Monthly Archives: January 2014

Igesund happy with players work out


Bafana Bafana players have been given the afternoon off after two grueling training sessions in Cape Town on Saturday (4 January 2014) and Sunday (5 January).

 

They will report back for duty on Sunday evening.

 

Head coach Gordon Igesund took the players through their paces at the Santos training fields in Lansdowne, Cape Town and was impressed with the work.

 

“I am expecting the Kaizer Chiefs players tonight and we have a lot of work to do in a short space of time. At the moment we are doing the best we can but the players are looking good and raring to go. They are really working hard because they are aware of what is expected of them. They look very confident, and it would be great for the rest of the players to join up with the national team so I can work with the full team,” said Igesund after Sunday’s training session.

 

The players too are eager to get on with the tournament.

 

‘It is always a great feeling to represent your country and I am happy to be here. If you look at the players you can seen they want do to well for South Africa. It is a big tournament for us local-based players and we want to show everyone what we are capable of doing. We intend to do well, very well and we are really looking forward to the start of the tournament. There is a lot of confidence in the team and the mood is high. As hosts we are expected to go all the way and that is our focus,” said Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana.

 

Bafana Bafana will have their next training session on Monday morning (6 January).-TDN
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Taung taxi owner back in court for bail application


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-A 33 year-old taxi-owner, Xolani Nkonyana who was arrested after armed robbery in Molelema village, near Taung will be back in court for formal bail application.

Nkonyana was arrested after they allegedly robbed a chinese shop and took airtime vouchers, groceries and undisclosed amount of money.

Police were called after community members chased after the robbers and a shoot-out took place. No one was injured in the process and five suspects were alleged cornered at Picong village, but four of them managed to escape.

Nkonyana was arrested and his cellphone was consficated for further investigations.

According to Nkonyane, he was not part of robbery as he was hired to transport people to Molelema with his taxi and was suprised after he was followed by contigent of police.

He was subsequently arrested and will apply for bail today.-TDN
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Marikana Commission Inquiry resumes


The Marikana Commission of Inquiry will resume its public hearings in Pretoria today.

The commission, which is chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the deaths of 44 people during labour–related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana in the North West in 2012. 

The inquiry was initially set down for four months, but has been marred by a number of delays and interruptions since beginning in October 2012 causing its credibility to be questioned.

President Jacob Zuma set up the inquiry to determine whether police were justified in using lethal force on striking miners.
At least 34 people were killed in the 16 August 2012 shooting.
Lonmin miners had embarked on an unprotected strike to demand higher wages.

Ten other people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike–related violence in the days leading up to the shooting. 

The Marikana standoff has been described as the bloodiest shootout in post–apartheid South Africa.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

North West premier defends her R1.3m car purchase

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Mahikeng-The vehicle purchased for North West Premier Thandi Modise was not acquired in defiance to a cabinet directive as alleged in an article published on the front page of The Sunday Times of Sunday 5 January 2013 under the headline,“ Premier cocks snook at Pravin’s cost cutting on cars,” the Office of the Premier retorted on Monday.  

 

Kgwele said in dismissing the article as not only disingenuous, but a mischievous piece that is aimed at tarnishing the image of the Premier as part of a cheap political ploy, the Office of the Premier said that the allegations are not only absurd but malicious because the vehicle was already on order when the Minister of Finance announced austerity plans in his the mid-term budget speech delivered on the 23 October 2013.

 

The said vehicle was not purchased on the Premier’s instruction as the article suggests.

 

“The decision to purchase the BMW 750i that cost R1,3 million was taken by the Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and was below the 70% limit prescribed by the ministerial handbook as the official vehicle that was used by the Premier’s predecessor had exceeded the maximum 120 000 kilometers it had to travel and experienced constant mechanical breakdowns that compromised the security of the Premier” said Kgwele.

 

Premier had for the past four months used the official vehicle allocated to the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport and had not put MEC Raymond Elisha and any official under pressure for the ordered vehicle to be delivered.

 

“We wish to dismiss with the contempt that it deserves the suggestion by Democratic Alliance Provincial leader Chris Hattingh that officials were put under pressure to deliver the vehicle before the Premier’s birthday on the 25 December” said Kgwele.

 

Kgwele said although Premier Modise was not well and did not enjoy much of her birthday and Christmas festivities, she would have found better things to do than celebrate her birthday in a state vehicle.

 

“Hattingh is clutching at straws in his usual theatrics and political opportunism because it is common knowledge that the vehicle could not have been delivered by the 12 December if it was ordered after the 23 October 2013”.

 

The paper and Hattingh’ disappointment is that no additional extras were ordered with the vehicle which was ordered through the national treasury contract hence no mention this is made of this in the article, says Kgwele.

 

“We challenge Hattingh to prove allegations of extravagant expenditure by Premier Modise which are unfounded and a figment of his imagination aimed at discrediting her track record of clean governance, fighting greed and corruption” Premier spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

 

 

Kgwele said the statement that Premier Modise was one of group of ANC leaders that unsuccessfully campaigned for the current political leadership to be ousted when she accepted nomination towards the Mangaung conference raises the question whether the Sunday Times understands ANC internal democratic processes.

