Son killed , father critical after attack

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Graeme Hosken

July 30 2008 at 08:10AM

A Pretoria man was shot in the head execution-style while trying to
defend his parents from a gang of heavily armed robbers.

Twenty-six-year-old Andre Bam of Doornpoort was shot at point-blank
range when he came running from his bedroom during the early hours of
Tuesday morning after he was woken up by his parents' hysterical pleas
for mercy.

The murder comes after Bam's mother and father, Veronica and
Christiaan, recently moved to Pretoria from their Free State farm,
apparently because of the crime situation there and to be closer to
their children.

Neighbours on Tuesday told the Pretoria News that the couple, who are
in their 50s, had moved to Pretoria because of safety concerns for
themselves and their children.

The attack comes as police sources revealed that there had been an
increase in the number of violent house robberies in the Doornpoort
area during the past month.

The gunmen, who were armed with an assortment of handguns, broke into
the family's Sand Vygie Street home through a window at about 2am and
made their way to the main bedroom where Bam's parents were asleep.

It is believed that Veronica Bam was woken up and began screaming when
she spotted the men standing over them.

Her husband, who woke up because of the screams, is believed to have
pleaded with the gunmen to leave the family alone and take what they
wanted.

He was shot four times and critically injured.

Information given to the Pretoria News indicates that the gunman who
killed Andre, was waiting next to his bedroom door and shot him as he
ran out to help his critically injured father and his mother.

It is not known how Veronica managed to escape after being shot by the
gunmen, who fled empty handed moments after shooting her husband and
son.

Neighbour Tania de Wet said she was asleep when a hysterical Veronica
telephoned them pleading for help.

She said what had happened was horrible.

"Crime is out of control here. There does not seem to be an end to the
attacks. They just carry on and on," she said.

A paramedic, who confirmed that Andre had died at the scene, said
Christiaan was in a critical condition in Netcare Akasia Hospital.

Hospital spokesperson Ben Rood said Bam had undergone surgery and was
in the intensive care unit.

"Although he is still in a critical condition, he is stable," he said.

Sinoville police station spokesperson Mirna Von Benecke said no
arrests had been made and that nothing had been taken during the
attack.

Anyone with information on the identity of the attackers can contact
Sinoville police station detective branch at 012 543 0800.

This article was originally published on page 1 of Pretoria News on
July 30, 2008

Source:IOL

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20080730055528857C162071

Ex-rugbyplayer shot dead

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margaretha@publicy.nl, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, news@sky.com,
news@newsday.com

30/07/2008 10:03 - (SA)

Virginia Keppler, Beeld

Pretoria - A former Griffons rugby player has been shot dead during a
failed robbery at his parents' home in Pretoria.

André Bam, 26, presumably rushed to help his parents.

He and his father Chris, originally of Koppies in the Free State, were
shot three times at a house in Doornpoort in Pretoria North.

Chris and his wife Veronica, 54, were attacked at about 02:10 on
Tuesday morning, while they were sleeping.

'They're attacking us!'

Veronica shouted over the phone to her neighbour, "They're attacking
us! Come and help!" after her son and husband were shot.

The couple moved to Pretoria in February to be close to their four children.

The robbers broke a window at the back of the house and bent open the
burglar bars.

Raymond Harris, 39, who is married to Chris and Veronica's daughter
Adél, 32, said his parents-in-law woke with a fright when the
attackers entered their room.

"They punched my father-in-law while he lay sleeping in bed. He said
to them, 'Don't shoot! Don't Shoot! Take whatever you want.'"

Raymond said Chris was trying to get up when the robbers shot him.

"They shot him in the left thigh, hip and groin. My father-in-law then
just sat down on the bed while they flashed torch lights into his
eyes. There was nothing he could do."

Raymond said that André woke from the shots.

"He sleeps in the room right next to his parents' and when he ran,
probably to help them, they shot him in the head."

André died in the house. Chris was admitted to Acacia Hospital in
Pretoria where he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

'They didn't steal anything'

The Bam's neighbour Herbie de Wet said that Veronica had phoned him
shortly after the shooting.

"I reacted immediately and jumped over their wall to gain access to
their property but the robbers were already gone.

"The tannie was terribly shocked. To think that they didn't steal
anything, not even a teaspoon, but now someone is dead," Herbie said.

Raymond said the robbers had wanted to steal the Bam's car "but I
think the robbery went so wrong that they had to flee just like that".

Police spokesperson Mirna von Benecke said the police are
investigating the incident and that no one has been arrested yet.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made for André.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2366530,00.html

Robbers attack and assault houseparty goers

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29/07/2008 08:09 - (SA)

Virginia Keppler, Beeld

Pretoria - A car guard was shot and an academic was viciously
assaulted when at least six armed men attacked a house in Faerie Glen
in eastern Pretoria during a birthday party over the weekend.

An attacker pointed a gun at Wayne Truter, 32, and pulled the trigger,
but the shot didn't go off.

"I was very lucky," Truter said on Monday from his bed in Pretoria
East Hospital.

He and about 15 other guests were celebrating his fiancée Minandi
Mostert's 30th birthday when they were attacked.

Truter, who is a lecturer in the Department of Plant Production and
Soil Science at the University of Pretoria (UP), was assaulted during
the attack.

'It was like a cowboy movie'

Truter said he and five others were dancing when an armed attacker
walked in and aimed the gun at them.

"When I saw it, I immediately raised my hands. It was like a cowboy movie."

Truter ran from the garage to the house to get his panic button.

The other attackers forced Mostert and the other guests to lie down on
the veranda.

"I ran out again and wanted to flee from the bottom of the garden to
the neighbours to get help, but three of the robbers grabbed me and
dragged me to a dark place at the back of the property.

"They assaulted me, the kicked me in the stomach, where I had recently
had a hernia operation, and hit me on my left leg with a brick or a
pipe.

"I fell and then one of them tried to shoot me."

When the shot did not go off, the attackers jumped over the wall and fled.

He then realised that he was seriously injured and that the car guard
had been shot in the arm.

Truter and the guard were both admitted to Pretoria East Hospital and
the guard was later transferred to Pretoria Academic Hospital.

Guard in stable condition

Truter said they had hired the guard to look after the guests'
vehicles for the evening.

The guard, whose name was not made known, is in a stable condition.

Mostert said on Monday that she would not have another party at home.

"It's too dangerous. Next year we're going to the Spur."

Police spokesperson Colette Weilbach said the police were
investigating charges of attempted murder, armed robbery and assault
with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2365853,00.html

"Click" - but no deathshot

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29/07/2008 09:36 - (SA)

Buks Viljoen, Beeld

Barberton - "Click."

