Johannesburg – The SA National Defence Force denied on Tuesday reports that its soldiers were engaged in combat with rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“The SANDF wishes to categorically state that our members in DRC have not been engaged in any battle with the rebels'” spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said.

“Over the past 36 hours there have been various reports coming through various sources and we would like to put it on record that there have been no SANDF engagements in the eastern DRC with rebels.”

The Times Live website reported on Tuesday that soldiers of the Six SA Infantry Battalion had been deployed in the DRC in a United Nations “intervention brigade” and were in the middle of a “very intense firefight”.

It reported that the brigade consisted of 2 069 soldiers, of whom 850 were South African, and fell under the authority of the UN’s broader 19 000-strong Monusco peacekeeping mission in the Congo.

According to the report, Lieutenant Colonel Felix Prosper Basse, a spokesperson for the Monusco force, said on Monday that the South Africans were ”in the middle” of the fierce fighting around Goma, the provincial capital.

“The [Monusco] operational base in Monigi has always been a South African base. It is on a hill dominating Goma,” said Basse.

The South African troops were reportedly involved in two other clashes in the past week, sparked when another rebel group, the Mai Mai, attacked a nearby M23 base.

However, on Tuesday news agency Agence France-Presse reported that the brigade, which comprised troops from Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, were expected to be active within the next few weeks.

Dlamini requested the media to stop “speculating” about what was happening in the eastern DRC and try and get factual information.

“Reports on the ground indicate that Sunday/Monday’s attacks by the government troops on positions of the M23 at Mutaho near Goma were predetermined,” he said.

“The FARDC [government troops] employed various capabilities and succeeded to dislocate the M23 from Mutaho. The SANDF was not in any way affected by the clash between government forces and M23.”

He said the SANDF consistently indicated that it had not engaged any rebel forces in the DRC.

– SAPA

Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu must investigate corruption allegations involving high-level police officers, trade union Solidarity said on Tuesday.

“We call on minister Sisulu to make this matter the first assignment for her department’s new anti-corruption bureau,” spokesperson Johan Kruger said in a statement.

“Such a step would confirm that Minister Sisulu is indeed serious about clamping down on corruption.”

Solidarity said it had written to Sisulu asking her to probe the matter.

This was after weekend reports that Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, former national police commissioner Bheki Cele, and senior generals had known about the existence of evidence showing rampant fraud, corruption, and looting of the police’s crime intelligence secret fund for years. However, nothing reportedly had been done.

City Press reported on Sunday that the claim was made in a dossier before the Labour Court as part of a former police auditor’s battle with the SA Police Service.

The newspaper said it was in possession of secret reports and official documents in which Colonel Johan Roos, the head of inspection and evaluation of the crime intelligence unit, asked the court to force police to promote him to brigadier and reinstate him as an auditor.

The documents reportedly detailed how Roos had since 2004 reported the fund’s alleged looting to his superiors in an effort to stop it.

Mthethwa’s spokesperson, Zweli Mnisi, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday but told City Press that the minister dismissed any allegations of a cover-up and that the matter was before the court and was therefore sub judice.

Solidarity said it was representing Roos in a discrimination case in the Labour Court in Johannesburg.

“The information that came to light over the weekend is a central part of the case,” Kruger said.

“Although Solidarity can assist Roos only in so far as the labour dispute is concerned, no stone should be left unturned to thoroughly investigate the allegations of corruption that has gone unpunished.”

He said the labour court case was at an advanced stage and a trial date was expected soon.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-North West police a looking for unknown suspects who bombed two ATMs in Rustenburg on Tuesday.

Police opened a case of ATMs bombing and attempted murder after a 42 year-old man was shot at by fleeing ATMs bombers.

The incident took place at East End,in Rustenburg on Tuesday said Pelonomi Makau.

“Police launched a case of ATMs bombing and attempted murder. A man was allegedly leaving a filling station when unknown suspects in a white BMW shot at him” Pelonomi Makau said.

He suffered a bullet wound in his leg and was rushed to a local hospital for medical attention.

Police were summoned to the crime scene, but allegedly found suspects already gone. 

“The ATMs were badly damaged and police could not determined the amount of money stolen yet” she said.

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-North West woman appeared before Mmabatho Magistrate Court for alleged theft,corruption and fraud.

Dineo Molete was arrested a month ago after she allegedly stole Absa client’s money under false pretext.

Police said Molete was masquerading as a Absa Bank employee.

“She was allegedly wearing a t-shirt depicted with Absa Bank logo. Molete allegedly targeted clients who were doing bulk depositing” police said.

She allegedly took one of the client to “her” office pretending to help him with transaction.

“Molete allegedly left the client in the office and took the money with her. After sometime the victim suspects something was wrong after Molete failed to return” said police.

A man ran outside the bank and noticed his alleged robber.

He chased her and grabbed her, where he found his cash in Molete’s possession.

She was subsequently arrested and according to preliminary investigations, Molete has pending fraud and corruption cases leveled against her in Gaunteng province.

The case was postponed yesterday to next week and she was remanded in custody.

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Two mob justice murder accused remanded in jail by Kagisano-Molopo today.

Sopasa and Itumeleng Molefe, believed to be ring leaders appeared briefly before Mmabatho Magistrate Court for alleged murder of Boikie Molefe.

Molefe was allegedly murder by mob justice in Mahikeng.

Other six people were arrested and were subsequently granted bail of R1000 each.

Thw case will resume back in court on 23 July 2013 for formal bail application.

