Murder-accused North West MEC China Dodovu claimed on Wednesday a smear campaign was being conducted against him.

“My arrest can only point to an unholy alliance between some ANC leaders, the police and the prosecution,” he told reporters in Johannesburg following his suspension from the ANC’s provincial executive committee.

The ANC in the North West dismissed Dodovu’s claims as “baseless and devoid of any truth”.

Dodovu, local government and traditional affairs MEC, was released on bail of R20,000 on Tuesday after his arrest in connection with the murder of ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika.

Chika, 33, was shot in the driveway of his Klerksdorp home on December 14. He died in a local hospital.

Eight people, including Dodovu, were arrested in connection with the crime.

He said on Wednesday: “I am informed that those who suspended me claim to have done so informed by the ANC Mangaung national conference resolutions.”

The resolution states that urgent action will be taken against any ANC public officials or leaders facing damaging allegations of improper conduct.

At the conference last year, the NEC was instructed to constitute an Integrity Committee as well as draw up a booklet with a code of conduct.

This was meant to be circulated to all branches within the first quarter of 2013.

Dodovu said the NEC had not finalised the guidelines and the Integrity Committee as envisaged in the resolution.

“It is therefore safe to assume that the action taken against me is not in line with said resolution, but is a hatchet job that is justified by a deliberate distortion of a resolution that is well-intended, but is now savaged by factionalists masquerading as custodians of morality.”

He said several officials had been suspended or dismissed in the North West since the party’s elective conference in Mangaung last year.

“We see eliminations every day… it started with ANC provincial secretary Kabelo Mataboge, he was suspended, and now it’s me,” he said.

Mataboge was suspended in December 2012.

Dodovu said the past two weeks in particular had been stressful for him as well his family.

“I have been subjected to malicious rumours and serious threats that ultimately culminated in my incarceration for more than a week,” said Dodovu.

He said he had not been formally told of his suspension and had only learnt of it through the media.

“We only hear from media that we are suspended from the organisation, we don’t know whether it’s the membership or our participation,” Dodovu said.

“I intend to contest the summary suspension and denial of right of response.”

Paul Sebegoe has since been appointed acting MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs in the North West.

Dodovu and his co-accused were scheduled to appear in court again in April.

The other accused are: North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, municipal worker William Malefo, taxi driver Kgotso Kali, and community members Sihlangu Sekhakhane and Jeffrey Letuka.

North West ANC spokesman Kenny Marolong said: “If he [Dodovu] has issues of discontent, we expect him to approach the ANC.”

He rejected claims by Dodovu that some leaders were plotting his demise.

“The ANC will not dignify his rantings with a response; we will also reject a notion that the ANC was involved in a plot to get him arrested.”

Marolong said the party would allow the courts to administer justice for Chika’s murder.

-Sapa

The protracted restlessness in the communities of Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela in Greater Moruleng reached a new level as community members set up a protest camp in front of the tribal authority from Tuesday.

The protesters are calling for their traditional leader, Chief Nyalala Pilane, to step down.

It’s a call the Bakgatla community have made intermittently in the past decade.

Once again the grievances are the alleged corruption and maladministration of tribal interests and resources by the chief and his tribal authority.

This time, however, the subjects have added dissatisfaction with the traditional council, which they say is “illegal”.

“The so-called council is operating illegally because their term expired in 2010. We will camp outside these offices day and night until the premier comes here because she knows our predicament,” one of the protesters, Tshepiso Thebyane, said. “All we want is for the council to leave our premises and for a new council to be elected.”

Bakgatla-ba-Pilane royal family member Segale Pilane blamed the provincial department of local government and traditional affairs for the unrest.

“The department of local and traditional affairs wrote a circular in 2010 about the expired term and said the election process would follow but so far nothing has happened,” Pilane said.

“It was the duty of the department to remove the tribal council whose term had expired, instead they have left us in limbo.”

Segale Pilane also said he felt Chief Pilane had not engaged the community enough.

Tribal authority spokesperson Kebone Mosetle said the protesting “group of youth” outside offices did not have a mandate to represent nor speak on behalf of the tribe.

“No memorandum has officially been presented to the administration and it is very difficult to pinpoint what the issues are. It is the usual ranting about corruption, recruitment at the (local) mines and the expired term of office for the traditional council,” Mosetle said.

The spokesperson for local government and traditional affairs, Dineo Lolokwane, said elections for all traditional councils in the province would take place in the near future and “finally put the matter to rest”.

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

Residents of Tlokwe local municipality have been urged to use water sparingly as supplies have not yet normalised.

This came during a press conference held in response to the water crisis that started more than a week ago. Mayor Maphetle Maphetle said the crisis was not over yet but that the local council was doing all it could to restore supplies.

