Johannesburg – A woman died on Tuesday, apparently from inhaling insecticide after spraying for cockroaches in her Joburg inner-city flat and then closing the windows.

A man believed to be her partner was seriously ill in hospital on Tuesday night.

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

Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela is making “steady improvement” under treatment for pneumonia and doctors say he is much better now than when he was admitted to hospital a week ago, the government said on Wednesday.

His doctors say he continues to respond satisfactorily to treatment and is much better now than he was when he was admitted to hospital on March 27, the Presidency said in a statement.

He has been visited by family and continues to make steady progress. – Reuters, IOL

Johannesburg – The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) denied reports on Wednesday suggesting it was massing troops in central Africa.

“The SANDF is not involved in any build-up of forces as reported,” spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said.

This came as President Jacob Zuma and a South African international relations and security contingent attended an Economic Community of Central African States (Eccas) summit in Chad.

Thirteen SANDF soldiers died and 27 were wounded in fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) on March 23 and 24.

Of the 27 South African soldiers wounded in the fighting, 10 remained in hospital, said Mabanga.

Beeld reported on Wednesday that Gripen fighter planes, Oryx and Rooivalk helicopters, and three Russian freight carriers had been flying to Entebbe in Uganda, and to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Some left from Bloemfontein and others from Waterkloof Air Force base.

The newspaper reported South African troops were being deployed in Gemena in the DRC, 180km from the CAR capital Bangui.

The Times reported similar claims of regrouping in the DRC on its front page.

However, on inside pages, reporters in the CAR said military sources there stated claims of South African troops massing in Uganda and the DRC were “not credible”.

Another source told their reporters there were now only about 15 South African soldiers at the military base at Bangui airport, and this would be reduced to a handful of liaison officers in a few days.

Their source had also observed South African Hercules aircraft land and take off on Monday and Tuesday.

Commenting on reports in The Times that more South African soldiers would also be sent to the DRC, Mabanga said this was in line with a United Nations resolution for an intervention force there, following the deterioration of the security situation in the east of the DRC.

A number of meetings were held on the security situation there and the South African government had pledged to contribute forces from July, said Mabanga.

“We have not (yet), as SANDF, moved any troops or forces to effect that resolution or commitment,” he said.

The SANDF would wait for direction from government on whether to withdraw its forces from CAR.

“We are waiting for instructions from the commander-in-chief and the head of the Republic,” he said. – Sapa

Rustenburg – An R-5 rifle used to gun down a sangoma who performed rituals on Marikana mineworkers has been sent for tests to determine its origin, police said on Tuesday.

They were investigating the possibility that the gun belonged to  one of the two police officers killed during a strike by Lonmin mineworkers in August last year, spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said.

“Police are investigating that possibility… it has not been confirmed yet. Ballistic tests are being conducted.”

The sangoma, Alton Joja, 69, was at his home in the Ludeke Holt village in Mbizana, on Sunday, March 24, when five men armed with pistols and rifles entered his homestead. They shot him when he approached their car to ask what they were looking for. They fled the scene. Their car was later found abandoned and burnt out, with the rifle inside. Joja died on arrival at a local hospital.

The Farlam Commission of Inquiry on the Marikana killings heard last month that Joja was believed to have performed rituals on protesting Lonmin mineworkers before a shooting on August 16, during which 34 of them were killed.

Police had been trying to bring the sangoma to testify before the commission. – Sapa

Chippa United have appointed Roger Sikhakhane as their new technical director as they bid to evade the dreaded relegation axe.

Sikhakhane returns for his third spell at the club.

“Yeah I’m back and I will be on the bench tonight (against Golden Arrows) working with the head coach Wilfred Mugeyi,” he confirms to KickOff.com.

Sikhakhane guided the Chilli Boys into the top-flight, but he was replaced by Manqoba Mngqithi at the start of the season. He later returned as head coach, but was sacked in October.

Chippa are bottom of the log with 16 points from 22 matches.

For more http://www.kickoff.com

Libreville – The Central African Republic’s recently toppled president Francois Bozize on Tuesday accused neighbouring Chad of helping the Seleka rebel coalition that ousted him.

“On Saturday March 23 we had destroyed Seleka forces but overnight into Sunday 24, we knew that there had been support from an African country, which I inevitably believe was Chad,” Bozize said in an interview with BBC Africa.

“It was Chadian special forces that led the operation on the Sunday morning and attacked the base of the South Africans,” he added, referring to troops stationed in Bangui, 13 of whom died in clashes with rebels.

For more go to http://www.news24.com

Fired acting head of department for education, Dr Abe Seakamela, has poured cold water on the department’s claims that he pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct that led to his dismissal before the disciplinary hearing could be concluded.

The department indicated that Seakamela pleaded guilty to charges of irregular expenditure involving about R4000 and illegal transfer of staff before the disciplinary proceedings could be finalised and the department had duly fired him.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

Gauteng’s controversial e-toll project has dropped out of the headlines in the past few months but with the National Assembly having recently passed the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, its implementation isn’t too far off.

Transport Department spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the bill was now with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) where it has to be passed before it goes back to the National Assembly.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

By Staff Reporter

One of South Africa most sought after musician, songwriter and bassist Mohau Lucas Senyatso, has joined Mmabana as a tutor. The immensely talented Senyatso is not new to the institution as besides studying music at the institution, he grew up in Mahikeng and earned a Communications Degree at the University of the North West, before venturing into full time music.

With a jazz album titled ‘All of Me’ to his name, add South Africa’s music luminaries to his profile to see that Lucas has been around the block. Having played with the likes of Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo and Gloria Bosman just to name a few, Senyatso has what it takes to help turn the fortunes of Mmabana.

“It is my responsibility to give back to my community, and also to the institution that made me who I am today. I am very excited to be part of the teaching staff at Mmabana Mahikeng”, said Senyatso adding that he is also looking forward to begin teaching students in Mmabana Lehurutshe and Taung in the near future as the opportunity presents to him more than just teaching music in ‘my beloved province’, but is also about empowering the province’s arts populace to become a proud community.

Mmabana Foundation has produced stars that continue to shine in both artistic sport and performing arts here in South Africa and abroad. Mmabana offers classes in many disciplines such as karate, sewing, quilting, drama, music, dance, dance sport, tumbling, bodybuilding and many more. The Foundation has centres in Taung, Lehurutshe, Mahikeng and Tlhabane.

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