Free State – Two police officers were injured on Monday during a protest by Zamdela township residents in Sasolburg, Free State police said.

“It is critical now in Zamdela. We have police officials injured and they are being attacked by the mob,” said Constable Peter Kareli.

Residents, who were protesting against municipal demarcation plans, were throwing stones and had barricaded the road.

A police Nyala had become stuck in mud and protesters had attacked the officers inside.

“Water cannons have been used and some rubber bullets. The helicopter is also firing rubber bullets,” said Kareli. “The situation is volatile.”

The protests started on Sunday when residents came out of a meeting about municipal demarcation.

They were apparently unhappy about plans to merge Sasolburg into the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys falls.

Nearly 90 people were arrested and charged with public violence on Sunday when they ran amok and looted shops in the township.

“More people were arrested at around 3am this morning (Monday) as they continued to loot shops,” Kareli said.

The total number of those arrested since Sunday had not yet been officially tallied, but it was estimated that almost 150 people had been taken into custody.

Those arrested on Sunday were expected to appear in the Sasolburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of public violence. – Sapa

Durban – South Africa coach Gordon Igesund says the pressure to emulate the country’s 1996 triumph in the African Cup of Nations is affecting his players.

Speaking on Sunday in Durban – the team’s base for its remaining Group A matches – Igesund said the current squad should not be compared to the “legends” of 1996.

Bafana Bafana kicked off the 2013 tournament with a disappointing goalless draw against newcomer Cape Verde in Johannesburg on Saturday.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Bafana v Cape Verde

“There’s a lot of talk about the ’96 squad, it’s right in our faces,” Igesund said. “The players are seeing this and reading this all the time … It’s something that wasn’t there and shouldn’t be there. It’s been created. So we have to deal with it.”

Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Neil Tovey and Mark Williams were part of the 1996 squad which lifted the continental crown on home soil.

“Our players want to emulate that, the nation wants them to … I think it’s a good motivation,” Igesund said. “The ’96 squad is full of legends and they’ve done a magnificent job but it’s created pressure.

“(Players) should not be thinking about that right now, they should be taking each game as it comes.”

South Africa plays its next match against Angola on Wednesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, before facing Morocco in its final group match next Sunday. Angola and Morroco also played to a goalless draw in its opening match Saturday.

AP

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-North West province ANC held a celebration event this past weekend at Moretele.

The aim was to re-form and rekindling the objectives of the ruling party.

One of the issues that form part of discussions was the possibility of re-naming the province.

“We will be discussing the possibility of re-naming the North West province after one of its stalwarts,Moses Kotane” Supra Mahumapelo said.

The chairperson of ANC North West said the issue will be discussed first by the ruling party members and will be opened to the public afterwards.

Moses Kotane was born and bred in North West(formerly Transvaal & Bophuthatswana) and died in 1978 in Moscow after he suffered from stroke.

He was an activist and worked for different political parties and was a secretary-general of SACP.

Have your say,would you like the province to be re-named or stays as it is?

Go to http://www.taungdailynews.wordpress.com to cast your commends.

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By Obakeng Maje

Itsoseng-North West police opened an inquest case at Itsoseng  Police station after a 23 year old man was found dead yesterday(saturday)at Verdwaal 2.  

“The victim was found dead, lying in front of the door with foam coming out from his mouth” Setlhako said. “A white unknown poison was found next to him” colonel Emelda Setlhako said. 

An investigation continues. 

By Obakeng Maje

Jouberton- Police are investigating a case of murder after a man was stabbed with a screwdriver on saturday about 22:22.  

“It is alleged that an argument ensued between the deceased and the suspect after the deceased accused the suspect of kissing his girlfriend” police said. 

“The deceased allegedly took out a screwdriver and tried to stab the suspect” setlhako said. 

The suspect allegedly overpowered the deceased and he stabbed him several times on his upper body and he died on the scene. 

The suspect is still at large and investigation continues

By Obakeng Maje

Ottosdal- A 28 year-old man stabbed to death by unknown suspects North West police said.

“It is alleged that a cousin of a victim heard him screaming and went to investigate” Colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

“He allegedly found him bleeding with two wounds on his body” She said.

Emegency Service were called and a 28 year-old man was certified death by Tswaing Emegerncy Services.

No one has been arrested yet and investigations continue.

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho- North West police are investingating a case of rape and murder at Tloung village near Mmabatho after a 98 year-old granny murdered.

This gruesome event happened on saturday and no one has been arrested yet.

“A grandson was allegedly on his way to a funeral and decided to check on his grandmother. He was allegedly welcomed by this ordeal” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

“He allegedly found her granny covered with a blanket and strangled” She said.

According to police the granny stays with her great grandson who stays in the back room.

When questioned,he explained that he heard some huge sound in the house and thought maybe something has fallen,but he did not check what is happening.

“Investigations continue and we would like to ask anyone with information that could lead to any arrest to come forward” Setlhako said.

By Obakeng Maje

A Namibian National man was arrested in Kopfontein Border Post  on friday after Police recovered illicit Cigarettes estimated at R585 000.00 North West police said. “According to information,the police were busy searching at the arrival side of the border when a white Nissan truck with registration number of Gauteng province approached  the searching point” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“The Police allegedly requested the driver to produce his passport and to open the truck so that they can conducted the  search” Ngubane said. 

Upon opening of the truck  police realized that the length of the truck body from the inside is not the same as the truck body from outside. 

This was further confirmed by using the measuring tape and the outside was 70 meters and inside was 60 meters.

