Table of contents for DF-2021-04-01 in DFA News

Boipelo Mere STAFF REPORTER ACCUSED serial rapist Benedict Norman Moreki, 30, was cross-examined in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he faces charges of raping two 18-year-old women in Galeshewe in 2016 and 2018. He was questioned by State prosecutor Munewa Ratshibvumo in the Sexual Offences Court. Moreki, who was a taxi marshal, also faces charges of robbery, assault GBH and theft out of a motor vehicle. He was arrested in Greenpoint. He denied the rape charges and told the court that he was romantically involved with both women and had consensual sex with both of them. He also told the court that he had sex with both women on the last night that he saw them. Ratshibvumo stated that both alleged rapes happened in the veld, at two different…

Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi Staff writer FLU SEASON, which typically falls between April and September in South Africa each year, is likely to coincide or overlap with the anticipated third wave of Covid-19. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, seasonal flu kills between 100 000 and 600 000 people globally, with about 11 500 deaths in South Africa. About 50% of those deaths are among the elderly, and about 30% in HIV-infected people. With the Covid vaccine being the main concern now, should you still have a flu vaccine in 2021? Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, Head of Operations at Bonitas Medical recommends you do. “Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of influenza illness, hospitalisation and death. Not only will flu vaccinations reduce the risk of getting flu but…

Mihlali Baleka PITSO MOSIMANE. That should be the one and only name on Safa’s wishlist as they embark on a journey of finding a replacement for Molefi Ntseki. Ntseki failed to guide Bafana Bafana to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations after a bitterly disappointing 2-0 loss away to Sudan which ensured that they missed out on the continental showpiece as they finished third in Group C – behind leaders Ghana and the Falcons of Jediane. Ntseki's appointment as Bafana coach shouldn’t have been made in the first place. This is a man who had made a name for himself by inspiring the Under-17 national team, Amajimbos, to the World Cup and deputising for his predecessors such as Stuart Baxter. But after Safa fired Ntseki yesterday, it’s time for them…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORT BOXES of medical waste at Die Eiland holiday resort in Upington, which was used as a quarantine site for Covid-19 patients last year, have been left uncollected for several months. The DA caucus leader at Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Henk Opperman, said yesterday that the dumping of medical waste was reported to the Green Scorpions as monkeys were scavenging in the boxes that were discarded outside the chalets. “Aside from the potential transmission of infectious diseases to humans, the monkeys at the resort have already climbed into the waste and may already have been exposed to harmful material,” said Opperman. “Dumping of medical waste is a criminal offence and whoever is responsible for this careless action must be firmly dealt with.” He pointed out that improperly…

Boipelo Mere staff reporter PROTESTERS in Scandal, Galeshewe, yesterday threatened to keep Tyson Road closed following the “failure” of the So Plaatje Municipality to address their service delivery issues. The residents are angry and frustrated and accuse Sol Plaatje executive mayor Patrick Mabilo of not delivering on his promises and of “playing delaying tactics” and putting their health at risk. They barricaded the road with stones and burning tyres in the early hours of yesterday morning, while the police monitored the situation. The protesters demand that members of the mayoral committee inspect their settlement. They want the blocked water canal to be cleared and cleaned, water taps and mobile toilets to be installed, proper roads and refuse collection services. Mabilo, along with the acting manager of Infrastructure Services, Phetole Sithole,…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPOTER THE HOPETOWN Detectives this week apprehended three men accused of raping a 17-year-old girl. Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the suspects had been hiding from the authorities after allegedly raping the girl. “It was reported that earlier this month that three men abducted the victim, forced her inside a shack in Hopetown, before taking turns to rape her,” said Tawana. “The three suspects were arrested in Hopetown early this (Wednesday) morning during suspect-tracing operations.” Tawana added that the suspects, aged 22, 28 and 33 years old, were expected to appear before the Hopetown Magistrate's Court soon on charges of rape and abduction.…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER COMMUNITY members in Colesberg are growing impatient and angry over delays in the release of an investigation report regarding allegations of corruption at Umsobomvu Local Municipality. Members of the Umsobomvu Community Forum stated that the forensic investigation started on January 5 and should have been completed by January 22. “An undertaking was made that the premier, Dr Zamani Saul, or a representative from the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) would present the findings on March 29,” the forum members said. “About 500 community members waited for two hours in the field on Monday but no one arrived or offered any apologies for their absence. We are all very angry because It appears as if decisive action is only taken if…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter THE MINISTER of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, will open the Special Investigating Unit office in the Northern Cape today. The Northern Cape is the only province in South Africa without SIU offices and it is currently being serviced by the Free State, North West and Western Cape provincial offices. Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul had indicated that the procurement of personal protective equipment in the Province would be one of the first items that would be investigated by the new SIU office. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the Northern Cape provincial office formed part of the new SIU strategy that focuses on implementing business process improvements that are “results driven”. “The strategy places an emphasis on the positive impact of the SIU…

Dudley Carstens PROTEAS batsman Aiden Markram says the respect ODI captain Temba Bavuma enjoys in the squad is “seriously on another level”. Bavuma will lead the Proteas for the first time since being named white-ball captain when they face Pakistan at Centurion Park on Friday at 10am. And with one eye on the 2023 World Cup, Markram believes coach Mark Boucher and company made the right choice to appoint Bavuma, 30, as captain. Markram explains: “It’s been amazing to see Temba [Bavuma] operate so far this week –the amount of respect the guys have for him in this environment is seriously on another level. “I think it makes leading from his side a lot easier, so I’m extremely happy for them [Bavuma and Test captain Dean Elgar] and certainly the…