BLOEMFONTEIN – A Bloemfontein businessman desperate for electricity chained himself to the desk of a secretary at the city’s power utility Centlec, Die Volksblad newspaper reported on Monday.

The report said a frustrated Christo Hunter chained himself to the desk after trying for four months to get Centlec to give him a quotation to switch power on at a building.

“I just could not take it longer. I am finished. To do this on a Friday afternoon shows you how desperate and tired I am,” the newspaper quoted Hunter as saying.

The report said the office of senior Centlec official Leon Kritzinger was astir when Hunter used a thick chain to lock himself to the desk.

Hunter told the newspaper a security guard wanted to know why he did not make an appointment to sort out his problems.

He said after many e-mails and phones calls he did not receive any reaction and was prepared to sit at the desk until Monday to get a meeting.

Eventually, he and his partner were promised a meeting with Kritzinger and a sceptical Hunter unlocked himself.

It was not clear when the meeting would take place.

“Hulle is hardegat (They are difficult). We do not get answers or reaction from them,” Hunter said in the report. – Sapa

The report said a frustrated Christo Hunter chained himself to the desk after trying for four months to get Centlec to give him a quotation to switch power on at a building.

“I just could not take it longer. I am finished. To do this on a Friday afternoon shows you how desperate and tired I am,” the newspaper quoted Hunter as saying.

The report said the office of senior Centlec official Leon Kritzinger was astir when Hunter used a thick chain to lock himself to the desk.

Hunter told the newspaper a security guard wanted to know why he did not make an appointment to sort out his problems.

He said after many e-mails and phones calls he did not receive any reaction and was prepared to sit at the desk until Monday to get a meeting.

Eventually, he and his partner were promised a meeting with Kritzinger and a sceptical Hunter unlocked himself.

It was not clear when the meeting would take place.

“Hulle is hardegat (They are difficult). We do not get answers or reaction from them,” Hunter said in the report. – Sapa

…And learners fear for their life

By Staff reporter

LADYBRAND – The South Africa Police Service are looking for Leaf Petrus Monosi  18 known as Thabo  in connection with the murder of Constable Henemia Modise.

Police spokesperson Constable  Maselela Langa said it was about 1900 hours on October 30,2011 , Constable Modise was looking for the sheep belonging to his mother in Thaba-Nchu when he came across seven men who stoned him to death.

Langa said other six suspects aging 18 to 24 were arrested for murder and they are currently in custody . But the seventh Lefa Petrus Modise is still at large.

However, it is believed that the suspect could be somewhere in Thaba-Nchu. “Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect can contact investigating officer warrant officer Joseph Motshweneng on the following cell phone number 0823720093.

By Staff Reporter

BETHLEHEM- A Warrant officer was on Saturday August 18 was burned to death in his house on August Saturday 18.

According to police spokesperson at Bethlehem police station Sgt Majang Skalkie, warrant officer Thabo Moloantoa 46 was sleeping alone in his house  when he was attacked by the fire.Police received complain about fire attack at around 03:40 and on arrival at  Phekolohong  street in Bohlokong Town  the house was still on fire and roof was collapsing.

Skalkie said  police, fire brigade and emergency services  who were sent there discovered that the house belonged to Warrant officer Molantoa who was working at Bethlehem Station Crime Prevention Unit.

He said police also learned that Molantoa  was alone  when the fire started and he was burned to death.

“However at the stage  it is not clear what might have caused the fire. The deceased’s body was found at the kitchen door with his legs stuck at the burglar door” he said.

Skalkie said Forensic Fire Investigation Unit (FFIU) was also assigned to the scene to investigate what caused the fire and they are still busy with the investigation. The police have registered a case of inquest.

By Libuseng Nyaka

BLOEMFONTEIN – Four of seven members of a syndicate that kidnapped, extorted money and then murdered four fellow Pakistani will spend the rest of their lives in prison.

High Court judge John Rampai on Saturday, August 19 ordered the murderous group to be locked up for stretches for the heinous crimes committed on fellow nationals.

The four  – Shahid Ibrahim Saeed, 41,Saliem Queveshi 53,Mohammed Elaz, 39, Farhan Ullah, 31 were found guilty of murdering  Shabodiem Hussein, 30, Saleem Majid, 30, Amanullah Nusrulam, 26, and Malik Awan Yasser, 45, and Zia Kahn, who was based in Maseru, Lesotho.

The bodies of four of the victims were found buried in the same grave in Clocolan.

The court concluded that Zia Kahn was lured from his home in Maseru and driven across the border into South Africa in his corsa bakkie.

He was tortured and later killed after refusing to pay the kidnappers R2 million to secure his release, the court concluded.

Agreed facts are that Saeed was requested to take him to Nelspruit in his car. Instead of going to Nelspruit, Saeed ordered Anwar to go to Baberton before going to Clocolan where he was detained for 13 days.

Saeed, the court concluded, told his alleged victims that he was stitching together a diamond deal in Clocolan when they were actually being driven into a trap.

The other three culprits in this case are Ali Mamo Mahanza, 34, who was sentenced to ten years for conspiracy and being part of the gang.

He was acquitted on murder charges, extortion and assault. Ali Tanveer, 27, got a seven-year jail term while Ejaz Mohammed Ahmed, 39, and Shabbir Ghullam, 39, were sentenced to 15 years each.

The seven attempted to extort various sums of money ranging from R150, 000 to R2 million from the victims’ families in a killing spree that stretched from November 2007 to March 2008.

