Tabla de contenidos para 1/26/2020 en Sunday Sun

TRANSNET paid millions to sponsor an insert in the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper in 2012, and the deal can’t be justified, the state capture commission heard. Briefing the commission, Transnet’s internal communications specialist Joseph Jackson on Friday provided evidence on the deal that would see Transnet sponsor the “Big Interview” insert in the newspaper. Then-group CEO Brian Molefe had approved the deal on 23 February, 2012. Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo questioned Jackson on the motivation behind the sponsorship. The inquiry adjourned until 4 February. THE EFF has lambasted Patrice Motsepe for telling Donald Trump that “Africa loves him”, saying the statement was “selfish, false, driven by greed and utterly regrettable”. Motsepe was caught on camera addressing Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Motsepe told Trump:…

SULTRY house music songbird Bucie may find it hard to briskly get around town. This as the muso (real name Busisiwe Nqwiliso) has been stripped off her VW Amarok for failing to keep up with its monthly instalments. According to court papers from the South Gauteng High Court in Jozi, Nedbank Limited was granted a default judgment in October 2018 to repossess her wheels. This included the 31-year-old Thando Lwethu hitmaker’s finance agreement, entered into in December 2016, being cancelled. Read the summons: “The unpaid balance was payable by way of 01-monthly instalment of R10 719.65 on 16 January 2017, 70 monthly instalments of R10 651.25 each commencing on 26 February 2017 and thereafter on the 26th of each and every consecutive month, with a final instalment of R10 651.25…

FORMER Orlando Pirates midfielder John Moeti’s wife Motshidisi is in hot water. This after allegedly pulling a disappearing act following the theft of a cellphone during a meeting in Midrand, north of Jozi. Sunday Sun can reveal the incident happened at the office of the sheriff of the court. Motshidisi was later nabbed by police when CJ Oosthuizen opened a case of theft at Midrand Police Station on Tuesday. Read the statement, in part: “The complainant alleged he was at 614 James Crescent, Halfway House, Midrand, busy in the meeting when one of the defence took his cellphone from the table and ran out. The police were called and she was informed she was under arrest for theft. “She was detained at Midrand SAPS as per (case number withheld).” She…

AFTER trying so hard to find love and being unlucky in almost all her previous relationships, it seems gospel star Fikile Mlomo has reached breaking point. The gospel sensation is calling it a day in the relationships department, at least for now. Speaking to Sunday Sun, the Worthy hitmaker said she tried so hard to make her previous relationships work but they failed. “Love doesn’t excite me anymore,” Fikile told Sunday Sun. She revealed that after dropping out of Grade 11 when she was only 15, she went to stay with her 21-year-old boyfriend, who would beat her up for no reason. “I even lost my four-month-old baby, which I had given birth to prematurely due to the abuse.” When she finally left her boyfriend, she got into another relationship…

A DURBAN event organiser is suing Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) for more than R100 000. This for the cancellation of his event. Sandile Zondo had organised the Umlazi Gospel Extravaganza last August, featuring gospel heavyweights Lebo Segkobela and Dumi Mkokstad. The gig was scheduled to take place at the MUT’s Pixley Seme Hall. But the institution canned it. Sandile said he had booked the hall for R19 500, which he paid in full. He said he nearly collapsed when the varsity’s security guard refused to give him the keys to the hall. He said the security guards told him he had failed to meet security compliance. He said he was only asked to organise the SAPS and Metro police. Sandile said he’s been in talks with management, from junior…

GOSPEL star Sipho Makhabane’s quest to see an accident-free Easter weekend has taken off again. Big Fish, as Makhabane is popularly known, and his partners Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency launched their Annual Easter Prayer Festival on Friday. According to Sipho, the aim of the pre-Easter prayer festival that takes place at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga was to conscientise the community about the danger of road fatalities. Explained Big Fish: “Over the years, there’ve been many death on our roads and, as concerned citizens, we’re playing our role to call on people not to speed on the road.” Sipho said the Friday event was to launch the campaign to urge people to be careful. “Everytime we approach Easter, we count dead bodies on our roads and it is…

