Johannesburg – The South African National Defence Force on Saturday ordered soldiers on leave to report back for duty to provide support for Nelson Mandela’s mourning and funeral activities.

The “urgent message” was issued by the South African National Defence Force recalling all soldiers in units that have been assigned support duties.

“Members must report back to their units, bases or stations by at the latest 12 o’ clock midnight on 7 December 2013,” the defence force said in a statement.

State funeral

The government has declared a state funeral and week of mourning with multiple events expected to draw masses of people to the streets and leaders from around the world.

Department of defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini told AFP that across the board logistics support would be provided.

“It’s a range of things that the defence force will be supporting from dignitaries to parades,” Dlamini said.

“This is a category-one funeral, so there will be a lot of activities that involve the defence force,” he added.

Security is a police responsibility, with the defence force providing support.

Forces will deploy at airports, the seat of government where Mandela’s body will lie in state, and his childhood village Qunu, where he will be buried.

Statesmen such as US President Barack Obama will attend memorial events.

On Tuesday, an official memorial will take place in Johannesburg. This will be followed by three days during which Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria and his body will be driven publicly through the city to the seat of government.

Finally, Mandela will be laid to rest next Sunday in Qunu, his rural childhood village.

– Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.

– Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

– AFP

Johannesburg – People can pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela in Thokoza Park, in Soweto, and at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) and Lead SA said on Saturday.

Thokoza Park was where Mandela planted an indigenous tree and unveiled a mural as part of his 90th birthday celebrations with the people of Soweto, they said.

At Zoo Lake, a memorial would be erected on Saturday as part of the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

This would take the form of a wreath bearing an image of Mandela, and it was hoped residents would lay their own wreaths and messages of support there.

Mandela died at the age of 95 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night, and will be buried in his hometown of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, next Sunday.
– Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.

– Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – People from around the world visited former president Nelson Mandela’s home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Saturday to bid him farewell.

Seung-Hoon Cheon, a journalist from South Korea, arrived in the country on Saturday to report on his death.

“Since Mandela’s passing on Thursday I have written so many articles because my country is deeply affected by his death,” Cheon said.

“Like South Africa, our country has also faced difficulties. Mandela has been an inspiration to the people of South Korea.”

A family from the Ivory Coast and now living in Kempton Park, on the East Rand, also arrived to say their goodbyes to Mandela.

Holding a South African flag, they placed a bouquet of flowers next to a picture of him.

“Our country faced many difficulties, but Mandela had opened the door to us and we made South Africa our home,” said Williams Kouane.

“Because he had done this, we now live a stable, peaceful life. He truly was the father of Africa,” he said.

Mandela died in Johannesburg, on Thursday night, and will be buried in his hometown of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, next Sunday.
– Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.

– Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The remains of former president Nelson Mandela are being prepared to lie in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria next week, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Saturday.

“As we speak today, president Mandela’s body is being prepared by the military health service of the SA National Defence Force to lie in state… from Wednesday, 11 December, to Friday, 13 December,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.

“While this is happening, work is under way at critical venues such as the Union Buildings, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Mthatha and Qunu in the Eastern Cape, and at ports of entry, to prepare for the events related to the state funeral.”

Access to all official state events surrounding former president Nelson Mandela would be controlled.

“The public is advised that all venues – the Mandela house, FNB Stadium, the Union Buildings – will be cordoned off and access will be controlled,” he said.

All key areas would be managed by law enforcement.

Limited space

Chabane said the national government was in consultation with provinces to ensure that people from around the country attended the memorial service at the FNB Stadium, in Johannesburg, on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, we can never get an unlimited space [for the memorial],” he said.

“We can’t tell people not to come to the memorial service.”

He said the event would be broadcast live.

Chabane urged the public to watch the memorial from “alternative viewing areas”.

He said the event would take place during the day on Tuesday, and that the general public would not need accreditation to attend the service.

Several major roads around the FNB Stadium would be closed for the service. They were: the N1 Highway and Rand Show Road, the N1 and Soweto Highway, the N1 and 17, the N1 and Nasrec offramp, Greenwood Road and Booysens Reserve, and Nasrec and Main Reef Roads.

