Daily Archives: July 11, 2012

Ramokgopa touted as Mmemezi’s replacement

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Sputla Ramokgopa. Picture: Theana Breugem

 Picture: Theana Breugem

Johannesburg – ANC Tshwane regional chairperson and Mayor Sputla Ramokgopa has become the frontrunner to replace disgraced former Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi.

Mmemezi quit on Wednesday following allegations of the misuse of government funds, including that he had bought a R10 000 painting from McDonald’s with his government credit card.

According to three well-placed sources within the ANC in Tshwane, various informal discussions have taken place “for a while” about who would be deployed in Mmemezi’s position.

For more go to http://www.news24.com

Bruised ANCYL Limpopo leaders won’t press charges

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ANC Youth League Limpopo leaders have decided against pressing charges after a scuffle at a lecture by President Jacob Zuma.

“We are not going to open a case against anybody — they have declared a war and we are ready to fight,” provincial league secretary Jacob Lebogo said.

He was one of the leaders who emerged with some bruises from the scuffle.

Media reports ahead of the event had predicted problems, given the party’s recent expulsion of ANCYL president Julius Malema, who hails from Limpopo.

For more go to http://www.timeslive.co.za

Cosatu applauds Mmemezi’s resignation

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Pic: Mohau Mofokeng

Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi’s resignation over personal use of a government credit card should set a precedent for others, Cosatu said on Wednesday.

“We note that comrade Mmemezi strenuously denies some of the allegations, but has conceded that others, particularly those relating to the misuse of the credit card, are valid,” the Congress of SA Trade Unions said in a statement.

“He is therefore to be congratulated on his honourable decision to resign and to refund government for the improper expenditure.”

For more details go to http://www.timeslive.co.za

Slain MK cadres to be exhumed for reburial as North West Province Celebrates Mandela Month

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BY Obakeng Maje

The remains of two African National Congress ‘s military army, Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) cadres are to be exhumed for reburial in Mahikeng as part of the North West Provincial Mandela Month Celebration.

The formal event hosted by Office of the Premier in partnership with Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans (MKMVA), National Prosecution Agency (MKVA) scheduled to commence at the Mmabatho Civic Centre as from 10:00am on Friday.

The Cyprian Bheki Hlatshwayo (MK Bismarck) from Soweto and Vuyani Goniwe (MK Jorrissen) from Ntselamanzi in Alice in the Eastern Cape formed part of a reconnaissance unit that infiltrated South Africa from Botswana in 1978 and were killed after a skirmish with apartheid security forces.

Their fellow unit member, Tladitsaga Moses” Moss” Molefe(MK Ncosi) was shot in the leg and captured the following day and later charged in the well-known Pietermaritzburg treason trial and later imprisoned on Robben Island.  

Forensic experts had conducted DNA tests to determine the identities of the two as their remains were fragmented in an explosion. Their skeletal remains had mingled as they were squeezed into a single coffin when they were secretly buried there.

Locating the actual grave in which they were buried was not easy as no records of their burial was kept.

North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise accompanied by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party in the Provincial Legislature, NPA, Representatives of MKMVA will visit the family in Masutlhe 1 village outside Mahikeng on Thursday afternoon.

“The reburial of the cadres will allow their families to put closure to decades of anxiety and reconcile with a painful past As we celebrate the legacy of selfless service of former ANC President and Commander in Chief of MK.

We owe it to the memories of fallen heroes and heroine of our liberation struggle to recognise the sacrifices and heroic deeds of those who paid the supreme price contributing towards attainment of our freedom and democracy. Their blood nourished the tree of liberty,” said Modise herself a former MK commander and political commissar.

