Government should pay the legal fees of the miners injured or arrested in the Marikana shooting, the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) said on Friday.

“We are of the firm, unwavering belief that in order to guard against either perceived or real travesty of justice and in order to promote parity of arms, there is a positive duty on the State to fund both the victims and their lawyers at the Commission,” BLA’s Pritzman Busani Mabunda said in a statement.

“It can’t be countenanced in a constitutional democracy that funding is construed to be selective at the expense of the poor and downtrodden.”

Legal Aid SA had said earlier in the week it would not help the miners who were injured or arrested during the shooting in Marikana.

It would however continue to provide support to the families of the 34 miners killed on August 16, but not to the 78 people who were wounded, or the 275 who were arrested.

Given that the police and other government representatives making submissions to the commission were being represented by teams of eminent legal experts at the expense of the taxpayer, Mabunda said fairness dictated the same benefits should apply to the miners and their families.

“There is no good or sound reason why the police…should enjoy upper class representation at the expense of the taxpayer while the same rights are not accorded to the poor victims in the Commission,” he said.

“We implore on the government to take a lead and employ positive measures to ensure there is justice to the victims and not create an impression of apparent justice to the perpetrators.”

While the policy on provision of legal aid, contained in the Legal Aid Guide, did not make provision for Legal Aid SA to make available legal representation at commissions of inquiry, Mabunda said it was no excuse for government not to assist.

“The legislative impediment constraining the government from making provision of both legal and logistical support…should not serve as a defence for not doing so,” he said.

“This is so bearing in mind that the situation in Marikana is of its own kind. It was never anticipated that the nation would find itself in this kind of commission of inquiry as it has manifested itself.” – Sapa

A South African soldier who was killed in Dafur in Sudan two weeks ago has been laid to rest in Klerksdorp in the North West, the SABC reported on Saturday. Mourners described Mthuthuzeli van der Walt as a hero who died while on a peace mission.

Hundreds of people including South African National Defence Force officials, mayors and members of Parliament attended the funeral.

Van der Walt was part of the United Nation’s peace mission in Sudan. – Sapa

Potchefstroom –

A toddler was in a critical condition in hospital after he fell into a pool in Potchefstroom, North West paramedics said on Saturday.

“The parents went looking for the toddler outside on Friday evening and found him face down in the pool,” said spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson.

It was not clear as to how he ended in the pool, or how long he had been in the water before his father found him and pulled him out.

The boy was cold and had no pulse.

Paramedics arrived and managed to get a pulse back after administering treatment.

The toddler was then transported to Johannesburg’s Garden City hospital for specialised treatment. – Sapa

BY Obakeng Maje

LOMANYANENG: Police in Lomanyaneng are investigating an Inquest Docket following the death of a 82-year-old woman. 

It is alleged that  the deceased Nnini Catherine Ntlhafu who was also allegedly mentally handicaped went missing on Wednesday and no one knew her whereabouts. 

“Police were informed about the incident and a search was conducted.Her body was found bleeding from the mouth on Friday at Lotlhakane farming area” Warrant Officer Tselanyane said. 

“There were no visible injuries on her body and no foul play is suspected” He said.

Investigation continues.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

BY Obakeng Maje

CHRISTIANA: Police in Christiana have arrested a 19-year-old suspect for allegedly stabbing to death a 24-year-old victim. 

It is alleged that on Friday the two were at Shack Attack tavern in Geluksoord when a argument ensued.

“It is not known  what the cause of the fight was, but alleged that during the argument the suspect drew a knife and stabbed the deceased once in the chest” Tselanyane said. 

“The victim was rushed to Christiana Hospital in a private vehicle and was certified dead on arrival” he added.   

Police were informed and a case of murder was registered. 

The suspect was arrested and he is expected to appear before the Christiana Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of murder. Investigation continues.

Follow  on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the CAF African Women’s Championship 2012, after outplaying the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in their final Group A fixture in Bata, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, 3 November 2012.

A hat-trick of goals from tall Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi paved the way for a win that has set the Sasol-sponsored South African senior national women’s team up for semifinal action at the same venue on Wednesday (7 November)- with Group B log leaders and Africa’s No 1 side Nigeria, the likely opponents.

