Johannesburg – Someone of Mamphela Ramphele’s calibre should be welcomed into South African politics, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said on Friday.

“…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.

“If Dr Ramphele formally enters the election race next year, and goes on to attract sufficient votes to become a parliamentarian, there is no doubt that South Africans will benefit from her experience and her knowledge, and from hearing her voice.”

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

Ramphele’s political platform AgangSA will be officially launched as a party in Pretoria on Saturday.

A climate of fear

Tutu said that although Ramphele criticised the African National Congress, as he had done, this did not mean she did not love her country or should lose the right to speak.

“Dr Ramphele has spoken of a pervasive climate of fear and intolerance in South Africa, where critics restrict their criticisms to their armchairs behind closed doors rather than risk their capital or their connections or their clout.

“If we have indeed become a nation that fears the consequences of not kow-towing to the government we have clearly taken a wrong turn somewhere,” he said.

Last month, in an opinion piece carried by the Mail & Guardian, Tutu said he would not vote for the ANC.

“I have voted for the ANC, but I would very sadly not be able to vote for them after the way things have gone.

“I am not a card-carrying member of any political party,” he said in the piece.

There was a need for change in the country.

On Friday, he said Ramphele’s voice was worth hearing.

“… I look forward to the contribution she will make towards building the society we know we can become,” said Tutu. 

SAPA

Polokwane – The resumption of expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s corruption case was delayed in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning due to a technical problem.

Proceedings could not begin on time because there was a problem with the power supply to the machine that records the court proceedings.

Around 08:30 it was decided that the case be moved to another courtroom.

Malema is accused of making nearly R4m from corrupt activities.

He is out on bail of R10 000 and faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering, and racketeering.

Dozens of police cars

His co-accused are his business associates Kagisho Dichabe, Lesiba Gwangwa, Helen Moreroa, and Makgetsi Manthata, who are out on bail of R40 000 each.

Malema arrived at the court on Friday morning, where Magistrate Mohamed Shaik is expected to hear further argument as to whether the case should be postponed or not.

Dozens of police cars were stationed outside the court.

The defence is applying for an early trial date and is expected to argue about the State’s failure to provide a date for the matter to be heard in the high court.

On Thursday, the State argued that there was no court order in place demanding a high court date.

The State and the defence teams argued for and against the matter being postponed on Thursday, when the court had been expected to transfer the case to the high court and set a trial date.

Dept paid R43m

The State alleges Malema and the others misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52m contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.

According to court papers, Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, a director of On-Point Engineering. Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point.

The department paid the company R43m. According to the charge sheet, Malema substantially benefited from this payment, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz.

Malema allegedly did this knowing the money formed part of the proceeds of crime.

All five have proclaimed their innocence.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi allegedly covered up a report on apparent corruption involving its investment company to protect his ally, the Mail & Guardian reported on Friday.

The report by the Financial Service Board (FSB) apparently found cases of corruption, fraud, and money laundering involving the Congress of SA Trade Unions’ investment company Kopana ke Matla and Westside Financial Services.

The newspaper said two sources with insight into the report had confirmed that Kopana ke Matla conducted financial advisory services without approval in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act.

The two people had told the newspaper the report recommended that criminal charges be brought against senior staff members of Kopana ke Matla.

One Cosatu leader said the report recommended the matter be reported to the Hawks for criminal investigation but Vavi did nothing about it.

Kopana ke Matla had also been stripped of its licence to manage pension funds for workers.

The M&G said the report named Kopana ke Matla CEO Collin Matjila as contributing to the company’s woes.

According to the newspaper, Vavi and Matjilla were close allies and Vavi covered up the report to keep him safe.

Vavi allegedly knew about the report but chose not to share it with other Cosatu leaders.

Both Vavi and Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini declined to comment on the matter.

FSB spokesperson Tembisa Marele said: “What I can say is that the FSB did conduct an investigation which was presented to Kopano.”

Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven could not immediately be reached by Sapa for comment on Friday. 

SAPA

Johannesburg – Flamboyant businessman Kenny Kunene lambasted President Jacob Zuma on Friday, calling him a “monster” and a “tyrant” in an open letter published on The Star’s website.

In the letter, addressed to Zuma, Kunene said: “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 that he had supported Zuma before he ascended to the presidency, but was now disillusioned with his leadership.

“I’m writing this because I’ve never been more disappointed with the ANC you lead.

Credibility

“…Mr President, I don’t want to be one of those who tell you in fear that you have clothes on, when it’s obvious you are completely exposed,” Kunene said, referencing the fairy tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes”.

He said 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.

