Cape Town – Kaizer Chiefs’ title ambitions were put on hold after the Absa Premiership leaders were defeated 3-1 by strugglers Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night.

Chiefs remained six points clear of fellow contenders Platinum Stars, who were set to play later Wednesday night, with Orlando Pirates, who held a game in hand, a further point behind in third place.

Ajax, meanwhile, climbed three points clear of the relegation zone, with two games left in the league season.

The hosts, who had newly appointed coach Muhsin Ertugral on the bench after he had his paperwork cleared, scored twice in the final five minutes after Chiefs had levelled the game with 12 minutes to play.

Both sides made positive starts to the game, with Ajax having the first effort on goal as early as the second minute when Khama Billiat’s shot, which was bound for the top corner, was clawed away by agile goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

Kingston Nkhatha had AmaKhosi’s first chance on goal, doing well to cut inside a defender, but from a tight angle his shot sailed just over the bar.

Chiefs then began to exert their control on the match, holding more possession and pushing forward with purpose, although they were unable to find holes in a determined Urban Warriors back-line.

The visiting side should have taken the lead in the 22nd minute when Siphiwe Tshabalala went on a mazy run before pulling the ball back for George Lebese who fluffed his attempt from a few metres out.

Ajax, however, were not as wasteful, and with a rare attacking foray they went on to score the opening goal, 10 minutes before the interval.

Lebogang Manyama did well to lift the ball over Khune after Billiat had driven into the box and squared the ball for his teammate.

Chiefs had the final chance of the opening stanza as Tshabalala tested Sean Roberts with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, and the Ajax shot stopper did well to beat the ball away.

The hosts had an early chance in the second half, but Toriq Losper’s low drive was directed straight at Khune, before the Cape outfit were again pushed back as Roberts kept out Lehlonololo Majoro at the near post and Matthew Booth made a series of towering headers to keep AmaKhosi from equalising.

Ajax were consistently threatening on the break and they were centimetres away from stretching the gap when Manyama crossed for Losper, who powered a header goalwards, but Khune made a stunning reflex save.

The game became stretched, with both sides making headway, and the two keepers being kept on their toes as Chiefs’ Eric Mathoho headed just over the bar while Billiat failed to hit the target with a near-post effort at the other end.

AmaKhosi got their reward in the 78th minute when Tefu Mashamaite rose majestically to head Tshabalala’s corner into the back of the net.

But Ajax, desperate to avoid relegation, kept pushing for a second goal, which eventually came three minutes from time when Manyama stooped in to nod home Losper’s cross, securing his brace.

Lance Davids then chipped a pass through for Mabuthi Khenyeza, who slotted past an on-rushing Khune in the dying minutes. – Sapa

Cape Town – Two Vietnamese men, arrested in 2010 for the biggest single haul of illegal rhino horns in the Western Cape, had their case struck from the roll this week after the government was unable to supply court interpreters.

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Absa Premiership

Result: Ajax Cape Town 3-1 Kaizer Chiefs

Date: 01 May 2013

Venue: Cape Town Stadium

A brace from Lebogang Manyama helped Ajax Cape Town a 3-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs in their Absa Premiership match at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The result means Chiefs still have work to do to claim their first league title since 2005 as Ajax moved further away from the relegation zone.

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Orlando Pirates will have to channel all their energies into the tricky CAF Champions League second leg tie against respected TP Mazembe in Lumbumbashi on Saturday.

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

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Tlhabane Police have launched a massive manhunt for 10 suspects who are thought to be responsible for two Absa Automated teller machines (ATM) that were bombed at Tlhabane Township outside Rustenburg.

“The bombing allegedly took place in the early hours of this morning at about 02:00am” captain Amanda Funani said. 

“It is  allegedly that the two ATMs bombed are next to the Caltex garage and there was an armed security officer who was on duty in the garage when the incident occurred” police said.

Police said according to allegations, the suspects were using a blue unlicensed BMW during the robbery. One suspect allegedly approached the security guard and pointed him with a firearm.

“He allegedly instructed him to lie down. It is alleged that the suspect also demanded the firearm belonging to the security guard”. 

The suspects allegedly bombed and two machines and fled the scene with the undisclosed amount of money afterwards. 

A case of ATM blast and firearm robbery was registered at Tlhabane Police station. Anybody with the information that can assist the police can phone Colonel Pitsoane on 0825784312

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The Best Municipality Accredited Level 1 was awarded to Tlokwe Local Municipality at the 2013 North West Govan Mbeki Awards held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Tuesday evening.

Toro Ya Africa was also awarded the Best Community Residential Units Category for the housing project in the same municipality at the annual awards ceremony held to honour human settlements stakeholders and contractors who contributed towards the North West Province delivering 14331 housing units and being declared the best performing province in housing delivery across the country during the 2012/2013 financial year. 

“All the recipients of the awards are the honourees and our partners who excelled in making it possible for us to delivery upon our mandate in the past year of providing houses to our people. These are woman and men who have laboured hard, paid attention to detail, loved their output of their work and demanded nothing else but excellence,” praised Acting Premier, Raymond Elisha. 

