The cost of investigating and prosecuting 30 police officers accused of running the “Cato Manor death squad” is expected to rise to nearly R30 million as a protracted legal battle wears on.

The officers, who have been suspended indefinitely since their arrest more than a year ago, will appear in the Durban High Court on Monday.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Cape Town – Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has spoken out about the infighting in the party and said she is disappointed that those jostling for positions were trying to drive a wedge between her and Gauteng Premier candidate Mmusi Maimane.

According to the Sunday Times, several MPs including John Steenhuisen and former parliamentary leader Athol Trollip are said to be campaigning for Maimane to oust Mazibuko as parliamentary leader in the hope that Maimane will succeed DA leader Helen Zille should she step down.

Mazibuko told the newspaper that she was disappointed that those jostling for positions were trying to use her and Maimane to climb the political ladder.

This comes after weeks of speculation of internal feuds. Last month, The DA dismissed as rumours claims about an internal battle over the use of party resources by its parliamentary leader and its Gauteng premier candidate. At the time, DA MP Geordin Hill-Lewis, a senior aide to Zille, said it was nothing but internal rumour mongering before an election.

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – The presidency denied a report on Sunday that President Jacob Zuma had a hand in the withdrawal of an academic honour for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

“The reports are baseless and ridiculous,” presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“Neither the president nor his private office had any knowledge of this honour that was apparently turned down until enquiries came from Media24 or Naspers newspapers.”

On Friday, Beeld reported that Motlanthe was on his way to China to receive an academic honour when it was unexpectedly withdrawn and that fingers had been pointed at Zuma.

The newspaper reported that, according to three sources, Motlanthe was “furious” officials at the South African embassy in Beijing told him the international relations department had instructed that his invitation from the University of International Business and Economics be turned down.

His spokesperson Thabo Masebe reportedly confirmed to the newspaper that Motlanthe was told only days before he was meant to leave.

According to Beeld, it was told by source at the Union Buildings that there was no direct evidence Zuma was involved, but merely a strong suspicion in government circles.

Maharaj said Zuma and Motlanthe continued to work well together and shared responsibilities.

“It would thus assist greatly if the media probed deeper before believing and publishing spurious allegations of this nature so as not to peddle falsehoods,” he said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Voters must help oust the ANC in next year’s elections, said Agang SA.

Mamphela Ramphele’s party launched its national election campaign in Johannesburg on Saturday

People had not had a more important opportunity than the one they had now, Ramphele said at the launch, according to a statement issued by Agang.

“The 2014 election is an opportunity to raise your voices and say no to the way the ANC is shamefully running this country,” she said.

Ramphele said the elections would give five million first-time voters a chance to exercise their civic right and to have their voices heard.

Describing the party’s new emblem she said: “Our colourful circle is inclusive of all the people of South Africa, where everybody is equal.”

“You will notice the colours of our flag, because we are proud of what South Africa was promised when it was designed and raised jubilantly from flagpoles across our country at the dawn of our democracy.”

She said the 11 triangles represented the official languages.

“Green is the colour of growth and represents our commitment to make sure we look after our natural resources so that we will always have clean water, good food and beauty – and there will be enough, for all, forever.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – EFF official Floyd Shivambu denied reports on Sunday that former ANCYL treasurer general Pule Mabe shared with him money he allegedly stole from the poor.

He was reacting to a report in Sunday World alleging that of the R2m allegedly fleeced from the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa), R30 000 was given to him.

The former ANC Youth League spokesperson said his legal representatives would write to Sunday World to ask for the withdrawal of the story and for the publication of a front page apology. If the newspaper failed to do so, he would take the matter to court.

However, Sunday World editor Marvin Meintjies said the newspaper would stand by its story.

“We stand by our story, which is based on documents compiled by the investigators,” he said.

“We are 100% convinced about the veracity of the documents.”

He said allegations that Mabe was the paper’s source were incorrect.

