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Finances troubled tycoon Saw wealth ebbing away, leaving him a ‘broken man’
} Teboho Setena THE suicide of tycoon Masopha Jonas Lekitlane may have had more to do with his guilt regarding fluctuating finances and tax evasion than family duty. The well-known businessman allegedly shot himself on 31 December – mere hours before the dawn of the new year. Lekitlane’s body and the gun was found in his vehicle. It was parked at the Masiza scrapyard, just a stone’s throw away from the Bongani Regional Hospital in Welkom. The 57-year-old Lekitlane was buried last Wednesday at the Thuhloane Cemetery in Thabong, Welkom. It is alleged that he left a suicide note for his surviving family, stipulating his funeral proceedings and where he wished to be buried. Lekitlane was ranked as one of the richest pioneering businessmen in the Free State, generating millions through business and consortiums with other associates. Yet, according to informed sources, he saw his wealth ebbing away, leaving him a “broken” man. To casual observers, it appeared that the well-known businessman had committed suicide because he was unable to cope with losing the sort of riches most can only dream of. Amidst his financial troubles, Lekitlane, affectionately known as Charlie, found himself on the wrong end of the law, contravening tax. According to a charge sheet which Express Goldfields & Northern Free State is in possession of, he pleaded guilty to failure to submit Income Tax Returns from 2008 to 2012 at or near Welkom and in the district of Welkom. The charges of tax evasion originate from his failure to submit individual Income Tax Returns and that of the Lekitlane Family Trust registered at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for income purposes. Lekitlane was the trustee and representative of the Lekitlane Family Trust, which owned property in respect of which rental income was received. He pleaded guilty during his appearance in the Welkom District Court in July last year. He faced eight counts of tax evasion, contravention of Section 66 of the Income Tax Act, Act 58 of 1962 read with sections 25 and 234 (d) of the Tax Administration Act No. 28 of 2011, failure to submit the Lekitlane Family Trust and his individual Income Tax
THE late tycoon Masopha Jonas Lekitlane’s framed photo was placed on his coffin in the Freddie Meyer Hall where his funeral was held last Wednesday. Photo: Teboho Setena Returns. With counts 1 to 4, taken together for sentencing, the deceased was fined with R20 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years. For counts 5 to 8, taken together for sentencing, he was also fined with R20 000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years. Lekitlane was further ordered to submit the outstanding returns for both the trust and individual Income Tax Returns on or before 30 September 2014. According to the charge sheet, Lekitlane was in control of the trust and responsible
for performing the duties of the trust as required by the relevant tax acts. Even after receiving final demands for submission of Income Tax Returns, Lekitlane failed to adhere to it beyond the submission due date of the tax years from 2008 to 2012. The court found that the deceased had committed various offences over a period of time which caused the treasury to suffer economic losses, adding that his conduct adversely affected broader taxpayer compliance. Regarding findings in mitigating factors,
the Lekitlane Family Trust appeared to operate at a loss. During the tax years in question, the deceased was allegedly unable to request audited financial statements from the auditing firm PwC. ) Attempts by Express Goldfields & NFS to get comment from the Lekitlane family proved fruitless as the family refused to speak to the media. Express Goldfields & NFS understands the deceased left strict instructions in his suicide note that no-one must speak to the media.