“The Gupta issue alone should be the last straw for many South Africans,” Kunene wrote.

“But the extent of how much the Gupta family controls you, and by implication this country, has not even begun to be understood.”

He said many people within the ANC were “terrified” to speak out against Zuma because they feared him.

‘Heartless’

“After the Shaiks and Julius Malema, the Guptas must know that you can drop them faster than they could drop your name. In your quest for self-preservation, you have become heartless.”

Kunene defended his own lavish lifestyle, saying that the money he spent was not taxpayers money.

“I love the ANC, or what it’s supposed to be, but I don’t love your ANC,” he wrote.

“For those of us who care, the question now is, as [communist theorist] Vladimir Lenin asked: ‘What is to be done?’,” Kunene concluded.

SAPA

Cape Town – A report on the multi-million rand upgrade to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence has been declared top secret. 

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi told Parliament this week that the document would not be made public as State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele declared the presidential task team’s report in terms of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS).

This means that not even Auditor General Terence Nombembe or Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will be able to see the report.

According to Eyewitness News, National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu has been waiting three months for Nxesi to table the Nkandla report.

Sisulu’s understanding was that the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, which meets behind closed doors, would deal with sensitive parts related to security but that parts dealing with construction, over-charging and other possible fraud or corruption could be referred to other committees that are open to the public. 

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said the MISS had been created by Cabinet but never passed through Parliament and thus cannot be considered law. 

Mazibuko told the Cape Times that the DA would table a motion in the joint standing committee of intelligence for the report to be sent back to Nxesi.

“The minister must thereafter submit to Parliament a redacted report, which must be made public before the relevant, open portfolio committees.

“The minister must also submit copies… to the public protector and the auditor-general.”

Speaking to Talk Radio 702 on Thursday, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said he hoped the details of the spending on Nkandla would be released to the public soon.

“There are further investigative processes and from a government point of view we want to know who overcharged, to what extent and how do we recover the money. I hope my colleagues can give those facts to the public soon,” said Gordhan.

News24

Former President Nelson Mandela’s hospitalisation was prominent on the minds of pupils attending the opening of the African Education Week in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday.

The pupils thanked Madiba for opening the doors to learning in the country. The former president has spent almost two weeks in hospital. He is receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

It will be an early start to their quest for education as the young minds gathered at the Education Exhibition. The event will cover various educational areas – including career choices and finding a job after matric.

However, it was Madiba’s condition that took centre stage with touching messages for the elder statesman. One pupil says, even though he has not touched his hand, one day he will because he knows and believes he is going to be fine.

Other says they all love him because if it was not for him they would not be free today. “You have inspired us as the youth and we wish you a speedy recovery, we pray for him to get well,” were some of the messages sent to Madiba. The messages for Madiba will be sent to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Addressing the gathering, AGANG’s leader Dr. Mamphele Ramphele says young people have a bleak future ahead of them under the current education system. Ramphele says authorities are violating the rights of poor children everyday and they have to put a stop to that. “We need to raise the bar. It is time for us to stop having low expectations of our children where we think 30% is good enough for them. This is an insult because South African children are as bright any child in the world,” says Ramphele.

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

The money-laundering and racketeering case against expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has been adjourned to Friday.

The State brought an application for the postponement after it failed to announce a High Court trial date as expected. The defence is however opposing the application. The charges against Malema and his five co-accused relate to a R52 million tender awarded by the Roads and Transport Department to On-Point Engineering Company.

Malema has shares in the company through the Ratanang Family Trust. Meanwhile, Malema, who was appearing with five co-accused, says there’s a political conspiracy against him. Malema told prosecutor Billy Moalusi that he is incompetent, a disgrace to the State and furthering political conspiracy against him.

He said the charges against him are politically motivated and are driven by President Jacob Zuma and his administration. He also told the court that the charges are hampering his plan to launch a political party. Malema is out on R10 000 bail while his co-accused were granted R40 000 bail each.

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

The two convicted killers of ANC Chief Whip Johan Ndlovu at Ehlanzeni District Council in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, have been sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 19 years.

Bongani Mkansi and Moody Khoza killed Johan Ndlovu in January 2011. Ndlovu was among the top contenders for the position of Mayor in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality when he was killed in what was suspected as a political assassination.

The incident happened near Ndlovu’s home in Hluvukani near Thulamahashe in Bushbuckridge. Handing down sentence – Judge Peter Mabuse said the two did not show any remorse and their previous convictions were considered. The murder of Ndlovu followed that of two ANC members in 2009 and 2010. Initially five people were arrested. Two were later released. Khoza confessed in October, and was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment. The convicted duo denied any involvement.