The driver was  directed to park the truck at the ramp for thorough  searching and  the truck body was suspected of having a possible false compartment from inside North West police said. 

The truck body was tapped and opened. 

Boxes with cigarettes were discovered at the  corner of the body truck.

The compartment was broken and 70 master cases of Shasha and 20 master cases  of Caspian blue cigarettes, each master case containing 50 cartons total value of R580,50.00 was discovered.

On questioning the driver he  alleged that he was going to load foil at  Alberton.

“A case of smuggling of illicit cigarettes was opened at Nietverdiend police station” police said. 

The suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Hosts South Africa played to a goalless draw against Cape Verde in the opening match of the 29th Edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013 at the National Stadium on Saturday, 19 January.

The match was played in wet conditions after incessant rains throughout the day.

The second Group A clash between Morocco and Angola also ended in a stalemate with both sides failing to find the back of the net, leaving Group A evenly matched.

The tournament was declared open by the State President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. Dignitaries who attended the colourful opening ceremony included among others President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou and the secretary general of FIFA, Jerome Valcke.

While Bafana Bafana enjoyed a lot of ball possession, they didn’t seem to trouble the opposing goalkeeper, leaving head coach Gordon Igesund a disappointed man.

He made three changes in the second half bringing on Lerato Chabangu, Thulani Serero and Katlego Mphela for Kagisho Dikgacoi, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Lehlohonolo Majoro respectively.

Bernard Parker and Mphela celebrated their 50th caps for Bafana Bafana who left thousands of their supporters disappointed on a vibrant night in which fans came in their thousands.

“We didn’t create any chances today and so for me the first half was very disappointing and a lot of players didn’t come to the party. After working so hard at training, I believe my players froze today and our midfield didn’t play at all today as we were trying to pump the balls forward. We needed a little bit of creativity, but the nerves got to the players and I have never seen them like this before. We looked very desperate for a goal,” said Igesund.

 “It looked liked the guys were panicking trying to play at a very high speed that we are not accustomed to. The first half was a complete waste of 45 minutes, but the second half was a little bit better. We are facing Angola and Morocco and these are games that we now need to win as we have put ourselves under pressure. Today I wanted to be very offensive, but it did not happen.”

Igesund thanked the fans who filled the National Stadium. He also believes all is not lost.

“We have to go for it against Angola, that is a match we have to win. In fact we have two games to play and I think five or six points might be enough to see us through. We got the point, it was important not to lose the game and on Wednesday we can’t draw that game. There are still six points to play for,” added Igesund.

Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo echoed the sentiments of the coach.

“Obviously we would have loved to get to a winning start so we could set the tone for the tournament, but nonetheless we have a point. We have another big game on Wednesday – and another one after that so there is a chance,” said Khumalo.

The draw in the other Group A match now means all the teams have one point each.

How South Africa and Cape Verde lined up:

South Africa:

Itumeleng Khune; Anele Ngcongca, Bongani Khumalo(c), Siyabonga Sangweni, Thabo Matlaba; Kagisho Dikgacoi (Lerato Chabangu), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thuso Phala, Siphiwe Tshabalala (Thulani Serero); Lehlohonolo Majoro (Katlego Mphela), Bernard Parker.

Cape Verde Islands:

Vozinha; Carlitos, Fernando Varela, Nando, Nivaldo; Babanco, Marco Soares, Platini, Toni Varela; Heldon, Ryan Mendes.

Johannesburg – No ANC member was elected to a position of leadership because of loyalty to President Jacob Zuma, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said on Friday.

“This [notion] is a serious assault on the character of many capable individuals in the ANC,” Mantashe told reporters in Johannesburg.

If news analysis of the African National Congress was done properly, these kind of assertions would not happen.

Mantashe said the ANC had been meeting with intellectuals and analysts.

Analysis of the party in newspaper columns was often worrying.

“Analysts and communicators must come [and talk to the ANC] and not do analysis from small corners,” he said.

This was “arrogance at its best”.

Mantashe’s remarks followed reports after the ANC’s national conference in Mangaung last month where members seeking new leadership were snubbed and excluded from positions of leadership.

The issue was discussed at the ANC’s one-day national executive committee (NEC) meeting held in Irene, south of Pretoria on Thursday.

The meeting was a continuation of the one held in Durban earlier this month.

Mantashe said during the meeting the NEC acknowledged its primary task of implementing the mandate of last month’s national conference.

This included focusing on ethics and political education as part of the “decade of the cadre” and delivering socio-economic freedom.

Problems

He said it was decided that youth unemployment should be tackled urgently.

The party also agreed that there was a need for the private sector to be monitored to ensure it was committing itself to the national programme outlined in the national development plan.

“High unemployment, deepening poverty and growing inequality remain the most pre-eminent problems facing society,” Mantashe said.

“As we deal with the situation in the mining industry, the challenges facing the agricultural sector, the reality of these three pre-eminent problems must inform the approach.”

The 20-member national working committee (NWC) was elected at the meeting. Half of them were women.

They are Jeff Radebe, Naledi Pandor, Lindiwe Zulu, Bathabile Dlamini, Nomvula Mokonyane, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Jackson Mthembu, Nathi Mthethwa, Malusi Gigaba, Derek Hanekom, Susan Shabangu, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Collins Chabane, Aaron Motsoaledi, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Blade Nzimande, Fikile Xhasa, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Sisa Mabe.

This was the first time the ANC was enforcing a provision of its constitution, which stated there had to be 50% representation of women in leadership.

However, the women elected to the NWC were elected on merit, Mantashe said.

The NWC is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ANC.