By Staff Reporter

Office of Premier distances itself from attack on North West Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of Scopa.

The Office of the North West Premier distances itself from the attack on the North West Provincial Legislature and the Chairperson of Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Patrick Chauke attributed to member of the Provincial Council on Aids, Neo Moepi as published under the caption“Leave me alone – Scopa’s Patrick Chauke” in The New Age of Monday 18 March 2013.

Though Moepi is a member of the Provincial Council on Aids and an employee in the Office of the Premier, the views expressed by him in his capacity as Provincial Chairperson of People Living with HIV and Aids (PPLWHA) do not represent those of the Office of the Premier and or Provincial Council on Aids.

Moepi was not mandated by the Provincial Council on Aids to speak on its behalf on the findings of the Auditor General on the non-submission of the 2011/2012 financial statements for audit.

We wish to reiterate that Premier as a former Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of the Defence committee in the National Assembly understands oversight by portfolio committees in the Provincial Legislature and distances herself from those who see SCOPA, its chairperson and members as adversaries.

Premier Modise remains committed to clean governance and welcomes efforts that support her stance against maladministration, fraud and corruption irrespective of who is involved.

Rustenburg – The role Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa played before and after the 16 August shooting in Marikana was questioned at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.

This came as national police commissioner Riah Phiyega was cross examined by evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

Madlanga asked what specific support the minister gave Phiyega on 16 August.

Phiyega said: “He gave us political support.”

Madlanga responded: “Am I right to say you cannot be specific on the political direction nor can you be specific on the political support you received from the police minister?”

Phiyega, dressed in a black skirt-suit with a yellow jacket, said: “I have said he has given us leadership, he has given us political support that enabled us to do our work.”

Madlanga said Phiyega’s evidence did not suggest any initiative made by the minister.

“What, if anything, did the minister of police do about the killings at Marikana?” Madlanga asked.

Support

Phiyega responded: “My minister was personally here. The minister was part of the inter-ministerial committee that did a lot of work in the commission… In his political role he gave us political support.”

However, Madlanga said he wanted to know what the minister did prior to the killings on 16 August.

Once again, Phiyega referred him to her statement, adding that Mthethwa gave her and her operational team support, though he was not involved in operations.

The commission heard that it was necessary for Phiyega to inform Mthethwa about the “killing of human beings that are of an unusually high scale”.

When asked if it was an “unusually high scale of killings in a small environment”, Phiyega responded: “I do agree that it was significant.”

Phiyega said she kept Mthethwa informed in her “normal reporting” to him on what was happening at Marikana through phone calls and internal notices and statements.

Midnight update

Madlanga tried to establish whether Phiyega had called Mthethwa by midnight on 13 August about the five people killed at Lonmin Platinum’s Marikana mine. She kept referring him to her statement.

Phiyega said: “In my statements I mentioned dates and I have said that I continuously gave updates to the minister.”

Madlanga responded: “General, this is a simple question… Did you inform the minister by midnight on 13 Augustof the five killings?”

Speaking softly, Phiyega said: “I informed the minister on what happened at Marikana since the ninth. I can’t remember if I called him at 12 midnight on 13 August.”

Thursday last week was the first time Phiyega gave evidence on the role played by the police in the events leading up to and on 16 August last year.

On that day, 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead and 78 were injured when the police opened fire near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana. Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed near the mine in the preceding week.

Madlanga indicated that he would deal with the speech Phiyega delivered on 17 August.

The hearings continue at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.

Cape Town – And then there was one: Suzanne Vos, one of two remaining SABC board members, has told
MPs she intends to resign as well.

Vos delivered a short statement at a meeting of the portfolio committee on communications, which is currently deciding on the future of the SABC board.

Only Vos and Claire McNeil remain on the board, and it is understood that McNeil is currently outside the country.

Vos laid into Minister of Communications Dina Pule and the departed board chairperson, Dr Ben Ngubane.

She said the board always acted in best interest of the institution, but simply came to a point where it could no longer function effectively.

“We no longer have the support of the minister and shareholder. As an SOE (state-owned enterprise) it’s imperative to enjoy ongoing trust and cooperation from the shareholder. It appears the minister does not trust the board.

