Bloemfontein – The Free State Cheetahs obtained their first home victory in this year’s Currie Cup competition with a 40-20 win over Griquas, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Griquas had their first chance at points as early as the third minute after multiple phases by the visitors were disrupted illegally by the Cheetahs. Winger Nico Scheepers slotted the penalty to give his side the early lead.

The hosts had a couple of chances early on, but knock-ons and good defence by Griquas snubbed them of any early points. Finally the Cheetahs were rewarded when winger Riaan Smit kicked a penalty to draw the side’s level. It was not long, however, before Scheepers answered in kind to restore the visitors lead.

The Cheetahs started to play some good attacking rugby and progressed to five metres from Griquas goal line with a lineout. Flanker and captain Boom Prinsloo drove over from the resulting driving maul for an unconverted try.

The hosts went into half-time with the momentum on their side after winger Raymond Rhule scored two minutes before the break. Rhule was on the receiving end of prop Trevor Nyakane’s pass under pressure and went over for a converted try. The Cheetahs had the last say of the first half with Prinsloo scoring his second five pointer of the afternoon. Smit converted to give his side a half time lead of 22-5.

The Cheetahs scored their bonus point try as early as the 47th minute after flyhalf Elgar Watts beat the visitors defence to jot down. Watts converted his own try give his side a 23 point lead.

Griquas finally breached the hosts defence when winger Rocco Jansen scored an individual try shortly thereafter. Cheetahs lock Teboho Mohoje received a yellow card for a professional foul and the visitors crossed the line. Scheepers converted, but that still left his side with a deficit of 16 points.

With 20 minutes to go, Watts settled things down with a penalty, but Griquas scored their second try of the afternoon via Australian lock Rory Arnold. Shortly after Arnold was red card for biting, but the try stood with Scheepers adding two the points.

The momentum however remained with hosts, with Watts kicking another penalty and replacement scrumhalf Kevin Luiters scoring on the final whistle.

Scorers: 

Free State Cheetahs: 

Tries: Boom Prinsloo (2), Raymond Rhule, Elgar Watts, Kevin Luiters

Conversions: Riaan Smit (2), Watts

Penalties: Smit, Watts (2)

Griquas:

Tries: Rocco Jansen, Rory Arnold

Conversions: Nico Scheepers (2)

Penalties: Scheepers (2)

Teams

Free State Cheetahs:

15  Hennie Daniller, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Boom Prinsloo (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Teboho Mohoje, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 16 Wian du Preez, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Kevin Luiters, 21 Willie du Plessis, 22 Piet Lindeque

Griquas:

15 PJ Vermeulen, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 JP Nel, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Leon Karemaker, 7 Burger Schoeman, 6 Carel Greeff, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Ryno Barnes (captain), 1 Steph Roberts

Substitutes: 16 Matthew Dobson, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Patrick O’Brien, 19 Marnus Schoeman, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Du Randt Gerber, 22 Richard Lawson

SAPA

Platinum Stars secured their first Absa Premiership victory of the season with a comfortable 2-1 win over newly-promoted Polokwane City at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday.

It stretches the side’s unbeaten start to the new PSL season to five games in all competitions, and was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests.

Siphelele Mthembu and Robert Ng’ambi scored either side of halftime to put Dikwena into the ascendancy, but Issa Sarr scored an own goal in the dying minutes to give City hope.

Dikwena gave a debut to Senegalese midfielder Sarr, but otherwise stuck with the same line-up that has done duty for much of the campaign so far.

The home side made a bright start, using the width of the pitch to get behind the City defence.

Mogakolodi Ngele, Ng’ambi and Mthembu all had opportunities to shoot at goal, but were thwarted by veteran Botswana stopper Modiri Marumo

They played some lovely football up to the final third, but also battled with a final ball.

Mthmebu was a constant threat though with his movement and anticipation, and it was he who broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first half.

A high ball into the box was headed on by Ngele and Mthembu latched onto the ball, before crashing a shot in off the post. It was a thoroughly deserved halftime lead for Dikwena.

Ng’ambi almost almost scored a spectacular second five minutes after the break when he let fly from 35-yards, but his effort rebounded out off the post.

It was 2-0 on 55 minutes and it was Malawian international Ng’ambi who got it. He beat the offside trap and raced through on goal, showing great composure to place the ball past an on-rushing Marumo in the visitors’ goal.

The home team continued to dominate, but could not add to their tally, and it was City who got the third goal of the afternoon when the unfortunate Sarr steered the ball into his own net.

