Category Archives: NEWS

Zandspruit protest continues overnight


Johannesburg – A protest in the Zandspruit informal settlement near Honeydew continued on Wednesday, Johannesburg metro police said.

“Protest action continued the entire night,” said Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

He said that Beyers Naude Drive, between Johan and Peter roads, was still blocked off due to the protest, and advised motorists to use alternative routes.

On Tuesday, residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and stones in a protest against the removal of their shacks.

Captain Doniah Mothutsane said residents had illegally erected shacks along Beyers Naude Drive, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

She said metro police had removed their structures earlier in the day, which caused the residents to protest. Police had met residents about the matter last week.

A bakkie and an old vehicle which was parked at a petrol station in the area had been torched.

No arrests had been made yet and no injuries were reported.

Police were monitoring the area, said Mothutsane.

SAPA

NPA: Conditions on Pistorius trial


Johannesburg – The National Prosecuting Authority had a number of conditions should media houses broadcast Oscar Pistorius’s murder trial.

However, the NPA would not say what these conditions were.

The North Gauteng High Court will on Wednesday hear an application by media houses to broadcast the trial.

The application is being brought by news channel eNCA who is being joined in its bid by MultiChoice and Eyewitness News.

A 24-hour TV channel dedicated to the upcoming trial will reportedly be launched on DStv a day before the star athlete goes on trial.

MultiChoice and EWN said it was proposing permission to use unmanned, remote controlled high definition cameras which would feed to all broadcasters, if the application was successful.

The NPA said it would not oppose the application.

Pistorius is accused of killing his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February last year. His trial is expected to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court from 3 to 20 March.

It was not immediately clear if Pistorius’s legal team would oppose the application.

SAPA

Zuma chuckles as Opposition blasts him


Cape Town – Opposition MPs on Tuesday told President Jacob Zuma he had failed to match up to his predecessors, Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela.
Democratic Alliance leader Lindiwe Mazibuko was the first opposition party leader to tell the National Assembly that Zuma’s “poor leadership” had reversed much of the progress South Africa had made up to 2009.

Mazibuko vowed to table a motion to impeach Zuma if the public protector’s report on Nkandla found him guilty of wrongdoing.

Speaking during the debate on Zuma’s State of the Nation address, Mazibuko told MPs she wanted to deliver a strong message on the Nkandla “scandal”, which involved spending over R206m of public money on Zuma’s private homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.

“I want to use this opportunity to send a very clear message to our honourable members, that should the honourable President be involved in any wrongdoing in the Public Protector’s report on the Nkandla scandal, I will not hesitate to table a motion to impeach him in this House.”

Mazibuko said she could not guarantee opposition parties would win such an impeachment vote, but said millions of South Africans would be calling on MPs to do the right thing.

“They know the real story – that our country cannot afford another five years of President Zuma’s administration.”

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on Nkandla is set to be released on 1 March.

Minutes later, Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota said the country was ruing the day former president Thabo Mbeki was forced out of office.

“South Africa today is less happy than when President Mbeki was driven out of office,” he said.

Lekota served as a minister under Mbeki and broke away from the ANC in 2008 after Mbeki was forced to step down as president. He said under Zuma the country had racked up trillions of rands in debt and wasted billions more every year.

“Is it any wonder that township after township in the province you govern are going up in flames?”

Govt failed SA

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said Zuma and his government made promises but delivered very little.

“Considering this last quarter of our democratic era, one blatant truth demands to be spoken: Mr President, under your watch, this government has failed South Africa,” Buthelezi said.

“Twenty years ago, words like ‘rainbow nation’, ‘miracle transition’, ‘freedom’, and ‘reconciliation’ filled the public discourse. Under your leadership, Mr President, those words have become ‘Marikana’, ‘scandal’, ‘protest’, and ‘corruption’.”

Some MPs in ANC benches heckled Buthelezi, while Zuma and some of his Cabinet ministers sat chuckling in their seats.

Buthelezi quoted both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on their warnings that people should criticise the “oppressed” if they became the “oppressors”.

“It is painful, but I cannot stand in this House in good conscience and say that today’s ANC is the ANC in which I cut my political teeth. It is not the same creature. It is hideously transformed,” Buthelezi said.

Acid test

Election day, he said, would be an acid test for the country.

“On the 7th of May, South Africa will visit the trauma unit. Whether we emerge healed, or dying, is up to the electorate.”

Cabinet ministers jumped to Zuma’s defence.

Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said Zuma was correct to say the country had a good story to tell.

