Johannesburg – Cosatu should not have released the name of the woman who accused General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi of rape, the Sonke Gender Justice Network (SGJN) said on Tuesday.

“We urge the union to redact her name from the organisation’s website,” the SGJN said in a statement.

“[Although] the name of [the] Cosatu employee alleging rape is already in the public domain, we think this important symbolic gesture would demonstrate the union’s commitment to fighting gender-based violence.”

The SGJN said it was also concerning that some media outlets had identified the woman, despite the fact that it was not permissible in terms of the SA National Editors’ Forum’s (Sanef) media ethics code.

“We are also mindful that the issues reported in the media cannot provide the basis for any conclusions about the guilt or innocence of any party,” it said.

“As an organisation committed to gender justice, we call for the speedy and fair resolution of this matter, and an appropriate handling of the case by Cosatu, the media, and the police.”

Vavi admitted having an extramarital affair with a married woman who worked for the Cosatu.

He claimed she later tried to extort R2m from him. He denied raping her, and said the sex was consensual.

However, she brought a complaint of sexual harassment against him. The complaint was withdrawn during the internal grievance proceeding that started on Monday morning.

– SAPA

Pretoria – The new ID smart cards will provide a sense of citizenship and belonging to all South Africans, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Zuma received his card from Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor, and then went on to name the four machines printing the cards after struggle heroines Sophie de Bruyn, Rahima Moosa, Helen Joseph, and Lilian Ngoyi.

The four women led the march by 20 000 women in 1956, against the pass laws, to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Speaking at the government printing works in Pretoria, Zuma said: “This gesture is intended to further immortalise their contribution to the struggle for liberation and of building a better South Africa, which is home to all who live in it, black and white.”

The pass laws dictated where people should live, work, and the schools their children should go to.

“Carrying a pass then was an insult and an affront to the dignity of our people,” he said.

Zuma said 2013 marked 100 years since Charlotte Maxeke led the women’s march against the pass laws in Bloemfontein in 1913.

“The introduction of the new smart ID cards thus remind[s] us of the courage and zeal by women in 1913 and 1956.”

In the 1913 march, about 600 women went to the Bloemfontein City Council in the Orange Free State to voice their disapproval of the laws of the time. During the march 34 women were arrested and convicted for not having passes.

“Given the important role of women in the struggle against pass laws in this country, it is befitting that we name machines printing identity documents after stalwarts who fought for justice, human rights and dignity for all,” Zuma said.

Anti-fraud

The current bar-coded green ID book had limited security features and had been prone to fraud and identity theft, he said.

The new ID smart card had biometric features that would enable individuals to prove their identity with 100% certainty.

Zuma urged South Africans without identity documents to apply as the nation prepared for next year’s general elections.

“By the time you vote next year, you must be a smart South African,” he said.

One of the first people to receive the new ID card was former president Nelson Mandela, who received his on his birthday, on 18 July.

Smart card IDs have also been issued to Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, his wife Graça Machel, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former president Thabo Mbeki.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, former president FW de Klerk, and struggle veterans Sophie de Bruyn, Andrew Mlangeni, Ahmed Kathrada, and Dennis Goldberg also received theirs.

Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said the new smart cards would be available to the rest of the public once all the department’s offices had the required technology.

– SAPA

Rustenburg-The North West High Court in Mahikeng has dismissed an appeal by former Rustenburg mayor Matthew Wolmarans and his former bodyguard, Cosatu said on Tuesday.

“Cosatu North West welcomes the outcome of [an] appeal of the accused in the murder of Moss Phakoe, passed by a panel of judges yesterday [Monday],” said Congress of SA Trade Unions spokesperson Solly Phetoe.

“Cosatu has always believed in the country’s justice system and said we would comment after the appeal case had been heard by the high court.”

Wolmarans’s former bodyguard Enoch Matshaba was sentenced to life imprisonment last year, after the court found he had pulled the trigger and killed Phakoe in the driveway of his Rustenburg North house on 14 March 2009.

Wolmarans, then an ANC North West provincial executive committee member, was sentenced to 20 years for masterminding the hit.

The two men were granted leave to appeal against their convictions and were released on R100 000 bail each in May pending the outcome.

“Cosatu hopes that the judgment brings some relief to the family of comrade Moss and that the sentences will be instituted quickly,” Phetoe said.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-An unknown man who is believed to be in his 40’s knocked down by a goods train in Kimberley. 

The incident happened on Tuesday at approximately 16:45pm at Aristotle bridge. 

“It is alleged that the victim jumped over the Aristotle Bridge and threw himself in front of the goods train” lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said. 

