ANTI-ZUMA MARCHES IN RSA BIGGEST CITIES

THOUSANDS of people voted with their feet when they took to the streets around the country to voice their dissatisfaction with President Jacob Zuma yesterday.

In Cape Town, “Zuma Must Fall” was spray-painted onto the walls of parliament – and not removed for hours – and a massive “Zuma Must Fall” banner was left fastened unscathed to the parliamentary fence on the corner of Wale and Adderley streets in the city centre. When they combined, the crowd created the biggest march in Cape Town since the Treatment Action Campaign march against then-president Thabo Mbeki’s HIV/Aids policies in 2003, and the “Purple Shall Govern” march against the apartheid regime in 1989.

United Front coordinator John Appollis told the crowd that “when the middle-class comes to the streets then we know we are in a political and economic crisis”.

Former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi yesterday hit out at a “hyena elite” currently holding the country to ransom as he appealed for a stand against corruption.

“We are refusing to be reconciled with corruption and the eating away of the fabric of our society‚” Vavi said.

Humorous signs were interspersed with those calling for Zuma’s removal.

Individuals carried blown-up placards bearing cartoons by Zapiro‚ while others carried self-made artworks.

Demonstrators were adamant the march had sent a message and would have an affect‚ while organisers said activism would continue if the looting did not end.

Dalindyebo told the Daily Dispatch in an exclusive interview that he had not yet run out of legal avenues, but would not expand on what these were.

The controversial monarch’s appeal was dismissed on December 2 and he has to report to prison on December 23.

Department of Justice spokesman Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said if Dalindyebo failed to do so, “law enforcement will act”.

The Constitutional Court was Dalindyebo’s last legal port of call after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) earlier this year dismissed his appeal against his conviction for kidnapping, arson and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The SCA had set aside his conviction for culpable homicide and reduced his sentence from 15 years to 12.

In the interview with the Dispatch, Dalindyebo expressed shock at the dismissal of his appeal by the ConCourt.

“I did not expect that. I thought that I will be given an opportunity to argue my case in the ConCourt,” he said, adding he had heard about the outcome last Friday.

Dalindyebo said it was not over yet and he had one last legal effort to pursue before handing himself over to the authorities.

“There are certain applications that I need to submit. Part of it was not submitted by my lawyers and I think it can be acceptable [and] can make a different decision.

“There is no sin in trying and exploring every possible avenue.”

The king, who was jovial during the interview, did not elaborate further.

Dalindyebo’s spokesman Chief Mfundo Mtirara said family and those close to the king were in disbelief that he might have to go to jail next week.

“While accepting the rule of law, we do not believe that this is indeed real and is happening. It’s just like we are having a nightmare,” said Mtirara.

“Nobody is ready to go to prison under any circumstances.”

A meeting involving the king’s supporters and legal team has been scheduled for the end of the week to discuss a way forward.

Meanwhile, his victims celebrated the king’s failed ConCourt bid and expressed their happiness that he would have to go to prison.

But Mbuzeli Makhwenkwana said he was still not happy with the sentence.

“He was supposed to be given 30 years or more and rot in prison. He is a disgrace to the institution of kingship and royalty.”

The 52-year-old Makhwenkwana, who had his three rondavels burnt down by Dalindyebo, said he wanted to pursue a civil claim against a king but “would have to consult with his lawyer” first.

The royal family for the Kingdom of AbaThembu also welcomed the Constitutional Court’s decision.

The rival group‚ which includes Dalindyebo’s estranged wife, Queen Noluntu Dalindyebo, and members of the Mtirara family had written to President Jacob Zuma to have Dalindyebo removed from the throne.

“We believe that the decision of the Constitutional Court marks the end of the legal battles of Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo,” said the group’s spokesman Daludumo Mtirara.