Boikie Molefe was allegedly stoned to death after he stabbed his girlfriend to death and was chased by community members.

“They allegedly held him and dragged him back to the crime scen where he was killed” North West police said.

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FIFA President Sepp Blatter has sent his condolences to the South African Football Association (SAFA) following the passing away of nine players in a car accident in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, 7 July 2013.

All the players are from the Inkwanca Local Football Association (LFA) in the Chris Hani region. Five of the players were laid to rest over the last weekend in Queenstown while the remaining four will be buried this coming weekend. 

“I would like to express my deepest condolences on hearing of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of nine amateur players travelling back from a game in Queenstown last week. It is so sad that the players should lose their lives at such a young age and whilst taking part in the game they love, football,” read part of the statement from President Blatter to SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.

“On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the players’ families, friends and loved ones. We would hope that, in some way, these words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness,” concluded the statement.

The four players who will be laid to rest on Saturday, 20 July are Xola Ngema, Welile Mbhuti, Mpumezo Ntamehlo and Thembinkosi Bushula.

Anele Ntenetyana, Mzwandile Kovi, Justice April and Sakhile Mjonto were buried last Saturday, 13 July, while Abongile Msweli was laid to rest on Sunday, 14 July.

The bail application of nine police officers implicated in the death of Daveyton taxi driver Mido Macia was postponed by the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that alternative addresses for the accused still needed to be verified.

The matter was postponed to July 30.

Macia was filmed being tied to the back of a police van and dragged along a street in Daveyton on February 26.

Police had confronted him because his taxi was apparently blocking traffic. A scuffle ensued. He was found dead in the local police station’s holding cells several hours later.

The accused are Thamsanqa Ncema, 35, Linda Sololo, 56, Meshack Malele, 45, Motome Walter Ramatlou, 37, Percy Mnisi, 26, Bongumusa Mdluli, 25, Sipho Ngobeni, 30, Lungisa Ewababa, 31, and Bongani Kolisi, 27.

-Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Tlokwe-The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula recently flew into Tlokwe on a South African Air Force helicopter to receive a memorandum from the South African National Civil Organisation (Sanco) and ANC members relating to party problems in the North West.

On Friday, Sanco and the ANC demanded that a memorandum calling for action against the former mayor of Tlokwe, Maphetle Maphetle be received by President Jacob Zuma. Instead, the Minister of Defence was sent and she arrived in Tlokwe on a South African Air Force helicopter.

“This trip was specifically to deal with ANC infighting and had nothing to do with the Department of Defence” Democratic Alliance Chris Hattingh said.

DA said The Minister’s use of a military helicopter for a party political engagement is an abuse of state resources and it also contradicts the Ministerial Handbook. 

According to the Ministerial Handbook:

“Air transport provided by the South African Air Force, or any other government department, may not be used by Members for party political engagements, unless such transport enables the Member concerned to fulfil important official engagements before or after the party political engagements” Hattingh said.

The DA will therefore be submitting parliamentary questions to determine the following:

•Whether the Minister had any official engagement before or after the party political engagement;• Whether the flight was approved by the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube;• The total cost of this trip; and• Whether the South African Air Force has been used for any other party political engagements.  

The Minister must not treat the South African Air Force as the ANC’s own airborne taxi service.

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Johannesburg – A policewoman has been shot dead outside her home in J-Section, Umlazi, near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.

Constable Gugulathu Ximba, 33, was fatally wounded in her car when she arrived home on Monday evening, Colonel Jay Naicker said.

“She was shot four times and sustained two gunshot wounds to her neck, chest and right arm.”

She was taken to hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

Firearm stolen

Ximba was part of the Durban port security services. Her firearm was stolen during the attack.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and assure them that we will do everything within our control to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book”.

The Hawks would handle the investigation.

Captain Paul Ramaloko of the Hawks said no arrests had been made by 11:00 on Tuesday.

SAPA

North West Premier Thandi Modise has challenged young farmers to reclaim their space in the agriculture sector, saying they must open their horizon and dream big about agriculture. Premier Modise made the call on the first day of the three-day Provincial Youth Development Symposium that commenced in Mahikeng yesterday.

“You must know that when you are in this sector, you are in a scientific world, and must therefore take the lead in agricultural research and production. Never be afraid to be adventurous”, highlighted Premier Modise.

More than two hundred young farmers attending the symposium maintain that as a food basket of the country, the North West Province’s landmark must be agriculture.Young farmers expressed their willingness to innovate and take agriculture to the next level, by committing themselves to looking at diversified farming.

“It is the youth’s target to portray agriculture as a firm base for economic development, and through this symposium, the potential benefits of youth entrepreneurship would be stimulated”, said BAYOFA Chief Executive Officer Mr Poiho Ramotlatsi.

Representatives from agriculture institutions such as Productivity SA, NewStart Eco-Garden, Industrial Development Corporation and commercial banks, shared information with the youth about productivity trends in the agricultural sector, the organic way of production and how to access funding for their projects.    

The objectives of the symposium are amongst others, to showcase the agricultural potential, to promote the importance of agricultural entrepreneurship among the youth, examine the importance of self-employment, assess the current status of youth-run enterprises and identify challenges faced by the youth entrepreneurs.

Outlining the expectation about the symposium, the MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono, said the youth must come up with legacy youth development projects, as some of the tangible outcomes of this symposium. 

The theme for the symposium organised by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with Black African Young Farmers (BAYOFA), Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) as well as the North West University-Mahikeng campus is “

Fostering the next generation of Agriculturalists for sustainable development”.