Pretoria – Boeremag member Dr Lets Pretorius told the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday he was not a racist and had never been in favour of using violence to achieve change.

Testifying in mitigation of sentence, he said he had not raised his sons to be racist or to be fanatical extremists.

“We were a happy, loving, God fearing and close family. I raised my sons as patriotic Afrikaners,” he said.

Pretorius, his three sons and 16 other Boeremag members were convicted last year on a charge of high treason.

This arose from a rightwing coup plot to overthrow the ANC government.

His sons, and Herman van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws, were also found guilty on charges of attempting to murder former president Nelson Mandela with a home-made bomb.

They were, furthermore, convicted of murdering Soweto mother Claudia Mokone with a bomb placed on a railway line in October 2002.

Pretorius said that as a medical doctor he worked with black patients at a missionary hospital for three years.

He ran several rural clinics in the former Lebowa for 16 years and treated both black and white patients at his private clinic.

His sons often accompanied him and did not have any problems with black people, he said.

“The day before my arrest, I received a command from the Holy Spirit to level the road for the Boer nation in the desert, and to raise a banner for the new nation that would be formed.

“There was no element of violence anywhere in this command.

“I’ve kept myself busy with this since my release on bail. I know the State has watched every word and step I take, and I am sure that if there was even a hint of illegality anywhere my bail would have been cancelled.

“I am still involved in the website Boerevryheid that is used as a debate forum to build the Boer nation as an entity.”

He denied playing a leading role in the Boeremag.

He said his role would have been to provide medical support services when a large scale black-on-white attack (the so-called Night of Terror) predicted by Boer prophet Siener van Rensburg came to pass.

Coup plot

He claimed the coup plot was exclusively the brainchild of fellow accused Tom Vorster and that he had not been privy to all of Vorster’s plans.

“Vorster assured me we were busy with plans that would come into effect after the Night of Terror.

“I never had the impression that we were busy with an offensive action. I was very effectively bluffed.

“I am prepared to admit attending meetings and to admit my lack of insight.

“I was always on the sidelines and never helped to make plans, except to ensure there was medical equipment available.

“I can say in all honesty that I was never at any stage busy planning a coup.

“If people had enough trust in me to link my name without my knowledge to ranks and posts, I should not be punished for it.

“I never had the impression that my sons were going to plant bombs.

“I knew absolutely nothing about the planting of bombs. If I had not been arrested, I would have done everything within my power to ensure than no bomb ever went off.

“I confronted my sons in jail about the bombs and was told Tom Vorster and Hanekom had convinced them they would be in a situation of war and would be protected by the Geneva Convention.

“I’ve never been in favour of violence to achieve change.

“I had always treated the victims of violence, but the first time I personally came into contact with violence was when a gun was pushed against my head and I was shoved around during my arrest.

“I’ve had a good relationship with black people all of my life. My record [as a medical doctor] speaks for itself,” he said.

Pretorius testified that he and his son Johan, also a medical doctor, had according to his calculations each lost about R20m as a result of the case.

They had to close down their private hospital and Pretorius also had to sell off his farms and livestock.

The trial continues.

SAPA

Hesa has encouraged matrics to get their 2014 university applications in before the September 30 deadline set by most tertiary institutions.

In launching Hesa’s Apply Before You Enrol campaign, chief executive of Hesa, Jeffrey Mabelebele said: “In order to secure provisional admission – subject to the institutions’ requirements – it is advisable for prospective students to apply ahead of this closing date.”

Mabelebele said that while some institutions’ closing dates for applications had already passed, the majority continue to accept applications until the end of September.

The month-long campaign is an initiative of Hesa’s National Information Service for Higher Education.

The service provides prospective students with diverse information relating to the options and opportunities that exist in the country’s 23 universities.

Mabelebele said: “The service is primarily aimed at providing information on minimum entry requirements and study opportunities to grades 9-12 pupils to enable them to make informed decisions about their future. It encourages them to apply on time to the university of their choice.”

Thousands of prospective university entrants have in the past left their applications to the last minute, leading to long queues forming at the entrances of institutions.

In January last year, a woman was killed and 17 were injured when a stampede occurred at the gates of the University of Johannesburg.

Hesa is encouraging prospective students who have any application-related queries to either contact the university of their choice or SMS their name or query to 47989 at a cost of R1.50, or email info.nishe@hesa.org.za.

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

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the province has added its voice to calls for the embattled Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi to be reinstated.

