BY Staff Reporter

Bafana Bafana’s new kid on the block, Belgium-based Ayanda Patosi has been withdrawn from the training camp currently underway.

 

The forward missed the first training session on Thursday afternoon (27 December 2012) as he was nursing an ankle injury. He trained for only a few minutes on Friday morning (28 December) but felt some discomfort, forcing him to watch the rest of training from the sidelines.

 

The player has been released from camp and is expected to travel home to Cape Town this evening.

 

“It is such a pity that he will not be with us due to injury but he is a young man and should be fine. I would have loved to work with him but his injury prevented us from doing so. He is a player for the future, hopefully someday he will return to the national team fold,” said Gordon Igesund.

 

Patosi sustained the ankle injury in his club’s last league match before heading to South Africa. He is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.

 

“I am so disappointed that I will not be part of the AFCON 2013 tournament, I had such high hopes of playing for my country. But being called up for this training camp is in itself a great motivation and will make sure I work harder to return to the national team fold. I really enjoyed my time here, with a great bunch of talented players, unfortunately the injury cut short my stay. I am proud to have come this far and can only wish the boys all the best in the tournament,” said Patosi.

 

He becomes the third player to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury after striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho.

 

Meanwhile training got into top gear at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, with all the other players taking part, including Belgium-based Anele Ngcongca and Siyanda Xulu who arrived on Thursday night.

 

Andile Jali, who also missed Thursday’s training session, managed to complete the gruelling morning session on Friday without a problem.

 

The players gave their all in a rigorous and arduous training session in hot conditions under the watchful eye of head coach Gordon Igesund and his assistant Serame Letsoaka.

 

The mini training camp ends tomorrow (Saturday, 29 December) with just one session in the morning before Igesund announces the 23-man Africa Cup of Nations 2013 squad on Sunday, 30 December.

 

The announcement will take place at the Southern Sun Monte Casino Hotel in Fourways at 15h00.

 

 “The mood in the camp is very high; they all want to be part of this tournament. Unfortunately, some players will not be selected. Most players are eager to be part of this exercise of playing in this prestigious tournament. We will be hosting AFCON for the second time in our history, and who knows maybe we might make history and win it again,” said midfielder Lerato Chabangu.

 

His sentiments were echoed by Thuso Phala.

 

“All the players are excited at the challenge facing us of making the final team. For me, getting this far and being part of the training camp is an achievement on its own. It would be an honour and a dream come true to be selected for AFCON 2013, so I just need to continue working hard. All players are giving 100 percent at training because they want to be selected.

 

 

By Staff Reporter

Early detection of police officials who are stressed might prevent incidents of members of the police service killing their partners and thereafter committing suicide, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Friday.

 

Premier Modise said that post-traumatic stress disorder associated with conditions that police experience during the course of their work demand for advanced psychological services to ensure that whatever pressures police experience in their personal lives do not trigger violent reaction.

 

“We are concerned about incidents of violence that have resulted in loss of lives involving members of the police service particularly as they have occurred close to one another” said Modise. 

 

 The Premier’s comment follows a report that another police officer shot his life-partner dead before turning the gun on himself in Tlhabane near Rustenburg.

 

According to police, the incident took place during the early hours of the morning after neighbours reportedly overheard the pair arguing before they heard gun shots

 

Captain Amanda Funani said that the Tlhabane police were called at Geelhout Park in Rustenburg where they found two bodies of a 33 year-old constable and his 32 year-old girlfriend lying on the floor with gunshot wounds.

 

The incident follows another tragedy in Modimong village near Taung where a 26 year-old Constable Boitumelo Kwate shot his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo(21) on a hip before turning a gun on himself on Christmas eve.

 

 

JOHANNESBURG – South African football was plunged into turmoil in the wake of match-fixing allegations involving high-ranking SA Football Association (Safa) officials, a month before the country was due to host the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2013.

 

Safa suspended its president, Kirsten Nematandani, and four senior administrators in December after the release of a Fifa report surrounding warm-up games before the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.

 

The timing could not have been worse, as Bafana Bafana had been tasked with reaching the semi-finals at the Afcon tournament, otherwise new coach Gordon Igesund could be shown the door.

 

Bafana were in a rebuilding phase for much of the year, with three different coaches taking control of the national side.

 

Nematandani said shortly before he was suspended that he was pleased with the progress of the Bafana squad.

 

“Definitely the end of 2011 was the lowest point for Bafana and so 2012 was a rebuilding exercise,” Nematandani said.

 

“We are focussed on the immediate task of performing with excellence at the forthcoming Afcon 2013 tournament.

 

“We have a duty as a host nation to do well for our supporters and Mzansi people.”

 

Bafana came off a dismal 2011 season when they failed to qualify for the 2012 Afcon competition, and set about their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

In the first qualifying match, in June, they hosted Ethiopia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, but settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw.

