CHILD SERIAL RAPIST GETS LIFE

Lawrence Gagu, who used his position as a dance teacher to rape young girls, received three life sentences in Khayelitsha court yesterday. We are proud of the SAPS detectives and members of the state prosecution, who put this predator behind bars.

(In March this year, MAB opened a Child Friendly Facility at Khayelitsha FCS and in May MAB hosted a training course for FCS detectives on the Investigation of Serial rape cases.)

CERES FCS CHILD FRIENDLY ROOM

 Before...

 After...

Our two volunteers, WO Boer and Hennie Aggenbag, taking a break...

Yesterday MAB WC manager, Monique Strydom, and pensioner volunteer, Hennie Aggenbag took a long drive to the countryside, to work on the Ceres FCS child-friendly room. MAB was inspired by the group of FCS detectives and members who raised funds to enclose a veranda so that they could create a room where children can feel safe. With the sponsorship help received from Roman's Pizza, MAB could assist by securing the facility, decorating the room and purchasing some assessment tools for the social worker. We would like to thank Cluster Commander, Col Vos for the great welcome and a very special thank you to WO Boer, who took his last day of leave to assist with the work.

SAPS Press Release

CHARITY RIDE : POLICEMAN RIDES 1 900 KM ON A YAMAHA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN

He may not be a knight in shining armour, but Lieutenant Colonel Paul van Eeden could be described as a ”knight on a shining motor bike”.

Van Eeden, 41 years of age, currently performs duties at Human Resource Development in Gauteng, but previously spent eight (8) years attached to the Krugersdorp Child Protection Unit in Gauteng. There, while spending all his time investigating cases of child abuse, he vowed that no matter where he was stationed, he would always be involved in helping abused children.

Paul, through his duties, became familiar with a charity called Matla a Bana, which provided the Krugersdorp Child Protection Unit with child friendly facilities for child victims and their parents.

Although his duties are now different, Paul is an avid motor bike enthusiast and he decided to combine his two passions – motor bikes and helping children - and ride through all nine provinces in less than 24 hours to raise funds for the Matla a Bana charity.

To prepare himself for the challenge, Lt Col Van Eeden spent every weekend riding his Yamaha Fazer distances of about 400 km at a time. In order to raise enough money to pay for the bike’s maintenance and fuel, Van Eeden and his wife Lizelle prepared meals and sold them either in the form of takeaways or sit-down meals at their home. They were enthusiastically supported by family, friends and neighbours.

On Saturday 20 October 2012 he set off from Gauteng at 03:00, drove through all nine South African Provinces and eventually stopped in Kimberley to sleep for five hours before heading back home. Through a motor bike club, there were people on standby throughout the country to assist him should he run into any type of mechanical or other trouble, but it was smooth running all the way.

Paul raised R25 000 for the charity and he says that he will let them decide on how the money will be spent because he has the utmost trust in them. Matla a Bana assisted in raising funds by creating a facebook page for the project and arranging for radio interviews.

Says Van Eeden: “I am very passionate about assisting children who have been victims of abuse as I have personally experienced their suffering whilst an investigating officer. I did this project in my private capacity and I am proud to say that I biked through all 9 provinces in 21.5 hours. I will definitely do it again, it is a privilege to do charity work for the children of our country”.

Congratulations to Lt Col Van Eeden, he is an inspiration to us all. Perhaps next time we can arrange for his SAPS colleagues to support him along the route!

RACE OF HOPE UNDERWAY

The annual Race of Hope, hosted by Rays of Hope (Rosebank Union Church) is currently underway. This cycle race is hosted to raised funds for various charities, including MAB. The cyclists started at Clarens and is busy making their way to Johannesburg. Guess who is escorting them - our SUPERCOP, Paul Van Eeden! We hope all are having a great time on the road and thank you for helping us!

924 Challenge

Thank you to MAB SUPERCOP Paul Van Eeden (project manager Lizel's husband) for taking on the 924 Challenge. He took on 9 provinces in 24 hours on a motorbike. He raised more nearly R30 000 in cash donations and secured more than R40 000 in product donations! We are so proud of our special MAB police officer!

