Express eastern free state 01 04 2015

EASTERN FREE STATE

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WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015

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Five managers axed

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Maluti­a­Phofung gets yet another disclaimer audit outcome } Selloane Khalane PHUTHADITJHABA. – Five key managers of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality are set to be axed following yet another disclaimer audit outcome by the auditor general (AG).

Mayor Vusi Tshabalala told Express Eastern Free State (EFS) the five senior officials were asked to resign last week.

According to Tshabalala, the municipality had been receiving disclaimers from the AG for the past 20 years and continued to regress.

Tshabalala said axed senior officials had an adverse attitude towards their work which impacted negatively on the municipality.

“Since I joined the municipality last year, there hasn’t been much progress in the departments of the officials implicated. We can’t keep getting disclaimers, the municipality needs to improve,” Tshabalala said.

Tshabalala said there was nothing sinister about the intervention.

The managers were released under section 57.

Tshabalala indicated that the vacancies would be advertised soon, but did not divulge further information on when the posts would be filled.

The five axed officials are Hleli Machela, director of spatial planning and human settlement, community services director Palesa Selepe, head of corporate and legal services Sipho Mhlambi, director for local economic development Tseko Mthamaha and Lehlohonolo Dumisa, who was the head of security.

Last year the DA formally asked the minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene, for a financial intervention, following 13 consecutive disclaimer audit opinions, in terms of the Constitution.

The municipality owes Eskom in excess of R562 million and carries a household debt of more than R835 million.

The party requested Nene to place the municipality under administration.

‘We can’t keep getting disclaimers, the municipality needs to improve.’

– Vusi Tshabalala, mayor

VUSI TSHABALALA, the executive mayor of the Maluti­a­Phofung Local Municipality.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015

NEWS

MOJAKI MOJAKI (deputy director: Road Safety), Motlatsi Moloi (Mabate Intermediate School principal), Posholi Posholi (deputy director: Public Transport) and Gugu Thabethe (acting director: Police, Roads and Transport: Public Transport) with the learners of the Mabate Combined School during the bicycle hand­over event on Tuesday (24/05). Photo: Tladi Moloi

Learners get wheels } Tladi Moloi HARRISMITH. – Walking long distances to and from school is now a thing of the past for 65 learners of the Mabate Combined School, a farm school which is about 20 km from Harrismith on the road to Qwaqwa.

This joy came after the Department of Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State had donated 65 Shovakalula bicycles to them on Tuesday (24/03).

Mabate caters for the gr. R to

gr. 9 learners who are mainly coming from the nearest farms.

Some of the 100 learners at the school had to walk about 20 km to and from school and, according to Motlatsi Moloi, the principal of the school, others came late which they had to condone because they had so far to walk.

He said he was happy for the learners and added that they were hoping that it would reduce the number of learners who came late for school.

“We initially selected the

beneficiaries after we were told that the bicycles were coming. We prioritised the learners that came from as far as 20 km and more.

“However, not all of them got bicycles. Some had to be left out because they were too short,” he said.

Moloi said they would make sure that they monitored the bicycles to make sure that they were used for the right purpose.

“We will invite the parents to the meeting to talk about them. We don’t want to see them riding the

bicycles over the weekend for their own purposes,” he said.

Selina Makhubo (15), a gr. 9 learner, said she was happy with the bicycle, because it was going to help her to get to school early.

“I don’t know what to say, because I am very happy. I used to walk a long distance and sometimes came late for school, but a bicycle will help me, because I will be able to get to school early,” she said.

Posholi Posholi, the deputy director: Public Transport, said

they were hoping to make life easier for the parents, because they would not need to give the learners transport money to get to school.

He added that they wanted to make education easy for the learners.

“We sent some of our road safety members a day before the donation to teach the learners how to ride on the road and other safety measures.

“They will, however, visit the school from time to time to give more training,” he said.

Paul Roux CPF takes top honours } Tladi Moloi

PAUL ROUX. – The Paul Roux Community Policing Forum (CPF) is the best in South Africa.

They were bequeathed with the CPF of the year award at the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) 2015 National Excellence Awards which were recently held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

The Paul Roux CPF from the Free State was in competition with the Vryburg CPF from North-West who came second.

The finalists at national level were the winners at provincial level. Paul Roux went to the national finals after they had beaten other Free State CPFs who had taken part in the provincial competition.

However, it was not the first time that the Dihlabeng Local Municipality-based CPF had won the provincial award.

