South Africa is mourning the death of a veteran photographer, Sam Nzima who died at Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga on Saturday. Nzima was affectionately known for taking the famous picture of dying Hector Peterson during Soweto Uprisings on June 12, 1976.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed his deepest sadness. Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to Nzima’s family on behalf of government and the people of South Africa.

“Nzima was one of a kind and his camera captured the full brutality of apartheid oppression on the nation’s psyche and history from the Defiance Campaign through to forced removals and the Soweto student uprisings.

“We will especially remember his iconic photograph of a dying young Hector Peterson, which became a symbol of resistance against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in the black schools. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Nzima was the recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga.

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said: “The death of veteran photographer, Sam Nzima has robbed South Africa of a true patriot. SANCO would like to express its condolences to the Nzima family, his colleagues in the media and South Africans that appreciated his remarkable work throughout decades of dedication to expose the brutality of the apartheid regime.

“His world acclaimed photo of the shooting of Hector Peterson put apartheid in South Africa firmly on the spotlight, as well as the agenda of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. It depicts his courage and the passion with which he used his skill to advance the course of the struggle for liberation and democracy.”

Mahlangu further said the history of resistance to oppression would be incomplete without Nzima’s incredible work. He added that Nzima was an institution and he showcased the evolution of the struggle for liberation at great risk to his personal safety,

“Nzima showcased a community activism and the ugly face of repression as part of the narrative to tell of the triumph of the human spirit and the march to Freedom and Democracy,” he said.

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Source: http://www.semphete.co.za 

Picture: North West acting Premier, Wendy Nelson 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it will table a ‘motion of no confidence’ against the interim North West Premier, Wendy Nelson and the North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie.

This came after the North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo decided to take the ‘leave of absence’ and appointed MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development department (FEED), Wendy Nelson.

EFF Member of Provincial Legislature, Thabo Sehloho said: “We will table a motion of no confidence against Dantjie and Nelson. We believe that the Premier has flouted the Section 100 Constitution. Nelson is faced with fraud allegations regarding Gupta-linked company, Mediosa.

“The North West Health department was under administration when maladministration, fraud and corruption taking place. We believe that Mahumapelo will control Nelson while on leave. EFF will continue to expose maladministration, corruption and fraud taking place at all departments in the province.”

However, North West Provincial government refuted the allegations leveled against Nelson. The provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the administration has noted with concern the misleading and unfounded news reports that imply that Nelson stands accused of fraud, corruption and maladministration.

Setswambung further said this unfounded and malicious report suggests that Nelson face charges of corruption in relation to a Gupta linked company, Mediosa. He added that the Provincial Administration places it on record that Nelson has never had fraud charges laid against her by the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development Committee.

“It is therefore, unfortunate that the media has decided to run with such incorrect information which casts aspersion on the character of the acting Premier. Allegations made are malicious and seek to tarnish the work of Nelson in her commitment and determination to selflessly serve the people of North West.

“She is committed to serve to the best of her ability by ensuring transparent and good governance. The Provincial Administration wishes to clarify that the case that was opened by the Portfolio Committee in March 2018 had nothing to do with the acting Premier,” he said.

Setswambung said the allegation that the Provincial Treasury has paid Mediosa as suggested by media reports is devoid of the truth and has been confirmed in many engagements by the North West Health department that an enquiries relating to this matter be directed to them.

He further said people should refer to their past media release which provided clarity and information relating to the forensic reports on Mediosa.

“Allocations to departments are done in line with government budgetary processes and appropriated accordingly by the North West Provincial Legislature. Government also reaffirms its commitment to ensure the implementation of PFMA by observing the responsibilities of each accounting officer in terms of section 38.

“The Provincial Administration unequivocally rejects the false reports about Nelson and request that she be given space and time to execute her new responsibilities. Her track record speaks volumes having served with distinction in various portfolios in all three spheres of government,” he said.

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Picture: SACP Provincial Secretary, Madoda Sambatha

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in North West welcomed the resignation of the North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. SACP Provincial secretary, Madoda Samabatha said they applauded the Mahumapelo for listening to the masses.

“We want to congratulate Mahumapelo for rendering his resignation as the North West Premier. We call for serenity in the province and our people need to understand that the ANC is the people’s party. The SACP also calls for a better replacement that will ensure that service delivery reaches people.

“We want somebody who will take the province to greener pasture post-Mahumapelo. The ANC has resolved to curb corruption, fraud and greed within government. So, we welcome the resignation and wish him all the best in his new endeavours,” Sambatha said.

