1 groot kweper of 2 kleineres
1 suurlemoen, gehalveer (rasper eers die skil af en behou)
50 g botter met 15 ml olie Plus 50g botter
1 hoender in stukke opgesny of ‘n pak dye en boudjies
1 groot ui fyngekap
60 g amandels (met skil aan, nie vooraf gerooster en gesout nie)
1 kaneelstokkie
15 ml heuning
5 ml elk fyn komyn en gemmer
Peper
7,5 ml borrie
125 ml water
Opdiening: rys of couscous
Metode:
Skil die kwepers en sny in kwarte. Smeer oral oor met die suurlemoenhelftes om te voorkom dat dit verkleur.
Stoom die kwepers oor ‘n kastrol lig-kokende water tot vurk-sag (sowat 25 minute). Laat afkoel en sny in dunner skywe.
Verhit die olie en botter in ‘n kasserolbak en braai die hoenderstukke bruin (sowat 5-7 minute). Haal hoenderstukke uit.
Braai die uie goudbruin in dieselfde pot vir sowat 5 minute – roer nou en dan. Voeg die amandels, kaneelstokkie en borrie by en braai liggies vir sowat 4 minute tot die amandels gerooster is. Skep uit en hou eenkant.
Verhit die orige botter in die kastrol, voeg die heuning by en roer tot die heuning begin karamelliseer, voeg die gestoomde kwepers en borrie by en braai 3-4 minute tot goudbruin. Skep uit.
Skep nou die hoender en uie terug in die kastrol, voeg water en suurlemoenskil by en kook tot die hoender sag is vir sowat 40 minute.
Plaas die kwepers terug in die pan en kook vir nog 20 minute. Geur met sout en peper, asook suurlemoensap.
Bedien met rys of koeskoes.
‘n Heerlike storie is diè van ene Troep van Tonder wat ‘n kamp moes gaan doen terwyl sy vroutjie hoogswanger by die huis is. Soos die gebruik in die spesifieke eenheid was, moes jy, as jy besig was met ‘n kamp en jou vrou kraam, vir die hele eenheid een rondte betaal in die kantien. Van Tonder het egter ‘n probleem gehad: hulle het vooraf geweet dis ‘n drieling. Dit sou hom ‘n maand se soldy, die helfte van sy pensioen, en al sy spanners by die pandjieswinkel ingee gekos het om die dankbare kele nat te maak. Uiteraard sou man en muis die aankoms van sy dierbare ou babatjie saam met hom wou vier, maar hy was nie werklik finansieel ‘n swaargewig nie. Maar Troep van Tonder is nie bang gebore of bang geboks nie: hy bedink ‘n plan. Sy vrou moes ‘n telegram basis toe stuur met die nuus as die babatjies daar is, maar op so manier dat niemand sou weet waaroor dit gaan nie. Die eenheid se keurder, wat alle pos wat ingaan en uitgaan moes lees en sensor, lees toe: Van Tonder, Van Tonder, Van Tonder. Twee met gewere en een daarsonder. Synde twee seuntjies en ‘n dogtertjie. Die sensuurmeester moes ‘n besonderse insig gehad het in wat presies geskryf is in briewe en telegramme deur en aan die troepe. Miskien het hy in graad een ‘n kwaai juffrou gehad wat agter hom gestaan het en seker maak dat hy korrek uit die Sus-en-Daan-reeks handboekies klank en lees: “Oom…rook…boom.” Dan is die woordvolgorde verander sodat die graadeendjies kan onderskei tussen ‘n vraag en ‘n stelling: “Rook…oom…boom?”