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
NEWS
HIV/Aids stigma still haunts many } Teboho Setena PEOPLE in homosexual relationships are at equal risk of HIV/Aids infections as their heterosexual counterparts. Risk factors contributing to infection among people involved in both homosexual and heterosexual relationships, were highlighted during the Health4Men’s Project and HIV/Aids training workshop, organised by the Free State Department of Health (Lejweleputswa District) in Welkom recently. Conducted by the Anova Health Institute the event aims at promoting the practice of safe sex among people involved in homosexual relationships. Kgetho Sephiri, facilitator of the Anova Health Institute, said the initiative had been taken following the findings that there was neglect in promoting the practise of safe sex and HIV/Aids awareness among people involved in homosexual activities Z men having sex with men (MSM) and women having sex with women (WSW). Attributing a community stigma towards the people in homosexual relationships is another challenge. He said ill-discipline through unsafe injection of drugs among users and neglecting to use condoms, remained a grave concern in the spread of the HIV/Aids pandemic among people involved in both homosexual and heterosexual relationships. Sephiri said through the Health4Men and HIV/Aids training workshop initiative they aimed to promote amongst others: the
provision of direct health services, build a support network for people in homosexual relationships, conduct research on men and women involved in homosexual relationships and provide intervention programmes for the homosexual community. Sephiri said the findings revealed that women having sex with women were at high risk of rape while people at high risk of HIV/Aids infections were those involved in the following activities: people who inject drugs, men having unprotected sex with men, commercial sex workers and their clients, transgender people, prisoners, migrants, women from 15 to 24 years old, young women who drop out of school, people in low socio-economic groups and uncircumcised men. He said part of the Health4Men’s programme activities were aimed at finding ways of strengthening the health-care system. Sephiri said dedicating resources to training and the introduction of MSM competent sites were included in the strategy to strengthen the Health4Men Programme. He said the behavioural change of health-care workers in the health sector had been identified as a need to create a conducive environment for help-seekers, following stigmatisation. Sephiri said stigmatisation by health-care workers had been identified as one of the barriers to addressing HIV among MSM in South Africa.
KGETHO SEPHIRI, facilitator of the Anova Health Institute during a recent training workshop. Photos: Teboho Setena
The behavioural change of healthcare workers in the health sector has been identified as a need to create a conducive environment for helpseekers, following stig matisation.
SOME of the trainee candidates that attended the Health4Men’s project and HIV/Aids training workshop.
Help police solve crimes in and around Goldfields Police on trail of Boiketlo shop robbers THE Welkom police are on the trail of three armed robbers who robbed a tuckshop at the Boiketlo Village at Brand 2 shaft, Welkom, on 6 December last year. Speaking Xhosa, the suspects took two cellphones, three jeans, Nike sneakers, a Nike backpack and an undisclosed amount of cash. Const. Kethabile Mofokeng, spokesperson of the Welkom police, said the robbers had broken the door to gain entry into the shop. Anyone who has information helpful in the arrest of the suspects and their prosecution must phone the investigative officer, WO Riaan de Lange, on 057-391-6271 during office hours. Help police trace armed robbers The Welkom police are on the hunt for two armed robbers who overpowered a man at his residence in Reitz Park in Welkom recently on 16 December at about 17:25 and robbed the complainant. The robbers tied up the victim and then took two mobile phones and an undisclosed amount of cash the victim had kept under his mattress, and then fled on foot.
Molebogeng Lechesa, spokesperson for the Welkom police, said the suspects’ ages are between 24 and 28. The suspects pointed a firearm at the complainant and ordered him to lie down. They tied his hands and feet together and demanded cash. Anyone with information that could assist in the arrest and conviction of these suspects must contact the investigative officer, WO Sephoko Sehloho, on 057-3916301 during office hours. Police need help to trace man’s killer The police in Meloding, Virginia, are appealing for help from the community in the investigation to find the murder suspect(s) of 40-year-old Reginald Mtetandaba. The deceased was found murdered on 14 December in the location of Stilte Park in Meloding. His body was found at about 06:00. WO Malebo Khosana, spokesperson of the Thabong police cluster, said the deceased had a stab wound to the thigh and a knife had been found near his body. He said the motive for the murder was not known, adding that an investigation was underway. Anyone who has information that can help in the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) must phone the investigative officer,
WO Teboho Makole of the Meloding police, on 083-363-9343 or 057-215-1089 during office hours. Police looking for zamas The Welkom police are on the hunt for a group of illegal gold miners involved in the attack of three security officers on 10 December last year at the Sable Mine in Welkom. Commonly known as zama-zamas, the group of men, armed with a gun and knob-kieries, attacked the three security guards at about 23:15. The illegal miners shot at the three security guards. Molebogeng Lechesa, spokesperson of the Welkom police, said two security guards had escaped unharmed while the other one had been brutally attacked by a group of illegal miners. She said the victim had sustained injuries to the head, but managed to escape from the assailants. The zama-zamas took his cell phone as well as R140. The police request anyone with information that could assist in the arrest of the suspects and their conviction to contact the investigative officer, WO Sephoko Sehloho, on 057-391-6301 during office hours.
