Pretoria – The ANC is in the process of finalising its candidate lists for this year’s local government elections.

The party’s national list conference started on Friday in Irene, Pretoria ahead of a national executive committee meeting and continued on Saturday.

Its aim is to finalise the names of the party’s mayoral and councillor candidates for the August 3 local government elections.

“The list conference is going OK. We starting on the second day now we should be done with the list conference today and start with the NEC conference later today,” national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said on Saturday.

The conference was attended by the provincial list committees, alliance partners and the entire NEC. The NEC will then ratify the final list of candidates for the party.

For more http://www.news24.com

Bloemfontein – Mangaung Deputy Executive Mayor Connie Rampai was killed in a car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning, paramedics said.

According to spokesperson for Trauma Response Africa Stanley Schimper, the crash occurred on the N1 between Verkeerdevlei and Winburg.

Her vehicle collided head-on with a heavy goods truck.

The truck driver sustained moderate injuries. He was transported to hospital for further medical attention.

For more http://www.news24.com

Michael Boxall of Supersport United challenges Tendai Ndoro of Orlando Pirates during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Supersport United on 21 May 2016 at Orlando Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Stuart Baxter has got his game-plan spot on as Matsatsantsa go into the half-ime break deserved leaders, thanks to goals from Jeremy Brockie, Bradley Grobler and Michael Boxall.

Orlando Pirates were put under pressure from the on-set, when Brighton Mhlongo was called into action after just 20 seconds, when the Bucs keeper pulled off a great save to deny Dove Wome’s powerful shot.

It took just 12 minutes before the opener was scored, and it came courtesy of Luvuyo Memela after Ronwen Williams saved Tendai Ndoro’s initial effort and Memela tapped home the loose ball.

However, just two minutes later, Brockie was on hand to head home the equaliser from a well-placed Boxall cross from the right flank.

On the half-hour mark, Pirates defence were caught napping after Thabo Rakhale gave away possession in a dangerous area and Grobler made no mistake volleying home after Mhlongo saved from Brockie’s shot.

While Pirates were surging forward in search of an equaliser, SuperSport extended their lead against the run of play when Michael Morton’s one-on-one effort was blocked by Mhlongo but the keeper could do nothing to deny Boxall’s follow-up header.

The Buccaneers were handed a life-line in the 53rd minute when Clayton Daniels accidentally sent the ball into his own net from Thabo Matlaba’s fine cross.

LINE-UPS:

Stuart Baxter has made three changes to his side, with Clayton Daniels returning to the central defence in place of Denwin Farmer and Jeremy Brockie and Bradley Grobler starts ahead of Kingston Nkatha and David Mathebula.

The Buccaneers have returned to their traditional 4-5-1 formation, with Luvuyo Memela and Ayanda Gcaba returning after missing their Absa Premiership clash last week.

Happy Jele drops to the bench and Rooi Mahamutsa sits out this time around, while Lehlohonolo Majoro is also left out of the matchday squad.

SuperSport XI: Williams (Pule 77′), Khumalo, Booysen, Daniels, Boxall, Furman, Morton, Phala, Wome (Kekana 87′), Brockie (Nkatha 90′), Grobler

SuperSport subs: Pule, Farmer, Kekana, Nel, Mathebula, Lakay, Nkhatha.

Pirates XI: Mhlongo, Matlaba, Gcaba, Gyimah, Nyauza (Qalinge 85′), Sarr, Makola, Rakhale (Jele 46′), Memela (Gabuza 78′), Myeni, Ndoro

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

-TDN

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Rustenburg – North West police were on Friday investigating a case of armed robbery after two school learners were robbed at gunpoint at their school in Rustenburg.

Police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the incident occurred on Thursday.

“The suspect entered school during break, fired two shots in air. Allegedly he pointed learners with a firearm and robbed two of their cellphones. He ran away by jumping the fence. A case of armed robbery is being investigated and no one is arrested,” he said.

The two learners were robbed at Grenswag High School during morning break.

Source- African News Agency

CAPE TOWN – Authorities today arrested 14 people in connection with a major social grant fraud syndicate that has cost the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) at least R34 million

Eight are Sassa officials from various parts of the country, including Tlokwe and Krugersdorp.

The operation was conducted by Sassa, the Hawks, police and a private auditing firm.

The Hawks says the suspected mastermind behind the operation, and who was arrested at the Cape Town International Airport earlier today, is from KwaZulu-Natal.

