Category Archives: South African News

eNCA | Mother feels let down by government as Grace Mugabe leaves SA

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JOHANNESBURG – The mother of a South African woman who was assaulted by Grace Mugabe says she feels let down by her own government.

Debbie Engels’ daughter was allegedly assaulted by Zimbabwe’s first lady in Sandton last Sunday.

UDPATE: Grace Mugabe granted diplomatic immunity; leaves SA

South Africa has since granted Mugabe diplomatic immunity, and she left the country early this morning.

“In a way, we expected it because this government has proved time and again that their political allies are more important, they have confirmed that they rather keep peace than to protect their own citizens.”

eNCA

News24.com | Gugulethu woman tries to get by on R350 a month

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Cape Town – A cold, smelly and mouldy shack, with clothes scattered on the wet floor and a loose door. This is the daily reality of a disabled woman struggling to make ends meet in Europe informal settlement in Gugulethu.

Fifty-two year old Cynthia Ntunje moved to Europe from Siqalo in December last year. During her move she lost all her documents, including her ID. She says she does not clearly remember how and why she ended up in Europe. She suffers from diabetes and is partially blind.

“It is hard, very hard. I don’t know what I am going to do. I can hardly see and I try to get by using the R350 child grant I get for my seven-year-old son”, said Ntunje.

When GroundUp visited Ntunje on Tuesday, it was raining. One push and the door opened. Inside the shack smells of damp. There is no electricity, no flooring, just cement and sand, wet from the rain, with blue plastic bags and clothes scattered all over the floor. Next to the untidy bed, where Ntunje lies, is a blue bucket and a small bath with dirty water. On top of the bucket is Ntunje’s breakfast, lunch and supper: unfinished cold tea and burnt leftover porridge crust, scraped from the bottom of a pot, inside a yoghurt container.

Her seven-year-old is currently in the care of a friend, who also helps Ntunje sometimes with food. Ntunje complains that her feet hurt, blaming the cold.

Community youth leader Sindisile Mbhashe, who has been trying to get help for Ntunje, says he is worried about her.

“Mama’s situation is extremely sad. Not only are her living conditions bad, but it is not safe either. Her door does not close properly, anyone can walk in. I and other youth members not so long ago put in some electricity and a light, but as you can see, that is gone. Someone must have walked in and taken it.

“Mama can’t even go and get medication for her diabetes because she has no documentation. She has no family except for her three children who are not in her care, so she has nowhere to go, no one to take care of her,” said Mbhashe.

Bongani Ngcombolo, ward 40 councillor who also lives in Europe, told GroundUp he was well aware of Ntunje’s circumstances.

“I live here and I am exposed to our people’s struggles. I get people constantly knocking on my door, asking for help. I report these issues to council on a regular basis, but little is being done.”

He said government was slow to help people.

“Do you know how many people in Europe alone are living with disabilities? How difficult it is for them to go about their daily life in this overcrowded informal settlement? It is bad.”

Spokesperson for the provincial department of social development, Sihle Ngobese, said social workers would be sent to Ntunje, to conduct an assessment and possibly assist her with a social security application. He urged people who were in need to make contact with the department for help with shelter, employment and linkages to social security.

News24.com | Political parties welcome ‘overdue’ Manana resignation

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Johannesburg – Political parties on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana.

DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education Belinda Bozzoli said the ANC should have removed Manana “as soon as he had admitted to assaulting women almost two weeks ago”.

“That he was not immediately fired speaks volumes about how seriously the ANC views women abuse, which is rife in our society in part because leaders are not held to account for their actions,” she said.

She said the DA had already reported Manana to the Commission for Gender Equality for the alleged mistreatment of his former secretary as well as other female employees in his department.

“We await confirmation of this investigation and will also keep a close eye on the case of assault that Manana must answer for in court.”

She added, “It is high time that those who abuse women, especially those in positions of power, are held to account so that a message is sent that it will no longer be tolerated.”

