Johannesburg – The 40 minutes that an extremely ill Nelson Mandela spent in the icy cold while stranded on a Gauteng highway in a broken ambulance could have caused his death, said a respected cardiologist on Saturday.

Rapport said the military ambulance taking the former president to hospital broke down two weeks ago between Pretoria and Johannesburg.

American news service CBS on Saturday reported that Madiba’s heart had stopped.

Three independent sources confirmed on Saturday night that Mandela had to be resuscitated.  

When the ambulance broke down, it was 6 °C outside and Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel, who was apparently also stranded in the ambulance for 45 minutes was said to be “crazy” with worry.

Although presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said doctors were satisfied that Mandela had suffered no harm, many doctors have differed in their opinion.

Cardiologist Dr David Janekelow said any delay was a reason for concern.

“You want to get emergency treatment as soon as possible. If someone has already been resuscitated and there is a delay to get him to hospital it can have serious consequences,” he said.

Another cardiologist, Dr Richard Ne thononde agreed: “Mandela could’ve died next to the road while they waited for another ambulance.”

It was also alleged on Saturday that Mandela’s liver and kidneys were only functioning at 50% and that he had not opened his eyes in days.

All the presidency was willing to say on Saturday was that his condition was serious but stable.   

According to the Sunday Times, Graca Machel has been sleeping in a room next to Mandela’s at the hospital every night.  

The newspaper also reported that Madiba’s close family was deliberating on “just how much medical intervention was enough for an old and very sick man”.

Johannesburg – Equal Education [EE] has agreed to hold talks with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, according to a statement on Saturday.

Equal Education accepts [the] invitation from the department of basic education to discuss the finalisation of minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure, said EE spokesperson Kate Wilkinson.

“The meeting will happen at the Southern Sun [hotel] at OR Tambo [International Airport] in Johannesburg on Sunday at 4pm,” she said.

Last week, EE said it was taking Motshekga to court after she allegedly breached an agreement to publish the document by 15 May. The matter was to be heard in the Bhisho Magistrate’s Court on 11 July.

On Tuesday, Motshekga said a re-draft of the document will take at least six months to complete.

She said she had been communicating with EE to update it on progress on the document.

Consultation process

Motshekga said she wrote EE a letter last month in which she indicated that the compulsory consultation process with the National Economic Development and Labour Council had not been concluded. When she received its report, she would consider all recommendations.

“It is important to emphasise that norms and standards cannot be published at the whim of EE,” said Motshekga.

“The South African government is a democracy that requires all involved and interested in education to have ample time to make input to the final regulations,” she said.

Motshekga accused EE of being disingenuous. She questioned the group’s sudden interest in the education of African children.

After an EE-organised protest over the delay she commented: “To suddenly see a group of white adults organising black African children with half-truths can only be opportunistic, patronising and simply dishonest to say the least.”

EE said it was shocked and disappointed by Motshekga’s comments.

Racist

EE chairperson Yoliswa Dwane said Motshekga should distance herself from these statements, which it viewed as racist.

“EE consists of people of every background and we are very proud of this. Any person who commits [themselves] to advancing the daily struggles of poor and working class youth is welcome in EE,” said Dwane.

“That these values exist is something that those responsible for education should celebrate, not attack.”

EE has in the last few days mobilised school children in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria to participate in marches.

The children called for the norms and standards to be published, and for safer and better resourced schools.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad-Northern Cape police dismantle a bogus initiation school at Pampierstad after the alleged owner had no permit.

The incident took place after alleged initiation school was opened barely weeks ago.

“We have dismantle that bogus initiation school as the alleged owner did not obtained valid paper to perform the rituals” Pampierstad Police Station spokesperson Setumiso said.

Police said the initiates were taken to local hospital for medical attention after they were allegedly circumcised.

“We have called the department of health and traditional healers in the area to intervene after someone opened an initiation school without following proper channels” Setumiso said.

Last year Mosetsanagape Motsage,22 was allegedly stoned to death after she escape the mammoth task in Hartswater.

The bogus initiation schools are rife in South Africa and a month ago many initiates died in Mpumalanga, Easten Cape and Limpopo.

The president of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma also intervened and asked the nation to fight against the scourge of bogus initiation schools.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a possible case of Business Robbery after a man was allegedly shot in the process.

The incident took place at Molelema village, near Taung on Wednesday.

According to reports, three men allegedly entered a store of a foreign national to buy cool drink.

He allegedly pulled a gun and shot one guy after thinking he was a robber.