“In fact, it is an extraordinary story of a remarkable political and socio-economic transformation, one that is probably unparallelled in recent history both for the speed of its achievement and the wide-ranging diversity of areas that have seen fundamental change,” she said.

“The only cloud hanging over this good story, Mr Speaker, is the uninspiring negativity and poor grace of the opposition parties that have spoken here today.”

SAPA

Sadtu angry Soobrayan aquitted


Johannesburg – The acquittal of basic education director general Bobby Soobrayan was met with anger by the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) on Tuesday.

“The return of Bobby to the helm of the department is nothing short of a declaration of war and we will not lie down and play dead under these circumstances,” Sadtu’s national working committee said in a statement.

Earlier, education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi said Soobrayan had been found not guilty of misusing funds and signing an agreement on the department’s behalf without the authority to do so.

The Sadtu national working committee said Soobrayan’s disciplinary process was “clearly a sham… tailor-made to exonerate him”.

“The director general contravened basic principles of the Public Finance Management Act by signing, without any mandate, a major collective agreement and as far as we are concerned he has lost credibility and cannot be taken seriously.”

In April, Sadtu marched in Cape Town and Pretoria to demand the resignations of Soobrayan and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. The following month Sadtu met Motshekga, who agreed to the union’s demand for an investigation into Soobrayan’s conduct.

In return, the union dropped its call for her resignation and suspended its threat to embark on a 21-day work-to-rule protest.

On Tuesday, Sadtu said it was regretful that some of its members, who were senior officials at the department, had defended Soobrayan.

“As a matter of principle, we refuse to keep people in our fold who go as low as protecting their masters at the expense of collective bargaining and quality public education. We have thus resolved to summarily terminate their memberships.”

The union’s national working committee would hold a meeting to decide its response to Soobrayan’s acquittal.

Lesufi said Soobrayan was on special leave during the disciplinary hearing, held in December.

“The allegations against the director general emanated from Sadtu and they were properly consulted by the prosecutor and their attorneys [were] allowed to attend the disciplinary hearing.”

Lesufi said no complaint was received after the disciplinary hearing was finalised.

SAPA

Two nabbed after police gun robbery


By Obakeng Maje
Kuruman-Two suspects appeared briefly before Mothibistad Magistrate Court in connection of armed robbery.

“It is alleged that on Saturday,Thuso Leboko,29, and Rebaone Leboko,23, attacked an on-duty police officer, stationed at Batlharos police station and robbed him of his service pistol” lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.

The police said the incident allegedly happened at a local supermarket not far from Batlharos police station, where the victim is stationed.

“Apparently the suspects opened the door of the police vehicle in which the victim was driving in and grabbed him and forcefully removed his service pistol from the holster” Tawana said. 

After removing the firearm from the holster, one of the suspects attempted to shoot him, but the firearm could not discharge a bullet.

“They fled the crime scene on foot into the village, and shortly robbed a local tuck shop off undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and airtime at gun point” he said.

Batlharos police with the help of the neighbouring police stations like Tsineng and Kuruman K9 unit immediately launched a man hunt. They were arrested after the members of the community tipped off the police about the suspects’ whereabouts.

Afterwards a high speed chase ensued and the suspects were arrested in nearby bushes in the area of Batlharos. The service firearm and magazine with full ammunition was also retrieved in a yard.

“It seems as if the suspects threw the pistol and magazine while they were running away from the police” he outlines.

Batlharos station Commander Captain Modise extends his gratitude to the community of Batlharos after sharing the information which led to the arrest of the suspects with the police with the police.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Three bodies discovered after drowning in Pella village


By Obakeng Maje
In another unrelated incident, 3 males aged  12, 19 and 20 drowned while swimming in a quarry at Pella village, in Madikwe on Monday at about 17:00.

Police said their bodies were retrieved this morning.       

“Police in Potchefstroom also opened a case of Inquest after a body of a 7-year- old boy was found floating in the swimming pool at  his parents’ house in Potchefstroom in December 2013” Makau said.

It is alleged that the boy was last seen sleeping in one of the bedrooms, but was not found there when the grandmother looked for him.

The most important rule of water is that everyone should respect water, the water environment and the dangers involved. Always be on the lookout for advisory signs in both natural and public environments.

“Alcohol and water safety do not go together. Alcohol abuse blunts your sense of judgement, strengths and stamina. The most dangerous time at a picnic, is on arrival, when parents are unpacking and children venture to discover their surroundings” she said.

Residents are requested to take care of themselves and apply the following precautionary measures.  

