karenventer Daylight robbery in the name of the ANC - ANC veteran wants house at quarter of its value because it is 'his right'
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One of the most decorated ANC veterans in the country, 79-year-old Mr Ike Maphoto, feels it is his right to procure a house valued at R970 000 for a measly R270 000 because he “was an MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) soldier; he was an exile; he is black and previously disadvantaged; and a South African citizen”.
This emerged from a letter Maphoto recently wrote to the Department of Public Works with regard to the house in Bendor Park he has been residing in since 2000 – literally rent free.
According to the letter, typed and signed by Maphoto, the house was offered to him by the department on 31 July 2000 at a price of R270 000, being the market value of the house at the time. But Maphoto objected against the purchase price because he maintained that this was “totally in contrast to the terms of the Deed of Sale”. In due course, Maphoto was advised to first accept the offer so that it would not lapse and then to lodge his objections later, which he did on 25 March 2001.
The clauses in the Deed of Sale he referred to in his objection were those regarding participation by previously disadvantaged individuals. In certain instances, such persons should be afforded between 10% and 20% discount off the market price of the houses they wish to purchase.
The letter goes on to state that between 2001 and 2001, Maphoto was told by a department representative that he did not qualify for this discount. He protested this but was never given and answer, he says.
In 2003, Maphoto pursued the matter and was then advised he could not purchase the house as his payments were in arrears. This he also objected. By 2004, Maphoto owed over R80 000 in rental on the house, which he still occupied. He still objected to this amount, citing the fact that by now he was a member of the provincial legislature (MPL) and elligible for the same benefits as other MPLs. MPLs are allowed to occupy state accommodation at the payment of a nominal rental instead of the market-related rental, according to Public Works spokesperson, Mr Molebatsi Masedi.
By 2005 with the matter still not resolved, a department official advised Maphoto that the then head of department had approved an application for the write-off of Maphoto's debt that by then amounted to just under R200 000.
The property has since been re-evaluated at R970 000 and the department has offered it to Maphoto for R776 000, taking the discount he has a right to, into consideration.
But Maphoto is having none of this. He ends his letter by saying that he requires that the head of department offers him the house at the initial price, being R270 000, because he is a former MK soldier; he is a former exile, he is black and previously disadvantaged, he is a South African citizen, the house is still the same, and the wording on the first and second Deeds of Sale remain the same. According to information, the department has not yet officially responded to Maphoto's written request.
However, Informant approached the department for comment on the matter without revealing its source of information. Masedi responded by saying that Maphoto enjoys certain privileges that are afforded all MPLs. Yet at the time most of the debt was incurred, Maphoto was not an MPL. “Mr Maphoto has not benefited unduly and beyond what is prescribed by relevant provisions of the Ministerial hand-book on members privileges and benefits,” Masedi said.
Masedi further maintained that Maphoto is “considering the offer” based on the re-evaluation. No mention was made by Masedi of the written request submitted by Maphoto.
“There has been nothing untoward in the department`s handling of Mr Maphoto`s matter beyond the delays which are being addressed. The department is working on bringing finality on the matter in as short a time as possible,” Masedi further said.
Being a director of two companies as well as chief executive officer of another company, the question begging to be asked is why Maphoto should be afforded low rental and practically free housing when so many other people, the very people whose rights Maphoto fought for, are living in abject poverty without a roof over their heads.
Seemingly this is just yet another matter the Limpopo government is seeing fit to sweep under the carpet.
karenventer Staatsveeartsdiens word verantwoordelik gehou vir Korridorsiekte in Limpopo
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Limpopo se Staatveartsdiens wat onder die Departement van Landbou val, gaan binnekort antwoorde in die hooggeregshof moet verskaf oor hoe dit gekom het dat buffels wat blykbaar in twee aparte sake positief getoets het vir Korridorsiekte toegelaat is om Limpopo in te kom.
Buffels vrek nie self aan die siekte nie, maar is draers daarvan. Die siekte word deur ‘n bruinoorbosluis oorgedra en wanneer beeste besmet word, vrek hulle. Daar is huidig geen teenmiddel teen die siekte wanneer dit in beeste voorkom nie.
