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A man convicted of raping a 6 year-old girl


Johannesburg – A 33-year-old man was convicted of rape by the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, said Eastern Cape police.
Xolisile Tose would be sentenced on Thursday, said police spokesperson Thembi Gwe.

He raped a 6-year-old girl three years ago after luring her to his home.

“He took her to his place and repeatedly raped her and threatened to kill her if she told anyone,” said Gwe.

He released her the next day.

Community members found the girl on the street, wearing a bloodstained sweater.

“The suspect was later arrested and charged with rape,” said Gwe.

He has been in police custody since his arrest over two years ago after the court denied him bail.

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FIFA reiterates support for African football


FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke said FIFA will support CAF Member Associates through and through in a bid to grow the game of football on the African continent.Opening the three-day FIFA workshop at Sandton Convention Centre, being attended by Presidents, Secretary Generals and Technical Directors from 27 mainly English-speaking countries, the FIFA Secretary General said the world football governing body is fully behind CAF.

“The Confederation of African Football is a very important member of FIFA and we will do everything to support CAF’s Associate Members. We want countries within CAF to professionalise teams, negotiate good deals and have strong grassroots development structures. That is the basis of any strong national team,” said Valcke, who added that Africa should aim to win the World Cup in the near future.

Turning to the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil, the FIFA Secretary General said it will be a massive success because Brazil is the land of football.

Speaking at the same function, SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan said this seminar was a watershed congregation for African football.

“We have just recently held a successful 2014 CHAN tournament in addition to the AFCON in 2013 and the 2010 World Cup. Now we need to take our football to the next level.

“This seminar seeks to find common challenges and common opportunities for African countries. If we are to take our game to the next level, we need to put emphasis on infrastructure development and commercial programmes. Football has become big business and with such structures in place, it will automatically become a professionally run business,” said the SAFA President.

“This seminar needs to underscore good corporate governance and develop coherent strategic business plans. We need to emphasise the need for good governance of the game in Africa. That is the only way we can build a new future for African football. This seminar should go a long way in creating new benchmarks for Africa,” he added.

COSAFA President and CAF Vice-President, Suketu Patel said the seminar was a defining moment moment for African football.

“Africa is a waking giant in every aspect. FIFA has invested half a billion in African football, whether through the Goal Project, Win with Africa or the World Cup legacy but, now Africa needs to plough back to ensure we walk the talk.

“Club licensing is a prerequisite if our soccer is to have credibility, accountability and transparency. The new club licensing is the bedrock of football development in every country and we need to aggressively implement this on the African continent,” said Patel.

The three-day FIFA workshop will end on Friday.-TDN
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Goals galore on Day 1 of the SAFA U17 Inter-Provincial tourney


There was a glut of goals on Day 1 of the SAFA U17 Inter-Provincial Tournament currently underway at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto. 

A total of 28 goals were scored in nine matches on Wednesday.

 

Mamelodi Sundowns were the biggest winners – banging the net 10 times in two matches. They defeated coastal sides Northern Cape and Eastern Cape 5-0 respectively and also sending a clear message to the other sides. Sundowns now top Group C with six points.

 

Kaizer Chiefs lead Group B following a 5-0 drubbing of host province Gauteng while Free State is second on goals difference after beating defeating Mpumalanga 4-0.

 

In Group A Bidvest Wits are in the driving seat after winning their two matches. They beat Limpopo and Western Cape 1-0 and 3-0 respectively.

 

The final is scheduled for Sunday, 6 April 2014 at the same venue, starting at 12h30. 

 

Meanwhile, the tournament kicked off with an opening ceremony that was attended by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Dr Danny Jordaan, President of the South African Football Association (SAFA). SAFA National Executive Committee members Anthony Reeves and Mzwandile Maforvane were also in attendance.

 

Here are the results from Day 1:

 

Day 1 Results:

 

Tuesday, 2 April 2014

 

1. Bidvest Wits                                  1              0              Limpopo

2. Western Cape                              0              1              North West

3. Mamelodi Sundowns                                5              0              Western Cape

4. Eastern Cape                                 1              1              KwaZulu Natal

5. Kaizer Chiefs                                 5              0              Gauteng

6. Mpumalanga                                 0              4              Free State

7. Bidvest Wits                                  3              0              Western Cape

8. Limpopo                                          2              0              North West

9. Mamelodi Sundowns                                5              0              Eastern Cape

 

Here are the fixtures for Thursday:

 

Day 2 Fixtures: 

 

Thursday, 3 April 2014

 

10. Kaizer Chiefs               v              Mpumalanga                    

09h0011. Gauteng                       v              Free State                          

09h0012. KwaZulu Natal            v              Mamelodi Sundowns    

10h3013. Eastern Cape              v              Northern Cape                 

10h3014. North West                 v              Bidvest Wits                      

12h0015. Western Cape            v              Limpopo                             

13h3016. Free State                    v              Kaizer Chiefs                     

15h0017. Mpumalanga              v              Gauteng                             

15h0018. Northern Cape           v              KwaZulu Natal                  

16h30               

Logs:

