JOHANNESBURG – The South African Development Community, has condemned Sunday’s attack at Lesotho’s Royal Palace.

At least two bodyguards of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane were shot and wounded.
For more http://www.enca.com

Mahikeng- MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine has welcomed the commitment by the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Human Settlements to support the work done by the Department in rescuing ailing municipalities.

Chairperson of the Committee, Raymond Elisa, has also applauded the department for its tough stance on zero corruption in municipalities throughout.

This follows a recent report presented to the Committee on the progress registered on the Constitution’s Sections 139 and 154 interventions in Maquassi Hills, Ditsobotla, Matlosana, Madibeng, Lekwa Teemane and Ngaka Modiri Molema district and local municipalities.

When presenting the report to the Committee recently, MEC Maine said the Section 154 intervention in Maquassi Hills local municipality yielded positive result in that there exist a system to manage and monitor council resolutions and a financial recovery plan has been developed. Section 139(b) intervention at Ditsobotla local municipality resulted in all the bottle necks on service delivery issues such as water shortages, electricity connections and patching of potholes, being removed albeit shortage of funding. Matlosana local municipality was also placed under Section 139(b) in December 2014 and an Administrator and a team of officials from the Department have been deployed to rescue the situation.

“The financial position of the municipality is continuing to deteriorate as the main creditors i.e Eskom and Midvaal Company are increasing and standing at R240 million and R50 million, respectively. The debtors book stands at R1.1 billion”, he said.

MEC Maine concluded that stability has been brought to the council of Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality, albeit challenges in the administration, filling of key positions, financial recovery, quality services delivery and labour matters.
-TDN
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Cape Town – A British coroner is considering resuming an inquest into the murder of Anni Hindocha in 2010, meaning that her husband, Shrien Dewani, could face public questioning under oath, according to reports.

Dewani was accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife while they were on honeymoon in South Africa in November 2010. He was extradited from Britain and faced a high-profile trial in the Western Cape High Court, but was acquitted in December 2014.

For more http://www.news24.com

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Gaoage Molapisi will launch the Safety and Security focus month in Madibeng.

The MEC has during his budget speech indicated that the conference will be held to reflect on the mandate of CPF’s and Boards, as well as exploring measures of strengthening them to enhance their functionality The Department aims to ensure broad stake holder mobilization through a series of activities to be performed during the February month targeted as a Safety and Security focus period. This is to continue creation of partnerships through working together by the Criminal Justice System cluster institutions in Government, the civil society and business sector in the fight against crime.

The MEC is expected to outline the programme of action and schedule of activities to unfold during the February and community members are invited to be part of the launch. Members of the media are invited to cover the launch and form partnership with the Department for the duration of the two campaigns.

The event will unfold as follows:

Date : Tuesday, 03 February 2015

Venue : Mooinooi ( Sgandaf Sports Grounds)

Time : 9H00
-TDN

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By Lesedi Setlhodi

What’s up your sleeve this Valentine’s?

Expectations have already started to build up as in just two weeks it will be Valentine’s Day. Women are expecting to be swept of their feet whereas men are pressured to impress their women. On the other hand others are really just not bothered.

Well, if you used to treat your partner to an indoor Valentine’s Day this year you might want to twist things a bit; make reservations at a place your partner will enjoy the food, drinks and the atmosphere has to be “IT”.

Things do not need to be too extravagant just impressive enough, after all you ought to know your partner better.

Given that you will be exploring the outdoors you may amongst others have a picnic with your partner, watch the sunset together.

There are also game drives, walks in the park or gardens, boat cruises, or even a spar treatment for the both of you so that by the time you get home you will be extra relaxed for some late night fun. Something that most movie lovers will be catching at different movie houses across the country is the long awaited 50 Shades of Grey. Cinemas around South Africa are experiencing a lot of bookings for this erotic movie based on the book/s by E.L. James that hits the big screen on the 13^{th February 2015. Talk about strategic timing.}

In case for a few Valentine’s you have been going out all the time, this year you could try staying in. I know, staying in means most if not everything from the food to the setting up of a romantic atmosphere will rest upon your shoulders but it could also be fun and score you countless points with your partner. Whether things go south or north an effort to impress is always acknowledged. Despite that being said if you are going to prepare the food yourself at least have an idea of what you are doing in the kitchen and if you will be ordering out make sure it is something your partner will really enjoy.

If you having wine let it be sweet and fruity, some strawberries or cherries and chocolates will also do. Break out the nice dishes and silverware and if possible use cloth napkins as they add an elegant touch and show that you are willing to go an extra mile. Scented or beeswax candles; music (a bit of jazzy sounds or soul to R&B jams not some distractive tunes); soft warm dimmed lights; red rose petals / roses should set you up for your whimsical atmosphere. See not so complicated.

Depending on how your plans are, you could massage her feet; she could rub your neck or back or both of you could just go all sensual on the massage. A warm bubble bath for two might be something that you both might also want to indulge in.

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A 14-year-old boy from Soweto, whose death triggered widespread lootings in various townships, has been laid to rest at the Slovoville Cemetery. Siphiwe Mahori was shot dead allegedly by a foreign shop owner last Monday.

He was reportedly part of a group that wanted to rob a shop.

His funeral service was held at the Doornkop Community Hall. It was a sombre mood in the Doornkop community hall as mourners paid their last respects to the teenager.

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

Five men have been arrested after they robbed a cellphone store in the Cape Town CBD.

After the robbery the men fled to Khayelitsha where they were apprehended by police.

Police spokesperson, Tembinkosi Kinana says when officers arrived on the scene, the suspects were counting cellphones and iPads stolen from the store.

Kinana says they confiscated more than 80 mobile devices. The suspects aged between 21 and 37 are expected to appear in court next week.

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

Johannesburg – Somali shopowner Alodixashi Sheik Yusuf’s murder case is expected to recommence in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Herman Badenhorst previously postponed the matter so that Yusuf’s status in the country could be established.

He is accused of shooting dead Siphiwe Mahori, 14, in Snake Park, Soweto, last Monday.

He allegedly fired at a group of people trying to rob his shop.

The shooting sparked a wave of looting of foreign-owned shops, which spread from Soweto to Kagiso on the West Rand and Sebokeng in the Vaal, causing several deaths, including a baby who was trampled by a group of people running.

The situation is calm at Diepsloot north of Johannesburg in Gauteng following a land-grab protest on Saturday. A group of people had attempted to occupy a piece of land illegally.

Police fired rubber bullets after the protesters pelted them with stones. A four-year-old boy was injured and a man was arrested for public violence.

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

The organisation, Friends of Jackie Selebi, has confirmed it will start an urgent court bid asking the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to review the late police commissioner’s criminal case.

Selebi, who was buried in Pretoria on Saturday, had been sentenced to 15 years in jail for corruption in 2010.

Spokesperson for Friends of Jackie Selebi, Isaack Lesole, says they believe evidence was supressed during his trial. Lesole says a report has been concluded with regards to evidence around the relationship between the Scorpions and the police at the time.

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