Next up for Platinum Stars is a an away trip to Free State Stars on September 14, while Polokwane City host Lamontville Golden Arrows a day later.

For more http://www.psl.co.za

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A fantastic second half strike by Dove Wome ensured Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Arrows dominated the first half with some fluidity to their play, but fatigue got the better of them as they couldn’t prevent Wome’s unstoppable curling 59th minute goal.

It wasn’t the start Pitso Mosimane would have wanted from his side, as Golden Arrows threatened from the first kick of the game. The home side worked the ball into the box and Sundowns needed Kennedy Mweene to rush off his line in order to block the ball away from Bongi Ntuli.

Just two minutes later, and at the other end of the park, Siya Mngoma got the slightest touch to fend off Khama Billiat’s tap-in, directing it narrowly past the far post.

Arrows were doing well to create some space for themselves and it was Lucky Nguzana who went on a long run before unleashing a long-range snap-shot, in the 15th minute, but it went wide of goal.

Manqoba Mngqithi’s plan was all about putting pressure on Sundowns’ full-backs and it was working effectively as the Brazilians were forced to samba their own way out of trouble.

Then in the 26th minute, Gift Sithole made a crucial interception on Billiat’s ball in the box, before the Zimbabwe was denied a penalty after being tackled just inside the box.

Instead, a free-kick was given and Teko Modise just fired it over the frame of the goal on the stroke of the half hour.

Another questionable decision wasn’t given by the referee, this time it was to Arrows, after Rashid Sumalia brought down Nguzana in the box, three minutes before the break.

Like the start to the first half, there was immediate goalmouth action at the commencement of the second period. This time it was Mngoma making the save as he used his body to block Dove Wome’s strike.

Ntuli and Dumisani Swane continued to threaten with their deadly combinations, before Mngoma made a fantastic save in the 55th minute to deny Bongani Zungu.

But Sundowns got their breakthrough just minutes later, when Wome latched onto a Billiat pass just inside the box. The striker switched feet before turning on the ball and firing into the top right corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Cuthbert Malajila was denied in the 67th minute by Mngoma, but there was no more goals to be added to the scoreline as Sundowns claimed the three points.

Sundowns’ victory leaves Arrows still on one point out of three games, while Sundowns will move onto seven points.

Golden Arrows 0

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Wome 59’)

Teams:

Golden Arrows: Mngoma, Sithole, Tom, Zwane S, Mngwengwe, Zwane D, Shange, Ntombayithethi, Khuboni (Hleleni 45’), Ntuli (Wadabwa 67’), Nguzana (Qalanto 65’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Mashaba, Schut, Moon, Malajila, Wome (Monama 84’), Kekana, Modise (Kumalo 78’), Zungu (Mashego 92’), Billiat, Sumaila

Source: http://www.psl.co.za

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The appointment of Major General Bethuel Mondli Zuma as Gauteng’s top cop has been withdrawn – mere hours after the appointment was announced this morning.

In a statement, the police say Zuma had failed to comply with a directive to declare any pending criminal investigation against them.

Said National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega in a statement: “I became aware of the court charges against Major General Zuma just after the media briefing today. I immediately met with him to establish the facts. He confirmed that indeed he has appeared several times in court since 2008 when the matter was first heard. He will be appearing again next month, during September 2013.

“It is clear that, in line with this policy, Major General Zuma failed to comply with the provisions of the instruction. I have therefore taken a firm decision to permanently withdraw his appointment.”

Phiyega said Zuma would face disciplinary steps.

“I am sad and disappointed in Major General Zuma,” she said.

For more http://www.citypress.co.za

JOHANNESBURG – National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega is expected to issue a statement soon on her appointment of Bethuel Zuma as Gauteng’s new police commissioner despite him facing criminal charges.

Zuma was appointed at a special briefing in Pretoria today. He takes over from Mzwandile Petros, whose last day as provincial commissioner is today. Zuma was reportedly arrested in Pietermaritzburg in September 2008 for alleged drunk driving, not stopping at a road block and refusing to allow traffic officials to test the level of alcohol in his blood. He appeared in court shortly after his arrest and since then, the case has been withdrawn and reinstated on several occasions. Phiyega appeared shocked and said she was only made aware of the pending case after she made the appointment.

