Mooinooi-A man was killed when he tried to steal an electricity transformer in Bokfontein in North West, police said on Friday.

The man apparently scaled poles supporting a transformer that supplied power to the residents and farmers of Bokfontein, said police spokesperson Lesego Metsi.

“The deceased unscrewed the transformer and moved further up about 5m on the poles and tried to slacken off the live electric wires,” said Metsi.

“He was electrocuted and was burnt to ashes.”

The power was switched off for police to remove his remains.

Police had opened an inquest docket.

SAPA

Johannesburg – US President Barack Obama has accepted an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Johannesburg, vice chancellor Ihron Rensburg announced on Friday.

“It is my delight and pleasure to announce, on behalf of the entire community of the University of Johannesburg, that Dr Barack Obama has become our newest alumnus, and that all matters relating to the award were concluded according to the relevant policies and charters of the university,” he said in a statement.

Obama would not accept the award in person at this stage.

“First, it is normal and standard that the formal procedures relating to the conferral of an honorary degree do not coincide with the actual conferral of the qualification,” said Rensburg.

“Secondly, Dr Barack Obama’s visit to South Africa is a matter between the South African state and the US. Accordingly, and on this occasion, Dr Obama is a guest of the South African state and the South African people, and not of the University of Johannesburg.”

The fact that Obama’s visit coincided with former president Nelson Mandela’s hospital stay was also cited as a reason for the university not physically conferring the doctorate.

“Accordingly, the ceremonial conferral of the honorary doctorate on Dr Barack Obama will take place at a future occasion on a mutually agreed date,” Rensburg said. 

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating an armed robbery which allegedly took place on Thursday between 08:00 and 11:30 at Johanna Street, Monument Heights. A woman in her early fourties was allegedly phoned by two men who pretended to be registered diamond dealers with a permit to sell diamonds.
“It is alleged that the men entered the house of the victim with a briefcase. The two suspects then allegedly opened the briefcase to show the victim their permit to sell diamonds, but instead one suspect allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened the victim with it” Lieutenant Andrea Cloete said.
“The two suspects managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of money and jewellery to the value of R 100 000. The two suspects then fled the scene on foot” Cloete said.
Police request any assistance from the community are being request with regard to trace these suspects because they are posing a danger to anybody as they are in the possession of a firearm.
The police request that information regarding the incident be forwarded to Detective Warrant officer Dibebe at 082 3020 407.
The investigation continues.
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The North West Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison will host a one day youth summit, as part of creating, a sustainable and enabling environment for youth in Human Settlements.
The summit, which will be held in Potchefstroom, with the main objective of identifying youth contractors, who can play a significant role in the housing delivery processes in the province.
“Other discussions during the summit will be centred on the transferring of skills and empowerment of emerging youth contractors and will be topping the discussions during the summit” departmental spokesperson Simon Mmope said.
“The Departmental MEC, Nono Maloyi is expected to address the summit, where about 500 youth delegates are expected to attend” he said.
The summit will be held as follows:
Date: 28 June 2013
Venue: Potchefstroom Banquet Hall
Time: 08H00
(Edited by Obakeng Maje)
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-Police are investigating a case of possession of dagga after two males were arrested on the Boshoff Road approximately 5km outside Kimberley on Wednesday.
“The SAPS Crime Intelligence unit received information of a Toyota quantum travelling from Kwa Zulu Natal en route to Kimberley with dagga. The SAPS K9 unit and Flying Squad spotted the mentioned vehicle at approximately 22:22pm and it was immediately stopped and searched” Lieutenant Andrea Cloete said.
The police found the dagga in the luggage of two men.
“The total weight of the two bags of dagga is 22,75kg and it has a street value of R110 000, 00. The men aged 18 and 27 who are originally from Kwa Zulu Natal were charged with the illegal possession of dagga and should be appearing before the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon” Cloete said.
The investigation continues.
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Spain beat Italy in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in their Confederations Cup semi-final in Fortaleza, Brazil on Thursday.

