Daily Archives: October 15, 2012

SAFA President allays threats to Bafana

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By Obakeng Maje

The South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani says Bafana Bafana were safe and in good spirits ahead of tomorrow (16 October 2012) evening’s friendly clash with Kenya despite alleged security concerns.

Bafana play the Harambee Stars at Nyayo Stadium in an evening game and the SAFA boss said the team was raring to go.

“Security threats have never been an issue for us here,” said the SAFA president who arrived in the Kenyan capital this morning. On Friday, there were reports that two bombings had targeted certain sections of the capital, wounding a police officer.

However, the SAFA President said the team was safe and were looking forward to tomorrow’s match.

“As I speak to you now, I have just finished a meeting with the South African embassy in Nairobi and they have assured me everything is fine.

“There is no need to panic, we are all safe, excited about tomorrow’s game and raring to go,” said the SAFA boss who was accompanied by his Kenyan counterpart for most of the day.

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Bafana to redeem themselves against Kenya

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By Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana coach believes the 1-0 loss to Poland on Friday might be the catalyst his squad needs to go for victory against the Harambee Stars of Kenya when the two meet in an international friendly on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at Nyayo Stadium.

Kick-off is at 19h00 Kenyan time and 18h00 South African time.

South Africa and Kenya last met in February last year at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg where the home team ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Davide Somma and former captain Steven Pienaar.

This time, both sides have new coaches with the much-travelled Henri Michel, formerly with Mamelodi Sundowns, now in charge of Kenya while Gordon Igesund will be calling shots from the other side.

This will be Michel’s first match in charge of Kenya, while Igesund is in his fourth match with the South African national team.

Bafana Bafana are ranked 76th on the FIFA World rankings while Kenya is placed 128th.

“We are trying a number of combinations in preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. We have 26 players in camp and some didn’t play against Poland so this will be their chance to also get a run. We have to juggle the squad around so that we have a clear picture when we name the final squad for the tournament,” said Igesund.

“We haven’t started tactical work yet because the current idea is to watch as many players as possible. In the next three weeks or so I will be 70 percent certain of my final squad but for now it is still work in progress.” 

Igesund said losing to Poland has not put the team under any pressure because they were more concerned with the bigger picture.

“There is no pressure at all because we are in the preparatory phase. I would rather lose to Poland and Kenya but do well in the Afcon,” he said.

The players believe they have what it takes to defeat Kenya.

“Obviously we were very disappointed to lose to Poland. We did well in the first half, but we became eager to win in the second half and lost shape. We all know we should have done better,” said midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi.

“We learnt a lot as a team from that clash but it is now behind us and we have a match against Kenya to take care of. We are looking forward to that encounter and we are hopeful we will rectify the Poland mistakes and come up with a good win.”

Captain Bongani Khumalo says the team is gelling well, but will need some time to become a well oiled machine.

“The coach has spoken about trying different players and combinations, and we all know that the chemistry of success doesn’t come overnight. I believe we have good players with a strong mentality, and we are doing our best to get to know each others’ style of play and have an understanding,” he said.

“Against Kenya we will have to go out and do the best and I believe we should come out with a positive result.”

The squad returns to South Africa on Wednesday morning (17 October).

They are expected to land at OR Tambo Airport at 05h30

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Stadium fraud case postponed

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Nelspruit, Mpumalanga – The trial of three men accused of corruption in the building of the Mbombela stadium, in Mpumalanga, was postponed by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“It was postponed for further particulars and further discovery,” said court official Eric Mashego, He said they would be back in court on November 29.

Kaizer Chiefs’ manager Bobby Motaung, his business partner at Lefika Emerging Equity Herbert Theledi, and their co-accused Chris Gribb face charges of forgery and fraud.

Former Mbombela municipal manager Jacob Dladla appeared separately in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court after his arrest on Sunday.

He was released on R15 000 bail and would appear in court with the others on November 29.

Dladla was municipal manager when Motaung’s company was awarded the contract to build the R1.2 billion stadium for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Motaung and his co-accused allegedly forged SA Revenue Service documents to get the contract to build the stadium.

At their last appearances, Motaung and Theledi were granted bail of R50,000 each. Gribb was released on R20,000 bail.

The court prohibited them from having contact with any Mbombela municipality employees while out on bail. They were also ordered not to come within 500 metres of the Mbombela municipal offices.

At their last court appearance, more than 100 protesters displayed posters reading: “Who killed Jimmy”, “What happened to Jimmy” and “Stop Corruption”.

Some protesters wore T-shirts with the face of Mbombela municipal speaker Jimmy Mohlala, who was shot dead in January 2009

after blowing the whistle on companies and individuals he claimed were involved in tender corruption. – Sapa

Illness delays murder case

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Muldersdrift, North West – The trial of two men implicated in the murder of a Muldersdrift man was postponed by the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Prosecutor Micky Thesner told the court a third accused, Maniri Lubisi, was still in hospital.

