Johannesburg – Nelson Mandela’s daughters have dropped a court battle to wrest control of two companies set up to manage proceeds from his iconic handprints, lawyers said Thursday.

Makaziwe and Zenani Mandela-Dlamini’s application to remove four directors appointed by their ailing father had been “unconditionally withdrawn” and costs paid, law firm Norton Rose Fulbright said in a statement.

“This ill-considered and misguided application had the effect of causing reputational harm not only to the respondents as directors and trustees, but also to the Trust and the image of the founder, Mr Nelson Mandela himself,” said the statement from the lawyers, who are representing the directors.

Mandela’s daughters had argued the trustees were not properly appointed to Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings.

The two companies were set up to channel money from the sale of Mandela’s famous handprints for his family’s benefit.

The four directors included human rights lawyer and Mandela’s personal friend George Bizos, former cabinet minister Tokyo Sexwale and his ex-lawyer Bally Chuene.

“The unfounded allegations made by the applicants cast doubt upon the legitimacy of the appointment of these directors, which had been upon the express instructions of Mr Mandela,” they said through their lawyers.

“This was unfortunate and regrettable.”

Earlier this year, lawyer Ismail Ayob – who himself has a chequered past with Mandela and was representing the daughters – withdrew from the case.

Ayob was himself removed from Mandela’s trust after selling fake artwork and pocketing millions of dollars.

He paid back nearly R980 000 in a court settlement in 2007.

AFP

Johannesburg – A man wanted for murdering the two toddlers found dead in Diepsloot could be of any nationality, Gauteng police said on Thursday.

“Only after we arrest the man can we establish his true nationality,” said police spokesperson Neville Malila.

Police released an identikit of the man, who was initially thought to be Mozambican.

“We have conducted several interviews with members of the [Diepsloot] community and possible witnesses, since it was thought the man was Mozambican.

“The information we have gathered leans more to the suspect being from Swaziland or from KwaZulu-Natal, but at this stage he could be from anywhere,” Malila said.

Reward

Police were offering a R100 000 reward for information leading to his arrest and successful prosecution.

“The suspect is in his early 30s, not older than 34, [of] slight build, 1.7m tall, light in complexion, and was wearing a wool hat,” spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini said.

“It is believed that he has different colour wool hats. He has a cut on the lower lip and a red ring on his left hand.”

Four foreigners had been taken in for questioning.

The bodies of 2-year-old Yonelisa Mali and her cousin Zandile Mali, 3, were found in a public toilet cubicle in Diepsloot at 05:00 on Tuesday by a resident.

They were reported missing at the weekend.

Residents went on the rampage after the bodies were discovered.

Police said a team of detectives had been appointed to investigate the murders.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The North West South African Police Service, Corporate Communication will host the very first North West SAPS, Communicators Awards ceremony on Friday at Rustenburg Civic Centre. 

The ceremony will be attended by all 82, Communication Officials at Stations, Provincial Communication Office and Journalists from different media houses.

“The SAPS has over the years, received support from different journalists and Media Houses in the efforts to fight crime in the Province. The Provincial Commissioner has seen it fit to recognise and appreciate the efforts of many journalists, radio stations, television, and newspapers” brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

Ngubane said the important factor in this gesture is to ensure that as the province they improve their relationship with Media. 

“The fight against crime is what is common in all our efforts, especially on crimes committed against the vulnerable our women and children. The continued support of working with the police to issue crime prevention messages is greatly acknowledged” Ngubane said. 

The police can never win the fight against crime without all these key stakeholders, said police. 

“There is a need to applaud Media Houses, individual journalists and SAPS communication officials for their hard work. Their efforts contribute in the building of SAPS image and help improve community relations between SAPS and all our stakeholders” Ngubane outlines.

The Theme of these Awards is: “Working together in the fight against crime”

“You company as an award finalist is cordially invited to the SAPS North West Provincial Corporate Communication Award Ceremony on the following details” said North West Police.

Date: Friday, 18 October 2013

Venue: Rustenburg Civic Centre

Time: 17:30 for 18:00

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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been informed by the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (The Hawks) that they have arrested a member of the SAFA Panel of Referees. 

SAFA is pleased with the arrest of the match official who cannot be named until he appears in court. 

The Association suspended him after it was discovered during the trial of Mr. Philemon Setshedi that he was implicated as one of the persons allegedly involved in an attempt to manipulate the outcome of a match during the 2011 2 nd Division Play-offs, which took place in Cape Town. 

Mr Setshedi was sentenced in February 2013 to eight years (five years suspended) for his role in the matter and is currently serving his sentence.

“The arrest of the match official is an outcome of ongoing collaboration between SAFA and the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (The Hawks) which is aimed at pursuing all other persons of interest in the said case. We would like to reiterate that we will leave no stone unturned until all the implicated persons are brought to book,” said SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble.

SAFA and the Hawks are continuing with investigations into other suspected illegal and corrupt activities in football.

“In the interest of protecting the integrity of such investigations, we will not release any further details at this stage. We do however commit to act swiftly, effectively and without fear or favour should we receive evidence of wrongdoing,” concluded Mumble.‬-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Griekwastad-Yesterday a murder accused Geogina Precious Rooibaatjie(33) appeared in the Northern Cape High Court for the murder of her newly born baby.  

She was found guilty and sentencing will be passed on the 5th December 2013.

“In September 2011, the accused was at her home in Matlhomola Township in Griekwastad when she allegedly gave birth to a baby boy. She put the infant in a bucket of water with the intention of drowning him” lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

Kock said the woman allegedly took the baby out of the bucket and attempted to flush him away in a toilet. The baby was too big and her attempts to get rid of him failed.  