Provincial secretary Duma Lebakeng told reporters at Samwu offices in Kimberley yesterday “it was clear that Vavi was a victim of a political conspiracy”.

His comments came after Vavi was suspended by the leadership of Cosatu last month. This after Vavi admitted he had sex with a junior worker at Cosatu House in Johannesburg in January.

They were both suspended by the central executive committee (CEC), which Lebakeng said was unconstitutional.

“The CEC does not have the right to suspend even a junior employee because all staff members in the federation don’t report to the committee. His political detractors waited for August, which is Women’s Month, to expose him on something which happened in January,” Lebakeng said.

Asked if they had faith in the leadership of Cosatu president, Sdumo Dlamini, he said: “We have no problem with the president, but we have faith in the collective of him and the general secretary.

“We call on Cosatu to bring comrade Vavi back. If not, we call for a special national congress next month.”

He lambasted the NDP’s economic development chapter, calling it another privatisation of state resources.

“We don’t have a problem with the entirety of the NDP, but we want the redrafting of the core economic development chapter which seeks to reduce the role of the state and increase the use of the public, private partnership,” Lebakeng said.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says he is concerned about last season’s Absa Premiership and the Nedbank Cup winner’s loss of form.

By their own lofty standards, the past few weeks have been rather nightmarish for Amakhosi. They suffered a loss against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 followed by a league draw to Moroka Swallows and this the weekend SuperSport United added to their woes.

Baxter has urged his players to get their act together.

For the first time since the Englishman took over the reins at Naturena, Chiefs look average. They lacked any fight when United made a remarkable comeback to win the match 3-1 on Saturday.

Baxter has denied that anything was wrong with the tactics employed on the night. The loss came due to his players’ inability to follow instructions, particularly the newly introduced “three towers” defence of Morgan Gould, Tefu Mashamaite and Erick Mathoho.

“My players must realise that they are defending champions and teams are not going to let them get away with murder,” Baxter said.

“The stakes are high and I am glad that the leaks are showing now so that we can fix them at this time of the season. Against United, we started well but allowed them back into the game in the second half and when they scored the equaliser it was clear that mentally we were not up for the challenge.”

And with teams like Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and current pace-setters United showing signs of developing into strong challenegers, Baxter says the fans will now see a different team.

The former Bafana Bafana coach’s first priority will be to work on their lack of pace, especially at the back. Chiefs midfield have also failed to assert themselves this season. Chief destroyer Willard Katsande has now become a regular in the referee books and that too is a concern for Baxter.

But if the Glamour Boys are to show signs of revival in their bid to defend their title then the likes of George Lebese, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Mandla Masango must improve their game.

Unlike last season when the goals were flowing in, Bernard Parker still remains the man trusted with scoring goals while serious questions are being asked over the decision to bring back Knowledge Musona from Germany.

Only time will tell but there is no doubt that the once unstoppable Amakhosi are now struggling to reach the heights of the previous campaign.

As Maritzburg United loom in two weeks Baxter and charges still have a lot of work to do.

Johannesburg – Moroka Swallows have confirmed that former Golden Arrows striker Nkosinathi Ogle has joined the club on a two-year deal.

Soccer Laduma’s website reports that Swallows coach Zeca Marques, who confirmed that the Dube Birds were on the verge of signing Ogle last week, say that the 28-year-old has now confirmed the news, saying that he penned a two-year deal at the Dobsonville-based club.o

“It’s true that I have finally signed a deal with Swallows.

“It’s a two-year deal with an option to renew for a further year,” said Ogle.

“I’m really happy to have joined a club like Swallows, which has a lot of potential. 

“I guess my hard work finally paid off and now what’s left is for me is to repay the faith that coach Zeca Marques and the management have on me. 

“I’m looking forward to a happy stay at Swallows,” Ogle added.

Swallows’ next match is away to AmaZulu on September 14. 

Sport24

Johannesburg – A policeman accused of corruption and of using a state vehicle without consent, appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Mpumalanga police said.

The case against Constable Ronald Mmatlou was postponed to 13 September, said police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi.

He remained in custody, he said.

Mmatlou was arrested in Bronkhorstspruit on Friday.

SAPA

Durban – Bafana Bafana have arrived in Durban on Monday ahead of their must-win World Cup qualifier against Botswana this week, with coach Gordon Igesund admitting they had little choice but to go all out for the three points.