The train was moving from South to North direction of Kimberley. “Apparently the man was contemplating to commit suicide, he sustained serious bodily injuries, right side hip is dislocated from the joint, left leg fractured, fractured shoulder and also head injuries. He has been transported to the Kimberley Hospital to receive medical treatment” Tawana said. The Kimberley police are investigating the cause of the incident at this stage.-TDN

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Pic:(From Left to Right: Lehlogonolo Mathamele and April Pienaar on the dock)
By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-The Galeshewe Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual offences Unit are investigating a case of house breaking, theft and rape which allegedly took place on the 11 March 2013 at approximately 01:00am.
“It is alleged the two suspects gained entrance into a house in Club 2000, Kagisho by entering through a broken bedroom window” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.
A 13 year old girl was allegedly alone at home at the time. The suspects were surprised by the girl and she was allegedly raped by both men.
Thereafter, the suspects helped themselves with a TV and a Tedelex DVD player.
“The stolen items were recovered by police in the neighbour’s yard the following day” Kock said.
On the 13 March 2013, investigations led to the arrest of one suspect in Kagisho. The second suspect was found already in police custody for another attempted rape.
“The suspects appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application on the 15 March 2013. Police opposed bail and the suspects remained in custody” Kock said.
The two suspects, known as and April Pienaar(30) and Letlhogonolo Mathamele(29) made another court appearance on the Tuesday and the case once again remanded for 8 August 2013. The suspects will remain in custody until their next court appearance.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom-The Democratic Alliance is proud to introduce its candidate for the Ward 9 (Sonderwater & Mohadin) by-election next week Wednesday in the Tlokwe Municipality.
“Jacky Tobolo has chosen to join the DA because the DA changes people’s lives for the better by providing quality services. Together with the DA he will strive towards excellence in providing sustainable services and creating opportunities by working together as a community” DA JuanitA Terblache said.

His plan for Ward 9 includes:

• Fighting against crime.

• Assisting in educational needs.

• Strive towards providing electricity to all areas.

• Encourage better community participation.

• Assisting the poor with feeding schemes.

• Promote employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.

• Develop a health and safety plan.

• Strive to ensure quality sanitation and sewerage services.

• Encourage the building of RDP houses

“I encourage all our first time and older supporters to vote for Jacky next week the 7th of August in Sonderwater, Ikageng at Boitshoko Secondary & Mohadin at the Mohadin community hall” DA Juanita Terblache said.

Four South African referees have been called up to officiate in the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers on the continent next month.

Daniel Bennett and assistant referee, Zakhele Siwela will do duty in the final round Group J encounter between Senegal and Uganda on Saturday, 7 September 2013 at the Grand Stade in Marrakech, Morocco.

The 2013 Absa Premiership referee of the season, Victor Gomes will sit in as the fourth official.

On Sunday, 8 September 2013, Stevens Khumalo will be part of a refereeing team doing duty in the Group G qualifier between Zimbabwe and Mozambique to be played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.
For more http://www.supersport.com

Bafana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman says he has no intention of playing in the PSL in the near future, though a swansong in South Africa might be on the cards.

Some media reports last month suggested that the 25-year-old midfielder, who recently joined English Championship side Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal, could make a big-money move to Absa Premiership.

However, Furman insists it was just that – rumours – and that his long-term future remains in England.

“At the moment I see my future lying over here,” he tells KickOff.com.

“I’ve worked very hard to get to the position where I am; I’m really enjoying my football over here and it’s a big challenge for me at Doncaster, so for the foreseeable future I do see my football being played on these shores.”

But he adds: “However, football is a crazy game and just like I never thought I would be back involved with the national team, you can never rule anything out.”

Furman joined Doncaster upon the expiry of his contract at Oldham Athletic, where he was the captain, and says he has settled in nicely, having spent some time on loan at the club towards the end of the season.

“It’s many of the same players – pretty much the entire squad from last season baring a few changes here and there – so for me settling in was never a problem,” he says.

“We got up to the Championship and it’s a tough league with some top, top teams and players, but we are quietly confident.

“We’ve had a good pre-season and have built up our confidence nicely and I think as the season goes by our ambitions will become more and more clear as to what we want to achieve.”
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Former Kaizer Chiefs director Wilfred ‘China’ Ngema passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the age of 79.

Ngema, who played a vital role in the early years of Chiefs, was admitted to hospital two weeks ago after suffering a stroke. According to family spokesperson Jeff Mazibuko, funeral arrangements are yet to be finalized.

“Mr Ngema sadly passed on at 4am this morning and the family is still in shock,” Mazibuko tells KickOff.com.

“Mr Ngema had three houses, in Soweto, KwaNongoma and Newcastle. But all the work will be done here in Newcastle because this is where he was staying.”

Former KICK OFF Magazine sub-editor Cyril McAravey, who was also instrumental in the formation of Chiefs, describes Ngema as a hard worker. “I’ve known China for than 50 years and he was one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known,” he says.

“While others were busy stealing the limelight, China was in the background doing all the hard work, organising and transporting players. The man epitomizes the phrase ‘for the love of the game’ because he didn’t do things for money.

“I want people to know that China was not only instrumental at Kaizer Chiefs, but in football as a whole. May his soul rest in peace.”
For more http://www.kickoff.com