Daily Archives: September 7, 2018

Baxter softens Strasbourg stance

Uncategorized Leave a comment

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter says Strasbourg weren’t happy about him criticising how they communicated the unavailability of South Africa striker Lebo Mothiba.

Baxter took issue with Strasbourg’s apparent vague notification and delay in submitting proof that their new signing Mothiba is injured.

The frustrated Brit on Monday threatened to report the Ligue One club to FIFA over the matter, but has since softened his stance with a view to future dealings with the French side.

Baxter called up Bidvest Wits attacker Mxolisi Macuphu the following day as a replacement for Mothiba ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Cup qualifier with Libya at Moses Mabhida Stadium (15h00).

“No. I mean, look, you talk about Lebo Mothiba’s team; we got an email from them saying that they objected to the complaints that we made,” said Baxter when asked if he is pursuing the Mothiba matter with FIFA.

“But the truth is, we had Amiens [Bongani Zungu’s club] calling us, mailing us during the game about Bongani Zungu’s injury and we get a letter directly from the doctor.

“[With Strasbourg] we had to wait three days before we got the doctor’s [letter] and Lebo was not here. We only had one contact from the club secretary saying, ‘Lebo couldn’t come here because he had a physical problem’. We didn’t know what that problem was, three days later we got the scan.

“I’m questioning they way that was done and they are questioning possibly what we did. But I think, in terms of going forward, we need to have relationships with every club.

“We ought to be given respect in that we are trying to do a job here. Not just they bought a player with a lot of money and he’s their property, no, he’s not.

“He’s our player as well and we need to do a job here. We need information about our players as quickly as possibly, as soon as they are injured. We are trying to get that with South African clubs. Amiens, they did that and some others do that.

“So we are getting there, but this is a new relationship with Strasbourg … I don’t know the people there. But I just know that we need to have immediate information about players, open and honest information. And then there’s no problem.”
Source: http://www.kickoff.com

R17m can buy you … nothing. It’s what you’re paying for Zuma’s legal fees

Uncategorized Leave a comment

Former president Jacob Zuma’s personal legal fees bill to be covered by the Presidency now stands at close to R17 million‚ an increase from the R15.3 million previously disclosed in March.

The Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has written to National Assembly Speaker, Baleka Mbete, to revise the figure.

Ramaphosa said that the additional R1.4 million came to light through investigations by the department of justice while preparing documents for litigation.

Ramaphosa’s letter to Mbete said that the sum of R16.78 million had been confirmed by director-general in the presidency Cassius Lubisi in an affidavit submitted to the high court.

In sending the letter, Ramaphosa was correcting a reply he had given in Parliament in March that the legal costs amounted to R15.3 million.

The Democratic Alliance has launched an application to review and set aside the agreements between the presidency and Zuma to cover the legal costs incurred by him for his criminal prosecution.

The case will be heard in the High Court in Pretoria on November 6 and November 7.

“Over the last decade, Zuma has exploited our justice system with numerous court proceedings that had the intention of avoiding or delaying criminal prosecutions against him.

“He has also misused the courts to maintain his grip on power,” DA federal council chairperson James Selfe said Friday.

“The taxpayer has so far footed the bulk of the legal bill for this. The DA will not stand by and let this unjust situation continue.

“South Africans have already paid too dearly for Zuma’s term in office and should not be required to foot the costs of his legal proceedings.

“Zuma should not be entitled to any further financial support from the government or the people of South Africa and the DA looks forward to arguing our case in court,” Selfe said.

Source: http://www.citypress.co.za