Johannesburg – The baby of Adriaan Netto and his girlfriend died a painful death at the hands of her parents, a judge said on Wednesday.

A couple convicted for the rape and death of their 10-month-old baby girl were sentenced on Wednesday to 18 years in prison each by the.

Judge Majeke Mabesele gave Adriaan Netto, 37, and his 34-year-old girlfriend a total of 18 years behind bars.

They received four years each for culpable homicide, three for child abuse, and 15 for rape. The sentences for culpable homicide and rape would run concurrently.

Before sentencing the couple in the South Gauteng High Court, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, the judge said he had a duty to send out a clear message to communities and parents that violation of children’s rights would not be tolerated.

No remorse shown

The couple sat in the dock with their heads bowed as the sentences were read out.

Mabesele said they had shown no remorse for the child’s death.

“It is evident she died a painful and undignified death at the hands of her parents. With the seriousness in nature of the crime, society will look to the courts to dish out harsh sentences. I’m mindful that reasoning should be above emotions to avoid sentencing in anger,” he said.

Mabesele said the couple had faced life sentences but he had taken into account their personal circumstances.

Although the court had a duty to impose the harshest sentence, he had to consider their two other children.

“I don’t agree with the argument raised by the State on the other children being well taken care of. These children should be raised and guided through life by their parents,” he said.

‘Long-standing child abuse’

On 18 September, Mabesele found the couple guilty of culpable homicide, child abuse, and the rape of their 10-month-old baby girl.

Mabesele found that while the couple had not murdered the child, as charged, their neglect and abuse made them culpable for the baby’s death in March last year.

“[I] conclude that the deceased sustained bodily injuries while under the care of her parents,” the judge said.

Testimony by Netto and the woman that they did not know how the baby was injured was not true.

“[The] injuries suggest long-standing child abuse,” Mabesele said.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – Officials at the Mangaung Correctional Centre outside Bloemfontein have confirmed there is a hostage situation at the prison.

G4S Africa head Andy Baker said prison management was dealing with the incident, but did not give more detail.

He said contingency measures designed to deal with hostage situations had been put in place.

Earlier, a local radio station reported that four inmates took a female guard hostage on Wednesday morning.

Two inmates took a doctor and a nurse hostage at the Mangaung Maximum Security Prison in December 2012. The hostage drama lasted 48 hours.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A Kruger National Park environmental monitoring officer and a villager are being treated in hospital after they were attacked by animals in two separate incidents on Tuesday, SANParks said.

In the first incident, official Amos Muhlovu fell on to a rock while trying to escape from a charging buffalo at Punda Maria, north of the park, said acting SANParks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli on Wednesday.

“The… officer managed to escape but fell on a rock and sustained injuries. He is receiving treatment at the Malamulele hospital,” he said.

In the other incident, Biyamirhi Maluleke was attacked by a leopard between Maphophe and Josefa villages outside Punda Maria, but managed to escape.

Thakhuli said Maluleke was being treated at a nearby hospital.

It was suspected that the leopard had escaped from the park.

“Rangers were deployed to trace the leopard and tracked it back into the park. We are making sure it does not go back to the community,” he said.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Tlokwe-The ANC today again tried to take control of Tlokwe illegally by switching council agendas and sneaking in a motion of no-confidence in the DA Executive Mayor, DA said.

“An independent councillor was forced to leave the council chamber in an artificial attempt to achieve a majority in the council” Democratic Alliance Chris Hattingh said in a statement.

DA said the meeting to remove the DA mayor could not be constituted since it was not quorate.

It is alleged that the ANC councillors proceeded, without the council being quorate, to debate
the salaries of MMC members.

“They also put reasons forward to the North West MEC for Local Government to conduct a Section 139 intervention into the Tlokwe municipality and to appoint an administrator to take control of the council” Hattingh said.

ÐA said this is an obvious attempt to re-instate ANC control by stealth.