Thirteen players were already in camp, while the balance of the 23-man squad, for the Group A encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, were expected over the next 24 hours.

“This is the first time since I’ve been in charge of Bafana Bafana — and still holding thumbs between now and the game — that I’ve had no injuries,” Igesund said.

“Everyone seems to have pulled through nicely and I think it’s the first game where I haven’t had to change three or four players at the last minute. So I’m very happy about that but there are six days to go, ahead of a very important game for the country.”

Dutch-based duo Thulani Serero and Kamohelo Mokotjo as well as Anele Ngcongca from Belgian club Genk, would arrive in Johannesburg later on Monday and link up with Tokelo Rantie and Siyanda Xulu in Durban on Tuesday morning.

The five players from Orlando Pirates in the squad — Senzo Meyiwa, Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali and Kermit Erasmus — were due to complete the full list later Tuesday after returning from Egypt where they were involved in CAF Champions League action against Zamalek on Sunday.

South Africa were lying second in their group, two points behind leaders Ethiopia, but with a superior goal difference.

They must win the match and hope the east Africans either draw or lose against the Central African Republic in their game which kicks off simultaneously in Brazzaville, Congo.

“I am not going to be concerning myself with what’s going on in the other match,” Igesund said.

“All I know is that we need to win and we’ll be going all out to do that. I am not going to entertain any other thoughts.”

If Ethiopia win, though, Bafana would miss out on the final round of qualifying for the global showpiece in Brazil next year.

“I will be absolutely gutted if we win the game and don’t qualify,” Igesund said.

“As the coach, I don’t think I could have done much more than playing four qualifying matches and winning three of them and not make it.

“If you win three out of four games, you’ve got to go to the World Cup.”

The match represents a second chance for the national side after they expected to be eliminated from qualifying following a 2-1 loss in Addis Ababa in June.

However, Ethiopia were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player against Botswana earlier in the qualifying competition.

SAPA

Florida – Diana Nyad has become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the help of a shark cage.

The 64-year-old Nyad stepped ashore in Key West on Monday just before 14:00 EDT, about 53 hours after she began her swim in Havana on Saturday.

As she approached the shore, spectators surrounded her in the water, taking pictures and cheering her on.

She swam within a couple dozen feet of the beach and walked on to dry land. She looked dazed and sunburned.

It was Nyad’s fifth try to complete the approximately 110-mile swim. She tried three times in 2011 and 2012. She had also tried in 1978.

Her last attempt was cut short amid boat trouble, storms, unfavourable currents and jellyfish stings that left her face puffy and swollen.

AP

Johannesburg – Cosatu has been served with legal papers challenging the suspension of its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, its affiliate Numsa said on Monday.

“We can confirm that (the) Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) and SA Football Players’ Union (Safpu) are co-applicants to Numsa’s court application,” National Union of Metalworkers of SA general secretary Irvin Jim said in a statement.

He said they wanted the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) to rescind and uplift the “unconstitutional and unprecedented” suspension of Vavi.

Vavi was suspended three weeks ago for bring the federation into disrepute after he admitted to having an affair with a Cosatu employee.

Jim said Numsa had been forced to take legal action as “Cosatu’s internal and democratic processes are being undermined and flouted”.

He said the decision to legally challenge Cosatu had not been made lightly, and it was not their preferred option of engagement.

“(However)… the sequence of events since the 11th National Congress of Cosatu held in September 2012 shows a clear agenda to have the democratically elected Cosatu general secretary removed.”

He said people had called for Vavi’s suspension in the February and May central executive committee meetings.

“We now know that Cosatu has been paralysed since September 2012 by the agenda to drive out comrade Vavi.”

He said the union would no longer publicly comment on the matter as it was now in the courts.

“We will only comment once court process has been concluded.”

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said it was not commenting on the matter at the moment. – Sapa

By TDN

Brits-A husband, wife and a one-year-old child died on the scene when a bakkie collided with a truck on the road between Rankelenyane and Baresba villages in the Brits area this morning.

According to the North West traffic authorities, two passengers from the truck survived with severe injuries and were airlifted to the nearest hospital as the driver survived with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the three deceased bodies were removed with jaws of lives from the bakkie.

“It is alleged that the driver of the bakkie was driving on the opposite lane facing the oncoming traffic when the accident occurred” department sposperson Ben Bole said.

North West MEC Nono Maloyi sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those admitted in hospital.

He further pleaded with motorists to drive with caution and to obey road rules at all the time.-TDN

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