Raging water claims lives A VEHICLE was swept under a bridge in Kroonstad after the driver had been overwhelmed by flood water following a heavy downpour that hit Kroonstad last Friday night causing huge panic. Two people, Jan Kruger (64) and Zanele Makeleng (28), became casualties. Both died in separate incidents after their vehicles had been swept away as they tried to drive through the raging water at about 20:00. Photo: Supplied
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
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NEWS
Top spot mix of hard work, talent } Sidwell Guduka A WELKOM GIRL has been named the top matric learner for the Free State in 2014. Her eight distinctions awarded Welkom Gymnasium learner Ruvé van Rooyen with this honour. She spoke to Express at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein last Tuesday, where she was attending a press conference for the top 100 learners in the province. This event was hosted by the Free State’s MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, and Premier Ace Magashule. The 18-year-old got a full house of distinctions in Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Accounting, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Advanced Programmed Mathematics. “I am very happy to be the top matric learner in the Free State,” Ruvé said. “The fact that I’m the best matric leaner in the province hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” Ruvé had expected to be one of the top matric learners in her home province, but the results held a bigger surprise for her. “I guess my results are a mix between working hard and being naturally smart. “I was dedicated to my school work and I sacrificed a lot of things to focus on my books. Of course, God gave me the wisdom to achieve the best results,” she said.
THE BEST: Ruvé van Rooyen received eight distinctions in her matric exams last year. “I want to thank my excellent teachers for their support system and my parents for always being there to support me.
“I’m the only child in the family and my parents gave me everything I needed,” Ruvé said. “They are my biggest supporters
Photo: Sidwell Guduka
and are very proud of me. “They motivate me a lot and make sure that I focus on my studies.”
This year Ruvé will start a qualification in BCom Chartered Accountancy at the North-West University in Potchefstroom.
Unexplained fire damages Lekitlane’s house } Teboho Setena
STUNNED neighbours and passers-by watch on Monday morning as the Matjhabeng Fire and Rescue Department fight a fire that broke out at the house of the deceased businessman Masopha Jonas Lekitlane. The firefighters battled for about 40 minutes to extinguish the flames that damaged the upmarket house in Jim Fouché Park in Welkom. Photo: Teboho Setena
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GRIEF-STRICKEN family members of the deceased businessman Masopha Jonas Lekitlane have been dealt another heavy blow after a fire partly destroyed his upmarket house in Jim Fouché Park on Monday morning. The fire broke out just five days after the 57-year-old Lekitlane had been buried in Thabong, Welkom. About six members of Lekitlane’s family who occupied the house at the time escaped unharmed. Some found refuge in the neighbourhood while the firefighters battled the fire that started at about 09:00 on Monday morning. Other members of the family reacted in time to also move out some of his vehicles. The cause of the fire, as well as the cost of damages to the house, is still unknown. It took firefighters approximately 40 minutes to extinguish the flames that almost destroyed Lekitlane’s remaining riches. The deceased Lekitlane was one of the 14
people who are on trial for allegedly defrauding the Free State Department of Education R30 million in tender. The deceased’s co-accused are facing charges ranging from corruption, extortion, money laundering and racketeering. The other accused include Teboho Lioma, former director of the Free State Department of Education, Nelson Majola, an attorney, Isaac Soee, Virginia Moseia, Sekese Motaung, former senior administrator of the Department of Education, Motseke Mphuti, Teboho Motajane, Maria Letsela, Vuyisile James Majola, Gertrude Ramaema, Teboho Motajane, Malehana Letsetla and Nteboheng Lesetla. They are set to appear again in the Bloemfontein High Court regarding the tender fraud and corruption case on 2 May. Five other people, including Sandile Tsopo, husband to Ouma Tsopo, senior ANC politician in the Free State who has held various portfolios in the executive committee, have already been found guilty, were convicted and sentenced. Tsopo’s appeal against his four-year prison sentence failed.
