By Obakeng Maje

PRETORIA – Over the past few months, concerns have been raised about the practices of certain unscrupulous firearms dealers, who are not complying with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).  

“The practice within the firearm dealership fraternity is to collect payment, from an applicant for a competency certificate and a licence for a firearm for self-defence purposes, as a deposit pending the processing of the licence application” Minister Nathi Mthethwa said. 

The complaints relate to the following:

1. That certain dealers withhold either the entire or a portion of, the deposit paid by the applicant when the application is either refused or where the refusal is subject to an appeal.  

2. That certain dealers sell or dispose the firearm for which a deposit has been paid to another person while the application for a firearm is still pending.  

3. That firearms for self-defence purposes such as Norincos and Lorcins that have defects are sold or offered mainly to applicants who are members of the black population. 4. That there is collusion between certain firearm dealers with certain members of the Central Firearm Registry in the South African Police Service with the purpose of delaying the processing of the application for a firearm for self-defence purposes or the refusal of such application.  

“The above concerns are serious and cannot be brushed off lightly.  If proven to be true, they have potential negative indictment and impact on crime-reduction efforts” Mthethwa said.  

Minister said the proper, correct keeping of registers and the integrity of the Central Firearms Register are essential elements in a fight against crime.  

“As such, any lack of proper controls may lead to a proliferation of unlicenced firearms throughout the country.”

He outlines.

“In order to ensure that the provisions of the Act are properly complied with by the firearm dealers and that alleged malpractices do not take place to the detriment of applicants for firearm licences, I have decided to set up an independent investigation into the practices complained of is conducted,” stated the Minister. 

The terms of reference for the investigation will cover the following areas:

1. An investigation into the practices of certain dealers to trade in or sell  firearms that are reserved for an applicant for a firearms licence to another person pending the finalization of application for a firearm licence; 

2.An investigation into the circumstances or reasons behind the sale of a firearm that is reserved for the applicant for a firearms licence to another person pending the outcome of the firearm licence application; 

3.An investigation into the practice by certain dealers to sell or issue training certificates to applicants for a competency certificate to possess a firearm without proper training in the knowledge of the Act and the proper use of a firearm; 

4.An extent to which training certificates are issued by non-accredited training institutions; 

5.The compliance with criteria for the granting of accreditation to dealers and training institutions; and compliance with the conditions of accreditation; 

6.An assessment into the effectiveness of current policies, procedures and practices relating to the dealers and firearms training institutions; 

7.The language of instruction and its impact on the trainee with regard to proficiency in the use or handling of firearms and related matters; and 

8.Any other matter that affects compliance with the Act by dealers and training institutions.Minister Mthethwa’s decision to set up such a Committee is informed by the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) which empowers him to make regulations on conditions which the Registrar of Firearms may impose on a dealer. 

The Act requires that any dealer in firearms must be issued with a dealer’s licence in order to trade-in any firearm or ammunition.   

The Act also makes provision for the duties of dealers and under this provision, a dealer may trade in firearms or ammunition only on the premises specified in the dealer’s licence.

Dealers may not permit any person to trade in firearms or ammunition on his or her behalf unless that person is in possession of the appropriate competency certificate.  

They must also keep such registers as prescribed containing such information at the premises specified in the dealers licence.

The Committee will be headed by a Senior Counsel and three other members drawn from the legal fraternity.  The appointment process, including announcing the names of Committee chair and members, is at an advanced stage and will be communicated publicly in due course.

The Committee is legislatively empowered with the necessary powers and procedures to execute its mandate in accordance with the terms of reference.   

It will be given six weeks to complete its work from the time it commences.  The investigation will result in a written report to the Minister that incorporates findings as well as recommendations.

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THE scramble for ownership of South Africa’s tragic past – and the spoils that come with it – has begun in earnest.

The DA in Gauteng, led by members of its caucus in the provincial legislature, yesterday fired off a second salvo at the ANC, accusing it of failing to address the contentious and emotive issue of land reform.

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

After leaving the pitch in total disbelief a week ago following their disastrous league encounter against Ajax Cape Town, Kaizer Chiefs are looking to bounce back in style and wrap the Absa Premiership title against SuperSport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium tonight.

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

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A case of a rape suspect who allegedly raped a 14 year-old Matlapaneng girl resumes today at Taung Magistrate Court.