THE Mzansi school year has started on a sour note, with 13-year-old Enoch Mpianzi, a pupil from Parktown Boys High, drowning during a school camp outing. There have since been all kinds of reports regarding what took place at that camp. But the reports have raised more questions than answers, resulting in the young man’s family considering legal action against the department of basic education, school and camp officials. This with the assistance of the Human Rights Commission. One of the issues raised in this unfolding situation has been the relevance of the indemnity form parents are made to sign before their child takes part in school activities. The indemnity form parents sign exists to absolve the school of responsibility should the child suffer injury or there be loss of…

IT’S disgusting and unacceptable for school authorities to steal from what’s meant for poor pupils. Principals and school governing bodies (SGB) should desist from stealing school’s funds, thinking that they won’t get caught. This as the school has put a lot of trust in them to ensure everything works well. Also, no financial irregularities can be hidden forever. Not only does corruption in school steal opportunities from pupils, it robs communities of credible institutions of learning. A well-run school should put in place control mechanisms to detect and prevent fraud and corruption. Harsh decisions should be taken against those found abusing school funds.…

M-Net Movies Action, Plus Pirates Of Somali, today at 8.15pm An up-and-coming journalist, trying to make a name for himself, travels to Somalia to write about the pirates. M-Net Why Women Kill, 9pm tomorrow Beth Ann’s big plan has unforeseen results. Simone and Karl try to keep up appearances, Taylor’s forced to confront her feelings for Jade. M-Net Movies Action Plus 2036 Origin Unknown, Tuesday at 8pm An action thriller loosely based on the famous movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. After a catastrophic mission to Mars a crew with an A.I. ship discovers a mysterious monolith in space. M-Net Movies Smile Music And Lyrics, Wednesday at 3.35pm Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star in this music-filled romcom. A washed out singer has a second chance to make a hit. He…

BAFANA BAFANA coach Molefi Ntseki has revealed SuperSport United midfielder Dean Furman’s imminent departure from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will not affect his place in the national team. Furman has made it no secret that he will be going back to England upon the expiration of his contract with Matsatsansta a Pitori at the end of the season, ending a successful spell with the Tshwane giants. Furman, who has been a key player for Bafana Bafana since making his debut in 2012 and has represented his country in three Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments, will continue to be in Ntseki’s plans. “I think Dean Furman is one of the players who were discovered by South African coaches to come and play for Bafana Bafana while he was playing…

BAROKA midfielder Tshediso Patjie is adamant Bakgaga will get maximum points against on-form Maritzburg United to boost their chances of surviving relegation. Baroka host United in a must-win Absa Premiership showdown this afternoon at the Peter Mokaba Stadium (3.30pm). This season, Baroka’s form has been poor. They’re in the danger zone after collecting 17 points from 19 league matches. But Platjie (29), vowed that the Limpopo outfit won’t be playing in the GladAfrica Championship next season. “We know we’re not in a good position on the log but are not panicking,” said Patjie. “The mood is calm. We’re confident that we’ll move from this situation. “We have a new coach, Dylan Kerr, who’s instilled huge confidence in the team. “I can promise our fans that they’re going to see a…

By SMANGA KUMALO KHAMA Billiat may find himself on the bench. This as the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder has suffered an off-the-field injury . . . THANKS TO BEING KNIFED BY HIS “BABY MAMA”! The woman, whose name has been withheld, stabbed the Zimbabwean player in his hand using a screwdriver on Monday. Said the 22-year-old when asked for comment: “Yes, I stabbed him once and it’s a crazy cut. He was so lucky because he’s taller than me. I wanted to teach him a lesson.” She also summarised the details of the day’s events in her WhatsApp status. According to the young woman, the drama unfolded when she went to the midfielder’s house in Midrand, Jozi – with the nine-month-old baby in tow – to demand that he buy their…

