Pretoria – Oscar Pistorius’s family on Wednesday said they would abide by the North Gauteng High Court decision to allow the State to appeal the paralympian’s conviction.

“We note the finding of the court and abide by the ruling,” his uncle Arnold Pistorius said in a one-line statement.

Earlier, Judge Thokozile Masipa granted the State’s application to appeal Pistorius’s culpable homicide conviction, but dismissed the application to appeal his five-year jail sentence.

“The application for leave to appeal against sentence is dismissed,” she said.

However, on the application against his conviction, she said: “I am satisfied that the points raised by the applicant [the State] are indeed a question of law.”

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein will deal with the matter at a date yet to be determined.

On 21 October, Masipa sentenced Pistorius to five years in jail for the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

He shot her dead through the locked door of the toilet in his Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day last year, apparently thinking she was an intruder.

The State filed papers last month calling for a heavier conviction and harsher sentence.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The family of a Reiger Park toddler found murdered in August, on Wednesday called for justice.

Cuburne van Wyk’s grandmother Daphne Fredericks said they were still suffering as the case against her 3-year-old grandson’s alleged killer dragged on.

“I don’t feel good about it,” she told journalists outside the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in

Ekurhuleni shortly, after the case against murder-accused Nathaniel Katlego Mpoku was postponed.

“Every time I think about it, I just cry and cry,” she said.

“Things don’t [turn] out the way I thought they would,” she said, referring to the pace of the case.

Disappeared while playing with friends

Mpoku’s case was postponed to 17 December as the court awaited a decision by the director of public prosecutions on whether to proceed with his prosecution.

Mpoku was arrested in August, days after Van Wyk’s body was found. The boy disappeared on 6 August while playing outside with his siblings.

His body was discovered by a passer-by at a mine dump in Reiger Park three days later.
Police said he died from multiple head injuries and burn wounds.

During his last appearance, Mpoku abandoned his bail bid. Dressed in a yellow sweater with a pink hoodie, he kept his face lowered as he stood in the dock.

“He doesn’t even want to look at me,” said Van Wyk’s father Elroy Peterson.

Tears flowed as the family, dressed in white T-shirts with a picture of Van Wyk, said they wondered how the boy pleaded for his life.

Little confidence in court

Grieving mother Lezell van Wyk had little to say as she stood alongside her family.

Peterson expressed little confidence in the court, saying they had seen two high-profile cases dropped in the same court.

He was referring to the case of Taegrin Morris, another Reiger Park toddler, who was killed following a botched hijacking earlier this year.

Thamsanqa Twala who was arrested for the crime, was released after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew all the charges against him.

The case against Zanokuhle Mbatha, allegedly implicated in the fatal shooting of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was also heard in the same court.

Mbatha was released following what the NPA said were inconsistencies in the State’s case.

Peterson said it was best that his son’s alleged killer, who was reportedly out on parole at the time of the crime, remain behind bars.

SAPA

– Day two of the Sasol league national championships which are underway in Port Elizabeth, produced yet another exciting display of women’s football.

Palace Super Falcons beat Durban ladies 4 – 0 in the much anticipated first match of the day.

Falcons were playing their first match of the tournament, while Durban Ladies had one win under the belt already.

Durban ladies coach, Maphumulo Nkosingiphile made a couple of changes to the team that won 4 – 1 against Coal City Wizards. Former Sasol Banyana Banyana defender Zamandosi Cele started from the bench, together with Amanda Dlamini and Nomfudo Mchunu.

Two first half goals and another two in the second, gave the Gauteng team the win. Tina Selepe opened the scoring for Falcon 10 minutes into the match. The former Sasol Banyana Banyana player took an on target long range shot, to her surprise the Durban Ladies keeper miss-handled the ball and it was an easy goal. Chuene Mofiri got the second goal for the Tembisa side before the half-time break, while Chantelle Esau and Martha Mokoma scored in the second half.

