Thursday 18th February 2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

FAMILY SHOCKED TO FIND WRONG BODY IN COFFIN Kabelo Tlhabanelo

Dineo Maloko said her sister, Maleshoane Mohapi, was supposed to be buried on Wednesday, but the funeral parlour supplied a boy’s body - dressed in her late sister’s clothes.

The family had prepared food for the funeral. But The Will Funerals had lost the body of their mum who had died on 9 February in hospital.

“What angered me more was the fact that this strange body was wearing my sister’s clothes,” Dineo told Scrolla.Africa.

“We immediately told them it was not Maleshoane and they took the body back to the parlour.”

She said her sister’s body could not be found at the parlour.

“They arrived at about midnight and said they had found my sister’s body but refused to say where. I suspect my sister had been buried by another family and she was taken out of the grave.”

Maleshoane’s daughter, Granny, said she was also saddened by what had happened.

Manager Keke Mabule told the family he didn’t know where the body was found.

“But I will be investigating and checking the CCTV footage,” he said.

“I am prepared to help the family with a casket, tombstone and a sheep to apologise.”

The angry family said they also needed to do a cleansing at the house with another sheep because of the strange dead body that spent time there to which Mabule agreed.

When Scrolla.Africa confronted Mabule for more questions he declined to comment to the media.

The funeral was postponed to Thursday at 10am.

When Scrolla.Africa arrived at the family home, the pastor was still waiting for the hearse to bring the coffin into the tent inside the family’s yard.

NPA says more charges coming for Ace Lungani Zungu

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has shot down Ace Magashule’s claim that he doesn’t know what he’s being charged with.

Magashule who is due at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday said he will be demanding that his case be struck off the roll if the state prosecutor can’t serve him with a charge sheet.

“To this day, I don’t know what the charges are,” the ANC Secretary General told Scrolla.Africa.

However, Sipho Ngwema, the NPA spokesman, said Magashule received his first charge sheet on his first appearance in court on November 13th.

“On Friday when he will appear again, he will receive an updated charge sheet with added charges. There will also be other co-accused brought to court that will appear alongside him,” Ngwema said.

Magashule earlier told Scrolla.Africa that “the charge now, prosecute later” modus operandi of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority can’t be allowed to continue.

“As citizens, we must speak out against this because if we don’t the status quo will remain the same,” he said.

Magashule’s court appearance comes at a time when he is fighting for his position as ANC secretary-general.

He was dealt a blow over the weekend after the ANC national executive committee agreed that leaders who were facing charges must step aside until cleared.

The NEC has given the party branches 30 days to finalise the guidelines before the policy is officially implemented.

Magashule said it was an internal matter of the ANC but added: “But I’m not worried because I know that my hands are clean.”

Asked about the factions within the ANC, he said he led one ANC which had one president.

Magashule, a strong Zuma man, is believed to be leading an anti-President Cyril Ramaphosa grouping within the ANC.

In his first court appearance in November, his supporters outside the court were already calling for him as the next party presidential candidate at the ANC’s elective conference next year.

Magashule is out on R200,000 bail facing 21 charges of corruption and fraud, or theft and money laundering. This comes from the R255 million asbestos tender that was issued during his time as premier of the Free State.

Picture source: @TimesLIVE

Inside Glebelands, the deadly hostel where life is cheap and protection expensive Lungani Zungu

From the outside, Glebelands looks like a normal hostel.

But inside those grey walls, more than 25,000 residents live in fear as warring groups allegedly fight over what is called a protection fee.

According to residents, a protection fee is the money they pay monthly to the people who claim to be protecting them from would-be attackers.

They pay anything from R100 to R500. These amounts, multiplied by the 25,000 residents, is a lucrative business for those behind it.

Some of those who rebel against this so-called protection fee have paid with their lives.

According to violence monitor, Vanessa Burger, more than 120 people died at the hostel between 2014 and 2019.

She said eleven more have died in the last five months. And many of these deaths are allegedly connected to not paying up.

Burger said there seems to be more splinter groups fighting over the protection fee.

“It seems there are now three splinter groups that were previously connected to the 'Glebelands Eight’,” she said.

The Glebelands Eight is the name that was given to the men, including a police officer Bhekimuzi Mdweshu, who were arrested in 2017 for allegedly stoking the violence in Glebelands.

They are Khayelihle ‘Mroza’ Mbuthuma, Vukani Manenze Mcobothi, Eugene Hlophe, Mbuyiselwa Mkhize, Ncomekile Matlale Ntshangase, Mondli Talente Mthethwa and Bongani Mbhele.

Kgabo’s backyard school for mechanics - and even women can apply Tebogo Moobi

Through his township car workshop Kgabo Boshomane is teaching young people the skills to fix cars as he points them towards their dreams.