“The hospital hasn’t indicated when he’ll be ready for release,” she said.

The case was postponed until November 5 for Lubisi, and for further investigation.

The two accused in court, Alfred Zwane and Samson Madlaza, stood before the magistrate in an empty court room and were told they would remain in police custody.

They were allegedly part of a group which robbed and shot 50-year-old Andre Jordaan at his home.

Police said Jordaan was with other people outside when a barking dog alerted them to a group of men carrying firearms.

The robbers entered the house and shot Jordaan seven times. He died in hospital.

Police were investigating whether the three men were part of the gang which killed Alyssa Botha, 13, and wounded her 17-year-old sister and her father in a robbery in the same area two weeks ago.

Five men were arrested in connection with the robbery, but all of them were released because of a lack of evidence.

One of the men had a memory card belonging to one of the girls.

The matter would continue on November 5. – Sapa

Madonsela: bias claims ‘mischievous’

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Pretoria – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Monday dismissed accusations of bias, reportedly made against her by her deputy, Mamiki Shai.

Madonsela was reacting to a Sunday Times report on claims, attributed to Shai, that she had changed the findings of a report into the DA-led Midvaal Municipality, and had deliberately withheld its release until after municipal elections.

“For one to say I sat on that report to ensure that the DA wins in Midvaal is really mischievous, but it must be tested. We work through a memo system in our offices, which indicates when a report was handed to me,” she said.

“Reports are not thrown at you as you walk through the door. I think people should read the (Midvaal) report and then ask whoever is accusing me what was in that report that I removed which makes the final report unjust.”

She said she wanted the African National Congress in Midvaal to be part of the investigation into the allegations of her bias.

The public protector said she stood by all her findings as they were credible.

“I have never made a decision that I cannot justify, or that can’t be justified by the report itself. I challenge you as journalists to read the reports, especially the one on Midvaal, which has the most absurd of allegations,” she said.

Madonsela welcomed Parliament’s decision to assign the justice portfolio committee to look into various allegations – made in a series of anonymous letters – against her and her office.

She had requested the probe in July.

Madonsela also rejected claims, attributed to Shai in the newspaper report, suggesting that the public protector was taking up issues beyond her jurisdiction. – Sapa

Setlopo High School students celebrate their matric dance in style

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By Obakeng Maje

Mafikeng- Setlopo High School Students will relish every moment they had at their Matric Dance farewell which were celebrated in style at Gabomotho Resort.

The anticipated event started with inclinations as students were convoyed in a VW to Gabomotho Resort.

They were all dressed up and paired with well-known personalities.

“They must do their best at school and they must not let their background determine their. future. This should actually encourage them to work very hard no matter how difficult it is can be. They must keep pushing and eventually they will see the light at the end of the tunnel” Motsweding Fm presenter, Sir Max said.

Motsweding FM news anchor, Bayo Selogilwe who is also a chairperson of Tsala Tota Organization chairperson  was a Guest of Honour.

“We as radio personnels must keep on motivating this kids to do well in their exams and remember that its up to an individual not about a friend or anyone, but one’s future” Bahedile Selogile said.

“They must change their situation and take a good example from US president,Barack Obama.He didn’t let his background to affect him of fulfilling his dreams to became the first black president of America” she asserted.

Goitseone Mooki MAFIKENG FM NEWS ANCHOR was one of the Speaker.

He said “It iss an honour to be part of the initiative as I can relate with the benefactors. I would like to see more schools benefiting and more sponsors coming on board”.

Lesego Molamu from Lesco Event/Radio Producer and Boitumelo “LadyGee” Mosiane from KitsokeNeo were the Organizers of this Matric Dance.

Molamu said this is the Beginning of “Fairytale”where by “we will be helping disadvantaged kids to enjoy and attend their Matric Dance as they have been at school for 12 Years”.

“Jullia Mosiane(teacher) at Setlopo High School  was the one who identified the underpriviledged kids” Molamu said.

Best Dress of the Night: Thabiso Moeng and Kriel Dimakatso.

“We would like to thank the following people if it was not for them, we would have managed to organise such a massive event:  Sir Max MOTSWEDING FM, MK1 VW Club, Tutu Kgobane Presenter @ NWUFM, Refilwe Fifi Lefenya Presenter @ MAFIKENG FM, Bayo Selogilwe SABC NEWS ANCHOR, Goitseone Mooki MAFIKENG FM NEWS ANCHOR, Boitumelo LadyGee Mosiane, Napoleon Rilela, Gloria Phoxx, Kabelo Mahemo, Obakeng, Gaa” Molamu said.

