Sowetan April 14 2020

owetan Lockdown Day

19 ★★★★

In the know on the move R5.70 (Eswatini, Bots 5.20 incl tax) Tuesday April 14, 2020 www.sowetanlive.co.za

Zuma: why I did not testify in Shaik trial page 2

We want water not corona tests page 5

DJ Tira and neighbours in new feud page 3

Coronavirus Hotline: 0800 029 999 and WhatsApp Line: 060 012 3456

SA schools under siege page 8

Families evicted

‘They are in the street by choice’

●Ekurhuleni spokesman says people had refused to move to shelters provided by the city

P H OTO S / A N TO N I O M U C H AV E

● Despite Covid-19 lockdown city has kicked more than 120 families out of RDP houses they had occupied illegally page 6

2 News

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Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Zuma wanted immunity to testify at Shaik trial

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Admission made in appeal

By Karyn Maughan

Former president Jacob Zuma’s last-ditch application to stop his corruption prosecution from going ahead does not appear to pose any real threat to the state’s plans to put him on trial this year.

It does, however, contain one very damaging admission that may be used against him if and when he goes on trial.

For the first time, Zuma has revealed why he chose not to testify in the trial of his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, who was convicted in 2005 of corrupting him with multiple payments and benefits, and facilitating a R500,000 a year bribe for him from French arms company Thales.

Zuma has argued for years that he should have been tried with Shaik, but has now told the Constitutional Court he would only have taken the stand in the case if he was guaranteed immunity from prosecution.

“Absent an unequivocal grant of immunity by the

NPA to me it would have been ill-conceived and highly risky for me to testify for Shaik without waiving my guaranteed constitutional rights, including rights to silence and against self-incrimination,” Zuma states.

This is an extraordinary admission, and opens Zuma up to questions about whether he believes his conduct in relation to Shaik, and any evidence he may have given in the case, would have implicated him in corruption. Immunity from prosecution is only granted in circumstances where a witness admits complicity in an alleged crime, and gives honest evidence about it.

Zuma’s apparent candour on this score stands in marked contrast to the relatively restrained submissions he made to the Supreme Court of Appeal, in his failed bid to challenge the Pietermaritzburg high court’s dismissal of his application for a permanent stay of prosecution. His Constitutional Court application demonstrates either a radical and more desperate change in Zuma’s legal strategy, or profound incoherence in the way his lawyers

are pursuing his case.

In a 115-page application filed at the Constitutional Court, Zuma has also launched a renewed attack on the “vicious” National Prosecuting Authority, who he blames for his “routine” portrayal as “a corrupt politician who accepts bribes”.

Zuma slams the “despicable” conduct of former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, who, against the advice of the Shaik prosecutors, elected not to charge the then deputy president with Shaik. Ngcuka stated at the time that, although there was a “prima facie” case against Zuma, it was not necessarily a winnable one.

“In the media and the court of public opinion, I was tarred and feathered as a criminal suspect but I could never disprove that label as I was never formally brought before a court of law until 2005 or told what evidence exists to justify the label,” Zuma argues.

“This is harkening to the dark days of apartheid where anti-apartheid activists in South Africa could be labelled communists, placed under house arrest or suffer other indignities

based on the say-so of a government minister.”

Zuma repeatedly stresses that, because he was not charged with Shaik, “I as an unindicted person was and continue to be branded as a criminal with all the accompanying damage to my reputation”.

He adds that “because of the nature of this case, the unindicted co-conspirator is labelled as ‘corrupt politician’ who takes bribes and ethnic stereotypes such as ‘being controlled by Indians’ were invoked, thus multiplying any damage done to my name”.

Zuma further blames Ngcuka for all the multiple efforts to remove him from office, during his nine years as president. “...As far as political discourse on the issue is concerned, the media and opposition political parties treat me as though I am guilty of the crimes that I was not charged with by Mr Ngcuka. “...Even if I am acquitted, the significant taint left by the NPA’s accusations of wrongdoing may never wash entirely clean as I will always be considered a public servant who failed the test of revolutionary morality.”

COPYRIGHT: The copyright in all material in this newspaper and its supplements – particularly material identified by the symbol © – is expressly reserved. The Editor will consider reasonable requests for the use by others of news reports, but the source and author of the report must be clearly attributed.

Words of Faith A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Former president Jacob Zuma is facing charges of corruption. / T H U L I D L A M I N I

John 13: 34-35 NIV

Doctor dies in fire at Durban beachfront apartment Twitter@sowetanlive

Facebook.com/sowetanlive www.sowetanlive.co.za

One person saved from morning blaze A fire has broken out at an apartment on the Durban beachfront‚ killing one person.

Durban metro police chief Steve Middleton shared images of the blaze on Facebook.

Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said the victim was a 44-year-old male doctor.

He worked at Addington Hospital‚ according to messages of sympathy being shared on social media. eThekwini fire department personnel attended to the fire‚ at the Windemere flats on

North Beach. According to information shared by a city firefighter‚ @DurbanFire‚ the fire brigade was alerted just after 7am to a fire on the fifth floor of the block of flats.

“On arrival fire was visible on the fifth floor and the brigade set up their aerial appliance to attack the fire while

crews advanced internal hose to extinguish the fire. One [person] was rescued by the aerial appliance but unfortunately there was one person who succumbed to the fire.

The fire is now extinguished and an investigation into the fire will be launched‚” he shared on his blog. – TimesLIVE

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

News

Tira, Anga accused of lockdown breach Duo deny story by neighbour

By Emmanuel Tjiya

The neighbourhood feud between Mthokozisi “DJ Tira” Khathi and Benjamini O’Neil seems to be far from over.

This time around, O’Neil who got into physical altercation with DJ Tira’s wife that resulted in a police investigation in November, has opened a case with police against the popular DJ for allegedly contravening Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

Anga “NaakMusiQ” Makubalo is also being probed for the same alleged offence.

Sowetan has confirmed that the regular music collaborators are part of the five properties at Willowbrook Estate, in Ruimsig, under police investigation for contravening lockdown regulations.

O’Neil opened the case at

Honeydew police station on Friday. DJ Tira and NaakMusiQ both own houses at Willowbrook Estate.

“These five houses are all friends with one another and under normal circumstances I don’t care, but they are moving in between houses and visiting one another during the period of lockdown,” O’Neil said.

“One minute you see them at Khathis and the next at NaakMusiQ’s house. It’s back and forth all the time.

“As far as I know, about three or four men reside in NaakMusiQ’s house. But you will see a woman popping up and they continue to bring female friends.

“How is that possible during the lockdown? Why are there females at Willowbrook that don’t live here?

“We have Junior Khathi [DJ Tira’s son] taunting me and telling me every time he goes past my house that the police will not do anything no matter

things that are not there.

“I haven’t done anything that will result in this escalation. He’s complaining about a car going up and down – not that I made a noise after throwing a party and invited people.”

NaakMusiQ said: “I have how many pictures I take,” stuck to the lockdown guidelines as issued by the governO’Neil said.

But DJ Tira said O’Neil has ment of South Africa and I am been targeting his family for adhering to the strict security some time now, citing the measures as set out by the Estate.

November incident.

“I am shocked by these “That man is a problem; allegations and will you know when you take action if my have a neighbour brand name is asthat’s just a pain. sociated with this I’m trying by all fake news.” means to live in O’Neil said he peace in my raised the matter house and abide countless times by the lockdown with over seven rules,” DJ Tira police officers at said.

Honeydew police “Bottom line is, station since the naany of those houses tional lockdown started have nothing to lose if on March 27 and they something bad is reported of them like I Anga Makubalo did nothing.

He provided Sowedo.

“We never got along and we tan with the names of the sevare even looking into signing a en officers.

Police spokesperson Brig petition because we just want Vish Naidoo confirmed no arto live in peace.

“He has been monitoring us, rests were made yet and “inbut honestly we just go to the vestigations are continuing and the details of this case canstore for essentials.

“I can’t help that he sees not be divulged at this stage”.

UNITED A P A R T NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE, APART This is an unprecedented moment in South Africa’s history. Lockdown is in full effect, businesses have been temporarily closed, and we’re all adjusting to this new normal for as long as it may take. But what does life in lockdown look like? Well, that’s up to you.

Show us how you’re getting through, and what lockdown means to you, by submitting video clips, images, voice notes, or anything else that captures the essence of this extraordinary event, to:

WHATSAPP

+27 (63) 521-8618

EMAIL

UNITEDAPARTSA@ARENA.AFRICA

Each day, we will choose our favourite submissions to be featured as a daily snapshot of lockdown life and share them to our social channels under #UnitedApartSA and #LoveChange, and one submission per day will receive a prize worth R700. Then, when all this is over, our favourite submission will receive a prize valued at R5,000, and we will use all the content we have collected to create a documentary, so the world can see our story.

#LoveChange #UnitedApartSA

DJ Tira denies allegations by his neighbour. /VELI NHLAPO

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CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Gender-based crime worry for president Spike in vandalism also troubles Ramaphosa President Cyril Ramaphosa has disclosed that 148 suspects have been arrested for crimes of gender-based violence since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown on March 27.

“It is disturbing that during a time of such immense difficulty for our country‚ women and girls are being terrorised inside their own homes‚ forcing them to make desperate calls for help‚” he said yesterday. “We are aware that the restrictions that have been placed on people’s movement and the confinement to their homes is a frustration for many. But there is no excuse‚ nor will there ever be any excuse‚ for violence – against women‚ children‚ the elderly‚ members of the LGBTQI+ community‚ foreign nationals – not against anyone.”

Ramaphosa said he had directed police minister Bheki Cele to ensure that family violence‚ child protection and sexual offences units are reinforced at police stations during the lockdown and beyond.

