Johannesburg – Gauteng police are investigating another case of assault related to road rage, this time in Pretoria, it was reported on Friday.

The charge comes after a 65-year-old man was allegedly punched in the face several times by Apostolos “Paul” Maroulis, Eyewitness News reports.

 The 65-year-old man, Jan Swart, allegedly bumped his car into Maroulis’s white Audi at the intersection of Louis and Atterbury roads in Pretoria.

In a video, Maroulis launches into a foul-mouthed rant at Swart, calling him a “fucking mad poes” and promising to “fucking push you again”.

Swart accuses Maroulis of assaulting him, a charge that Maroulis denied. Another motorist has however backed up Swart’s claim, EWN said.

The incident comes after a road rage case in Johannesburg last weekend. Gregory Kleinhentz, a Porsche driver, punches a Polo driver on Witkoppen Road.

The Polo driver told eNCA: “I was driving behind him and he was cutting off people left, right, and centre. So I went closer to see what kind of a Porsche it was and the passenger threw a can out the window at me.

“Then he threw another can, and it hit my car. So I hooted, flipped him the finger and asked what the hell he thought he was doing.

“He damaged my tracking device and stuffed up my side mirror. It all happened so fast I didn’t even have a chance to think.”
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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a case of armed robbery after three unknown men entered a local tavern and demanded money.

Three men entered Happy valley tavern in Buxton village, near Taung armed. Two carrying firearms and another one armed with a choke.

The incident took place at around 20:00 on Thursday and the suspects robbed the owner undisclosed amount of money and left him with head injuries.

The suspects fled the scene and no shots were fired.

Police investigations continue.-TDN
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Rustenburg- In his first engagement with all the station commanders in the North West Province, Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi called for integrated approach on the fight against crime.

In a meeting that was graced by the National Police Minister Nathi Nhleko in Rustenburg, MEC Molapisi said police needs to respond on time to challenges of crime and conduct proper investigation on cases reported to their respective police stations.

“We need to rebuild the trust and respect from our citizens, and for us to achieve that is only by responding on time and working closely with our communities. We need to service our people with respect, diligence, professionalism and work together with community police structures such as Community Police Forum and Community Safety Forum’s.”

“We need to provide efficient police service and make our citizens to live in a safe and secured environment as guided by the National Development Plan (NDP)” he said.

Police Stations that serve local communities are at the entrance and exit of service delivery to our citizens because they are at the level where vast majority of our communities access the service provided by ourselves as South African Police Service, therefore we need to provide an effective and responsive policing service,” said Molapisi.

MEC challenged Station Commanders to develop the skills of all members through equal opportunity and consider police reservists during the processes of filling of posts at police stations.

“We must give priority to members who have been rendering services and have acquired relevant work experience while serving as reservists,” he said.

The department will consecutively host stakeholder meetings on quarterly basis to discuss all safety issues in all aspects of life.

Announced and unannounced visits at police stations would be conducted and all community service delivery complaints against police would be attended and resolved.
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- The police sought after a coloured male in connection with an attempted murder case, says Northern Cape police.

Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said he is skinny built, 1.7 metre tall, medium in complexion and he should be in his late 20’s.

“It is alleged earlier in July 2014 the suspect stabbed the complainant on the left arm and also stole a cellular-phone from a bakkie. During the incident the complainant parked his bakkie in front of a retail shop in the Kimberley CBD” he said.

Police request public to contact investigating officer W/O Kenneth Josephs on 082 3020 407/ 085 8384 383/ 10 111 with the information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect.
-TDN
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Taung- The Department of Economic and Enterprise Development through their Consumer Protection;Education and Research Unit will be conducting a road show and workshop in Taung.

“The workshop will amongst others address Long Term Insurances, Motor Vehicle contracts, The Culture of saving, and Funeral Insurances” departmental spokesperson Keorapetse Mosipidi said.

The event will be held as follows:

Date: 01st August 2014
Venue: Batlhaping Ba Ga Phuduhucwana Tribal Hall(Taung)
Time: 09H00
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- The police sought after a coloured male in connection with an attempted murder case, says Northern Cape police.

Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said he is skinny built, 1.7 metre tall, medium in complexion and he should be in his late 20’s.