They had already won it three times and it was only this year that they took part in the national awards.

Johnny Maseko, the chairperson of the CPF, told Express Eastern Free State (EFS) that he knew that he was going to the national awards to collect the award.

He said he knew they could win because of the hard work they had done.

“During the interviews, I saw the woman from North-West with a very thin folder and I knew

that I was going to win, because I had a big folder,” he said.

Maseko told Express EFS that he was going to defend the award at next year’s national awards.

He added he would love to see at least one police official of the Paul Roux Police Station come home with an award next year.

“I have motivated most of the police officials. They are proud of this achievement and it is only now that they see that nothing is impossible,” he said.

He said the secret to the achievement was knowing how to do his job.

“Look, I am motivated and I know my mandate. I also have a motivated team,” he said.

Maseko took over the chairperson seat in 2000 and since then he has not looked back.

He said the CPF had been in the dark when he had taken over.

He said he had transformed the CPF and added that he wanted the CPF to look at the crime-related issues in Paul Roux and have an impact on it.

“The important thing is to promote the good relations between the community and the police officials.

“I have done more than anyone to build better relations. I have organised games, music concerts and more,” he said.

Maseko said stock theft was a big problem in the area, but added he had managed to reduce

JOHNNY MASEKO, the chairperson of the Paul Roux Community Policing Forum (middle, CPF), receives the provincial award from the Free State provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe (left), and Khehla Sithole, the deputy national commissioner.

Photo: Supplied it dramatically.

“Our people had no trust in the police. That I had to build from scratch.

“Because of this, the stock theft perpetrators are in prison. I

received a tip and gave it to a trusted police officer,” he said.

He said a good relationship between communities had yielded a reduction in the crime rate.

“We are now going to work on crimes such as domestic violence and assaults, because they are some of the crimes that give us sleepless nights,” he concluded.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 3

NEWS

DA vows to defend name

On working visit to Lesotho THE deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa met with former prime minister of the King­ dom of Lesotho, Dr Tom Thabane. Ramaphosa was on a working visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho on Monday (30/03) to officially close the South African Development Community’s (SADC) Observer Mission in Lesotho.

Photo: Siyasanga Mabambani

Free State may soon be renamed

} Selloane Khalane

A WASTE of money. This was how some Free State residents described the proposed name change of the province to a Sotho or other name.

This followed a huge debate that ensued after MEC Mathabo Leeto of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation had said the name of the Free State was one of the 37 names that would soon undergo a renaming process.

Leeto said this last Wednesday (18/03) during her department’s budget speech.

Leeto told the Free State Legislature that her department intended to rename the Free State to a Sotho name, because it

was not representative of the people who lived in the province.

Leeto, during her speech, said the majority of people who resided in the province were Sotho-speaking yet the name of their province could not be translated into their language.

Express Mangaung interviewed several people on the streets of Bloemfontein on whether the name of the province should be changed.

All of them said changing the name would not only be a waste of money, but would also set a precedent for other political parties who would also want to change the name of the province should the ANC be toppled in the province.

One of the interviewees, Patrick Lempe, said: “Changing the name of the province will not make any difference in eradicating poverty in the province.”

Amanda Vorster said she did not really care whether the name changed, but was concerned with the costs of the whole process.

“The money should be directed to more important services,” she said.

Tshediso Montsho also said changing the name of the province was unnecessary and a waste of much needed state resources.

Montsho raised concerns on the ripple effect of changing the province’s name and said the current name was not a discriminatory term.

Six arrested for murders QWAQWA. – The police have arrested six suspects after four murders were committed over the weekend in Makwane, Tseki Village in Qwaqwa and Bohlokong near Bethlehem.

The suspected murder weapons were knives and stones.

Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said Sipho Mokoena from Molapo Section in the Makwane Village had been murdered on Friday (27/3) at approximately 10:00. It is alleged that he was stoned and assaulted by a group of community members after he had robbed a woman of her cellphone.

According to Mophiring, the woman had screamed for help and members of the community had chased and allegedly beaten him to death.

“Cases of murder and robbery are being investigated. The complainant in the case of alleged robbery of a cellphone and another four suspects will appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of murder. The deceased was charged with alleged robbery,” he said In another incident, Vusimuzi Mbele (22) from the Phamong Section in the Bolata Village was stabbed to death with a knife at a tavern on Saturday (28/3).

