Monthly Archives: April 2012

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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Pretoria name changes to go to court!!!!

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BY Barry Bateman

Civil rights group Afriforum will lodge an urgent application in the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday to halt street name changes in Pretoria. 

Last week the Tshwane Municipality started replacing street name signs with the names of those adopted at a council meeting in March. 

Afriforum’s Willie Spies said they have chosen to go to the courts to tackle this matter because the Tshwane Municipality has ignored their request to postpone the street name changes. 

Last week the municipality erected the first – General Louis Botha Drive was replaced by January Masilela Drive.

Spies said it was unfortunate that the municipality went ahead with the controversial decision without properly addressing urgent service delivery issues. 

It is unclear if the municipality will oppose the urgent application. 

(Edited by Clare Matthes)

ANC to reveal Malema decision!!!

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The African National Congress (ANC) Appeal’s Panel will tell Julius Malema on Tuesday whether it has decided to expel him from the party.

Last week it received the final documents it needed to make a decision on his political future.

The party’s National Disciplinary Committee previously decided he must be removed from the organisation.

Tuesday’s decision will have long lasting implications for both Malema and the ANC.

If the appeals panel decides Malema must go, he could mount a court challenge.

He may also try to use this decision as a focal point for a campaign against President Jacob Zuma.

The decision on Tuesday could also bring an end to the most disruptive episode in the ANC’s history, since its Polokwane conference.

(Edited by Clare Matthes)

Less than 60 points will win League title!!!

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http://www.kickoff.com

Orlando Pirates will need less than the 60 points that won them the League last season if they are to retain their title as the League heads down to another year in which the champions will need less than two thirds points to lift the Premiership title.   

With 90 points the maximum number of points attainable in a 16 team League, 60 points is the two thirds mark that always guarantees the title in South Africa.    
  
At the moment – with four games remaining – Pirates, as current leaders, is the only team that can reach the two thirds points mark of 60 points if they win all four games left.
  
The Bucs have to deal with Ajax Cape Town (away), SuperSport United (away), Bloemfontein Celtic (home) and Golden Arrows (away) in their last four games.     
  
However, basing on the inconsistency that has become the anthem of the domestic league the reality is that this is a championship that will not even need 60 points for any of the clubs in contention to win it.
  
Gavin Hunt and Gordon Igesund – the most successful coaches still coaching in the PSL with seven titles between them – have for long predicted that 56 points could as well be the points tally needed to win the League this season.
   
Both Hunt’s SuperSport United and Igesund’s Moroka Swallows are two of the ‘foursome’ of teams along with Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates that can still reach at least 56 points and that are genuinely still in contention.
 
Since the number of teams in the PSL was trimmed down to 16 in the 2002/03 season, four of the nine championship seasons have been won by less than 60 points with SuperSport United needing less than 60 in all three of their title winning years.
   
Mamelodi Sundowns also needed just 57 points to win the title in 2005/06.  
 
The lowest points tally that has won the championship since the number of teams was cut down to 16 has been 54 which SuperSport United attained on their way to winning the League in the 2007/08 season.
  
Kaizer Chiefs needed the highest number of points with 63 to win the title in the 2003/04 season.
  
The average points tally needed to win the League in the last nine years has been 58,89 points.
  
SuperSport will play both Pirates and Sundowns in two of their last four matches both of which will be games that will have ‘title decider’ written all over them while they will also have to square up with Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic – two clubs chasing top half 8 finishes.
  
Swallows – still quietly confident and still in with a chance of sneaking in to win the League will have Golden Arrows, Black Leopards, Platinum Stars and Maritzburg United in their last four menu – all four opponents currently in the bottom half.
  
For Sundowns – who have been stuttering so badly they have won just three out of 11 League games this year – they will face Santos, Chiefs, SuperSport and Free State Stars in their quartet of fixtures remaining that also appears tricky considering that The People’s Team wants to avoid the Play-Off spot while the other three have top half interests.   
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Mavericks strippers released

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(Picture taken from internet site)

Catherine Rice

The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday withdrew charges against 12 of 13 Mavericks dancers.

The women were arrested in a raid last November, for allegedly contravening the conditions of their work permits.

But the exotic dancers are now free to return to work.

Ukrainian-born Kathrina Vecktina was beaming as she left the courtroom.

The striking brunette appeared in court six times.

She said she was relieved that the case was finally over.

Charges were withdrawn due to a lack of evidence.

Vecktina has been living in South Africa for six years and started working as a stripper at Mavericks in 2011.

She said the money and working conditions were good in South Africa. 

One woman was ordered to return to court on Tuesday as the state needs to look at further documentation.

Defence advocate Pete Mihalik also requested an outstanding affidavit from a senior Home Affairs official.

The dancers are from Ukraine, Thailand, Russia and Romania. 

According to the state, the dancers violated their temporary residence permits by working as strippers at the club, before the Department of Home Affairs approved their applications for a change of status.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

Tatane accused off the hook

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Rahima Essop

Prosecutors in the Andries Tatane murder trial have withdrawn charges against one of the accused on Monday afternoon.

