DA: Modise paid her ‘foreign’ farm workers only R25 a day


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The revelations today that Thandi Modise hired undocumented foreign farm workers, that she promised to only pay them R25 per day and that she didn’t pay them anything in the end are shocking.

These allegations are extremely serious and represent breaches of labour legislation. It seems that Modise criminally mistreated both her workers and her animals.

“It is completely unacceptable for any farm owner to underpay farmworkers and abuse foreign labourers in this way” Democratic Alliance leader in North West Chris Hattingh said.

DA said the situation is extremely serious and merits a criminal investigation by the relevant bodies.

The DA has already submitted charges for animal cruelty. The SPCA will be submitting similar charges, for which Modise could face up to 12 months jail time.

Hattingh said the relevant authorities must also investigate the allegations of farm worker abuse.

In addition to these criminal investigations, the DA will seek an investigation by the North West Public Accounts Committee into Modise’s use of state resources to deal with the chaos on her farm.

“It has been repeatedly reported that she visited the farm only irregularly, instead relying on state officials to visit the farm on her behalf” DA said.

It is alleged that er government spokesperson has also been visiting the farm in the days after the story first broke.

“This is an inappropriate use of a government spokesperson. This is a personal problem for Modise that should not be spun by a government spin doctor, but should rather be addressed by herself in her personal capacity. The farm has nothing to do with government, and therefore no state officials should be involved in dealing with the problem” he said.

“I will shortly write to the Chairperson of the North West Public Accounts Committee, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng, to request that Modise appears before the committee to account for her misuse of state resources during this scandal.” Concludes Hattingh.-TDN
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Two nabbed with illegal firearms in Pampierstad


By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- The Northern Cape police arrested two suspects after a tip-off in Pampierstad.

Benjamin Mongale,27, and Thapelo Modise,28, were subsequently arrested on Tuesday after one of community members informed the police about their crime activities. Police acted swiftly and according to the preliminary investigations, two suspects were sought for armed robbery and house breaking.

“Police were tipped-off about two suspects who were in possession of stolen firearms. The police arrested two suspects and they appeared before Pampierstad Magistrate Court on Monday” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said.

The two were remanded in custody and police said the two are linked to other cases including murder.

Mongale and Modise allegedly pounced on a 40 year-old farmer at the nearby farm and tied him up before stealing 10 sheep worth R9000.

Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said the two suspects were allegedly found in possession of stolen firearms and one of the firearms belonged to a police officer, and was stolen in July during House Breaking.

They will appear before magistrate court on Tuesday for formal bail application.

Police said the suspects found in possession of 9 sheep carcasses after they slaughtered them.

Lieutenant Colonel Aubrey Domingo, the Hartswater Acting Cluster Commander, has thanked the community members that provided information that led to the arrest of the two suspects and the confiscation of the two firearms.

He indicated that the community has played a vital role in this arrest and they must continue to do so as the police will not disappoint them. He further thanked the SAPS members for their swift arrest and encouraged them to keep up the good work.-TDN
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Seventh Adventist Church hosts Vacation Bible School in Mmabana Taung


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Seventh Adventist Church hosted a Vacation Bible School for winter recess. The event took place at Mmabana Taung where school children ranging from the age of 5 to 21 embarked on an icy expedition where they were taught how to overcome obstacles with God’s awesome power. The event organiser, Kegomoditswe Tshefu who works as a clerk at the church said the event anchor kids in rock-solid bible truths that will guide them through life’s challenges.
“We teach kids about things that affect them daily and warn them not to engage in drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy. Everything that you love is covered by Vacation Bible School, plus a fresh way to ignite kids’ faith by immersing them in another culture” Tshefu said.
She advised parents to let their children join the Vacation Bible School as that will help many children not indulged in wrong things during school holiday.
Taung is one of the most vulnerable areas where drugs are rife and many youth found themselves hooked in them.
Tshefu said the Bible School is been running for years and always become memorable Bible point reinforced through each day where it makes it easy to apply those methods even long after VBS is over.
“This helps families to continue exploring the Bible message. This is the largest child-to-child project in the country. It is designed to prepare the hearts of each child to receive the gospel message in an unforgettable way” she concludes.
Many stakeholders were there to convey their message to the future leaders of tomorrow. South African Police Service also took advantage and give the youth the inside of how their department operates.-TDN
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Man dies in burning car


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Johannesburg – A man was killed in a car crash at the intersection of the R500 and R53, near Potchefstroom, on Sunday, paramedics said.