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
NEWS
Attend training workshop on health matters THESE workshop attendees, as well as employees of the Free State Department of Health (Lejweleputswa District), attended the Health4Men’s Project and HIV/Aids training workshop organised by the Lejweleputswa District’s Health Department in Welkom. From the left are Mikateko Ntsanwisi, Phaladi Gorewang, Suzan Moeng, Teboho Mabelesa and Lucy Lenyidi. Photo: Teboho Setena
True cohesion is possible THERE is little doubt that the fall of apartheid has meant the possibility of negotiating new ways of representing a unique, united South Africa. The process to reconcile South African citizens appears to be problematic and challenging. It is evidenced that certain groups of people are reluctant to be reconciled. It can be argued that only a small percentage of the population still portray a racial attitude, but I will argue that it is actually not such a small portion, but the entire system of reconciliation. What I mean is that reconciliation did not reconcile South Africans, rather it created a new social identity based on economic status. Language is another form of identity which has been employed to operate within the context of promoting national unity while accommodating ethnical multiplicity. English, which most of us speak and write, appears to be the informal official language of the country. I use the word informal, because the South African Constitution acknowledges 11 South African languages as legitimate and sanctioned. The problem with English is that it excludes the majority of our citizens as they can’t engage with one another, let alone reconcile with those different to them, in this language. I am not at all disputing the fact that English has become the colloquial speech, but I think we need some stability; when will English-speaking people learn other languages, such as Afrikaans, Venda or Sesotho? Cultural imperialism limits authentic reconciliation. Through fashion, music, lifestyle and so on, it becomes clear how the majority of the previously disadvantaged group follows trends and call it cultural and social transformation. I have had conversations with people on numerous occasions about how African cultures are so primitive and tedious. I am not suggesting that African cultures are static or monolithic, rather I wonder if reconciliation can create a space for a
My view Benedict Leteane
Social Observer
‘Within the two decades of democracy, I think South Africans did excep tionally well in creating a space for social integra tion. It is clear that racial integration is feasible.’ genuine social integration, which is purely based on humanity, not our social status or class. Within these two decades of democracy, I think South Africans did exceptionally well in creating a space for social integration. I say this because it was a theory or believe for races to be united, now that it is clear that racial integration is feasible, there should be a change in how we approach this initiative. We have seen black people moving into the middle class and become cohesive with whites. Racial discrimination is no longer a prejudicial attitude based on skin colour, but more on social classification. The second stage of reconciliation should pay attention to two critical issues: Firstly, the preservation of African identity during reconciliation; secondly, accommodation and acceptance of other previously marginalised groups such as lesbians, gays, transgender, intersex and asex (LGBTI) individuals and the people living with disabilities.
MEMBERS of the Meloding police with the suspected stolen goods discovered last Thursday in a house in Meloding, Virginia, following a tip-off by the community. From the left are Lt Col Elias Uys, station commander of the Meloding police, Const. Zwesandile Thetane and Sgt Malefetsane Mathe. Photo supplied
Suspected stolen goods found
THE Meloding police have discovered valuable household goods yet to be accoun-ted for. Suspected to be stolen, the goods were found hidden in separate houses in Virginia’s township of Meloding last Thursday. The police reacted promptly after a tip-off and confiscated the goods. WO Malebo Khosana, spokesperson of the Thabong police cluster, said no arrests had been made as yet, however, they were on the trail of a man believed to have knowledge about the origin of the goods. He said the man was currently on the run and was wanted for questioning and to provide proof of purchase of the in-house entertainment goods. At the first house they found goods which included a big plasma television and five speakers. He said an elderly woman had told the investigating officers the goods belonged to her son who lived elsewhere in Meloding. Khosana said the other goods had been found at a house where they had found a
19-year-old woman who said she was the lover of the man wanted for questioning regarding the suspected stolen goods. He said the woman had indicated that the goods were that of the boyfriend, who was unemployed. The items included a mountain bike, laptops, a 54 cm television, computer cables, USB mouse pads and mouse, CD players, cassette players, remote controls, a portable air-conditioner, a silver corrugated iron container containing cassettes and CD’s, speakers and sub-woofers, sound mixers, a computer scanner and computers. Khosana said the 19-year-old woman had been taken in for questioning, but was later released. He said an enquiry file had been opened for further investigation upon which a case would be opened at a later stage. The station commander of Meloding, Lt Col Elias Uys, is appealing to the community members who had their goods stolen to come forward to identify their items.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
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NEWS
GOLD DUST SCAVENGERS hard at work near the notorious G Hostel, digging and sifting soil to find the gold dust that might be available.
