Cape Town – Democracy – significant and effective political participation and representation – has been the biggest casualty in South Africa’s democratisation process. The biggest losers are citizens and communities whose voices are continuously drowned out of the public participation processes.

Citizens now understand that elections that are held under the “free-and-fair” banner have not necessarily translated into democracy, but are a mere unconditional delegation of power to elected representatives.
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Cape Town – There has been a steady stream of relatives and senior politicians to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where a critically ill Nelson Mandela is being treated.

The former president was rushed to the hospital on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.

Ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughters Zindzi Mandela and Zenani Mandela were among those who flocked to the hospital on Monday.

Their visits, while common since Mandela was admitted 17 days ago, come amid heightened fears for his health, which was described by President Jacob Zuma as “critical”.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa had visited the elder statesman earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, AFP reports that in Washington, the White House said on Monday it was keeping a close eye on developments in view of President Barack Obama’s visit to the country.

A spokesperson said he didn’t want to speculate about the impact of Mandela’s health on the president’s trip.

Obama is due to travel to Senegal on Wednesday and spend the weekend in South Africa before journeying on to Tanzania, on a keenly awaited first big Africa tour of his presidency.

But there has been speculation that if Mandela, 94, passes away in the next few days, the entire trip would be either cancelled or substantially reworked.

– News24

Pretoria – Scores of journalists were milling around outside the Pretoria hospital on Tuesday morning where a critically ill Nelson Mandela is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

At midnight, the news crews made up of mainly international broadcasters, were doing live crossings near one of the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital’s entrances on Celliers Street.

More than 40 cars, including outside broadcast vans, crowded the parking bays outside.

Several generators for back-up power were running through the night and broadcasting equipment including huge lights and cameras had been set up.

The hospital’s Celliers Street entrance was closed and there was minimal activity at the other entrance on Park Street, with only a few reporters camping nearby. Several police cars were patrolling the area and a Tshwane metro police car was parked near the fleet of journalists.

Numerous Mandela family members, politicians and government officials have been visiting the anti-apartheid icon.

Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Madiba’s daughter Makaziwe, left the hospital on Monday night.

Sisulu arrived at the hospital just after 18:00 in a black Mercedes with blue flashing police lights. She and Makaziwe Mandela left just before 20:00.

Some of Mandela’s relatives left the hospital earlier in the day.

First seen leaving on Monday after a visit was grandson Ndaba Mandela, who arrived shortly after Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and daughter Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa.

Earlier in the day, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa arrived separately at the hospital.

Condition unchanged

On Sunday night presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement that Mandela’s condition had turned critical.

Addressing the media in a briefing, which was initially scheduled as an off-the-record editors’ briefing, on Monday, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela’s condition had not changed.

“Mandela remains in a critical condition in hospital and doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort,” Zuma said in Johannesburg.

He and deputy African National Congress president Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mandela at the hospital on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, it was quiet outside Mandela’s Houghton home in Johannesburg on Monday night.

Quiet at Houghton home

A single broadcast vehicle was parked outside the house opposite the ailing statesman’s house.
The house was dark with all curtains closed. Only the ouside lights, in the yard and outside the house, were on.

The street was quiet, with only the occasional armed response patrol passing by.