Vandalism of public property was also highlighted by the president.

“It is a great indictment of our society that dozens of schools have been burgled‚ trashed or burnt to the ground. When the lockdown is lifted and learning resumes‚ thousands of our children will have no school to return to‚ depriving them of the right to education.

“Eskom has also reported an increase in cable theft and vandalism of its infrastructure since the lockdown began‚ resulting in power supply interruptions and damage that will cost a considerable amount to repair. That public property is being vandalised while the entire country is experiencing hardship because of the lockdown‚ is a demonstration of utter disrespect and disregard for the majority of South Africans who are law-abiding.

“It is despicable that criminals are using this period of the lockdown as a cover to break the law at a time when our law enforcement authorities are occupied with supporting the national effort to contain the pandemic.”

Ramaphosa called on communities to play their part in reporting criminal acts‚ “because they seldom take place in the

absence of witnesses”.

“When communities allow themselves to be passive bystanders when they wit-

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

ness crime‚ they become party to the sabotage that ultimately disadvantages ourselves‚ our children and our communities.”

The might of the state would come down on law breakers‚ said Ramaphosa.

“I have a message for those callous criminals who think they can take advantage. The criminal justice system is not on leave.

“Our law enforcement authorities will deal with those who transgress the law.

You will be arrested‚ you will be tried and you will be put behind bars.” – TimesLIVE

Still plenty to smile about

Kids play in Westbury, Johannesburg. Police were still patrolling the streets of the inner city to enforce the nationwide lockdown designed to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. / A L O N S K U Y

Mango Groove film in the plans – band leader Group using lockdown break to work on project

By Patience Bambalele

Legendary pop music group Mango Groove has been using the lockdown to plan their long-term projects.

The band, which was formed in 1984, has been using the lockdown to plan for a documentary and feature film about Mango Groove music.

John Leyden, the founder of the group known for hit songs such as Dance Some More, Home Talk and Special Star, said: “The Covid-19 has hit everyone hard including musicians with the cancellations of events. It is quite a big knock but we are trying to stay focused by keeping busy. We are planning a documentary movie and a movie which will be about the Mango Groove songs, and it needs a lot of hard work and a lot of money.

“After the lockdown we have an exciting project that also involves other artists and we will also go on a national tour. We are very lucky as Mango Groove that we have been appealing to all generations in

South Africa for years. For us during this sobering time, we are reflecting on that.

“The secret [behind the band’s longevity] is that we have a continuation when it comes to key members of the group.

“We are sincere in what we do, and we write our music in a simple way. We write from the heart.”

Leyden is hopeful that SA will survive the challenge of coronavirus and urged people to stay positive.

Mango Groove hits can be downloaded on Africori website for pleasant #StayAtHome moments.

Mango Groove is planning a film about the band. / M A R K A N D R E W S

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

News

Dogs, stones meet health workers Anger at lack of water, sanitisers

By Mandla Khoza

Lack of water and sanitisers in Hhoyi village in Mpumalanga resulted in angry residents setting their dogs on health officials who had come to screen and test them for Covid-19 at the weekend.

They also pelted stones at the officials to highlight their plight. Six people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the Nkomazi municipality.

Community members told Sowetan they were exposed to the deadly virus as they don’t have sanitisers to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“We heard that they were coming and we decided to set dogs on them and also threw stones at them because they didn’t come with sanitisers or water so that we can wash our hands regularly as required,” said residents who didn’t want to be named.

Resident Sibusiso Maseko, told Sowetan some of the resi-

dents told elders that they should refuse to be tested.

“I heard that there are other people with their conspiracy theories who told some community members, mostly the elderly, that they should refuse to be tested. They told them they should demand water because this community has scarcity of water. They also wanted indemnity and consent forms first before they could be tested. But for us the screening is something people should not worry about because they ask you questions and check your temperature.”

Health MEC Sasekani Manzini said they didn’t use force to screen or test people.

“We don’t use force to screen or test people as the president has announced that there will be door-to-door screening and testing. We are calling for our people to comply and allow our officials to do their job. As we travel with the police and soldiers at some point, we expect our people to not make us force because we cannot allow people to endanger the lives of others,” said Manzini.

Nkomazi municipality

spokesperson Cyril Ripinga said the situation calmed down after Sunday’s incident .

“The situation was calmed down and the health officials were allowed to do their job.”

A health worker who didn’t want to be named as he’s not allowed to speak to the media said: “We heard before that there might be some resistance from some community members that is why we had to keep police closer. Those who pelted us with stones were young people who were apparently angry that they had not been able to access alcohol during the lockdown.”

Chairperson of the Mpumalanga house of traditional leaders, who is also the traditional leader of the Hhoyi community, Sandile Hhoyi Ngomane, said he was taken aback by the incident. “No, this can’t be happening at this time, police should arrest people who defy the call by the country’s president to be screened and tested for the coronavirus. As a leader in the community I’m personally going to follow the whole thing up and find out what’s the cause of this.”

Mpumalanga health MEC Sasekani Manzini with health workers screening and testing residents for coronavirus. / M A N D L A K H O Z A

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CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

RDP ‘invaders’ kicked to streets

Close to 800 brought home

By Promise Marupeng

No money to charter flights

More than 100 families spent the Easter weekend on the streets after they were evicted from RDP houses they had been illegally occupying since December.

The Thursday evictions in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, affected 123 families. They had illegally occupied the houses which had been standing empty for some years.

When Sowetan visited the area yesterday, the houses were still empty after the evictions.

Ekurhuleni municipality spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the council’s actions were justified, adding that the families “are on the streets by choice”.

“They occupied houses illegally, we offered them shelter instead of putting them in jail.

So, should police find them on the streets they should arrest them for breaking the Disaster Management Act,” he said.

“We have agreed with the court that we will remove the people, but find them emergency accommodation in two centres namely Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre and Olifansfontein Hall. However, they refused to be moved to those available facilities.”

The evicted families said they moved into the houses built by the municipality in December after they were left unoccupied since 2015.

Sheila Ndlovu, one of the evicted people still on the streets, said the high court had granted them relief from eviction earlier this year.

“These houses were built in 2015 and abandoned for over three years so, we as a community and individuals who have been on the waiting list for house allocations since 1996, decided to occupy the unfinished homes and fix them out of our own pockets.”

Ndlovu said she lost her belongings that were taken by metro police trucks when they were evicted on Thursday.

By Kgothatso Madisa

Olga Chiloane, one of the residents of Mayfield extensions 32 and 34, voices her anger about being evicted from her illegally occupied RDP home n Daveyton. / P H O T O S / A N T O N I O M U C H A V E

Out in the cold in lockdown days Residents outside the houses after eviction.

“There is corruption in the house allocation project and after several individuals came claiming to have bought these houses, we decided that we will not move because we have documents that prove we applied for these houses that are now being sold privately by corrupt officials,” she said.

Hector Phelepe told Sowetan they cleaned the houses that were abandoned and unfinished at the time.

“We took loans to buy roof-

ing materials, doors, windows, and paint because we felt it was our right as Daveytonborn and bred children to occupy this place,” said Phelepe.

The residents said after their evictions, the MMC for housing came to the police station where they were seeking shelter and said they can only take 20 people out of 123 families.

The rest of them were to be moved to shelters housing homeless people far away from their relatives and Dav-

eyton where their lives are, they said.

After a court battle to remove the families, the Ekurhuleni municipality said it was granted a final order to evict the occupiers on March 28.

Gadebe said the order to evict the people had been in process since January.

“We kept on battling in court to evict them until the final order allowing us to evict was granted on March 28, which was a day into lockdown so it had to be actioned,” he said.

“Having C form or subsidy approval does not mean one has the right to occupy any RDP house. Our people need to be educated on that note.”

The evicted residents have scattered around the township to seek shelter after they refused to go to the centres allocated by the municipality.

Some have found refuge with their children at taxi ranks, closed taverns and even outside a KFC at Mayfield Mall. Some of the people were still sleeping at those places by yesterday.

Army sent to monitor border fence Structure has been damaged by criminals Public works minister Patricia de Lille said yesterday the army has been sent to the Beitbridge border fence after reports that it had been damaged.

A picture circulating yesterday morning showed the barbed wire fence having been cut‚ leaving gaping hole in the fence which marks the border with Zimbabwe. In a series of tweets‚ De Lille acknowledged that the fence had been damaged, and promised that action would be taken.

“With regard to the Beitbridge border fence which DP-

WI (department of public works and infrastructure) is erecting and criminal elements damaging the fence, I am investigating this matter.

“The contractor has increased security personnel.

The Defence Force has also deployed soldiers to patrol the border‚” she said.

She posted pictures with the tweet showing military vehicles and soldiers‚ including some on motorbikes‚ along the fence.

Less than a month ago‚ on March 20‚ De Lille announced

The SA National Defence Force has been deployed to patrol the border fence at Beitbridge. / S U P P L I E D V I A T W I T T E R that a 40km border fence would be built‚ as part of measures to keep illegal immigrants from sneaking into SA unaccounted for, and also to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The virus has been proved to

be relying on people’s movement to spread, hence the need for lockdown. The nce would cost R37m, and according to De Lille, it would be 1.8m high and stretch for 20km. – Staff Reporter

About 800 South Africans have been repatriated from various countries in the past two weeks by the government with the recent group having landed at the Cape Town International Airport from London on Sunday night.

Although the 200 citizens flew on an SAA flight, the government said it did not spend any money as it was not a chartered flight.

Department of international relations and co-operation spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele said the government was assisting people who are stuck in the various countries due to the Covid-19 lockdown that was put in place last month.

Minister Naledi Pandor announced two weeks ago that there were a total of 1, 471 South Africans who were stranded abroad and that the government would help bring them back home.