Wanneer mens die kommentare lees op sosiale media soos Facebook en Twitter, verlang jy soms intens na die kosbare lessies oor lees wat Sus en Daan ons geleer het oor die gebruik van taal. Skreeusnaakse goed word geplaas, soos die vrou wat vra “weet iemand waar hille mooi babekies se hare sny?” Dan antwoord iemand anders, baie gevat: “Ek is seker hulle sny lelike babatjies se hare ook.” Of die ander juweeltjie: “weet iemand van iemand wat goed kan teel op die dorp?” Dan die antwoord: “Gaan praat met Flippie. Hy teel uitstekend. Hy het al 5 kinders by twee vrouens.” ‘n Persoonlike frustrasie is wanneer iemand iets te koop aanbied op ‘n internet koop-en-verkoopgroep. Hy plaas dan iets soos: “Vier motorbande 165/65/13, 50% loopvlak, in Germiston te koop vir R200-00 elk. Dan die eindelose vrae wat volg: “waar is jy?” “Hvl tyres is da?” “Hu lyk die taairs” “Wat is die grote asb?” “Hvl kos dit?” “Ka ek dit ruil vir ou wasmasjien sonder motor?” Ek het die afgelope ses jaar as beoordelaar by die Wes-Boland Eistedfodd opgetree, ook in die kategorie onvoorbereide lees. Waar ek meermale verstom was oor moedertaalsprekers se onvermoë om basiese tekste in hulle eie taal te lees. Ek praat nie eers van verstaan wat hulle lees nie. Daar word dikwels berig oor taalvaardighede van skoolgaande kinders en volwassenes in die media. Verskeie redes word genoem vir die swak, en soms skokkende onvermoë van mense om eenvoudige sinne duidelik te formuleer en skryf, en andersins om dit sinvol te kan lees. Vele redes word gegee vir die swak lees- en skryfvermoë, soos die skoolstelsel, groot klasse, en dan ook veral die sogenaamde WhatsApp en sms-taal wat gebruik word op selfone, tablette, en rekenaars. Logiese, geordende sinkonstruksies bestaan feitlik nie meer nie, basiese taalreëls word geignoreer of glad nie eens van kennis geneem nie, en woorde word so afgekort dat ‘n hele nuwe jargon ontstaan wat vir oningeligte mense (dikwels ook tydgestremdes soos ek, om polities korrek te wees) moeiliker is om te verstaan as Grieks en Hebreeus vir ‘n eerstejaar teologiese student, of rekenkunde vir ‘n eerste jaar BCom-student.
Die organisasie Sakpas Afrikaans beywer hulle daarvoor dat WatsApp-taal, onder andere, as taal erken word. “Ons kan nie meer vashou aan die argaïese manier van skryf en dink nie” meen hulle. Daarom sal die syfer 0 nou as wisselvorm vir die letter “o” erken word, en “Q” as wisselvorm vir die verkleiningsvorm “tjie.” Woorde soos aws0m vir “wonderlik”, njoy vir “geniet” en awê vir “reg so”, sal ingesluit word. Objektief beskou is dit grusaam. Nie net word kommunikasie verstar nie, maar menswees, in filosofiese terme, word drasties ingeperk. Taal is die vorm waarin menslike gedagtes, emosies, wense, begeertes, behoeftes, asook uitinge van woede, blydskap en geloof gegiet word. Wanneer daardie vorm verklein word deur gebrekkige woordgebruik, verstaan mense duidelik nie hoe die spreker voel en funksioneer nie. Dieselfde met die lees van ander se sinne, die aanhoor van hulle woorde. Om dit oppervlakkig te doen, reduseer die totaliteit van die ander se betrokkenheid by diegene rondom hom. Die gevolge hiervan is op baie plekke sigbaar. In ‘n huwelik is dit van kardinale belang dat kommunikasie omvattend, eerlik en positief moet wees.Ook in alle ander verhoudings: ouer-kind, werksomgewing, sosiale kommunikasie. Dit is verstommend om, soos genoem, te sien watter reuse misverstande ontstaan op grond van ‘n oppervlakkige kommunikasieproses, lees en skryf ingesluit. Hans-Georg Gadamer beskryf die kommunikasieproses in sy denke oor hermeneutiek, of verstaanskunde, as ‘n horisonsversmelting tussen twee persone. As gesonde kommunikasie plaasvind, skuif die sprekers se wêrelde oormekaar met ‘n groter snypunt. Dit lei daartoe dat die deelnemer aan die proses se eie horison verruim word. Die teenoorgestelde is net so waar, helaas.
