The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it was disappointed to see players involved in a brawl during a Hollywoodbets Super League match. Now the football body said it will crack the whip against ‘rebels’, who put the organisation in disrepute.
The incident that was caught live on SABC 1, took place between Royal AM FC and Lindelani Ladies FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu Township, Kwazulu Natal.
The SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said: “SAFA is disappointed by the violence displayed by players during the Hollywoodbets Super League match between Royal AM and Lindelani Ladies at the Princess Magogo Stadium, in KwaMashu.
“What was meant to be an entertaining KZN derby in women’s football, turned out to put the integrity of the women’s game in disarray. SAFA has received the Match Commissioners report following the incident caught live on SABC 1.”
Jordaan further said the referees’ report will also be studied before the two teams are called into a disciplinary hearing. He added that a fight broke out on the pitch and forced the referee to give five red cards in the dying minutes of the game.
The South African Food Sovereignty Campaign (SAFSC) calls for solidarity with International Day of Peasant Struggle. The SAFSC coordinator, Qhawekazi Mahlalela said in support of agro-ecology and food sovereignty against the corporate food system’s expansion, their organisation joins the International Day of Peasant Struggle, a worldwide mobilisation of farmers and their allies.
Mahlalela said SAFSC re-confirmed its dedication to community-led solutions and grassroots activity in the face of difficulties posed by corporate dominance in food systems, having emerged from ten years of campaigning, notably during the greatest drought in South Africa’s history.
She further said at the heart of the movement are the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, often marginalized and overlooked.
“We recognize their vital role in the fight for food sovereignty and climate justice. The corporate conquest of agriculture, which aims to commercialise and dominate every facet of food production, is something that SAFSC vehemently opposes.
“We oppose the digitalization of farming methods because we know it will negatively affect farmers’ independence and expertise. Under the pretext of innovation, digital agriculture advances the goals of large agri-business corporations at the expense of local authority over food production, commerce, and consumption,” said Mahlalela.
She added that, to support this cause, they invite individuals to engage with their resources, such as the food sovereignty activist guide, which aims to equip activists with a comprehensive understanding of hunger’s societal roots, connecting it to broader injustices and wealth disparities. Mahlalela said this will happen, while empowering them to build alternative food systems grounded in solidarity, food sovereignty, and agro-ecology.
“We also have a comprehensive water tool, which functions as an educational tool for communities and grassroots activists, empowering them to comprehend the complexities of the water crisis and its associated power dynamics.
“It equips them with foundational knowledge of water resources, practical techniques for water conservation, and the capacity to organise responses to water policies, while promoting the protection and celebration of local and indigenous water science,” she said.
Mahlalela said they also stand with peasant struggles to protect the ocean commons and advance the rights of small-scale fishers. She said in addition, they recently hosted a webinar titled “The Ocean Commons: Risks and Challenges for Food Sovereignty”, which individuals can find linked to them.
“Together, let us amplify the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, defend agro-ecology and food sovereignty and build a future, where communities have control over their food systems,” said Mahlalela.
More than 382 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, this includes illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen stock, undocumented illegal immigrants, possession of precious metals, as well as illegal dealing in liquor that resulted in the closure of 10 liquor outlets.
Kock said 143 wanted suspects were traced and arrested by detectives for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.
“Operation Shanela is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation and commenced from 15 until 21 April 2024, with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspots. Actions and police activities, executed during the disruptive actions.
“Activities include vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, smuggling of drugs and other commodities. VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 2270 vehicles and 4617 persons were stopped and searched,” he said.
Kock further said the police have executed several actions, which included numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.
He added that the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and non-ferrous metal items during inspections.
“The police also seized a large amount of drugs and cash believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing during different raids and operations across the province,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela is due to the support of various communities and the multi-disciplinary approach with several role players. Otola said they will unabatedly continue to combat any unlawful actions and ensure special care to victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F).