Mabe, who is a member of the ANC’s national executive committee, Paseka Letsatsi, Sassa communications head and Kabedi Ramosa appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Friday on charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.

They had handed themselves over to the Sunnyside police station earlier in the day.

They were released on bail of R10 000 each and were expected to appear in court again on 13 February.

Shivambu said: “The police case against Pule Mabe does not mention my name as a beneficiary of the ‘stolen’ millions, instead [it] mentioned a number of recipients, most of whom are his private companies, his friends and family members, and the ANC Youth League, which he paid R100 000.

“The police case does not in any way suggest that I received R30 000 from Pule Mabe, including from the R100 000 of the ‘stolen’ money he paid to the ANC Youth League account.”

Shivambu said that if he did exchange any money with Mabe when he was treasurer general of the ANCYL, it was solely for organisational work.

Shivambu said he had retrieved bank statements online which confirmed he had not received R30 000 from Mabe.

“I believe that those who stole money should be held accountable and should not resort to desperate attempts to implicate others.

“The only other source of this misleading information is Pule Mabe, because he said that he will try to drag the leadership of the Economic Freedom Fighters into his private problems so that he can get some sympathy from his political associates and try to divert attention,” Shivambu said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Five men were arrested for stealing a trailer containing several tons of hand and body lotion worth R1.5m in Cleveland, Johannesburg on Sunday, Gauteng police said.

“This morning at around 02:00 a group of armed men held up a security guard at a logistics company in Cleveland,” said Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale

“The robbers unhitched a trailer carrying a container filled with hand and body lotion from the logistic company’s [truck] and connected it to their own before making their getaway.”

Following a tip-off, police went to a warehouse in Stormill, near the Johannesburg CBD, where they found five men off-loading the goods into smaller cars. The men were then arrested.

The five men were: the owner of the warehouse, the warehouse caretaker, a truck driver and two 25-year-old men.

“All five men are currently in police custody on possible charges of armed robbery and for being in possession of property suspected to be stolen,” said Makgale.

“They are all expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on [Monday].”

More arrests were expected.

– SAPA

Polokwane – Security will be tight at the Polokwane High Court, where EFF leader Julius Malema’s corruption trial is expected to start on Monday, Limpopo police said.

Police would monitor and patrol the area in and around the court, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

The city centre and Malema’s hometown of Seshego would also be monitored.

“The aim is to ensure peace and stability. No lawlessness will be tolerated and those who break the law will be arrested immediately,” said Mulaudzi.

Malema is accused of making nearly R4m from corrupt activities.

He is out on bail of R10 000 and faces charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and racketeering.

His co-accused are his business associates Kagisho Dichabe, Lesiba Gwangwa, Helen Moreroa, and Makgetsi Manthata, who are out on bail of R40 000 each.

The trial is expected to run until 29 November.

Mulaudzi said police would also monitor a night vigil by Malema’s supporters at Cosmo Leisure Lodge and Conference Centre in Polokwane on Sunday.

On Monday, streets around the high court would be closed to traffic from 06:00.

A supporters’ march was scheduled to take place on Monday from Oost Street down Bodenstein Street to the court.

– SAPA

Bafana and Chiefs skipper Itumeleng Khune arrives with his girlfriend presenter Minnie Dlamini

By Kgatliso Ramose
Rustenburg- South African sportsmen and women were honoured at the glitz and glam South African Sports Awards held at Sun City, outside Rustenburg in the North West province last night.

The red carpet was rolled out for the champions not mediocrity as the Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said.

The awards host was award-winning SuperSport presenter Robert Marawa, alongside Sabc Soccer Zone co-host Minnie Dlamini and Sports @10 presenter Thomas Mlambo.

The big winner was Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune winning the Sport Star of The Year Award which includes a brand new BMW and a whooping R1 Million, which half of it goes to the school he attended. He was nominated amongst Sportswoman of The Year winner Mapaseka Makhanya, swimming sensation Chad le Clos, Hashim Amla and Sportsman of the Year with Disability winner Lucas Sithole in the only category that was voted by the public.