The victims were snatched from their homes in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and transported to the remote settlement of Clocolan in Free State where they were held captive while negotiations for the drop off of the money were being conducted.

The Lashpal syndicate was initially headed by one Ejas Soda Bazra who has since left the country.

Bazra instructed the gang to kill four of the victims for murdering his friend.

The gangsters were facing four murder charges, three counts of kidnapping, three for robbery with aggravated circumstances, assault, extortion and  attempted extortion committed between May 2007 to April 2008 in  Baberton, Ficksburg , Johannesburg, Clocolan and Bloemfontein.

After Bazra’s departure, Saeed took over leadership of the group and hatched the plan to kidnap the five men and extort money from their families.

By Libuseng Nyaka

Blade Nzimande

BLOEMFONTEIN – The Department of Higher Education is mulling its next move following a high court judgment which knocked back minister Blade Nzimande’s attempts to install an administrator at the Central University of Technology (CUT).

Nzimande told a media briefing that his department was “taking this matter on review and will announce a course of action in this regard in due course”.

This action might come in the form of an appeal, amendment of the relevant legislation or acceptance of the verdict, legal analysts said on Thursday, August 23.

The feisty minister has been at loggerheads with management and Vice Chancellor Thandwa Mthembu at the former technickon since he ordered a probe into the institution’s affairs.

“I have noted with concern the judgment… I am concerned about the severe implications of the judgment on the higher education sector, where it could possibly be interpreted that institutions of higher learning are beyond accountability to government,” he said.

Nzimande appointed Professor Stanley Ridge as Administrator for the Central University of Technology (CUT) last June following the Report of the Independent Assessor which “identified issues that seriously undermined good governance and management as required by the Higher Education Act”.

The Act empowers the minister to appoint an administrator to resolve issues that seriously undermine the effective governing of a public higher education institution.

“Whenever allegations of victimisation, abuse of power, maladministration or financial maladministration that would affect the functioning of a higher education institution in the country are made, I as the Minister responsible for Higher Education and Training cannot ignore them. I am expected to intervene; hence I took the decision to first appoint an Independent Assessor to assess the situation at CUT.”

he said the decision to implement the recommendations of the Independent Assessor was taken after considering all the relevant facts stated in the Report and consulting the Council of CUT.

He added: “The appointment of an Administrator was an opportunity to initiate processes to restore good governance and create systems to address the administrative, governance and management challenges facing the institution.

If the allegations contained in the report of Independent Assessor are unfounded and there is no wrongdoing on the side of the Vice-Chancellor, then this process would have absolved and vindicated any individuals who may have been implicated.”

It was important to note that while the court did not rule in the Department’s favour on the matter, it also did not set the Report of the Independent Assessor aside.

“The Report contained serious allegations of victimisation, abuse of power, maladministration and other allegations which were found to be substantive. Linked to these allegations also is the perceived inappropriate relationship between the Vice-Chancellor and the Chairperson of Council.

“Council and Management, in discharging their mandate, should ensure that the state of our Higher Education Institutions is not compromised. I strongly believe that the action of the Vice Chancellor and Chairperson of Council were totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned when they forcibly prevented Professor Ridge from performing his duties as Administrator,” Nzimande said.

The director for the Centre for Democracy at the University of Johannesburg Prof Steven Friedman, meanwhile, says the judgment would not impact negatively on government funding.

Welcoming the decision Friedman said the court confirmed that universities were autonomous, an assertion that was promptly rejected by Nzimande.

“It was improper for the minister to want to destroy the structure in place which had been running university for years. I appreciate the decision and think their winning is the win for all universities” he said.

Judge Daffue’s decision was mounted on the argument the Nzimande had not taken CUT council’s response to the assessor’s report into account.

The tug-of-war between Nzimande and Mthembu started in 2010 when Mthembu was accused of misusing university funds and corruptly promoting female employees. However it appeared that Vice – chancellor was entitled to take a partner with him on official trips at university expense.

The partner could be his spouse, daughter or anyone as the Act does not specify what type of partner.

In an interview with Public Eye in May this year Mthembu said the accusations started when some lecturers who were using fraudulent certificates were exposed.

Some members of staff had also lost their jobs after a restructuring exercise at the university.

By Molefi Sompane

Norman Selai

PARYS – A violent protest by striking Ngwathe Local Municipality workers over employment contracts last week left municipal property vandalized a year after workers downed tools calling for the resignation of the then Municipal Manager Norman Selai.

Former Setsoto mayor’s political advisor Advocate Thabo Mokwena confirmed on Thursday, August 16 that the disturbances would cost the municipality fortune in repairs.

“Workers have returned to work, and we are still negotiating and discussing their grievances with the hope of resolving them. But in the end, proper procedures should be followed according to the law,” he said.

Mokoena dismissed growing reports that the municipality had suspended  some shop stewards.  “They are being charged in their capacity as employees not shop stewards.”

He said workers had appealed for the charges to be dropped. “They have asked us to drop the charges against those suspended. However, we have stressed to them that everybody should adhere to the law; respect it and all the policies adopted by the council.

We are here on behalf of the community. So people have to know that disciplined is not optional but compulsory.

“We have procedures to follow when we have grievances and we won’t tolerate lack of discipline by our workers. The municipality and all the shop stewards are working together although they don’t agree with everything but the relationship is good. However, it is in everyone’s interests to suspend people if there are issues that need to be investigated.” Mokoena said.

He said it was amazing that workers were demanding permanent employment contracts.

