Johannesburg – Charges against 72 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who participated in an illegal march to the Union Buildings have been withdrawn, it was reported on Thursday.

The charges were dropped on Wednesday at a pre-trial proceeding at the South African Army Gymnasium College, in Heidelberg, because of a lack of evidence, The New Age reported.

The soldiers, who appeared in military court on Wednesday, had reportedly obeyed an SANDF instruction to report back to their home units to be warned and arraigned.

Twenty other soldiers did not appear as they were on a military mission. The court would decide on Thursday their pre-trial date, SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga told the newspaper.

He said another 225 soldiers would also stand trial for taking part in the 2009 protest.

The charges against them included absenteeism without leave, defying a lawful instruction and participating in an illegal march.

Another 600 soldiers had been suspended on full pay pending administrative processes and disciplinary action.

During the march on August 26, 2009, the police had to use water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse protesting soldiers. – Sapa

The fraud trial of former Capitec official Faick Davids developed into a trial-within-a-trial in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Chartered accountant Andre Olivier told the Bellville Commercial Crime Court he obtained permission from the company’s IT division to access Davids’s e-mail inbox for any urgent e-mails that may have needed attention after Davids had left the company.

Defence lawyer Yvette Isaacs objected to Olivier testifying about the e-mails, saying his access to Davids’s e-mails, without his permission, was a violation of his constitutional right to privacy.

Her objection led to the trial-within-a-trial, in which she contended that Olivier’s testimony was inadmissible and, if allowed, would result in an unfair trial.

Olivier said: “My access of the e-mails was strictly for business purposes, and I take the strongest exception to any suggestions that I did so for other reasons.”

Davids previously held a management post, together with Olivier, at Boland Bank, which was taken over about 10 years ago, first by the Board of Executives and then by Nedbank.

Olivier joined Capitec, at the time a small micro-lending business, and built it into a bank of significance.

In the process, he recruited Davids in June 2001 for his branch management skills and “high levels of energy”, to become his “right-hand-man” at Capitec.

According to prosecutor Derek Vogel, Davids “shocked” everyone at Capitec nine years later with his resignation to join competitor African Bank.

On the fraud charge, Davids is alleged to have fraudulently accessed Capitec electronic data, for unauthorised purposes, prior to leaving Capitec’s employ.

Davids is also charged with violating the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), relating to his alleged unauthorised access to the data.

He has pleaded not guilty to both counts, before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.

The hearing continues on July 24.

London – Manchester United will attempt to make a smooth transition when Alex Ferguson leaves the dugout for the last time this month by handing over the managerial reigns to David Moyes.

The Everton manager has never won a major trophy in his coaching career, but has long been championed by his fellow Scotsman at United.

And Moyes quickly emerged as the front-runner to assume one of the most coveted jobs in world football within hours of the 71-year-old Ferguson announcing his retirement on Wednesday after almost 27 trophy-filled years in charge at Old Trafford.

GALLERY: Sir Alex Ferguson’s career in pictures

Moyes held talks late Wednesday about his future with Everton chairperson Bill Kenwright, who did nothing to quash the expectation that his manager with be defecting across the northwest.

“David’s contract is up in six weeks’ time and he has the right to make his own decisions,” Kenwright told Sky Sports television. “He has served this club wonderfully well.”

The 50-year-old Moyes has shown loyalty and staying power in his 11 years with Everton – attributes that should go down well at United which is trying to maintain stability at the club an avoid any radical changes to the structure after Ferguson steps up to the boardroom when the season ends.

United chief executive David Gill has stressed the need to maintain the promotion of young talent without Ferguson’s successor making wholesale changes to a squad that has just produced the club’s 20th English title.

“In our two most successful eras – with Sir Mat Busby (1945-1969) and then Sir Alex – we had managers there who sort of got involved with the whole aspects of the club, whether it be from the youth team aspects, obviously up to the first team, all the aspects of it,” Gill said.

“And that degree of loyalty … is crucial to the success of Manchester United.”

Ferguson has appeared to anoint Moyes, a three-time manager of the year, as his successor, impressed by Moyes’ grittiness and determination.

Moyes made the transition into management at Preston North End in 1998 and gained promotion to the League Championship two years later.

The former Celtic player moved to Everton in 2002 and turned the Merseyside club from a relegation contender into a regular qualifier for Europe. In 2005, he even guided the club into the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

Ferociously ambitious with a keen eye for emerging talent like Ferguson, Moyes has maintained Everton as a force near the top of the Premier League despite struggling with a lack of cash to invest in the squad.

