Kaizer Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro scored the goal that clinched the league title for the Amakhosi in Wednesday night’s 1-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium with SuperSport United.

Majoro took his personal goal scoring tally in the league to nine for the season, and after playing a big part in the side’s championship success, he told the Siya crew that Amakhosi wanted it more and deserve the trophy.

“We wanted it more. We deserved to even win the game though it ended up in a draw. You saw how we played and everyone in the team wanted to win. 

“We could have scored more goals but that one goal gave us the trophy and we deserved it. I didn’t just score, not for myself, but for the team and I am glad I did score that goal,” the Bafana Bafana striker explained. 

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Johannesburg – Former Hawks spokesperson McIntosh Polela learnt he had been fired via media reports on Thursday, EyeWitnessNews reported.

“Neither my lawyer nor myself have received a letter saying I have been dismissed from the SAPS,” Polela was quoted as saying.

His dismissal is believed to be a consequence of a Twitter comment he posted last year relating to the conviction of Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala for murder and attempted murder.

Sapa could not immediately reach Polela for his comment.

On Twitter on Thursday, under the hashtag #FriendsofTosh, one user asked Polela: Dude is this the end or the beginning? Have you got something up your ankle holster?

Polela responded: I’m a tenderpreneur, but did not elaborate.

Response

Earlier, The Star newspaper reported that Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa revealed Polela’s dismissal in a written response to a question from the DA in Parliament this week.

“The officer was dismissed on 27 March 2013, and the internal appeals authority confirmed the same,” Mthethwa reportedly said.

“The officer was paid R323 238.41 during the period he was on suspension,” Mthethwa said, according to the report.

Polela declined to comment to The Star.

He was suspended last year after he tweeted in October: I trust Jub Jub’s supporters gave him a jar of Vaseline to take to prison.

He was commenting after the conviction of Maarohanye and Tshabalala for killing four schoolchildren and injuring two others while drag-racing on a street in Soweto in March 2010.

They were each sentenced to serve an effective 25 years in prison.

SAPA

Rustenburg – Brigadier Adriaan Calitz gave the order for police to shoot at striking Marikana miners in August last year, the Farlam Commission heard on Thursday.

A video clip taken from a helicopter that Calitz was in during the police’s dispersal operation at Marikana was played to the commission.

“Shoot at the target, shoot at the target,” Calitz was heard saying on the clip.

In the clip, he is also heard saying: “Get out there and engage.”

Calitz was one of the commanders assigned to the Marikana operation.

Major General Charl Annandale, who was under cross-examination at the commission, confirmed Calitz’s voice was audible in the clip.

“That was Papa One, Brigadier Calitz,” said Annandale.

Annandale headed the police’s tactical response team during the wage-related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mine last year.

He said he was at the joint operations centre listening to the police radio when the instruction was given.

The commission adjourned early on Thursday as several people were due to attend the memorial service of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) member, Mawethu Steven, also known as Steve Khululekile. 

He was gunned down at a tavern in Marikana at the weekend.

Steven was one of several commission witnesses killed in the last few months. His memorial service will take place at the Karee mine.

Scores of mineworkers were expected to attend the service, at which Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa was expected to speak.

Crucial information

Earlier, the commission heard how police officers deployed to Marikana during last year’s wage-related unrest could have had more information about what happened.

“I cannot exclude the possibility that some of the 600 officers who were there could have other [pictures and videos on their cellphones] that they did not hand in,” Annandale said.

He said the officers were asked to hand in any information they had, but that officers were not required to use their cellphones.

“There’s no protocol for officers to use their own private cellphones and cameras, as professional people are appointed for such,” said Annandale.

Five police videographers had been deployed to take footage at the unrest. Some cellphone footage had been handed in as evidence at the commission.

Nokukhanya Jele, for the SA Human Rights Commission, said she had waited several months to get the pocket books of police officers at Marikana.

On Thursday, the SAPS handed over around 500 of the books to Jele and her team.

The commission heard the pocket books could contain crucial information.

A typical entry in an officer’s pocket book would have information on the post they held on a particular day, and the type of vehicle and firearm in their possession, Annandale said.

