Daily Archives: August 30, 2012

Du toit scooped gold for S.A in paralympic

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London – Team South Africa bagged their first gold medal of the London Paralympic Games when Natalie du Toit won the women’s 100m butterfly S9 final on Thursday evening.

 

Having breezed through the heats in the morning, she went on to win the final for the third Games in succession, in one minute, 9.30 seconds (1:09.30).

 

Sarai Gascon of Spain and Elizabeth Stone from America were second and third respectively, in 1:09.79 and 1:10.10, in a closely contested race.

 

Competing for the last time at a Paralympics, Du Toit said she was feeling more relaxed and determined to just enjoy the experience.

 

“After everything I’ve gone through, it’s actually quite a relief that it’s my last Games,” Du Toit said.

 

“It’s a great feeling to be able to walk away and know that I’ve achieved everything I wanted to achieve and there’s nothing else that I could have done.

 

“So I’m more relieved than anything else.”

 

Five-time gold medal winner at both the Paralympics in Athens and Beijing, Du Toit has kept a low profile in the lead up to the London Games.

 

“London has been great and I’ve been able to see a few of the sights which took a bit of the pressure off the racing,” she said.

 

“That was my aim coming into this competition – just to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing.”

 

The 28-year-old from Cape Town, who had her left leg amputated at the knee after she was hit by a car while riding her scooter, will take part in a further six events in London.

 

Du Toit will be back in the pool on Friday in the 100m backstroke event.

 

Aiming to go out with a bang, she will also compete in the 100m breaststroke later in the week and attempt to defend her medals in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle races and the 200m individual medley.

SAPA

Marikana murder charge “madness”-Malema

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Ga-Rankuwa, North West – Charging 270 miners arrested after the violence at Lonmin’s Marikana mine with murder was madness, expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema said on Thursday.

 

“The policemen who killed those people are not in custody, not even one of them. This is madness,” he told protesters at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court, outside Pretoria.

 

“The whole world saw the policemen kill those people. We are going to be seized with this matter. We have asked the lawyers 1/8representing the 270 men 3/8 to consider making an urgent application at the high court.”

 

Malema was speaking after the men’s bail application was postponed for another seven days.

 

Malema said arrangements had been made for the group to be held at the Pretoria Central Prison and the Mogwase Prison, in North West.

 

“At the prisons, the comrades will not be mixed with other people already serving sentences there. Their families will be allowed to visit them,” Malema, speaking in Sotho, told the crowd.

 

“Visiting days at the prisons are Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are going to get the lists (of which members of the group are detained at which prison) and will give them to your leaders. We must be strong.”

 

Malema urged the protesters to remain steadfast and to return to court next week for the group’s next appearance.

 

“We will come back next week, hopefully in larger numbers. We must not be demoralised by this postponement,” he said.

 

“We have organised lawyers for these comrades. We have organised buses for you to go to the funerals this weekend.”

 

Malema was introduced to the protesters as “president” by suspended ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu.

 

Earlier, Magistrate Esau Bodigelo ruled that the group be kept in custody as not enough information had been provided to start their bail applications.

 

“My ruling is that it will be in the interest of justice that the State be granted another postponement not exceeding seven days. This matter will be postponed until next week.”

 

Malema attended the court proceedings on Thursday afternoon.

 

Heads turned in the courtroom when Malema walked in before 2pm, accompanied by Shivambu and suspended ANCYL secretary general Sindiso Magaqa.

 

At the time, Bodigelo was going through arguments presented by prosecutor Nigel Carpenter and the defence team, made up of six attorneys.

 

The State applied for the bail application to be postponed for seven days, so that the particulars of every individual, including criminal records, could be verified.

 

The men’s lawyers had wanted them urgently released, and told the court some of them were not getting their medication for chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis and HIV.

 

The matter resumes next Thursday. – Sapa

 

 

Northern Cape schools at halt

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Northern Cape – Three schools have been burned down, 64 schools have closed and 16 000 pupils are unable to attend school.

 

Public violence around service delivery in the Northern Cape has brought education in the Johan Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, in which Kuruman is situated, to a halt.

 

Panyaza Lesufi, spokesman for the Department of Basic Education, said on Thursday: “The situation remains the same: 64 schools in the affected area remain closed. The 24 schools that were reopened outside the affected area”.

 

“I can confirm that a (neutral) religious leader is acting as a go-between and mediator between the protesters and the Department of Education. He is currently meeting with the protesters,” said Lesufi.

 

“Based on his feedback, the department will decide on whether it will be necessary to launch a full-blown to attempt to resolve the impasse,” said Lesufi.

 

Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, has been unable to visit the affected area due to “the high level of intimidation and disruptions”, said Lesufi, who had earlier called on police to step in and stabilise the situation to allow schools to re-open.

 

“These acts of vandalism (burning of schools) must be investigated and culprits be identified and appropriate action be taken by our law enforcement agencies,” said Lesufi.

 

“The majority of parents have asked us to re-open the schools. Once the situation has been stabilised the schools will be re-opened.”

