Orange and Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”) enter an exclusive agreement concerning four Airtel subsidiaries in Africa

Orange and Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”) enter an exclusive agreement concerning four Airtel subsidiaries in Africa

Possible acquisition by Orange of Airtel’s subsidiaries in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone

PARIS, France, July 20, 2015/ -- Orange and Airtel have entered into an exclusive agreement to explore the possible acquisition by Orange of Airtel’s subsidiaries in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 39 billion euros in 2014 and 155,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2015, including 98,000 employees in France. Present in 29 countries, the Group has a total customer base of 247 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2015, including 188 million mobile customers and 16 million fixed broadband customers. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In March 2015, the Group presented its new strategic plan “Essentials2020” which places customers’ needs at the heart of its strategy with the aim of allowing them to benefit fully from the digital universe and the power of its new generation networks.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com,www.livetv.orange.com or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited (http://www.airtel.com).

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the Company is the third largest mobile operator in the world by subscribers. In India, the Company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, m-commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, and Enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In other geographies, it offers 2G, 3G, 4G and m-commerce services. Bharti Airtel had over 328 million customers across its operations at the end of May 2015. For more information visit, www.airtel.com

DHL and SOS Children’s Villages benefit over 3,500 youths from half a decade of partnership in Africa

DHL and SOS Children’s Villages benefit over 3,500 youths from half a decade of partnership in Africa

Ÿ         Youths from 11 countries reached out to through sponsorship and employee engagement activities

Ÿ         To date, over 2,000 employees have volunteered in various activities to participate in the partnership

Ÿ         Inaugural regional conference organized to discuss challenges and future plans

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21, 2015/ -- Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL Group) (http://www.dpdhl.com), the world’s leading logistics company, together with non-governmental organization SOS Children’s Villages, have celebrated half a decade of a successful partnership that has helped to improve the employment prospects of disadvantaged young people from SOS Children’s villages across 11 countries in Africa. The partnership between DPDHL Group and SOS Children’s Villages began in 2010 in South Africa and Madagascar and has since expanded to nine other African countries – Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria, Swaziland.

Education and employability are highly important topics for Deutsche Post DHL Group and, through our GoTeach program, play a central role in our Corporate Responsibility strategy,” said Christof Ehrhart, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility, Deutsche Post DHL Group. “We are keen to support the direct development of future logistics talent, but we also firmly believe that education and employability make an important contribution to stability and prosperity in the world, Through five years of partnership with SOS Children’s Villages, we have already seen first-hand the benefits and positive impact that engagement between business and charities that create opportunities for young people can have.”     

“Empowering youth and improving their employment prospects is the objective of the international partnership between SOS Children’s Villages and Deutsche Post DHL Group. The success of our partnership is rooted in the commitment of our employees who volunteer their time to mentor youths aged 15-25 and to help them get ready for their foray into the job market,” said Christoph Selig, Head of GoTeach Program, Deutsche Post DHL Group.

“Employees mentor youths from both SOS Children’s Villages and SOS Family Strengthening Programs, and organize a variety of tailored career development activities that deliver tangible results for the mentees,” he added. “It really has been a joy to see the partnership and correspondingly, our outreach to young people, grow. To date, our employees have engaged with over 3,500 youths in Africa.”

Over the past five years, DPDHL Group has organized a variety of activities in the 11 countries, including job shadowing exercises, mentorship programs between DHL employees and SOS children, skills transfer, internships, sports activities and environmental initiatives.

To discuss challenges and future plans, an inaugural conference will take place over four days in Kenya, with teams from both organizations coming together to jointly develop new ideas on how to further strengthen the partnership in Africa and the Middle East.

Speaking from the inaugural regional Africa DHL-SOS Children’s Villages GoTeach Conference in Karen, Nairobi, where more than 50 participants from both organizations are meeting from July 14 to 17, Tom Were, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, said, “While SOS provides a loving home for the children that we care for, DHL enables their independence through their employee volunteer program. The program empowers our youth through exposure to the working world and educating them on the career options available. As a result, our youth become self-reliant, responsible, and contributing members of society. We are looking forward to deepening this partnership and extending our outreach to more youth in Africa over the next few years.”

As part of the DPDHL Group GoTeach program, the Group works with two global partners, Teach For All and SOS Children’s Villages, to improve educational opportunity and employability for young people.

