Cape Town – The DA will submit further evidence to National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu to support its request for impeachment proceedings against President Jacob Zuma, it said on Tuesday.

“This new evidence suggests that President Zuma may have deliberately misled Parliament, and violated the Constitution and the law,” said the Democratic Alliance’s leader in Parliament Lindiwe Mazibuko.

“This warrants a full parliamentary investigation, which is specifically mandated by my motion to impeach President Zuma.”

Mazibuko requested Parliament on 20 March to establish an ad hoc committee and the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Zuma.

Her request followed the tabling of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on upgrades to the president’s Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, residence.

Mazibuko said on Monday that while the party respected Madonsela’s authority, there were a number of statements Zuma made to Parliament that were not resolved or which she did not consider in her final report.

The first was Zuma’s response to Mazibuko’s oral question on his Nkandla homestead in November 2012, in which he stated he was still paying a bond on the first phase of his home.

Madonsela noted in her report that she sent a letter to Zuma requesting clarity on the bond and proof thereof.

“President Zuma declined the opportunity to respond to the allegation and he refused her access to his bond documents, despite her attempts to get this information,” Mazibuko said.

“It must be asked why, if he had nothing to hide, he did not fully cooperate with this request?”

Lack of information

She said that Madonsela could not make a finding because of the lack of information and thus left uncertainty on Zuma’s innocence.

The party believed the special ad hoc committee would have the power to subpoena this document in its investigation and expect a full explanation from Zuma.

Mazibuko sent her next oral question to Zuma on 20 March last year, asking whether he was informed of upgrades to his home.

His response acknowledged that he was fully aware of the difference between his involvement in personal renovations to his home and those organised by the State.

Mazibuko said Zuma’s response on the State renovations made a very clear impression that he was not told of specific project details, that relevant officials handled and decided upon the matter, and that he was merely informed that there needed to be improvements.

“There is, however, to the contrary, very clear evidence provided in the Public Protector’s report that the president not only had detailed knowledge, but that he was intricately involved.

“Furthermore, the involvement of [architect] Mr Makhanya, and his relationship and numerous meetings with him over the upgrade, is incontrovertible evidence against his statement that he did not know ‘what would be done by whom and at what cost’.”

Further suspicion

Mazibuko said Zuma had yet to answer key questions sent to him by Madonsela, which “creates a further suspicion around his intentions”.

These questions included whether he or the presidency asked that security measures be installed at his private residence, whether he was informed at any stage of the cost of the proposed measures and whether a notice declaring his private residence a national key point was served on him.

Madonsela had also wanted to know whether he was shown the architect’s designs of the project, whether he was consulted about the relocation of households around Nkandla and whether he asked about the cost of the project at any stage.

“The DA contends that there is enough prima facie evidence, as outlined above, to warrant a full investigation into both the November 2012 and March 2013 replies.”

Mazibuko further contended that in failing to respond to Madonsela’s questions and questioning her authority to question him, Zuma had violated the Public Protector’s Act.

“What is crystal clear… is that President Zuma treated the investigation with disdain, did not fully cooperate with it, blatantly ignored correspondence from a Chapter Nine institution, and failed to provide all the information requested of him.”

She said his “belligerent attitude and non-compliance” may also constitute a violation of the Constitution because he did not do everything possible to assist Madonsela.

The party said it was concerned that Sisulu had yet to respond to a request for an urgent meeting and a clear time frame for when he would decide on the party’s request.

“I will accordingly send this new evidence to his office and again request feedback from him as a matter of urgency,” Mazibuko said.

– SAPA

Pretoria – Photographs and details of a protected Marikana witness, dubbed Mr X, will be widely distributed among mineworkers, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry heard on Tuesday.

Advocate Dali Mpofu for arrested and wounded miners, said the SA Police Service (SAPS) would have to show that the widows of slain miners and survivors were a threat to Mr X.