A number of visiting heads of state would attend the event, but Chabane could not say who or how many.

He said people who wanted to attend the lying in state of Mandela at the Union Buildings amphitheatre would be shuttled there from two venues in Tshwane.

“Only mourners who report to these venues will be allowed to visit the Union Buildings and view the remains,” Chabane said.

‘No cameras or cellphones allowed’

“Mourners are advised that cameras, including cellphones, will not be allowed at the Union Buildings.”

There would be a public procession through the streets of Pretoria on each day that Mandela’s remains were transported between 1 Military Hospital and the Union Buildings.

“Government invites mourners to line this route and form a public guard of honour for Tata Madiba when the remains are transported,” Chabane said.

“We call on members of the public to co-operate with the authorities to ensure that this event is dignified and secure.”

Chabane said it was not certain “at the moment” whether Mandela’s casket would be open or closed.

Next Saturday, Mandela’s remains would be transported to the Eastern Cape from the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria.

On the same day, a procession would take place from Mthatha to Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.

The state funeral will take place in Qunu next Sunday.

“It [the funeral] is basically run by the national defence force, but at the same time we have to take into account the issues we have to deal with, like our culture, the history of our country and the person we are dealing with,” he said.

“Therefore, it might not comply exactly… to what is supposed to happen [in a state funeral].”

He said the times and details of the events would be released later.

Chabane’s briefing was the first in a series of updates that would be given by an inter-ministerial committee responsible for the events.

“Throughout this process, the government will be in close contact with the Mandela family to ensure that all events conform to the family’s wishes and are culturally compliant,” he said.

“They [the family] are fine. We know it is a difficult period, and we understand the challenges they are facing.”
-SAPA

Pic:(By Obakeng Maje)
The North West Provincial Government has distributed condolence books to provincial government departments, the provincial legislature, provincial house of traditional leaders and municipalities for members of the public to write their message of condolences to the Mandela Family, Premier Thandi Modise said on Saturday.

Premier Modise and other provincial leaders will be among the first to sign the condolence book to be available at the provincial prayer service to be held tomorrow as from 10:00 am at the Matlosana Auditorium in Klerksdorp.

Modise said that members of the public could visit various institutions as from Monday to write their condolence messages.

The Premier has urged communities to observe the national day of prayer and reflection on the life of former President Nelson Mandela at their various places of worship, in their homes, workplaces and wherever they will be.

“The prayers that our people offered when our former President was in hospital not only strengthened his fighting spirit but also served to unite us. We need that unity as we mourn and celebrate the life of the world’s greatest freedom fighter, unifier and father of our nation with dignity, respect and honour,” said Modise.

She added that a fitting tribute to former President Nelson Mandela would be to advance the unity and reconciliation that his life epitomized.

The Provincial memorial service is to be held at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney on Thursday as from 2pm.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Griekwastad- Georgina Precious Rooibaatjie,33 was found guilty in the Northern Cape High court for the murder of her new born baby, police said.
In September 2011, the accused was at her home in Matlhomola Township in Griekwastad when she gave birth to a baby boy. She put the infant in a full bucket of water with the intention of drowning him.
“She thereafter took the baby out of the water and once again tried to kill him by flushing him down the toilet. When all her attempts failed, she placed the infant in a plastic bag and shoved him under her bed” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

On the 4 September 2011, the Griekwastad police followed up on information relating to a nasty odour coming from the house. Upon further investigation, police found the badly decomposed baby under the bed. Post mortem revealed that the child died of multiple injuries and not of the drowning.

“The accused was released and was warned to appear for the sentencing on the 5 December 2013. She was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment of which 4 years was suspended. She will effectively serve 8 years in prison’ Kock said.

Kock said the SAPS in the Northern Cape welcome the sentencing.
“Sentences such as these, augurs very well for the police because it shows that through dedication and relentless pursuit, our war against crimes against women and children can be won” he outlines.-TDN
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The South African U20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) has arrived safely in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where they will take on the hosts in the second round, first leg FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Saturday, 7 December.

