Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela’s widow Graça Machel has returned to public life after six months of mourning, her trust said on Friday.

“After six months of retreat, mourning the death of Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela, Mrs Graça Machel will now return to her active role as a global advocate for women’s and children’s rights,” the Graça Machel Trust said in a statement.

Mandela died at his Houghton home in December at the age of 95.

Machel said although the mourning period was over, she would not stop grieving.

“I lost my best friend, beloved husband, and guide. I have been deeply touched and comforted by the affection shown towards my family and I… was fortunate that in Madiba I found a soul mate and a fellow advocate for children and women’s rights,” she said.

“I am inspired by his rich legacy that promotes justice, compassion, and solidarity. Children were very dear to Madiba and his last wish was to build the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. This is my dream too and I wish it can be realised in my life time.”

Children’s Hospital

On Monday, the hospital’s trust announced that Group Five had won the contract to construct the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Parktown.

Construction also began on Monday and the hospital was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016.

The hospital was expected to employ around 150 doctors and 451 paediatric nursing professionals.

Machel said her other priority was to continue advocating for women in Africa to access better opportunities in economic, political and social spheres.

“I will work with others to protect the rights of children, fight for an end to child marriage, ensure we continue to make progress on child survival and development, as well as promote the attainment of quality education for all children,” she said.

“As part of my democracy and good governance work across the African continent and internationally, I look forward to helping shape the new global development agenda.”

Mandela estate

In February, Mandela’s will was made public and Machel waived her right to half of his estate.

Machel took ownership of four properties that the couple jointly owned in Mozambique.

She also kept their vehicles, jewellery she received during the marriage and all money in their bank accounts or invested with other financial institutions.

Machel and Mandela were married in community of property. She was his third wife.

When a couple is married in community of property, the surviving partner is entitled to 50% of the estate if one of them dies.

An assessment at the time put Mandela’s estate at R46m.

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Cape Town – A psychiatric report on murder accused Oscar Pistorius is ready for collection at Weskoppies hospital, it was reported on Friday.
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Johannesburg – Two of the “Waterkloof Four” will file an urgent court application in the North Gauteng High Court on Friday to have their parole re-instated.

On 16 February, Christoff Becker and Frikkie du Preez were re-arrested after footage emerged of them allegedly drinking alcohol and using a cellphone at the Kgosi Mampuru prison.

The video, reportedly taken on a cellphone, was posted on YouTube. It showed Du Preez and Becker drinking, and using a cellphone in jail.

Earlier in February, Becker, Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk, and Reinach Tiedt were released after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.

Becker, 27, said in court papers that his re-arrest in February was for nonsensical reasons, five days after being released on parole.

He said he was at home on 16 February when Rapport newspaper carried an article about him and Du Preez, who allegedly held a party in prison where alcohol was used.

Becker, Du Preez, and two other prisoners were in his cell at the time, the newspaper reported.

In court papers, Becker denied that alcohol was used at the party, which was video-recorded. He also said the pictures of Johnnie Walker and J&B in the video were in fact pictures of a computer’s screensaver.

He wanted the parole board to set aside the decision to revoke his parole, be moved back to Pretoria from Kokstad prison, and be released on parole on the same conditions he was released in February.

Becker also sought to have his re-arrest and detention declared unlawful, and for the department to pay for his legal bill.

The correctional services department said on Wednesday that they would oppose Becker’s application.

“The department has submitted papers in reply to court,” spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said.
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Johannesburg – Two traffic police officers were shot and wounded in Heidelberg, Gauteng police said on Friday.

Captain Thivhulawi Tshilate said the two, aged 46 and 52, were patrolling the R550 road on Thursday night when a white Volkswagen Golf overtook them on a barrier line.

The officers signalled the car to stop, but it sped off.

“The traffic officers gave chase and… one of the occupants of the suspect’s vehicle protruded through the window and started firing several shots towards the traffic officers’ vehicle with a rifle,” Tshilate said.

“Both traffic officers… sustained serious injuries and [were] taken to the hospital for medical treatment.”

He said the driver and passengers were unknown.

A case of attempted murder had been opened.

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Johannesburg – The body of an 8-year-old girl was found in a graveyard in Thohoyandou on Thursday, Limpopo police said.

“She was found covered by heaps of soil,” police spokesperson Mashudu Malelo said.

The Grade 1 pupil’s father reported her missing after he was unable to find her when he went to fetch her from school on Wednesday afternoon.

A resident, who was passing by the graveyard, found her body on Thursday afternoon.

“There is a possibility that she was raped but we are awaiting results from the doctor,” Malelo said.

Police were investigating.

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