Johannesburg – Nine people will appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, for public violence and possession of stolen goods, according to police.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said a Somali shop owner charged with murdering two men, believed to be Zimbabweans, would also appear in court.

He had told the police the men tried to rob him outside his shop in Diepsloot on Sunday, so he pulled out his firearm and shot them, Dlamini said.

Later that day, local residents stoned and looted the shop. Police dispersed them, but they targeted other shops. At the time, Dlamini could not confirm how many shops were looted.

The nine suspects were arrested that night.

Dlamini said the area where the incident took place was a semi-informal settlement believed to be populated by foreigners and South Africans. – Sapa

Pretoria – The NPA respects a ruling made by a disciplinary hearing in favour of suspended prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, spokesperson Nomilo Mpondo said on Monday.

“We will study the ruling to determine the way forward,” she said.

Breytenbach was found not guilty on 15 counts on Monday by a disciplinary hearing which sat at the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) head office in Pretoria.

“The guilt of the employee on this plethora of charges has not been established,” said the hearing’s chairperson Selby Mbenenge SC.

Breytenbach was also found not guilty on any of the alternative charges.

A core charge against the anti-graft prosecutor was failing to act impartially when investigating the Kumba Iron Ore/Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading mining rights issue, because of “improper relations” with Sishen’s lawyer Mike Hellens.

Other charges included “surreptitiously leaking” NPA inside information to Beeld journalist Sonja Carstens; giving her official NPA laptop to her lawyer; and “maligning” the NPA in the media.

Breytenbach was suspended from the NPA on 30 April 2012.

She claimed acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba suspended her to stop her from prosecuting former police crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli on fraud and other charges.

In March, a parallel arbitration hearing at the Public Service Bargaining Council, in Centurion, found Breytenbach’s suspension was both procedurally and substantively fair.

Her lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar said it was still being considered whether to review or appeal the arbitration hearing decision.

Questionable

On Monday, Breytenbach was acquitted on five counts relating to allegations that Hellens influenced her, and that she allowed him to try to turn an accused – Imperial Crown Trading director Archie Luhlabo – into a State witness.

“There is not an iota of evidence that [Breytenbach] improperly attempted to obtain a confession from Mr Luhlabo by conspiring with Mr Hellens and [Nazeer Cassim SC] to do so,” Mbenenge said.

“I do not, therefore, see my way clear in finding the employee guilty of misconduct on count one.”

Mbenenge found there was no evidence to contradict Breytenbach’s argument that she was always in control of the case and had remained objective.

She was acquitted on charges of misconduct relating to her work laptop and the information on it.

The NPA also charged her with bringing it into disrepute and contravening its media policy and public service regulations.

The NPA said that during interviews between February and June 2012 Breytenbach had stated that ulterior motives were behind her suspension.

“There is neither direct nor circumstantial evidence of the employee having conducted interviews to the media reporters and/or media houses concerning the reason [perceived or otherwise] for her suspension,” Mbenenge said.

After hearing the finding Breytenbach hugged Wagenaar. He then read out a statement by her, in which she thanked everyone for their support.

“I am relieved that the chairperson saw the lack of justification in the charges laid against me,” she said.

In the statement, she also said she intended returning to work if she was allowed to do so.

Political parties have praised the disciplinary hearing’s finding.

“We call on the NPA to immediately re-instate her and allow her to continue with her work,” Christian Democratic Party leader Theunis Botha said in a statement.

He said Breytenbach’s suspension had been questionable from the outset, as some of the country’s most powerful politicians had been implicated in the matters involved.

“We strongly recommend that all outstanding matters be resolved as soon as possible,” Botha said.

Democratic Alliance MP Dene Smuts also called for Breytenbach’s immediate re-instatement.

“The once superb Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit had already suffered the loss of its leader, advocate Chris Jordaan, during the tenure of advocate Menzi Simelane as National Director of Public Prosecutions, when advocate Breytenbach was suspended,” she said.

Smuts said Breytenbach had to be allowed to return to work.

SAPA

Sana’a – Gunmen abducted two South African citizens on Monday in Yemen’s second largest city, Taiz, and police said a lawmaker was behind the kidnapping to pressure the government to hand over a disputed piece of land.

It was the latest twist in Yemen’s bumpy road to democracy after more than three decades of autocratic rule that ended with longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s ouster in an uprising last year. 

The country’s new president is struggling to unify the country and its armed forces in the face of resistance from an active al-Qaeda branch in Yemen and powerful tribes.

Abductions are not rare in Yemen, but Monday’s kidnapping of foreigners was unusual in its circumstances and is the first in Taiz, near the southwestern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Police said that they received a call from assistants of lawmaker Abdel-Hamid el-Batra saying he organised the kidnapping outside the Taiz Plaza hotel because of a dispute with the government over a piece of land. 

The lawmaker pledged to hand over the foreigners in exchange for the land, police officials said. 

They spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to reporters.

El-Batra belongs to the country’s ruling party and has been a member of parliament for 10 years.

Earlier, an interior ministry source had said the South Africans had apparently been mistaken for Europeans or Americans.

Unlike other parts of Yemen, Taiz has been relatively free of the type of violence other provinces have seen. 