That’s why, according to Ferguson, Moyes should not be judged on his inability to turn Everton into a force in England or Europe.

“David has had to contend with not having a strong financial structure,” Ferguson said last year. “He has to get the best out of the players he has had available.”

Ferguson has been provides a source of inspiration to Moyes as he has held out for a job where the resources match his ambitions.

“I look upon Sir Alex, I suppose, as a role model, but mainly I look at him and wonder, ‘How can you have stayed in this job so long,'” Moyes has said.

The simple task for Ferguson’s successor, according to former United captain Gary Neville, is to “play attractive football, bring young players through and win a championship.”

As such, Neville believes the potential hiring of Moyes as United’s 20th manager “makes sense.”

“They want someone to respect the history and tradition of the club, someone who is there for the long-term,” Neville said. “The club does not go for quick-fixes.”

But Wall Street investors could be spooked by the appointment of Moyes, whose modest achievements contrast with those of Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who was linked with the United job but has long been a lightning rod for controversy.

News of Ferguson’s retirement alone was greeted by United shares dropping more than 5 percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange, but the losses were clawed back quickly. The shares closed at $18.44, down 1.8 percent.

Before United was listed on the NYSE last year, the club warned that Ferguson’s successor “may not be as successful as our current manager” and could “adversely affect our ability to attract and retain coaches and players.”

It won’t take long for United to discover if that is the case.

Even before Ferguson announced his retirement plans, striker Wayne Rooney told the manager in recent weeks that he wanted to seek a fresh challenge away from the club, a person familiar with the situation said. 

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm British media reports because he was not authorized to discuss the talks publicly.

If the 27-year-old Rooney was to stay at United he is likely to be reunited with Moyes for the first time since his acrimonious departure from Everton in 2004.

Rooney’s United future has been clouded in uncertainty since Robin van Perise was signed from Arsenal last year, and he was left out of the starting line-up for the second leg of the Champions League loss to Real Madrid in March.

But with two years remaining on the player’s contract, United issued a statement late Wednesday to stress: “Rooney is not for sale.”

How true that is should become apparent by the time United begins life without Ferguson with a pre-season tour of Asia and Australia in July.

AP

By Obakeng Maje

Jan Kempdorp-Situation calm down yesterday at Tlhwahalang High school after unrest since Monday.

Embattled school principal was subsequently arrested by police on Monday after conspiracy allegation.

Aubrey Modiakgotlha was arrested on Monday for fraund and conspirancy after he was implicated in murder plot of other teachers.

He was released and charges were dropped because there was lack of evidence against him.

Pupils did not write their English third paper yesterday as teachers did not pitch for work.

“We would like the department of education in the province to scrutinise the situation closely as the chicanery affects the students and their education” Community representative Mojalefa Sethuntse told sabc.

Two police were also arrested and were suppose to appear before court yesterday, but according to reports they did not show up as the case against them lack precision.

“The case against two police was given back to police station for more investigations” NPA said.

The department of education said the infights at school need to be sorted out soon as that affects the students education in the process.

“We will make sure that the situation is sorted out in euphony as this affects the education of the pupils” Sydney Stander said.

Modiakgotlha’s lawyer said he will take legal matters as the situation implicating his client is crestfallen.

The pupils held placards yesterday depicted with this word “We want to write”.

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Cape Town – A probe into the so-called “sex-for-marks scandal” has been initiated, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said on Wednesday.

Speaking during his budget vote in the National Assembly, he said claims that university lecturers approached students for sex in exchange for better grades were worrying.

“I am extremely concerned about the allegations of sex-for-marks practices at our higher education institutions which mainly affect our female students, where male lecturers demand sex in order to pass some of the female students,” said Nzimande.

Several universities, including the Walter Sisulu University, had cases of woman students reporting that lecturers offered them better marks if they engaged in sexual acts with them.

“That must be strongly condemned and in dealing with this I will be asking the oversight committee on transformation of South African universities to investigate these allegations and provide me with recommendations,” said Nzimande.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Former ANCYL secretary general Sindiso Magaqa has vowed to remain a “fighter for economic freedom” under the league’s banner.

He said on Wednesday he would continue to serve at his branch in KwaZulu-Natal.

