Daily Archives: January 10, 2014

We can go all the way – Khune


A lot will be expected from hosts Bafana Bafana when they play in the Orange CAF African Nations Championship (South Africa CHAN 2014).

 

South Africa’s first match is against Mozambique on Saturday, 11 January at the Cape Town Stadium.

 

Kick-off is at 18h00.

 

They will then face Mali on Wednesday, 15 January and then round off the group stages with a clash against Nigeria on Sunday, 19 January.

 

Team Media Officer Matlhomola Morake spoke to Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune to get his thoughts on the tournament:

 

Matlhomola Morake:                    What can we expect from the team?
 

Itumeleng Khune:                           We are looking forward to the tournament. It is going to be a tough one. It is a new year with new challenges, so we just want to write our own history as the class of 2014 and go all the way to the final and win because we are the hosts and a lot is expected of us. We have to go out there and do what we can to win the tournament. 

MM:                                                      There is a mixture of youth and experience in the team….

 

IK:                                                           First of all I want to welcome the new players (Lindokuhle Mbatha, Asavela Mbekile, Kwanda Mngonyama) in the national team set-up and wish them all the best. After a couple of training sessions, they have fitted in like gloves and if you look at our training sessions you would think they have been here for a while, which is good for the country. I believe we have a formidable team and we are very optimistic about our chances. 

 

 

MM:                                                      Mozambique as the first match, how important is that?

 

IK:                                                           As a player, every match you play is important more so in the national team where you are representing millions of people with a lot of expectations. We all know what is at stake. The plan is to go for three points against Mozambique so that we go into the second match against Mali without pressure. In any tournament you need to win the first game as it could determine how far you can go. When you have collected the first three points you can breathe easily. It would be great to get all nine points in the group stages but we know it is not going to be easy, we have the fighting spirit needed for the tournament. 

MM:                                                      The last international match against Spain raised expectations….

 

IK:                                                           Having beaten the World and European Champions we go into this tournament with an extra boost. But at the same time we are aware that teams will want to defeat us, so we have to fight to get positive results. As the hosts we have been doing well and if we continue from where we left off we will have won half the battle. We are a very balanced team and I believe we have players that are capable of doing well for the pride of the nation. We have been working very hard over the last few days and we are confident that come Saturday, we will do well. 

MM:                                                      The fans, what can you say to them?

 

IK:                                                           The fans have played a major role in the past and we really appreciate and value their support. We urge them to come in numbers to continue with the support – hearing the vuvuzelas gives us extra confidence. Those who have not bought tickets yet must just do so and rally behind the national team. But for those who cannot make it, we know you are behind the team and are grateful for that. 

 

BAFANA’S FIXTURES – Cape Town Stadium

Saturday, January 11

vs Mozambique (18h00)

Wednesday, January 15

vs Mali (17h00)

Sunday, January 19

vs Nigeria (19h00)-TDN
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Basetsana depart for Nigeria


The South African National U20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) departed for Nigeria on Friday morning for their third round, first leg FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 qualifier to be staged at the National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday, 11 January 2014.

 

Kick-off is at 16h00 (15h00 SA time).

 

The Basetsana squad held their final training session at the Edenvale Football Club on Thursday (9 January) prior to their departure for Nigeria.

 

Basetsana coach, Sheryl Botes said she was happy that they were able to fit in the final training session on Thursday before heading to Nigeria.

 

“We had our final training session just to make sure we have everything covered and one or two things we were not happy about following the practice match played on Wednesday (8 January) afternoon.

 

“We worked on the small issues that we needed to repeat to ensure we are covered. Preparations have gone well and we’re ready to compete against Nigeria on Saturday. We also hope that travelling won’t affect the players because it is something we all need to get through,” said Botes.

 

Basetsana head of delegation, Letima Mogorosi urged the players to remain strong, stay focused and that they should remember to go out there and do the country proud in Nigeria.

 

The South Africans are scheduled to return on Monday, 13 January 2014.