 

The result, and a string of poor performances, resulted in coach Pitso Mosimane being axed two days later.

 

Steve Komphela was given the job on an interim basis, and while he was in the running for the full-time post, Igesund was appointed as the new man for the job on June 30.

 

While Komphela was in charge, Bafana drew 1-1 against Botswana

 

in Gaborone in their second World Cup qualifier, and by the time Igesund was appointed, they had got their qualifying campaign off to a rocky start.

 

Igesund was given the ultimatum to take the team to the 2014

 

showpiece and make it through to the last four at the Afcon tournament.

 

Igesund, the only coach to have won South Africa’s Premiership title with four different clubs, approached the job systematically, and with confidence, which he aimed to instill in his players, insisting that everyone in his squad would need to wear the Bafana

 

jersey with pride. In six games in charge, Igesund guided the side to slender 1-0 defeats against Brazil and Poland, and a 2-1 victory over Kenya, in three away matches.

 

In home games, they beat Mozambique 2-0 and Malawi 3-1, while they lost 1-0 to defending Afcon Champions Zambia.

 

Nematandani was pleased with Igesund’s brief time at the helm.

 

“The coming on board of coach Gordon Igesund seems to have brought back the excitement which has been missing.

 

“We are hoping for a good Afcon 2013 tournament because all indicators show that we are moving in the right direction.” – Sapa

 

h

File: (Constable Kwate with his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo during happier times)

By Obakeng Maje

 

Rustenburg- Another Police Officer committed suicide in Tlhabane,near Rustenburg and killed his life-partner dead before turning the gun on himself.

 

“This incident took place during the early hours of the morning and according to neighbours,the two were engaged in an argument before they heard gun shots” provincial police said.

 

“The Tlhabane police were called at Geelhout Park in Rustenburg. Police found two bodies of a 33 year-old constable and his 32 year-old girlfriend lying on the floor with gun shot wounds” Captain Amanda Funani said.

 

The Police Management in North West urges their members to make use of Employ Health Wellness(EHW) if they feel depressed.

 

This follow another tragedy in Modimong village near Taung where a 26 year-old constable Boitumelo Kwate shot his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo(21) on a hip before turning a gun on himself.

BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana have started their training camp at Orlando Stadium in Soweto which runs from Thursday, 27 December until Saturday, 29 December 2012.

 

The squad consists of 31 players – the 24 that was selected for the international friendly match against Malawi last weekend (Saturday, 22 December) in Durban and an additional seven more.

 

Head coach Gordon Igesund will announce the final 23-man squad on Sunday, 30 December.

 

Almost all players reported for national duty with the exception of striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho who have been withdrawn from the camp due to injuries. McCarthy is suffering from a troublesome hamstring while Mathoho has a knee injury.

 

“It is a blow when any player called up for the national team pulls out due to injury. It would have been a great situation to have both of them here,” said Igesund.

 

Ayanda Patosi and Andile Jali were given a break as a precautionary measure. Both have niggling ankle injuries but are expected to join their compatriots at training on Friday, 28 December.

 

Due to club commitments, England-based Kagisho Dikgacoi and Dean Furman, as well as Darren Keet who plays in Belgium will not be part of the training camp.

 

“I already have 19 players in my mind but I still have some decisions to make for the rest, so there are still some places up for grabs.

 

“These are exciting but also testing times for me and the players because at the end of the day only 23 players can make the squad. We saw in the match against Malawi that all players want to be part of this fiesta. But it does not mean if players are excluded from the AFCON squad it is the end of the road, we still have plenty of tournaments to come,” added Igesund.

 

“What I am happy about is the great vibe in the squad and you can see all the players are eager to do their best which makes life harder for me and my technical team.”

 

 

 

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR TEAM FOR TRAINING CAMP

 

NO.

 

  PLAYER’S NAME

 

  CLUB

 

                     GOALKEEPERS: 1.

 

  Itumeleng 

 

KHUNE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  2.

 

  Wayne 

 

SANDILANDS Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  3.

 

  Senzo 

 

MEYIWA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  DEFENDERS:

 

  4.

 

  Bevan

 

FRANSMAN Supersport United FC (SA)

 

  5.

 

  Thabo 

 

NTHETHE Bloemfontein Celtic (SA)

 

  6.

 

  Siyabonga

 

SANGWENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  7.

 

  Siyanda 

 

XULU FC Rostov (Russia)

 

  8.

 

  Siboniso 

 

GAXA  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  9.

 

  Tshepo 

 

MASILELA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  10.

 

  Thabo 

 

MATLABA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

               MIDFIELDERS: 11.

 

  Oupa

 

MANYISA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  12.

 

  Reneilwe

 

LETSHOLONYANE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  13.