HE’S one of Mzansi’s most treasured villains on the e.tv soapie, Rhythm City. Not an episode goes by without viewers wondering about his next move. But after 13 years of playing the evil puppet master of David Genaro, actor Jamie Bartlett (66) is ready to take his final bow. On 5 February, the Rhythm City cast crew will be celebrating his last day on the show and wishing him well on a journey well-lived at an exclusive celebration. Although the actor can’t give more info on his exit and final move, his fans will be watching him closely. A colleague, who wished to remain anonymous, said Jamie was one of the most dedicated actors he has ever worked with. “When you say action, he immediately switches from being sweet Jamie…

SLAIN Bafana Bafana Captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa will finally get his tombstone by or before June. Head of Parks and Recreation, Thembinkosi Ngcobo from eThekwini Municipality said: “Senzo’s tombstone will be erected in the next four months. We’ve communicated with the family and have already started working on it. “We’re doing the first phase which includes the removal of trees. The second phase will include erecting a tombstone for Senzo.” Without mentioning names, Ngcobo revealed there were other provincial heroes who would be getting tombstones. “There’re other heroes who were buried there, but don’t have tombstones. We want the public to know we’re in the process of erecting tombstones in all those graves. The plan is to turn the cemetery into an open-air museum. “After this, we…

By ROBIN-DUKE MADLALA and HOPEWELL MPAPU ORLANDO PIRATES striker Justin Shonga may be experiencing a dry goal spell on the field. But off the pitch, the footie has allegedly netted them right, left and centre. This as he’s allegedly impregnated two ladies, Boitumelo Kobedi and Justina Ngoma, who are said to have been convinced by the footie to perform an abortion. According to one of the WhatsApp messages sent to one of Justin’s friends by one of the women, the Zambian star’s modus operandi is liking women’s social media posts and then sending them direct messages for further engagement. Asked for comment, Justina confirmed she met the footie via social media. Justina said they began seeing each other after she met the 23-year-old soccer star in Pretoria – where they…

LIMPOPO Artists Movement is unimpressed with the annual Marula Festival. The movement is threatening to boycott this year’s edition of the gig if their demands aren’t met. The 15th edition of the festival is set to take place from 21-29 February. Organisation chairperson Mpho Mashabela said: “We want our artists who won last year’s Marula Festival build-up Competition to be a priority. If they are not booked, we’ll boycott the event.” Mpho said he has tried to engage the department of economic development, environment and tourism and the service provider on the matter. “The service provider, who’s also the festival’s organiser, keeps sending me from pillar to post.” He said the movement feels artists from other provinces, especially Gauteng, dominate at the festival. “They always bring artists from Gauteng. If…

FORMER SuperSport United defender Thabo September is caught in an off-the-field match with his baby mama. Their fight has resulted in their child’s school fees not being paid. The school, which is known to Sunday Sun, expelled September’s kid this month because the school fees wasn’t paid. According to documents in possession of Sunday Sun, the parents also owe more than R21 000 for last year. According to a letter from the school, the hard tackler, who hung up his boots in 2016, has failed to settle the R21 310 fee balance, resulting in the 11-year-old being kicked out of school. The 37-year-old retired defender and baby mama reached a parenting plan that was made the order of court at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in 2013. Said the child’s mum:…

BOOK: Proof of Conspiracy AUTHOR: Seth Abramson PUBLISHER: St Martin’s Press PRICE: R455 REVIEWER: Simphiwe Malinga THIS book highlights the possibility of a proof of conspiracy on how Donald Trump won the 2016 elections. It also includes the financial gains he received through his alliance partners. The allies include Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. According to the book, it seems Russia wants to use Trump to remove the sanctions the US has placed on it. This will be an economic benefit to the country, as it will allow Russia’s economy to grow by leaps and bounds. The author also takes us on a journey of how Israel wanted Donald Trump to declare Jerusalem the capital city of Israel which, if effected, could have a…

MY cousin’s son had been saving for two years to buy himself a Playstation. There was a rule in his home that he’d only get gadgets when he turned 13 years old. At 10, he thought it would be decades before he got to that age. So, he saved up all his pocket money – which was meant for use at the tuck shop on Fridays – for two years to contribute toward his desired gaming console. His savings, which accrued in a huge pink piggy bank, were a great source of pride as his parents updated the family about their son’s progress. The process may have started with a mere R80, but soon grew to R2 000 as his parents promised to meet him halfway to secure his coveted…

