Daily Archives: April 24, 2012

Shivambu settles hate speech case!!!

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Suspended ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu and journalist Carien du Plessis reached a settlement agreement on Tuesday in a case of hate speech before the Johannesburg Equality Court.

The parties signed the settlement, which included an admission and apology by Shivambu.

Du Plessis said: “I am glad he has apologised and relieved that it’s come to an end. It is a vindication for the profession of journalism.”

A journalist asked Shivambu if he would shake Du Plessis’s hand for a photo opportunity, but he declined.

Du Plessis brought hate speech charges against Shivambu after an SMS exchange between them in May 2010.

In the SMS he wrote: “You must learn to respect people. I don’t comment on YCL issues and please stop being stupid… I wouldn’t want to earn respect from white bitches… so dream on.”

Du Plessis was suing for R100 000 in damages, but the settlement had no monetary component.

Within moments of the magistrate announcing that the settlement had been reached, Shivambu issued a statement on the matter.

“I signed the settlement because I did not deem it valuable to continue with court cases that have no bearing or influence in the struggle for economic freedom in our lifetime,” he said.

“My legal representatives advised that I sign the settlement agreement, and I complied because the court proceedings are a waste of time on a non-issue.”

The court previously ruled that Shivambu pay Du Plessis’ legal costs, amounting to R18 000, because it appeared he had tried to stall proceedings by asking for postponements when they were unwarranted.

This was one of three cost orders against Shivambu in this matter, and he had so far failed to pay.

Earlier, defence attorney Lucky Maunatlala had asked for a postponement.

Du Plessis’s advocate, Richard Moultrie said he was “astounded” that Shivambu’s team should ask for a postponement simply because Shivambu was too busy to meet his legal team.

“(He) regards himself as more important and worthy of indulgence than (Du Plessis) … and thinks he is more important than this court.

“This matter will not benefit from any postponement.”

Shivambu appeared in court wearing a black leather trench coat. During proceedings he played with his tablet computer, and occasionally whispered to his legal team.

Earlier this month, Shivambu was found guilty by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee of sowing division and bringing the party into disrepute. He was suspended from the ANC for three years for swearing at a journalist and for issuing a statement calling for a change of government in Botswana.

On Tuesday there were reports that he and suspended ANCYL president Julius Malema would receive feedback from the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeals later in the day on whether the sanctions against them would be upheld. – Sapa

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R15bn for FET colleges!!!

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BY Chantall Presence

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has set aside R15 billion to ensure more youth enroll at further education and training (FET) colleges.

In 2011, around 500,000 students enrolled at FET colleges around South Africa. 

That is a vast increase from previous years.

Nzimande said the additional funding will be used to improve the quality of learning and for expansion programmes.

In January, a Gauteng mother was crushed to death while waiting in a registration queue at the University of Johannesburg’s APK campus. 

Officials from the Higher Education Ministry promised to highlight the importance of FET colleges to prevent a similar incident in the future.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

Sanral attacks Outa!!!

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Alex Eliseev

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) on Tuesday said the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) adopted a “wait-and-see approach” in their legal bid against the Gauteng e-tolling system.

The agency also accused the alliance of resorting to a court challenge at the eleventh hour.

On Tuesday, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard an application for an interdict to stop the controversial project.

The e-tolling system is set to go live on Monday.

Sanral advocate David Unterhalter said it was unreasonable to sit back and watch the political process unfold, before attacking the project, shortly before the launch.

He said there was nothing obscure about the way e-tolling was introduced.

Unterhalter also referred to the public participation process.

Earlier, Outa suffered a setback when the court rejected its attempt to amend the entire application. 

Under the system, Gauteng motorists will pay around 30 cents per kilometre to use some of the province’s highways.  

(Edited by Zethu Zulu)

D-day for Malema defamation case

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BY Catherine Rice

Suspended ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema and spokesman Floyd Shivambu have until the end of Tuesday to file responding papers in a defamation case against them.

Former Western Cape ANC Youth League leader Andile Lili is the only respondent to have filed documents.