Resignation long overdue

Meanwhile Congress of the People said in a statement that Manana’s resignation was long overdue.

The party said that the resignation was a show and did not express genuine remorse from Manana or President Jacob Zuma.

“It is the result of unrelenting and a growing wave of public pressure against his continued holding of public office. He was forced to fall on his sword.”

The party said South Africans were “not prepared to tolerate any further abuse, not even for a second”.

“Leaders must set the tone and lead by example by acting expeditiously against such morally reprehensible conduct.”

Cope called for Manana to be summoned to the Joint Member’s Ethics Committee to “hold him fully accountable and for bringing the institution into disrepute”.

“There must be no place to hide for women bashers like Mduduzi Manana.”

‘A victory against gender based violence’

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) described Manana’s resignation “as a victory against gender based violence”.

“For all it is worth, we must commend him for not digging his heels and in the process keep the cloud of controversy that would have inhibited him from effectively performing his official duties,” Sanco national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said.

Mahlangu said that Manana has shown respect for the public office he occupied.

“We wish other elected public representatives who find themselves in a similar position could follow his example and not drag offices they have the honour to occupy with them into the quagmire,” he said.

The ANC also since welcomed his resignation.

In a statement, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa thanked Manana for “his service to the people of South Africa during his tenure”.

Zuma said on Saturday that he had accepted Manana’s resignation.

“The President has thanked Mr Manana for his contribution to the work of government during his term of office,” the presidency said in a short statement.

Manana admitted to the assault of two women at the Cubana nightclub in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Manana appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and was released on R5 000 bail. He faces two charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In a cellphone recording of Manana talking to one of the victims’ brothers shortly after the assault, Manana says he slapped the woman because she called him gay.

Manana claimed he had been “extremely provoked”.

eNCA | Zuma wants SADC leaders to work toward lasting peace

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PRETORIA – Incoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairman President Jacob Zuma on Saturday appealed to regional leaders gathered in Pretoria to intensify efforts to bring lasting peace and stability in the bloc.

“Our collective responsibility and work in ensuring that we maintain a peaceful, stable, and secure region is pertinent to attaining our objectives,” Zuma said in his welcoming remarks as host of the 37th ordinary SADC summit of heads of state and government.

“The critical need for both industrial and infrastructure development in SADC cannot be overstated.”

Zuma said 2017 symbolised an important year for the SADC, as it marked the jubilee celebration of the 15-member regional block.

“As such, the time is opportune for all of us as heads of state and government to take stock of the progress as well as opportunities created since SADC’s inception. As a region we have a blueprint, the revised regional integration strategic development programme (2015-2020) to guide our economic development and integration,” he said.

“Commendable progress in implementation” had been made with the development of the regional infrastructure development master plan, industrialisation, and “strategy and the  roadmap”.

“This meeting of heads of state and government is important as it gives us an opportunity to engage on the progress and challenges in terms of implementing our SADC integration agenda during this past year,” he said.

“We should also foster an environment for reflection on the future strategic direction of the region post-2020. We therefore wish to welcome the process initiated during Swaziland’s chairship, which saw SADC embarking upon a project to renew its vision.”

Zuma also used his welcoming remarks to pay tribute to iconic members of the SADC who had recently died.

“We remember and salute the role of both former president of Botswana Sir Ketumile Masire and the Namibian liberation struggle stalwart and former minister Herman Andimba Toivo ya Toivo. We appreciate the achievements of both these giants for their sacrifices and will continue to be inspired by their legacies,” he said.

As incoming chairman of the SADC, Zuma said South Africa had been working closely with Swaziland, which had been chairing the regional bloc under Swaziland’s King Mswati III, and the SADC secretariat towards ensuring a smooth transition.

“It is important that we remember this point – SADC is our organisation and as such, our plans will only be driven if they are implemented at the national level. What is needed now is to enhance our collective responsibility towards the realisation of our objectives,” he said.