 

Lesufi said the demands tabled by the protesters were not education-related. Residents have been protesting over the lack of tarred roads in the municipality.

 

The education department was focusing its support on matric pupils as there was a full recovery plan for pupils in the lower grades.

 

IFP spokesman Alfred Mpontshane said no matter how many camps or catch-up plans the education department had, children whose schooling was continually disrupted could not possibly be expected to achieve their potential.

 

Patrick Mabilo, the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, said that more police officers and intelligence operatives would be deployed to the affected areas to resolve the problems.

 

“We cannot allow this anarchy to continue. We are sending in more law enforcement officers to all affected areas to restore calm… they must be relentless in their efforts to get to the masterminds who are behind the violence there,” Mabilo said.

 

A source in one of the troubled villages told sister newspaper the DFA police were afraid of arresting those responsible for violence because their families were being threatened.

 

Cape Argus

Igesund defend his Bafana selection

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By Obakeng Maje

New Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a 25-man squad to face Brazil and Mozambique in the forthcoming international friendly matches.

South Africa play Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday, 7 September before hosting Mozambique at Mbombela Stadium on 11 September.

This is Igesund’s first squad announcement since his appointment on Saturday, 30 June 2012 and has kept the core of the Bafana Bafana team while calling up seven new players – Kamohelo Mokotjo, Kgosietsile Ntlhe, Katlego Mashego, Thabo Matlaba, Dean Furman, Dino Ndlovu and Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Making a return to the national team after a long absence are Bevan Fransman, Bernard Parker, Kagiso Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu.

Goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has also been included after rescinding his decision to retire from the national team.

Ten of the 25 players called up for the two assignments are based overseas.

“I have chosen the best squad available based on current form and fitness – the strongest team in my view.” said Igesund.

“I am also giving other players a chance so that I know early the type of players we have. It is better to make mistakes now, rectify them and chart the way forward. It does not mean the career of names not on this sheet is over. My philosophy is that every player should fight for the flag and not take things for granted. In that way we will have a fighting mentality in the national team.”

“These are very exciting times for our country, especially with the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the World Cup qualifiers that are coming up. I believe if everyone pulls in the right direction, we can make it happen,” said Igesund.

The South African Senior Men’s National Team plays Brazil on Friday at the Estadio do Morumbi in Sao Paolo.

Kickoff for the match is 15h45 local time in Brazil (20h45 SA time).

The match comes during Brazil’s celebration for their Independence Day, and will also be used as part of a symbolic hand-over from the previous to present hosts of the FIFA World Cup tournament.

“The clash with Brazil is going to be very tough, and we will be using it to see what type of players we have available. This is also the chance to get the best possible squad to represent our country at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament next year, which we are hosting,” said the head coach.

“We are going out there to do our best, one thing I am sure of, this team will play with pride, passion and commitment – hopefully we can achieve our objectives. The most important thing is that we should not be scared to lose.”

Igesund has also called for the country to support the national team as they embark on a new era.

“We cannot do it alone, we need as much support as we can get, we need everyone to rally behind the team,” he said.

The squad assembles for camp on Sunday, 2 September 2012 at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International Hotel.

They then depart for Sao Paolo on Monday, 3 September in the morning, arriving in Brazil on the same day due to the five-hour time difference.

Training while in Brazil will be held at the CT Palmeiras grounds on Tuesday (4 September) and Wednesday (5 September). On Thursday (6 September) training will be held at the match venue, Estadio do Morumbi.

Bafana Bafana return home on Sunday morning (9 September) at 07h40.

Three hours later they fly to Mpumalanga for another international friendly match against Mozambique.

The clash will take place at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Kickoff is at 20h35.

South Africa will train at the match venue on Monday, 10 September.

The squad returns to Johannesburg on Wednesday, 12 September.

Here is the full Bafana Bafana squad:

NO.

PLAYER’S NAME

CLUB

GOALKEEPERS:

1.SANDILANDS Wayne

Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

2.JOSEPHS Moeneeb

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

3.KHUNE Itumeleng

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

DEFENDERS:

4.

SANGWENI Siyabonga

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

5.

FRANSMAN Bevan

Supersport United FC (SA)

6.

KHUMALO Bongani

Paok Thessaloniki FC (Greece)

7.

MATHOHO Eric

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

8.

NGCONGCA Anele

Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

9.

MASENAMELA Punch

Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

10.

MOKOTJO Kamohelo

Feyenoord FC (Holland)

11.

NTLHE Kgosietsile

Peterborough FC (England)

MIDFIELDERS: 12.

PIENAAR Steven (

C)

Everton FC (England)

13.

LETSHOLONYANE Reneilwe

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

14.

TSHABALALA Siphiwe

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

15.

PARKER Bernard

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

16.

SERERO Thulani

Ajax Amsterdam FC ( Holland)

17.

MAHLANGU May

Helsingborg FC (Sweden)

18.

MASHEGO Katlego

Free State Stars FC (SA)

19.

MATLABA Thabo

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

20.

FURMAN Dean

Oldham Athletic FC (England)

21.