“It is all part of sustained attempts by the ANC to destabilise the council in the run up to the by-elections on the 23rd of October” he said.

DA outlines that since it took over in Tlokwe, the ANC has done everything in its power to destabilise the council and prevent real service delivery from happening.

“DA will continue working to make sure that Tlokwe is a corruption-free and effective municipality that delivers services to its people”.

They said ANC’s delaying tactics, together with the persistent attempts at vote-buying by ANC and government officials form the backbone of the ANC’s election strategy for the upcoming by-elections.

“The ANC has been forced to resort to these tactics because they know that they have no service delivery record to run on in the Tlokwe municipality” Hattingh said.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-A truck lost control and overturned and collided with a minibus taxi and two other oncoming vehicles on the N12 this morning. 

A female driver of one of the two light vehicles was fatally wounded while the driver of the minibus was taken to the local hospital with serious injuries.

“Passengers from other vehicles including the driver of the truck escaped without injuries” spokesperson Ben Bole said. 

The accident happen right on the entrance of Alabama on the N12, leaving the Freeway closed since seven o’clock this morning. 

Traffic has been diverted to alternative routes while the rescue operations and clearing of the road is underway.

Traffic officials on the scene confirmed that the truck was traveling from Wolmaranstad while the three vehicles were from Klerksdorp. 

Police and traffic officials are still investigating the cause of the accident. 

MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi appealed to motorists travelling on the N12 to be patient while authorities are assisting in clearing the road. 

“Maloyi said that it’s unfortunate that the accident happens when the country is observing this month as transport month and his department embarking on series of road safety campaigns” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said. 

He appealed compliance and adherence to road rules.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By TDN

MAHIKENG – North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise has commended the National Lotteries Board (NLB) for taking part in nation building and improving the quality of lives in various communities especially that of women, children and people who are living with disabilities.Speaking at the NLB Post Indaba Stakeholders Engagement (PISE) held at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Tuesday, Premier Modise said her provincial government welcomes with both hands any help which intend to build socio economic agenda of the province and the country at large.

“We really appreciate the funding that is being injected by the NLB to the province, we believe that the monies received from the National Lottery are of worthy causes and will contribute to national socio-economic development.

 As the provincial government, we will always welcome with both hands any assistance that shares the same goal that is of improving the lives of our people,” she said.

The NLB was established in terms of the Lotteries Act (No 57 of 1997) to regulate the National Lottery, as well as other lotteries to raise funds and promotional competitions.

Members of the NLB are appointed by the Minister of Trade and Industry and NLB members are also trustees of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), into which national lottery proceeds that are intended for allocation to good causes are deposited.

Premier Modise thanked the NLB for the good work they have being doing since it was established.

She further congratulated applicants in the North West Province approved for grant funding as beneficiaries by NLB for the current financial year.

“We really hope that the funding that you receive here will benefit your communities and also help government to achieve its goal of reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality.

We believe that government will achieve its objectives when working in partnership with its various stakeholders,” she said.

NLB Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Charlotte Mampane said it has being many years since the National lotteries was established in the year 2000.

She said so much has being accomplished but more remains to be done in the area of funding.

“Our rationale resonates from the fact that National Lottery should be seen as development agency.

Its current and future practice should align itself to the democratic project whereby its task is essentially about giving an effective voice to many groups and interests whose voices are rarely heard in our country due to vast disparities of power, income or wealth,” she said.

Thus far, more than R13. 5 billion has been allocated to 16 000 beneficiaries, but it is not clear how many people have benefited from the money through job creation.

One of the projects that received funding from NLB is Thusanang Adventures from Masutlhe village of Mahikeng Local Municipality.

Thusanang adventure has received a funding of R 9 million to pursue its dream of starting a film school in their village.

A business partner in the project, Oratile Marumo said they intend to use the whole of the funding in building a reputable film school in their village.

“We are very excited because our dreams are becoming a reality, in no time there will be a film school which will benefit mostly the youth in our village.

