By Obakeng Maje

Polokwane- The ANC conference in Limpopo has been changed to a secret location after it was surrounded by chaos. The conference alleged surrounded by hiccups as pro-Zuma supporters quarrel with those who want to elect Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe as a ruling party president.

Two people were arrested after they allegedly hauled stones at the police and this caused the delay. Limpopo ANC has been divided in two for some time now as the other factions support ANCYL embattled leader Julius Malema and other group are anti-Malema.

” PGC for nomination stats: Expected delegates: 520, Registered delegates: 326, Needed quorum: 261. All hooligans outside and Joe Maswanganyi and co. throwing stones at the police and arrested for that reason. Attempts to disrupt by Nathi and Ruth won’t succeed” Former ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu said.

The nomination conference has been changed to a cross location and up to so far the Limpopo province expected to nominate Motlhanthe as the party president and to try and oust Zuma.

Zuma is leading the pack in most provinces and is expected to win the votes come Mangaung on the 14th of December where the party will be having their Elective Conference.

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By Obakeng Maje

As part of its mandate to promote the sport of boxing in the North West Province, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with Dikebu Golden Palace will host a Boxing Tournament in Moretele Office Park on December 8.

The tournament is the second to be held in the North West Province this year, following the one held on May 15 in Klerksdorp. The aim is to make boxing a more competitive sport and establish more clubs in the Province.

“It is our duty as the department to ensure active participation in the Province,” says MEC of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms. Tebogo Modise. “The initiative is to promote and develop boxing and also produce future professionals in the North West Province.”

The 2012 tournament, dubbed ‘Platinum v/s Gold’ (North West v/s Gauteng) will comprise six bouts, which are all non-title fights, as all the participants are not title holders.

Participants in the tournament are: Joey Stinglish v/s Goodman Zanempi, Ashley Dlamini v/s Vuyolethu Sirayi, Paul Kamanga v/s Justice Ndlovu, Katiso Hlahane v/s Ceeboy Mnchela, Allan Bouwer v/s Nhlanhla Nyathi, Zan Jonker v/s Elvis Ndlovu, and Thabang Ramagole v/s Lerato Kgole.

The professional bouts will be preceded by an amateur boxing tournament which will run from 09:00 to 14:00. The professionals will be in the ring from 14:00 to 18:00.

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UCDP chairperson Tshegofatso Beatrice Motshegare has called on women to speak out against abuse to recognise the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Child Abuse.

“I would like to appeal to all South Africans to come out of their secluded corners and speak out. We can participate as family members, neighbours, friends and relatives.

“Our silence perpetuates the abuse. As mothers we should be at the forefront to protect our children from abusive partners, relatives and strangers.

“In most cases, the mother is the closest person to the child and she is the first to notice when something is wrong. Let us all stand up and stop these criminal acts against women and children. We appeal to government for tougher laws against the perpetrators,” Motshegare said.

The event in the North West took place in Rustenburg last week, with Deputy Minister of Education Enver Surty in attendance.

“It is essential for all our citizens to know their rights and take responsibility for protecting them; however this also means that we all have to respect the rights of others. As part of 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children, we condemn bullying and killings in our schools,” Surty said.

He said although South Africa’s constitution was regarded as one of the best in the world, particularly on the rights of women and children, the prevalence of violence in South Africa continued to demand urgent attention.

He said the government had taken strides to ensure that women and children were protected.

The deputy minister urged the youth to desist from sexual activities at an early age and for focus on the education.

For more details go to http://thenewage.co.za

The North West’s education department expressed disappointment at the poor showing by pupils in the foundation phases following the dismal performances in the annual national assessment (ANA) results.

The province was ranked eighth, with most of the grades scoring way below the national average marks.

The results were released during a press conference in Mahikeng yesterday and department officials said much work had to be done to improve education in the province.

The most worrying factor is the progressive decline in mathematics marks.