However, in March 2012 al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for killing an American teacher there, saying in a post on militant websites that he was proselytising for Christianity.

Al-Qaeda in Yemen is expanding, according to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, and has used assassinations and abductions of foreigners as a way to challenge the central authority. 

The United States considers the Yemen branch to be al-Qaeda’s most active and dangerous.

In 2011, during the uprising against Saleh, al-Qaeda overran entire cities and towns in the south of the country. 

Taiz, however, remained a hub for elite Yemeni activists and academics who camped out for months in protest until the longtime ruler stepped down.

AP

Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi and defender Tsepo Masilela have been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad that will play in the upcoming international friendly match (Lesotho)and two Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Central African Republic and Ethiopia).

Dikgacoi tore his calf muscle ligaments when his club Crystal Palace defeated Watford one nil in the English Championship Play-off Final earlier today (Monday, 27 May 2013). He was carried off early in the first half.

The match was played at the Wembley Stadium, and the victory means Palace will play in the English Premiership next season.

Masilela was withdrawn due to a planned operation on his knee which has troubled him all season. He was part of the team that defeated Supersport United in the final of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday, 25 May at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. 

Slovakia-based Ricardo Nunes will replace Masilela and is expected in camp on Wednesday, 29 May with the rest of the squad.

“We have really had some bad luck with defenders lately missing out due to injury, this is really a big blow for us in that department. Already, we are without Morgan Gould, Siyabonga Sangweni, Thabo Matlaba, and now Masilela. Siyanda Xulu recently returned from an injury, but they say when one door closes the other opens, so I believe this is a chance for the players in the squad to raise their hands and also help their country through these difficult times,” said Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund.

“I am very happy for KG for the promotion to the English Premier League, but it is just unfortunate he won’t be with us. He is a good player and I believe he deserves to be playing at the highest level which will in turn help Bafana Bafana.”

There is no replacement yet for Dikgacoi.

“We are hoping for a speedy recovery for him. I still have to apply my mind as to whether to call in a replacement, but if I do it will be a player based locally. For now I want to sleep over it as I don’t want to make any quick decisions,” added Igesund.

By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-A 43 year old suspect Oupa Joseph Mashangu who is believed to be a member of card cloning syndicate appeared at Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of Fraud and Electronic Communication and Transaction Act today.
The suspect is still in custody and will appear again on 3 June 2013 for a formal bail application.
“His arrest come after the Directorate Priority Crimes (The HAWKS) made a breakthrough with regards to a card cloning syndicate that they have been monitoring which have been operating in the North West Province” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The suspect was apprehended after members kept observation on him at an identified hotspot (ATM). The suspect was interfering with customers using the ATM and pounced on him. Mashangu was arrested with a skimming device and several bank cards believed to have been cloned.
“On further investigation, members went to the residence of the suspect which is in Doringkruin, in Klerksdorp where other items were seized amongst them two laptops and a computer which will be sent for Forensic Analysis” Ngubane said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was the owner of the plush property in Doringkruin as well as two luxury motor vehicle.
Police said investigations will be conducted to ascertain how he acquired these assets as he was found to be unemployed.
“The mentioned assets will also form part of the investigations by the HAWKS as well as other Law Enforcement Agencies” said police.
The North West province has been engulfed by a measure increase in fraudulent crime, in particular card cloning.
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Rustenburg-MEC for the Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison in the North West Nono Maloyi has called on drivers to be extra careful and have patience on the provincial roads.
The MEC’s appeal follows the death of six people this morning, on the R30 road between Derby and Rustenburg.
“According to police and traffic authorities, the two vehicles were driving opposite directions when they collided head on, around 06H00 this morning. Police further report that a jaws of life had to be used to cut both vehicles to remove the bodies of all six occupants” said MEC Maloyi.
The Police suspect that one of the two vehicles might have encroached on the other side after failing to negotiate a curve, resulting in the fatal crush.
“All deceased are said to be male, and police are still verifying their age as well as contacting their next of kin” said Maloyi.
Police said that speed might have also contributed to the unfortunate accident.
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Pic:(Suspects flanked with police after he was busted)

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad-The Police in Pampierstad are investigating a case of dealing in dagga after a 33 year-old male was arrested at his home today at approximately 03:00am. 

“The police followed up on leads of dagga sales at the specific premises and managed to pounce on the suspect in the early hours of the morning when he least expected it” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

The police allegedly found two bags and 14 arms of dagga at the premises. 

The dagga has an approximate street value of R175 000,00 and weighs 35,2 kg. 

“The police laud the Pampierstad Community for their assistance with regard to the information provided to police” said Kock. The suspect will be appear at Pampierstad Magistrate Court soon. 

The investigation continues.

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HUHUDI – North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise has called on the church to pray for unity, stability and promote good moral values because democracy cannot function well in the face of decaying moral values and human indignity.

Addressing the ZCC Mass Prayers Meeting held at Huhudi Stadium on Sunday, Premier Modise said that faith based organisations can play a huge role in uniting the people of the province.

“We are living at times where our people are speaking in different voices and are continuously disunited.

