Klerksdorp-Cape Town Roses where made to eat humble pie after going down to Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shoot out in the second Sasol League National Championship semi-final played at Matlosana Stadium on Friday afternoon.

But the Cape side will take heart at the way they stretched the champions to the limit.

Sundowns will meet Ma-Indies in the the final that will be staged at Matlosana Stadium on Sunday, 1 December. Kick-off is at 15h00.

Two quick goals by Cape Town Roses’ Nangamso Nokwatsheka and Nocawe Skiti in opening minutes of the game, threatened to turn this game on its head.

It was a sterling performance by Roses who dominated proceedings and frustrated the Sundowns Ladies who tried effortlessly to turn the result in their favour.

But constant performer Maria Mutola soon halved the deficit just before the break and that goal gave the Gauteng side a ray of hope as they went onto the break trailing 2-1.

Both sides came back from the break looking more energized but it was the Mamelodi side that finished stronger and duly equalised through Alochia Thobokela.

Both teams then tried to win the match in regulation time but both defences held firm.

During the penalty shootout, Sundowns proved more composed and won the match 4-2.-TDN

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Cape Town – Cabinet ministers in the security cluster met with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Friday following the release of parts of a provisional report into President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead upgrade. 

Madonsela “recommitted” herself to “following the proper process of handling such reports”, government spokesperson Phumla Williams said in a statement.

“The security cluster wishes to reiterate the integrity of government’s own investigation into the Nkandla security upgrades. 

“This investigation established, among other things, that no state funds had been spent on improving Zuma’s private houses at Nkandla,” Williams said.

She said that while government still believed the security upgrades were justified, the manner in which the department of public works handled the matter was inappropriate.

Government’s own investigation found there had been irregularities in the appointment of service providers and the procurement of goods and services.

Madonsela found a swimming pool, visitors’ centre, amphitheatre, cattle kraal, marquee area, extensive paving, and new houses for relatives included in the upgrade at “enormous cost” to the taxpayer, the Mail & Guardian reported on Friday.

Madonsela’s report recommended the president be called to account by Parliament for violating the executive ethics code on two counts.

These were for failing to protect state resources, and misleading Parliament for suggesting he and his family had paid for all non-security-related features.

One of the key allegations listed in the report stated that costs escalated from an initial R27m to R215m, with a further R31m in works outstanding. News24

Johannesburg – The Press Ombudsman has dismissed a complaint by ANC chair Baleka Mbete over a recent Mail & Guardian headline about her.

However, the newspaper was ordered to apologise to Mbete about the content of another article.

The newspaper had to apologise for claiming Mbete misused state funds for her own benefit and for neglecting to state she was found not guilty after having received an illegal driver’s licence, Ombudsman Johan Retief said in his ruling on Friday.

It also needed to apologise for casting doubt on Mbete’s integrity and dignity without enough justification to do so.

“I cannot determine if the reporter deliberately caused Mbete unnecessary harm by publishing unfair comments about her without justification to do so, causing her huge unnecessary harm. What I can say, though, is that the article surely resulted in just that,” he said.

Mbete and the ANC complained about the article headlined “Mbete looks out for number one – Behind the Gold Fields pickle is a powerful politician who favours progress over principle”, on 13 September.

Mbete complained that the story intended to cast aspersions on her integrity and her standing in society.

Retief found that the newspaper had breached certain sections of the Press Code.

He dismissed some of Mbete’s complaints and her arguments.

The Mail & Guardian was directed to publish an apology. Retief said the newspaper could appeal the ruling within seven working days.

In the second complaint, the ANC and Mbete complained about the headline of a story published on 6 September.

‘Deliberately misleading’

Mbete and the ANC claimed that the headline “Gold Fields bribed Mbete -US investigators have concluded that a R25 million share handout to Baleka Mbete constituted corruption by Gold Fields, which then buried the findings” was deliberately misleading and defamatory and did not reflect the story.

Mbete did not complain about the actual content but said the headline had caused her, her family, and the ANC “unwarranted harm”.

The Mail & Guardian argued that Mbete omitted to state that the headline had been presented as reported speech by the use of quotations marks, signifying an allegation or opinion.

It also argued that the headline was accompanied by a sub header that both attributed the reported speech to an “identified accused”, and gave context to the accusation.

In his finding on the headline, Retief found that the newspaper correctly stated “if the report itself was justified, which is common cause as it is not complained about, and the headline reasonably reflected it, the complaint must fail”.

He, therefore, dismissed Mbete’s complaint.

SAPA

Klerksdorp-Ma-Indies is through to the final after a hard fought 2-1 win over favourites Bloemfontein Celtic in the first Sasol League National Championship semi-final played at Matlosana Stadium in North West province.

The two teams went to the break deadlocked at 0-0 despite frantic efforts to open the encounter.

The battle continued into the second half and Ma-Indies were first to get onto the score sheet when they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half. Banyana Banyana goal-getter Noko Matlou made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-0.

The goal galvanized Celtic Ladies came back into action but were denied the equaliser on several occasions. They duly equalised when they were awarded their own penalty which was converted by Leah Sethunya.

But Ma-Indies had the last laugh though when Maite Magoro caught the Celtic defence napping to slip through a clean goal which proved decisive.-TDN

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Bloemfontein – The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that the awarding of the multi-billion rand social grants administration contract to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) is invalid.

AllPay Consolidated Investment Holdings took the matter to the country’s highest court after it lost the tender to CPS.

The tender, worth R10bn, for the administration of social grants, was awarded by the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa).