DIKGACOI Kagisho

Crystal Palace FC (England)

22.

CHABANGU Lerato

Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

STRIKERS

23.

NOMVETHE Siyabonga

Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

24.

NDLOVU Dino

Maccabi Haifa FC (Israel)

25.

GABUZA Thamsanqa

Golden Arrows FC (SA

Former Cosmos striker to throw a towel

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Former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjamin Mwaruwari is likely to hang up his boots at the end of the month if he fails to secure a contract with a South African top-flight side.

KickOff.com, the former Zimbabwe national team captain refuted claims that he is on the verge of signing a contract that would see him rejoining Jomo Cosmos.

Mwaruwari, who was released by English side Portsmouth at the end of last season, has also ruled out linking up with one of the big clubs in the Zimbabwe Premier League.

 

“I am ready to retire from football if I do not manage to secure a contract with a Premier League team here [in South Africa],” Mwaruwari tells

“I have been training with Jomo Cosmos, but I am not going to be signing a contract with them. Those were just rumours. I still attend some of the training sessions at Cosmos just to keep fit, but this is as far as it goes.

For more details go to http://www.kickoff.com

 

Igesund squad to face Brazil and Mozambique

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South Africa will take on Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday, September 7, and will host Mozambique on Tuesday, September 11 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

 

The squad is:

 

Wayne Sandilands, Moeneeb Josephs, Itumeleng Khune, Siyabonga Sangweni, Bevan Fransman, Bongani Khumalo, Erick Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca, Punch Masenamela, Kamohelo Makotjo, Kgosi Ntlhe, Steven Pienaar, Rewneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker, Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Katlego Mashego (Free State Stars), Thabo Matlaba, Dean Furman (Oldham Athletic) Dikgacoi, Lerato Chabangu, Siyabonga Nomvete, Dino Ndlovo, Thamsanqa Gabuza

 

 

Mokgareng Sangoma denied bail for the fourth time

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By Bonolo Kgarane

Taung- Yesterday Taung Magistrate Court denied a bail to a Sangoma who is accused of a murder of Mosetsanagape Sopi,23 originally from Ipelegeng Location in Sweizer-Reneke.

A 37 year old was arreste along with his enstranged girlfriend, Kgalalelo Rantelodi after a body of  a 23 year old found in the nearby river.

According to the reports, Mosetsanagape came to see Monnahela for consultation and her body was found later wrapped in a black plastic bag at nearby river.

The Police worked on tip-off that led to Monnahela arrest alongside his former girlfriend Kgalalelo who is also a mother of his child.

The Court granted a R1000 bail to Ratelodi after there was lack of evidence that directly implicate her in the murder.

“Kgalalelo was very helpful in leading the Police to the arrested of her former boyfriend,so Court so it fit to grant her bail” said Investigative Officer in June after bail application.

Monnahela was done blow after his lawyer retrieved from the case as he said there are no changes to any new evidence that can work on the accused’s favour.

The case was postponed until the 10th of October for Monnahela to try and convince the Court once more to grant him bail.

The NPA also said they will be against Monnahela’s bail application as he is a risk within the community and himself too.

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Blunder saw a rapist walk free

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Durban – A man accused of raping a 74-year-old Pietermaritzburg woman walked out of court a free man after a bungle by the authorities.

 

The 28-year-old man was arrested for rape and robbery on a Saturday, which meant he had to be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest, reported the Daily News.

 

For some reason though, the man – who was not identified – was not brought to court on Monday and only appeared in court on Tuesday, leaving the magistrate on duty with no choice but to set him free.

 

Prosecutor Zandile Ndimande said she didn’t know why the man was not brought to court on Monday and a police spokesperson was also at a loss to explain the blunder.  

 

A women’s right activist said she was shocked and appalled at the inefficiency which saw the suspect go free.

 

“This is not just, this is not fair and this is not democratic,” said Annie Shaw.

 

“This poor woman has been violated in the worst possible way and has literally been raped of all her constitutional rights, and yet the law only recognises the rights of the accused.

Gordon Igesund to announce Bafana squad

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by obakeng maje

Gordon Igesund is announcing his first Bafana Bafana squad today at 11:00am – who do you want to see in it?

The new Bafana coach is expected to hand call-ups to Kgosi Nthle and Kamohelo Mokotjo, and Tokelo Rantie is reportedly left out of the mix.

moroka swallows lerato chabangu is set to return to bafana fortress after being absent for more than two year.

so give us your preview…!!!

What would your ideal starting XI be?

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Mine unrest to hit economy:Shabangu

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Perth – Mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu said on Wednesday that a wave of labour unrest and violence in the mining sector that killed 44 people this month will have an impact on potential investments.

 

“It is a cause for concern. 

 

“The tragedy does impact on any potential investments,” she told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Perth.

 

The government would not allow a repeat of the strife at the Lonmin platinum mine [JSE:LON] but mining returns could not be made at any cost, the minister said.  

 

Shabangu also said mine nationalisation could not advance the interests of South Africa.