 

  Siphiwe 

 

TSHABALALA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  14.

 

  Sifiso 

 

MYENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  15.

 

  Thanduyise 

 

KHUBONI Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (SA)

 

  16.

 

  May 

 

MAHLANGU Helsingborg IF (Sweden)

 

  17.

 

  Delron

 

BUCKLEY Maritzburg United FC (SA)

 

  18.

 

  Lerato 

 

CHABANGU Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

 

  19.

 

  Thuso 

 

PHALA Platinum Stars FC (SA)

 

  20.

 

  Ayanda

 

PATOSI Lokeren FC (Belgium)

 

  21.

 

  Daine 

 

KLATE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  STRIKERS:

 

  22.

 

  Bernard 

 

PARKER Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  23.

 

  Lehlohonolo 

 

MAJORO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  24.

 

  Tokelo 

 

RANTIE Malmo FF (Sweden)

 

    

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS:

 

1.

  Anele 

NGCONGCA Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

  2.

  Andile 

JALI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  3.

  Teko 

MODISE         Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  4.

  Bongani 

KHUMALO Paok FC (Greece)

  5.

  Ricardo 

NUNES MSK Zilina FC (Slovakia)

  6.

  Thulani

SERERO Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland)

  7.

  Katlego 

MPHELA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

    

 

It was a dog-eat-dog world on Twitter on Thursday as people argued over President Jacob Zuma’s comments that caring for a pet dog was part of “white” culture.

 

While a flurry of users seemed indignant that Zuma didn’t name Jock of the Bushveld his favourite four-legged South African or ask Lassie to come home, many others agreed with the president’s sentiments.

 

One user, YanelaJ, said Zuma’s comments were accurate: “How many blacks vs whites do u c walking/running dogs..don’t count domestic worker?”

 

Young Communist League spokesman Khaya Xaba tweeted that a “rich man’s dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man’s wealth is built.”

 

The Star reported on Thursday that Zuma, in a speech given at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, had said that spending money to buy a dog and taking it to the vet and for walks, belonged to “white” culture.

 

He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had “a lack of humanity”.

 

The presidency later sent out a statement in which it explained that Zuma was only trying to “decolonise the African mind” with his statements.

 

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said that Zuma wanted “to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are”.

 

Meanwhile on Twitter, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted a picture of himself with his Boerboel “Superhero” and his Jack Russell “Maradona”.

 

Some tweeters gently suggested that “Superhero” was a bit on the chubby side, but Vavi reassured his followers that he has managed to get the Boerboel’s weight down since the photograph was taken.

 

Vavi also mentioned that he had given ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe a puppy years ago. “He keeps dogs too,” tweeted Vavi.

 

Nevertheless, Vavi said that he was not offended by Zuma’s comments. “As an animal lover & proudly black I don’t feel insulted by that comment – I do have compassion for humans too!!”

 

However, internationally renowned author Zakes Mda refuted the essentialism behind Zuma’s statement.

 

“There are many ways of being African. Of being black even. Those who love animals are not less African than those who don’t.”

 

Journalist Reuben Goldberg suggested that South Africans buy Zuma a dog “and name it #Nkandla”.

 

Even “Bazil the Bulldog” gave his opinion into the matter, tweeting: “Zuma needs a history check, as the Africanis breed of dogs have been the companions of Southern Africa’s San Bushmen since 800 AD…”

 

Ayanda Mlotshwa questioned Zuma’s linking of race and dog ownership, stating: “I’m black & I love my dog. He’s part of my family. We’ve always had dogs in my family. Can’t imagine life without them.”

 

A number of people also tweeted an old photograph of former president Nelson Mandela beaming alongside a jubilant canine companion.

 

The Christian Democratic party sent out a statement in which they said it appeared from his remarks that Zuma’s second term would be “even more sectarian and divisive” than his first.

 

“This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive,” said party leader Theunis Botha. – Sapa

LENASIA – A woman was electrocuted on Thursday after she allegedly fiddled with an electric cable in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi said they responded to a call earlier and found the woman’s body, who is believed to be in her forties.

“She was lying next to an electrical box. It looks she was trying to connect electricity illegally.

“She was declared dead on the scene.”

Mulaudzi said they have seen an increase in incidents of this nature. 

City Power was called in to switch off the power as the cable was believed to be live and posed a danger to residents.

The public was also urged to refrain from these illegal activities.

For more details go to http://www.ewn.co.za

Johannesburg – A 29-year-old Tshwane metro police constable has been arrested after being found in possession of suspected stolen goods and explosives similar to those used during ATM bombings.

 

The constable was arrested in Akasia on Monday when police responded to a complaint about domestic violence.

 

She had allegedly poured hot water on her boyfriend, and he had to be taken to hospital.

