Category Archives: South African News

News24.com | Siya Kolisi’s father takes first trip abroad to watch son lead Boks in RWC final

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Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will have a special man watching him from the stands of the Yokohama Stadium in Japan when he leads out the Boks in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against England.

The match will also be Siya’s 50th in a Bok jersey, having made his debut against Scotland in Nelspruit in 2013.

The special man will be his father, Fezakele Kolisi.

The news was shared by Siya’s wife, Rachel, on her Instagram account on Monday.

Captioned “My dads are on their way to Japan…” the post also revealed it would be Fezakele’s first trip abroad.

‘What a time to be alive,” she ended the caption.

It is also extra special as Fezakele missed Siya’s first match as Bok captain last year, but will now watch him in arguably the biggest game of his captaincy to date.

The Springboks will be playing in their third World Cup final on Saturday (kick-off at 11:00 local time), having won both the 1995 and 2007 finals.

The 12-year difference between the two World Cup wins has been dubbed a good omen for the Boks in some quarters, with Siya recalling, after their narrow 19-16 win over Wales in the semi-final on Sunday, how he watched the 2007 final at a local tavern because he did not have a TV at home.

“I was watching it in a tavern because I didn’t have a TV at home,” he told reporters. “I know what it did for us back then. I have never seen people come together over sport [like that].”

Ahead of Saturday’s final, President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired the opening shot to his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, tweeting: “See you on Saturday BoJo when you will be watching Siya, the team and I hoist high the Webb Ellis Cup.”

– Compiled by Kamva Somdyala

News24.com | AS IT HAPPENED | Steenhuisen throws his hat in the ring for new DA party leader

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DA statement on resignations (October 24, issued by Helen Zille):

On Wednesday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Executive (FedEx) was informed of the personal decision of its Federal Leader, Mmusi Maimane, and Federal Chairperson, Athol Trollip to resign from their positions.

As the DA, we would like to thank Mr Maimane and Mr Trollip for their service to the Party and the country.

The DA is in the business of ensuring that the Democratic Project is not derailed by either internal or external issues.  We can waste no time in working for an inclusive, prosperous democracy.  To this end, strong and stable leadership in the DA is essential.

The FedEx was convened on Thursday morning to study a legal opinion by the DA Federal Legal Commission on the steps required to fill the leadership vacancies in a way that does not undermine the Federal Constitution and does not negatively affect the political operations of the DA.

The FLC is empowered to, inter alia, interpret the Federal Constitution.

In terms of the Federal Constitution, the Federal Leader is deputised by the Federal Chairperson, but the Federal Constitution is silent on the current situation where both positions have become vacant simultaneously.

On the advice of the FLC, the following steps will be followed –

– The Federal Council (FedCo) will be convened as soon as practically possible;

– FedCo will elect to elect an Interim Federal Leader and an Interim Federal Chairperson;

– A Federal Congress will be convened as soon as practically possible, with a provisional target of April 2020

The DA’s political and operational structures have already began the work of giving effect to these steps, and want to reassure DA members, voters and South Africans at large that the DA will continue its work of effective and constructive opposition, and where were are in government, in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Limpopo, we will continue to improve the quality of governance.

The FedEx has also noted the developments of the Parliamentary Caucus, the decisions and actions of which will be communicated by the Interim Parliamentary Caucus Leadership.

We would like to thank our members and supporters for standing by us during this difficult period.

We remain committed to our values of Freedom, Fairness, Opportunity and Diversity.

News24.com | The ‘Four Fafs’ on Lesufi’s old flag gaffe: ‘We want the whole nation to unite behind the boys’

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Four Springbok fans in Japan have accepted Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi’s apology after he incorrectly accused one of them of wearing an old South African flag at the Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales over the weekend.

And the men want South Africans to unite, not to be divided, as South Africa gears up to face England in the final on Saturday.

“We don’t want to make any negative waves and it was obviously a misunderstanding,” Neels Swanepoel told News24 on behalf of the group on Monday.

“We want the whole nation to unite behind the flag and behind the boys. The apology is obviously accepted and let’s just all move on.”

Swanepoel said they never expected to be in the news.

While happy to share their photos from the trip, he asked that the other three men not be named so the story did not become all about them.

(Supplied)

The Faf Squad in Japan (Supplied, Neels Swanepoel)

The four, who also witnessed the semi-final live against Japan, call themselves the “Faf Squad” or the “Four Fafs” and have attended games with their green and gold attire, blonde wigs and flags.

“It’s just a show of solidarity to the Springboks in general and to little Faf de Klerk. He’s our man,” chuckled Swanepoel, speaking as they tried to navigate their way across the Japanese countryside in the dark.

“Not one of us have a physical profile of a scrummy – just call us a bunch of out of shape Fafs.”