Through its partnership with SOS Children’s Villages, which was established in 2010, DPDHL Group today works with Villages in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.(1) Along with financial support for educational programs and youth facilities, the activities focus on career guidance, teaching basic professional skills and providing young people with their first exposure to the working environment. DPDHL Group collaborates closely with local SOS Children’s Villages to develop support measures tailored directly to the needs of the community.

In 2014, DPDHL Group volunteers organized more than 160 different activities reaching more than 1,600 young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, offering over 100 internships and finally permanently employing 25 young talents.

Corporate Responsibility is an integral part of DPDHL Group’s corporate strategy with “Living Responsibility” as its motto. It focuses on environmental protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) and supports employee volunteerism through Global Volunteer Day, and the Living Responsibility Fund.

(1) Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam.

SA BUSINESSPEOPLE IN HIGH SPIRITS BEFORE START OF INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION IN ANGOLA

SA BUSINESSPEOPLE IN HIGH SPIRITS BEFORE START OF INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION IN ANGOLA

The South African National Pavilion at the 32^nd annual Angolan International Trade Fair (FILDA) was a hive of activity today as a group of businesspeople were hard at work putting finishing touches to their exhibition stands, sprucing them up and getting ready for the opening day of the fair tomorrow. 

Optimism reigned supreme and the spirits of the members of the group were high as they expressed confidence that their products and services will capture the attention of show visitors, particularly businesspeople, something that will enable them to find markets for products in Angola and other countries

The group’s participation in the popular international exhibition which takes place from tomorrow until 26 July 2015, has been made possible by the assistance provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme.  

According to the Managing Director of Mend A Bath International, a Port Elizabeth-based company, Mr Dave Collins, the company has decided to focus its attention on extending their market into more African countries, hence their decision to participate in FILDA.

Mend A Bath manufacture a range of top quality coating products for the restoration and refinishing of unsightly bathtubs, washbasins, shower bases and tiles.  

“We have traveled to Angola with one big goal in mind, which is to get one master franchisee that will then hold the franchise rights for the whole of Angola and establish sub-franchisees throughout the country. We will export our product to that franchisee who will then distribute it to other franchisees in the country.  We will provide the franchisee with training on the resurfacing of the sanitary ware and they will service mainly the hotel industry in Angola,” explains Collins who is confident of returning with a sealed deal from Angola.

The Director of Gauteng-based Valotech, Ms Dorothy Mofomme says she aims to penetrate the Angolan market by partnering with Angolan businesses which are in the rail maintenance industry. Valotech provides rail track maintenance, signal installation and maintenance as well as design of anti-vandal equipment.

“I hope officials from the Angolan government and their State Owned Entities (SOEs) will visit my stand to learn about how our company can contribute in development of their country’s infrastructure. I am confident that participating in FILDA will open opportunities for our company to venture into other African countries,” said Mofomme

Mr Erik Gobel from the Cape Town company, Zero Industries, which manufactures inflatable life jackets said he would be happy to meet with a government procurement official working in Angolan navy or police services that he could have an opportunity to show his products to.

“For us one key decision-maker will be sufficient to sign a deal as I am confident that our products will capture their imagination and they will not resist placing an order. And that will result in us increasing our production and creating more employment back home,” said Gobel.

Mr Larry Shakinosvsky of Pentafloor Access Flooring which is based in Johannesburg said there was a lot of construction happening in Angola. As a result, he was hoping that their products and services would attract the attention of companies that can place orders. They would also be happy to find a distributor for their products and penetrate the Angolan market.

DILLIGENT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO HARSH SENTENCES

DILLIGENT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO HARSH SENTENCES

BELFAST - The management of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga welcomes an uncompromising sentences that were imposed on three men accused of killing an elderly couple, Rudolf and Elna Van Heerden, both aged 79. The trio, Bongani Joseph Ncongwane 25, Irvin Brown Nkosi 22 and Charles Sibusiso Sibanyoni 29, were sentenced yesterday, 15 July 2015, at the Circuit of the Pretoria High Court in Middelburg on charges of double murder, housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The sentences of the accused follow a thorough and diligent investigation by police after they responded to a burglary case on the 09^th of January 2013. Police were summoned by the neighbours who noticed a broken kitchen window and a bent burglar window. When police arrived at the scene, the garage door was opened and there was no car inside. Police then instituted a preliminary investigation and began to search the premises, leaving no stone unturned. Inside the fridge in a room next to the couple’s bedroom, they found bodies of Mr and Mrs Van Heerden with their hands and feet tied.

