'Hands off our police'

May 23, 2011

Commissioner warns killers not to sleep at night, they will be caught.

National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele jetted into Cape Town yesterday to commiserate with the families of the murdered Kraaifontein officers - and delivered a stern warning to their murderers and the community.

Standing at the murder scene with the dried blood of Warrant Officer Gershwin Matthee and Constable Cannon Cloete still visible, Cele said: "Tell those criminals not to sleep at night. We will catch them unless they tie heavy stones around their necks and drown themselves in the sea.

"Criminals are known by the community, they don't just come with the rain." 

On Sunday morning, Matthee and Cloete responded to a call from the Wallacedene township when they were shot in the head. Their deaths brings the total of murdered officers for this year to 36. 

Cele said he understood 88 officers were killed in the past financial year and the year before 107 were murdered. The killing of police was a national crisis. 

He visited the families of Matthee and Cloete in the nearby suburbs of Northpine and Bernadino Heights. 

"There must be a big call. Hands off our police officers. Just hands off. I think the time has come for everybody to shout, 'Hands off our police officers,'" said Cele. 

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union general secretary Nkosinathi Theledi said: "Whether the statistics are rising or declining, the point is how should we cap those figures with immediate effect. We come from an apartheid era where police were seen as the enemy. In this new dispensation, they should be seen as those who protect. WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP!!! Unfortunately not everyone has accepted this." EC Woman beaten up by police

Theledi called for stronger interaction between communities and police to grow their relationship. "We are shocked by the police killings." 

Experts such as Gareth Newman of the Institute of Security Studies reportedly called yesterday for the national task team to be brought back to investigate attacks on and killing of police officers. 

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said no arrests had been made in the Kraaifontein killings. "At the moment we are following up on leads and interviewing as many people as possible," he said. 

Captain Sidney Bongani Hlengwa and Constable Zamikhaya Patrick Hlangulela were shot dead in a raid last Thursday on illegal liquor outlet at Creighton, southern KwaZulu-Natal. A colleague, Sergeant Aaron Gcaleka, is in a critical condition in hospital. 

Norman Khathi, 67, the tavern owner and alleged gunman, briefly appeared in the Ixopo Magistrate's Court yesterday. 

He allegedly shot the officers, who asked to see his liquor licence. The case was postponed to June 7. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1082776.ece/Hands-off-our-police 

 

Woman Beaten By Police

May 24, 2011

An Eastern Cape woman was severely beaten up allegedly by police officers outside the East London Airport. 

 Lulama Feni, 34, said she was assaulted on Saturday evening and doctors at Frere Hospital told that her face had been fractured "numerous times", the Dispatch Online reported on Tuesday.

Feni said her pleas to the officers to stop only incited their anger. 

She said after the beating officers threw her in the back of the police van and took her to the Fleet Street Police Station. She claims officers continued to beat her upon their arrival. 

Feni was released yesterday morning but was back at the station to open a case of police brutality. 

When the Dispatch interviewed Feni yesterday outside the Fleet Street Police Station she could barely speak. 

She had deep cuts on both sides of her face and her eyes were swollen shut. 

"I am unable to walk properly and the blood does not stop flowing from my lips and nose," she said. 

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said the woman and her brother were arrested for fraud. 

"Circumstances are still not clear ... at this stage as to what happened. All we know is police were called to a complaint of fake R200 notes at a tavern," he said, adding that police were investigating further. 

However, Feni dismissed the charges and said she was on her way home with her boyfriend when they saw police officers arresting her brother-in-law. 

She said after trying to ask the officers why they were arresting her brother-in-law they became angry and started to "slap" him around. 

"I tried to intervene but I never even finished my question ? the police punched me in the face and I fell on the ground," she said. 

Police officers then reportedly kicked her until she stopped moving. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1083011.ece/EC-woman-says-she-was-beaten-up-by-police 

Madiba - Rural Home in Qunu.

May 23, 2011

Former resident Nelson Mandela landed at Mthatha airport with his wife Graça and his medical team at 1.30pm on Sunday. 

"We are excited so see Dalibhunga at Qunu. He is like inyange eliphakathi kwekhaya [an ancestor]. Everyone is excited to see the old man," said his grandson, Chief Mandla Mandela, yesterday. 

Mandela was welcomed at his Qunu home by Mandla, Napilisi Mandela and other family members. 

AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who is Madiba's close clan nephew, arrived later and joined the family. 

Mandla said his grandfather was a rural man and being in the rural areas had a great effect on his wellbeing. 

"To be around the rural areas, sit on the balcony and look at his livestock makes Dalibhunga strong and happy. When he is in the big city he misses the rural life, the scenery and the livestock," he said. 

This is the first time that the 92-year-old has returned to Eastern Cape since being discharged from Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital, in January. 

Mandla said no strain will be placed on Madiba. 

"He would like to visit every family member and travel every place close to him, but we need to understand that he is elderly. We must put his health first before anything and not strain him," he said. 

It is not known whether Madiba's health will permit him to travel to Mvezo, where his grandson is the traditional leader of six villages. 

Mandla described his grandfather as healthy and strong but said: "The man is really elderly."

He could not say when the struggle icon will return to his home in Houghton, Johannesburg. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1082770.ece/Madiba-clan-delighted-by-visit 

Poll revolt hits ANC

May 23, 2011

Supporters hold Zuma to lists promise

Only 48 hours after claiming victory in the municipal elections, ANC president Jacob Zuma was facing an internal revolt over the party's candidate nominations process. 

Yesterday, ANC supporters in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal took to the streets, demanding that Zuma keep his word and remove candidates who had been improperly nominated.

In Bizana and Mthatha, in Eastern Cape, members from more than 30 ANC wards protested against the way in which candidate lists were compiled. 

In KwaZulu-Natal, residents of Waterloo rejected their newly elected ward representative and said he should be removed from the list of councillors to be sworn in this week. 

The ANC in the province said yesterday that it was not aware of the Waterloo protest. 

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu

Shortly before the local government elections Zuma said a task team would be set up to investigate all complaints about candidates who had been listed against the wishes of the communities. 

He said such councillors would be removed. 

Zuma also said that the party would go as far as to call by-elections to remove undesirable candidates in an attempt to defuse anger about the party list process. 

"We have worked hard to address these problems and to ensure that the people who serve in our local, district and metropolitan municipalities are truly those who have been chosen with the participation of the communities," Zuma said. 

Last night, the ANC condemned the protests but it said that the swearing-in of councillors could not be stopped. 

Party spokesman Jackson Mthembu said that Zuma was still committed to removing people who had jumped the queue in the compilation of nominations lists. 

"We remain committed to the process of investigating all cases of list tampering," said Mthembu. "The ANC president has made a commitment and the investigations will be done. 

"It is now surprising that people will revolt and take to the streets when the leadership has committed to deal with their problems." 

Mthembu said the ANC would not be held to ransom by members who disregarded party decisions. 

Yesterday, ANC members in Bizana threatened a complete shutdown of community services if Zuma did not resolve their problems immediately. 

Community members told the SABC that some of the councillors were imposed on them by the ANC provincial leadership. They wanted them removed before they could take office. 

ANC member from Bizana Bonakele Duzane said no one should be sworn in until the community's demands had been met. 

Duzane said the aim of the protests was to hold Zuma to his word. 

In Waterloo, residents called on the ANC to deliver on its list promises. 

Residents said that their elected ward councillor, Mxolisi Mzibomvu, whom they claim was imposed on them, should not be sworn in this week. 

According to unconfirmed reports, Mzibomvu's house was burned down by angry residents last week shortly before the elections. 

Anger about the nominations started soon after the ANC adopted a new strategy for the selection of candidates for the municipal elections. 

It involved the participation of community members in the identification of ANC candidates.

But shortly after the nominations process was opened to party members, the party had to deal with a number of protests across the country and infighting started over whose names should appear on the final list. 

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe is expected to brief journalists this morning on the party's response to the nomination-list disputes. 

Mantashe is also expected to discuss the ANC's preferred mayoral candidates.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/specialreports/elections2011/article1082765.ece/Poll-revolt-hits-ANC 

Cape Town Fines Sex Workers

2011-05-23 

Fines amounting to R12 500 have been issued to sex workers in Cape Town, the city's vice squad said on Monday.

And the cost of the fines - as a business expense in the generation of income - will be passed on to the client.

Assistant chief Nathan Ladegourdie said spot fines were issued to sex workers and new sex workers were profiled in Sea Point, Green Point, Cape Town and Wynberg in an operation over the weekend. 

