Cele emerges as key player in the ANC’s election campaign ahead of 2014 poll.

The Cat in the Hat is back. And back with a bang.

Bheki Cele, the former national police commissioner, has returned from the political wilderness and emerged as a key player in the ANC’s election campaign ahead of the 2014 poll.

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

Johannesburg – Cosatu is expected to finally bring charges of serious misconduct against its suspended leader Zwelinzima Vavi and institute a formal disciplinary process when its executive committee meets on Monday.

According to the Sunday Independent, Cosatu will also add charges related to “missing” money allegedly spent on flights and accommodation for Vavi. In addition, the embattled leader is expected to be charged over not following correct procedure when appointing his office lover, Jacqueline Phooko.

The executive committee meanwhile is due to be given a progress report on Monday into the investigation over claims relating to maladministration against Vavi and the federation’s internal strife.

This comes after Vavi, the metalworkers union Numsa and two other unions, asked the South Gauteng High Court to overturn his suspension this week stating his suspension was unconstitutional. The court postponed the application to next month.

For more w.news24.com

Johannesburg – Former communications minister Dina Pule has incurred almost R1.2m in legal fees in three matters that include her defence before the Press Ombudsman, Parliament’s joint ethics committee and the public protector.

Communications Minister Yunus Carrim told parliament that costs incurred thus far totalled R1 187 148.82 and that this was not the final tally, reported the Sunday Independent.

This response was in answer to DA MP Marian Shinn’s request for a breakdown of legal costs for each of the three matters.

As a rule, the state covers these expenses although it is not clear whether it will cover expenses incurred by Pule after she was sacked. She faces an ongoing probe by the public protector over the alleged disappearance of millions of rand from the R25m sponsorship of the 2012 ICT Indaba.

The Hawks meanwhile confirmed last week that its corruption probe is also continuing. Last month Parliament’s joint ethics committee found Pule guilty of having wilfully misled Parliament over her relationship with businessman Phosane Mngqibisa who was paid a staggering R6m at the time of the indaba in “management” fees.

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – Five men were arrested in Inanda on Saturday for possession of suspected stolen copper, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Captain Thulani Zwane said police acted on a tip-off which led them to a house in Esikebheni where copper cables were found.

“The copper that was found is estimated to be worth more than R1m,” said Zwane.

Zwane said the copper belonged to the eThekwini municipality.

“It is believed that the men cut the copper cables from the electric poles in the Inanda area.”

They are due to appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

SAPA

Pic: (Water canal were the victim was allegedly bein raped)

By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-North West police are investigating a rape case after a Carletonville woman was allegedly gang-raped at Extension 6, near Ikageng township in Potchefstroom.

Police said a woman,29, was gang-raped while heading back to Carletonville after visiting family.

“A case of rape was registered after a woman, 29 was allegedly being raped by five men” police correspondent Kelebogile Trom told Herald newspaper.

The atrocity took place on Sunday last week and no one has been arrested yet.

“Five men covered their faces with balaclava pounced on us as I was walking in the street along with my friend. They stabbed her and she fled the scene” victim told Herald newspaper.

A woman said the suspects allegedly dragged her to a dessicated water canal nearby where the atrocity took place.

“They assaulted me while taking turns on raping me. They eventually ran away when they heard ambulance siren” she relives.

She said the suspects bludgeoned her with a sharp object and plea to Tlokwe municipality to close open water canal and instill lights to reduce commission of crime in the area.

Police investigations continue.-TDN

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