The disjointed management of the criminal justice system by the police, courts and correctional services has led to sharp increases in the levels of dissatisfaction among victims of crime in South Africa, according to Statistician-General Pali Lehohla.

Data collected from 30 000 households and people, who fell victim to house robbery, housebreaking and burglary and assault, showed that the entire criminal justice system had to urgently change the manner in which it managed cases or risk lowering satisfaction levels among victims of crime, said Lehohla, who was addressing the media in Pretoria today on the release of Statistics South Africa’s Victims of Crime survey.

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It is not necessary to call in the army to assist authorities in dealing with xenophobic violence that has taken grip in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, says Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko.

“The situation… has not come to that point to necessitate the point of army deployment,” he told reporters in Cape Town and Pretoria via video conference today.

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The integrity of High Court Judge Joseph Raulinga was called into question today after he dropped the name of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in his interview before the Judicial Service Commission.

As well as listing Ramaphosa as one of his friends, he also made it known that he voted for the ANC and used to be a member of the party.

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BY OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Provincial Commissioner; Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo applauded the police for working hard to ensure that wanted suspects are arrested.

This follows arrest of five suspects by Potchefstroom Visible Policing, Flying Squad and Kroonstad Crime Intelligence at Extension 7 in Ikageng at approximately 07:00 on Tuesday.

North West police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects, aged between of 30 and 40 were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions and possession of suspected stolen properties.

The suspects were apprehended after Kroonstad police followed leads and alerted their counterparts in Potchefstroom about the suspects and their criminal activities.

“Upon arrest, the suspects were sought for business robbery committed in Kroonstad in which one suspect had already been arrested.  The crime was committed in April 2015. Upon conducting a search, the police found seven weapons; two hunting rifles, 1X Bore handgun, three Revolvers and 1C Clock 19. Other items such as 190 9mm ammunition, three laptops, two blue lights, three reflector jackets, one handset radio, two telescopes, bolt cutter, crystal platinum stones, four cellphones and docket cover were found in possession of the suspects” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

He said the police suspect that these items were used to commit crimes.  Mokgwabone said according to information, one of the suspects was on bail in an armed robbery case, and was arrested while attending court in Potchefstroom. They are expected to appear in Potchefstroom Magistrate Court soon.

“Eradication of proliferation of firearms is one of our priorities, and we believe that this will serve as an indication that the long arm of the law will deal with any person who commits crime”, said Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo.

-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje
ANC North West chairperson and premier, Supra Mahumapelo said all ANC branches must get ready and be prepared for next year’s Local government elections.

He was speaking in Taung where the African National Congress Provincial Execuitive Committee visited the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District during Imvuselelo (Revival) campaign on Monday.

Mahumapelo met with all ANC councillors in Greater Taung Municipality before visiting some of 65 branches.

“Through the campaign, the party aims to thank South Africans for voting for the ruling party and placing them in power for another five years. And to also encourage our supporters that every day is My ANC Day” Mahumapelo said.

He said ANC has three worse enemies i:e unemployment, poverty and inequality.

He also reminded councillors about their objectives.

“The Imvuselelo Campaign is not a once-off campaign. It should form the basis for an ongoing programme of membership development, organisation building and community engagement. The lessons learnt from the first campaign should be used to mould the annual programme of branches” he said.

ANCYL Regional Secretary, Crespo Menyatso said they welcome the visit of the chairman and as ANCYL in the region, will make sure they teach people about Imvuselelo campaign especially ahead of Local Government elections that will take place next year.

“We’re humbled by our chairperson’s visit and that really shows that ANC is the only party that can improve the lives of South Africans. We are faced with inequality, unemployment and poverty, which we need to work towards eradicating all that” Menyatso said.

ANC North West recently honoured the struggle stalwart, Ruth Mompati by giving her a brand new E200 Mercedes Benz.

Mahumapelo said they honouring Mama Ruta while she is still alive and the youth need to take a leave out of her book.