That was all Hans Coetzee, 53, heard as a man stood over him, pointed
a 9mm pistol at him, and pulled the trigger.

The attacker had already shot him three times, but this time the gun
did not go off.

Minutes later Coetzee's 57-year-old brother Frik, a former Phalaborwa
police officer, died after being shot twice in the chest with the same
pistol.

"The Lord is on my side," said Coetzee from his bed in Barberton
Medi-Clinic. He also survived a serious motorcycle accident two weeks
ago.

The two brothers worked on a vegetable farm in Barberton, which
belongs to Blikkies Blignaut.

Frik had lived in the local caravan park since January, when he
started working on the farm as delivery manager.

"We had a braai at my house every Sunday," said Hans, who has been
working as the farm manger for the past 18 months.

Break-in

The two brothers went to the fields to pick vegetables at about 10:00
on Sunday morning. When they returned, they saw there had been a
break-in at the house.

"When I walked to the guest bathroom, I found two masked men hiding in
the walk-in linen cupboard," Hans said.

One of the men was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, presumably the same
gun that was stolen from Hans's house in a robbery three weeks ago.

"When he lifted the gun, I smacked away the barrel. A shot went off
and went into the bathroom ceiling."

Hans and the other man, who had a pistol, began fighting. The pistol
was fired several times during their struggle.

Hans was shot three times in his side.

Brother came to help him

"I shouted to Frik to flee but he ran down the passage to come and help me."

The man fired two shots with the pistol and the bullets hit Frik in the chest.

"He died instantly. He just lay on his back in the doorway," Hans
said, still in shock.

The attackers fled without stealing anything.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2365787,00.html

Bravolandnuusbrief

Bravoland-Nuusbrief

Bravo-nuusbrief

26 Julie 2008

1. Radio Pretoria - Vasbyt

2. GK267

3. Met ons verlede die toekoms in

4. Beskik ons oor die inherente krag?

5. Ons benodig ekonomiese magsblok.

RADIO PRETORIA

Die vorm om op Radio Pretoria se glanstydskrif
"VASBYT" in te teken, is nou op hulle webblad beskikbaar. Die
prosedure wat gevolg moet word, word ook duidelik aangedui.

Deur vinnig te reageer kan u ook nog die
eerste uitgawe ontvang.

http://www.radiopretoria.co.za/vasbyt.html
AANSLAG OP GK267

Die Potchefstroom se studentegroep, GK267 gaan
tans gebuk onder 'n aanslag van die studente raad.

Lees meer...

http://www.bravoland.co.za/forum/index.php?topic=3172.0

--------------------------------------------------------------

MET ONS VERLEDE DIE TOEKOMS IN

Dit is vir my jammer dat ons mense vandag so
pessimisties is. Vir die meeste Afrikaners hou die hede 'n
verskriklike bedreiging in. En tereg ook. Ons ken almal die
omstandighede van ons land.

Maar beteken dit daar is nie 'n toekoms nie?

Lees verder: http://www.bravoland.co.za/forum/index.php

--------------------------------------------------------------

BESKIK ONS OOR DIE INHERENTE KRAG?

Dit was in die moeilike dae van droogte,
depressie, politieke verdeeldheid, 'n verarmde volk en in kerklike
tweedrag dat die Afrikanervolk weer kop opgetel het en met trots die
uitdagings van die jare 1914 tot 1945 aangepak het. Dit het
uiteindelik gelei tot die daarstelling van talle strukture wat ons
volk se selfrespek herstel het.

En nou staan ons voor daardie selfde krisis -
werkloos, verarm, kerk-los en selfs kerkloos, sonder eie grond of
vryheid, geboei in Engelse kettings op skool, in die sakewêreld en
waar ook al. Ons bejaardes is soos verwilderde diere gehok in tehuise
waar volksvreemdes die versorger moet wees, wat die septer van
magsvertoon swaai oor die gryskop geliefdes wat gister die leiers van
'n dinamiese eerste-wêreld was.
.

Ons jong seuns en dogters het vreemdelinge
geword vir die land van ons vaders, ons kerkleiers is met stomheid
geslaan, ons skoolhoofde weifel teen die aanslae van die magsugtiges,
en die Afrikaner-sakeman het sy goed en sy geld begin aanwend om die
magte ter wille te wees wat sy volk se ondergang bewerkstellig.
.

En hier is ons, Bravolanders, jonk en
dinamies, uitgelewer aan 'n vyandige wêreld omdat die ouergarde
lamlendig geword het, miskien skaam vir hul optrede oor die afgelope
twintig of meer jare, waarin goedgelowigheid, gemeng met slaafse
navolging, en benat met willoosheid, die verrotting van ons volk
bevorder het in die ontneming van sy vryheid en sy grondgebied, ja, sy
totale soewereiniteit is weggegee.
.

Bravoland is die speerpunt na nuwe denke, na
nuwe dimensie, met die ou waardes uit ons volksgeskiedenis as
gevegsmateriaal; Bravolanders is die leerlinge van vandag om môre
leiding te bied om hierdie verslae volk weer te rig, te lei, te roep
tot verantwoording op die volksakker.
.

Bravolanders, kom ons vat hande, kom ons span
ons breinkrag in, kom ons wees eendragtig in ons strewes om weer die
volk te besiel tot daadkrag na vryheid. Ons is nie beter as ander
nie, laat ons dan ook nie swakker wees as ander nie - laat ons met
ywer begin om te doen wat goed en reg is in die oë van ons volk, maar
ook wat goed en mooi is in die Heer van hemel en aarde.

.

Bravolander, wees jy dan die een wat koersvas
rigting gee, wat met kalmte en berekendheid die ideaal van vryheid
najaag deur jou wilskrag, geloofskrag en jou vermoë soos aan jou
toegedeel is. .

Begin daarmee, deur groter betrokkenheid op
hierdie forum, en laat dit uitkring tot in die hart en siel van elke
ander Bravolander en elke ander volksgenoot.

.

Of beskik ons nie oor die inherente krag om
groter te dink en te doen as onsself nie?

Ons benodig Ekonomiese Magsblok

Die vreemde owerheid met sy vreemde wette om
die Afrikaner ekonomies te knel, verdien ons eendragtige optrede om
ons eie ekonomie te vestig. Studiewerk wat reeds gedoen is, dui daarop
dat alhoewel so 'n "magsblok" nie oornag sal vestig nie, die begin
daarvan uiters dringend geword het.
.