Safety Tips 

∙Do not get into water alone, unless you are a strong swimmer.
∙Children should never swim alone.
∙Ensure that the water depths are appropriate for swimming and diving.
∙Children should be constantly supervised when they are near water, even during bath time.
∙Install a safety barrier around home swimming pools.
∙Empty baths, basins, sinks immediately after use.
∙Do not duck or push others into rivers.
∙Never cross overflowing rivers.
∙Be careful not to stand on an overhanging bank.
∙Before entering the water, check for the presence and strength of a current.
•If caught in a fast river current, float feet first in order to absorb any impact with the feet and legs, thus protecting the head and body from serious injury.
∙Extreme care should always be taken when entering rivers because of their changeable nature.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_ 

 

 

Taung man swept away by floods


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-The police in the North West are concerned about the escalating number of reported cases of drowning in rivers, dams, streams and swimming pools in various parts of the Province.  

The recent reported cases of drowning include that of a man in Taung who allegedly crossed a flooding river with his donkey cart.

“Police divers managed to get his cart and two donkeys and his body was only recovered after five days” captain Pelonomi Makau.

Another inquest case was registered in Vryburg at Rosendaal farm on Saturday when two boys,aged 10 and 15 years old drowned in a quarry after they went out for swimming.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Hammer-man back in the streets after escaping from jail

NEWS Leave a comment

CrimeTapeSmall
By Obakeng Maje
Mmabatho- The Police in Mmabatho have launched a manhunt after 7 awaiting trial detainees escaped from lawful custody in the early hours of today, 18 February 2014 at approximately 01:00.

The escapees include Solomon Moleko who is commonly known as “hammer-man” charged with Rape and Murder. The others are Patrick Bogodile charged with Theft of Motor vehicle, Gaothaelwe Lesole facing a charge of House robbery, Boitumelo Moiloa charged with murder, Goitseone Mogodunyane charged with possession of suspected stolen property, Charles Pheta facing a charge of Car hi-jacking and robbery as well as Mogomotsi Sebolane who is also facing a charge of car hi-jacking and robbery.

“The suspects allegedly escaped by cutting the mesh wire of the cell and of the ceiling and finally escaped” brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

The Police are appealing to the community members to assist in arresting the suspects. Anyone with the information of the suspects is urged to call the Mmabatho Police Station on (018) 387 7500 or Crime Stop no. 08600 10111.

“The community is warned not to arrest the suspects in case they see them, but to report them to the nearest police station. Escape from lawful custody have been registered for investigation” Ngubane said.

Police said circumstances that led to the escape will be investigated and if it can be found that there was negligence by the police, necessary steps will be taken.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Rape, murder suspect nabbed in KZN

NEWS Leave a comment

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Durban – A man accused of committing a number of violent crimes was arrested in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.

“The suspect, 27, was wanted for house robbery, rape, murder, attempted murder, and hijackings in the area that were reported in the past four months,” said police spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane.

He was arrested on Monday.

Zwane said in January the man and his gang allegedly robbed a 51-year-old woman and her family at their home in the Matshana area.

“The victims were threatened with firearms and were robbed of their belongings, including cash, a wrist watch and a DVD player. The suspects fled the scene on foot,” said Zwane.

Police commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said police would work around the clock to try and link him to other house robbery, rape, and hijacking cases that were reported in Empangeni and surrounding areas.

– SAPA

Nkandla public violence trial set for May

NEWS Leave a comment

Image

Johannesburg – Three minors and 27 adults accused of public violence following an EFF event near President Jacob Zuma‘s Nkandla homestead will go to trial in May, the NPA said on Tuesday.

“The accused appeared in court today [Tuesday] and the matter was adjourned to 19 May for trial,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said.

The trial had been set down for four days in the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court.

The arrested were granted bail of R500 each last month, on condition they not interfere with witnesses. The minors were released into the care of their guardians.

Last month, the Economic Freedom Fighters and their leader Julius Malema handed over a house they had built for a woman and her grandchildren.

The house is about 300 metres from Zuma’s KwaZulu-Natal homestead. There was a massive police presence at the event.

When Malema arrived for the handover, ANC members prevented his car from advancing, forcing him to get out and walk to the house.

After he made it through the crowd, ANC supporters began throwing bottles of water and stones.

Later, the ANC supporters were on a nearby hill when EFF members emerged from their meeting and began singing.

Some of the ANC group began throwing stones at them and police intervened using truncheons, a water cannon, and teargas. Rubber bullets were fired and people ran and dived for cover.

– SAPA