The case dates back to 2010, when they made defamatory remarks about Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

She is suing them and the ANCYL for R1.4 million.

During and after the 2009 general elections, the trio called Zille a racist little girl and accusing her of having extramarital relations with her all-male Cabinet.

Earlier in April, Zille approached the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town to get an order compelling the three to file papers.

Judge Nathan Erasmus granted the order.

Lili has responded and denied the comments were defamatory.

The Premier’s lawyers will be able to request a default judgment if the other two respondents do not meet the deadline.

Meanwhile, Shivambu and Malema are also facing other battles after they were suspended from the ANC.

Malema was found guilty of sowing divisions within the ruling party and is currently appealing against his expulsion.

The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee of Appeals (NDCA) will rule on the matter later this week. 

At the same time, a youth activist has asked the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate Zille’s “refugee” comments.

She came under attack for referring to Eastern Cape students, who come to the province in search of a better education, as “refugees.”

On Tuesday, she apologised and said it was never her intention to offend anyone.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

LATEST NEWS ON KAIZER CHIEFS NEW COACH SEARCH!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

Kaizer Chiefs is mum when coming to their search of a new coach,but our crew can confirm that the Naturena-based club is set to unveil their new coach at the end of the season.

Kaizer Chiefs Direct of football, Bobby Motaung was outside the country last to meet with former Bafana Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter where they engaged in talks to lure him to Naturena.

Baxter has been out of a job since he was fired by Finland over a year ago as their head coach. According to our deep throat, Baxter is a fron-trunner even though Free State Stars coach Steve Komphela can not be ruled out. 

Even Carlos Quireoz name has been heard in discussion around the Chiefs corridors. Bobby Motaung could not shed any light and refuse to answer any questions posed to him as he say they are still search and up to so far they have not decided whom to pick.

“We have embarked on the [interview] process and we are engaging coaches, but I won’t mention names,” he says.

Kaizer Chiefs fired Vladimir two weeks ago and put their former players, Donald “Ace” Khuse as interim coach being assistant by Doctor Khumalo. So far they have not won a single match and recently been beaten by relegation-bound Santos.
 

Dj So Simple’s birthday bash goes bigger and better!!!!!

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Image

BY Obakeng Maje

This coming weekend Taung will never be the same again. Dj So Simple present the mother of all parties with different Djs on the deck!!!!


Dj So Simple is hosting his annual birthday party at Vuselela FET College(Taung Campus) on the 28th of April,2012 in Pudumoe.

The hottest Dj promise some fireworks and to give back the revellers their money worthy. So make sure you come and see for yourself what will be happening.

“What would i like to say is that the people of Taung will get their money worthy and the event start at 18H00-06H00 till next day. The lobola is only R20 at the door and only R50 ticket for VIP” he said.

The event always draw most attention so make sure you come as early as you can to avoid disappointment.

The vivacious Dj has set the dance floor alight in many occasions and promise to fire all cylinders. The line-up is so tight as this time around he is taking no prisioners and brought finest Djs as far as Kimberley.

“The event is going to be bigger and better. Alcohol will be sold inside and please no weapons will be allowed. We will be bring the likes of Dj Lacoste, Dj Krazy T and others” he reckons.

For more information you can contact our crew and follow him on twitter or facebook.

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PIENAAR ISSUED WITH A WARRANT OF ARREST!!!

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Bafana Bafana skipper Steven Pienaar might be having the time of his life on the pitch, but off-field troubles continue to pursue him in England. 

A warrant of arrest has been issued for the Everton attacking midfielder after he was caught speeding twice on the same stretch of road in 11 days and then dodged a court date.

His car was caught doing 70 kph and 61 kph in a 48 kph zone in Chigwell, Essex, on October 10 and 21 last year, when he was playing for Tottenham Hotspur, before his loan back to Everton.

The warrant was issued on Monday when Pienaar, having been caught speeding in his Aston Martin DBS, according to UK law was then obliged to let authorities know who was behind the wheel.

