Zuptas win another round in ongoing battle for the soul of the ANC - Scrolla.Africa

Monday 15th February
                                        2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

Zuptas win another round in ongoing
battle for the soul of the ANC
Lungani Zungu

              Ace Magashule continues to ride the crest of a
              wave of anti-Ramaphosa sentiments in the ANC
              and once again survived another meeting of the
party's national executive committee.

Magashule who leads the Zupta faction in the ANC has
intimidated the NEC into submission.

The party's national integrity commission has had a tell-all
session with Magashule which ended with a recommendation
that the party secretary be forced to step aside until his legal
battles are resolved.

Magashule has been charged with fraud and corruption in a
R250 million asbestos tender scandal in the Free State.

For months now the ANC has been battling to implement a
resolution of its last conference which requires leaders to step
aside from their positions when charged by the police.

A confident Magashule told Scrolla.Africa that he would not
succumb to any pressure for him to step aside.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m a member of the ANC in good
standing and I will not be intimidated to leave the office.”

His five-year term will expire next year.

He vowed to continue fighting, describing what was happening
inside the fragmented ruling party as a “political war.”

Magashule said he knew the people who were peddling the
calls for him to go.

“It’s never heard in the ANC that an elected member will be
told to resign through the media.”

Magashule said he would step aside if told by the branches of
the ANC to do so.

He is due back at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on
Friday.

He maintains his hands are clean.

Meanwhile his political ally, Jacob Zuma, is due to appear
before the Zondo commission today.

Zuma has issued a statement saying he will not follow a direct
instruction from the Constitutional Court ordering him to
cooperate with the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.

Zuma maintains that Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who
chairs the commission, is a family friend.

Picture source: @Magashule_ace

Study finds that up to 63% of South
Africans have had Covid-19
Arthur Greene

It has long been reported that the actual number of Covid cases
is likely to be greatly higher than the confirmed cases.

Now, results from a study which tested 4,858 blood donors
show that as many as 63% of the population of South Africa
have already had Covid-19, the Sunday Times reports.

The results, which were published on Friday, also show that the
country’s black population holds a disproportionately higher
rate of infection than its white population.

In KwaZulu-Natal, one of the areas in which the test was carried
out, black people were five times more likely than white people
to have been infected with the virus.

The study was led by authors from the National Blood Service
(NBS), who tested subjects for the antibodies to the virus which
causes Covid-19.

These antibodies help the body to neutralise the effects of the
virus and we have them only if we have been previously
infected.

The tests were carried out in four provinces: the Eastern Cape,
the Northern Cape, the Free State and in KwaZulu-Natal.

Although only 2-3% of these regions’ populations have tested
positive for Covid-19, the NBS’s study suggests that between 32
and 63% of their entire populations have actually been infected
with the virus.

The study also showed that although there was no real
difference in rates of infectivity between people of different
ages and sexes, there was a striking difference between races.

Black people were between three times (Northern Cape) and
five times (KwaZulu-Natal) more likely than white people to
have antibodies to the virus.

“Our study demonstrates substantial differences in
dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infection between different race
groups, most likely explained by historically-based differences

in socio-economic status and housing conditions,” the
researchers write.

The country reported more than 2,300 new coronavirus cases
and 151 Covid-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours.

Picture source: @webMD

Free State's Stingy Men
Kabelo Tlhabanelo

Valentine's Day is traditionally the day when men
buy roses, chocolates and spoil their girlfriends
and partners.

But this year, some men in Mangaung chose to join the Stingy
Men Association - with it’s slogans: “Give them nothing” and
“Let me see what I can do”.

And for members caught spending on women there will be
consequences.

Scrolla.Africa met the men at the K-la-K car wash in Mangaung
and they said they were having fun and enjoyed not spending
money on women.

Member, Sthembile Mehlo told Scrolla.Africa: “Last year I spent
about R14,000 on her Valentine’s Day.”

He said it included breakfast at a restaurant and then a
massage, shopping and lunch at a top Bloemfontein restaurant
before spending the night at the best hotel.

“But that was the last time,” he said.

“Right now I am with my colleagues and having fun.”