SCHOOLS have finally opened and I plead with parents to ensure the safety of their children. This by enrolling them at schools that are closer to their homes. It’s every parent’s right to choose a school that has a reputation of good performance. But they should remember that no matter how good the school is, kids still need good parenting. Take part in your child’s schoolwork and activities. Be interested and monitor them. Mantshela Mothogoane, Jane Furse…

Aquarius (21 Jan – 18 Feb) Love: Either you’re searching too desperately, or you’re overlooking someone that’s right under your nose. Self:  Don’t rely on your family to make dating introductions on your behalf. Money: When one door closes another opens. Pisces (19 Feb – 19 Mar) Self: If you’re unusually emotional, you may be tempted to spend on unnecessary items without thinking. Money: Retail therapy may lift your spirits, but it’s not the answer. Life: Your persuasiveness gets you nowhere when you target someone whose mind is already made up. Let others make up their own minds. Aries (20 Mar – 19 Apr) Social: You’re being a bit louder than the rest of the crowd and it’s attracting the kind of attention you don’t want. Mind: Before you speak…

ENTREPRENEUR Harry Motsepe’s business whims have caught Mzansi’s favourite past time, the braai. He’s the founder of Mokgobo Monicca Motsepe Trading Enterprise that manufactures a stylish braai stand. According to Harry, his venture was launched in Hammanskraal, Pretoria, in 2016. Explained Harry: “My customer base is both black and white people. They come to me because they have a taste for style and good design. “Also, my customers use my products outdoors to braai meat, as a fireplace and also to cook.” The businessman said he’d reduced the production of his braai stands down to a science. He said he used a template to produce the bowl structure, which is made from river sand mixed with cement and a special chemical to make it durable. He said the process took…

THE double tragedy that befell the Mathebulas is a rare and unfortunate occurrence that would melt any diener’s heart. News of former WBA World Flyweight champion Peter Mathebula’s death, followed by that of his wife Emma Gabaitsiwe’s five days later, has left many South Africans heartbroken. Mzansi is mourning the passing of the “father of boxing”, who was the first to be crowned a world champion in 1980 at age 28. Mathebula was our pride. Still wet behind the ears, I knew back then that my uncle was a staunch boxing fan. We would at times stay long hours at a neighbour’s house until 3am waiting for the first bell to go off for an international fight. We had no TV set at home, which brought us closer to our…

WORLD Cup-winning flank Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named South African Rugby Player of the Year, retaining the prize he won last year and adding to his 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award. Du Toit (27), who can also play at lock, was instrumental in the Springboks’ victory at the 2019 World Cup in Japan with his mighty scrummaging, ferocious defence and powerful running with ball in hand. “Pieter-Steph led the charge for the Springboks and deserves this accolade to go with his World Player of the Year Award,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said in a media release on Friday. “The 2019 season will be ingrained in our memories for decades to come.” Du Toit has also previously captained the Boks in Siya Kolisi’s absence and has…

WITH six months to go before the Olympic Games kick off in Tokyo, Japan, SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), have signaled their intentions to fight for SA athletics’ poster girl, Caster Semenya. Semenya and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) are at loggerheads because the world athletics body is putting a stop to female athletes with the high testosterone level from participating at world major events. The IAAF have issued a regulation that forces athletes with higher testosterone levels to take supplements to suppress them. Semenya lost her appeal against the IAAF to suspend this ruling and, as a result, she missed out at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, last year. Athletes with high testosterone levels are not allowed to compete in Semenya’s specialised events…

GOLDEN ARROWS and Zimbabwe left back Divine Lunga is licking his lips at the prospect of his country facing Bafana Bafana in the World Cup qualifiers. Bafana were drawn in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers held in Cairo, Egypt, against The Warriors, Ethiopia and Ghana midweek. It’s one of the toughest groups that represents a tasty year ahead of entertaining football, as only group winners will progress to the play-offs. Zimbabwe have challenges though. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) have ruled that Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium in Harare no longer meets their standards to host international matches. The only stadium approved by Caf is Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, 440km from Harare, which has been given temporary approval. The World Cup qualifiers will start in October this year and end…

