Johannesburg – About 30 explosive devices were discovered near a shallow dam in Bultfontein, north of Pretoria, Gauteng police said on Thursday.

“We are currently investigating the origins of the bombs,” spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said.

The weapons, found on Wednesday after a tip-off from a local resident, included grenades and mortar bombs. Mofokeng asked residents to contact police if they found more.

Mofokeng said the bombs were not linked to those discovered in Pretoria West earlier this week.

“We are still investigating the bombs, but they are not linked to the ones discovered on Monday. We are currently trying to establish who owns the land where the bombs were discovered,” he said.

On Monday, 15 World War II incendiary devices were removed from a scrap yard in Pretoria West after one exploded, killing one man and seriously injuring another. Of the 15 devices found at the site in Rebecca Street, six were found to be live.

Projectiles found near school

More military projectiles and a mortar were found near Pretoria West High School on Tuesday.

Pretoria West station commander Colonel Caroline Naidoo said a security guard working at the school noticed two men carrying something heavy and approached them.

“When they saw him, they dropped the weapons and fled,” she said.

The weapons were a 25-pound canon projectile and a practice mortar. The guard informed the school principal.

The principal alerted police and the school and surrounding areas were evacuated as police disarmed the bombs.

Naidoo appealed to people not to touch such devices if they found them, but to contact police.

– SAPA

Mahikeng- The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West wishes all of the best (26 383) learners who will on Monday, 27 October 2014, commence with their matriculation examination.

“We encourage learners to look at this examination as one of the ways to attain a better life for them and their families. The outcome of this examination will determine the learners` choice of career and their future prospects for self determination” ANC North West Provincial Secretary Dakota Legoete said.

Legoete said the party call upon all parents, relatives, teachers and friends to pray for the learners and emotionally support them throughout this sensitive period in their life time. He said this support should also be extended throughout the examination period also during the release of the results. “This will ensure that there is no learner pressured regardless of the outcome of the examination.

“We hope and trust the current class of 2014 will do far much better than the class of 2013 by ensuring that we maintain the number one position in terms of grade 12 results in country” he laments.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Two men were sentenced in the Kimberley High court on Wednesday for Kidnapping, Robbery under aggravating circumstances and murder, Northern Cape police said.

On 6 March 2009, the victim known as Fekere Aromo an Ethiopian citizen was doing door-to-door sales (selling blankets) in the Gong Gong village near Barkly West.

The three accused got into his vehicle and threatened him and drove off with him to a nearby veld. He was tied up and stabbed several times with a sharp object in his chest and neck. The accused fled with Aromo’s vehicle. The victim’s cellphone, an undisclosed amount of money and his blankets were in the vehicle at the time.

The accused drove to Johannesburg and on their way back to Taung they were involved in an accident.

On the 9th March 2009 while searching for Aromo, police found his body in the veld, still bound. The three accused were arrested between the 12-19th March 2009 in Taung.

“They were charged with kidnapping, robbery under aggravating circumstances and murder. All three remained in custody until the finalisation of the case. In 2012, Victor Lesego (24) pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced on the 14 March 2012” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

His sentencing was as follows: 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for robbery and life for murder.

On the 22nd October 2014, the remaining two accused appeared in the High court. Ishmeal Boitumelo Keohitletse (24) and Peace Kagisho Asele(24) were found guilty on all three charges and they were sentenced as follows: kidnapping – 5 years; robbery – 12 years and murder – 24years.

Their sentences will run concurrently.

The Cluster Commander for Galeshewe, Maj Gen Kolie Matthys commended the investigating officer D/W/O Marlie Strydom on securing such harsh sentences for the accused. “I want to commend the contribution of the investigating officer through her good investigative work because in most instances police are often blamed by some members of the public when criminals walk free or receive lighter sentences. This sentence augurs very well for the police because it shows that through dedication and relentless pursuit of the case, resulted in these lengthy sentences. We congratulate and urge our members to continue with their good work.”
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – Members of a Johannesburg family are suing the police for over R770 000, claiming they did not respond to numerous calls for help during threats of violence by an estranged husband, The Star reported on Thursday.

A bed-ridden woman was doused in petrol and set alight, allegedly by her daughter’s husband, in November last year.

This came after the daughter had filed for a divorce and she and her sister had secured a protection order.

Abusive

The family had reportedly spent years living in fear due to his abusive nature.

The family filed a civil lawsuit against the police after they allegedly ignored the sisters and their lawyer nine times when they reported his threats at the Sophiatown police station, the daily reported.

The damages claim is directed at the Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko, National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega, and four police officers stationed at Sophiatown.

The woman’s husband allegedly threatened her and her mother with a firearm in September 2013, The Star reported.

He also threatened to burn their house down after they obtained the protection order.

He also allegedly assaulted his sister-in-law.

Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said a civil case was pending, but did not comment on the allegations in the report.

“This office can confirm that a civil claim has been received and the claim is being handled by the state attorneys. Allegations and conduct of the members are being investigated.”

– SAPA

Pretoria – Criminal charges will be laid against EFF leader Julius Malema for allegedly assaulting a Limpopo man, AfriForum deputy chief executive Ernst Roets said on Thursday.

According to a sworn statement and CCtv footage, Cassie Moller became involved in a confrontation with Malema at the counter of a Limpopo fast food outlet around 02:00 on 6 August, Roets told reporters in Pretoria.
For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – Three men have been injured in a heist at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, reports said on Thursday.

Gauteng police told the Citizen newspaper that a cash-in-transit vehicle was leaving the cargo area of the airport at about 05:45 on Thursday when a Mercedes-Benz collided with it.
For more http://www.news24.com

Kimberley – A Kimberley family was held up at gunpoint in their home when three armed robbers removed the bars from the front gate and gained entry through a living room window.

The incident happened in Cassandra at around 4am on Friday morning.

The owner of the home, a prominent local businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that he woke up on Friday morning and found three masked men in his bedroom the barrel of a gun was pointed just inches from his face.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg- A 33-year-old suspect appeared in Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane on Thursday on charges of public violence.

This is after several assaults and hostage incidents linked to the current wage increment strike by members of National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) were reported on Friday at Glencore mine in Kroondal.

“It is alleged that non-striking miners were assaulted with knobkerries and sjambok by striking employees who also forced victims to join the strike. According to the information available at this stage, one of the victims is in critical condition at George Mkhari hospital in Ga-rankuwa due to severe head injuries sustained after being struck with a knobkerrie” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

In one of the incidents, a man and his wife were allegedly forced out their vehicle, assaulted and forced to join the strike whilst in pains. They were only released at the end of the picketing.

The Rustenburg Cluster Commander; Major General William Mpembe condemned the criminal acts effected by the striking employees. “The police cannot be expected not to intervene while the rights of non-striking workers are being violated. While we are doing our best to safeguard lives and properties, we will also bring all violations to the attention of Human Rights Commission to ensure that the interest of justice is served”, said Major General William Mpembe.”

Investigation into the matter continues and more arrests are imminent. The suspect was remanded in custody until Tuesday, 28 October 2014 for formal bail application.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Windsorton, Northern Cape – A 60-year-old woman was brutally attacked with a crowbar on a plot outside Windsorton when three armed robbers invaded her home.

Beulah Nel, who was admitted to the intensive care unit of Kimberley MediClinic shortly after the attack, was on Monday moved to a general ward.
For more http://www.iol.co.za