Edendale – Two people died and one was injured when their car veered out of control and rolled down an embankment near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday morning, paramedics said.

One person was declared dead on the scene, on Edendale Road, near Henley dam, the second died in hospital, and a third passenger was being treated in hospital, ER24 spokesman Derrick Banks said.

“Paramedics found the car on its roof with all three occupants of the car in different areas near to the accident scene.” – Sapa

Johannesburg – Solidarity intends campaigning against SA Airways after not a single white man was selected for its cadet programme, the trade union said on Tuesday.

“In August last year, the SAA lifted the ban on applications from white males for its cadet programme after Solidarity launched a major public protest campaign against the SAA,” deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said.

“It is clear that the lifting of the ban was merely a smoke-screen for continued racial discrimination by the airline.”

The union said SAA announced on Monday that 40 candidates had been admitted to its cadet programme. They would undergo 14 months of theoretical and practical training to enable them to obtain their Airline Transport Pilot Licences.

This would be followed by about three years of internship. The group consisted of 10 black men, four black women, nine coloured men, one coloured woman, seven Indian men, two Indian women and seven white women, it said.

“SAA’s exclusion of white male candidates constitutes subsidised racism… .The taxpayer is forced to pay for the government’s obsession to apply national racial demographics at all levels, everywhere in South Africa,” said Hermann.

Solidarity called on white men who applied for the cadet programme, but were unsuccessful, to contact it so it could investigate taking legal action on their behalf, said Hermann.

SAA said in a statement that the final 40 candidates fell under the category of previously disadvantaged individuals as defined in the Employment Equity Act.

“It is important to note this in the context of the current reality and measures that need to be taken,” spokesman Tlali Tlali said.

“The cadet programme is the airline’s effort to transform not only its own but also the country’s flight deck community, which is nowhere close to reflecting the country’s demographics,” he said.

He said SAA’s transformation strategy was informed by the broad-based black economic empowerment aviation sector charter.

“In the case of this particular programme, when assessing all applications, SAA is obliged to give preference to previously disadvantaged groups,” said Tlali. – Sapa

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega is back on the stand in the Marikana Commission of Inquiry, in Centurion, south of Pretoria.

The Commissioner is being cross-examined by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) lawyer, Louise Gumbi.

Phiyega has been on the stand for weeks and was also cross-examined by Advocate Dali Mpofu, who accused her several times for evading questions.

Gumbi, is representing the police, including those who were hacked to death by the mineworkers on August 13 last year during the unrest in Marikana. He wanted to find out from Phiyega what the police are doing to curb police killings.

Last week, Mpofu concluded his cross-examination of Phiyega. She has been on the stand for weeks. North West deputy Police Commissioner William Mpembe is also expected to take the stand on Tuesday.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has welcomed the conviction of the two men accused of invading the pitch and assaulting referee, Lwandile Mfiki at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a fixture between Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs on April 6.

In move that is a major victory against hooliganism at football matches, the Durban Magistrate Court found Velaphi Mkhwanazi guilty of invading the pitch and assaulting Mfiki.

Mkhwanazi was sentenced to a R2 500 fine or 60 days in – prison for common assault and R1 000 fine or 30 days for breaching the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act. The second accused, Zenzele Zikhali was also found guilty of pitch invasion. He was sentenced to a R1 000 fine or 30 days and R2 000 or 60 days in -prison for contravening the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act.

PSL Acting CEO, Cambridge Mokanyane says the convictions should send a message to those who misbehave at stadiums. “The message from these convictions is clear; we do not play lip service when individuals disrupt a football game with acts of hooliganism. This is a positive step towards the right direction. As the PSL, we welcome the news,” Mokanyane said.

PSL General Manager of Safety and Security Phillip Masimong applauded the police for their work. “I would like to thank SAPS for their work in this matter. We are determined to root out all elements of hooliganism at our stadiums. We don’t just talk, we also act to ensure that people are safe at our stadiums.”
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Former President Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe, is believed to have arrived at the Pretoria Heart hospital, where Madiba is being treated for a recurring lung condition.

Her vehicle has been seen entering the hospital premises.

It’s believed Madiba’s wife, Graca Machel, has been at his side since his admission on Saturday morning.

On Monday, the Presidency said Mandela’s condition was “unchanged” from Saturday and that he was receiving intensive care.

“President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.

All vehicles entering the hospital premises were being checked and searched.

Barricades were erected at the spot where journalists had been camping on Monday, forcing the press to move across the street. Police tape was used to cordon off the area.

This was the third time this year the Nobel Peace Prize laureate had been in hospital. At the end of March and in April this year he spent nine days in hospital receiving treatment for his lung problems.

Earlier in March, he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up and discharged the following day.

Additional reporting SAPA and SABC

Thirteen people have been arrested in the Northern Cape for contravening the National Credit Act, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) said on Tuesday.

The arrests were part of an investigation by the regulator and police into money lenders’ abuse of consumers.

Eleven criminal cases were opened on Wednesday after a three-day operation. Two of the 13 people arrested were released.