Dit is verblydend om te verneem dat die eerste
gesprekke in hierdie verband reeds plaasvind en dat daar vooruitsigte
is om ons volk ekonomies te sterk teen die aanslae.

Lees verder:
http://www.bravoland.co.za/forum/index.php?topic=3644.msg47053;topicseen#new

--------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.bravoland.co.za/forum/index.php

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ex-cop tells of cell Hell

Ex-cop tells of cell hell

Jul 23 2008 11:33:07:387PM

Linda de Beer

A former policeman has told of his nightmare in a crowded cell where
he had to fend off cellmates who tried to rape him.

Rustenburg - A hunting trip turned into a nightmare for a former
police officer when he was kept in a crowded cell for a weekend for
crimen injuria, along with people who assaulted him and wanted to rape
him.

Sakkie van der Mescht, 37, of Rustenburg, North West, allegedly was
assaulted repeatedly in the cells.

He said that, among other abuses, he was stabbed in the head with a
knife and another sharp object.

His cellmates also tried to rape him, but he fought with all his might
to prevent this.

A knife was held to his genitals while the men threatened to cut them off.

After this, he had to sit on the cold cell floor for a long time
before his clothes were given back to him, said Van der Mescht on
Monday.

Having nightmares

Van der Mescht, a father of two, did not eat or drink anything for the
whole weekend.

His cellmates apparently ejaculated in the water that was offered to him.

He said the police visited the cell only once every morning and once
every evening.

Since his experience at the end of June, nightmares have been
preventing Van der Mescht from sleeping.

His lawyer, Carl Arnold, said they were waiting on the test results
for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections because of the dirty
knife that was used on Van der Mescht.

On June 27, Van der Mescht was part of a group who went hunting in the
Madikwe Trust area.

He was at their camp when two fellow hunters in a bakkie were stopped by police.

They were unable to show the licence of another hunter's firearm that
was in the car.

After an assurance that someone would go to show them the licence, the
police left without taking further action.

Arnold said Van der Mescht and another man drove after the police with
the other hunter's firearm licence and identity document, but they
repeatedly ignored him when he tried to show the documents to them.

Until March, Van der Mescht had been the police's appointed firearm
official in Rustenburg. He works at presnt as a security manger for a
hotel group.

Thrown into van

Van der Mescht and the driver of the bakkie he was in, stopped at a
place where a few police vehicles were standing next to the road.

Some of the police officers apparently stormed at Van der Mescht. The
door of the bakkie was yanked open and he was jerked out by the arm.

Van der Mescht said he told them he did not appreciate their actions.
At that, he was thrown into the back of a police van.

They apparently drove around with him for more than an hour before he
was taken to Madikwe police station.

He said: "I was arrested for crimen injuria and intimidation."

Van der Mescht's wife was chased from the police station when she
wanted to see her husband on the Saturday. She apparently also was
threatened with arrest.

On June 30, Van der Mescht pleaded guilty in Madikwe Magistrate's
Court to a charge of crimen injuria, after he apparently was
threatened with another seven days in the cells.

Arnold said they were appealing against this verdict which pronounced
Van der Mescht guilty.

Regular cell visits

North West police's Captain Aafje Botma said Van der Mescht apparently
threatened and swore at the police officer when they were driving next
to each other.

She said he was taken to a local clinic so his injuries could be treated.

Police denied they had kept his wife away and said they had visited
the cells every hour.

Botma did not answer a question about how a sharp object got into the cell.

Read the story online:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2362959,00.html

Frail Old Lady Killed and Robbed

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Cc: mathet@saps.org.za, crooksa@saps.org.za

Klerksdorp - South-Africa.
A Great Grandmother (81) was murdered Wednesday in the house her
husband bought two decades ago .

Mrs. Mollie Opperman's corpse was discoverd Thursday evening , after a
concerned neighbour phoned her son Fanie , he asked her to
investigate.

Only a TV-set , handbag and keys are missing ; said Inspector Adèle
Myburgh police spokesperson. The burglar-proofing bars are bent at a
lounge window to gain access to the house.
Opperman laid on her stomach on her bed , hands behind the back when
she was found. Her head was in the pillow with a bloodstain at her
mouth. She was covered with bedding. She was probably suffocated , her
son Fanie said.
"Why did they kill her ? She was old. Couldn't they just blindfolded
and locked her into the room ? She was a small frail old lady."

Myburgh said an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.

Mrs. Ribeiro , Mrs. Opperman's neighbour said she saw the old lady
Wednesday afternoon in her garden , watering it.
Ribeiro for the first time suspected something wrong Thursday morning
late , when a member of Opperman's church wanted to deliver soup.
Opperman didn't answer the door.
"If it wasn't for the church , we still wouldn't have found her . I
walked out and peeked over the wall , I saw her outside light still
burning. She switched it off every morning."
At 20h00 Thursday Ribeiro's concern got the best of them , she phoned
Fanie Opperman to ask if he knew where his mother is. He said she
should be at home , can they please investigate.
"My son knocked on her bedroom window with no result. He then saw the
bent burglar bars at the lounge" The Police was summoned.

According to Ribeiro , Opperman always said "The Lord is with me , I'm
not alone " when she was asked if she's not afraid to live alone.

Granddad dies defending his wife with an axe

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Andries Visser and his wife Deborah

16/07/2008 23:00 - (SA)

Virginia Keppler and Elana Carstens, Beeld

Pretoria - An 82-year-old grandfather of Lombard Street, Wonderboom
South, in Pretoria, fought with an axe until his death to protect his
wife from five armed attackers.

Andries Visser was shot six times - in the stomach, chest and under
his chin - during the attack.

This was after the attackers jumped on his wife Deborah, 70, and hit
and kicked her.

Andries heard his wife's calls for help and set upon the attackers with an axe.

After he was shot, he hobbled down the passage and collapsed in front
of the bathroom door where he "died in a pool of blood".

Deborah is being treated in the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Pretoria.

The couple, who are the organisers of the annual national jukskei
competition for senior citizens in Kroonstad, were attacked in their
kitchen at about 21:00 on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Mirna von Benecke said Deborah had wanted to lock
a door outside when she was attacked at her kitchen door.

Father ran from the bedroom

The couple's son Dries, 40, of Centurion, and his children Juan, 9,
and Henning, 5, had visited them between 18:00 and 19:00.

"At 22:00 I received a call from my mother who said that my father had
been shot," Dries said sadly.

"The robbers attacked my mother first, jumped on her and kicked her.

"They jumped on her," he repeated in disbelief.