Lesufi had incorrectly said they were carrying the old flag. He tweeted a screenshot of them, saying: “That flag, unfortunately is spoiling it! This team @Springboks belongs to all of us. Let’s avoid hurting each other unnecessarily. #StrongerTogether.”

Panyaza Lesufi, twitter, old flag

Many people were confused because one of the men was actually donning the new South African flag. The red and white colours were visible below his waist, while the black, yellow and green colours were draped over his left shoulder.

“It’s a brand new flag out of the bag so we’re really sorry that the red bit could have looked orange to somebody,” said Swanepoel.

“It was obviously completely unintentional.”

Lesufi apologised on Sunday evening.

He tweeted: “Sincere apologies fellow South Africans [.] the initial angle was completely wrong! Let’s celebrate the team’s win @Springboks  Forward with social cohesion. We are better together than divided! Apartheid flag divides South African flag unites! Slaan hulle die volgende week!”

(Supplied)

(Supplied, Neels Swanepoel)

The men said their trip for work and pleasure had been quite an adventure.

“Obviously there is the rugby on the one hand but the Japanese people have been absolutely incredible and the country and hospitality are amazing,” said Swanepoel.

“As is being able to support to support our Captain [Siya] Kolisi and his brave warriors, as the Japanese call the Boks.” 

They will be cheering for the country in the stands for the final and are crossing fingers that South Africa [will] bring the cup home.

“It’s not going to be easy but we are sure the guys will give their best. With a coach like Rassie [Erasmus] and a captain like Siya and all the other boys, it’s the best chance to hope for a win.”

The Springboks will face off against England on Saturday at 11:00 local time, in their bid to bring home the Webb Ellis Cup.

News24.com | JUST IN: John Steenhuisen chosen as DA parliamentary leader

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John Steenhuisen has been chosen as the DA’s new parliamentary leader, the party announced on Sunday.

Nominations for the position closed on Friday night and the position was uncontested with only one nomination, said DA caucus chairperson Annelie Lotriet, who had been acting in the position.

“Therefore the new parliamentary leader is John Steenhuisen. The DA’s parliamentary caucus looks forward to working with Mr Steenhuisen and he can be assured of our support,” she said.

After Mmusi Maimane resigned as DA MP and parliamentary leader earlier this week, Steenhuisen automatically ceased to be the party’s chief whip. His term was tied to that of the parliamentary leader.

Steenhuisen told radio host Eusebius McKaiser on Radio702 on Thursday that he had been approached by several DA members to run for party leader, but wanted “the bodies to cool” first while he “gives it consideration”.

The DA’s Federal Council (FedCo) will meet on November 17 to elect an interim leader and interim chairperson of the party, FedCo chair Helen Zille tweeted on Friday morning.

She also claimed that they have “steadied the ship”.

News24.com | Boy, 12, charged with murder after shooting brother, 3, dead

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A 12-year-old boy has been charged with murder after he found his father’s gun and shot his little brother dead, Limpopo police said.

Their mother heard the gun shot on Saturday morning and rushed her younger child, 3, to the local clinic in gaMolepo in Mankweng but he was certified dead on arrival, said Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

He said the father, 53, who is a former security officer, apparently left his firearm in a bag that was hung against a wall in his room.

The child managed to access the gun and somehow shoot his younger brother.

Police seized the gun as part of their investigation.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba condemned the shooting and said that appropriate steps should be taken against the father for allegedly keeping the weapon in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

“I urge all lawful firearm owners to, at all times keep them in the locked safes to avoid unauthorised access.”

Mojapelo said the older brother would be dealt with in accordance with the processes governing children who were in conflict with the law.

“Probation officers have already been engaged to take the process forward. Police investigations into the circumstances of the shooting are already underway.”

News24.com | Five years for man with child porn on his devices

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A 46-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which five were suspended, for having child porn on his tablet and cellphone, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday. 

On Thursday, the Port Shepstone Regional Court sentenced Bret Allen Steven to the 10 years.

Provincial family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit detectives, specialising in serial and electronic crimes, arrested him on March 30 after he was found in possession of 476 images on his tablet and cellphone. 

He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders.

News24.com | Hewitt rape survivor on parole decision: ‘It’s amazing to be heard’

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“It’s amazing to be heard,” Olivia Jasriel, one of the rape survivors of former tennis star Bob Hewitt, said after hearing the news that his parole was set aside. 

“He has never shown remorse,” she said.  

On Friday, the Department of Correctional Services announced that due to procedural problems with Hewitt’s parole application, it was set aside, and he must apply again. 

On September 15, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, instructed the national commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, to take the decision to place Hewitt on parole on review.

This was due to a lack of participation by his victims in the parole consideration process. 