The game came down to penalties after a 0-0 draw at extra-time, with the current World Champions winning the shoot-out 6-7.

Spain will face Brazil in the Final on Sunday.

Spain went on the attack early on, with Pedro hitting wide in the opening minutes.

Despite La Roja’s early possession the Azzurri were a threat on the wing, and Iker Casillas had to make the first save of the night on 20 minutes, coming off his line to stop Christian Maggio, after a pin-point pass from Andrea Pirlo.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape says it will write a letter to the MEC for Education, Grizelda Cjiekella, to ask that the education department takes urgent action in all reported cases of teacher abuse and assaults at schools in the province.

This after a teacher at a Kimberley high school was allegedly locked in a computer room where she was assaulted and verbally abused by her school principal.

The DA’s Dr Allen Grootboom says they are concerned about the attacks on teachers in the workplace.

“Firstly is because we have a problem of some teachers and some principals who are untouchables because of their position within the union and because of the allegiance and connection with the top structure. Once you don’t have those bindings, you are pushed around like a little pony.”

Grootboom adds: “One thing that is good here is that the educators themselves took it upon themselves to go to the department to present the department with a memorandum.”

However, the department of education in the province says the matter has been reported and a team comprising of labour has been tasked to look into the issues around it.

Departmental spokesperson, Sydney Stander, says schools are supposed to be friendly environments.

“We really condemn the incidence where teachers themselves are made or are belittled by the conduct of school managers and in this case without really saying he is guilty, we will look into it and take the necessary action.”
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has called for a programme to put street-kids into the schooling system.

The union’s Durban region held a march in the city to protest against rape, drugs and other social ills. The union says there is a very close link between such problems and children ending up on the street.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders meeting in the Mozambican capital Maputo have sent messages of support for President Jacob Zuma and all South Africans as the nation keeps watch over former president Nelson Mandela.

President Zuma pulled out of the Summit on Trade and Infrastructure to visit Madiba last night, as a result, this heightened speculation about Mandela’s critical situation.

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Hazyview – Mpumalanga Education MEC Reginah Mhaule on Thursday deplored a decline in high school pass rates in the province, and urged pupils to choose learning over sex and drugs.

“In 2011, this school obtained 49%, and instead of improving the school declined to 43%. As a department this year we have taken an initiative to label all schools below 50% dysfunctional,” Mhaule told Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils at Jerusalem High School near Hazyview, according to a Sapa reporter.

The students were attending winter classes.

“Like Nelson Mandela said: ‘Education is the best weapon one can use to change the world.’ Let us not sit and mourn that we are from poor families,” Mhaule added.

“Focus on your books and make sure you refrain from sex and drugs… We see it’s very cold these days, but for you to come here shows that you are keen to learn.”

Mhaule encouraged pupils to use the dial-a-tutor programme that the department planned to launch on 15 July. A tweet-a-tutor programme was also in the pipeline.

“You just need to call a specialist in your subject and ask any question. This is the department’s plan to make sure that you don’t fail saying you didn’t have support.”

The MEC was accompanied by two matriculants, Bonginkosi Mnisi and Calvin Mawere, who said they managed to produce top results despite poor family backgrounds.

“These young men are from very poor communities [poorer] than yours; they lived in homes without electricity, but through studying they became stars and are now having full time bursaries and after that they are going to work at big companies and make money to change the situation at home,” she said.

Kids urged to work hard

Out of Mpumalanga’s 529 secondary schools that offer Grade 12, Jerusalem High School is ranked 490th in terms of results.

Mawere, from Bushbuckridge, is studying medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand.

He told pupils: “What you need is just hard work. Forget about problems at home. You may be from a poor family – parents drinking and some fighting every day disturbing you – but that’s not your problem. Your problem is the number of books which you have to read.”

Mnisi, a third year science student majoring in physics, astro-physics and applied maths, said he came from a community without electricity or running water, but obtained the top marks in his school.

“What I’m asking you do to is to try by all means to excel in your books,” he said.

– SAPA