Cape Town – If religion were a part of the law-making process, the moral fibre of South African society would be better, reckons Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
Speaking at a conference on law and religion at the University of Stellenbosch, Mogoeng said the lack of religion in the country’s laws has directly resulted in evils such as crime and corruption that are currently plaguing society, SABC Online reported.
For more http://www.news24.com
Ingrid Oellermann, The Witness
Pietermaritzburg – A 19-year-old student has admitted to murdering a fellow student last year, saying he was angry because she wanted to end their relationship.
Claudius Chetty described in a statement before the Pietermaritzburg regional court on Tuesday how he had repeatedly stabbed Rashmika Janthielayal, 17, at the Northdale FET College campus on 3 June last year, and only stopped when she fell to the ground.
For more http://www.news24.com
Johannesburg – The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) denied media reports on Wednesday that there was a second investigation into the landing of the Gupta family’s private aircraft at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, apparently because there was not enough evidence for a military court.
“It is not true,” said SANDF spokesperson Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga. “I don’t know anything about that.”
The Sowetan quoted Mabanga as saying an additional investigation was under way, and another was pending. However, Mabanga denied speaking to the Sowetan reporter.
According to the newspaper, he said: “The charges against one accused were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. An application to consider charges against an additional accused was forwarded to the director of military prosecutions for consideration. The decision is pending.”
Supplementary affidavits
Beeld reported that a search for more information about the plane’s landing was under way, because there was not enough evidence for the military court.
The director of military prosecutions had reportedly asked for supplementary affidavits and information from the SA Air Force (SAAF) to strengthen the case against the only two remaining accused, Lieutenant-Colonels Christine Anderson and Stefan van Zyl.
The previous investigation against them and Warrant Officer Thabo Ntshisi had been dealt with and referred to military prosecutors for a decision on prosecution, and a trial date, which had not been set.
Beeld reported that Ntshisi became a State witness to strengthen the case after only a “watered-down” charge of violating an airforce instruction about private planes remained.
The two would have been charged with corruption, conspiracy, and fraud.
Compulsory leave
Their lawyer Jean Griessel said he had not been informed of new developments. They have been on compulsory leave for eight months.
A government investigation into the controversy exonerated Zuma and his ministers, and found the landing was the result of “collusion by officials”.
In October, Colonel Nomsa Khumalo, Van Zyl, Anderson, and Ntshisi appeared in a military court at the Thaba Tshwane military base in Pretoria. They were charged but a trial date was not set.
It was not immediately clear what the outcome of the case against Khumalo was.
SAPA
By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng-The ANC in the North West Province has received a voluntary resignation from its deployed Member of the Provincial Legislature O.R Mochwari.
This happened as a consequence of a legal technicality in order to totally comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The ANC heartily thanks the comrade for acting in an exemplary manner as a disciplined cadre to save the ANC from possible litigation” ANC North West said.-TDN
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Johannesburg – The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) on Wednesday denied reports that a second investigation has been launched into the Gupta family’s landing of a private aircraft at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
“It is not true,” said SANDF spokesperson Brig-Gen Xolani Mabanga.
“I don’t know anything about that.”
He further denied speaking to the journalist who penned the article published in The Sowetan.
Report
In the report, Mabanga is quoted as saying an additional investigation is under way, while another was pending.
“The charges against one accused were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence,” he was quoted as saying.
“An application to consider charges against an additional accused was forwarded to the director of military prosecutions for consideration. The decision is pending.”
A chartered commercial aircraft, Jet Airways flight JAI 9900 from India, ferrying more than 200 guests for the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, and Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia, landed at the base in April last year.
The passengers were then transported, either by light aircraft, helicopter, or in police-escorted vehicles, to the ceremony at Sun City’s Palace of the Lost City.
The landing sparked widespread criticism and several investigations were launched. President Jacob Zuma reportedly has close ties with the Gupta family.
‘Collusion’
A government investigation exonerated Zuma and his ministers, and found the landing was the result of “collusion by officials”.
In October, four SANDF officials – Colonel Nomsa Khumalo, Lieutenant Colonel Christo Van Zyl, Lieutenant Colonel Christine Anderson, and Warrant Officer Thabo Ntshisi – appeared in a military court at the Thaba Tshwane military base in Pretoria over the scandal.
They were charged with contravening various sections of the military defence code.
In October, a trial date had not been set down and it was to be decided by the military’s prosecuting authorities.
The SANDF was unable to provide a date. At the time, media were not allowed to enter the court.
SAPA
Pretoria – A father of two squandered a pension payout at a casino and now the state must make up for maintenance he failed to pay for his two children.
The minister of justice and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will have to pay R24 500 in maintenance arrears to the children’s mother because maintenance officers failed to attach the pension payout received by the father.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Johannesburg – Ouma Settie and Ouma Tielie have been alive for 100 years, and have spent 80 of those years as best friends.
They were born in the same month, married in the same year and each had nine children. They also share an equal love for going to church and attending funerals.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Johannesburg – They turned down jobs in an industry that doesn’t guarantee a steady salary to be part of a production that was the first of its nature in South Africa.
Now, about 150 people – 18 soloists, a 45-member orchestra, 60 choir members, five actors and technical crew – who had immersed themselves in Madiba: The Opera are shattered.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Johannesburg – The new mining minister will meet with the world’s largest platinum producers after they and the main union at their mines failed to reach an accord to settle an 18-week pay strike.
Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi met with the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) yesterday, he told Power FM today.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Johannesburg – Gauteng police are hunting for five awaiting-trial prisoners who escaped through the roof of a truck while being driven to Modderbee Prison. The incident happened near Putfontein in Ekurhuleni on Monday afternoon while they were being transported from the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini asked anyone with information on the five to report their whereabouts.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
The Guardian 