 

Basetsana squad:

No.

Name & Surname

Club

Province

GOALKEEPERS

1

Kaylin Swart

University of Western Cape (UWC)

WC

2

Regirl Ngobeni

High Performance Centre (HPC)

GP

DEFENDERS

3

Vuyo Mkhabela

UWC

WC

4

Chamelle Wiltshire

HPC

GP

5

Meagan Newman

HPC

WC

6

Lesego Nkoane

HPC

GP

7

Nomonde Nomtsheke

Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

FS

8

Caryn van Reyneveld

Spurs FC

WC

9

Tiisetso Makhubela

Torino FC

NW

MIDFIELDERS

10

Nomvula kgoale

HPC

LMP

11

Koketso Mamabolo

HPC

LMP

12

Amanda November

Pioneer FC

EC

13

Amogelang Motau

HPC

LMP

14

Thembi Kgatlane

HPC

GP

15

Robyn Moodaly

AIB College

USA

STRIKERS

16

Shiwe Nogwanya

Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

FS

17

Mosili Makhoali

Celta Vigo FC

GP

18

Sduduzo Dlamini

Tottenham FC

KZN-TDN
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Nwest to investigate “job for sex” allegations   


The North West Provincial Government is to investigate allegations of “job for sex” in Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality, Premier Thandi Modise said on Friday.

 

Premier Modise said the Provincial Government views the allegations reported on page 4 of “The Sowetan of Friday 10 January 2013 that claim that the municipality hired a woman without following proper procedure in a bid to protect an ANC Regional leader in a serious light.

 

The woman is alleged to have opened a sexual assault case in November 2011 at Lethabong police station but withdrew it after entering into an agreement with the said official.

 

She reportedly reinstated the case after her contract was terminated in August last year.

 

Tokyo Mataboge appeared briefly before the Rustenburg Magistrates Court but the case was withdrawn because the docket was not submitted.

 

Modise also welcomed the assurance by the National Prosecution Authority that allegations of rape leveled would be investigated after the docket is handed over by the investigating officer.

 

“We call on women not to be bought into silence irrespective of who is involved but to expose perpetrators for the scourge against to be eradicated. Our communities need to unite in action and support the Million Signature Anti-rape campaign to ensure that women and children are safer in their homes and in our neighbourhoods,” emphasised Modise.-TDN
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Premier Modise did not buy one BMW, but two- report


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng-During a meeting of the North West Public Accounts Committee yesterday, it was revealed that Premier Thandi Modise had in fact purchased at least two cars during her time in office and not just one.

The MEC for Transport in North West, Raymond Elisha, indicated that premier Thandi Modise had utilised  another car over and above the R1.3 million BMW she ordered in November and the R1,1m BMW she took over from former premier Maureen Modiselle.

“This car was apparently bought earlier, but the MEC was vague as to why it was purchased, where it is now and why the premier needed another new car” said Chris Hattingh.

DA Chris Hattingh said he raised a number of questions about the cost of the second car, when was purchased where it was purchased and where it is now. Unfortunately MEC Elisha refused to answer any further questions on the matter.

“I will therefore submit a number of questions to premier Modise in writing” said DA Hattingh.

 Questions set for premier Thandi Modise to answer.

1) How many cars for utilisation by the Premier have been purchased since the premier took office?

2) What was the make, type and cost of each car purchased for the Premier?

3) What was the rationale for purchasing the car in each instance?

4) Why has this information not been disclosed earlier?

5) Why did Premier Modise defy Minister Gordhan’s new belt-tightening measures?

These new questions arise after it has come to the fore that the Premier’s Office had lied about ordering her new BMW before Minister Gordhan’s commitment to belt-tightening.

“It was in fact ordered after Minister Gordhan’s announcement in blatant defiance of the new policy” said Hattingh.

Premier Modise has a lot to account for.-TDN
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Four armed robbers arrested in robbery


By Obakeng Maje
Springbok-Four armed men have been arrested and charged for business robbery in Springbok, Northern Cape police said.