“The matter is before the council.They know about it and it won’t be finalized when they want but municipality has the right to wait and decide for its benefit. However, we have assured them we are working out solutions.”

On Monday, August 13 workers downed tools, and sat outside the main office of the municipality singing the struggle songs while disrupting and jamming traffic passing through municipal offices.

Workers accused the municipality of lacking concern. “We were supposed to be given permanent employment contracts but the employer has been quiet about the matter. At the end he suspended our colleagues who were pushing for this matter to be finalized.”

“It is the only way that makes the employer to come on board after all we are disciplined workers.”

By Tselane Moiloa

DEWESTSDORP – Official investigations into the cause of the veld fires which cost Free State farmers over R350 million two weeks ago are currently underway, Deputy-director for Forest and Veld Fire Oversight in Free State, Malcolm Procter has said.

“Forensic investigators are in Free State to find out how the fires started. You cannot go out there and accuse people of starting fires when you do not know how it started,” Procter told Public Eye on Thursday, August 23. The results of the investigations would also be used by some of the farmers to lay charges against those found guilty of starting the fires.

Last week, there was a claim that the veld fires were started by sparks which emanated from the power lines after they came into contact due to the strong winds that buffeted the province. Subsequent claims suggested that municipal dumpsites were the source of the fires.

However, Procter said more still needs to be done and no-one can be accused of starting the fires. He confirmed that four cases had been opened, but could not divulge the finer details on who laid them or against whom.

“I can confirm that four cases have been opened but I cannot go into details about them. But you cannot go out there and accuse people without proof. No-one can say it is Eskom or municipalities,” Procter said. The chairperson of the Dewestsdorp Agricultural Union Willem Lombard confirmed that they would also lay charges, but are still waiting for the conclusion of investigations.

“Our attorneys are on the case and there are investigations which are going on to establish where the fire started. We will know in about two weeks time and it is only then when the charges will be laid,” Lombard said.

Dewetsdorp and Wepener were the worst affected areas in Free State, where fires caused over R350 million in damages in some areas including Memel, Verkeerdevlei and Fickburg.

Relief efforts from farmers unions and private institutions were still pouring in to help farmers who had lost most, if not all, of their grazing land. Farmers whose land was destroyed have moved some cattle to land which was temporarily offered by farmers who still had land in good condition.

While the fire season has not yet ended, farmers are still hoping for early rains which would help with the recovery of the soil expected to take over a year before they can move back to the their land.

By Tselane Moiloa

JAGERSFONTEIN – Tension has gripped the small mining town here where dirt poor residents are hatching a plan to halt diamond production in protest against a string of broken promises by mine bosses.

The palpable tension nearly crystallised into a march onto the mine, some 100 km south of Bloemfontein, this week until police stepped in and stopped the residents in their tracks.

Disgruntled Jagersfontein residents plan to apply for a court interdict against mine management to stop operations in the disadvantaged village after it allegedly reneged on an agreement to inject millions on rands into developmental and job creation projects.

Since the mine resumed operations in 2010, there have been numerous protests to get it to fulfill terms of an agreemententered into between the two groups which were supposed to better the lives of residents of the oldest mining town in South Africa.

Mining companies have been catapulted into the limelight since the shooting of 34 protesting workers at Marikana Lonmin mine on Thursday, 16 August.

The workers were demanding higher wages while a subsequent research report by non-government organisation Bench Mark Foundation suggested that workers and local communities barely benefitted from profits realised from mineral sales.

At Jagersfontein, Chris Kimber of Superkolong which attained mining rights in July 2011 said the 10 percent shareholding the community owned would be injected into the Itumeleng Community Trust to create jobs for locals.

“It is a job creation trust that will be used to create cooperatives and other businesses in the area, so that when the mine closes the people in this area will still have a means of surviving,” said Kimber at the time. Unhappy community leaders said that the diamond mine must just close shop because the place still looks the same as before the mine reopened.

“We fought for that mine to reopen, but there is no use because nothing has happened. Some people here do not have a thing; and we were expecting some developments. Instead, we just watch when the helicopter comes and takes off with loads of diamonds,” said Mamoketsi Mokhali, 23.

The well-known agreement also stated that R20 million would be injected into community development projects, while there would also be transferal of skills.

“This was also done because the mine said it would not be able to employ every resident but they should still benefit; even beyond the years of operation in Jagersfontein,” area councillor Phindile Basholo said on Tuesday, August 21.

However, the effects of the R20 million windfall are yet to be felt as the community continues to wallow in poverty and only a few locals are employed in the mine.

The mine, residents said, scuttled strike action by sending out notices to residents asking those interested in work to line up at the gate on the day to diffuse tensions.

Thandeka Ngxito, 25, has heeded the call to queue up at the gate numerous times;but has not yet gone beyond the security gate.

“I left my child in the early hours of the morning to go there. There were about 28 of us; but they took casual workers who worked there before,” she said. Those who are chosen work for two weeks, and then new people are selected, the locals said.

“We obviously don’t enjoy the treatment and the way these people talk to us, but we always hope that this time it will be different. The mine is the main source of work which is why we keep coming back. Our children have to eat something,” Ngxito said. “The few who are employed in the mine are mere assistants even though some have worked in mines for a long time. Only the people the company came with are operators,” said one of the miners who asked to remain anonymous.

The latest protest march was penciled in for Tuesday, August 21 but was stopped by police from the public order unit in Bloemfontein. The community wants to know where the R20 million which was entrusted into the Itumeleng Community Trust’s hand is and why the projects which were supposed to be undertaken have not happened.