Pandor said in deciding who to repatriate, the government would prioritise people who already have tickets and were stuck at the airports without food.

“The government does not have money to charter any plane to go and fetch South Africans. This is why focus is on people who were going to come back in any case, like those who were temporarily outside of the country and were due to come back and now because of the lockdown they find themselves stranded.

That is the focus of the government,” Ngqengelele said.

He said through negotiations they were able to place people on different airlines even if they did not necessarily purchase tickets from them.

“What we do through our embassy is to then negotiate with the planes that are fetching people and in terms of the payment [it] is between the people that are coming back.

These would be the people that already had tickets to come back and all we do is to negotiate for those.

“If there are other countries that are specifically sending their flights to South Africa to come and fetch their people, even those we get South Africans in those flights.”

He said they were negotiating with various countries including Germany and the UK to bring citizens back. Those who land in the country would have to undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine period.

He said though they would normally plead with people to remain in those countries if they can, at least until the lockdown is lifted, the constitution prohibited them from denying South African citizens their right to come back home.

Page 7 — 14 April 2020 — Sowetan

8 News

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Everyday fight by unseen warriors in face of Covid-19 Risks, sacrifices of laboratory workers

By Mpumzi Zuzile

As the coronavirus pandemic continues its grip, people worldwide are applauding healthcare workers.

And with laboratory appreciation week taking place from Sunday until April 25, now is a great time to acknowledge some unseen warriors fighting the virus.

“A strong laboratory infrastructure is crucial in fighting Covid-19,” said forensic pathology officer Thozamile Magali.

He said he was exposed to death daily, especially now.

Attending to Covid-19 cases is stressful, he said, because though he is trained and prepared for it, there is always the risk.

He is always mindful of the situation he is in and the potential impact one mistake could have on him, his loved ones and those he comes into contact with.

Magali has three children, aged between 11 months and 14 years. His wife and children are living with his parents in Knysna so there is no risk of him infecting them.

“It is difficult dealing with all of the emotions related to the pandemic and my job responsibilities when my support, my family, is not with me,” he said.

He called on people to abide

by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lockdown rules.

“Please stay safe and indoors. Please allow the sacrifices of myself and so many others, including those in lockdown, not to be in vain. We are in this together, in the interest of the nation, its people, especially those who are at greater risk due to prior health conditions or low immune systems,” Magali said.

Fatima Peters, deputy director of the Western Cape health department’s comprehensive health unit and the contact tracing team coordinator, said she and her team often work 18-hour days.

“I take a lot of strain... When things go wrong, I have to manage the anxiety, fear and frustrations from all spheres – my team, my peers, community members, NPOs.” She said her team ensured every patient and their contacts

Community service doctor Mishqa Jakoet is involved in swabbing for possible Covid-19 patients. / S U P P L I E D were monitored regularly.

“We must make sure we trace every contact because those people must self-isolate.

We monitor to make sure they are isolating, monitor their health. If they have any health problems we escalate and link to appropriate care.

“We also counsel and educate about infection control and the challenges of self-isolating. It can be frustrating and hard, especially for poorer

communities,” Peters said.

Peters is married with three sons, a daughter-in-law, an 81year-old mother and a 68-yearold aunt, all of whom live with her.

“My mom is diabetic and has heart failure and hypertension. My aunt is also diabetic. My greatest sacrifice is the very limited time I have with them now. Even when I am home, I am writing and designing plans, making calls,

troubleshooting for the front-line staff,” she said.

The first thing Peters does when she returns from work is bath and change her clothes.

“Sometimes my mother is so happy to see me that she rushes over, but I have to stop her.

This is so hard for me. She does not always understand why I do this.

“She has been so hurt because I cannot hug and kiss her. I keep my distance. She keeps asking if I am upset with her... that breaks my heart,” she said.

Another front-line hero is community service doctor Mishqa Jakoet, who is involved with swabbing possible Covid-19 patients. She is based at the Lotus River community day centre in Cape Town.

Jakoet said they are at high risk for infection, but there are measures in place to protect them.

“There are always things that will put us at risk, it is part of our profession, and this is no different. If I had to choose a word to describe my emotions it would be anxious, but this is related to the patient and not knowing how they will react when the testing is being conducted,” Jakoet said.

‘Syndicate behind the school fires’ 183 state schools attacked so far

By Isaac Mahlangu, Yoliswa Sobuwa and Tankiso Makhetha

A syndicate is suspected to be behind recent attacks on public schools in Gauteng after more than 50 schools were either broken into or set alight in the last two weeks.

Nationally, 183 schools have either been vandalised or broken into since the lockdown which started last month.

At least 41 suspects were arrested in various areas across Gauteng for the 55 incidents in which schools were broken into or damaged in apparent arson attacks.

Provincial police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo didn’t rule out the possibility of a syndicate being involved, saying it forms part of their investigation.

Four schools in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, have been torched since the national lockdown began, apparently with no sign of theft.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said yesterday: “We believe there’s a syndicate at work there.”

Soshanguve High, Amogelang Secondary, Phuthanang Primary and Lethabong Secondary all suffered structural damages worth millions of rands due to acts of arson by unknown people.

During her visit last week, community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko told Sowetan that they suspected that community patrollers whose contracts had expired were behind the attacks.

Masondo said investigations were still continuing.

“Most of the 41 suspects who have been arrested so far have appeared in court and charged with burglary and arson.

Whether they are part of a syndicate or not will form part of our investigations,” he said.

Masondo said 17 suspects were arrested in Johannesburg, nine in Tshwane, seven in Sedibeng, four each in Ekurhuleni and the West Rand.

Basic education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said apart

The badly damaged Soshanguve High School after a fire. / T H U L A N I MBELE

from the damage to 55 schools in Gauteng, 72 schools were targeted in Mpumalanga, seven in North West seven and three in KwaZulu-Natal.

Minister of basic education Angie Motshekga said it was disheartening that criminal elements in communities could destroy the infrastructure of their own children.

“I am in constant touch with [police] minister [Bheki] Cele

and with the assistance of the state intelligence forces we are following leads to the immediate arrest and prosecution of every single criminal responsible,” Motshekga said.

KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Kwazi Mshengu said three laptops‚ a microwave oven‚ and 50 e-readers were stolen from the state of the art school in KwaMashu, north of Durban.

National Association of School Governing Bodies chairperson Matakanye Matakanya said: “We are worried about the future of the pupils from these schools. Even though there is a bit of criminality but we believe that mostly it is people who are fighting for tender security contracts.”

This claim was also popular in Soshanguve after the fires.

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

News

Rethabile born with star quality Living with comparison to famous mom

Rethabile is set to release an album later this year. / SUPPLIED

By Emmanuel Tjiya

Rethabile Khumalo admits that following in the footsteps of her music powerhouse mother, Winnie Khumalo, comes with a lot of pressure.

“The pressure has always been there, and to this day I still feel it,” Rethabile confessed.

“When people see me, they see a daughter of a woman who has done great things in the male-dominated industry.”

The 25-year-old songbird has already found early success in her music career with smash hit Umlilo, featuring DJ Zinhle.

While it seems inevitable that after the success of Umlilo, Rethabile will be the go-to female vocalist for many house tracks, she insisted that her sound is far more soulful than that.

After all, as she points out, she studied jazz and classic music at the National School of the Arts (NSA) in Johannesburg.

“Though our (mom and her) sound is different since I’m more into jazz and classic music I studied at NSA, people still want to see me do house music and per-

form like her. I’ve gotten used to it though.”

Renowned for hits such as as Live My Life, Winnie says she knew as early as nine months old that Rethabile will follow in her footsteps.

Winnie recalls her daughter dancing to Doc Shebeleza’s song Gets Getsa as a toddler.

“She couldn’t walk, but she would hold onto things around the house and dance like there was no tomorrow. For me that was a sign that I had given birth to a star,” Winnie recounts.

Rethabile said she knew that music was the path for her at age six.

“I enjoyed singing along to Puff Johnson’s music,” Rethabile shared.

“Although I sounded like a child, I could hold a note. I remember how everyone would marvel at my singing; they found it unusual for a child to have such talent at an early age. I was the entertainment for the family when we had gatherings. Those moments were precious to my mother and me.”

Winnie had concerns about

her daughter having a career in showbiz.

“When I saw how passionate and dedicated she was in her craft, I had no choice as a mother but to guide and mentor her,” Winnie said.

“I knew that if I didn’t support her dreams, she was going to go elsewhere for help and that was the last thing I wanted as a parent.

“I wanted to be the one to teach her about the industry...”

The mother-daughter duo recently blew Mzansi away when they performed Umlilo together at the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Rethabile has for years been a backup dancer for her mother.

“It was a very emotional moment for us,” Rethabile said.

Rethabile’s latest single Hlonipha is currently on high rotation on radio. Winnie also just released her new single Phezulu.

They both have dreams of recording a gospel album together.

Rethabile plans to release her debut album later this year and she will like to collaborate with artists such as Zonke and DJ Maphorisa.

9

10 News

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Dignitaries pay tribute to late Chief Muhlava Hosi Samuel Muhlava II of the Nkuna tribe is no more.

Former Gazankulu minister succumbs to a long illness

By Peter Ramothwala

Dignitaries visited the Muhlava Royal Palace, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, at the weekend to pay tribute to Chief

Samuel Muhlava II, who died on Saturday after a long illness.

MEC for traditional affairs in the provinc Basikopo Makamu described Muhlava, 76, as a selfless traditional leader

who had the best interest of his people at heart.

“The Nkuna tribe has lost a great leader who was accessible at all times. He made an active contribution to his communities. He was in the forefront of several land claims for his people and even bought some farms to accommodate those in need,” he said.