“She has made herself clear in statements that this committee must recommend the dissolution of the SABC board. On Sunday the minister told (eNCA TV presenter) Justice Malala she wanted the committee to get rid of us.”

Vos also aimed some barbs at Ngubane.

“Time and again, Dr Ben Ngubane acted illegally. He was acting as an executive chairman, not a non-executive. For too long the board covered up his quixotic behaviour.”

Vos said Ngubane allegedly illegally appointed Phil Molefe as news and current affairs boss. He also allegedly interfered with a board decision to remove Hlaudi Motsoeneng as acting chief operating officer.

She said the board members had already met with the public protector on the issue.

“The deputy chair and the chair also both resigned together, knowing full well they would destroy the board.”

ANC MPs reminded Vos that the board is ultimately responsible for the SABC.

“It should also be remembered these are the views being expressed by one board member and not the view of the board,” said ANC MP Greg Schneeman.

For more details go to www.news24.com

BLOEMFONTEIN Celtic yesterday got yet another home quarterfinal against Soweto
giants in a cup competition.

Having beaten Orlando Pirates in the Telkom Knockout at the same stage in November, Celtic will be lifted by that emphatic come-from-behind victory when they welcome Kaizer Chiefs to their slaughterhouse for the last eight of the Nedbank Cup next month.

Celtic were eventual winners of the Telkom Knockout, and striker Lennox Bacela said although Amakhosi were tough opponents, playing them in front of their Free State crowd in three weeks’ time would help Phunya SeleSele to be more daring.

“I think after we won the Telkom Knockout, a lot of people thought the wheels would come off. But we just kept going,” said Bacela after the draw in Johannesburg.

“That has helped us go for even bigger things this season, and the way we beat Pirates shows how important our home record is.”

Like their bitter rivals Pirates, Chiefs often huff and puff away to Celtic. The Premier League cup committee is yet to decide the date and venue for the pick of yesterday’s draw, but it is likely to be the Free State Stadium.

Celtic and Chiefs will have an opportunity to asses each other before the cup game. The two meet in the league on March 31, something that will comfort Amakhosi hardman Willard Katsande.

“History will tell you that we are not that good against Celtic, but this is a different stage and a different competition,” Katsande said.

In October, Amakhosi were held to a goalless draw by Celtic in a league clash played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Katsande said the possibility of winning the league double – they are five points clear at the top of the PSL standings with eight matches to go – was tough to ignore. We really need this cup, but we want to take it one game at a time.

Other quarterfinal matches include Mamelodi Sundowns against Platinum Stars and United FC taking on African Warriors.

The PSL said the last 16 fixture between Tembu Royals and Maritzburg United, delayed because of an arbitration process after AmaZulu complained Royals had fielded an illegible player, would be played on Friday.

The winner of this encounter will then face SuperSport United in the quarterfinals.

For more details go to www.sowetanlive.co.za

The South African Open Summer Games for the Intellectually-impaired sportspersons got off to a flying start on Monday in Rustenburg, with athletes competing in various sporting codes.

The contestants hope to qualify for international competitions, including the Paralympics in 2016.

Organised under the auspices of the South African Sport Association for the Intellectually-impaired (SASA –II), the games are supported by the North West Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.  All nine Provinces are represented in Rustenburg, although they do not all participate in all codes.

The five codes are Cricket, Athletics, Indoor Rowing, Swimming and Table Tennis.

SASA – II President Lizzie Vogel said her organisation was disappointed that red tape had deprived their athletes from competing in London last year.

“Our immediate Olympic goal now is to clear every hurdle and make sure that our athletes make it to the next Paralympic Games,” said Vogel. 

“As we select our international athletes, we will test them properly to make sure that they meet Paralympic requirements.” Vogel adds.

After the week-long event, the organisers will select players for international participation in the following World Championships events: Athletics in the Czech Republic (June), Swimming in France ( August), Table Tennis in China (November) , Cricket in England (2014).

The venue for the international Indoor Rowing event next year is yet to be confirmed.

On the international front, South Africa are a keen player, scheduled to be hosting the next World Athletics Championships for People With Down Syndrome in 2015.

The SA Open Summer Games are an annual event that has been taking place since the formation of SASA – II in 1992. Provinces bid for the right to host, with the support of the Provincial Government and the relevant national structures.   

