Mbombela – A woman who claimed she was painted and raped was not truthful during her testimony, the Nelspruit Regional Court ruled on Friday.

Magistrate André Geldenhuys found the man accused of raping her, Sibusiso Siboza, 26, from Matsulu in Mpumalanga, not guilty, a Sapa correspondent reported.

He pleaded not guilty and said the sex was consensual.

“In her testimony, the victim testified when they went to the accused’s mother’s home, she was raped and later paint was poured over her,” Geldenhuys said.

“But in her statement to the police, she was painted before the rape occurred.”

Geldenhuys said the woman’s evidence was not satisfactory and not truthful in all aspects.

“She was never reliable. At one stage, she refused to answer questions and contradicted herself. She even had to be forced to answer some of the questions.”

The 24-year-old woman was too drunk to remember what exactly happened that night, the magistrate said.

As a result, he gave Siboza the benefit of the doubt.

The evidence showed Siboza and the woman knew each other well and had been to various places to drink liquor.

Medical certificates also did not support the woman’s version of events.

– SAPA

The families of the 30 people, who died in the Moloto road crash earlier this week, have expressed frustration over the lack of a rail services to alleviate traffic pressure.

A memorial service was held on Friday at the Machiding show grounds in Mpumalanga. The mood was sombre as mourners came in their numbers to console the families of the victims and pay their respects.

One of the mourners Lucky Sithole, who lost three family members in the horror crash, says: “I’m so broken and it’s painful. Losing three members of my family is not a minor thing,” says Sithole.

Another mourner, Klaas Aphane, says: “I’m very sad, and have no words. I went to identify my brother and there I also saw two of my friend’s bodies.”

I went to identify my brother and there I also saw two of my friend’s bodies.

Local government officials attended the event saying the tragedy cannot be used for political point scoring.

Mpumalanga Premier, David Mabuza says: “The platform is not the right one and it is wrong to do so. We must all support the families and not capitalise on their loss.”

The local royal family says it will support calls for a Moloto Corridor. Local chief, Sipho Mahlangu says: “We are going to stay close to this project and put pressure on government to ensure it becomes a reality.”

The 30 people who died in the Moloto road accident will be laid to rest this Sunday during a mass funeral.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za

World football’s governing body FIFA has blamed the South African government for inaction over allegations of bribery in pre-2010 World Cup matches featuring Bafana Bafana.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula earlier responded angrily to FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke’s statement that they were taking over the match-fixing probe.

Valcke says the fact that the Sports Department has not set up an independent commission of inquiry as was agreed with Mbalula in a meeting in April has resulted in the decision.

It’s almost a year since the scandal hit the headlines.

Five South African Football Association (Safa) officials including former President Kirsten Nematandani were suspended after they were implicated in a FIFA report.

The matches were organised by convicted match-fixer and Singapore businessman Wilson Raj Perumal of Football 4 U.

The match-fixing case has dented Safa’s image globally and they recently lost their technical sponsor Puma. FIFA feels that their Ethics Committee will handle this case better.

Mbalula was upset when he heard the latest developments. He said Valcke was disrespectful towards South Africa and was undermining the government.

Earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma’s office revealed that they were consulting FIFA.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za

Swaziland conceded two goals early in the second half as Bafana Bafana earned a 3-0 win at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

Bafana dominated the early exchanges, and had the chance to go ahead in the first minute of the match, when Lerato Chabangu sent in a pinpoint to find Kermit Erasmus, but the Orlando Pirates man could not keep his header on target.

Happy Jele had a chance 10 minutes later, after a set-piece by Siphiwe Tshabalala, but his header went just wide.

Swaziland came close on 15 minutes, when Nkosingiphile Tsabedze ran onto a long high ball from the left wing. He beat Rooi Mahamutsa with a dummy, but scuffed his shot just wide of the post, brushing the side netting.

Bernard Parker beat two men to take a shot on 18 minutes, but it presented little danger for Swazi goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu.

Just before the half hour mark Swaziland made a foray at goal, when Senzo Meyiwa failed to deal with a cross from Tony Tsabedze. The Pirates keeper flapped at the ball, which fell dangerously into the path of the onrushing Swazis, but they could not keep their shot down and the ball sailed over the bar.

On 36 minutes, Tshabalala came close, after some good work from Thabo Matlaba down the left wing, but he headed straight into Gwebu’s arms.

Bafana excerted some pressure on the Swazi defence as the half wound down, but the players walked off with the score still 0-0.

Gordon Igesund made two changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Lennox Bacela for Erasmus and Bongani Zungu for Chabangu.

And the substitutes made an immediate impact, working together to send the ball through to Letsholonyane, with a pin-point pass from Zungu. ‘Yeye’ had space and buried a cool shot past Gwebu for his second international goal in 46 appearances.

Zungu then doubled Bafana’s lead just seconds later, rounding the keeper and slotting home with an expert finish for his first Bafana goal.