Makamu said Muhlava should be remembered as a unifier who accommodated every tribe in his land. “He fought against tribalism and allowed people from different tribes to live in his land.”

Makamu was accompanied

by MEC for economic development Thabo Mokone and chaiperson of Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders Kgoshi Malesela Dikgale.

Family spokesperson Ntombi Muhlava said the family planned to have a memorial service for the late leader who presided over the Nkuna tribe for 48 years after the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Details will be announced at a later stage and we are going to adhere to the lockdown regulations,” she said.

A statement released by the Muhlava Royal House reads: “It is with great sadness to inform you of the passing on of Hosi Mohlaba II (sic) after a long illness. A giant has fallen, the whole Mohlaba/Shilubana family and clan is in mourning.”

The funeral will take place on Friday at the royal palace but is reserved for family members only.

Muhlava was born on January 27 1944 at Muhlava village. He was installed as the chief of the Nkuna tribe in July 1972.

Chief Muhlava II served as a minister in the former Gazankulu homeland in different departments from 1983 to 1991.

He also orchestrated the building of more than 40 schools around 44 villages that fell under him.

He is survived by his wife Catherine Sasavona NwaMavundza Muhlava and eight children. His brother Ribye Charles Muhlava is the acting senior traditional leader at the moment.

‘‘

A giant has fallen, the whole family and clan is in mourning

Page 11 — 14 April 2020 — Sowetan

12 Entertainment

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Your

Your Stars

Tv Guide

What kind of day will tomorrow be? To find out what the stars say, read the forecast given for your birth sign

14:00 till late

Aries March 21 — April 21 SABC1

Because a friend or a member of a group might surprise you today about financial matters or something that you own, make sure you don't go overboard. It's very easy to overreact today.

14:00 Break Da Beat 15:00 Degrassi 15:30 YO.TV 16:30 Yilungelo Lakho 17:30 Siswati/Ndebele News 18:00 Nyan'Nyan 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 Xhosa/Zulu News 19:30 Selimathunzi 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Uzalo 21:00 Expressions 21:30 Cutting Edge 22:00 Nyan'Nyan

Taurus April 21 — May 21 You are high-viz today. People notice you! This might be because something unexpected suddenly takes place.

Either way, you will want to keep doing what you're doing.

Gemini May 21 — June 22 Travel plans might be interrupted today. Meanwhile, your enthusiasm about dealing with friends and groups could create unexpected reactions about politics and religion.

Cancer June 22 — July 23 Something unexpected might occur today regarding shared property or inheritances, which makes people look to you for guidance and leadership. (This is because you look like you know what you're doing today.)

SABC2 14:00 Magnum 15:00 Dinopaws 15:15 Dinopaws 15:30 Yo.TV Mini - Yo TV Land 15:45 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 16:00 Epic Hangout 16:30 Hectic Nine-9 17:00 Naruto 17:30 Venda/Tsonga News 18:00 7de Laan 18:30 Nuus 19:00 DEKATv 19:30 Melody 20:00 Sesotho/Setswana News 20:30 Nhlalala Ya Rixaka 21:04 Muvhango 21:30 Lithapo 22:00 Gospel Superfest Holiday

Leo July 23 — Aug 24 Travel plans look exciting today! Some of you also will explore opportunities in the media, publishing, medicine and the law. You want to explore something new and fresh.

Virgo Aug 24 — Sep 23 Your work routine will be interrupted today. This might have something to do with dealing with shared property budgets.

Whatever happens, don't give away the farm.

Libra Sep 23 — Oct 23 Parents should be extra vigilant today because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Meanwhile, it's a great day to schmooze and enjoy the company of others.

Scorpio Oct 23 — Nov 23

SABC3

It's a mixed bag today. Issues at work, especially related to travel, look positive! However, small appliances might break down at home or minor breakages could occur. A bit of tension here?

14:30 Unfiltered 15:00 Rat Race

16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30

Hectic On 3 Judge Jenkins The Backstory Top Chef Junior Isidingo: The Need Tropika Island Of Treasure Curacao 20:30 Special Assignment 21:00 News 21:30 MotherFatherSon

What to Watch

etv 14:00 The Wild 14:30 Peppa Pig 14:35 Care Bears: Unlock the Magic 15:00 Disney Elena Of Avalor 15:30 DreamWorks Dragons: Riders Of Berk 15:55 Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon...

16:20 Judge Judy 16:45 Days Of Our Lives 17:30 Bittersoet 18:30 news - COVID-19 Update 19:00 Rhythm City 19:30 Scandal!

20:00 e.tv News 20:30 Chicago Fire 21:00 The Powerball Draw 21:02 Chicago Fire 21:25 e-Insert 21:30 Imbewu: The Seed 22:00 Checkpoint

SOWETO TV 14:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30

Kasi Vibes Kasi Vibes Babize Bonke Debaters' Assembly Soweto Business Line Soweto TV News

Gomora Sonto works around the clock to counter Thathi’s (Katlego Danke) efforts to get in touch with the police. Things don’t go well for Langa at school.

Mzansi Magic:19:30

19:00 Thetha Nam 19:30 Life Clinic 20:00 Al Jazeera Documentaries 21:00 Al Jazeera The Stream 21:30 My World 22:00 Apostle Mohlala

Mzansi Magic 14:00 Lokshin Bioskop: Jackpot Mathambo

15:31 Imali Yegazi 17:00 The Talk 18:00 Date My Family 19:00 The River 19:30 Gomora 20:00 Mnakwethu 20:30 Isibaya 21:00 The Queen 21:30 Ikhaya 22:04 My First Miracle

Sagittarius Nov 23 — Dec 22 This is a playful, lighthearted day! Nevertheless, do be aware that it's also a potentially accident-prone day for you as well.

Therefore, pay attention to everything you say and do.

Crossword 3150 mosimanem@sowetan.co.za

Capricorn Dec 22 — Jan 21

1`2`3`4~5`6`7 `~`~`~`~`~`~` 8````~9`````` `~`~0``~`~`~` -````~`~=```` `~`~~~`~`~~~` ~q``w`~e``r`~ t~~~`~y~~~`~u i`o``~`~p```` `~`~`~[``~`~` ]``````~\```` `~`~`~`~`~`~` a````~s``````

The unexpected might impact your cash flow or your belongings. Therefore, keep your eyes open! You might find money; you might lose money.

Aquarius Jan 21 — Feb 20 Guard against knee-jerk reactions to situations around you today because you are impulsive and restless! Don't say or do anything you might later regret. Be cool.

Birthdate of:

Pisces Feb 20 — Mar 21 This is a good day for financial negotiations because it's easy to attract money and favorable situations to you. Nevertheless, be cautious, because something might look better than it actually is.

Emma Watson (Actress)

ACROSS 1 Roman god of merchants and mediator between the gods and mortals (7) 5 Roman goddess of love, beauty, fertility and prosperity (5) 8 Destined (5) 9 Freedom (7) 10 User Account Lockdown (3) 11 Pierce with or as with a lance (5) 12 Plural of acarus (5) 13 Pretend (5) 15 Brings to a standstill (5) 20 Chairman of a meeting (5) 22 Swagger (5) 23 Client Access Licence (3) 24 To think about again (7) 25 To turn on end (5) 26 Sod (5) 27 Roman god of the sea, brother of Pluto and Jupiter(7)

DOWN 1 Gag (6) 2 Plural of retina (7) 3 Too much; uncalled-for (5) 4 Cowardly (6) 5 Vigorous; full of pep (7) 6 Constellation on the Southern hemisphere crossed by the Milky Way (5) 7 Hinder; frustrate (6) 14 Small amount of food used to decorate other food (7) 16 A person of humble origin who has gained wealth or celebrity (7) 17 Accumulate by growth or addition over time (6) 18 To start or become activated (4,2) 19 Heavy filling starchy food (6) 21 Thespian (5) 22 Sink or fall heavily and suddenly (5)

Thursday ’s solutions ACROSS 1 Pluto 4 Ageists 8 Satellite 9 OCE 10 Methods 13 Comet 15 Solar system 17 Swore 19 Tarnish 22 Rue 23 Asteroids 24 Battery 25 Ceres Friday’s

DOWN 2 Lease 3 Teeth 4 Aries 5 Exerciser 6 Storm 7 Scent 11 Too 12 On average 14 ESM 15 Sow 16 EMI 17 Scrub 18 Overt 19 Tatty 20 Niobe 21 Sidle.

YOU BORN TODAY You are realistic, have strong ethics and values that you support. You need to be loved and appreciated. This is a year of change and new opportunities! Expect to encounter adventure and stimulating situations. Grab every chance to travel and expand your world through learning new things. Welcome change! Let your personal freedom be your goal this year.

Seth Rogen (Actor / Producer)

Pantsula

Emma Thompson (Actress)

Tomorrow’s Weather Pretoria 14-24

Sifiso Yalo

Johannesburg 10-19

Nelspruit 17-26

Phone: 082 162 www.weathersa.co.za | @SAWeatherservice

Polokwane 17-27

Mafikeng 8-24

Bloemfontein 9-17

Kimberley 8-19

Cape Town 12-19

East London 16-20

Durban 18-23

Lifestyle 13

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

Good Life Cuisine

Mayat’s book a spicy take on everyday meals

By Londiwe Dlomo

SA’s population may be small by some standards, but it has flavour. Our diverse people ensure that there are many interesting overlaps in terms of our cuisine.

There is always more to find out about each other, like the tradition of seven colours, a Sunday lunch in the black community that is normally eaten after attending church.

