By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-Police in Ikageng have opened a case of murder and house robbery after a domestic worker was allegedly murdered by two suspects at Mohading near Potchefstroom on Friday the morning.

“It is alleged that the two suspects jumped over the fence of an elderly couple’s house to gain entry into the yard. The suspects confronted the couple’s domestic worker in her backyard room and stabbed her several times in her upper body” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Makau said the old woman (68) allegedly went outside to the domestic worker’s room and was overpowered by the suspects who were allegedly armed with a knife and firearm respectively. Police said the suspects blindfolded the woman and took her to the main house where her sick husband (71) was. 

“They tied the couple with a cord and allegedly ransacked the house” said Makau.

They allegedly robbed victims a cellphone and credit card. 

“It is alleged that they demanded the credit card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) and fled the scene on foot afterwards”. 

Police said the motive of the incident was robbery. 

Police are investigating.

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Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza and his team are brimming with confidence ahead of their clash against neighbours Zimbabwe at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton on Saturday.

The team has been hard at work this week, working on improving some of the concerns identified in the 5-0 hammering of Mozambique last weekend. The coach and players are well aware that Zimbabwe will be a different kettle of fish altogether. The team will have to work harder and be more clinical in front of goals.

“On Saturday, we need to do more than just get the basics right. Encounters with Zimbabwe have always gone down to the wire so we need to be tactically astute as a unit,” said Mhkonza.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have a slight psychological edge as they won the last game against the Zimbabweans. The visitors also go into this international friendly on the back of a convincing 3-1 away victory over Zambia. Nevertheless, matches between the two Cosafa powerhouses are usually closely contested affairs with very little separating the two teams.

“Zimbabwe is going to be tough to beat. We have a very close record against them. As a team, we are going to have to convert our opportunities and be more clinical in front of goals,” said Banyana captain Janine van Wyk.

Senior players will be expected to play a pivotal role on Saturday. The coach will once again be counting on them to assist new players in dealing with pressure.

“It is going to be important for us not to be overwhelmed by playing on the international stage. We have had discussions as a team about the type of game to expect from Zimbabwe and it is going to be very critical for our strikers to take most of the chances that are presented to us,” commented Zingawe Phakathi, one of the new players in the side.

The game will kick-off at 15h00 on Saturday. The team hopes to have a full house at Sinaba Stadium as local community around the area have always supported Banyana.
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Pretoria – It seems as though the farmer who allegedly bought stolen diesel from a City of Tshwane employee will not be arrested or charged as police are claiming that there is not enough evidence against him.

Police claim they do not have enough evidence despite the fact that the council employee, Victor Mamadi, who was caught red-handed just after delivering the 7 000 litres of diesel at the farm, admitted to council investigators that he had sold it to the farmer at R120 for every 25 litres.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Limpopo – Limpopo Agriculture MEC Jacob Marule is being sued for R1.5 billion for alleged breach of contract.

Businessman Thabo Mokwena argues in court papers that the department had, through a “partially written or partially oral agreement”, awarded the integrated poultry project to his African Meat Products company in 2011. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture was allocated a budget of R1.525 billion, and if Mokwena’s lawsuit succeeds, it will have nothing to spend on any of its priority programmes this financial year.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

When Bafana Bafana trot onto the National Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 16 June 2013, for a Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, they will be up against a country rich in football history.

Ethiopia is one of the founding members of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament having played their first international match in 1947 against the then French Somaliland.

The East Africans also took part in the inaugural AFCON in 1957 when they finished second. That tournament was hosted by Sudan and featured three teams– the hosts, Egypt and Ethiopia.

The tournament was meant to be a four-nation event, with South Africa due to play Ethiopia in the semi-final but the former was disqualified due to apartheid policies prevailing in the country at the time.

Only two games were played in the first edition. Ethiopia got a bye and played Egypt in the final – losing 4-0. Since then the tournament has expanded to a 16-nation African showpiece.

Despite laying a crucial role in the formation of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ethiopia have never qualified for any World Cup tournament.

“This is a match full of history because both Ethiopia and South Africa were part of the four countries that formed the AFCON tournament. We were expelled from international football due to apartheid and never got to play in the inaugural tournament. We are also mindful of the fact that Ethiopia are yet to qualify for the World Cup and as a result this match will have an added significance,” said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.

Since re-admission into international football in 1992, South Africa have participated in several Nations Cups and won one, which they hosted in 1996. Bafana have also appeared in three World Cups since re-admission. The SAFA President believes the experience of playing such prestigious tournaments will stand Bafana in good stead in their quest for another World Cup appearance.

“We know they are playing at home but we have strong focus and the determination to do well. Bafana Bafana is not about individuals but team work – and only teams win championships. The players need to do it for themselves and for the country because it means so much for them. These boys are on the verge of history in that in the current squad we have players who were part of the last World Cup in 2010, so for them to play in successive World Cups will be a major feat in their lifetime.”

South Africa hosted Ethiopia just over a year ago (3 June 2012) with the match ending in a 1-1 draw in Phokeng, near Rustenburg.

The return leg takes place on 16 June – Youth Day in South Africa, a significant day in the history of the country.

“Thirty seven (37) years ago, none of the current Bafana Bafana players were around when many people lost their lives in the struggle to liberate our country. What a coincidence that this match takes place on this special day.

“And when they go into battle against Ethiopia the boys must remember those souls that passed on in pursuit of freedom for our country. That is the significance our boys need to remember that it is not just about the World Cup qualifier, but is also about the pride of this country and our liberation,” said Nematandani.

“The good thing about the day is that the whole country will be focussing on this match and also remembering the past, so what a way to wipe their tears off with a victory to say those who went before did not die in vain.”

Ethiopia qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa after an absence of 31 years.

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Yesterday Ethopian National appeared before Mahikeng Magistrate Court on charges of being in possession of illicit cigarettes.

Abose Errasa,33 was granted a R5000 bail by Mahikeng Magistrate Court and will be back in court on the 31st July 2013.

Police said they received a tip-off on Wednesday that there was a truck off-loading boxes onto a bakkie on the other side of the border along the border at Logageng village(between South Africa and Botswana).

“Police spotted the vehicle that fitted the given description at Makgobistad on Bray road to Mahikeng. It is alleged that police stopped the suspected vehicle” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

She said police discovered thirty seven boxes of counterfeit cigarettes to the value of R300 000.

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Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga’s “long history” of broken promises, many allegedly made to Parliament, to supply norms and standards for school infrastructure has drawn Equal Education back to court.

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

Prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach will be transferred from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU) to the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

The latest move comes after Acting National Director for Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba, filed papers in the Labour Court seeking an order to have Breytenbach dismissed, despite her being acquitted of all 15 charges by the NPA disciplinary hearing three weeks ago.

A core charge against Breytenbach was failing to act impartially when investigating the Kumba Iron Ore/Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading mining rights issue.

On Wednesday, Jiba filed a motion of notice with the Labour Court. The acting NPDD is asking for a judicial review of its own disciplinary hearing which cleared Breytenbach. In its motion the NPA wants Breytenbach to be found guilty on 12 charges against her.

Jiba also want the matter to be referred back to the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Hearing , Selby Mbenenge SC, for what she calls an appropriate sentence.

Jiba contends that Mbenenge’s decision to clear Breytenbach was irrational and crossly unreasonable. She says Mbenenge ‘s decision was informed by material error of law.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za