“They have to show that the presence of the parties [the widows, miners and the public] is going to endanger the safety, security or life of Mr X. They are unable to show that,” Mpofu said.

“They want to exclude the widows of the slain miners, what possible threat to Mr X’s safety can these widows pose? What are they going to do to him?”

Police submitted an application to the inquiry last month for Mr X to testify in-camera, from a remote location through a video link.

Sesi Baloyi, for the police, said Mr X was under witness protection and his life would be grave danger if his identity was revealed or published.

SAPS wanted only the commissioners, lawyers, and accredited media present in the auditorium when Mr X testified.

The police wanted the widows, public, and miners prevented from attending the hearings when Mr X gave evidence on a date to be decided.

On Tuesday, Mpofu said the SAPS application was laced with absurdity.

“Let us assume, for argument’s sake that some among the [Marikana] survivors harbour some ill feelings against Mr X. One has to ensure that these people, by being prevented from being here will be prevented from knowing the identity of Mr X.”

This was clearly not viable, Mpofu said.

“As soon as I get the identity and photographs of Mr X I have a duty to tell them all the things, including which shaft he works in. He will still face the exact same risk whether they are here or not.”

Taking chances

Mpofu said other witnesses, including North West Air Wing Commander Salmon Vermaak, “took chances” by testifying in the public hearings.

The man identified as Mr X was apparently part of the group of protesting Marikana miners who underwent a ritual that included two sangomas, the burning of live sheep, and swallowing the ashes on 11 August 2012.

Mpofu has previously referred to Mr X as “a multiple murderer and a self-confessed habitual criminal, having at least three murders under his belt”.

The inquiry led by retired Judge Ian Farlam is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related violence at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg in the North West.

The police shot dead 34 people, mostly striking mineworkers, wounded over 70, and arrested 250 on 16 August 2012 while trying to disarm and disperse them.

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and the two security guards, were killed.

– SAPA

Ermelo – The body of a farmer was found on his farm in Ermelo, Mpumalanga police said on Tuesday.

The 77-year-old was found by a family friend in the house on his farm De Emigratie on Monday morning, said Colonel Leonard Hlathi.

The family friend arrived at the man’s house on Monday morning, after he failed to open the gate of the farm for his workers to enter.

“The man stays alone on the farm and he usually opens the gate for the workers every morning,” said Hlathi.

The family friend, who had a key to the farm, opened the gate and noticed that the sliding door was off the railings.

“He went into the house and found the farmer in one of the bedrooms,” said Hlathi.

He said it was believed that the man was suffocated as he was found with a piece of plastic over his face.

“He did not have any other visible injuries but an autopsy will be done to determine the exact details of his death,” said Hlathi.

One of the farmer’s two firearms was also missing from the house.

“We believe that the firearm was stolen but police will investigate the matter and determine if any other possessions were stolen from the farmer’s house,” said Hlathi.

No arrests were made and police were investigating.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A 19-year-old youth was hit by a bus on Blouberg Road in Tableview, Cape Town, on Tuesday morning, paramedics said.

“It appears as though he was killed on impact,” said ER24 spokesperson Luyanda Majija.

The youth was on his way to work when he attempted to cross the busy road and was hit by the bus.

“The deceased was found to have sustained suspected multiple severe fractures,” said Majija.

The bus driver and the passengers were unharmed in the incident.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – Not all internal procedures to convince the national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) to reinstate charges against suspended police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli were followed, the Supreme Court of Appeal heard on Tuesday.

Advocate Lawrence Hodes for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), submitted any party wanting to re-institute charges against anybody first had to approach the NDPP and not a court directly.

“Any prosecutor in any court can decide to withdraw charges… [on reinstatement] then in my submission there are certain procedures to be followed before a court can be approached.”

A full SCA bench was hearing argument in an urgent appeal by Mdluli, the police and the NPA.

The appeal concerns a ruling in favour of lobby group Freedom Under Law (FUL) to set aside a decision to withdraw criminal and disciplinary charges against Mdluli.