Cape Town Roses breezed through their match against Royal Wizards from Northern Cape. The Capetonians hammered Wizards 16 – 0 with six players (Nocawe Skiti, Sisanda Vukapi, Nandipha Booi, Abongile Dlani, Sinoxolo Cesane) respectively registering their names on the score sheet.

The last match of the day was between Bloemfontein Celtic and Titans FC from North West.

Celtic got their first win with a 4 – 0 final score, goals courtesy of Sasol Banyana Banyana striker, Shiwe Nogwanya and Kgalebane Mohlakoana in the first half. Emily Moholoholo, Nomonde Nomtsheke and Thembakazi Dlapu scored in the second stanza for the Free State ladies.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Monday condemned two incidents in which journalists were assaulted.

Sunday Tribune journalist Sandile Ngidi was allegedly assaulted by Thandeka Nene, whose company Bonelena Construction built President Jacob Zuma’s homestead at Nkandla, and another person.

Ngidi had gone to the home of Bavelile Mahlalemphini Mqadi, Nene’s mother, after she was stabbed to death there by intruders a week earlier.

The Sunday Tribune reported that Ngidi was cut above his left eye when he was hit with a glass object.

He was taken to hospital for stitches and a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was laid at the Durban Central police station.

Sanef was “shocked” by the assault, it said in a statement.

“Sanef is horrified that a person who makes her living from state tenders can be accused of such gross illegal activity such as assault.”

It said Nene could have asked the reporter to leave.

Sanef also condemned the kidnapping of two Daily Sun reporters, allegedly by EFF members, during a protest in Nellmapius, Pretoria, on Wednesday.

According to a report in the Beeld on Thursday, the group threatened to “necklace” the journalists to get media coverage.

Sanef said the journalists were held against their will, were hit with a beer bottle and that their clothing was torn.

Their equipment was also reportedly confiscated and a damaged camera was later returned to them.

Sanef called on the Nellmapius community to allow journalists to do their work without assaulting and threatening them.

SAPA

Pretoria – Judge Thokozile Masipa will rule on Tuesday on whether to grant a State appeal that would open the way for Oscar Pistorius to serve more time behind bars for shooting his girlfriend.

Prosecution lawyers applied for an appeal after Masipa in October sentenced the Paralympic gold medallist to five years in jail after a trial that attracted worldwide interest.

The judge found him guilty of culpable homicide, rather than a more serious charge of murdering Reeva Steenkamp.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel argued in appeal papers filed last month that Judge Masipa misinterpreted the law when she ruled Pistorius did not intentionally shoot Steenkamp, describing the sentence as “shockingly light” and “inappropriate”.

Pistorius can qualify for house arrest after serving one sixth of his sentence – 10 months – behind bars, which would mean he could serve the majority of his sentence outside prison walls.

Should Masipa grant the appeal, the case will be heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

Pistorius admits shooting Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door on Valentine’s Day 2013.

But the judge may not necessarily grant the appeal, siding with defence lawyers representing the athlete who say her interpretation of the law was correct.

If Masipa refuses to grant the appeal, the State can petition the decision.

“I honestly don’t think that Masipa would refuse leave to appeal, there’s just too much controversy about the judgement,” said Martin Hood, a criminal lawyer based in Johannesburg.

“It doesn’t matter what the outcome of the appeal is, if the appeal is allowed then other judges will be able to comment on the decision, and that’s critical,” said Hood, who has been following the Pistorius case throughout the year.

‘Effective legal system’

Hood said that with the decision by the Western Cape High Court on Monday to throw out the Shrien Dewani’s murder case, South African courts need to demonstrate they are rigorous and fair.

“From a perception point of view, both public and internationally, we need to tell everybody that we have a robust and effective legal system.”

Pistorius, who celebrated his 28th birthday last month, has been serving his sentence in a Pretoria prison.

“He’s encountering many beautiful stories from prisoners. There are people there who have committed crimes but whose lives have changed,” said his older brother Carl, in an interview with YOU.

Pistorius has been accused of receiving special treatment in one of the most notoriously corrupt prisons, where there is frequent reports of inmates using cellphones and even drinking alcohol behind bars.