Meyiwa prevented the Swazis from hitting back on 53 minutes, making a great save to deny Bheki Dlamini.

Thabo Nthethe got his name on the scoresheet on 63 minutes, after the ball fell kindly for him the area after some casual defending from Swaziland. The Bafana stand-in captain turned and hit home with a low volley for his first international goal.

Letsholonyane hit a well-taken free-kick on the 70th minute, which was headed for the top corner but tipped over goal by the keeper.

Dlamini came close for Swaziland three minutes from time, with a swerving long-range strike, but Meyiwa had it covered and made a composed save.

Swaziland line-up: Nhlanhla Gwebu, Tony Tsabedze, Sifiso Maseko, Sanele Mkhweli, Sifiso Mabila, Machawe Dlamini, Bheki Dlamini, Darren Christie (Wonder Nhleko 62), Sabelo Ndzinisa (Barry Steenkamp 76), Nkosi Tsabedze, Felix Badenhorst (Ndoda Tisuka Mthethwa 87)

South Africa line-up: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba (Tefu Mashamaite 62), Rooi Mahamutsa, Thabo Nthethe, Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Hlompho Kekana 78), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Sibusiso Vilakazi 61), Andile Jali, Lerato Chabangu (Bongani Zungu 46), Bernard Parker (Edward Manqele 69), Kermit Erasmus (Lennox Bacela 46)
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Durban – Three men have been arrested for allegedly killing a woman and wounding her grandchild in Sundumbili, on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, police said on Friday.

Colonel Jay Naicker said they were taken into custody on Thursday.

The woman was in her rondavel with her two grandchildren on November 7 when she was attacked.

“She was shot and died on the spot. Her house was set alight and her body was burnt to ashes,” he said.

One child was shot in the chest and another one was unharmed. The men, between the ages of 28 and 35, were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms.

“The firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to ascertain if they were used in the commission of a crime.”

The men had been charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson.

They are expected to appear in the Eshowe Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Sapa

Cape Town – Robert McBride has distinguished himself as a man who upholds law and order, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) said on Friday.

Referring to McBride’s nomination as the new head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) this week, the ANCYL said it had faith in his leadership abilities.

Spokesperson Bandile Masuku said this faith stemmed from Mcbride’s distinct leadership of the Ekurhuleni metro police.

“Robert McBride is a seasoned South African patriot, who fought against the demon of racism and white supremacy.

“His contribution is well known and those who were adversely affected by it were apologised to through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes.”

McBride was part of an Umkhonto we Sizwe group that bombed the Why Not Restaurant and Magoo’s Bar in Durban on 14 June, 1986. Three people were killed and 69 others injured in the explosion. He was captured and convicted, and sentenced to death.

In 1992, he was released after his actions were classified as politically motivated. He was later granted amnesty at the TRC.

“It is within this background that we are perplexed by the noises that emanate from certain sections of society who are objecting to his recommendation to be appointed to head Ipid,” said Masuku.

He said those opposed to the recommendation were similar to those who opposed Nelson Mandela’s election as president on the basis he was a terrorist.

Negative media headlines

The uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) said on Friday it rejected the “unconstitutional” objections to the nomination.

“The objections that are raised by those opposed to his appointment, smack of racial arrogance and vindictiveness,” said MKMVA chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe.

He said that after McBride was granted amnesty, his name had continued to be dragged into negative media headlines, in an attempt to harm his personality and destroy his credibility.

“The urge for racial vengeance by the white opposition, its civil society grouping made of former apartheid security agencies officials and intellectuals, seems to be behind this frenzy of unconstitutional objections.”

He said McBride had no criminal record and was appropriately qualified.

McBride won an appeal in March against a conviction of drunk driving and attempting to obstruct justice. He was arrested in 2006 after crashing his official car on the R511 following a Christmas party.

In September 2011, a Pretoria regional magistrate sentenced McBride to two years imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol and in effect three years’ imprisonment for attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

In 1998, McBride was arrested in Mozambique on charges of gun-running. He spent seven months in a Maputo prison and was later cleared of all charges. He claimed he was investigating illegal gun running with the National Intelligence Agency.

In 1999, McBride faced an assault charge after he, underworld boss Cyril Beeka, and another man visited an escort agency and allegedly assaulted an employee.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The fraud and money laundering case against former National Youth Development Agency boss Andile Lungisa and three others is a witch hunt against them, he said on Friday.

“It is a witch hunt [but] we are respecting the court process. You will hear the truth on the 30th [of January],” he told reporters after his appearance in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court.

The matter was postponed to 30 January as the State only received representations on the matter on Friday.

Lungisa said he disliked being branded a thief.

“When I was young I never stole a cent. I don’t like being branded as a person who steals money,” he said.

“I have hosted the biggest festival in the country in 2010 that some refer to as the ‘kissing festival’.”

The World Federation of Democratic Youth Festival cost the NYDA over R100m.

Lungisa said he would attend the next festival, to be hosted by Ecuador, in December.