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Teacher beaten by pupils

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Mpumalanga – Four teenage boys and a girl from a Oosterland High School near Secunda allegedly assaulted a teacher from a neighbouring school so badly at the weekend that he had to be admitted to hospital, Beeld reported.

Attie Rudolph, 44, sustained severe concussion on Friday night at Secunda High School and had to have stitches for a cut on the back of his head.

The attack took place around 7pm at a dance arranged by the school as part of their spring celebrations.

Rudolph was allegedly confronted at the school gate by a group of teenagers who said they had come to collect a girl who was in the school hall.

Rudolph told them that only the girls’ parents were allowed to collect her, asked them to leave and then walked away.

He was attacked from behind and bashed on the head with a heavy object, after which he fell to the ground.

He was kicked in the face before his attackers fled, but they were identified by a witness.

Rudolph was admitted to hospital for treatment, and discharged on Saturday.

A charge of assault has been laid against the five assailants. – Sapa

 

NW’s R600m lease debacle drags on

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More than four years after the North West public works and health departments signed a R600 million lease to rent a complex for the provincial Health Department, eight officials have been called to a disciplinary hearing about the deal.

 

 

The officials – seven from the provincial Public Works Department and one from the Health Department – appeared before a disciplinary committee on Wednesday.

 

 

They include the former head of the Public Works Department, Obakeng Mongale; Pandora Hlakanye, who was the director of facility management; IT employee Seatlholo Matlhaku; Josie Scholtz; Johanna Hart; Johannes Tselane; Mbulelo Tundzi, who sat on the tender adjudication committee; and Vuyo Mbulawa, the former chief director of corporate services in the Health Department.

 

 

Provincial health spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane confirmed that Mongale, who has since moved to the Health Department, and Mbulawa, attended an “enquiry”. They were not charged but were only there to establish facts, said Lekgethwane, adding that the department was not privy to the details of the meeting as it was a closed, ongoing session.

 

 

Provincial public works spokesman KJLebo Mokgethi would not confirm which employees were summonsed or whether their disciplinary hearings were linked to the Peolwane Properties lease.

 

 

The disciplinary hearing of the eight employees was scheduled for the same week that the two departments, in conjunction with the provincial Treasury, started a court process to set aside the pricey lease – signed off in 2008 by the provincial Health Department and costing R3.9m a month.

 

 

It kicked in in November, but the department has refused to move in or pay rent.

 

 

The building’s owner, Peolwane Properties, approached the Mafikeng High Court to get the department to honour its lease obligations and the court ordered a review of the tender.

 

 

But since the lease was signed four years ago, more than four officials involved in the decision have left the health and public works departments.

 

 

Mongale is now executive manager for specialised hospitals and medical support services in the Health Department and Hlakanye is chief of facility management.

 

 

The disciplinary hearing followed a report by The Sunday Independent that the department had ordered a forensic investigation conducted by Gobodo Incorporated of the the lease after complaints from a losing bidder.

For more details go tohttp://www.iol.co.za/

Two rhinos mutilated in reserve

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Johannesburg – Two rhinos were found dead and mutilated at the Shingalana Lion and Rhino Game Reserve in Haartebees in the North West on Sunday morning, the reserve said.

Spokesperson Jaco Pfister said the corpses were discovered with their horns, ears and genitals removed.

He said this was the second such incident at the reserve in a week after another rhino was recovered on Monday.

“We believe the same people were behind both incidents because they have removed similar parts from the rhinos,” he said.

No one had been arrested and police were investigating. – Sapa

Mbalula spitting fire over reports

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The Sunday Independent newspaper earlier reported that Mbalula was now backing President Jacob Zuma in the coming ANC elective conference, quoting unnamed sources.

 

Mbalula was linked with a campaign to replace ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe, a move led by the ANC Youth League.

 

But Mbalula described these reports to the Sowetan newspaper as “a desperation of political thugs and their cohorts who have elected to subject me to political lynch”.

 

“Those who possess uncontrollable ambitions to ascend to leadership by hook or crook, or position themselves as king-makers, will not hesitate to play dirty tricks,” he was quoted by the newspaper.

 

Mbalula also lashed at Zizi Kodwa and businessman Sello Rasethaba who had been quoted as saying he was amenable to their proposals to ditch his ambitions to replace Mantashe, the Sowetan said.

 

The Sowetan reported that Kodwa, a former Zuma spokesman, had been quoted as saying they were trying to make Mbalula understand that “he can’t be part of a coalition that can’t be defined politically”.

 

“There has to be a generational mix, but the generation of 1942 can’t be forced out,” the paper quoted Kodwa as saying.

 

Mbalula said: “…I neither need spokespersons nor self-styled messiahs in the form of Zizi Kodwa or Sello Rasethaba to speak on my behalf.”

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