Kids in Grade1 managed to score an average of 63.3% against the national average of 68.1% while those in Grade9 managed a paltry 11.2% against an equally appalling national average of 12.7%.

Education MEC Louisa Mabe said the department was hugely disappointed in the results and would bid to devise ways to improve in the coming year.

“We have not performed well and this situation needs more effort on our part – and we would look at ways of monitoring classroom activities to see what is really happening,” she said.

Mabe said the trend where subject marks declined, the higher the grade, would spell disaster for the province if not addressed urgently.

“We have been putting more effort on the first phase and the grade 12 level but it is time we begin to apply intervention across the board because the results of our Grade9 class are very bad.

“This means we need a crop of managers who go down to assess and monitor activities in schools to make an impact and turn around this situation,” she said.

The MEC also called on school principals to make a better effort, adding that those who failed to show leadership would be forced out.

“We need principals who instil discipline and a good ethos at their schools because dedicated leaders can make a difference.

For more details go to http://thenewage.co.za/

ORLANDO Pirates coach Roger de Sa has raised some concerns about the absence of Sifiso Myeni and Siyabonga Sangweni for tonight’s league fixture against Chippa United.

But De Sa’s spirits should be lifted by the possible return of Benni McCarthy and Thulasizwe Mbuyane from injury.

De Sa should feel further relief that both Myeni and Sangweni, who are both serving suspensions, will be available for the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

The Buccaneers visit Chippa at Athlone Stadium and kickoff is at 7.30pm.

Although many among the Bucs fans probably view the Chippa match as nothing but a hors d’oeuvre before the main course on Saturday, De Sa knows how victory would raise confidence levels ahead of the derby.

“We’ll definitely miss Myeni and Sangweni. They’ve been key players to us so far this season,” De Sa was quoted as saying on the club’s website.

“Myeni has been playing extremely well and as a coach you always need your key players for every game.

“But we’ve had such situations before and I trust those available will step up.”

Adding to De Sa’s concerns is the possible absence of Takesure Chinyama, the Zimbabwean striker who injured his ankle last week.

Bucs have won five and drawn one of their past six matches and, on their current form, are unlikely to lose that impressive record to lowly Chippa, who have been battling to find their feet in the top flight.

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

The school’s owner, aged 59, and its principal, who is 27 years old, were arrested after Kamohelo Pitso, 17, was found dead.

His mother, Makhotso Pitso, said the family wanted to know why her son was killed.

She said her son disappeared from her Botshabelo, Free State, home last month. The boy’s body was found on Monday in a veld. Police found 14 initiates aged between 16 and 25 at the initiation school.

“I waited for him to return and three hours later three young men arrived at my house and told me that Kamohelo has joined other initiates at their school,” said the mother.

“A week later the school’s owner came to my house demanding R1500 for Kamohelo’s release and later demanded R3500 after he had graduated.”

Pitso said she was shocked because Kamohelo’s father had told the school’s owner that he was opposed to the boy attending the initiation.

Police spokeswoman Constable Consolation Mokoale said Kamohelo’s body was found near a hill outside Botshabelo.

“He had sustained serious injuries to his body,” Mokoale said.

“There was blood in his mouth, his left elbow has a burn wound. We suspect that he could have died on Sunday and we were only informed on Monday by his principal.”

In the suspects’ possession, police found fake permits allowing the children to attend the initiation school.http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/

Johannesburg – Five cities, 23 days, 32 matches… and half-a-billion rand.

By the time the final whistle blows on the Africa Cup of Nations on February 10, government departments will have spent at least R542m on everything from “creative programmes” for the opening ceremony to immigration control, law enforcement, communications and T-shirts.

Although the soccer tournament is not really a surprise, most of the funding is listed as “unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditure” in October’s adjusted national Budget.

South Africa was due to host Afcon 2017, but last year swopped with the original 2013 host, Libya.

The first two matches and the final are in Joburg; the opening match on January 19 and the final on February 10. Other matches will be played in Port Elizabeth, Mbombela, Rustenburg and Durban. The matches will be played in the stadiums used for the 2010 World Cup.