He said his mother screamed and his father ran from the bedroom to the
kitchen to help her.

"I don't know where my father found the axe, but he tried to fight
back and managed to hack one of the robbers.

The robbers shot him six times during the attack."

Dries said that the numerous bullet holes in the walls of the passage
testified to the fact that his father had been shot at more than six
times.

He said the neighbours heard his mother's cries for help.

"When they went to investigate, they saw the robbers jump over my
parents' gate and flee through a hole in the fence across the road,
onto the hill.

"The police fine-combed the hill at the reservoir with the help of
helicopters but the robbers got away.

"My father is dead and they stole a cellphone and my mother's handbag
containing less than R200.

"It's ridiculous," he said.

Dog poisoned a month ago

Dries said he and his sister Zeldi van Straten, 43, were deeply
concerned about their mother because she has heart problems and high
blood pressure.

Andries and Deborah's godchild Elna Lubbe, 39, visited Deborah in the
hospital on Wednesday morning and said she was very muddled because of
the shock.

"Ouma repeatedly told the story how Oupa lay in the passage in his own blood."

Lubbe said that Andries and Deborah's dog had been poisoned a month
ago and that Deborah apparently saw a green car hovering in front of
the house three days before the attack.

"It's as if they've been planning it for months," she said.

Von Benecke said the police were investigating a charge of murder and
house robbery.

Andries leaves behind two other grandchildren, Zeldine, 9, and Zandré 14.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2358800,00.html

Shot dog protect dead master

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Shot dog protect dead master*

16/07/2008 09:03 - (SA)

Buks Viljoen, Beeld

Johannesburg - A wounded boerboel lay down on top of his murdered master
after the young man was shot dead on Monday night on a farm near
Komatipoort.*

*Armed robbers killed Jan-Daniel Venter, 21, on the farm Blikkor near
Komatipoort where he lived with his father Jan, 50.

Both worked as contractors on a nearby farm.

Jan-Daniel, who was studying law part-time, was shot several times during
the robbery, which took place while he was watching 7de Laan with his father
in the living room. He apparently rushed at the robbers with a chair in his
hands.

According to a person who was on the scene shortly after the attack,
Jan-Daniel's boerboel started barking like crazy and the next moment, the
three robbers barged in.

'We want money'

"We want money, we want money," they apparently shouted in broken English.

Jan-Daniel was shot in the chest when he wanted to protect his father. He
collapsed in the living room and died shortly afterwards, said Constable
Richard Khumalo, spokesperson of the Komatipoort police.

His father, Jan, was tied up by the robbers. They stole several household
items, as well as a .38 revolver and fled with his Nissan bakkie. He managed
to wriggle free and ran about 2km to the house of a farm foreman to get
help.

When police arrived at the house, the boerboel - who had also been shot by
the robbers - was lying on top of Jan-Daniel's body.

"It looked like he was trying to protect his master," said Beeld's source.

Jan-Daniel's mother, Superintendent Elarda Venter, is the commanding officer
of the Modjadjiskloof (Duiwelskloof) police station in Limpopo. She had been
on the farm on Sunday to fetch her other son, Elardus, 17, who had visited
his father and brother during the school holidays.

Khumalo said the murderers were suspected to be from Mozambique. "They spoke
a perfect Mozambican Shangaan dialect."

Five 9mm cartridges were found on the scene. The stolen bakkie is still
missing.

Source:News24
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2358253,00.html<http://www.feedblitz.com/t.asp?/84250/10122290/http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2358253,00.html>
*

Old Man found Dead in Cell

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Elderly man found dead in police holding cell

Kriel - South Africa
A man with Alzheimer disease was found dead in his cell on Tuesday
evening , few hours after being arrested for shoplifting .

A security guard grabbed mr. James Frederick Brown (69) in Shoprite
for not paying for a Top-Deck chocolate bar of R8,50 .

An elderly eye-witness who wants to remain anonymous out of fear for
vengeance , saw a group of people carried Brown .
"Small children ran underneath him and beat him while the others kept
him up in the air. It was horrible . Even the cashier shouted they
must kill the old man if he wants to steal chocolates".

According to Brown's daughter me. Rose-Marie Steyn , he left about
12h30 the day to go to town , everybody in town knew of his disease.
"We became worried when he was not at home yet by 13h30 "
Meanwhile a hairstylist , me. Steyn's husband , Willie announced that
mr. Brown was arrested and taken into custody for shoplifting .

"We battled the whole afternoon at the policestation to see my dad ,
but the police refused. They said he is aggressive and must rather
sleep it off."

"We explained to the police that my husband have Alzheimer disease but
they did not listen" told Brown's wife Rosa.
"A policeman told me he aimed his gun at my husband because James was
so wild. The police insisted that he'd be kept in the holding cells
till 18h00."

"When they finally went to fetch my dad , my husband went with to ease
his mood " me. Steyn said.
Brown was found with his back on the floor with his head in a huge blood pool.

According to the police , maybe Brown fell backward in his cell and
hit his head against something.
Dr. Leon Pelser examined Brown in the cell.
"The cell was so dark I had to ask the policeman to switch on his
torch so I will be able to see what I'm doing. In perilous conditions
I've put a pipe in his airway and massaged his heart , but to no avail
- it was too late. I wrote "unnatural death" on the deathcertificate
because I knew a formal judicial enquiry will be made ."

According to Supt. Abie Khoabane , the police's provincial
spokesperson , Brown arrived at the police station with blood on his
face and clothes when the security guards brought him.
Brown had wounds and lacerations on his right eye , nose and chin as
well as a hole in his head.
According to Khoabane they still wait for a postmortem to be completed
which were held Thursday afternoon.

Me. Sonto Mlatswa , Shoprite's manager of the store where the incident
took place ; confirmed that Brown was arrested for shoplifting , but
didn't knew of any assault.
The security guards refused to speak to the media.

A spokesperson for the Shoprite group of companys , confirmed that an
alleged shoplifter was arrested Tuesday.
The police is investigating the incident , therefore we can't comment
on the matter any further."


Brown's family is Furious !
"How could they do something so awful to an old sick man ?! Maybe he
was difficult at times , but he did not deserve that. Maybe he just
forgot to pay for the chocolate " cried me. Brown , tears flowing down
her face.

Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund

To: InsideAfrica@cnn.com, InfoDesk@ohchr.org, Press-Info@ohchr.org, pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk, presse@gtz.de, press.office@bbc.co.uk, yourpics@bbc.co.uk, ireport@cnn.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, margaretha@publicy.nl

Cc: awepanx@wn.apc.org, awepact@mail.ngo.za, awepajml@mail.ngo.za, lisalaun@eusa.org.za, laurene.watson@sida.se, amelia@fdc.co.za, allan@cdtrust.co.za, charisma@pixie.co.za, Linda_rowell@colpal.com, director@agenda.org.za, megt@iafrica.com, enquiry@dfid.gov.uk, info@gtz.de, pret@international.gc.ca, jobrg@international.gc.ca, NonnieL@dbsa.org, callcentre@idc.co.za, errolg@khulawc.org.za, jschwenke@businesspartners.co.za


Related article :  http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-44428

Original article from Rapport 11 May 2008
"God's truck driver" help old aged people in Zim

For 650 poor , hungry senior citizens in 15 retirement  villages in Zimbabwe , one South-African's kind-hearted nature makes the difference between life and death.
This group of outcasted elderly people's only source of hope is the green-and-white truck of Mr. Hannes Botha (55) who bring each month food-aid survival packs.
The food-aid survival packs consist only of the most essential needs to keep them alive .
Botha from Malelane in Limpopo (South-Africa) , took care of this elderly people since 2002 on his own.
His 4 ton truck is very old , but regardless still tow a trailer each month , to supply 6 ton of food-aid survival packs to the 15 old-aged homes in Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe they call him "God's truckdriver".
Botha lived in Zimbabwe but left the country in 1980 , he say he only do what he thinks is right.
"I don't think people know how utterly the poverty situation is with these elderly people. Some are dying of hunger , malnourishment and harsh conditions.
"The oldest , is an old lady of 102 years , the others range from 70 upward.
"Their fate is tragic , years of hard-earned pension and paid out policys can't even buy them bread today . Most of them's familys are dead or gone .
"They are too poor or old to move . And believe me , the government of Robert Mugabe don't care anything for these people.
"These people are subjected to the mercy and charity of other people . I just decided I MUST help them.

Botha said he initialy gathered foodstuffs himself to make the survival packs. He then transported it on own cost to deliver it to the 15 old aged homes .
He said it is heartbraking to watch the people wait for him when he arrive with his truck .
"They stand there like excited children  , after that the tears begin to flow as each receive their package with their name on it .
"Things like toiletpaper , cooking-oil , rice , maize , fresh vegetables , coffee , candles and toothpaste ; means everything to them .
"One old man , which received batteries for his torch , later kept onto it like a baby . It is really very sad" .

Botha said he realised that soon the work became too much for One person alone to handle.
He managed to organize some volunteers - individuals , aid organisations and churches to help with this immense task . One such Aid-organisation is Solidarity Helping Hand Fund .

Eventually he started the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund , which is an Article 21 company - a non profitable organisation .

He say until now the Zimbabwe Government don't bother him to deliver these goods .
He say the organisation is in desperate need of new transport because his truck is already too old .
 

*Solidarity Helping Hand Fund*
Who are we?

*Identity *

The Helping Hand Fund is an organisation for social care that was founded by
Solidarity. Helping Hand is an autonomous entity that operates independently
of the trade union, although it receives financial assistance from the trade
union's members. Helping Hand is registered with the Registration Office for
Companies and Intellectual Property (CIPRO) as a Section 21company and as a
non-profit organisation (NPO) with the Department of Social Development.

*History*

  - During the course of many years spontaneous support actions have been
  undertaken by members of the trade union. In time these actions came to be
  known as the Solidarity Helping Hand.
  - In November 2004 the trade union's management decided:
     - That the Helping Hand should be formalised as a Section 21 company
     and NPO.
     - That all the members of the trade union would make a monthly
     financial contribution to the organisation.
  - This led to the organisation being formalised at the beginning of 2005.

*Mission*

To prevent poverty and alleviate social need, mainly in communities were
government aid not generally available; and to ensure that good standards of
care are maintained.


What do we do?

*Bursaries*

More than 100 students received bursaries to the value of R1 million in
2007. Students are eligible for a Helping Hand study bursary if they or
their parents are Solidarity members. The personal circumstances of students
are taken into account in the awarding of bursaries. Visit the website at
www.beursweb.co.za

*Donations of supplies*

Donations worth thousands of rands are delivered to the Helping Hand offices
every month. These donations include clothing, foodstuffs and household
items. An efficient system has been developed to identify need, to ensure
that the donated goods meet the needs of the recipients.

*Child projects*

Helping Hand's child projects were a core aspect of the Fund's activities in
2007. The projects are aimed at preparing children for successful entry into
the labour market. Protecting children against crime also forms part of the
Fund's child projects.

*Career grooming*

One of the primary functions of the Helping Hand is to prepare young people
for the workplace. By helping young people to make the correct career
choice, the poverty cycle can be broken.

*Ac hoc projects*

Helping Hand regularly embarks on new short-term projects to tackle
particular issues. Problems like the* *abduction of children, the protection
of street children and upgrading of child cross-examination offices at
police stations were among the projects undertaken in 2007.

*Exigency fund*

Helping Hand's Exigency Fund exists exclusively to provide payment of up to
R1 000 to needy applicants. The Fund cannot support ongoing problems.
Donations are funded by debit orders from donors and donations by Solidarity
members.

Webpage :   http://www.helpinghandfund.co.za


Donations can be made online at above web-address or bank particulars can
also be found there.

Fwd: Man killed for nothing !!

To: ireport@cnn.com, yourpics@bbc.co.uk, press.office@bbc.co.uk, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com, margaretha@publicy.nl, mathet@saps.org.za, crooksa@saps.org.za

Popular angler 'killed for R60'

July 11 2008 at 10:08AM

Popular angler Clive Hunter, 35, was shot dead while fishing with his wife in Richards Bay earlier this week, Beeld reported on Friday.

When four men appeared from the bushes at a popular fishing spot on Tuesday around 6pm, one of them allegedly produced a gun and Hunter shouted for his wife Zelda, 34, to run.

He was shot in the chest. His alleged killers fled with a tackle box worth about R60.

KwaZulu-Natal police on Friday said they had no knowledge of the murder.

Spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said: "Police stations have meetings every morning where they discuss crimes that were reported to them.... We have no idea about this case because we would have heard about it."

It is unclear if any arrests had been made.

HORROR BEACH SLAYING

Image: Clive Hunter, murdered in broad daylight while walking on a beach with his wife.


THE brutal and senseless murder of one of Zululand's top anglers, Clive Hunter (35) on Alkantstrand Beach in Richards Bay on Tuesday afternoon has sent shock waves throughout the Zululand community.

