BY OBAKENG MAJE
KIMBERLEY- Two Malawian men were allegedly arrested after they conned a man R15 000 amount of cash on Tuesday in Kimberley, Northern Cape police said.

A 35 year-old man was allegedly approached by two men who masqueraded as traditional healers and promised him wealth and riches.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli, the man became suspicious when they ordered him to give them another R85 000.

“Kimberley Crime Prevention members arrested two Malawian men aged 31 and 41 respectively after they allegedly conned a man out thousands of rands. The men met the 35-year-old complainant on Tuesday and took R15 000. They requested a further R85 000 and promised him wealth and riches” Mdhluli said.

The two men agreed to meet with the victim in the Kimberley CBD on Friday, they were arrested on a charge of theft under false pretenses and possession of property suspected to be stolen.

Mdhluli said 10 cell phones were also confiscated.

“We urge anyone who might have fallen to the trap of these suspects to come forward and report the matter to the police. The complainant has thanked the police for their swift response and the arrest of the two suspects” he said.

Major-General Jean Abrams, the Kimberley Cluster Commander, has welcomed the arrest and urge the community to be very vigilant and cautious as criminals take advantage of the plight of people.

She further added that community members must immediately report to police whenever they suspect a scam and police are going to deal with such criminals.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – South Africa Men’s U/17 National Team played to a thrilling 1-1 draw against their arch-rivals Mali in an international friendly match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday afternoon.

The match which was played as a curtain raiser to the Bafana Bafana versus Nigeria game had all the excitement, top quality football and the 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the how the two sides went at each other.

Mali beat Amajimbos 2-0 in the final of the CAF U/17 African Youth championships in Niger last month and Molefi Ntseki and his charges were gunning for some sort of revenge.
Mali, using their imposing physique were the better side for most parts of the first half but could not breach the Amajimbos backline well marshalled by goalkeeper Walter Kubheka as the two teams went to the half-time draw deadlocked.

But there was little Kubheka could have done to deny Sekou Koita the opening goal for the visitors after some sweeping counter-attacks initiated from the right which left the entire Amajimbos defence on sixes and sevens.

South Africa immediately fashioned great moves soon after this setback although in most cases, they found the big Malians uncompromising.

Amajimbos duly equalised in the 78th minute through Luvuyo Mkhatshana whose header was from the top drawer to make it 1-1. The industrious striker received a delicate pass from the left and responded by planting his perfect header past the Malian keeper.

Thereafter, it was one-way traffic as Amajimbos galloped forward looking for the winner but time ran out as the match ended in a deserved draw for both teams.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Nelspruit– Bongani Zungu capped a wonderful day in a Bafana Bafana shirt when he rammed home a rebound deep inside the referee’s optional time to cancel an 85^th minute wonderful goal by the Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa as the two African giants shared the spoils in an exciting International friendly match at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on Sunday.

Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana Bafana were starring  defeat in the face after Musa had given Nigeria a surprise lead on the 85^th minute, much against the run of play.

But Bafana Bafana’s recent never-say-die attitude saw them level matters on the 93^rd minute of the referee’s four minutes of added time as Mbombela erupted into wild celebrations.

Yet Bafana Bafana could have avoided the agony of seeking such a late equaliser. They dominated the entire second half and could have taken the lead on the 60^th minute when outstanding Thulani Serero was brought down in the box. However, Andile Jali casually stepped up to take the spot kick which was easily saved by Nigerian keeper, Akpeyi.

Bafana bossed up the Nigerian for most of the afternoon but it was the Super Eagles who got the first chance in the very first minute but Itumeleng Khune, returning to big time scene was equal to the task.

South Africa quickly fashioned two quick chances in the opening minutes but Nigerian keeper Akpeyi repelled danger on both occasions. First he tipped over the bar Bongani Zungu snap shot before brilliantly saving Tower Mathoho’s header in quick succession.

Nigeria on the other end continued to be a threat on counter attacks but Khune looked not bothered by the few attacks.

On the 25^th minute, impressive Zungu turned the Super Eagles defence upside down before crossing to Tokelo Rantie whose shot was somehow turned for a corner.

Jali followed soon after with another rasping shot but the attempt was turned over the bar by Akpeyi as Bafana started to turn on the heat.