X nu sO mug nah di, k kani gl0 dis Mandag nie. (Ek is nou so moeg na die skrywe hiervan, ek kan nie glo dis Maandag nie.)
A warm welcome to the new Corporate Media Official for the Secunda Cluster!
Captain Gerhard Elmes has been serving in the blue uniform for 29 years. The Bulletin would like to welcome and congratulates Captain Elmes in his new role.
Sbutheray Construction (Pty) Ltd was part of the school opening for the 2020 academic year when they visited Vukuzithathe Primary School in Ext 14.
The company attended the day to encourage children and to reiterate the importance of education. They also donated uniforms and sanitary towels to some of the disadvantaged children at the school.
Sbutheray Construction is a black owned company situated in Ext 14, eMbalenhle and their vision is to empower the youth of South Africa. It was a great day for the learners from Vukuzithathe Primary School and also to receive gifts from heroes in their community. – Sandile Mkhwanazi
Social media was abuzz after different task teams of the South African Police (SAPS) recovered a bakkie stolen at gun point in eMbalenhle in just three hours. The people showed their appreciation to the men and women in uniform for their great work.
A Ford Ranger was taken at gun point around 20h30 in Ext 1 by a gang. The owner reported the incident to the police. An activation plan was executed and Secunda Cluster, eMbalenhle Police and Leandra Police worked together and gave chase to the culprits. The bakkie was recovered on the R50 towards Leandra. The suspects fled the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured. It was reported that the gang was very aggressive towards the owner of the bakkie. Hijacking incidents are on the rise in the Govan Mbeki Municipality and surrounding areas. Criminals are targeting SUVs and bakkies.
This is what you can do when you are being highjacked:
Don’t argue with the hijackers.
Never try to fight back; do what they tell you to do.
If possible, try to avoid driving at night in high risk spots.
Keep all windows closed and doors locked. 5. Always keep a safe following distance when driving, especially when approaching traffic lights or stop signs.
If you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or any safe place.
The Democratic Alliance is extremely saddened by the tragic news that seven people from the Holfontein informal settlement have allegedly been killed and two were critically injured in a road accident involving a speeding vehicle that drove into the pedestrians on the Vlaklaagte road.
This news was received by ward 25 Councillor, Ciska Jordaan, with immense difficulty, especially because the dangers this road poses to the residents and pedestrians in that community has been reported time and time again to several local stakeholders since early 2019.
Since it’s been reported, speed limit signs had finally been erected on this road. However, local traffic law enforcement has been pleaded to increase its visibility on this road to avoid contravention of speed limits, to no avail.
The roads department of the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality was approached with the request of installing speed humps on the road. To no one’s surprise the department reported that they do not have the funds to install speed humps and suggested the installation of ruds. Since this is a provincial road, the Mpumalanga Department Public Works, Roads and Transport would have been requested by the municipality to do so. To date there has been no positive feedback of the request to the department.
Due to the lack of action from the municipality and the Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport it was offered from a mining house that a small project was approved to install the ruds, following extensive discussion with the community and other relevant stakeholders in the area. However, they have been unable to receive approval from the Department Public Works, Roads and Transport. Again a request was made by the councillor towards Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to assist with the receipt of a written approval that would allow the mining house to proceed with the project. This request was made on 12 August 2019. Regrettably, it was never heeded.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching fact is that community members and leaders from Holfontein have repeatedly implored that they do not want to wait until a tragedy happens before doing something to protect residents from speedsters on this road.
It is bewildering that assistance and feedback requested with regard to matters that are often of urgency towards the safety and security of our people should always be extracted with the utmost of efforts or are otherwise ignored, while things like vehicles and bodyguards for ANC politicians are prioritised when the municipality cannot even afford to keep itself afloat.
Not unlike other communities in the municipality, this community remains neglected and unheard by the Govan Mbeki Municipality despite continuing efforts to make their concerns heard.
The DA intends to escalate the matter to a provincial level to implore decisive action in improving the safety of pedestrians on the Vlaklaagte road.
