The Minister for Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will on Tuesday, November 05, meet and engage with the older persons of Makwassie, North West Province, to discuss their socio-economic challenges.

Minister Dlamini has raised a concern about the perceived abuse of older persons by financial companies that sell them financial products they do not need as well as loan sharks that allegedly effect payments from older persons’ grant accounts without authorisation.

“The Department is currently exploring avenues to intervene for older persons where real financial abuse is taking place” said departmental spokesperson Lumka Oliphant.  

The Minister is expected to use the meeting with elder persons to discuss this matter.

The visit to Makwassie comes days after the first ever Senior Citizens’ Parliament, organised by the Department and the Gauteng Legislature, was held on October 21.  

“At the special sitting of the Legislature, older persons appealed to government to assist them with income generating programmes to supplement their grant income” Oliphant said.

The Minister is expected also to use the meeting with older persons in Makwassie to encourage older persons to participate in the Department’s newly launched initiative that links social grant beneficiaries (particularly the care givers of children receiving child support grants) and other vulnerable groups to meaningful socio-economic opportunities.

The meeting with older persons is held under the banner of the Department’s Project Mikondzo – a service delivery improvement initiative aimed at improving access to the Department and its entities’ (The South African Social Security Agency and the National Development Agency) services in the poorest wards of the country.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini will be accompanied by NW MEC for Social Development Collen Maine, the Mayor and municipal councillors.

Place: Leeudoringstad, Lebaleng Sports Ground (Maquassi Hills Local Municipality)

Time: 10h00 

Date: 05 November 2013

-TDN

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Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a strong 24-man squad to face Swaziland in an international friendly match on 15 November at the National Stadium in the Swazi capital of Mbabane.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20h30.

All the players selected for this encounter are local-based as this is part of the preparations for the upcoming CAF CHAN tournament that begins in January next year.

“This is the first game that we will play in preparation for the CHAN tournament and its very important for us to get the rhythm going in the team, because these are some of the players that will play in that event. It is as very formidable team and we have a pool of about 38 players who are all fighting to make the final 23 players for the tournament, so is it is very exciting and the match against Swaziland will be a good test for us,” said Igesund.

“It is also good to have all the Orlando Pirates players available after missing out due to CAF commitments.”

The squad assembles on Monday, 11 November before departing for Swaziland the next morning (Tuesday, 12 November).

Bafana Bafana return to South Africa on Saturday, 16 November to prepare for a friendly match against World and European Champions Spain.

The match against Spain takes place at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 19 November.

That match kicks off at 21h00.

BAFANA BAFANA squad list vs SWAZILAND

NO.

  PLAYER’S NAME

  CLUB

GOALKEEPERS: 1.

  Senzo MEYIWA

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  2.

  Ronwen WILLIAMS

  Supersport United FC (SA)

  DEFENDERS:

  3.

  Thabo NTHETE

  Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA)

  4.

  Tshepo GUMEDE

  Platinum Stars FC (SA)

  5.

  Tefo MASHAMAITE

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  6.

  Buhle MKHWANAZI

  Tuks FC (SA)

  7.

  Rooi MAHAMUTSA

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  8.

  Tsepo MASILELA

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  9.

  Thabo MATLABA

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  10.

  Happy JELE

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

MIDFIELDERS: 11.

  Andile JALI

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  12.

  Hlompho KEKANA

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  13.

  Oupa MANYISA

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  14.

  Reneilwe LETSHOLONYANE

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  15.

  Bongani ZUNGU

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  16.

  Sibusiso VILAKAZI

  Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

  17.

  Lerato CHABANGU

  Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

  18.

  Daine KLATE

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  19.

  Thuso PHALA

  Supersport United FC (SA)

  20.

  Siphiwe TSHABALALA

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  STRIKERS:

  21.

  Lennox BACELA

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  22.

  Kermit ERASMUS

  Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  23.

  Bernard PARKER

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

  24.

  Edward MANQELE

  Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned in the strongest terms possible the incident in which a 38 year-old man allegedly killed his wife and set her house on fire over the weekend describing it as horrendous and appalling. 

The man who handed himself to police after the incident is expected to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrates court today.

In conveying condolences to the family of the woman and wishing the couple’s 12 year-old daughter who suffered minor injuries from the fire a speedy recovery, Premier Modise urged men who are insecure in their relationships to seek urgent counselling and professional help instead of resorting to violence which results in dire consequences for all parties involved including innocent children.