“He was rushed to the Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital where he was certified dead upon arrival. The police went back to the tavern, arrested the suspect and seized the knife believed to have been used in the crime. The suspect (23) will soon appear in the Tseki Magistrate’s Court facing a charge of murder.”

Two people were allegedly stabbed to death in separate incidents which occurred in Bohlokong near Bethlehem on Friday night (27/3).

Mophiring said Thapelo Mofokeng (25) was allegedly stabbed to death with a knife in Extension 1, Naledi Section, of Bohlokong at about 23:00. His body was found lying next to his gate by a neighbour, who phoned the police.

“He was found with six stab wounds, two to the back and four to the chest. The police

‘In order to reduce contact crimes, it is time that we join hands to assist the police.’

– Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe arrested two suspects, aged 27 and 28, from Bohlokong near Bethlehem. They were expected to appear before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (31/3) facing charges of murder. At the time of going to print the outcome of the court appearance was not yet known.

Mophiring said another incident took place at about 23:55 on the same day. Tieho Nhlapo (18) of Captain Charles section was found lying dead at Phola Park in Bohlokong with nine fatal stab wounds to his body, two to the back of his head and seven to the back.

“No suspects have been arrested yet and the police request the community to assist in this instance. For any information which may lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects, the police urge the community to contact the Bethlehem Police Station on 058-307-5700,” Mophiring said.

“In order for contact crimes, such as murders and assaults, to reduce within our communities, it is high time that we join hands to assist the police and Community Policing Forums in street patrols to eradicate these crimes.

“We need to go out in numbers to conduct stop and searches, remove knives in the hands of our youths because they kill each other week-in and week-out.

“The same knives are used also to rob and stab innocent people in our streets day and night. People should refrain from the execution of mob justice, because at times innocent law-abiding citizens lose their lives.

Let us work together and assist in the fight against crime,” said the Free State provincial police commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe.

THE DA in the Free State has vowed to defend the name of the Free State, the Vrystaat and Foreisetata with whatever it takes.

This followed the proposal by the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mathabo Leeto, in the legislature on 20 March that the name of the province should be changed.

“It seems MEC Leeto is desperate for relevance,” said Roy Jankielsohn, the DA’s leader in the Free State.

“Instead of advancing sport, arts and our cultural heritage as tools for nation building and empowerment, especially amongst the youth, she is obsessed with cosmetic issues like name changes.

“This proposal seeks to hide the rampant levels of corruption, poor governance and deteriorating levels of service delivery of the ANC-led government in the province.

While the DA supports the use of name changes in the spirit of nation building and reconciliation, we cannot support the abuse

of name changes to serve only the interests of the current leading ANC faction,” said Jankielsohn.

He has lamented the huge financial cost of the name change.

“Funds could be better utilised in funding programmes to improve the province’s economic outlook and fixing the financial mess within the Departments of Health and Education.

“The financial cost of unintended consequences would be astronomical. The Free State is on the verge of a financial crisis and a systematic collapse of governance at a local level. Municipalities are increasingly unable to deliver basic services.

“We have repeatedly stated that Premier Ace Magashule’s government should start to focus on the critical issues in the province, and apply funds accordingly, instead of wasting the people’s money on ‘nice-to-haves’ like luxury gala dinners and expensive international trips to Cuba,” said Jankielsohn.

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015

NEWS

Investigation fascinates learners MARQUARD. – Learners of the Tlokola Secondary School in Moemaneng near Marquard were recently educated about crime investigation by the Ficksburg police and members of the Bethlehem Forensic Services.

WO Maki Likhethe explained that different kinds of evidence are collected from different crime scenes for analysis.

Fingerprints are for instance lifted using scotch tape, fluorescent magnetic powder and magnetic brushes.

The learners were amazed at the finger prints that were lifted from the A4 paper that had been used in their class.

Likhethe said the biology section was responsible for the analysis of evidential material of biological origin like bodily fluids, human tissue and hair.

“Blood and human tissue are mostly collected from murder scenes, hence the scene must not be contaminated by walking on and removing anything that might be used to connect the suspect with the crime,” Likhethe said.

“Semen, hair and fingernail scrapings of the rapist are removed from the rape victim, therefore we always urge the victims not to wash themselves.

“Victims are reminded that they must report the rape within 72 hours so that they can receive a tablet that prevents sexually transmitted diseases.

“This section also does facial reconstruction and individualisation when the flesh of the deceased has decomposed beyond

‘ . . .the scene must not be contaminated by walking on and removing anything that might connect the suspect with the crime.’

