BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MORE than 330 suspects were arrested for various offences across North West province during operation between Thursday and Friday. Provincial police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said police conducted a “suspect” raiding operation.

“The suspects include those who were wanted for murder, rape, business robbery, theft, arson, burglary and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, possession of drugs as well as other crimes.

“Out of this number, 87 suspects were arrested in Klerksdorp, 64 in Rustenburg, 53 in Brits and 49 in Mahikeng. The suspects are expected to appear in different Magistrate’s Courts on Monday,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 26-YEAR-OLD man arrested for the alleged murder of his 56-year-old brother in Vryburg on Thursday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the atrocity took place at Colridge Township near Vryburg.

“The suspect allegedly assaulted his wheelchair bound brother with sjambok. The victim became unconscious and he was taken to hospital where he died on arrival,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THREE suspects aged 30, 44 and 49 were arrested in Marikana on Thursday for business robbery.  According to information, the police acted on a tip-off about a business robbery that took place at one of the clothing stores in the area.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police were informed about the incident and given description of the vehicle which the suspects used to flee the scene.

“The vehicle was spotted and a chase ensued. The police managed to corner and arrest the three suspects. It was during the arrest that an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered.  One of the suspects was found in possession of a Norinco pistol with serial number filed off,” Mokgwabone said.

He said preliminary investigation linked the suspects to other string of business robberies in Koster, Rustenburg and Northam.

They will appear in Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) expressed its satisfaction with the local government candidates’ nomination process as well as progress being registered in the National List Conference on Sunday.

SANCO general secretary Skhumbuzo Mpanza said: “We are relatively happy with progress and efforts being made to ensure that the outcome of the African National Congress (ANC) National List Conference represents the wishes of our communities and also meet the 50-50 gender, 20%youth and 60% continuity guidelines as set in the ANC guidelines.”

Mpanza said that the NEC was confident that interventions with regard to the Northern Cape, Western Cape and North West province lists will bring resolutions to the challenges that were encountered.

“Though we are disappointed that processes leading up to the national list conference has in some provinces been marred by acts of violence, intimidation, disruptions and manipulation of nomination meetings” he emphasised.

He called for disciplinary action against disruptors and those whose actions encouraged disunity and factionalism.

“These shameful acts are orchestrated by self-serving and ill-disciplined factionalists that sought to predetermine the outcome of the democratic processes to further their personal interests as well as patronage and not to advance community development agenda,” he stressed,” Mpanza stressed.

He said that SANCO will be working hard in all communities for a decisive ANC election victory.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West police in Klerksdorp commended the public members after their assistance in apprehending a 52 year-old suspect for fraud and theft. John Clare Miller from Orkney allegedly masqueraded as a building contractor.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said Miller faces 70 complaints of fraud and theft.

“He was residing at Milton Ave 154, Orkney.  Miller will allegedly advertise his house for rent and the people would pay him the deposit cash or via internet, however he would never move out of the house.

“He also advertised himself as a building contractor. He will meet with the client and ask 70% of the money to do the work. Then the suspect will never begin any building work,” he said.

Mokgwabone said Miller was arrested after the story was covered in the media.

“The investigating officer received enquiries and information from the community members.  The suspect and his accomplice were arrested in Christiana on Friday.

“We want to commend the community and media for their help. The suspects are expected to appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” he said.

-TDN

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A police officer has been shot dead in Dan Extension outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.

Fifty two-year-old Jan Homu was attending to a burglary complaint with a colleague when they came under fire.

Police say the second officer was unharmed.

Warrant officer Homu and a colleague were looking for suspects when he was shot once on the right hip.

Paramedics were working to save his life when he died on the scene.

The suspects escaped with two plasm TV’s and some clothes.

The Provincial Commissioner, Nneke Ledwaba has passed condolences to the family.

He urged members of the public to work with police to bring the suspects to book. Homu is the third officer to be killed while on duty in Limpopo this year

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

The Freedom Front Plus in Parliament says it has asked the Public Protector to investigate what it calls the alleged illegal sale of South Africa’s oil reserves.

