Cape Town – Parliament’s portfolio committee on rural development and land reform is to hold a nationwide public consultation process about the restitution of land rights amendment bill.

The process would begin on Thursday, the committee said.

The bill seeks to amend the cut-off date for lodging claims for restitution, to provide for the advertisement of claims and to regulate the appointment of Land Claims Court judges.

It will launch a second phase of land claims and restitution, and allow those who missed the December 1998 deadline for the first lodgement phase to lodge their claims through the Land Claims Commission.

The first, three-week round of public hearings will take place from Thursday (7 November) to 22 November the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

The rest of the provinces will be visited at the beginning of 2014, the committee said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A policeman and prosecutor appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday accused of corruption, Mpumalanga police said.

Constable Justice Maleka, 37, and Tumelo Malesa, 32, were each released on R1 500 bail and expected back in court on 13 January, said Colonel Leonard Hlathi.

Maleka was stationed at Embalenhle, while Malesa worked in the Evander Magistrate’s Court.

“It is alleged that the suspects worked in cahoots to solicit money from a house breaking suspect arrested in October whose case had been withdrawn as the court did not find sufficient grounds to prosecute,” said Hlathi.

“Maleka misrepresented information about the case by telling the suspect, who is complainant in this case, that he ‘will make the docket disappear’ in exchange for cash.”

The man made arrangements to hand over the money, while tipping off police.

Police then conducted an operation on Monday.

Maleka drove to the man’s work to collect the money in a marked police car. The man allegedly gave Maleka R2 000 and after the transaction, Maleka left, driving in the direction of Evander.

“The police stopped him, searched the vehicle, found R2 000 and arrested him. The police went to [the] Evander Magistrate’s Court to arrest Malesa,” said Hlathi.

Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Thulani Ntobela congratulated the police for the arrests.

“No one is above the law and it is also disturbing when officials who are tasked with the responsibility to uphold the law, are the ones who are breaking it.”

Ntobela hoped the arrests would send a clear message to other civil servants guilty of questionable conduct.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – An independent probe has cleared Johannesburg City Power of corruption in the awarding of a R1.25bn tender for smart electricity meters, it said on Tuesday.

“The independent investigation… has found no evidence of fraud or corruption in City Power’s tender process for the procurement of smart meters,” City Power board chair Frank Chikane told reporters.

“The City Power managing director [Sicelo Xulu]… has been cleared of all allegations of impropriety in the tender process.”

In January, the Mail & Guardian reported that the tender process had been manipulated to favour businessman Vivian Reddy’s Edison Power Group.

The tender was awarded to the company in September last year.

Reddy helped President Jacob Zuma with the first stage of upgrades at his Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.

The newspaper reported that Xulu was “friends with Zuma”.

It also reported that an initial technical evaluation score-sheet was amended to improve Edison Power’s result, and that a letter informing Edison it had won the tender was dated before City Power supply chain management received the bid recommendation.

Review panel

On 18 January, City Power appointed an independent review panel consisting of three advocates to look at the entire tender.

“They had access to any staff, they even accessed people who already left the company,” Chikane said.

“They requested the media to assist them… Unfortunately, the media did not bring information to them, and so they worked on those who brought information to them.”

He said City Power was pleased Xulu had been cleared of wrongdoing.

“This was… almost like an attempt to destabilise the system, because if you attack the MD you are attacking the head of an organisation.”

A smart meter allows City Power to remotely see a consumer’s electricity use.

It allows it to track and monitor usage in real time.

– SAPA

Tickets for the much-anticipated star-studded game of the year, Bafana Bafana versus Spain, are on sale.

Under the theme “THE CHAMPIONS ARE COMING,” the World and European champions meet South Africa on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg – the same venue where Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal that secured the first ever World Cup trophy for Spain.

Iniesta is expected to be part of the Spanish team that will play Bafana Bafana alongside superstars Sergio Ramos, David Villa, Iker Casillas, Xavi, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas.

President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Dr Danny Jordaan personally liaised with the Spanish team to persuade them to return to South Africa before they travel to Brazil next year to defend their trophy. The Spanish team is generally regarded as one of the best the world has ever seen. “It is studded with superstars at the peak of their powers. I can promise a feast of football on a night of champions,” said Dr Jordaan.

His words were echoed by Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune, who was part of the squad that played against Spain in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. South Africa lost 3-2 in extra time.

“It is every player’s dream to play against the best, and they don’t come bigger than Spain. This is the kind of game that fans have to be there to fully appreciate. Watching it on television is no substitute for seeing Cesc Fabregas, Xavi or Shabba and Dean Furman attacking the goal you are standing behind. So I appeal to all the fans to go out there and get their tickets so they can witness this expected great spectacle,” said Khune.

Jordaan said that although demand for tickets is going to be high, SAFA has managed to keep some tickets available at the lowest price and are as follows:
•R50 (Fifty rand) for the top tier (Level 5);
•R100 (Hundred rand) for the lower level and
•R200 (Two-hundred-rand) for the middle tier (Level 2)
•The hospitality package is R1 650

All tickets are reserved so make sure when you purchase you pick where you want to sit. There will be ushers to help fans to their seats.

