Former Grand Slam tennis doubles champion Bob Hewitt has denied allegations that he sexually molested young girls he coached in South Africa decades ago, The Star reported on Friday.

“I am innocent. These charges have caused my family and me huge hardship and with the lawyer’s permission I am going to sue,” he was quoted as saying
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Residents of Cape Town’s townships and informal settlements want service delivery, jobs and houses.

They got a one on one audience with President Jacob Zuma during a community outreach visit. They also highlighted social ills like gangsterism and drug abuse plaguing communities. President Zuma gave them assurances that their needs would be addressed.

Hout Bay is one of the richest neighbourhoods in the country. But in the midst of the wealth, is the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu. Here the ANC President found shocking living conditions, with a lack of basic services like electricity, water and sanitation.

Residents blame the municipality for neglecting them. Zuma has promised to take up their complaints with local authorities. He also visited several other Cape Town townships. Also raised here are issues of poor service delivery, unemployment, gangsterism and drugs. Across in Hangberg, alcohol and drug abuse are rife.

The election campaign has not officially commenced, but judging by the reaction of the communities as they interact with politicians, it’s clear that jobs and service delivery will feature strongly.

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

The Polokwane Magistrate’s court has dismissed an application by Julius Malema’s defence to have his money laundering and racketeering charges struck from the roll.

Magistrate Mohamed Shaik has ruled that Malema’s case will be heard in the Polokwane Circuit High Court between November 19 and 29.

Malema’s lawyer, Tumi Mokoena, had wanted the case struck from the roll. Malema and five-co accused face charges relating to a R52 million rand tender awarded to On-Point Engineering for road maintenance in Limpopo.

Wits have succeeded in their efforts to secure Benjani Mwaruwari for the upcoming 2013/14 PSL season.

Soccer-Laduma revealed last week that Mwaruwari was a target for The Students, with the Braamfontein club now having all but concluded the deal.

Mwaruwari and Wits have agreed on terms, with deal currently being finalised.

Wits CEO, Jose Ferreira, confirmed that the deal is being concluded with the finer details being ironed out. The deal is expected to be finalised soon, with the player expected to turn out for the Gavin Hunt-coached outfit in the new camapign.

“Yes, you are correct. The deal is as good as done,” said Ferreira, Wits’ CEO.

With the deal having been agreed to in principle, an official announcement from the club is expected to be made in the near future.

The striker played for Chippa United this past season, after signing with the club in February. However, he left this past month due to contractual disputes between himself and the club’s management.
Source: http://www.soccerladuma.com

Orlando Pirates have completed the signing of Fatau Dauda from Ghanaian Premier League side, Ashanti Gold SC.

Soccer-Laduma predicted on Tuesday that the goalkeeper’s transfer to Bucs was imminent, after he underwent a medical with the Parktown-based side.

It has now been confirmed that the 28-year-old has penned a deal with the Soweto giants, with a high-ranking source at Pirates confirming the deal with Soccer-Laduma.

Bucs have emphasised the importance of reinforcing their squad for the upcoming 2013/14 PSL season, as well as their CAF Champions League campaign.

Roger de Sa is aiming to continue with their run in the Champions League, in the group stages, as the team looks to emulate the team of 1995, who won the prestigious competition.

With Moeneeb Josephs’ future still hanging in the balance, Bucs’ goalkeeping department needs to be reinforced. Dauda is expected to compete with Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa and Brighton Mhlongo for the number one jersey.

Pirates are also expected to conclude a deal with last year’s Ghanaian Premier League top goal scorer, and Dauda’s teammate at Ashanti Gold, Yakubu Mohammed.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

KickOff.com can confirm that Dove Wome has arrived at Mamelodi Sundowns to conclude a deal.

As we reported recently, the Free State Stars midfielder is moving to Sundowns but there was one important outstanding issue – the medical – and we can now confirm that Wome, who has been on holiday back home in Togo, is on the verge of concluding everything pertaining to the deal after arriving back in South Africa.

“Yes, I’m at Sundowns for a medical but it looks like I will be around even tomorrow because we didn’t finish everything. I was there for a medical,” he says.

It is now only a matter of when, not if, Sundowns officially announce Wome’s signing.

His club teammate Kennedy Mweene is also joining the Brazilians.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

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Orlando Pirates fitness training Japhet Borges says”most” of the squad have kept up their fitness during the off season.

Pirates’ squad returned to training after a three-week break on Wednesday, ahead of their Champions League campaign which kicks off on July 20.