The lunch gets its name from the wonderful side dishes, often beetroot, potato salad and coleslaw (which is colloquially called John: 14) that normally accompany the meal of rice, gravy and meat, almost always chicken. I suspect this meal is a spillover from Sunday roast, a British tradition, and it is similar to Jummah lunch, which is served after Friday worship in the Muslim community.

This new knowledge came to light with the launch of Naqiyah Mayat’s first cookbook, The Beginning: Indian Recipes from my Home.

Mayat, pictured, was raised as a Hindu but married into a Muslim family and her book guides South Africans to authentic, modern South African Indian dishes.

“I think the perception that we have is that local South African Indian food tastes exactly like it does in the restaurants and I think what we eat

Butter Chicken Serves 6 Prep time 15 minutes Cook time 45 minutes A rich cashew nut sauce with smoky notes gives this butter chicken recipe an authentic flavour profile reminiscent of your favourite North Indian/Pakistani restaurant.

It takes a little effort to introduce the smoking coal to the pot to achieve this effect.

However, the end result of a satisfying dish with layers of complex deliciousness is well worth the effort!

Ingredients ½ cup unsalted (raw) cashew nuts 2 tbsps ghee 1 small cinnamon stick 2–4 cloves 2–4 cardamom pods ½ tsp whole cumin seeds

Guide to modern South African Indian dishes in our homes is vastly different. I think it comes down to the spices that are used. A lot of the spices that are used in Indian-Pakistani restaurants are imported. So the tastes vary, the flavour varies and also the intensity of how the cooking methods and preparations are... The Indian food that the world is accustomed to is very different from what Indians home cook on a daily basis,’’ Mayat says.

She says her book shows the difference in the food that Indian South Africans eat on a daily basis, clarifying that Indian people don’t eat curry all the time.

“I have an entire section that focuses on everyday weekday meals, things like roast chicken, which is obviously [done] the Naqiyah way. And I have stuff like chicken tandoori burgers and lamb kebabs, and it’s not necessarily Indianspiced but it does have Indian flavour notes in it or spiced flavour notes in it.”

The mother of four cooks for her family every day.

“Every single Sunday I have a meal planner. I have actually created my own meal planner, which is available as a downloadble PDF as well. And I have listed Monday to Friday but I listed four meals a day. So breakfast, school lunch, afternoon lunch for when the kids come back from school, and dinner. How I normally break it up is I do a grocery list for everything that I have put down in my menu and I shop that on a Sunday morning or a Monday morning and I save those menus, so that I can refer to it six weeks later,” she says.

She advises that one should keep one freezable item, for in-

1 onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp ground green chilli ½ cup reduced fat cream 1 cup fat-free or low-fat milk ½ cup water Salt For the chicken 1 chicken cut into smaller, bite-size pieces (I prefer using the meatier pieces and adding in 2 chicken fillets to make up a full kilogram. I omit the wings and drumsticks altogether).

3 tbsps lemon juice 1 tsp fine black pepper 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp ground cumin powder ½ tsp ground coriander powder 3 tbsps butter 3 pieces of charcoal Fresh coriander, to garnish Method ● Toast cashew nuts in a pan to release a nutty aroma,

Naqiyah Mayat preparing one of her dishes. /SUPPLIED

stance kebabs, which you can pair with pasta and some store-bought sauce for a hassle-free meal. Her golden rule is cook with your heart.

“I think I cook a lot with my heart and not with my head.

Even though there are measurements in the book, adjust

then grind to a fine powder. ● In a pot, add the ghee and heat on medium heat. ● Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, cumin seeds and onion. ● Sauté till golden and translucent. ● Add the ground cashews and incorporate them into the ghee and onion mixture. ● To this, add the ground green chilli (to taste) and mix well. ● Add the cream, fat-free or low-fat milk, and water. ● Add salt to taste and allow to thicken. ● Using a stick blender, purée and blend the sauce.

For the chicken ● Cut 1 chicken into smaller, bite-size pieces. I prefer using the meatier pieces and adding in 2 chicken fillets to make up a full kilogram. I

“When you’re cooking a dish, explore the colours in the dish.

It’s amazing to take a spoon and dig into a container. Let it be heaped with spices. I don’t think there are any rules when it comes to the amount of spices you can add, other than are you able to withstand that heat.”

it to how you feel. I could be saying a teaspoonful of coriander powder but just heap that teaspoon, sprinkle it using your fingers. I don’t think we practise being mindful enough, so practise mindfulness in the kitchen. How does cooking make you feel?

Remove from the stove-top and char under the grill in the oven. ● Pour the liquid from the grill pan into the sauce and mix well. ● You should achieve a yellow-coloured sauce at this stage. ● Once the chicken has browned, empty the chicken into the sauce and stir well. ● Light 3 pieces of charcoal and empty into a foil-lined small dish. ● Place in the middle of the pot containing the sauce and chicken. Add 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil to the charcoal and close the lid immediately. ● Switch stove off and leave the coal in for 10 minutes. ● Discard the coal and garnish with fresh coriander and crushed cashew nuts, if desired. ●

omit the wings and drumsticks altogether. ● Add the lemon juice, fine black pepper, turmeric, ground cumin powder and ground coriander powder. ● In an oven-safe pan, add the butter. Seal the outside of the chicken.

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

14 Opinion Your SMS views

Send your comments to 33664 Each sms costs R1

Ndabeni-Abrahams on joyride It’s not surprising that ministers like Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams are still on a joyride they were used to in the previous government. Her complacency is a left-over from the previous corrupt leadership of Jacob Zuma. – TW Zondi

Ramaphosa showed cowardice President Cyril Ramaphosa, the whole country knows that you’re coward when it comes to making big decisions. You should have fired Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams. She is too reckless for a cabinet post.

What a letdown. – Anonymous

Slap in the face for democracy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams should be arrested like anyone who violates lockdown rules. Her being suspended is a slap in the face for democracy and fairness.

She should be fired. – Norman Matsebula Soweto

Dumbness raising virus stats If the dumbness of some South Africans is anything to go by, we are bound to reach 15,000 deaths

by June-July, the coldest months.

We’re still at our infection infancy but stats are already reaching daily double digits. – Pio Mashaba

Hatred of minorities worrisome Like other leaders of the ANC, the Matjhabeng mayor Nkosinjani Speelman thinks to be a good leader you must hate whites, coloureds and Indians. The ANC and EFF label blacks “our people” excluding others. – Mokolobetsi

Sowetan Says

Now is not the time to evict people The evictions of over 100 families in Ekurhuleni last week goes against the government’s efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

About 123 families who had illegally occupied a state-owned housing project in Daveyton were forcefully removed by the city’s metro police on Thursday.

This led to some of the families spending the Easter weekend on the streets as they claimed they had nowhere to go. However, the municipality said the people were offered alternative accommodation which they rejected.

The evicted families told this newspaper the houses were built in 2015 and left unfinished. Three years later, they claimed, they then decided to move in. They bought windows, doors and roofing materials to make the houses inhabitable.

An eviction process instituted by the city through the court has been ongoing for some time and the municipality was ordered to find them alternative accommodation.

According to municipality spokesman Themba Gadebe, the evictions were based on the latest court judgment that they could evict the illegal dwellers as they had secured emergency places for them to stay – a hall and recreation centre.

The city’s plan would be fine if the country was not going through the coronavirus outbreak. It does not make sense for any government institution to remove people from individual family dwellings into halls when every day the same government is preaching social distancing. With 100 families in two centres it would be difficult to maintain hygiene standards too.

Yes, a court order was granted in the city’s favour, but did the person who issued the instructions for the cops to carry out the removals not think that the main focus for government, citizens and everyone in SA is to contain the spread of Covid-19? Or was it just business as usual?

The families also told Sowetan yesterday they had been sleeping at taverns, taxi ranks and a fast food outlet at the nearest mall. Since the lockdown was announced, government has been housing the homeless, so removing people from state-owned structures and leaving them on the streets because they refused the accommodation offered seems like taking 10 steps back.

We call on the municipality to find an amicable solution that would leave these people in a safe environment. Our focus should be on saving lives during this difficult time in the world.

Letters State must never allow the sale of alcohol Liquor makers are lobbying the government to open up the sale of booze during the extended lockdown, including at taverns.

This is a tricky request from the SA liquor industry. It needs serious consideration before it is accepted by the government because it can end up collapsing the lockdown, especially in townships.

Yes, they are going to sell alcohol in the form of takeaways but buyers will form groups outside those taverns and that will be against social distancing.

Some people are ungovernable and non-compliant when they are under the influence of alcohol.

We are on the right track as a nation but this request will take us backward.

There are people who still don’t take this virus seriously and that will be

Letters to the editor Sowetan, PO Box 6663, Johannesburg, 2000 E-mail letters@sowetan.co.za Fax 011-340-9637

worse when they are intoxicated.

The government will never contain this virus if it accepts this request. Most of us need alcohol at the moment but alcohol is not more vital than to contain the virus so that we can live freely again in the country.

We are not a disciplined nation at all.

People will be all over the streets and police officers and soldiers will find it difficult to deal with them.

At least if we were disciplined this was going to work, but now never.

If we were disciplined they were going to allow us to order alcohol online but the problem is that when you get drunk you will directly go out and start insulting soldiers and police officers.

The government must never allow this, otherwise we must forget about winning this battle.

This virus will spread more and more because people are going to gather at their gates and drink together those takeaways. Let’s wait and see what the government’s response would be, then we will take it from there.

Miyelani Hlungwani, Mukhomi village

Thulare is the rightful king of Bapedi I would like to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for finally issuing a certificate of recognition to the rightful king of Bapedi – His Majesty King Thulare Victor Thulare III. This ends a long battle between the former acting king Kgagudi Kenneth Kgagudi Sekhukhune and his nephew

Thulare, whose now late father, King Rhyne Thulare, began the court fight.