The despondent mother allegedly put the baby in a green plastic bag and hid him under her bed.

On the 4th September 2011, the Griekwastad Police received information of bad odours coming from the house. Upon further investigations police discovered the deceased infant under the bed. 

The accused was arrested and charged with murder.

“According to the post mortem results, the baby died of multiple injuries to his skull, ribs and hips. The accused was released and warned to appear before court for the pre-sentencing on the 5 December 2013” concludes Kock.-TDN 

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By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-North West police are investigating a case of kidnapping, hijacking and murder after a body of a man found in the bushes at Letlhogoring village, near Mahikeng.

A body of Goitsemodimo Dede Lekgetho,43 who was reported missing weeks ago at Taung Police Station was allegedly discovered by municipal workers after they saw a hand of a human being protruding from the ground.

Napoleon Boitumelo Moilwa,30 and Tshepo Lawrence Kgaje,33 were initially arrested in connection of murder.

Lekgetho, a father of two originally from Lokaleng village, near Taung went missing three weeks ago.

“Two suspects appeared before Mmabatho Magistrate Court and they will remain in custody after the case was postponed” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Makau said Moilwa was allegedly found being in a possession of Lekgetho’s car.

“He claimed to be the owner of the car and according to information, Kgaje was the one who allegedly dug the shallow grave where Lekgetho was found” she said.

The two suspects will appear before Mmabatho High Court on 21 Octocber 2013 for bail application.

Police investigations continue.-TDN

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North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Manketsi Tlhape has agreed to the postponement of the by-elections in ward 1,4,11, 12, 13 and 20 of Tlokwe Local Municipality from 23 October 2013 to a date which will soon be made public in the Provincial Gazette. 

This follows a request by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that concerns have been raised by political parties and candidates who have an interest in participating in these elections and that those concerns will have an impact on the viability for the conduct of free and fair elections on the mentioned wards.

“Section 8 of the Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000 stipulates that the Commission may request the Ministers or in the case of a by-election, the MEC, to postpone the voting determined for an election if the Commission is satisfied that it is not reasonably possible to conduct a free and fair election on that day” said MEC Manketsi Tlhape.-TDN

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Motorists in the North West Province will soon have the option to renew their motor vehicles at Post Offices across the province alleviating the problem of long queues experienced at local municipality agency offices.

The pilot project approved by Provincial Executive Council(Exco) in its bi-weekly meeting yesterday will not only provide motorists from rural communities with more services sites from which they could access services from the current 33 sites but also increase days and hours to renew their motor vehicle licenses as post offices open on Saturdays and close beyond the 15h00 that most municipal agency offices adhere to.

According to MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi for approval, the project is to be piloted in Hebron, Klipgat and Jericho in Madibeng Local Municipality and will also be extended to Tshidilamolomo and Phitshane villages that are currently renewing their motor vehicle licenses in Mahikengabout 110 kilometres away before being rolled out across 129 Post Offices in the province.-TDN

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The five nominees for South Africa’s Sports Star of the Year for 2013 have been announced. The candidates are Bafana Bafana Captain Itumeleng Khune, swimmer Chad le Clos, wheelchair tennis ace Lucas Sithole, cricketer Hashim Amla and runner Mapaseka Makhanya.

The nominees were announced by Sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The winner will be decided by public vote, and will be named at the South African Sports Awards in November.

Sithole has been nominated in two categories for next month’s South African Sports Awards. Sithole, the first black South African to win a singles title at the US Tennis Open, was nominated in the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability and Sports Star of the Year category.

The nominees for the main awards at the South African Sports Awards are:

Sportsman of the Year:

Itumeleng Khune (soccer); Hashim Amla (cricket) and Cameron van den Berg (swimming)

Sportswomen of the Year:

Mapaseka Makhanya (athletics); Lee-Ann Pace (golf) and Mandisa Williams (rugby)

Team of the Year:

SA Rugby; the Proteas and Kaizer Chiefs

Coach of the Year:

Heynecke Meyer (rugby); Holger Losch (wheelcahir tennis) and Graham Hill (swimming)

Newcomer of the Year:

Bianca Buitendag (surfing) Thatho Tsomole (wheelchair tennis) and Guilio Zorzi (swimming

Sports Star of the Year (to be decided by public vote)

Itumeleng Khune (soccer); Chad le Clos (swimming); Lucas Sithole (wheelchair tennis); Hashim Amla (cricket) and Mapaseka Makhanya (athletics)
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Orlando Pirates leave for Tunisia on Wednesday night ahead of their CAF Champions league second-leg semifinal clash against Espérance de Tunis. The Buccaneers had a visit from the Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula prior to their departure.

The Sea Robbers know they need goals against Esperance. After a goalless draw at home, the Buccaneers need a scoring draw or a win to advance to the finals. And to give them some encouragement, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula decided to pay them a visit.

Mbalula says, “It is important for Pirates. It is important for South Africa. It is important for the whole nation. You are the only team in history that brought us the star – the dominance in the African continent by the countries in the north. Today, you are standing up to them on our behalf and in that way, we know that South Africa shall rise and we will come to be respected by nations in the world and in the African continent.”

And his words did not go unheard. Pirates Coach Rodger De Sa says, “It’s nice to be recognised, you know, to be honoured in this manner. For these people to take their time and see the importance of it, it’s good for us, it’s good for the players and everybody gets well motivated by it.”

Pirates have won this prestigious trophy before, back in 1995. Despite being a stone’s throw away from the final, the players need to focus on this match only.

The Buccaneers will travel to Tunis via Dubai, and are scheduled to arrive in the capital on Thursday evening.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za