 

“It also raises the question as to whether the paper is part of those in the media who are pursuing an agenda to project the ruling party as a weak and divided ahead of elections” concludes Kgwele.-TDN

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(Edited By Obakeng Maje)

North West premier splurges R1.3m on car


North West Premier Thandi Modise has ignored a Cabinet directive against splurging on luxury vehicles, and treated herself to a R1.3m BMW750i.

According to the Sunday Times, the MEC for transport in the province, Raymond Elisha, has confirmed the purchase.

This comes after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan instructed ministers, MECs and premiers to curb their penchant for splurging on luxury cars.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance North West leader Chris Hattingh said this latest extravagance comes at a time when service delivery was under extreme pressure and when emergency drought relief measures were collapsing.

He also said officials were put under pressure to deliver the car in time for Modise’s birthday on 25 December.
For more http://www.news24.com

A woman kills her husband in an argument


By Obakeng Maje
Mothibistad-A 43 year-old woman arrested after she allegedly killed her husband by pushing him against the steel door, says lieutenant Donald Mdhluli.

The monstrousness took place on Saturday at about 10:00am in Pholoholo Street, Unit 1, Mothibistad.

“It is alleged that the 43-year-old female suspect had an argument with a 46-year-old man, believed to be her husband” said Mdhluli.

This argument allegedly precipitated into a fight where the husband was pushed against the steel door.

The man was certified dead on the scene by paramedics and police were called in and arrested a 43-year-old female suspect. 

“She is facing a charge of murder and is expected to appear before Court soon” concludes Mdhluli.-TDN
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Majoro snubs Supersport United move


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg-Kaizer Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro allegedly snubbed Supersport United move. According to other media reports, Majoro was back at training with Amakhosi and posted on his official twitter page that he is enjoying himself at work with Kaizer Chiefs players at Naturena.

Majoro apparently he is not happy about the whole swap deal negotiations and want to sign for a team of his choice.

Kickoff.com announce that Majoro trained with Amakhosi and there is no sign of him to join Suspersport United.

Chiefs announced that Majoro joined Supersport United in a swap deal seeing George Maluleka joining the Glamour Boys.-TDN
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Anger over drunk and driving conviction


Johannesburg – Despite carrying out their duties and arresting thousands of drunk drivers annually, traffic and police officers in various parts of the country have spoken out about the low conviction rate in such instances – blaming it on inefficiency and bribery.

According to the Sunday Times, a number of officers spoke out on condition of anonymity. They say police officers are not encouraged to build airtight cases – especially as convictions did not affect promotion prospects.

One official also said officers were being paid to throw cases while another said that convictions were rare and that officers are simply chasing targets.

Yet another officer said that an estimated 80% to 90% of all drunken driving cases are thrown out of court or withdrawn because of botched blood samples or corruption, according to the report.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has confirmed that it is investigating issues at the Durban Central police station. Spokesperson Moses Dlamini said the probe into systemic corruption related to about 200 drunken driving cases.

Internal documents obtained by the Sunday Times reportedly show that the Durban Central police station only had 111 convictions from 1 481 arrests in 2012. This translates into a conviction rate of only 7.5%.
For more http://www.news24.com

SAFA, Chiefs agree on release of players to Bafana Bafana squad


SAFA is happy to report that it has reached an agreement with Kaizer Chiefs FC on the release of players to participate in the 2014 African Nations Championship tournament (2014 CHAN).

 

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, said there will be no sanction against any team as no rule has been violated by anyone.

 

The Association on Friday held very constructive discussions with Kaizer Chiefs FC regarding the release of players. The two parties agreed that Kaizer Chiefs FC will release the players as discussed between the coaches of the national team and Kaizer Chiefs FC. Players will join the National Team over the next 24 hours to ensure that Bafana Bafana has a full strength squad by Sunday, 5 January 2013.

 

“We are extremely grateful to Kaizer Chiefs for their continued patriotism in support of the National Team,” says SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

 

“Our gratitude goes out to Mr Kaizer Motaung and Kaizer Chiefs for their long-standing and unstinting support of the National Team. They have always supported the National Team and we are very grateful for this patriotic gesture,” added Dr Jordaan.

 

Mr Motaung is a founding member of SAFA, a long-standing Member of the SAFA National Executive Committee, a stalwart in the development of our sport and an ardent supporter of Bafana Bafana who regularly attends the matches of the national team.

 

“We have no doubt that with the inclusion of Kaizer Chiefs players in the national squad, the team will be significantly strengthened for the CHAN tournament,” says the SAFA President.-TDN
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A man shot, burnt to death


Durban – A 33-year-old man was shot before being burnt to death in his house in Durban’s Umlazi area, police said on Saturday.

Captain Thulani Zwane said that the man was allegedly attacked by two men on Friday evening at his home in Umlazi’s Q section.

“The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage. Umlazi police are investigating a case of murder and no arrests have been made at this stage,” he said.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We heard him crying. The house was on fire. We couldn’t do anything.”

She said she had heard the gunshots but did not see the attackers and that the man had been killed in an outbuilding of a house.

“The guy was trying to escape. His body was near the door.”

She said local residents had doused most of the flames by the time the fire brigade arrived.

KwaZulu-Natal emergency management services spokesperson Robert McKenzie confirmed that the service had been alerted to a fatality at a house fire in Umlazi.

He could not immediately provide further details.

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