Eight policemen were initially arrested for their involvement in the death of the Ficksburg resident.

Tatane was allegedly beaten up and shot at with rubber bullets during a service delivery protest in 2011.

After a lengthy delay, the trial began with Prosecutor Sello Mathloko telling the court that the state had withdrawn all charges against accused number seven, Kanathasen Moonsamy.

He then left the courtroom.

The remaining officers have all pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and murder.

Prosecutors wanted to show a video of the brutal assault on Monday, but the footage had to be brought in from Bloemfontein.

This delayed proceedings.

The state has now called its first witness to take the stand.

(Edited by Clare Matthes)

I’VE NEVER APOLOGISE-SLIKOUR

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BY Obakeng Maje

The song called “Blacks are fools” sang by Swatta Kamp, Slikour is causing outrage around the country with mixed feelings.

If you look at the tittle is very provocative while the content differ. Slikour is addressing some burning issues in that song and beliefs Black can do better than what they doing in life.

And Bonang Matheba”s former boyfriend was interviewed by another  newspaper and said he want to apologise for the utterance, but the young man squashed that rumour that he apologised. 

“I have never apologised..how could i apologise for something that i believe is the truth” he said during Mo show.

Even our political circus has join the debate and have different views about the song.

Political parties also reacted angrily to the song.

PAC president Letlapa Mphahlele says: “If you look at people who passed maths at schools and those navigating aeroplanes, blacks are in the minority and that is because of the poor education to which we were subjected.

“It is unfortunate that the artist did not grasp those fundamental realities when producing the song.”

APC president Themba Godi says: “The title of the song is a bit misguided but the message is absolutely correct. If you look at our tenderpreneurs, they waste money on alcohol and senseless parties.”

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa says: “Which planet does he come from? He should withdraw the song and apologise to avoid having people going to the Human Rights Commission to complain.

“Another question is: did he compose the song or did somebody else compose it for him?”

Azapo president Jacob Dikobo says: “It is sad that the song is sung by a black artist. It is a typical example of self-hatred and inferiority complex, something that black consciousness philosophy has been seeking to address.

“We encourage people not to buy that song and radio stations to ban it.”

DA leader Hellen Zille says: “The title is very provocative and I don’t agree with the gross generalisation it makes with reference to black people. It is wrong to generalise about any group . and there are wise people and fools in every group.

“If one puts the title aside, the song raises points that we must face honestly as a country, and these points apply to all of us.”

Cope spokesperson Buks Mahlangu says: “Where does he categorise himself? He is black? So he is equally a fool.” According to the newspaper.

Send us your comment, what do you think Slikour has a point or maybe he just got it so wrong!!!!

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Hunt rules out SuperSport’s title chances!!!!

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http://www.kickoff.com

Despite being only three points off the top, Gavin Hunt has ruled out SuperSport United’s chances of winning the League title this season. 

Matsatsantsa were the only one of the top four teams to have won this weekend – beating Ajax Cape Town 2-1 – to close the gap on Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns above them.

But with four games to go – two of which are against Pirates and Sundowns – Hunt still doesn’t feel they can be counted among the favourites.

“I don’t see any way in which we would win the League,” he says. “It will be a big mountain to climb. I still think it’s between Pirates and Sundowns.”

He adds: “We will take each game as it comes. We are going to concentrate on what we can do and not worry about Sundowns, Chiefs or Pirates.”

Malajila breaks Sundowns hearts!!!

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A late goal by Maritzburg United striker Cuthbert Malajila broke Mamelodi Sundowns hearts, just as he did to Kaizer Chiefs in midweek as the Premiership title race has been thrown wide open again. 

Malajila took his chance brilliantly in the 81st minute, against the run if play, very similar to the way in which he buried Amakhosi on Tuesday night.

Malajila ran onto a Kulegani Madondo through pass on the right flank and beat Calvin Marlin at his near post with a composed and powerful effort.

But Sundowns were all over Maritzburg, played some great football and really should have won the match. Credit to Maritzburg though for some fine goalkeeping, committed defending and general hard work.

In the 12th minute Nyasha Mushekwi got in front of his marker Mor Diouf, but his header went wide of the post and soon afterwards Richard Henyekane found Mushekwi, who did very well to get there first, but put his effort wide.

Soon afterwards Mushekwi threw himself at a far post header and clashed with Peter Petersen, but his attempt went over the bar.

This was to be the story of the night for Johan Neeskens’ men.

Then United came close when Diouf got free on the far post, but could not turn in Felix Obada’s set piece.

Esrom Nyandoro went close in the second half when his powerful drive was punched away by an alert Walters.

Then in the 75th minute, on the counter attack, Maritzburg almost scored but Diyo Sibisi blasted his attempt over the bar and a minute later Sundowns hit back when Maponyane’s shot was tipped around the post by Walters.

But then came Malajila’s magic moment. He showed that all it takes is a bit of composure to put your scoring chances away.