It was a perfect winter's afternoon and with the shad running, Clive and his wife Zelda joined a number of fishermen on the main beach and were fishing towards the left bank near the dredger pipe.

According to the victim's brother Deon, four black males approached the couple. Zelda said the group asked them what the fishing was like and if they had caught anything. The next thing, Clive told her to run into the sea, as we believe he spotted a knife being held by one of the attackers.
As Zelda escaped into the water, a scuffle ensued between Clive and the four men and he was shot in the side. As the killers fled with Clive's fishing bag, one of the children on the beach ran up to him and held Clive's hand as he died,' said Deon.

One of the witnesses said Zelda ran up the beach shouting for help as the gun was fired and horrified fishermen nearby immediately ran to assist. "It was not even dark and we were all enjoying the evening with our families on the beach. There were children running around. This is shocking beyond words that gunmen can just walk onto our main beach and shoot someone dead," said the witness. The SAPS Flying Squad immediately responded to the scene and a search was launched for the fleeing killers.

While the Zululand Observer received dozens of calls on Wednesday morning from an outraged public, Deon Hunter told the Zululand Observer that the tragedy on Tuesday evening highlighted the desperate need to get crime under control in Zululand.

"As Zululanders, we should not have to live in fear and let these wanton criminals run around just shooting whoever they please. The men who shot my brother are callous killers and I would like to ask our mayor what the city is going to do about this incident. Can families no longer go to our city's main beach without being at risk of being murdered?".

Chairman of the Zululand Shore Angling Association, Clinton Woodley paid tribute to Clive's outstanding reputation, among not only the fishing community, but also the business community.
'Clive was one of the most easy-going and friendly guys I have ever known. He was dedicated to his family and his work and his passing is a great loss to this community,' said Woodley, who also backed Deon Hunter's call for more safety measures on the beaches. This incident has already gone to the international media and it is time to take back our beaches,' he said.

SAPS Richards Bay confirmed that a murder investigation has been opened, but that no suspects have yet been arrested. Hunter is survived by his wife Zelda and children, Brandon (12) and Megan (6). A memorial service will be held on Sunday 13 July at 11.30am at Alkanstrand Beach.

UN Food/Aid only for selective sufferers : ZIMBABWE

To: press.office@bbc.co.uk, yourpics@bbc.co.uk, margaretha@publicy.nl, ireport@cnn.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com, InfoDesk@ohchr.org, Press-Info@ohchr.org, niu@ohchr.org

From the Citizen :
Zim's needy Whites DENIED Help !!

Johannesburg - Political correctness has reached the stage in Zimbabwe where white elderly people and the needy are not receiving any assistance at all .

"Donations distributed by the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme are apparently being withheld  from these people" , said Dr. Danie Langner , executive of the Solidarity Helping Hand Fund .

"That means , this group of people is entirely dependent on the Zimbabwe Pension Support Fund , which we  are supporting .

Information received from Zimbabwe by the fund indicates colour - not need - is being used as a measure to decide who  should receive food and other aid .

"Surely colour should not enter the equation when it comes to aiding the many who need it in Zimbabwe " ,  Langner said .

His Death was unnecessary

To: press.office@bbc.co.uk, yourpics@bbc.co.uk, ireport@cnn.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, margaretha@publicy.nl

IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO KILL HIM

Me. Frances McNamee ; in who's arms Kurt Huppe died -
Related article: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-43686


"I ran to him and grabbed him where he collapsed . He could not talk , but he died só fast."

So the woman told yesterday in whom Kurt Huppe died  ; it was to be his future mother in law. He was shot dead in a robbery at the Lion Park Game Reserve in Muldersdrift South-Africa.

"It was not necessary for the robbers to kill him , they already stole the money and he was not armed." Me. Frances McNamee(49) said about the incident where Kurt Huppe(27) died.

Huppe from Benoni in the East Rand (Johannesburg-:South-Africa) were shot in the chest when he emerged from the Refreshment Room where he washed his hands , and entered the restaurant ; he died almost immediately .

Eight robbers  emptied the cashiers and was fleeing when Huppe came in not knowing about what was to happen . One of the robbers shot him.

His fiance , me. Stacey Wooley(23) , which is four months pregnant with his child , her daughter Tyler(6) , her mother me.McNamee and her other grandchild(2) hid underneath the tables when the robbers came storming into the restaurant .

According to Inspector Odette van Staden -police spokesperson- eight robbers  burst into the restaurant at about 14h30  , four was armed with 9mm firearms.

"I thought at first that a Lion escaped when everybody screamed , then I saw a robber with a pistol" McNamee said.

She wanted to go and warn her future son in law and crept to his direction on the floor. The next moment she heard a shot and saw him collapse.

Huppe was her daughter's supporter . He and Wooley was five years in a relationship and got engaged in February.
"He took good care of my daughter and other grandchild Tyler , Tyler loved him dearly. He was excited about the coming baby."
"Wooley is severely traumatised , she refuse to accept his death ."
Wooley did not want to speak to the Media yesterday.

Mr. Dieter Huppe , Kurt's dad said Kurt was a hardworking , positive " wonderful person"
His death was senseless.

The funeral is Friday morning in Kempton Park .

 

I saw him take his last breath

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InsideAfrica@cnn.com, margaretha@publicy.nl,
foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com

*'I saw him take his last breath'*

Jul 07 2008 02:21:42:997PM

Verashni Pillay

A witness has described how restaurant patrons were unable to help after
robbers shot a young father-to-be at Muldersdrift's popular Lion Park
restaurant.

Johannesburg - Robbers who shot a young father-to-be at the Lion Park
restaurant on Sunday didn't allow others to help the man as he took his
dying breath.

"I think they ran in as he was coming out the bathroom and got a fright and
shot him," said Michelle Foyster, who was at the restaurant at the time of
the robbery.

Eight robbers burst into the restaurant at about 14:30 on Sunday, according
to Inspector Odette van Staden. Four of them were armed with 9mm pistols.

Foyster, 33, had just returned from a game drive at the popular Muldersdrift
park when her nine-year-old son and a visiting friend's young children went
into the restaurant to buy cool drinks.

'I thought it was a balloon'

"My friend saw men walking into the shop but I didn't really take notice of
them," Foyster said of the robbers, who made no attempt to hide their faces.

"We heard a 'pah'. I thought it was a balloon popping."

One of her friends went into the restaurant to help Kurt Dieter Huppe, 27,
who was shot for no apparent reason. His pregnant girlfriend was also in the
restaurant.

"He crouched down to try to help but they held a gun to him and said he'd
better get up and move otherwise they would shoot him."