After a short probe, the couple’s vehicle, a Toyota Prado was found abandoned on the N4 Highway towards Middelburg. A manhunt for the suspects was launched, as a result, Ncongwane and Nkosi were nabbed on the 14^th of January 2013 in Lydenburg and Pretoria respectively. Sibanyoni was nabbed on the 28^th of April 2013 in Witbank. They have since been kept in custody until their sentencing yesterday.

The trio has been sentenced as follows:

 Ncongwane – 20 years imprisonment for each murder which will run concurrently. For housebreaking with intent to commit robbery and robbery he was granted 15 years, five of which will run concurrently with the murder sentences. He will serve a 30 year jail term.  

·        Nkosi and Sibanyoni - each received two life sentences for double murder, 15 years for housebreaking with intent to commit robbery and robbery, three years for possession of firearm, as well as three years for unlawful possession of ammunition.

The management believes that these sentences will serve as a deterrent to other potential criminals. On the same note they applaud the diligent work by the investigation team.

POLICE INTERCEPT DRUG PUSHERS

POLICE INTERCEPT DRUG PUSHERS

NELSPRUIT: On Sunday 19 July 2015, Mpumalanga police at the Lebombo Port of Entry discovered 66 000 of Mandrax tablets worth R3 million concealed in a truck, as a result the occupants were busted.

The bust follows a routine search conducted by police as a norm into the truck that was from Mozambique en-route to Johannesburg. At the back seat, they noticed six sealed bags which raised suspicion to the men and women in blue.

They then opened the bags and discovered small bags inside each which contained the drugs. Police conducted further investigation and used a narcotic dog which also reacted to the content in all the bags which were then seized. The occupants of the truck, two Mozambican nationals aged 38 and 41, are facing charges relating to possession and dealing in drugs. 

The suspects are expected to appear at the Malelane Magistrate’s Court today.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Mark Magadlela has given praise to the police involved in this bust. “Our measures in curbing transnational crimes will bear fruit if stop and search actions are intensified”, he said.

The police are currently pursuing leads to determine the scope of the duo’s involvement in other criminal activities not limited to South Africa.

SA BUSINESSPEOPLE ARRIVE IN ANGOLA TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

SA BUSINESSPEOPLE ARRIVE IN ANGOLA TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

A group of businesspeople has arrived in Luanda, Angola to participate in the 32^nd edition of the popular Angolan International Trade Fair (FILDA) taking place in Luanda from 21-26 July 2015.

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will set up a National Pavilion at the annual trade fair and 24 companies will exhibit their products and services in the pavilion. The companies, which hail from Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are operating in agro-processing, capital equipment, manufacturing equipment, machinery and tools, mining engineering, chemicals and automotive sectors.

According to the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina, participating in the fair will provide the SA companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and service in an international exhibition that attracts participants from countries across the globe.

“This will enable the companies to gain regional and international business contacts from many countries, increase their knowledge of the Angolan market and be able to appoint agents and distributors for their products. 800 companies from more than forty countries participated in the trade fair last year,” said Deputy Minister Masina.

He added that one of the dti’s strategic goals is to grow the South African manufacturing sector in order to promote industrial development, job creation, investment and exports. 

“To achieve this objective, the department continuously embarks on international missions and trade exhibitions in order to promote exports of South African value-added goods to increase market share in various regions of the world. This will enable South African businesses to access global markets which will lead to them increasing their production, thereby growing the SA economy and creating employment,” stated Deputy Minister Masina.

He further said that providing support to companies to participate in international trade shows  like FILDA and missions was part of the dti’s export strategy that has seen almost R3 billion worth of export sales being generated by companies that participated in missions and pavilions organised by the dti in 2013/2014 financial year.

Speaking before the arrival of the SA in Angola, the Acting Ambassador of South Africa to Angola, Mr Maotwe Mokwena said the participation of the SA companies in FILDA contributes significantly in enhancing bilateral economic relations between South Africa and Angola.

“Angola is being regarded as our strategic partner in Africa. In this regard, South Africa is Angola’s number one trading partner in Africa. Since the signing of the economic cooperation agreement between the two countries in 2009, great strides have been made to enhance the bilateral trade and investment between our countries. Bilateral trade between SA and Angola surpassed R24 billion in 2014. It is trade and promotion events like FILDA that make the noticeable increase in trade possible,” said Mokwena

He added that the popular trade fair would also open doors for the South African companies to identify trade and investment opportunities in Angola with the aim of penetrating the Angolan market.

