Johannesburg – Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will not join the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), its leader Julius Malema said on Thursday.

“She deeply identifies herself with the ANC. Asking her to join the EFF is like asking her to let go of herself and who she truly is,” he told supporters outside the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane.

Malema failed earlier in the day to persuade the court to withdraw criminal charges against him.

Judge Ephraim Makgoba ruled that the case against him would go ahead next year as scheduled, unless the National Prosecuting Authority decided to drop the charges.

Malema praised Madikizela-Mandela and said she deserved to be honoured for her struggle for liberation. As a struggle icon, Madikizela-Mandela could have become president of the country, he said.

“If we do not honour Winnie Mandela, it means the apartheid propaganda has succeeded. To defeat the propaganda we have to honour the remaining revolutionary.”

Malema pointed to lawyer Dali Mpofu, who left the ANC to join the EFF recently, and said allegations that Mpofu and Madikizela-Mandela had an affair were not true.

“This man does not have the potential to sleep with his mother. Winnie is Mpofu’s mother.”

Malema claimed ANC leaders benefited from investors as far back as the early 1990s. He mentioned leaders by name, saying they benefited from foreign companies currently operating in the country.

Madikizela-Mandela, Malema said, was the “only cadre of the revolution”.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Politicians across the country have condemned the rape of a 6-week-old baby in Galeshewe, Kimberley, in the Northern Cape.

Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu Xingwana was appalled by several recent “monstrous atrocities” against women and children, she said in a statement on Thursday.

She noted with “serious concern” the rape of the baby, and the rape of a 4-year-old boy, allegedly by a 17-year-old.

“These acts can only be committed by very sick people,” she said.

The newborn was raped on Tuesday night, allegedly by a 24-year-old man believed to be her uncle.

Xingwana said the government would ensure people accused of rape were not given bail and received harsher sentences.

“These crimes will under no circumstances be tolerated and [are] totally unacceptable,” she said.

DA spokesperson Mike Waters said South African women and children faced intolerably high levels of violence.

“We condemn this horrific act in the strongest terms possible. Our sincerest condolences go out to the family, friends and loves ones during this difficult time.”

Waters said campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism were necessary and needed to be carried out every day of the year.

National Freedom Party leader Zanele KaMagwaza Msibi said such incidents were an indication that rape in society had taken a turn for the worse.

“In the wake of such incidents, one is tempted to call on the government to review its position on the death penalty as we need strong measures to stop this ongoing violence against women and children,” she said.

No justification

The Cosatu expressed its dismay and said it was even more committed to join the campaign, not just for 16 days, but throughout the year.

“No culture, provocation, neglect or mental condition can be used to justify this perverse behaviour,” said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

He said violence against women and children had permeated all levels of society.

“Such shocking incidents signify the extent of the moral decay of our society and the lack of respect for human rights and dignity,” he said.

Cope spokesperson Willie Madisha said the party had gone to Galeshewe to support the family and their relatives.

“What happened to the child is wrong, and as a result we call on police to act efficiently when dealing with such cases.”

Madisha said it wanted to mobilise residents to act against rape.

The man accused of raping the baby appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The case was postponed to 12 December for a formal bail application.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Heavy hailstorms hit parts of the Witwatersrand and Pretoria on Thursday afternoon, shattering windscreens, windows and roofs.

Several amateur pictures of the damage and of hail stones the size of golf balls made their appearance on Twitter later in the afternoon.

Johannesburg emergency management service’s spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said severe downpours flooded parts of the West Rand by mid-afternoon, and rescue teams had been dispatched.

“There is a vehicle trapped in water under a bridge,” he said.

He said a number of houses in Dobsonville, Braamfischerville, Emdeni and Kliptown in Soweto had been flooded, had their roofs blown off and their windows broken.

Residents in Florida and Roodepoort, also on the West Rand, reported trees that had fallen in the streets.

“EMS teams are currently monitoring the extent of damage in Alexandra and Diepsloot,” Mulaudzi said.

“Motorists and children must avoid flooded areas.”

He said no deaths had been reported.

“We will remain on high alert throughout the night. We hope the public will adhere to our calls.”

Drive slowly

Tshwane emergency services was inundated with calls.

“We are trying to attend to as many incidents as we can,” Tshwane EMS spokesperson Johan Pieterse said.

He said roofs had blown off in a number of informal settlements.

“People must stay inside their houses, channel the water away from their homes and report any emergencies to the service,” Pieterse said.

“We are trying to get to all the people.”

He urged motorists to drive slowly, put their headlights on and not to cross low water bridges.

Former head of the National Prosecuting Authority Vusi Pikoli tweeted “@VusiPikoli: Watching a hailstorm belting Tshwane my heart goes out to those caught in it!”

And sports reporter OG Molefe tweeted “@OG_Molefe: Power out, broken window…. The result of the hail storm that just passed thru”.

The SA weather service said severe thunderstorms and localised flooding should also be expected in other parts of the country on Thursday night.

The Eastern Cape, North West, northern and eastern parts of the Free State as well as the Mpumalanga highveld would be affected, forecaster Jan Vermeulen said.

He said the stormy weather in Gauteng would end around 23:00.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The City of Cape Town has been granted an interdict on Thursday to prevent an illegal protest from going ahead on Friday.

City spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said the Western Cape High Court granted the interdict on Thursday evening.
Source: http://www.news24.com

Polokwane – Julius Malema lashed out at the ANC and its leadership after his court appearance on Thursday, according to reports.

City Press reported that the Malema named Trevor Manuel, Cyril Ramaphosa and Baleka Mbete as sellouts.
For more http://www.news24.com

By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- North West Department of Social Development will on Friday undertake a door-to-door campaign to raise awareness about substance abuse at Alabama in Matlosana.

