Johannesburg – The ANC Gauteng is concerned about a campaign by the DA to put the party’s logo on cellular airtime vouchers, it said on Tuesday.

“We have been informed that the Democratic Alliance [DA] is using airtime vouchers of MTN and Vodacom to promote its campaign,” the ANC Gauteng said in a statement.

It said the party would talk to the companies about disassociating themselves with party political campaigns, which it considered ambush marketing.

Its members would have every right not to purchase the airtime from these companies.

The Sowetan reported on Tuesday that the DA had bought advertising space on MTN vouchers sold in spaza shops.

DA spokesperson Mmusi Maimane reportedly said the vouchers, which also detailed the party’s role in the liberation struggle, were part of the party’s “Know Your DA” campaign.

“We are engaging consumers that buy airtime. We found that through MTN we will be able to reach everyone and inform them about our party,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

“We purchased the advertising space, and this has nothing to do with MTN. It does not mean MTN supports the DA,” he said.

According to The Sowetan, MTN brand and communication general manager Ryan Gould distanced the company from the advertising.

“MTN is not aware of this advertisement, therefore, the advertisement contained in the voucher in not sanctioned or endorsed by MTN SA,” he was quoted as saying.

“MTN suspects that it is from distributors of airtime who purchase the airtime pin from MTN, but use their own paper to print, and as such sell advertising space to recoup the paper costs.”

SAPA

News reaching Soccer-Laduma is that Platinum Stars are looking at Chippa United coach, Mark Harrison, as a possible replacement for Cavin Johnson.

Johnson is in the process of parting ways with Stars, after he handed in his resignation. He is strongly linked with the vacant SuperSport United coaching job.

According to a source at Chippa United, Harrison is earmarked for a move to replace Johnson at Dikwena after the good job he has done with the Cape side since his arrival in April.

“We have been informed that Platinum Stars are interested in our coach. If they are talking to him that will be a problem because we are busy with the play-offs at the moment. We’ve heard that Cavin Johnson is on his way to SuperSport United. We are all surprised. The chairman (Siviwe Mpengesi) is in the process of verifying the information we got,” said the source.

The Chilli Boys lost for the first time under Harrison, during their PSL promotion/relegation play-off game against Mpumalanga Black Aces last weekend.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Germany Bundesliga side, Hamburger SV, have emerged as frontrunners for the services of Kaizer Chiefs defensive midfielder, Willard Katsande.

The Siya crew revealed back in April that an unknown German club were monitoring the combative midfielder, though the interested club has now been named.

This follows a stellar season in which the Zimbabwean international helped Chiefs cruise to a league and Cup double, claiming their award for Most Improved Player.

According to a Siya source, the Germans have already opened negotiations with Chiefs, having been impressed after watching the 27-year-old in league action against SuperSport on 15 May and the 1-0 loss to Pretoria University three days later.

The club’s scouts also watched Chiefs lifting the Nedbank Cup final and had viewed DVDs of the player before making their trip to South Africa.

Katsande, who recently landed back in Zimbabwe for a holiday, says that is flattered by Hamburger’s interest and hopes negotiations between the Germans and Chiefs yield something concrete.

The midfielder told the Siya crew, “Yes I am aware of their interest. It is something that is inspiring when you hear such a club is interested in you. I am now just waiting to hear from my agent the outcome of discussions between the two clubs.

“I think I am ready for new challenges because I played well this past season. I gave it my best shot and if you work hard you will always be rewarded with good things.”

Katsande has been with Chiefs since August 2011, with his contract coming to an end in June next year.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Johanensburg – Just as the government was busy trying to broker peace between rival mine unions another union official was shot dead sparking fears that violence could once again flare in Marikana.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says his side has a mental edge over Central African Republic (CAR) in their World Cup qualifier at a neutral venue in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Saturday.

South Africa beat CAR 2-0 in their first-leg qualifier in Cape Town in March.

“The positive for us is that psychologically we’ve got the advantage,” Igesund said ahead of his team’s departure on Tuesday.

“We beat them convincingly at home and, of course, we’re playing on neutral ground.

“They haven’t got the home ground advantage and we just have to make sure we get the job done.”

Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 in Maseru at the weekend, in their only warm-up match, and Igesund was pleased to have been given the opportunity to experiment with his injury-riddled squad.

“The game against Lesotho was very important for us,” he said.

“We’ve got a whole new backline and I was quite pleased with the performances of quite a few players.

“It gives me a good idea of what I want to do for the CAR game.”

Lying second in Group A after three matches in the second round of African qualifying Ä two points behind group leaders Ethiopia Ä Igesund said he had no doubt his players would be able to perform in the crucial qualifier.

