Banned former SAFA chief executive Leslie Sedibe dropped a few match-fixing bombshells at a press conference today claiming SAFA told him to destroy evidence of 2010 World Cup corruption.

Sedibe addressed the media at a personal press conference to address the five-year ban from football handed down to him from FIFA.

Although Sedibe has been banned on charges relating to Wilson Raj Perumal and the fixing of Bafana Bafana friendlies ahead of the 2010 World Cup, his main defence was to point the finger at SAFA.

Sedibe’s major point during his address claimed SAFA lawyers instructed him to destroy all communication relating to match-fixing that he allegedly leaked to the media.

He read from a letter SAFA dated 2013 instructing him to keep certain information confidential. The letter demanded that he return all correspondence he exposed during an interview with a radio station, and to delete the letter they sent.

Responding to FIFA’s ban, Sedibe made the following statement:

“I was not invited to any meetings or to comment in relation to issues raised in the report that has been released. I have not even received a copy of the report even though my name is mentioned in it.

“I have continuously called for an independent inquiry that would be impartial and to be be given an opportunity to respond to allegations.

“Last November I wrote a letter to the Public Protector to investigate allegations of match-fixing but that office declined and referred me to the SAPS.

“I have also been investigated by the NPA where they found that there has been no evidence of match-fixing. I approached Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and was told the NPA had refused to prosecute based on insufficient evidence.

“This begs the question about why SAFA has not declared that police had already investigated the matter and found no evidence. SAFA must give the media a copy of the letter saying there was no evidence of match-fixing on my part.

“On the 3rd of November 2014 I was notified by FIFA that I would be subject to preliminary investigations and was implicated in match-fixing.

“I said I could not respond without the help of SAFA but they refused. I requested access to documents in order to respond, which never happened.

“I refused to cooperate with the FIFA probe until I had unfettered access to the documents I requested. I have also never been interviewed by FIFA, therefore the FIFA investigation remains incomplete.

“I have written several letters to SAFA since 2012 to prepare for FIFA’s inquiry. My request for access to laptop, emails, minutes was refused [by SAFA].

“I requested access to the server because the laptop could not be found. I asked for LOC minutes and decisions from Danny Jordaan. This was over the R10-million paid out around the World Cup.

“SAFA is withholding information that is critical for me to respond. I even used the Promotion of Access to Information Act to make SAFA allow access to the documents.

“I eventually contacted FIFA to answer the charges against me but they denied me the right to be represented by my lawyers. Neither FIFA nor SAFA has given me the documents I needed to respond.

“I refused to co-operate with FIFA because they haven’t held a full investigation. They avoid the true culprits for fear of political reprisal.

“Those people are still sitting inside SAFA and the sad conclusion is that all evidence which will support me has been destroyed.

“Why did it take so long? Four years? Today FIFA make this announcement. They are refusing to give me access.

“There is a God in heaven. The art of justice takes time, but it always bends. If I spoke about $10-million I would have been a traitor.

“FIFA were never interested in the truth, they had to find a scapegoat. That scapegoat is Leslie Sedibe.”

Sedibe also said Perumal and his Football4U company that fixed friendly matches were in contact with suspended official Ace Kika, and not him.

“Ace Kika was chairman of the SAFA technical committee. He had been dealing with Perumal. I was not involved. I had to deal with match venues,” he said.

“The person who dealt with Perumal was Kika. You’ve all been told lies, that I met Perumal at SAFA House.”

Sedibe also said he was not surprised to see an investigation into SAFA’s 2008 payment of $10-million to Concacaf for the African Diaspora Legacy Programme.

“Allegations of $10m African Diaspora Fund came as no surprise to me. The truth will come out, watch this space!” he added.
Courtesy: http://www.kick-off.com

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
KOSTER- THE remains of Mwale family will be laid to rest at Reagile informal settlement near Koster on Tuesday.

Seven people were killed in a shack last week at Senthumole Section in Reagile informal settlement in Koster.

It is alleged that ten people were asleep in a shack when it was reduced to ashes.

According to information, a 49 year-old man who is a son-in-law to the family, allegedly started a fire after he was dumped by his wife.

National Prosecution Authority regional spokesperson, Frank Lesenyego said the suspect was arrested and charged with seven accounts of murder and arson.

“The suspect is under police guard at a hospital after he sustained burn wounds. He was arrested by community members who responded to a fire break,” he said.

