Johannesburg – Two Ethiopians and a Pakistani appeared in the Frankfort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for possession of stolen property and theft.

They allegedly stole maize meal from a milling company in the area, Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said.

The matter was postponed to next week to allow legal aid time to find translators.

The men, aged 24, 29 and 30, were arrested on Saturday, after residents in Namahadi township, in the Free State, suspected they were storing stolen goods in a back room in the area.

They were found with 56 25kg bags of maize meal and failed to give police a receipt.

They would remain in police custody until their next appearance.

Mophiring could not provide their names.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Rescue workers were sifting through the rubble at the shopping mall in Tongaat, north of Durban, on Tuesday night after one person died and 29 were injured – two of them critically – when a concrete slab collapsed.

It was initially reported that 50 more people were feared trapped, but the site foreman told rescue workers they may have already left for home, as the slab caved in while they were knocking off.

Sniffer dogs were combing the scene for survivors late on Tuesday night.

Spotlights were lighting the area, which was described by Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha as being around the size of a soccer field.

Paramedic Neil Powell told the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) that most of the injured had broken bones and crush injuries.

“Some are in severe condition, others are mild,” he was quoted as saying.

Heat-seeking equipment had detected three “hot spots” where other survivors could be located, AFP reported.

Fibre-optic cables were being fed into the area to determine if anyone else was alive.

KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu expressed his shock at the accident.

“We express our condolences to the family of the person who died in this horrific accident,” he said in a statement.

“We also wish those who were injured prompt recovery.”

He said he was liaising with health MEC Sbongiseni Dhlomo to ensure the injured received quality healthcare at public health facilities.

“Importantly, I am confident that all the relevant departments such as the department of labour and eThekwini municipality will help speed up an investigation into the causes of this accident,” Mchunu said.

Earlier, eThekwini deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala said construction at the mall should not have been taking place.

“We took them [the contractors] to court a month ago. We thought they had stopped,” she said.

It had approached the court because the contractors had not “followed processes”.

Fiona Moonean said she was washing dishes when the slab collapsed, directly over the railway line from her home.

A few days earlier, workers had started removing the scaffolding supporting the level, she said.

“Just after 16.30 it was a thunderous sound. Before the bang, I heard too much scaffolding fall. That’s when I picked my eyes up [and looked through her window at the mall].

“The whole concrete slab crashed down with the pillars. The smoke and dust was too thick. I heard them screaming out for help in Zulu.”

She called the emergency services and a woman took down her details.

“She had to calm me down because I was so freaked out. For me, the most traumatic is the sound of the guys’ voices. That is the part that plays in my head,” she said.

Lieutenant Mandy Govender said earlier on Tuesday evening that almost the entire area of the construction site in the mall was down.

“We are still combing the area with sniffer dogs searching for survivors. All the workers are not accounted for at this stage. Emergency services are on the scene as we speak.”

– SAPA

Bafana Bafana have recorded one of their biggest wins by beating the world’s number one team Spain 1-0 at Soccer City on Tuesday night.

As was expected, the reigning world champions started off the better side but their play ended in many offsides inside the first 15 minutes.

In the fourth minute, Andres Iniesta, the scorer of La Roja’s winner at the same venue against Netherlands in the Fifa 2010 World Cup Final, put David Villa through with a neat pass and the latter finding the back of the net but his goal didn’t count as he was adjudged to have scored from an offside position.

Bouyed by this start, the Spaniards made Bafana chase the shadows early on.

In the 18th minute, Itumeleng Khune made a great save after dashing off his line to save at Pedro’s feet after a great through ball from Xabi Alonso.

Not to be outdone, Gordon Igesund’s men took the game to the visitors and a minute after Spain’s attack, Bernard Parker and Oupa Manyisa combined resulting in Ace’s shot deflecting off a defender onto the crossbar for a corner.

Two minutes later, Parker created some space for himself and unleashed a shot that Iker Casillas saved.

As play approached the half hour mark, Llorente had a free header from a cross by Alvaro Arbeloa, but he couldn’t hit the target in the 27th minute with Bongani Khumalo protesting that he had been pushed off the ball.

There were no more real chances until just before the interval when Bafana got a corner. From the resultant set piece, Khumalo’s header from Parker’s corner was narrowly wide.

