North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned in the strongest terms possible the stabbing of wife by her 32-year-old husband.

In calling for a no bail for the arrested suspect, Premier Modise said that escalating incidents of gender based violence demand for united action to prevent brutality against women.

“Our communities have had enough of violence targeted at the vulnerable groups particularly Women. We call on women who are in abusive relations to speak out and for men who are experiencing pressure to seek counseling and professional help before matters get out of hand,” emphasised Premier Modise.

According to police, the couple was travelling on the R510 Tsitsing road at around 9:00 am when an argument erupted between them. The 27-year-old victim reportedly managed to get out of the car and ran away, but the suspect caught up with her and stabbed her several times in the chest.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said that the victim died on the scene.

Molale said that the arrested suspect is expected to appear in the Tlhabane Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

She said that police are investigating a case of murder.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-The South African Police Service appeal to the community to be very alert and cautious throughout the duration of the 16th Annual 60’s Party scheduled to begin on 30 November 2013 at Lotlamoreng Dam in Mahikeng. 

This event draws larger number of people from different parts of the country and brings Mahikeng area to a standstill.

“The high level of alcohol abuse and drunken driving by party goers consequently leading to horrible accidents on the roads will not be tolerated and harsh actions will be taken against the culprits” colonel Emelda Setlhako said. 

The Provincial Joint Operation Centre i.e Lichtenburg SAPS, Explosive Unit, Disaster Management, Lichtenburg Dog Unit, Flying Squad, EMRS, Fire and Emergency Services, Provincial Traffic, Security Companies, Mahikeng and Mmabatho SAPS and Intelligence agencies will be on the alert.

Setlhako said the influx of the people start on the eve of the event- 29 November 2013. 

The party goers are urged to exercise patience and use alternative roads as high volume of traffic is expected as it has been all these years because people from neighbouring countries and other parts of the country will be driving to Mahikeng for the event. 

“Party attendees must refrain from the practice of displaying registration numbers written “SIXTIES” at the rear or front of their vehicles as this is illegal and punishable offense” said Setlhako.

Crime is usually on the increase around this time in the area ranging from House breaking, Car hijacking, theft as well as rape. Parents are urged to sensitise their girl children not to be easily lured by the flamboyant cars and hype displayed.

“The North West police would like to send a very strong message to those attending the event to abide by the law as the police presence will be evident. Roadblocks have started already and are now in full swing” said Setlhako. 

The police are more than ready for necessary action to prevent crime and will be on constant lookout for the people with motives to bring them to book, says police.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a case of Arson and Malicious Damage to property after a 42-year-old man set alight a church and a surgery. 

“It is alleged that on Thursday at about 16:00, the suspect used petrol to set alight these buildings” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.   

The suspect has been arrested and will appear on Monday at the Taung Magistrates’ Court. Molale said police investigations continue.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-North West police arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his wife to death.

“It is alleged that on Thursday at about 09:00 the couple were travelling on the R510 Tsitsing road and an argument erupted between the couple” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.  

Police said a 27-year-old victim managed to get out of the car and ran away, but the suspect caught up with her and stabbed her several times in the chest.

The victim died on the scene.

The suspect was arrested and will appear on Monday at the Tlhabane Magistrates’ Court.   

A case of murder is investigated.-TDN

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Mahikeng-One of the things that we fought for in South Africa was for dignity to be afforded to all South Africans irrespective of their condition, North West Premier Thandi Modise said during the opening of a 32 bed sub-acute Psychiatric Wellness Centre in Mahikeng on Thursday.

“We must acknowledge that a lot of discrimination happens in the health care service. Kgatelopele means moving forward and we know that every journey begins with small steps. Therefore we are confident that this facility will go a long way in helping our people who experience trauma in their lives. It will heal them when they are broken.

We thank all those involved in establishing this facility for allowing South Africans to reclaim their dignity,” said Premier Modise before cutting the ribbon to officially open the thirty-five million rand facility.

The facility which was financed by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) is located in Unit 4 Mmabatho.

According to Dr Letlhogonolo Molosi, the hospital was completed last year and is doing exceptionally well since it opened its doors to the public on the second of January this year.

“The centre is the brainchild of local psychologists who saw the need to have a local wellness centre to treat sub-acutely mentally-ill patients without having to refer them to other centres outside the area,” said Dr Molosi.

Molosi said although the centre currently serves the whole of Ngaka Modiri Molema Disctrict, there were plans to expand to other districts.

One of the founders, Clinical Psychologists Florah Makama said that the business venture is partnership between Care Cure Management Company and Kgatelopele which has 60% of women as shareholders.

Jan van Beaukering of Hospectic Architects and Health Planners who designed the building said there is a need for smaller centres such as Kgatelopele which are located closer to homes of the patients. 

He said the centre has everything that bigger and fully-fledged hospitals have, in terms of standard and facilities.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

North West-The Police want to sensitize motorists to be careful of hijackings and kidnappings.

Mostly these incidents happen at inter-sections, robots and stop streets, says police.

MOTORISTS ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:

•Always travel with doors of the vehicle locked and keep windows closed or, at most open to allow a hand to fit in.

•Leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you to avoid being boxed in.

