The man is accused of trying to scam convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius out of a R250,000.

JOHANNESBURG – The extortion case against a Limpopo man accused of trying to scam convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius out of a R250,000 has been postponed until Thursday for a bail application.

The accused appeared briefly in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria today following his arrest on Friday.

Pistorius returns to court next month to be sentenced as a murderer, after his appeal to the Constitutional Court was rejected earlier this month.

The former athlete shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day three years ago.

The State alleges that the accused called Pistorius and told him he worked for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and was part of prosecutor Gerrie Nel’s team.

He allegedly offered to make Pistorius murder conviction “go away”.

It’s understood that Pistorius played along and tipped off the Hawks, who then set up a sting operation, which led to the man’s arrest on Friday.

The accused was allegedly paid R40,000 before he was arrested.

The matter has been postponed until Thursday.

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Facebook: Bogosing Secondary school pupil, Zinzi Molema 

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West education and sport development department has intervened after an 18 year-old girl was prohibited from entering school yard at Bogosing Secondary School in Maphoitsile village near Taung for being lesbian.

Zinzi Manini Molema who confessed that she is a lesbian said she was banned from school by the principal.

“The principal sent me packing after I came to school wearing a trouser which was part of uniform. He said I must go back home and wear a skirt since I was a girl. I told him that I cannot wear a skirt because I’ve never worn any in my life. I had to stay home for three weeks without attending any classes.

“I stay with my grandmother and she is sick, so I had to ask our neighbour, Reynett Gaanabo to intervene. He tried to explain my situation to the principal, but his attempts were futile. I believe it is unfair for any educator to force a pupil to wear anything that they not feeling comfortable in,” Molema said.

Reynett Gaanabo, 42 said they knew Zinzi as lesbian within the community. He said everyone have accepted her for who she is. He said it was uncalled for the school to make her suffers because of dress code.

“She was wearing a school uniform, despite whether is a trouser or a skirt. How could they deny her time to attend classes just because she is lesbian? We want to put it out clear that we cannot allow our kids to be harassed because of their beliefs,” he said.

North West education and sport development spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “As department we have ordered the principal to take back the pupil. We also informed the principal to make some exceptional towards the learner. The school will also make sure they organise recovery plan for her to cover the syllabus. The SGB and the principal will convene a meet with the learner’s parents or guardian in quest to reach an amicably long term solution towards the matter.”

South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) regional secretary in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Mika Moeti condemned the decision taken by the principal. He said the pupil cannot be denied education simply because of her dress code.

“As the community, we need to be tolerant towards each other. We cannot afford to discriminate each other because of our dress code, gender and beliefs. We want to applaud the MEC of education and sport development, Wendy Matsemela for intervention. The freedom charter said education is a constitutional right for any kid. So denying the girl education because of her dress code and for being lesbian is uncalled for,” Moeti said.

-TDN

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North West Education and Sport Development MEC Wendy Matsemela is set to visit the three families of drowned learners on Tuesday as well as the school.

Three learners from Rustenburg Technical High school drowned during a school camp at Begheim near Rustenburg.

Matsemela said the school was on an approved trip by the department and the purpose of the trip was to give learners exposure of class.

“I am deeply shocked by the incident, as the department we going to institute an Independent investigation and wish to convey our deepest condolence to the bereaved families,’ Matsemela said.

The deceased learners are between the age of 15-17 years old.

Police Spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said the learners where rowing on a canoe which tipped over.

“Two of the learners were helped out of the water and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was conducted but it was too late, the third learner was found later,” Mokgwabone said.

“The department will work together with the school to support the families of the learners throughout these period,” Matsemela said.

Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za