intelligent, funny, and wiser. He is aware of what is happening around him and never dull moment around him.

A mother of 11 year-old daughter said it was important for aspiring radio presenters to back them up with formal qualifications. “The career on radio is unpredictable, so my message to the young aspiring radio is that they must study. The qualifications can help them to fall back if things do not go accordingly. More research and discipline is needed. One cannot treat radio career as a habit, you must treat it as your workplace.”

Moruri also co-host a graveyard shows with Felix Da Cat between 00:00 until 03:00am.

Phushudi who is permanently employed by SAPS as full time policeman in Northern Cape said, he enjoy working with Moruri. He said the chemistry between them one could think they broadcasting from the same studio. “One would grapple with the revelation that we are broadcasting from distinct studios in separate provinces. We deliver the show from different studios. I always broadcast from Kimberley while Moruri will be in Mahikeng.

“I was inspired by legends like Benny Motaung, Oshebeng Koonyaditse and of course Minah Pilane. I enjoy working with Nelly. She would call me during the week asking if I’ve prepared something for the show. I would tell her I haven’t yet just to hear what ideas she is bringing to the table. She would be like….I was thinking….and I’ll jump in and say yes, we going with whatever are you thinking of,” he said.

Phushudi who started his career at Vaaltar FM, said the radio landscape has changed. He said nowadays not only the presenter has access to the information. “If you do not give a listener what she/he want it will be very easy for her/him to tune to other radio station. One need to be on points at all time,” Phushudi said.

-TDN

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*Note that the article appeared on The New Age Newspaper first