“I am enjoying being led and being a member of my branch in Mzimkhulu. I undertook to serve and change the lives of our people when I joined the ANCYL, and that is what I plan to continue to do,” he said.

Magaqa’s 18-month suspension from the African National Congress’s Youth League lapsed in April. 

He said he would not give up the idea of economic freedom popularised by expelled youth leader Julius Malema.

“That is the fight I will continue carrying with me until the end.”

Asked whether he planned to stand for election for leadership in the league, Magaqa said that had never “come to my mind. I don’t hold any ambition to lead”.

Magaqa is a staunch Malema supporter. In November 2011 the ANC’s national disciplinary committee found Magaqa, former spokesperson Floyd Shivambu and Malema, guilty of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing disunity in the ruling party.

Malema was expelled from the party in March. Magaqa and Shivambu had their memberships suspended. 

Shivambu is still serving a three-year sanction.

SAPA

Nedbank Cup Semi-final

Full Time: Platinum Stars 2-3 SuperSport United

Date: 08 May 2013

Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium

After 120 minutes of football SuperSport United progressed into the final of Nedbank Cup after beating Platinum Stars 3-2 in the semi-final of the cup completion at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.

It was a game of plenty talking points with a few dubious decisions seeing two penalties awarded and some questionable officiating.

Platinum Stars started the first half the brighter of the two teams and were passing the ball about swiftly and sharply.

The home side managed to create their first chance on goal as early as the fifth minute when Tintswalo Tshabalala unleashed a thunderbolt from 25-yards out, but Ronwen Williams was up to the task making a fine save.

SuperSport, though, started to find their feet in the game and forced Kabelo Dambe into his first save of the match in the 17th minute. Thabiso Nkoana tried to curl a 20-yard effort into the top corner, but Dambe was at full stretch to his left to tip the effort around the post.

In the 21st minute some good build-up play by Mark Haskins resulted in Kermit Erasmus having the ball in the back of the Platinum Stars net, but the goal was disallowed due to off-sides.

Four minutes later and SuperSport United found themselves trailing as Tshabalala gave Dikwena the lead.

Initially, Tshepo Gumede slipped Thuso Phala through on goal, but Williams produced a good one-on-one save to deny him. The loose ball, however, fell to Tshabalala who drove into the box and fired his side in front from 14-yards out, 1-0.

The next decent chance on goal was a 30-yard free-kick from Mogakolodi Ngele in the 40th minute, but his effort was easily saved by the United keeper.   

A minute later and Solomon Mathe should really have doubled his side’s lead when he had a free header on goal from a corner-kick, but he sent his attempt wide of goal from eight-yards out.

Stars led 1-0 at half time.

The start of the second 45 saw Dikwena suffer a huge blow as Henrico Botes had to leave the field injured two minutes after the restart and was replaced by Siphelele Mthembu.

Four minutes later and matters got worse for the home side as Kermit Erasmus levelled matters. The United forward latched onto a long ball from the back and superbly volleyed the ball home from the edge of the box to restore parity, 1-1.

Erasmus was in the thick of the action again in the 54th minute with another great volley from just inside the box, but this time his effort rattled the crossbar and not the back of the net.

United continued to apply pressure on the Stars goal and were rewarded for their efforts, somewhat controversially, in the 78th minute.

A free-kick was knocked into the box and as the Stars keeper claimed it he appeared to be fouled by Mogogi Gabonamong allowing for the ball to spill loose, but with the referee not awarding the foul the SuperSport man played on and crossed the ball for substitute Clifford Mulenga to tap home from a yard out, 2-1.

After going behind Stars threw players forward and were gifted with a chance to draw matters level as Thuso Phala was brought down inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 91st minute.

Thabani Mthembu, just on as a substitute, stepped up and saw his initial penalty saved, but the linesman adjudged the keeper to have moved off his line which merited a re-take, and Mthembu made no mistake with the second spot-kick, 2-2.

The game went into extra time.

With players tiring, chances in extra time were few and far between.

However, United, were awarded a penalty kick in the final minute of the first half of extra time as the referee adjudged Tshepo Gumede to have fouled Edwin Gyimah inside the box. Sibusiso Zuma stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick to put his side back in the lead, 3-2.

The second half of extra time saw Platinum Stars throwing men forward which resulted in them leaving space at the back, but neither side could find another goal as SuperSport progressed into the final of the cup competition.

For more http://www.soccerladuma.com