By Obakeng Maje

The NW DA has noted the long overdue NW cabinet reshuffle and once again is appalled, not only by some of the appointments, but also by the phony motivations provided by Premier Modise. 

The Premier dismissed Louisa Mabe from her cabinet, just more than a year after she was removed from the Finance portfolio to put NW Education back on track. This was allegedly because of Mabe’s involvement in R16million irregularities. 

“This motivation sounds hollow given that the MEC for Public Works and Roads, Raymond Elisha, remains in the cabinet even when his Department is implicated in tender irregularities, maladministration and Supreme Court cases involving hundreds of millions – as a result his Roads maintenance and construction function had been abdicated to the National Department” Democratic Alliance Chris Hattingh said. 

Hattingh said reasons provided for the dismissal of the former MEC for Social Development, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi included her abuse of member’s privileges in attending the ANC’s Mangaung conference using public funds, should normally be applauded. 

However by the Premier’s own admission four other members of her Executive – Magome Masike, Raymond Elisha, Louisa Mabe and Motlalepule Rosho – did exactly the same during the Mangaung Conference.  

“Masike, Rosho and Elisha did not even get a slap on the wrists, nor did they repay the abused funds” retorts Hattingh.

Premier Thandi Modise said that her focus in the reshuffling is on accelerating service delivery and entrenching good governance. “That sounds hollow if the appointment of the new MEC for Local Government is considered. Manketsi Tlhape was the former Mayor of Tswaing, before she left under a cloud,the Tswaing Municipality and administration collapsed, was put under a Section 139 administration, a HAWKS investigation and a forensic investigation was also launched” DA said. 

In addition a widespread withholding of rates and taxes in reaction to the Tswaing maladministration, non-delivery and abuse of public funds was implemented said Hattingh.  

The outcome of these investigations, true to the NW standard of non-accountability and secrecy, still remains a closely guarded secret according to DA.

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Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has announced a mainly youthful 20-man squad that will take part in the COSAFA Cup Zambia 2013 tournament to be held from 6 to 21 July.

The Bafana Bafana mentor said the main aim was to blood youngsters for the next AFCON 2015 and World Cup tournaments.

Orlando Pirates is the only team which the coach decided not to use their players as they will be preparing for a CAF Champions League match on 21 July.

Igesund has given first time call-ups to players like Bloemfontein Celtic’s Ruzaigh Gameldien, Thabani Mthembu and Tshepo Gumede of Platinum Stars, Luyolo Nomandela of Free State Stars, Lebogang Manyama of Ajax Cape Town, Jabulani Shongwe of Mamelodi Sundowns and Ronwen Williams from Supersport United.

“We are preparing players for the 

2015 AFCON in Morocco and 2018 World Cup in Russia, so we have to start now. We have also not called up overseas-based players.

“I think this is the cream of the crop of South African football, and if they are to start having the feel of the big stage, this is the time. These guys, if managed properly and continue to work hard, they could be the core of the team in the future. I am confident with players we have selected,” said Igesund.

“I also have my eye on other youngsters like Bongani Zungu of Tuks FC, Sibusiso Vilakazi of Bidvest Wits, Ayanda Patosi and Daylon Claasen who I have not called up. We have talent in abundance in this country.”

The squad assembles on Wednesday, 10 July 2013, and fly directly to Lusaka, Zambia for their training camp.

Bafana Bafana’s first match is on Saturday, 13 July.

Bafana Bafana squad for COSAFA Cup:

NO.

  PLAYER’S NAME

  CLUB

GOALKEEPERS: 1.

  Wayne SANDILANDS

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  2.

  Ronwen WILLIAMS

  Supersport United FC (SA)

  DEFENDERS:  3.

  Bevan FRANSMAN

  Supersport United FC (SA)

  4.

  Thabo NTHETHE

  Bloemfontein Celtics (SA)

  5.

  Tefo MASHAMAITE

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  6.

  Eric MATHOHO

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  7.

  Thulani HLATSHWAYO

            Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

  8.

  Tebogo LANGERMAN

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  9.

  Tshepo GUMEDE

  Platinum Stars FC (SA)

  MIDFIELDERS:

  10.

  Reneilwe LETSHOLONYANE

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  11.

