Johannesburg – A man was arrested for robbery and housebreaking in Nemago, Port Alfred, on Wednesday, Eastern Cape police said.

A Somalian saw the man with stolen groceries and clothing in a block of shacks in the informal settlement, said police spokesperson Luvuyo Mjekula.

He alerted the police, and police dog Misha found the man in one of the shacks.

The 32-year-old man was also wanted for stealing money during a housebreaking in the area last month, said Mjekula.

He was expected to appear in the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – In the biggest drugs bust so far this year, drugs with a street value of about R75m were seized in Kempton Park, on the East Rand, on Wednesday, the Hawks said.

A Nigerian and a Tanzanian man were found with 20kg of heroin, 15kg of cocaine, and 15kg of tik during a police operation on Wednesday.

“This is the biggest drug raid we have netted so far this year in terms of value. The men were closely monitored by crime intelligence officers for the past few months,” said Hawks spokesperson Paul Ramaloko.

They were expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court soon.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said he was pleased with the work done by the Hawks.

“We congratulate the Hawks. This latest drug bust is consistent with our resolve as government to crumble drug syndicates,” he said in a statement.

“That is why, during the last two years, 669 arrests were effected and about 298 804 847kg of drugs confiscated, with a monetary value of R95m.”

He said the Hawks shut down 41 laboratories during the year.

“The use of drugs has become an international challenge. The distribution and sale of drugs are also major contributory factors to gang wars.”

Mthethwa said his department had already launched a campaign to target the drug problem.

“From a policing perspective, our focus has shifted from targeting and arresting the sniffers towards crippling the drug syndicates,” he said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) distanced itself on Wednesday from comments made by a member on Facebook.

“We want to place on record that comments or status updates made by individuals on social media, despite their affiliation to Popcru, do not represent the organisation’s stance,” the union said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) showed media a posting on Facebook by a person it claimed was a Popcru office bearer in Gauteng.

Numsa deputy general secretary Karl Cloete said the post contained a public threat to kill general secretary Irvin Jim.

The post read: “All of u can write what u like and say all manner of things, it will never deter us from our strategic alliance with the ANC, I’m saying it now that Irvin Jim is the most vitriolic political amoeba and must be expelled within our ranks.

“Thugs and criminals must be out rooted from society even if it means it’s yourselves who are chatting here we must deal with u to the extent of killing you if u pose threat to life, no apology.”

On Tuesday, Cloete said Numsa and its attorneys would lay a complaint with the Hawks.

“[The Hawks must] investigate the call for the killing of the Numsa general secretary,” he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Popcru said it did not approve of the statement on Facebook.

“We have no ill-intentions or wishes towards the Numsa general secretary,” the police union said.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Lichtenburg- Police are investigating a case of Culpable Homicide after a vehicle collided with a truck on Wednesday at about 12:00 on the R503 road between Lichtenburg and Coligny.

“It is alleged that a male (63) driver of a grey Nissan single cab lost control of the vehicle and collided head on with the truck of cements. The driver of the vehicle died on scene and the truck driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Delareyville Hospital” sergeant Kealeboga Molale.
Investigations continues.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley Police arrested four men on Tuesday, 26 November for allegedly stealing a laptop out of a Ford Fiesta which was parked in the Kimberley Central Business District (CBD).
The Kimberley Visible Policing Unit was busy with routine patrols at approximately 17:15 when they were stopped and informed about four men who broke into a Ford Fiesta. The men fled in a taxi.

Kock said the police stopped and searched the vehicle near the Big Hole and found the laptop wrapped in a t-shirt.

The four men were arrested and the laptop was handed back to the rightful owner.
“The police request that vehicle owner should be wary and not leave any valuables such as cellular phones, laptops, digital cameras and handbags inside their motor vehicles” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

The four men aged between 20 and 30 will be appear in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon.
The investigation continues.

North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed optimism that North West residents in the affected wards would vote in their numbers in today’s by-elections.

“We hope that the bi-elections will be hassle free and that our people will vote in their numbers. We call on everybody residing in the wards involved to vote in order to determine representatives of their choice. This is what democracy is about!” said Premier Modise.