“We’re well prepared for it, you can see by the players here at the airport that they’re very psyched up and looking forward to this match.

“They’re also excited about going there and representing our country and qualifying for the World Cup.”

Despite having the advantage over CAR, Igesund expected a challenging contest.

“Every game is going to be a war out there. As much as we want to qualify, they need to qualify as well.

“We’re ahead of them on the log. Obviously Ethiopia are on top, so everybody will be watching that game with anticipation.

“We just need to focus on CAR and get a positive result. We need to put the pressure on them if we can.”

A week after the CAR match, South Africa will face Ethiopia in Addis Ababa Ä another must-win, according to Igesund.

“Going to the game against Ethiopia, there will be everything to play for,” he said.

Igesund hoped his side would continue their positive run since he took over the reins of the national team nearly a year ago.

“When I came into the job, we only had the two points and were on the bottom of the log.

“We’ve fought our way up to second and we won our first game against CAR.

“We have to continue from where we left off, but it’s not going to be easy as there are no easy games in this competition. We know it’s a huge task ahead of us.” – Sapa

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Johannesburg – The ANC has urged branches in Bojanela, North West, to help police “isolate” those responsible for violence at platinum mines in the area.

“The criminal activities we have seen in Marikana, regardless of motivation, must be condemned across all sectors of society,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said on Tuesday.

A National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) shop steward was killed on Monday in a shooting at Lonmin’s Western Platinum mine in Rustenburg.

Another man was wounded and was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The Bojanela municipality includes Rustenburg, Moses Kotane, Moretele, and Kgetlengrivier.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said police were continuing investigations on Tuesday at the site of the shooting, next to Lonmin Platinum’s Wonderkop hostel.

The body of the dead man was expected to be identified by his family on Thursday.

Until then, he could not be named. The name of the wounded man would also be withheld for now.

After the shooting on Monday, NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka suggested it might be linked to a labour court order which gave the NUM the right to retain its union office until July 16 in the midst of a membership drive by the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

Mthembu said there was no justification for any loss of life in Marikana, as South Africa had a “solid, progressive, and effective labour relations regime”.

The Constitution enshrined the fundamental rights of freedom of association and fair labour practices.

“These rights must be extended (to) and defended by all South Africans; no one can claim to be a leader where they fail to understand these very basic principles (and) instead resort to violence to exert hegemony,” he said.

The ANC also called on the police to ensure a continuous and visible presence in Marikana until lasting calm was returned to the area.

North West provincial legislature speaker Supra Mahumapelo reiterated his call to Amcu and the NUM to “accept the reality that they need to coexist”.

“We are going to constitute a committee that will be sent to Marikana to understand (the) challenges that (have) emerged and report to the House.

“Our communities and economy deserve the best, and this best can come from all of us pulling together (Saamtrek) pull together 3/8 – rather than be torn apart by our differences,” Mahumapelo said.

North West premier Thandi Modise also called on Amcu and the NUM to denounce violence and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence at Lonmin and other mines around Rustenburg.

In ,August 34 people were killed in a clash with police during a strike at Lonmin. Ten people, including two security guards and two policemen, died in the preceding week.

Amcu regional leader Mawethu Steven was shot dead at a tavern in Photsaneng on May 11.

Twin brothers Andile and Ayanda Menzi, 24, were shot at a shack in Wonderkop.

One died at the scene and the other died in hospital.

One was originally thought to have been a shop steward, but it has since been established that the brothers were unemployed.

Meanwhile, eight NUM shop stewards had been suspended for alleged union membership fraud, Lonmin said earlier on Tuesday.

“Lonmin has suspended eight employees following investigations into allegations of membership fraud. Three of them are currently in the middle of disciplinary hearings, while the remaining five face hearings this week,” said spokeswoman Sue Lindsell-Steward.

The shop stewards allegedly falsified stop orders to make it seem members of Amcu had left the union to join the NUM.

The company said it had been established that about 200 stop orders were allegedly falsified and submitted to its human resources department.

The effect of the fraud would have been to relay membership fees due to Amcu to the NUM, while also helping the NUM regain its representation. – Sapa

Kimberley-About four changes were effected when the Northern Cape Premier reshuffled her cabinet yesterday. 

Premier Sylvia Lucas made fewer changes than anticipated, when she moved social development MEC Alvin Botes to the Corporate Governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta) portfolio. 

Botes’ department will be occupied by Tiny Chotelo and MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Patrick Mabilo was moved to Enviromental and Nature conservation, which was previously occupied by Lucas before she became a premier. 

Mabilo made way for the newly sworn in Mac Jack.

 The former MEC for Coghsta, Kenny Moeiemang will resume the Legislature speaker position, a vacancy left by Boeboe van Wyk, who was redeployed by the ANC to be the new mayor of Namakhoi.

