Hazyview – Mpumalanga Education MEC Reginah Mhaule on Thursday deplored a decline in high school pass rates in the province, and urged pupils to choose learning over sex and drugs.

“In 2011, this school obtained 49%, and instead of improving the school declined to 43%. As a department this year we have taken an initiative to label all schools below 50% dysfunctional,” Mhaule told Grade 10, 11 and 12 pupils at Jerusalem High School near Hazyview, according to a Sapa reporter.

The students were attending winter classes.

“Like Nelson Mandela said: ‘Education is the best weapon one can use to change the world.’ Let us not sit and mourn that we are from poor families,” Mhaule added.

“Focus on your books and make sure you refrain from sex and drugs… We see it’s very cold these days, but for you to come here shows that you are keen to learn.”

Mhaule encouraged pupils to use the dial-a-tutor programme that the department planned to launch on 15 July. A tweet-a-tutor programme was also in the pipeline.

“You just need to call a specialist in your subject and ask any question. This is the department’s plan to make sure that you don’t fail saying you didn’t have support.”

The MEC was accompanied by two matriculants, Bonginkosi Mnisi and Calvin Mawere, who said they managed to produce top results despite poor family backgrounds.

“These young men are from very poor communities [poorer] than yours; they lived in homes without electricity, but through studying they became stars and are now having full time bursaries and after that they are going to work at big companies and make money to change the situation at home,” she said.

Kids urged to work hard

Out of Mpumalanga’s 529 secondary schools that offer Grade 12, Jerusalem High School is ranked 490th in terms of results.

Mawere, from Bushbuckridge, is studying medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand.

He told pupils: “What you need is just hard work. Forget about problems at home. You may be from a poor family – parents drinking and some fighting every day disturbing you – but that’s not your problem. Your problem is the number of books which you have to read.”

Mnisi, a third year science student majoring in physics, astro-physics and applied maths, said he came from a community without electricity or running water, but obtained the top marks in his school.

“What I’m asking you do to is to try by all means to excel in your books,” he said.

– SAPA

Durban – The conduct of a prosecutor in the trial of businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane was questioned in the Durban Regional Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Blessing Msani asked State witness Waheeda Osman if she had read the transcripts of SA Revenue Service (SARS) group executive Mashudu Johannes Makwakwa’s testimony before she testified in court.

Osman told the court that prosecutor Meera Naidu read a few pages from the transcripts to her during a meeting.

“She did not give me the transcripts, she only read a few pages. She indicated that she could read his statements because they were public records,” said Osman, a SARS auditor.

Makwakwa testified in Mpisane’s tax fraud trial last year.

Responding to Osman’s statement, Naidu said she was entitled to interview witnesses before they gave evidence.

“It is my duty to prep witnesses,” she said.

Msani, and Rafik Bhana, SC, for Mpisane, asked Naidu to deny or dispute Osman’s statements, but she refused.

Witness damaging

“This is a basic matter of ethics… do you realise the assertion by the witness is damaging to you?

“If this matter doesn’t end, it may get reopened in the future,” Msani said.

Naidu said she had no further submission with regards to Osman’s evidence.

Osman also told the court that no one else was present during her meeting with Naidu.

She said Naidu had not coached her on what to say, but merely explained to her how to conduct herself in court.

Mpisane is accused of inflating invoices by more than R5 million in an attempt to cut her tax bill.

She is also accused of violating the Close Corporations Act by remaining the sole member of Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport CC when she had a previous fraud conviction.

She has pleaded not guilty.

The trial continues on 8 July.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Former president Nelson Mandela’s condition is stable though still critical, as the presidency announced, his grandson Mandla Mandela said on Thursday.

“Every improvement in my grandfather’s health is cause for celebration for many of us,” he said in a statement.

He continued to be heartened by the messages of support for the ailing icon, but was disappointed by the few who continued to spread rumours about his health.

“I call upon those responsible to desist from spreading mischievous rumours about Madiba’s state of health. Our government has been keeping all of us informed in this regard and there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of the information they provide to the public,” he said.

“At the end of the day my grandfather’s fate, like that of everyone else, lies with God and our ancestors.”

Mandla Mandela visited his grandfather in hospital earlier on Thursday.

He said the family continued to be grateful to government, the ANC, and the doctors in charge of Mandela’s health during “this difficult period”.

The presidency announced around mid-afternoon on Thursday that Mandela’s condition had improved during the night.

According to the presidency’s statement: “President Jacob Zuma visited former president Nelson Mandela in hospital in Pretoria today, 27 June, and was informed by the medical team that Madiba’s condition has improved during the course of the night.

“He remains critical, but is now stable,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – One of the men accused of gang raping Ina Bonnette said he was told they were “lucky to get the chance to sleep with a white woman”, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Thursday.

Sello Mphaka testified he initially refused to co-operate when he was told he had to have sex with Bonnette, the wife of Modimolle businessman Johan Kotzé.

Kotzé, Mphaka, Andries Sithole, and Pieta Mohlake are alleged to have kidnapped, raped, and attempted to murder Bonnette in Kotzé’s rented Modimolle house on 3 January 2012.

They are also accused of murdering her 19-year-old son Conrad.

The four have pleaded not guilty.

Kotzé claimed he could not be held accountable for his actions. The other three said they had only pretended to rape Bonnette.

Bonnette testified that Sithole, Mohlake, and Mphaka looked on while Kotzé sexually tortured her and cut off her nipples and then took turns to rape her.

Mphaka testified that Kotzé was full of jokes when he took the three of them to Modimolle to wash his caravan.

Once there, they had to remove and replant palm trees before they were called into the house, supposedly to fetch soap so they could wash the caravan.

Once inside, Sithole told them they were there to have sex with Kotzé’s wife because he was “too fat” to have sex with her himself. She had affairs and had asked him to get other men to have sex with her.

“Andries said the woman would pretend not to know what was going to happen and she wanted to be tied up and gagged because she was noisy. I told Mohlake something’s not right,” Mphaka said.

“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].”

“I said no, I don’t want to sleep with the woman. That’s not what I came there to do. Mohlake also said he could not. Kotzé should rather pay us so that we could leave.

“Kotzé said he was not going to listen to a kaffir. A kaffir would do as he said. He said if we did not co-operate, no one would leave there alive. He said a kaffir is a strange thing. He rapes on his own but when you give him a woman he refuses.

“He did not look the same as before. He was angry. He came back with pantyhose and a firearm. He said he wanted to hear nothing further from us. Andries must give us the pantyhose to wear on our heads,” he said.

Forced at gunpoint

Mphaka testified that Kotzé forced him and Mohlake at gunpoint to get into a cupboard, where they could see through a tiny hole how Kotzé tied up his wife while Sithole taped her mouth shut.

Kotzé then ordered Sithole to have sex with his wife.

“The woman was not lying still. She kicked and then Kotzé slapped her. She asked why do you allow them to do this to me? He [Kotzé] said because you’re running around [with other men]. Who is the man in the red Volvo?

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

“Kotzé pulled me away because he could see what I was doing. He called Mohlake, who also lay on top of her with his pants still on,” he said.

Mphaka did not agree with Bonnette’s evidence that he had an erection and raped her.

The trial continues on Friday.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The health of former president Nelson Mandela was weighing on Thursday on the visit by US President Barack Obama and an entourage of about 1 000 people to South Africa.

He is due in the country on Friday.

Mandela’s condition was on Thursday described by the Presidency as critical, but stable.

The anti-apartheid icon is being treated in Pretoria’s Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital, after he was admitted on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.
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By Obakeng Maje

The NW DA has noted the long overdue NW cabinet reshuffle and once again is appalled, not only by some of the appointments, but also by the phony motivations provided by Premier Modise. 

The Premier dismissed Louisa Mabe from her cabinet, just more than a year after she was removed from the Finance portfolio to put NW Education back on track. This was allegedly because of Mabe’s involvement in R16million irregularities. 

“This motivation sounds hollow given that the MEC for Public Works and Roads, Raymond Elisha, remains in the cabinet even when his Department is implicated in tender irregularities, maladministration and Supreme Court cases involving hundreds of millions – as a result his Roads maintenance and construction function had been abdicated to the National Department” Democratic Alliance Chris Hattingh said. 

Hattingh said reasons provided for the dismissal of the former MEC for Social Development, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi included her abuse of member’s privileges in attending the ANC’s Mangaung conference using public funds, should normally be applauded. 

However by the Premier’s own admission four other members of her Executive – Magome Masike, Raymond Elisha, Louisa Mabe and Motlalepule Rosho – did exactly the same during the Mangaung Conference.  

“Masike, Rosho and Elisha did not even get a slap on the wrists, nor did they repay the abused funds” retorts Hattingh.

Premier Thandi Modise said that her focus in the reshuffling is on accelerating service delivery and entrenching good governance. “That sounds hollow if the appointment of the new MEC for Local Government is considered. Manketsi Tlhape was the former Mayor of Tswaing, before she left under a cloud,the Tswaing Municipality and administration collapsed, was put under a Section 139 administration, a HAWKS investigation and a forensic investigation was also launched” DA said. 

In addition a widespread withholding of rates and taxes in reaction to the Tswaing maladministration, non-delivery and abuse of public funds was implemented said Hattingh.  

The outcome of these investigations, true to the NW standard of non-accountability and secrecy, still remains a closely guarded secret according to DA.

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Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has announced a mainly youthful 20-man squad that will take part in the COSAFA Cup Zambia 2013 tournament to be held from 6 to 21 July.

 

The Bafana Bafana mentor said the main aim was to blood youngsters for the next AFCON 2015 and World Cup tournaments.

 

Orlando Pirates is the only team which the coach decided not to use their players as they will be preparing for a CAF Champions League match on 21 July.

 

Igesund has given first time call-ups to players like Bloemfontein Celtic’s Ruzaigh Gameldien, Thabani Mthembu and Tshepo Gumede of Platinum Stars, Luyolo Nomandela of Free State Stars, Lebogang Manyama of Ajax Cape Town, Jabulani Shongwe of Mamelodi Sundowns and Ronwen Williams from Supersport United.

 

“We are preparing players for the 

 

2015 AFCON in Morocco and 2018 World Cup in Russia, so we have to start now. We have also not called up overseas-based players.

 

“I think this is the cream of the crop of South African football, and if they are to start having the feel of the big stage, this is the time. These guys, if managed properly and continue to work hard, they could be the core of the team in the future. I am confident with players we have selected,” said Igesund.

 

“I also have my eye on other youngsters like Bongani Zungu of Tuks FC, Sibusiso Vilakazi of Bidvest Wits, Ayanda Patosi and Daylon Claasen who I have not called up. We have talent in abundance in this country.”

 

The squad assembles on Wednesday, 10 July 2013, and fly directly to Lusaka, Zambia for their training camp.

 

Bafana Bafana’s first match is on Saturday, 13 July.

 

Bafana Bafana squad for COSAFA Cup:

 

NO.

 

  PLAYER’S NAME

 

  CLUB

 

                     

 

GOALKEEPERS: 1.

 

  Wayne SANDILANDS

 

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  2.

 

  Ronwen WILLIAMS

 

  Supersport United FC (SA)

 

   

 

  DEFENDERS:  3.

 

  Bevan FRANSMAN

 

  Supersport United FC (SA)

 

  4.

 

  Thabo NTHETHE

 

  Bloemfontein Celtics (SA)

 

  5.