 

While at the house, police spotted a Toyota Quantum minibus with no seats.

 

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Mathews Nkoadi said the officers then searched the vehicle and also circulated its particulars to check if it was stolen.

 

“Upon its circulation, it reflected as a hijacking case in Loate (North West) that happened in September,” said Nkoadi.

 

While searching the property and house, police officers found a .38 firearm with live ammunition, 26 rounds of live ammunition for a 9mm pistol and three explosives – the type used in ATM bombings.

 

“We also recovered a police bulletproof vest. She could not account for any of the items found at her house and she was taken into custody.

 

“She is facing charges of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of suspected stolen goods. She is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Nkoadi.

 

Police are now checking whether the constable had been involved in other crimes in Pretoria and will also check if she had been involved in ATM bombings.

 

“Investigations are ongoing to see if she is linked to any other crimes and to see if she was directly involved in the hijacking of the taxi,” said Nkoadi.

 

Tshwane metro police spokesman Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said they were aware of her arrest and would undertake disciplinary measures against her.

 

The constable was the second Tshwane metro police officer to be arrested in less than a week

.For more details go to iol.co.za

 

The IFP Youth Brigade yesterday voiced its concern over the decision of the SABC to flight the movie, The Bang Bang Club, saying it gave the impression that the organisation had been in an alliance with the apartheid government during the years of oppression.

 

National chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said there was escalating political bias being showed by the SABC.

 

He said the public broadcaster was “killing multi-party democracy” in the country while driving many people from opposition parties to the ANC.

 

“It is shameful and disturbing by all measures or standards for the SABC to continue airing The Bang Bang Club. I pay my TV licence as many South Africans do. For the SABC to show us lies is not fair.

 

“These lies push people away from the opposition parties to the ANC.”

 

He said the movie had been flighted on Friday night on SABC1.

 

“This action film paints a negative picture of the IFP, but it has been proven many times that our organisation fought against the apartheid government.

 

We are prepared to explore every avenue to ensure that this onslaught on the IFP comes to an end,” Hlengwa said.

 

He called on the SABC to be objective, adding that his organisation would approach the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to seek its intervention.

 

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the broadcaster aired the movie because it had a licence agreement with the person who created it.

 

It is not our movie and we will continue to play it as per our licence agreement with its owner,” Kganyago said. He said the Brigade had the right to lodge a complaint with Icasa.

For more details g tO http://www.thenewage.co.za

An “irresistible” Iowa dental assistant fired for threatening her boss’s marriage – even though she turned away his advances – has lost her discrimination lawsuit.

 

Melissa Nelson, who is married with children, had worked for James Knight for 10 years before his wife complained about his infatuation with her.

 

Nelson told the court that she had seen Knight as a father figure and a man of “integrity” who generally treated her with respect.

 

But about nine years into the job, Knight started to complain that her clothes were “distracting” because they “accentuated her body,” and he sometimes asked her to cover up with her lab coat.

 

At one point, Knight told Nelson that “if she saw his pants bulging, she would know her clothing was too revealing,” court records showed.

 

After she told him that his complaint about the tightness of her shirt wasn’t fair, he texted back that it was a good thing she didn’t wear tight pants too “because then he would get it coming and going,” the court records showed.

 

And at one point when Knight discussed infrequency in Nelson’s sex life, he told her “that’s like having a Lamborghini in the garage and never driving it.”

 

Knight’s wife, who also worked in the dental office, put her foot down when she discovered the two were texting each other.

 

After meeting with their pastor, Knight agreed to fire Nelson because she was a “big threat to our marriage”.

 

Knight had his pastor by his side when he told Nelson that their relationship – even if there was no sexual affair – had become a “detriment” to his family and that for the sake of both their families they shouldn’t work together.

 

He later told Nelson’s husband she had not done anything wrong or inappropriate, but that he was worried “he would try to have an affair with her down the road if he did not fire her”.

 

Since Nelson did not consider Knight’s behaviour to be sexual harassment, the Iowa Supreme Court determined the question to be “whether an employee who has not engaged in flirtatious conduct may be lawfully terminated simply because the boss views the employee as an irresistible attraction”.

 

While Iowa law prohibits discrimination against employees based on gender, the all-male court ruled that Knight’s conduct was “unfair” but “did not amount to unlawful discrimination.”

 

“I’m trying to stay strong. It’s tough,” Nelson told CNN on Saturday, two days after the ruling was released. “I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t think it’s right.”

 

She denied wearing provocative clothing, telling the television network she wore loose-fitting scrubs to work under her lab coat.

 

Knight’s attorney said there was a clear precedent to allow employers to fire employees who aroused jealousy in their spouses.

 

“He and his wife really agonized about it,” Stuart Cochrane told CNN. “He didn’t want to terminate her.” – Sapa-AFP