Author: fashiong4

A highly-respected police station commander in Meadowlands, Soweto has been murdered at his own home in Protea Glen, as his 14-year-old daughter watched on.

Malefetsane Mofokeng was shot dead in a suspected hit on Wednesday night. EWN report that a team of detectives had been appointed to investigate the crime, lead by Commissioner Deliwe Delange.

The publication also relayed the shock felt by the community. Mofokeng was very active when in came to helping out the people he served. Local residents describe him as a “very good man”.

Senseless killing
SAPS confirmed the details of the tragic incident through a statement earlier on Friday morning. They say Mofokeng arrived at his house around 19:00 on Wednesday and was accosted by an unknown number of suspects who shot him.

Michele Clarke is the DA’s spokesperson for community safety. The MPL said that the party – who currently hold office in Johannesburg – condemn the killing and now want to see a large-scale manhunt launched to catch the perpetrator.

“These senseless killings of our police officers must come to an end. Police play a crucial in ensuring the safety of our people and communities.”

“As the DA we call on the police to launch a manhunt for the suspects and that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of justice in this matter.”

“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Commander’s family, relatives, friends, colleagues and the SAPS community.”

Bheki Cele reaches out to Meadowlands community
Minister of Police Bheki Cele also expressed his condolences toward Mofokeng and his family. He vowed to coordinate a swift response and bring those who committed this crime to justice.

“No one should kill one of our own and sleep at home. For us as the South African Police it is not a time to cry but to find and give answers to the family of what happened and why it happened.”

Anyone with information may contact the South African Police Service toll-free number 08600 10111. All information will be treated with strictest confidentiality and callers may remain anonymous.

School bus ripped apart by dump truck, pupil and teacher killed
School-Bus-Crash-640×480 School bus ripped apart by dump truck, pupil and teacher killed South Africa News truck teacher school ripped pupil KILLED dump bus One pupil and a teacher have been killed, after the school bus they were travelling in was ripped apart by a dump truck on Thursday.

The school bus was ferrying pupils on a field trip, but tragedy unfolded when the two heavy vehicles collided on the Interstate 80 in Mount Olive. More than 40 people needed to be treated in hospital, following the accident. The crash took place about 80km west of New York.

The circumstances behind the crash are still being investigated.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said the truck driver was among those who had been hospitalised. The truck company in question is under severe scrutiny though, as there are reports of recent incidents.

“At a local hospital this evening, Tammy Murphy and I visited privately with families and injured students involved in today’s school bus crash on Route 80,” said Gov. Murphy via his Facebook feed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all families and school officials affected by today’s tragedy,” added Murphy.

“Our hearts are broken by today’s tragedy,” he said.

South Africa’s infant mortality rate is at its lowest in almost two decades‚ having fallen by 32% between 2002 and 2017.

This finding is contained in the 2018 South Africa Survey published by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR).

The institute said this improvement aligned with a sharp increase in the rate of antenatal first visits by pregnant women.

Analyst Tawanda Makombo said the drop in the infant mortality rate – which measures the deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births in a year – coincided with a 96% improvement in the rate of antenatal first visits since 2006.

High school teacher Marinda Steyn in the dock of the High Court in Johannesburg on May 16, 2018, where was sentenced to a lengthy jail term for her involvement in a killing spree on Gauteng’s West Rand.
High school teacher Marinda Steyn in the dock of the High Court in Johannesburg on May 16, 2018, where was sentenced to a lengthy jail term for her involvement in a killing spree on Gauteng’s West Rand.
Image: Nomahlubi Jordaan
The South Gauteng High Court on Wednesday imposed 11 life sentences on former school teacher Marinda Steyn for the Krugersdorp murder spree. Her son Le Roux Steyn was earlier today sentenced to an effective 25-year prison term.

Steyn received 11 life terms for the murder charges and life for racketeering. She was also sentenced to 115 years for various charges including robbery‚ fraud‚ accessory after the fact‚ unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

She was sentenced after having entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the state.

All the sentences are to run concurrently.Judge Colin Lamont asked her if she understood the consequences of having entered into a plea agreement

“Ms Steyn‚ you understand that part of the agreement contains a series of punishment to be imposed upon you and that if you agree to life imprisonment‚ it means life?”

To which Steyn said: “One has choices‚ one has to bear the consequences”.

“I accordingly convict you on all charges in the sentence agreement which you and your counsel and the prosecution have signed‚” Lamont said.

The Krugersdorp murder accused in the dock are, from left to right, Marinda Steyn, Cecilia Steyn (no relation), Marcel and Le Roux Steyn (Marinda’s children) and Zak Valentine.
The Krugersdorp murder accused in the dock are, from left to right, Marinda Steyn, Cecilia Steyn (no relation), Marcel and Le Roux Steyn (Marinda’s children) and Zak Valentine.
Image: Nomahlubi Jordaan
Earlier on Wednesday‚ Steyn’s son Le Roux was also sent to jail after pleading guilty to more than 18 counts including murder‚ robbery and racketeering.

The two were among a group of friends and family members accused of murdering 11 people from 2012 to 2016‚ robbery‚ aggravated assault‚ racketeering‚ possession of an unlicensed firearm‚ fraud and identity theft.

The other accused are Cecilia Steyn (no relation to the other Steyns)‚ Zak Valentine and Marcel Steyn – Marinda’s daughter‚ who is Le Roux’s sister. She was a teenager at the time of the murders.

A sixth person‚ John Barnard‚ a 40-year-old printmaker‚ confessed to involvement in some of the murders last year and was sentenced to 30 years in jail‚ with 10 suspended‚ on condition that he testify against the other accused.

The case against Cecilia‚ Valentine and Marcel has been postponed to October 8 for trial.