The unit helped two women - one a minor - who had been forced into the industry by foreign nationals by taking them to places of safety, Ladegourdie said.

In Wynberg, a sex worker was arrested for being in possession of three units of tik, he said.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Cape-Town-vice-squad-fines-sex-workers-20110523 

16 Arrested at ANC Protest

2011-05-23 

Only in Africa! You voted for this party, and now we're unhappy with your representatives!

First you vote for them , then you protest--- heaven help us!!!!!!

May the Anc reap the full effects of the seeds of destruction they have and continue to plant. The people are wising up to the lies and deceit. Mass protests are surely only a matter of time.

Already...Hahahahaha!!!!!....you stupid bunch of ANC clowns!!!!...your days are so numbered!!

Like a bunch of chimps swinging in the trees and screaming.
Except the chimps are intelligent

O we are so doomed! You asked for them! Now sharrap and sit in your shack without water, electricity and cabriolet toilets!

You asked for it, you got it. now shut up

Durban - Sixteen people were arrested for alleged public violence during an ANC protest against newly-elected councillors in Bizana on Monday, Eastern Cape police said.

"About 50 00 people blocked the municipal office and the department of education. They also forced people out of the shops to join the toyi-toyi," spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sibongile Soci said.

African National Congress members were apparently unhappy with the ward councillors elected for the area during local government elections.

Soci said people were ferried in to the area to take part in the protest.

"The group has since dispersed, but the situation is still tense. Police are monitoring the area as there are fears they might re-group again."

Bizana is the seat of Mbizana local municipality, which is made up of 25 wards.

It was transferred from the OR Tambo district to the Alfred Nzo district municipality following local elections. The ANC won 73.2% of the vote in the province.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/16-arrested-at-ANC-protest-20110523 

ANC Duped Us To Get Votes

23-May-2011 

They allege that ANC ward councillors encouraged them to invade municipal land in return for votes......

ANGRY residents of Regorogile township outside Thabazimbi, Limpopo, say they have been duped by the ruling party who used them to garner votes.

They allege that in the run-up to the local government elections ANC ward councillors encouraged them to invade municipal land in return for votes.

Some of the residents erected shacks and have vowed that they are "not going anywhere".

Last Thursday, a day after the ANC had retained the Thabazimbi local municipality, residents claimed the municipality officials came out and warned them not to invade the land.

Residents said the ANC councillors had informed them that after they had invaded the land, the municipality would build them RDP houses with basic services.

"I have been on the housing waiting list for three years. Two weeks ago, when the ANC ward councillors informed us at a meeting that we could invade municipal land, I jumped at that opportunity," Joseph Moleya said.

Municipal spokesperson Joshua Motsomane on Friday denied that their ward councillors had urged residents to occupy land.

Another resident, Edwin Tshimenza, said he was surprised by the municipality's response.

"It is a lie that they did not know. We can identify all the people who told us to invade the land.

"Now that we have voted for them they are turning their backs on us," he said.

Many residents, including Naomi Mataboge, said they were not prepared to vacate the land.

While the municipality was locked in a meeting with their leadership, some residents were erecting shacks and others were cutting down trees on what they said were their stands.

Motsomane said the residents' actions were illegal and threatened to take legal action against them.

"That land they are occupying is reserved by the municipality. We can't allow people to occupy land that is not serviced," Motsomane said.

"And if their allegations are true that they had been given permission by our own councillors, we are going to act on such allegations."

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/05/23/anc-duped-us-to-get-votes-say-residents 

 

Funny ID'S

CAN YOU IMAGINE IF ALL THE WOMEN OF THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN HAD TO WEAR THESE???

Police Transfer

May 23 2011

The transfer of nearly a third of the 1 200-strong Durban metro police from the CBD to outlying areas, to address performance problems, has been put on ice for a week. 

The decision to halt the transfers comes after the affected officers lodged complaints with metro police head Eugene Nzama, after learning that they would be moved. 

A performance assessment initiated by Nzama several months ago revealed not only “low productivity, but also gross inefficiency in policing”. 

Nzama said that the officers’ inefficiency had “greatly contributed” to the non-compliance of by-laws in the municipal region by private and business motorists, the business community, informal traders and pedestrians. He also noted that “unacceptable behaviour” from motorists had increased. 