11 Year old wins for MAB

BURGER CRECHE RAPE

CAPE ARGUS STORY

BURGER STORY

BEELD STORY

VIR ’N GOEIE SAAK VAN HUL TROLLIE AF
Amanda Roestoff

Entoesiastiese inkopietrollie-renjaers spring weg vir die derde agtereenvolgende aanbieding van die inkopietrollieresies by Clearwater Mall. Die projek ten bate van liefdadigheid is deur die winkelsentrum en Roodepoort Tafelronde aangebied. Foto: NELIUS RADEMAN

Van oor die hele Wes-Rand het inkopietrollie-hardlopers verlede Sondag aangetree om aan die Tafelronde en Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort se jaarlikse inkopietrollieresies deel te neem.
Sowat 38 spanne het pret gehad met vanjaar se tema, “Hollywood Blockbusters”.
Dié projek is vanjaar vir die derde agtereenvolgende keer aangebied.
Geld wat met die projek ingesamel is gaan geskenk word aan Matla-a-bana, ’n kinderregte-organisasie, en die Gateway-gemeenskap.

R14 000 is vanjaar ingesamel, die grootste bedrag nóg sedert die ontstaan van die projek.
Deelnemers het R500 betaal om ’n span van vier lede in te skryf, wat om die beurt met ’n loods ’n roete van 2,8 km deur die parkeerterrein moes voltooi.

Danie Odendaal van die Tafelronde het gesê die winkelsentrum steun die projek elke jaar.
“Individue en sakeondernemings kan hiermee teruggee aan die gemeenskap,” het hy gesê.
“Dit is goed om te sien dat die gemeenskap nie net terugsit nie, maar betrokke raak by geleenthede soos hierdie,” het Lizel van Eeden, bemarkingsbeampte van Matla a Bana, gesê.
Dié organisasie gaan die geld onder meer gebruik om die Krugersdorp- en Roodepoort-polisiekantoor se kindervriendelike geriewe en traumakamers op te knap.

By die wegspringplek het die span van die Honeydew-polisiekantoor se blou ligte en sirene deelnemers in hul pasoppens gehad. Mandlachem het vier spanne ingeskryf, vir die tweede keer met die wentrofee weggestap én ’n derde plek behaal. Hul wenspan was die Ghost Riders, wie se loods, Gloria Taute (20), besoekers byna die skrik op die lyf gejaag het met haar Scream-masker.
Haar neef Aaron, ’n atleet, het die span gelei.“Ek hardloop al só van skooldae af,” het Aaron vertel nadat die span die afstand in minder as sewe en ’n half minute afgelê het.

Horizon Karate Centre het sewe waentjies ingeskryf en die prys vir die beste spangees ontvang, terwyl die Automark-span se uitbeelding van ’n sedanmotor die prys vir oorspronklikheid gekry het.
“Ons is oortuig volgende jaar gaan die trollieresies nóg groter wees,” het Odendaal gesê.

Comfort Packs Gauteng

Orlando FCS members -  Lieutenant Munyai & Warrant Officer Ramudzuli - collecting their packs.

Thank you to the Waterkloof Baptist Church who donated the goods and packed 550 comfort packs. These packs were donated to the SAPS FCS units of Sunnyside, Tembisa and Orlando who will give them to child abuse victims.

 

Trolley Race by kids for kids

Matla A Bana was represented in the annual Lions/Clearwater Mall trolley race, by a group of very excited kids (and for them running with a trolley was not a challenge). Thank you to beauty queens, Kayleigh Victor and Ghene Smith and the drivers, brothers Damien and Calvin De Gouveia for supporting our cause.

MAB GT INCENTIVE AWARDS

Rianette Leibowitz, Catherine Constantindes, Gen Norman Taioe & Lizel van Eden

At the second Incentive Awards for the year, we were proud to honour the following members:

Best Performers:

1st Officer Sergeant S Duister Tsakane FCS:

This member shows exceptional dedication, perseverance and investigation skills. She has had several complicated cases and received good sentences for the accused. Sgt Duister investigated a rape case of a young victim in Reigerpark and exceptional long hours to support the victim and to obtain witness statements. The trial was successful and the suspect sentenced to two life imprisonments and 10 years for indecent assault. Sgt Duister‘s commitment and hard work ensured that justice was served.
2nd - Warrant Officers: P.H. Botha and A.N.J.D. Nel of Sunnyside Cluster FCS:
They were assigned to an armed robbery and rape case. The armed suspect burgled the home and raped one female. The members traced the stolen cell phone in Melville with Sec 205 application and identified the suspect. DNA samples linked him to the rape and his fingerprints linked him to 16 other housebreaking cases. The suspect was denied bail he is an illegal immigrant from Lesotho. The case is on trial in September 2012. These members were thanked by the father of the victim and commended for their quick response and thorough investigation. These two members are always willing to help and are respected by the community and their colleagues.
Outstanding Achievements:

1 st. Constable Molefe of Moroka Cluster FCS:
The member investigated a serial rape case whereby several victims were raped by a suspect who was active around Avalon cemetery, Soweto. The modus operandi in all the cases was almost the same. Victims visited the cemetery where they were approached by one unknown black male; he introduced him as a security guard. He helped to clean the graves and escorted the victims to the railway station. On the way he assaulted the victims, robbed them and raped the female victims. Constable Molefe left no stone unturned to solve the case and ensured a fare trial. This takes exceptional detective skills to investigate, as it is always very traumatic for the victims. He ensured the following sentences:
17 life imprisonment sentences on the charge of rape and additional 162 years.

2nd. Constable Mekgwe Orlando Cluster FCS:
This member investigated several cases of rape, kidnapping and sexual assault. This dedicated detective has ensured many good convictions of life imprisonment and more. She is a persevering person and the community and her commander appreciate her hard work.
Best FCS Commander: Capt Mathikge of Garankuwa Cluster FCS was awarded for showing exceptional leadership skills in the fight against women and child abuse.
Best Unit: Garankuwa Cluster FCS for impacting a whole community through teamwork to ensure several life imprisonment sentences and always promoting the image of the FCS in their Cluster by serving and protecting the community.

Best FCS Officer: Lieutenant M R Ranthago of JHB CENTRAL FCS was assigned to a case of kidnapping, robbery and rape on a 16 year old girl. This girl was on a school excursion when the incident happened, which made this a high profile case. The officer was assigned to the case as it was withdrawn from the court roll. He ensured that the bail was opposed; the victim felt safe and was escorted to court to prevent intimidation. The officer even ensured the victim’s court attendance whilst he was on leave. The three suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment each on rape, five years on kidnapping each and 15 years on robbery. Lieutenant Ranthago has shown exceptional leadership, diligence and was also commended by the Public Prosecutor.
Service Excellence:
This special award is given to individuals who impacts the community and makes a difference in the lives of women and children.

Matla a Bana awarded Deputy National Commissioner Magda Stander for her assistance to ensure the establishment of an MOU between SAPS on a National level and Matla a Bana. She has also been instrumental in several of the country’s initiatives focussing on women and children.

Terry Volkwyn of LEAD SA has also been awarded for the positive impact she is making through LEAD SA, which focuses on rights, responsibilities and taking action to make our country safe for our women, children and other citizens.

Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters: Massmart, Clearwater Mall, Grayston Townlodge, Katherine str City Lodge, LEAP Training, Owitz Communications, Servamus, Alice Art Gallery, Rosebank Union Church, Roman’s Pizza and Rays of Hope.

MAB Projects in Finals

Two projects motivated by the Roman's Pizza Double Up Challenge and done by the community, reached the finals for the challenge. They are the comfort packs project done by Little Miss World (see below) and the comfort packs efforts by Old Mutual and Media 24. Hold thumbs for our two projects!

Miss Snow Queen sets example

Kayleigh Victor started hosting miss Snow Queen in 2011 as part of her charity work after winning Little miss World 2010 in Turkey. Last year the beneficary was CANSA and she raised over R 23 000 for them. She vowed that she would make this a yearly event and this year Miss Snow Queen was held on the 28th of July. She decided that Matla A Bana would be this years Beneficary. She asked all the models to bring along items to make up comfort packs for Matla a Bana. She made up over 350 complete comfort packs and got a lot of loose items aswell. Her modelling friends promised that although the competition is over they would still collect more items to make up even more packs. If you take into considiration that to make 1 pack cost about R 115.00 it amounts to a donation of about R 40,250. What makes this more remarkable is that Kayleigh just had her 12th birthday last month.