Johannesburg – The ANC has denied defending President Jacob Zuma’s international adviser Lindiwe Zulu, after an apparent reprimand from the presidency.

“The ANC has noted the coverage that suggests that the ANC through its secretary general has defended the international relations adviser to president Zuma, comrade Zulu, against a statement released by the presidency,” spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said on Tuesday.

“This is not true.”

Zulu reportedly said on Friday that there were difficulties ahead of the 31 July elections in Zimbabwe, following problems with early voting.

Thousands of Zimbabwean security forces could reportedly not make their mark in early voting with polling stations opening late, and lacking indelible ink, stamps, voter rolls, ballot papers, and boxes.

“If things didn’t go right in the special vote, those things need to be looked into by the time of elections on 31 July,” Zulu was quoted as saying.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe reacted by calling Zulu “a stupid, idiotic street woman”, local jargon for a prostitute, Agence France Presse reported.

On Sunday the presidency said the statements made by members of Zuma’s team dealing with Zimbabwe were “unfortunate”.

In Zulu’s defence

Some newspaper reports suggested that ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe defended Zulu on Monday.

He told reporters in Johannesburg she had been given the responsibility to deal with media and diplomats on Zimbabwe.

Mthembu said on Tuesday that Mantashe’s response to a question on the statement from the presidency was that Zulu was tasked with communication and diplomacy by the facilitation team on Zimbabwe.

He said Mantashe’s response on the matter was: “While the ANC would not venture into this matter, my own understanding, from reading the presidency statement, was that misgivings arose from communication that was not cleared with the president.”

Mthembu said Mantashe further stated that the Zimbabwean situation was a sensitive matter and any communication on that country should be treated accordingly.

“The ANC wants to put it on record that we respect and support the intervention of the presidency regarding the South African facilitation team… to facilitate the Zimbabwe process towards free and fair elections,” Mthembu said.

– SAPA

Durban – A man accused of theft and fraud left Durban Regional Court officials speechless on Monday when he appeared in the dock wearing a lawyer’s robe.

Bongani Doctor Thafeni, 32, emerged from the court cells in a black toga and armed with a black notebook. His attire had court officials looking at each other in disbelief as Thafeni confidently settled in the dock alongside his co-accused, Busani Godslove Goba, 31. Both men are from Inanda.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Durban – A man accused of shooting dead a fellow worker at the King Edward VIII hospital appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The case against Khulekani Aubrey Ntuli, 43, was postponed until August 5.

Ntuli, who worked at the hospital, allegedly shot dead Sipho Mfayela, 54, on February 28, after he was told the results of a misconduct disciplinary appeal.

He was arrested in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, in May, after nearly three months on the run.

He faces charges of murder, pointing a firearm, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Sapa

Durban – A 36-year old man accused of being the Tongaat serial rapist appeared briefly in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, north of Durban, on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said the matter was postponed to July 30 for a bail application.

Sphiwe Patrick Khoza is accused of raping and murdering three women whose bodies were found in sugar cane fields near the town of Tongaat.

The Mercury newspaper reported on Monday that the body of Phindile Ndlovu, a domestic worker, was found in Tongaat on May 31.

The partly burnt body of Philisiwe Hlatshwayo, 44, was found by sugar cane staff investigating a fire, believed to have been started by Khoza.

The body of a third woman was reportedly found on June 8. The body was burnt beyond recognition and the woman had yet to be identified.

Khoza was alleged to have strangled the women after raping them.

Residents protested outside the court.

Ramkisson said Khoza faced three charges of murder, one of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and four of theft.

He was arrested in Cape St Francis, in the Eastern Cape, at the weekend. – Sapa

Despite finally landing their man, Kermit Erasmus, Orlando Pirates may still be without him during their CAF Champions League campaign.

After months of speculation it was revealed earlier today that the 23-year-old had put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Buccaneers as they continued to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.

For  more http://www.soccerladuma.com