A FORESTRY TRADE AND INVESTMENT SEMINAR

Members of the media are invited to a Forestry Trade and Investment Seminar that will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).

DATE    : Thursday, 23 July 2015        

TIME    : 09:30

VENUE : 10 Streak Street,

South African Forestry Company Ltd

Mbombela

The purpose of the seminar is to explore business opportunities in the forestry value chain between Mozambique and South Africa.  

This follows a memorandum of understanding on Forestry Based Industries that was signed between Mozambique and South Africa in 2011, during the Presidential State Visit to Mozambique. 

The delegation will include government officials responsible for forestry and private sector players in the forestry value chain led by Mozambique Timber Association and Forestry South Africa

POPULAR TRADE FAIR ENHANCES ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SA AND ANGOLA – ENVOY

POPULAR TRADE FAIR ENHANCES ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SA AND ANGOLA – ENVOY

The participation of the South African companies in the Angolan International Trade Fair (FILDA) contributes significantly in enhancing bilateral economic relations between South Africa and Angola. It also opens doors for the South African companies to identify trade and investment opportunities in Angola with the aim of penetrating the Angolan market.

This is the view of the Acting Ambassador of South Africa to Angola, Mr Maotwe Mokwena. He was speaking ahead of the departure of 24 South African companies which will participate in the 32^nd edition of FILDA taking place in Luanda from 21-26 July 2015. The companies have been assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance scheme.  

“Angola is being regarded as our strategic partner in Africa. In this regard, South Africa is Angola’s number one trading partner in Africa. Since the signing of the economic cooperation agreement between the two countries in 2009, great strides have been made to enhance the bilateral trade and investment between our countries. Bilateral trade between SA and Angola surpassed R24 billion in 2014. It is trade and promotion events like FILDA that make the noticeable increase in trade possible,” said Mokwena

Mokwena added that FILDA was one of the international trade exhibitions identified by  the dti for participation due to its strategic importance as a platform to showcase the country’s manufactured products. It is one of the largest multi-sectoral annual exhibitions in the continent whose international reputation continues to grow. Last year more than 800 companies from about 40 countries participated in the exhibition, with more than 50 000 people passing through its turnstiles.

“FILDA gives the SA firms an opportunity to exploit the bilateral agreements concluded between South Africa and Angola. For the past few years, South African companies have participated in this important event to showcase their products and services. This has opened opportunities for a number of companies to penetrate the Angolan market,” emphasised Mokwena.

He expressed hope that this year’s edition will deliver concrete results in the form of export sales, joint partnerships and investments that will further deepen the mutually-beneficial economic relations between the two countries.

 Through participation in the 31^st edition of FILDA last year, the dti facilitated export sales to the value of R10 million.

POLICE NEARLY KILLED, VILLAINS SOUGHT

POLICE NEARLY KILLED, VILLAINS SOUGHT

NELSPRUIT - The Police in Mpumalanga are on a manhunt for thugs who attempted to kill a senior and junior member of the police service in separate incidents.

on Tuesday 14 July 2015, at approximately 20:30, a commander of Lebombo Port of Entry, Colonel Michael Mhlanga (50) was allegedly kidnapped while on duty in Komatipoort. Information at our disposal revealed that the officer was at a stop sign when he heard someone knocking on the window of his vehicle and suddenly jumped inside. The miscreant held him at gunpoint and demanded his firearm.

After the ordeal, the suspect instructed him to drive while he (suspect) kept contact with unknown people through a cellphone. Their trip ended up when they came across a white Volkswagen Polo with unknown number of occupants. The suspect had a talk with occupant(s) in the Polo and thereafter two shots were fired towards the officer’s direction, fortunately he was not injured, only the window of his vehicle was shattered. The suspect and occupant(s) in the Polo fled the scene with the state firearm of the officer.

On the other incident, it is reported that on Monday, 13 July 2015, at approximately 21:00, a cash in transit was reported to the police in Witbank and they responded.

It was reported that the employees of G4S were on their way to their depot with an armoured vehicle to hand over money which was collected throughout the day. About 100 metres to the depot, a silver Mercedes Benz emerged from nowhere and bumped at their vehicle. In the process, a group of about 10 men started shooting at the employees and forced them out of the vehicle to the ground. The men then used explosives to open the back of the vehicle and took undisclosed amount of cash, then fled the scene.