He was supposed to be released on parole on September 23 until September 19, 2022.

But his victims were angry that they had not been notified in time to prepare to attend the hearing. 

The 79-year-old was convicted of the rape of two young women and the sexual assault of another who he coached in the 1980s and 1990s.

He was sentenced to six years in prison, News24 previously reported.

Jasriel told News24 she was “extremely grateful” to Lamola for taking them seriously, especially in light of mounting concern over gender-based violence.

“Now we can continue to be heard,” she said. 

Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the matter has to be re-enrolled with the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board once all the recommendations of the parole review board have been considered.

News24.com | Another North West municipality placed under administration, council dissolved

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Yet another North West municipality has been placed under administration.

On Thursday, North West Premier Job Mokgoro announced that the province’s executive council (exco) had dissolved the entire council of the Mamusa Municipality in Schweizer-Reineke.

It was among 15 in the province that have been placed under administration, the SABC previously reported.

Fifteen out of 22 municipalities have all been placed under administration due to a number of factors, including the mismanagement of funds, maladministration and councillors neglecting their legislative duties.

Without a council to perform its legislative duties, it is now up to the IEC to decide on a date when an election for a new council will be held in Mamusa.

Mokgoro said the exco had previously resolved to invoke section 139(1)(c) at the municipality – which has already been under administration following a section 139(1)(b) intervention – as there were no signs of improvement.

ALSO READ: Reports of dissolution of North West municipalities ‘fictitious and baseless’ – ANC interim provincial committee

Mokgoro’s spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, said in a statement on Thursday that the municipality was accused of maladministration, financial mismanagement and councillors who neglected their legislative duties.

Ngesi said in some instances, some councillors at Mamusa allegedly dictated who should get tenders and neglected their duties with regards to service delivery.

“The municipality is unable to render services and is on the brink of collapse. It is up to the exco and premier to decide whether the current administrator remains at the helm or if there will be a new administrator. For now, there are no councillors in Mamusa,” he added.

The authority to dissolve the entire Mamusa council had been granted and agreed to by the National Council of Provinces following a request from North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs MEC Mothibedi Kegakilwe, Mokgoro said.

“We further received concurrence from the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs [Nkosana Dlamini-Zuma] that we should dissolve the council of the Mamusa local municipality. As per the legal requirements, we have also informed the North West provincial legislature of the decision and the processes followed in reaching the decision.

“Therefore, legally from today, the council of the Mamusa local municipality has ceased to exist and we will be announcing the appointment of an administrator to take care of that municipality until a new council is elected,” said Mokgoro.

News24.com | Mbeki’s warning as DA scrambles: Don’t shatter SA’s dream of non-racialism

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“I have understood from the statements made by the various leaders of the Democratic Alliance [DA], including Mr Mmusi Maimane, that the current developments within the DA have to do with the continuing challenge of racism in our country.” 

So says former president Thabo Mbeki (in a typically academic fashion) who has now added his voice to commentary around the political crisis unfolding in South Africa’s second-largest political party.

READ: ‘Don’t be discouraged, my big brother’ – Malema’s message to Maimane

Mbeki made the statement after a week of major disruption and upheaval in the official opposition which saw the likes of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and, most recently, DA federal chairperson and federal leader Athol Trollip and Mmusi Maimane, respectively, bow out from the blue party.

Mmusi Maimane and Herman Mashaba

Mmusi Maimane hugs Herman Mashaba who resigned as mayor of Johannesburg. (Felix Dlangamandla, Netwerk24)

“In this context, I wish to emphasise that, consistent with our Constitution, all our registered political formations have an absolute obligation practically to contribute to the national effort to make ours a non-racial country.

“It would be a matter of the greatest concern if it were in fact true that our country’s official opposition, the DA, is going through a leadership crisis because of a hegemonic ascendance of a racist tendency which seeks to assert policies to that end to sustain colonial and apartheid social relations.

“The millions of our people and our constitutional order will gain absolutely nothing from any negative movement in any of our political parties toward policies based on racism.

“The DA has an imperative obligation to reassure the nation, practically, unequivocally and transparently, that it is conducting and will conduct itself in terms of all its internal and public policies and programmes in a manner which truly helps to transform South Africa into a non-racial country.”

Mbeki goes on to say that “this is an obligation which binds all the political parties which serve within our legislatures, without exception”.

“Together, these must ensure that as elected representatives of the people, they faithfully discharge their solemn obligation to contribute to the building of the South Africa prescribed in our Constitution.

“Those who organise and act to frustrate the realisation of the goals detailed in our Constitution must understand that thereby they commit a criminal act against both the ordinary people in our country and the post-apartheid legal order which has sought to defend the interests of all our people without regard to race, class, gender, sexual orientation or creed.”

– Compiled by Ethan Van Diemen