More than 80 young people have benefited from his workshop, Kgabo Cars, in Soshanguve, Tshwane.

When Kgabo started his workshop in 2010 while he still had a day job, he wanted to empower the youth and started inviting young men to help him.

"Before I became a mechanic, I studied teaching but I never graduated. My passion has always been with cars,' he said.

"I made a promise to myself that I will become a mechanic. But I also decided I will not deliver sloppy work.”

In 2012, while still working part time he decided to open an artisan centre at his workshop and it was a success.

So far he has produced 82 artisans of which 20 are women. Almost all of them are currently employed in different companies across the country.

He is currently working on a project to open training schools for eight females so they can do the same thing he is doing.

Kgabo said he has been working with Sita and other private companies that have supported his course but he does not have any sponsorship.

He said it has always been hard working without government help because he is expected to be compliant and have qualified mentors for his students.

"I wish I could get a permanent sponsorship so that I could help more youth."

At the moment he has 40 pupils.

Kgabo has won different awards including the Automechanica Absa South Africa award, the Tshwane Mayoral Award and the Township Enterprise award, among others.

LOVED AND LOST: Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad (1943-2021) Phillip van Niekerk

The man is gone but the dream lives on

Maalim Seif Hamad’s dream was to se e his beloved islands of Zanzibar turned into the Dubai of Africa, an offshore haven for the bustling economies of East Africa.

He embodied the split nature of Tanzania, a country created in haste in 1964 as a merger between the vast nation of Tanganyika and the tiny islands of Zanzibar.

He was prominent in Tanzanian politics, a friend and colleague of the country’s legendary founder Julius Nyerere, while being a Zanzibari nationalist.

Mostly he was a democrat and a man of high principle, a feature that in the rough world of Tanzanian politics required mountains of patience.

Born on the island of Pemba, then part of the British protectorate of Zanzibar, he became a teacher which is why he was always referred to as Maalim.

He was a member of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council after independence and rose to be a member of the central committee and head of economic planning for Tanzania’s ruling party, the CCM, between 1977 and 1987 before becoming Chief Minister of Zanzibar.

He was expelled from the ruling party after agitating for multiparty democracy and was imprisoned for two and a half years between 1989 and 1991 before Nyerere agreed to end one party rule in Tanzania in 1992.

Hamad along with other former ruling party members founded the opposition Civic United Front Party which despite winning six straight elections between 1995 and 2020 was always denied victory - such was the fear within the ruling party of losing control.

He was a beloved figure, especially on Pemba, where he always preached non-violence and reconciliation.

Most recently, in the elections of November 2020, members of Hamad’s party, the ACT-Wazalendo party, were shot, imprisoned and bludgeoned, and he was forced to become Vice President in a government of national unity.

He soon had to face a new challenge. Tanzanian President John Magufuli denied the existence of Covid in Tanzania, even though it was clear that many people were dying of the disease.

Magufuli shunned lockdowns, discouraged social distancing and the use of face masks, banned the release of data and refused to acquire vaccines. He called for prayers and herbal remedies to defeat it.

Hamad was hospitalized on February 9th after he and his wife tested positive for Covid.

He died on Tuesday, his dream of an economically prosperous and democratic Zanzibar a long way from fulfilment.

But he did plant the seeds for a different future and his example of tolerance and moderate Islam was an inspiration for the entire continent and the Indian Ocean region.

Tundu Lissu, the opposition candidate in the November 2020 elections, said of him: “Years of detention, treason trial, torture and untold hardships didn’t break him. Through highest highs and bottomless lows, he held high the banner of Zanzibari national aspirations.”

LOVED AND LOST: SOUL JAH LOVE (1989 – 2021) Sizwe Sibiya

Zim dancehall founder’s last dance

Soul, the man they call, Soul Jah Love was no stranger to tragedy before he became a famous star.

Born in 1989, he lost his mother when he was only a toddler. From the age of seven, when he was diagnosed as diabetic, he was in and out of hospital. His grandmother, who was his guardian, passed on when he was 10. His father and twin brother John Musaka passed away in 2005 when he was 15. Soul was left with his step-mother who kicked him out of the family house following his father’s death.

But still, he overcame the odds and became an award winning Zim Dancehall star, a tradition he helped found during his rise in the Zimbabwean music scene in 2012.

Soul Jah Love lived a controversial celebrity life after he married Bounty Lisa, a fellow dancehall star. The couple also made music together during their marriage which lasted only for a few years.

During a decade-long career Soul’s hits included his award winning song Ndini uya uya. He scooped two Zim Dancehall Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Upcoming Artist.

He cheated death twice in two separate car accidents, first in 2014 and in August 2016 when he was on his way to a gig at Victoria falls.

Soul released his latest music video for the song Simudza Gumbo three weeks ago under Passion Java Records and the song currently stands at over 200,000 views on YouTube.

