The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has agreed to cooperate with the Bank of England (BoE) on training and technical assistance as part of a pilot project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) aimed at providing assistance to central banks in selected African countries.
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane clarified the party’s stance that Natasha Mazzone was “elected”, not appointed, to the position of second deputy federal council chairperson.
Maimane responded to the issue on Monday, after reports over the weekend indicated that some DA members were considering legal action over Mazzone’s “election” to the post.
Gauteng MPL Khume Ramulifho argued that delegates at the DA congress, which was held the weekend of April 7, voted for the position before it had actually been created, at the same congress.
Voting for all positions took place on the Sunday morning, even though the congress only adopted the proposal to create that post later that day.
READ: DA clarifies appointment of Mazzone as second deputy chairperson
Initially, the party’s federal council took a decision that, as the second-highest decision-making body, it would fill the position at its first sitting, after the congress had agreed to the proposal to add a second deputy.
However, following an objection, the party’s federal legal commission resolved that only the DA congress could elect its leaders.
Thus, in the party’s view, Mazzone, who came second in the vote for deputy federal council chairperson, would fill the second position, Maimane explained.
“When congress went to elections itself, it also voted on that [position]. Natasha Mazzone was not appointed, she was voted for, and the election results are there,” he said.
Maimane added that the federal legal commission ruling could not be appealed within the party.
READ: DA row over election of second deputy federal council chair
“[So] how that process unfolds further on is up to the people involved, to ask what is appealable and what is not. It won’t be appealable internally.”
An unhappy member therefore will effectively have to go to court to challenge Mazzone’s “election”.
Maimane added that both the federal executive and the federal council, which sits three times a year and is due to sit again in June, will meet to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, Ramulifho told News24 on Friday that he would challenge the federal legal commission’s decision and labelled it “flawed”.
“There is no way anyone can change the decision of congress, except congress,” he said.
Authorities raided the Guptas’ Saxonwold compound on Monday afternoon to seize assets from those implicated in the Vrede dairy farm case, the National Prosecuting Authority said.
“On 11 April 2017, NPA (Asset Forfeiture Unit) obtained a restraint order at the Bloemfontein High Court in the amount of R250 202 652.00 against the assets of several individuals and entities who were implicated in the offences of theft, fraud and money laundering, in respect of the Vrede dairy project: Estina matter,” the NPA said in a statement.
The order was the result of criminal investigations by the Hawks, which led to the arrest and institution of criminal prosecution against several people.
“The order makes provision for the restraint of several assets to the value of R250 202 652.00, pending the finalisation of the criminal trial and upon conviction, the AFU will apply for a confiscation order for the recovery of the said amount and or any related amounts.
“Amongst the assets forming part of the restraint order, include the following; immovable property (residential and business premises and farms), two aircrafts, a helicopter, vehicles and bank accounts belonging to certain entities, namely, Oakbay Investments, (Pty) Ltd Islandsite Investments 180, Confidents Concept (Pty) Ltd, Sahara Computer (Pty) Ltd and Westdawn Investments and Aerohaven Trading.”
Around 20 officials entered through the gates of the compound earlier on Monday, while police officers stood outside.
Eight people were arrested by the Hawks during raids at a number of Gupta compounds, including their Saxonwold home and one of their offices in Sandton in February.
The eight were Estina director Kamal Vasram, several former directors at the Gupta’s holding company Oakbay – Varun Gupta, Ronica Ragavan, Nazeem Howa and Ashu Chawla, and Free State officials Peter Thabethe, Sylvia Dlamini and Takisi Masiteng.
In January, the Hawks conducted search and seizure operations at Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s offices and the provincial office of the department of agriculture.
An affidavit revealed that Free State’s agricultural department – which was then under the leadership of former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane – allegedly paid R220m to the Guptas and some of their associates in what the Asset Forfeiture Unit calls a “scheme designed to defraud and steal monies from the department”.
One hundred black emerging farmers were promised five cows each as part of the empowerment scheme, but they never received them.
Gifted to the Gupta-linked Estina in 2013, under a free 99-year lease by the provincial agriculture department, the farm has been one of the most scandalous transactions between the Guptas and a government entity.
The Gupta Leaks revealed in 2017 how at least R30m paid to the Guptas, via the farm, ended up funding the family’s lavish Sun City wedding in 2013.
JOHANNESBURG – The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), South African Revenue Service (Sars) and the South African Police Service (Saps) have raided the Gupta compound in Saxonwold on Monday.
Officials served a search and seizure order at the Johannesburg home.