FF-Plus spokesperson on Energy and MP Anton Alberts says it would be totally illegal and extremely reckless if media reports are true that the Strategic Energy Fund had sold about 10 million barrels of crude oil without the knowledge of the national treasury and at a very low price.

In a statement released, Anton Alberts says the FF-Plus wants the Public Protector to investigate the Energy Minister and the energy fund by looking into the sales process without an open tender and without the approval of treasury as required by the Public Finance Management Act.

He says the Public Protector should also investigate the rationality of the decision to sell the oil at a very low price and how this has contributed towards leaving the country with only 300 000 barrels of oil left for one day.

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

South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officials have intercepted 25kg of crystal methamphetamine (tik) valued at R7.5 million at OR Tambo International Airport, SARS said on Saturday.

The bust was made during an inspection of a flight from Cotonou, Benin, in West Africa, on Friday night, SARS said in a statement.

All unaccompanied bags were escorted to the SARS customs search area for scanning where 25 plastic bags containing a white substance was found in one of the bags.

The substance tested positive for crystal methamphetamine.

It weighed 25.20kg, worth a street value of R7 560 000, SARS said.

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

The Methodist Church in Leliefontein in the Northern Cape, is celebrating its 200th anniversary this weekend.

Clerics and people from all over South Africa have descended on the small town to take part in the celebrations.

Some residents were dressed in traditional Nama regalia, and a jovial mood prevailed.

Braai and potjiekos were also served after the official programme.

Methodist-church goers in the area say they have known the church all their life.

“We are very happy about this occasion,” says a church goer.

“I grew up in this church, my whole family attends this church, it holds us together,” says another church goer.

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

Marikana police are reportedly failing to serve the people in the areas they police.

Some community members say they are either ignored or dismissed by law enforcement officers when they report cases such as rape and housebreaking. A group of women, called Sikhala Sonke, marched to the Marikana Police station this week demanding that the station improves its operations.

Women were furious as they marched for what they say is unfair treatment by police. They say housebreaking, rape and assault are some of the prevalent crimes committed in the area.

Although these women have resorted to grouping themselves to try and assist victims by advising them on which route to take, they say nothing positive comes out of it, as police do not play their part.

Marikana, as a mining community, is made up of informal settlements, where crime is reportedly rife. Police are also accused of only becoming involved when it’s the end of the month. It is alleged that that is when they raid tuckshops and allegedly receive bribes.

“When people fight, the station commander dismisses them, and says they must sort it out on the way. I have never seen something like that. We want them to protect us. When somebody dies in Marikana, they mustn’t take three hours before responding.”

“When they want to raid shops, they come quickly. But when we come to report we are either told that there are no vans or that we should wait for the station commander.”

Xolisa Bangalala says her child was knocked down by a police officer’s car and died on the scene.

She says justice has not yet prevailed as she has not even been informed about whether a case has been opened against the officer. She is still struggling to come to terms with what happened to her child.

“My child was hit by a police officer’s car at the bridge near Marikana West. When I arrived at the scene, I found that it was my child. So, I asked why the officer was not arrested, and was told that every person has the right. So, I guess my child’s right was only to die.”

North West police spokesperson – Sabata Mokgwaabone – says the memorandum submitted is being given attention.

“We are aware of the memorandum which was handed to Marikana police by the residents of Marikana.That particular memorandum is getting attention.”

But, the Freedom of Expression Network says failure by police to respond positively to the memorandum will lead to them seeking legal advice with a view of approaching the courts for recourse.

“There has been various cases raised by communities here, regarding the rape cases, regarding the conduct of police that are still pending, the cases that have been dismissed, arrogantly so, by police officers. If the date will actually lapse, that’s then that the office of the FXN will actually deal with their lawyers on making sure that the right in the constitution that these people did today would be adhered to,” says Portia Bopalamo of Freedom of Expression Network

It is alleged that the Marikana police station has only one van, which is also used to ferry detainees to court.

This reportedly leads to people either waiting for a long time to be attended to, or not being assisted at all.

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