Johannesburg – Katerina Krejcirova, wife of Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, on Monday denied that she and her family had several false passports.

“I arrived in this country using my Seychelles passport,” she told the Palm Ridge Regional Court in Alberton.

“I travelled to Mauritius with my two sons, Daniel and Dennis, using that passport.”

Prosecutor Louis Mashiane asked Krejcirova why her surname differed from that of her husband, but was not reflected as such in her ID book.

She said when she arrived in the country in 2007 she explained to officials when she applied for an ID that the suffix “ova” had to be added, but was told that was not how things were done in the country.

Czech women typically take their husband’s surname when they marry and add the suffix “ova”, which means “belong to the family of”.

“I left the Krejcir name as it is because I gave up after trying to rectify it twice,” she said.

Krejcir and his co-accused Desai Luphondo, and Hawks warrant officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Jeff Nthoroane were applying for bail. They were arrested last month and face charges of assault, kidnapping and attempted murder.

False passports

Mashiane told Krejcirova on Monday that according to her Czech passport her name was Matilda Savi.

She denied this. Krejcir also carried the names Julius Egbet Savi on his passport when he first arrived in the country, Mashiane said.

When Krejcir opposed his extradition application in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, he indicated in his affidavit that he had arranged false passports for his wife and one son, Mashiane added.

Krejcirova said she did not know anything about that. She said she and her husband married in the Czech Republic in 1990.

She and her two sons flew directly to Mauritius on 21 November, and did not fly to Nigeria as stated by Mashiane earlier, she told the court.

The bail hearing continues.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela seems to be leaking reports to the media, the ANC Youth League said on Monday.

“Her modus operandi must be investigated by relevant law enforcement agencies, since she is not above the law,” said ANCYL spokesperson Bandile Masuku.

He said the way Madonsela had handled the investigation into President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, home compromised the outcome.

“It is not enough for her to distance herself from the leaked reports without taking any appropriate action against the media houses that continue to be the source of leaks.”

The Mail & Guardian reported on Friday that a leaked provisional report by Madonsela revealed Zuma had received substantial personal benefits from the multi-million rand upgrade to Nkandla.

While the government had stated that the upgrades were essential for Zuma’s security, the newspaper reported that the upgrade was found by Madonsela to include a swimming pool, visitors’ centre, amphitheatre, cattle kraal, marquee area, extensive paving, and new houses for relatives.

Madonsela’s spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi said on Friday it was unethical and unlawful to publish the public protector’s provisional reports.

“It violates section 7(2) of the Public Protector Act 23, 1994,” she said in a statement.

“As a rule, we do not comment on whatever purports to be a provisional report of the public protector, as those are not reports of the public protector.”

Masuku said Madonsela had compromised the office of the public protector.

“We, therefore, call for decisive action against her conduct, which leaves much to be desired,” he said.

He said the ANCYL wanted the outcome of the joint standing committee on intelligence committee (JSCI) to be implemented, particularly further investigation by the auditor general, the Special Investigating Unit and the police.

“We insist that recommendations of the JSCI were sufficient in dealing with corruption and any act of criminality that may have been found, mainly pointing to contractors that inflated prices for the security upgrade of Nkandla.”

The JSCI found, among other things, no evidence that the public works department paid for the construction of Zuma’s private houses.

– SAPA

The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) expressed concern on Monday over the arrest of the editor of The Informer community newspaper in the Eastern Cape.

Andile Nomabhunga, 45, who edits the publication in the Alfred Nzo district, was arrested for trespassing on 28 November and released the same day on a warning, Sanef said in a statement.

He would appear in the Matatiele Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Sanef chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela said Nomabhunga wrote a story about municipal manager Nontsikelelo Matubatuba’s alleged abuse of the municipal budget.

“The story claimed that Matubatuba had used funds from the municipal budget allocated for music talent development, to build a music studio in her home,” said Mkhabela.

Mkhabela said Nomabhunga went to Matubatuba’s house and took pictures in the studio and interviewed her before publishing the story.

“At no stage was there any suggestion that he was trespassing,” he said.

He was arrested in his office six days later.

Mkhabela said police were acting on a complaint which had no substance, and this appeared to be an attempt to harass and intimidate Nomabhunga for publishing a story that was in the public’s interest.

– SAPA

Five family members were found dead and two children were hospitalised after being poisoned on a farm near Bothaville on Monday, Free State police said.

