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BEAT
14 September, 2012
tbeat3@gmail.com, Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Mayhem after accusations of traditional murder Angry members of the community blocked the road with large stones and burning tyres to protest against what they believe was a ritualistic murder. Photo: LiN News/ Limpopo Mirror
Concerned victim warns against rabies
Mr Isaac Lekalakala of Bela Bela encourages pet owners to have them vaccinated. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela A concerned resident of Bela Bela Mr Isaac Lekalakala encourages members of the community to vaccinate their pets to prevent diseases. The call comes after Lekalakala was bitten by a dog during his visit to a local tavern on Monday, 3 September. He said that, coming back from the bathroom, two dogs came towards him and one of them bit him on his left leg. Lekalakala told The BEAT that he rushed
to the clinic and received an injection and was then transferred to the Bela Bela Hospital for further medical attention. Rabies is an infection that causes serious inflammation in the brains of humans and animals. Dogs who are not vaccinated can contract the illness and pass it on to any human by biting that person. That is why it is so important to vaccinate pets. The vaccinations are free and should be done whenever there is a rabies outbreak in an area. Rabies is fatal if not treated immediately. If a person waits until symptoms of the illness starts to show, the disease is in its final stages and that person will die. “I had five injections from the hospital and still have a few weeks to go until I’m done with the treatment. People must look after their dogs and not let them roaming free in the streets because it is not safe. They must also get the dogs vaccinated and prevent them from contracting diseases and passing them on,” he said. During his visit to The BEAT’s offices, Lekalakala said that he had just had his second treatment of injections. He expressed his concerns and fright about contracting rabies and what it could do to his health and the people next to him. Lekalakala said that he did not open a case because of sympathising with the dog owner, who was sick at the time.
The situation remained tense at Tswinga village near Thohoyandou in Vhembe, after the burial of a pupil suspected to have been ritually murdered in the village. Angry mourners returning from the funeral at Tswinga on Saturday, 25 August, took to the streets and left a trail of destruction in their wake. Avhashoni Mbedzi (18), a Grade 11 pupil at Muvhavha Secondary School, was found dead hanging at some nearby bushes, not far from his home, after having been missing for six days. After the body was found by a herder, rumours started doing the rounds in the village, with members of the community alleging that he was ritually murdered. Community members started pointing fingers at a local businessman and a traditional healer, whom they blamed for the boy’s death. The boy was buried, together with two other people, in the village on 25 August. Signs of tension showed towards the end of the funerals, when a pastor was stopped halfway through her sermon by angry members of the community. The master of ceremonies, a member of the local civic structure, was booed by angry pupils as he tried to address them about the situation in the village. He was also attacked and had to seek medical treatment. The angry community members met at the local sports field and proceeded to the chief’s
Modimolle police warns against false crime claims Lizzy Bapela Police in Modimolle are warning members of the public against the false reporting of any incidents of crime. Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer James Findlay, said that they have experienced a disturbing number of false thefts out of motor vehicle cases, where most stolen items were laptops. He said it seems the perpetrators do so hoping to claim from insurance; however, it has not yet been proven. The warning comes after a similar incident took place recently in the area, where a case of theft out of motor vehicle case was opened at the local police station. The complainant claimed that R116 000 worth of camera equipment was stolen from his car during his stay at a local resort. Findlay said that, through investigations, it was discovered that the man was actually an alleged suspect in the case and not the complainant as he
Lizzy Bapela Police in Bela Bela had a very busy weekend chasing after lawbreakers in the area from Friday, 7 September, to Sunday, 9 September. Lieutenant-Colonel Phetla said up to 34 people were arrested for public drinking in the streets and at different taverns. The suspects were released after paying admission of guilt fines of R200 each. A further 16 were arrested for allegedly being found in possession of dagga and were released after paying admission of guild fines ranging from R300 each. Phetla said the charges for possession of dagga ranges according to the value of the item, in which the suspect was found.
Another 9 suspects were arrested for gambling and were released after paying admission of guilt fines of R100 each. Phetla said the issue of women gambling is a disturbance to the police, as it has been taking place at an alarming rate. He said it is suspected most of these women gamble with their children’s grants; as such, cases occur mostly during payout days. A 24-year-old young man was found dead at his home on the morning of Monday 10 September. Phetla said it is suspected the deceased committed suicide as he found hanging in the house. He said reasons for the incident are still unknown at the stage, as the deceased did not leave a note to explain his actions.
claimed. The 44-year-old man comes from Kraaifontein in the Western Cape and works for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the stolen items belonged to them. The man was then arrested and charged for defeating the ends of justice. Findlay said that the suspect pleaded guilty when he appeared in the Kraaifontein Magistrate’s Court. He said the two courts arranged for the suspect to appear in Kraaifontein, avoiding the drive from there to Modimolle for a court appearance. The suspects only received a R1 000 fine, which led to the community of Modimolle raising concerns against it. Findlay encourages the concerned community to look at the sentence from another perspective. The accused will never get insurance in his life and is facing trouble with getting another job because of his bad track record.
Heavy sentence for rape accused Lizzy Bapela
Busy weekend for Bela Bela police
residence, where the civic leader announced his resignation from all the structures in the village. Roads were blockaded with big stones and burning tyres, and the police had their hands full to contain the crowds. Groups then went after different targets and, after a scuffle with the police, two houses and a spaza shop were completely gutted by fire. An RDP house belonging to a traditional healer was also attacked. Meanwhile, the local traditional leader, Chief Mmbangiseni Tshishonga, called for calm and urged residents to cooperate with the police. “We are not happy about the prevailing situation in the village and as leaders we cannot just sit down as our village is burning. We will talk with all the structures in the village first and look into this problem,” he added. Thohoyandou police spokesperson Maj Mashudu Malelo said they had opened an inquest docket, following the death of the boy. “After learning of the situation in the village, we dispatched our members to the area. We are busy patrolling the area and the situation is now under control,” he added. According to Malelo, the police have arrested 19 people in connection with public violence. He said three people, including two police officers, were injured during the upheaval. LiN News/Limpopo Mirror
An accused received two heavy sentences when he appeared before the Modimolle Regional Court on Monday, 10 September, for two counts of rape. Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer James Findlay, said that Malesela Solomon Kolobe was charged and sentenced in terms of Section 51 (2) of act 105/1997 in count 1 and Section 51 (1) of Act 105/1997 of the Republic of South Africa in count 2. The accused was sentenced to an effective 10 years imprisonment in the first count of rape and got a life imprisonment sentence in count 2. Findlay said that the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused is a follows an incident that happened in January 2010.
The management of Modimolle SAPS gave all the glory to the investigating officer in the case, Lieutenant Dick Kgabo, for the hard work that led to the case being closed. Meanwhile, another rape suspect who was brought to book in July in connection with 13 counts of rape is expected again in court on Friday, 28 September. Findlay said that the 35-year-old suspect was arrested following 12 incidents of rape that happened in Mookgophong and another one that happened in Modimolle. The suspect was arrested in Kraaifontein in the Western Cape Province and appeared before the Modimolle Regional Court on Thursday, 30 August. Findlay said that the accused was detained at the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre while he was awaiting his trial.
Half of the failures in life come from pulling one’s horse when he is leaping. Thomas Hood I failed my way to success. Thomas Edison