The stones bearing messages for Mandela such as “God Bless Madiba”, “Thanx father” and “I love you Madiba” as well as cards were still visible in the flower beds in front of the house.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Hopetown-Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are investigating a case of rape which allegedly occurred between March 2012 to December 2012.
The principal of a local High School in Hopetown was arrested on Monday,at approximately 07:30am.
“The suspect is known as Johan Horn (45) and he is accused of raping a 15 year-old scholar at his school” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.
The accused appeared in the Hopetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted a R15000 bail and the case is remanded to 12 August 2013.
The investigation continues.
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North West Traffic Authorities have raised serious concern about the number of drunken drivers on provincial roads, more especially over the weekends.
A concern was raised during the Jaws special operation over the weekend in Rustenburg where more than 17 people were arrested for the same offense.
“Drunken driving is regarded as one of the major contributory factor of road accidents and fatalities in the country, followed by speed, fatigue, driver fitness and vehicle roadworthiness” department spokesperson Simon Mmope said.
MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi calls traffic officials, not to show messy on drunken drivers as they are endangering the lives of other motorist.
He further called on motorists to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol.
“The high number of drunken drivers is a course for concern. This is too much and we can’t just let lawlessness on our roads. We can’t just let people turning innocent children to be orphans, wives to be widows and husbands to be widowers”.
“Those who choose to drive under the influence do not respect other people’s lives. I have instructed traffic authorities not to be easy on them,” warns Maloyi.
MEC Maloyi further said that traffic Authorities will work 24 hours to make sure that those found on the road while under the influence are stopped before they cause another accident.
According to Traffic Authorities more drunken driving cases are recorded from Thursdays towards the weekend. Authorities have however vowed to focus on drunken driving, which they said will remain their priority project. They said that weekends will never be the same in targeted areas, as they realized that most cases are recorded as from Thursday until Sunday.
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Mahikeng-The North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi will officially launch an integrated socio-economic research, at Extension 39 in Mahikeng in a bit to assess the socio-economic impact made on the lives of housing beneficiaries in the province.
The Department aims to measure the impact it made to the people of the province who benefitted from different housing projects, through this pilot project which will be the first of its kind in the province.
”The project will run for the next four weeks starting from the 1 July 2013.
About 60 trained data collectors will visit the 2500 households in Extension 39” departmental spokesperson Simon Mmope said.
The launch will take place as follows:
Date: 25 June 2013
Venue: Extension 39 Sport Ground, Phase 1
Time: 14H00
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(Edited by Obakeng Maje)

South African senior women’s national team, Banyana Banyana moved up two places on the latest Coca-Cola FIFA Women’s World Rankings released on Friday, 21 June.

The high-riding Banyana Banyana moved from 53 to 51th position. The upward trend might have been influenced by the 5-0 demolition of neighbours Mozambique and a credible 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe this month.

The top five rankings on the continent remain the same with Nigeria (32) leading the pack followed by Cameroon (48) and Ghana (49). Banyana Banyana remain in the 4th position followed by 2012 AWC Champions Equatorial Guinea (52).

Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza was elated upon receiving the news and said this was a great stepping stone for his squad to continue building on their success.

“This is good for the girls. It is encouraging to see the girls’ achievements being rewarded. The intention is to continue our rise and break into the top 20 in the world,” said Mkhonza.

“Our immediate goal is to break into the top three on the continent because I believe we are far much better than the fourth place we currently occupy. We were at the Olympics and reached the finals of the African Women Championships. I think we are not far off from being among the best on the continent,” he said.

The soft-spoken coach expressed appreciation to Banyana Banyana’s number one sponsors, Sasol for their continued support in helping the squad realise its goals.

“I would like to thank Sasol and SAFA for the support they have given to women’s football in the country as well as our fans for standing behind us. The continued growth on the rankings should serve up as motivation to the players to keep working harder and represent the nation with pride,” said Mkhonza.

The next rankings will be released on Friday, 2 August 2013.

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By Obakeng Maje
Nietverdien-Police are investigating a case of murder and inquest docket after a Botswana couple were found dead. Boitumelo Magetse (35) and Moakofi Mokgalo (41) were allegedly found dead inside her boyfriends` car on the gravel road between Nietverdien and Driefontein in the early hours.
“According to the information received, the police where on patrol when they saw a Botswana registration car parked along the gravel road between Nietverdien and Driefontein. Police allegedly stopped and walked towards the stationary car” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.
Police was allegedly about to ask the driver if he need any assistance,and the driver allegedly took out a firearm and shot himself on the head.
“The police officer called his other colleagues to the scene and on arrival, the police forcefully opened the car and they found two occupants, the driver who shot himself in full view of the police and a female passenger” said Moiloa.
The woman was found dead on the passenger seat with a bullet wound on her head. It is further alleged that the Nietverdien police received information from Botswana Police about a reported missing Botswana National.
The incident was reported to their counterparts in Botswana who confirmed that the description of a female victim befit that of the person reported missing from their country.
Police had since registered a murder case and Inquest docket.
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