Cape Town Roses (Sasol League Western Cape) attacker Leandra Smeda – brought into the side on the right wing in place of Nocawe Skiti – put the South Africans ahead as early as the 3rd minute, as she tapped home a square ball range, delivered by team captain Amandai Dlamini.

Seven minutes later, Mgcoyi had an easy tap-in goal, finishing off a cross from the right from striker Jermaine Seoposenwe.

The South Africans could easily have been 5-0 by the break, but increased their advantage in the second half. Mgcoyi carved a cross through the Congolese defence before firing home three minutes after the break, and scored again from close range in the 57th minute.

The Congolese scored a consolation goal against the run of play in the 88th minute via defender Jolie Tutzolana who fired the ball home from 18m out, with SA goalkeeper Thoko Mnadweni having no chance of pulling off a save.

Banyana Banyana went into the game needing a draw or win to secure their spot in the semifinals, but national head coach Joseph Mkhonza can be proud of the effort put in by his players on the slippery Nkoantoma stadium surface following light rain leading up to the match.

“We have now qualified for the knock-out stages of the competition, for us this means anything is possible. Any team that has made it to the semi-finals as a chance of proceeding to the final stage of the tournament.

“We came to this tournament knowing at some stage that we would meet one of the power houses of women’s football on the continent. If you have to be the best, you have to play the best. We are here to make a statement.” said Banyana Banyana head coach, Joseph Mkhonza.

Banyana Banyana captain, Amanda Dlamini has said making it this far in the tournament would mean facing some of the strongest teams on the continent but feels they are up for that challenge and make it as far in the competition.

“Coming into this tournament we knew if we wanted to compete in the semi-finals, we are bound to meet the African power houses of Women’s football. Now that we’ve made it this far in the tournament, we want to play our own game taking into fact that we will face tough opposition being amongst the top four.” said Dlamini.

The national coach should also be complimented for sticking with his attacking 3 (defenders), 5 (midfielders), 2 (strikers) formation, which allowed the captain Dlamini, the experienced Portia Modise, and young midfield sensation Refiloe Jane, to dominate the centre of the park.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

PROVINCIAL LAUNCH OF SAFER FESTIVE SEASON “OPERATION DUTY CALLS” AND “ARRIVE ALIVE CAMPAIGN”: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The Provincial official launch of Safer Festive Season “Operation Duty Calls and “Arrive Alive Campaign” was successfully held on Friday, 2 November 2012 at Mahikeng.

With the festive season around the corner and the expected influx of people into the Province during this period, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies including Customs and Department of Home Affairs participated in the official launch. The latter was done by the North West Premier, Honourable Thandi Modise, and graced by MEC Nono Maloyi of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, who also outlined the roll out of the plan.

“Fear is the word of those who are not committed,” said the North West Provincial Commissioner, Zukiswa Mbombo upon her welcoming remarks. She also appreciated handing over of vehicles to Provincial Traffic which she believed will contribute in bringing down the level of drunken driving.  She also welcomed participation of Community Police Forum (CPF) members in Safer Festive Season Operation Duty Calls in a bid to ensure the safety of the community.

The launch was preceded by suspect raiding operation that was held on Thursday night (2012-11-01) and achieved the following successes:

16 persons were arrested in Ottoshoop, Mahikeng, Lomanyaneng and Mmabatho for the following crimes: Theft, Murder, assault common, Assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm, business robbery, common robbery and the contravention of a court order.

In another operation conducted by a tracking team in Mahikeng, 2 vehicles, Toyota Yaris and Corolla were recovered and 2 suspects, a male and female aged 36 and 34 respectively and were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen vehicles at Magogwe and Unit 6. The suspects are expected to appear before Molopo Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 November 2012. The recovery of the two cars and arrests of suspects are linked to the case whereby police recovered  10 cars in Mahikeng during June 2012 and 4 suspects were ultimately arrested.

Subsequent to roadblocks that were conducted at Ramatlabama Road, Mahikeng-Vryburg after the launch, 23 traffic fines were issued to motorists for various offences.  In another road block on Lichtenburg-Mahikeng Road whereby MEC Nono Maloyi and Deputy Provincial Commissioner Mpembe participated, 17 traffic fines were issued to motorists for different road traffic offences.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo urges all communities to work together with the Police to fight and prevent crime in our townships, suburbs, rural places including farms.   “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to expose and apprehend all those who are still living with criminal thoughts ”  said General Mbombo.”

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews