Johannesburg – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will represent South Africa at Robert Mugabe’s inauguration as president of Zimbabwe on Thursday, the international relations department said.

“The inauguration follows the ruling by the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe on 20 August 2013 that… Mugabe is the duly elected president of Zimbabwe,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Motlanthe would be accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

“President Jacob Zuma was among the first heads of state… to congratulate President Mugabe on 3 August 2013 following the announcement of the results by the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission,” it said.

“In his statement, President Jacob Zuma reiterated South Africa’s readiness to continue to partner with Zimbabwe in pursuit of mutually beneficial co-operation.”

A spokesperson for Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told AFP on Wednesday that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader would not attend the inauguration.

“Expecting Tsvangirai to attend the inauguration is like expecting a victim of robbery to attend a party hosted by the robber,” Luke Tamborinyoka was quoted as saying.

AFP reported that Thursday had been declared a public holiday to allow people to attend Mugabe’s swearing-in, to be held in a 60 000-seat sports stadium on the outskirts of Harare.

The ceremony was delayed after Tsvangirai challenged the election results in a petition to the country’s constitutional court.

On Tuesday, the court cleared the way for the inauguration after ruling that the elections last month were “free, fair and credible”.

Tsvangirai condemned the election as “a farce” and “a massive fraud” and demanded a forensic audit of the election results.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The Marikana families must sue the government and Lonmin in a civil court, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) said on Wednesday.

“There is an abundance of evidence, such as Mr Cyril Ramaphosa’s e-mails and the recordings and photographs of our police mowing down these workers, to hope that a civil suit might result in the families being fairly compensated,” UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said.

In an open letter to Dali Mpofu, the lawyer representing mineworkers arrested and injured during last year’s unrest in Marikana, Holomisa urged him to consider suing.

“Why do you not consider that we fundraise for these families to assist them to file papers in civil court?” he asked.

Ramaphosa, the ANC’s deputy president, allegedly wrote an e-mail to Lonmin a day before 34 mineworkers were killed on 16 August, describing their actions as a “criminal act”.

He was a non-executive board member at the platinum miner at the time.

Mpofu and his clients have provisionally withdrawn from the Farlam Commission of Inquiry due to a lack of funding.

The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people during a pay strike at Lonmin platinum’s mining operations in Marikana, near Rustenburg, last year.

The 34 people were killed on 16 August 2012, when police fired on them. Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in the preceding week.

Holomisa said the government had gone to great lengths to defend the actions of the police and had already spent R7m in their defence.

“The Farlam Commission’s findings cannot be righteous and just when these families are left to fend for themselves against a government that has millions to spend on crack legal teams.”

He said there was no guarantee that the government would honour the commission’s findings.

“There is serious doubt whether this government will ever accept liability for the actions of its police and state security organs.”

The Marikana Solidarity Campaign also wrote an open letter to the government asking for it to fund the lawyers representing the mineworkers.

– SAPA

Word reaching the Siya crew is that former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates midfielder, Gert Schalkwyk, has gone AWOL at Moroka Swallows.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Kaizer Chiefs have begun their 2013/14 campaign brightly and seem to have started from where they left off last season, in their league and cup double winning campaign.

The arrival of Knowledge Musona has only added to what is a hugely talented attacking armoury.

Interestingly, while it’s still very early days in his second stint at Naturena, Musona is yet to announce himself as a force with a big performance.

It’s something he did in his first spell at the club when he memorably got the better of Orlando Pirates in a Soweto derby.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

PSL champions, Kaizer Chiefs, have 10 days to secure any new signings before the transfer window slams shut on August 31.

Stuart Baxter and the club are known to be eager to land a new central defender and central midfielder as back up to their starting XI, although time is now running out.

Chiefs have already taken a look at Anthony Manison, who ended up leaving Naturena without a contract, while other potential trialist, Ivan Bukenya, is yet to appear in Mzansi after problems with his club in Iraq.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

As predicted earlier today, South African midfielder, Daylon Claasen, has signed for Polish club, Lech Poznan.

It had been reported that the 23-year-old was on the verge of completing his move to Poland and it has since been confirmed by the club that he has signed a one-year deal with a two-year option.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

New Mamelodi Sundowns signing Khama Billiat concedes that he is going to have to fight hard for his place at a star-studded Chloorkop.

The Zimbabwean has been on the radar of several PSL clubs, but it was Sundowns who finally got their man, considered to be one of the hottest properties in the Absa Premiership.

Billiat was announced yesterday (Monday) as the latest player to join Pitso Mosimane’s side, the Tshwane team already having signed the likes of Cuthbert Malajila, Bongani Zungu, Kennedy Mweene, Dove Wome, Raymond Monama and Rodney Ramagalela as they look to challenge for honours this season.