“This is a 2008 matter. He says he has been to court over and over again where proceedings have been withdrawn and restarted.” She said it’s still unclear which charges he faces but office is looking into the matter and will issue a statement later this afternoon. Phiyega also confirmed the new commissioner is not related to President Jacob Zuma. Phiyega thanked Petros for his service and said he is the “epitome of a professional police officer”. Petros announced his retirement earlier this month. He was appointed to the role of Gauteng police commissioner in 2010. He also served as Western Cape police commissioner for seven years. Phiyega said Petros has agreed to stay with the police for a year. He will be in charge of special projects. ‘CHANGES IN THE INTEREST OF THE POLICE’ Phiyega also announced a number of other appointments including new provincial commissioners for Limpopo and the Free State. Lt-Gen Simon Mpembe has moved from his previous role as Limpopo commissioner and is now provincial commissioner of the Free State. Lt-Gen Sehlahle Masemola has taken his place as the new Limpopo commissioner. Phiyega also announced the appointment of three new national deputy commissioners. The new national deputy who will be placed in charge of operations is Lt-Gen Kehla Sithole, Lt-Gen Stefanus Schutte will head resource management, finance administration procurement and technology management, and Lt-Gen Christabel Mbekela has been placed in charge of corporate service management. Phiyega said the changes she has introduced are not about individuals but rather about the interests of the police. “By introducing integrity management in the South African Police Service we will be contributing to the national fight against corruption.” www-ewn.co.za

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Johannesburg – Political parties on Saturday welcomed the appointment of Mxolisi Nxasana as the new national director of public prosecutions and Vasantrai Soni as the new head the Special Investigating Unit.

The Congress of the People welcomed the appointments but said President Jacob Zuma should have made the appointments sooner because the credibility of both institutions were placed under immense pressure to remain relevant.

“We can however not condone the fact that an order by the Constitutional Court had to be the final nail in the coffin to force Zuma to stick to the constitutional obligations bestowed on his office in terms of these appointments,” spokesperson Johann Abrie said in a statement.

“It appears as if our president will remain aloof to the imperatives of the constitution which might have an impact on his dodgy accent to power, unless ordered to do otherwise by the courts of the land.”

He said Cope was not able to pass judgement on the suitability of Nxasana and Soni to satisfy the “constitutional demand” and whether they were suitable for their new positions.

The party congratulated Nxasana and Soni on their appointments.

“[Cope] wishes to see that the filling of these long overdue permanent positions will go some way to recover the unnecessary lapse of public confidence in these institutions,” Abrie said.

The National Freedom Party said Nxasana would bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the legal background to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“The NFP hopes that Mr Nxasana will use his skills to bring about stability and integrity in the NPA,” secretary general Nhlanhla Khubisa said in a statement.

“The NFP was worried about the previous instability that this important organisation underwent in the past.”

On Friday, Zuma announced the appointments in a statement.

“Mr Nxasana currently practises as an attorney with a wealth of experience in criminal litigation, coupled with his having occupied senior positions in the legal profession including the chairpersonship of the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society,” Zuma said at the time.

“Advocate Soni is a senior counsel with some 25 years experience and played a crucial role as chief evidence leader in the Jali Commission of Inquiry into corruption in prisons in South Africa.”

A third appointment was that of Sophy Moipone Dinah Noko, as director of public prosecutions of the jurisdictional area of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court.

SAPA

Pretoria – Lieutenant General Bethuel Zuma has been appointed Gauteng provincial police commissioner, national commissioner Riah Phiyega said on Saturday.

“Lieutenant General Zuma has 20 years experience as a policeman,” Phiyega told reporters in Pretoria.

“He worked his ranks up in the police from constable to major general.”

Zuma would replace Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros, whose last day as provincial commissioner was Saturday.

He was not related to President Jacob Zuma.

“I wish to also take this opportunity to thank Lieutenant General Petros for being a loyal servant of the service,” Phiyega said.

“He is the epitome of a professional police officer.”

She said Petros had agreed to stay with the police for a year.

“We have been engaged in discussions about his future role in the police.

“He indicated his desire to move on and pursue other interests. I have tried hard to ensure that his skills are not lost to the SAPS [SA Police Service].

He has kindly agreed to stay on until the end of this year to focus on a number of special projects,” she said.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The Farlam Commission of Inquiry will in future provide live streaming of its proceedings through the internet.

“The commission, in partnership with the SABC, will provide the commission proceedings in isiXhosa, Setswana, and Xitsonga,” spokesperson Tshepo Mahlangu said in statement on Friday.

“This service enables viewers around the world to follow the commission’s proceedings live as they happen.”

Until Friday the commission had been providing live streaming of the commission’s proceedings through the SABC News YouTube channel.

This was done in the languages used in the commission’s proceedings.

