Blue-light victim to hit back - MSN - News

Blue-light victim to hit back - MSN - News:
Lawyers for the teenager who has been shot when he allegedly 'disturbed' President Kgalema Motlanthe’s blue-light motorcade will sue the state.
SASHNI PATHER
LAWYERS for the teenager who was shot in the arm when he allegedly “disturbed” President Kgalema Motlanthe’s blue-light motorcade on Saturday say he will sue the state.
Chase van der Walt’s lawyer, Hugo van der Westhuizen, told The Times yesterday that his client was shot at by Motlanthe’s VIP protection unit guards.
“The person who fired a shot at my client should face criminal charges. Civil suits will follow from that action,” Van der Westhuizen said.
Van der Walt, 19, was arrested and charged with reckless and negligent driving after allegedly driving too close to the president’s car.
It is alleged that, when Van der Walt’s car neared the president’s vehicle, the lead police car intercepted and collided with his VW Golf.
“When my client returns to court next week, we are hoping to get the matter struck off the roll,” Van der Westhuizen said.
Van der Walt appeared in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was released on R500 bail.
A police spokeswoman, Director Sally de Beer, said a member of the VIP protection unit fired a warning shot.
“We will pursue criminal charges against the shooter,” said Van der Westhuizen. “In the civil case, we will serve our notice of intention to the relevant minister, but right now our main concern is getting the criminal charges against my client dropped.”
The controversial VIP protection unit’s image has been tarnished by a litany of complaints against its members - who face criminal charges that include murder, rape, assault and robbery.The head of protection unit, divisional commander Mzondeki "Sean" Tshabalala, recently crashed his car into a police van while drunk, it has been alleged.
The Van der Walt incident is being investigated by the Independent Complaints Directorate.
The DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard said her party would ask Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa to explain why Tshabalala had not been prosecuted or subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing.
“If the divisional commander does face charges, why has he not been suspended from active duty while the charges are pending?
“Why has no further information on a potentially serious case involving a divisional commander in the police service been released?” she asked.
It is believed that allegations will be investigated that the VIP unit tampered with videotape confiscated from the SABC that was filmed at the scene of Saturday’s shooting.

Decapitated body found in Pietermaritzburg - Mail & Guardian Online: The smart news source

Decapitated body found in Pietermaritzburg - Mail & Guardian Online: The smart news source: DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA Dec 31 2008 13:57"
The decapitated and mutilated body of a 19-year-old woman was found in the Kwanoshezi area of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday. Inspector Joey Jeevan said the naked and decomposing body of Sindiswa Ngidi was discovered in the bush on Tuesday night. Her right arm and head were found nearby.She had sustained multiple stab wounds and suspected dog bites to her body."Police do not rule out the possibility of rape, however a post-mortem will be held to determine the exact cause of death," said Jeevan.Ngidi was reported missing on December 29. She was last seen on December 21.Anyone with information that could assist police are urged to contact the police on 033 398 9774. -- Sapa

Appaling record of the Blue Light Thugs

Mercury: "VIP unit's shocking record
2009-01-08 06:00:01 Edition 1
During the past four years, 111 members of the police's elite VIP protection unit - responsible for protecting the president, among others - have been charged with crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape, armed robbery and the abuse of power."

The safety and Security Ministry however stated today they don't think their is a problem. Are these people brain dead?

Proportional rates

The Witness: Proportional rates
07 Jan 2009

I WOULD like to suggest that the Msunduzi Municipality allow residents to pay rates in proportion to services received.If municipal manager Rob Haswell took a stroll around Scottsville he would see that the weeds in the gutters are over a metre high and flowering, ready to throw more seeds and increase the danger of flooding. The drains cannot even be seen in some places.The team that was timed in Chasedene (The Witness, January 2) should be dismissed, plus their supervisor and the manager responsible for that department. A few women were noticed in Ridge Road scraping weeds out of the gutter, but unless a weedkiller is poured into the holes, the same problem will arise again in a few days’ time. In Christie Road, there is weed growth in the middle of the road as well as in the gutters and Lindup Road is a total disgrace.What are we paying rates for?
K. KNOTT
Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg


Posted by Ant on 07 Jan 2009
Proportional ratesExcellent idea, then none of us will pay rates. Then the municipality will dissappear, no money, they are gone, then we could get a non political party to run the town efficiently.
Posted by Splugton Hogg on 07 Jan 2009
Proportional ratesUnfortunately this suggestion would never work. If rates income was decreased, how do you think Comrade Rob and his Radical Robbers would be able to afford their lavish lifestyles?