For more www,thenewage.co.za

Bafana Bafana players and technical team were in high spirits as they departed for Cameroon on Tuesday (4 June) where they will face the Central African Republic (CAR) in a key 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The match will take place in Yaoundé on Saturday, 8 June 2013 and is scheduled to kick off at 16h00 South African time.

Bafana Bafana go into this important match high on confidence following their convincing 2-0 victory over Lesotho in an international friendly match last Sunday.

Coach Gordon Igesund welcomed overseas-based striker Tokelo Rantie and midfielder May Mahlangu who missed the Lesotho clash due to club commitments.

South Africa who are second in Group A with five points, two behind leaders Ethiopia, defeated CAR 2-0 in the first leg played in Cape Town in March this year.

“We are well aware how difficult this match is going to be, and we can’t bank on our last result hoping things will be easy. Football does not work like that.

“We have to work twice as hard to ensure we get the same result as in the first match, and I believe we are up to the task,” said Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune, who is expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the Lesotho game.

“We are happy with the result in Lesotho because it’s a huge morale booster going into this CAR encounter. We need to continue where we left off and continue working as hard as we always do. We would like to return to South Africa with all six points – and that is very possible.”

His words were echoed by midfielder Dean Furman.

“This is a very massive game for us and the entire country. We know it’s not going to be easy but we have a strong belief that we can come back victorious. The win in CAR will set us up nicely for an even more difficult match in Ethiopia the following week, but we must take it one game at a time,” said Furman.

Bafana Bafana are expected to arrive in Yaoundé just after midnight. They are expected to start training on Wednesday afternoon.

Cape Town – South Africa on Tuesday declined to comment on reports that ousted Central African Republic president Francois Bozize was in the country.

Media reports said Bozize had left Cameroon and travelled to the country via Kenya late on Sunday.

“We currently don’t have an official comment on the matter,” department of international relations spokesperson Nelson Kgwete told dpa.

Bozize, 66, fled the CAR in the wake of a military coup on 24 March, after thousands of fighters from the Seleka rebel coalition entered the capital Bangui, accusing him of breaking an earlier peace agreement.

SA deployment

Thirteen South African soldiers were killed and 27 injured in the take-over bid. The country has since withdrawn its troops, which numbered 200 at the peak of a deployment to train the CAR military.

Over his 10 years in office, Bozize’s armed forces engaged in summary executions, unlawful killings, the use of children as soldiers and many other human rights violations, according to a 2007 Human Rights Watch report.

In December 2012, the European Union suspended its more than $200m development programme in the CAR, saying the funds would be withheld until the rule of law is re-established.

The CAR said it had issued an international warrant for his arrest via Interpol last week. However, his name was not on the Interpol wanted list as of 4 June.

Sapa-DPA

Johannesburg – The police operation during the unrest at Marikana last year was carried out in a “humane manner”, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry heard on Tuesday.

“A large operation such as that one had maybe one or two errors… and the commission will look into that, but I believe that the operation was indeed delivered in a humane manner,” national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said.

Dali Mpofu, for the injured and arrested miners, had asked Phiyega whether the police had the correct and up-to-date information before taking any action during the unrest.

Police prescripts required that police have up-to-the-minute information all the time during an operation.

“You are not prepared to withdraw your statement of gratitude towards what happened last year, is it?” Mpofu asked Phiyega.

Phiyega appeared unfazed.

“No I am not. As I said, there is a lot I have gratitude for [regarding the operation].”

‘I have blasted him’

The commission, sitting in Centurion, Pretoria and chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 44 people during violent unrest near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana last year.

On 16 August, police shot dead 34 miners. In the preceding week, 10 people, including two police officers and security guards, were killed.

Phiyega earlier told the commission she could not hear a word in the video taken by a Captain Rylands when police shot at the miners on that day.

The written transcript, showed police shouting about the actual shooting, with one person saying “…I have blasted him boss… I have blasted him…”

Another said: “There is muti there… ja, all over the body… leave it leave!”

A third voice said: “Ja, that muti shit does not work here baba (man)… shona phansi.”

Statements ‘unclear’

Phiyega, who was asked by Mpofu last week to listen to the video, said she did listen, but did not hear a word because the tape was not audible.

Mpofu referred her to the written transcript and read out the statements captured on video.

Phiyega said she had a problem with the version and translation presented.

“The translation given now [by Mpofu] has a lot of gaps… I was asked to listen too, but [it] came out unclear.

“Today there is a version here that sounds like Fanakalo… perhaps we might have to get people better equipped to read this to us; further than that I cannot comment on this,” she said. 

SAPA