“It is alleged earlier in July 2014 the suspect stabbed the complainant on the left arm and also stole a cellular-phone from a bakkie. During the incident the complainant parked his bakkie in front of a retail shop in the Kimberley CBD” he said.

Police request public to contact investigating officer W/O Kenneth Josephs on 082 3020 407/ 085 8384 383/ 10 111 with the information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect.
-TDN
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Mahikeng- The North West Executive Council (EXCO) yesterday at its special sitting in Mahikeng bade farewell with a resounding round of applause to caretaker Director-General Johannes Rantete whose deployment contract comes to an end today.

The Deputy Director General for Policy and Governance Mr Danie Schoeman who is going on retirement was also given a befitting farewell. 

Expressing the provincial leadership’s gratitude for the duo’s substantial involvement in stabilising and improving the provincial administration and its general performance, the North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said their loyal, firm and profound technical stewardship was highly commendable.

Plucked from his post as an Advisor to Lindiwe Sisulu, the former Minister of Department of Public Service and Administration, Mr Rantete has been at the helm of the Provincial Administration since October last year and as EXCO puts it, he has diligently executed his assignment of strengthening the Provincial Administration” North West premier Supra Mahumapelo said.

Rantete was during his term of office as the caretaker Director-General, able to contribute significantly towards the current achievement of unqualified audit findings by seven Provincial Departments, the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Legislature.

“To ensure improvement in performance practices and governance compliance, Rantete ably facilitated the alignment of the provincial plan to the Medium Term Strategic Framework, and fostered the integrated ward-base planning in support of the Premier’s saamtrek – saamwerk philosophy” he said.

North West Acting Head of Communication Bonolo Mohlakoana said in recognising Schoeman’s wealth of experience in policy and strategy development, premier Mahumapelo committed his administration to ensuring that, even beyond his retirement, Schoeman’s capability continues to be used to the benefit of the province.

“Schoeman’s planning skill is certainly at the centre of our focus on anchor projects such as the Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal Plan (MRRRP)”, emphasised premier Mahumapelo.

“Particularly because he was instrumental in the formulation and adoption of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy in 2005”, said Mahumapelo who urged Schoeman to avail himself in future when needed for technical guidance and support. 

Applauding Rantete and Schoeman for unselfishly applying their skills and experience in advancing the interests of the Province, Premier Mahumapelo said, “The main thing that you were committed to was to give everything you had, and we are happy that you did so meticulously,” said Premier Mahumapelo who disclosed that the duo’s dedication has received praises from the public servants and politicians alike.

“I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with the industrious men and women of this Province who have reliably demonstrated their will to serve the nation. This chance has truly been the highlight of my professional career,” remarked Rantete. Reflecting on his more than 25 years of public service, Schoeman said his has been a successful journey with many good stories to tell.

“I am throwing in the towel a happy person, as I am positive that the Province will continue from where we left off to perform its important duties with the honor and focus that the public expects”, said Schoeman as he bows out.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – A 59-year-old British woman who owned a game lodge near Thabazimbi has been murdered, Limpopo police said on Wednesday.

Christine Robinson’s body was found by her staff in her bedroom around 07:30, police spokesperson Ronel Otto said.

“It seems she was stabbed in her neck… money she withdrew to pay salaries seems to be missing,” Otto said.

AfriForum spokesperson Ian Cameron appealed to government to prioritise farm murders.

“This is another horrific murder in South Africa. The slow rate at which government responds to crime sends a distorted image of our country to the rest of the world,” Cameron said.

No arrests have been made.

SAPA

Cape Town – Just under 5 500 new land claims have been lodged around the country, but most of the claimants want money, not land, the rural development and land reform department said on Wednesday.

“[A total of] 5 495 claims have been received at lodgement sites across the country. The majority of these have been lodged in the Western Cape [1 363 claims] followed by Gauteng [956 claims],” it said in a statement.

The new five-year period for lodging land claims – which opened at the beginning of the month – ends in June 2019.

“We have noted that the majority of those who have lodged claims since the re-opening of the lodgement of land claims have opted for financial compensation,” chief land claims commissioner Nomfundo Gobodo said in the statement.

He urged claimants to opt for land restoration rather than money, which would help address unequal land ownership patterns in South Africa.

SAPA