When paramedics arrived, they found the wreckage of one of the two cars was on fire, ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said.

“Bystanders pointed out that the driver in the vehicle was still trapped…. Unfortunately, paramedics could not get close to the vehicle to rapidly extricate the man from the burning car.”

When the blaze was extinguished, they found the man dead in the wreckage.

It was not clear whether he died on impact, or subsequently burnt to death.

“Six people from the other vehicle were treated for various injuries on the scene.”

They were taken to Potchefstroom Provincial Hospital and Mediclinic Potchefstroom.

While the cause of the accident had not yet been established, it appeared that one of the vehicles may have failed to stop at the intersection.

– SAPA

Stolen jacket leads to mass stabbing attack


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Pietermaritzburg – A mass stabbing left one young man dead and six relatives hurt on Sunday afternoon.

It all started over a stolen jacket, said a relative of the dead man, 23-year-old Danisile Mayibenye.
For more http://www.news24.com

Alleged heart-eater’s bail bid continues


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Johannesburg – The Athlone Magistrate’s Court, in Cape Town, will hear closing arguments on Monday in the bail application of a Zimbabwean man accused of killing a man and eating his heart.

On Thursday, the court heard that Andrew Chimboza, 35, was a danger to society and a flight risk.

Testifying in his bail application, investigating officer Sergeant Mpumelelo Yengwa said there was nothing keeping Chimboza in South Africa as he had no property or children.

Yengwa said he opposed bail because residents might kill Chimboza, he could kill himself, or endanger others. He believed the State had a strong case against him.

Chimboza came to Cape Town from Zimbabwe in 2009 and ran a window-tinting business.

On Wednesday, Chimboza testified he stabbed Mbuyiselo Manona, 62, to death in self-defence at the Gugulethu home of a female client on 10 June.

He said Manona had been belligerent for no reason and attacked him without warning when his client had left to buy alcohol.

He rejected the State’s claim that he had eaten Manona’s heart and said the blood on his face had been from a gash to the head and Manona’s spurting wounds.
– SAPA

Motata still getting salary while probe is on


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Johannesburg – While an investigation into complaints against drink-and-drive High Court Judge Nkola Motata are on hold, he continues to stay at home and earn a monthly salary, the Star reported on Monday.

Lusanda Ntuli of the office of the Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said Motata had not been released from service.

“He is still receiving a monthly salary,” Ntuli said.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing a complaint of racism against Motata was postponed in February pending a challenge to legislation relating to the tribunal.

The section of the act being challenged empowered the tribunal’s president to appoint a National Prosecuting Authority official to collect evidence on the tribunal’s behalf.

The tribunal was to probe Motata’s conduct after he crashed his car into the wall of businessman Richard Baird’s Johannesburg property in January 2007. Motata was found guilty of drunk driving in 2009.

He allegedly said while drunk: “No boer is going to undermine me; this used to be the white man’s land but it isn’t anymore.”

He also allegedly told a metro policeman not to support a white man.

He went to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to stop the JSC from probing the complaint about his remarks, but his application was unsuccessful.
– SAPA

I am as healthy as anything – Zuma


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Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma is healthy and continues with his work, he said in an interview posted online.

“There is no problem. I am as healthy as anything,” Zuma said in an interview clip on the My ANC channel on YouTube posted earlier in July.

“In fact my doctors have been saying young people are going to envy you if they knew how healthy you are…I am healthy, and I am working.”

He said people were speculating about his health.

“I read in newspapers about how sick I am and what diseases are in me. I was shocked that that may be another Jacob Zuma, not this one.”

Exhaustion

After the May general elections, Zuma was exhausted and doctors had ordered him to take some rest, he said.

“Doctors took a very good decision that I should take it easy, and that is what I have done.”

Last month, Zuma spent a weekend in hospital.

At the time, African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe said Zuma, 72, went for a routine health check and was exhausted from election campaigning.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa stood in for Zuma.

The ANC said its election campaign had been punishing and all senior members of the party would take time off one after another to “re-energise”.

Zuma is currently in Brazil for a Brics summit, and also watched the final of the 2014 Soccer World Cup.

– SAPA

Surge in child-on-child sexual abuse


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Johannesburg – A surge in child-on-child sexual assault cases has been noted by both NGOs and government’s social development department, it was reported on Monday.
For more http://www.news24.com

NPA losing the war on drugs – experts


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Durban – The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit has been paralysed by the vicious leadership battle in its uppermost ranks, and losing the fight against well-heeled drug barons is collateral damage.
For more http://www.news24.com