Senior State Prosecutor, Charles Mnisi says the death of Ndlovu was a well-planned and a premeditated execution. Mnisi says it was by no mistake that he was killed. He added at the time when they were having a trial within a trial and statements were accepted to form part of the evidence and they were read into the records, it was mentioned that they were hired by certain individuals. The Ndlovu family welcomed the sentence but say there are a lot of unanswered questions. The ANC in Mpumalanga has also welcomed the sentence.

For more wwww.sabc.co.za

Cape Town – A Western Cape constable tried to extort liquor money from a taxi driver allegedly caught with perlemoen, the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court heard on Thursday.

Constable Mjatya Bukani, 35, and reservist Nontando Mhlabeni, 40, pleaded not guilty to a main count of extortion, and an alternative count of corruption.

According to the charge sheet, they were on patrol on 8 December 2010, when they searched a taxi driven by Wanana Gwadino, and allegedly found a bag of perlemoen.

Prosecutor Xolile Jonas said while taking Gwadino and his two passengers to the Khayelitsha police station, Bukani demanded money for liquor from the driver if he wanted his taxi back.

Gwadino first offered Bukani R300, which was “too little”, and then R500, which Bukani accepted.

Bukani then allegedly assured Gwadino that if he paid the R500, he would not be arrested and the confiscated perlemoen and the taxi would be returned to him.

However, at the police station, Bukani allegedly said the R500 was not enough, and he was offered an additional R500.

Gwadino was then allegedly taken to an ATM to withdraw the second R500.

According to the charge sheet, Gwadino and his two passengers were locked in a holding cell, and later released without being charged.

Road Traffic Act violation

Andre Pienaar, for the defence, told the court Bukani was on patrol on the day, when a Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) taxi driver complained Gwadino was encroaching on his route, in violation of the Road Traffic Act.

“My client advised the driver to complain at the police station, and not to himself, and my client then continued with his patrol,” Pienaar said.

Later that day, Bukani saw Gwadino’s taxi on the road, and confronted him. Bukani told him to report to the police station.

When Bukani arrived at the police station, Gwandino and his passengers were locked in a cell, but no one at the charge office knew what the charges were.

Pienaar said Bukani went to the Codeta taxi rank to ask what Gwadino had done wrong.

He was asked to merely warn the errant driver not to encroach on the Codeta route and not charge him. Gwadino was released accordingly.

Pienaar said Bukani was later informed, as he booked off duty, that a bag of perlemoen had been found in his patrol vehicle.

Bukani denied any knowledge of the perlemoen, saying the entire incident had to do with the unlawful encroachment on the Codeta taxi route.

The trial continues.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The government has disputed Agang leader Mamphela Ramphele’s assertion that it has failed the youth by mismanaging the education system.

“The statement made by… Ramphele regarding education as reported in the media is not only baseless, but devoid of truth,” the department of basic education said on Thursday.

“Her unfounded rants demonstrate further the sheer lack of understanding and appreciation of the education sector on the part of one who claims academic standing.”

Ramphele said earlier in the day that solving South Africa’s education problems required political will, which the current government lacked.

Speaking to reporters after addressing the opening of African Education Week in Johannesburg, Ramphele said the government had spent R230bn on education and the country was not getting value for money.

She said the government’s claim that the legacy of apartheid had inhibited change within the education system was an excuse.

“Twenty years is too long for anyone to say the legacy of another system is holding them back,” Ramphele said.

“[It’s] simply an excuse which has now reached past its sell-by-date. It is not apartheid that said 30% is good enough to pass. It is not apartheid that said 40% is good enough to pass.”

She questioned the tender system for textbooks, suggesting that textbooks be bought directly, and that more technology, such as tablet computers, be brought into the classroom.

Cheap politicking

The department said Ramphele “deliberately elected to be petty and misleading” in her criticism of post-apartheid South Africa.

“The facts indicate that, under the leadership of Minister Angie Motshekga, there have been huge improvements in education,” it said.

“We have uplifted our people from disadvantaged communities more than she can ever imagine.”

It said allegations that the textbook system was a means for money-laundering were “serious”.

“We therefore challenge Dr Ramphele to provide evidence and motivate her claims or the… [department] would be left with no option but to request the Human Rights Commission to investigate this allegation,” it said.

“Only reckless and desperate cheap politicking can blind anyone to such clear, simple, overt and logical facts. We refuse to be used as a stepping-stone in the promotion of any new forum.”

Agang SA is expected to be launched as a political party in Pretoria on Saturday.

– SAPA