He died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 31.

“He was rushed to Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare without a pulse and was declared dead upon arrival,” reported Zimbabwe’s local news.

His death was mourned on social media with fans proclaiming: “Rest in Peace Soul Jah Love. Zimbabwe will always remember you.”

Video source: YouTube Picture source: @daddyhope

Khune blunder costs Chiefs as Downs go five points clear Menzi Magubane

Itumeleng Khune howlers continue to cost Kaizer Chiefs dearly in this season's DStv Premiership.

Khune, who was preferred by Gavin Hunt over Daniel Akpeyi, had another horrible day at the office when 10-man Chiefs lost 2-1 at home to AmaZulu on Wednesday afternoon.

The 33-year-old keeper gifted Usuthu the winner just four minutes before the final whistle. AmaZulu used their one-man advantage as Lehlohonolo Majoro capitalised on a blunder from Khune, whose effort to clear a cross fell for the former Amakhosi man to flick the ball into the back of the net.

Before Wednesday's match Khune had been missing from the matchday squad since December.

Before getting a chance to be between the sticks on Wednesday he missed 10 games in all competitions. After another costly blunder against Usuthu, no one will blame Hunt for benching him again.

Khune, however, had little to blame in AmaZulu's opener in the stroke of half time. Augustine Mulenga put Usuthu ahead in the 46th minute and in the 67th minute Leonardo Castro equalised from a penalty spot.

Chiefs were once again reduced to 10 men when Darrel Matsheke was sent off. This was Chiefs’ second player in two games in a row to be sent off after Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya also got a red card against Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup.

This was Chiefs' three successive defeats after Orlando Pirates, Bay and now AmaZulu. A visitory saw Usuthu jump to sixth place while Chiefs remain in ninth.

Meanwhile Sundowns didn't have to break too much sweat in their 2-0 win at home against Baroka FC. Gaston Serino gave Downs the lead in the 64th minute.

Four minutes later Peter Shalulile put the match beyond doubt. Downs are now five points clear from second place SuperSport United after 16 matches.

Sundowns also became the first side to win 10 league games this season.

Picture source: @kickoff

All he wanted was his grant - all he got was abuse Mkhuseli Sizani

Andile Mkonto went to the post office to collect his Covid-19 grant relief money - but instead of money he got insults.

Andile from Nkandla, Port Elizabeth told Scrolla.Africa he arrived at the Cradock post office at 4am on Monday to collect R1,050 for the last three months.

“There were two female tellers and I gave one of them my ID to withdraw my grant. She told me that the money was not available,” he said.

He said he indicated the second teller who had helped him the last time, on 16 November, but the teller became angry and gave him a piece of paper to sign as a sample signature.

“The teller showed me a receipt with a similar signature as mine, but I asked her to give me a printout,” he said.

“They both refused and started insulting me for making them look like crooks. I was confused and embarrassed trying to explain to them that I know nothing about the R1,050 withdrawal.”

Security guards were called and Andile was dragged out of the post office by the shoulder.

“Now I am penniless and I don’t know how I will survive.”

Johan Kruger, Sapo national spokesperson denied the allegations.

He said the grant was paid out twice, in November and January, by scanning the physical barcode on the beneficiary's identity document.

“It is not possible to override the system,” he said.

“If the customer disputes these transactions he can lodge a formal complaint with us so that this matter can be investigated by our investigators.”

Axed Uzalo actors back by popular demand Philani Mzila

The producers of Uzalo have been forced to bring back axed characters.

Recently the exodus of high profile actors in SABC1’s most watched drama series continued as characters Mangcobo (Dawn Thandeka King), Gabisile (Baby Cele) and Qhabanga Khumalo (Siyabonga Shibe) exited the show.

According to a reliable source the producers, in an effort to bring back the glory days, have brought back the characters of Mxolisi played by Naymaps Maphalala, Mastermind played by Ntokozo Dlamini and GC played by Gagasi FM radio Dj and eHostela actor Khaya Dladla. The three actors allegedly began shooting with the cast this week.

"Desperation forced them to revisit their decisions,” said the source.

“Some writers felt it was time they let them go without realising that they had made them a brand with a huge following. When they left, they took their followers with them."

Another mole said Uzalo was trying very hard to bring back the spark as the competition is strong these days with Gomora, Skeem Saam and eHostela making the running.

Said another mole: “The Uzalo producers want to capitalise on the canning of Isibaya and get viewers to come to their show. They are very eager to bring back the glory days."

According to the storyline, Mastermind and Mxolisi left South Africa to start a new life in another country while GC went to start afresh in his village.

Attempts to get comment from Nay Maps proved fruitless as his phone was off. Uzalo Publicist Nomfundo Zondo declined to comment stating that she was waiting for the instruction from the producers of the show.

