By Obakeng Maje

Springbok-Police open cases of murder after two children were allegedly shot and killed by a police. Case of murder, inquest, as well as negligent and reckless driving were opened on Thursday between 01:00 and 03:00 am. 

“It is alleged that two children, a 16-year-old Anthony Pascal Cloete and a 13-year-old Mary-Ann Justine Cloete were shot and killed at Viooltjies street in Springbok” Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. 

“It is alleged that Reservist Constable Phillip Collins who was on duty at the time, contacted Springbok Police and said that he just shot his two children and he was about to kill himself” police said. 

Upon arrival, police noticed the damaged SAPS vehicle next to the road and immediately drove to Collins girlfriend’s house. 

Police found a 49 year-old Phillip Collins lying on the ground with the service pistol next to his body. Collins was declared dead on the scene. 

“The members proceeded to Viooltjies street where they found two children that were declared dead on the scene as well” said Mdhluli. 

Reservist Constable Phillip Collins was employed as an Admin Clerk as well as a Police Reservist in the South African Police Service. 

At this stage the motive for the killing of the two children, as well as self is unknown. 

The investigation continues.

Cape Town – The bus driver responsible for the deaths of 23 people at the Hex River Pass told the Cape Town Regional Court he wished he had died along with his passengers.

Sisa Nonama took the stand on Wednesday to testify in mitigation of sentence after he pleaded guilty to 23 counts of culpable homicide.

Nonama said the May 5, 2010 crash adversely affected him and his family. He said he was not coping well since the crash and often found himself thinking about the fateful day.

Nonama and his brother, Malinga Nonama, the owner of the bus, were initially charged with 23 counts of murder, 53 of attempted murder, and for contravening the National Road Traffic Act, but the charges were withdrawn against Malinga Nonama when Sisa Nonama pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide.

(Sisa) Nonama acknowledged that 76 people were crammed into the bus, which was certified to carry 64 passengers. The crash occurred en route from Leeu Gamka to Cape Town.

“I am sorry. It would have been better if I also passed away in that accident, rather than suffering like this,” Nonama said.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Willem Tarentaal questioned Nonama on whether he thought he was suffering because he sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives, or because of his ill health.

Nonama had testified that he suffered from a life-threatening disease, as well as TB, kidney problems and shortness of breath. He also had difficulty walking “far distances”. But he reiterated that he was remorseful.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

The Nedbank Cup Last 16 draw took place in Johannesburg today.

Johannesburg – The Independent Police Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the death of a man who, according to cellphone footage, was dragged for about 400m behind a police van.

The amateur cellphone video footage, obtained by the Daily Sun, shows SAPS members handcuffing the Mozambican taxi driver to the back of a police van and dragging him for about 400m behind their vehicle in Daveyton, on the East Rand.

The man reportedly later died of various injuries.

“We are still interviewing the witnesses because the allegations are that he was dragged with the police vehicle,” Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Ipid were also attempting to locate the person who filmed the video to “authenticate the footage”, reports said.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

The North West ANC Provincial Executive Committee is meeting today and among other things to be discussed is the future of embattled  North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, China Dodovu. Dodovu is a suspect in the murder case of ANC Regional Secretary in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Obuti Chika.

He appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate Court yesterday, his case was postponed to Monday where the bail hearing will continue.

According to Supra Mahumapelo, North West ANC chairperson, the Mangaung conference resolved that steps must be taken against all ANC members who are formally charged with criminal activities. Dodovu is the eighth suspect to be arrested in connection with Chika murder. Other accused are  community member Jeffrey Letuka, 28, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, 27, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, 33, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, 50, municipal worker William Malefo, 46, Sihlangu Sekhakhane and taxi driver Kgotso Kali, 36.

They were all arrested earlier this month. Chika, 33, was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his home in Alabama, Klerksdorp, on December 14. He died at Klerksdorp Hospital shortly after his arrival there. He was the ANC’s regional secretary in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

For more details go to http://www.northwestnewsonline.wordpress.com

Johannesburg – A woman, who was arrested when the bodies of two babies were found in a chest freezer in KwaMashu, will appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The bodies of a four-month-old baby and a newborn were found amongst chicken pieces and meat on January 26, after police received a tip-off from local residents.

The woman had allegedly been running an illegal funeral home called Mabinda Funeral Services.

She had been declared insolvent, and her assets liquidated. Despite this, she allegedly continued running the business.

The bodies were recovered when police conducted an in-loco inspection.

The woman was arrested and charged with contravening the Human Tissue Act. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-A case against eight suspects who are implicated in Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality regional secretary Oubuti Chika murder has been postponed.

NPA sposkesperson Medupi Simasiko said they will oppose a bail for suspects.

“We believe we have a strong case against suspects and we will oppose their bail application” NPA spokesperson said.

“We are convinced that the exhibits we obtain is more essential” Hawks said.

The Hawks outline that their evidence will be presented in court next week.

MEC for Local government and Traditional Affairs China Dodovu said his arrest is “politically-motivated”.

The arrest came after Oubuti Chika was shot in a point-blank at his house in Alabama,near Klerksdorp two days before Mangaung.

He was rushed to hospital and passed on shortly after his arrival.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Despite the pothole sealing work currently done on First Street in the Industrial Site in Mahikeng, businesses along the street have blamed the local municipality for profit loss due to the road nightmare.

The road on the street has become a disaster with ever increasing deep potholes and motorists experience havoc with large traffic volumes getting stuck during rainy weather.

“I’ve given up hope. In my entire life for 44 years this road has been a crisis and has been reconstructed three times in 1986, 1992 and last year but it remains a ghost. I’ve lost a business and my clients have turned against me because of potholes and mini lakes that occur when it rains and again there is no drainage system,” said Car Care business owner, Andre Davids.

Sharpline Signs company co-owner, Mike Frits said: “Companies doing business with us have disappeared. I’ve lost my vehicle engine since I got stuck when I drove my car through stationary water on this road.

“Our company has been here since 1986 and it does not help patching up the road with soil which is washed away by the rain water.

The municipality has spent tax payers’ money and should now take responsibility for loss of our business profit”.

Nkosinathi Masombuka, a motorist complained about his vehicle wheel alignment. “I use this road going to work everyday. I keep paying for my wheel alignment because the potholes keep damaging my vehicle,” he said.

The road is one of the four projects under investigation by the SIU following unjustifiable expenditure.

For more details go to http://www.thenewage.co.za