It was unclear whether the court had given him permission to travel outside the country as the group had handed in their passports as part of their bail conditions.

Lungisa said he would also be going back to the Eastern Cape to campaign for the African National Congress in preparation for the 2014 general elections.

Nelson Mandela Sports Day concert

“I am going back to my region in Port Elizabeth. I will be campaigning to make sure young people vote for the ANC,” he said.

Lungisa and his co-accused, his wife Ursula Sali, Xolisile Guquza, and Thabo Shogolo, appeared briefly in the court.

The four allegedly accepted and shared among themselves R2.5m paid by the arts and culture department for the Nelson Mandela Sports Day concert. They allegedly promised that US singer R Kelly would perform at the concert, but he did not.

They were arrested after handing themselves over to the Hawks.

Lungisa and Shogolo were granted bail of R10 000 each, Guquza was granted bail of R5 000, and Sali was released on a warning.

Lungisa has since asked to be relieved of his political duties as an ANC Eastern Cape executive committee member while he deals with the charges against him.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The bail application of kwaito star Brickz resumed in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Police Constable Lindokwakhe Hlongwane testified that he responded to a complaint in March and found Brickz, whose real name is Sipho Charles Ndlovu, in a complex in Randburg, Johannesburg, with his wife and two teenage girls.

One of the girls was crying.

“The person who called the police was not there,” he said.

The officer asked about the relationship between the couple and the girls.

After being questioned by the officer, Ndlovu denied that he had assaulted the girl who was crying.

“I spoke to the girl… and she wouldn’t respond as she was crying,” Hlongwane said.

Ndlovu’s wife told the officer that a rape case had been opened against her husband.

Ndlovu has been in custody since 1 November for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in March.

In an affidavit submitted as part of his bail application, Ndlovu denied raping her and indicated he intended pleading not guilty.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Controversial businessman Radovan Krejcir has had all his assets placed under the control of a curator, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said on Friday.

Sars spokesperson Adrian Lackay confirmed reports that Sars had obtained a court order following a preservation order issued by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

“Sars does not want to make further public statements on the matter at this stage,” he said.

The Mail & Guardian online reported that the order placed all Krejcir’s assets, and those of his family and associates under the control of a curator.

Sars reportedly acted in terms of the Tax Administration Act based on the view that Krejcir owed more than R59m in taxes, penalties and interest.

The court order also granted seizure of control of the assets of 15 other entities linked to Krejcir, including his wife and son, and the Moneypoint pawn business in Bedfordview, which was hit in a bomb attack this week, leaving two people dead.

Evidence submitted to the court also disclosed allegations about Krejcir’s business dealings, according to the report.

Krejcir has until 2 December to challenge the preservation.

Earlier, The Star reported that two properties owned by a company run by Krejcir’s wife had been interdicted.

A deed search on properties linked to Krejcir reveal that an interdict was in place on a Bedfordview property the businessman’s family live in as well as another house in Bloemfontein worth R4m.

Both houses are owned by Groep Twee Beleggings, a company whose sole director was Katerina Krejcirova – Krejcir’s wife.

Papers on the interdict on the Bedfordview property at the deeds office in Johannesburg reveal that the interdict was put in place by Sars, and it was a caveat order.

The house is worth R13m.

A property caveat is a legal restriction on the use or sale of real estate.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Nine more people were arrested on Friday during a protests in Langa, Uitenhage, Eastern Cape police said.

“They were arrested for public violence and contempt of court,” said police spokesperson Gerda Swart.

The area was quiet, but police were still keeping watch.

“The situation in the township remains tense but stable with police monitoring the situation very closely. Late yesterday [Thursday], isolated incidents of tyre burning in the streets were reported.”

She said four other people were arrested on Thursday.

The Nelson Mandela metro appealed for calm and stability in the area.

“We understand clearly the stressful situations that our people find themselves in due to lack of houses… We urge our people to be patient and avoid being misled and used as a tool for political point scoring,” Deputy Mayor Chippa Ngcolomba said.

He said the three-day violent protest in Kwalanga, Rosedale and surrounding areas was fuelled by criminality and opportunism.

“The high rate of service delivery in Uitenhage gives us comfort that these incidents have absolutely nothing to do with service delivery. They also have nothing to do with lack of information and consultation.”

A municipal health and wellness office, an ANC’s house, and a DA office were set alight. Several shops were looted.

The protests erupted on Wednesday after the municipality demolished illegally built houses, police spokesperson Basil Seekoei said on Thursday.

The DA said the slow pace of housing delivery, high levels of unemployment, and political infighting were the main causes of the violence.

“The painfully slow pace of service delivery from this ANC government has frustrated communities who continue to live in poverty while ANC cronies fight over positions and patronage rather than fighting for the people,” said Gustav Rautenbach, DA chief whip in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.

“The mayor and deputy mayor must attend to this crisis and ensure that calm is restored to the Uitenhage community as a matter of urgency,” he said.

– SAPA