However, Basholo said the protesting community members were being used by another mining company which lost out on the bidding for mineral rights to the mine in 2010.

The tension between Basholo and some residents came after the councillor excused himself out of negotiations with the mine.

Tensions were further heightened this week when mine manager Johann Pretorius would not give the community feedback on the day on the memorandum of demands the mine was given on Tuesday, August 7.  Instead, Pretorius requested the local SAPS captain Pitso Khalane to tell the protesters that they would only get feedback after consultations with the board next week, which Khalane refused.

According to Basholo, some of the projects which had been suggested by the community include brick making, paving of roads in the township, building a stadium and a poultry project. So far, only a portion of one road has been paved, while the stadium is an open dirt field surrounded with nearby netball courts that community members said they have not used.

While they do not see eye-to-eye, the councillor agrees with community members that no development has taken place in Jagersfontein.“It means that they are not taking the community of Jagersfontein seriously,” he said.

As a consequence, the poor community has been plunged into unmitigated poverty with youths turning to alcohol, drugs and prostitution to scratch out a meagre living. Mine management would not comment, referring Public Eye to its lawyers, who said they would be meeting members of the trust in Jagersfontein next week to find out what was holding up progress on development programmes.

By Khahliso Khama

BLOEMFONTEIN – Six local artists have joined forces to produce a single track album that is expected to be a voice for the tourism fraternity of the Free State province.

Renowned musicians and poet Nthabiseng ‘JahRose’ Jafta, Lehlohonolo ‘Lim’ Mokoena in collaboration  with Tshepo ‘Dialogue’ Ntokoane, Mbulelo Mayo, Molokoane ‘Big Size’ Taunyane, and Mpho ‘Zoe’ Maele have released a track to celebrate the thriving tourism industry of the Free State.

The track titled ‘Woz’ eVrystaatis a brain child of LehlohonoloMokoena who is also known among music fans as ‘Lim’ from the popular afro pop group Alah Yen.

According to one of collaborating artists, Ntokoane, the song is a token of appreciation for the rich history of the province and its inviting serenity as well as the people of the Free State.

“The song is an initiative of one of our fellow musicians  Lehlohonolo Mokoena. He invited us to sell and celebrate our beloved province by composing this song which I believe will invite more tourists to explore the Free State province,” said Ntokoane.

He added that the province has so much to offer in the tourism fraternity and it was fitting for such an initiative.

“I strongly believe our tourism industry if well marketed in the country and the rest of the world can see more tourists and investors visiting the province. As the name of the song explains, we are saying to the world, “come visitVrystaat (Free State) and experience the beauty of our heritage, culture and tourist attractions most importantly the inviting scenery and tranquillity,” he told Public Eye.

The song will soon grace local and national radio stations with a music video already in the pipeline.

“We have been working on the track for two weeks since the MEC for tourism proposed that local artists commemorate the tourism industry with their music. I am very excited that we have completed the track and it will soon hit the air waves.

“We are also shooting a music video which will be accessible for download on music sites. We are looking forward to a good response and hopefully attract more tourists and investors to our province,” Ntokoane added.

Woz’ eVrystaat was composed as a response to a call by the MEC for Tourism Mamiki Qabathe that local artists produce songs to market the rich culture, heritage and tourism of the province during Heritage month celebrations.

Heritage month is an annual celebration that marks aspects of South African culture such as music, language, cultural food and historical inheritance.

The celebrations are staged all over the country from the first to the last day of September.

By Khahliso Khama

BLOEMFONTEIN – As weeks approach towards the famed and long-awaited Mangaung Arts and Cultural Festival (MACUFE), the streets of Mangaung are buzzing with excitement in preparation for the esteemed arts and cultural festivity celebrating 15 years.

Besides the music programme filled with huge international acts, the department is also hosting what has been dubbed the MACUFE Homebrew Programme which will ensure that local acts are well represented in the MACUFE programme and even long after the festival. The programme will make rounds in the Free State identifying artists that will showcase their skills during various arts and culture platforms including MACUFE dance, theatre and drama programmes.

One of the young people looking forward to the festival is Manapo Mofolo, a Business Management student at Motheo College in Bloemfontein. Mofolo, who said she can’t wait to see what promises to be an electrifying performance by the billed artists, labelled MACUFE as a  profitable and entertaining festival that every young and old person can take advantage of to pursue their talent and business ventures or aspirations.

“I am overwhelmed by the line up and hopefully the artists will deliver as expected. I believe it’s time that people see  MACUFE not only as a two weeks entertainment programme but an opportunity to mingle with the right people and explore possible business ventures that present themselves during MACUFE,” said the 21 year old student.

On the other hand, aspiring artists have given a thumb up to the organisers of the festival for initiating pre and post MACUFE programmes that will ensure that local talent is put to great use even beyond the event.

“The MACUFE Homebrew Programme is a good initiative because it reaches out not only to established artists but to every aspiring artist who wouldn’t have known the right track to participating in the festival.

The programme also awards every individual despite their location the opportunity to audition and make it to the performers list during MACUFE,” said Mpho ‘Hypnotics’ Selaelo, a young aspiring hip hop and dance artist.

“I am also impressed with the idea that organisers are looking beyond the event. It is a good initiative to use artists even at other events besides MACUFE as this will keep them motivated and away from the streets,” added Selaelo.

The Mangaung Arts and Cultural Festival is an annual culture and entertainment event that brings together the crème de la crème of the South African arts industry and international artists together with their fans in Bloemfontein.