Numerous SADC heads of state and government, including Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane, Namibian President Hage Geingob, Botswana President Ian Khama, Zambian President Edgar Lungu, and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe were in attendance at the summit.

African News Agency

eNCA | Protesters, police clash outside SADC summit

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PRETORIA – Protesters have clashed with police outside the SADC Summit venue in Pretoria.

The SADC Democracy Forum is calling on South Africa to set an example in its handling of the Grace Mugabe issue.

Members are calling for decisive action, after letting Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir go.

That’s despite the ICC calling for his arrest.

They’re also calling on the DRC President Joseph Kabila to step down.

They say his continue stay in office after his term expired and without setting an election date, is against the country’s laws. 

The group says it’s disappointed SADC will not be addressing Zambia’s state of emergency.

eNCA

eNCA | Court rules against Gordhan in Gupta banks case

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PRETORIA – The North Gauteng High Court dismissed Pravin Gordhan’s application for a declaratory order that the Finance Minister could not get involved in Gupta bank fight.

Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba made the ruling on Friday. 

Gordhan turned to the court for a declaratory order confirming that he could not intervene in a dispute between Oakbay Investments and four banks. 

Oakbay had asked the former finance minister for assistance after the banks closed all accounts related to Gupta-owned companies. 

The advocate for the Gupta’s Sahara Computers company previously argued the minister did not go to court to seek legal clarity about whether or not he could intervene in the family’s fight with South Africa’s banks.

Their lawyers suggested Gordhan went to court to air the Gupta companies’ dirty laundry, and protect South Africa’s banks from scrutiny.

eNCA

eNCA | Khoza comes back swinging at ANC

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JOHANNESBURG – Dr Makhosi Khoza is considering her future as an ANC member.

On Thursday, the governing party removed her as chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration.

The forthright MP told the Ruth First roundtable at Wits, shortly after her axing, that the ANC is no longer the organisation she joined.

“We need to reflect as South Africa – and begin to ask the difficult question: are we as the liberation movement building this country or are we breaking this country?” she said.

Khoza was adamant she was fired for standing up against corruption and voting with her conscience in the no confidence motion against President Jacob Zuma.

WATCH: Lets defend the Constitution – Makhosi Khoza

But the party defended itself, claiming her sacking had to do with a breakdown in the relationship between her and ANC committee members.

It said Khoza hurled insults at committee members who failed to appear at a scheduled oversight meeting on Tuesday when Minister Faith Muthambi was due to answer questions on irregular expenditure and nepotism.

The absent MPs told chief whip Jackson Mthembu that Khoza was guilty of ill-discipline and they would not attend any meetings with her until the issue was addressed by the party.

LISTEN: Mantashe defends Khoza decision

“She has destroyed the relationship with her subordinates – if I may use that word – in that committee. Because since chairing the committee she has gone out and insulted those members of the committee. We say: remove her as chairperson of the committee, we keep her as an MP,” said ANC secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe.

Khoza did not comment on the supposed spat and said she is now considering her future in the party.

“I am thinking very seriously. I am going to think a lot in the next few weeks. If I have to meditate I will do so,” said Khoza.

Questions are now also being asked about whether other dissenters, especially those who also “voted with their conscience” again Zuma, will remain in the ANC. 

eNCA

News24.com | Men in KFC assault due in court for bail application

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Pretoria – Three of the five men accused of assaulting a couple at a KFC in Pretoria are expected back in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for their bail application on Friday.

Stephan Nel, 39, Joshua Scholtz, 21, and DJ van Rooyen, 21, are facing charges of attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, and pointing a firearm.

They allegedly attacked a black couple at a KFC drive-through in Montana on August 2.

Co-accused Marius Harding, 23, previously abandoned his bail application and Ockert Muller, 20, has already been granted bail.

At their previous court appearance on August 10, Van Rooyen told the court that he had ordered his food and was told it would take some time.