On Monday, 20 January, police from Bethal: Detective Constable Xolani Khuzwayo and Detective Warrant Officer Abram Nkonde, arrested a 31-year-old male for possession of stolen property. The arrest came after Constable Khuzwayo received a tip-off about a man carrying a yellow welding machine, suspected to be stolen, heading towards Bethal taxi rank. Both Constable Khuzwayo and Warrant officer Nkonde responded swiftly. They managed to arrest the suspect and confiscated the property. The suspect was then taken to Bethal SAPS for detention and on arrival at the station the owner of the property, an elderly man, was about to report the matter only to realise that the police are with a suspect holding the welding machine. The complainant was overwhelmed by the response of the police. He allegedly parked his vehicle in front of the pharmacy to pick up his medicine and when he returned, he was informed by a car guard that someone stole his welding machine. The station commander at Bethal SAPS, Lt Col Petrus Nzima applauded the members for responding swiftly and ensured that they will bring the perpetrator to book. He also thanked the community for working together with the police in the fight against crime. The suspect will appear at Bethal Magistrates Court facing charges of possession of stolen property and theft.
Provincial Commissioner welcomes four life sentences
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has welcomed four life sentences meted against 41-year-old Bheki Themba Simelane for murders which he committed in separate incidents at various places. The sentence was handed down on Friday, 17 January, by Judge Henk Roelofse at the High Court sitting in Graskop.
The Court heard how Simelane, who regards himself as a traditional healer, went on a killing spree between 2013 and 2016. Simelane’s main targets were car owners. On 16 November 2013, Mr Henry Twala, the owner of a Red VW Polo from Pienaar, was reported missing. Two days later, 18 November 2013, his lifeless body was found dumped in a river at Masoyi. A case of murder and robbery was opened and in addition, a theft of motor vehicle case was also opened after his family reported that his car had also gone missing. Police commenced with the investigations and on 30 November 2013, Simelane was arrested for being in possession of Twala’s VW Polo. Simelane escaped prosecution after the Public Prosecutor directed the police to pursue the matter further as the evidence against him, then, was not enough to secure a convict and Simelane was released.
Simelane’s next target was Mr Samuel Mandla Sithole, the owner of a Silver VW Polo and on 20 February 2014 his lifeless body was discovered inside a pit-toilet not far from Simelane’s place of residence. A case of murder was opened and on 26 March 2014, Simelane was arrested at a car wash in Matsulu for possession of Sithole’s car. Again, the evidence was not strong enough to convict Simelane of Sithole’s murder and as a result, he was released.
Simelane went on with his ‘modus operandi’, without hesitation, to terrorise his victims and on 28 December 2014, police found a body of Mr Tullen Mhlongo (50) at a dumping site at Kabokweni. Mhlongo was the owner of a Red Opel Corsa and an inquest docket, following his death, was investigated by police.
On 2 January 2015, the Mhlongo family further opened a theft of motor vehicle case as the family did not know the whereabouts of Mhlongo’s car. On 12 January 2015, Simelane was once again arrested for being in possession of Mhlongo’s Opel Corsa but was released on bail.
He moved on to his next victim unbeknownst that this would be his last time to strike. On 16 February 2016 the body of Ms Enika Ndlovu (56) was found at a house in Masoyi. During the gruesome discovery of her body, police also found a child in the house who was still alive but the investigations revealed that there were attempts, by the suspect, to harm or even kill the minor. Ndlovu’s death came at a time when she has just bought herself a brand-new Blue Ford Eco Sport two weeks earlier. Her car, a TV set and two cell phones were stolen. A case of murder and robbery was opened.
The Detectives worked around the clock and connected all the dots to crack the case. The Blue Ford Eco Sport was traced and recovered at a house in Dwarsloop near Bushbuckridge. Information was followed by the police which led to the arrest of Simelane on 22 May 2016. Simelane was positively linked to all the four robberies and the murder cases of Ndlovu, Mhlongo, Sithole and Twala. Simelane was finally found guilty on nine charges. He was convicted of four murders, one attempted murder and four robberies. On Friday 17 January, Judge Roelofse did not hesitate when handing down the judgement but indicated that Simelane was not fit to ever live free in society.
