BY BAKANG MOKOTO
NORTH West police warn motorists travelling along N14 and R503 road between Ventersdorp and Coligny to be more cautious after a string of hijacks taking place.

North West Police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We urge motorists to exercise caution when stopping alongside the road or when ordered to stop by other motorists as that could be hijacking suspects.

“This is after a few incidents in which vehicles were recently hijacked by unknown suspects were reported to the police,” Mokgwabone said.

He further said in one of the incidents in August 2017 along the N14 near the Ventersdorp crossing, a driver was stopped by a person who asked for help after an alleged robbery.

Mokgwabone said the driver stopped to help the person and was suddenly pointed with a firearm and forced to drive to Klerksdorp with three suspects (including the person who wanted help, being one of the suspects).

“He was then tied up and placed in the backseat of his vehicle. He was later dropped off on a gravel road near a mine at East-Driefontein. The suspects took his car and personal belongings.

“In another unrelated incident in September 2017 on the N14, close to Coligny a driver was parked close to a garage and approached by a person, asking for directions. Whilst still talking to the man, the driver was suddenly pointed with a firearm by the direction seeker and instructed to drive towards Coligny,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the motorist was robbed of his vehicle and personal belongings and left next to the road.
“Motorists are therefore requested to exercise caution when stopped by unknown persons and to report such incidents to the nearest police station.

As part of curbing such incidents, Mokgwabone said motorists are requested to take heed and apply the following safety hints:

· A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable.
· Plan your route and let someone know what your route is and when to expect you at your destination.
· Always check the rear view mirror to see if you are being followed.
· Avoid driving with your windows open and keep the doors locked and put all valuables out of sight.
· Avoid distractions while driving such as using a cellular phone.
· If you suspect you are being followed, drive to your nearest police station or a busy public area.
· When approaching a red traffic light, slow down so that you only reach it when it turns green especially during the night.
· If possible, park in a central, well-lit place, preferably with guards on duty.
· When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front so you can make an emergency escape if necessary.
· Avoid driving through unfamiliar areas.

“Avoid driving late at night / early hours of the morning when the roads are quiet. Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible. If possible, never drive alone. NEVER, EVER pick up hitchhikers or strangers.

“(VERY IMPORTANT)Never follow routine routes when driving; change on a regular basis.If possible, avoid driving in the dark. Hijackers may stage a minor accident, for e.g. If your vehicle is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual involved in the situation, indicate he / she must follow you and drive to the nearest Police Station or any busy public area for help,” he concludes.
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The new leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Bojanala region was elected unopposed at the 6th regional conference in Rustenburg on Sunday night.

The Single Whip of the Rustenburg local municipality Lekgotla Mataboge was elected the regional chairperson, Sipho Vava as the deputy chairperson, Lucky Madiba the regional secretary, Kabelo Nchabele as the deputy regional secretary, while the Speaker of Rustenburg Sheila Mabale-Huma was elected the regional treasurer.

The conference was held following high court battles. Disgruntled members interdicted the conference on two occasions over allegations that at least 40 branches were not constitutionally launched.

The North West High Court on September 15 rescinded the court order obtained on August 11 interdicting the conference. The ANC then announced that the conference would proceed on September 17, but this led to disgruntled branches launching yet another court application on September 16, stopping the conference.

The matter was struck off the urgent court roll and set down to be heard on September 22.

Former Bojanala regional secretary Tokyo Mataboge and the 39 others withdrew their application interdicting the conference at the North West High Court on Friday, September 22.

The matter was withdrawn on the basis that the respondents to the review (ANC general secretary, Gwede Mantashe, provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete and the Bojanala Regional Task Team) will file the record on September 26.

The applicants (former Bojanala regional secretary Tokyo Mataboge and 39 others) will file their amended notice of motion or supplementary founding affidavits in the review on October 2.

Parties were to file their head of arguments on October 18 and the review application is set to be heard on October 23 at the North West High Court.

A task team was established to run the region after members of the regional executive committee resigned en masse last year, ahead of the municipal election.

Speaking at the conference, North West premier and ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo called on the region to unite.

Source: African News Agency

The new leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Bojanala region was elected unopposed at the 6th regional conference in Rustenburg on Sunday night.

The Single Whip of the Rustenburg local municipality Lekgotla Mataboge was elected the regional chairperson, Sipho Vava as the deputy chairperson, Lucky Madiba the regional secretary, Kabelo Nchabele as the deputy regional secretary, while the Speaker of Rustenburg Sheila Mabale-Huma was elected the regional treasurer.