Some of the big winner includes Sportsman of The Year Cameroon Van Der Burgh (Swimming), Coach of The Year Holger Losch (Tennis) and Administrator of The Year Minnie Mthethwa (Nedball).

Other winners includes:
Sports Journalist of The Year- Ramatsile Moholwa

Sport Photographer of The Year- Wessel Oesthuizen
Sportswoman of The Year With Disability- Kgothatso Montjane
Recreation Body of The Year- Discovery 702 Walk The Talk
Federation of The Year- Swimming SA
Indigenous Game Star of The Year- Simphiwe Maphumulo
School Team of The Year- Sol Plaatjie High
Developing School Team of The Year- Dania Primary
Volunteer of The Year- Zakes Mkhize
Newcomer Of the Year- Thato Tshemole

The awards adjudicators were Lebo Mabena, Alpheus Keonyaditse, Malatri Keikabile, Vaylen Kirtley, Wire Zondi, Marissa Langeni, Jimmy Tau, Prof Marion Keem Less, Victor Matfield and the auditor Thando Mbatshe.

However the awards failed to strike the balance between entertainment and honouring the stars, as everybody expected a “humdinger” show, but unfortunately that never came to light.

The opening act of the night by young poet and SA Got Talent winner Botlhale Boikanyo’ splendid performance and raised everyone’s expectation high.
A Hip-Hop Rapper Khuli Chana performed for the first time after he was shot and wounded by the police for mistaken identity last month.

Other performances includes Zahara, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Ntokozo Mbambo, Karren Zoid, Gauteng Choir, Chiano Sky and the show stoppers Mafikizolo- TDN
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Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says his side will not roll up and die against Spain but will compete.

Igesund was speaking to the media at the end of the national team’s two-hour training session in sweltering heat at the FNB Stadium where South Africa and Spain will meet in an international friendly match scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November 2013.

All the players are in camp for the match, dubbed “The Champions are Coming,” including late call-up Tebogo Langerman who has replaced the injured Tsepo Masilela.

“It is important for players to play such matches, and one thing I can tell you is that we are going to be competitive on the night. There is no bigger test than Spain to gauge ourselves how far we have come. We should not underestimate ourselves because we can keep the ball, we can also knock it around and defend too, that is why I think it is going to be a nice game because both teams play good football. We are going to be prepared and I want to believe both teams will put up a good showing,” said Igesund.

Spain beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 yesterday (Saturday, 16 November) en route to South Africa.

“You can’t read too much into these results because the teams are trying out players. Many thought we will go out there and beat Swaziland seven or 9-0, but the gap between the so-called big guns and so-called minnows is closing rapidly and there are no more easy games,” added Igesund.

“We will try to entertain but the main objective is to win, and I believe they are also coming here to enjoy themselves and also try to win the game.“

Bafana Bafana players are also confident of the big match coming up, and added that the result is not a foregone conclusion.

“It is a big test for us, we want to see how far we have come as a team and we want to keep progressing, and there is not better way to do that than to play against world champions. We don’t want to sit back the whole match but we will take the game to them and show what we also have because we have exciting attacking players and we want them to express themselves on the night,” said midfielder Dean Furman.

Furman said that the recent results that Bafana Bafana have been getting have put them in good stead ahead of this match.

“We don’t want to see it as daunting, but we are confident in the camp because we come from a good win against Swaziland and a tough draw against Morocco last month so we are really looking forward to the game. We are not afraid of anyone.

“We know they are the world champions and have some of the best players in the world and we will give them the respect they are due, but we are playing at home in front of our fans and we want those fans to see a team they can be proud of. As a player this is the kind of match you want to play where you meet the best in the business and I am confident on the night we will deliver,” added the England-based midfield strongman.

Bafana Bafana will have their last training session on Monday morning (18 November) at 11h00 at the FNB Stadium, and will be followed by a press conference at the same venue.-TDN
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