Photos: Teboho Setena
Desperate hunt for gold continues } Teboho Setena EFFORTS by law enforcement agents to discourage gold dust scavengers from eking out a living by panning out gold dust at a wetland along the busy Constantia Road are proving fruitless. Measures taken include raids and arrests by the police. A recent attempt on 12 December saw the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport and the Matjhabeng Local Municipality dispatching engineering workers to close down several trenches and level large heaps of soil. The trenches, about 1 m deep, and soil heaps are a result of the ongoing digging by numerous gold dust scavengers. The effort proved unsuccessful as the next day it was business as usual for the scavengers. The area is just a stone’s throw away from the infamous G Hostel and other adjacent hostels. There are two high schools within the vicinity: Teto and Leseding Technical. Both schools are situated along Constantia Road, which links traffic to and from Welkom’s township of Thabong and upmarket residents in Welkom. These scavengers, who dig and pour water to sift gold dust, are visible to anyone – including the police – driving along the busy Constantia Road. The fact that water is always available in this area contributes to the influx of gold dust scavengers. There is an existing canal channelling water to this spot, but the origins of the water flowing into the wetland seems to be unknown. It does not matter if it is sewage water, or water from a tempered drinkingwater pipe, the scavengers are thankful to
have it. While passers-by and other members of the public detest the stench emanating from the wetland, these scavengers seem to not worry. Instead they pray they will find that much sought-after valuable commodity: rich gold dust. Digging gold dust daily under such extremely unhealthy conditions and facing prosecution by the police is a risk worth taking for most of these men, who are struggling to make ends meet. These scavengers are streetwise, and foreign ones learn to speak local languages – Sotho or Xhosa. The older ones say they worked in Goldfields mines in Welkom, Virginia and Odendaalsrus, for over 15 years before being retrenched as mines had to close as they were deemed economically unviable. The young ones, who have less experience, are involved in the same activity in the vicinity. There is less work at factories and less gold dust available. The scavengers have learnt to improvise. They use plastic crates to run the soil through a screen, mixed with all kinds of dirty elements such as garbage, glass and rusted shrapnel. They place cloths underneath the crates to act as filters to collect the gold sediment. They then carefully pour water in the crates to filter the soil and catch the precious gold dust. In the process they plunge their hands in the crates to remove all unwanted garbage, ranging from plastics, pieces of broken bottles, decayed pieces of wood and bones in their quest to find the worthy soil. Some of these gold dust scavengers, mostly the youthful men, work in groups of two, or three to five. They take turns in their
A CANAL of dirty water from which scavengers get water to properly sift soil to locate gold dust.
EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT close down a hot spot for gold dust scavengers near G Hostel in Welkom’s township of Thabong. mission to dig and sift gold dust in broad daylight at this part of the wetland. They only remove the pieces of cloth placed underneath the crates when they think there is enough gold dust on it. The cloths are then washed in bigger basins to detect gold dust deposits. This is then followed by processing the gold dust on a smelter for final processing, getting it ready to be sold on the market. “It is easy to do it during the day because of the light. We take turns in this collection routine,” says one scavenger who wishes to
remain anonymous. “It is not an easy job, but it’s a way to survive. Gold is like a human being, it also multiplies, and the rainy season is the best time to harvest. When it rains, we get more water to wash soil from the site.” Daily, no less than ten people – these include foreigners and South Africans – are seen engaged in gold dust scavenging at the same spot. Some reside in small shacks without electricity and water connections nearby an open compound in the surrounding hostels, not far from the hot-spot area.
MEMBERS of the police parked their vehicles on guard along Constantia Road near G Hostel in Thabong recently, monitoring earth moving equipment closing down a hot spot for gold dust scavengers near the notorious hostel.
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
NEWS
Support event against abuse THIS group of children from Hoopstad were among the scores of people who attended a one-day event to curb abuse against women and children recently. The event was organised by the Hoopstad Social Reintegration Movement of the Department of Correctional Services, together with Tshireletso Victim Empowerment. The participants included those on parole. Photo supplied
MAKING DONATION: A woman passes the plate to other mourners to donate funds during Masopa Jonas Lekitlane’s funeral service held at the Freddie Meyer Hall in Welkom last Wednesday.