He failed to do so and was found guilty of this charge in his absence in the Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

The court also issued the warrant and said that he should be arrested, bailed and set to appear in court at a later date. It is likely that he will receive a ban from driving.

Pienaar has already been banned once in the UK, during his previous spell at Everton. He was not allowed behind the wheel for 12 months after being found guilty of drink-driving in March 2010.

He also had police called to his residence during that time due to a domestic dispute, and was the target of burglars, who raided his home.

Courtesy kickoff.com

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WHAT NEXT FOR “EXPELLED” MALEMA?

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SOURCE

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee of appeals (NDCA) is today expected to announce the confirmation of youth league leader Julius Malema’s expulsion from the party, highly placed sources have told The New Age.

The NDCA is also expected to rule on the five-year suspension of ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu and one-year suspension of its secretary-general Sindiso Maqaqa.

The confirmation of the expulsion of Malema from the ANC will spell the widely predicted death knell of his political future in the party and comes at a time when the Hawks and the taxman are preparing to swoop on the embattled youth leader.

Malema was expelled from the ANC in November last year for sowing division within the party and for bringing it into disrepute. He was also silenced earlier this month when the ANC’s national disciplinary committee suspended him from the party after he called President Jacob Zuma a dictator.

The conditions of the suspension prohibited him from exercising any duty as an ANC member, president of the ANCYL or member of Limpopo province’s executive committee.

Recent public utterances by Malema were that he was expecting his expulsion from the party and that he was preparing to challenge the final decision of the NDCA in court.

The NDCA decision comes at a time when the ANCYL is torn apart on the Malema affair and is expected to spark battles in the race to succeed him and the key positions filled by Shivambu and Maqaqa.

In recent weeks, there has been intense speculation on the front-runners to succeed Malema. Ronald Lamola, ANCYL deputy president, and Pule Mabe, treasurer-general, have emerged as the most likely successors.

Following Malema’s recent suspension from all activities in the ANC and its youth league, Lamola stepped up to the plate and positioned himself as the league’s chief spokesperson and a unifier of sorts.

The NDCA decision is also expected to be the clearest signal yet that the ANC is serious about clamping down on the growing indiscipline within its ranks.
 

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Chief is new 2013 Afcon boss!!!

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BY Patrick Baloyi

South African Football Association president Kirsten Nematendani has been toppled as the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) barely three weeks after signing the Organisation Association Agreement (OAA) with Confederation of African Football (CAF) vice-president Suketu Patel.

The decision to replace Nematendani with his vice-president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana as the new boss was taken by the Football Transformation Forum during its national executive caucus meeting on March 30.

Such is the power the Forum possesses at Safa House that their influence came to light when the association was told during the NEC meeting on Saturday that Nematendani must make way for Nonkonyana. However, news that Nonkonyana is the new chairperson shocked LOC’s chief executive Mvuso Mbebe who told The New Age that he was unaware of the latest development.

“There is no statement that has been issued regarding the new chair and as we are accountable to the government, I cannot deny nor agree with what you are telling me and until such time I am made aware, so I cannot comment further,” said Mbebe.

Still Nonkonyona confirmed his appointment. “My appointment is not the important issue but the challenge that lies ahead to organise a successful tournament.”

The new LOC boss was in Parliament yesterday to meet with Cabinet as the country awaits the announcement of the 2013 Afcon host cities and the thorny issue of funding a tournament that gets under way in January. One of his immediate tasks is to oversee the appointment of 12 subcommittee members to steer various LOC departments.

“It is wrong to assume that the president was toppled,” said Nonkonyana. “The bigger picture is to host a successful tournament and with issues like the hosts cities and funding still need serious consideration. The nation and the continent is looking at us to present a resounding tournament.”

Safa downplayed Nematendani’s fall and argued that he had been elected chairperson of the LOC on an interim basis pending the appointment of a substantive candidate. Nematendani is in London attending the women’s 2012 Olympics draw that would be conducted today and could not be reached for comment.