“In terms of Marikana, they would say when they went on duty and whether they used their firearms or not,” said Annandale.

The commission, chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the deaths of 44 people killed in Lonmin’s wage-related unrest last year.

Police shot dead 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana on 16 August. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

SAPA

Johannesburg – A Parliamentary debate on the unauthorised landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base has been moved forward, the African National Congress said on Thursday.

It would take place on 22 May instead of during the week of 4 to 7 June, the office of the ANC Chief Whip said in a statement.

“Our proposal for the debate to take place on 22 May was accepted by all parties at today’s [Thursday] National Assembly programming committee meeting.”

The ANC said it made the proposal in view of the fact that the government’s probe into the matter had been concluded.

Earlier in the day, acting Minister in the Presidency Edna Molewa said there would be no attempt to keep secret a report from the investigation by a group of directors general.

Molewa and Cabinet colleagues endorsed preliminary findings of the probe into how the Gupta family managed to land the plane at the national key point without executive authority.

She said it was now up to the justice, crime prevention, and security (JCPS) cluster of ministries to release the findings to the public.

JCPS chairperson Justice Minister Jeff Radebe was in the country, but his colleagues in the cluster were in Russia on a working visit with President Jacob Zuma.

Radebe and the other ministers would decide in which form the outcomes of the probe would be made public.

Molewa said: “What we are really saying to you as South Africans, is that this matter… was never intended to be kept under wraps… You will be informed about it.”

The aircraft was carrying 270 guests to the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, and Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia at Sun City.

Government faced a storm of criticism over the incident, given the perception that the Gupta brothers are close to President Jacob Zuma.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-Police are investigating a case of rape after two grannies aged 74 and 84 were attacked on Sunday in Magogong village. 

“It is alleged that a unknown man in his early 50s entered a house where two grannies were sleeping at about 22:00” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa.  

“The suspect allegedly proceeded to the bedroom where he found two gogos asleep and he allegedly fought with the 84 year-old granny as he insisted sleeping with them” Moiloa said.  

The granny (84) overpowered the suspect and grabbed the knife that he was wielding.  

“The victim allegedly managed to escape leaving behind the 74 year-old woman with the suspect as she rushed out, screaming for help” police said.

It is alleged that the suspect raped the 74-year-old victim as she was powerless and could not see due to blindness. 

“At the time the 84 year-old granny returned with community members and the police the suspect had fled the scene” police said.  

The victims were taken to the police station where the case was registered and the police proceeded to the hospital for their medical treatment.

“The police is making a plea to community members to check on the old grannies who are staying alone and also to immediately call the police if they see suspicious people walking around the neighbourhood” Moiloa said.  

A case of Rape and Attempted Rape is being investigated. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the suspect is requested to contact the police on 086 00 10111

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South African Football Association (SAFA) is mourning the passing away of former Free State Stars publicist Jabu Khumalo who was also chairman of National First Division (NFD) outfit African Warriors.

The Little Corporal, as Khumalo was known, passed away last night (Wednesday, 15 May 2013) after a long illness.

Khumalo worked as a PRO for Free State Stars before moving to Warriors. 

“He was one of the most passionate persons when it comes to football issues. His life literally revolved around football. We will forever remember him for his dedication to the game and football is poorer without Jabu. He contributed immensely in the building of football to where it is today,” said SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani.

“We as SAFA would like to join the Khumalo family, friends and relatives in this time of sorrow and grief and also extend our sympathies to the players and staff of African Warriors. 

“We trust that they will stay strong in the belief that he ran his race to the fullest. May his soul rest in peace.”

Plans for a strike over retrenchments at Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] (Amplats) have been suspended, the workers’ committee said on Thursday.

“We decided to wait until Friday to see how the company responds to the issue,” said spokesperson Evans Ramokga.

The committee, which led a strike in September, earlier said the strike would begin on Thursday night.

Ramokga said the company was not backing down on retrenchments, and workers had taken it upon themselves to fight.

“Unions have done their part and negotiated on our behalf. Now the workers have decided to lead their cause. No one is happy about the retrenchments.”

After mass meetings at different shafts, workers had decided to go on strike.

“Workers are saying if Amplats cannot run the mines they must leave and surrender the mines to another company that will save jobs.”

Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole said management was aware of the issues which had been raised by employees through the media.

“We encourage our employees to utilise the existing channels in place to address any labour issues and advise against illegal work stoppages, as these may lead to disciplinary action,” she said.

Amplats has announced that it will cut 6 000 jobs instead of the 14 000 it predicted earlier.

Johannesburg-South African Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani has joined the rest of the South African football community in congratulating Kaizer Chiefs, who were crowned 2012-13 Absa Premiership champions on Wednesday (15 May 2013).

A 1-1 draw against Supersport United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium was enough to hand the title to Amakhosi – which ended an eight-year league wait for the club.

The SAFA president said Chiefs should be commended for the manner in which they went about their business in winning the league title.

“On behalf of the South African Football Association, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kaizer Chiefs players, technical staff as well as their chairman Kaizer Motaung,” said Nematandani.

“You really worked hard for your victory while also keeping South African football fans entertained with your brand of football. Our national teams, especially Bafana Bafana will benefit immensely from some of the talent you discovered this season.”

Chiefs won the league after 29 matches, having lost just twice to Platinum Stars and Ajax Cape Town. They proved effective in the goal scoring department as they netted 48 times. The likes of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Bernard Parker, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Erick Mathoho, Siboniso Gaxa, Siphiwe Tshabalala and others have also been key members of the Senior Men’s National Team, Bafana Bafana. 

“We must also congratulate the other 15 teams who made this league as exciting and tough as it was. The supporters have also been amazing too and we want to commend them for this,” said Nematandani.

The league programme ends on Saturday (18 May) and the focus will turn to the Nedbank Cup final set for Saturday, 25 May.

“Finally we would like to wish Nedbank Cup finalists Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United well in the final. May the best team win,” he said.

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-The North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Hon Nono Maloyi will deliver departmental budget speech for 2013/14 financial year.

Maloyi is expected to reflect on the achievements attained during the past financial year and the challenges faced by the department.

“The MEC will further outline departmental plans on how to increase and speed-up service delivery to the marginalized communities in the province” Department spokesperson Simon Lesolamang Mmope said.

“MEC Maloyi will further hand over about 55 new branded highway patrol cars in Mahikeng stadium later on the day” Mmope said.

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Pretoria – South African Defence Force soldiers who are training for a United Nations military mission in Congo will be adequately prepared even though the army as a whole is overstretched and underfunded, the army chief said on Thursday.

Lieutenant General VR Masondo also told media at a briefing that the units bound for Congo are being helped in their training by troops who participated in a mission in Central African Republic, or CAR.

In March, rebels there killed 14 SANDF soldiers while seizing the capital, Bangui, and overthrowing president Francois Bozize.

“We have taken heed of the CAR incident and will incorporate the lessons learned from this in preparing for future operations,” Masondo said without elaborating.

Analysts said the SANDF lacked air cover and there were questions about why they deployed under a bilateral deal rather than under UN or regional auspices.

The UN Security Council has authorised a new “intervention brigade” for Congo with a mandate to take offensive military action against rebel groups to help bring peace to the eastern part of the vast, mineral-rich country, beset by fighting since the end of the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda.

The Congolese army said 32 people were killed in fighting between Congolese soldiers and militiamen who attacked a town north of Goma on Wednesday.

Masondo said the army’s budget of about More than R10bn is not enough to address its needs, which include the replacement of old equipment and dilapidated facilities, and tasks such as foreign missions, border patrols, securing hospitals during worker strikes, the documentation of immigrants and support for the police.

Funding challenges make it difficult “to do everything that we are required to do,” Masondo said.

But he acknowledged there is a “dire need” for the South African government to direct resources to social and economic programs in a country with high unemployment and a widening gulf between rich and poor.

He said the troops heading to Congo are “preparing sufficientl”, despite shortfalls in the military.

The UN said a contingent of about 100 Tanzanian troops arrived in eastern Congo on 11 May, a first step in assembling a new brigade.

The rest of the troops will arrive in stages, but no clear deadline has been given so far.

Malawi has also pledged troops, though some military experts question whether the envisioned force of several thousand is big enough to restore security.

– AP