Tickets can be purchased from all Computicket outlets, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores throughout the country.

The match kicks off at 21h00.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-A 33 year-old man arrested for murder and attempted murder after he shot his wife and her colleague, North West police said.

The monstrosity allegedly took place on Monday at Mahlatsi Marwana Section, near Lefaragatlhe village in Rustenburg.

Captain Pelonomi Makau said a suspect,33 allegedly phoned his wife to ask her to pick him up after work, but his wife phone was allegedly answered by her male colleague.

“A man was left woebegone by turns of event and went home. He allegedly found his wife already home and asked her where she has been. The wife allegedly told him that she was at work with her male colleague” captain Makau said.

Police said that led to an argument and a man became belligerent.

“He allegedly ordered his wife to take him to a questionable colleague of hers. Both men became unco-operative and agressive to each other amid the conversation” Makau said.

The couple left the alleged colleague and went back home where the argument ensued again.

“A suspect drew a gun and shot his wife few times on a thigh and she ran for her life. The suspect looked for her, but lamentably could not locate her” she said.

North West police said a man allegedly went back to the wife’s colleague and pumped his with bullets.

A man allegedly died on the scene after he sustained bullets on his head and lower body.

An enraged man allegedly handed himself to police and was charged with murder and attempted murder.

“He will appear before Bafokeng Magistrate Court on Wednesday and investigations continue” said Makau.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Head coach Sheryl Botes will turn her focus to the South African Under-20 Women’s National team as they play Botswana in the return leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The encounter will be played at the Bidvest Wits Stadium on Saturday, 9 November 2013. Kick-off is at 15h00.

The Basetsana mentor said she was confident that her side will be up for the challenge against Botswana. This following their 5-2 victory over their neighbouring counterparts in the first leg match played in Botswana over a week ago.

“We are all looking forward to the encounter against Botswana. We know what to expect from them in the return-leg but we must not undermine our opponents as things could change, football is unpredictable.

“We will be working on errors we made in the first leg as we do not want to sit back and allow Botswana to attack or take control of the game. I believe the girls can score more goals and we can progress to the next round with a comfortable lead,” said Botes.

Basetsana completed their first training session at Edenvale Football Grounds on Tuesday morning (5 November 2013). Several players were excused from camp due to exam commitment.

The Basetsana squad will be without the services of Alice Khosa who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Robyn Moodaly, another key player brought down in the early minutes of the first leg qualifier, is on the road to recovery and Botes hopes she will be ready in time for the match against Botswana.

“We worked on several aspects at training this morning. We also did interval training to get the cardio going. It is nice and hot; we’re hoping for the same weather conditions on match day.

“We have matriculants and varsity students in the team so we have to be more flexible in accommodating the girls writing national exams. The bulk of the players are here but by tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) we should have everybody in camp,” said Botes.

Two African countries will represent the continent at the 2014 edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada from 5 – 24 August.

Basestsana players in camp:

NO

NAME

CLUB

1

KAYLIN SWART

UWC

2

REGIRL NGOBENI

HPC

3

JULLIET SETHOLE

HPC

4

VUYO MKHABELA

UWC

5

NOMONDE NOMTSHEKE

BLM CELTICS FC

6

CHAMELLE WILTSHIRE

HPC

7

DRISHANA PILLAY

HPC

8

KOKETSO MAMABOLO

HPC

9

AMANDA MTHANDI

CROESUS FC

10

ZINGAWE PHAKATHI

UNTED LADIES FC

11

CARYN VAN REYNEVELDT

CPT SPURS FC

12

AMOGELANG MOTAU

HPC

13

LESEGO NKOANA

HPC

14

GABRIELLA SALGADO

HPC

15

NOLUTHANDO MABASELA

FABULOUS LADIES FC

16

ROBYN MOODALY

USA

17

AMANDA NOVEMBER

PIONEER FC

18

SHIWE NOGWANYA

BLM CELTICS FC

19

MOSILI MAKHOALI

CELTA VIGO

20

THEMBI KGATLANE

HPC

TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Acting Technical Director of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Fran Hilton-Smith, has been nominated in the category of ‘Woman of the Year’ for the Spar gsport Awards.

This was announced by leading women’s sports initiative gsport, as they unveiled the list of finalists for the 8th Annual gsport Awards which will be held on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg.

Gsport is an online initiative that was launched in August 2006 by former cricket broadcaster Kass Naidoo and her husband Ryk Meiring.

The aim is to raise the profiles of South African women in sport.

Hilton-Smith will be going up against Netball South Africa President, Mimi Mthethwa – (who, together with Hilton-Smith, has also been nominated for the Sports Administrator Award in the South African Sports Awards) – and international rugby referee Marlize Jordaan.

