Monthly Archives: March 2014

Motlanthe bids tearful farewell to Parliament


Cape Town – A visibly emotional Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe bid farewell to MPs in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Motlanthe wiped tears from his face with a white handkerchief at the end of his farewell speech which saw MPs giving the deputy president a standing ovation.

“After six years of history, I am running the whole gamut of human emotions… from melancholy to elation. Humanity is conditioned to experience emotions attuned to the peculiarities of the moment,” he told MPs.

Motlanthe will be retiring from government and Parliament this year after serving as deputy president of the country from 2009.

He was promoted to president of the country in 2008, just months after being appointed minister without portfolio in the presidency.

“For one thing, I am disconsolate for parting ways with members of the party I come from, the African National Congress,” Motlanthe said as he thanked MPs on his side of the house.

“You will know that my presence in this House is attributable to the ANC, which has, for all this time, been my extended family.”

Motlanthe reflected on his rise to the presidency, which preceded an uncertain period in post-democratic South Africa.

“No sooner had we disarmed Afro-pessimists with a smooth transition to democracy than this difficult historical period emerged, seen in some quarters as sounding a death knell to our nation,” he said.

“In the event, we proved the doomsayers wrong.”

A calm Motlanthe

Over the almost six years of observing heated debates and loud heckling in the National Assembly, Motlanthe mostly sat calmly watching the discourse.

Speaking about the nature of politics inside the chamber, Motlanthe said: “While bare-knuckle engagements were par for the course, with bruising exchanges that went beyond the pale not uncommon, I have found this House to be an epicentre of rational and level-headed discourse that left many bloodied but unbowed.

“I dare say, at the end, we are all the richer for it.”

While he was sad to be leaving Parliament and government, Motlanthe indicated it was time to hand over the reins to younger hands and minds.

“The truth is our nation is replete with luminous talent,” he said.

“Not only that, at some point serving leadership must give way, so that new blood, fired up with life-changing ideas, can take society to a higher level of development.”

Prior to taking the podium, MPs from across the political divide paid glowing tribute to Motlanthe and his contribution to the country.

Political school

Motlanthe is set to head up the political school of the ANC.

“I can think of no better leader for the ANC political school,” Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said.

Pandor reflected on Motlanthe’s dedication to the liberation movement as a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, and later to the union movement.

Motlanthe is a former general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers.

“That is why he continues to work today to create stability in the mining sector and is trusted by workers in it as an honest broker,” Pandor said.

“We are proud of this servant of the nation.”

Rivonia trialist and ANC stalwart Andrew Mlangeni revealed a secret to Motlanthe and those in the house.

“What you don’t know is that the late Walter Sisulu had always wanted you to be the president of this country. When you became the president I’m sure his dreams were fulfilled,” Mlangeni said.

Motlanthe was imprisoned on Robben Island for 10 years from 1977.

“The honourable deputy president helped turn the lemon that was the harsh conditions of Robben Island into the lemonade of political… and intellectual development,” said Mlangeni who is also a former island inmate.

“He was instrumental [in ensuring] that newcomers especially the young that came to Robben Island were welcomed and put through an appropriate political education.”

Tributes

DA MP Wilmot James, who first met Motlanthe during his union days, said Motlanthe’s example should be emulated.

“He exemplifies the qualities of personality that are rare in the world of politics such as honour…,” James said.

The way Motlanthe carried himself reminded James of the Nelson Mandela presidency, not the “self-serving, crass materialism of today”.

It was Motlanthe’s contribution to ending the denialist approach to the HIV pandemic that was singled out by most MPs.

“The role you played in championing the supply of anti-retrovirals… yielded positive results for the country,” said Cope MP Thozamile Botha.

United Democratic Movement MP Stanley Ntapane described Motlanthe as a “true gentleman”, while Freedom Front Plus MP Corné Mulder said the deputy president reminded him of the word dignity.

SAPA

Bronx murder accused takes ill


Cape Town – The illness of one of three accused in the murder of gay night club owner Bruno Bronn delayed proceedings in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Defence lawyer Arno Nell told the court that his client, Fareez Allie, was ill and at his request the case was postponed to Wednesday.

Tuesday’s proceedings, before Judge President John Hlophe and assessor Jaco van Reenen, lasted only a few minutes.

With Allie in the dock are Frederick Willem John Coetzer and Achmat Toffa.

All have pleaded not guilty to a main count of premeditated murder, and another of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

If found guilty, the men face life sentences for the murder and 15 years for the robbery.

The trial continues on Wednesday.

SAPA

Proteas upbeat despite the rain


Durban – The Proteas remain confident their preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 is on track, despite rain disrupting the T20 International series against Australia.

The first match in Port Elizabeth was abandoned without a ball bowled, and rain could also affect the remaining two fixtures before the Proteas jet off to Bangladesh on Saturday.

The Proteas, however, have the reassurance of two warm-up matches in Dhaka, before their opening match against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on March 22.