– WO Maki Likhethe

WO MAKI LIKHETHE demonstrates to learners of the Tlokola Secondary School how to develop fingerprints on paper using poly light.

Photo: Supplied recognition or when a human skeleton needs to be identified.”

Likhethe said firearms confiscated from crime scenes and

illegal firearms found with suspects were put through ballistic analysis.

“Each and every firearm leaves

Games help with skills PHUTHADITJHABA. – The indigenous African games can be used to teach mathematical problem-solving skills. This is according to a recent study of the University of the Free State (UFS).

The study by Mathematics Education lecturer at the Qwaqwa Campus, Dr Tshele Moloi, validates marginalised knowledge systems as well as cultural wealth of the African communities.

“The study shows that the background knowledge of children obtained from playing indigenous games is very effective in enhancing the understanding of abstract mathematical concepts, irrespective of their social class location,” Moloi, who has recently graduated with a PhD in Mathematics Education, said.

He said this study also emphasised the significant role played by parents and community members in the teaching and learning of problem-solving skills using indigenous games like diketo and morabaraba, to mention just a few.

“Diketo is a coordination game where ten small stones or marbles and one ghoen or big stone are made available for each player. A small hole of about 5 cm deep is dug in the ground where the small stones will be placed for the players. Boys and girls of different ages can play this game and only two players can play at a time.

“It is during this diketo game that learners can identify that there are variables involved X both independent and dependent

a special mark on the projectile after a shot has been fired. The mark will be used to link it to the serial number of the firearm,

which will also reveal the firearm licence holder.

“The firearms must be kept inside a locked safe that is built into the wall, or be in the holster of the firearm licence holder all the time.”

Learners agreed to report anyone who is in possession of an illegal firearm to the police.

Likhethe said police investigators always enforced health and safety measures at the scene of a crime and requested the learners, as members of the community, to stay away from these, because they may be exposed to hazards like chemicals, biological material such as blood, or explosives.

“Sometimes criminals may still be at the scene and can cause members of the community harm,” Likhethe elaborated.

“All physical evidence collected from the scenes is handed to police forensic scientists for analysis. They study and interpret it according to acceptable scientific principles to bring criminals to justice and protect innocent people from prosecution.”

Consumed by flames

DR TSHELE MOLOI (left) being congratulated by the dean of Eduaction, Prof. Sechaba Mahlomaholo.

Photo: Supplied variables,” he said.

Moloi said in round one of the game, it was noticed that the stones scooped out of the hole could be described by the pattern: = +, (where it denotes the throwing of the ghoen).

“Again, stones placed into the hole can be illustrated by the pattern: + 10, (where it denotes the throwing of the ghoen). There are lots of patterns that can be obtained when the player is in round two (seng two), et cetera.

“These patterns (which emanated from round one, two, three, et cetera) can be put on the Cartesian plane, which can then demonstrate the linear functions.”

The game of diketo, according to Moloi, helps to concretise concepts

such as linear equations, conceptualisations of independent and dependent variables. Circles visualised in diketo can be arranged in such a way that it illustrates the area of the circle, gradient = .

On the other hand, the game of morabaraba (board game), which is played by two players at a time with each having 12 tokens known as “cows”, allows for a simplified lesson on area and perimeter of squares.

“The teacher can integrate geometry and algebra through the stuctural nature of morabaraba which may also help in simplifying concepts like probability and chance in data handling,” Moloi said.

A SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY (Sassa) vehicle burning after angry residents of Manyatseng near Ladybrand set fire to it.

Photos: Supplied via WhatsApp TWO children desperately try­ ing to collect maize meal that was been scat­ tered on the ground during the recent evic­ tion conducted at the informal settlement Mari­ kana near Lady­ brand.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 5

NEWS

Big guns stars at show } Tilly Smith STARTING on 2 April, a sound like thunder will rumble through the hills of the Eastern Free State’s Sandstone Estate in Ficksburg for ten days.

This will not be thunder as we know it, but the noise of heavy armour being put through its paces by the South African Armour Museum in Bloemfontein.

The museum will put a very impressive contingent of heavy-armoured fighting vehicles on display, which will be operational for the enjoyment of the public throughout the show.

The show forms part of the annual Stars of Sandstone Festival.

Emphasis is placed on the public open day on Saturday, 11 April. The army looks forward to meeting members of the public and providing demonstrations of its capabilities.

The theme behind the deployment of these heavy tanks is a historical one. For example, the iconic Russian tanks, namely the T34, the T55 and the T72, will all be operational.

