Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has trimmed his squad down to 21 players following the fitness and assessment tests that took place in Johannesburg over the past four days.

The Sasol-sponsored senior women’s national team underwent rigours tests to enable the coach and his technical team to select the 21 players that will travel to Mpumalanga today, Monday, 3 June. The squad is currently preparing for their international friendly match against Mozambique to be played at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday (kick-off: 15h00).

The coach said after careful assessment of all the players, he had tried out new combinations and was impressed by the quality that each player possessed. Unfortunately he could not take all the players and had to trim down the squad for this camp.

“After assessing all the players called up, we had to leave behind three players and move on with the other 21. It is always hard to cut players from camp but they should not be discouraged as we will call them up in future. The 21 players that are left in camp will be put through their paces before they come up against tough opposition in the friendly against Mozambique,” said Mkhonza.

Mkhonza said they were looking for certain qualities in the selected players. He will want the players to play a brand of football that will become synonymous with Banyana Banyana, one that will leave a lasting legacy in women’s football.

“I have however warned some of the older players to guard against complacency as nobody’s position is guaranteed. Everyone is required to put in an equal amount of effort as we look to take this team to greater heights,” said Mkhonza.

A squad of 18 Banyana Banyana players will travel back to Johannesburg on Monday (10 June 2013) for the next friendly encounter against Zimbabwe on Saturday, 15 June at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.

Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk said the spirit in camp was at an all-time high and has encouraged players who did not make the cut to work hard and not give up on their dreams.

“I am appreciative of the spirit in camp. Everybody has been putting in their best and we further understand that not everyone will travel to Mpumalanga but I have encouraged them not to give up on their dreams and work towards making the team a success,” said van Wyk

Banyana Banyana team manager and former national team player, Lydia Monyepao shared her experience about becoming a Banyana Banyana player. She encouraged those who did not make the team to not give up on their dreams but to go back to their clubs and work on improving their talent.

“The team has come far in its 20 years of featuring in international football. Banyana Banyana made history by going to the Olympic Games in London last year. We need to look at the bigger picture and aim for greater heights such as building towards winning the 2014 African Women’s Championship. That will be our ticket to qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and look even further to participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Don’t give up on your dreams and work harder because your efforts will be recognised,” said Monyepao.

Banyana Banyana squad that will travel to Mpumalanga:

NAME

CLUB

1. Andile Dlamini

Mamelodi Sundowns

2. Nkosingiphile Zungu

Remax Shooting Stars

3. Mahlatsi Mogola

TUT PTA

4. Primrose Ndlozi

TK Stars (Mpumalanga)

5. Gabisile Hlumbane

Kovsies Ladies

6. Nothando Vilakazi

Super Falcons

7. Nelisiwe Mchunu

Moroka Swallows

8. Lebogang Mabatle

Zebra Force

9. Janine Van Wyk

Mondeor Meteors Ladies

10. Charlotte Mshengu

Durban Ladies

11. Nwabisa Kolisi

City Lads

12. Amanda Dlamini

Durban Ladies

13. Nocawe Skiti

Cape Town Roses

14. Nomathemba Ntsibande

Springs Home Sweepers

15. Nomawethu Nyusani

Coastal United Ladies

16. Memory Makhanya

Durban Ladies

17. Noko Matlou

MaIndies

18. Zingawe Phakathi

United Ladies

19. Silindile Ngubane

Durban Ladies

20. Shiwe Nogwanya

Celtics

21. Zamandosi Cele

Durban Ladies
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By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- Police are investigating a Culpable Homicide case after two vehicles collided head-on the N12 Klerksdorp/Wolmaransstad road on Sunday at about 15:51.
“The driver of a white Bantam Bakkie with nine passengers on board collided head-on with a maroon Ford Bantam Bakkie with three passengers on board” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
Two passengers of the White Bantam Bakkie, a 29-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl died on the scene.
Police said all the other victims were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a culpable homicide case after a teenager was knocked down by a taxi in Modutong village, near Taung.
“A minibus taxi was travelling along the Modutung road when he allegedly saw two boys walking on the left side of the road.The driver of the Minibus Taxi was about to pass them when the 19 year-old boy crossed the road without observing” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
The accident took place on Saturday at around 13:15.
He collided with the victim, and he was rushed to a local hospital.
“The victim later died at a hospital from injuries sustained” said Mokgwabone.
A culpable homicide case is being investigated by the police.
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By Obakeng Maje
Wolmaransstad- Police are investigating a culpable homicide case after they were called to attend an accident at Wolmaransstad/Makwasie road near Reabona School.
“A vehicle with six occupants overturned. All victims were transported to the Local Hospital. Three men aged between 26 and 35 allegedly later died in the Hospital and the other two are still in hospital with serious injuries” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
A Culpable Homicide case is being investigated by the Police.
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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-During a NW MPAC Imbizo in Rustenburg, in which methods and procedures to handle their oversight role in public accounts were discussed, a number of NW ANC Councillors complained about ANC interference in MPAC activities DA NW said in a statement.   

“Councillors indicated that interference from ANC structures are impeding their work when they need to address issues of fraud and corruption involving other ANC members” DA Chris Hattingh said. 