“Prevention of violence against women should be supported by real men who understand it to be key to achieving gender equality as well as women’s access to human rights in general and sexual and reproductive rights in particular,” stressed Premier Modise.

Spokesperson for the North West Police, Captain Pelonomi Makau confirmed that investigation into the case of murder, attempted murder and arson are continuing.-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise applauds the partnership between the community and the police that has led to the re-arrest of a serial rapist fugitive who had been on the run from the police for the past six weeks. 

The 33-year-old man is expected to appear on charges of escaping from lawful custody in the Brits Magistrates Court today.  

“The arrest of Boas Jacob Kgatlhane has brought much relief and signifies the importance of working together to win the war against crime and lawlessness,” highlighted Premier Modise.

The Premier who had urged police not to spare efforts to ensure the arrest of Kgatlhane and called on communities to assist police in their investigations said that with the active support of communities and vigilance, opportunistic crime could be prevented particularly during the festive season. 

Modise urged women and young girls to avoid walking alone in isolated spots and to use whistles to draw attention in case they are attacked.   

According to police, the accused has been hiding at the nearby bushes at Zone 6 in Letlhabile township and was arrested on Friday at around 23:00 as a result of community participation who assisted the police in tracing him. 

The accused reportedly frequented a shack in zone 10 for food and to refresh and was when he was arrested police had to ensure that the relevant and the right person had been arrested through confirmation of his fingerprints and other relevant information.

Kgatlhane who is supposed to face 13 rape charges in the Limpopo and North West provinces preyed on teenage girls aged between 17 since April 2009 until August 2013 whom he allegedly targeted while they were walking alone.

North West Provincial Spokesperson, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane says that  the charges he has to face include one count of rape in Mecklenburg, three counts in Thabazimbi, two in Lethabong (North West) and seven in Letlhabile, near Brits. 

Ngubane said that Kgatlhane escaped on September 17 while being escorted from the Brits court after a short appearance, where he was denied bail. 

He allegedly kicked open the door of the police vehicle transporting him and bolted when it stopped at a traffic light.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a case exhumation and grave tempering after unknown people illegally tempered with a grave in Diplankeng village, near Taung.

According to report, the effrontery took place on Saturday night.

“We have received the report, but we waiting for a formal report from Taung police station” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Captain Makau confirmed the atrocity and said she will give us more details of what really transpired in time.

The ward councillor Otsile Victor Mongale also shared the same sentiment and lambasts the evil deeds.”I would like to condemn this monstrousness and will try to get more details as I was out of the jurisdiction this weekend”.

It is allege unknown suspects tempered with the grave and police investigations continues.-TDN

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SuperSport United coach Cavin Johnson warned the team to shape up after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season, a 3-0 loss to his former club Platinum Stars on Sunday afternoon.

Johnson, who led Stars to a second-placed finish in the League last term, endured a miserable return to Royal Bafokeng Stadium, as Man of the Match Mogakolodi Ngele bagged a brace after Henrico Botes opened the scoring in Rustenburg.

For more http://www.kickoff.com

Johannesburg – A sangoma was burned to death in Khutsong near Carletonville on the West Rand on Sunday, Gauteng police said.

The man was accused of working with gangsters in the area, said Constable Thembi Masango.

She said the situation was “chaotic” just before 15:00.

Nobody had been arrested yet.

Paul Ncwane, the chairperson of the SA National Civic Organisation in the area said there were helicopters and police “Nyala” armoured vehicles, as well as police officers on foot in the area.

Angry people were moving around in groups and were splitting up to avoid the police and confuse them.

He said four other people had been killed, but police could not immediately confirm this.

He said the community had had enough of young boys “terrorising them”.

“We are trying to stop gangsters. Women and children are living in fear because of these boys,” he said.

He said groups were also blocking the Potchefstroom road and throwing rocks at cars.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The legal fees NPA prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach incurred trying to get her job reinstated were paid by the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR), the foundation said on Sunday.

“The CFCR… would like to confirm that it has been paying the litigation expenses of [Breytenbach], in her efforts to defend herself against disciplinary action that has been taken against her by her employer, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA),” it said in a statement.

The CFCR funded Breytenbach’s defence as part of its mission to promote and defend the Constitution and rule of law.

In April last year, Breytenbach was suspended and later faced a lengthy disciplinary hearing on 15 charges, including that she had not acted impartially when investigating a mining rights dispute involving Kumba Iron Ore and Kumba’s Sishen mine in the Northern Cape.

She was also accused of “improper relations” with Sishen’s lawyer Mike Hellens.

