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A boy drowns in Potchefstroom


By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom-Police have opened a case of Inquest after a 7 year-old boy was allegedly found drown in the swimming pool at  his parents’ house in Potchefstroom.

North West police said the atrocity took place on on Sunday.

“It is alleged that the boy was last seen sleeping in one of the bedrooms, but was not found there when the grandmother looked for him” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

He was certified dead by the Medical Services.-TDN
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Safa postpones all football fixtures


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg-The South African Football Association (SAFA) has postponed all football fixtures at all levels across the country scheduled for 14-15 December 2013 to a later date.

This is because countless venues around the country will be hosting prayer services honouring the late icon Nelson Mandela and therefore will not be accessible on the aforementioned dates.

“The entire world is set to participate in what will mostly be the biggest funeral in history and the South African football family will be a big part of it. Services will be held in stadiums all around the country and the football community are asked to join in these prayers and commemorations.

“Therefore, following consultations with the President of the Association and the Chair of the Competitions Committee, please be informed that all football fixtures scheduled for 14-15 December 2013 at all levels in the country must be postponed to a later date as countless football venues around the country will be hosting prayer services honouring Madiba” said Mumble.

“Most of these venues will be prepared for use on the day before the actual funeral of Madiba and therefore be inaccessible on both days listed above,” said SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble.

Mumble said he trusted that all SAFA structures will demonstrate their devotion to the ideals that Madiba stood for and be part of the activities scheduled for this coming week.-TDN
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All systems go- Mnisi


Johannesburg – All security plans are in place as South Africa gets ready to host a memorial service in honour of global icon Nelson Mandela, the police ministry told ENCA news on Tuesday morning.

“We are talking about Madiba here, so there is no margin for error,” spokesperson Zweli Mnisi told ENCA television news.

“We are quite pleased with the process.”

He said the various heads of state expected at the service – to be held at the FNB stadium in Soweto – were due to arrive an hour before proceedings began at 11:00.

Besides police officers, private security had also been deployed.

“Everything is on track,” Mnisi said.

On a rainy Tuesday morning, the stadium began rapidly filling up as many people sang, blew vuvuzelas, and danced in remembrance of Mandela.

Two stages were set up on the side of the pitch.

Mandela died surrounded by family at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home on Thursday, at the age of 95.

Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.
SAPA

Mugabe arrives for Mandela memorial


Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has arrived in South Africa for the memorial service of former president and struggle icon Nelson Mandela.

Mugabe who is accompanied by his wife Grace and two of their children arrived last night and was welcomed at Waterkloof Airbase by Ambassador to South Africa Cde Phelekezela Mphoko, a Herald report said.

Mandela died on Thursday at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg. He was 95.

Mugabe described Mandela as “the greatest icon of African liberation”.

Ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa run “long and deep” and after independence in 1980, Zimbabwe hosted South African liberation fighters and supported its struggle against apartheid.

Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

Obama arrives for Mandela tribute


Centurion – President Barack Obama has arrived in South Africa to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who died Thursday at age 95.

Obama will deliver a 20-minute speech during Tuesday’s service in Johannesburg, where tens of thousands of South Africans and dozens of foreign dignitaries are expected to pack a sports stadium.

Obama is expected to speak of Mandela’s influence on South Africa and on his own life, while also reflecting on the complexity of Mandela’s rise from anti-apartheid fighter and prisoner to president and global icon.

Obama, former President George W Bush and their wives arrived on Tuesday morning at a military base near Johannesburg after a 16-hour trip from Washington.

Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

AP

Taung joins the world in mourning of Mandela


By Obakeng Maje
Condolence books will be made available at the four public viewing areas for the national memorial service for members of the public to write their messages of sympathy to the Mandela Family, the Office of the Premier for North West Province has confirmed.

Doors will be opened as early as 9:30 am so that attendants are seated by 10:30 to follow pre-event activities that will be broadcast live from the FNB Stadium.

“The public viewing areas have been arranged to afford the public opportunity to converge for a celebration of the life of South Africa’s first democratically elected President while they follow the proceedings at the national memorial service” premier spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

The province is hosting public viewing areas at University of the North West Mahikeng Campus Great Hall in Mahikeng, Matlosana Municipality Auditorium in Klerksdorp, Mmabana Taung and Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg.-TDN
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Crowd starts to enter FNB Stadium


Johannesburg – People have started entering the FNB Stadium where former president Nelson Mandela’s memorial will be held.

A large crowd was singing and blowing whistles earlier, while waiting for the gates to open.

“Agenda ya makapitali asiyifune ya bulala u Madiba [Agenda of capitalists we do not want it, it killed Madiba],” they sang.

Aphiwe Mkhalani from Soweto said he woke up early to be among the first into the stadium.

“It is sad that Tata is no more, though he was no longer active he had done a lot for us. South Africa is a better country because of him,” he said.

He said Mandela would be remembered for his values of love and peace.

“I will always remember him as a great man of peace.”

Phillip Kganyago from Sasolburg in the Free State said he would remember Mandela as a man of peace and reconciliation.