The festival features jazz, kwaito, hip hop, RnB, gospel, rock and classic music as well as dance, drama, poetry, musical theatre, fine art and traditional arts. MACUFE was first held in 1997 with an audience of 30 000. This year the festival seeks to attract over 140 000 merry makers from South Africa, Africa and the world.

As is the culture, organisers of the festivities have ensured that this year’s event does not disappoint by drawing an exciting line up for revellers. International acts Angie Stone, Randy Crawford and Joe Sample are expected to grace the event alongside South African heavy weight musicians Zahara, Lira, Letta Mbuli, Ringo and Caiphus Semenya to mention but a few.

As efforts to maximise the engagement of locally brewed artists during the festival, the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State has billed in local musicians Maleh, Bochabela Strings Orchestra, Ntshiuwa, Thabo Pitse and Deda amongst others to perform at the MACUFE.

On Monday, Septemer 3 Twitter user @markgamanya said “Learn to dress properly and rape will decline”.

He received a lashing over the social network for his statements – from some of the strongest and most respected women in the country noggal – and even though he was clearly out of line, he still maintains his idiotic sentiment.

What scares me about this is not just this retard’s attitude, but that this is the attitude of many men when it comes to rape.

What @markgamanya is saying is that it’s a woman’s fault if she is raped.

In an age where we are trying to fight violence against women in every way possible, a statement like this just takes us back to the dark ages.

Women are still perceived as objects, and this is perpetuated by magazines, movies and legislations that restrict women’s freedom.

The problem is not how women dress. It’s how men react to it, and men like @markgamanya propagate these backward ideologies with stupid statements. He is basically looking for a scapegoat to justify the inability of some men to control their urges.

We don’t need this. Women have it hard enough as is without idiots like him shooting off at the mouth.

What we need is affirmation that a woman is free to do what she will and men should be controlling themselves instead of blaming their inadequacies as men on women.

Who are you to judge what a woman should wear?

My short skirt or tight jeans are by no means indications that any man should shove his penis where he wants to.

My bathing suit is not an invitation for him to violate my body, or even just my personal space.

My sun dress is not a provocation for a man to ravage what is underneath.

My dressing has nothing – and I repeat – NOTHING to do with anyone else but me.

If my dressing rouses your loins, it is not my fault. It is yours. It is yourfault if you see a pair of shorts as an incitement to rape and abuse.

Women are not free. In some countries they are still not allowed to vote, drive, or wear what they want to wear, yet rape is still rife even in those places.

In fact, the woman is punished for being the victim of sexual violence and is often stoned to death. We see that as barbaric. There is no difference between this and @markgamanya saying that women should learn to dress ‘properly’.

In this country, women are technically free to choose what they want to wear and so it should be. But with statements like @markgamanya’s, this is made very difficult because we are shown that men like him see dressing as a reason to desecrate a woman. This sentiment is used as an excuse.

They see women’s rights as being limited to what men think. Hence, a woman is raped in South Africa every 17 seconds.

This figure from research conducted did not include the number of child rape victims.

It was estimated that one in every two women would be raped. And these are just reportedcases. Only one in nine women actually report sexual assault.

Rape statistics in 2011 revealed that a four-year-old girl died after being raped by her father. A 14-month-old girl was raped by her two uncles. In February 2002, an eight-month-old infant was reportedly gang raped by four men.

Were those due to their dressing?

Between 28% and 30% of adolescents reported that their first sexual encounter was forced.

Is that because of their enticing school dresses?

No, @markgamanya. It’s because some men are just sick and cannot keep their package in their pants. And you, in making that statement, are complicit to these crimes against women and children.

You are equating women to objects and men to animals who cannot help but covet what they see.

Your‘holier than thou’ attitude stinks. It reeks of hypocrisy and is the same as sympathising with rapists.

As long as people like you think that women are to shoulder the blame for men being devoid of any morals, our society will NEVER be free from the scourge of sexual violence. – This article first appeared on TimesLive

By Molefi Sompane

SASOLBURG – A bridge that cuts the distance between two sections of Zamdela has become so notorious for muggings that residents are appealing to authorities to patrol the area.

Notoriously dabbed the ‘Bridge of Death’ because of thugs who hide under it in order to rob and murder people, the Zamdela community is so angry by the occurrences there that it now wants the bridge closed at night.

Either that or the police should increase patrols in the area at night, residents suggest. But people have different opinions about the bridge.

Motshabi Nonyane, 24, still remembers when her boyfriend Mzilikazi Maphanga was brutally killed by the “Smack down” gang on October 28, 2009 on the bridge while she was nearly raped.

She said the bridge served a useful purpose besides being a haven for criminals. “Mzilikazi lost his life on the bridge and many others too, and there is nothing we can do to change that now. That bridge is useful to many people who want to cross from France Section to the other side but there are thugs there at night,” she said.

“The bridge used to have lights and sometimes you would find security guards there but things have changed now.”

Serame Mosololi said it was true that people are being killed at the bridge but thought the matter should be handled by law enforcement agencies. “Police have to patrol the area or there must be guards stationed on it.”

SelloaneMothapo said the bridge entered infamy after five people were killed on the same night on the bridge, dissuading residents from using it.

“Five people were killed in one night last year, and every week someone would be killed there. I don’t think there should be a place people should be afraid to go, whether at night or during the day. Now you only feel safe to cross that bridge if you are in a group,” she said.