The suspects were found in possession of 5453 pension cards, 130 ID books, and 1720 bank cards, the NCR said in a statement.

“The focus of this kind of operation is primarily on credit providers who are unlawfully garnishing, retaining pension cards, bank cards, identity documents and personal identification numbers of their clients as surety,” NCR CEO Nomsa Motshegare said.

“This is a contravention of the National Credit Act and it is a criminal offence.”

The investigations took place in Upington, Keimos, Kakamas and Groblershoop.

Motshegare said exploiting vulnerable and unsuspecting consumers would not be tolerated and other operations would take place around the country.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Banyana Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini says she wants to leave a legacy by inspiring the youth mostly from rural areas through the national team platform.

“I want to use this opportunity to inspire the youth to realise their dreams. That is how I want to be remembered,” said the former Banyana Banyana captain.

The roving midfielder is involved in the development of girls through her budding community building institute, The Amanda Dlamini Girl’s Foundation.

The foundation focuses on empowering young women in the rural areas by providing them with life skills and information to help them in their youth stages as well as coaching clinics.

“I set up the Amanda Dlamini Girls’ Foundation with the aim of helping girls in the rural areas with basic necessities. The aim was to also provide them with enough information to shape their careers and reach their dreams in life.

“We conducted coaching clinics at one of the disadvantaged schools in the rural areas of my hometown in KwaZulu Natal and that experience was quite fulfilling. I want to inspire some of these youngsters to follow their dreams through sports and provide information about sports bursaries and the likes. I enjoy interacting with the young girls during some of our coaching clinics,” said the dreadlocked midfielder.

Amanda has been involved in several community building projects such as the Sports Heroes Walk against Aids together with fellow teammates Noko Matlou and former Banyana Banyana captain Desiree Ellis.

Dlamini was back to her old best last Sunday when she helped Banyana Banyana wallop Mozambique 5-0 in a one-sided friendly match played at Kanyamazane Stadium on Sunday.

Still modest in everything she does, Dlamini said the trick to Sunday’s run-away victory was purely because the team played according to instructions.

“We just stuck to the plan and it worked out well because we have been playing together for quite some time now.”

She said the coach’s instruction was to help the new players feel at home.

“That we did very well and the fact that their introduction was capped with a massive victory should have worked as a morale booster for them,” said Dlamini.

Dlamini, who led the Sasol-sponsored women’s national squad during their first-ever Olympic campaign last year, relinquished her Banyana Banyana captaincy in order to focus on her studies and concentrate on improving her game without the pressures that comes with being the team leader.

“I felt my performance on the field on Sunday was ok but there is still room for improvement. The coach asked me to express myself without any pressure and I am happy things worked out more than I expected.”

She said while giving up the captaincy was not an easy decision, the move has rekindled her old form.

“As captain, you have to be at the top of your game all the time and lead from the front. That pressure is now gone and am again enjoying my freedom and football,” said Dlamini, who is currently completing her third year of studies in Transport Management at the University of Johannesburg.

Egyptian match officials have been put in charge of the all-important Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Ethiopia and South Africa scheduled for National Stadium in Addis Ababa on 16 June 2013.

Kickoff is at 16h00 local time in Ethiopia 

(15h00 SA time).The match officials are:

Referee: FAROUK MAHMOUD Mohamed (Egypt)

Ass Ref 1: DEGAISH Ayman (Egypt)

Ass Ref 2: ABO EL SADAT BEDYER Tahssen (Egypt)

4 th Official: BAHOU Mahmoud (Egypt)

Match Commissioner: ASSOGBAVI Espoir Komlan (Togo)

Tuesday, 11 June 2013 marks exactly three years since South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala will go down in history as the first player to score the opening goal of this tournament, a scorcher against Mexico at a packed Soccer City Stadium. This was the first World Cup ever to be held on the African continent.

Tshabalala is currently in camp with Bafana Bafana in Yaoundé, Cameroon where the team is preparing for the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 16 June.

SAFA’s media officer, Matlhomola Morake walked down memory lane with him…. 

SAFA Media: Special day today, what memories do you have about the day?

Tshabalala: It is a special day indeed as it marks exactly three years since I played my first World Cup tournament; the first ever World Cup tournament to be hosted in Africa . More significantly I scored the opening goal of the tournament against quality opposition like Mexico.

To this day, the move that led to the goal, the goal itself, the atmosphere and the celebrations thereafter still play in my head as though it happened yesterday. It is one of those memories etched in my mind and will not go away. I felt very privileged to be in the squad and will forever be grateful for that opportunity.

I believe I left a huge legacy and trust that people will forever remember this day which I will always call THE SHABBA DAY. I am truly blessed to have not only played on that day but also scored a goal. It remains the most special moment of my life.

SAFA Media: Please describe to us the atmosphere.

Tshabalala: It was electrifying, and after the goal it was great to see so many South Africans brought together by a common purpose – sport, football in particular. It is an indescribable feeling, the kind where you had to be there to feel it. The tournament really united the country. I want to believe that all the players who took part in the tournament will forever cherish that moment.