Last week the DA called for police to investigate a case of sabotage after it alleged that municipal workers had deliberately shut down five of the eight pumps supplying the city reservoirs instead of working on one at a time.

In his address, Maphetle said: “The crisis is still not over, but is under control. The supply lines are being monitored on an ongoing basis. Currently everyone is receiving water, although pressure is low in some high-lying areas such as parts of Extension 7 and Mohadin,” he said.

Maphetle said more pumps would be ready to function yesterday to improve on the three that were failing to adequately fill up the reservoirs.

“The purification plant and the Ventersdorp main reservoirs are full but the three minor supply reservoirs of Eersterantjie, Mohadin and Ikageng have been isolated until the pumping is returned to full capacity.

“These will be fed slowly once the pumping returns to full capacity and, barring any unforeseen problems, it is hoped the situation will return to normal in the coming week.

“We appeal to people to be patient, use water sparingly and report any water pipe bursts that may be noticed in their areas,” he said.

Water supply manager for the city Chris Stoltz assured residents that engineers were working flat out.

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

In commemoration of International Sex Worker Rights Day, sex workers and human
rights activists will once again take to the streets to protest the continued
abuse sex workers experience at the hands of the police, and the criminal
justice system’s failure to prosecute the perpetrators.

“Johannesburg is marching tomorrow, but the other four cities will be demonstrating on International Women’s Day, the 8th of March. This is because the majority of sex workers are women. And it’s time that their abuse was recognised as a form of gender-based violence”, said the Sex Workers’ Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) Advocacy Officer, Ntokozo Yingwana.

SWEAT is a human rights-based non-profit organisation that advocates for the recognition of sex workers’ rights as human rights.

These marches take place on the same day that the eight Daveyton South African Police Service (SAPS) officers will be appearing in court for the first time after being captured on camera dragging a handcuffed 27 year old taxi driver, Mido Macia, behind a police van for nearly 500 meters. Macia later died in police custody.

“As Sisonke we feel for the Macia family, and call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to implement the law. We are still looking for the body of a Rustenburg sex worker, only known as Lerato, who was reported to have died in police custody in September last year. It is a shame that sex workers’ deaths are barely investigated by the IPID, and hardly mentioned in the news. It is as if our lives do not count”, said Sisonke National Coordinator, Kholi Buthelezi.

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

Members of the provincial legislature from all political parties united in expressing their displeasure at Premier Thandi Modise’s state of the province address.

In their response to Modise’s address members dismissed the speech as a mere rehash onfselected issues done by various departments in the past without necessarily laying the groundwork for the coming year.

Top among their concerns was the premier’s silence on promises made in the past, her inaction on members of her executive facing damaging allegations or those implicated in financial misuse.

Hoffman Galeng of the ANC said: “The province was promised 10 priority roads last year and we would have appreciated being updated on the progress. If there were problems with this commitment, the premier should have taken the people of the province into her confidence.”

He also cited the silence around the protracted issue of the Koster-Lichtenburg road, now set to cost more than R200m against the initial contract value of R97m.

Galeng hinted that rampant corruption was likely to bring governance to its knees.

“Ours is a government bleeding from the effects of fraud and corruption in high offices.”

Cope provincial leader Nikiwe Num said: “We call for an audit of the performance of MECs. We demand the immediate release of MECs who are not responding to the call of being servant leaders and are driven by status and authority.”

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates coaches Ted Dumitru and Augusto Palacios are divided on the impact Benni McCarthy could have for the Bucs in the Soweto derby on Saturday.

As the buildup for the country’s premier derby continues, Dumitru and Palacios – who are two of only three coaches to have managed both clubs – spoke about which of the two soccer giants will walk away with the honours in the potentially explosive encounter.

The “Professor”, as Dumitru is known, believes that the 35-year-old veteran striker is not yet ready to play in a game of this magnitude after coming back from a thigh injury.

“Benni is coming back from injury and while his big match temperament is an asset for the visitors, I don’t believe he is ready to lead the Bucs attack in such a crucial game. He is also short tempered when not 100% fit and that will allow Chiefs to frustrate him. He will react and a red card will likely follow,” Dumitru said.

But “Njenje” begs to differ, saying that the Bafana Bafana all-time leading goalscorer can offer much in his team’s attempt to beat Chiefs.

“It is true that Benni has not reached his peak, but if the coach feels he is ready to play against Chiefs, let him use him.

“His influence goes beyond just scoring goals. He offers so much in terms of motivating the players around him. That would be key for Pirates,” Palacios said.

This is also a game that offers more than just the three points at stake, since the results could be decisive for the title race.

The two coaches agreed that it would be in the midfield where the much anticipated match would be won and lost, with tussles between Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Andile Jali expected to be a big feature in the proceedings.

Over the years, the derby has shown that form is meaningless and that character and the ability to rise to the occasion wins this particular match.