However, Mothapo is not backing the closure of the bridge: “I believe the situation will only be corrected by the police, only police will provide safety to people who use the bridge at night.”

Mampho Motlohi, lost her son Moeketsi Motlohi at the bridgelast year. Moeketsi was working late but did not use a taxi home. He was stabbed to death.

“I hate that thing (bridge).It holds bad memories. Whenever I see it I recall how I was called to identify the body of my son lying in cold blood. I wish something can be done to save the lives of other people.

“This bridge is not used for good purposes, especially at night.  People are robbed and killed. Only law enforcement agents have the power to change the situation.”

Reverend Tankiso Dibakwane said the crossing point needed a special prayer session by all  members of the community to exorcise the evil that lurks there. Only combined prayers would cleanse the bridge and end endemic fear that has gripped the community.

Dibakwane has led prayers near the railway line before in the hope of fixing the area and driving out the robbers.

“I organised prayer services where we prayed for victims and their families. I remember we even invited one of the gang leaders who pledged to us then that he will help the police to arrest people who were responsible for the brutal killings that had occurred at bridge,” he said.

Public Eye learnt that Police intend to open a satellite office near the railway station to keep an eye on the bridge and surrounding area.

Former Community Policing Forum (CPF) member James Khunou said: “I encourage the community to take care of itself and work with the police. I am still maintaining that only if we help the police, will we arrest the people who are terrorising us.”

Police Spokesperson Constable Peter Kareli said: “We are considering opening an office near the bridge so that we can patrol the bridge,” he said.

Kareli added that police had arrested many criminals who use the bridge to waylay people and rob them.

“We have the database of many thugs here that helps us to target certain individuals if we are investigating a particular case. People must trust us and let us be there for them when they need us.”

By Molefi Sompane

SASOLBURG – A 42-year-old man has appeared before magistrates in Sasolburg on charges of stealing copper cables worth R80 000.

The man was arrested after police intercepted his bakkie which they suspected of carrying the booty in Zamdela Township.

Police spokesperson Constable Peter Kareli said on Saturday, September 1 the driver of the bakkie tried to flee when he realised that police were following him.

“Our members of Zamdela Crime Prevention Unit came across a suspicious looking Nissan1400 bakkie near Zamdela Grave Yard. They tried to stop the vehicle but the driver sped away.  A chase ensued through the busy streets of Zamdela and the driver sped without lights trying to evade arrest,” he said.

Karelisaid police kept on his trail until he was cornered forcing him to slam into a police vehicle in Chris Hani Section.  The driver tried to get out of the vehicle and flee but the police caught him within a short distance.

“On investigation it was discovered that he was carrying stolen copper cables on the bakkie worth at least R80.000 but the driver refused to reveal the source of his loot.

Last month, police arrested two men with copper. The men have already appeared in court and are out on R500 bail. The copper is stolen from the railway and surrounding factories.

By More Matshediso

BLOEMFONTEIN – MEC for Department of Education Free Sate Tate Makgoeon Thursday, September 6 said the department is ready for this year’s Annual National Assessment (ANA) and grade 12 examinations.

A total 294 457 learners from grades 1 to 6 and 9 will write the ANA in the Free State from Tuesday, September 18 to Friday, September 21. The tests will evaluate learners’ aptitude in literacy and numeracy.

“To be exact, we are left with 45 days before the seniorexams will be written in this country. We wish the 24 721 learners who will be writing the senior exams the best of luck.

We are also setting a very ambitious target of 80 percent for ourselves since we are in the same class with the Gauteng Province.

“We want to increase the Bachelors pass rate, which is required at universities for our learners to be admitted because learners who go to Universities are not accepted with their 30 percent average. They must obtain 50 percent upwards in four subjects and must not have below 30 percent in other subjects,” Makgoe said.

Makgoe said: “We took Mathematics teachers to workshops and retrained them to enhance their teaching methods. If the school is under performing, what is the principal doing as the CEO of the school is our main concern.”

Makgoe said 359 Primary School learners wrote common tests and examinations for Mathematics, English and Home languages in March and June.

“The common question examination method was a way of avoiding unfair assessment in Primary Schools after many schools claimed that a different set of tests and examinations in their various schools was unfair to learners.”

Makgoe said that learners from grade one to nine should be stopped from using calculators and use the “grey matter” between their ears, “that’s the most important calculator”, he added.

The MEC Makgoe said every school should tell the department how many learners were doing well and how many weren’t. The schools should also indicate what they would do to help the underperforming learners.

Dishing out tips for exams, MEC Makgoe said: “Children do not know how to approach questions. We want to teach them that the examiner wants to trick them so they should not spend 30 minutes on a five-mark question.”

The message from the MEC to grade 12 learners was: “You must hlasela this exam, you only write matric once in your life and the outcomes thereof determine your future. Education is a catalyst for a better life for all,” he said.

By Molefi Sompane

SASOLBURG – The saga over the suspension of Bassie Motlou Supply Chain manager at Metsimaholo Local Municipality for allegedly flouting tender regulations widened this week as some councillors are now calling for the head of his immediate boss.

Although Motlou was suspended five weeks ago on full payover a tender valued at R174 000 awarded to a service provider, councillors interviewed this week also want Chief Financial Officer (CFO) MotshidisiMokoena in the dock to answer to the same charge.

Sources at the council said this week that while Mokoena has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, Motlou was suspended on the basis of a complaint she lodged against him; accusing of insubordination.

Leaked contents of the letter to Motlou informing him of the  suspension – the second time he  has faced a similar charge in a year – show that Motlou was suspended for disobeying an instruction from Mokoena.