In die een geval, het ‘n bekende Polokwane dokter wat ook ‘n plaas in die Tolwe/Swartwater gebied het, ‘n trop 21 buffels aangeskaf van ‘n area waar daar nie Korridorsiekte is nie. Volgens inligting, het een van die buffels positief getoets vir die gevreeste siekte maar die Staatsvearts het dit na bewering afgeskiet as “n laboratorium fout” en die buffels is toegelaat op die dokter se plaas. Toe dit wel bevestig is dat die buffels nou draers van die siekte is, het die Staatsveaarts in die area die plaas waarop die buffels is onder kwarentyn geplaas. Die buffels word tans in ‘n boma op die plaas aangehou en streng bosluis beheer word toegepas.
In die tweede geval wat voorgekom het in die Mokopane gebied, is die eienaar van die buffels wat besmet is deur die Mokopane Staatsvearts gevra om die buffels so gou as moontlik te verwyder. Die plaas is ook onder kwarantyn en die buffels word in ‘n kamp aangehou. Dit is nie duidelik hoe die buffels toegelaat is om die provinsie in te kom nie.
Die oplossing op die probleem is dat die buffels na ‘n Korridorgebied (laeveld of Kwazulu-Natal) verskuif moet word of dat hul van kant gemaak is. Die probleem is egter dat die markwaarde van die diere kan val van soveel as R300 000 per buffel tot so laag as R30 000.
Beide boere het nou regsaksie aan die gang teen die provinsiale Staatsveartsdiens en kon dus nie kommentaar lewer nie.
Beide die betrokke Staatsveeartse het aangedui dat daar huidig min gevaar bestaan dat die siekte beeste kan besmet aangesien alle moontlike aksies in werking gestel is om oordrag te voorkom. Alle moontlike aksies is geneem om seker te maak dat die siekte nie na beeste versprei nie, maar die kanse is tog daar dat die buffels kan uitbreek en beeste besmet.
Mnr Jan Viljoen, voorsitter van TLU SA Noord, het sy dank teenoor die departement uitgespreek vir die inligting en het die boere wat betrokke is versoek om hul samewerking aan die veeartse te gee.
karenventer Polokwane/Seshego drunk drivers get away with murder as blood tests are rejected
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Seshego police station has a 42% rejection rate – the highest in the country - on all the chemistry samples that it sends to Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCL) for analysing. This means that nearly half of all persons caught drunken driving or in other crimes that rely on forensic evidence, are set free.
The audit was done by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) recently. FCL is responsible for processing scientific evidence in support of drunken driving prosecutions, food analysis as well as establishing cause of death and is, according to the report, in a total state of disarray.
Most of the samples that were rejected were rejected by FCL as the South African Police Service (SAPS) did not meet the set criteria when samples were collected and stored, resulting in cases not ending up in court and therefore negatively affecting the criminal justice system, the report reads. Samples should be received in polystyrene containers, sealed with string and a metal seal. Most of the cases were rejected as their seals had been tampered with and they could consequently not be analysed. The report further states that: “This might contribute to persons suspected of rape and murder not being charged in courts due to lack of acceptable evidence. This also poses a risk of possible fraudulent activities in the SAPS”.
Police spokesperson in the office of the provincial commissioner, Supt Ronél Otto, said this matter was due to be discussed at a special meeting last week. “A special team will look into why this problem exists at Seshego. The team will determine the causes and mistakes and establish a programme to improve the quality of the samples.”
In the meantime, criminals keep going free.
On Sunday 21 Feb 2010 a friend and I went to Molepo Dam near Moria to fish.
We met up with other friends and around 11:45 went fishing from their boat for around 1/2 hour. On our return we found my friend's vehicle, which was locked, being broken into and 3 cell phones stolen. The suspects broke both front door windows to get access to the vehicle. A gentleman who was fishing about 30 meters away told us he saw the suspects running away.
An hour earlier we met a local black gentleman who actually warned us about the sudden crime spate and reported that the "tsotsis" stole some of his fishing gear as well a while ago.
I believe this dam is becoming a crime risk and that anglers and boaters should be warned about it.
Roelien Richards
Thank you for letting Fisher Men and Woman know about this Dam.
2 years 45 weeks ago
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Molamom
it was safe during those days, i grew up there and it was very safe i suggest when going there you need to get someone to guard your staff since you happened to be a crime victim i so wish i still stay there and could raise the issue with community leaders, sorry to hear that and hopefully your message will reach as many ppl as you can.
karenventer Former cops get court order against Limpopo magistrate to stop case against them
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A case against three former police officials, one formely and officer, and a Polokwane businessman took a new twist last week when the Pretoria High Court had a court order served against the magistrate who is hearing the case.