A lookout for the getaway vehicle of the suspects was conveyed to the members on patrol. One of the police van, spotted the suspects’ vehicle on the Ogies Road and gave chase. When the suspects saw the police, they fired shots at them using high calibre weapons and as a result, Constable Mike Khoza (26) was injured on his leg and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. 

Cases of attempted murder were opened on both incidents for investigation and no one has been arrested yet. Police urge any person with information to contact Captain Louis Stander at 082 449 0242, for the Komatipoort incident and Colonel Faan Steenkamp at 082 565 7656 for the Witbank one.

Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi adopts Silindokuhle Special School in Mpumalanga as part of Mandela Month activities

Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi adopts Silindokuhle Special School in Mpumalanga as part of Mandela Month activities

Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, MP, will dedicate her 67 minutes to Silindokuhle Special School at Mangweni Village in Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga on Friday, 17 July 2015, to promote nation building, social cohesion and national identity.

In 2009, the United Nation’s General Assembly declared 18 July, which is Dr. Nelson Mandela’s birthday, the ‘Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the liberation icon’s role for a free and united south Africa. The renowned liberation stalwart, “Tata” Mandela spent 67 years of his life actively devoted to promoting social change, rather than vengeance and violence.

In response to the clarion call of Mandela slogan: “Take Action. Inspire Change. And Make Every Day a Mandela Day,” Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi in partnership with MEC for Recreation, Sport and Culture, Ms Norah Mahlangu-Mabena, MEC for Education, Ms Reginah Mhaule, Executive Mayor of Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Cllr Letta Shongwe, Mayor of Nkomazi Local Municipality, Cllr Thulisile Khoza, Acting CEO of Freedom Park, Ms Jane Mufamadi will devote their 67 minutes to Silindokuhle Special School.

Upon adoption of the school, the Deputy Minister commissioned a needs assessment which identified the various needs at the school. The programme of the day will include amongst others  re-doing of plumbing works; fixing and fitting new doors; fixing cupboards in the kitchen, dining room, hostels and the laundry; gardening and general cleaning; donating of blankets; duvets and duvet covers; sheets; morning sleepers and pyjamas; microwaves x4; Mandela birthday-Cake as well as painting of the buildings.

Silindokuhle Special School is among the growing list of schools adopted by the Deputy Minister since 2010. Other schools include: Boitumelo Secondary School in Free State, Boitumelo Special School in Northern Cape, Maatla Primary School and Siloe School for the Blind both in Limpopo.

Also as part of the Department of Arts and Culture’s ‘Flag in every school campaign’, the Deputy Minister will hoist a flag at the school to continue promoting and popularizing the National Flag, National Anthem, the Preamble of the Constitution and National Symbols to instill national identity and pride.

The partners and sponsors who heeded this call for social development and human rights include Mpumalanga Provincial Departments of Recreation, Sport and Culture, and Education, Freedom Park, Fiberpipe as well as Land Bank.

Media are invited as follows:

Date               : 17 June 2015

Time               : 10h00 – 13h00

Venue            : Silindokuhle Special School, Mangweni Village, Nkomazi Local

                           Municipality, Mpumalanga

DUO IN THE DOCK FOR DIESEL THEFT

DUO IN THE DOCK FOR DIESEL THEFT

Masoyi – Two men, Penuel Moreku (22) and Prince Zulu (28), appeared at the Masoyi Periodical Court near Hazyview today, 14 July 2015, on allegations of diesel theft.

Their appearance came after they were arrested for allegedly draining diesel from buses at the Buscor deport in Masoyi around midnight. The duo together with four accomplices who managed to flee the scene, were spotted by security guards at the depot. When the guards approached them,the four fled the scene and the duo hid in one of the buses without being noticed. They (guards) then summoned the police and reported the matter.

While police were at the scene they noticed the two attempting to flee and busted them. Inside the bus in which the suspects were hiding, two 25 litre containers filled with diesel were found. Police further searched around the deport and the vicinity, a few metres away outside the deport, they found five more containers also filled with diesel, as well as 17 empty ones and were confiscated. 

The suspects were granted R500 bail each and the case was postponed to 04 August 2015, pending further investigation.