“We have two warm-up matches, one against Pakistan and the other against Bangladesh A,”captain, Faf du Plessis said from a gloomy Kingsmead on Tuesday.

“That’s great for us because it will be played in sub-continental conditions.

“I’ve said before that I think as a team we are ready to head to the World Cup right now in terms of the form we have, but the important part of these games against Australia is guys getting time in the middle and for the guys to get more used to the white ball.”

The Proteas’ last T20I was a drawn series against Pakistan at home in November. The series completed an impressive run for Du Plessis’s squad in 2013, where they managed to win two away series against strong Sri Lankan and Pakistani sides.

“For me the biggest key for us as a team is our reflection points,” Du Plessis said.

“We beat Sri Lanka after getting hammered in the ODI’s; mentally we were nowhere but managed to pick ourselves up to win the series 2-1.

“We went to Dubai and beat Pakistan 2-0 which is why I feel that we are ready for the World Cup.  

“Fourteen months ago we gave ourselves the goal of being number one or two and we have done that, we were number six when we started the process,” he continued.

“We have had a great build-up to the World Cup, everything is running according to plan and now it’s a matter of getting some game time against Australia.”
Sport24

Witness quizzed about a gun handed to Oscar


Pretoria – Oscar Pistorius’s lawyer asked a State witness why he did not tell the Paralympic athlete that there was a magazine in the gun he had passed to him in a crowded restaurant, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Tuesday.
“Being someone I thought is competent with a weapon I thought he would have checked if the magazine was still in the weapon,” Darren Fresco said while being cross-examined by Barry Roux.

Pistorius sat in the dock, facing Fresco, at times taking notes. A bright green bucket was at his feet. He vomited in court on Monday.

As Roux circled the question of the magazine, Fresco repeated his statement three times.

At one point Fresco asked Roux: “Why would I walk around with a gun with no magazine in it?”

Roux put it to Fresco that Pistorius was upset because Fresco failed to tell him there was a magazine in the gun.

“If the roles were reversed I would have checked to make sure the magazine was in,” Fresco said.

Fresco handed Pistorius his Glock pistol under a table at Tasha’s restaurant in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, in 2013. Moments after Pistorius took it, a shot went off.

The bullet went into the tiled floor under the table.

Fresco risks prosecution on ammunition and firearms-related charges.

Judge Thokozile Masipa, however, told him earlier that if he answered questions put to him by the defence or prosecution frankly and honestly, he would be discharged from prosecution.

Pistorius is accused of the murder of model and law graduate Steenkamp on 14 February last year.

He is also charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and two counts of discharging a firearm in public.

SAPA

Amcu man found guilty


By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-A 44-year-old Mvuyane Ndwandwe was found guilty and ordered to pay R500 admission of guilty fine on Friday, says North West police. 

Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said the accused was part of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) members who were protesting when the ongoing strike began in January this year. 

“The accused was arrested when the police removed and dispersed a group of approximately thirty strikers who were sitting in the middle of the road, blocking the free flow of traffic as well as preventing non-striking workers to go to work” Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 29 January 2014 at approximately 06:00 at Nkaneng, near Khuseleka shaft.  

He was charged with possession of dangerous weapons; when he was found to be in possession of a knife and a knobkerrie.

“This is an indication that police will deal effectively with those who are disregarding the laws of the country, particularly during various gatherings including protected strikes”, said Brigadier Ngubane.-TDN
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Crackdown of car theft syndicate should bring relief to miners-Premier Modise


Rustenburg-The crackdown on criminality around the mining areas of Rustenburg should bring much relief to communities which have been plagued by crime, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Tuesday.

In commenting the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks and calling for the onslaught against crime to be intensified, Premier Modise said that the heat that should be turned higher against criminality.“Miners have experienced unprecedented levels of crime from bullying, violence and intimidation by their fellow workers to losing their valuable possessions to criminals who seem to have taken advantage of the volatile situation in our mining communities,” highlighted Modise.
She said that the rule of law should take the upper hand for crime to be forever on its back foot.
According to the Hawks, Five suspects were arrested, and eleven vehicles and a quad bike to the value of R606 000,00 were recovered in the Lehurutse, Rustenburg, Bethanie, Tlhabane and Klipgat areas.Spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko said the suspects were expected to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court today.
“The syndicate targeted unsuspecting mine workers driving old model cars to get underground before they steal their vehicles,” said Ramaloko.

“This is a major success for us. We have been working on these projects for some time and we are confident that this breakthrough will bring some relief to the people who were victimized by these criminals. We will continue to identify and dismantle organised crime syndicates,” said Head of the Hawks in the North West, Major General Ntebo Mabula.

Ramaloko said that police investigations are continuing.-TDN
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Wits v Chiefs postponed


Johannesburg – The PSL have announced that the match between Wits and Kaizer Chiefs at Bidvest Stadium later this month has been postponed due to the Amakhosi’s participation in the CAF Champions League.