 

  Tefo MASHAMAITE

 

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  6.

 

  Eric MATHOHO

 

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  7.

 

  Thulani HLATSHWAYO

 

            Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

 

  8.

 

  Tebogo LANGERMAN

 

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  9.

 

  Tshepo GUMEDE

 

  Platinum Stars FC (SA)

 

  MIDFIELDERS:

 

  10.

 

  Reneilwe LETSHOLONYANE

 

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  11.

 

  Siphiwe TSHABALALA

 

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  12.

 

  Hlompho KEKANA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  13.

 

  Lebogang MANYAMA

 

  Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

 

  14.

 

  Luyolo NOMANDELA

 

  Free State Stars FC (SA)

 

  15.

 

  Jabulani SHONGWE

 

  Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  16.

 

  Ruzaigh GAMILDIEN

 

  Bloemfontein Celtics FC (SA)

 

  STRIKERS:

 

  17.

 

  Katlego MASHEGO

 

  Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

 

  18.

 

  Kermit ERASMUS

 

         Supersport United FC (SA)

 

  19.

 

  Bernard PARKER

 

  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  20.

 

  Thabani MTHEMBU

 

  Platinum Stars FC (SA)

 

    

 

By Obakeng Maje

Mooinooi-A community member who was fetching firewood in the bush outside Bokfontein village near Mooinooi, was shocked after discovering a burnt human skull and bones in the field. 

The incident happened yesterday morning, Wednesday.

“The incident was reported to the Brits police who attended the scene and during primary investigations at the scene, the police found a copy of a drivers` license” lieutenant Lesego Metsi said. 

At this stage it is not clear whether the licence belongs to the deceased or one of his assailants.

Police are appealing to anyone who is missing a relative or a family member, more especially in the Brits Area to contact them. 

“Any information that may lead to the identification of the deceased or assist the police investigation into what could have happened to the deceased, are urged to share such information with the investigation officer or report it to their nearest police station” said Metsi.

An Inquest docket was registered and the corpse was removed to Brits Government Morgue pending further investigations. 

Police can be contacted on the following numbers 012 381 6082 or 012 381 6000/8.

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Northern Cape police are investigating an armed robbery which allegedly took place on Thursday between 08:00 and 11:30 at Johanna Street, Monument Heights. 

“It is allegedly that a woman in her early fourties was phoned by two men who personated themselves as registered diamond dealers with a permit to sold diamonds” lieutenant Adrea Cloete said.

Police said that the men allegedly entered the house of the victim with a briefcase. 

“The two suspects then opened the briefcase to show the victim their permit to sell diamonds, but instead one suspect pull out a pistol and threaten the victim with it” Cloete said. 

The two suspects managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of money and jewellery and fled the scene on foot. 

Cloete said assistance of Kimberley community are being request in this regard to trace these suspects because they are posing a danger to anybody as they are in the possession of a firearm.  

“The police request that information regarding the incident be forwarded to Detective Warrant officer Dibebe at 082 3020 407” she said. 

The investigation continues. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A  man who allegedly stabbed his 35 year-old wife with a knife after they had a heated argument last night, allegedly handed himself over to the police this morning in Manokwane, near Taung.

 

“It is alleged that the police were allegedly called last night to the couple’s home at  Manokwane village in Taung by a neighbour who alleges that their house was on fire” colonel Lesego Metsi said. 

On their arrival, police and emergency services found the 35 year-old  Pontsho Mogapi with a stab wound on the head. 

“They allegedly took the victim to the hospital and she was certified dead on arrival. According  to the information, the couple had an argument last night at about 23:00 and he allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife” Metsi said.

The suspect allegedly set their 3 roomed house on fire and fled the scene.

The 34 year-old suspect allegedly handed himself over to the police this morning and is expected to appear before Taung Magistrate`s Court tomorrow, Friday, charged with Murder and Arson. 

A three roomed house and furniture were destroyed in a blaze.

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