The province has finally released its Easter road accident report, which shows that 22 people died on North West’s roads during the long weekend.

The 22 include five youths who died when a Johannesburg-based lawyer, Mandla Gumbi, crashed into a group of 12 people in Ledig, near Sun City on April 1.

Capt Adele Myburgh said the deaths were recorded between March 27 and April 3. Last year, 19 people lost their lives during the same period.

“A total of 15 culpable homicide cases were opened and are under investigation,” she said. In some of the incidents, drivers lost control of their vehicles, resulting in crashes and loss of life.

“For instance, one person died after a motorist lost control of his vehicle at about 2am on the Lichtenburg/Coligny road on March 27 and nearly the same incident happened the following day at Mooinooi when another person was killed after a motorist lost control of the vehicle at about 4am,” she said.

An eight-year-old boy lost his life in Ipelegeng, Potchefstroom, when he fell off a trailer at about 4pm on March 28.

Myburgh added that two vehicles collided and three people died on the R501 road between Muiskraal and Klerkskraal at around 1am on March 28, bringing more concern to motorists travelling at night.

“This applies also to the incident in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp, on March 30 where a motorist died after his vehicle left the road and hit a tree at about 11pm,” she said.

The issue of pedestrians dying on the roads also raised concern especially after the incident where five young people were killed early the morning of April 1 in Ledig.

Five other pedestrians lost their lives on the same day in other incidents.

“Some of the incidents include the one in Boitekong, near Rustenburg where a pedestrian died after being hit by a vehicle on the R510 road at about 8pm. Earlier, another pedestrian lost his life near Sun City after he was hit at about 6pm.

“Another incident was recorded along the N12 in Potchefstroom at about 8pm on the same day.

“Motorists should drive cautiously, rest every two hours and not exceed the speed limits. Alcohol or medication can also impair concentration.”

Residents from villages surrounding Mahikeng have criticised Eskom, claiming that the power utility had failed to compensate them for damage to their property caused by the load shedding crisis that left many parts of the country in darkness in 2008.

During a recent visit by Deputy Minister of Energy Barbara Thompson, who was joined by Mahikeng mayor, Lena Miga, to switch on electricity to households in three villages, the residents threatened to ask the public protector to help them recover expenses incurred for damages to their propert.

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

The ANC caucus at the Tlokwe local municipality has threatened to reve rse all decisions taken by ousted DA mayor Annette Combrinck after the North Gauteng High Court ruled that her election as first citizen of the metro was illegal.

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

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Twelve young ladies will take on each other in what is promised to be tense competition for the JNR FACE OF MHK on the 04th May at Mmabatho Palms Resort Hotel. From 17:30 to 22:30. 

Pre Judging was held at Mafikeng mall were judges wanted to see if girls got what it takes to be great young Ambassador around Mahikeng.

“We sending them to Miss Teenagers of South African. The girls need more training and workshop before the final day. Said the reigning Face Of Mahikeng “Molebogeng Nkagisang.

“On the 20th of April we will have Display Fashion Show were we will unveil the designers who will be dressing the Jnr Face OF Mahikeng on that nite” said Lesco Molamu. 

Molamu said the entry is free, but urges those who will attend to come to with their unsued clothes for donation. 

“We urge people to donate their unused clothes as we have home (shelter) to help in Itsoseng” plea Molamu.  

Second round of Pre-Judging will be held at undisclosed place were their Ambassador, Mr King SA Christ Mocks will be there to evaluate the girls more and he will be accompanied by Xhabiso Mxaba Mr SA Finalist 2013, Face OF MHK Molebogeng Nkagisang and Mr MHK Lawrence Modise said Lesco Molamu.  

Pageant presents opportunity to many young girls not only to showcase their modelling talents at a bigger stage, but they are also presented with a platform to launch their career and ease with confidence. 

“We urge young boys to take pageant serious.I am busy with my career right now. I want to be the next Mr SA. This year I decided to build my profile and brand first” said Mr MHK Lawrence Modise. 

“The objective of Face Of Mhk is to build self-esteem amongst teenagers an also help them to be capable of speak in public.

We want to empower and nurture them at the younger age” Chris Mocks said. 

“Good luck to all those who be taking part” said Pageant Ambassador Chris Mocks.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Roodepan-Police are investigating a case of murder after a 37-year-old Eric Brand being stabbed to death with a broken bottle of beer. 

A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this atrocity. 