I urge Sekhukhune to accept the Constitutional Court ruling that declared Thulare the rightful king. It is laughable now that Sekhukhune claims that the royal council is the one tasked with appointing a suitable candidate

High standards no longer matter in SA today In the 1980s, I worked for the best supermarket chain in SA. There were frequent unannounced “spot-check” visits from the top brass.

They kept you and your store in tiptop condition, always fully stocked, clean and tidy, courteous and friendly and many times the customer you attended to was a designated “mystery shopper” whose reports went all the way to the top.

Today’s scenario is totally different... the government’s so-called visits are advertised well in advanced to cover up the mismanagement chaos at home affairs, hospitals, schools, Sassa paypoints and supply chain structures.

Lat Tuesday’s visit to the Covid-19 war-room at RandWater by the president was just such a show. Not one journalist asked about Giyani, Hammanskraal, Vaal River or Sekhukhune rurals. Everyone was concerned about showing off their coronavirus gear.

Theo Roelofsz, Marble Hall

and that President Ramaphosa must produce the minutes where the meeting took place to appoint a king.

Sekhukhune is in a better position to know that a king is born and not chosen. The Constitutional Court just served to confirm what everyone knew, that the Thulares are the rightful custodians of the Bapedi-Marota kingship. Hail Bapedi King Thulare!

Hophney Leso Sunninghill, Johannesburg

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

Opinion 15

Let us all try our best to help child-headed households in the country to navigate this period of the Covid-19 pandemic

Loyiso Masuku I have found myself recapitulating powerful words by the former president of Malawi, Joyce Banda, when she said: “The seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women and children.”

Here, my contention is that the Covid-19 lockdown in SA and around the world has been hitting girls the hardest.

I believe a sound education that is responsive to the economic needs globally is a solid foundation for any child. However, I have observed that the Covid-19 lockdown in SA is exposing gender disparities in our society, where circumstances force the girl child to step in as a parent to her younger siblings in their home.

The Covid-19 provides a platform to address the issue of child-headed homes and how girls are burdened with responsibilities that are cheating them of their childhood.

As children grow they look up to their parents and guardians for support and they feel relieved knowing that they are not alone.

However, this is not the case in the stories of child-headed families, where a child is taking care of their other siblings. This is despite the need to be guided by their parents instead of taking up that role themselves.

Children should be focusing on receiving education so as to equip them with skills and knowledge for their future.

I am focusing on girls because there is widespread concern that the numbers of children living in childheaded households are rapidly increasing and these households are mostly managed by young girls.

This atrocity has become evidently magnified during the period of executing some of the novel coronavirus programmes introduced by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) which I am involved in.

As a councillor in the CoJ , I have been on the ground as we continue with community visits to create awareness about Covid-19 pandemic.

The lockdown has been both a challenging and financially strenuous period.

It is for this reason that in partnership with NGOs and businesses, as councillors of CoJ we donate food parcels to the marginalised areas that we visit so that we provide relief to some of the families.

During these visits, I have

We’ll need to throw serious money at Covid-19 if SA is to recover from crisis

By Philippe Burger

Covid-19 pandemic will hit girls and women the hardest, not only in SA but around the world. / N A R D U S E N G E L B R E C H T / G A L L O I M A G E S

Lockdown exposes gender disparities in our country been exposed to several child-headed households led by girls. It is this experience that made me realise that Covid-19 will hit girls and women the hardest, not only in SA but around the world.

What is devastating is to learn that according to a research titled, “Analysing the nature and extent of childheaded households in South Africa”, compiled by Children’s Institute, 92.1% of children in child-only households have a living parent.

According to an analysis of national household surveys to examine circumstances of children in child-headed households in SA, most children in child-only households are not orphans and 84% have a living mother.

But how can we individually assist childheaded households during the Covid-19 lockdown? The early childhood period is considered to be the most important developmental phase throughout a lifespan.

Healthy early childhood development (ECD) includes the physical, social, emotional and language/ cognitive domains of development, well-being, stunting, mental health, heart disease, competence and economic participation throughout life.

While I believe that we can all contribute in helping childheaded households navigate this period of Covid-19, we must acknowledge that some parents overlook the fact that what happens to the child in the early years is critical for the child’s developmental trajectory and life course. While education is essential, the role of the parent is crucial.

I am therefore, inquisitive about how we can prioritise education and empowerment of young girls to curb the potential of increased dropout rates which will disproportionately affect girls.

This will further entrench gender gaps in education and lead to increased risk of sexual exploitation, early pregnancy and early forced marriage.

The lockdown has increased the girl child’s vulnerability to physical and sexual abuse both by their peers and by older men as girls are often at home alone supervising their younger siblings.

It is our duty as a collective to ensure that kids from child-headed households are protected in our communities and granted the little support they need to survive.

■ Masuku is MMC for group corporate and shared services in the City of Johannesburg

The Covid-19 crisis has brought much of the world economy to a sudden stop.

Millions upon millions of people are in lockdown across the world, preventing them from working, buying, producing and selling goods and services. Small and large companies see a collapse in income. Households are under similar pressure.

In SA, as elsewhere, this is causing enormous liquidity crises and, while some larger corporations might for a while have the financial reserves to cushion this, others don’t. As a result, liquidity crises threaten to turn into solvency crises that could put many companies out of business – causing large-scale unemployment.

While the health shock might be temporary (albeit massive), it could have longlasting economic implications.

Covid-19 is in the first instance a health crisis. SA’s public health system is much weaker than those of Europe and the US but the crisis is overwhelming them.

Thus, the pressure that the health budget places on the fiscus is set to increase fast (we are talking days and weeks, not months). Indeed, finance minister Tito Mboweni has even mooted the possibility of borrowing money from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to finance healthrelated expenditure.

In the second instance, the Covid-19 crisis will be an economic crisis, potentially causing a surge both in business bankruptcies and the unemployment rate.

Lockdown measures prevent companies making sales, but they still need to make payroll and cover other financial commitments.

Large and small companies alike will take a knock, though the impact on SMMEs will likely be more severe. In an effort to contain costs and remain solvent, businesses will start laying off staff.

A three-week standstill in production has deprived many companies of almost a month’s income.

In the 2008/09 global financial crisis almost a million SA workers lost their jobs. That impact was not temporary: the increase in the unemployment rate proved to be lasting. We never again saw the 21%

unemployment rate that existed prior to the crisis.

The impact of Covid-19 promises to exceed that by far – while the unemployment rate stood at 29% before the crisis.

Several EU countries, the UK and the US have announced comprehensive fiscal and monetary programmes to deal with the economic fallout of the crisis.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced a set of programmes when he proclaimed the lockdown.

The bulk of the support is R30bn for unemployment insurance. The Covid-19 Temporary Employer and Employee Relief Scheme (C19 Ters) under the Unemployment Insurance Fund provides for cases where companies cannot pay employees as a result of the lockdown. Mboweni also announced a number of taxrelief measures.

The R30bn package falls far short of what other countries did. Unfortunately, SA’s fiscal position is in such a precarious state that it will not be able to provide a fiscal stimulus similar to those of the US and the UK. The government is reportedly also busy putting together a package to support the poor via the grant system.

The extent and how it intends to pay for it was not yet clear.

Instead of the government paying a subsidy to companies to survive, the SA Reserve Bank together with the banks should set up a cheap loan system, whereby low-interest-rate loans to banks are used to extend lowinterest-rate loans to businesses in distress. These loans should be repayable over a relatively long period of time, say five years, to contain repayment pressure.

The criteria for companies to obtain such loans from banks should be very clear.

This would ensure that these loans are limited to companies in need. Only companies that were solvent prior to the crisis should be considered.

How large should the economic stimulus be? Using the examples of the EU, US and UK, such help may have to be around 5% to 10% of GDP. ■ Prof Philippe Burger, pro vice-chancellor: poverty, inequality and economic development, University of the Free State ● This article has been edited

16 News

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Locking in with storytelling Stories help children to cope being at home

By Malini Mohana

During lockdown, many SA parents and caregivers have been left feeling worried and confused. The nationally imposed lockdown means that individuals are required to stay at home for their own and others’ safety.

For both children and adults, it is normal to experience a range of emotions about it – fear, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, sadness and even anger.

The lack of normal daily routines can be disorienting and frustrating for family members. And without the safety net of school and work, family members are required to spend an unusually large amount of time with each other.

During times of stress and anxiety, babies and children are directly influenced by their parents’ responses.

Children are as sensitive as adults to the changes and pick up on their parent or caregiver’s emotions – often subconsciously internalising adults’ emotional states and reactions.

During this time, adults and children alike form their own narratives to better understand crises. This becomes harder

when they feel disconnected from the community and their surroundings.

Thus, maintaining an engaging and interactive relationship with children in the home is crucial in helping them cope throughout this difficult time. Children, like adults, seek to make sense of their world using stories.

All human beings are innately storytellers.

From the question “how was your day?” to “guess what the neighbour did!”, we arrange our days in the form of a narrative to help ourselves, and others, connect with our experiences.

Using narratives is not only a powerful way to express ourselves, but also to learn about our relationship with the world around us.

Stories are thus an easy and fun way to talk to children about difficult topics and are useful in piquing their curiosity and interest about the world.

Setting aside time every day to read aloud and share stories with children exposes them to a wide vocabulary and provides them with verbal and visual stimulus – an important exercise that they would be missing since the closing of schools.

The Vygotskian principle of mediated learning is a psychological theory that suggests that children have a limit to what they can learn alone.

Malini Mohana says stories are an easy and fun way to talk to children about difficult topics.

However, if they are guided and supported by a parent or caregiver, they are able to learn more, and learn at a faster rate.