SAFA Media: Has your life improved since the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

Tshabalala: A lot of things have happened since then. I have won numerous individual awards, featured in various adverts, been invited to places and events I never in my wildest dreams thought I would go to. And I have to be grateful for that, largely thanks to the World Cup.

People have showed a lot of respect towards me due to the goal and the way I played. Three years later I am still in the national team, which indicates I am doing something right. Also, I am still playing for a big team in South Africa (Kaizer Chiefs) and recently won the league and a domestic cup (Nedbank Cup). I have played about 95 percent of the games for club, and haven’t missed out much except when I was injured. So I am happy with my progress so far.

SAFA Media: You are the fan favourite, wherever you go fans still shout your name, even here in Cameroon, how do you keep that balance of not letting fame go to your head?

Tshabalala: It is humbling when you go to a foreign country and people acknowledge you and show you some respect. I feel blessed. I really appreciate the people’s feelings towards me. It is vital to keep my feet firmly on the ground though. Fame will come and go but when one is humble, that is the important thing because humility makes one go far.

SAFA Media: 11 June 2013 came a few days after you scored a goal to kept SA’s chances of going to Brazil alive…

Tshabalala: The goal I scored against the Central African Republic (CAR) is an important one as it helped the team to be in a better position, and also have a better goal difference. But it is all about teamwork and that is the main thing that has kept us going strong as a national team. We work with and for each other – those not playing push those on the field to do better. There is a lot of camaraderie which is key because we do not have special players but are all equal.

SAFA Media: Ethiopia will be a lot different to CAR…

Tshabalala: The win against CAR was vital as we now go to Ethiopia very motivated, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done. They are top of the group which tells you they are a formidable side, also they are playing at home which will make our mission even tougher. But we are professionals and I believe we are up to the challenge, we know what is at stake here. We must just work harder than in the first match to realise our goals. With the win against CAR we are in the right frame of mind – we are confident but not over confident.

SAFA Media: You are the most experienced player in the current squad with 78 caps, how much pressure does that put you in?

Tshabalala: Fortunately, we are a group of players that are very experienced and do not look at caps but work as a team. We have been working very well together up to this point. There are several senior players in the team and we all encourage each other to better our game and take the responsibility when the need arises.

SAFA Media: More caps to follow?

Tshabalala: I will continue to do the best I can for my club and country. I really appreciate the opportunity I have been given to be part of Bafana Bafana – it is stuff that dreams are made of. I am on 78 caps and I will take it one game at a time and hopefully also reach the magical 100 caps.

SAFA Media: With Botswana and CAR eliminated, this game is must win for us…

Tshabalala: Definitely, I am glad the first obstacle (CAR) is out of the way. Now there is a bigger hurdle that we should overcome. We know they might come at us to unsettle us from the first whistle. We need to be calm and not panic but play our normal game of ball possession and close them down quickly when we lose the ball. This is a very important match for us as we all want to see ourselves playing in Brazil 2014. We have tasted how it feels to be there, representing our country at a bigger stage and would not want to miss out. This is one battle that we need to win and we will do our best to get a positive result.

SAFA Media: Dreams of playing abroad…

Tshabalala: At the moment I am happy where I am and with how my career is going. I turned professional in 2004/05 in the colours of Free State Stars. We got relegated and I got my first call up while playing in the first division. Obviously my dream was to play abroad but I always tell myself that I should not force matters. That will come when the time is right and if it does happen I will grab the opportunity with both hands. But if it does not happen, life goes on. I had offers from overseas but I felt they were not right because I do not want to leave for the sake of leaving. Right now I am enjoying my football at Chiefs and at 29 I should start thinking about planning for my future – life after football.

SAFA Media: Message to the fans who have been with you…

Tshabalala: I really appreciate and value their support, my journey has been long but very exciting. I have had obstacles that I had to overcome to get to where I am. When my form dropped, I got the stick because most fans knew my abilities. I have learned to be strong and take positives out of the whole situation and move on. So I am really grateful for the support from the fans and my family – without them I would not have achieved as much as I have.

By Obakeng Maje

Groot Marico-Police are investigating a culpable homicide case after an unknown pedestrian was hit by a taxi on Monday at about 20H30 at Groot Marico, near Zeerust.  

“The deceased was allegedly crossing the N4 road near the Marico entrance on the bridge when a taxi hit him” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

Makau said that the driver of the taxi was travelling from Mahikeng to Swartruggens at the time of the accident. The driver immediately alerted the police about the accident and they informed the Emergency Medical Services. 

“The deceased was certified dead on the scene and had nothing to be identified with” said police.

The deceased was wearing a long brown trouser, a black and blue t-shirt, khaki All Star sneakers and a khaki cap on.

Groot Marico Police appeals to anybody who has a missing person that matches the mentioned description or who can assist in locating the family of the deceased to contact Detective Constable Congwane on 083 581 4941 for assistance. 

Police Investigations continue.

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