On 27 May, a NPA disciplinary hearing cleared her of all charges.

The following day, the NPA announced it would bring a court challenge against the ruling because it considered the findings “factually incorrect and legally unsustainable”.

Breytenbach was allowed to return to work, but after her return she found the NPA intended sending her to a different office.

She claimed that her suspension was related to her opposition to a decision to withdraw fraud and corruption charges against former police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli.

The FW de Klerk Foundation said that the CFCR sometimes took up cases for ordinary citizens where there were suspected breaches of constitutional rights.

The centre would assist by laying complaints with the SA Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector, or as a last resort, the CFCR sometimes approached the courts.

“Where appropriate – and within the scope of its limited means – [the CFCR] takes active steps to assist South Africans to claim their constitutional rights and to ensure that the state and all the institutions that it comprises, act in accordance with the Constitution.”

The CFCR took an interest in Breytenbach’s case because it also believed that her suspension was linked with the Mdluli matter.

“The CFCR had long been deeply concerned about the allegations of executive interference in the NPA.

“…The independence, integrity and professionalism of the NPA are absolutely essential for the preservation of the rule of law.”

The CFCR established a special litigation fund for Breytenbach’s legal expenses and other expenses that could arise from other cases of interest to the CFCR.

The fund had received “generous assistance”, the foundation said.

The Sunday Independent reported that billionaire businessman Nathan Kirsh, who was the complainant in a fraud case Breytenbach worked on in 1999, had made generous donations to Breytenbach’s defence.

The NPA was investigating the financial relationship between Kirsh and Breytenbach.

NPA spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke said: “The integrity management unit is investigating their financial relationship. One of the elements of the investigation is the legal fees paid by the FW de Klerk Foundation.”

According to the report, Kirsh said that he admired Breytenbach, but had made donations to the foundation for many years.

“What could Glynnis Breytenbach do for me? I have major businesses across the world. There is nothing that Glynnis Breytenbach can do for me,” he said.

SAPA

The management team of musician Khuli Chana notes with bemusement that the police are preparing to lay charges of attempted murder against him relating to last Monday’s incident.

According to reports, police have already filed these charges.

“For the record, Khuli is innocent of any crime and is the victim in this matter. It is indeed sad that the SAPS have sought to paint him as a perpetrator who was the author of his own misfortune” said a muso’s lawyer.

“It is indisputable that he was shot at seven times and that he committed no crime. Yet for the past week we have been fielding queries on baseless and disparaging claims that sought to besmirch his reputation, and in a clear attempt to cover-up the ineptitude of others” said Cliff Alexander.

According to Khulani Morule, Chana’s real name, the morning in question he was not speeding when exiting the garage and neither was he flagged down.

“We believe that, following the various probes into the matter, Khuli will be vindicated despite these attempts to disparage his name and reputation” said Alexander.

His lawyer, Cliff Alexander, says: “Whether or not Khuli was or wasn’t flagged down by unknown people still does not justify the SAPS having fired shots at him. They have certainly exceeded the bounds as contained in section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act”.

Khuli is currently recuperating following his harrowing ordeal.

He says the incident has irrevocably changed his life but he has full faith in the South African justice system which he knows will both protect and exonerate him.

He says: “All that went through my mind when I realised I was being shot at was who was going to raise my 3-month-old daughter? In that moment I really thought that I was going to die. I am currently still receiving medical treatment and have begun going for trauma counseling. I realise the need to get better, pick up the pieces of my life, recover from this traumatic ordeal and move on. On a positive note it’s made me appreciate life and family and drawn me closer to God.” Said Khuli Chana.-TDN

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Johannesburg – Talks between Co-operative Governance Minister Lechesa Tsenoli and Bekkersdal residents deadlocked on Sunday, the SABC reported.

According to the report, some community leaders walked out of the eight-hour meeting after their request to have the Westonaria municipality placed under administration was denied.

Tsenoli said: “Putting a municipality under administration requires that the provincial government must put support systems to that municipality, which is confronting problems.”

He said that the municipality was being offered support and that some of the residents’ grievances were provincial and national issues.

During the protests residents’ demands have included the removal of their mayor and local councillors.

Government properties have been vandalised and matric pupils taken out of schools to write their final exams elsewhere.

Protests were suspended last Sunday to allow government time to investigate residents’ grievances.

The SABC reported that the Auditor General’s office would probe allegations of corruption and maladministration in the Westonaria municipality.

SAPA