Foyster's son, who had been in a hijacking with his mother in January 2007,
took the two children he was with, aged five and four, and hid behind an ice
cream freezer.

"I'm so proud of him," Foyster said of her son, who witnessed Huppe getting
shot.

"I went through and found them there and crouched down with them," Foyster,
who works from home in Fourways, told News24. "The robbers were shouting at
everyone to keep their hands in the air and to get down and stay down."

All the day's takings were stolen as well as possessions from some of the
100 patrons in the restaurant at the time, according to a Beeld report.

Not in control

"They didn't look totally in control and they weren't very experienced,"
said Foyster, who could see the robbers from where she crouched as she
watched Huppe struggle for his life.

She hid her cell phone in her shirt in case her handbag was stolen, so that
she could call an ambulance to help him.

But Huppe died during the ordeal. "I saw him take his last breath," said
Foyster. "I could see him gasping."

While she felt calm at the time, the tension hit her later. "The crime in
this country is completely out of control," she said, adding that the
hijacking last year together with this incident had made her very nervous.

Muldersdrift police were investigating the incident and were not immediately
available for comment.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the detective branch
of the Muldersdrift police on 011 957 2312.

Source:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2353339,00.html

Press release

Cc: SABC <schraderme@sabc.co.za>

Press Release

Issued by the National Tax Payers Union

July 8, 2008

Heading: Ordinary South Africans are beginning to demand accountability and

a clean and effective government.

There is a growing dissatisfaction amongst tax- and rate-payers across South

Africa that the money they are paying to government is not being used

correctly, but instead is funding corrupt, incompetent and unaccountable

local and regional councils and municipalities.

Minister of Public Works, Thoko Didiza, has publicly stated that local

government infrastructure across South Africa is close to collapse, and out

of 282 local and district municipalities, 197 have been declared

dysfunctional. Most audits done by the Auditor General show that
municipalities are technically bankrupt due to a lack of competence in
handling their finances and/or assets. This is why ordinary people
are battling with electricity cut-offs,

water interruptions, crumbling roads, deteriorating services and incompetent

council officials.

Against this worrying background, tax-paying citizens are starting to get

mobilized. According to the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, all South

Africans are entitled to an effective, fair and equitable government. The

best way to achieve this is for people to join Rate-payers Associations -

these are non-profit, apolitical pressure groups that are becoming

increasingly effective at demanding transparent and effective government.

However, there are many towns and villages that do not have ratepayers

associations, and the residents do not know how to go about establishing

them. The National Tax Payers Union has therefore convened a workshop
where all interested parties - across the spectrum of South African
society - can get together, share information about setting up a
ratepayers association, network with other associations, find out how
to declare a dispute with their local council, and how to conduct this
dispute within the framework of the law in order to compel the
council to become effective. Representatives from several government
oversight bodies will be there as well to explain how supplies and
services can be better delivered.

The workshop takes place at De Aar Northern Cape(chosen because it is
the most central

place in South Africa). It lasts for one day, between 10am and 3pm on

Saturday 19th July. The venue is the showgrounds in the town.

"We are urging all South Africans tax payers to come and join us,'
says convener Johan

Matthee. "We want to return to the dream of 1994, when all South Africans

were promised a better life. For most South Africans, this better life has

not materialized, and we want everyone to come together to make a

difference. The government is quite capable of serving all South Africans -

however, we need to put pressure on them to do so. They have just become

completely bogged down in politics. We need to remind them that their duty

is towards us, the ordinary people of South Africa."

"There are many instances in the country where local governments have begun

to work with their local communities for the better. We have the skills, we

have the will, we can make things work again."

Anyone who is interested in finding out more, can contact Johan Matthee at

082 - 406-8248, e-mail jmatthee@oldmutualpfa.com

Elderly couple murdered for nothing

Date: Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 4:32 PM

Subject: Elderly couple murdered for nothing
To: press.office@bbc.co.uk, yourpics@bbc.co.uk, margaretha@publicy.nl, foxnewsonline@foxnews.com, news@newsday.com, news@sky.com, ireport@cnn.com, nmtyelwa@anc.org.za, ntshabalala@anc.org.za, mathet@saps.org.za, crooksa@saps.org.za, info@hnp.org.za, info@da.org.za, info@vf.co.za, InsideAfrica@cnn.com, pmongwe@icd.gov.za


DISTRAUGHT: Marthie Potgieter is overcome by grief as she tells how
her parents were killed after being hijacked on the East Rand.
(Mary-Ann Palmer, Beeld)

Yvonne and Willem Ras with their grandchildren Carmen and Corli.
(Beeld, photo supplied)

02/07/2008 09:05 - (SA)

Gloria Edwards, Beeld

Johannesburg - An elderly cancer patient and his wife have been shot
on the N12 on the East Rand - without their attackers robbing them of
their vehicle or any of their possessions.

Willem Ras, 66, who also had Parkinson's disease, and his wife,
Yvonne, 64, were attacked near Eldorado Park on Saturday night.

Willem was first shot in his back and then shoved out of the moving
car. He died on the road.

Yvonne was shot in the neck and left for dead in the vehicle. She died
from her wound in Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The couple were on their way back to their flat in Alberton at about
22:00 after having visited their only child, Mathie Potgieter, 37, and
their two grandchildren in Randfontein.

Police said the killers presumably pulled the couple off the road
somewhere and jumped into the car with them.

Was still breathing

The attackers then probably forced them to drive to the N12 highway in
Eldorado Park where they shot Willem in the back near the Boundary
Road bridge and threw him from the car.

Captain Phillemon Khorombi of Eldorado Park police said they found the
vehicle at 12:35 on Sunday.

"Mrs Ras was found with a bullet wound to the neck. She was still
breathing and was taken to hospital."

Mr Ras's body was found near the car.

"It doesn't look like anything was stolen."

Mathie Potgieter said she could not understand how her parents could
be killed for nothing.

Their jewellery, cash and other belongings were found in the vehicle
and given to her.

Bitter

"Even my father's cross and necklace of real gold that my mother gave
to him 25 years ago was still around his neck."

Potgieter only realised something was amiss on Sunday morning after
her grandmother, Corrie Wijnbreek, 95, let her know that her parents
had not arrived home.