Kick-off is at 16h00 in Tanzania (15h00 SA Time).

Two spots are up for grabs on the continent for the 2014 edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup to be staged in Canada from 5-24 August. The third and final round of the continental qualifiers will be played in January 2014.

Basetsana head coach, Sheryl Botes has described the mood in camp as encouraging and said her players were raring to go against Tanzania having progressed to the second round on a 7-3 aggregate over Botswana.

“We arrived safely in Tanzania in the afternoon and are prepped up ahead of the first leg against Tanzania. We will have our final training session at the National Stadium this afternoon and work on the finishing touches.

“The girls have all worked hard this week and we need to go out there and knock in as many goals to put us at an advantage when we play the return leg on the 21st,” said Botes.

Upon hearing the news of the passing of former statesman, Tata Nelson Mandela, Botes said they were heartbroken.

“We were heartbroken upon receiving news about the death of Madiba, but we will draw strength from all the works he did to unite us as a nation. We will play this game in his honour and may his soul rest in peace,” said Botes.

The South Africans return on Sunday, 8 December 2013.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- The South African Police Service welcomes the murder and house-breaking sentencing that was handed down to a 24 year-old Douglas man on 5 December 2013, Northern Cape police said.

Selvin Ricardean Kilanie was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, 25 years for the murder of Victor Edward Pieterse(21) and 10 years for house breaking with the intention to steal. The incident took place in Breipal, Douglas on the 23 March 2013 at approximately 01:00.

“The 21 year-old deceased and his mother, 52 were watching television when both of them fell asleep in the lounge. The accused (a next door neighbour) gained entrance through a window and stabbed the deceased three times in his neck, face and back. The mother and the victim jumped up and fled for help” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.
Kock said the victim collapsed and died on the front stoep while his mother sought help from a neighbour.

The suspect who is known to the complainant was arrested on the same day. The accused pleaded not guilty in court and denied his involvement in the incident.
“The police linked the accused with his finger-prints which was found on the scene and DNA from the bloodstains of the deceased which was found on the t-shirt he was wearing on the night of the incident” Kock said.

“The Kimberley Cluster Commander, Major General Jean Abrahams lauds Detective Sgt Calvin Botha and Detective Capt James Oliphant for a brilliant job done, which ensured that no impunity is granted to the criminal of this senseless crime.” Concludes Kock.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Sannieshof- The shortage of potable water to Sannieshof residents is declining to such an extent it has become a disaster.

Despite a severe drought aggravating the crisis, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality as well as the Tswaing Local Municipality failed to implement disaster management procedures to the residents in Sannieshof, Agisanang and Pelhindaba, DA said.

DA said residents are facing inhumane conditions and the infringement of their Constitutional Human Rights on a daily basis.

“It was reported that several children, aged people and the terminally ill are regularly treated for dehydration by the clinics. Indigent mothers complain that the milk formula received for their babies cannot be prepared due to the lack of water” DA Tiaan Kotze said.
According to DA, the water management service level agreement between the Tswaing Local Municipality (Water Services Authority) and the District is failing the consumer.

Kotze said that bulk water supply is 8X less than consumer demand resulting in limited availability of potable water for extended periods at a time often causing severe dehydration of citizens.

“Officials responsible for bulk water management neglect their duties that is supposed to ensure water supply at certain hours to the almost 30 000 citizens. Ten weeks ago five boreholes were drilled. The District failed to install pumps and connect water to the pipelines during this period” said Kotze.

He said furthermore, a recent refurbishment program of the district where all boreholes were fitted with smaller pumps caused an even greater bulk water shortage than before.
The DA believes that all citizens should have access to potable water and that municipalities should prioritize service delivery to an acceptable level to sustain the community, says Kotze.

Bad water management currently lead to 11 of the 15 Wards in Tswaing with serious bulk water shortages, in as much that all clinics, the business sector and ordinary life are negatively affected.

“The Tswaing DA Caucus will again write to the MEC of Local Government & Traditional Affairs and NW Premier Thandi Modise for urgent intervention in the water supply of the areas short of potable water” concludes DA Tiaan Kotze.-TDN
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