SUNSPORT has established that Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has submitted the names of the players he wants to keep beyond this season. One of them is striker Bernard Parker, who is among a bevy of players that will see their contracts end this current season. Parker (33), who is in his ninth season with Amakhosi, seems to have impressed Middendorp this season. Hence he has submitted his name to the club’s football manager Bobby Motaung. Said the mole: “Middendorp has submitted the list of players to Bobby that he wants to keep and see their contracts renewed and Bernard Parker is one of them. Everything is in Bobby’s hands now, to sit down with Parker and agree on the new terms.” Parker, who has won two league titles with…

• JACQUES Nienaber was named the new Springbok coach on Friday as part of a revised coaching panel, that will report directly to Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby. Nienaber is promoted from an assistant coach’s role to carry the day-to-day responsibility while Erasmus will continue directing strategy in a tweaking of a panel that’s heavily accented on continuity. Mzwandile Stick has been reappointed as an assistant coach. Felix Jones will continue in a new role as a European-based coaching consultant. There are two new appointments with Deon Davids appointed forwards coach while Daan Human, the Bulls’ scrum coach, takes up the same role with the Springboks on a shared basis. • BIDVEST WITS duo Ricardo Goss and and Sameehg Doutie have been charged with misconduct after they allegedly…

ORLANDO Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer’s fairytale in the Absa Premiership continues. The German mentor has successfully guided the Buccaneers to five out of six wins since he took over the reins. Bucs have been playing some enterprising football since Zinnbauer took over the reins a month ago. They have tightened up their defense and are a completely different team from the one that lost games and conceded goals at the start of the season. Bucs marched on to their fourth win this year with a hard fought 1-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium last night. Pule was the main culprit, as he failed to capitalize on numerous goal scoring opportunities in the first half. But he redeemed himself when he grabbed the winner after the break. Pule got…

A BIG surprise awaits Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi when she touches down on Mzansi shores next weekend. The 27-year-old model and beauty queen, together with media personality Bonang Matheba, are the faces of the Sun Met 2020 taking place at Cape Town’s Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday. But while her return is eagerly-awaited, one Cape Town artist has put pen to paper in a tribute to the Eastern Cape-born beauty queen. Themba Mkhangeli has drawn a portrait of Zozi, as she’s affectionately known, using a ballpoint-pen. Zozi, who’s now based in New York, is expected to land at the Cape Town International Airport next week to much funfare ahead of what’s been dubbed “Africa’s Richest Race Day”. In a recent interview, Zozi said: “I can’t wait to feel the energy, when…

TV presenter and Khuli China’s wife DJ Lamiez Holworthy’s Live Amp contract has been temporarily put on ice. But she might get her job back in March when the new season of the SABC1 show is commissioned. This, according to SABC insiders, is because of the public broadcaster’s financial woes that saw many shows being repeated. Said the first informant: “The SABC has been repeating shows for a while now due to money problems. Kiddies and youth show YOTV was put on ice for a year and will only get a new season from 1 February.” The second mole said Live Amp, produced by Urban Brew Studios, will also air repeats until March. “The SABC’s financial situation has been laid bare. This has also affected some shows big time. Ony…

By MAVI NGCOBO DJ TIRA is known for being a shrewd businessman. And thanks to his quick maneuvering, the Afrotainment record label boss has signed the Qwabe twins. Virginia and Viggy Qwabe made their debut in the past season of the reality TV show, Idols SA. Having won Mzansi over with their singing abilities and versatility, fans were convinced they’d win the music talent search competition. But Virginia was eliminated from the show in November. Hours following her removal, Viggy announced she’d decided to withdraw. Following Viggy’s announcement, social media speculated there was more to her withdrawal than met the eye. But the network from which the show is broadcast, M-Net, dismissed the rumours. While on the show, the twins caught Afro-soul singer Zahara’s attention. She even announced publicly that…

