Table of contents for 2022-02-04 in DFA News

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za THE TWO accused who were hired as hitmen to kill Pofadder Hotel owner Leon Brits were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Northern Cape High Court, seated in the Upington Circuit Court. Brits’ body was found floating in a swimming pool at one of his properties in Pofadder on October 7, 2020, where he had been choked with a dog chain and stabbed several times. Several valuables including firearms, a cellphone, Krugerrands, polished diamonds and cash were taken from the premises during the incident. The two accused, Amantle Bareki, 25, and Elrich Williams, 35, were sentenced on February 2. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and…

Nkosikhulule Nyembezi The retention under provincial government administration of over 29 struggling municipalities nationwide now clearly heralds a deep-seated crisis. The level of incessant financial difficulties in these municipalities is serious: characterised by unfunded budgets, huge budget deficits, persistent power cut threats from Eskom, infrastructure and service delivery backlogs. Even the ANC NEC lekgotla held on January 22–23 recognised the seriousness of the situation and has decided to set up a Special Service Delivery cluster, or another appropriate institutional arrangement, to improve overall service delivery in areas such as housing, water and sanitation “in direct response to community concerns about the poor state of this critical infrastructure across several municipalities,” said ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa. Its seriousness was comprehensively stated in a report prepared last August for Parliament’s portfolio…

Staff Reporter SENEGAL superstar Sadio Mane is determined not to let Africa Cup of Nations glory slip through his fingers again after helping his team to back-to-back finals. After Adbou Diallo’s 70th-minute opener, the Liverpool ace set up a goal for Idrissa Gueye before booking a place in Sunday’s decider with a goal three minutes from time after Burkina Faso threatened a fightback in a 3-1 win on Wednesday in Cameroon. Mane’s confidence will be high after a national-record-equaling 29th strike clinched a shot at a maiden African title and he wants to use their momentum to exorcise the ghosts of their 1-0 2019 final defeat to Algeria. He says: “It shows you the momentum we have. We knew it was not going to be at all easy to get…

Ashfak Mohamed THE BULLS may have to rethink their strategy of using all their players in both the United Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup, following Wednesday night’s 38-25 defeat to the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld. The lack of cohesion was evident in the Bulls’ performance as they conceded six tries, and while they scored three themselves, they wasted a number of attacking opportunities. The problems for Gert Smal’s team started at the line-outs, where hooker Schalk Erasmus and locks Reinhardt Ludwig and Janko Swanepoel didn’t click, with several throws either skew or not finding the intended target as Cheetahs second-rowers Aidon Davis and Victor Sekekete contested well in the air and stopped mauls. It was clear to see that the enterprising Cheetahs – with the likes of Springbok veterans…

Benida Phillips benida.phillips@inl.co.za TEACHER unions in the Northern Cape have stated that should the Department of Basic Education ensure that Covid-19 regulations are observed at all schools, the full-time return of pupils will be possible. This follows a decision by the Cabinet this week to adjust the Alert Level 1 Covid-19 regulations, allowing for a return to daily attendance at schools. It was announced during the special Cabinet meeting that the education sector will return to full-time learning from Monday, February 7. The one-metre social distancing regulation for pupils in schools will also be scrapped. The Northern Cape Department of Education said it welcomed the decision and is awaiting directives from the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga. “We will await the directives from the minister and prepare our schools…

Mihlali Baleka in Johannesburg Benni McCarthy’s career has made his name synonymous with passion. So much so that the AmaZulu coach says that when his team faces any of his former employers, there’s extra passion that doesn’t allow him to hold back – no matter the challenge. McCarthy, as a player, didn’t shy away from standing up for himself or speaking his mind – it did not matter how uncomfortable that may have been. But even as a coach, McCarthy hasn’t deviated from his beliefs. He’s stood up for his players and technical team who, in return, have fought for him on the pitch by getting the results – such as finishing second on the log last term. In his last season as a player, he wore his heart on…

Staff Reporter WITH Manchester United’s defence holding strong once more, captain Harry Maguire reckons Cristiano Ronaldo and his attacking line-up better start scoring more goals. That’s the £80m defender’s assessment ahead of the Red Devils’ home FA Cup fourth-round clash against second-tier Middlesbrough. After looking like a liability for most of the first half of the season under former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Maguire and the United backline are much-improved under interim boss Ralf Rangnick. In the 10 games under the German, United have conceded just seven goals. And the England star gives Rangnick the credit for sorting out the problems and bringing back his confidence. He explains: “I think there are lots of different principles that he’s brought into the club. “But, for sure, we haven’t conceded as many…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za SUB-CONTRACTORS have left the site of the Kimberley Nursing College student accommodation residence, which is under construction next to the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital, due to non-payment. All sub-contractors had vacated the premises yesterday, after receiving instructions to remove their scaffolding and building materials. "No payment has been forthcoming for the past four months. The contractor is owed millions of rand, if you take the earthworks and electrical jobs into account. Some of the sub-contractors come from Johannesburg and will not be returning because they have not been paid," they said. They added that the project was supposed to be completed within two to three months but has been dragging on for two years. "It appears to be a repeat of the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital…

Roger Federer believes he will know by “April-May” whether or not he will be able to return to tennis. The 40-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has not played since a Wimbledon quarter-final exit at the hands of Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in July last year before having to undergo knee surgery. “I want to come back strong and give it everything that I have,” the Swiss star said on Wednesday. “To give you a little bit of an update. I have a very interesting and important next few months ahead of me. I think I will know a lot more by April-May. “The drive is still there. I am motivated to do my work.” Federer played just 13 matches in 2021. He also underwent two knee surgeries in 2020…

Matthew Marcus Opinion MARK Boucher’s upcoming gross misconduct hearing at Cricket South Africa (CSA) could have wide-ranging consequences for the game in South Africa. While Boucher has already fumbled an apology to Paul Adams for being part of the player's group that used to sing the racially-charged parody of “Brown Girl in the Ring”, it’s not really his character on trial. His relationship with former interim coach Enoch Nkwe, the process that saw Nkwe become his assistant and Nkwe’s subsequent resignation will have a bigger impact. And, though, the topic of race is going to be at the forefront, it’s not what I’m going to be talking about. Boucher’s appointment and its justification is what I’m really struggling with. If it’s proved that Director of Cricket and BFF Graeme Smith…