“On the17 July you failed/refused to carry out the instruction given to you by your supervisor, Ms ME Mokoena, when you failed/refused to solicit quotations for catering service for the event of career guidance scheduled for 18 to 20 July2012.

“During the period July 2012 you brought the municipality into disrepute when you madean unauthorised appointment of a service provider,IsamonIntegrated services, to render catering service for the event of career guidance scheduled for 18 to 20 July 2012.

On the 18 July you spoke to your supervisor, Ms Mokoena, in unbecoming manner when you said she must stop bothering you because you have not come to work on her account,” read the lettersigned by Acting Municipal manager, Robinson Thekisho.

But sources close to the saga said Motlouwas actually being accused of appointing the service provider without Mokoena’s approval.

The service provider was hired for catering and co-ordination of an event including catering for three days for 530 people,transport,supply of 120 bottled water,stationery and leather pouches embossed with the municipal logo.

Motlou, however, believesthere is a plan to oust him because of his view about the leadership of the ANC in the province.

“This is orchestrated by the Executive Mayor. My arrest last year which led to my suspension was concocted so that it could be used as reason for my dismissal. But was not to be because, the case was not only baseless but vexatious to a point that it could not be sustained.

When charges were withdrawn and the fact that their suspension was declared unlawful by the south African local government bargaining council, which resulted in the municipality paying me R 166,000 ordering them to up lift the suspension from the 2 May 2012.

Their plan imploded and they had to come up with something again. This is purely a politically inspired witch hunt because of the position I occupy,my stance on procurement without following procedures and my view on the leadership of the ANC in the province.”

Public Eye has also learnt that some members of Metsimaholo local council plan to vote for the suspension Mokoena for paying the same company believed to be having been appointed inappropriately.

Somecouncillors who asked for anonymity told Public Eye on Saturday, September 1that they have asked the Chief Whip Thandi Soetsang to have Mokoena suspended while investigations involving both her and Motlou are conducted.

“We have asked chief whip to talk to both acting municipal manager and Mayor BrutusMahlaku to suspend her as well because they are both involved in this saga,” said the councillor.

However,Soetsang has denied that the council is planning to meet over Mokoena, possibly to suspend her.

“We are not planning to do that.  She is still coming to work as she is supposed to and I don’t know anything about the planned council meeting to vote her out of her job.”

Mean while, Motlou has maintained his innocence, adding in an interview on Saturday, September 1 that he had done nothing wrong to warrant suspension.

“I did nothing wrong. If I appointed someone unlawfully, why did the CFO pay the illegitimate provider? If that’s what I did as per the charge why didn’t she withhold payment and investigate me first?” asked Motlou.

Gino Albert’s of Metsimaholo in an interview on Wednesday, September 5 said the municipality had appointed a panel to look into the matter.  “We have appointed a presiding officer over Mrv Motlou’s hearing. We envisage completing the matter within three months,” he said. Ngwathe Municipal Manager Advocate Thabo Mokoena (pictured) will chair the hearing.

By Libuseng Nyaka

FICKSBURG – The gaffe by the MEC of Police Traffic and Police accusing the media of portraying protestors as peaceful when they are armed has courted a stinging reaction from slain service delivery protestor Andries Tatane’s relative.

Lefu Tatane elder brother to the late Andries described a recent statement by Police MEC Butane Khompela as callous and untrue.

“We are not only hurt by what the MEC said but we are also disappointed as we were not expecting such harsh words from him. When did he become a judge? This case is still in the courts and commenting about is unfair to us,” he said.

Speaking at Grootvlei Prison last week Khompela accused the media of selective reporting, adding it always portrayed protestors as peaceful and victims even when they were not.

Kompela said Tatane was violent contrary to what the media had been reporting. But predictably, the commentattracted a sharp rebuke from Tatane’s family.

“We are not silent because we have nothing to say neither are we are satisfied about the circumstances but we know that we must respect courts of laws and also we want this debate to end. It has been difficult enough for us to watch the incident that led to the death of our brother on video footages from both the police and SABC.

“But we will never forget the callous message given by the MEC. We will never forget and it is unbearable. We were not expecting this from him. At least we thought he would be conscious to the fact that Tatane had family and some of the things would hurt them,” Lefu said.

Lefu wondered when the MEC had become a judge as the case was still in court and judgement was still pending.

“Where was he to have seen things that eyewitnesses had failed to see? So where does this issue of provocation and violence come from?

While agreeing with the Tatanes that MEC had used a wrong platform to comment on the late Tatane‘s behaviour during the protest, a law expert Thabisho Mize said there is nothing wrong in commenting on a case before court as long as one does not appear to be influencing the judgement or giving other information which could jeopardise the case.

However, he said it is also insensitive not to put yourself in the shoes of a family that is still mourning while making such comments.

The president of main oppositionDikwankwetla party in ThabaMofutsanyanaMoeketsi Lebesa also expressed his shock to the MEC’s comments.

“I read Public Eye and was surprised about MEC Khompela’s comments. I was not expecting such comments from him because all the people look up to him for protection as MEC of Police Transport and Traffic. If my memory serves me well when the incident occurred in 2011 he was not an MEC for police. He was still at national level” Lebesa said.

By Palesa Motshabi

BLOEMFONTEIN –Fissures which threatened to rip the ruling ANC in Free State apart during the run-up to its provincial elective conference in June could reappear following unveiling of a new leadership of the radical uMkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans Association.

