President Jacob Zuma has condemned the attempted coup plot in Chad follows the arrests of two senior generals and a member of parliament allied to President Idriss Derby on suspicion of involvement in a foiled coup plot.

The incident has sparked security concerns in the central African region as a result of a coup staged by the Seleka rebels in the neighbouring Central African Republic. President Zuma, who is in Congo-Brazzaville to attend a regional meeting on the political crisis in the CAR, has warned against rebel activities in the region.

Zuma has labelled reports of the attempted forceful change of government in Chad a few days ago are very disturbing. “It will become even more urgent that regional leadership of the Economic Community of Central African States find a solution to the chronic instability in the region.”

Reports yesterday indicated that Chad’s state prosecutor said four officials, including two generals and two lawmakers, have been arrested after attempting to overthrow the government.

Mahamat Saleh Younous told reporters during a news conference on Thursday that General Weiding Assi Assoue, who was a provincial governor for several terms, General David Gomine, the head of the military tribunal, and two lawmakers, Mahamat Kadre and former Health Minister Saleh Makki, have been in custody since Wednesday.

Younous said the documents they had in their possession, which outlined their plans, have been recuperated. He confirmed that: “Because they were trying to destabilise the constitutional order and the security of the state, they were immediately handed over to us.” – Additional reporting by Sapa-AP

Cape Town – A father and son entered their third day of drifting in a stricken boat off the Cape coast today – but by mid-morning they had still not been found.

The missing men Christy Jordaan, 59, and his son Brandon, 36, are the husband and son of Berandina Jordaan, a DA municipal councillor from Paternoster on the West Coast.

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

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has received the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the doping matter of Ms Amanda Sister and the Banyana Banyana stand-in Team Doctor at the time of the 2012 African Women’s Championship hosted in Equatorial Guinea.

Whilst CAF has reduced the standard sentence from two (2) years to one (1) year for the player, they took strong action against the Team Doctor that administered the banned substance.

The Team Doctor has admitted liability and has been banned for four (4) years from participating in any football activity. SAFA has also reported the conduct of the doctor to the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS).

However, the player will serve her one-year suspension which runs until 16 December 2013.

“It is very unfortunate for the player but SAFA would like to warn all athletes that, in terms of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, they are held responsible for any treatment administered to them by professionals. Medical practitioners are also warned not to place athletes at risk by administering banned substances during treatment,” said SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble.

The Association has provided on-going psychological support since January 2013 from a highly reputable psychologist to counsel Ms Sister to help her cope with this setback.

The Association cannot comment any further on the matter but will continue to work with SAIDS on its anti-doping campaign as it has already done with Bafana Bafana earlier this year.

“We also respectfully request the media to respect the privacy of Ms Sister during this difficult period,” concluded Mumble.

Two South African coaches will today (Friday, 3 May 2013) be completing their DFB A-Licence Coaching Course. 

Edwin Johannes and Tracy Pepper have been in Germany since 15 April last month attending the course offered by the German Football Association (DFB). 

The three week A-Licence International Coaching Course was held at the Sportschule Hennef and the course consists of both theoretical and practical work. 

The DFB initially invited three of the best South African coaches who participated in the International Coaching course licences (DFB-B-Level) between the years of 2010 and 2012. The selection of the coaches was done by DFB instructors, Horst Kriete and Lars Isecke. 

The third candidate, Abel Makhubele, who is the stand-in head coach at Black Leopards in the Premier Soccer League, was unable to attend the course due to club commitments.  

Johannes, who obtained his DFB- B- Licence qualification last year, is an educator at a Primary School in Zeerust, North West while Pepper is assisting as a match analyst at SAFA Second division club Alexandra United FC.  

Pepper also obtained her B-Licence International coaching qualification last year. 

The duo is expected to return to South Africa this weekend. 

Pretoria – The attacker of a Tuks student who was raped in broad daylight as she returned to her home from university lost his bid for freedom after the Pretoria High Court turned down his appeal on his conviction and 15-year sentence.

For more www.iol.co.za

Durban – A “sensitive investigation” involving allegations of corruption, which at one stage KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni ordered be stopped, was the real reason why suspended provincial Hawks head Johan Booysen is facing criminal charges, he believes.

For more www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg – The woman who has allegedly been stalking an ex-boyfriend has admitted to The Star that she is not innocent, but said the stalking was two-sided.

The woman, who does not want to be named but whom The Star is calling Megan, claimed she had instituted three assault charges against Sandton resident Duncan D’Ewes and a charge of rape.

For more www.iol.co.za

ur more high ranking officials have been put on “compulsory special leave” relating to the Gupta wedding jet saga, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

The four were from the SA National Defence Force and the SA Police Service (SAPS), he said.

He named the officials and gave their ranks. They were: a brigadier-general from the SA Air Force (SAAF) command post; a major from the SAPS operational response unit; a Lt-Col from the movement control office; and brigadier-general from the SAAF commanding base.

The move follows the suspension of Chief of State Protocol ambassador Bruce Koloane on Thursday, during a probe into how a Gupta family chartered jet was allowed to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base.

Koloane’s deputy would assume responsibility in the interim.

Briefing the media from Pretoria, ministers from the justice, crime prevention, and security cluster said a preliminary probe had  been done, but a full investigation was underway by the directors general of the affected departments.

The committee of DGs would have seven days to report back to the Cabinet ministers.

The government insisted the landing was not cleared by the proper authorities.

In addition the escort provided to the Gupta wedding guests who arrived on the plane was not provided by police.

A private security company – which illegally fitted blue lights  to vehicles with false number plates – was involved.

Police and metro police officers in the security escort had since been arrested, Radebe said. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Itsoseng-North West police are looking for man who allegedly raped a 12 year-old neighbour.

The ordeal came to light on Tuesday after a man who is known to the victim, was caught red-handed.

The incident took place at Verdwaal village near Itsoseng.

A case of rape was registered by Itsoseng police after a sister of a victim, allegedly heard her crying from a perpetrator shack.

Police said it was not for the first time a man raped the victim.

“A 12 year-old girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour. According to information received, the atrocity took place again in March, but a rape case was never reported” captain Amanda Funani said.

The victim sister allegedly heard her crying and went on to investigate. She allegedly found a man with hi pants down.

“It is alleged that a man threatened a minor and said he will kill her if she tells anyone. A suspect fled the scene and is still at large” captain Amanda Funani said.

Police urge anyone with information that could lead to any arrest to contact Itsoseng police station on (018) 338-000 and investigations continue.

By Obakeng Maje

Delareyville-A 86 year-old found naked and allegedly drunk on the street by two men in Delareyville yesterday. 

Police said a 86 year-old woman went to a local tarven yesterday afternoon and never returned home.

This cause a panic to her children who went out to look for her said police.

“A woman was allegedly brought home by two men who claim they found her lying in the street naked” captain Amanda Funani said.

The woman allegedly that she has been raped by unknown suspect.

The incident unfolded at Delareyville RDP house where she share the house with her children.

A case of rape has been opened by Delareyville police station and investigations continue.

“Anyone with information that could lead to any arrested can contact Warrant Officer Galela on 053 948 0021 or 082 373 7619” Funani said.