Daily Archives: January 15, 2014

Bafana rue missed chances


Cape Town – Bafana Bafana let their half-time lead slip, allowing Mali to score a second half equaliser as the teams drew their African Nations Championship group A clash 1-1 at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Ibourahima Sidibe brought the teams level after the interval, after Bernard Parker had sent South Africa ahead through his 25th minute spot-kick.

A spirited Mali outfit fought back to grab the equaliser 10 minutes after half-time, as the teams shared the points, keeping Bafana top of group with four points.

The opening 10 minutes passed without incident, save for a penalty shout from Mali that was turned down by referee Souley Mohamadou.

Shortly after, however, Lassana Diarra flashed his effort narrowly wide of Itumeleng Khune’s upright, before Siphiwe Tshabalala’s delicate effort went wide of the target, grazing the crossbar on the way.

The hosts found their rhythm and soon were paying regular visits into the opposition half, as Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Hlompho Kekana came close.

The decisive moment came on 23 minutes, when young Lindokuhle Mbatha -who made his international debut for Bafana against Mozambique four days prior – made a darting run into the area and was brought down on the edge, prompting Mohamadou to point to the spot.

Mohamadou waived away furious protests from the Malians, who felt Mbatha had been fouled outside of the box.

Nevertheless, Parker scored his second penalty in as many games to hand the South Africans the lead.

The home side were fortunate not to concede shortly before the interval, after the defence failed to deal with a loose ball inside the area, which led to Abdoulaye Sissoko thumping the upright with his driven effort from close-range.

Making his first appearance of the tournament, Edward Manqele forced a solid save from Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite, who punched clear, as Bafana saw out the half unscathed.

After the break, South Africa upped the ante and dominated the early exchanges, but Mali soaked up the pressure and soon drew level, as Sidibe thundered home the equaliser.

Diarra got the final pass to the goal-scorer, after the visitors won the arial battle and sent Diarra through on goal, but a hefty touch steered the ball into Sidibe’s path, and the midfielder made no mistake in hitting his effort first time, sailing into the back of the net.

Parker tested Diakite in the 70th, as the Kaizer Chiefs striker spun on the ball and got a muffled attempt away on goal, but was denied by the shot-stopper.

Mali piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the match, as Bafana proved wasteful in possession and gave away the ball in dangerous positions as the clock ran down.

SAPA

Premier Modise calls on IPID to expedite Mothotlung investigations, condemns grandstanding and political opportunism


North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on the independent police investigative directorate (ipid) to expedite investigations into allegations of brutality levelled against police following the death of a third person in Mothotlung near Brits.

“We are saddened by the death and wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one in this recent incident. The volatile situation demands for police and the protestors to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of lives,” emphasised Premier Modise in reiterating her call for calm.

According to police, the man identified as Lerato Seema died from head injuries after he fell from a moving police Nyala vehice while trying to evade arrest.

Modise has expressed concern about irresponsible, inflammatory statements that seek to incite further violent confrontation.  

“Grandstanding and political opportunism to draw political mileage out of a tragic situation should not override the need to support interventions aimed at finding a solution to the water crisis in the area. We remain confident that water would be restored by Friday as per the commitment made by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs during our visit to the area on Tuesday,” she stressed.

Members of bereaved families and community leaders had in their engagement with Premier Modise, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa and Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa alleged that Madibeng Local Municipality officials who benefit from water tankering service business had tampered with the water pumps hence their rejection of tankered water.  

The government delegation has committed to institute investigations into the alleged sabotage that resulted in water interruptions in Mothotlung, Damonsville and part of Mmakau.-TDN
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DA: Minister Molewa lied to the Nation over Mothutlung saga


By Obakeng Maje
The DA in the North West is concerned about the political spin of Minister Edna Molewa about the water crisis in the Madibeng Municipality (Brits) which leads to the death of at least three people.

“The crisis has not been the result, as the minister has implied, of a sudden and unexpected breakdown of the water pumps in Madibeng” DA Chris Hattingh said.

Hattingh said during her explanation to the community of Mothutlung, Minister Molewa failed to state that two of the three water pumps (300cubic m/h each) serving the Mothutlung and Damonsville communities had been out of service for more than two years.

“The municipality did not care enough to repair the pumps before. When the third 600-700 cubic meter /hour pump broke down the communities were left with only the water remaining in the reservoirs” he said.

After the national outcry this week, all three pumps were sent in for repair on Tuesday.

Democratic Alliance said one will be operational later today, another one will be back in operation before Friday while the bigger pump should be functional during the weekend.

The negligence by the municipality in not maintaining critical infrastructure has in the past resulted in communities being without water for months.

“This was not the first time that Mothutlung went without water.  
Minister Molewa should expand her investigation – 4 of the other 9 pumps providing water to communities in the Madibeng Municipality have also been dysfunctional for months – one of these pumps has disappeared” he said.

Several investigations into the affairs of this dysfunctional municipality have already been conducted – however the findings and reports of these investigations remain a tightly guarded secret.

The DA calls on the NW Premier to table all these reports and to give feedback on the implementation of the recommendations: “Swift and decisive action will be required to start to turn around the troubled municipality”.-TDN
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Seven accused out on bail


By Obakeng Maje
A case of fourteen suspects arrested for Contravention of Road Traffic Act, Act No. 93 of 1989 has been postponed until 27 February 2014 for further investigation.

“All accused persons with ages ranging from seventeen (17)  to fifty (50)  are still in warning” said colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.-TDN
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Premier Modise expresses shock at Blydeville triple murder


North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed shock and condemned the murder of a pregnant woman, her unborn baby and her toddler in Blydeville outside Lichtenburg.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this horrendous act which has left us cold with shock. No amount of anger justifies this heinous act. The heartless person responsible needs to be permanently removed from society,” said the angered Premier Modise.
The Premier who expressed concern about escalating incidents of gender based violence called for united action against the scourge and for real men to stand up to protect women and children.
“Men who are experiencing pressure should seek counselling and professional help before matters get out of hand to avoid such incidents,” added Modise.
According to police, the 32 year old Zimbabwean national, Samuel Ndlvovu was arrested after allegedly stabling Jenelee van Rooyen on Saturday night.“The police were called to the scene, where on arrival they found the bodies of the 22-year-old woman and her daughter with blood all over them. The woman was pregnant and her womb was cut to remove the foetus and its throat was slit with a knife. Charges of murder are being investigated,” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
 

Ndlovu was remanded in police custody when he appeared briefly in the Lichtenburg Magistrates court on Tuesday. He is expected to appear again in court on January 22.-TDN
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EFF gain support as ANC loses momentum


Cape Town – Julius Malema’s belief that his EFF party will win the 2014 elections is way off base, according to a survey.

However, an October/November Ipsos survey on provincial political party support on moderate voter turnout, could see the EFF as official opposition in both Limpopo and North West.
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