As partners with government in the Moral Regeneration Movement, the church also needs to continue to play a critical role in ensuring that the moral values of ubuntu such as respect for human life, and respect for each other are inculcated, especially among our youth.” She said.

ZCC is one of the churches with the biggest membership and following on the continent with over 4 million memberships.

Premier Modise said that members of the church are more than residents of the province and ironically more than members of the ANC.

More than 150 thousand members of the church painted the town of Vryburg with yellow and green as they joined the two days prayer service.

Many members of the church from local communities and outside the borders of South Africa such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe joined the service.

Premier Modise said through the prayers of the churches most of the challenges faced by the province can be solves.

“Our communities are experiencing a lot of social ills, we read on newspapers and radios that woman and children are being raped everyday. Young people are taking drugs at an early age and commit a lot of crimes in our various communities, we need to pray for all this because government cannot work alone in solving problems of this nature,” she said.

Premier Modise also highlighted that as the continent celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization of the 10th African Union, the service should change the order of things in the realm of the spirit.

“I wish to reiterate that African from time to time immemorial upheld appreciate moral standards and their moral standing chiselled in their culture and traditions have punctuated the heartbeat of every part of their social and economic lives,

This weekend of blessing for our province, its towns and villages is about looking to the Lord as the author and perfector of our faith,” she said.

Reflecting on His Grace Bishop Dr.Barnabus Lekganyane’s Easter message that called for South Africans to fight against what is ugly and repulsive in our society, Premier Modise said that unemployment, inequality and poverty are repulsive and ugly and need government to work together with churches to defeat them..

“The ANC led government regards the church as one of its principal partners as we strive to improve the lives of all our people, especially the poor. Accordingly, we urge the church to continue to use its capacity and infrastructure positively to impact on the process of transformation and change” she appealed.

“Tribalism, racism, crime, corruption and greed also are repulsive and ugly as they rob our people and defer their dream of a better life for all that many of our people fought and died for. Working together we can do more to restore the dignity of our people,” she emphasised.

Modise said that the message of the Christian faith is fundamentally about upholding the values of justice, equality, peace, respect of human rights, prosperity and goodwill towards all people.

Premier Modise said that In 1927, when the status of African chieftancy was downgraded by the Native Administration Act, Bishop Angus Lekganyane refused to recognise that African chieftancy was subject to the whims and life of the oppressive minority government.

“To him, the African chieftaincy was an institution not to be tampered with, least of all by a foreign people who understand very little or nothing about African culture,” she said.

Modise said that government count on the church to lead communities in working together with it to foster respect of human rights, strengthening of families and communities and to build a strong foundation for a caring society that respects our traditional leaders and the institutions of traditional leaders.

Premier Modise thanked the ZCC church for taking all the efforts to hold the service in the province.

In praying for the province Bishop Lekganyane acknowledged that the country is experiencing a lot of social ills.

“We have honoured the invite from Premier Modise to conduct this service because the church is equally concerned about the challenges faced by the country particularly the North West province,”

We will pray all of us as the church for the province to be at peace, he said.

Bishop Lekganyane also praised Premier Modise for having the courage to leading the province to the right direction.

“I would like to thank Premier Modise for her courage and commitment to partner with the church.

We will continue even after this service to pray for the province and its leadership,” he said.

JOHANNESBURG – Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) leader Joseph Mathunjwa said on Monday a protected strike at Lonmin’s Marikana mine was a possibility after talks about majority union recognition had deadlocked.

Mathunjwa was fighting for majority recognition at the North West platinum mine and called on the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to vacate its offices.

There were tensions between the two unions at the volatile mine sparking fears of further unrest.

Mathunjwa said talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration with Lonmin bosses last week were unsuccessful.

“The certificate of non-revolution was issued so it is for Amcu to decide which direction to go. We could either go for arbitration as applicants or apply for protected industrial action.”

AMCU INTIMIDATING NUM MEMBERS

NUM last week said it was losing members in the Rustenburg area because workers were being intimidated to join Amcu.

NUM used to be the majority union at Lonmin and had an agreement in place to only leave their office space in July.

Amcu is pushing for the union to leave before then.

It wants majority recognition now that it represents about 70 percent of employees.

NUM’s France Baleni said members are not leaving because of better prospects at Amcu.

“Intimidation forced members out of NUM. When things are normalised workers will return to the union because that is where they receive quality service.”

Baleni said they were willing to work with Amcu to prevent job losses in the mining industry, but Amcu is continuing its fight for majority recognition, which some analysts said could spark more violence in the future.

VIOLENCE AT LANXESS

Miners and security clashed last week at Lanxess Chrome mine last week which resulted in 10 miners being rushed to hospital.
Workers embarked on an unprotected strike last week demanding performance bonuses.

About 500 miners gathered outside the main gate, where clashes broke out with security guards.

The police’s Thulani Ngubane said several rounds of rubber bullets were fired.

“About 10 protesters were injured and then taken to the mine hospital. The situation is currently under control.”

Last week, workers at Marikana downed tools for two days.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said continued labour unrest could see further job losses and companies closing down, but in Rustenburg the situation remained hostile with wage issues and union rivalry still sparking violence.
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