Lesenyego said the suspect will appear in court on March 24.

North West social development said they offered support to the bereaved family.

Acting spokesperson for social development in North West, Petrus Siko said: “We have intervened as the department. We offered counselling to the family. We will also engage with local government and human settlements department to build a house for them.”

The Kgetlhengrivier municipality donated coffins to the family for the burial of the deceased.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
RUSTENBURG- TWO police officers were attacked by two unknown suspects at Sondela informal settlement near Boitekong in Rustenburg.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said: “A police constable was stabbed with a knife. Two constables were on their daily routine patrol when they stopped a suspicious white bakkie.”

He said that the police found suspected stolen copper cables in a bakkie after an intensive search.

“The constable police was allegedly attacked  by the suspects during the arrest.  One of police was stabbed and sustained serious injury,” Mokgwabone said.

He further added that the injured police was hospitalised.

“We are still looking for the suspects who managed to evade arrest. We urge the community to come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects by contacting D/Captain Nyaniso Ngqoko on 079 895 0531 or 082 953 9746,” he said. 

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane condemned the incident and indicated that nothing will deter the police from doing their work.  
-TDN
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JOHANNESBURG – The winner of the Miss South Africa 2016 pageant, which takes place on Saturday, will get prizes worth a whopping R2-million, along with the coveted crown.

Sun International on Monday said: “The bouquet of prizes makes the pageant one of the richest beauty competitions in the world”.

The prizes include cash, a car, a luxury skiing holiday and many other products together valued at more than R2-million.

“Varsity College has donated one full scholarship valued at R240,000 for Miss South Africa to award to a deserving prospective student and 10 bursaries for R20,000 for female adult learners to study part time,” said Sun International.

The event which takes place at Carnival City, Johannesburg from 17:00 till 19:00.

The line-up includes Prime Circle, MiCasa, Monique Bingham, Sketchy Bongo and Shekhinah who will entertain the live audience as well the thousands of TV viewers.

The 12 women taking part in the competition are: Elizabeth Molapo (Bloemfontein, Free State); Felicia Muwayi (Nelspruit, Mpumalanga); Luyolo Mngonyama (Umtata, Eastern Cape); Marciel Hopkins (Paarl, Western Cape); Mikaela Oosthuizen (Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape); Ntandoyenkosi Kunene (Mkhondo, Mpumalanga); Reabetswe Sechoaro (Pretoria East, Gauteng); Ronette Chambers (Cape Town, Western Cape); Sarah Botes (Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng); Schané Venter (Alberton, Gauteng); Sharon-Rose Khumalo (Pretoria, Gauteng) and Tayla Skye Robinson (Roodepoort, Gauteng).
Courtesy: eNca
 

NORTH West provincial legislature embarked on a public participation meetings with communities across the province. The portfolio committee visited Mahikeng community to hear their grievances. The meeting was held at Mmabatho Civic Centre on Friday.

The acting chair of chairs, Nono Maloyi said the aim of the visit was to conduct a public participation with residents concerning service delivery within their wards.

“We have visited all regions across the province and we will engage with various departments afterwards. We need to hold them accountable. The residents raised many issues regarding service delivery.

“We have also embarked on oversight visits to some of the projects that the provincial government implemented across. The objective of the legislature is to foster law-making, oversight and public participation process through robust debates. We also want to instil public pride and confidence in democracy,” Maloyi said.

Maloyi said in their visit, one of the most raised issues was unemployment. He further added that unemployment among the youth is rife. He further added that unemployment continues to cripple the economy of the country.

“We visited Ventersdorp before we came here. One of the most raised issues is unemployment all over the province. As we all know that government cannot cater for us all, we need to come up with another strategic plan in creating job opportunities.

“We encourage the youth to group themselves together and form co-operatives. That will help in reducing unemployment. Make sure that you get assistance in whatever project you will embark on. Skill development is key and do not bring on board people with no passion,” he said.

Kabelo Mogare from Dithakong East in Mahikeng said: “We are very concern regarding service delivery at our area. There are half-built houses and the contractor is nowhere to be seen. In the meantime people are living in abject poverty. It is more than 20 years since those unfinished houses were there. We will need intervention from the committee.”

Another resident, Paul Mosupa from Extension 39 said there are more than 300 dilapidated houses in their area.