(Edited by Obakeng Maje –Twitter@IceT_)

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BY Staff Reporter

Bafana Bafana were warmly received upon arrival in Mother City on Monday afternoon, and immediately visited sponsors Absa’s branch in Khayelitsha Mall where they were mobbed by hundreds of adoring fans.

They were met at the Cape Town International Airport by Grant Pascoe, an Executive Mayoral Committee Member of the Tourism, Events and Marketing portfolio.

Bafana take on Central African Republic at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening (20h15) in a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifying match.

“We are proud to have Bafana Bafana back in the City again, and we are confident they will do well on Saturday. We would like to appeal to all the people of Cape Town and surrounding areas to come out in numbers to show their support to the players, like they did last year. As the City, we are proud to host our heroes again,” said Pascoe.

Head coach Gordon Igesund has this whole week to look for a combination in central defence following the withdrawal of Siyabonga Sangweni due to a knee injury. Bafana Bafana will also be without the injured Tsepo Masilela at left back.  Igesund though is not losing sleep over the spate of withdrawals.

“It is unfortunate that the two players are out with injuries, but it is part of the game. I believe I picked the squad with enough depth on the side and I am quite confident with the central defenders I have.  Mulomowandao Mathoho has been playing well, Siyanda Xulu was just recently selected man of the match, we also have Thabo Nthete who is a very good player;  so I have a lot of cover in those positions,” said Igesund.

“It is just unfortunate that they might not have played together in the positions, so I have to give a lot of work into that. I am also aware that Mathoho and Gould play together at Kaizer Chiefs, but it does not mean that is the combination I will go with. It is just disappointing as no one wants to lose any player to injury.”

Igesund, who was hospitalised recently, said he had fully recovered from the operation and there were no health concerns for him.

“I am feeling much better now after the operation. I had good rest and am fine, fit and ready to lead my country in such a crucial match,”he said.

The Bafana Bafana mentor also believes that even though this clash is a must-win encounter, the players are not under pressure like in the AFCON 2013 tournament.

“We have come a long way in a short space of time. As the tournament went on the players started to believe in themselves and played good football. Now there is a lot confidence, a lot of camaraderie in the team and good spirit,” said Igesund.

“Our mission is to qualify for Brazil in 2014, yes it is a tough task but I don’t think we will feel the kind of pressure we felt when we started the AFCON 2013 tournament, where we were not given a chance. I have no doubt in my in my mind that we will do well because we are not under the same pressure as we were then.”

Tickets for the match are still available and going for R50 and R100.

They can be purchased at Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores as well as at Computicket outlets around the country.

By Obakeng Maje

KHUMA-Police have arrested the second suspect who was linked to the murder, attempted murder and house robbery that happened on Sunday at Sterkstroom outside Ventersdorp. 

“A 21-year-old was arrested today at about 9:15 at Extension 5 in Khuma township near Klerksdorp while hiding at his aunt’s house. Ventersdorp police managed to track the second suspect and asked Khuma Police for assistance. The  suspect whom the police were questioning earlier was not linked to the case” Brigadier Tulani Ngubane said.

The first suspect,  a 22-year-old was arrested on Sunday night at about 23:00 after Police received a tip-off from a member of the community.  Allegedly the suspect was seen with the stolen items and Police were alerted. The suspect was found in possession of three firearms, a digital camera and knives that the Police confiscated.

A 67-year-old farmer and his 64-year-old wife were attacked by two suspects on Sunday, 17 March 2013 at about 09:45. It is alleged that the two suspects surprised the 67-year-old farmer outside the couple’s house and assaulted him with a blunt object on the head and   dragged him into the house. While inside the house, the suspects saw the victim’s wife and they assaulted her too. Police suspects that the woman was raped in the process and the medical report is awaited.

Allegedly after the suspects assaulted the woman, they took two cellular phones, tied the woman with ropes and fled the scene on foot. The 64-year-old woman managed to untie herself and went to seek help at the neighbouring farm.   The 67-year-old farmer died at the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital in Klerksdorp where she is recovering.  Police suspects that the motive for the incident to be a house robbery.  The 22-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday,  20 March2013 on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of stolen property and house robbery. Investigation continues

Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Jimmy Tau could finally make a return to competitive football after almost a year since his last official match.