Chiefs are set to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face AS Vita on the weekend of 21 March for the first leg of their final qualifying match, with the return leg set to take place in Johannesburg a week later.

Wits were initially scheduled to host the defending champions during this weekend, but will now have to be rescheduled for a later date.

Sport24

NWest issues flood warning to municipalities


North West-The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre has issued an early flood warning to all municipalities after several bridges across the province were reportedly flooded due to heavy rains experienced over the past few days.

Motorists and pedestrians crossing flooding rivers are advised to exercise extreme caution and not to underestimate flood currents.
The provincial government wishes to appeal to households that might experience flooding to exercise patience as some municipalities are overstretched by the demand for relief material due to flooding incidents.
Thirty RDP houses at Freedom Park in Rustenburg Local Municipality were reportedly flooded on Monday.
School attendance was also affected at Bosworth Primary School outside Klerksdorp as learners were forced to use the long route to school after the Witpoort bridge flooded.
The Maubane/Bosplas bridge in Mmotla village in Moretele Local Municipality was also flooded.
Heavy rains were also experienced in Tlokwe and Maquassi Hills Local Municipalities although no incidents were reported.
The Department of Water & Environmental Affairs has opened seven values at the Vaal dam and two values at the Bloemhof dam to allow the flow of water. The Bloemhof dam is said to be at 94%.
All the 150 households in Segwaelane, Majakaneng, Mothotlung,Oukasie, Maboloka, Bapong, Letlhabile, Mmakau and Premindia in Madibeng Local Municipality have received  counselling, tents, blankets, food parcels and Social Relief of Distress grants.The municipality is in the process of declaring a local state of disaster in terms of Section 54 and 55 of the Disaster Management Act no.52 of 2002.-TDN
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Premier Modise applauds crackdown of crime syndicates


The arrests of 16 members of crime syndicates are encouraging and should send an unequivocal message to criminals operating in and out of the North West Province that their honeymoon is over, Premier Modise said in applauding police on Tuesday.

“Our disappointment is that among those netted is a ring leader who purports to be a servant of God who is supposed to be in partnership with us to mobilise communities against crime,” said Premier Modise in calling on the police to intensify the onslaught against criminal syndicates for criminals to feel the heat.
Modise warned communities to be on the look out for wolfs in sheep’s skins.
She urged communities to work with police to fight the scourge of drugs which she said is destroying the future of our young people who are our future leaders.  
According to police, the arrests were carried out after a week-long operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), also known as the Hawks.
Spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Paul Ramaloko said that during the operation two Nigerian ringleaders were arrested  and drugs valued at more than R40 million, vehicles valued at more than R1,4 million and cash amounting to R186 000,00 were seized.
“These syndicates were under surveillance for months before they were arrested” Ramaloko said.
The first syndicate specialised in fictitious tenders, whereby they allegedly instructed victims to pay them in return for being awarded provincial government tenders.
Ramaloko said this syndicate mostly operated in Mmabatho.

“The Hawks arrested nine suspects in Mahikeng on Friday, recovered one vehicle, two laptops and eight cellular phones. Victims in this ring involve prominent persons who would not want to report their ordeal for the fear of prosecution or embarrassment” he said.

Approximately 24 victims brought their ordeal to the Hawks.

Ramaloko said that the suspects, Dingaan David Selabe, 45 a ringleader and a Bishop of Cornerstone Ministries in Signal Hill, Mahikeng, Petrus Andries Byleveld, 42, James Sizwe Mulaudzi, 52, Patrick Thipe, 45, Jan Qhete Masire, 41, Dipetso Jopie Esau, 39, Jack Seleke Medupi, 32, Itseng Boitheko Mathube,44 and Boitumelo Nancy Kweetsane,30 appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrates’ Court on Friday and their case was postponed to 14 March 2014 for bail application.

He said that syndicate which is alleged to have conned people out of a little more than R12 million is to remain in custody and that more arrests are expected.-TDN
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Rape of 92-year old granny harrowing – Premier Modise  


The reported rape of an elderly woman by a knife wielding man in Bapong near Brits is a horrendous and wicked act that calls for united action actions against rapists and all those who commit any form of gender based violence, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Tuesday.

“We wish to convey our sympathies to the 92-year old granny and want her to know that we will implore our police to do everything in their power to apprehend the suspect. The saddest thing is that the granny was attacked in the sanctuary of her home where she should have been safe,” said Premier Modise condemning the incident.
According to police, the granny was asleep when the assailant gained entry into her house after smashing a window.
 

“The knife wielding suspect allegedly demanded her pension money which she gave him,” Spokesperson for the North West Police, Captain Pelonomi Makau said.

 

“He then grabbed the granny and tied her hands behind her back before raping her,”

 

“We urge police not to leave any stone unturned until the heartless perpetrator is behind bars. There is no place in our society for those who violate, defile and abuse our elderly,” said Premier Modise reiterating her call for no bail against rape suspects.

 

Police investigations are continuing.-TDN
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