The winner of the Woman of the Year Award will be voted for by the public.

“After years of hard work, I am truly humbled by this. I would like to urge all the football loving fans, and the whole football family to not just vote for me but for football in the country,“ said Hilton-Smith.

Previous winners for this prestigious award include Natalie du Toit, Dorothy Tsotsobe, Penny Heyns.

Voting is done only on the gsport website at http://gsport.co.za/voting/ and will remain open until noon on Wednesday, 13 November.

People may vote as many times as they like for their preferred candidate and support South African women in sports.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West Premier Thandi Modise has undertook to expedite announcement of the findings and implementation of the recommendations of the Commission that investigated the management of the royalties and or income derived from mining companies and alleged activities of corruption and maladministration of the funds of the Rakotea community near Brits. Judge Hendler handed over the final report to Premier Modise in Mahikeng on Monday.

In receiving the report Premier Modise undertook to study the report and action its recommendations. The Premier emphasized the significance of presenting the report to the Rankotea community as a matter of urgency and that the report to be presented to the Rankotea community should be translated into Setswana so as to accommodate all residents of Rankotea.

Family members of the joint co-owners, the family representatives and the residents of Rankotea had participated in public hearings conducted by the Commission of inquiry to complete outstanding work after it was appointed by Premier Modise to resume its work.

The commission was initially appointed in 2008 by then Premier Edna Molewa in terms of the North West Commissions Act, 1994 (Act No. 18 of 1994)and completed its work four months ago.

The commission had adjourned in 2010 because the leader of evidence Adv Senne resigned from the commission on the grounds that he had joined government from the private sector and could not proceed in his role as leader of evidence, without his impartiality being an issue.

The work of the commission was also interrupted because its chairperson Judge Hendler had to go for a medical procedure overseas and the Office of the Premier had to wait for his return and full recovery. The appointment of another chairperson to replace Judge Hendler would have meant that the commission had to start the hearings afresh.

Among its terms of reference, the commission had also investigated:

· The functionality of the Executive Committee if any and other committees or subcommittees entrusted with the general management of the affairs of the community.

· To collect and examine information relating to the administration and management of the financial affairs of the community.

· The cause of continuous battles between all committees that were ever elected or appointed and recommend scenarios to be considered to ensure non-recurrence of such problems.

Upon completing its investigations, the commission has to make recommendations to the Premier Modise on any proposed actions and/ or steps to be taken to prevent the mismanagement of the funds of the community including the appropriate financial and management structures that must be put in place for future management of the funds and general administration thereof.

The Secretariat of the commission is finalising arrangements regarding dates on which the report will be presented by Premier Modise to the community of Rankotea as the Premier has instructed that this process should be completed as soon as it is reasonably possible.

After all arrangements have been completed an announcement on the date, time and venue for the presentation of the report to the community of Rankotea shall be made through print and electronic media.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West-Thirteen North West Province Gymnaestics Tumblers and four officials have been selected to form part of the South African Team that will compete at the 2013 Zone 6 competition, hosted in Harare, Zimbabwe on the 09th – 14th December 2013.

The team was selected during the trials held in Pretoria at the end of September 2013 during the SAGF Gym Games. The competitors from the province are; Lesedi Moloto, Tshepo Kganathe, Boifong Makgaka, Naude Niemand, Katlego Zwane, Tshepang Kokome, Koketso Masibi, Tshiamo Molwane, Thapelo Menoe, Viann Nel, Tshepiso Mogotsi, Tolamo Thipe and Thato Modiakgotla.

The officials are Coach, Lebogang Ramokopelwa and Judges, Ishmael Mogale and Michael Masangana as well as assistant team manager George Thebe.

“The Zone VI competition which is the second biggest on the sport’s annual calendar for Africa will see countries that include Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe take part in these games of the Southern Africa region. Gymnasts will compete in codes such as Aerobics, Trampoline, Tumbling, Artistic and Rhythmic among a host of sports codes” Mmabana Mahikeng spokesperson Trinity Bogosi said.

The Zone VI competition is a developmental competition held under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa (SCSA), but may also be used by participating countries as a qualifier for other major events.

“”It also serves as an important platform for athletes from Southern Africa, giving them a chance to compete against each other in a spirit of friendship and solidarity” concludes Bogosi.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – A 12-year-old boy was shot and wounded during a protest in Jabulani, Soweto, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the boy was shot on Friday.

“It is alleged the boy was shot in the head. By yesterday [Monday] he was still in hospital.

“We do not know who shot him, [it is] between the Johannesburg metro police and the SA Police Service [SAPS]. We are investigating…”

He said residents protested on Friday, demanding that speed bumps be erected on roads, as cars were driving at high speed in the area.

Makhubela said a case of attempted murder was opened on Monday after the police traced the boy’s family.

He said there was a public disturbance during the protest and three people were arrested.

“The three were arrested for malicious damage and public violence. They appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”

He said the case was postponed to Monday, when they were expected to bring a formal bail application. 

SAPA