“It is alleged that the suspect and the deceased had an argument, however it is not clear at this stage as to what was the argument all about between the two” Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the Lorato Park, after the deceased pestered with suspect’s girlfriend from a local tavern in Lorato Park said Tawana.  

“However the investigation continues to adduce the crux of the matter” said police. 

It appears as if during the argument the suspect broke off the empty beer bottle and stab Eric in the left side of the head, adjacent to the ear. After stabbing the deceased, the suspect left the crime scene and he was arrested few hours later at his home. 

“The deceased was certified dead on the scene” Olebogeng Tawana said.

The suspect is due to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges of murder.

North West – The mining industry does not like workers, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“The industry does not like mineworkers, they want to exploit you to make more money,” Mantashe said.

He was speaking about problems in the mines during his political lecture at the Ben Marais hall in Rustenburg.

He said the mining industry would send workers home if they lost limbs or were injured because they were no longer productive.

He said the mines wanted to see the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) destroyed because the union was fighting against exploitation.

“The attack on the NUM is an attack on us. We know the attack is on us. They want to hijack and steal our revolution. They see the mineworkers as a vehicle to hijack the revolution,” he said.

“You are not being victims because of your membership to NUM but because you are a loyal member of the revolution.”

Mantashe said to restore peace and stability in the mines, companies should not close the NUM offices but leave them open and open an office for the other emerging unions.

“Leave the NUM to service its members and let the workers see the difference.”

He said the NUM had a track record and all the other unions were fighting for what NUM had already achieved.

“This is their blood and sweat. The new unions do not bring anything new. What new things are they are bringing? They want all that NUM gains.”

Mantashe said the African National Congress had a responsibility to make sure that conditions were improved in areas around the mines.

“The ANC must make sure there is a road in Nkaneng. These conditions are being used to mislead people.”

The NUM has lost members since the violent strikes at Impala Platinum in February last year, and at Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin Platinum mine in August and September.

In his welcome speech ANC Bojanala regional chairman Louis Diremelo said NUM had lost close to 35 000 members to the Association of Mine and Construction Workers Union (Amcu).

“The NUM must fight. The action starts today,” he said.

SA Communist Party provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha said the struggle for mineworkers should not be used by those who wanted to further their careers.

“You cannot lead workers to a strike and never submit demands to management. In Bokoni, workers went on strike for two months without submitting demands, the only demand was to close the NUM office.”

He said the political lectures on Sunday were held to clarify lies being spread about the NUM. – Sapa

North West police are searching for a man who repeatedly raped a 92-year-old woman in Mmakau in the early hours of Sunday.

“The Gogo’s front door was locked by chains, but forcefully broken, in order for the suspect to gain entry,” said Captain Adele Myburgh.

She said the man repeatedly raped the woman for three hours before fleeing on foot.

The elderly woman was severely traumatised and taken to hospital.

“The police would like to urge all children of elderly parents to not allow their parents to stay alone.” – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-North West police were called to a scene where a suspect was give a wrath of justce by angry community members after business robbery.

A 37 year-old man and his accomplice allegedly pounced on a owner of a bottle store in Montshioa.

Police said two suspects produced a firearm and a knife and ordered the owner to handed over cash.

“Two suspects allegedly robbed a bottle store undisclosed money and one was arrested by angry mob” captain Adele Myburgh said.

One suspect was chased after by bottle store employees after they fled the scene said police.

“Another suspect is still at large and a 37 year-old suspect was allegedly assaulted and is in ICU at a local hospital” Myburgh said.

A firearm used in a crime was handed over to police and injured suspect is under police guard at a hospital.

Police investigation continues and the suspect will appear before Mmabatho Magistrate Court as soon when he is fit.

Premier Modise calls on police to investigate whether abducted woman was not raped

North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on police to investigate whether the Ventersdorp woman who was allegedly abducted for eight days and assaulted during her ordeal had not been raped. This follows the arrest of a man in connection with the alleged crime.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible violence against women and call on women who are in abusive relationships to speak out so that they are could be assisted before it’s too late,” stressed Premier Modise.

In commenting police for the arrest Premier Modise added that there is no place in our society for those who dehumanise women and treat them as objects upon which they could vent their emotions.

According to Captain Adele Myburgh, the man was arrested on Friday for the alleged crime and is due to appear in court on Monday.

Captain Myburgh said that the woman who claimed that she was assaulted with a spade, throttled with a tie and locked inside the suspect’s home .She was rescued by her family after they had launched a search and found her at the arrested suspect’s home.

The woman has since been taken for medical examination and treatment.