Simelane was given four life sentences for murder, ten years for attempted murder and fifteen years imprisonment for each of the four robberies.
“I would like to commend the sterling work done by the Detectives in solving these cases. Police have indeed displayed a high level of professionalism and working in partnership with the community as well as the Criminal Justice Cluster, we managed to remove Simelane from the society for good. Simelane has robbed families of their loved ones because of his greed and selfishness. People like Simelane should not be allowed to roam around the streets of our society freely whilst preying on defenceless victims. I urge the public to notify police of such criminals, so that we send them where they belong, “ said General Zuma.
Police launch search operation for a missing woman
The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga are looking for anyone who can assist in locating an 81-year-old woman who resides in Carolina.
Ntombana Linah Nkambule from Hillside farm in Carolina reportedly disappeared on Wednesday, 15 January.
Nkambule was last seen on 15 January and according to her granddaughter, Ms Velephi Sibongile Simelane, they went to bed that night at around 20h40. During the night Velephi was woken up by a sound of a banging door and Velephi immediately went out to check. Velephi realised that her granny had left the house and she tried to follow her whilst calling her but unfortunately the grandmother did not respond. She summoned others to assist her in searching for the old woman but all their efforts, after searching for two hours, did not yield any positive results.
The matter was reported to the police in Carolina and a file for a missing person was opened.
When Ntombana Linah Nkambule disappeared, she was wearing a green jersey, brown faskot and grey tekkies.
The police investigation and search operation are still continuing. The police appeal to anyone with information that can assist to locate the missing woman to contact Captain Ezekiel Mfana Msibi on 017 843 2107/0823189570 or alternatively call Crime Stop at 0860010111. Members of the public can also send SMS’s to 32211 or go to the nearest police station to report.
Communities encouraged to surrender firearms during amnesty period
Communities are encouraged to take advantage of the window period for the National Firearm Amnesty, as declared by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele, to hand in all unwanted and illegal firearms and ammunition. Communities can hand in those firearms and ammunition to any police station without any fear of being arrested unless those firearms were used in committing crime.
The Amnesty is part of government’s plan to deal with illegal and unwanted firearms in communities. It started in December 2019 and will be closed at the end of May this year. Mpumalanga communities have so far surrendered 173 firearms at different police stations across the province.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Gabisile Shabalala has applauded the individuals who have surrendered their unwanted firearms.
She said that removing firearms in communities will assist in ensuring that crime is reduced because it has been established that most of the crimes are committed by criminals using firearms.
“Reduction of firearms in circulation will go a long way towards the creation of safer communities. Crimes such as cash-in-transit robbery, murder, attempted murder, car and truck hijacking all types of robbery, sexual offences and others are committed by people mostly in possession of firearms,” she said.
Shabalala also makes a clarion call to those who have not surrendered their firearms to use this period to do the right thing.
The MEC added that after the amnesty period has lapsed, those who will be found in possession of unwanted firearms will face the full consequences of the law.
Therefore, the MEC insisted, communities should make full use of the amnesty period to free themselves of unwanted firearms and ammunition.
Suspect in court for R3.3million worth counterfeit goods
Gibson Mutero (46) appeared before the Komartipoort Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 14 January, after he was arrested by members of the Hawks` Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Mpumalanga together with Lebombo Border Police and Customs and Excise at Lebombo port of entry on Monday, 13 January, while transporting counterfeit goods from Mozambique to Johannesburg.
The suspect who was driving a Volvo Truck with two trailers was caught with R3.3million worth of counterfeit goods hidden under saw dust in the truck. During the search the team managed to uncover a series of branded sneakers, sandals, school bags and jeans. The brands included, amongst others; Nike, Adidas, Puma and Redbat.
The suspect was arrested whilst the truck and goods were taken to SARS Customs Warehouse for safe keeping.