We will ensure that this project does not fail but becomes one of the best in the country,” he said.

Touch Community Network from Rustenburg Local Municipality is another beneficiary project that has received funding of about R 647 000.

Their already existing project is a home to more than 1500 of children living with HIV/AIDS.

They also provide training to community members who are intending to provide care to vulnerable children.

Angela Meuwsen, who works at the centre also expressed gratitude after receiving funding.

“We really appreciate the money because we believe that it will take part in changing the lives of the children at the centre and the community at large,” she said.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Durban – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has been asked to probe claims of mismanagement in some KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, the IFP said on Tuesday.

They are the Umkhanyakude, Ethekwini, Mandeni, and Zululand municipalities, Inkatha Freedom Party deputy national spokesman Joshua Mazibuko said.

In Umkhanyakude, a dismissed municipal manager reportedly spent around R7.9m on water tankers that were never used.

“One other very serious allegation is that the service providers of water tankers are being paid by the municipality in collusion with some staff members within the municipality for services that they have never performed,” said Mazibuko.

Several companies which supplied services to the municipality were allegedly paid upfront, despite this being against regulations.

The axed manager allegedly hired the services of a consulting firm owned by the municipality’s chief financial officer Zenzo Masuku without any bidding process.

“The municipality ended up double-paying Masuku as the CFO and for consulting services. It is further alleged that Masuku is still with the municipality despite [a] new CFO having been appointed,” Mazibuko said.

Masuku worked in the Nkandla, uMhlabuyalingana, Big Five False Bay, Abaqulusi, and Zululand districts, all of which allegedly saw financial mismanagement in his tenure.

Mazibuko alleged the Umkhanyakude municipality failed to spend the totality of the municipal infrastructure grant which was intended to be used to solve the district’s water shortage.

Scores of households were still without access to clean water and the municipality could forfeit the funds, said Mazibuko.

In the Ethekwini municipality, a company owned by a top local government official was allegedly given a contract without the necessary steps being followed.

Mazibuko called on Madonsela to verify these and other claims.

“The office of the Public Protector must come in urgently to investigate these allegations so that the people of KwaZulu-Natal will know the truth,” said Mazibuko.

Madonsela’s office could not be reached for comment.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Arms procurement parastatal Armscor told the Seriti Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday it was not involved in procurement in the arms deal, SABC radio reported.

Acting general manager of acquisitions Dawie Griesel told the commission, sitting in Pretoria, that there was a deviation from standard policy procedures.

“Understandably Armscor would [normally] be responsible for the evaluation, but the defence department took over the process in this case,” Griesel said.

He said an evaluations report was signed by a navy representative. Normal processes would have seen the Armscor programme manager sign it.

“Hence, the observation that no proof could be found of Armscor’s participation,” he said.

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the multi-billion rand arms deal.

The government acquired, among other things, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the air force as part of the arms deal.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
North West- An escalating number of reported cases of theft out of and from motor vehicle are currently experienced by police in the North West. This crime is committed mostly during the day at shopping malls, other business areas and residential places. Items that are targeted are laptops, cell phones, bags, groceries, radios and speakers, clothing and cash.
“The common modus operandi of these crimes are include breaking of windows screens that are broken, doors forced opened, forceful opening of bonnets (in case of theft of batteries from trucks or cars)” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
Mokgwabone said in some instances, suspects do not have to apply any effort as victims leave their car windows or doors neither closed nor unlocked. It is also apparent that remote controllers could have been used to block the locking.
Motorists are residents are requested to take heed and apply the following precautionary measures:
• Place all valuables out of sight in vehicles
• Ensure that all doors and windows are locked. Test physically if needs be as remote control jammers are used in some instances
• At night ensure that vehicle is parked in a well-lit area
• Use car guards where possible
• Ensure that your car doors are locked and windows securely closed
The police’s visibility assists in alleviating this crime, but motorists’ assistance can also go a long way in curbing this crime, especially with the festive season approaching.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By Obakeng Maje
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a 23-man squad that will do duty against Morocco in an international friendly match to be played on Friday, 11 October 2013 at Agadir New Stadium in Agadir City, Morocco.