Mdluli, the NPA, and the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit were granted leave to appeal against a ruling by high court Judge John Murphy in September 2013 in favour of FUL.

Murphy had set aside the decision to withdraw charges of money laundering, murder, and disciplinary proceedings, against Mdluli.

Argument was continuing in the SCA.

– SAPA

A man arrested in connection of murder in Vryburg

By Obakeng Maje
Morokweng-North West olice arrested two suspects aged 43 and 35 years respectively on charges of robbery and truck-hijacking.
Two suspects were allegedly arrested on Monday after they pounced on two men who were travelling in a truck from Ventersdorp to Morokweng to deliver grocery at different supermarkets in the area.

Colonel Emelda Setlhako said two men allegedly parked the truck near a supermarket and slept inside in order to off-load the grocery in the next morning.

Victims were allegedly asleep when woken up by the suspects who pointed them with firearms.

“The suspects forced them into a white double cab bakkie with municipality stickers depicted on its doors. They took the victims cell phones and drove with them for approximately 5km. It is further alleged that the victims hands were tied and were forced to lie on the ground” Setlhako said.

The suspects broke the safe from the truck and robbed them undisclosed amount of cash.

Police said one of the suspects is a municipal worker at Ventersdorp Local Municipality while the other one is the driver’s co-worker.

They are expected to appear in Ganyesa Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West Premier Thandi Modise flew out on Tuesday for a four-days official mission to Malaysia to participate in the Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition and address the Elara Global Investors Conference in India.

Airport infrastructure plans to be exhibited at the Airport Cities World Conference that commenced in the Malaysia capital of Kuala Lampur and an engagement with International Airport CEO’s, Architects, engineer firms, airport and infrastructure planners the banking sector and major international investment companies are expected to benefit provincial plans to revitalize the Mafikeng International Airport.

In Kualar Lampur, Premier Modise and her delegation that include the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha will also engage with Professor J Kasadra who will be presenting on “the Aerotropolis Master Class ” at the Airport Cities World Conference.

On the sideline of the Elara Global Investors Conference that is to commence on Wednesday 3-4 April 2014 in the capital of India, Mumbai, Premier Modise and MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosha are to hold bilateral meetings with the ICT sector, Solar Energy Sector and Automotive sector. Premier Modise is scheduled to address the conference on Friday.

Premier Modise had during her meeting with the ambassasor of India indentified ICT training and exchange programme for about 50 learners as part of partnership for the establishment of science parks, labs and innovation hub in the province to expand call centres and support the media city initiative.

“We were then fascinated by the Hole in the Wall Experiment in which personal computers connected to high-speed data connection embedded in a concrete wall in the south of New Delhi as we also believe that giving children free rein, so their natural curiosity takes over and they teach themselves. We would want to see such projects in deep rural communities of our province” Modise recapped before her departure.

The outbound mission is a follow through to the meeting held with the ambassador of India and the successful 2nd Annual North West BRICS Expo International Investment and Tourism Conference was hosted by the province last week.

By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-The Polokwane Circuit Court of the North Gauteng High Court Pretoria sentenced Thomas Monty Mothwa (49) and his wife Eva Refilwe Mothwa to four life imprisonment for murders and robberies of elderly people around Zeerust and Polokwane in 2007, North West police said.

The third suspect Jan Seshoke Motlhala (49) who later became a state witness was sentenced to five years imprisonment with two years suspended.

“The cases in Zeerust that were investigated by Captain Patrick Murunwa included the 72-year-old Buti Molope of Wilwedagt who was robbed R69 000, 62-year-old Albert Khakhi Motswagae of Debrak village, R75 000 and 77-year-old Abram Mosiane who was murdered and robbed R25 000. All the victims were robbed at Zeerust and their monies were withdrawn the same day or the next day in Pretoria” sergeant Ofentse Mokgadi said.