“There are serious challenges in our ward. We want to appeal to the committee to inform our councillor that we need basic service delivery. Those dilapidating houses are being used by criminals as their sojourns to run their criminal activities. We also do not have high mast lights,” he said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Consumers in North West will now refer their grievances to be resolved in consumer court. This came about after the Provincial Consumer Affairs Office has made an update on the establishment of Provincial Consumer Court recently.

The finance, economy and enterprise development department said the court will ensure that the victims of unscrupulous businesses in the province get justice. The office will operate under the auspice of economy and enterprise development department.

MEC for FEED department, Wendy Nelson said they are in the process of finalising Provincial Consumer Court as defined by the appointment of Consumer Court members inclusive of Chairperson.

“The department anticipates on starting court proceedings in the new financial year. The primary objective of the court is to receive, hear and adjudicate over disputes arising between consumers and businesses in the province.

“More focus is on matters concerning the sale of goods or rendering of services by businesses to consumers. Emphasis will be on cases where consumer and a trader could not reach an amicable solution after the matter had been referred to Consumer Affairs. For example, if a consumer bought goods and not satisfied with the service or goods paid for, the consumer may approach the office which will investigate the matter,” Nelson said.

She further added that if a consumer feels aggrieved by the conduct of business or supplier, can then approach the court to either get refund or exchange goods for services paid.

“So far, about 80% of our cases are resolved through mediation. Unresolved cases will be referred to court. Other matters have been referred to other regulators such as National Consumer Commission, National Credit Regulator and different Ombudsman.

“Following consumer education awareness and inspections around the province, the department has noted that most consumers complain about traders that are selling fake goods and not issuing receipt of the purchased goods. All the contraventions in terms of Consumer Protection Act are referred to National Consumer Commission currently. However cases are still investigated by Consumer Affairs Office,” she said.

Nelson said the department will refer all these kind of cases to Consumer Court.  She said businesses that are not complying with the Act were given compliance notice. Nelson further said that if not adhering to the notice, they will be referred to the National Consumer Commission.

“We have observed an increase in disparities between businesses and consumers as a result of unfair business practices. We continue to urge consumers to have a strong voice to enforce their rights and know their responsibilities. Our services are free of charge and we are fully committed to provide consumers with information to protect themselves from misleading promotions. We want them to make informed decisions,” Nelson said.

“The department is working with different stakeholders. We have included tribal authorities, business community and regulators to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities. Consumers are urged to demand protection for their rights. They are afforded to them by the Consumer Protection Act. They should also note that there are strict time frames specified for the realisation of these rights,” she said.

Nelson said consumers were advised to lodge complaints promptly with the office when their rights are infringed. She said they must comply with the prescribed time frames.  She further added that the court will fully operate in the next financial year.

TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MORE THAN 114 mobile classrooms have been delivered to various schools in North West so far. The North West education and sport development was marred by a massive overcrowding in different schools during school opening in January.

However the MEC for education and sport development, Wendy Matsemela said the recent overcrowding in various areas was due to the fact of population growth or storm damages. She said in other areas it was caused by vandalism caused by communities.

Matsemela articulated that the department was working hard to address the matter.

She said they have intervened by procuring mobile classrooms. Matsemela further added that they wanted to reduce pressure to those schools which were regarded as hotspots areas.

According to Matsemela, her department also provided the schools with furniture especially to those which were in dire need of school furniture.

“The department is hard at work addressing challenges of overcrowding through the provision of mobile classrooms. In January alone until to date, we have delivered 114 mobile classes to different schools in the province. We have also prioritised schools like Mphe Bana Secondary school which was most hit by overcrowding.

“We have already delivered four mobile classrooms at Mphe Bana Secondary school. Areas like like Mamusa in Schweizer Reneke, Matloding and Paardekraal benefited from the project,” she said.

MEC Matsemela added that they will roll out the project to other districts.

The representative council of learners’ president at Mphe Bana Secondary school, Goitsione Modisane said: “We feel very proud and honoured about the intervention done by the department. This will ensure that teaching and learning continues to be unhindered at our school. We appreciate the furniture and we will take care of it.”

The school principal, Rueben Motlhampe shared the sentiments. Motlhampe said “The building of the school could not carry the number of learners that were coming into the school. We appreciate the efforts of the department in addressing this problem of overcrowding at our school.”

-TDN

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