The score at the break was goalless.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has explained his altercation with Spain’s technical team and players during their 1-0 win at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.

Bernard Parker scored the only goal as Bafana recorded arguably their best result ever, but the match was held up for a few minutes as Igesund argued with the opposition when they wanted to bring on a seventh substitution.

Before the game it was decided that only six subs would be made, but Spain made a seventh after substitute keeper Victor Valdes hurt his knee and was replaced by Pepe Reina.

Igesund explains: “The referee or the fourth official came and asked me if they can they put another player on. I said ‘Look, I’m not the referee and we need to follow the rules’.

“It was an official game and they needed to speak to the referee. We were told in the meeting before the game started that the maximum was six changes. This is an international friendly match – I don’t think the rules needed to be changed.

“I never said they must not put the players on; the referee must do so because they gave us the rules.”
Source: http://www.kickoff.com

The North West Provincial Government has established a Joint Water Crises Task Team tasked with the responsibility of developing integrated solutions to respond to the water supply challenges in Mahikeng and neighbouring towns.

The task team established on the directive of Premier Thandi Modise stems from her concern about the recent water interruptions which have seen government buildings and the general community without water for the past two weeks.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the cause of the water interruption in Mahikeng and surrounding areas stems from various reasons including but not limited to depleted water resources such as dams, boreholes and springs, drought, declining dam levels, aging infrastructure as well as high water consumption patterns. The situated is exacerbated by the fact that during this time of the year the level of consumption of water by consumers increases due to various activities such as gardening, ingestion and agricultural.

The task team comprising of the senior and technical officials from the Office of Premier, Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Department of Water Affairs, Botshelo Water, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mafikeng, Ditsobotla,Ramotshere Moiloa and Tswaing Local Municipalities is set to investigate and implement short-term to long-term plans for resolving water challenges in Mahikeng and adjacent towns.

The Task Team led by the Acting Director General for the Provincial Administration, Johannes Rantete has already identified quick wins to bringing a relief to the water challenges and is expecting to see improvement in the next week or two.

The relevant authorities owning the infrastructure supplying water are also developing long-term solutions aimed at bringing permanent solutions to the water problem. Furthermore, as part of way of ensuring equitable access to potable water, local municipalities have started with the process of restricting water usage during non-peak hours.

Members of the Mafikeng community, government departments and businesses are therefore strongly urged to use water sparingly to ensure continuous supply of water and refrain from watering their gardens until the water supply improves. -TDN
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The arrest of the suspect believed to be the man who terrorised communities in and around Mafikeng by raping and killing women with a hammer should bring much relief to communities and give hope that the war against the scourge of violence against women and children is winnable, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in calling for a no bail and harsher sentence on Tuesday.

“Enough is enough. We call for activism to expose perpetrators of sexual violence against women and children. We cannot afford to have our communities living in fear while we are looking away. Working together we can do more to ensure that those who have no regard for the rights of women are removed from society to rot in jail,” said Premier Modise.

The suspect believed to be the infamous hammer-man, as the monster is widely dubbed around Mafikeng, appeared in court yesterday and was reminded in custody.

He was arrested last week Friday.

About ten women have been attacked, raped and battered with a hammer over the past few months.

Modise congratulated the police on the arrest, adding that she hopes communities in and around Mahikeng will now be able to sleep at nights.

“Although it took a long time to catch the suspect, we congratulate the police for this breakthrough. It shows that the arm of the law is very long. Our people can now go on with their lives knowing that they are safe. We will be following the case very closely as the safety our residents is our priority,” said Modise..

Police spokesperson Sergeant Kea Molale has confirmed that the suspect will appear again in court on December 2.

Meanwhile, the Premier Modise has expressed confidence the hosting the National launch of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children by President Jacob Zuma in the province will heighten activism and contribute towards reducing incidents of rape of women and children which been on the increase in recent months.

The launch event is to be held at the Mmabatho Stadium Parking Lot in Mahikeng as from 9:00 on Sunday.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kuruman- The Office of the Premier, the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape and the Progressive Men’s Movement of South Africa (POMESA) as well as other government departments in the Northern Cape will be holding the 5th International Men’s Day at the SIVOS stadium in Kathu on the 24 November 2013.