As part of the deal, Sundowns will loan out striker Eleazar Rodgers to the Urban Warriors for one year.

Billiat joined Ajax in 2010, having arrived from Zimbabwean side CAPS United alongside countryman Paul Rusike.

He went on to play 82 games for the Cape side, scoring 20 goals, becoming a crowd favourite for his ability to change a game with an electric burst of speed and skill.

The 23-year-old will add even more pace and fire-power to a Downs attack already containing the likes of Elias Pelembe, Anthony Laffor, Mzikayise Mashaba and Lebo Mokoena.

Billiat accepts that he is going to have to work very hard to earn a place in Mosimane’s starting XI this season, but is relived to have found new home after all the pre-season speculation.

“It is not easy because I have never been in this situation before and I really have to be strong and act mature,” he told the media in his home country.

“It is always a challenge for a player to join a very strong and talented squad like Sundowns and I am aware of the pressure that comes with such a move. I will always try to be at the top of my game and I am not scared of tough challenges.”
Source: http://www.psl.co.za

The first leg of the opening MTN8 semi-final will be contested this Saturday with Kaizer Chiefs set to host Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.

Amakhosi have shown that little has changed from last season after winning their opening matches of the season, while the Buccaneers will be aiming to replicate their Champions League form on the domestic front.

Here PSL.co.za takes a look at some of the players expected to play key roles in the 75th playing of the Soweto derby:

Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs)

Parker is the only Chiefs striker to hit the target this season after his goal in the league. He seems to have picked up where he left off last season and has been integral to their strong start to 2013/14. The former Thanda Royal Zulu forward is always hard at work, playing with the same attitude for Bafana Bafana over the past week. He is yet to score against Pirates, though, and will be desperate to change that poor record.

Lennox Bacela (Orlando Pirates)

Many people wondered what was the wisdom behind bringing the 30-year-old to the club in the winter, but Bacela proved his capability with a stirring display in the opening round. The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker bagged a crucial brace against SuperSport United. An excellent target-man, he also scored the opener against Zamalek in the Champions League and his form and quick feet in front of goal could prove key for the Bucs.

Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates)

The man that scored the winner against Chiefs in the 2011/12 final, Manyisa will again be a danger. He has played in every minute of the Bucs’ season so far and causing plenty of mayhem to opposition defences. He controls the tempo for his team and is likely to do so again against Chiefs, who will need to be wary of his creativity.

Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

He may have been criticised in some quarters for his recent showings in the Bafana Bafana jersey, but Tshabalala never seems to let Chiefs down. He has shown excellent glimpses of form for his club this season, scoring the third goal in the 3-0 quarter-final win over University of Pretoria. His bustling runs and vision will have to be guarded by the Bucs defence.

Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates)

Hard-man Jali has been instrumental for the Buccaneers in the short space of the season so far. So much so that his form has recaptured the eye of national coach Gordon Igesund. His robust approach and ability to break play down are likely to be vital to stifling the Amakhosi attack.

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)

Often overshadowed by defensive partner Mulomowandau Mathoho, the solidity and reliability of Mashamaite is often overlooked. He was a key member of their double-winning side from last year and will be key to silencing Bacela and co. Just like Mathoho, he too is a threat in the air, although he scored with his feet in the opening round.
Source: http://www.psl.co.za

Tickets for this weekend’s eagerly anticipated MTN8 semifinal first leg fixtures are selling fast and fans have been encouraged to book their seat to avoid disappointment.

There are only under 16 000 tickets left for the MTN8 semifinal first leg fixture between Kaizer Chiefs and Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates that will be played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tickets are still available for the first leg fixture featuring Platinum Stars and Bidvest Wits at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Tickets for all the MTN8 semifinal first leg fixtures can be purchased at Computicket and Shoprite/ Checkers countrywide.

Within the first 10 hours of the tickets being made available for the MTN8 semis, over 15 000 tickets were sold for the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fixture. The PSL can today confirm that the R40 category tickets for the Kaizer Chiefs against Orlando Pirates was sold out yesterday afternoon. The only categories available are R60 and R150 for this encounter.

Football supporters who had purchased a R40 ticket earlier for the Soweto derby have been given an opportunity to upgrade their tickets to a R60 or a R150 ticket through Computicket and Shoprite/ Checkers.

MTN 8 SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES: Saturday, 24 August 2013

Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates 15:00 (FNB Stadium)

Sunday, 25 August 2013

Platinum Stars vs. Bidvest Wits 15:00 (Royal Bafokeng Stadium)
sOURCE: http://www.psl.co.za