NPA regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali said they were happy the matter had to come to an end - the Daily Dispatch reports

BANTU HOLOMISA RE-ELECTED - UDM NATIONAL CONGRESS

BY: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

Bantu Holomisa has been once more re-elected as the president of United Democratic Movement in its 5^th National Congress, held at the University of Free State and was the first elected president of political party in 1997. As part of his address in Bloemfontein, he criticised the African National Congress (ANC) Government, for taking credit but failed to admit when they are being ridiculed. He further emphasised that the ANC should stop blaming their shortcomings as apartheid legacy.

He further put significance to the value of the constitution in the democratic South Africa when he said, “Surely we do not need to accept ordinary, incompetence and corruption, simply because it is inflicted by a democratic government, instead of a repressive regime. We should have a government that reaches for the ideals embodied in the constitution”.

Former member of the EFF Litchfield Tshabalala, has been elected as the Deputy President of the party. She joined UDM after being expelled from the EFF alongside two other former members for a number of reasons. At the congress the manifesto was also launched as part of the preparations of the local government elections next year which blatantly states that the local government should ‘put community first’.

WOMEN WHO SHOT ABUSIVE HUSBAND FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

On the evening that Tertia Vukomanovic tried once again to leave her abusive husband‚ he charged at her with a broken glass‚ head-butted her and spat on her – and then she killed him.She claimed she was protecting herself‚ but the Johannesburg High Court found that she went too far and convicted her of murder on Thursday. Vukomanovic also faced charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition but was acquitted on these. She had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Vukomanovic‚ 30‚ testified in the trial that she and her husband Tomislav‚ a Yugoslavian who was 32 when he died‚ were in love at first but with time the romance grew violent and abusive. She claimed that Tomislav abused drugs and alcohol and that he was most aggressive while under the influence. Though she had tried to leave him many times before‚ she always returned as women in abusive relationships often do‚ she said. The last time she tried to leave‚ in October 2013‚ led to his death.

Vukomanovic said she had packed and Tomislav had agreed that she and their child could leave and stay with her mother. Doing a last sweep of the bathroom in their home in Norwood‚ Johannesburg‚ to ensure that she had packed all their belongings‚ she found a firearm and clothing marked with bullet holes in the laundry bin‚ she said.

She said she confronted her husband and a physical fight ensued. She then reached for the gun and shot at him.Tomislav died at the scene with wounds to his arm‚ chest and waist. Though Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela could not find that Vukomanovic had lied about Tomislav’s attack on her‚ he said that he could not accept her version in its entirety.

Vukomanovic said that they were both in the bathroom and she fired directly at her husband. A ballistics expert and a pathologist‚ however‚ testified that‚ based on Tomislav’s wounds‚ there was a door between him and Vukomanovic when she fired three shots at him.Maumela said that shooting Tomislav through a door meant that Vukomanovic was not in direct danger.

“She is found guilty of murder as she exceeded the bounds of self-defence‚” he said. Maumela postponed the case to February next year in order for a pre-sentencing report to be prepared. Vukomanovic’s bail was increased to R5000.Defence lawyer Piet Khenene said that Vukomanovic would only decide whether to appeal once she has been sentenced. Vukomanovic’s mother and mother-in-law were in court but declined to comment.

South Africa finally goes digital

February 1, 2016 has been set as the day when analogue television broadcasting will be converted and replaced by digital television. “Cabinet was briefed on progress made on the digital migration programme. It approved the commencement of the dual-illumination period for the digital broadcasting signal on February 1, 2016,” Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe told reporters on Friday at the last Cabinet briefing of the year in Pretoria.

“The migration from analogue to digital broadcasting services releases the much-needed radio frequency spectrum suitable for the provision of mobile broadband services. “South Africa missed the June deadline, set by the International Telecommunications Union, to have all television broadcasts switched to the digital medium.

Radebe said the move to digital would help the country to be competitive and reinvigorate the entertainment industry. “This will increase the competitiveness of the South African economy by revitalizing the broadcasting industry, strengthening the electronics manufacturing industry, creating jobs and developing more local and diverse broadcast content,” he said.

There has been skepticism regarding the move with many people calling for the removal of Communications Minister Faith Muthambi. She had said the Northern Cape was to receive 16 000 decoders or set-top boxes in the first phase of government’s plan to ensure five million identified indigent households can continue to watch TV programmes once the analogue signal is switched off.