“Men from all walks of life are expected to participate during this prestigious event. The objective is to focus mainly on strengthening family values, to create awareness as well as educate men on the social skills and to remind them about their roles as leaders of families, in communities and nationwide” said colonel Priscilla Naidu.

On the same day, the SAPS in the Northern Cape will be launching the Festive Season Operation, Duty Calls as well as the Northern Cape Mine Crime Combating Forum.

DATE : Sunday,24 November 2013
TIME : 06:00 : Joint march with all stakeholders
08:30: Formal programme at stadium
VENUE : SIVOS Stadium Kathu
Media Briefing: 13:00 to 13:30 at the stadiu-TDN
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The South African U17 Women’s National team (Bantwana) were given the morning off to write exams but will resume training this afternoon.

Bantwana will play a practice match against the Wits Ladies side in preparation for the second leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia scheduled for Sunday, 24 November.

The return-leg qualifier will be played at the Bidvest Wits Stadium. Kick-off is at 15h00.

The SA U17 squad had their second training session at the Edenvale Football Grounds on Monday (18 November). Bantwana mentor, Sheryl Botes said preparations were on track and that the afternoon training session would give an indication of what still needed to be done ahead of this all-important qualifier.

“We had a couple of disruptions due the girls writing exams but that should not derail our plans because we know the importance this qualifier,” said Botes.

Two spots are up for grabs on the continent and the South Africans know what is at stake. Bantwana players will be working towards making their second appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup that will be staged in Costa Rica from 15 March to 5 April next year.

“We should not focus too much on the results of the first match but look at scoring enough goals in Sunday’s match to see us through to the World Cup next year. It is also important that we do not concede,” added Botes.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
The DA in the North West Provincial Legislature opposed the adoption of North West Appropriation Bill on Tuesday.

The DA raised its concerns about an amount of R176 million appropriated for the employment of 20 000 people in the months preceding the still to be announce 2014 General Elections.

“The MEC, obviously not knowing when the elections will take place indicated that the temporary employment will continue in the new financial year and that it may cost more than a half billion. (R528million)” DA Chris Hattingh said.

The MEC failed to indicate what the associated cost in managing 20 000 people will be.

“Indications of the pre-election desperation that has set in in the NW Provincial Government as the elections are approaching were already filtering through during the past week where NGOs were reporting that they have been told to accommodate temporary workers for at least the next 6 months” Hatingh said.

The to be employed people were not allocated to programs or projects linked to the different NW Departments, but were allocated on a pro rata basis to the four North West Districts with no criteria available on how these allocations were made, says Hattingh.

He said the funds to pay for this project mainly come from the lack on performance on NW infrastructure projects – something the NW has become notorious for.

“In view of the recent deployment of 180 people – 20 for each vacant ward in the Tlokwe Municipality by the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, in the run-up to the Tlokwe by-elections and the blatant abuse of state resources for ANC campaigning purposes, the DA has no expectations that the employment of the 20 000 people in the run-up to the elections, will not be abused for ANC electioneering purposes” Hattingh said.

The DA will closely monitor this scheme and will not hesitate to report evidence of abuse to relevant authorities.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-Yesterday was the third day without fuel to conduct services in Matlosana.

DA said the council has again not paid the service provider to deliver fuel and this resulted in important and essential services coming to a complete standstill.

“Taxpayers are paying more for services but after every three months of paying new tariffs, service delivery is not improving” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

According to reports, the ANC led council has approved a budget for its Mayor to purchase a new official vehicle worth R800 000 whilst service providers cannot be paid.

“Taxpayers are tired of the shoddy state of affairs. The problem lies with the political and administrative heads of council consisting of the mayor, executive council and the municipal manager, but the real killer is entitlement and ignorance” Kotze outlines.

DA said there is no excuse for this blatant and careless default in paying essential service providers – repeated adverse Auditor General findings, sound advice and recommendations from the Municipal Public Accounts Committee and even the North West Public Accounts Committee were simply ignored.

“In a DA led council, service delivery would be a prioritised and service providers will be paid on time while unnecessary and luxury expenses will not even be considered” DA Kotze concludes.-TDN
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