After you, sir! Ramaphosa close to the front of the queue for vaccine Arthur Greene

President Cyril Ramaphosa was one of the very first in South Africa to be vaccinated after Covid- 19 vaccines started being rolled out on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa, along with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, received their Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Khayelitsha District Hospital in Cape Town.

He said at first he was terrified of the long needle that was going to be embedded into his arm.

“But it happened so quickly, so easily, it was just a prick on my flesh and I really did not feel much pain,” Ramaphosa said afterwards.

“I was rather pleased that five people were vaccinated before me, they were health workers.”

Zoliswa Gidi-Dyosi, a labour ward sister, was the very first person in the country to receive the jab.

However, many have begun to ask why the President, and also the health minister, were able to get their jabs before the country’s healthcare workers who are in line to receive the vaccine first.

The Western Cape, where the Khayelitsha District Hospital is located, had received 13,000 of the 80,000 doses that arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday night, which will provide vaccines for about 10% of the healthcare workers in the Western Cape.

There is little doubt that Rampaphosa and Mkhize jumped the vaccine queue.

Western Cape health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo was present when these vaccines were administered but she said that she was not there to get vaccinated.

“So how can I jump the queue?” she asked journalists outside the hospital.

However, the government will argue that the country’s leaders must be among the first to receive the vaccine to increase the public’s trust in it.

South Africans distrust the vaccine more than most and several world leaders, such as President Biden and Pope Francis, have also already had the jab. Industrialist Johann Rupert flew to a clinic in Switzerland and got right in front of the queue. He owns the clinic.

Video source: Youtube Picture source: @CyrilRamaphosa

Mosimane proves his critics wrong with a vengeance Menzi Magubane

Fresh from their Fifa Club World Cup campaign, Al Ahly began their Caf Champions League title defence by handing out a 3-0 thrashing to Al- Merrikh of Sudan.

When Mosimane took over the Red Devils' hot seat in October, the club was already in the final stages of the competition which they eventually won. In his first match, Mosimane beat Moroccans Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals and went on to defeat Zamalek 2-1 in the Egyptian final.

On Tuesday night, three second half goals from Mohamed Magdy, Mahmoud Kahraba and Walter Bwalya gave Mosimane the start he was looking for in Group A. The result has taken Ahly top of the table, tied with Tanzanian outfit Simba.

Simba won their opening match 1-0 against As Vita Club of Democratic Republic of Congo last Friday.

Mosimane's stay at Ahly continues to be difficult as rival coaches and former players constantly hit out at him. Recently former Ahly player Diaa El-Sayed took a jab at Mosimane for saying he wanted to reinforce his frontline. He also accused the club bosses of protecting him.

“The board took the decision to hire Mosimane because they didn’t have time. Al Ahly protects him from any criticism and this is normal at the club,” El-Sayed told ON Time Sports.

"What Mosimane did when he came out publicly and asked for signings before sitting with the management was wrong. These things have to be done behind closed doors."

Al-Merreikh coach Nasreddine Nabi also hit out at Mosimane before the 3-0 beating on Tuesday.

"I was waiting for a better performance from Al Ahly in the Fifa World Cup, but the coach has the right to choose the method he deems best suited to Al Ahly," said Nabi.

Mosimane's next Champions League match is away at Simba next Tuesday while Al-Merreikh will host Vita Club on the same day.

@TheRealPitso

Mbappe scores hat-trick to humiliate Barcelona Menzi Magubane

For the first time in UEFA Champions League history, Barcelona have lost two consecutive matches at home.

In December they got a 3-0 hiding from Juventus and things went from bad to worse as they were humbled 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Tuesday.

With Neymar out with an injury, Lionel Messi and company thought the night at Camp Nou would be theirs after Messi scored a penalty.

But French international Kylian Mbappe led PSG to a famous win.

The 22-year-old terrorised Barca’s defence and scored his first hat-trick in the competition. He scored in the 32nd minutes to equalise for the visitors before putting them ahead 33 minutes later.

Forward Moise Kean made it 3-1, but Mbappe got his third for the night five minutes before the final whistle.

Speaking about Mbappe, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said: "Before the match, he asked me how many times I had won at Camp Nou. I told him once. He said we are going to win a second time."

This wasn't the first time they scored four goals against Barcelona. In Paris in 2017 they won 4-0 in the round of 16 first leg. The return leg in Camp Nou went down in the history books of the competition.

Barcelona won 6-1 with Neymar scoring twice to help his team win the tie 6-5, making it the largest comeback in Champions League history.

On 10 March these two will face off once more in Paris in the second leg and this tie is far from over. A 4-1 lead doesn't guarantee PSG anything.

Meanwhile in Germany, Liverpool beat RB Leipzig 2-0 to make their job easy when they meet again at Anfield for the second leg on 10 March.

Picture source: @Ligue1_ENG