South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani heaped praises on Orlando Pirates following their exciting run in the African Champions League tournament.

The South African league champions progressed to the next round, the round robin, of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win over Democratic Republic of Congo powerhouse and champions TP Mazembe on Sunday. Pirates lost 1-0 but went through having beaten Mazembe 3-1 in the feisty first leg.

“On behalf of the South African football community, I would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates for their amazing run in the CAF Champions League,” said Nematandani. “The future of South African football is certainly back on track and the Pirates result, together with SuperSport United good run, bares testimony to this.”

SuperSport were edged out of the CAF Confederation Cup but the SAFA president said there were massive positives out of this experience. “We congratulate SuperSport United for going this far in the Confederation Cup and the experience gained there, along with that of Orlando Pirates, will certainly benefit our national team Bafana Bafana,” Nematandani said. 

The South African Football Association (SAFA) is mourning the passing on of former and long serving National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Olehile Manong, who died this morning (Sunday, 5 May 2013) at his home in Kimberley, Northern Cape after a long illness.

He served in the SAFA NEC from 2001-2005 under the presidency of Dr Molefi Oliphant.

SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani said he was shocked at the passing on of this distinguished soccer administrator.

“I learnt of his passing on with great sadness. He contributed a lot to the development of soccer in his region and nationally. This is a major blow for South African soccer,” said SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani.

Former SAFA President, Dr Oliphant hailed the late Manong as a humble and spirited individual.

“He was a very unassuming person, a very spiritual individual and an astute football administrator. Olehile played a leading role in the football administration of the Northern Cape and the time he spent in the NEC was invaluable. He also played a significant role in the unity of football in the Northern Cape,” said Dr Oliphant.

“He was the permanent Head of Delegation for the Men’s Under 23 National Team during his tenure in the NEC and will mostly be remembered for his leadership when the team qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.”

Dr Oliphant said the late Manong was one person whose deliberations and discussions in meetings helped shape the football of this country.

He said the Association will forever be indebted for his leadership qualities.

Funeral arrangements will be communicated as soon as they are available.

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-Two sisters argument led to a death of an infant. The gruesome event unfolded on Tuesday at Madibe A Makgabane village, in Mmabatho.

“Two sisters allegedly had an argument at Madibe A Makgabane and that led to a death of a two months baby” Adele Myburgh said.

Police said the other sister held her baby at her back when her sister allegedly pushed her.

“The mother allegedly fell on top of her baby, to the ground. The baby suffered head injuries and was allegedly rushed to Lekoko clinic” she said.

The baby was certified dead on her/his arrival and a case of culpable homicide case was launched.

“No one has been arrested and police investigation continues” Myburgh said.

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By Obakeng Maje

Christiana-North West police arrested a 42 year-old man in Utlwanang Location after he allegedly broke into a house.

Police said a 33-year-old woman was asleep in her house at around 21:00 when she heard a window thumped.

“A woman realised that she was under attack and called for help” captain Adele Myburgh said.

It is alleged a suspect hit her with a brick and tried to escape said police.

“A man was arrested by community members who heard a woman scream and allegedly came to investigate” Myburgh said.

The suspect was arrested by police and will appear before. Christiana Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for charges of House Robbery and Assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.

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By Obakeng Maje

Hartbeesfontein-Police arrested a 24 year-old man after he allegedly raped a 11 year-old.

“On Wednesday at about 20:00  in Tigane Extension 6, a community member called a brother of a 11 year-old girl, on his arrival he was informed about the alleged rape” captain Myburgh said.

“A girl indicated that she has been raped by a 24-year-old suspect called Lucas Mangope Jakade” Myburgh said.

Police were called to the scene and a suspect was arrested.

Jakade appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Friday. 

“Lucas Mangope Jakade will remain in custody until his next court appearance for formal bail application” police said.

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The Hendler commission of enquiry that was investigating the management of the royalties and or income derived from mining companies and alleged activities of corruption and maladministration of the funds of the Rakotea community near Brits is to resume with public hearings as from tomorrow Monday 6 May to Friday 10 May 2013, the Office of Premier of the North West confirmed on Sunday.