The prestigious awards seek to promote best practice, create a healthy competition and are used as a monitoring tool to ensure service delivery.

The Provincial department of Human Settlement has set aside a budget of R2 billion to deal with thehousing backlog in the current financial year. The department managed to spent 100% of its budget and was declared the best performing department in housing delivery during the 2012/2013 financial year. 

Acting PremierElisha emphasized that government would need men and woman inside and outside government who are dedicated to build vibrant human settlementsfor the people of the province. 

Also in congratulating winners of the awards, Human Settlement and Public Safety MEC, Nono Maloyi said the people who have won awards are the people who have contributed in the successes of his department.

He promised that his department will continue to lead in providing quality houses to the people of the province through the help of companies that are prepared to do excellent work.

“We hope that the people who have won in these awards will encourage others who are willing to do work with the department that we believe in excellence not shoddy work,” he said.

The Best Finance linked Subsidy Project Category was awarded to Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) Mine for the Seraleng Integrated Housing Development Project.

Synchrocom (Pty) Ltd was crowned the Best Informal Settlement Unpgraded Project Category for the Boitumelo Extension 5 Bloemhof housing develoipment Project while Godieral Civils scooped the Best Rural Housing Project award for construction of 500 units in Dryhaarts and Myra in Taung.

Best Enhanced Peoples Housing Project was awarded Tlhabangani Trade Enterprise for housing development in Welverdien and Ga-Motlatla.

Best Woman Contractor Category awarded to Lebo Aaron of L& R Welding and Tools Suppliers for housing development project in Manthe and Tlapeng in Taung

She has established her company L&R Welding and Tools in 2003 with the intention to make phased transition from leisure industry marketer to Contraction Company.

She has done 250 units of houses mostly in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.

“Winning this award for me it means it is another step in the right direction.

It’s tough in the contraction industry especially if you are a woman but for me so far so good,” she said.

Another winner, Cecilia Thomas, 28, was crowned a Best Youth Contractor of Barzani Development, Project Management & Contraction.

Her Company successful contracted 48 units of house in Itsoseng of Ditsobotla Local Municipality.

“Winning is very good for me because it’s an indication that I do have talent in the contraction sector.

I worked hard day and night to make sure that what I give to the people is the best,” she said.

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A 23 year-old man who was arrested early last year for rape of a 14 year-old girl appeared briefly in Taung Magistrate Court.

Sokhupha(23) appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for raping Matlapaneng-born teenager.

His case was postponed until 15 May 2013 for formal bail application.

“Sokhupaha’s case was postponed yesterday after he acquired a new lawyer” police said.

He was subsequently arrested last year for raping a teen in Matlapaneng village said North West police.

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North West Acting Premier, Raymond Elisha is deliver the provincial government’s message of support at the COSATU-North West 2013 May Day Provincial rally to be held at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg tomorrow.

The rally to be held under the theme “united working class for a radical economic transformation.” where the Deputy President of the ruling party, Cyril Ramaphosa to commence as from11:00am is expected to attract thousands of workers.

In acknowledging the critical role that workers continue to play in building a prosperous country and economy and wishing workers who will be celebrations workers day across the province a joyous May Day, Acting Premier Elisha said that the celebrations should remind everyone that creating decent work is the most effective weapon in the campaign against poverty and that the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality are not insurmountable.

Elisha called for increased productivity and for workers to defend the strength of their unity, the gains of freedom and progressive labour laws, fight corruption wherever it raises its ugly head and the scourge of rape.

North West Acting Premier Raymond Elisha and MEC for Human Settlement

  and Public Safety, Nono Maloyi are to visit the homes of 11-year-old rape victim Odentse Mogale,13 –year-old muti killing victim Neo Ramaswe and the 92-year-old rape victim granny in Mmakau tomorrow morning.

The visits to the crime victims’ homes are to precede the Anti-crime prayer and commemoration service in honour of the late Kgosi Bazabaza Motsepe to be held as from 9:00 am at the Bakgatla Ba-Mmakau Tribal Kgotla in Mmakau.

The prayer and commemoration service for divine intervention is also aimed at mobilising the community for a partnership against crime which in recent months have claimed the lives of 11-year old rape victim Ofentse Mogale and 13-year-old muti killing victim Neo Ramaswe. Another crime victim in the area was a 92-year- old granny who was repeatedly raped by a parolee.

The service at which Acting Premier Elisha is to deliver the keynote address is also intended at praying for peace and unity within the community and promoting harmonious relationship between the community and the police which is at its all time low given escalating crime in the area.

Premier Thandi Modise has called for united action against crime and the scourge of rape and for crime prevention efforts involving Community Policing Forums, Street committees and neighbourhood watch to prioritise elderly women and orphans who are staying on their own.

In response to the Premier’s call, the province has started with distribution of a crime prevention safety kit that includes whistles and pepersprays to elderly women and intensified mobilisation for the one million signature anti-rape campaign.