Mutero was released on R4 500.00 bail after his residence and employment addresses were confirmed. The case has been postponed to 3 March for further investigation and obtaining of statements.
Friday, 17 January, will be remembered for a long time as tragedy struck when a whole family was murdered in what appeared to be a triple murder and suicide. Andries Naude allegedly shot his son, Henko Naude, wife, Lizelle Naude and his mother, Fredrica Christina Naude, before committing suicide. The school became suspicious when Lizelle didn’t pick up a colleague, as arranged and later didn’t respond to phone calls nor to people knocking on the door of her house. Langamed and Roman Alarms were called to the scene to assist. Langamed managed to open the house and Andries Lee, Roman Alarms, entered the house. Andries Lee found Fredrica lying in the first room. The second room had both Lizelle and Henko in and Andries Naude was found in the bathroom with a bullet wound in his mouth. All three victims were found with bullet wounds to their left temples. Social media was inundated with tributes to the family. The Bulletin spoke to a colleague of Lizelle and she confirmed that Lizelle was well loved by her colleagues and pupils at the school. Friends of Andries stated that he was always friendly and described him as a very pleasant person. They also expressed their shock and disbelief. Mrs Magriet Pieterse from Hoërskool Secunda described Henko as: “Henko was a matriculant at our school and was very excited about his matric year. He was a brilliant student and an excellent example of dedication and commitment.” Henko was a brilliant chess player and ranked no 1 in his age group for Mpumalanga, this was before his illness. In Grade 9, Henko joined the first rugby team when they ran on the field against Bergvlam. He was in his wheelchair. “Henko made people believe in themselves and believed that no one should wish negative things on other people.” Magriet said. As the initial shock wears off, friends and family are all left with the sad and unfortunate reality of the loss of the Naude family. The Bulletin would like to convey our condolences and sympathy with the family and friends of the family. Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms. Gabisile Shabalala released the following statement: Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms. Gabisile Shabalala has condemned the brutal murder of family members whose lifeless bodies were discovered on Friday, 17 January, in Secunda. The police are currently investigating three counts of murder and an inquest has been opened. It is in this context that MEC Shabalala is calling on families to seek help when in distress and not wait until matters get out of hand. “Families should seek help when there are challenges. People should not ignore signs that things are not well in their relationships so that challenges are amicably resolved before things get out hand,” the MEC added. She further mentioned that the police usually react after the devastation has taken place decrying that such crimes are difficult for the police. She has thus called on the communities to work with government in order to bring an end to crimes against women and children because the police cannot be in every household. She further called on men not to bottle up issues but to seek help whenever they feel overwhelmed. The MEC is sending her heartfelt condolences to the families, friends of the deceased, the school and the entire community.
One of the toughest Dakar races ever and sadly a biker died.
First Week: 5 January to 12 January 2020 – 7 Stages: Liaison 1514km; Special 2942km; Total 4456km.
Paulo Goncalves from Portugal died after a crash on his Indian manufactured Hero during Sunday’s 7th stage of the Dakar Rally. The 40-year-old was competing in his 13th Dakar. Goncalves is the first competitor to die in the Dakar since Michal Hernik in 2015.
Known as the most relentless of the world’s cross-country rallies, the Dakar, has moved from South America to Saudi Arabia. After Stage 7 on Sunday 12 January 2020, a Total of 235 out of 351 vehicles that started the event, were still competing, consisting of 103 of 147 Bikes, 13 of 23 Quads, 61 of 89 Cars, 29 of 47 Side-by-sides, and 27 of 45 Trucks. In the first week competitors raced 2942km, covering a total distance of 4456km when the Liaison stages are included. Racing on some of the most unforgiving and challenging terrain that the globe offers and the top biker completed it in 28H 25’ 01” at a blazing average speed of 103,53km/h. This field included 13 women.
Initially the rocky terrain and the roads were filled with stones that gave the impression of lava spatters, with extremely rough edges. This resulted in the Toyota Gazoo Racing team losing 11 tyres between 4 vehicles in the first stage.