DILLIGENT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO HARSH SENTENCES

DILLIGENT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO HARSH SENTENCES

BELFAST - The management of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga welcomes an uncompromising sentences that were imposed on three men accused of killing an elderly couple, Rudolf and Elna Van Heerden, both aged 79. The trio, Bongani Joseph Ncongwane 25, Irvin Brown Nkosi 22 and Charles Sibusiso Sibanyoni 29, were sentenced yesterday, 15 July 2015, at the Circuit of the Pretoria High Court in Middelburg on charges of double murder, housebreaking with intent to commit robbery, robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The sentences of the accused follow a thorough and diligent investigation by police after they responded to a burglary case on the 09^th of January 2013. Police were summoned by the neighbours who noticed a broken kitchen window and a bent burglar window. When police arrived at the scene, the garage door was opened and there was no car inside. Police then instituted a preliminary investigation and began to search the premises, leaving no stone unturned. Inside the fridge in a room next to the couple’s bedroom, they found bodies of Mr and Mrs Van Heerden with their hands and feet tied.

After a short probe, the couple’s vehicle, a Toyota Prado was found abandoned on the N4 Highway towards Middelburg. A manhunt for the suspects was launched, as a result, Ncongwane and Nkosi were nabbed on the 14^th of January 2013 in Lydenburg and Pretoria respectively. Sibanyoni was nabbed on the 28^th of April 2013 in Witbank. They have since been kept in custody until their sentencing yesterday.

The trio has been sentenced as follows:

·        Ncongwane – 20 years imprisonment for each murder which will run concurrently. For housebreaking with intent to commit robbery and robbery he was granted 15 years, five of which will run concurrently with the murder sentences. He will serve a 30 year jail term.  

·        Nkosi and Sibanyoni - each received two life sentences for double murder, 15 years for housebreaking with intent to commit robbery and robbery, three years for possession of firearm, as well as three years for unlawful possession of ammunition.

The management believes that these sentences will serve as a deterrent to other potential criminals. On the same note they applaud the diligent work by the investigation team. 

ANTI-POACHING OPERATIONS TO CURB POACHING

ANTI-POACHING OPERATIONS TO CURB POACHING

By BRIAN KAJENGO 

South African National Parks (SANParks) is a proud recipient of a brand new Airbus AS-350B3e helicopter with night flying capability made available with funding from the US based Howard G Buffet Foundation (HGBF).

The Air machine would help the rangers to check and chase poachers on the air which add air strength to fight rhino poachers.

SANParks Board Chairperson, Mr. Kuseni Dlamini, stated that SANParks had received an initial grant funding of R254. 8 million in 2014 to support anti-poaching operations in the Kruger National Park.

Kuseni Dlamini said, “This incorporated the establishment of ‘Air Mobility’ capacity’ and included the purchase of the first helicopter in September 2014.”

The Howard G Buffet Foundation granted SANParks an additional R37.7 million to purchase a second Airbus AS350 B3e helicopter, with similar specifications of night flying capability, to further increase the capacity of SANParks’ rhino anti-poaching flight operations in the KNP.

 “In addition to increasing our current flight crew capability of flying at night, the helicopter is expected to improve our response time in dealing with contacts and other incidents in the Park. We have just taken delivery of this second helicopter and we are commissioning it today (19 March 2015) to go into action in the fight against rhino poaching.

“In accordance with the much needed aerial support to the anti-poaching teams around the clock, this helicopter will further assist in quick tactical response particularly at night where we have been lacking due to limited resources; therefore it is only proper to thank HGBF for bringing this much needed resource in our fight to curb poaching.” Kuseni Dlamini said.

He said as an integral part of the current strategy to combat rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park, SANParks is in a process of applying and evaluating various technologies which include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s).

Kuseni Dlamini said, “This aims at investigating the effectiveness of various UAV technologies as instruments in rhino protection efforts under a range of operational conditions.”

According to Mr. Dlamini, the UAV project will run for a full year… “and by the end of the project we will have a lot of information about the use of available technology in anti-poaching operations and be able to make informed decision on what is best for our environment.”

The testing of UAV technology in Kruger National Park is implemented as one component of a suite of anti-poaching initiatives supported by the Rhino Protection Programme (RPP).

The RPP is a collaborative effort between the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), South African National Parks (SANParks), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (Ezemvelo), and Peace Parks Foundation (PPF).

“The roll-out of this multi-faceted programme is made possible thanks to generous funding from the Dutch and Swedish postcode lotteries,” said Dlamini.