By OBAKENG MAJE

Seven suspects from Manthe village, near Taung were arrested for arson and looting by the police during an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday.    

In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest and torched three houses, a vehicle and looted alcohol from Disoufeng tavern. This comes after they accused the tavern owner and the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (34) of murder.

It is alleged that Bakang, his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood. The police preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung, and Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.

It is alleged that, upon arrival, the group of men chained the deceased to a generator and assaulted him. Subsequently, the accused allegedly transported Mothibedi to Manthe clinic where he was declared dead on his arrival.

Former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (42), who is now a businessman, Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, tavern owner, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), the former Taung Mega Stars FC goalkeeper, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), Ali Sakiele (50) and Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) were nabbed.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each. They are expected to appear in court on 21 July 2022 and investigations into the matter continue.”     

Meanwhile, advocate Tebogo Letloleleng, who will represent all seven accused said he proposed that his clients be given a warning, however, that was not the case. Letloleleng confirmed that his clients were charged with three counts of arson including looting.

“When we discuss the matter from a legal point of view, there is what we call a recent possession. For example, you burn the house now and you are arrested immediately. However, the incident took place three months ago, and only now, have the police arrested my clients. 

“In actual fact, it took them three months to make arrests. All along, the police went out to look for statements, which might be true or not. However, we agreed that they will be given station bail of R500 each and the case was postponed,” he said.     

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By SAFA

The SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be forced to soldier on without a number of players after positive Covid-19 cases emerged in camp in Rabat, Morocco.

The South African senior national team is preparing for a crunch Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final match against Tunisia on Thursday, 14 July 2022 and a win against the North Africans will also ensure that coach Desiree Ellis’ charges are one of the four continental sides to qualify for the 2023 World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

“We had one official who tested positive before the Burundi game [in the group stages of the tournament]. The official was isolated and treated as she was symptomatic,” Banyana team physician Dr Rodney Mokoka told http://www.safa.net

“And 48 hours prior to the Botswana game [the final group stage match], we had one player who tested positive for Covid-19 and she was also symptomatic. She was put in quarantine and treated accordingly. Her asymptomatic roommate who tested negative is in isolation, hence they both missed the Botswana game.”

Ellis has maintained a positive outlook ahead of another round of Covid-19 tests that will be conducted before the match on Thursday.

The 2022 WAFCON took centre stage for the first time in four years after the previous edition was cancelled due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic that wreaked havoc with the international sporting calendar.

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By DHIRSHAN GOBIND

In October 2018, the FIFA Council quietly endorsed a major reform in the football transfer system. The FIFA Clearing House (FCH) will centralize, process, and automate payments between clubs following an international transfer or first registration of a professional player.

When a player is registered as a professional for the first time, and each time the player is transferred before his 23rd birthday, clubs that participated in his professional development (i.e. “training clubs”) are entitled to training compensation.

Likewise, when any professional player transfers between clubs for a fee, training clubs are entitled to compensation in the form of solidarity payments. This is especially true in either case if there exists what FIFA terms an “international dimension” – e.g. a South African player signs his first professional contract in Portugal.

Members of Tiki Taka Sports Academy’s MYSAFA-registered development squad in action

Purely domestic cases are governed by the football controlling body in South Africa, SAFA.

Today, even when an international dimension does exist, less than 20% of training rewards are paid out internationally – likely far less in Africa. FIFA, SAFA, and SAFA’s technology partner Inqaku are working together to change this.

These electronic player registrations form the player’s Electronic Player Passport (EPP) that will be used exclusively by the FCH to pay training rewards to qualifying clubs. FIFA projects that by 2023, all payments in international transfers and training rewards will be handled through the FCH.

FIFA estimates that around R6,4B (USD 400M) will be distributed yearly by the FCH to more than 10,000 clubs. If just 1% of that figure (R64M) is directed to South African clubs, it will create massive incentives for investment in player development.

According to the FIFA Transfer Report 2021-22, South African football ranked 54th in the world (7th in Africa) with R580M (USD 34.7M) in transfer fees received by SA clubs. The lion’s share would have of course been paid to NSL clubs, and while the figure hints at the scale of the player development industry, it does not include training compensation or solidarity claims for SA players transferring between foreign clubs.

It is thus evident that the FCH system will uplift many football academies and clubs in SA that often struggle with access to funds. South African clubs need not only to be aware of FCH benefits but also of the ramifications of non-compliance.

There will be no more club-to-club payments on transfers where the FCH is competent to act. This means that, per FIFA, unregistered clubs will have no access to funds generated by the international transfer of a former player. FIFA may allow for a grace period to comply with FCH regulations and/or a transitional period, but it is unclear if importing historical registration records from the past will be allowed.

The FCH will literally be a game-changer, ensuring clubs are compensated to letter of FIFA’s regulations. It also creates the potential for compliant MAs to gain an advantage over rival nations in player development investment. SAFA is in a better position than most, if not all, CAF MAs to profit from these reforms.

That advantage will be multiplied by greater adoption of MYSAFA and by strengthening SAFA’s RSTP and enshrining domestic solidarity as the law of the land.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A learner from Gabonewe High School in Madikwe scooped a gold medal in his research and application in machine learning at an International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology (I-FEST2) held Monastir, Tunisia from 24-30 June 2022.

Tshatiwa, who was a computer enthusiast from his tender age, showed interest in software development. A Grade 11 learner’s passion for software resulted in him winning over 10 contests in the computer science field.

His biggest win before this was the Eskom bursary and this guaranteed him a bright future. The North West Premier, Bushy Maape congratulated Tshatiwa and said the province is proud of him.

“We are proud of Tshatiswa’s achievements and believe that he can conquer the world. We are delighted to see learners from rural communities, at this tender age, taking interest in the 4IR and making their presence felt in that space.

“He is now competing with the best in the world and we are indeed proud. We want to congratulate and wish him well at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia,” Maape said.

Tshatiwa won Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2019 – Highly Commended Award Certificate, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Bojanala 2019 (Bronze Medal), Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2020 (Silver Medal), Geekulcha Top 15 Young Geeks 2020, and Youth ICT Council (North West 4IR Champion).

Meanwhile, North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela shared the same sentiments. Matsemela said her department is excited that one of their learners managed to get such a unique opportunity.

“It is such great news to hear of Tshatiwa’s gold medal win at an international level. On behalf of the team North West Education, I would like to express my sincere happiness for this young man, whose eagerness and enthusiasm for mobile phone machine learning put him on a global stage, competing with other whizz kids from developed countries.

“He serves as a great example to his peers in our public schools that curiosity for educational content not only does it does it sharpen the brain, it can be more fun and lead to greater exploits if one dares to challenge themselves beyond classroom learning, the world is their stage,” Matsemela said. 

She further said these are the kind of trendsetters they want to see more in schools. Matsemela sent her gratitude to Tshatiwa, encouraging him to soar higher and continue to dance with international stars.

“We rejoice with you and well done to teachers, parents, and principal of Gabonewe High School for nurturing this talent,” she said.

In his exhibition, Tshatiwa said he used millions of images to test custom models and distillation for mobile app machines. One of the most inspiring things about Tshatiwa’s win is that his knowledge of machinery is self-taught. 

“I feel good about my win because it gives me recognition on an international stage. Winning a gold medal at I-FEST2 was really great for me personally. It was an indication that my research project is not only amongst the best at home but among the best on an international stage.

“The competition was tough, with other countries presenting really smart and complex research. I also felt humbled by the experience, and was proud to represent my country,” said Tshatiwa.

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