Department in partnership with its stakeholders has planned a series of campaigns across the province to highlight the plight of substance abuse among young people especially of school going age.

Substance abuse coordinator Mfana Tsotetsi said they have targeted Matlosana taxi rank for the same campaign tomorrow.

San Park, Local Drug Action, governments departments, the local municipality and the local taxi association Tsotetsi said will be part of the campaign.

“As part of the activities of the day there will be a convoy of motorbikers and traffic officers including a march against substance abuse” departmental spokesperson Vuyi Ngesi said.

Details of the campaign:-

Date: 29 November 2013

Venue: Matlosana Taxi Terminus

Time : 09h00
-TDN
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Johannesburg: Professional services firm, EY South Africa today announced its sponsorship agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

As part of the sponsorship agreement, EY is committed to building a better working world, by making a real difference in contributing to the development of the next generation of sport in our country.

Ajen Sita, CEO for EY Africa, says: “We are delighted to be an official sponsor to SAFA. EY’s vision of creating the highest performing teams aligns strongly with SAFA’s vision. Teaming – whether in business or sport – inspires people and communities to have a collective vision; EY is showing its commitment to encouraging an environment where businesses can create lasting economic value in their communities.”

Dr Danny Jordaan, President of SAFA commented, “Corporate governance in sport is a major area of debate in South Africa and the rest of the world. It is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. There is nothing more important to SAFA than good corporate governance; it is the rock on which I want to build this organisation. This decision by one of the world’s top professional services firms supports SAFA’s vision in its strategy to evolve high standards of corporate governance.”

Dr Jordaan further said, “I am really excited that EY has agreed to come on board as a sponsor. It is a testament to EY’s faith in my promise to make SAFA a world-class organisation.”

SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble said that EY’s sponsorship was a ringing endorsement of the new era at SAFA. “From the beginning of our relationship at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, EY has worked tirelessly to help us operate more efficiently and aid us in our mission of best serving South African football and its millions of fans. I am confident the best is yet to come from this partnership.”

EY looks forward to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships within the communities in which SAFA operates in.-TDN
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The ladies from Limpopo, Ma-Indies, were good value for money in the first Sasol League National Championship quarter-final as the defeated City Lads 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.

The game was evenly balanced from the word go but soon swung in favour of City Lads as the Sasol League National Championships continued at Alabama Stadium on Thursday. City Lads took the lead on the 11th minute through a scorcher from Nolisindiso Plaatjie.

Ma-Indies however upped their game as they were inspired by Banyana Banyana striker Noko Matlou and levelled matters four minutes later. The match went into the break tied 1-1.

Both teams returned from the break more fired up with Banyana Banyana award winning star Matlou giving her side a 2-1 lead two minutes after the restart.

Ma-Indies consolidated their defence as they tried to preserve their lead. But Nosiphiwo Bottoman scored her first goal of the tournament to equalize and take the match into a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.

Noko Matlou, Hlamalani Mutileni, Lebohang Ramalepa and Fulufhelo Munzhedzi all converted from the spot to take Ma-Indies to the semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win. -TDN
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SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan says he is delighted that FIFA has confirmed the Association’s long-standing position that the Bafana Bafana/Spain game was played within the stipulated rules of an ‘A’ category international friendly.

Commenting after receiving a letter from FIFA which confirmed that the South Africa-Spain friendly match on 19 November 2013 at FNB Stadium was a full ‘A’ international encounter, Dr Jordaan said the world governing soccer body had just confirmed SAFA’s long held position.

“We complied with all the regulations for this historic victory and I am happy this matter has been laid to rest. The country must savour this win as Bafana Bafana were the first country to beat Spain on the African continent.

“We expect that the impact of the victory will be reflected in the next December FIFA rankings as the ruling arrived on the date the November ranking were released,” added Dr Jordaan.

A statement from FIFA reads as follows:

“FIFA can confirm that the South Africa-Spain friendly match of 19 November remains an ‘A’ international, despite the fact that Spain allegedly used more than the maximum of six substitutes that the Laws of the Game stipulate can be used for such a match.

FIFA have taken into account that both teams had agreed on the conditions of the match and submitted the necessary documentation prior to the match in order for FIFA to confirm it as an ‘A’ international. In this context, South Africa shall not suffer any negative consequences on its part for adhering to the agreed conditions and only using up to a maximum of six substitutes during the match.

The match shall be considered as an official match and is therefore included in the November edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Regarding the alleged incident of Spain using more than the maximum of six substitutes, FIFA is currently analysing the information at our disposal to assess possible next steps. “-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Swartruggens-The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Commercial Crime Branch have arrested 5 suspects allegedly for fraudulent and theft activities committed during the period 2010 to 2011.

Three of the suspects aged 28, 36 and 32 were employed by the Department of Justice and stationed at Swartruggens Court.

Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said part of their duties was to pay out maintenance monies paid by fathers to the court for the maintenance of their deserving children.

“They had to prepare payment schedules for respective recipients of maintenance monies due to them and submit to Justice Head Office for payment” Ngubane said.

“It is alleged that the suspects took advantage of the system and misrepresented the deserving people at the Department (Head Office). According to the information, instead of suspects supplying the correct bank account numbers of the recipients on the payment schedule, they supplied their own bank accounts and those of relatives and friends”.

Brigadier Ngubane said that the two other suspects aged 32 and 22 were not employees of the Department of Justice.

The 32-year-old is the employee of the Department of health as an emergency vehicle driver and the 22-year-old is an unemployed and their bank accounts were used to steal and transfer money from the Department of Justice.

The total amount involved is in excess of five hundred thousand rand R500 000.

The suspects are expected to appear at the Zeerust magistrates’ Court today on charges of fraud and theft respectively.-TDN

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