Sassa’s general manager for fraud management Renay Ogle says it’s the biggest crime syndicate busted to date.

Ogle says the syndicate has defrauded Sassa of more than R2.3 million involving more than 400 social grants.

She says the syndicate is also part of a larger network that has cost Sassa about R34.7 million to date.
Source: http://www.ewn.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE
The police in Postmasburg are appealing to members of the public to assist with the whereabouts of a two-year-old girl, Nombulelo Malgas.

Provincial police spokesperson, Maj Dimakatso Mooi said Nombulelo went missing on May 24 at approximately 12pm. She said Malgas was last seen in Boichoko Barnard Street in Postmasburg.

“She was last seen wearing a red and blue cinderella dress and white shoes.
We urge anyone with information that could lead to the whereabouts of her to contact the Postmasburg Police Station,” she said.
-TDN
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Anyone with information that may lead to reuniting the two-year-old with her family is requested to contact Warrant Officer Seeley on 082 496 5933 or Postmasburg police at 053 313 3919.

POLICE in Klerksdorp said they were urgently looking for a 52 year-old suspect for fraud and theft. Wilhelm Petrus 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 those who have information that could lead to Miller’s whereabouts can call the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Connie Nepgen of Klerksdorp Detective Service.  She can be contacted on the following numbers:  018-464 5038/073 1333 264.

-TDN

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A 25 YEAR-OLD woman and her boyfriend were found dead at their residential area at Mokassa 2 near Taung on Tuesday. North West police said Koketso Mochwanetsi and her boyfriend, Michael Boye, 21 was allegedly involved in a brawl that led to the killing.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said Boye was found hanging from the rafter of the room.

“The girlfriend was found in a pool of blood with stabbing wounds in her throat. Her body was taken for post-mortem. The police cannot tell what prompted the fight between the two and cases of murder and inquest were registered at Taung Police Station,” Mokgwabone said.

South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Dr Ruth Mompati region condemned the incident and called it senseless. Regional Secretary, Mika Moeti said people should visit relevant institutions to get help in their relationships.

“We want to condemn the incident and urge our society to ask for help. We cannot continue to live like this. What kind of society are we raising? If there are challenges in relationships, there are counsels and psychologists who could help to overcome the challenges.

“Resorting to killing must never be an issue. Many children are left without parents because of our selfishness. We also want to encourage our people to visit police stations to report the abusive relationships,” Mika said.

It is alleged that Moichwanetsi visited Taung Police Station last week to obtain protection order against her boyfriend. The move allegedly angered the boyfriend and that led to a fight.

-TDN

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NORTH West provincial government came out gun blazing and lambasted Democratic Alliance provincial leader, Joe McGluwa after he said the newly launched youth entrepreneurship services (YES) initiative was a smokescreen.

McGluwa said they did not approve the passing of the 2015 North West Youth Entrepreneurship Services (Yes) Bill.

“We believe that the money will be utilised to benefit political connected recipients only. The ANC also blatantly ignored legislation and the constitution during the process,” he said.

He further added that it was important to promote and develop entrepreneurs among the youth.

“However we cannot agree with the bill that will authorise premier Supra Mahumapelo to use taxpayer’s money to keep his supporters blissful. Mahumapelo ignores the real plight of youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of the year in the province was more than 28%. It has increased to 42% compared to the last quarter of 2015,” he said.

However the provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted that. Setswambung said YES was a government programme. He said the primary activities were being implemented.

“Mahumapelo pronounced this initiative during the State of the Province Address (SOPA). All SOPA pronouncements will continue to be implemented to ensure that young people’s lives are improved.

“As part of the Youth Month, in June 2015, young people from across all four districts of the province were afforded an opportunity to submit business plans. The process culminated in the YES granting them funding to initiate their businesses,” he said.

Setswambung further added that the provincial government will not be deterred by uninformed criticisms from rolling out the YES programmes. He said the programme will contributes to the provincial efforts of reducing unemployment and dependency in government employment.

“The YES Directorate in the Office of the Premier has entered into partnership agreements with the NWDC, SASSA and SANDF, just to mention a few.

“All these stakeholders will support youth initiatives while the process of establishing the North West YES Fund unfolds. The YES Bill sought to repeal the North West Youth Development Trust Act, 1997 and establish the fund” he said.

-TDN

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