Johannesburg – Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj has apologised for the Malawi comments made by President Jacob Zuma.

“I have received numerous calls from Malawians being angry and after long discussions, they come around and say, yes, let’s not make a mountain of a molehill,” Maharaj said on Wednesday.

“Let me apologise for that and withdraw it,” he said.

He was interviewed on Power FM where he tried to explain the context of the statements made by Zuma at the Gauteng ANC’s manifesto forum in Johannesburg on Monday night.

In a clip on the EyeWitness News website, Zuma is heard saying: “We can’t think like Africans, in Africa, generally. We are in Johannesburg, this is Johannesburg. It’s not some national road in Malawi.”

Maharaj said Zuma was speaking in the context of two points on the highways but these did not come out in reporting by the media.

“Firstly, he was saying we need to enforce the user-pay principle for the national highways, because it is not correct that people in the remote parts of South Africa should do the petrol levy and pay for the roads used in Gauteng,” said Maharaj.

He said the road should not be seen as a local road in a local area but as part of the transport system at the heart of the country’s economy.

“If that system through neglect of infrastructure chokes, the South African economy chokes.”

He said the comments did not reflect how Zuma thought or acted in forums about Africa.

“Our records are clear in that we are the champions of trying to get Africa to see itself as one and enter the global stage on a basis of equality with the rest of the players of the world economy,” said Maharaj.

DA wants explanation

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said Zuma must explain the blunder to Parliament.

She said the comments were unacceptable, and an insult to South Africans and to the people of Malawi.

“It is for this reason that I will today submit three urgent parliamentary questions to President Zuma enquiring whether he has followed due process and sent an official apology, or clarified his comments to the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malawi; and whether he will retract and/or apologise for his unacceptable insults to both South Africans and the people of Malawi,” Mazibuko said in a statement.

She said lambasting people for “thinking like Africans” was an insult to every citizen on the continent, including all South Africans.

“It is now time for President Zuma to recognise that what he said was unacceptable, to stop the ineffective spin, and do what is expected of him: retract and apologise without delay,” she said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Police shot and wounded a man they caught stealing from an electrical appliance store in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, metro police said.

He and three accomplices were robbing an Electric Express outlet on the corner of Fox and Delvers streets around 08:00, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said.

A metro officer caught them red-handed loading TVs and radios onto a van.

“One was shot in the leg during the scuffle as they were trying to flee,” he said.

He and another man were arrested. The other two ran away.

The arrested man would be charged with armed robbery at the Johannesburg Central police station.
Police were searching for the other two.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A case of murder is being investigated after the body of a 22-year-old man was found on the sports field of a high school in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, Western Cape police said on Wednesday.

The man’s body, with multiple stab wounds, was found around 07:30 on Tuesday, police spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana said.

He could not confirm reports that the man owed money to drug dealers, and that this could be the motive for the murder.

“The circumstances are being investigated,” he said.

Two men were taken in for questioning on Tuesday, but were released because they could not be linked to the crime.

Independent Online named the murdered man as Anrich Isaacs.

According to the report, he was disembowelled, possibly over a drug debt.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Thirty doctors, pharmacists and Eastern Cape health officials have been implicated in an investigation into the theft of medicine, the department said on Wednesday.

“According to a report on the information gathered, the medicine was allegedly sold to private doctors by corrupt officials,” spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said.

“The report states that there are pharmacists, who allegedly resigned and opened a private pharmacy in a rural town using state medicine.”

Kupelo said the information for the report was gathered with the assistance of a private forensics firm. The theft had allegedly happened at the medicine depot and during transit since 2009, he said.

The doctors, from Port Elizabeth, Mthatha, Elliot, Barkly East, Ugie, Mount Frere, Qumbu and Mqanduli, had allegedly been buying stolen drugs and chronic medication from corrupt officials, he said.

Twelve officials working as pharmacists in Queenstown, Engcobo, King William’s Town, Peddie and Mthatha had also been implicated.

Further investigation

Kupelo said the department forwarded the information to the police for further investigation and to arrest those implicated, but that no arrests have been made.