Two by-elections are taking place in the North West.

Ward one in Koster is uncontested, with Canney Thabo Jacobs of the ANC being the only candidate.

Ward six in Lichtenburg is contested by three political parties, namely the ANC, the DA, and the FF Plus.

The polling stations opened this morning and will close at 9pm.

Premier Modise said those who neglect to exercise their democratic rights would regret when they realise that they had the right to choose whoever they want but did not exercise it.

According to the Spokesperson for the Independent Electoral Commission Kate Bapela, they are expecting to announce the results at midnight, after counting and verification.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- The National Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega will be visiting the Northern Cape on Thursday in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism of No Crime Against Women and Children.

 
“National Commissioner will visits the families of an 87 year-old woman who was brutally raped and murdered in her house in Galeshewe on Sunday, 24 November 2013 and the family of a six year-old child who was also allegedly raped on Tuesday, 26 November 2013 by a known person” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.
Naidu said a church service will be held at 11:00 at the Assemblies of God at the cnr of Philipmphiya and Malebo Streets in Galeshewe.-TDN
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Tournament hosts, Al’s Puk Tawana booked a place in the quarter-finals in the fifth edition of the Sasol League National Championships following an overwhelming victory over Royal Wizards on Wednesday in the City of Matlosana, North West province.

Al’s Puk Tawana will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the second quarter-final clash on Thursday, 28 November after a 16-0 lashing of Royal Wizards in the final Group A match played.

Tawana kicked off their final group stage campaign with guns blazing against the Northern Cape side, scoring eight goals in each half to secure a convincing victory in the first game of the day.

Royal Wizards showed fighting spirit but the hosts proved too strong with a first-half hat-trick from Mmamdodu Nkosi.

Nondumiso Shelembe and Selina Schalwyk each scored four goals in either half to signal the end of Royal Wizards in the Sasol League National Championships.

Emily Molapo contributed to Tawana’s goal tally with a second half brace with Elderene Janties, Khumo Sefako and Queen Ramaila adding a goal each to seal an impressive 16-0 victory.

The second match of the day kept fans on their feet as they cheered City Lads, who defeated Empumalanga Ladies 5-2 to book their place in the quarter-finals. But the battle between the two got off to a slow start under the intense heat of the North West sun.

Empumalanga Ladies were first on the score sheet with a goal from Ella Mandonsela as the City Lads defence was caught napping. However, City Lads were soon back in it as they levelled matters before the break.

City Lads returned from the break the stronger of the two with a hat-trick from Phakama Duru and Andisiwe Ndesi finishing it off to give her side a 5-2 victory and the best runner up spot in Group C. They will meet Ma-Indies in the first quarter-final on Thursday, 28 November.-TDN
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Johannesburg – First year University of Johannesburg (UJ) students will have to have either a laptop or a tablet for their studies in 2014, the university said on Wednesday.

“Technology will be an integral part of UJ students’ learning process and with this, UJ graduates will have the competitive edge and be able to vie for top positions nationally and internationally,” it said in a statement.

According to the UJ website, the university had negotiated a deal with a service provider so that students would pay about R2 000 for a tablet and the necessary dongle.

Eduloan could arrange funding for students to buy the tablet and pay it off at R500 a year or a lower monthly instalment. It also offered online resources to help students compare prices of other providers.

The university had been preparing for the move to digital learning by preparing the necessary infrastructure, learning resources, and interactive systems. Campus-wide Wi-Fi connectivity and charging points would be available.

Prof Elizabeth de Kadt, executive director of academic development and support, said the technology would bring immediacy, collaboration, and ease of access to studies.

“Students will be able to respond when lecturers ask them to find information online, take an in-class quiz, or to let lecturers know when they need to make their explanations clearer.

“It puts students’ learning in their own hands and allows them to actively participate in their education.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Two men were arrested after they were found in possession of drugs with an estimated street value of R75m, the Hawks said on Wednesday.

The men, a Nigerian and a Tanzanian, were allegedly found with 20kg of heroin, 15kg cocaine, and 15kg of tik during a police operation on Wednesday, said police spokesperson Paul Ramaloko.

The two are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court soon to face charges of drug possession.

– SAPA