An incredibly important impact of reading together with your child is the powerful bonding that occurs between adult and child in this activity.

Paired, interactive storytelling where the parent and child engage in a story is an easy way to inspire conversation, curiosity and bonding – whether a written story, radio story, or an oral story that you tell your child yourself.

Each home and each child will require their own routine – whether it is 15 minutes a day, or an hour or more of reading and telling stories.

The key aspect is ensuring that your reading and storytelling space is safe and fun, helping children feel comfortable to ask questions, absorb information and engage in the content.

This activity serves as a potent tool for child and parent to engage meaningfully in a time of uncertainty.

A good resource for parents looking for free children’s stories in different South African languages, as well as tips and ideas on how to share them, is the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign’s website, SABC radio stories and newspaper supplement.

This way, families can access a range of stories (with low-data usage) on their phones and other devices, in the safety of home.

Further, parents and caregivers may wonder about the benefits of reading to children who cannot yet speak or read at all – perhaps you are at home with a baby, newborn or child below the age of six.

It’s very important to note that reading to children does not only include children

who are of school-going age.

The first few years of a child’s life is a foundational period for both cognitive and emotional development.

Children’s brains grow at a rapid pace at this stage of their life, and they absorb not only what they see and hear, but the relationship between themselves and their caregiver.

Research has shown that this sets down the psychological “blueprint” for how the child may interact with the world and others later.

The more positive engagement and stimulus a baby receives, the better for their overall development.

Using stories as a tool for interaction with a baby – making faces, creating character voices, and showing pictures – helps to create a healthy attachment, as well as provides stimulus for cognitive development.

Today, adults and children are bombarded with the stories on the news, media and phones on the crisis.

This can be overwhelming and distressing for the best of us.

Setting time aside to reconnect with your children and family members during this time may help alleviate your and their stress and loneliness.

Ensuring a set routine in which reading aloud together and sharing different stories not only helps children maintain their literacy development but creates a playful space in which you and your child are able to connect and de-stress using the power of narrative.

■ Mohana is a clinical psychologist based in Gauteng, working with adults and children in community clinics.

For more information about the Nal’ibali campaign, or to access children’s stories in a range of SA languages, visit www.nalibali.org.

Sport 17

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

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Los Angeles – Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods says he can’t help feeling like the green jacket he claimed for winning the Masters last year doesn’t belong in his locker anymore.

The 44-year-old Woods doesn’t like the idea of holding onto the coveted sports coat due to the world-wide coronavirus epidemic that led to this year’s Masters tournament being postponed until November.

“The pandemic has been a shock to all of us. We know it’s still going to continue to get worse. It’s a very difficult situation, a very difficult time, a unique time in history,” Woods told CBS television on Sunday.

The American broadcaster replayed Woods’s stunning comeback victory with the five-time Masters winner adding his own commentary from his home in Florida.

“This is not the way I wanted to have the jacket for a longer period of time,” he said.

“Come Masters Tuesday, after our Champions Dinner, we put our jackets back up in our lockers, and the next person who gets to take it off the grounds is the champion that particular week.

“So, hopefully we’ll have it in November, and we’ll be able to compete for it.”

The Masters has been rescheduled for November 12-15. Woods says he was raring to go and would have been healthy for this year’s event.

Looking back, Woods said he remembers little about his merrymaking on the green after holing the final putt a year ago.

“Well, the funny part about the whole thing is – I don’t remember screaming. I don’t remember putting my arms up, and I don’t remember yelling. That’s one of those kind of blackout moments. There’s certain celebrations throughout my career that I’ve made putts or celebrated, I just don’t recall it. I guess I’m so locked into the moment,” he told CBS. - AFP

Tiger Woods says he wasn’t hoping to hold on to the Masters winner’s green jacket for too long after the championship was postponed. / K Y O D O N E W S V I A G E T T Y I M A G E S

SA trio support idea to help retired boxers Eubank hopes for buy-in from sanctioning bodies

By Bongani Magasela

Former boxers Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Dingaan Thobela, and Boxing SA CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka, are fully supportive of the idea by British former world champion Chris Eubank to start a foundation to look after fighters when they have retired.

Eubank wants the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO to fund the foundation’s effort to help retired boxers around the globe, many of whom struggle mentally from damage they received in the ring.

Eubank announced that he wants the sanctioning bodies to pay a percentage of their fees into a programme like this.

“All you boxing fans out there, you are looking at fighters and they are slurring

foundation that looks after fighters.”

Ledwaba said: “It’s a very good initiative. That is how sanctioning bodies will help, by taking a percentage of a champion’s purse, investing it and give it back to them when they retire. The IBF does it and it happened to me. I claimed it after and they are forgetful,” Eubank was quot- losing the title.”

Thobela, a former WBO and WBA ed as saying this week by Global Boxing News. “A lot of them end up falling away lightweight and WBC super-middleweight champ, said: from their families. It’s a “These sanctioning bodies tragic sport. deducted a percentage of my “Anyone who signs up purse monies but I did not get to be a fighter, effectively a cent of it. I spoke to BSA you sign up to a life of soliabout it years ago but I ended tary confinement. You up being a marked man.” are alone. It’s a lonely life, Lejaka said: “The benevoit’s tough. Tragically, lent fund is still there but it is when a fighter comes now called help and safety back... they’re coming fund. It covers two things – if back for money, they’re a boxer dies in the ring or going back to the well, gets injured in a fight. which is why I’m build“In principle Eubank’s ing a foundation to look idea is good. It is something after fighters.

Chris Eubank we must do but my concern is “So we have a duty to have these organisations – the WBC, the how are you going to make it work in an WBA, the IBF, the WBO, the IBO – to per- SA context? For example, a boxer with no haps give a percentage of their fees to a fight in a year, how do you finance it?”

18 Sport

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

5 local goalies ready to rise As the Premier Soccer League boasts a strong contingent of foreign goalkeepers like Richard Ofori (Ghana) at Maritzburg United and Daniel Akpeyi (Nigeria) at Kaizer Chiefs, among many others, Sihle Ndebele picks out five young local shotstoppers who have what it takes to take the shine away from their none-South African counterparts in the near future

Bruce Bvuma (Chiefs) Bvuma, 24, is currently third in the Chiefs keeper pecking order, behind Akpeyi and Itumeleng Khune. With both Akpeyi, 33, and 32-year-old Khune already on the wrong side of 30, Bvuma stands a good chance to be Amakhosi’s No.1 post the AkpeyiKhune era. Having been Bafana Bafana’s third choice after Ronwen Williams and Darren Keet at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year, Bvuma is really on the right track to make it big. He already has a few senior caps after debut in 2018 Cosafa Cup.

Sipho Chaine (Celtic) Neil Boshoff (AmaZulu) Boshoff has been pushing Usuthu’s current first choice Siyabonga Mbatha, having managed nine league games this season, where he conceded 10 and kept just four clean sheets for the struggling KZN side. Boshoff, 24, is blessed with speed and timing when rushing off his line, as well as his ability to clear the ball.

Arguably the best sweeper-keeper and allround ball-playing keeper of his generation, Chaine is hot on the heels of Mabokgwane and Mpoto to claim the Celtic No.1 shirt.

The 23-year-old Chaine has two league games under his belt this season.

Chaine has superb shotstopping abilities, agility, speed and great footwork for his advantage.

Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows) Mondli Mpoto (Bloem Celtic)

Mlungwana, 22, came from nowhere to topple seasoned goalkeepers in Edmore Sibanda (Zimbabwe) and Maximilian Mbaeva (Namibia) to be Arrows’ No.1 this campaign. He started Abafana Bes’thende’s last seven league games.

Known for his unrivalled penalty shootout saves, Mpoto played a pivotal role in aiding SA Under23 side qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. The 21-year-old Mpoto has been playing second fiddle to Jackson Mabokgwane at Phunya Sele Sele this season.

Cancellation of races brings financial distress to runners Top athletes survive on prize money

By Tiisetso Malepa

Anxious South African roadrunning sensation Desmond Mokgobu is worried that his

rapidly shrinking savings could prevent him from completing the house he is building for his parents back home in Senwabarwana, Limpopo.

Mokgobu‚ a member of SA marathon team for the now postponed Tokyo Olympic Games‚ is spending sleepless nights as he has no other job and depends on events’ prize monies to survive.

“I’m left with the roof and now I am worried that I may not be able to finish the house‚” said the 31-year-old Tembisabased athlete.

“It’s bad because I am not sure how am I going to resume construction because there are no competitions. This means there is no income which we normally generate from competing in roadrunning events.

Desmond Mokgobu /ROGER SEDRES/ GA L LO I M AG E S

“This year is finished for us.

We will see in 2021. With the Olympics postponed‚ the situation will become worse‚” lamented Mokgobu‚ who trains at the Zoo Lake under the banner of Entsika Running Club where former Olympian Hendrick Ramaala is one of the head coaches.

Mokgobu has not participated in a race since December, but he’s grateful that the earnings from that 25km run in India came in handy for him at a time of need.

“My worry is that I don’t have a monthly salary. Just imagine if I had not saved some of the money I won from my races last year. Where would I be now?

“Had I not saved‚ it would have meant that after the lock-

down I would be preparing to move back home in Limpopo and all my dreams would be shattered. I would not be able to pay rent...”

Mokgobu is not the only athlete in financial distress as Ntshindiso Mphakathi‚ who lives in Soweto and also has no sponsor‚ finds himself in a similar situation.

The Port St John’s-born Mphakathi told TimesLIVE that he has no idea how he will repay the amount he owes to a furniture store as he is already struggling to afford his rent.

“To be honest with you my brother‚ at the moment I don’t know what is what. I bought furniture on credit, I’m worried now because I may struggle to pay the instalments.

