By Obakeng Maje

Vryburg-North West police arrested two suspects, one from Lesotho with dagga worth more than R500 000 near Vryburg.

Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said two suspects aged between 20 and 50 were allegedly arrested after police received a tip-off.

“Vryburg police received a tip-off from a member of community about a bakkie transporting dagga from Taung to Vryburg” Molale said.

A vehicle check point was set where a Nissan double cab vehicle was stopped and searched. 

“Upon searching the vehicle, members of Vryburg SAPS found 24 bags as well as 36 arms of dagga in the back of the vehicle. About 168 kg of dagga was confiscated valued at about R 504 000” she said.

The suspects appeared at Vryburg Regional Court on Tuesday.

Police said the incident took place on Saturday and investigations continue.-TDN

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma is shocked at the deaths of 29 people in an accident involving a bus and a truck on the Moloto Road near Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, the presidency said on Tuesday.

“This carnage must stop. It is completely unacceptable. The fact that this particular road has gained notoriety… means there’s something wrong that we need to address together,” Zuma said in a statement.

“We also urge the law enforcement authorities to swiftly get to the bottom of the cause of this tragedy and the law must be firm on those found to have flouted any rules and regulations of the road, leading to such high fatalities.”

Twenty-nine people were killed and 30 were injured when a bus and a truck collided on Monday night. Zuma wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“On behalf of government and all South Africans, we send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May their souls rest in peace,” he said.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has ordered an investigation into the accident.

“The investigation team consists of the Road Traffic Management Corporation and traffic authorities in Mpumalanga,” spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said.

The team would investigate the cause of the accident and recommend ways to prevent a repeat of such an accident.

SAPA

Pietermaritzburg – A prominent Pietermaritzburg doctor had to crawl to seek help early on Monday morning after being dragged into the bush and raped in upmarket Clarendon.

The doctor was found slumped against a gate on Villiers Drive, whimpering for help, witnesses said.

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – A 22-year-old man has been arrested for hitting a woman with a brick and then raping her, Johannesburg police said on Tuesday.

Warrant Officer Xoli Mbele said the 27-year-old woman had been with friends at the block of flats where she lived in Noord Street in central Johannesburg on Monday night.

She was on her way to bed in her room when she met the man, whom she knew, because they lived in the same flat.

“He took her to another room and assaulted her with a brick before he raped her, said Mbele.

She screamed for help and he ran away.

The woman sustained head injuries and was taken to hospital where she was treated and discharged.

The arrested man faces charges of rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

He will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court soon, said Mbele.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has ordered a high-level investigation into a bus accident that killed 29 people, the department of transport said on Tuesday.

“The investigation team consists of the Road Traffic Management Corporation and traffic authorities in Mpumalanga,” said spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso.

Twenty-nine people were killed when a bus collided with a truck on Moloto Road near Kwaggafontein on Monday night.

He said the team would investigate the cause of the accident and recommend interventions to prevent a repeat of such an accident.

Reduce number of trucks

The department would also go ahead with plans to expand the Moloto Road and reduce the number of trucks on the road.

“We are looking into moving the transportation of heavy goods from road to rail to reduce the number of trucks on the road networks,” said Rikhotso.

He said Peters sent her condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Mpumalanga safety department said 26 people were killed on the scene and three were dead on arrival at KwaMhlanga Hospital. Eight people were critically injured.

Department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said the accident happened when a truck collided with a stationary bus.

“The truck driver did not see the bus until it was too late. The truck driver swerved to the right to try and avoid the bus,” he said.

Condolences

Bus company, Putco, confirmed on Tuesday morning that the bus involved belonged to it.

Spokesperson Romeo More also confirmed that the bus driver was among those killed.

“Putco’s managing director, Franco Pisapia, expressed his shock at the horrific accident,” he said.

More said the company had sent officials to visit the injured and help where possible.

“A full investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the accident and Putco will co-operate fully with authorities in this regard.”

Acting government spokesperson Phumla Williams said government was deeply saddened and also sent deepest condolences to the families involved.

“Government is saddened by the unfortunate loss of lives in this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. We wish all the injured a speedy recovery,” she said.

“Courtesy, patience and abiding by the rules of the road will play a significant role in reducing road accidents.”

SAPA

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is highly disturbed by the latest hostage drama that involves 2000 mineworkers at Amplats Dishaba mine in Limpopo where some people are holding innocent workers for a sit-in protest. “We are disturbed by the action as it is unprotected. We appeal to the leaders of the strike to release the workers unharmed and follow the correct disputes procedures. It is unsafe and unhealthy to have a strike underground” says Erick Gcilitshana, NUM Health and safety Secretary.

He said some of the workers were on medication for various illnesses and already they have gone hours without food. “This is indeed very dangerous to them. Some of the NUM Shopstewards managed to escape and they are safe on surface as we speak now,” Gcilitshana said.

The NUM is currently in talks with the company management to see if they can make sure that workers are released safely.-TDN
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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will embark on a march at Northam Platinum in Limpopo on Tuesday morning.

The strike by 7 000 NUM-affiliated mineworkers at the Zondereinde Northam Platinum mine in Limpopo has entered the second week.

Miners are refusing the new revised offer of an 8.5% salary increase to core workers and 7% to non-core members.

Core employees are working mainly underground.

According to Northam, the NUM’s demands would amount to a pay increase of between 22% and 43% for lower-category employees.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela says it would be against the public interest to grant the State Security Cluster more than five days to scrutinise her provisional report on the security upgrade at President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence.

The Security Cluster challenged Madonsela in the Pretoria High Court, interdicting her from releasing the provisional report to other interested and affected parties.

The Public Protector’s spokesperson, Kgalalelo Masibi, says Madonsela informed Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi why she could not accede to their request for more time to scrutinise the report.

He says Madonsela was, as indicated in her letter to the Minister, concerned that leaving the report in the hands of the Security Cluster for an unduly extended period would prejudice, in particular, those that she has made provisional adverse findings against and those she has quoted as having provided her with evidence and who, to date, have not received the report.

According to Masibi, “It would also not be in the public interest if the Security Cluster has exclusive possession of the report. These concerns were expressed to the Minister, who offered no solutions to them.”
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za

Tokelo Rantie found his first goal in the colours of Championship side AFC Bournemouth on Saturday as they played to a 1-1 draw with the league leaders Burnley.

Speaking after the match Rantie dedicated the goal to his former colleague at Orlando Pirates, Benni McCarthy, who he said gave him advice of how to achieve in leagues abroad.

Rantie says he was lucky to play under the guidance of the former Bafana Bafana international star, from whom he learnt a lot.

“I used to score a lot of goals like the one today – he (Benni) used to set me up like Brett Pitman did,” he said, according to the Daily Star.

“I learned from Benni. It was excellent to be around him, he’s just too good.

“I was lucky enough to get his guidance, and he told me about the importance of playing in this league or the Premier League.”

Rantie added that playing alongside McCarthy at Orlando Pirates, when the striker still plied his trade in South Africa, prepared him for his time in England.

“We were a deadly partnership, me and him,” added Rantie.

“I was unknown but Benni brought with him all he had learned from the English game.

“I learned from him.”

AFC Bournemouth currently occupy 14 place in the division one league, but oculd move up to 12th if they win their next league match against Derby County on November 23.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.co.za