Yet Carl dismissed claims his brother is living the good life, saying Pistorius relies on weekly 45-minute visits with his family to leave cash at the canteen so he can supplement his standard prison diet with snacks, including baked beans and canned pilchards.

“He now lives moment by moment,” said Carl. “There’s no fairy tale.”

AFP

By Kedibone Molaetsi
Roodepan- Police are investigating an inquest into the death of two toddlers, says Northern Cape police.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Sergio Kock said the incident occurred on Sunday,at approximately 02:00 when a shack in Bagonia Shanties, Roodepan caught fire.

“It is alleged that the 11 year-old sister was left at home with her two brothers, aged two and five years-old respectively” Kock said.

He said it is further alleged that a burning candle tipped over and started the fire.

The 11 year-old girl saw the fire and ran out of the shanty to seek help.

“We are in the Festive Season therefore police are requesting that parents and guardians adhere to the following” Kock said;

Parents should never leave children unattended.
Police will be having regular patrols to see if children are accompanying parents to taverns and other drinking venues.
Parents should also ensure that children are always in their sight when visiting swimming pools or pleasure resorts.
Parents and guardians will be held accountable for the safety of their children and police will investigate cases and charge parents with negligence if found in contravention of the law.

Both the boys died in the fire and police investigation continues.
-TDN
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Gaborone – A Botswana court has adjusted charges against a man who was initially charged with raping another man to a lesser charge of ‘unnatural offence’.

According to court documents previously brought before magistrate Goodwill Moakofi, the accused, Tebogo Chora Zulu, was alleged to have raped another man in Gaborone on November 12.

In a brief appearance on Monday, the defence and the directorate on public prosecutions agreed that the previous charge of rape against Zulu was poorly drafted.

The new charge will be read before Zulu on April 26 next year.

Sapa

The levels of violence against women and children in South Africa is concerning. Women, children and people with disabilities in particular are the most susceptible to violence.

“Not only are these groups vulnerable but are disadvantaged by factors such as poverty, unemployment, access to justice, isolation, etc”departmental spokesperson Dumisa Seshabela said.

In a bit to combat such violence, the Department of Mineral Resource through the North West Provincial Department of Economy and Enterprise Development on Thursday took part in the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign by raising awareness about the negative impact of violence on women and children.

The campaign was held in Madibogo Village (Ratlou Local Municipality), and was attended by approximately 350 people comprising of youths, government officials, municipalities and community members.

The campaign this year marks 16 years of existence, during which considerable awareness on issues of violence against women and children was generated.

Showing support and giving observations to the campaign, Cllr Petrus Matebele, Chief Whip, Ratlou Municipality speaking on behalf of Mayor, Cllr. Victor Mance, said the period in which the campaign is held, coincide with the commemoration of the World AIDS Day on 01 December and the international Day of Persons with Disabilities on 03 December and it allows us to focus on the link between sexual violence and the spread of HIV infection as well as incidents of abuse experienced by women, children and persons with disabilities.

“It has shown in the Research conducted by the Medical Research Council that one in every four women in South African population generally has experienced physical violence at some point in her life” Seshabela said.
Giving keynote address for the day, Dr. Thibedi Ramontja; Director General in the Department of Mineral Resources stressed that community members needed to work together with the South African Police Services and government in order to highlight, speak out and to find solutions against women and children abuse.

“The campaign has been adopted by government as one of the intervention strategies toward creating a society where women and children are safe. Government has been making strides in combating violence against women and children. We have seen an increase in the number of perpetrators who are serving life sentences for committing such violence”, said Dr Ramontja.

Through awareness campaigns education and sharing of knowledge government will be able to create a greater understanding of the challenges faced by both genders in particular women which could lead to increased respect and safety.

Director General said that the Department of Mineral Resources has prioritized the safety and promotion of female participation within their department and the mining industry.

“He further said we all need to stand up against the deteriorating moral values that lead to the increasing number of brutal rapes and abuses of baby girls and elderly women. Let us revive and encourage the spirit of Ubuntu in our communities” she said.
-TDN
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