The case against Messrs Jacques Viljoen, Stephen van der Spek, Johan Fourie and Mohammed Valjee includes a range of charges such as fraud and defeating the ends of justice. It has been dragging since their arrests in April 2005 and was due to continue in the Polokwane Regional Court all of last week.
Magistrate, Mr P D Nkuna, was served the court order in his personal capacity. The court order prevents him from continuing with the case until the High Court has reviewed the entire case heard so far. The High Court will then decide whether Nkuna is fit to continue hearing the case. Accused number one, Viljoen has filed a number of complaints against Nkuna for, amongst other things, sleeping in court and being prejudiced. Various evidence presented to court, such as statements and recordings, have also mysteriously “disappeared”.
Up until now, Viljoen's complaints have fallen on deaf ears even though he has gon as far as complaining in writing to the Human Rights Commission and even directly to the President's Office.
The High Court's investigation continues.
karenventer Questions are being asked as to whether a police officer recently charged with theft is receiving special treatment.
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A Polokwane police officer is on leave after he was charged around two weeks ago with the theft of an unknown amount of cash that belongs to the police.
According to information, the officer was in possession of the cash, which was meant for a special project, as he was in charge of the project. Apparently on the day in question, he was unable to pay the cash in at his office as the person responsible for this had already left for the day. Instead of paying the money in to the nearest police station's safe, he allegedly decided to pay it into his bank account instead.
A source said only when his office questioned him about the money, did he return to his bank to withdraw the money and paid it over to his office.
He was subsequently charged with theft and made a brief appearance in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court. He has not entered a plea as yet and has been released on his own recognisance. In the meantime he has taken leave from work.
Police spokesperson in the office of the provincial commissioner, Supt Ronél Otto, confirmed the police officer had been charged and that he is currently on leave. She could not say when he will be returning.
Otto also confirmed that there is an internal investigation in progress regarding this incident.
In the meanwhile other police members are questioning the procedures so far. Various police officials in Limpopo who have previously been charged for similar crimes were suspended from work immediately and forbidden to have contact with their colleagues or go near their places of work.
The police officer involved testified last year on behalf of the state against some former colleagues and it is being asked whether he is now receiving special treatment because he “is on the state's side”.
The case continues.
karenventer Grundlingh moordsaak: Yvonne Beetge sal in die hooggeregshof van moord aangekla word en het intussen wéér getrou
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Polokwane: Die berugte veroordeelde bedrieër, me Yvonne Beetge (43), se lang wag om te hoor wat gaan van haar word in verband met die moord op haar eertydse vriend, mnr Bokkie Grundlingh, is verby.
Die moordsaak is verlede jaar verwys na die openbare vervolger vir ‘n besluit. Intussen is Beetge R1 000 borg toegestaan mits sy tuisgaan by haar pa se huis in Mookgopong.
Beetge se regsverteenwoordiger, mnr Theron Wessels het verlede week in die Polokwane Magistraats Hof die magistraat, me Janine Ungerer, ingelig dat Beetge intussen wéér getrou het en nou op ‘n plaas naby Bethlehem in die Vrystaat woon. Die naam van haar nuwe man is nie op die stadium geopenbaar nie.
Die openbare vervolger se beslissing is dat Beetge in die hooggeregshof aangekla moet word van die moord van Grundlingh. Die saak is uitgestel na 17 Mei wanneer ‘n hooggeregshofdatum vasgestel sal word.
karenventer Magadzi advocates safer schools for all in Limpopo
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Safety, security and liaison MEC, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi is on a mission to address crime issue in Limpopo schools.
Government’s drive to build safe and secure schools for effective teaching and learning came under the spotlight as Magadzi addressed crime issues at Setotolwane Special School just outside Polokwane on Tuesday.
Magadzi urged learners to report all criminal activities to law enforcement agencies without fail. “We must ensure that all criminal elements at our schools are isolated and reported to the police in order for us as a collective to win the war against crime,” Magadzi said.
karenventer Molemole councillor shoots girlfriend, himself dead in Dendron
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A Molemole Municipality councillor died at his own hand after he apparently shot and killed his girlfriend and then turned the firearm on himself.
