MORE CAPE FLATS VIOLENCE
The continuing war between Cape Flats gangsters and vigilantes resulted in the death of a man on Tuesday night when two houses, allegedly the homes of drug dealers, came under attack within minutes of each other shortly before midnight. The occupants of a white Ford Sierra stopped in front of number 36 Koekoe Street, Grassy Park, and opened fire on the house. Kenneth Fourie, who was standing in the doorway, was hit in the back and died in hospital. Two other people in the house were not injured. One of them fired several shots at the fleeing car.
A few minutes later a pipe bomb was hurled through the bedroom window of a house at 17A Gull Road in which David Isaacs, his wife and eight-month-old baby were sleeping. Isaacs fired one shot at the attackers before the family fled the house. The device detonated, damaging the carpet and furniture in the room. No-one was injured.
NEW NPROV D-G
DR PHUTI PHEME, the director of the Public Service Commission in Northern Province, was on Wednesday appointed as the province’s new director-general with effect from September 1. Pheme will succeed John Malatji, who resigned two months ago. Pheme, known as an efficient administrator, has been with the PSC since 1994.
PREMIER IN MURDER PLOT?
POLICE are investigating an allegation against an unknown provincial premier that he plotted the assassination of a rival, Parliament was told on Tuesday. Public Protector Selby Baqwa was approached by a man who said he had been offered a job on condition he kill someone.
VENDA UNIVERSITY CLOSES
AFTER a day of clashes between students, police and a private security company, the University of Venda has been closed indefinitely. Students barricaded the university and refused staff entrance, demanding the resignation of rector Victor Vera. Three students were injured by police rubber bullets.
TOM SEBINA DIES
TOM SEBINA, for years the ANC’s chief spokesman in exile and the public face of the underground organisation, has died in Soweto at age 60, after a long illness.
LIONS KILLED
FIVE Kruger Park lions which killed and ate four Mozambiquan refugees, have been shot by Park officials. Three of the refugees were eaten in the last three weeks. Park wardens said the lions had to be shot as, once they acquired a taste for people, they continued to kill and eat them.
ROBBEN ISLAND INC
The government has patented the name “Robben Island” and warned traders who use the name that they are liable to prosecution. The move follows a clash with a Waterfront shop called ‘The Original Robben Island Trading Store’ which was shut down after less than a week. The owners of the store say they registered the name Robben Island as a trademark, and plan to sue.