Sokhupa, 23 was arrested last year after he allegedly forced himself on a teenager.

He was arrested and appeared before Taung Magistrate Court where his case was postponed.

He is expected to apply for bail today.

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A case of a rape suspect who allegedly raped a 14 year-old Matlapaneng girl resumes today at Taung Magistrate Court.

Sokhupa, 23 was arrested last year after he allegedly forced himself on a teenager.

He was arrested and appeared before Taung Magistrate Court where his case was postponed.

He is expected to apply for bail today.

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By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-A motion championed by the DA to open up the tender process of the Tlokwe municipality at the adjudication stage to the public, where referred back once again by the ruling party. 

This motion has been referred back several times in order to get comprehensive reports form administration.  It has once again been postponed to one of council’s portfolio committees that has only had a hand full of sittings since 2011.

“The Governance and Administration Portfolio Committee (GAPCOM) of the Tlokwe City Council is the mechanism where policy matters are traditionally discussed, but have been non-functional in this mandate” Johann Coetzee said.

“Justice delayed, is justice denied” outlines Coetzee.

The people of Potchefstroom have to wait a while before they can be present where tenders are awarded.  

Coetzee said They must wait for a transparent municipality.  

And they must wait before they are empowered to keep the municipality accountable.

The DA presses on the Governance and Administration Portfolio Committee to consider the motion with the necessary expediency and responsibility that the people of Potchefstroom deserve. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad-The Pampierstad police are investigating a murder, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and four counts of assault which allegedly took place in between 29 April 2013 and 4 May 2013 in Pampierstad.

“It is alleged that eight men robbed the first tuck shop in the Sekhing Village near Pampierstad on 29 April 2013 at approximately 19:15pm” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

The owner of the tuck shop was threatened with a gun and the suspects took cash and airtime vouchers to the value of approximately R2000,00. 

The suspect fired one shot through the roof and fled the scene.

“The suspects pulled-off the second armed robbery on 01 May 2013 at a tuck shop in the Pampierstad Township at approximately 19:15pm. The suspects also threatened the tuckshop owner with a firearm but was apparently disturbed by entering customers. The suspects again fired their signature gun shot through the roof of this tuck shop and fled the scene without taking anything” Kock said.     

The alleged thugs carried on raging discomfort and instilling fear in the Pampierstad Township when they robbed a third tuck shop on Saturday, 4 May 2013 at approximately 19:15pm. 

The suspects allegedly took an undisclosed amount of cash and groceries from the tuck shop. Upon exiting the tuck shop the suspects met with a neighbour who came to enquire about the noise coming from the tuck shop. “It is alleged that one of the suspects fired that “signature shot” but this time wounded the 22 year old neighbour. The male victim known as Isaac Pico, suffered a close range gunshot wound in his head and died on the scene” police said. 

“The suspects fled the scene and allegedly visited a local tavern and assaulted four persons on separate occasions at the premises” he said. 

The police launched a manhunt and managed to arrest seven males at their homes in Pampierstad on Sunday, 5 May 2013. 

The police also managed to retrieve the firearm that was allegedly used during the murder and robbery at a residence in Pampierstad. 

The police arrested the eighth male suspect in Pampierstad on Friday, 10 May 2013.   

The eight male suspects are known as James Thladi(23), Malebo Mahadika(22), Serami Bosvark(21), Lebogang Pilane(24), Olebogeng Ndineni(19), Otsile Monamudi(20), Dumisani Mocumi(23) and Charles Olyn(25) appeared for a formal bail application in the Pampierstad District Court on Tuesday and application will continue on the 15 May 2013. 

The suspects will remain in custody.

The police members of Pampierstad are lauded for the swift arrests and the Pampierstad community is commended for their assistance with information in this regard. The SAPS is committed is to creating a safe and secure environment for all people and will not allow lawlessness in our society. 

The police request that information regarding the incident be forwarded to Detective Capt Frans Moratiwa at 082 443 8640. 

The investigation continues.

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Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi is hoping to bring his club form to the national team should he be selected for the away crucial World Cup qualifiers against  Central African Republic (CAR) and Ethiopia next month.

The big midfielder was in a splendid form on Monday night ((13 May 2013) when he helped his Crystal Palace side to a 2-0 victory over Brighton to reach the Championship final where they will face Watford at Wembley Stadium on 27 May. The winners will be promoted into the English Premiership, meaning if all goes well he might be just 90 minutes away from realising his dream.