“Two of my friends and I,entered a store to buy a cool drink after a long walk and the shop owner asked what we doing in his shop. We explained to him that we buying and In a blink second he went beserk and pulled a tricker on me” said a victim from his hospital bedside.

A 21 year-old man was shot on his shoulder and ribs.

Police confirmed the incident and said the investigations continue.

According to unofficial statement from a foreign shop-owner, he alleged that the gun belongs to the victim.

The missing gun has not being found.

“It is so amazing that the shop owner according to his statement he managed to dispossess me and shoot at me,give the gun afterwards as he proclaims” said furious victim.

“We are investigating and up to so far I do not have full details of what really transpired as I still want to get more information from Investigating Officer. Hopefully, I will get full details tomorrow and will be at liberty to shed the light” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.

The alleged gun is missing and the man is planning to open an attempted murder case against the shop owner.

South Africa experienced some unrest three weeks ago where we saw foreigners shops were looted in Diepsloot.

A foreigner allegedly shot and killed two Zimbabweans in the process.

South Africa is probably sitting on a ticking bomb where foreigners feel unsafe and there is no cohesion between locals and them which lead to intolerance and them believe everyone is a criminal.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad-Northern Cape police are investigating an arson cases after two taxis were allegedly burnt down.

The ernomity took place in Pampierstad where one taxi was allegedly burnt down in the early hours in April 2013.

Orapeleng Moremi,57 is a taxi owner in the area and his two taxis were allegedly burnt down in separate incidents.

“My two taxis were parked in my yard and we were woken up by blazing fire at around 01:00 am in April this year” Moremi sadly said.

He said the two taxis were allegedly parked side-by-side and they only managed to rescue only one taxi as the other one was reduced to ashes.

Moremi is a businessman who relies on his taxi business to survive.

He is transporting school kids to various areas, including Magogong village.

He believes his two taxis were burnt down because of jealousy and he fears the ruthless suspect/s will come for other taxis left.

“I am relying on this taxis to put food on the table and my other taxi was burnt down while I took it for maintenance. According to a craftsman, he was also woken up by ranging fire and he could do less to safe the wreckage” said despondent Moremi.

Even though Moremi is ambiguous regarding who could commit this monstrocity deeds, he want some answers and said he wouldn’t rest until he sees requital handed over.

Police confirmed that they investigating an arson cases and said investigations are continue.

“We can attest to that we investigating two cases of arson after Moremi’s taxis were burnt down. Up to so far there is no lead and we request to anyone who has information that could lead to any arrest to come forward” said Pampierstad Police Station spokesperson Setumiso.

However Moremi thinks police are fonderous regarding the case.

Northern Cape police told our crew that they trying their level best to bring perpetrator to book despite being so evasive.

 Our crew spoke with Investigating Officer captain Moratiwa and said he couldn’t answer our questions and referred us to Officer Setumiso.

Police investigations continue.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Pretoria – Nelson Mandela remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, disputing a TV report stating that the former president was unresponsive.

The presidency did however confirm reports stating that the military ambulance transporting Mandela experienced engine problem on 8 June, the day Madiba was transported to hospital.

Doctors were satisfied that the former president suffered no harm during this period, the presidency said.

“The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The convoy also included two quick response vehicles,” the statement said.

On Friday, Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela was quoted in The Star as saying the ailing former statesman was expected to be discharged “soon”.

Ndaba said his family was grateful for Madiba’s life and they were not ready to contemplate his death.

“Only God can take him… but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we’ll continue to celebrate him.”

On Friday, United States-based CBS News reported that Mandela’s liver and kidneys were functioning at 50%, and that the ailing former statesman had two procedures, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a tube.

According to the report, Mandela had not opened his eyes in days and was unresponsive.

However, Maharaj said the presidency has been the “source for authoritative reporting on Mandela’s health”.

“Our reports are based on the reports we receive from doctors. We avoid clinical details because we want to ensure no transgression into the privacy of Mandela and his family is ensured,” Maharaj said.

“The presidency needs to ensure the dignity of the former president and need to ensure the circumstances are not surrounded by undignified speculative reports.”

Family members have been seen entering and leaving the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for the last two weeks.

SAPA

Pretoria – There was no harm to Nelson Mandela when his ambulance broke down on 8 June, the night he was hospitalised, the presidency said on Saturday.

Speaking to eNCA, presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said “no incidents arose” and there was a full complement of medical staff to look after Mandela when his ambulance broke down on the side of the highway for 40 minutes.

When asked how it was that an ambulance with engine trouble came to be used to transport the former president, Maharaj said: “It happens in life, no one can predict [that a] fully functional vehicle would have a breakdown.”