“He was a freedom fighter. He knew that you have to surrender or fight. He opted to fight to free South Africa.”

Other people were standing under trees and other under umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain.

Yellow ANC posters with Mandela raising a clinched fist with words, “We love you Madiba 1918-2013”, were put on the fence around the stadium.

In the stadium flags were flying at half mast.

Police are controlling access into the stadium and marshals dressed in orange coat took their positions.

Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

SAPA


Pretoria-Two police officers have been arrested in connection with rape in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said.

 

Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said the officers, aged 22 and 51, allegedly raped a teenager in September.

 

The 17-year-old girl had an argument with her boyfriend at a tavern in Atteridgeville and the officers, dressed in full uniform, interfered.

 

“The victim asked the police officers to take her home and the officers agreed and drove with her in the police vehicle.”

 

The driver stopped the vehicle and allegedly raped the teenager in the back of the van. The other officer also allegedly raped her, said Dlamini.

 

“After driving some distance, the girl was ordered to get out of the police vehicle near the police station.”

 

The girl told her sister who reported the matter to the police.

 

Dlamini said the officers were picked out at an identity parade.

 

They would appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court today.

 

– Sapa


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South Africa has made great progress in advancing women’s equality and much of the progress is owed to the vision and ideals of the many women who drafted the Women’s Charter and those women activists who marched to the Union Buildings, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said in Mahikeng on Thursday. “Today the women our country are beneficiaries of a strong economy, a progressive constitution, massive service delivery in terms of access to water, sanitation, housing, electricity, land, agrarian reform and to major improvements to the education system,” said MEC Mohono who received a recognition award on behalf of Premier Modise who was honoured by Mahikeng Local Municipality for her role in contribution towards the emancipation of women.

 

Mohono said that Premier Modise was a tried and tested leader who was among the first women to join Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), saying that the province was blessed to have a leader of her calibre, who is serious about empowering women, especially the poor and unemployed.

 

In handing the recognition award, the Executive Mayor of Mahikeng Local Municipality, Councillor Lena Miga said that Premier Modise had distinguished herself as a visionary leader.

 

“She has also demonstrated bravery during the struggle for liberation starting from the time when she joined MK at 18 and surviving harsh conditions in prison. She has consistently fought and continues to fight for the empowerment of women, ” stressed Miga.

 

Other women who received awards for their remarkable roles were veteran struggle Saane Bertrent who was recognised for her role in the political struggle, Thabethe Matlhodi who received the award for Women in Community Development, Dr Khakhane Leballo for Women in Health and Dudu Maragelo for the category Women in Business.

 

The event was organised under the banner, “A centenary of Working Together Towards Sustainable Women Empowerment” also included the signing of the Women’s Charter.

 

Amongst the eight cardinal point of the charter were the right to vote and to be elected to all state bodies without restriction or discrimination, and the right to full opportunities of employment with equal pay and possibilities of promotion in all spheres of work.

 

One of the over four thousand women who attended the event, Alina Nkate, 50, of Nooitgedacht said she was delighted that she was able to attend.

 

“It’s my very first time in such a celebration where it’s only us women. What I am taking home from this gathering is that when you have a problem you must go to other women, women must help each other. They must not oppress each other,” she said.

 

In her vote of thanks Representative of the North West House of Traditional  Leadership, Kgosi  Anthea Seatlholo said the women that were being recognised had distinguished themselves as women of substance and appealed to women to stop competing against each other instead of helping one another.

 

“The pulling down syndrome must stop now. We tend to only think of ourselves. Successful women must bring others up,” said Kgosi Seatlholo who also appealed for the pledge to be translated in Setswana so that other women who do not understand English could comprehend its essence. 

 

 

North West police destroy 1136 guns


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BY Obakeng Maje

South African Police Service in the North West Province marked yet another milestone in history in the fight against crime in Brits police said.

On behalf of the North West Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General William Mpembe, the Provincial Commander, for Firearms, Liquor and Second-hand goods, Colonel Hendrik Van Schalkwyk  destructed 1136 firearms confiscated by the police. 781 firearms were surrendered voluntarily by the community while 355 were confiscated by the police during crime combating operations.

” During the last firearms destruction, in June 2012, 956 firearms were destructed by the police” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“This is  a very  significant event in which we are dealing with the proliferation of illicit firearms in our country as guided by the Firearms Control Act. Indeed the number is just a drop in  the ocean, but to us it is critically important that at least we are still making enroots  in terms of addressing firearms related crimes” he said.

No matter how few firearms are recovered from the hands of criminals,police will continue to make it their business to make criminals feel uncomfortable wherever they go”, said Colonel Van Schalkwyk.

As guided by the Firearms Control Act, the police will vigorously address firearm related crimes by removing illegally possessed firearms from the society and ensure effective control over firearms owned legally by individuals and Government. 

“As the South African Police Service in our endeavours to fight crime, we have always pleaded with the community to join in the fight against crime because we are taking crime prevention as everybody’s business and it is important that all of us take part in ensuring that the creation of a safer environment for all inhabitants of this country exist”, van Schalkwyk.

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