EXCLUSIVE: KFC assault accused allegedly beat petrol attendants, called them the K-word

‘Clenched fists’

The couple was parked behind him and the other accused were in a car behind them. While waiting, the husband got out of his car and confronted Van Rooyen.

Van Rooyen said a security guard told the husband to get back into his car. The man’s wife told him to do the same.

READ: Second video of KFC assault emerges

After the first assault, which Van Rooyen said he was not part of, both the husband and wife allegedly began punching Muller.

“At that point I intervened and hit him [the husband] with clenched fists,” Van Rooyen said.

A disturbing video of the assault, which was widely shared on social media, shows a number of men assaulting the couple.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: 

A woman can be heard shouting: “Are you going to hit me? Are you going to hit me?”

The men, who are white, can be heard shouting obscenities.

Later the woman, who is black, can be heard shouting: “Don’t hit my man.”

The accused stated that they did not know each other and did not act as one group.

News24 revealed this week that Harding was arrested in 2014 for allegedly assaulting three petrol pump attendants at a fuel station in the small town of Petrus Steyn.

Harding, who was 19 at the time, appeared in court alongside Jordaan Barend, 18, and Winston Brinklow, 23. The trio, who worked for a construction company at the time, appeared in court on the same day as their arrest on June 17, 2014.

The case was then postponed to June 20, 2014, for a formal bail application, and all three accused were released on bail. The bail amount was not stipulated in the docket.

“They were charged with common assault and crimen injuria. The case was postponed to October 29th 2014, but the suspects did not attend court and a warrant of arrest was issued,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Sinah Mpakane.

Harding, Barend and Brinklow have to date not been traced on their given addresses.

Mpakane added that the case was also referred to the director of public prosecutions because “the victims were also called ‘k*****s'”.

News24.com | Luthuli House is blundering – Turok

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Cape Town – The ANC’s decision to discipline MPs who publicly admitted to having voted for the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, is a desperate attempt to show it still controls its members, struggle stalwart Ben Turok has said.

ANC headquarters Luthuli House was making one mistake after the other and had lost control of the party, the former ANC MP said in an interview with News24.

“After the vote, they felt they had to do something to maintain discipline. So they made the biggest blunder in the history of the ANC. They’ve now charged Pravin Gordhan,” he said.

“To charge him is the most foolish thing that Luthuli House could do and it’s only a symptom of their desperation. They don’t know how to handle the situation. They’re at a loss and they’re making mistakes, one after another.”

Turok, who while still a MP in 2012 was disciplined for walking out of the vote on the controversial Secrecy Bill, said it came as a surprise to him that so many ANC MPs voted for the no confidence motion. He believed it could happen again.

“On the Secrecy Bill there were lots of ANC MPs who agreed with me, but they were not willing to vote against it. You don’t do that kind of thing in the ANC. You toe the line.

“Because of long loyalty, it’s not a party that you leave easily or abstain easily. So 42 is, by far, less than the number of MPs that would like to defect. Luthuli House must be really concerned that the real defection is really much bigger,” he said.

About 40 ANC MPs supported the motion.

‘Poor state of affairs’

The struggle stalwart said it was a sad state of affairs that factional battles in the ANC had started to affect Parliament’s oversight function.

Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi and five other ANC MPs on Tuesday refused to attend a portfolio committee meeting where she would have been asked to account for alleged misuse of funds.

ANC MP Makhosi Khoza, a Zuma critic, chaired the meeting. The MPs cited her ill-discipline in the vote of no confidence as the reason for not attending.

“This kind of incident with Muthambi, if it happened five years ago, she would be called to account by the leader of the House and the chief whip and asked, ‘what are you doing bringing Parliament into disrepute?’. Now, people are getting away with this kind of behaviour and it’s symptomatic of a very poor state of affairs,” Turok said.

Those who hoped the ANC’s elective conference in December would fix the party’s problems, would be disappointed.

“The country is rudderless and December can’t fix it, because the crisis is too deep.”