As the stages went on the roads became large flat lava rocks with sandy tracks in between, that led into deep sand dunes and terrain similar to the old Dakar in Africa up to the capital, Riyadh, where the teams enjoyed a rest day on Saturday before they raced Stage 7 on Sunday, where most of the stage was run on desert sand across big dunes.
On day 1, 13km into the first stage, Frenchman Willy Jobard withdrew when he dislocated his shoulder.
In stage 2 Bolivian, Daniel Nosiglia Jager, crashed and was forced to withdraw resulting from a head injury.
Then stage 3 saw Frenchman, Adrien van Beveren, crash out of the race with a fractured collar bone and injured hip. Guillaume Cholet crashed at 58km which resulted in pain in his ribs forcing him out of the event. Olaf Harmsen from the Netherlands was forced to retire after he crashed at a jump around 122km. 59-year-old Dutchman, Martien Jimmink in his 2nd Dakar crashed after 180km and was evacuated by the medical team. Xavier de Soultrait badly injured his wrist, with top 2 Yamaha riders already out of the race. These were a few of the six withdrawals from the race in the stage. Paulo Goncalves lost a lot of time during the stage and it was expected that he would withdraw from his 13th Dakar, but he soldiered on.
In stage 4 Jo Bareda lost a lot of time after he took a tumble and hurt his ribs 270km into the stage.
In Stage 5, Dutchman, Guillaume Martens took a spectacular tumble at the 270km mark with injuries to his head, hip and buttocks and he wanted to carry on, but the medical team stopped him. 2017 Dakar winner, Sam Sunderland crashed out after 187km.
Ricky Brabec (USA) on a Monster Energy Honda took a strong grip on the leader position from Stage 2; He has a 24’48” lead. Chilean, Pablo Quintanilla, on a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, is second place for the last 2 stages, with a small margin.
Chile’s Ignacio Casale controlled the Quad race from the front since Stage 1. In the last two stages Frenchman Simon Vitse is in 2nd place ahead of Polish rider Rafal Sonik.
In the car category Romain Dumas (France) was the first retirement when his buggy went up in flames 65km into the first stage.
Former World Rally Champion, Carlos Sainz Sr. from Spain in a Bahrain JCW X-Raid Mini took the overall lead in the cars at the end of stage 3, with Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar in a Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux in second place and Frenchman, Stephane Peterhansel, in third place, driving the second Mini. Sainz leads the Toyota by 10 minutes.
Due to punctures, South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers dropped down to 14th place in his Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. He has since regained the 6th place.
Formula 1 champion, Spaniard Fernando Alonso, from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, had a few mishaps in the early stages and dropped to 48th place in stage 2. He has since fought back and has demonstrated why he is a world champion, because he is in 15th place.
The side-by-Side or SSV class proves to be the most challenging, as no dominance has emerged up to stage 7. Two strong contenders, Casey Currie from the USA and Francisco Lopez Contardo from Chile have both led the race twice. Currie spent four stages in 2nd place and Contardo three.
In the truck category the Petronas De Rooy Iveco team lost their experienced team members, while the multi-time winners, Russian KAMAZ Teams are the favourites.
Andrey Karginov took the lead in stage 4 and since secured a 21’12” lead over his countryman and KAMAZ team mate Anton Shibalov who has been in second place since stage 5.
With 5 stages remaining and 2174km of racing with a total distance of 3401km to be completed, a lot can still happen in a very challenging 2020 Dakar.
Panda’s Darts played in the Victor Khanye Open Tournament that was held at Delmas on Saturday, 11 January. Mens Singles (Top Photo): 3rd-Terence van Vuuren. Winner-Rees Naidoo. R/up – Freddie Burmeister. Ladies and Juniors played together (Right Bottom): R/up – Jason Bernard (junior). Winner – Karen Anthony. 3rd – Wendy van Vuuren. Mixed Doubles (Photo top right): Winner – Terence and Linda. R/up – Jaco and Wendy The tournament was played in an excellent atmosphere and everybody enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Panda’s dominated the tournament taking all the top spots.