The continuation of the commission of enquiry with its original terms of reference was approved by Premier Thandi Modise recently. The commission was initially appointed in 2008 by then Premier Edna Molewa  in terms of the North West Commissions Act, 1994 (Act No. 18 of 1994) 

The commission had adjourned in 2010 because the leader of evidence Adv. Senne resigned from the commission on the grounds that he had joined government from the private sector and could not proceed in his role as leader of evidence, without his impartiality being an issue. 

The work of the commission was also interrupted because its chairperson Judge Hendler had to go for a medical procedure overseas and the Office of the Premier had to wait for his return and full recovery. The appointment of another chairperson to replace Judge Hendler would have meant that the commission had to start the hearings afresh.

Family members of the joint co-owners, the family representatives and the residents of Rankotea are invited to the inquiry. The persons who previously gave testimony during the hearings are requested to be in attendance. The commission further invites any person who wishes to give testimony at the commission to be in attendance during its sittings to be held at the Madibeng Local Municipality Offices in Brits.

Among its terms of reference, the commission was also appointed to investigate:

∙ the functionality of the Executive Committee if any and other committees or subcommittees entrusted with the general management of the affairs of the community.∙         To collect and examine information relating to the administration and management of the financial affairs of the community.∙ the cause of continuous battles between all committees that were ever elected or appointed and recommend scenarios to be considered to ensure non-recurrence of such problems. 

Upon completing its investigations, the commission has to make recommendations to the Premier Modise on any proposed actions and/ or steps to be taken to prevent the mismanagement of the funds of the community including the appropriate financial and management structures that must be put in place for future management of the funds and general administration thereof.

Phokeng- North West police arrested a 28-year-old man after he allegedly stoned his friend to death.

The gruesome incident took place Wednesday at Boshoek, in Rustenburg.

Police said a suspect was coming from a local tavern at around 22:00 along with his friends.

“It is alleged that a 36 year-old man proposed a woman in their company and this left a suspect crestfallen” captain Adele Myburgh said.

An argument ensued between to men and precipitated to a fight. A suspect allegedly grab a stone and hit Lekheto Nteso,36 several times on his head said police.

“They woman tried to mediate between the two, but her attempt was futile. The suspect allegedly went home, leaving Nteso in a prosprate position” Myburgh said.

The body of Nteso was discovered the following day, and he allegedly died from head injuries. A suspect was arrested.

“A 28 year-old man will appear before Rustenburg Magistrate Court on Monday in connection of murder” she said.

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Johannesburg – South Africa faces massive problems in its economy, despite achieving democracy 19 years ago, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Friday.

“While we have made huge gains since 1994… on the economic front workers’ lives have not been fundamentally transformed. We still face massive problems in our economy,” the Congress of SA Trade Unions leader said in a speech prepared for delivery.

“In the longer term, the only way we can create sustainable jobs, eradicate poverty and build a more prosperous and equal society is through a radical restructuring of our economy.”

Vavi was speaking at a Workers’ Day celebration at the University of Cape Town.

He said it was crucial to give South African youth the opportunity to work and to have a secure future.

“If we fail, the outcome will be disastrous, not just for the young people themselves, but for all South Africans, who will lose the massive contribution that those young workers have the potential to make if given the opportunity to work and earn a living.”

Corruption

Vavi lamented the “appalling tolerance” of corruption in the country.

“In our view such [corrupt] people should not even wait to be disciplined, but offer their resignation,” he said.

“All [of] this is wreaking untold damage on the moral fibre of the country. We are moving towards a society in which the morality of our revolutionary movement… is being swept away [by] a culture of individual self-enrichment and ‘me-first’.”

He said South Africa’s “political life” was not exempt from corruption.

“Some corrupt politicians and officials build political support by bribing people to back their factions, which are not based on ideological differences, but on who has the biggest treasure chest to dole out favours.”

Cape Town – Investigations into the illegal landing of a private jet at the Waterkloof Air Force Base could include looking into the role the Gupta family played in the saga, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

For more wwww.iol.co.za

On a Tuesday afternoon in June 2004, Gavin and Wanda Cocks found their 16-year-old son, Edwin, dead in his bedroom with a dog leash around his neck. Edwin had not committed suicide, they said. He had been the victim of a deadly game gone wrong – a game that is played by teenagers in many countries, including South Africa.

For more http://www.iol.co.za