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Government withdraws from Mangaung prison


Johannesburg – Correctional services will withdraw from Mangaung prison outside Bloemfontein, after taking over management of the privately run prison last year, the department said on Monday.

“Acting national commissioner [Zacharia] Modise said the department had succeeded in stabilising the situation at the centre and in restoring effective control, discipline and rehabilitation programmes,” spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said in a statement.

The department would withdraw in phases by the end of July, having run the prison for 10 months.

According to a report on security company G4S’s running of the prison, there had been violations of its contract with the department and the Correctional Services Act.

The department took over management of the privately run maximum security prison from G4S in October last year. One of the main reasons was a concern for the safety of inmates and staff.

In September, G4S dismissed 330 Popcru members after they refused to return to work at the prison following a strike. During the strike, the facility, which houses nearly 2 000 inmates, was run with limited staff. A riot broke out.

In October a female warder was taken hostage by inmates for 13 hours. A police special task force rescued her unharmed.

A “complex investigation” had been completed and a report was handed to Bloemfontein Corrections Contract, a G4S company. It was given 21 days to reply to the report.

The department would increase supervision of privately run correctional centres in the country to ensure improved compliance with contracts and legislation.

Mangaung prison is one of two privately run prisons in the country. G4S’s 25-year contract with the department reached its halfway mark this year.

SAPA

Oscar regrets having gone clubbing


Johannesburg – Murder-accused Oscar Pistorius was involved in an altercation at a trendy Sandton club over the weekend, his spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

Anneliese Burgess said her client was at the VIP section of the club when he was approached by a man who has since been identified as Jared Mortimer.

“The individual, according to my client, started to aggressively interrogate him on matters relating to the trial,” said Burgess.

The Paralympic athlete is charged with murdering his law-graduate and model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year. He claims he mistook her for an intruder when he shot her dead through a locked toilet door at his Pretoria home.

The State, however, claims he shot her following an argument.

Elaborating on Saturday’s incident, Burgess said: “An argument ensued during which my client asked to be left alone. Oscar soon thereafter left the club with his cousin.”

Eyewitness News (EWN) reported that Mortimer claimed Pistorius was drunk and had insulted him and his friends before poking him in the chest. Mortimer said he pushed Pistorius and he fell backwards on his feet and onto a chair.

Bouncers

According to EWN, bouncers intervened and stopped the brawl. Officials from the club – the VIP Room – which is at the Michelangelo Towers in Sandton, have denied the incident.

Spokesperson Perry Mermigas admitted that Pistorius was at the club, but denied that anything out of the ordinary happened.

“We are not aware of this,” Mermigas told Sapa.

“[Pistorius] was there, but there was no altercation and if there had been, we would have known about it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pistorius regretted visiting the club.

“My client regrets the decision to go to a public space and thereby inviting unwelcome attention,” said Burgess.

Twitter

On Sunday, just several hours after the incident, Pistorius was active on social-networking site, Twitter.

He tweeted a Bible verse, a collage of pictures of his humanitarian work, and an extract from Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”.

The text reads in part: “… The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved.

“In a position of utter desolation, when man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way – an honourable way – in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfilment.”

The verse from the Bible, Psalm 34:18 reads: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted”.

This was the first time Pistorius had been active on Twitter since the one-year-anniversary of Steenkamp’s death.

Back then he tweeted: “No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved – and continues to love Reeva.”

“The pain and sadness – especially for Reeva’s parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow. The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Last week, the defence closed its case in Pistorius’s trial in the High Court in Pretoria. Final arguments are expected to be heard on 7 August.

SAPA

North West to participate in Indigenous game


The North West Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs will be hosting Provincial Indigenous Games selections on the 19th July 2014 at Mmabatho Stadium in preparation for National championships to be held from19 to 25th September 2014 in Pretoria.

Indigenous Games are inevitably linked to traditions of cultural groups of local origin and requires physical skill and strategy. Indigenous people continued to add their own cultural material and physical heritage to reinvent and relive the games of their forefathers and mothers along this process.

These games impact on a number of socio-economic issues such as African Identity, Cultural diversity, Education and Training, accessibility of resources and economic growth.

“ We should ensure that we revive and popularise these cultural activities that have a particular appeal to vast sectors of South African communities particularly the traditional rural people” Said MEC for Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Mme Tebogo Modise.

The main Objectives of Indigenous games are to contribute to the achievement an active nation as articulated in the National Development Plan as well as to promote nation building and social cohesion.

Provincial Indigenous Games have different codes such as Dibeke, Kho-Kho, Driestokies, Morabaraba, Ncuva, Jukskei, Kgathi, Diketo and Intonga.-TDN
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Drug prevention campaign reaches thousands in Matolong village


By Obakeng Maje
Taung– The Social Development is confident that its integrated approach to social crime prevention is delivering positive results.

