Mthatha – A legal spat between former president Nelson Mandela’s eldest grandson Mandla and members of the family over a grave site is set to resume in the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha on Monday.

Mandla Mandela, who is the official head of the Madiba clan and an ANC Member of Parliament, had the remains of three family members exhumed from Mandela’s home in Qunu and re-buried in his home village of Mvezo two years ago.

On Friday, 16 members of the Mandela family, led by Mandela’s eldest daughter Makaziwe, 60, were granted an order by the high court for Mandla Mandela to return the remains to Qunu.

The three exhumed graves are those of Mandela’s eldest son and Mandla’s father Makgato Mandela who died in 2005, Mandela’s first daughter Makaziwe who died as an infant in 1948, and Mandela’s second son Madiba Thembekile who died in a car accident in 1969.

Former president Mandela, who is in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital, has said he wants to be buried in Qunu alongside his family.

Mandla Mandela, who was named the chief of Mvezo after the death of Makgatho Mandela in 2005, is due to respond to the order in court on Monday.

He claims that Mvezo, where he is building a multi-million rand hotel, is the birthplace of the Mandelas and holds historic significance.

‘Mandla stormed out of meeting’

A Mandela family member told Sapa that when the matter was raised at a family meeting in Qunu last week, Mandla Mandela refused to answer why he moved the graves without consulting the family and stormed out of the meeting.

“When Mandla was ordered to bring back the remains, he stormed out,” the family member said.

Mandla Mandela was taken to court by a community member last year for digging up community graves to build the hotel. The case is still to be heard in court.

A member of the Mandela family told the Dispatch newspaper on Monday that Mandla Mandela would be “on his way down and out of the family” when Nelson Mandela died.

“He stole the remains of Madiba’s children from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011 because he knew that he [Nelson Mandela] would want to be buried with [his] children, and that would be his diamond field,” the family member told the newspaper.

Mandla Mandela said in a statement on Sunday he was “regrettably compelled” to go to court and respond to the action.

“The way we are handling this matter is contrary to our customs and a deep disappointment to my grandfather and his ancestors,” he said.

The case had not yet resumed by Monday afternoon.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele has denied classifying the long-awaited findings of the probe into the R206m upgrade of President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.

In a statement on Monday, Cwele appeared to pass responsibility for the matter to his public works counterpart Thulas Nxesi, who late last month dashed expectations that the report would be tabled in Parliament.

“It is factually incorrect that the minister of state security, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, has ‘classified the report top secret’ or issued an instruction to this effect, as claimed in some media reports,” his office said.

It said that in terms of the current classification regime – the minimum information security standards (MISS) policy – a document could only be classified by its author.

The report was written by a task team of justice and security officials commissioned by Nxesi, to investigate claims of irregularity in the use of public funds to improve Zuma’s private home in the KwaZulu-Natal hamlet.

“As the report is authored by the task team and owned by the commissioning minister of public works, the minister of state security cannot classify or de-classify it or issue instructions to this effect.”

The ministry added that Cabinet’s security cluster had intended the report to be handed to Parliament.

“From the JCPS [Justice Crime Prevention and Security] cluster, the intention and advice was for this report to be tabled to the relevant committee of Parliament.”

Cwele’s statement follows protest from the opposition over Nxesi’s failure to table the report in Parliament, where Speaker Max Sisulu has been expecting it for some months.

Nxesi said the report had been classified secret in terms of the MISS and would not be handed to Auditor General Terence Nombembe or Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who was investigating the upgrade at Nkandla.

Cwele’s spokesperson, Brian Dube, could not say whether the report had in fact been classified by the task team.

Nxesi’s spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.

The DA said classifying the report in terms of the MISS would be invalid because it was not a law, and would amount to a cover-up to shield Zuma from scrutiny.

The cost of the upgrade has made headlines for months and been termed “clearly outrageous” by Deputy Public Works Minister Jeremy Cronin, who said a preliminary report indicated over-charging by contractors.

– SAPA

The trial of the so-called “Modimolle Monster” Johan Kotze and his three co-accused is expected to continue in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

The trial was postponed to Friday because one of the lawyers in the case was ill.

Kotze is accused of mutilating and orchestrating the gang-rape of his ex-wife Ina Bonnette, and of murdering his stepson Conrad, 19, on January 3, 2012.

Andries Sithole, Pieta Mohlake, and Sello Mphaka are accused of kidnapping, assaulting, repeatedly raping, and attempting to murder Bonnette.

All four have pleaded not guilty.

Last week, Mphaka told the court that Sithole said they were lucky to sleep with a white woman.

“Andries [Sithole] said where will you ever see a white person giving his wife to black people? We’re lucky. Now we can experience how it feels [to have sex with a white woman],” said Mphaka.

He told the court that he did not rape Bonnette, but only pretended to do so.

“I went to lie on her. I pulled down my zip, but my penis was still in my underpants,” said Mphaka.

He testified that Mohlake had also not had sex with Bonnette. He said Mohlake lay on Bonnette but his pants were still on.

Bonnette earlier testified that Sithole, Mohlake and Mphaka had raped her.

-Sapa ( Picture: Gallo Images)

Confederations Cup finalists Brazil and Spain are gifting autographed commemorative shirts to ailing South African former president Nelson Mandela, FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed ahead of Sunday’s match in Rio.