COMMITTING TO EACH OTHER: The newly-wed couple David and Mpho (maiden surname Malina) Sehloho publicly made a commitment to walk life's journey together at their wedding ceremony held at the African Faith Mission Church in Welkom recently. Dressed to the nines in a tailor-made mix of traditional and Western regalia, the couple walked down the aisle to the cheers of their guests that included relatives, church members and friends. Photo: Teboho Setena
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED GR. 12: From the left are Jemina Moshodi, Cecilia Taunyane and Evelyn Nkomo. They were part of the class of 2014 of the Unitas Secondary School in Welkom. Here they are mingling at the school’s matric farewell function. This year they will study at different institutions of higher learning after successfully completing gr. 12. Photo supplied
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
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NEWS
Warriors coach aims for top 4 } Tladi Moloi
JUMPED SHIP: Morena Ramorebudi, who joined the National First Division outfit African Warriors from the Maluti FET College FC. Photo: Tladi Moloi
QWAQWA. – Morena Ramorebudi, the new African Warriors head coach, is adamant that his team can fight for a place in the top four of the National First Division (NFD) and qualify for the promotional play-offs. He said the team had quality and experienced players that could fight for a better position. “I have to make sure that the team is out of the relegation zone at the end of the season. I would be happy if we can finish in the top eight. But we still have a chance to finish in the top four. We still have more games to play,” he said. Ramorebudi, who guided the Maluti FET College for four seasons, jumped ship late in December to take the coaching reigns at Maihlome Ihlasele. He penned an 18-month contract with the struggling Warriors. He came in to fill the boots of Abram Nteo who had left the team early in December to re-unite with Thami Ngubane at the Royal Eagles in Durban. Ramorebudi joined Maluti in 2011 from Bloemfontein Young Tigers. He made name when he thrashed Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup. However, he left the college boys rooted at the bottom of the log table with 8 points in 16 games. He rubbished rumours claiming
“I would be happy if we can finish in the top eight. But we still have a chance to finish in the top four.” that he had left the team because of pressure and the position he had found himself in. “It is not true that I left the team because it was in the relegation zone. I did not leave them for a team which is in the comfort zone. Warriors’ position on the table is not good and it means I have to drive them out of that position,” he said. He said that he had felt it was time to leave after he had achieved some of his goals with the team. “When I arrived there, my aim was to unearth the local hidden talent. I also wanted the team to play the kind of soccer that everyone would like to watch. “I am happy that I did manage those things. I left the team at the time that they were starting to realise the importance of winning games and believe me they will go out of that position,” he said. He said he would like to see the two Qwaqwa-based teams, Warriors and Maluti, playing quality football at the end of the season.
THE Marabastad Pool Club in Thabong launched the club in style unveiling a colourful new outfit at a function held recently at Spieki’s Tavern. Executive members are from the left Humphrey Dakuse (chairperson), Paul Mnguni (secretary), Trinity Sehaole (deputy chairperson), Sugar Lecage (liaison officer) and Dumi Ramasilo (treasurer). Photo: Moeti Molelekoa
Game of pool gets boost with new club } Moeti Molelekoa THE game of pool, popular among both young and old men, is set for another level in Thabong following the launch of the Marabastad Pool Club which is set to promote the indoor game in Thabong,
Welkom. It was launched in style with members unveiling a brand-new outfit at a function held at the clubhouse of Spieki’s Tavern in Thabong last weekend. The newly-formed club is made up of the following members: Fats Modikeng, Thulo Khoabane, Sindile Sepitla (captain), Walter
Mahahle, Mba Motsie, Sello Mokhati, Benny Mofokeng, David Lebona, Matise Hlakoa, Humphrey Dakuse, Paul Mnguni, Sugar Lecage, Masilo Nchoba, Trinity Sehaole, Papi Fako and Aupa Mphatsoane. The club aims at promoting the game by recruiting various clubs attached to taverns
to compete in competitions to be staged on weekends within the greater Matjhabeng. To further promote the game of pool within Matjhabeng, members of the newlyformed club plan to establish a league that will make it possible for more clubs to participate
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015
Ready to lead Bafana EPHRAIM “SHAKES” MASHABA is on a mission to grab the cup trophy at the 2015 African Nations Cup final. Photo: Lefty Shivambu
STÉPHANE MBIA, captain of Cameroon.
YAYA TOURÉ, Ivory Coast skipper.
