BY Obakeng Maje

CHRISTIANA: Police in Christiana have arrested a 19-year-old suspect for allegedly stabbing to death a 24-year-old victim. 

It is alleged that on Friday the two were at Shack Attack tavern in Geluksoord when a argument ensued.

“It is not known  what the cause of the fight was, but alleged that during the argument the suspect drew a knife and stabbed the deceased once in the chest” Tselanyane said. 

“The victim was rushed to Christiana Hospital in a private vehicle and was certified dead on arrival” he added.   

Police were informed and a case of murder was registered. 

The suspect was arrested and he is expected to appear before the Christiana Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of murder. Investigation continues.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the CAF African Women’s Championship 2012, after outplaying the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in their final Group A fixture in Bata, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, 3 November 2012.

A hat-trick of goals from tall Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi paved the way for a win that has set the Sasol-sponsored South African senior national women’s team up for semifinal action at the same venue on Wednesday (7 November)- with Group B log leaders and Africa’s No 1 side Nigeria, the likely opponents.

Cape Town Roses (Sasol League Western Cape) attacker Leandra Smeda – brought into the side on the right wing in place of Nocawe Skiti – put the South Africans ahead as early as the 3rd minute, as she tapped home a square ball range, delivered by team captain Amandai Dlamini.

Seven minutes later, Mgcoyi had an easy tap-in goal, finishing off a cross from the right from striker Jermaine Seoposenwe.

The South Africans could easily have been 5-0 by the break, but increased their advantage in the second half. Mgcoyi carved a cross through the Congolese defence before firing home three minutes after the break, and scored again from close range in the 57th minute.

The Congolese scored a consolation goal against the run of play in the 88th minute via defender Jolie Tutzolana who fired the ball home from 18m out, with SA goalkeeper Thoko Mnadweni having no chance of pulling off a save.

Banyana Banyana went into the game needing a draw or win to secure their spot in the semifinals, but national head coach Joseph Mkhonza can be proud of the effort put in by his players on the slippery Nkoantoma stadium surface following light rain leading up to the match.

“We have now qualified for the knock-out stages of the competition, for us this means anything is possible. Any team that has made it to the semi-finals as a chance of proceeding to the final stage of the tournament.

“We came to this tournament knowing at some stage that we would meet one of the power houses of women’s football on the continent. If you have to be the best, you have to play the best. We are here to make a statement.” said Banyana Banyana head coach, Joseph Mkhonza.

Banyana Banyana captain, Amanda Dlamini has said making it this far in the tournament would mean facing some of the strongest teams on the continent but feels they are up for that challenge and make it as far in the competition.

“Coming into this tournament we knew if we wanted to compete in the semi-finals, we are bound to meet the African power houses of Women’s football. Now that we’ve made it this far in the tournament, we want to play our own game taking into fact that we will face tough opposition being amongst the top four.” said Dlamini.

The national coach should also be complimented for sticking with his attacking 3 (defenders), 5 (midfielders), 2 (strikers) formation, which allowed the captain Dlamini, the experienced Portia Modise, and young midfield sensation Refiloe Jane, to dominate the centre of the park.

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PROVINCIAL LAUNCH OF SAFER FESTIVE SEASON “OPERATION DUTY CALLS” AND “ARRIVE ALIVE CAMPAIGN”: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The Provincial official launch of Safer Festive Season “Operation Duty Calls and “Arrive Alive Campaign” was successfully held on Friday, 2 November 2012 at Mahikeng.

With the festive season around the corner and the expected influx of people into the Province during this period, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies including Customs and Department of Home Affairs participated in the official launch. The latter was done by the North West Premier, Honourable Thandi Modise, and graced by MEC Nono Maloyi of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, who also outlined the roll out of the plan.

“Fear is the word of those who are not committed,” said the North West Provincial Commissioner, Zukiswa Mbombo upon her welcoming remarks. She also appreciated handing over of vehicles to Provincial Traffic which she believed will contribute in bringing down the level of drunken driving.  She also welcomed participation of Community Police Forum (CPF) members in Safer Festive Season Operation Duty Calls in a bid to ensure the safety of the community.

The launch was preceded by suspect raiding operation that was held on Thursday night (2012-11-01) and achieved the following successes:

16 persons were arrested in Ottoshoop, Mahikeng, Lomanyaneng and Mmabatho for the following crimes: Theft, Murder, assault common, Assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm, business robbery, common robbery and the contravention of a court order.

In another operation conducted by a tracking team in Mahikeng, 2 vehicles, Toyota Yaris and Corolla were recovered and 2 suspects, a male and female aged 36 and 34 respectively and were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen vehicles at Magogwe and Unit 6. The suspects are expected to appear before Molopo Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 November 2012. The recovery of the two cars and arrests of suspects are linked to the case whereby police recovered  10 cars in Mahikeng during June 2012 and 4 suspects were ultimately arrested.