“To Mandela, a gift from Brazilian national team and wish you a good recover (sic)”, read the inscription on the Brazil shirt which Blatter, flanked by Brazilian Football Confederation president Jose Maria Marin and Spanish counterpart Angel Maria Villar Llona, held aloft.

Nobel peace laureate Mandela, who played a major role in the 2010 World Cup coming to South Africa – the first time the competition has been held on the African continent – is in critical condition in Pretoria where he was hospitalised on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

Earlier, Blatter, who presented the shirts to Tokyo Sexwale, representing the Nelson Mandela Foundation, issued a short tribute to the ailing former leader.

“The strength of the world’s most popular game which you love so much, football, reaches out to you.

“With this gesture, the football world wants to tell you how much we are thinking about you.”

Sexwale will present the shirts to Mandela on his return from Brazil.

-AFP

By Obakeng Maje

Bloemhof-A motorcyclist died in an accident after he collided with a truck.

North West police spokesperson Lesego Metsi said.

“The police are investigating a culpable homicide case following the death of a 25 year-old motorcyclist” said Metsi. 

He said the deceased was allegedly trying to overtake another vehicle when he collided head-on with an oncoming truck. The accident occurred on N12 Christiana/Bloemhof road on Friday afternoon.  

“It is alleged that the deceased hit the front right wheel of the truck and subsequently the truck`s driver lost control of his vehicle that capsized due to broken front suspension” he said. The deceased allegedly crushed his forehead and was certified dead on the scene. 

The truck driver survived and police investigations continue.

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By Obakeng Maje

Lehurutshe-Police are investigating a case of murder after the death of Petrus Lefallo,21. 

“The deceased was found lying on the street with a stab wound underneath his chin on Saturday morning at about 06:00 at Ntsweletsoku village” colonel Lesego Metsi said. 

Police said the motive of his death is not yet known. No one has been arrested yet and the police are investigating.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-A man was found lying in a pool of blood by a passerby at Mfidikwe, near Rustenburg on Friday.

“The deceased was only known as Zukile Mlotywa (age unknown) was found dead in a pool of blood on the street at Mfidikwe” colonel Lesego Metsi said. 

The deceased was allegedly discovered by a passerby on Friday at about 22:00. He sustained an open wound at the back of his head and the motive of the murder is not yet known. Metsi said no one has been arrested and the police are investigating.

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By Obakeng Maje

Ventersdorp-North West police are investigating a murder case after a man was bludgeoned to death at Ventersdorp on Friday.

Titus Rammekwa,31 was allegedly had a squabble with another guy over a chair at a local tavern in the area.

“Eight guys allegedly attacked Mmekwa after he had an argument over a chair” colonel Lesego Metsi said.

Police said Rammekwa fled the scene after he could not match eight guys pound for pound.

“Seven suspects allegedly chased him until he reach the taxi rank, where he was cornered” said Metsi.

It is alleged that one suspect took out a knife and bludgeoned him to death.

Police investigation continues and eight suspects will appear before Magistrate at Ventersdorp today.

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The 9th Southern Africa Music Conference has final arrived.

Starting on 1st – 4th July at Truth Nightclub in Midrand, Joburg, and then moving to Durban’s Docklands Hotel on 9th – 11th July, the conference caters for most in the music industry. 

It caters for hip-hop cats, house heads, artist managers, the behind the scenes to the legalities of the music industry.

Sponsored by the DAC, NYDA and Gauteng Dept. of Sports, Arts and Culture (Joburg event only), this year’s DJU (Oskido, The Maestro, Christos, Vinny Da Vinci, and DJ Fresh) gathering boasts heavyweights in the music industry and Gauteng Sports, Arts Culture & Recreation MEC Lebo Maile set to make the opening speech. 

“From BlackCoffee to Khuli Chana, Hhp, Rocco (France), DJ Sbu, Zakes Bantwini, Chilli M, TBo-touch, Mo Flava, SAMA head Nhlanhla Sibisi and many more, the 4 day event is packed with relevant industry issues that will be passed on to delegates” Mandla Motau said. 

“Also expected to guide music talent are industry experts like Oskido, Vinny, Ralf Gum (SA/Germany), Christos, Greg, Fresh, Chappel (US) and Zinhle, who will speak on these issues and various other relevant and vital subjects”. 

The organisers have taken it upon themselves to create “business savvy musicians, marketers, producers and practitioners”. …and with the music industry vastly moving to digital platforms, this year’s main themes at the conferences are Digital platforms, stakeholders in the market and global opportunities for music. Other topics include:

>The rise of African music (as done by the likes of Dbanj, 2FaceIdibia and more)

>The Power of Radio

>Contracts and Computations 

>The Future of hip-hop >Sustainability

>Budget Studio Setup

>Recording and many other relevant subjects Vinny earlier said: “The one thing that I also think is most important as well is for the youngsters to treat the game as a job – just like any 9 to 5″. 

“I believe that once that happens, they will become business-minded because the industry today is all about business and professionalism” said Vinny. 

He said basically one should try and know the game, know his/her strengths and focus on that and in the end do the best that they can.

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By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-Police registered an inquest docket following discovery of a decomposed body of a 41 year-old white male at Madibe-Makgabane village outside Mahikeng. 

“The shocking discovery was made by a passérby yesterday morning on the field outside the village” colonel Lesego Metsi said. 

The deceased had since been identified as Piet De koker.  Police could not rule out a foul play and are investigating the cause of his death.  

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