The Democratic Alliance said no government-ordered set-top boxes – which went into production in August and September – have reached the Universal Service & Access Agency of South Africa which is managing the programme. Only 2 074 of the 2 336 identified indigent households which have so far applied have qualified for free decoders. The remainder has failed to qualify because they do not have valid TV licenses.

Blitzbokke in it to win it

The buzz in the city has been clear to see, with tickets for both Saturday and Sunday sold out as coach Neil Powell's men look to win their third straight tournament on home soil. The Blitzboks are one of the favourites going into the second leg of the 2015-16 series with Fiji, England and New Zealand the other major threats, even though they lost in the quarterfinals in Dubai last week. South Africa are aiming for their third consecutive title on home soil after winning the last two in Port Elizabeth‚ but they will have to do it without current World Player of the Year Werner Kok and experienced play-maker Cecil Afrika‚ who are both out injured.

In Cape Town, South Africa are drawn in Pool B alongside last week’s finalists in Dubai, England, as well as Kenya and Zimbabwe. Brown said: “Nothing special is planned but there is a little more excitement bubbling under the surface than usual. “I’m keen to get on to the field to see how that plays out.”  And while it is shaping up to be a special weekend for Brown, he is underplaying his milestone ... like any good captain would. 

"I’m going to go and play some rugby … some good rugby, hopefully," Brown said."Nothing special, I feel like I’m just privileged enough to have played in this team for a long period of time and that’s special enough for me."\Brown did acknowledge that there was something different in the air this time around, though."I’m really excited. There’s a little more excitement bubbling under the surface than usual so I’m looking forward to getting onto the field and hopefully we can deliver the goods," he said.

On the face of it the Blitzboks have a favourable pool and should cruise into the last eight, but as last weekend showed, nothing is easy in Sevens any more. The US upset SA 21-19 in the quarterfinals last weekend and Kenya and England, in particular, could ruin the home team’s party if they are complacent or over -confident. South Africa and Kenya have met 42 times on the circuit,with the Blitzboks enjoying 37 wins and only four losses to the East Africans in that time. Against England the head-tohead is much tighter. In 62 clashes South Africa have won 33 and England 29 times. The last time they met was in April in the final of the Tokyo leg, which England won 21-14. “Our goal is always to top the pool after day one, but it won’t be easy because England, Kenya and even Zimbabwe will be tough,” Powell said.

Batsman who needs runs – South Africa

After a dismal series with the bat against India, there are a number of Proteas willow-wielders who are desperate for runs against England this summer.  Nobody other than AB de Villiers – and even that is a push by his standards – excelled in what was a disastrous Test series against India. Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy did not deliver in conditions that screamed for leaders to stand up and be counted, and they return to home conditions for four Tests against England knowing that they must prove their worth.

But there is surely nobody hungrier for runs than Stiaan van Zyl, who has been backed as an opening batsman once more for the first two England Tests. Van Zyl was dropped for the fourth Test against India after his Ravichandran Ashwin-induced hypnosis saw him stutter to 56 runs in five knocks. Ashwin had dismissed him in all of those innings. “We asked Van Zyl to open the batting for us in the sub-continent conditions. It is only fair that we back a player and give him a run in South Africa and then we’ll assess it from there,” convener of selectors Linda Zondi told Sport24

"We still have the options of Cookie (Stephen Cook) and Reeza (Hendricks). We all know that Stiaan has done well in his position in the middle order so when we asked him to open, it is only fair to have a real look."  The fact that Zondi mentioned Stephen Cook and Reeza Hnedricks (both in the SA A squad that will take on England in a warm-up before the Test series starts) should be a loud enough warning to Van Zyl that he needs to get some runs, and quickly. But it was the failures of the experienced campaigners in India that would have been most concerning.

"In as much as we know that these guys haven’t played as we hoped they would in India, we can’t just disregard experience like that," said Zondi.