Not all the spending is noted in the Budget, only the additional spending in the adjusted Budget.

There may be other spending as well. For example, the Department of Transport last week advertised for a service provider to help it develop a transport operation plan for Afcon; this is not specified in the department’s budget.

Last week The Star reported that the City of Joburg has started spending its share, which comes from the Sport and Recreation conditional grant. A Budget document on the revised spending warns that municipalities must have an operational plan that is approved by their council and complies with the hosting minimum requirements.

Joburg’s spending plans include advertising to boost ticket sales, safety brochures for spectators, and branded wristbands, T-shirts, soccer jerseys, golf umbrellas and caps.

City of Joburg spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said the city was “ready and able to provide all of the support services” needed.

“Joburg has proved itself to be Africa’s sporting capital of choice,” said councillor Chris Vondo, the MMC responsible for community development in the City of Joburg.

“Afcon offers us another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting facilities, including the FNB Stadium and the four training venues, the Orlando, Milpark, Rand and Dobsonville stadiums. It’s also an opportunity to showcase our city and to demonstrate our readiness to host events of this nature.”

Vondo said a capacity crowd was expected for the opening and closing matches at the 94 700-seat stadium on the edge of Soweto. Bafana Bafana play Cape Verde in the opening game.

Modingoane said spectators would be able to use the Gautrain, Rea Vaya buses, an extra 135 buses and passenger trains to get to and from the stadium. Park-and-ride facilities will be set up.

Vondo said safety was a priority. “Emergency services at the games will be particularly strong, and will consist of fire engines, operations controllers, disaster management specialists, event safety officers and medics on bikes.

“The City of Joburg and its people made the key matches of the 2010 Fifa World Cup into events to remember, and we’re looking to creating more lifetime memories with the visitors to our city during the Afcon tournament,” he said.

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

Johannesburg – Convicted murderer Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye told the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday his trial has been media-driven, and that the media had misled the public.

“This case has been driven by the media and the media has misled a lot of people,” Maarohanye said while on the stand during his sentencing procedure.

“A lot of what is said in the media is wrong – it’s the truth, the media knows it themselves.”

Maarohanye told the court the media reported he was drunk and driving under the influence of drugs even before he was tested.

On October 16, Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi found Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala guilty on four counts of murder, two of attempted murder, using drugs, racing on a public road, and driving under the influence of drugs.

Maarohanye and Tshabalala were drag-racing in Protea North on March 8, 2010 when they crashed into a group of schoolboys, killing four and severely injuring two.

Maarohanye told the court he was never given an opportunity to apologise to the boys’ families.

Prosecutor Raymond Mathenjwa, asked Maarohanye why he had stated under oath during the trial that he never used drugs and only saw it on television, but told a social worker he used ecstasy.

“I had a lot of time to reflect on what happened when I was in correctional services… I took ecstasy once or twice a long time ago,” Maarohanye said.

“I said I never took the drugs that were found in my urine.”

Mathenjwa said Maarohanye blamed everyone for what happened and never took responsibility for his actions.

“You are in constant denial, and [are] not remorseful,” Mathenjwa said.

He went on to question Maarohanye on the difference between being regretful and remorseful.

Maarohanye responded: “It has been brought to my attention that I have not been remorseful.”

Mathenjwa asked why he was apologising on Wednesday.

“I’m apologising because I’m human — I have feelings and feel bad about the tragedy,” said Maarohanye.

There were a few comments from the packed public gallery when Maarohanye apologised, with a few family members shaking their heads.

The courtroom was packed, with many people standing. A few schoolchildren, dressed in uniform, were present in court as well.

Earlier, the emotional musician told the court that if he was given a suspended sentence he would establish a trust fund to benefit the families of the schoolboys.

Maarohanye, lead by his attorney Rudi Krause, read an affidavit that was drafted while in prison.

He told the court that the nation was hurt by the accident and that he never planned for the accident to happen.