When asked about a report stating that Mandela was unresponsive and hadn’t opened his eyes in days, Maharaj said it was “highly reckless to tell lies”.

He said there was no information yet on when Madiba will be discharged as doctors were treating him and they will say when Mandela is well enough to be discharged. 

News24

Johannesburg – Seven people were arrested on Friday for attacking and robbing a farmer in Somerset, near Machadodorp, Mpumalanga police said.

On their way to the scene on Thursday night police spotted a car with two men outside the farm, police psokesperson Leonard Hlathi said.

“When they were questioned about their presence on the farm, they became evasive and told the police that they were in the vicinity to buy oranges.”

Police became suspicious as there were no orange farms in the area.

The men then said they were waiting for other men who had gone onto the farm to collect something.

The two were arrested.

A neighbouring farmer made his private helicopter available to help the police.

After a lengthy search, three more men were arrested.

Hlathi said they were found trying to hitch-hike towards Mbombela.

“After their arrest, they disclosed the whereabouts of the sixth man. The police followed the information and the man was nabbed also hitch-hiking towards Nelspruit.”

He was found in possession of a gun and a laptop.

He shot dead a police dog and tried to conceal the weapon by throwing it into a river.

Police divers retrieved the gun on Friday morning.

Another laptop which had been stolen from the farm was found in the grass near the river.

Police were still searching for a seventh suspect, believed to be armed.

All six, aged between 21 and 46, would appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Police said the men had been linked to several crimes across the province.

One of them was out on parole after serving a jail sentence for murder.

The farmer was not injured in the attack.

“He was tied up but managed to untie himself and get help from his brother who alerted the police,” said Hlathi.

It was unclear if any other possessions were stolen from the farm house.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will investigate the living conditions of residents of an informal settlement in Polokwane, the DA said on Friday.

“The SAHRC in Limpopo on Friday agreed to a DA request to investigate the appalling conditions under which the people of Disteneng informal settlement in Polokwane live,” spokesperson Jacques Smalle said.

“Around 27 000 people live in Disteneng, share 20 self-made toilets and only three water taps. The settlement has existed for more than a decade now and not a single basic service delivery measure has been provided to them.”

SAHRC spokesperson Victor Mavhidula said the organisation would first conduct an inspection of the area before sending an investigator to look into the matter further.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Agang SA will launch as a formal political party on Saturday, four months after its leader Mamphela Ramphele announced the formation of the platform.

“This is a momentous week for Agang SA as we prepare for the launch of our party on Saturday,” Ramphele said.

“Agang offers the prospect of restoring the promise of freedom and a hope for the future that is striking a chord with people across the country.”

Ramphele has spent the past few months visiting communities around South Africa as part of Agang SA’s consultation period.

She has been vocal about the problems facing the country, such as education, health, and land.

The former activist and businesswoman has also spoken out about electoral reform and raised concerns about the independence of elections.

Earlier this week, Ramphele told the Cape Town Press Club that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had eroded as an independent electoral commission.

She said Agang SA was in talks with other political parties, the DA in particular, to double-check certain IEC processes.

Ramphele said that during a four-month tour of the country, she became aware of “sinister” intimidation of voters.

She had heard of some people being required to take pictures of their ballot papers with their cellphones to be “rewarded for doing the right thing”.

“Voters don’t actually know that they have a choice. Many are being told that if you go into that ballot box, we can see who you vote for and, therefore, we will punish you and take away your grants or your RDP houses,” she said.

Ramphele said she believed it was necessary to launch Agang SA as a political party, despite fears that it would divide the opposition.

Naming battle

Last week, a non-governmental organisation laid claim to the name “Agang”.

The Hola Bon Renaissance (HBR) Foundation said in a statement on Thursday one of its “strategic programmes” was called “Agang”.

In response Agang SA said it launched in February and its trademark application was still underway.

“It appears that an alternative trademark application was made in April. However, our legal advisers suggest that this should be unsuccessful,” the party said in a statement.

On Friday, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said someone of Ramphele’s calibre should be welcomed into South African politics.

“… I have known Dr Ramphele for more than 30 years as a brave and principled leader who has been ready to take costly stands for social justice,” Tutu said in a statement.

He said a strong constitutional democracy was strengthened by the presence of a vibrant and credible opposition.

Agang SA would be launched at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria with an entertainment line-up of local musicians which included MiCasa, Sibongile Mngoma, and Imilonji KaNtu.

“I would like to invite South Africans from all walks to join the thousands of our supporters, who will be there from 09:00, for a day of celebration with music, food, and entertainment,” said Ramphele.

The party said supporters would be able to register as members at the launch.

– SAPA