Shortly after her mother's death on Tuesday, Mathie said she was
bitter towards the killers who had left her "an orphan". Her daughters
Corli, 10, and Carmen, seven, were traumatised.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2350375,00.html

Media statement:- Conference about expropriation bill

Media Statement


THE CONTROVERSIAL EXPROPRIATION BILL

Conferences re the origin of land and property ownership
and
Implications of the Expropriation Bill

The Expropriation Bill which is currently being considered by Parliament, represents the most radical deviation to date from the national accord based on which the new South Africa was established (for more information, visit www.cfcr.org.za).  It has far-reaching negative consequences for the economy, inter-group relations, food security and the Constitution, and will leave South Africa out of step with all successful economies in the fast globalising world.  The Bill is based on the false perception that white South Africans have no moral right to ownership of land in particular, but also property in general, as everything they possess, is the result of wrongful deprivation, the exploitation and repression of the indigenous population.  As a result of this way of thought, the expropriation of white property at less than the market value, not only can be justified morally, but is also portrayed as necessary in order to achieve national transformation.

The Interim Committee for the Defence of Property Rights intends to address this false perception and the implications of the Bill at the following conferences, which will replace the conference planned for the 2nd of July 2008 in Cape Town.


Conference re False Perceptions about Land and Property Ownership
and the Economic Implications thereof
Monday, 28 July 2008, from 10:30 in the Centurion Council Chamber, Centurion

This conference will provide an opportunity for the public, the national and international community to reflect on the origin and history of land and property ownership, as well as the current distribution of wealth in South Africa and the economic implications of the proposed Bill.  Experts will address, amongst other issues, the history of land and property ownership in South Africa, historical trends in the distribution of wealth and the economic consequences of the Expropriation Bill.

Conference re the Implications of the Expropriation Bill
August (date to be announced) in the Cape

Serious concerns exist that the Government will not pay heed to inputs made during the public hearings on the proposed Expropriation Bill, and that this Bill may even be rushed through Parliament in its current robust format by the ANC, using its huge majority.

The contributions of the growing number of individuals, as well as institutions from all sectors of the community that realise the dangers embedded in this legislation, must be taken into account before any decision can be made regarding this Bill.

The broader community is not fully informed about the contents and implications of the proposed legislation.  Public awareness is of the greatest importance, as this Bill concerns all property, moveable, as well as immoveable.  The Interim Committee for the Defence of Property Rights therefore intends organising a conference in August 2008 (the date will be announced soon) where experts will discuss the implications of the Bill for the South African Constitution, economy, inter-group relations, food security, and also the role played by private ownership in all successful democracies.

More detailed programmes of the two events will be available soon.  All members of the media are invited to attend both conferences.

For more information, contact:

Dave Steward           -           082 824 8875
Alana Bailey              -           072 728 4541
Jaco Schoeman       -           083 651 0739
Theo de Jager          -           082 332 2110
Bennie van Zyl          -           082 466 4470

*          The Interim (Ad-Hoc) Committee for the Defence of Property Rights is an informal grouping of organisations and political parties from across the political and social spectrum, which are opposed to the Expropriation Bill.  Currently it includes the following organisations: AfriForum, the Afrikanerbond, Agri SA, the DA, the FW de Klerk Foundation, the ACDP, the FAK, the Agricultural Employers Organisation, the National Taxpayers Union, the Solidarity Institute for Constitutional and Labour Law Affairs, TAU SA, the Freedom Front Plus, Afrikanerfront and Regslui vir Afrikaans.  Various other organisations are also busy garnering support for this group.



Jan Bosman
Besturende Direkteur
Afrikanerbond
janbosman@abond.co.za
Tel: (011) 482-1600
Sel: 083-630-6187
Faks: (011) 726-5877
Privaat Faks: 086 658 6336

Pregnant woman's head bashed to a pulp

Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:55:14 +0000
Subject: Pregnant woman's head bashed to a pulp
To: yourpics@bbc.co.uk, press.office@bbc.co.uk, margaretha@publicy.nl,
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27/06/2008 08:41 - (SA)

Virginia Keppler, Beeld

Pretoria - A pregnant woman was brutally murdered in her house in
Waverley in Pretoria on Thursday by having her head beaten to a pulp.

The attackers then hid the body of the woman, who was eight months
pregnant, under the duvet on her bed in Varing Street.

The unborn baby of Antoinette Botha, who was a nurse at Moot Hospital,
did not survive the attack either.

The attacker(s) then collected household appliances but left them
standing in the house and fled in Antoinette's black Mercedes Benz
with registration number WRW 497 GP.

Tried to save the baby

Moments after her partner Pieter Moon, 39, and the couple's neighbours
discovered Antoinette's body, paramedics tried in vain to find the
baby's heartbeat.

"Can't they save the baby?"

"Can't they just try?" Jophie Moon, 73, Pieter's father, asked his
daughters repeatedly.

When the paramedics walked out of the house, dejected and without the
baby, the friends and family members knew it was over.

"Unfortunately we could not save the baby. There was nothing we could
have done," an unsettled paramedic said.

Couple have another son

Antoinette and Pieter have another son, two-year-old Murelle.

Elize Botha, whose son lived next door to Antoinette and Pieter, said
that when Pieter had arrived home, he noticed that everything was
standing open.

"He came to ask my son Cobus to go into the house with him because he
was scared there was someone in the house. When we came into the
house, we looked everywhere for Antoinette."

"In the bedroom we just saw a bunch of duvets lying there. I was just
feeling under the duvets when I felt a cold foot."

"They smashed her head to a pulp with a blunt object," Botha said,
still shocked.

Jophie said Pieter had been at his (Jophie's) house to drop off his
son and then went back home.

"He said the child had to stay with us for the night because
Antoinette was going to work night-shift," Jophie said.

Tessa Keppler, Pieter's sister, said the family was very shocked. She
said that her brother and his wife had been living in the house for
four years.

"Antoinette would never have opened the door for strangers. She was
very security-conscious," Keppler said.

She said that her brother, who had hoped to the end that the baby
would be saved, was badly shocked.

"Where am I going to tell my son is his mother?" Pieter asked, disconsolate.

Anelise van Tonder, of the Karnallies play group in Waverley, went to
the house on Thursday night to look after Murelle.

"He's going to sleep at my house tonight. I've known him since he was
a baby. I love him very much," she said sadly.

Police spokesperson Inspector Susan du Preez said it was still unclear
how the killer had gained access to the house.

Tessa said that apparently someone had tried to break in at the house
earlier this week and the alarm had gone off twice.

Botha, who was originally from Zimbabwe, would have worked her last
shift on Thursday night and would have been on maternity leave as from
Friday.

Tessa said Antoinette's family were to be informed of her death on
Thursday night.

Anyone who has information about the attack can call the Villeria
police station on 012 333 6005/6.

Source:News24

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2347986,00.html