According to the provincial police, the incident occurred in Mogwadi (Dendron) last Wednesday morning at the woman’s home. The councillor, Mr Mathews Manthata (38), allegedly shot Ms Olivia Machaka (23), who worked for the municipality, after an argument.
The police said the firearm used in the shooting was not registered to Manthata. “We are investigating the origin of the firearm and the circumstances that led to the murder of the woman and possible suicide.”
Otto advised couples experiencing problems to seek help from the relevant structures.
karenventer Government warns World Cup stab vests useless against taxi fenders
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THE FOLLOWING "STORY" IS HILARIOUS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TRUTH IN IT.... (SOURCE UNKNOWN)
Government warns World Cup stab vests useless against taxi fenders
JOHANNESBURG. A knife-proof vest being marketed to British tourists as a must-have item at the 2010 World Cup has been slammed by the South African government, which says it is completely pointless as most tourists killed will either be shot or run over by taxis. However the country has recommitted itself to killing as few tourists as possible.
According to the BBC, the so-called stab vests are being marketed in the United Kingdom as essential security wear for the 2010 World Cup and cost up to $70.
However, this morning the South African government condemned the armoured items, describing them as alarmist, reactionary and discriminatory against people who earn a living through knife crime.
But, said spokesman Whiplash Mahlangu, the real outrage was how ineffective the vests would be in keeping tourists alive.
"We urge our visitors to remember that of the 1,500 South Africans who are murdered and the 1,100 who are killed on our roads every month, only a tiny minority succumb to knife wounds," said Mahlangu.
He added that while the usual 2,600 locals would be killed during the World Cup, South Africa was committed to killing as few international visitors as possible.
"If we can keep it down to around one percent of the South African average, that is, 26 tourists, we'll consider that a job well done," said Mahlangu.
But, he said, visitors would have to accept that stab vests would "not be of optimum utility in an average hail of gunfire from an average assault rifle, or against the earnest advances of a Toyota Hilux's front fender".
He asked both South Africans and foreign tourists to remain positive about the World Cup.
"The world is coming," he said. "The important thing to remember is that of the 500,000 guests coming to our shores, 499,974 will be going home alive.
karenventer 52-year-old Polokwane businessman survives hijacking after being beaten and left for dead
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A 52-year-old Polokwane business owner is lying critically injured in Limpopo Medi Clinic's high-care unit after being hijacked, beaten to within an inch of his life, and left for dead last night (Tuesday).
Owner of Limpopo Tractors, Mr Thys Diedericks' nightmare began at around 19:15 last night. He was returning from seeing a client and stopped off at Savannah Shopping Mall in Polokwane. On leaving the centre's parking lot in his silver Isuzu twin cab, registration number BPY056L, he was accosted by four armed men. One of the men was armed with a firearm while the other three were armed with sharp objects that looked like pangas, Diedericks' friend and colleague, Mr Stefan Myburgh, said today (Wednesday).
According to Myburgh, Diedericks was thrown into the back of his vehicle by his assailants who then proceeded to drive in the direction of Mankweng stopping along the road and dragging Diedericks into the bush. There they beat him until he was unconscious. Some of the injuries Diedericks sustained include a cracked skull and multiple fractures and cuts all over his body. His eyes are swollen shut and half of his ear has been torn off. All the while they were beating him, they were asking him where the money was, Myburgh said. “His injuries are horrendous... it seems like they set out to kill him.”
The suspects left Diedericks for dead and fled the scene with his vehicle, three cell phones, his bank cards and some cash.
Friends, colleagues and family searched for Diedericks throughout the night, unknowingly searching in completely the wrong direction. They only became aware of where he might be when one of the suspects drew R3 000 from Diedericks' bank account via an ATM machine in Mankweng in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Myburgh said.
Early Wednesday morning, Diedericks became conscious thanks to heavy rain that was falling. He dragged himself, crawling, to the road where a passing minibus taxi stopped to pick him up. The driver of the taxi took him to Mankweng Provincial Hospital, which is where his family found him. He was tranferred late Wednesday to Limpopo Medi Clinic.
Myburgh expressed his and the Diedericks family's gratitude to the unknown taxi driver. “The people at Mankweng Hospital were also wonderful.”
According to Polokwane Police spokesperson inspector Lesiba Ramoshaba, no criminal cases have as yet been reported to the police. But Myburgh said Diedericks was reported missing and a case opened in the early hours of Wednesday morning and subsequently cases relating to Diedericks' ordeal have been opened (hijacking, assault, robbery). No arrests have been made and the vehicle is still missing.