 

SAFA U/17 Championship 2014 Group A 2014

Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

1

Bidvest Wits FC

2

2

0

0

4

0

4

6

2

Limpopo

2

1

0

1

2

1

1

3

3

North West

2

1

0

1

1

2

-1

3

4

Western Cape

2

0

0

2

0

4

-4

0

 

SAFA U/17 Championship 2014 Group B 2014

Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

1

Kaizer Chiefs FC

1

1

0

0

5

0

5

3

2

Free State

1

1

0

0

4

0

4

3

3

Mpumalanga

1

0

0

1

0

4

-4

0

4

Gauteng

1

0

0

1

0

5

-5

0

 

SAFA U/17 Championship 2014 Group C 2014

Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

1

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

2

2

0

0

10

0

10

6

2

Kwazulu Natal

1

0

1

0

1

1

0

1

3

Eastern Cape

2

0

1

1

1

6

-5

1

4

Northern Cape

1

0

0

1

0

5

-5

0
-TDN
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NWest shares concern of communities in the platinum belt-Acting Premier


The North West Provincial Government shares the concern of communities regarding the negative impact of the protracted strike in the platinum belt, acts of violence and intimidation of non-striking workers, Acting Premier and MEC for Finance, Paul Sebegoe assured the Provincial leadership of COSATU on Wednesday.
“We have always respected the right of workers to exercise their right to strike within the framework of the Labour Relations Act but equally maintained that a protracted strike is not in the best interest of anyone as it will result in undesired repercussions which everyone is beginning to feel,” Acting Premier Sebegoe said after meeting with COSATU in Rustenburg.
“Reaching a settlement to end the strike that has undoubtedly contributed towards escalating crime levels calls for parties that have deadlocked to review their positions in the interest of sustainable mining ,peace and stability,” stressed Sebegoe.
He committed that the provincial government will take up allegations of disruption of court proceedings, intimidation of witnesses without consequence, defeating the ends of justice, repeated granting of bail to murder suspects facing multiple charges with the National Prosecution Authority, law enforcement and other relevant authorities.-TDN
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Floods damage estimated at R535m


Johannesburg – The cost of damage caused by floods in Mpumalanga is estimated at R535m, the provincial government said on Wednesday.
“Cabinet has since approved the declaration of a state of disaster in the province,” said spokesperson Zibonele Mncwango.

The affected municipalities were Nkomazi, Mkhondo and Bushbuckridge.

Mncwango said the floods damaged major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, housing, schools, and agriculture and water quality.

The province recorded 12 deaths, and 254 houses were reportedly flooded.

The province had earlier sent a team to assess the extent of the damage caused by the rain to affected areas.

The team provided blankets, collapsible structures, tents and food parcels.

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Buxton’s newly-built clinic worth R13.4m open


Buxton-The opening of a new R13.4-million clinic in Buxton village, in the North West, will mark an end to the days when residents used to travel long distances to access health care.

“The facility is a replacement clinic, which has seen the demolition of the old dilapidated structure in November 2012, to give way for the state-of-the-art building” Premier’ spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

The clinic has more consulting rooms and waiting areas which will allow for more community members to be served quicker.

Mmathapelo Phathe, 29, could not hide her excitement during her recent visit to the clinic. Phathe, who recently gave birth in an ambulance en route to Taung Hospital, said the new facility restored hope for better healthcare.

“The clinic is now bigger and can accommodate more people unlike before where it would be overcrowded and people queuing outside which was a problem especially during rainy, cold and very hot weather conditions,” she said.

The developments in Buxton village, follows MEC Dr. Magome Masike’s visit to various clinics in the province soon after his appointment to assess the state of healthcare.

Speaking after the inspection of the new Buxton Clinic this week, MEC Masike said the new clinic will help the department to achieve its goal of improving the health profile of the nation by rendering basic primary healthcare services.

The services that the new clinic offers, includes treating communicable and none communicable diseases, emergency cases, family planning, Tuberculosis, maternal and child health, minor ailments and chronic illnesses among others.

Seventeen clinics and seven Community Health Centers have been completed in the province since 2009. Ten primary health care facilities have also received essential upgrade from 2011 to 2013; and an extensive health infrastructure programme was fully underway in a number of the facilities including Sekhing Community health center, Lekgopung, Madibe A Makgabane and Tweelingspan clinics.

Facilities maintenance audits were also done under the hospital revitalization projects at Moses Kotane, Joe Morolong Memorial (Vryburg), Swartruggens and Brits hospitals. The province spent over R1.2 billion on these completed facilities.-TDN
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Zuma dodges graft allegations


Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday dodged damaging allegations that R246m of taxpayers’ money was spent unlawfully upgrading his private home, prompting opposition calls for his impeachment.
Facing a 2 April deadline to respond to a scathing report by the public protector, just weeks before the elections, Zuma’s office said he would respond fully at a later date.

Instead, a terse statement said “the President remains concerned about the allegations of maladministration and impropriety around procurement in the Nkandla project.”