All eyes will now be on Mashaba } Tladi Moloi and Teboho Setena EPHRAIM “SHAKES” MASHABA, head coach of Bafana Bafana, has another chance to complete the unfinished business of 2004 following his controversial sacking after he guided the team to the African Nations Cup final in Tunisia. The outspoken mentor was fired in 2003, on the eve of Bafana Bafana’s departure for Mauritius for a Cosafa Cup match as part of their build-up for the African Nations Cup finals – a match the team lost. He was sacked for refusing to obey orders by the then leadership of the South African Football Association to include overseasbased players. Now water under the bridge, Mashaba has to prove his worth by guiding Bafana Bafana to coup the 2015 continental showpiece which kicks off on 17 January, culminating in the final on 8 February in Equatorial Guinea. South Africa has been drawn in Group C of the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations alongside Ghana, Senegal and Algeria in Malabo and Equatorial Guinea. Mashaba believes they have been handed a tough draw, but added that with good planning they had a good chance to get through the group stages. In three meetings, Bafana Bafana have won once against Algeria, with two draws, and have played Ghana on nine occasions, winning five of those clashes. Against Senegal, South Africa has only managed two draws, losing the rest. Algeria is ranked number one on the continent, while Senegal and Ghana are fourth and fifth respectively. Mashaba’s glory-hungry men have recently proven to be a tough team to beat. They are unbeaten in 12 games, which include official and friendly games. Bafana Bafana’s best run in the competition away was in 1998, when they reached the final, but lost to Egypt. For that effort they got a silver medal. A bronze medal in 2000 was the last silverware for Bafana Bafana. Many are waiting impatiently to see who will lift the trophy on 8 February. The big
The big question for South Africans is wheth er the national senior team can cope and pos sibly go all the way and win the cup like the class of 1996 did. question for South Africans is whether the national senior team can cope and possibly go all the way and win the cup like the class of 1996 did. Express’s sports team took a close look at the teams as the tournament is only three days away. Ghana and Cameroon come to this tournament tight as they have both won it four times apiece. Ghana is fifth on the CAF Fifa rankings and 37th in the world. The West African giants have won the cup four times – in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. They beat Sudan 0-3, Tunisia 2-3, Uganda 0-2 and Libya 6-7 after a 1-1 draw. The Black Stars will be hoping to add the fifth title to their trophy cabinet by winning the 2015 tournament. Players to watch are Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Christian Atsu, Mohamed Awal and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Cameroon are currently eighth on the CAF Fifa rankings and 42nd in the World. They have won the cup four times – in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002. The Central African nation Cameroon won the cup from Nigeria 1-3, 0-1, 3-4 (penalties) and Senegal 2-3 (penalties). Players to watch are Nicolas N’Koulou, Vincent Aboubakar, Stéphane Mbia and Clinton N’Jie. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) is rated 28th on the World Fifa rankings and third in Africa. The West-African giants have won this tournament once in 1992, beating
Ghana 10-11 in the penalty shootout after the game had ended 0-0. They were the runners-up in 2006 and 2012, losing in the final to Egypt and Zambia respectively. In 1965, 1968, 1986 and 1994 they finished third. Players to watch: The Elephants will be hoping to win the tournament for the second time and surely players like Wilfried Bony, Gervinho, Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré and Salomon Kalou will be keen to guide the team to a victory with their experience. Algeria is currently top of the CAF Fifa rankings and 18th on the world rankings. The team from North Africa has lifted this cup once in 1990. That was after they had defeated Nigeria by 1-0. They were the runners-up in 1980, losing 3-0 to Nigeria in the final. They finished third in the tournament in 1984 and 1988. The current squad would like to be remembered for something in the years to come and that will only be by winning the cup. South Africa, Mali, Zambia, Guinea, Bukina Faso, Senegal, Tunisia and Congo have all won this cup once. The DR Congo, Cape Verde Island and Gabon are the countries which will take part in the competition, but they have never won the African Cup of Nations. Group A (Bata) Equatorial Guinea Burkina Faso Gabon Congo (Brazzaville) Group B (Ebebiyini) Zambia Tunisia Cape Verde Islands RD Congo Group C (Mongomo) Ghana Algeria South Africa Senegal Group D (Malabo) Cote d’Ivoire Mali Cameroon Guinea
ASAMOAH GYAN, the skipper of Ghana.
MADJID BOUGHERRA, Algerian captain.
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