“The police invite the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said.
The Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill conducted the public hearings at the Recreation Hall in Galeshewe Township, in Kimberley, where the committee welcomed approximately 204 members of the public.
The Chairperson of the AD HOC Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, Kenneth Mmoiemang said among the inputs made, were in support of the re-establishing the intelligence academy to capacitate the country’s intelligence services.
“The community members also supported the independence of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) and the Inspector General of Intelligence (IGI), the need for a Deputy IGI, and for the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) to have a Deputy Chairperson.
“The members of the public also proposed that the JSCI should have regular meetings with the president of the country. Proposals to amend the Secret Services Act of 1978 to provide for an Evaluation Committee within 12 months after the Act is passed, were also proposed,” he said.
The police in Orkney are investigating a case of double murder after two unknown bodies were found at Skoonspruit River between Orkney and Kanana Township on Friday morning. It is alleged that a passerby called the police after he saw the bodies, which were in bags.
It is alleged that one of the bodies was floating and the other was next to the river.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the lifeless bodies are suspected to be in their early twenties. Funani further said the bodies, which were found with hands tied at the back, are believed to be those of illegal miners, commonly known as zama-zamas.
“The preliminary investigation showed that the victims were allegedly shot on their heads. At this stage, the motive for the killing is still unknown and investigations are ongoing. No arrest has been effected.
“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigations, to contact Captain Brent Browning of Orkney Detectives on 082 416 4080 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” she said.
Funani added that, alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App on the smartphone.
Five suspects aged between 30 and 52, were arrested for business robberies, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The suspects were nabbed by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Bojanala District Detective Task Team, Marikana Visible Policing, Vala Umgodi deployment, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Operational Command Centre Unit (OCCU), Sun City and Mogwase Detectives and Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) during a crime intelligence-driven operation on 18 and 19 April 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, the suspects were arrested after intelligence regarding a bolt driver, who was suspected to be using his two taxis to commit business robberies was received and operationalised. Funani said subsequently, the police allegedly traced and arrested a suspect (34) at Phokeng Township, near Rustenburg and a firearm was found inside his vehicle.
“The suspect admitted during questioning that he was involved in a business robbery committed last month in Sun City. Furthermore, he implicated four other suspects, who are Lesotho nationals and apparently in the country illegally.
“The four suspects were arrested on Friday morning at their residential places. Three of them were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, of which two were found to be replica firearms. Two cases of business robbery, four counts of contravention of Immigration Act, 2002 (No. 13 of 2002) and counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were registered,” she said.
Funani further said the suspects are expected to appear before the Rustenburg, Mankwe and Bafokeng Magistrate’s Courts on different charges on Monday.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all units involved for a sterling job that led to the arrests of the five suspects. Kwena also encouraged businessmen to report cases as it was discovered that, out of nine business robberies that the suspects allegedly committed, only two were reported to the police.
The police in Mothutlong are searching for a missing girl, Agang Setuke (2), who allegedly went missing at Thetele Section, Mothutlong on 18 April 2024 at around 7:30. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the toddler’s mother left her alone at their residence and took her older daughter to school.
Funani further said the mother returned home and found a blanket and food she prepared for Agang outside the house. She added that, the mother thought that her toddler had gone to visit her sister, who does not stay far from them.
“She then continued with her daily duties. After school, the mother sent her older daughter to go and check Agang at her sister’s house, but was told that the child was not there. The mother searched for the toddler with no success.
“She then went to open a missing person enquiry at Mothutlong Police Station. A search was conducted around Thetele Section and Mothutlung, but that did not yield positive results,” said Funani.
She said Agang was last seen wearing a black tracksuit pant, pink long sleeve t-shit and white jersey, with no shoes. Funani said she is dark in complexion.
“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist to locate Agang Setuke, to contact Warrant Officer Lillian Setshedi on 076 061 8175 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
“Alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App on your smartphone,” she said.