NicP
Hijacking not at Savannah. Savannah Management draws our attention to the fact that this person was in fact hijacked at The Junction AFTER he left Savannah. We gladly put the facts right. It appears that Savannah is one of the places where people congregate with the lowest rate of crime in the city
3 years 15 weeks ago
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1 person likes this.
karenventer
Oops! Sorry. Just going on what the victim's spokesperson told me. My apologies.
karenventer Police tell lovers: "Get a room!"
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The Polokwane police have issued a warning to lovers who prefer to rendezvous in their vehicles in secluded places of the city.
Polokwane police spokesperson inspector Lesiba Ramoshaba's clear message to these lovers is: "Get a room!"
He said the police have many incidents where couples who rendezvous in secluded areas are robbed and assaulted. "This must stop!" he conlcuded.
karenventer Festive season success for Polokwane police
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The Polokwane police in Limpopo made a huge impact on criminals in the area over the festive season (12 December to 14 January), making 1 487 arrests and recovering goods ranging from illegal fireworks to dagga to stolen motor vehicles.
According to Polokwane police spokesperson, inspector Lesiba Ramoshaba, the 1 487 suspects were arrested for crimes that included possession of drugs, theft, assault, robbery and possession of stolen property.
Items that were confiscated included illegal fireworks, cigarettes, DVDs, cell phones, marijuana, firearms, motor vehicles, motorbikes, televisions, liquor, dangerous weapons (such as knives), generators, goats, bicycles and DVD players.R11 000 worth of traffic fines were also issued to offenders.
Ramoshaba said three of the suspects arrested have been linked to burglaries all over Polokwane, especially in the suburg of Flora Park, which is where they were arrested.
A suspected crime syndicate consisting of ten members was also apprehended. The suspects were allegedly operating at the well-known Mapungubwe Arts Festival, stealing revellers' cell phones. Ramoshaba said according to information, these suspects hired a taxi from Gauteng to come and commit their crimes at the festival. He said 22 cell phones and one navigator were recovered. “Anyone who lost their cell phone at the festival (at the end of December) should please contact us on 082 728 9835.”
karenventer Quiet on the Polokwane homefront
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It's been kinda quiet on the Polokwane homefront lately with no serious crimes coming to my attention.
Let's hope that it stays this way and that there are no burglaries. Those of you who are still at home, please keep your eyes peeled for any strange movement in your neighbourhood and report it to your sector police or security company immediately! I will be posting the sector police contacts shortly.
Cash and laptop computers are the preferred items of criminals in Polokwane.
Snr Supt Piet Marx of the Police addressed the Polokwane Chamber of Business (PCOB) at their June 2009 meeting held at Polokwane Volkswagen and Audi on Thursday night.
Snr Supt Sylvia Ledwaba, Head of the Crime Investigation Unit of the SAPS in Polokwane, warned the public that they will undoubtably be victims of crime if they leave money and valuable goods in their vehicles.
The past week saw some interesting tendencies in crime in Polokwane.
During the week Faranani Estates in Bendor (see map) suffered break-ins on two consecutive nights. It appears that the burglars were mainly after clothes, jewellery, knives and possibly firearms.
We heard people talking about the possibility that it could be Zimbabweans who were after clothing and easily sold jewellery. The burglars were apparently not interested in Tv's and other electronic goods.
We regret to inform you ... no, that's not how we speak here.
Sorry to tell you but Crime Crier is without a blogger or team manager as karenventer is unable to carry on due to work pressure. Please bear with us while we look for an alternative blogger or make other arrangements.
We approached a security company and the police with a request that they work with us but at the time of writing we have heard nothing.
LADANNA, POLOKWANE - The sight of the 76-year-old woman’s battered face tells its own story as it peers around her 81-year-old husband who tremblingly tries to unlock the gate for me to enter their home.
A well-known Polokwane businessperson who resides at an upmarket security village was taken captive, forced to give his capturers, who were apparently posing as police officials, access to his home and robbed last Wednesday afternoon.
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Snr Supt Sylvia Ledwaba, Head of the Crime Investigation Unit of the SAPS in Polokwane, warned the public that they will undoubtably be victims of crime if they leave money and valuable goods in their vehicles.
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