“It is costing millions. The department of health spends R3bn annually to ensure the availability of medicine in state hospitals and clinics,” said Kupelo.

“However, despite this huge expenditure communities continue to cry about shortage of medicine particularly in clinics. These can be attributed to the fact that these medicines are stolen.”

Five officials were arrested last year and appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on 9 September.

The case was postponed to 7 November for trial, said Kupelo.

“Nozibele Nqunqa, Nolitha Kanise and Bantubekhaya Phingilili will go on trial in November. The other two have since turned State witnesses.”

Kupelo said the department was working with the police and had handed over the report to bring all those involved to book.

– SAPA

Johannesburg- For the first time since the inception of Golden Games senior citizens from all Provinces had a very first parliament session at the Gauteng Legislature in Johannesburg on Monday, 21 October 2013.
Among issues tabled were challenges such as serious abuse they are exposed to from their own children and grandchildren by making them look after their children, grant abuse by money laundering companies as well as other societal abuse including access to health care.
To curb these challenges the Minister of Health Mr. Aaron Motswaledi who was part of the parliament announced to senior citizens that as of next year, 2014, the Department will be introducing to a pilot elite care for senior citizens at selected Districts of which the North West Province pilot is DR Kenneth Kaunda.
The pilot will address among others challenges of long queues at hospital and clinics by senior citizens.
The North West Province was represented by 25 members including the Chairperson of the North West Forum Rre Rabaji and his Deputy Rre Maropeng.
“As senior citizens, we appreciate this parliament as our issues at grassroots will no longer end up where we are but will be elevated to the higher echelons of leadership, said Mr. Rabaji.
“We also hope that whatever we raise to government will be swiftly and decisively addressed due to the level this parliament is placed.”
The Parliament is attached to the Golden Games and will be cascaded to the three spheres of government for better integration as well as addressing senior people’s issues with the respect and dignity it deserves.
Older person from the Province especially the chairperson Rre Rabaji conveys the message to the Departments of Social Department and Sport, Arts and Culture for the sterling work they are doing for senior citizens.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Marikana- The police arrested three suspects aged between 33 and 37 on Tuesday at about 02:00 in Nkaneng, Wonderkop Extention 2, Marikana.
“On Thursday at about 21:00, William Sitelele(46), was shot and killed in Wonderkop opposite the stadium. It is alleged that the deceased who was driving his private vehicle at the time, was on his way to pick up a lady near the stadium when the suspects attacked him and fired shots several times towards the driver’s seat. The victim drove off into an open field but crashed into a ditch” brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The deceased further attempted to flee on foot but he collapsed while the suspects were still following him. Allegations states that four shots were fired at him while he was already down.
“A murder case has been investigated and the three suspects are expected to appear before Rustenburg Magistrates Court on Thursday” concludes Ngubane.-TDN
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North West- A contingent of 125 Senior Citizens from the North West Province excluding officials such as coaches, team managers, technical staff, Departmental officials and care givers are currently sweating it out for prestige, championship and the Golden Trophy at the Annual National Golden Games taking place from 23-25th October 2013,at Boksburg Stadium, City of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng Province.

“Thus far the Platinum Province’s female oldies have not disappointed us in the track and field in the 800m races in the ages of 60-69 and 70+ where Mme Betty Marema from Montshiwa and Mme Rosinah Molefe from Ntsweletsoku took Gold and silver respectively. In the Pegging Washing Pegs code Mr Tebogo Senokwane from Montshiwa (wheel chair bound) took gold for the North West Province” departmental spokesperson Shirley Montsho said.
On the football front North West oldies are again carrying the Provincial flag high. Males played to a goalless draw against Gauteng Province whilst the female side sent KZN packing with a 2-1 win.

Meanwhile this year’s packed programme of the Games, senior citizens held a Conference yesterday 23rd October 2013 where they mapped issues affecting them as well as Provincial reports from the nine Provinces.