Subsequent to roadblocks that were conducted at Ramatlabama Road, Mahikeng-Vryburg after the launch, 23 traffic fines were issued to motorists for various offences.  In another road block on Lichtenburg-Mahikeng Road whereby MEC Nono Maloyi and Deputy Provincial Commissioner Mpembe participated, 17 traffic fines were issued to motorists for different road traffic offences.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo urges all communities to work together with the Police to fight and prevent crime in our townships, suburbs, rural places including farms.   “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to expose and apprehend all those who are still living with criminal thoughts ”  said General Mbombo.”

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North West Premier, Thandi Modise has called on law enforcement agencies not to show offenders mercy but to intensify crime prevention operations for safer communities during the festive season.

Speaking at the launch of the Provincial Arrive Alive Road Safety and Operation When Duty Calls Campaigns on Friday at Mmabatho Stadium, Premier Modise said traffic officers and the police should be vigilant for any wrong doings both on the road and in communities.

Premier Modise expressed appreciation for the successes that traffic law enforcement operations had scored during October Transport Month and thanked officers for their hard work and dedication. The Premier highlighted that 90 245 vehicles were stopped as part of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan and 99 297 notices were issued.

Nine hundred and twenty-four motorists were arrested for unpaid traffic fines, 147 un-roadworthy vehicles were discontinued and 79 drivers arrested for drunken. Two illegal foreign nationals were among those arrested during the operations

The Premier decried that driving under the influence of alcohol was a contributory factor that caused most crashes over the past five years.

“People who drive under the influence of alcohol drive dangerously, recklessly, and inconsiderately. It is not only the offender who puts himself at risk of an accident, in most instances they continue to overtake on barrier lines, push off other drivers out of the road and became the causes of other accidents,” she said.

Premier Modise also raised a concern that there are high rate of pedestrians killed on the roads which also forms second contributory factor to fatalities.

She mentioned a total disregard of road safety education and awareness campaign as the main cause of pedestrian killed on the roads.

“Most of the pedestrian who are killed on the roads are either walking along the roads, crossing on unsafe areas or without looking at both directions of the roads and the kids while playing on the roads.

We appeal to pedestrians to take precautionary measures while walking or crossing the roads, please walk far from the road and try at all times to wear cloths which will make you visible to the drivers especially at night,” Premier Modise said.

Also sharing the same sentiments with the Premier, MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi emphasized that his department is ready to fight lawlessness on public roads and in the communities.

“Through the Arrive Alive campaign and Operation When Duty Calls we are seeking to fight any unnecessary loss of human life.

All our systems are in place, we are ready to take action against any individual who will be on the wrong side of the law,” he said.

The MEC used the occasion to hand over eight new vehicles to traffic officers that will enable them to do their job effectively.

He said his department will continue to increase the fleet for Jaws of Life Special Operations and on an incremental basis add vehicles fitted with licence recognition technology in order to fight and reduce crime.

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 The North West Provincial government will pursue corruption syndicates relentlessly until those who have been looting state resources are behind bars and their properties repossessed, Premier Thandi Modise warned on Friday.

The stern warning was issued by Premier Modise in her hard hitting keynote address delivered at the Provincial Road Summit attended by close to two thousand held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre.

Premier Modise said that those that thought that they were untouchable and could loot state resources with impunity should know that its game time.

“You have reached this far and no further. We are not going to be scared off or succumb to any pressure to abandon the fight against corruption because road users deserve quality and safer roads. We will not be bought because our integrity is not for sale,” vowed Modise.

She emphasised that her administration is tightening the screw against corruption with a major focus on price collusion within the tendering system.

“This province cannot afford to pay three to four times what other provinces are paying for road construction. Our communities deserve quality and safer roads and not expensive but inferior roads,” the Premier said to loud applause. 

   She underlined that though odds may appear to be stacked against her administration from the network involving politicians and public servants, her administration will not be intimidated nor succumb to pressure because it knows too well that the overwhelming majority of people in the province hate corruption as it diverts resources that are supposed to better their lives.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-North West Public Works,Roads and Transport Department to re-prioritise some of roads projects in the province.

This was announced by The Head of Department(HOD) of Public Works,Roads & Transport in the province Mr Sam Thobakgale.

“We have put our focus on economic roads that connects towns. And the projects for this roads projects will started soon. Our aim is to improve  more than 25 roads in the province” Thobakgale said.

“This roads are been marked across four districts. So we will like to inform roads users to be more patient as we will make their lives more unbearable with that stop and go situation” He continues.

North West is much known as potholes province as its roads leave much to be desired.

Most roads are in bad conditions as potholes rule. For more typical example, a road from Klerksdorp to Schweizer-Reneke is no go.

“The province also will offer internships to Engineer students as we lost more graduates,but hopefully they will bring their excellent knowledge and skll in the province” Thobakgale said.

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