He said he spoke to her and she understands that he is a
member of the Stingy Men Association.

“With the coming Valentines, I will see what I can do!”

Association spokesman, Thami Kopane said they want to
minimise spending.

He said when the slogan “Give them nothing” took off on social
media they decided to put the idea into practice.

“We hope to grow it to a national level,” he said.

“We will be looking at each other’s bank statements to see if
there are any suspicious transactions.”

He said members caught being generous will be banned for six
months and fined. They will be travelling and the banned
member won't be travelling with them.

“We are looking at spending the money from the fines on
things like sanitary towels and other items for school kids.”

Madala’s tragic death may not be in
vain
Elmon Tshikhudo

              For over 20 years the residents of Sane Village in
              the Makhado Municipality, Limpopo have
              pleaded for the bridge over the Mufongodi river
to be repaired. But their requests have fallen on deaf ears.

It has taken the tragic death of 75-year-old madala Simon
Ratshilumela for the Makhado Municipality to pay any
attention to them.

Residents said that since 2000 they have been promised a
proper bridge many times but the villagers have been using a
makeshift cable bridge to get to the other side during heavy
rains.

Ratshilumela fell ill last week and could not be taken to hospital
as the river was overflowing.

In the end, he passed away and the family had to make use of a
tractor to get the body to the mortuary as the river was still
high and a hearse could not pass.

After cries from the community the Makhado Municipality
erected a cable bridge overnight to allow the community to
give the old man a dignified funeral and he was finally buried
on Saturday.

Bereaved family member Nndutsheni Ratshilumela said they
were relieved that they finally gave their father a decent
funeral after watching him die without help.

"We hope his death was not in vain and served as an eyeopener
for the government and highlighted the plight of our
community,” he said.

“We are thankful that our father was given a decent sendoff."

Makhado Municipality mayor Samuel Munyai said the
construction of the bridge was already planned.

“We can tell the community that a bridge is to be constructed
here starting from March 2021. We have given the contractor
six months to complete the bridge,” he said. The contractor
was introduced to the community during the week.

Greedy headmen blamed for needless
deaths of people
Dalphine Tagwireyi

A desperation for housing stands, family plots
and greedy headmen are directly responsible for
the needless deaths of people during the rainy
season.

Inkosi Sandile Ngomane said headmen trying to make a quick
buck are selling sites to desperate people on clearly defined
flood plains along rivers and dams.

At as much as R20,000 a plot, it's a lucrative scheme.

“Headmen who allocate stands next to the rivers, dams and
water streams after an exchange of money, must be arrested
for the drowning and fatalities during this period,” Inkosi
Ngomane said.

Hundreds of desperate people in Kanyamazane, Mbombela
continue falling prey to unscrupulous headmen who are taking
advantage of the desperate situation and charging as much as
R20,000 for a piece of land.

The majority of the homes that were swept away by Cyclone
Eloise were situated in wetlands, swamps and floodplains.

Jabulani Ngcobo told Scrolla.Africa he came from Gauteng and
got land because he thought he would save money.

“I paid R10,000 for a stand which should be for free. Some of
my neighbours paid as much as R20,000.”

Ngcobo and several others who were affected at Kanyamazane
were evacuated and are currently sheltered at evacuation
centres which include schools and churches.

Mpumalanga has been one of the hardest hit provinces
suffering a torrid aftermath from the damage caused by
Cyclone Eloise.

A victim at Kanyamazane's informal settlement, Sipho
Makulube was swept away with part of his house which was
built next to a stream and the search to recover his body is still
ongoing.

Picture source: Facebook

Stabbed radio presenter’s life of fear
Kabelo Tlhabanelo

Dimakatso Ratselane, the Lesedi FM current affairs presenter,
endured a marriage from hell for five years, culminating in
being stabbed by her husband 29 times.

“She was very scared of him. He threatened her all the time,”
said family spokesman Tsietsi Mohoalali who is also
Dimakatso’s colleague at SABC’s Lesedi FM in Bloemfontein.

The family said the husband beat her regularly and threatened
her with the worst if she ever told anyone.