AllPay initially approached the high court alleging there had been irregularities in the tender process. The high court found the tender process had not complied with the requirements set out in the tender documents and was procedurally unfair.

It declared the process invalid, but declined to set the tender aside because it would disrupt the payment of social grants.

AllPay appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which overturned the high court’s order. The SCA said a fair process did not demand perfection at every step and a tender need not be set aside for “inconsequential irregularities”.

On this basis it concluded that the award of the tender to CPS was not unfair.

AllPay then approached the Constitutional Court which, in a unanimous judgment, upheld the appeal.

It found the assessment of the fairness and lawfulness of the procurement procedure had to be independent of the outcome of the tender process and assessed in terms of the provisions of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.

The court found Sassa had failed to give due regard to the importance of black economic empowerment in procurement.

Sassa had an obligation to investigate and confirm the empowerment credentials of the bidders before the award.

The Constitutional Court thus declared the decision to award the tender to CPS constitutionally invalid.

However, due to the serious disruption which could be caused to the payment of social grants if the tender were set aside, it made no decision on whether to do so.

The court suspended the declaration of invalidity pending the determination of a just and equitable remedy.

A further hearing to decide the remedy was scheduled for 11 February.

– SAPA

The burning of a church is a devious and wicked act and anyone who defiles the sanctuary of God should face the wrath of the law, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in condemning the torching of a church in Taung.

“A church is a holy place which must be respected and anyone who undermines it must be dealt with according to the law. We cannot have people going around and burning places of worship for no apparent reasons,” said Premier Modise.

Modise was reacting to reports that a church and surgery were set alight by a 42-year old man in Taung yesterday afternoon.

Police believe that the suspect used petrol to ignite the buildings.

The suspect has been arrested and would appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court next week Monday.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Northern Cape police cannot confirm nor deny the horrendous news that hit social networking early.

The South Africans have mixed feelings after frightful news came about a suspect who alleged raped an infant.

According to http://www.nctimes.co.za on their official facebook page, the dreadlock uncle committed suicide while in custody.

A man appeared before Kimberley Regional Court on Wednesday after he allegedly raped a six-weeks child.

Police said a child who was born on the 17 of October 2013 was asleep in their shack along with her 22 year-old mother when the dreadful event took place.

The suspect allegedly grabbed the child nex to her mother and raped her.

He was busted by the child grandmother at 2am.

Police where summoned to the scene and arrested him.

His case was postponed to 12 December 2013 for bail application.

Lieutenant Sergio Kock said he have not yet received the news of alleged death.”I have not received the news and I will investigate if there is any truth in the matter”.

Police said the child was admitted and is in ICU for medical attention-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned in the strongest terms possible the stabbing of wife by her 32-year-old husband.

In calling for a no bail for the arrested suspect, Premier Modise said that escalating incidents of gender based violence demand for united action to prevent brutality against women.

“Our communities have had enough of violence targeted at the vulnerable groups particularly Women. We call on women who are in abusive relations to speak out and for men who are experiencing pressure to seek counseling and professional help before matters get out of hand,” emphasised Premier Modise.

According to police, the couple was travelling on the R510 Tsitsing road at around 9:00 am when an argument erupted between them. The 27-year-old victim reportedly managed to get out of the car and ran away, but the suspect caught up with her and stabbed her several times in the chest.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said that the victim died on the scene.

Molale said that the arrested suspect is expected to appear in the Tlhabane Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

She said that police are investigating a case of murder.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-The South African Police Service appeal to the community to be very alert and cautious throughout the duration of the 16th Annual 60’s Party scheduled to begin on 30 November 2013 at Lotlamoreng Dam in Mahikeng. 

This event draws larger number of people from different parts of the country and brings Mahikeng area to a standstill.

“The high level of alcohol abuse and drunken driving by party goers consequently leading to horrible accidents on the roads will not be tolerated and harsh actions will be taken against the culprits” colonel Emelda Setlhako said. 

The Provincial Joint Operation Centre i.e Lichtenburg SAPS, Explosive Unit, Disaster Management, Lichtenburg Dog Unit, Flying Squad, EMRS, Fire and Emergency Services, Provincial Traffic, Security Companies, Mahikeng and Mmabatho SAPS and Intelligence agencies will be on the alert.

Setlhako said the influx of the people start on the eve of the event- 29 November 2013. 

The party goers are urged to exercise patience and use alternative roads as high volume of traffic is expected as it has been all these years because people from neighbouring countries and other parts of the country will be driving to Mahikeng for the event. 

“Party attendees must refrain from the practice of displaying registration numbers written “SIXTIES” at the rear or front of their vehicles as this is illegal and punishable offense” said Setlhako.

Crime is usually on the increase around this time in the area ranging from House breaking, Car hijacking, theft as well as rape. Parents are urged to sensitise their girl children not to be easily lured by the flamboyant cars and hype displayed.

“The North West police would like to send a very strong message to those attending the event to abide by the law as the police presence will be evident. Roadblocks have started already and are now in full swing” said Setlhako. 

The police are more than ready for necessary action to prevent crime and will be on constant lookout for the people with motives to bring them to book, says police.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a case of Arson and Malicious Damage to property after a 42-year-old man set alight a church and a surgery. 

“It is alleged that on Thursday at about 16:00, the suspect used petrol to set alight these buildings” sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.   

The suspect has been arrested and will appear on Monday at the Taung Magistrates’ Court. Molale said police investigations continue.-TDN

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