According to metro police officials, the transfers were intended to inculcate a sense of responsibility and to “groom” officers to an acceptable level of performance. The performance evaluation would be revisited quarterly to analyse work performance and identify improvements in productivity, and to assess the need to move officers to the next stage of helping them improve their performance. 

The first time 400 officers learnt that they would have to report for duty elsewhere on Monday was when they saw their names on notice boards at metro police offices last week. 

However, the unions cried foul, claiming the transfers were flawed, done without consulting the affected staff and in contravention of the eThekwini municipality’s transfer policy. 

On Sunday, metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said the transfers had been put on hold for a week, until Nzama, who was away on metro police business, returned to his office.

“We received a lot of grievances of a personal nature and, because they were all related to the transfers, we decided to wait until Nzama returns on Monday (May 30). He needs to look into the complaints and make a decision,” said Msomi. 

Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union acting regional manager Nelia van Wyk said she had been told by the affected officers that the transfers had been put on hold. “We haven’t been told anything official by the metro police, but we have been advised by our members that the transfers have been put on hold. We will look into the issue this week,” she said. 

SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) branch secretary Nhlanhla Nyandeni said the union was “happy” that the transfers had been postponed, saying that proper consultation between the unions and metro police authorities was needed before a decision could be made. 

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/police-transfer-on-hold-1.1072383 

Found Dead in Cell

May 23 2011

For Pretoria mother Annemie Olivier the night of October 4 will be etched in her mind forever.

For the past eight months Olivier has been waiting for news on how her daughter, Ané Smit, 22, a heroin addict, was able to hang herself in the cells of the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. 

Court cells should be monitored and detainees are not meant to have anything on them in the cells with which they could hang themselves, such as shoelaces, long-sleeved tops, belts or ties.

Smit apparently used a pyjama top. 

Her mother blames her death on police negligence. When Smit was arrested on an apparent theft charge she was not wearing pyjamas, her mother says. 

Adding to the Olivier family’s heartache is that it appears that the police investigation into her daughter’s death has hit a stop, with police saying they are awaiting the post-mortem results. 

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Mathews Nkoadi said the case was under investigation and the post-mortem results pending. 

He was unable to say when the post-mortem results would be known or why, eight months later, police did not yet have them. 

This is despite Moses Dlamini, spokesman for the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), which investigates all deaths in police custody, having said that the doctor who performed the post-mortem had concluded “the death is consistent with hanging and no indications were found that suggested foul play”. 

An angry Olivier said she just wanted answers. “How do I explain this to her daughter?

“How do I tell her that I don’t know how her mother was able to kill herself when she should not have been able to? “How do I tell her that the police and the court officials should have been looking after her, but didn’t? 

“Now the people investigating don’t seem to care. What kind of thing is that to tell a young girl?”

Fighting back tears as Smit’s two-year-old daughter, Johané, pointed to a picture of her mother on her funeral programme and said “Mama”, Olivier said all she wanted were answers.

“I just want to know what happened. I just want to know how she could kill herself when she was meant to be watched. 

“I have asked to see the police photos of Ané and her post-mortem report, but the police refuse. What are they hiding? Why are they not showing me these things?

“If no crime was committed and they have done nothing wrong, why not show me the reports?” 

Olivier said that she contacted the court to find out what had happened in the case. 

“When I phoned the chief magistrate, he told me he had sent her to prison for six months.

“When I made enquiries with the prosecutor about where my daughter was and when I could see her, he said he didn’t know she had been sent to jail.

 

“The next thing (there) was a policeman at my door telling me my daughter was dead. 

“I went to the investigating officer and he told me he couldn’t help me because he didn’t have the docket with him. 

“He said the docket was at his house because he was afraid it would get stolen. 

“Since when do investigating officers take suicide dockets home? Since when do people steal suicide dockets? 

“I don’t doubt that Ané committed suicide. 

“I just want answers about how she could kill herself when the police should have been looking after her. 

“To them she is just another dead person in a cell, just another number, but to me she is not. She is my daughter. I want answers so we can get on with our lives.” 

Dlamini said Smit was alone in the court holding cell. 

“The scene was visited by the ICD’s Gauteng provincial office… The cause of death was indicated as being consistent with hanging. 

“This case is closed as there is no police involvement in this matter. The inquest case is under investigation by the SAPS.” 

Dlamini said Olivier had not been shown “scene photos” as police had yet to finalise the investigation.  

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/riddle-of-addict-found-dead-in-cell-1.1072543