Mokgadi said the suspects to followed their victims from the banks under the pretext of knowing them and ultimately offer them lifts and later spiked their drinks. Some of the victims woke at the hospital after a day or two not knowing what happened to them but only to remember being offered a drink (Tab or Diet Coke) by one of the suspects. The victims will further realize when they woke up that their identity documents and bank cards were stolen in the process.

“One of the victims Mr Albert Motswagae was thrown out of a moving vehicle but survived and later died as a result of extensive injuries. Mr Abram Mosiane who did not return home that fateful day, his badly decomposed body was found by farm workers at Pienaarsrivier, Kammeldrift, Pretoria four months later” Mokgadi said.

The first suspect to be arrested was Jan Seshoke Motlhala at Attredgeville in September 2007. Then during November 2007, Thomas and Eva Mothwa were arrested around the vicinity of First National Bank (FNB) at Bronkhorstspruit by K9 Unit after Captain Murunwa who was alerted by his informer. At the time of their arrest, the couple was found in possession cooler box with Tab and Diet Coke beverages inside and were taken for forensic investigation. Investigations revealed that those drinks were mixed FLANUTRUZEPUM and that confirmed why the victims went into a deep sleep after being offered a drink.

The couple was found guilty on 54 counts including four murders which they were each sentenced to life imprisonment. Effective sentence for accused number 1 Thomas Monty Mothwa is 57 years imprisonment and his wife; accused number 2 is effective 55 years imprisonment and they are to run concurrently with the four life sentences.

The Rustenburg Cluster Commander General William Mpembe congratulated Captain Patrick Murunwa for a sterling work and thanked the community for helping with information that led to the cracking of the case.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi said the Hartbeespoort Registering Authority office has brought a less strains to the overcrowding which Brits Registering office had experience in the past and will save time and petrol for those who have been travelling long distances to access registering and licensing of their vehicles.

MEC Maloyi was speaking during the official opening of the Hartbeespoort Registering Authority office on Friday.

“This office will ensure the effective and efficient renewal of motor vehicle licenses; registration of new vehicles; de-registration of stolen and recovered vehicles or permanently unfit for use; notifications of changes in respect of vehicle particulars and application of traffic register certificate,” outlined Maloyi.

He further charged that, the department will continue ensuring that communities have access to various services where they live; as provicial government we have a constitutional obligation to continue to work closely with local government within the context of co-operative government, it is for this reason that we officially handingover this office to the Madibeng Local Municipality to be effectively used by our people and of course it will further generate revenue for the area and the Province.

Motorists and vehicle owners in the Hartbeespoort have been registering and renewing their disc’s at the Brits registering authority while others have had to travel to the Gauteng Province.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Rustenburg-Life will be a lot easier and better as compared to where we come from. These are the words of Ms Lebogang Kwele of Maile Diepkuil village outside Rustenburg after she was officially given a house by the MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison in the North West on Friday. The Handing over is part of the departmental programme of handing over about 8000 houses to beneficiaries across the province between February and March.

According to the 38 year old Ms Kwele the house has drastically changed her life and that of her two children. “We used to stay in a shack, which from time to time needed to be repaired. We were from time to time fearing that we may loose our property especially during rainy seasons like this one. We are however happy and grateful that government has came to our rescue and build a beautiful house like this one. This will be a home us for many more years to come,” said the Kwele.

Meanwhile, MEC Maloyi urged all the 570 families who benefited from the housing delivery programme, to take care of the houses and make them their personal homes. “Through this houses Government wants to make sure that your rights as a citizen of this country are protected. We do so also in closing the Human Rights month, which also seeks to restore your dignity. This is one mandate that government has committed to do and will continue to do, in ensuring that you as a South African enjoy all the rights like others, poor or rich,” said MEC Maloyi.

The handing over of 8000 houses which started in February will continue until the end of March. The MEC will among others hand over low cost houses, rental stock, and financially linked individual subsidy programme and Community residential units.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_