#BREAKING The Assert Forfeiture Unit #AFU and #SARS are the #Gupta Compound in #SaxonworldWorld to seize their asserts. The #Guptas lawyer had refused to open the gates of the compound forcing the #AFU and #SARS to call for National Intervention in order to access the premises. pic.twitter.com/j0t2DJ4fGk
— Samkele Maseko (@samkelemaseko) April 16, 2018
The raid is reportedly linked to the Vrede dairy farm case.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane last year found the Free State Agriculture Department did not improperly enter into a public/private partnership.
She did however find the department flouted procedural rules.
The farm was meant to benefit black farmers, but was instead used to syphon funds from the state.
“On 11 April 2017, NPA (Asset Forfeiture Unit) obtained a restraint order at the Bloemfontein High Court in the amount of R250,202,652.00 against the assets of several individuals and entities who were implicated in the offences of theft, fraud and money laundering, in respect of the Vrede dairy project: Estina matter,” News24 said, quoting the National Prosecuting Authority.
*Editor’s Note: This is a developing story, more details to follow.
eNCA
JOHANNESBURG – The relationship between Karabo Mokoena and Sandile Mantsoe has been described as toxic.
The State on Monday called its first witness in the murder trial.
Mokoena’s friend described Karabo’s relationship with murder accused Mantsoe as toxic and that she witnessed a fight between Mokoena and Mantsoe.
The court was shown pictures of Mokoena after Mantsoe allegedly beat her up.
Mantsoe is accused of killing Mokoeana, burning her body and dumping it in a veld in Johannesburg in April 2017.
READ: Mantsoe confessed to murdering Mokoena to sever blood-tie: NPA
He faces charges of premeditated murder, defeating the ends of justice and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mantsoe pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
He has been behind bars for months now after a court denied him bail.
eNCA
JOHANNESBURG – Civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson, says the ANC didn’t show Winnie Madikizela-Mandela enough appreciation.
He says freedom fighters are only appreciated after they die.
Jackson says the ANC honoured her more in death than life.
IN QUOTES: Mama Winnie robbed of legacy, says daughter
“Peopl honour martyrs rather than marchers. She cherished being a freedom fighter,” says Jackson.
Thousands attedended Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral on Saturday.
Madikizela-Mandela died on 2 April.
She was laid to rest next to her great-grandchildren at Fourways Memorial Park.
eNCA
GOLD COAST, Australia – South Africa’s Blitzboks, the defending Commonwealth Games champions, suffered a shock deafeat at the hands of England on Sunday at the Gold Coast, Australia.
READ: Blitzboks aim to win all 10 tournaments of World Sevens Series
The Blitzboks lost 21-14 after leading 14-0 at halftime in their bronze medal play-off.
In the semifinals earlier on Sunday, South Africa lost 24-19 after Fiji led 12-0 at halftime.
African News Agency
The ANC had to fight for space on the programme of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral, which became a platform to shame the party for turning its back on her.
City Press understands that the Madikizela-Mandela family was opposed to ANC speakers and made an eleventh-hour compromise to give space to the governing party, the political home of the late stalwart and MP.
ANC insiders described a “clear rift” between the party and the Madikizela-Mandela family.
According to the programme issued on Friday evening, former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president and current ANC elections head Fikile Mbalula was the designated speaker for the party. However, during his address, Mbalula said he was speaking on behalf of the “young lions”.
This angered both current and former youth league leaders, who questioned why he was made their spokesperson.
Shortly after Mbalula spoke, ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe gave a surprise address to mourners at Orlando Stadium yesterday. Mantashe emphasised that a funeral was an occasion to mourn, not to air differences.
City Press understands that Mantashe’s contribution was the result of last minute, behind the scenes negotiations allegedly spearheaded by the Madikizela-Mandela’s grandson Zondwa Mandela.
Insiders said the ANC vehemently objected to what was to be the complete removal of the organisation from the programme yesterday morning.
‘Disrespect’
ANCYL treasurer-general Reggie Nkabinde has come out swinging against the sidelining of the league’s current leadership in favour of Mbalula. He said the ANCYL’s current dismal state was the result of the interference of the mother body.
“What the ANC did today, I regard it as the highest form of disrespect to the sitting leadership,” Nkabinde told City Press.
“The ANC must take the responsibility of what is happening in the youth league. This is the kind of product that the league will always produce if elders continue to sit around the table and dictate who should lead the ANCYL. Today we are a joke in society because of the very same ANC leaders who determined who should lead this organisation,” Nkabinde said. He was referring to the league’s last conference, at which little-known Collen Maine was elected its president.
Maine this week praised Madikizela-Mandela for resisting “capture” by the Gupta family. He admitted that North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo had taken him to see the wealthy Indian business family.
GALLERY: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe insisted they forged a united front with the Madikizela-Mandela family.
“A united front was consistently maintained by all. We would like to thank the people of Soweto for welcoming both local and international guests who visited mama’s home to convey their words of condolences. This had been a difficult mourning period because of Mama Winnie’s humane personality, whom we have to come declare as the Mother of the Nation,” said Mabe.
He said they had done all they could to ensure that ANC structures tasked with attending to funeral logistics did their best to ensure the event went off without a hitch.
Mandela family spokesperson Victor Dlamini would not respond to any of the questions City Press posed. He said changes to the programme were immaterial and he was not interested in the alleged rift. He did not speak for the ANC, he said.
Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader and former ANCYL president Julius Malema, who was close to Madikizela-Mandela, was pivotal to the planning of yesterday’s event. Insiders said he played an important role in the final decision making, along with Madikizela-Mandela’s daughters Zindzi and Zenani.
‘She touched our wounds all the time’
Malema attacked the ANC for failing the woman who he said kept the spirit of resistance alive while other leaders were jailed or exiled during the apartheid regime’s reign of terror.
Malema stopped short of naming those he said had shown disdain for Madikizela-Mandela’s leadership. He called them “betrayers” and “sellouts”.
“Equally so, Mama, some of those who sold you out to the regime are here. And what is funny, Mama, is that they are crying the loudest, more than those of us who cared for you,” Malema shouted.
“Mama, Mama the UDF (United Democratic Front) cabal is here. The cabal that rejected you and disowned you and sent you to the brutal apartheid regime is here. When they called a press conference, they said in that press conference you are not part of them. They are here today.”
In a veiled reference to fellow programme director Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Malema lashed out at those who resigned from the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) national executive committee (NEC), in protest against Madikizela-Mandela’s election as president in the early 1990s.
“Mama Nomzamo, Mama Nomzamo, all those who resigned from the NEC of the women’s league, because they said they cannot be led by a criminal, they are here. Some of them are playing prominent roles in your funeral, in a funeral of a person they called a criminal, in a funeral of a person they were ready to humiliate.”
Women who resigned from the NEC at the time included Adelaide Tambo, Baleka Mbete and Mapisa-Nqakula.
“We mention these few incidents just to make them aware that we know what they did to you. They must never think we have forgotten what they did to you. We see you in your beautiful suits, betrayers, sellouts, we see you,” Malema said to deafening applause.
ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini used her tribute to confess that the current leadership failed to rally behind Madikizela-Mandela in the face of oppression from the patriarchy in the party.
Rose against patriarchy, prejudice
In a no-holds-barred tribute to her mother, Zenani Mandela-Dlamini spoke about a campaign which sought to discredit her mother. She questioned the timing of those who waited until her mother’s death to provide evidence backing up false claims about her.
“When you read popular history about the liberation struggle, you can be forgiven for thinking that it was a man’s struggle, and a man’s triumph.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. My mother is one of the many women who rose against patriarchy, prejudice and the might of a nuclear-armed state to bring about the peace and democracy we enjoy today,” a teary-eyed Mandela-Dlamini said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa opened up about seeing Madikizela-Mandela’s daughters the day after her death. Their tears revealed their mother’s wounds, he said.
He spoke about the stalwart’s isolation in the absence of other leaders, particularly men, who merely snatched the baton from her.
“The men took over again and the women were relegated to a supporting role. Mam’ Winnie provided leadership at the most difficult periods and sought no reward,” Ramaphosa said.
“She had been left to tend her wounds on her own for most of her life. Left alone to fend for herself only caused her more pain. But she touched our wounds all the time.”
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The body of an 8-year-old boy was found after a fire broke out in Florida, Gauteng police have confirmed.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo told News24 the child died in the blaze on Friday night.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics responded to the scene in Third Road where a fire had broken out in a flat.
“Several people had already evacuated and were crowded on the pavement. Paramedics began to assess the patients and found that seven were suffering mild smoke inhalation,” he said.
They were treated but later declined transportation to a hospital.
“Once the fire services had extinguished the blaze, the body of an 8-year-old boy was found.
Unfortunately, the boy had already succumbed to his injuries. Nothing could be done for him and he was declared dead.”
Masondo confirmed an inquest docket has been opened.
JOHANNESBURG – Six hundred busses have been allocated to ferry mourners from Gauteng to the funeral service of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at Orlando Stadium, the provincial government said on Friday.
The buses have been allocated equitably to all five regions, Tshwane, Johannesburg, West Rand, Sedibeng and Ekurhuleni.
“All buses will be at the first pickup point at 4am and are all expected to arrive at Orlando Stadium by 7.30am.”
Details of the bus allocations and pick up locations may be obtained from the government website www.gauteng.gov.za.
Madikizela-Mandela died on April 2, at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness.
African News Agency