Bucs then face Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Cup at Soccer City a week later.

“When the guys left at the end of last season we gave them a programme to follow during their break,” Borges tells the club’s official website.

“From the initial tests we have conducted I believe most of them have been doing some extra work during the break which is comforting.”

Borges says he will be doing further tests with the players over the next few days, to make sure their fitness levels are up to scratch, before intensifying the training sessions.

“We have very little time to prepare for the games ahead, so we will need to get the guys up to speed very soon,” he added.
FOR MORE http://www.kickoff.com

Rodney Ramagalela has completed his move from Black Leopards to Mamelodi Sundowns after signing a three-year contract.

The striker is one of three Lidoda Duvha players – Raymond Monama and Tiyani Mabunda the others – who had initially rejected the financial terms offered by the Brazilians.

However, Ramagalela is now a Sundowns player and will report for pre-season training next week, with Monama and Mabunda are expected to conclude their moves before the end of the weekend.

“Ramagalela has signed a three-year contract plus a one-year option,” KickOff.com’s source at Chloorkop says. “We are still trying to iron out a few issues with both Tiyani and Monama, but we are confident they will join us for pre-season on Monday.”
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Johannesburg – Public statements that insult President Jacob Zuma are an abuse of the constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of expression, the ANC said on Friday.

“The African National Congress respects the right of all citizens to make constructive criticisms with the intention to build and strengthen our young democracy,” spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“… Elsewhere in the world, it is a criminal offence to insult a sitting head of state, and South Africans must, together, forge a common understanding on how we halt this impunity and abuse of democratic privilege,” he said.

Earlier, an open letter to Zuma, attributed to flamboyant businessman Kenny Kunene, was published on The Star’s website.

In the letter, Kunene claimed that people within the ANC were “terrified” to speak out against Zuma because they feared him.

“In public you smile and laugh, but in truth you behave like a monster, a tyrant who will target perceived enemies ruthlessly, and because of that fear few dare to speak openly,” Kunene wrote.

Mthembu said it was a “dangerous fallacy” to claim the party feared Zuma.

“To call President Zuma a tyrant, a monster, and a person who ruthlessly pursues an enemy is tantamount to slander and defamation of the integrity of the president.”

The ANC viewed such comments as disrespectful, distasteful, and insulting and was concerned that criticism of the president had become commonplace.

“Such is a farce that has perhaps gone unattended for too long and has morphed into a normal part of national discourse.”

The Guptagate and Nkandla

In the letter, Kunene claimed that Zuma’s relationship with the Gupta family and the recent wedding scandal, and controversy surrounding spending on Zuma’s lavish household at Nkandla, detracted from the president’s credibility.

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko criticised Zuma on the same issues last week.

She said he had failed to earn respect from opposition parties and the people of South Africa, as he built “a palace” for himself in Nkandla and “allowed” a jet chartered by the Gupta family to land at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.

Mthembu said the ANC had shown no fear or favour in its response to the Gupta matter and government had “taken steps to correct the situation surrounding the breach that occurred there”.

“In their haste to vilify the person of Zuma, some cannot even wait for the public protector and other respected institutions, created by our Constitution, to investigate and make public their findings regarding the Nkandla allegations.”

Mthembu warned those who chose to insult the party’s leadership that they could alienate themselves.

“The membership of the ANC is well aware that others who have traversed this route of insulting the leadership of the ANC have expelled themselves from this glorious organisation.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Five boys died and one has been castrated in the Eastern Cape after illegal circumcisions, the provincial health department said on Friday.

“The Eastern Cape department of health is extremely concerned about the increasing number of young boys dying in the bush,” said spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo.

“Over the past four days five boys have died in the bush. An autopsy conducted on three of them indicated they suffered from gangrene which resulted in renal failure.”

A 15-year-old boy also had to be castrated.

Kupelo said the circumcisions had occurred at illegal schools in the Libode, Port St Johns, and Lusikisiki areas.

“In one instance in Libode, a man wearing a balaclava is alleged to have circumcised at least 37 boys,” he said.

Those circumcised included boys as young as 9-years-old.

“The department describes the situation as not circumcision but acts of barbarism being perpetrated by greedy people, who are interested in making money, and who have total disregard for human life.”

An urgent meeting had been called between the department, traditional leaders, and local government representatives to discuss the situation.

Kupelo said the department was deploying resources, including 4x4s, to the affected areas to engage in aggressive monitoring to prevent further loss of life.

– SAPA