Members of the media that wish to cover the Thursday dress rehearsal by Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veteran Association (MKMVA) as well as Premier Modise and Chief Whip of the Majority Party in the Provincial legislature family visit ( 3:00-5:00pm), Dinner and media briefing session(7:00- 9:00pm)  night vigil by MKMVA (6:00-9:00pm)

The programme for Friday morning includes hoisting of flags and march-pass parade by MKMVA(7:00am), Healing and cleansing ceremony, exhumation (7:15 am) are requested to RSVP with Pat Dooms @ 084 831 4072 for accreditation and overnight  accommodation(one per media house outside Mahikeng) by 10:00 pm on Thursday.(Press cards will have to be faxed through for consideration)

     

Imaginary Tale “Another death in Phakoe saga”

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BY Obakeng Maje

North West Police would like to dismiss the malicious allegations on the article of City Press, Sunday, 08 July 2012, Page 11 titled “Another death in Phakoe saga”.

The Police in the province including the investigating team, we would like to condemn the impartial, one sided, imaginary tale reporting.

“The article is an imaginary tale because no consultation was done by the journalist with the leading organisation in the investigation of the Phakoe murder. The only body that could give authentic information on any investigation relating to Moss, is the South African Police Service” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

“It is unfortunate that the journalist relied so much on faceless sources who unfortunately gave wrong information while ignoring legitimate sources. It must be noted with the contempt that it deserves that the article has a potential of disrupting, while bringing unnecessary confusion and uncertainty to the ongoing sensitive trial of the late trade unionist Moss Phakoe”He continue.

The Police investigators worked very hard to ensure that suspects are brought to book, so that justice is the winner at the end of the day. The motive behind this kind of weak reporting can only be clarified by the journalist concerned.

 “The facts as we know them on the Moss Phakoe murder case are that Phineas Ngale  was never a suspect, nor interviewed by the South African Police Service nor a witness in the Phakoe murder case.

 This person is unknown to the team members who are investigating the case. The Police that attended the crime scene where Mr Ngale committed suicide, did get a suicide note from the deceased, unfortunately the note in our possession as the South African Police Service has no reference to the Moss Phakoe murder case. It remains unknown to us how the journalist links the suicide of Mr Ngale to the gruesome murder of Phakoe” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

 “Some fundamental basics of journalism were flawed in this article and this makes the story to be unfair, lacks objectivity and unbalanced. We also find it strange that a close friend of Ngale decided to inform the Journalist that the deceased had a fallout with Wolmarans but failed to inform the police about information which could  assist in the investigation of the inquest.

It is against this background that we request the retraction because this story may create a wrong impression and mislead the families who are relying on the police to give them accurate information regarding the case. We are confident and we remain resolute that as the South African Police Service we did our investigation and brought the suspects to book. It is all now in the hands of the court to finalise the matter on the 16 July 2012″ Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

 

Banyana Banyana midfield dynamo in demand

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BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana’s teenage midfield sensation Robyn Moodaly has set her immediate sights on helping the national team to do South Africa proud at the London Olympics, but a queue is starting to form as overseas universities look to obtain the prized signature of the High Performance Centre (Tshwane) Grade 12 pupil for 2013.

“Right now, my focus is on doing my best for Banyana Banyana at the London Olympics, but I am hoping to study Sports Science next year. We have received interest from a university in the USA as well as a university in Canada, both are keen for me to study there and play for them,” said the 18-year-old Moodaly, nicknamed ‘Gundwane’ (mouse) by her Banyana Banyana team-mates.

“It is now a case of deciding on the best option as far as my studies and football career is concerned. SAFA and Sasol have done a tremendous job in lifting the profile of women’s football in South Africa over the past few years and the cream is rising to the top as can be seen by Banyana Banyana’s results, hence the international interest in some of the Banyana Banyana players from overseas universities and colleges.”

If Moodaly ends up based in the USA, she will follow in the footsteps of national team-mates in goalkeeper Roxanne Barker (Pepperdine University, California) and midfielder Kylie Ann Louw (Stephen Austin University, Texas).

Moodaly was a key member of the Banyana Banyana Olympic qualifying campaign against African opposition last year and made several contributions – mainly as a second half substitute – where she played a game-breaker role, turning matches in favour of South Africa through slick passing and well-timed tackling.

Another Banyana Banyana attacker, Santos FC (Sasol League Western Cape) striker Jermaine Seoposenwe, is also set for a journey to further her education, but will remain inside the borders of South Africa.