These tanks reflect Russia’s involvement in Africa, particularly during the Cold War. On the South African side, there will be an Olifant Mk 1A heavy-battle tank and an Olifant Mk 1B of which only a small number were made.

This heavy armour will be backed up by the fully-opera-

SOUNDS like thunder will rumble through the hills at the Sandstone Estate in Ficksburg on Thursday (02/04). tional Mk IV Sherman tank, dating back to the Second World War, which has been restored and is operated by the Sandstone Heritage Trust who will host the Stars of Sandstone 2015.

Finally, the army will bring its current wheeled armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), the Rooikat, which is still employed in active service with the Defence Force.

People with a military back-

ground, those with an interest in the military, and simply dads who want to show their boys what heavy-armoured vehicles look like in operation, cannot miss the Stars of Sandstone 2015.

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015

NEWS

Leave FS name as is REV. THEUNIS BOTHA, Christian Democratic Party (CDP) leader: THE CDP is concerned about the news that a new name for the Free State is being sought “which must be a Sotho name”, as announced by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mathabo Leeto.

We believe there are sufficient unnamed places which can be named to reflect the demographics of a community, especially with new developments.

To tamper with existing names is often nothing more than cultural imperialism.

The Free State urgently

needs comprehensive economic stimuli to stop the decay observed in almost every aspect of life. This means that the joint enthusiastic effort of all in the province is required. Surely, there are more pressing needs than to spend enormous amounts of money in changing the name of the province, with a knock on effect such as the name of the University of the Free State (UFS), which is well known all over the world.

What intervention?

LEONA KLEYNHANS, DA member of the Provincial Legislature: THE DA in the Free State notes the intervention into the Maluti-a-Phofung Local municipality as reported in the media.

It was reported that at a recent council meeting it was announced that five senior managers would be leaving their posts with immediate effect, but no such announcement was made.

Far too many questions remain unanswered.

The municipality has been mismanaged for decades and the financial situation has gone from bad to worse.

Last year the DA formally asked the minister of

finance, Nhlanhla Nene, for a financial intervention, following 13 consecutive disclaimer audit opinions, in terms of the Constitution, when it became clear that the current ANC leadership of the municipality had no hope of turning the situation around.

The municipality owes Eskom in excess of R562 million and carries a household debt of more than R835 million. These indicators alone would warrant the municipality be placed under administration.

I will write to finance MEC Elzabe Rockman requesting her to clarify the nature of the intervention into the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.

Be safe this Easter LEKGUTSA MBELE, Bohlokong, Bethlehem: 3 APRIL is Easter and all people will be going to their different churches, cultural and traditional events and some will be attending ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

I would like to wish a safe journey to all people who are going to travel this Easter.

They should all drive responsibly. We all know it,

don’t drink and drive.

I also would like to read less about accidents, rapes and abuse. Please let us go to church and celebrate the life of Jesus.

Lastly, to the school learners, the schools are closed. You should stop swimming in the rivers and dams. The Bible says: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. Matthews 25:29

Building RDP houses THE Free State Department of Public Works employees who are currently building RDP houses in Caledon Park near Ficksburg. Eight houses were officially handed over to their owners by the Free State premier, Ace Magashule, a fortnight ago.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

Road accidents increase the number of widows IN the past, one would expect to see mature women, mostly older than 70 years, wearing black mourning cloth (Iqhiya Emnyama or Thapo e Ntsho) on Monday mornings after burying their beloved husbands over the weekend. This cloth was an indication that the woman was in mourning.

These days, women clothed in a certain way for this reason, are normally seen in banking institutions or insurance company buildings the morning after the burial, updating their dues. Most of them have very young children or are pregnant.

These women are clothed in black doeks, black shawls and black dresses. This is to culturally restrict them from having sex and being free to socialise.

In the past, men respected widows in black and kept their distance.

But presently, men take advantage of women in black clothing, with the wrong perception that they are crying out for sex.

Widows in black are also vulnerable because crime syndicates target them. Due to the hard economic times, young men target widowed women for financial gain: the millions inherited from insurance benefits and paid-up homes.

The mourning period lasts for about six months (short term) or twelve months (long term), depending on the culture of a particular family.

These black items – doek, black shawl over the shoulder and long

My view

Moeti Molelekoa Social Observer Due to the hard economic times, young men target widowed women for financial gain. black dresses – can be seen as a symbol of oppression.

