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N West alleged cop killer remanded in custody


By Obakeng Maje
Stilfontein-A third suspect Mandla Joseph Msibi,32, appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court for the murder of the late Constable Daniel Ntonyane,28, of the Stilfontein Police Station in Klerksdorp in the North West province. 

“The case was postponed until Monday so that he can join his two accomplices, Reuben Sipho Sithole,29 and Dan Collen Sikhavelle,28 in the dock” departmental spokesperson Paul Ramoloko said.  

The two were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation in Palmridge near Thokoza on the East Rand, Johannesburg. 

“They appeared in court on Monday in Stilfontein and the case was postponed to Monday for a formal bail application. Constable Ntonyane was fatally shot in the line of duty in Stilfontein this year” Ramaloko said.

The suspects detonated explosives at an ATM, but no money was taken as the cash was stained. They fled in two vehicles which were later found abandoned a few kilometres away.  

Whilst fleeing, the suspects were allegedly confronted by a security patrol vehicle which was also shot at, but none was wounded. 

“Our members have been working around the clock to arrest these culprits and the three are now in police custody. Our search for more possible suspects is still under way,” said North West Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Ntebo Mabula.-TDN
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EFF North West To Launch Its Manifesto


Mahikeng-The Economic Freedom Fighters North West Election Manifesto Launch will take place at Montshioa Stadium, Mahikeng.

“EFF Command in Chief Julius Malema will deliver the key note address” EFF representative Seitebogeng Nkitseng said.

The Manifesto Launch which will be held as follows:

 Date: Saturday, 01 March 2014

 Venue: Montshioa Stadium, Mahikeng

 Time : 09h00
-TDN
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Robbers shot a tourist at lodge


Nelspruit – A tourist was shot in the leg by three men at a lodge in Hazyview in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Mpumalanga police said.

“It is alleged that three armed men forced opened the door of a chalet that was occupied by two men from Holland,” Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.

“They went inside and fired a shot that wounded one of the tourists in his leg.”

The men took the tourists’ toiletry bags and a flat screen television.

“They proceeded to another chalet, also forced the door open and stole a flat screen television, then fled the scene,” he said.

One of the televisions was found abandoned not far from the chalet. The 55-year-old injured tourist was taken to hospital for medical treatment and discharged after a few hours.

The thieves were still at large.

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Kanye West to make a movie


London – Kanye West is making a movie with Brett Easton Ellis.

The controversial author was initially reluctant to work with the ‘Bound 2’ hitmaker, but was instantly won over when he heard the rapper’s latest album ‘Yeezus’, though he is unsure when the project will go ahead.

He said: “It’s in Kanye Land, and that’s subject to a whole other time frame.” offered Ellis on the status of the film.

“He came and asked me to write the film. I didn’t want to at first. Then I listened to ‘Yeezus’. It was early summer last year and I was driving in my car. He’d given me an advance copy, and I thought, regardless of whether I’m right for this project, I want to work with whoever made this. So f**k it, I said yes. And that’s how it happened.

“That was seven or eight months ago. We’ll see what happens.”

As well as being a fan of Kanye’s music, the ‘American Psycho’ author finds him a fascinating person, though he admits he doesn’t always come across well to the public.

He added in an interview with Vice: “I really like him as a person. I know he comes off in this performance-art way in the press, but if you’re just alone with him in a room talking for three hours, it’s kind of mind-blowing.” – Bang Showbiz

Med school rejects student over race


Durban – In what has been described as “discrimination of the worst kind”, the University of KwaZulu-Natal has backtracked on its offer of a coveted spot at its medical school to an applicant – after learning that she was Indian.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Barca faces charges over Neymar deal


Madrid – Spain’s public prosecutor sought Wednesday a criminal tax indictment against Barcelona football club over the signing of Brazilian star Neymar, a copy of the filing showed.

The prosecutor believes Barca owe the taxman a total of 9.1 million euros ($12.5 million, £7.5 million) in two agreements reached, firstly in 2011 and then finally in 2013 to bring the player to the Spanish champions from Santos.

Barcelona paid 10 million euros to a company controlled by the player’s parents, N&N, in 2011 with the intention of signing the player in 2014.

However, they brought that plan forward by a year to complete the deal via a complicated series of contracts last May.

The indictment claims there are “a suspicious number of simulated contracts…that deserve at the very least to be investigated for a possible crime against the public purse.”

Barcelona insisted that they have not broken the law at any point during the deal and signalled their intent to clear the club’s name.

“The club’s dealings with respect to this operation, and in light of all information available, were at all times in line with the relevant legal legislation,” they said in a statement.

“We express our total willingness to collaborate with the judicial authorities in this matter, as we have done since the first moment the issue arose and in any other area in which our presence may be required.”