“I must admit this has been my best season since coming to England. I have played over 40 games for Crystal Palace and I must admit I am a very happy man. I hope that next season, irrespective of where we finish in the league, I will play just as much,” said Dikgacoi from England.

“I also hope the form I am in, I will be able to bring it to the Bafana squad that is if I am fortunate to be selected for the forthcoming matches. 

“But what I need urgently after a long season is a bit of a break to see my family before I join the team in camp. I hope by that time Palace would have clinched a Premier League spot so I can bring the excitement to the national team.”

The midfield strongman is excited about playing at Wembley.

“Playing at that wonderful venue is a huge occasion for me as it will be for the first time I play at that magnificent stage. Most big matches are played at Wembley which goes to show the importance of the venue.

“I am excited about playing there and hope things go our way. We are playing a really good team in Watford, perhaps one of the most difficult sides to play against in the First Division. We have played them before and drew 2-2; so we have to double our efforts to beat them to the finishing line,” said Dikgacoi.

“We need a good game plan to stop them. We have about two weeks to the match so we will be well-rested when we get to the final and hope to give a good account of ourselves.”

Not only was the Bafana Bafana midfielder in sublime form the entire evening but he capped a good evening by creating a second goal that completely took the fighting off Brighton.

“We were expecting a tough match and we really got a good encounter. We were aware it could go either way having drawn the first leg 0-0 at home but we had no pressure as we went in as underdogs. 

“But now we should not get carried away because we still have a job to do. We wanted to get automatic qualification but we dropped off the race in the closing stages. Now that we are back in contention, we need to make the best of it because we should have wrapped it much earlier,” concluded Dikgacoi

Mahikeng-A taxi driver was arrested and fined R3 500 for loading 26 school children in a vehicle certified to carry 9 passengers. The driver was arrested along the Vryburg road during the Jaws special operations focusing on overloading, taxi/vehicle and driver fitness.

The North West Traffic Authorities issued about 38 summonses worth R28 900 to those found overloading and other offenses such as driving without driver’s licenses and PdPs during the operation which started as early as 4am this morning and lasted for six hours.

More than hundred commuters were left stranded and inconvenienced as their drivers had to be taken to different police stations to pay spot fines and those taxis were impounded. About four taxis were also impounded for being unroadworthy.

North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi said the department has realised that most of taxi drivers overload school kids and Traffic Authorities will definitely work hard and deal harshly with those found on the wrong side of the law.

“Most of overloading cases are registered in the morning more especially to school transport drivers. We will continue to monitor school transport on daily basis and those found overloading will be penalised,” said Maloyi.

MEC Maloyi further pleaded with parents to monitor their children’s transporters by making sure that they travel safe to and from school. “Parents must ensure that their children are transported with roadworthy vehicles and that they are not overloaded because that exposes them to danger.”

Maloyi said overloading is one of the contributory factors that lead to high number of fatalities on our road.

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A safari lodge company based at the Kruger National Park says a field guide who was filmed while charging on foot towards an elephant has been dismissed.

The announcement came after the online posting of a video that showed a man running at an elephant in the game reserve while his friends cheer and laugh. In the video, the elephant stands its ground, ears flapping, and then retreats.

The Singita company posted a statement on its Facebook page on Monday, saying it investigated the video and has dismissed the guide who ran at the elephant. It says disciplinary measures are “in progress” against others involved in the incident.

Video footage of the apparently inebriated man lunging out of his car and charging the elephant caused an uproar on Monday.

The footage, posted on wildlife site Latest Sightings (www.latestsightings.com), showed the unidentified guide charging towards the startled animal, with friends cheering and encouraging him.

The man runs towards the elephant, falls to the ground but gets up again and bolts in the direction of the animal.

“Run at him right now, run,” another voice is heard over the footage, which appeared to have been filmed by his colleagues.

The elephant initially swings its trunk towards the man, but soon makes its escape.

The man returns to his cheering friends.

Latest Sightings said on its Facebook page that it received the video at the weekend but it was unclear when the incident occurred.

Wild animals in the two-million-hectare park sometimes attack visitors and elephants have been known to overturn the cars of sightseers. – AFP, AP