Johannesburg – Twelve people were injured on Saturday when a minibus they were travelling in overturned on the N2 South between Ballito and Tongaat, paramedics said.

When they arrived, the paramedics found the  minibus had rolled over and landed on the other side of the road, back on its wheels, said Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann.

The group sustained moderate to serious injuries.

They were transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said on Saturday that passing Grade 12 mathematics and physical science offered an opportunity to contribute to South Africa’s space scientific and technological development.

“I encourage you all to choose mathematics and physical science, but not all of you will become space scientists or engineers,” she said at the launch of the world space week at the Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus.

“You must always remember that these are demanding careers, which require a high level of perseverance and precision.

“It is for this reason that one of my department’s responsibilities is to discover pupils with talent and potential for space science, engineering and technology careers.”

She said the space week at the university campus was to offer pupils exposure to the university environment.

“Even though it is for a very short time, I believe that it could be enough to stimulate your interest to come and study here.

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“On the one hand, if you are still in grade Eight or Nine, the interaction you had today [on Saturday] with the laboratory facilities and staff on this campus may be enough to make you think twice about skipping mathematics and science when you enter grade 10 in a year or two from now.”

She said this year’s world space week highlighted the benefits of satellite navigation to humankind.

“To most of us that means using Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine where we drive in our cars. GPS is made up of 32 satellites that orbit the earth.

“If you have a receiver, you can use GPS. All it needs is to be able to see four of the satellites.”

She said the GPS was not used not only in cars.

“It’s used to avoid collisions in shipping and for landings of commercial aircraft. It has revolutionised fishing, allowing fishing boats to keep track of where they have fished before. It’s used in applications that allow people to keep track of their children, elderly relatives and pets.”

SAPA

Malalane – Eight people accused of shooting dead a police officer were told in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday they would know in December whether the case would be moved to a high court.

“Come back to this same court in December to hear whether your case will be heard here or taken to a high court,” magistrate Sibonisiwe Sibuyi said.

The matter was postponed to December 10, a Sapa correspondent reported.

Four out of the eight were previously granted R2000 bail each while the other four remained in custody.

The eight are accused of killing Constable Sfiso Mtsweni, 27, of Langeloop, south of Malalane.

Mtsweni was shot dead at his home on November 8, 2013.

The four granted bail are Teresa Mabaso, 32, and Mpendulo Makamo, 25, from Langeloop, and Soneni Mhlabane, 27, and Absalom Nkosi, 25, from Matsulu near Mbombela.

The four still in custody are Sindi Mvubu, 23, Victor Sibiya, 23, Wiseman Ngomane, 30, and Innocent Lucas Ngomane, 30.

They have not been asked to plead to charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Sapa

Zeerust- Three men have appeared in the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing a 50-year-old Democratic Alliance researcher, North West police said on Friday.

The case against Bathobotlhe Motseothata, 24, Patrick Kgopolo Motlhaga, 31, and Harry Meyer, 32, was on Thursday postponed to October 20 for further investigation, said Captain Pelonomi Makau.

They allegedly entered Sherril Bester’s home in Ottoshoop on Saturday night, and attacked her with a blunt object.

“She was found with marks on her head and neck and was also believed to have been strangled,” Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said on Monday.

Bester had friends visiting at her home earlier on Saturday but was alone at the time of the attack.

“After her friends left, the three people entered her home and attacked her,” said Moleko.

They allegedly loaded some of Bester’s clothes and food onto the back of her bakkie and fled the scene.

Police then received a report in the early hours of Sunday morning that the bakkie had crashed into a gate in a nearby township.

They went to the scene of the crash and found one of the men inside Bester’s vehicle.

“He said the vehicle belonged to his uncle, but after investigation we found that it belonged to the deceased and he was arrested,” said Makau.

Police then went to Bester’s home and found her dead.

The two other men were arrested on Wednesday.

The DA said Bester was their researcher in the North West provincial legislature.

“Sherril was a loyal and trustworthy employee in the DA’s legislature office for most of the past 10 years, during which she reported almost daily on incidents like the one that cost her life,” DA provincial leader Chris Hattingh said.

Sapa

Mmabatho- North West Provincial Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, is stepping up its efforts to strengthen communities’ resilience to disasters by promoting the inclusion of older person in disaster risk reduction strategies.

This comes as the international community commemorates the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction on Monday.

South Africa will commemorate the day in Rustenburg, North West, where Premier for North West Supra Mahumapelo and Local Government and Human Settlement MEC Collen Maine will lead disaster management practitioners in finding disaster resilience measures that are inclusive of all vulnerable people like the older persons.

MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine says: “As a country we need to recognise older persons indigenous disaster risk resilience knowledge and use that for better planning and mitigation of disasters”.

In line with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s call for involvement of older person’s in planning for disaster risk reduction, the National Disaster Management Centre has undertaken to consult with older person’s and the organization’s working with them to understand their needs in time of disaster.

Municipalities in the country will be requested to pledge their support to improve the situation of older person’s by including them in their disaster risk reduction which must address their vulnerabilities and strengthen their resilience.

The commemoration of the International Day of Disaster Reduction will take place over two days as follows:

Date: 13-14 October 2014

Venue: Rustenburg Civic Centre (13 October 2014) and Rustenburg Olympia Park Stadium (14 October 2014)

Time: 09h00 – 17h30 (13 October 2014)
09h00 – 13h00 (14 October 2014)
-TDN
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Polokwane- Bafana Bafana have safely arrived in the coastal city of Pointe Noire in Congo for a date with the host nation in a CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco Qualifer.

The squad touched down on Thursday afternoon (9 October) after a four hour flight from OR Tambo International Airport.

The match will be played at the Stade Municipial de Pointe Noire on Saturday, 11 October.

Kickoff is at 16h30 (SA time).

Head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has made it clear to his boys that nothing but a win will be enough.

The Bafana Bafana mentor was the first South Africa coach to face and defeat the same Congo back in 1992.

“It really brings back memories and I want to make it worthwhile by beating them again and qualifying for AFCON 2015 – I believe that would be befitting. If you look at the four teams in the group, the two top teams havent lost a game, and if we continue this way the we (SA and Congo) will go through. So it is up to us to beat them and put one leg into the tournament,” said Mashaba.

“You must also rember that we haven’t qualified for major tournaments in a long time and we must rid ourselves of this mentality of íf only we can get to the next round or we are on a learning curve that is why we are not here for draw. The mission is to quaiify for 2015 and playing for draws won’t help us. We want three points, but at the same time we will not be running like headless chickens. We have to win this one and the home leg and we have one foot in Morocco.”

While stats between the two nations favour South Africa, Mashaba is not focussing on them. In eight meetings, Bafana Bafana have won four times and lost once.

“Sports and mathematics don’t belong together, you don’t have therefore in football. In my view stats don’t have a big role in these games, there are no guarantees because it is about now. It is another day it is another game. We all have to come up with new ideas, new approach and new commitment from the players as well,” added Mashaba.

He is also aware that it is not going to be an easy match.

“In fact, it is going to be a very physical game. It is giong to need a strong match official because with a weaker refeeree it is going to be spoilt match. The referees must exert their authority on it. But if it is open it is going to be open then it will be one of the best games ever, concluded Mashaba.

Asked whether he feels any pressure, he coolly said: “I don’t feel any pressure at all. The only time I feel pressure is when I have dinner because I know if I don’t finish the food my wife will ask where I had food before coming home.

The squad will complete preparations at the match venue this afternoon.

Johannesburg- The South African Football Association (SAFA) launch the 24th SAFA Annual General Congress, which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 11 October 2014.

The Congress will be attended by, among others, President Jacob Zuma and former Presidents of the Republic of South Africa, founding fathers of SAFA and other high level dignitaries.

Details of the Congress are as follows:

DATE: Saturday, 11 October 2014

TIME: 08h00 for 08h30

VENUE: Sandton Convention Centre
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Stilfontein- A case against a North West former MEC for Local Government China Dodovu and his co-accused will resume on Friday after it was postponed by Stilfontein Magistrate Court on Monday.

Beleaguered former MEC China Dodovu and current member of provincial legislature Papiki Babuile, and other accused are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated murder and murder after they were linked to a murder case of former Kenneth Kaunda District’s regional secretary David Chika who was shot at point-blank.

Security is expected to be beefed-up inside and outside the court as ANC and EFF members are expected to come out in numbers to show their support to troubled comrades.

William Chika, who is a father of David Chika told TDN that the postponement of the case is affecting them.

The case was postponed after two accused including Sihlangu Sikhakhane who is believed to be a gunman asked time to get legal representatives.

“This case has been dragging for so long and this really makes our lives very difficult. We would like to see this case come to a closure as we would like to move on with our lives. We have trust in the justice system and at the end of the day justice will prevails” David Chika’s father William Chika said.

Dodovu and other accomplices will be back in Stilfontein Magistrate Court on Friday.

Chika was shot two days ahead of ANC National Elective Conference that was held in Mangaung in 2014.
-TDN
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