North West Business Forum spokesperson, Sello Mogodiri said they welcome Mahumapelo’s resignation. Mogodiri said the former Premier listened to his conscience and resigned.

“There is no individual triumphalist in Mahumapelo’s resignation, but ANC is the winner. The people of the North West come first and we are happy that there is no loss of blood. So, we also call for stability and tranquility in the province while moving forward,” Mogodiri said.

The African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima has welcomed the resignation letter of Mahumapelo. ANC acting Provincial Secretary, Sussana Dantjie said the ruling party accepts Mahumapelo’s decision with a sense of apprehension, but great pride.

Dantjie said: “We welcome the Mahumapelo’s voluntarily exit from his deployment as the Premier. We are proud of him for having introduced the five concretes to implement
the National Development Plan (NDP), which are Agriculture Culture & Tourism (ACT), Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) economic approach, Reconciliation Healing and Renewal (RHR), Setsokotsane and Saamwerk-Saamtrek philosophy.

“As an organization, we will forever be appreciative and learn from his emphatic principled, but simple approach to issues. We also commend him for having crisscrossed the entire province in pursuit of a better life for our people through the Setsokotsane campaign. In Mahumapelo’s 35 years of revolutionary activism in the ANC, he has mastered the art of remaining simple and humble at all times, despite sustained concocted attacks against him by some friends and comrades.”

Dantjie further said they know that Mahumapelo will continue to serve his movement, the ANC in whatever new role they will decide for him. She added that they urge Mahumapelo to remain steadfast in what he believes are the necessary tasks of executing the revolution.

“As the ANC in Bokone Bophirima, we still believe in Mahumapelo’s innocence until he has been proven otherwise. We commend him for putting the interests of the province and its people before his own. We salute you Moidi for your selfless role in government. Continue leading us on an exemplary role in society as you have done for so many years,” she said.

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North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo is facing serious claims of corruption and maladministration amid ongoing protests calling for his recall.

JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) leadership in the North West is rallying behind Premier Supra Mahumapelo despite a decision for the ANC’s top six leaders to begin urgent talks with him  about his fate.

Acting ANC provincial secretary Susan Dantjie says that they welcome the announcement by the party’s national working committee because it will give Mahumapelo a chance to respond to accusations.

Mahumapelo is facing serious claims of corruption and maladministration amid ongoing protests calling for his recall.

The ANC’s top leadership held a series of meetings in the North Westwhere they heard a range of accusations placing Mahumapelo at the centre of rampant corruption.

Dantjie says that the ANC in the province believes that Mahumapelo should be given an opportunity to defend himself.

She says that before the ANC’s top brass take a decision on the premier’s fate, he should respond to the accusations.

“We view this as an opportunity that he has been requesting from the leadership to listen to him, because allegations are allegations.”

Details of the meeting between Mahumapelo and the ANC top six are yet to be confirmed.

Source: http://www.ewn.co.za 

On Wednesday he was found guilty of murdering Karabo Mokoena last year and burning her body.

JOHANNESBURG – Sandile Mantsoe has been handed an effective 32 years in jail for the murder of Karabo Mokoena.

On Wednesday he was found guilty of murdering 22-year-old Mokoena last year and burning her body.

Mantsoe: I’m a very smart guy. If I really wanted to do something elaborate I would have done better.

Source: http://www.ewn.co.za 

Sandile Mantsoe is accused of killing his 22-year-old girlfriend Karabo Mokoena last year, burning her body and dumping it in a veld in Lyndhurst.

JOHANNESBURG – Sandile Mantsoe has been found guilty of Karabo Mokoena‘s murder.

Mantsoe was accused of killing his 22-year-old girlfriend, Mokoena, last year, burning her body and dumping it in a veld in Lyndhurst.

In his ruling on Wednesday, Judge Peet Johnson has found that the State managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had murdered Mokoena and burnt her body to try and destroy the evidence.

“That the deceased did not have a tendency to commit suicide, did not attempt it, did not commit it and that the accused killed her.”

He’s questioned why Mantsoe felt the need to dispose of Mokoena’s body if he had not killed her.

Johnson has accused Mantsoe of trying to paint Mokoena as suicidal and depressed in order to drive his narrative that she had taken her own life.

The court will soon hear whether sentencing proceedings will continue Wednesday afternoon.

Source: http://www.ewn.co.za