Following her matriculation at Portlands Secondary School, Mitchells Plain last year, Seoposenwe has placed her focus on football in this Olympic year and is one of the six reserves on standby should any of the 18 Banyana Banyana players suffer an injury prior to the start of the world’s sports showpiece in London.

In 2013, the 18-year-old Seoposenwe is set to study law at Wits University in Johannesburg.

“It is great to be a part of the Banyana Banyana Olympic preparations and if any of the 18 players is unable to compete in London and coach Joseph Mkhonza calls on me, believe me, I will be ready to grab this Olympic dream opportunity,” said Seoposenwe.

Both Moodaly and Seoposenwe were members of the South African Under 17 Women’s National Team that competed at the FIFA World Cup Under 17 Women’s tournament in the Caribbean in 2010.

Banyana Banyana will play against German Women’s Premier League side Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a practice match on Thursday, 12 July 2012 (19h30 kick-off).

They also have an international friendly match lined up against Great Britain before returning home.
The encounter will take place in Birmingham, England on Sunday, 15 July 2012 (14h00 SA time).

MAPULE MODISAKENG FOUND DEAD

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BY Obakeng Maje

PHOKENG: A 30 years old Mmapula Modisakeng was found buried in a shallow grave at Maile Rooikraal village outside Rustenburg. 

She went missing on Sunday, 08/ 07 /2012 night when she visited her friend.

The police registered a missing person file after her friend reported her missing on Monday, 10/07/ 2012.

 

On Tuesday, morning the police received information that the are possibilities that Lassie Mosito,25 could have know where the victim was as he was last seen with her..

He was taken to the Police Station for questioning.

 

“The suspect confessed to the police that the victim died and buried her in a shallow grave at the nearby bushes. The Police went to the crime scene where a body of a victim was dug up few kilometres away from the suspect’s home” Captain Makau said..

 The suspect is in police cell and will appear tomorrow at Bafokeng Magistrate court in Tlhabane.

 

SWARTKOPFONTEIN BORDER POST RECOVER UNDECLARED MONEY CASH OF R50 000-00 & MISSING PERSON FOUND DEAD

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BY Obakeng Maje

An amount of R50 000.00 was recovered by Swartkopfontein border post on Tuesday about 14:00.

The money was recovered from a 58 year old man. 

The man approached the searching area and asked permission from the police officer on duty to see his brother who was at the parking bay to collect documents from him.

 

The police officer was observant while the two people were in a conversation and Police became suspicions when the exchange bags.bags.The man was  searched  on his way back to his vehicle  which was  parked at arrival parking area near searching point.

“He was interviewed and alleged that the money was for his business. No declaration was done by him on the money” Captain Pelonomi Makau said.

 

A case for failing to declare money under customs and excise (currency and exchange Act 9 of 1933) was opened and registered.

Suspect was arrested and detained at Motswedi Police Station.The cash amount of  R50 000-00 notes was conficated and handed to Motswedi Police Station  for safe keeping

 

The suspect appeared before the Lehurutshe Magistrate Court today

 

 

 

MEMMEZI RESIGN…..

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BY Obakeng Maje

Pretoria- Gauteng Local Government & Housing Mec, Humphrey Mmezi step down from his position as Mec. This happened today after an outcry from opposition. MMezi allegedly bought a art painting picture for his office using tax-payers money which did not settle well with the oppositions and public.

According to the reports, he announced today saying the reason behind that is the artistry work he bought from other franchise which cost thousands of rands using public money.

“After consultation with my organisation, through the ANC integrity committee and provincial office-bearer i have decided that the most honorable thing to do under circumstances is to step down from the executive council as the mec”  He said.

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Four held in brawl before Zuma’s lecture

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Pic: Thuli Dlamini

A fight broke out between supporters of President Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema shortly before the former delivered the Nelson Mandela memorial lecture in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, yesterday.

The brawl took place in the presence of a large contingent of police personnel, traffic officers and members of the SA National Defence Force, who had lined the streets around the area to ensure there were no disruptions.

For more details go to http://www.timeslive.co.za