While the new leadership claimed legitimacy, commentators said the development could result in further ostracisation of the group led by former leader Gregory Nthatisi.

Nthatisi and former MEC of Tourism Nxolisi Dukwana fought to stop incumbent ANC provincial chairman Ace Magashule from being re-elected.

The new leadership, has pledged its support to the “duly elected leadership of the ANC” and threatened to deal with “evil forces” that want to derail and sully the image of the “ANC and its leadership”.

Manana Radebe, the new provincial secretary told journalists on Thursday, September 6 the new leadership would fight to the hilt to protect the ANC from its detractors. Without elaborating, Radebe said the “evil forces” had tried “to use the name of the MKMVA to attack the ANC and its leadership”.

“These are the same people who are against the government who do not have good intentions in the government and also spending the government money while we are striving for a better life,” said Radebe.

Nthatisi would not be drawn into commeting when reached by telephone on Thursday, September 6. “I am in a meeting and I will only be available tomorrow (Friday, September 7) as I am out of the province at the moment,” he said.

The new MKMVA leadership was elected at a conference in Zamdela between August 31 and September 1, although the old leadership was conspicuously absent from the news briefing.

The new MKMVA leaders are: Motsie Mofokeng (Provincial Chairperson), Mbuso Radebe (Provincial Deputy Chairperson), Manana Sechoaro (Provincial Secretary), Zamile Solani (Provincial Deputy Secretary) Mpho Khoabane (Provincial Treasurer).

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWA QWA –Local leaders and victims of a tornado which destroyed property and  left tens of people homeless in Kerstell early this year have refuted a recent official report that R600 000 had been spent helping them rebuild their houses.

Maluti A Phofung executive mayor Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli signed the controversial report implying victims had received assistance to rebuild damaged homes but some of the 82 victims of the freak storm say the contents of the report are false and misleading.

“I am still living under the house half of which is roofed with a tent. We hardly sleep, the rain has been pouring into the house thereby damaging the furniture which had been salvaged from debris after the tornado attack,” one of the victims, Dieketseng Agnes Maseko told Public Eye in an interview on Thursday, September 6.

“I am very disappointed to learn that the report said we have been compensated. My fear is if it rains heavily this may affect my two children. They will likely get sick.”  Her views were echoed by the chairperson of Disaster Management Committee established to deal with victims, Thabo Tsotestsi.

“The report is nothing but a pack of lies. It portrayed a different situation to what is obtaining on the ground. People have not been helped and the situation is still the same,” Tsotestsi who is a principal teacher at Nkarabeng secondary school in Kerstell, said.

He said as chairperson of the disaster committee working closely with the victims, he would have known if any funds or help had been rendered to the community as he was heavily involved in rescue efforts and community revival.

“We are worried about how this will impact on the lives of those affected as it is the rainy season. This report is an insult to the victims. I was also shocked to see the report because I am tasked to work with the victims to ensure they get help,” he added.“I wondered who this assistance benefited because here in Kerstell conditions are still the same.”

The president of Dikwankwetla South Africa Party Moeketsi Lebesa said he was approached by some victims pleading for his intervention after the report was released.

“The contents of this report are untrue and we are shocked because victims are still living under horrible conditions whereby their houses are covered with plastics and tents.  When I visited the area, it was still in the same condition. How can someone lie about people’s lives?” Lebesa said.

He said the authorities should budget for such eventualities as Thabo Mofutsanyana is prone to disaster because of its geographical location. “They must be alert to possible disasters and issue warnings about possible severe weather. Warnings are critical to protect life and property,” Lebesa added.

The report was reportedly intended to “inform council about the developments made on Kerstell and Harrismith Tornado attack of June 23 which left damaged house of some residents. A total amount of 361,000 has been spent to compensate the victims.”  Part of the report showed that one Walter Maseko was given R14 580 to repair his damaged house but he reportedly denied getting the money, whipping up speculation that the money could have been misappropriated.

The report was also sent to the MEC of Human Settlement Olly Mlamleli who discovered    contradicting facts when she visited the area.

Human Settlement Senior Communication officer Senne Bogatsu confirmed that the Department had received the report and that it was signed by Mopeli.

But when asked to comment on the allegation MAP communication Officer Kedibone Sentle said Mopeli would not comment on the matter.

“Please do not quote my mayor on this matter.  She has made it clear that she does not want to commend” said Sentle.

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWA QWA – The husband of Free State MEC for Social Development Sisi Ntombela and a former mayor ofthe local municipality Madala Ntombelahas been appointed Municipal Manager of Maluti A Phofung MAP.

His appointment follows extensive interviews held at MAP on Tuesday, September 4 after opposition parties in the MAP council contested a council decision to extend the Municipal Manager RS Kau’s employment contract.

Dikwankwetla party leader Moeketsi Lebesa said the opposition had challenged the council decision based on the provisions of the SystemsAct32 of 2000 that allows extension of officials’ tenure in special circumstances.  But he said the said reasons advanced bythe Executive Mayor for the appointment was that the two officials were key for smooth functioning of the council.

But opposition parties opposed the decision on the premise that there were some other officials with similar skills and qualifications could have been appointed to act as MM.

Commenting on the appointment of the new MM, Lebesa said expressed dissatisfaction saying that there were othercandidates who are young and have acquired relevant qualifications andexperience.

“I could not select the candidate that although was the best because members of African National Congress ANC make themajority.

So during the interviews they combined their ratings for a specific candidate. Efforts to get Ntombela’s comments abouthis new post were unsuccessful.