The clash is scheduled to kick off at 19h00 local time in Morocco (21h00 in South Africa).

Igesund has picked a balanced squad comprising youth and experience with an everage age of 24 years. Twelve players ply their trade in the PSL, with the other eleven overseas-based.

Five of the squad members are uncapped – goalkeeper Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), defender Kgosi Ntlhe (Peterborough FC), midfielders, Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren FC) and Keagan Dolly (Ajax Cape Town FC).

”When Morocco invited us to play at the new stadium, we jumped at the opportunity because of the fact that between now and the 2015 AFCON qualifiers there are only two FIFA calendar dates to prepare for those qualifiers. So this gives me a great opportunity to have a look at some players, and had we not taken this opportunity we would have had to wait for March 2014 to prepare for our first 2015 AFCON qualifier in September. Half of the team I selected will represent us in the CHAN while the other will feature in the qualfiers, so it’s a two-pronged approach,” said Igesund.

”We are playing a very formidable team, and you know North African teams are strong and will give us a stern test. This is a very serious match for both sides and there is some rivalry in that in our last match we drew 2-2 in the AFCON earlier this year – a match that was voted the best of the AFCON tournament.”

Igesund has not picked up any of the Orlando Pirates players as they will be playing in the semi-final of the CAF Champions League in Tunisia a few days after Bafana Bafana’s return from Morocco.

”We seriously had to sit down and look at Pirates’ situation. We need to support them in this campaign hence I decided to leave their players out as we don’t want to jeopadise their preparations in any way,” added the Bafana Bafana mentor.

”Next year it will be Kaizer Chiefs, the following year it could be Ajax Cape Town, or Moroka Swallows or Maritzburg United or any other team and we will do exactly the same thing. We hope Pirates will be successful and their success will rub off on the national team as it did in 1995 when they won the continental title and Bafana Bafana lifted the AFCON trophy the following year.”

The South African-based players will assemble for camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, 6 October and depart for Morocco on Monday, 7 October.

The overseas-based players will fly directly to Morocco from their various destinations.

BAFANA BAFANA vs MOROCCO

NO.

PLAYER’S NAME

CLUB

GOALKEEPERS:

1.

ITUMELENG KHUNE (C) 26YRS

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

2.

RONWEN WILLIAMS 21

Supersport United FC (SA)

3.

DARREN KEET 24

KV Kortrijk (Belgium)

DEFENDERS:

4.

ANELE NGCONGCA 25

Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

4.

THABO NTHETE 28

Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA)

6.

BONGANI KHUMALO 26

Doncaster Rovers FC (Eng)

7.

TSEPO MASILELA 28

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

8.

BUHLE MKHWANAZI 23

Tuks (SA)

9.

SIYANDA XULU 21

FC Rostov (Russia)

10.

KGOSI NTLHE 19

Peterborough FC (Eng)

MIDFIELDERS:

11.

KAMOHELO MOKOTJO 22

PEC Zwolle (Holland)

12.

BONGANI ZUNGU 21

Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

13.

SIBUSISO VILAKAZI 23

Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

14.

AYANDA PATOSI 20

Lokeren FC (Belgium)

15.

DAYLON CLAASEN 23

Lech Poznan (Poland)

16.

KEAGAN DOLLY 20

Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

17.

DEAN FURMAN 25

Doncaster Rovers FC (Eng)

18.

KAGISHO DIKGACOI 28

Crystal Palace FC (Eng)

19.

RENEILWE LETSHOLONYANE 31

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

20.

LERATO CHABANGU 28

Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

STRIKERS:

21.

TOKELO RANTIE 23

Bournemouth FC (Eng)

22.

KERMIT ERASMUS 23

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

23.

BERNARD PARKER 27

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)