Widowers (men) only wear a press button covered with a small black cloth, pinned on the arm.

When going out partying or indulging in sexual activities, men can just unpin that button and put it in their pockets and go on with their lives.

If a family wants to stop the culture, a beast has to be slaughtered to signal the end of the mourning tradition with a big feast.

Every Easter and Christmas holiday we experience a high rate of death on our roads. The government, through its Arrive Alive campaign, coupled with harsh penalties, has failed to reduce road fatalities.

It scares me that as a society we have begun to accept road accidents as normal.

Drivers are intolerant, reckless and drive while fatigued or drunk.

It is estimated that about 80% of road accidents globally occur in Africa. This indicates that this continent bears a disproportionately high burden of road traffic deaths.

People between the age of 15 and 50 in South Africa die at a rate of 40 individuals every day. Young women, such as the ones described above, are often robbed of their spouses as a result of fatal road accidents.

The latest statistics indicate that 77% of these are men who leave behind young widows and children. ) To comment on or express your views about the issue highlighted in the column, go to www.express-news.co.za. Express Eastern Free State (EFS) welcomes anyone interested in contributing to the weekly column as public observers or citizen journalists.

There is no payment for writers.

Send your opinion piece (not exceeding 500 words) to tladi.moloi@volksblad.com.

Let’s be vigilant and stand together in fighting crime } Sgt Mmako Mophiring

GENERAL & HOME SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS 1845

FOR ALL TOMBSTONES and repairs to damaged tombstones, as well as epitaphs, etc.

Phone 058 303 4840. BHM.

THE committing of crime everywhere in the country affects every person in a negative way. It affects even criminals themselves, though they tend to ignore the fact that innocent lives of law-abiding citizens are affected directly or indirectly.

At some stage people relocate because of crime. Businesses close down or move to other places where it is safer. At the end of it all fingers are pointed at the police, branding them as irresponsible and blaming them for all kinds of crimes.

It is that time of the year again when we need to warn people of crime within our communities. The problems we encounter are housebreakings and theft when people leave their properties unattended and without informing their neigh-

bours or the police.

The theft of motor vehicles also affects people in our communities, whether in villages or townships. So let us be careful and take effective and preventative measures to stop criminals from stealing our property.

One thing that needs to be emphasized is that people do not steal for the sake of stealing. They do it because there is a black market somewhere where they can sell the stolen goods. So, let us report and reject stolen goods.

In areas such as Qwaqwa housebreaking is a major problem,where criminals get into people’s houses to steal and rape. Some people become victims of crime while walking in the streets at night. Even though people have freedom of movement, it still is dangerous for anybody to walk the streets at night, especially

if one is under the influence of liquor.

We can talk about crime as much as we like, but it is our responsibility to stand together as members of the community to assist our families and neighbours to live freely in our country. If every person volunteers to fight crime in his or her section of his or her village, township or suburb, it can make a difference. To those on the road, please be vigilant and considerate to other road users.

Together let us build a safe environment for our children and the community at large by reporting crime and by not buying stolen goods. The SAPS wish each and every one of you a blessed Easter Holiday. Police emergency number: 10111. Crime Stop: 08600-10111 ) Sgt Mmako Mophiring is the SAPS’s spokesperson.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015 7

SPORT

Ups and downs in Harrismith race IN boxing parlance Team Castrol Toyota scored a points win over Ford Performance in the Production Vehicle category factory battle on the RFS Endurance, the opening round of the Donaldson Cross-Country Championship in Harrismith on Saturday, (28/03).

Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie romped to victory in the Team Castrol Toyota Hilux, and at the finish were more than a comfortable 11 minutes and 51 seconds ahead of the Ford Performance Ford Ranger in the hands of Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable.

The podium was completed by reigning South African champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy, in the second works Castrol Toyota Hilux, who started from pole position after winning the qualifying race.

For Poulter it was his first victory in the premier Class T category.

His previous success was in an entry level Class E vehicle at the beginning of a cross country career that has since seen him twice finishing the Dakar Rally.

“I made a few mistakes on the first loop, but everything went well on the second lap.

We never had to get out of the car, and that makes a huge difference when it comes to winning races, and it’s nice to finally get a Class T win,” said Poulter.

Poulter and Howie started to move clear of Woolridge and Huxtable and Taylor and Murphy after the compulsory 20 minute service break at the end of the first 251 kilometre lap. The Ford Performance crew, who missed last season with Woolridge recovering from back surgery, were hampered by a misfire that negated mounting a late challenge on Poulter and Howie. “The misfire was frustrating but second was a good result for us and the team. It was just nice to be back in action,” said Woolridge.