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found the upgrades – which include a helipad, swimming pool, amphitheatre, private clinic and visitors’ centre – were unlawful and said Zuma should refund taxpayers.

Zuma, 71, whose popularity is flagging, pointedly put the public protector’s findings on an equal basis as two other reports into the scandal which critics claim may be more favourable, including one by his own ministers.

Zuma indicated he would not comment in full until the third report, by the Special Investigating Unit – a body established by presidential proclamation – was completed.

A statement said Zuma would then give “full and proper consideration” to the reports and inform parliament about “decisive executive interventions.”

Impeachment motion

The DA accused Zuma of “playing games with the parliament” and said on Wednesday’s statement was “nothing more than a delaying tactic.”

“The truth is that President Zuma is running away from accountability. We won’t let this happen without a fight,” said the party’s parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko.

The DA has launched a criminal corruption case against Zuma and plans impeachment proceedings.

“We will continue to push on with our impeachment motion, and we will continue to seek legal advice on what steps can be taken to force the President to abide by these recommendations,” said Mazibuko.

Given the ANC’s vast parliamentary majority, the bid for impeachment is likely to fail. But it could prove politically embarrassing ahead of elections.

Zuma will seek a second five-year term on 7 May, in what are expected to be South Africa’s most fiercely fought elections since 1994, when apartheid ended.

The ANC’s chief whip welcomed Zuma’s response saying it “illustrates the seriousness with which he regards the matter.”

Earlier this week Zuma shifted blame for the overspending to government officials.

“They did this without telling me,” he told local television channel ANN7. “So why should I pay for something I did not ask for.”

Despite being Africa’s largest economy, South Africa still has widespread poverty and 10 million people live on government aid.

– AFP

Baxter: ‘My players deserve a pat on the back’


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg-Kaizer Chiefs extended their lead on Premier Soccer League standing after emphatic 2-0 against relegation-bound Golden Arrows.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter said his players warranted a pat on the back after a dramatic win.

“I think my players deserve a pat on their back after a win. This was not an easy game after we crashed out of African Championship” Baxter said.

He said Supersport lost their game after they were also knocked out of Confederation cup.

“Yo do not just win by making an order you know. This is no easy times” said Baxter.

Kaizer Chiefs lost against AS Vita on aggregate (2-3) and were eleminated.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande also praises his fellow players and coach alike.”I am very glad as my game is improving, all thanks to the coach as he said I must check my passing. I now know when and how to make a long and short passes at which areas” said Katsande.

Chiefs will host their closest rival Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at FNB stadium.

On top-of-the table clash will see if Chiefs extend their lead to six points or Sundowns will narrow the gap to three points adrift.-TDN
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T-mobile to stop selling BlackBerry


Ottawa – Struggling Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry said it will not renew an accord allowing wireless carrier T-Mobile to sell its smartphones in the United States.

When the current license expires 25 April, T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom and the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the United States, will no longer offer BlackBerry phones on its US network.

The two companies’ strategies are no longer complementary, although BlackBerry hopes to work again with T-Mobile once their commercial strategies are back in sync, said CEO John Chen.

The end of the contract will have no effect on current users of BlackBerrys on the T-Mobile network.

BlackBerry said it would continue to provide support to existing T-Mobile BlackBerry users and to anyone who may buy a BlackBerry smartphone from T-Mobile’s remaining inventory.

BlackBerry’s share price on the Nasdaq stock exchange, meanwhile, edged up less than one percent in morning trading to $8.17, following the announcement.

The split between the two companies comes after an “outraged” Chen six weeks ago publicly chided T-Mobile for coaxing its customers to switch from BlackBerry to Apple’s newest iPhone in a promotion described by T-Mobile as a “great offer for BlackBerry users”.

Chen said in a blog post that he was puzzled why longtime business partner T-Mobile had not spoken to BlackBerry “before or after they launched this clearly inappropriate and ill-conceived marketing promotion”.

Loyal BlackBerry users also expressed their displeasure with T-Mobile, which apologised.

The Canadian manufacturer pioneered the smartphone market but has struggled to keep up with competitors in recent years.

Last year, the company introduced the BlackBerry 10 operating system and new smartphones in an effort to regain ground lost to rivals such as Apple and others using the Google Android operating system.

In December, BlackBerry unveiled a manufacturing partnership with Taiwan-based Foxconn and a revamped organizational structure. The deal transfers to Foxconn the manufacturer and inventory management and allows BlackBerry to focus on software and services.

But it has continued to lose money, posting last week fresh losses of $5.9bn for the period ending 2 March.

AFP

R50m drought relief for Northern Cape


A R50m fund has been set up by the National Disaster Management Centre for drought relief in the Northern Cape, the provincial agriculture department said on Wednesday.
The fund would be used to provide animal fodder for farmers affected by drought in the province, spokesperson Phemelo Manankong said in a statement.

“The process of relief fodder will start as soon as possible. District agriculture managers would give the farmers details of the distribution once they are made available.”

He said the department was finalising minor details and still busy buying the fodder.

Manankong said the districts most affected were John Taolo Gaetsewe, Namakwa, and Francis Baard.

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