Baby found dead, police to investigate

Baby. (file)

A case of culpable homicide has been opened after a two-month baby was found dead in Ottosdal, Potchefstroom, police said on Sunday.

“According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the mother slept with the baby on Tuesday night after a drinking spree and subsequent altercation with the baby’s father,” Brigadier SB Mokgwabone said in a statement.

The baby was found dead on Wednesday.

A post-mortem will now be conducted as part of ongoing investigations.

 

Police probing case of culpable homicide after baby found dead on on Christmas Day

A two-month-old baby was found dead on Christmas Day. Stock photo. A two-month-old baby was found dead on Christmas Day. Stock photo.
Image: 123rf/ Igor Stevanovic

Police in Ottosdal in the North West province are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a two-month-old baby was found dead on Christmas Day.

“According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the mother slept with the baby on Tuesday night after a drinking spree and subsequent altercation with the baby’s father,” police said.

The baby’s body was taken to the mortuary for further investigation including a post-mortem while the probe into the matter continues, they added.

#ImStaying will identify 3 shortlisted job creation projects in January

#ImStaying aims to involve all those who choose to grow and improve South Africa.

Three SA organisations aimed at job creation and boosting small businesses will begin 2020 by vying for assistance from the R100k raised through crowdfunding by ImStaying to further their cause.

The announcement was made by the #ImStaying movement, which started off as a Facebook page in September and has attracted about 999,000 followers. Its founder, Jarette Petzer of Cape Town, said the group’s purpose was to change the narrative in SA from the “constant doom and gloom, and more towards gratitude, love, respect and understanding”.

Three months later, the group’s Ingrid von Stein said it had broadened its mandate, as suggested by its members, to implement a number of initiatives aimed at helping to stimulate the economy through SMME businesses and job creation in this sector.

“In January, we will identify three ordinary SA organisations that work specifically in the micro and small businesses space and put their names forward to the #Imstaying group members who will then vote and ultimately decide who will get the prize,” said Stein.

The group’s first crowdfunding initiative on Backabuddy, has raised R104,885 so far. Von Stein said a small percentage of funds raised would be used on operational costs.

South Africans have pledged amounts from as little as R2.06 to just over R1,500 and left messages of hope.

An anonymous donor said, “My hope is that many lives will be changed for the better through this initiative”. Dawn Fryer, who pledged R103, wrote: “Please do not spend this on billboards. Rather use it for job creation. Thanks for your efforts. We are going to make a difference!”

Von Stein said the group had now become a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and would soon launch its website, which ordinary people could use to ask for assistance.

Eskom asks for collective effort from South Africans to keep electricity usage low

Eskom has called for a collective effort from South Africans to reduce electricity usage to stave off load-shedding.

Eskom has called for a collective effort from South Africans to reduce electricity usage to stave off load-shedding. 
Image: 123RF/Choneschones

Electricity utility Eskom confirmed on Sunday that no load-shedding was expected for the day, in a continuation of the drop in demand from the start of the holiday period in mid-December.

“Eskom will continue to use emergency reserves to supplement capacity if necessary over this period. We however remind customers that as the system continues to be vulnerable and unpredictable, the possibility of load-shedding remains,” it said in a statement.

“Breakdowns (UCLF) are at 14,574MW as at 6.30 this morning. Our technical teams will continue to work over the holiday period to monitor the situation, carry out planned maintenance and to work at reducing unplanned breakdowns to below 9,500MW to enable us to minimise the possibility of load-shedding.

“We continue to ask customers to reduce demand as a concerted collective effort can help to avoid or lessen the level of load-shedding.”

Eskom has offered tips to consumers on how to reduce their electricity usage, ranging from switching off appliances when not in use at plug points – including those on standby mode – and minimising use of air conditioning systems.