They also discussed means and possibilities as to how operations and structures of senior citizens can be run from local, district and provincial forums.
One of the burning issues in the Conference touched base on the non- participation of professional senior citizens namely: retired police, nurses, teachers and other civil servants from the Province.
“They are urged to join the team of the current enthusiastic oldies as this will both enhance them with regards their health as well as utilization of their expertise in improving the Golden Games in the Province” Montsho outlines.-TDN
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(Edited By Obaken Maje)

By Obakeng Maje
Hartswater-Three suspects were arrested by Hartswater police for armed robberies they allegedly committed at taverns in the area.

The police said the suspects deviating ways took place on Sunday.

“Police received a complaint about three unknown men who were robbing persons off their cellular phones, money and jewellery” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Kock said the suspects were armed with firearms and they allegedly fired four shots in the Thagadipelajang area.

“Police followed up on information and arrested two of the three suspects’ hours later at a tavern in Bonita Park at approximately 16:30pm” he said.

The police searched the suspects and found two firearms, seven magazines, ammunition, a gold ring, 3 cellular phones and watches on their person.

The first two suspects known as Piet Maike (36) and Vusile Bretman(19) was arrested on Sunday and appeared at Hartswater Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Bretman and Maike’s case was remanded until 30 October 2013 for a formal bail application. The third suspect handed himself over at Hartswater police station this morning and will appear in court on Thursday.

“Piet Maike is also charged with house breaking and theft, as it is alleged that he stole the two firearms, ammunition and other valuables from a farm near Hartswater over the same weekend” Kock concludes.

The investigation continues.-TDN
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North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for the suspect arrested in connection with the rape and murder case of mineworker Pinky Mosiane not to be granted bail when he appears in the Rustenburg Magistrates court for a bail hearing today.

The suspect who was arrested after being on the run for nearly two years

The body of Pinky Semakaleng Mosiane was found underground at Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine in North West on February 6 in 2012.

Initial investigation revealed that she had been gang raped and killed afterwards.

“Though we deplore that it took two years to arrest the suspect and that failure to arrest perpetrators promptly might contribute towards escalation of sexual violence incidents as people think that they could get away with it, we nonetheless congratulate our police service for the breakthrough in the case. We wish to reiterate our call for stiff sentences possible for perpetrators of this horrendous gender based violence,” said Premier Modise, who has repeatedly made a plea for the arrest of the suspect in the case. Her latest plea for the arrest was on Sunday last week, just three days before the police’s breakthrough.

The 32-year old suspect was arrested on Tuesday this week in Hoopstad in the Free State, after eluding the police for nearly two years.

Police say the suspect was employed a private company as an underground safety officer at the time of the brutal rape and murder.

“We trust that police would expedite their investigations and round up all those who were allegedly involved, so that the Mosiane family finds closure in knowing that those who have robbed them of their loved one are behind bars,” stressed the Premier.

“We want the law enforcement authorities to send a stern warning to would-be perpetrators by making examples of the perpetrators, as a way to curb the spate of attacks on women working underground,” said Modise.

She said that the province needs to go back to mobilise women to protect themselves and remind them that their work to transform society is not over.

Last week Modise called on mines to develop strategies that will safeguard the safety of female miners.

The arrest of the suspect in Pinky Mosiane’s case comes just few days after the arrest of a 29-year-old man in connection with the murder of another woman working underground at Aquarius platinum mine’s Kwezi shaft in Rustenburg.

Premier Modise said that there is no place in our society for men who perceive women as sexual objects to the extent that they cannot work together without posing a danger to them.-TDN
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Johannesburg- Current Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk and former skipper Desiree Ellis are among the stars who have signed up for the SAFA Level 1 Coaching Course for Women that will be held at SAFA House from 1 – 10 November (first phase) and 3 – 12 December (second phase).
Also joining them is Banyana Banyana’s current striker Portia Modise.

“Having high-calibre national team players and former national team player on the course bodes well for the development of women coaches for SAFA. It is a priority of the SAFA Development Plan to produce more women coaches,” said SAFA Acting Technical Director Fran Hilton-Smith.
Any woman who has a SAFA Introductory Coaching Licence or was a National team player with five caps or more can enroll.

The minimal cost of R1000 (one-thousand-rand) will cover all accommodation and meals for the 20 days.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact Christine Phafane in the coach education department to registerChristine.Phafane@safa.net-TDN
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