“It is alleged that at about 19:00 yesterday evening, the suspects stormed into a local Supermarket store on Toll Road in Springbok and tied up the owner and his employees with cable ties” lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.

Police said victims were held at gunpoint and were robbed undisclosed amount of cash, airtime worth more than R25000 and cartons of cigarettes worth R15000.

“After the incident the suspects fled the crime scene in a black Mercedes Benz and immediately all our police counterparts on the exit roads N7 and N14 were activated and blocked the roads” said Tawana.

Police said at approximately 22:00, the suspects were arrested on N14 by the Rosedale police.

“Cash, airtime and cigarettes were also recovered from the suspects during the arrest. They are due to appear before the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Monday, on charges of business robbery” he said.-TDN
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Road death study needed- DA


Johannesburg – The DA has called for a special parliamentary investigation and debate on the high death toll on South Africa’s roads during the festive season.

“The investigation and debate should result in the recommendation of programmes that will reduce the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads, as well as a review of the manner in which these deaths are reported by the department of transport,” Democratic Alliance transport spokesperson Ian Ollis said on Thursday.

There were 1376 deaths on the country’s roads between 1 December  and 7 January, according to figures released by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on Thursday.

“A major shift is needed to drastically reduce the number of lives lost on our roads,” Ollis said.

He said the figures did not take into account the coming weekend, which would be one of the busiest on the road as holidaymakers returned home in time for the new school year.

Ollis said the figures were also under-reported, as the department used police reports to measure road deaths, and not data from forensic mortuaries.

“Minister Peters has a responsibility to report on the matter fairly. She has not done so,” Ollis said.

SAPA

North West probes Modise’s car purchase


The North West legislature has set up a sub-committee to probe the procurement processes followed in purchasing a R1.3m car for premier Thandi Modise, it said on Thursday.

The legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (Scopa) condemned the amount spent on the 750i BMW, acknowledging that the economy was under pressure, legislature spokesperson Namhla Luhabe said.

“We are aware that there is still a need to standardise the cost containment prescribed in the Ministerial Handbook, but that should not constitute for the reckless spending used by the executive,” she said.

Talks

Scopa held talks on Thursday with public works MEC Raymond Elisha. Afterwards, it asked for a formal written document to ensure transparency and accountability.

It also resolved to investigate the matter to ensure it played its oversight role effectively.

Reacting to reports earlier this week about the purchase of the car, the Democratic Alliance said it was in conflict with austerity plans announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his mid-term budget speech.

Modise’s spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said on Monday that the car was already on order at the time the measures were announced.

“The decision to purchase the BMW 750i… was taken by the provincial department of public works, roads and transport and was below the 70% limit prescribed by the ministerial handbook,” he said.

The value of the car may not exceed 70% of the value of the premier’s annual salary.

Kgwele said the official car used by Modise’s predecessor had exceeded the maximum mileage of 120 000km and had constant mechanical breakdowns, compromising Modise’s security.

On Thursday, the legislature said the sub-committee’s investigation would focus on the date the order for purchasing the vehicle was issued, when the vehicle was delivered, how many vehicles had been allocated to the premier’s office since 2009 and their status.

The MEC and all staff involved in the procurement process would be interviewed.

It would have to report back to Scopa within two weeks.

Oversight

On Tuesday, the Association of Public Accounts Committees (Apac) said it found disturbing the disregard shown for the measures announced by Gordhan.

“We call upon law enforcement agencies in provinces to exercise effective oversight and investigate recent media allegations of political leaders buying lavish cars with state funds,” said Apac secretary Hlomane Chauke.

Chauke said all ministers, premiers, MECs, mayors and government departments should heed Gordhan’s call to exercise prudence when spending public funds.

“Apac further calls upon on public accounts committees and municipal public accounts committees to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure that public entities comply with minister Gordhan’s prescripts.”

SAPA