“The incident changed my life forever and would continue to do so,” Maarohanye read.

Tshabalala’s defence indicated they would not call any witnesses.

Sentencing procedures continue, with the State calling witnesses. – Sapa

The Western Cape High Court jailed Xolile Mngeni for life on Wednesday for the “callous slaughter” of honeymoon tourist Anni Dewani.

Judge Robert Henney handed down 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, which would run concurrently with his life term.

The judge said Mngeni, 25, had come across as a merciless and evil person who consistently showed no remorse.

He went shopping for branded clothing mere hours after the murder, lied to the court, wasted time with a protracted trial and had maintained his innocence throughout despite overwhelming evidence.

“The deceased in this matter did not suspect anything untoward when taken into Gugulethu to be callously slaughtered. She was totally defenceless and left to the mercy of Mziwamadoda Qwabe and the accused to be killed, after she was abandoned by her husband,” the judge said.

Anni’s father Vinod Hindocha, visibly emotional, nodded his head at this remark.

“It’s difficult to imagine the absolute terror and horror she must have endured when she stared down the barrel of the gun… it was an act of shameless cowardice when the accused shot her at point-blank range.”

Dewani, 28, was killed in an allegedly faked hijacking on November 13, 2010, while on honeymoon with her husband Shrien. Her slumped body was found the next day on the backseat of the car.

Mngeni’s accomplices, Zola Tongo and Qwabe, were serving 18 years and 25 years respectively for their roles in the crime, in terms of a plea and sentencing agreement.

British businessman Shrien Dewani, 32, who allegedly organised the hit on his wife, is in the process of being extradited from the UK to stand trial in Cape Town.

A full extradition hearing was likely to be held in July.

Shrien Dewani has repeatedly denied the allegations, and is undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

In an order, Henney said the hotel receptionist who acted as the middleman in the supposed contract killing would not be prosecuted, following his testimony in Mngeni’s trial.

He said Monde Mbolombo was far from the perfect witness and had struggled to comprehend his role, but he was satisfied he had answered frankly and honestly nonetheless.

Mngeni seemed shocked when his sentence was handed down, and stood wide-eyed, with his mouth agape.

He propped up his skinny body by placing an arm on the dock.

Hindocha and his son Anish stared at Mngeni, but he did not make eye contact.

When considering Mngeni’s health – he has a brain tumour – Henney said that in a constitutional democracy, the court should not lose sight of the element of mercy.

“The element of mercy is based on one of our constitutional values, and that is human dignity.”

However, his medical condition in the case of a contract killing was not a substantial and compelling circumstance to deviate from the minimum sentence for premeditated murder.

The court had kept in mind the brutality of the crime, the “absolute arrogance and heartlessness” of Mngeni, the suffering of the Hindocha family, the message to other potential criminals and the country’s tarnished image.

“The perception is easily created that in this country, one can randomly, at a price, approach any person and such a person, without hesitation, would agree to commit such a murder,” Henney said.

“I want to send home the message that the life of a human being at whatever cost is not cheap, no matter what the circumstances may be.” – Sapa

BY Obakeng Maje

Skilpadshek Border post Police recovered 2 657 packets of 20’s Seville illicit cigarettes yesterday at about 10h15 North West police said.

According to information received the police were conducting a search at the arrival searching point at Skilpadshek border post when they noticed a pack of illicit cigarettes hidden underneath a carpet in the boot of a vehicle.

“A thorough search was conducted and more cigarettes were found hidden under the front bumper, rear bumper, under the dashboard, and in a false compartment in the boot next to the petrol tank” Colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

“After completion of the search 2 657 packets of 20’s Seville cigarettes with an estimated value of R37 940.28 were discovered hidden with the intention of smuggling them into the country” She continues.

One suspect a Zimbabwean man aged 24, was arrested and detained and a case of illicit trade in tobacco and tobacco products was opened at Motswedi police station.

He will appear in court soon.

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