Bhele shooting movie about his entire life BIG things are on the horizon for iconic footballer, Dr Siyabonga “Bhele” Nomvethe. Not only is he in the process of shooting a movie based on his life, he’s on the brink of releasing a deodorant for men. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun, Bhele said he was excited about his projects. Insisted Bhele: “The movie has been titled The Legend, but I can’t reveal much about it, except that we’re already working on it. The characters have already been identified, including myself.” According to the good doctor, the film tracks his life from childhood to adulthood. Explained Bhele: “The movie will feature how I grew up from poverty to become the person I am today. It will be shot in different…

AS the showdown in Mpumalanga’s leadership battle is brewing, it will be interesting to see who emerges victorious. The position for the provincial chairperson is highly contested. This as premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane faces off with the acting provincial chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu. What makes this even more interesting is that Ndlovu’s camp presents itself as an “independence” slate that wants to free itself from Deputy President David Mabuza’s control. But it’s a known fact that Mtsweni-Tsipane is Mabulza’s ally. This means her victory is set to give Mabuza power to dictate terms. This isn’t good for governance ethics. Mpumalanga needs a leader who won’t subscribe to any higher power, as that may be against good governance. Ndlovu may not be a premier, but he’s a better candidate and would ensure better…

ENOCH Mpianzi died a painful death at Nyati Lodge in Brits, North West, because of alleged gross negligence by the facility’s facilitators and Parktown Boys High’s teachers. The story of the 13-year-old’s disappearance and subsequent death captured Mzansi with its sad ending. This as his body was fished from the Crocodile River. Since the drowning, the blanket of silence and delay by the school to answer pertinent questions about his death points to an institution that was hiding the truth. Enoch died because the lodge and facilitators demonstrated with their reaction that he was just a number of the many boys who came to a camping trip to swell their profits. How else do we explain the actions of the lodge, whose first contact with the public through their lawyer…

WHILE waiting for events to start again, I decided to compile a list of questions my fellow gossipers would like to ask celebs. • Is Johanna Mukoki, aka Bassie’s sister, still a married woman? And will your sister, Bassie, sue us for this question – since one of her hobbies is calling her lawyers? • Will Savita Mbuli ever get married again. You can’t waste that hotness? • Where is Sbu Mpisane, now that mamKhize is happening? • We hear Connie Ferguson and Dineo Langa don’t talk to each other. What’s the matter? • What’s happening between Malusi Gigaba’s wife, Noma and Bheki Cele’s wife Thembeka? They used to be close. • Still, Noma and Thembeka, what happened in Greece? Should I mention the Durban businessman? • Sarah Langa, will…

WORLD-RENOWNED former boxing referee and judge, Stanley Christodoulou, said with the passing of Peter “Terror” Mathebula, the ranks of South African boxing legends have grown a little thinner. Mathebula (67), the first black South African boxer to win a world title, passed away last Saturday at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp after battling ill health for some time. Five days later, his wife, Emma Gabaitsiwe Mathebula, followed suit. Christodoulou, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York in 2004, is saddened by the couple’s passing. “It’s sad what happened to the Mathebulas. My condolences to them. Peter earned his position among legends through his achievement in a Los Angeles ring in 1980. “Fighting as he did at a time when opportunity didn’t come his way…

MZANSI’S national Under-23 coach David Notoane wants the poster boy of South African football Percy Tau to be a part of his Olympic squad. Notoane said if Egypt are taking Mo Salah to the games, why should Young Bafana leave their most popular and influential footballer behind? Notoane confirmed his plan to fill a left back position, and Tau as part of his three over-age players for the Olympic Games starting in Tokyo, Japan from 24 July until 9 August. Notoane said Tau, who plays for Club Brugge in the Belgian league, is hot property in local football. Notoane is crossing fingers that the star player will be released by his club, as the Games don’t fall under the Fifa international calendar. Said Notoane: “If Egypt want Mo Salah to…