The conference was held following high court battles. Disgruntled members interdicted the conference on two occasions over allegations that at least 40 branches were not constitutionally launched.

The North West High Court on September 15 rescinded the court order obtained on August 11 interdicting the conference. The ANC then announced that the conference would proceed on September 17, but this led to disgruntled branches launching yet another court application on September 16, stopping the conference.

The matter was struck off the urgent court roll and set down to be heard on September 22.

Former Bojanala regional secretary Tokyo Mataboge and the 39 others withdrew their application interdicting the conference at the North West High Court on Friday, September 22.

The matter was withdrawn on the basis that the respondents to the review (ANC general secretary, Gwede Mantashe, provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete and the Bojanala Regional Task Team) will file the record on September 26.

The applicants (former Bojanala regional secretary Tokyo Mataboge and 39 others) will file their amended notice of motion or supplementary founding affidavits in the review on October 2.

Parties were to file their head of arguments on October 18 and the review application is set to be heard on October 23 at the North West High Court.

A task team was established to run the region after members of the regional executive committee resigned en masse last year, ahead of the municipal election.

Speaking at the conference, North West premier and ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo called on the region to unite.

Source: African News Agency

ANC Youth League president Collen Maine accepted a half a million rand “donation” from a coal company after promising it he could stop its contract with Eskom being scrapped.

Eskom had given notice it was planning to terminate its R8-billion contract with Just Coal, an Mpumalanga-based company. Owners of the company met with Maine, who allegedly promised to find a “political solution” to its problems with Eskom, but that this would come at a price — a R500,000 donation to the ANCYL.

Just Coal, owned by billionaire Joe Singh, claims to have been “forced” to pay “donations” to many Gauteng politicians and senior Eskom executives.

Maine never delivered the promised “political solution” and the contract was subsequently terminated. The company has now turned to parliament and the courts seeking its reinstatement.

Maine yesterday confirmed that he “did receive the donation as requested by myself on behalf of the youth league”. He said it was paid into the youth league’s bank account.

In its explosive document submitted to parliament last month, JUST COAL claims it was approached by a Gauteng politician in March to give a stake in the business and at least 50 trucks to a company linked to now suspended Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko if it wanted to keep its contract.

Two ANCYL national executive committee members claimed the league had been expecting R1-million from Just Coal, but only received half that. They accused Maine of using the league’s name for personal gain and said they suspected he pocketed the other half.

“He is doing business deals using the name of the organisation. We were told there would be a donation of R1-million but only half reached our coffers”.

Source: Sunday Times

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This comes after a group stormed the Premiership strugglers’ offices at Bafokeng Sports Campus on Monday demanding answers regarding reports of a proposed sale.

Stars chairman Cliff Ramoroa later released a statement insisting Dikwena was not about to change hands and denied that the club were going to announce a new owner, thought to be Thabo Mokgatle, at a press conference today.

“We had a series of meetings with the club management yesterday. We will continue again today,” Bafokeng Civic Movement convenor Sam Nong tells KickOff.com.

“Tomorrow we will march to the Bafokeng Civic Centre where we hope to deliever our memorandum and amongst other things we demand that the club assets, including Dikwena, should not be sold without consultation of the constituency.”

Stars general manager Senzo Mazingisa would only refer to Monday’s club statement when asked for comment.

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

ON THE RAMPAGE Angry residents of Majakaneng set fire to vehicles on the N4 on Friday. They’re demanding information relating to Tebogo Ndlovu’s whereaboutsPicture: Gallo Images

Their house has been destroyed, and now her “innocent” son is facing an attempted murder charge.

“I don’t have a place to go… we live in between relatives, but I know that my son is innocent,” said Matthew Benson’s mother. Her son, 24, was arrested at the weekend in connection with Tebogo Ndlovu’s disappearance in the North West village of Majakaneng.

Ndlovu’s disappearance has seen violent protests spill onto the streets, and Benson’s father being accused by the community of killing him after he was allegedly caught stealing oranges on the family farm on August 2.

Benson’s mother and his girlfriend cried outside the Brits Magistrate’s Court following his appearance on Monday.

“Our home has been destroyed,” the mother, who did not want to give her name, said outside court.

Ndlovu and his two friends were allegedly caught stealing oranges from the Bensons’ farm. Benson has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at the three.

Ndlovu’s friends alleged that he was wounded and they left him behind as they fled. He has not been seen since then.

Benson is set to spend four more days behind bars before he can apply for bail.

While members of the community had initially blamed Benson’s father for the incident, police had thus far only charged him.