Picture: The Amajimbos players during the game/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The South African U17 Men’s National Team has travelled to Cali, Colombia to play two international friendly matches against their Colombian counterparts.
The two matches, which were initially scheduled for 17 and 20 April 2024, will now be played on 21 and 24 April 2024, at a venue yet to be announced. Amajimbos are on course with their programme for 2024 after allegations were made in the media about the South African Football Association (SAFA) not supporting the team.
SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan reiterated that these are fake news. Jordaan said the team delayed in leaving the country after encountering visa issues.
“They were meant to have left on 12 April 2024, but their flight was postponed on the eve of departure. This meant that new arrangements had to be made for the delegation of 31 people after the team secured their visas on 15 April 2024,” he said.
Picture: The residents of Kolong engage with Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality representative over lack of water
By OBAKENG MAJE
Residents of Kolong village, near Taung and other neighbouring areas said they are ‘sick and tired’ of empty promises. The residents who depicted the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Infrastructure at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Pico Seepamere as a liar, alleged that, is been months without provision of water.
During a consultative engagement with Seepamere and Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana in Kolong on Wednesday, they alleged that, since Seepamere promised them Jojo tanks, but vanished in the thin air.
One of the irked residents, Maserame Magare said it seems the municipality does not take them seriously. Magare alleged that the officials who visited them kept on changing their tune and that is unfair.
“We did not get the water and the water truck came only once. Actually, Seepamere was not the person that we expected to see here because he is a liar. Every time when we need answers, the municipality brings Seepamere, who is untrustworthy.
“He promised to test the water from the borehole that needed to be refurbished, but he also failed. Now, he is telling us that the water from that borehole might not be enough or contaminated. So, we need Magalies Water to come and explain themselves to us,” she said.
Magre further alleged that Seepamere has divided the community because of his lies. She added that what they need is water and nothing else.
Another peeved resident, Obakeng Molale shared the same sentiments. Molale said it has been seven years without drinkable and clean water in their area.
“It was heart-breaking when I saw a child who was nearly being knocked down by a passing vehicle in Ranstad, simply because she was pushing a wheelbarrow looking for water which is a necessity.
“All the taps are dry and it seems our government does not care. We request the officials to ensure that they keep their promise by delivering more water through tinkering. They should also ensure that he brings those Jojo tanks he promised us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Seepamere said: “The municipality has a responsibility to ensure that the community gets water. In the past three weeks, we were here with hydrologists and they have identified where we can find water. They have given us three streams and all of them are around 0.3% because of the landscape.
“So, most boreholes will not produce enough water to cater for the whole community or the water might be contaminated. We understand the frustration our people are going through, but their constitutional rights force us to give them quality drinkable water.”
He said they have found Jojo tanks from Schweizer Reneke and they will deliver them to Kolong to assist in curbing lack of provision of water. According to Seepamere, they have also delivered a water truck, where it will distribute 18 000 litres of water to the community.
“Our existing infrastructure is not capable of pumping enough water and distributing it to high-lining areas. So, I promise our people that, from now on, they will receive water uninterrupted. We will also ensure that we monitor the situation. I would also like to apologise to the residents and we will ensure that they get water on time,” he said.
A man (38) has been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act on Thursday. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer, Nomthandazo Mnisi said, during 2020, Shahein Anwar Hassen, submitted 29 personal Income Tax Returns and obtained undue Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax credits.
“In the submission, he claimed tax credits relating to medical expenses, retirement annuity funds deductions and pay as you earn contributions using fictitious IRP5 certificates and fictitious medical aid certificates.
“The accused further submitted two false personal income tax returns for the period of 2021. This resulted in the South African Revenue Service suffering a total loss of R324 802.89,” she said.
Mnisi further said Hassen was arrested on 15 June 2023 and found guilty on 13 February 2024 by the same court on 29 counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. She added that a thorough investigation by the Hawks Kimberley Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused.
The Guardian 