•Always be on alert of anybody who approaches your car or is loitering near traffic lights, stop streets, parking areas or your drive way.

•Always monitor what vehicles are travelling behind, ahead and next to you.

•At unusual or unexpected roadblocks, keep windows closed and doors locked and ask the police or traffic officer’s identity card.

•Never park and sit alone in remote or secluded areas.

•Do not stop at a scene of an accident unless you are convinced it is genuine.

•Do not enter your or a parking area if you believe you are followed rather drive to the nearest police station.

•Do not give lifts to hitchhiker or unknown passengers.

•Do not leave your car door open.

•Do not leave your vehicle’s engine running unattended.

“The Police’s visibility assists in alleviating this crime,but motorists’ can also assist in curbing this crime, especially this festive season” said sergeant Kealeboga Molale.-TDN

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Mamelodi Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtics have booked themselves places in the Sasol League National Championship semi-finals set for Matlosana Stadium on Friday, 29 November.

Sundowns Ladies defeated championship hosts, Al’s Puk Tawana 3-1 in an intense battle for the penultimate stage.

Two goals in each half from captain of the Mozambican women’s national team, Maria Mutola and one from Alochia Thokobela assisted the Chloorkop based team secure a spot in the championship semis.

Sundowns were first on the scoresheet when former 800 track champion, Mutola scored the first goal for Downs to go to the break leading 1-0. The big Mozambican made it 2-0 ten minutes after the break.

Mathapelo Mokgeti scored Tawana’s consolation goal to make it 2-1 nineteen minutes later but Sundowns sealed the match with three minutes before the end of the match.

Bloemfontein Celtics downed Durban Ladies 3-1 in the third quarter-final of the day to book a semi-final spot against Ma-Indies on Friday, 29 November.

Two first half goals from Zenhle Chabaku and Shiwe Nogwana set the win for Celtics. Though the Durban Ladies found a goal late in the second half through Cleopatra Zulu, Celtics scored in the referee’s optional time to book a berth in the semis.

Cape Town Roses will join the last four after giving Empumalanga Ladies a 7-3 drubbing.-TDN
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The process to convert the maintenance payment system from manual to direct electronic payments from employers to beneficiaries should be sped up to eliminate fraud, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.

Premier Modise was reacting to the alleged theft of R500 000 by three officials who were employed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development who were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Beneficiaries most of whom are in dire need of money to raise their children should not be disadvantaged by heartless and greedy officials,” Premier Modise underscored in commenting the department for dismissing the trio who were stationed at Swartruggens and are now facing criminal charges in a court of law.

Senior Legal Officer for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Bonolo Madiba confirmed that parallel investigation processes were followed towards the conclusion of departmental cases which led to the dismissal of the trio.

Madiba said that appeal cases by the three officials ran their course and were also dismissed.

According to police,the trio and two alleged accomplicies were released on bail of R1000 each when they appeared in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Their case was postponed until February 14.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said that Precious Lerato Moitlobo, Isaac Mabaso, Denis Ntshole, Lerato Ikutlweng and a fifth person, whose name he could not provide allegedly worked together to steal maintenance payments amounting to R500 000 from the department during 2010 and 2011.

He said the three officials were assigned to maintenance payments. One of their alleged accomplices worked for the health department as an emergency vehicle driver.-TDN
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Johannesburg – A 24-year-old Kagiso man accused of statutory rape appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, police said.

The matter was postponed for further investigation and to allow him to apply for bail, Warrant officer Solomon Sibiya said.

The man was arrested on Tuesday for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl, Sibiya said.

The teenager’s sister reported her missing on Tuesday after she failed to return home since Friday.

After opening a missing persons docket, the teenager’s sister received a phone call from a neighbour who claimed he knew where the teenager was.

She was then found at a house in Riverside, Kagiso with the 24-year-old man.

“The teenager allegedly told the police that she had been sleeping with the suspect,” Sibiya said.

Sapa

Cape Town – Cape Town is bracing itself for an illegal march in the city on Friday, Western Cape police said.

“There will be heavy police deployments in the CBD as well as areas of congregation for the marchers,” police spokesman Tembinkosi Kinana said on Thursday.

“The deployment will comprise members of public order policing (POP), metro police, traffic officials, law enforcement and emergency officials.”

Police on horseback would monitor the protest as well.

“Members of railway police will also be on high alert and deployed in and around train station precincts,” said Kinana.

“The City of Cape Town’s traffic officials with the SAPS Flying Squad will be deployed on the city’s highways and byways.”

Kinana said air support would be deplored if required.

He warned that protesters breaking the law would be arrested.

On Wednesday, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said the city had filed for a court order to try to stop the protest.

“A golden triangle meeting, which incorporates the SA Police Service, did not approve their application due to credible evidence received under oath indicating that such a gathering could result in a serious disruption to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; injury to persons; and possible damage to property,” she said on Wednesday.

“Law enforcement authorities have also established there are serious threats of unprecedented levels of violence erupting in the event that the march takes place.”

De Lille said she did not want to see a repetition of disorder last month when protesters claiming to be part of a service delivery demonstration looted shops and vendors’ stalls, and damaged property in central Cape Town.

Sapa