A husband, two children, the wife and her sister were found lying in the house after a neighbour alerted police about their non-stop vomiting, police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said.

“Poison was found inside pots with food.”

Two children were taken to Nala Hospital in Bothaville.

The mother and father apparently had a fight on Friday when the 30-year-old man wanted to sleep with his wife’s 16-year-old sister.

Police opened a murder docket, said Thakeng.

– SAPA

The South African Men’s Under 20 National Team, Amajita, has arrived safely in Maseru where they will take part in the 2013 COSAFA Under 20 Youth Championships.

Amajita arrived in the Mountain Kingdom on Sunday afternoon (01 December 2013) to continue with preparations for the tournament.

In their opening match, South Africa will face Seychelles on Wednesday (4 December) at the Mafeteng Stadium.

Kick-off is at 14h00.

Amajita have been in camp for over a week where they played a few practice matches to get ready for the event. They defeated neighbours Botswana 2-1 in the last match before departing for Lesotho.

On their arrival, former Bafana Bafana captain and legend Lucas “Rhoo” Radebe greeted the South African youngsters.

The team was address by the Head of Delegation of South Africa Abel Ramoka and Radebe.

Radebe urged the players to dream big and give hundred percent commitment to the tournament.

“You have the world at your feet and this is an opportunity for you to shine,” said Radebe. “Nothing is impossible if you set your minds to achieving your goals.”

Amajita had their first official training session on Monday (02 December).

South Africa is in Group C along with the Seychelles, Zambia and Namibia.

Police arrested four men on Friday, 29 November 2013 for allegedly breaking into a clothing store in Phakamile Mabija Road in Kimberley. The Kimberley Police received a theft alarm complaint at approximately 02:30. Information about a white Nissan Tida that was allegedly involved in the alleged break in was followed up on. The suspects allegedly gained entrance to the premises by breaking a window.

The Kagisho police spotted the vehicle in Club 2000 and requested assistance from Flying Squad and the SAPS K9 unit. The suspects fled on foot and was arrested minutes later while hiding in a yard not far from where the Tida was parked. The Police found clothes to the value of R6000,00 and perfume to the value of R3000,00 in the motor vehicle. The police confiscated the vehicle as it was allegedly used in the commission of a crime.

“The Kimberley Cluster Commander, Major General Jean Abrahams commended the police for their superb and professional team work and thanked the community for their assistance in this regard.” The suspects are between the ages of 20 and 30 and should be appearing in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon. The investigation continues.

By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation in partnership with Mthakhathi Theatre will on 5th to 7th December 2013 stage to the community of Mmabatho/Mahikeng a musical production entitled ‘SPIRIT AND BONES” at Mmabana Head office, Studio 3.
Spirit and Bones is about traditional healers (sangoma) and has directed its focus on the negative perceptions people have of traditional healers. It shamelessly emphasises the role of traditional and cultural practices within our societies.
“It aims to re-direct communities on how they perceive traditional healers. It is believed that traditional healers are evil and unholy witch-doctors. The story is told through an amusing music, dance and drama” Lesego said.
The production is written and produced by Thapelo Motloung

Performance Schedule:
Date: 5th – 7th December 2013
Venue: Mmabana Head Office, Studio 3
Time: 19:00
Admin: R50 (sold at Mmabana Head Office)

For more information and bookings contact Lesego @ 018 384 4890.-TDN
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No queues at provincial hospitals should be the new standard for excellence, North West Premier Thandi Modise challenged provincial health authorities, hospital boards and health professionals at the MEC’S Health Awards held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on Friday.

“Access to quality health care if for us Wafa Wafa- a do or die. Though the province has been declared the best performing province in antiretrival and tuberculosis drug availability and is among the best in having reduced queues at its hospitals. we want a situation where there is no queue at all at our hospitals, ” emphasised Premier Modise.

The Premier announced that the province is moving towards piloting 24 hours Primary Health Care services at all its clinics in villages because South Africa must be equal everywhere.

In a stern message against corruption, Premier Modise said that her administration will unashamedly and unapologetically demand value for money.

In congratulating the nominees and winners, Premier Modise applauded the new initiatives for the establishment of maternity waiting homes, human milk banks, purchase of a helicopter ambulance, 10 obstetrics ambulances and 25 ambulances.

MEC for Health Dr Magome Masike said that the department is discouraging mediocrity at all costs and under the visionary leadership of Premier Modise, health as a priority of the ANC led government has improved in the province and achieved great milestones.