Police spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone said: “At this present moment, Matthew Benson is the only person linked to the August 2 incident but we don’t rule out the possibility of adding more arrests and additional charges.

“Benson was at the farm. Provided information links him to the attempted murder case.”

Appearing in a packed courtroom Benson’s lawyer, Jeff Moyo, pushed for him to get bail.

“The accused has been interviewed by the police seven times. He has shown he is interested in helping the police solve this matter. He has provided two addresses. He does not have a criminal record or a pending case against him,” he said.

“I know that the state has that opportunity to request for a postponement for further investigation but at this instance. It’s unfair for the accused because he has been complying.”

Moyo’s request was declined and the matter postponed to Friday for a bail hearing.

Ndlovu’s disappearance led to Majakaneng residents blocking major routes, including the N4, R104 and R566, last month.

The protesters burned five vehicles and two people were arrested for public violence but charges against the pair have been dropped.

Members of the community marched to the local police station on August 23 demanding information about Ndlovu’s whereabouts.

Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

Pretoria – Several areas linked to the August 2012 shooting of Lonmin mineworkers will be inspected next week, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry announced on Monday.

“We are confining our attention to the events of the 16th (August 2012). We anticipate that it will probably take us the whole day,” inquiry chairman retired judge Ian Farlam said at the public hearings in Pretoria.

“Parties are requested to communicate with evidence leaders which spots they would want to be inspected by close of business on Wednesday. We have held other inspections earlier.”

The inspection in loco would be held next Monday.

The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West, in August 2012.

Thirty-four people, mostly striking mineworkers, were shot dead in a clash with police on August 16. Over 70 people were wounded and over 200 were arrested. Police were apparently trying to disarm and disperse them.

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two Lonmin security guards, were killed.

During an October 2012 inspection, Farlam and his team were led by two North West crime scene experts around the area where the 34 were shot dead.

Warrant Officer Patrick Thamae pointed out where bodies were found near the hill where the mineworkers had assembled in the days leading up to August 16.

Another inspection was done in March 2013 near Lonmin’s K3 shaft. The commission’s members retraced the steps of miners and police officers on August 13.

On that day Warrant officers Hendrick Tsietsi and Sello Ronnie Lepaaku were hacked to death in a confrontation with protesting mineworkers.

Sapa

Johannesburg – An ambulance assistant was killed and her two children injured in an accident in Vredenburg on Saturday, said Western Cape emergency services.

She was travelling with her two children when their vehicle collided with another at the St Helena Bay Veldrif turnoff, said EMS spokesman Robert Daniels.

“Two patients from the other vehicle as well as the two children are in a critical condition,” said Daniels.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Schweizer Reneke- The fight against contact crimes gained success when two suspects were apprehended with assistance of the farming community on Wednesday at approximately 07:00am in Schweizer-Reneke, North West police said.

“It is alleged that four suspects arrived at one of the farms in Amalia earlier in the morning where they found an elderly woman outside the house and pretended to be buying sheep. Three of them allegedly went inside the house while the other one remained behind with an elderly woman. The remaining suspect allegedly pointed the woman with a firearm and forced her inside the house” Captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

The suspects went inside the house when the woman’s son-in-law allegedly emerged and realised what was happening.  He allegedly fired two shots that hit two suspects on the upper body and face respectively. 

Makau said all suspects fled the crime scene and eventually got into a black Nissan Navara bakkie and a chase ensued while other farming communities were mobilised.  

The suspects were just about to reach Schweizer-Reneke when they stopped and fled on foot. The police managed to arrest two injured suspects while the other two managed to escape.  The arrested suspects were admitted at one of the local hospitals under police guard for medical treatment. 

“The North West Provincial Commissioner; Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo commended cooperation of the community with the police that led to arrest of the two suspects.  “We want to send a strict warning to those who terrorise the community that we will do anything to ensure that they get arrested and face the full might of the law”, said Lt Gen Zukiswa Mbombo. 

The suspects, aged 38 and 34 are due to appear in Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates Court soon.

Police are appealing to anyone who has information that may lead to arrest of the suspects to contact Amalia Police Station on 053 964 0869 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Alternatively, anonymous tip-offs can be done through Crime Line SMS no. 32211. 

-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- A 29-year-old suspect, Molatlhegi Makodi appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for alleged murder of a 37-year-old man at Water Vlak farm in Tlhaping section, Ganyesa, says North West police.

The suspect was remanded in custody until 1 September 2014 for bail application.

“It is alleged that the victim and the suspect were involved in an argument that led to the fight on Sunday. The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife in the chest and he died on the scene” captain Pelonomi Makau said.
Police investigations continue.