A total of beneficiaries were reached through the alcohol and drug prevention and awareness campaign in Matolong village, Taung.

Through the ‘Ke Moja’ drug prevention programme, children and youth were reached, while beneficiaries were reached through door-to-door campaigns.

The campaign educates community members on the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse as well as preventing young people from experimenting with drugs.

The Matolong community says they welcome progress made in addressing drug abuse in their community.

According to the Saps, Public Safety department, Health department and Social Development are currently rendering early intervention programmes to children who were identified as being impressionable to drug peddlers.

“We have identified Matolong village because many people come from this area and asked for our intervention. The use of drugs and alcohol abuse is rife in the area” Rendani Mmereki said.

In addition, Mmereki said they have rehabilitation centres across the province and they place people who want to go to rehab there.

“We place our victims in alternative care and also accommodate adult to participate in diversion programmes in addressing drug dependency challenges because they live and experience this through their children who are using them” she said.

These centres prioritise admissions from areas across the province.

Recent reports from the Department of Community Safety indicate that for the possession of drugs and dagga, Matolong is in front. The department said they will ensure that drug peddlers will indeed be removed from the streets of Matolong.

“We want to show support to campaigns like this because the use of drugs and alcohol, affect us all. Substance abuse is destroying the future of the youth” Public Safety representative, Tebogo Serage said.

According to shocking reports, most foreigners who own businesses like tuckshops allegedly sell drugs to the locals.-TDN
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DA: Modise paid her ‘foreign’ farm workers only R25 a day


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The revelations today that Thandi Modise hired undocumented foreign farm workers, that she promised to only pay them R25 per day and that she didn’t pay them anything in the end are shocking.

These allegations are extremely serious and represent breaches of labour legislation. It seems that Modise criminally mistreated both her workers and her animals.

“It is completely unacceptable for any farm owner to underpay farmworkers and abuse foreign labourers in this way” Democratic Alliance leader in North West Chris Hattingh said.

DA said the situation is extremely serious and merits a criminal investigation by the relevant bodies.

The DA has already submitted charges for animal cruelty. The SPCA will be submitting similar charges, for which Modise could face up to 12 months jail time.

Hattingh said the relevant authorities must also investigate the allegations of farm worker abuse.

In addition to these criminal investigations, the DA will seek an investigation by the North West Public Accounts Committee into Modise’s use of state resources to deal with the chaos on her farm.

“It has been repeatedly reported that she visited the farm only irregularly, instead relying on state officials to visit the farm on her behalf” DA said.

It is alleged that er government spokesperson has also been visiting the farm in the days after the story first broke.

“This is an inappropriate use of a government spokesperson. This is a personal problem for Modise that should not be spun by a government spin doctor, but should rather be addressed by herself in her personal capacity. The farm has nothing to do with government, and therefore no state officials should be involved in dealing with the problem” he said.

“I will shortly write to the Chairperson of the North West Public Accounts Committee, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng, to request that Modise appears before the committee to account for her misuse of state resources during this scandal.” Concludes Hattingh.-TDN
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Two nabbed with illegal firearms in Pampierstad


By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- The Northern Cape police arrested two suspects after a tip-off in Pampierstad.

Benjamin Mongale,27, and Thapelo Modise,28, were subsequently arrested on Tuesday after one of community members informed the police about their crime activities. Police acted swiftly and according to the preliminary investigations, two suspects were sought for armed robbery and house breaking.

“Police were tipped-off about two suspects who were in possession of stolen firearms. The police arrested two suspects and they appeared before Pampierstad Magistrate Court on Monday” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said.

The two were remanded in custody and police said the two are linked to other cases including murder.

Mongale and Modise allegedly pounced on a 40 year-old farmer at the nearby farm and tied him up before stealing 10 sheep worth R9000.

Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said the two suspects were allegedly found in possession of stolen firearms and one of the firearms belonged to a police officer, and was stolen in July during House Breaking.

They will appear before magistrate court on Tuesday for formal bail application.

Police said the suspects found in possession of 9 sheep carcasses after they slaughtered them.

Lieutenant Colonel Aubrey Domingo, the Hartswater Acting Cluster Commander, has thanked the community members that provided information that led to the arrest of the two suspects and the confiscation of the two firearms.