As chairperson of Manco, Safa’s highest decision making body, that consist of Nematendani his four vice-presidents – Danny Jordaan, Mandla Mazibuko, Irvin Khoza and Nonkonyana – and CEO Robin Peterson and NEC member Alpha Mchunu, the president was perceived as the logical choice to steer the Afcon preparations.

Further raising eyebrows is that Nematendani was already well versed with the LOC developments and even met and briefed Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula regarding the progress of the tournament.

But sources close to the developments said the decision to replace Nematedani was politically motivated as the Forum, that is chaired by Jordaan, always has the last say in Safa matters.

“We brought in Nonkonyana because we want to show people the Forum is still running football in the country,” said the source.

“Just like the ANC that makes decision as to how the government should be run, it is the Forum’s duty to see to it that our input is taken seriously when it comes to football matters in the country.”

The Forum was instrumental in plotting PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza’s defeat in the last Safa presidential elections in 2009.

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Zuma’s luxury wheels go for a song at auction!!!

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Courtesy of The Times

Khulubuse Zuma’s three luxury cars and household goods brought in about R160000 towards the R10-million owed to Protea Coin Security.

The confiscated BMW cars and a gigantic flat screen television, a pair of Anthem amplifiers, a dining-room table, chairs, bar stools, microwave oven, washing machine and garden table set went under the hammer at the sheriff’s office in Verulam, north of Durban, yesterday.

President Jacob Zuma’s nephew’s moveable assets from his Umhlanga home were confiscated by the sheriff after an execution order brought by Protea Coin.

The security firm is trying to recover the millions owed to it by Aurora Empowerment Systems, the beleaguered mining group directed by Zuma and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zondwa Mandela.

Because Aurora is under liquidation, the duo, who signed surety in 2010, are liable for its debts, including the money owed to Protea Coin for providing security at the Grootvlei mine in Springs.

Mandela’s moveable assets have not yet been confiscated.

Protea Coin attorney Nic Viviers declined to comment on the meagre amount raised.

Last week, Viviers said the security firm did not expect the full judgment debt to be recovered from the proceeds of the sale.

Protea Coin can now apply for an execution order for Zuma’s immovable property, including his Umhlanga home, to be sold.

It can then apply for a sequestration order, which could leave Zuma insolvent.

Yesterday’s auction lasted less than an hour, with bidders getting the goods at a “steal”.

The new owner of Zuma’s BMW 7 series armoured car, Waseem Moosa, was ecstatic that he had paid R88000 for the nine-year-old luxury vehicle.

“I am the proud owner of a BMW but not just any BMW. It is President Jacob Zuma’s nephew’s BMW. Who wouldn’t be proud to own such a vehicle?” he said.

The BMW 5 series was sold for R14700, whereas the BMW 3 series went under the hammer for R15500.

The 2009 model Maserati, which Zuma splashed out on last year for his fiancée, Fikiswe Dlamini, was not confiscated as it was not attached to his residential property.

The amplifiers raised R23300, the television set R2500, while an HP printer was sold for a mere R50.

KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Natasha Ramkisson said sheriff auctions are entirely without reserves.

“The aim is to obtain the highest amount to recover the debt.”

Bidders immediately raised their paddles when the sheriff opened bids for the vehicles at R5000, but burst into laughter when he offered the printer for R10.

Zuma, who enjoys a lavish lifestyle, which includes expensive cognac and Cuban cigars and frequenting Durban’s five-star Oyster Box Hotel, paraded his Yamaha quad bike for photographers at the president’s wedding in Nkandla at the weekend.

More than 700 miners at Aurora’s mines in Grootvlei and Orkney in North West, who have not been paid for two years, are being fed by the Pietermaritzburg-based aid organisation, Gift of the Givers.

Union bosses are putting pressure on liquidators to fast-track civil charges against Aurora’s directors.

Trade union Solidarity’s Gideon du Plessis said though the union was happy that Zuma and Mandela would feel the pinch from the execution order, the workers would still not receive the estimated R4.5-million in wages owed to them.

Last week, Gold One and Goliath Gold said they had put in a bid for parts of the Grootvlei operations for R70-million.

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