  Siphiwe TSHABALALA

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  12.

  Hlompho KEKANA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  13.

  Lebogang MANYAMA

  Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

  14.

  Luyolo NOMANDELA

  Free State Stars FC (SA)

  15.

  Jabulani SHONGWE

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  16.

  Ruzaigh GAMILDIEN

  Bloemfontein Celtics FC (SA)

  STRIKERS:

  17.

  Katlego MASHEGO

  Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

  18.

  Kermit ERASMUS

         Supersport United FC (SA)

  19.

  Bernard PARKER

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  20.

  Thabani MTHEMBU

  Platinum Stars FC (SA)

By Obakeng Maje

Mooinooi-A community member who was fetching firewood in the bush outside Bokfontein village near Mooinooi, was shocked after discovering a burnt human skull and bones in the field. 

The incident happened yesterday morning, Wednesday.

“The incident was reported to the Brits police who attended the scene and during primary investigations at the scene, the police found a copy of a drivers` license” lieutenant Lesego Metsi said. 

At this stage it is not clear whether the licence belongs to the deceased or one of his assailants.

Police are appealing to anyone who is missing a relative or a family member, more especially in the Brits Area to contact them. 

“Any information that may lead to the identification of the deceased or assist the police investigation into what could have happened to the deceased, are urged to share such information with the investigation officer or report it to their nearest police station” said Metsi.

An Inquest docket was registered and the corpse was removed to Brits Government Morgue pending further investigations. 

Police can be contacted on the following numbers 012 381 6082 or 012 381 6000/8.

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Northern Cape police are investigating an armed robbery which allegedly took place on Thursday between 08:00 and 11:30 at Johanna Street, Monument Heights. 

“It is allegedly that a woman in her early fourties was phoned by two men who personated themselves as registered diamond dealers with a permit to sold diamonds” lieutenant Adrea Cloete said.

Police said that the men allegedly entered the house of the victim with a briefcase. 

“The two suspects then opened the briefcase to show the victim their permit to sell diamonds, but instead one suspect pull out a pistol and threaten the victim with it” Cloete said. 

The two suspects managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of money and jewellery and fled the scene on foot. 

Cloete said assistance of Kimberley community are being request in this regard to trace these suspects because they are posing a danger to anybody as they are in the possession of a firearm.  

“The police request that information regarding the incident be forwarded to Detective Warrant officer Dibebe at 082 3020 407” she said. 

The investigation continues. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A  man who allegedly stabbed his 35 year-old wife with a knife after they had a heated argument last night, allegedly handed himself over to the police this morning in Manokwane, near Taung.

“It is alleged that the police were allegedly called last night to the couple’s home at  Manokwane village in Taung by a neighbour who alleges that their house was on fire” colonel Lesego Metsi said. 

On their arrival, police and emergency services found the 35 year-old  Pontsho Mogapi with a stab wound on the head. 

“They allegedly took the victim to the hospital and she was certified dead on arrival. According  to the information, the couple had an argument last night at about 23:00 and he allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife” Metsi said.

The suspect allegedly set their 3 roomed house on fire and fled the scene.

The 34 year-old suspect allegedly handed himself over to the police this morning and is expected to appear before Taung Magistrate`s Court tomorrow, Friday, charged with Murder and Arson. 

A three roomed house and furniture were destroyed in a blaze.

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The death of a woman who is suspected to have fallen into a manhole in Bloemhof raises questions as to whether the mentally ill in our communities are being cared for, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.

“We are saddened by the tragic and untimely death as a caring and compassionate government. We call on communities and families to approach authorities to ensure that people with mental illnesses have access to quality psychiatric and professional medical health care,” added Premier Modise.

She said that in addition to building the 648 bed Bophelong Psychiatric hospital in Mahikeng at a cost of R478 million, the provincial government will be expanding access to quality psychiatric and professional health care for people with mental illnesses with construction of community based psychiatric health care facilities.

The Premier appealed to Maquassi Local Municipality to ensure that the environment of its residents is safer and that there are no other similar unsafe manholes within its jurisdiction.  

According to police, the 50-year-old woman’s family had been looking for her since she left their home on Tuesday night.