The club’s former president Sandro Rosell resigned last month over the judicial wrangle sparked by Neymar’s singing, which the club said cost 57.1 million euros.

The process was started by a complaint being made by one of Barca’s own members, Jordi Cases, against Rosell for misappropriation of funds for not declaring publicly that 40 million of the 57.1 million figure quoted by Barca was paid to N&N.

However, in a press conference following Rosell’s resignation, the club revealed that the entire cost of the operation including Neymar’s signing bonus, commissions, marketing deals, a donation to the player’s foundation and other collaborative agreements amounted to a total of 86.2 million euros.

The state prosecution service in Brazil has also called its tax authorities to investigate the case to ascertain if potential tax fraud has taken place.

Earlier this month in an uncharacteristic blast, the player reacted angrily to the constant coverage over how much he cost.

“I’ve been quiet until now! But I can’t go on listening to all these things about my transfer,” he wrote on the social media network Instagram.

“A lot of people come out and talk a load of rubbish Ä calling our character into doubt.

“I also understood we have masses of false friends.”

On the field the 22-year-old’s first season in Spain has been disrupted by injuries.

However, he has managed 12 goals in 28 appearances to date and was involved as a substitute as Barca beat Manchester City 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.

Sapa-AFP

“It’s not a job, it’s a calling”


To protect and serve goes a whole lot deeper for members of the SAP search and rescue team, writes Bernadette Wolhuter.

The dedicated team of police divers, who worked non-stop for six days to recover the body of Midmar Mile swimmer Herman van Straten last week, said while it was a tough job, search and rescue was their calling.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

immigrants to SA have a torrid time


Nathan Geffen has three suggestions to improve the lives of thousands of people in South Africa.

Cape Town – It has become taboo in much of the world to discriminate against people because of their religion, skin colour or sex. Despite recent setbacks, the same goes for sexual orientation. Gradually we are realising that these are arbitrary distinctions, at least when it comes to law and policy.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Home Affairs to fight activist order


Johannesburg – The department of home affairs is seeking leave to appeal an interim court order that Ugandan gay rights activist Paul Semugoma be allowed to enter South Africa, the department said on Wednesday.

Spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement that Semugoma’s visitor’s visa had expired and this was why he had been prohibited from entering the country, in terms of the Immigration Act.

News agency Agence France-Presse reported earlier that Semugoma was detained at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg when he landed there on a flight from Zimbabwe on Monday.

According to the report, Semugoma applied for a South African work permit in 2012 but the application was lost twice. Home affairs then issued him a receipt for travel.

A number of South African activist groups called for Semugoma to be released, arguing that if he were deported to Uganda he could be at risk because of that country’s proposed anti-gay laws.

Mamoepa denied that the department sought to ignore the interim court order, even though its legal representatives were not present when it was granted.

“In this context, we appeal to the public to avoid imputing motive and thus communicating falsehoods regarding the reasons for refusing Dr. Semugoma entry into South Africa.”

AFP also reported that South African officials tried to put Semugoma on a flight on Wednesday, but he refused to board.

He has reportedly been volunteering at the Anova Health Institute in Johannesburg for the past three years.

Sapa

Taxi violence witnesses reluctant to come forward


Johannesburg – Witnesses of taxi violence are often reluctant to give information because they fear for their safety, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.

“This is because previously people who gave information were later targeted, some of whom were killed before the cases were finalised,” deputy provincial commissioner Major General Tebello Mosikili told reporters in Midrand.

She said taxi violence cost lives.

“Usually these people are fighting over routes and commuters.”

A R100 000 reward would be offered to anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of those involved in taxi violence. Mosikili sought to reassure those with information who feared for their lives.

“NPA has a witness protection programme for witnesses who feel their lives are in danger.”

She said 16 investigators were dealing with the taxi-related crimes.

“We have assembled a team of detectives from the Hawks investigation and provincial investigation to form a team and investigate all these cases.”

Mosikili said the team was already working on 108 dockets, of which 31 were court-going cases.

A 51-year-old taxi association chairperson was shot and killed in Zondi, Soweto on Monday night. The Star reported that he was Dorljota taxi association boss Vusi Shabangu. Two men shot him as he was reversing his BMW X5 out of the yard of his girlfriend’s house.

Mosikili also urged anyone with information on the killing of two teenage girls in Soweto to help police with their investigation. The girls, aged 15 and 16, were found dead in Dobsonville, Soweto, on Wednesday morning.

They were dressed in their school uniforms, and had cuts on their hands and necks. Police said razors, candles and their school bags were found next them.

“The 15-year-old was positively identified by her mother and the second is still unknown,” she said.

SAPA