“Running is my life. I don’t do it for fun. It is something that I gave my life to after high school. This is my job,” he said.

Sport 19

Sowetan Tuesday April 14 2020

Virus puts breaks to Anele’s great season Downs man says hunger still there

Anele Ngcongca of Mamelodi Sundowns feels he was doing great this season before the coronavirus. / S Y D N E Y

By Nick Said

M A H L A N GU/ BAC K PAG E P I X

Gladwin Shitolo /

SYDNEY

M A H L A N GU/ BAC K PAG E P I X

Shitolo hopes to impress Zinnbauer Defender is on third loan spell at Golden Arrows

By Gomolemo Motshwane

On-loan Golden Arrows defender Gladwin Shitolo hopes to impress coach Josef Zinnbauer upon his return to Orlando Pirates.

The 30-year-old is hoping to get a fair chance under Zinnbauer after he was shipped out on loan by the previous coaching regime of Milutin Sredojevic and Rulani Mokwena.

“What I know is that I will be going back to my mother club. I am going to report for pre-season at Pirates and I pray that it will all go well,” Shitolo told Sowetan.

Shitolo is on his third loan spell at Abafana Bes’thende and previously has also been on a loan at Platinum Stars and Chippa United since his arrival at Pirates in 2014.

The Giyani-born utility player has not been deterred by the instability.

“I have never been discouraged because everything happens for a reason.

“When I went to Chippa, I believed that God wants to use me there at the club. So, in everything that happens, my thinking is that it’s for a purpose.”

He believes something good has come out from his constant loan moves.

“A few seasons ago I had a very good season at Pirates, but I never got a Bafana callup. But now at Arrows I have that call-up that I have been praying for,” he said.

Other Pirates players who will be looking to earn their place in the team after their loan deals expire are Justice Chabalala (Bloemfontein Celtic), Tercious Malepe (Chippa United), Tebogo Tlolane (Maritzburg United) and Thembela Sikhakhane (AmaZulu).

Anele Ngcongca admits he is frustrated on the sidelines after what he believes has been his best season in a Mamelodi Sundowns shirt, thanks to coronavirus-induced pause to the league.

The defender with more than 50 Bafana Bafana caps has praised government for instituting the lockdown that has left players idle‚ but is eager to get back to action as the Brazilians chase Absa Premiership and Nedbank Cup glory.

Ngcongca joined Sundowns from Belgian side Racing Genk in January 2017‚ and admits it took him some time to get going.

“Our leadership‚ the State President (Cyril Ramaphosa)‚ has spoken and it is up to us to follow the rules in these difficult times‚ and that is what we have been doing‚” Ngcongca said.

“But it is a bit frustrating for me because if I look back‚ I think this has been the season where I feel like I have contributed the most to the team. I think my performances have been good and I have already helped the team to one trophy (Telkom Knockout).

“Obviously‚ I have been sharing the cake with Thapelo [Morena]‚ sometimes he plays ahead of me. With him injured‚ that would have been more responsibility for me along with the young boy from the youth (Nicholus Lukhubeni).

“If Thapelo is still injured when the league starts again‚ I know I must step up.”

Ngcongca hinted that he does not always get the praise he deserves from the Sundowns faithful‚ because his nononsense‚ efficient style goes unnoticed in a team of flashy

ball players.

“It is disappointing for me‚ that players who just go and do their jobs are not recognised by the supporters. I feel like in SA if you don’t showboat the supporters won’t talk about you.”

Ngcongca also backed teammate Lebo Maboe‚ who earned

the ire of fans at times when he struggled to find his footing.

“Maboe was one of the best players last season and the boy has been trying so hard this season‚ but still the supporters wanted [him substituted]. I don’t understand it. He needs the supporters to back him.”

Fans won’t let Sukazi buy Celtic Fears club will move to Mpumalanga

By Sihle Ndebele

As local businessmen Lebo Mokoena and Tim Sukazi are believed to be vying to buy cash-strapped Bloemfontein Celtic, the national supporters club chair, Mabena Pule, has disclosed the Siwelele faithful would prefer Mokoena over Sukazi, fearing the latter would relocate the outfit to his home province of Mpumalanga.

Celtic tried to sell its topflight status a number of times in the past, but with no success.

Two years ago fans revolted and trashed the Bloemfontein streets after suspicions the

Mabena Pule

club would be sold to someone outside the Free State.

It has lately emerged that Sukazi, who owns second-tier outfit TS Galaxy, wants to

purchase Celtic’s status.

Various reports also suggest Mokoena, a Bloemfonteinborn tycoon who owns Mokoena Group, that specialises in investment and construction businesses, is also interested in owning Phunya Sele Sele.

Pule has made it clear supporters wouldn’t accept Sukazi, vowing to fight with whatever they have as they think the Galaxy owner would move Celtic to Mpumalanga.

“Lebo is from Bloemfontein and if he buys the club, it’ll remain in Free State, so that would be acceptable. But for Tim, no, we won’t allow it,” Pule told Sowetan yesterday.

“Tim is from Mpumalanga and he has a lot of support there. He’d take the club to his province, so we don’t want it to be sold to him. We will fight

with all we have. I hope bra Max Tshabalala [the club’s chair] sells to Lebo.”

While Sukazi wasn’t keen to comment, Mokoena dismissed reports he wants to buy the club.

“Yes, I love Celtic as someone from Bloem but I don’t know why people say I want to buy the club. My objective is to help the team secure financial support after the [coronavirusenforced] lockdown, that’s all,” Mokoena said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Tshabalala hung up after hearing it was Sowetan calling him. However, the club’s chief executive Khumbulani Konco hinted that the sale of the club was back on the cards.

“Everything is for sale, even you. Someone can buy you to work for them,” said Konco.

Tiger Woods

15-TIME MAJOR WINNER

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This is not the way I wanted to have the jacket for a longer period of time

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Sport Sowetan

Tuesday April 14 2020 Sowetan

Maritzburg secure Ofori with new deal Pirates, Downs eye Ghana’s No 1 goalie

By Neville Khoza

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Uruguayan forward Gaston Sirino celebrate one of his goals. / L E F T Y S H I VA M B U/ GA L LO I M AG E S

Disciplinary blues

Action on Sirino ‘unfair’ Delays also add to disruption of Downs plans, says Mosimane

By Nkareng Matshe

Pitso Mosimane has called for consistency regarding the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary cases, with his midfielder Gaston Sirino facing the prospect of missing some games following his conviction for assault.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sirino is still awaiting sentencing from the PSL’s disciplinary committee (DC), after a tribunal headed by Nande Becker found him guilty of assaulting Clayton Daniels, of SuperSport United, in September.

Becker, PSL’s prosecuter, told Sowetan in January that the Uruguayan could face a four-match ban, which would severely disadvantage Sundowns in the title run-in. But while Mosimane said he was prepared to challenge for the Absa Premiership even

without Sirino’s services, he has questioned Becker’s commitment to enforcing the law on an equal basis.

“I have spoken numerously about Sirino’s behaviour,” the Sundowns coach said.

“I have said he needs to work on his temper and control his emotions. But the fact is he was punished with a yellow card for that incident with Daniels.

“Whose fault is it that he was not given a red card?”

He questioned why the case has dragged on for this long, with Becker having previously stated Sundowns were not blameless in the delay as they had apparently requested numerous postponements.

“The incident happened in September. Sirino was charged only in October.

Why not charge him a day after the match? Why wait for so long? I find it very funny that every year,

there’s some disciplinary case hanging just before the close of the season.

“Two years ago, it was the Ajax Cape Town and Tendai Ndoro issue. Last year, it was the (Wayne) Arendse matter. Now this.”

Mosimane also accused Becker of being heavyhanded on Sirino.

“Since when is the PSL reviewing these cases?

You’ve got to treat all teams fairly. [Samir] Nurkovic [of Kaizer Chiefs] kicked [Thembinkosi] Lorch in the Soweto derby. He got only a yellow card. What’s different from that to the Sirino case? The yellow card Sirino got led to him accumulating four, hence he missed the game against Vaal University [due to suspension]. Why punish him twice when others get away with it?”

Sirino, who has a red card this season, is key to Downs’ ambitions.

Maritzburg United averted the risk of losing goalkeeper Richard Ofori for free by exercising their option to renew clause in his contract.

By doing so, they have put all the stops to fend off interest from other clubs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns included.

Ghana’s No 1 has been in fine form this season, attracting interest from Pirates and Sundowns.

The 26-year-old has been a vital cog in the team’s meteoric rise in the PSL from the previous season to their current fifth position on the table.

He kept 10 clean sheets in 24 matches in all competitions.

Chairman Farook Kadodia said it would have been foolish for them not to have exercised the option in the contract of one their best players.

“As a businessman, you have to take your options on a player like Ofori, if you don’t do that then you are stupid,” Kadodia said yesterday.

“Ofori has been good to us since he arrived here and now we have shown our appreciation.”

Asked if he be-

Maritzburg United shot-stopper Richard Ofori is in good form. / L E F T Y S H I VA M B U/ G A L LO IMAGES

lieves Sundowns and Pirates will now back off since he has exercised the option, Kadodia said his focus is to keep the players in the team.

“I’m more interested in Ofori, nothing else. I can’t talk too much now because we are on lockdown, so there is no use in talking about players. We need to get the guys ready to play football again.”

Maritzburg will be hoping that Ofori is sold within the first six of his new deal, this is because if he is not sold after that period he can still sign for free elsewhere.

The keeper previously stated that he was happy to have attracted interest from the big teams as that proved that his hard has been noticed.

Just like many players, Ofori is training on his own following the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced the PSL to stop.