Thulani Serero then showed his magic on the 38^th minute but the Nigeria defenders roughed him off the ball as the match continued to swing from one end to the other. However, from the resultant free kick Oupa Manyisa curled his effort over the bar as Nigeria again, breathed some a sigh of relief.

The teams went to half time with the score still deadlocked at 0-0 but South Africa were the first to create a real opening on the 50^th minute. Rantie was brought down on the edge of the box but Serero swept his free kick wide of the posts.

As South Africa continued to press forward, Serero was then brought down in the 60^th minute but Jali’s casual spot kick was saved by Akpeyi as Bafana Bafana squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead.

They were made to pay dearly for it on the 85^th minute when Musa’s swerving shot on the right beat Khune hands down.

However, Zungu had the last say in the match attended by thousands of supporters as he made sure the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

South Africa 11 v Nigeria: Itumeleng Khune (GK), Rivaldo Coetzee, Thabo Matlaba, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Erick Mathoho, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Bongani Zungu, Sbusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie

Substitutes: Jackson Mabokgwane (GK), Brilliant Khuzwayo (GK), Siyabonga Nhlapho, Sbusiso Khumalo, Mandla Masango, Siphelele Ntshangase, Daniel Cardoso, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Cole Alexander, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Ayanda Patosi, Thuso Phala

Nigeria 11: Akpeyi, Balogun, Omeruo, Ogbonnaya, Akas; Akpan, Onazi, Sokari; Simon, Samuel, Musa

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

A mass funeral has been held for five of the six people who were struck by lightning on the N8 near Botshabelo in the Free State more than a week ago.

More than 500 people attended the funeral service that was held at the Kaizer Sebothelo stadium.

The deceased were Transnet employees who were working on a railway line when they sought shelter during a thunderstorm and where struck by lightning.

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

Embattled Congress of the South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi is keeping mum on what he says is an important announcement due on Sunday. He wrote on twitter that all will be revealed at a press conference.

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

Pretoria- Three people were injured following an accident on Eight Avenue near Trouw Street in Capital Park, Pretoria last night after 19h00.

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found that two vehicles were involved in the accident.

Upon assessment of the occupants from the two vehicles, paramedics found that a man and woman from one vehicle sustained serious injuries and a man from the other vehicles also sustained serious injuries. All three patients were treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.

“Exact detail surrounding the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation” Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said.

Traffic was slightly affected as a result of the accident.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg- Several people died and others were injured on Johannesburg roads last night and in the early hours of the morning.

In one incident last night ER24 paramedics and other services attended to a taxi and car collision about 25km from Potchefstroom on the R501. The taxi veered off the road and rolled into the veld.

Two people were killed as the taxi rolled and 12 other people were injured.

The patients sustained minor to critical injuries.  Patients were treated and tranaported to local hospitals.
While on scene motorists notified paramedics of a head on collision that had occurred about 4km away. Two  vehicles collided head on and three  other vehicles then crashed into that scene while trying to avoid the debris on the road.

One person was treated for minor injuries and transported to hospital.
In another incident that occured on the M1 north after the Booysens of ramp, one person died and another was treated by ER24 paramedics for moderate injuries.

“It is understood driver of the vehicle lost control and hit a barrier and street light pole.
When ER24 paramedics arrived on scene they found a patient lying on the side of the road” ER24 spokesperson Chitra Bodasing said.

Bodasing said he was assessed and it was found that his vitals were deteriorating. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him but he succumbed to his injuries.

The patient who sustained moderate injuries was treated and transported to hospital.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Potchefstroom- Two people were injured after a vehicle overturned on the N12 from Potchefstroom towards Westonaria this afternoon.

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found that a motor vehicle had overturned and came to a standstill back on its wheels on the roadway.

“A man was found lying next to the roadway after he was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover. Upon assessment of the man, paramedics found that he had sustained critical injuries during the accident. The man was treated at the scene and rushed to hospital for urgent medical care under the care of an advanced life support paramedic” Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said.

The female driver was found to have sustained moderate injuries and after receiving treatment at the scene, the injured woman was also transported to hospital for further medical care.

Exact detail surrounding the cause of the accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_