Masike reminded awards ceremony that it was under Premier Modise’s leadership that the province increased by a 1000% its recruitment of student for the Cuban doctors training programme from 10 per year to 182 and trained over a thousand nurses in the past two years.

Among the Infrastructure projects that MEC Masike highlighted to be under construction include the R500 million Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital outside Mahikeng, Extension of Witrand and Job Shimankana Tabane Provincial Hospitals and construction of new clinics in Mathibestat, Lekgophung, three Sekhing, Tweelingspan and Buxton in Taung.

Job Shimakana Tabane in Rustenburg was awarded the best performing provincial hospital in the province.

Taung Hospital scooped the best performing district hospital while its neighbour,the Reivilo Health Centre emerged as the winner in the best health performing centre category.

Bojanala District came tops as the best performing district with Lebotlwane Clinic winning the best performing clinic .Runners up in the best performing clinics category were Ga-Habedi and oukasie Clinics also from Bojanala.

The best performing Emergency Medical Rescue Service(EMRS) also went to Moretele EMRS from Bojanala District ,Mamusa EMRS in second place and Kgetleng EMRS also from Bojanala in third place.

The Provincial Medical Depot received recognition for ensuring drug availability across all health facilities in the province.

Tebogo Malelete from Madibeng EMRS in Bojanala District and Madimetja Mpya from Klerksdorp Excelsius College were among recipients of special awards.

Member of the National Essential Drugs List Committee, Professor KP Mokhobo from Potchefstroom Hospital was among the doctors who received the MEC’s Special Award.

Other doctors who received the award were Dr Theunis Gertse Kruger Oosthuizen from Witrand Hospital,Dr.Manuel Sanchez-Martinez and Dr.Binu Luke from Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex and Dr N.Mphothulo from Taung Hospital.

The best performing former CEO was scooped by Mr Cunninghan from Witrand Hospital.

The department’s Sports Organiser, Connie Ratseane, the Netball and Soccer teams also received recognition awards for winning provincial and nationally during the Public Service Games.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Environment Services in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Councillor Violet Molotsi said that while most awards went to Bojanala, the spread of the recipients represents the strive for excellence that is across the province.

The auspicious event was also graced by Member of Parliament serving on the Portfolio on Health, Morwesi Segale-Diswai.-TDN
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Although all health facilities in the North West province provide antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to close to 190 000 HIV positive persons and was earlier in the week declared the best performing province in availability of ARV and Tuberculosis drugs by the Stop Stocks Out survey, the key to conquering HIV and Aids and achieving zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths lies in people knowing their status, Premier Modise has asserted ahead of the Provincial World Aids Day Commemoration to be held as from 9:00 am in Moshana village near Zeerust today.

The provincial commemoration at which Premier Modise will deliver the keynote address will be observed under the theme: “Get Wise, Get Tested, Get Circumcised”.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of HIV is reduced by 60% if a man is circumcised.

World Aids Day is held each year as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show their support for people living with HIV and to reflect back on the strides taken in the multi-sectoral HIV, Aids and TB response.

Currently, South Africa has one of the largest HIV and Aids treatment programmes with 2.4 million people on treatment.

In the North West, 18.9% of the entire population is estimated to be HIV-infected while 30.2% of pregnant women live with the virus.

On Thursday the province opened its third medical male circumcision clinic at the Bafokeng Community Health Centre in Phokeng near Rustenburg as part of a provincial campaign to reduce the risk of HIV infection amongst men

The clinic will run in conjunction with the Centre for HIV and Aids Prevention Studies (CHAPS) and it will be able to perform over 200 circumcisions per week.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp-Twelve people were killed on the N12 last night when two taxis collided head on with each other.

Shortly after 20:00 paramedics from ER24 were called to the scene 20 kilometres outside of Klerksdorp on the Wolmaransstad road. 

“Upon their arrival they found several people strewn across the highway. It is believed that majority of the occupants were flung from the taxi when it was ripped open during the collision” Er24 Communication Manager Werner Vermaak.

Five children, ranging between one and six years, died on the scene. Seven adults were also declared dead. 

“Eight people sustained multiple injuries and had to be rushed off to a nearby hospital for further medical management. Two of the injured is in a critical condition” Vermaak said.

Paramedics on the scene explained that both drivers were killed in the incident. 

Bystanders explained that one of the taxis apparently overtook several vehicles before it collided head on with the other.

The road was closed for several hours while rescue workers and authorities attended the incident. The incident will be investigated.-TDN

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