Woolridge and Huxtable ran out of fuel on the finish line, but for Taylor and Murphy a litany of problems provided for a tough day

former South African champions Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst, in the second works Ford Ranger, who were hampered throughout by a windscreen washer malfunction – a major drawback in the extreme muddy conditions that characterised the race – and electronic throttle problems.

The Harrismith pair of brother and sister Jacques and Lizelle van Tonder, kept the local flag flying with a workmanlike sixth place in the Uni Freight Ford Ranger.

They had just over a minute in hand over Johan van Staden and Mike Lawrenson who had an adventurous day in the Regent Racing Nissan Navara. The same wheel fell off twice on the first lap and they limped into the designated service point.

Loop two then saw them stuck in a mud hole for around 30 minutes before Portuguese team-mates Rómulo Branco and co-driver João Serôdio and Sean Reitz and Gerhard Schutte, in another Regent Racing Nissan Navara, arrived on the scene to lend a helping hand.

The Portuguese pair had an interesting introduction to the Donaldson Cross Country Championship.

They failed to finish the qualifying race, and started the day from the back of the field.

With Class S crews, including qualifying race winners Deon Venter and Jaco van ONE of the cars that took part in the Donaldson Cross­Country Championship in Harrismith Aardt in the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux, on Saturday.

Photo: Supplied dropping out of the running on a regular basis Branco and Serôdio moved up the field at the office. Locked gates, no driver to The younger Woolridge and Dreyer soon and clinched an unlikely victory first time co-driver communications and being stuck in afterwards also fell by the wayside after out. a mud hole were compounded by a broken hitting a gate post, and Taylor and Murphy Behind them Sean Reitz and Gerhard drive shaft late in the race. were happy to rescue third place.

Schutte were also rewarded for perseveWoolridge and Huxtable stopped to help There was a noisy finish line celebration rance, and were the last of the classified pull Taylor and Murphy out the mud, but from the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux team finishers and second in Class S. the tow rope broke and the job was complet- when North West youngsters Jason Venter The next event on the Donaldson calendar ed by Woolridge’s younger brother Gareth and Vince van Allemann put the finishing is the Sugarbelt 450 sprint race in Eston, on and Boyd Dreyer making their Class T debut touches to a hard earned fourth place. the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, on 8 and 9 in another Ford Ranger.

On the second lap they moved ahead of May.

Sports stars wanted SUPERSPORT’S LET’S PLAY and Express Eastern Free State are looking for youths, both with disabilities and able-bodied, who excel in sport for the monthly Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month competition.

Nominations are now invited for the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for April.

The competition recognises athletes who excel in the various sporting codes in the Eastern Free State.

Are you good at sport or is someone at your place of education, primary or secondary school good at sport? Then we encourage you to nominate them.

Through this initiative of SuperSport in association with Express EFS, we want to find and give recognition to learners who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active.

The SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month competition is meant for every athlete aged 6 to 18, taking part and excelling in the various sporting

codes. One athlete chosen from all the nominations received for April will receive a fabulous Let’s Play hamper.

Monthly winners automatically qualify for the prestige prize of SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year to be announced at the year-end function.

Send your nomination today for the Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for April.

Nominations must include the nominee’s name and surname and age as well as contact details.

Persons nominating candidates must also include their contact details.

In a short paragraph (200 words or less) state what you or the person you nominate have achieved in sport to qualify for the Let’s Play Sports Stars of the Month.

Email the nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-5524922.

Nominations close on 20 February. Call Lynne Landman on 051-522-9574.

Coach has plan with penalties THE Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Mashaba says the team will have a group of players working on penalties going forward.

Bafana drew 1-1 with Nigeria in a friendly match at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday (29/03), with Andile Jali having a spotkick saved by debutant goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

Jali’s failed attempt from the spot triggered memories of Tokelo Rantie’s penalty miss in the 3-1 loss to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations on 19 January.

“It is going to be difficult for me to say to this or that player to take the penalty – it is about the player’s confidence. Just like at the Afcon the player went to pick up the ball on his own to take the spot kick. How do you stop him and say, give it to so and so?”

Mashaba said.

“But we have a plan to rectify that. We will have a group of players to work on penalties, because if you get the whole team to do that when a penalty is given, everyone looks the other way.”