It is alleged that a relative reported that she saw the woman’s body in a flooded manhole around midday on Wednesday which was subsequently recovered by police divers around 15:30.

Police have opened an inquest docket. They suspect that the deceased could not see the hole that was covered by water and posed danger to the residents.

Johannesburg – Ailing former president Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela has denied that there is tension between him and his aunt Makaziwe Mandela, The Star reported on Thursday.

Newspapers reported on Wednesday that he allegedly stormed out of a family meeting in Qunu on Tuesday.

According to the reports, he allegedly moved the graves of three of Mandela’s children from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011, apparently without consulting the family.

It was reported that the family wanted the graves of Mandela’s sons Makgatho and Thembekile, and daughter Makaziwe, to be returned to Qunu.

“Chief Zwelivelile [Mandla Mandela] has no issues with any authorised person in the family repatriating any or all of the graves,” Mandla Mandela’s spokesperson Freddy Pilusa was quoted as telling The Star on Thursday.

“Mvezo is the birthplace and traditional home of the Mandelas, and thereby lies its historic and heritage significance.”

He said Mandla Mandela would not comment now on plans for his grandfather’s burial.

The 94-year-old former president was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on 8 June for treatment of a recurring lung infection.

The presidency said in a statement on Tuesday that he remained in a critical condition.

SAPA

Australian politician has apologized to South Africa’s high commissioner for incorrectly announcing that Nelson Mandela had died.

Resources Minister Gary Gray issued a statement Thursday saying he was “deeply sorry” for wrongly telling guests at a Minerals Council of Australia dinner at Parliament House on Wednesday that the anti-apartheid leader was dead.

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

President Jacob Zuma has cancelled his scheduled state visit to Mozambique after visiting former president Nelson Mandela in hospital last night, amid reports that the ailing 94-year-old was on life support.

“Yes, he is using machines to breathe,” elder in the Mandela family Napilisi Mandela reportedly told AFP. “It is bad, but what can we do.”

Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj refused to comment on this claim, saying it would infringe on doctor-patient privacy.

Meanwhile, the chapel at 1 Military Hospital where Mandela’s body is expected to be taken upon his death before it is set to lie in state at the Union Buildings, has been prepared, reports Erika Gibson.

In a statement issued by the Presidency shortly after Zuma had spent about half an hour inside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria where Madiba is being treated for a recurring lung infection, Zuma again expressed his and government’s gratitude to all South Africans for their support to Mandela’s family.

Zuma was due to attend a SADC Summit on infrastructure investment in Maputo.

The Presidency said doctors assured Zuma that they were doing everything they could to ensure Mandela’s well-being.

It was Zuma’s third visit to the hospital in less than two weeks and his cancellation of today’s visit to Mozambique echoes official statements that Mandela’s health had deteriorated to a critical state.

According to the Presidency, Mandela’s health condition has been unchanged since he took a turn for the worse at the weekend.

Earlier in the day, Mandela’s family visited him twice at the hospital.

Family members included his ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his current wife, Graca Machel, his daughters, Zindzi and Makaziwe, grandchildren Ndaba, Zondwa, Tukwini and Ndileka, and Zondwa’s wife, Lindo Zici.

Jozina Machel, Graca’s daughter, and Mandela’s former physician, Lieutenant General Veejay Ramlakan, were also spotted at the hospital.

The Presidency said Zuma was briefed by Mandela’s doctors and that his condition remained unchanged.

Earlier yesterday a church choir and a group of pre-schoolers sang church songs and the national anthem outside the hospital where the police presence had increased.

About 15 preschoolers from the Thand’ Uxolo Day Care Centre in Katlehong’s Mandela Informal Settlement, painted a huge banner using their handprints to wish Mandela a speedy recovery.

The preschoolers then recited the national anthem and a special poem they wrote which included words of encouragement that Mandela must “hold on” to life.

Later in the evening ordinary South Africans flocked the hospital and sang hymns and struggle songs, while observing a vigil.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za

Former president Nelson Mandela’s signature shirts have been flying off the shelves since he was hospitalised.
Sonwabile Ndamase, the creator of the famous Madiba shirt, said he has been inundated by companies wanting to buy the shirts to commemorate Mandela’s birthday next month.
For more http://www.timelive.co.za