He indicated that the community has played a vital role in this arrest and they must continue to do so as the police will not disappoint them. He further thanked the SAPS members for their swift arrest and encouraged them to keep up the good work.-TDN
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Seventh Adventist Church hosts Vacation Bible School in Mmabana Taung


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Seventh Adventist Church hosted a Vacation Bible School for winter recess. The event took place at Mmabana Taung where school children ranging from the age of 5 to 21 embarked on an icy expedition where they were taught how to overcome obstacles with God’s awesome power. The event organiser, Kegomoditswe Tshefu who works as a clerk at the church said the event anchor kids in rock-solid bible truths that will guide them through life’s challenges.
“We teach kids about things that affect them daily and warn them not to engage in drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy. Everything that you love is covered by Vacation Bible School, plus a fresh way to ignite kids’ faith by immersing them in another culture” Tshefu said.
She advised parents to let their children join the Vacation Bible School as that will help many children not indulged in wrong things during school holiday.
Taung is one of the most vulnerable areas where drugs are rife and many youth found themselves hooked in them.
Tshefu said the Bible School is been running for years and always become memorable Bible point reinforced through each day where it makes it easy to apply those methods even long after VBS is over.
“This helps families to continue exploring the Bible message. This is the largest child-to-child project in the country. It is designed to prepare the hearts of each child to receive the gospel message in an unforgettable way” she concludes.
Many stakeholders were there to convey their message to the future leaders of tomorrow. South African Police Service also took advantage and give the youth the inside of how their department operates.-TDN
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National Anti-Crime Forum launched in Pampierstad


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By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- The community of Pampierstad gathered together to experience the birth of a newly-formed National Anti-Crime and Community Development Forum near Mountainview, Pampierstad.

A newly formed community forum was formed in response to community outcry where crime, poverty, unemployment, bad condition of roads and abandoned houses issues were under discussion.

According to the founder Tlhopego Sele, a small technical team representing the community was formed before to deal with crime prevention in promoting safety and precautionary measures among citizens.

“We had a team that was operating as volunteers, but we had conflicts with police and we could not agree on other matters. Crime is so rife in the area and we managed to identify what might lead to that. We have high rate of unemployment,rape, murder and high rate of alcohol consumption ” Sele said.

Sele said they launched Anti-crime and Community Development Forum so that they can deal with burning issues like unemployment.

“We believe that unemployment creates poverty and that lead to committing crime. If more people are working, they will diverge from crime. So we will try to bring more projects and ascertain that the majority of beneficiaries really do come from local community” he said.

Many stakeholders graced the event like Sanco, Saps and they were given more information about Community Policing Forum(CPF). Sele said there are more abandoned houses that attract vagrants and are used as crime nests.

He also said bad condition their roads are in, also does not augur well because when is rainy, roads are slippery and become no-go area. Police could not respond swiftly because of bad roads.

He said developing the economy, Pampierstad will be a better place and eventually a crime free area.-TDN
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Salga embark on name changing process


By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- The Department of Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs through its Provincial Geographic Names Council embarked on an awareness campaign starting at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati on Friday at Coleridge hall at 09h00.

The awareness took a form of a conference/seminar and has invited key stakeholders such as Dikgosi, Historians and Community Leaders amongst others, addressed by the member of the Executive Council Ms. Tebogo Modise.

Amongst of the key issues discussed was on;
 Engagement process of changing names,
 The main strategy of the council,
 As well as the launch of the campaign by the MEC.

“There is more to learn about the PGNC and its purpose, existence and key responsibilities, we therefore urge all role players to know how to apply for name change process” MEC Tebogo Modise said.

Lungile Dantjie also applauded people who came out in numbers at Dr. Ruth Segomotsi District so that they make their contribution,” said Dantjie.

Most people who raised their concerns, said they will appreciate that process as some of the names are degrading them and does not show humanity.
-TDN
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Modise denies ignoring warnings


Cape Town-Former North West Premier Thandi Modise has denied media report by City Press and its sister paper Rapport that alleges that she was warned about potential crisis on her Modderfontein farm outside Potchefstroom.

Thandi Modise had as a new entrant to farming requested for contacts from whom she could source feed and appreciates greatly the expertise advice and valued support that Agri-North West Management gave her after she had shared with them her frustration in sourcing feed and selling her livestock.

“The allegation that Modise was warned of a potential crisis on her farm by the organisation is farfetched and a misrepresentation of facts as its involvement was limited to getting her in touch with contacts from whom she could source feed and sell her meat” NCOP chair spokesperson Neo Moepi said.  

Moepi said it is unfortunate that an impression is being created that Modise ignored warning from the organisation, animal feeding specialists and individual farmers some of whom had not even spoken to her.

“It is common knowledge and a standard business practise that an indication by a first time supplier that feed supplied would last for two weeks is not necessarily a warning, but a tacit attempt by the seller to secure the next order” Moepi said.

Modise and her farm manager were not captive clients and cannot be blamed by a supplier for their loss of business and for exercising their discretion of sourcing feed from another supplier at a reasonable price.

The former Premier was upfront in confiding to the Agri-North West Management that as an emerging farmer, she could not rely on support from the Provincial Department of Agriculture as any assistance she received would have been misconstrued and interpreted by her detractors to be preferential treatment given the position she held in the provincial administration.-TDN
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