Monthly Archives: July 2012

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

NEWS Leave a comment

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”

NEWS Leave a comment

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

NEWS Leave a comment

 

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

NEWS Leave a comment

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

NEWS Leave a comment

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…..

NEWS Leave a comment

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.

Follow us on twitter @Taung_DailyNews  

Four held in brawl before Zuma’s lecture

NEWS Leave a comment

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

Winnie blasts ANC

NEWS 1 Comment

Pic:The Times

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has, in a furious letter, attacked the ANC, accusing the party of “shabby treatment” and abusing the Mandela name.

The struggle veteran, in a letter addressed to party spokesman Jackson Mthembu, blasted the ANC, saying: “We [the Mandela family] only matter when we have to be used for some agenda.”

A clearly hurt and livid Madikizela-Mandela wrote the letter in response to a request by Mthembu for a meeting to discuss the ANC’s centenary celebrations, which involve former president Nelson Mandela during his birthday month.

SAFA appoints Bafana Bafana Technical Team

NEWS Leave a comment

BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Football Association (SAFA) today (Tuesday, 10 July 2012) announced the Bafana Bafana technical team that would surround new Head Coach, Gordon Igesund, in his quest to take the South African Senior Men’s National Team to success in the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 and in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2014.

The position of Bafana Bafana full-time Assistant Coach has gone to long-serving Supersport United Assistant Coach, Thomas Madigage. Madigage was Igesund’s first choice for the position, as he wanted to work with an assistant coach who has achieved great success in that position and who would complement his own style and strengths.

“There were many great candidates that I considered,” said Igesund, “but I am delighted that Tommy has accepted this position, and I look forward to working with him with immediate effect.”

SAFA CEO, Dr Robin Petersen, thanked Supersport United for their willingness to release Madigage at short notice for national duty.

“We are grateful to the club for allowing us to take Tommy into our National team structures. We realize that this has a negative impact on them, but we applaud them for allowing us to put the country first,” said Dr Petersen.

Other key appointments to the Technical team are as follows:

Mr Serame Letsoaka  – Second Assistant Coach (for national team camps)
Mr Alex Heredia  – Goalkeeper Coach
Mr Zak van Heerden  – Physiologist/Physical Trainer
Dr Carl Tabane   – Team Doctor
Mr Godfrey Sepuru  – Physiotherapist
Mr Thabiso Moshane  – Masseur
Video Analysts   – AMISCO

Chairman of the SAFA Technical Committee, Mr Fanyana Sibanyoni, also announced that the Bafana Bafana’s Head Coach had requested that a Reference Group, consisting of Mr Jomo Sono, Mr Clive Barker and Mr Shakes Mashaba, be appointed by the Association to provide input and support.

“We are delighted with this ‘brains trust’,” said Mr Sibanyoni. “They will assist the coach as needed by him.  Gordon recommended this panel to us, and we are convinced that this panel will provide him with the necessary support he needs in getting the best out of the team.”

President of SAFA, Mr Kirsten Nematandani, expressed his delight at the finalization of the technical team.

“Now that the Coach has concluded this critical matter in line with his preferred choices, we pledge the Association’s full support to him and his team as they undertake this exciting and challenging journey. We ask the nation to rally around them and carry them to anticipated success.”

Nyandeni believes Banyana Banyana have a hunger for success

NEWS Leave a comment

 

BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana’s Russia-based midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni believes the national team’s secret recipe is the hunger for success which wasn’t present to this extent in the team four years ago.

The former Detroit Ladies (Sasol League Mpumalanga) playmaker, who these days wears the colours of FC Rossiyank in the Russian women’s league, has already joined her team-mates at the national team training camp in Hennef, Germany.
She expressed her excitement about being a part of Banyana Banyana’s first appearance at the Olympic Games later this month in London.

“I have been a part of the Banyana Banyana set-up since 2002 and there has been a new vibe in the squad and in the Sasol League over the past four years, and SAFA and Sasol need to be commended for the efforts being made to take women’s football in South Africa to a new level,” said Nyandeni.

The twenty-four year-old has 93 Banyana Banyana caps to her name, and has scored 27 goals.

“SAFA and Sasol have made us feel like champions since the partnership began four years ago and so many new players have come to the fore thanks to the platforms put in place,” she added.

Nyandeni’s passion for coaching and helping the next era of rising stars to reach their potential is close to her heart.

“I would like to see more women becoming involved in football in South Africa, in particular as coaches. In Russia many of the clubs in the women’s league are coached by women, but in South Africa it’s different,” said Nyandeni.

“When I retire from playing football, I would like to be involved as a coach or a referee and I encourage women in this country, who have a passion for football, to get involved with the Beautiful Game, beyond just being football players.”

Nyandeni described each Banyana Banyana call up as a special moment for her, saying, “I am always pleased to be called up to represent the nation. The vibe in the camp is great as we want to seize the moment and do our country proud at the Olympics. Yes, we are going into unknown terrain, a level of play that we have never experienced before, but I am sure that the nerves will settle quickly once the action kicks off.”

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).