Mohoalali told Scrolla.Africa: “The husband fetched Dimakatso
from work and they were going to get their baby in Mangaung.
The quarrel started while they were driving and the husband
started stabbing her inside the car.”

Dimakatso managed to open the door and fell out of the car.
The husband fled on foot with the car keys. She was kept at a
house while an ambulance and the police were called.

The car with the blood-splattered interior was taken away by
police. The knife was found inside.

Mohoalali said Dimakatso is recovering well in hospital.

“Only a few people were allowed to see her,” he said.

“We don’t even know the reason for the latest attack because
she couldn’t speak. But we will also not allow her to relive the
events of that tragedy. It’s too early.”

The couple had been married for less than five years and lived
in Mandela View.

Another Lesedi FM staff member said: “He is a bully who needs
to be taken away from us.”

Police spokesman Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed the
suspect is an ex-cop.

He told Scrolla.Africa a case of attempted murder was opened
at Kagisanong police and the manhunt for the suspect has been
launched.

He appealed for anyone who might know the whereabouts of
the suspect to contact Crime Stop or the MySAPS App.

Picture source: Facebook

Constable Matome’s a house and
kwaito hit
Everson Luhanga

                  Matome is a dedicated police officer who has
                  won numerous provincial awards and has even
                  been nominated for national awards.

But when he swaps his firearm for the microphone, he
entertains his fans with great music which has of late been
getting airplay all around the world.

In his career as a police officer, Constable Matome said he has
collected seven awards in total. He started out as a cop in 2001
in Krugersdorp before being redeployed to nearby Tarlton on
the West Rand.

“I serve the people of Tarlton, west of Johannesburg as a cop,
but at the same time, I’m a musician who brings great sounds
to my fans,” he said.

The multi-talented cop recently released a hit single called
Nxolele which has been celebrated by industry heavyweights.

Matome is a kwaito and house artist who has been nominated
twice for the Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards.

His talent was first noticed when he got a chance to be a
resident DJ for Ukhozi in November on Fak'umoya hosted by
Zeal Dladla.

“Whatever I get into, I make sure I put my heart into it. As a
human being, I embrace working hard. That is why I get awards
as a policeman and nominations as a musician. It is all about
discipline and hardwork,” he explained.

Matome said Nxolele has been on high rotation on MTVbase.

“People love the song with the energy it brings. Many national
and international radio stations have been playing it.”

He added that Covid-19 had a negative effect on his music
label, Scylash Entertainment, as it has on so many others,
because he couldn’t get gigs.

“I couldn't finish recording new artists. There were no gigs as
the government didn’t allow large gatherings. I survived on my
work salary.”

Downs starts group campaign with win,
while Pirates cruise over Jwaneng
Galaxy
Timmy T Maranda

Mamelodi Sundowns got their Total CAF
Champions League group stage campaign off to a
perfect start, with a 2-0 home victory over Al
Hilal at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.

Goals in each half by defender Mosa Lebusa and striker Kermit
Erusmas were enough to give Masandawana a two-goal
cushion and a place at the top of the group following a shocking
draw between TP Mazembe (Zambia) and CR Belouizdad
(Algeria) in the other match.

Mose Lebusa Tweeted: "We analysed their corners and we
capitalised on that, especially in the near post and that's how I
scored the goal."

"I knew once I connected with the ball that it's going in, just a
little bit of a touch. We have been working on it and I am glad it
worked out."

The 2016 CAF Champions have played the Sudanese side Al
Hilal three times in this competition, with two wins and a 4-2
defeat back in 2008.

The clash saw newly-signed defender Rushine De Reuck make
the bench for the first time since joining the Brazilians from
Maritzburg United.

Mthobi Mvala, Kermit Erusmas and Peter Shalulile started for
Bafana Ba Style for the first time in a group stage campaign.

Meanwhile, in the CAF Confederation Cup Orlando Pirates
cruised to 3-0 win away against Botswana Champions Jwaneng
Galaxy to edge closer to group stage qualification on Sunday
afternoon at Gaborone National Stadium in Botswana.

Goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo, Linda Mtambo and a second-
half substitute Jean-Marc Mundele gave the Buccaneers the
three-goal-cushion.