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

Absa Premiership

Result: AmaZulu 1-0 Platinum Stars

Date: 6 March 2013

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Ayanda Dlamini scored in stoppage-time to give AmaZulu a valuable 1-0 win over Platinum Stars on Wednesday.

With almost the last play of the match, the Usuthu striker broke Dikwena hearts as he turned in Kagiso Senamela’s cross.

There was an early chance for Dikwena when Robert Ngambi got on the end of a Thuso Phala corner, but the header lifted just over Tapuwa Kapini’s crossbar.

Kapini was called upon to make a save minutes later when Innocent Mkhabela directed a free-kick into the area, but it was a comfortable stop from the AmaZulu keeper. All the early action appeared to be in the AmaZulu half as Vuyo Mere and Tshepo Gumede both tried their luck from range, but without success.

Usuthu should have taken the lead on the half hour when Ayanda Dlamini rose above the defence to meet Njabulo Manqana’s corner, but the header flew just wide.

After the break, Manqana was again in the action, but this time his 25-yard effort brought out a comfortable save from Siybonga Mpontshane.

There was a great chance on the hour for Stars when Luvolwethu Mpeta fouled Senamela. Phala stepped up to take the resultant free-kick, but the Bafana Bafana player failed to find the target.

With the teams looking destined for a draw, Dlamini snatched victory when the Dikwena defence nodded off and allowed him to turn Senamela’s cross into the net.

AmaZulu: Tapuwa Kapini, Marc van Heerden, Thamsanqa Teyise, Carlington Nyadombo, Joseph Malongoane, Luyanda Hlongwa, Kulegani Madondo, Goodman Dlamini, Njabulo Manqana, Andile Khumalo, Ayanda Dlamini

Subs: Mbongeni Mzimela, Willem Mwedihanga, Stanley Kgatla, Thokozani Mshengu, Kagiso Senamela, Bongani Ndulula, Lindokuhle Bhengu.

Platinum Stars: Siyabonga Mpontshane, Luvolwethu Mpeta, Tshepo Gumede, Tintswalo Tshabalala, Vuyo Mere, Benson Mhlongo, Innocent Mkhabela, Sibusiso Msomi, Thuso Phala, Robert Ngambi, Henrico Botes.

Subs: kabelo Dambe, Thabiso Semenya, Solomon Mathe, Elias Ngwepe, Patric Malokase, Lindokuhle Mbatha, Thabani Mthembu.

Goals: Ayanda Dlamini (AmaZulu 90)

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

Absa Premiership

Result: Orlando Pirates 1-1 Bloem Celtic

Date: 6 March 2013

Venue: Orlando Stadium

Bloemfontein Celtic netted a stoppage-time equaliser to give them a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates on Wednesday.

Tlou Segolela came off the bench to give The Buccaneers the lead on 78 minutes, but Vuyani Ntanga broke Pirates hearts with a late equaliser.

Oupa Manyisa had an early chance from the edge of the area on six minutes, but it was no challenge for the experienced gloves of Celtic keeper Patrick Tignyemb. Pirates continued to attack and Thabo Matlaba made a good run, but his cross just evaded the head of Collins Mbesuma.

The first real shot in anger for Celtic came just before the half hour mark when Lennox Bacela pulled the trigger from outside the area, but his shot sailed over Senzo Meyiwa’s crossbar.

With the half drawing to a close, Pirates continued to press and nearly opened through Thulasizwe Mbuyane, but his shot was kept out by a diving Tignyemb.

Bacela appeared to be the biggest goalscoring threat for Celtic and on the stroke of the break, brought out a save from Meyiwa with a tricky shot from a tight angle.

After the break it was Thabo Matlaba who had a couple of shots from range, but on both occasions missed the target.

Just before the hour mark Kurt Lentjies came desperately close to getting the opener for Celtic, but Meyiwa was able to parry it around the post.

The opening goal eventually came on 78 minutes when Segolela easily skipped the offside trap and calmly nodded in Matlaba’s inch-perfect cross.

With three points looking assured for Pirates, it wasn’t to be as Ntanga muscled his way above the defence and nodded home Limbikani Mzava’s cross to give Clinton Larsen’s team a share of the points.

Orlando Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Lucky Lekgwathi, Thabo Matlaba, Patrick Phungwayo, Ayanda Gcaba, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Tlou Segolela 62), Daine Klate, Ndumiso Mabena (Thandani Ntshumayelo 88), Collins Mbesuma (Takesure Chinyama 82).

Subs: Brighton Mhlongo, Happy Jele, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Mpho Makola.

Bloem Celtic:  Patrick Tignyemb, Tsietsi Mahoa, Thabo Nthethe, Auguston Leonard, Limbikani Mzava, Lyle Lakay, Kurt Lentjies (Ruzaigh Gamildien 71), Joel Mogorosi (Vuyani Ntanga 80), Ithumeleng Duiker, Lerato Manzini, Lennox Bacela (Dominic Isaacs 65).