DA said although the Chairperson of the North West Public Accounts Committee, Patrick Chauke, provided clear guidance about the apolitical and non-partisan approach that Public Accounts committees should adopt, it was clear that NW Municipal Public Accounts Committee  are still being held hostage by ANC structures.

“These ANC utterances give impetus to persistent speculation that some ANC structures may be beneficiaries to the proceeds of fraud and corruption and that NW municipal finances have become the target of organised political crime” said Hattingh.

Democratic Alliance vows continue to be vigilant on efforts to block the scrutiny of suspect transactions and will train its MPAC members in fulfilling their MPAC oversight role said Hattingh.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after two men were allegedly shot at Wonderkop hostel, at Marikana on Monday.

“It is alleged that the two were shot while at the office of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.  

Police said that one of victims died at the scene while another one was taken to hospital for medical treatment. 

“According to information available at this stage, both men are members and office bearers of NUM” Mokgwabone said.  

The motive of the incident is unknown and nobody has been arrested. 

Police investigation regarding the matter continues.  

The situation is calm and police are monitoring it.

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-The Police in Kagisho have managed to arrest two suspects in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old male. The murder took place on the night of Friday at Soul City. 

“It is alleged that two suspects took the victim out of a certain Shebeen earlier and allegedly stabbed him several times” Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. Police said the victim sustained some injuries in the head and died on the scene. 

Police followed information received from the community and managed to arrest 19-year-old suspect as well as a 27-year-old suspect on Monday.

“SAPS would like to thank the public for their co-operation as well as its members for the hard-work they have shown” said Mdhluli said. 

The two suspects will appear before the Galeshewe Magistrate Court on Wednesday where they will face a charge of murder. The investigation continues.

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By Obakeng Maje

Zeerust-Another group of card cloning syndicate arrested by North West Hawks. The two suspects are, Neo Morule ( 26) and Katlego Sekeleko (30) both from Mahikeng appeared before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of Fraud and Possession of suspected stolen bank cards. 

“The suspects will appear again on 10 June 2013 for a bail application.

It is alleged that on Friday police received a tip-off that the suspects were interrupting clients at one of the Automatic Teller Machines(ATM) at one of the garages in Zeerust” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

Police arrived at the scene and the suspects were then arrested in their operational area. Twenty two different bank cards were found in their possession said Ngubane. 

Police said bank cards found in the possession of suspects were cloned and transactions were done already. 

“Some of the cards found to be in possession of the suspects belonged to Police Officers who were also their victims of the card cloning syndicate” police said.  

The Hawks had identified that ATM at Zeerust garage as one of the hotspots where card swapping and cloning took place on many occasions. 

The Hawks together with the Dog Unit will also visit the respective homes of the suspects in Mahikeng on Tuesday for further search.  

“The 43 year-old,Oupa Joseph Mashangu with a lavish house and expensive posh cars who stays  in the top suburbs of Klerksdorp, Doringkruin, was  also arrested last week on Thursday in Rustenburg when he was caught in the act next to the ATM. 

“He appeared in Rustenburg  Magistrate Court on the 27th May 213 and he appeared again today and he was remanded in custody until the 5th of June 2013 for bail application” said police. 

The suspect had a previous case of a similar nature when he was arrested last year on the 31 December 2012, and he was still out on bail when he was arrested.

The North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo has welcomed the arrest and commended the Hawks for a job well done as card cloning has been one of the major crimes that has engulfed the North West Province, claiming about R2 million. 

“The Provincial Commissioner said her concern with these kinds of crimes is that heartless criminals like these, targets the poor and the illiterate where they take advantage of them at ATM’s and clean them off their hard-earned monies”. 

The Provincial Commissioner said this has a huge negative impact on the poor people of the province. 

She requested the business community around North West province to ensure that they contribute in clamping down off these crimes. 

“The Provincial Commissioner further requested that Business people should ensure at all times that they ask for proof of identity from any person that swipes with a card to buy goods and products” said police. 

This practice has proved to work on other provinces in curbing these crimes.

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Police in Galeshewe are investigating a robbery case following the incident whereby a White Nissan bakkie was stolen and recovered on Saturday in Galeshewe. 

“It is alleged that a 22 year-old male complainant was woken-up by howling dogs” Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. 

Police said he allegedly went to checked what’s happening and noticed that the vehicle has been pushed half-way through the drive-way. 

Unaware that suspects were still around, the complainant got inside the car and attempted to start it when approached by three suspects (two males and one female). 

“One suspect allegedly used a brick-slab to break into the driver’s window and was reportedly caring a knife with him” Mdhluli said. 

The complainant was reportedly stabbed on his chin and sustained some injuries. 

Police said the suspects allegedly dragged him out of the vehicle and drove away. 

A member of the public alerted the police and led them to the abandoned vehicle. 

“The vehicle was found in an open field at Hutse Segolodi Avenue in Galeshewe” said police. 

Police would like to thank the public for their co-operation and assistance that led to the recovery of this vehicle. 

Police are looking for three suspects and request anyone with information to contact the Galeshewe Police on 053-807 6012 or contact Crime Stop on 0800 10111. 

“Working together we can reduce the level of crime”. 

The investigation continues.

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