-TDN

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Pic: Greater Taung Municipal Mayor, Kaone Lobelo

Municipal officials in Bokone Bophirima who do not implement the signed agreement to honour the conditions set out by the National Treasury to address non-payment of creditors within stipulated period of 30 days, are likely to have disciplinary and or civil criminal proceedings instituted against them in terms of Section 172 and 173 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)

This follows National Treasury decision to withhold the transfer of equitable share of 15 municipalities after they failed to honour their financial commitments and to pay Eskom and other service delivery creditors in line with Section 65 of the MFMA, 2003 (Act no 56).

Early in March this year, National Treasury informed municipalities of its intention to invoke Section 216(2) of the Constitution, subject to municipalities entering into repayment arrangements with creditors and preparing a financial recovery plan.

Both the Provincial Departments of Local Government and Human Settlements, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development, have since summoned municipalities to commit to:

• Ensuring that the current accounts of Eskom and water boards are settled by no later than 30 April 2015
• Submit proof of settlement of outstanding amounts to both Provincial and National Treasury within two days of settlement of the account
• In the event that municipalities owe either Eskom or Water Boards monies in excess of 30 days, the necessary repayment schedule will be determined and an agreement entered between the relevant parties.

MEC for Local Government and Human and Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine said municipalities will be expected to commit to addressing the non-payment of creditors for services rendered, as a matter of urgency.

MEC Wendy Nelson also urged municipalities to get their houses in order as their non-spending on allocated grants impacts negative on the future allocations by National Treasury. She further encouraged municipalities to submit their plans for next financial year by April 14.

15 municipalities whose equitable share has been withheld are : Lekwa Teemane, Tswaing, Ventersdorp, Kgetleng Rivier, Madibeng, Maquassie Hills, Ratlou, mamusa, Ditsobotla, Naledi, Moses kotane, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Matlosana, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Mahikeng.

-TDN

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Rustenburg- Moses Kotane Local Municipality will be launching its Youth Forum on Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at Mogwase Sports and Recreation Centre in Unit 1, 11h00.

This follows Council resolution which stated that each ward of the Municipality should choose five youth members to form the Ward-Based Youth Forums of all 31 wards.

“Two members, Chairperson and Secretary were chosen from these Ward-based Youth Forums to attend the launch of the Youth Forum.  These members, 62 in all, will constitute the Moses Kotane Local Municipality Youth Forum” Municipal spokesperson Beauty Makganye said.

All Ward-Based Youth Forum members and Councillors were invited to attend the launch.

The process is led by Special Projects Portfolio Committee in the Office of the Mayor.

-TDN

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North West Traffic Authorities cautions motorists travelling between Zeerust and Dinokana towards the boarder gate about the closure of the N4 road.

According to Authorities, hundreds of protesters have closed the road with stones and burning tyres. It is reported that the angry protesters are stoning vehicles passing on the road.

Motorists are urged to be more vigilant and cooperate when diverted to alternative routes by traffic authorities.

Those traveling from Zeerust towards Dinokana and the Skilpardhek boarder gate to Botswana are advised to take the B48 Swaartkop boarder gate road and those from the boarder gate to Zeerust are advised to go through Gopane, Motswedi and Borakalalo roads to join the B48 road.

The Bokone Bophirima Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi requests protesters to engage in a peaceful march and avoid any unlawful action.

“It is surprising that people wants water but then decide to burn tyres on the roads and stone private vehicles passing on the road. What does that has to do with lack of service delivery, why are they victimizing innocent people, why are they damaging the road because tomorrow they will protests again claiming that the road has potholes yet they are the ones responsible for.”

We need civilized people in this country who will do things in a civilized manner. Civilized people do not victimize people but in this case they will engage on a peaceful manner and march to the authorities responsible for water,” said the fuming Molapisi.

MEC said law enforcement officers will be on the watch out to ensure that situation is under control and warned those who would be found on the wrong side of the law that they would be arrested and face criminal charges.

-TDN

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Rustenburg – Municipal workers in Ventersdorp were on strike, demanding the suspension of council directors, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Monday.

Cosatu North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said workers embarked on an unprotected strike last week after they were allegedly provoked by councillors.

“The strike has been on since Tuesday (April 7) after the mayor and her council told workers that they are in political power and they have no business with unions, in particular the South African Municipal Workers Union,” Phetoe said.

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