Subs: Dino Visser, Mduduzi Nyanda, Jacky Motshegwa, Johannes Motlhaping.

Goals: Tlou Segolela (Orlando Pirates 78), Vuyani Ntanga (Bloem Celtic 90)

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

ABSA Premiership

Result: Chippa 0-2 Chiefs

Date: 6 March 2013

Venue: Athlone Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs made the most of Orlando Pirates’ draw when they saw off 10-man Chippa United 2-0 in Cape Town on Wednesday night.

Chiefs started the game well with Morgan Gould nodding over the crossbar just two minutes in before Siphiwe Tshabalala’s fantastic ball into the area was dealt with by the outstretched leg of Daouda Kassally.

The Chilli Boys responded well though and in the 18th minute Stanton Lewis fired just over from inside the area after he had already seen two shots blocked.

Msekeli Mvalo should have done better three minutes later when he had a free header but sent his effort over the crossbar.

Chiefs were guilty of overdoing it at times as some neat passing moves amounted to nothing after allowing Chippa to eventually close them down.

Masibusane Zongo did well in the 42nd minute when he danced his way to the edge of the area but he scuffed his shot and Itumeleng Khune dealt with the effort.

Buyani Sali was then unable to get enough power on his close-range header on the stroke of half-time as the game remained stuck at 0-0.

Chiefs showed more purpose after the break and the pressure saw Sali sent off for a rough tackle on Willard Katsande, though the decision seemed a bit harsh.

Chiefs took full advantage and just five minutes later Kaizer Motaung Junior buried a simple header after Tefu Mashamaite had flicked on a throw-in.

Kingtons Nkhatha then saw his strike saved by the goalkeeper after he latched onto a poor back pass before Chippa decided to introduce star signing Benjani Mwaruwari.

The Glamour Boys were not fussed though and were pushing forward to find an all-important second goal. That moment would finally come in the 87th minute when Ngcobo’s shot was parried into the path of Nkhatha who fired home.

Benjani lashed a shot just wide in the dying minutes as Chippa tried to get on the scoresheet but no more goals arrived as Chiefs moved five points clear.

Chippa: Kassaly Daouda, Mbulelo Mabizela, Msekeli Mvalo, Vuyisile Ntombayithethi, Masibusane Zongo, Robert Tomanyane, Buyani Sali, Brent Carelse, Welcome Qalanto, William Twala, Stanton Lewis.

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Morgan Gould, Junaid Mashamaite, Keegan Ritchie, Mandla Masango, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Willard Katsande, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Matthew Rusike, Kingston Nkhatha.

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

Parliament, Cape Town – Paying with public money for transport and security on his Christmas break in the Seychelles was in line with government policy, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Wednesday.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly, he confirmed he had not performed any official duties between December 23 and January 4, and had in fact been on vacation at the Indian Ocean archipelago at the time.

The question was posed by Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier, who last month said it was “simply wrong for Deputy President Motlanthe to have used public funds to pay for part of his vacation in the Seychelles, when so many people in our country are living in poverty”.

Maynier said in a statement at the time that a Falcon 900 aircraft, operated by the SA Air Force’s VIP squadron, was used to transport Motlanthe – together with a number of passengers – from Waterkloof airforce base to Mahe Island International Airport on December 23.

Further, a Cessna Caravan aircraft, chartered by South Africa’s defence department, was used on the same day to take Motlanthe, and a number of passengers, from Mahe airport to Desroches Island (Seychelles).

“Deputy President Motlanthe, together with a number of passengers, stayed at Desroches Island Resort, which is advertised as one of ‘Forbes Top Ten Remote Destinations in the World’.”

The same aircraft had then been used, on January 4, to return Motlanthe to South Africa.

While it was known that the cost of chartering the Cessna Caravan was R83 000, the cost of operating the Falcon 900 was unknown.

“However, the total cost of operating the Falcon 900 and chartering the Cessna Caravan could have been as much as R1 million,” Maynier said.

Motlanthe said he wished to “relieve” Maynier of his anxiety regarding the holiday.

In terms of government policy, transport for the deputy president, whether for official or private purposes, was the responsibility of the state.

“The state also has a duty to provide security for the deputy president at all times, whether he is engaged in official duties, or while he is on leave.”

This policy had been re-affirmed by Cabinet on March 20, 2007.

The SA Police Service was responsible for security involving ground transport, while the SA National Defence Force was responsible for air transport.

“The deputy president has no role whatsoever in the planning and carrying out of operations concerning his own transport and security.

“These matters, including deployment of personnel and equipment, as well as related costs, are managed by the competent state organs,” Motlanthe said. – Sapa