The former Swaziland boss also expressed

concern with his side’s failure to trouble the Super Eagles on set-pieces.

“We dominated the first half, and the second half we were still in control until we got the penalty and missed it. I think that’s when things changed and they started coming at us. The boys did very well for three quarters of the match – they created chances, but did not finish them off.

“Unfortunately, it will be difficult to change things now, because in the national team you have players for five days, but even then you still have some arriving late, which means our tactical work suffers. We had four set-pieces near their goal, but none of them posed danger to them – it says a lot.”

Mashaba, however, saluted his charges’ battling spirit as Bongani Zungu equalised in stoppage time to cancel out Ahmed Musa’s 85th minute opener in Nelspruit.

“For us to score at that time shows a lot of character, a willingness to push for more. It showed a lot of courage from our boys.”

– KickOff.com

DEPARTMENT OF LED AND TOURISM THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY ENTREPRENEUR SUPPORT SYSTEM The department of Local Economic Development and Tourism hereby invites Small Macro Medium Enterprises to apply for assistance for funding (in terms of equipment).

In order to qualify for participation, the business must: • Have been operational for at least 12 months • Operating within the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality • Have a valid bank account • A letter of support from the Local Municipality where the applicant is residing Application forms are available from Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Department of LED, Room G12.

Further information can be obtained from Me Thembi Mlotha or Mr. Floyd Mazibuko at (058) 718 1068 during working hours (07h30- 16h15) Monday to Thursday and (07h30 -15h00) Friday.

Municipal Manager Me TPM Lebenya X1PX8FB5-QQ010415

8

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2015

EASTERN FREE STATE

CHAMPIONS: The team of the Nelson Mandela Primary School is the champions of the 2015 Danone Nations Cup in the Free State and will represent the province in the national championships.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp

School’s ticket booked

} Tladi Moloi

SASOLBURG. – The Sasolburgbased Nelson Mandela Primary School will represent the Free State in the national championship of the 2015 Danone Nations Cup. The school booked their ticket to the national championship after they had won the provincial contest.

They were recently crowned the champions after they had beaten Toka Primary from the Moteo District, Bloemfontein, 6–5 on penalties after the two teams had played to a goalless draw in the

90 minutes of the final at the Clive Solomon Stadium, Mangaung.

The Mandela school will compete with the winners from the eight provinces at Reiger Park in Gauteng on 27 June.

The school team knows exactly what to expect in the national finals since it would not be their first time to compete in a tournament of that magnitude.

They represented the Free State in the national finals in 2014 while they were still called the Credo Primary School. However, the name changed to Nelson Mandela last year in October.

‘We came into the tournament believing that we will retain the title and did exactly that.’

– Dikeledi Sothwane

The interesting thing about the champions are they have been guided by a woman, Dikeledi Sothwane.

Sothwane has proven to be the

best in the Free State twice by beating teams which were guided by a man. Not once, but twice she guided the school to the national championships.

Sothwane said she was happy to lead the provincial champions and added that words could not express how she felt.

“We came into the tournament believing that we will retain the title and did exactly that,” she said.

The team lost their first two games at the provincial finals, but Sothwane said they did not let that deter them.

They reviewed those games,

strengthened their defence and came through.

She said she played with a fairly new team this year as there were only four players from last year’s squad.

Sothwane, who is an Orlando Pirates supporter, said she was hoping to be an assistant coach of the national women’s team one day. She has coached the team for the past five years.

“The school didn’t have a soccer coach, so I volunteered and have been there ever since. I coach the u.9, u.12, u.13, u.14 and the girls’ soccer team as well,” said Sothwane.

Soccer talent scouted

THE search for talented football players to form the 2015 Nedbank Ke Yona team is on. Entries are now open.

The soccer initiative is run countrywide, with the objective of identifying prospective future South African players between the ages of 18 and 25.

Players interested in entering the programme must be in possession of a valid South African ID. Candidates who meet the requirements can simply dial *120*KEYONA# or *120*539662# and follow the easy instructions.

A total of 48 players will be selected from the entries received.

This squad will then be trimmed down to the required number of players to form the final team that will face this year’s Nedbank Cup champions.

Sprints away in friendly RACING AWAY: Addil Mphumela of the Marquard Sec­ ondary School sprints away from opponent Zandré Schmidt of Welkom­ Gimnasium during the two schools’ friendly match at the Welkom High School’s sports day.

The team of Wel­ kom­Gimnasium won by 28­14.

Photo: Teboho Setena