“The commission is grateful to the SABC for its assistance in this process and hopes the public will utilise this service and take advantage of the access the commission is providing to those interested in its work,” Mahlangu said.

The commission, sitting in Centurion, is investigating the deaths of 44 people in strike-related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana, in North West, last August.

Police shot dead 34 people, almost all of them striking mineworkers, on 16 August.

Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in the preceding week.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The presidency denied reports on Saturday that former president Nelson Mandela had been discharged from a Pretoria hospital.

“The presidency has noted incorrect media reports that former president Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“Madiba is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition. At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions.”

Maharaj was responding to various reports from the international media that the 95-year-old elder statesman was discharged from the Medi-Clinic Heart hospital in Pretoria in the early hours of Saturday morning and returned to his Johannesburg home.

Sky News reported Mandela had a “hospital ward” in his house so his team of doctors would be able to monitor him around the clock.

The British news channel said it had spoken to one of Mandela’s daughters who did not want to be named.

BBC News also reported Mandela had been discharged from hospital.

On 24 August, the presidency said Mandela remained in a critical but stable condition but at times became unstable.

“While at times, his condition becomes unstable, the doctors indicate that the former president has demonstrated great resilience and his condition tends to stabilise as a result of medical interventions,” Maharaj said at the time.

He said doctors were working hard to effect a turnaround, improve Mandela’s health and keep him comfortable.

On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma said Mandela remained in a stable but critical condition in hospital.

Mandela is being treated for a recurring lung infection. He was admitted to hospital on 8 June this year.

SAPA

Education and skills development are the most powerful tools we can use to tackle the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality. North West Premier Modise told delegates attending the National Skills Authority (NSA) Provincial Consultative Workshop in Cookes Lake, Mahikeng on Friday.

Premier Modise said that skills development is not just about improving productivity in the workplace but it is also about improving the quality of life of workers, in terms of job prospects and their mobility.

“The New Growth Path identifies skills shortages, poor quality of education and training as some of the major constraints that need to be addressed to realise its objectives. High levels of education and training with relevant skills that talk to the time and need of that population are also critical if we are to address the challenges of poverty and inequality in our country,” said Premier Modise.

Modise announced that plans were afoot to establish the Provincial Skills Development Forum and the Provincial Human Resource Development Council which she will personally spearhead. She also declared that her administration will establish the Provincial Public Service Academy before the end of the year to ensure that there is integration in implementing skills development in all sectors within the Province. 

Outlining the purpose of the consultative workshop, Mr Manene Samela of the National Skills Authority (NSA) said the workshop is intended as a viable platform to deepen partnership with various stakeholders including business, government, community and labour organisations.

“We are here today to respond to the critical call of shaping the anticipated post school landscape in higher education and training whilst ensuring effective implementation of the NSDS III, and provisioning of quality service to our people’” said Samela.

He said the consultative workshop provides a good opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on the national skills development strategy and examine prospects and challenges facing the province with regard to post school education and training needs.

“We have already completed the second year of implementation since the launch of the NSDS III and it is important to evaluate progress thus far. It is against this background that you are engaged as the province to share your achievements and challenges in the implementation of this revolutionary strategy,” said Samela adding that skills development should essentially benefit the unemployed, underemployed and vulnerable groups.

Speaking on behalf of the North West Business Forum, Kelebogile McHarvey Seboka said it was worrying that South Africa has a high rate of unemployment especially when compared to other BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries.  

He attributed this problem to the fact that South Africa tends to focus on employment in the formal sector as opposed to trends other countries were the focus is diverse. He decried the caliber of students that graduate from our Institutions of High Learning, saying that our schooling system tends to produce graduates who are not employable or who are not immediately productive economically.

 “Business would like to see Institutions of higher learning beginning to observe industry requirements and providing the caliber of graduates that will match the need of business. Where possible business will want to have a data base of those skills that our members can help develop, those that need experiential learning so that we mobilize our members to grant them space to learn,” said Seboka.

Kopano Konopi of COSATU, who also addressed delegates, cautioned that South Africa was one of the most unequal societies in the world especially in terms of wage disparities. He said any kind of skills development should endeavour to close such a gap.

In their recommendations, delegates highlighted, among others, the need for more SMME oriented systems of skills development that would encourage job creation instead of producing a cohort of job seekers. It was further recommended that Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing sectors be prioritised in the Province.

In his closing remarks, NSA Board Member Mr. Percy Mongalo advised the province to convene a follow up workshop that will delve deeper into some of the challenges and map out a strategy to address them.