The return leg will be played in Johannesburg next Sunday and
Pirates have one foot in the group stage having last played in
the CAF Confederation Cup group stage back in 2015.

Picture source: @Masandawana

Spezia stun log leaders AC Milan
Timmy T Maranda

Giant-killers Spezia Calcio pulled off the biggest upset of the
season by beating log leaders AC Milan 2-0 in the Italian Serie A
match on Saturday at Alberto Picco Stadium.

The newly promoted side stunned the title contenders with
second half goals from Giulo Maggiore and Simone Bastoni.
Spezia recorded back to back wins against Sassuolo and AC
Milan.

The defeat for log leaders AC Milan means that the title race is
wide open. Defending Champions Juventus 1-0 loss to Napoli
has made the title race even more of a lottery.

AC Millan manager Stafano Pioli said he took full responsibility
for their defeat.

"If you watched us during the training, you could tell that our
performance will be insufficient, including myself," AC Milan
manager Stefano Pioli told AC Milan twitter.

"We didn’t underestimate the opposition but we just failed to
bring our quality, ideas and intensity to the field," said Pioli.

"We deserved to lose against a team that played better than us
and the responsibility is ours. And that starts with me."

City rivals Inter Milan will have an opportunity to move to the
top of the log tonight if they beat Lazio with the Milan derby
next weekend.

Milan’s next match is the Europa League match on Thursday
against Crvena Zvezda at Red Star Stadium, kick-off at 8pm.

Picture source: @speziacalcio

Merciless Man City bags 11th
consecutive win
Menzi Magubane

               Lately Manchester City are taking no prisoners
               and on Saturday they won an 11th straight
               league match, making them the first team to
enjoy such a rich winning streak this season.

The Citizens produced yet another world-class performance as
they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Etihad Stadium. It was
sweet revenge for City after Spurs beat them 2-0 in the league's
reverse fixture in November.

The win has taken the six-time EPL winners to seven points
clear on top of the table, and with a game in-hand.

Player of the month for January, IIkay Gundogan was once
again on target, scoring his second brace in two consecutive
matches. However, he had to see out his man of the match
performance in the stands due to an injury to his groin.

His first brace was last Sunday when they demolished Liverpool
4-1.

The 30-year-old midfielder is enjoying the form of his life since
taking the number 9 role in the absence of forward Sergio
Aguero.

Gundogan's recent form has seen him score 11 goals in 12
matches.

“I am delighted about his performance,” said coach Pep
Guadiola.

“He won the player of the month last month and he could do it
again this month.”

In another title match on Saturday, Leicester City came from a
goal down to beat Liverpool 3-1.

Once again the Reds keeper Alisson Becker produced a howler
when he gifted Leicester three points, just as he did last week
against the Citizens.

Liverpool are now 11 points behind log leaders.

In November Liverpool beat Leicester 3-0 at Anfield.

Other EPL results
Brighton 0-0 Aston Villa; Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley.

Picture source: @dimbacrazy

3rd T20 in Lahore: Miller Majestic – but
too little too late
Lucky Mdluli

South Africa’s first overs at the crease was
nothing short of a bloodbath. The first wicket
went down for 10 runs, then wickets went down
at 24, 41, 46, 46 and with South Africa at 6 for 48, the match
was all but over and the series lost.

But then, enter David Miller. Not even a cheesy scriptwriter for
a Sylvester Stallone action movie could have dreamt up the
David Miller-scenario.

In itself his 85 off 45 balls with four sixes in the last over, was
already spectacular. Given the circumstances, it will go down as
one of the most inspired knocks in South African T20 history.

With Pakistan at the crease, it soon seemed that Miller’s
performance would be too little too late but then Shamsi took
Rizwan (42), Ali (15) and Talat (5) in quick succession and in his
final over took Asif Ali for 7. A special performance and a slight
glimmer of hope.

But with two overs to go, Pakistan needed 16 runs and only a
miracle could save South Africa. But when Phehlukwayo
conceded six runs off his first ball, it was all over - bar the
shouting.

Pakistan wins the T20 2-1 and the five-day tests 2-0. They
would not be unhappy with the result.

Picture source: @OfficialCSA