A Durban man helped plan the death of an eThekwini councillor he blamed for the demolition of his illegal shack, the Durban Regional Court found.

Durban -

A Durban man helped plan the death of an eThekwini councillor he blamed for the demolition of his illegal shack, the Durban Regional Court found on Friday.

Bongani David Ndlovu, who handed himself over to police on October 27, was jailed for 10 years.

Magistrate Anand Maharaj said he was taking into account the fact that Ndlovu was prepared to help police and that he had handed himself over.

Ndlovu told the court he was angry with ANC councillor Mthembeni Shezi (also known as Msizeni Ximba) because his illegal shack had been demolished.

The 31-year old, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder, said he had had several meetings with a number of fellow conspirators who were unhappy with Shezi, starting in August.

He said that while he conspired with the others, he did not believe that they would actually go through with the plan.

They hired hit-men and Shezi was gunned down at a meeting at the Imbaliyethi High School, in Chatsworth's Welbedacht area, on September 26.

Shezi, branch deputy chairman Sbu Mpanza, and ward committee member Bulelani Mjoli, were wounded. Shezi died in hospital the next day.

Police have since arrested two other men in connection with the crime. - Sapa

A KwaZulu-Natal crime syndicate, consisting only of women who pose as bank agents, has been bust by police.

Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal crime syndicate, consisting only of women who pose as bank agents, that secured hundreds of fraudulent loan applications for blacklisted government employees, has been bust by police.

Four Clermont women, allegedly impersonating agents for several large banks in the country, were nabbed by the Durban Central Tactical Response Team (TRT) on Wednesday, after a tip-off.

Hundreds of payslips, copies of IDs, bank statements and tax-related information were allegedly found in their possession. Most of the documents had been altered to make the applicants eligible for loans, police said.

The women were arrested while seated in a car at the corner of Anton Lembede (Smith) and Dorothy Nyembe (Gardiner) streets.

Forensic investigators at Standard Bank in Durban were alerted to the women’s movements in the CBD.

Police spokesman, Captain Kephu Ndlovu, said the TRT confiscated a bag containing the documents.

The women, aged between 25 and 32, are expected to appear in court today on fraud charges.

Ndlovu said: “This syndicate of women used these documents to fraudulently obtain loans from large banks in the country.

“Many of the documents had been tampered with. In most instances the applicants were either blacklisted or did not earn enough money.

“These con artists hand out pamphlets in street corners offering bank loans. They claim to act as agents. It is a con. People must not fall for it. Loans should be obtained through recognised institutions.”

The women allegedly told police they obtained a 10 percent commission on every loan secured.

Lucrative

“This was a lucrative business. The women had a substantial amount of cash in their possession. Once they managed to get the paper work in order, they applied for loans.”

The source said it was being investigated if bank employees were involved in the fraud.

“In most instances the syndicate works with someone in the bank to fast-track the applications. Once the loan is approved, the money is paid out and the so-called agents disappear. In most instances the applicants are unable to repay the loan.”

Standard Bank spokeswoman, Kershia Singh, said they were aware of the incident.

SA Banking Risk Information Centre spokesman, Bongani Diako, said this was not a new scam. “Identity theft is also rife in the banking sector. Many con artists secure the identities of people through fraudulent means to secure loans. We therefore advise bank customers to be cautious as to whom they share this information with.”

Daily News

Debbie Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari, who testified against the Somali pirates who held them hostage, have closed the final chapter on their ordeal.

Freed South African hostages Debbie Calitz and Bruno Pelizzari, who gave evidence in the Hague this week against the Somali pirates who held them hostage, have closed the final chapter on their ordeal.

Yesterday Pelizzari flew back to Dar-es-Salaam where his yacht is based and has returned to work for a lift company. Calitz flew to the UK to visit her daughter, where she will continue work on her book 20 Months of Hostage Hell.

Speaking from the Netherlands on Thursday, Pelizzari said he and Calitz spent the day with Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis, former commanding officer of HNLMS Amsterdam, one of the first on the scene with French frigate Floreal when they were kidnapped off the yacht Choizil.

The couple spent the first three days of the week at the International Criminal Court where five suspected pirates are standing trial.

They had each appeared at closed hearings.

Calitz said being in the Hague had been a huge eye-opener as to how many people were involved behind the scenes and trying to organise their rescue.

“It’s been an amazing week. We never realised there were so many people from all over the world involved and all the people who were working behind the scenes to try and rescue us.”

The couple had just had lunch on board an 1865 relic ship at the Dutch Naval Museum in Den Helder on the outskirts of Amsterdam, with Nijenhuis and director of the Dutch Navy Museum and Royal Netherlands Navy Commander, Harry de Bles. They also spent time touring the navy museum with the two naval officers, which houses the actual skiffs which were seized during the arrest of the pirates.

Yesterday Captain Nijenhuis said The Amsterdam was patrolling when they came across the hijacked Choizil.

“Debbie and Bruno had already been taken, but Peter Eldridge had refused to leave his yacht. We took him on board and took him to Mombasa.

“We went back to the area and over the next five months caught 44 pirates. Near the place where Debbie and Bruno were taken, we caught 16 pirates and we took the skiffs where evidence in them was linked to the case. We were ordered to arrest them and the evidence against the five who are appearing is very strong. We believe the case against them is watertight,” said Nijenhuis.

The hearing is due to be wrapped up next week.

Calitz and Pelizzari said that touring the Dutch Navy Museum and seeing the skiffs had helped bring closure.

“These three skiffs still had all the paraphernalia, knives, guns and even cigarettes from Mozambique in them. We have been able to see the whole story now. I know I will never be the same person again. But it’s time to move on and we are closing a chapter,” said Calitz.

Independent on Saturday

Key evidence against Shauwn Mpisane could be inadmissible as it was disclosed during confidential negotiations with Sars.

Durban tenderpreneur Flora-Junior “Shauwn” Mpisane dropped a bombshell in the regional court yesterday when her advocate indicated that key documentary evidence against her could be inadmissible as it was disclosed during confidential negotiations with Sars.

Her advocate, Jimmy Howse, addressed the court on the issue just moments after Mpisane won her application to have her trial continue without additional charges of corruption and defeating the course of justice being adjoined to the case. Mpisane, who is facing charges of defrauding the tax man by R4.7 million, is facing the additional charges after she was arrested two weeks ago on the eve of her trial for allegedly interfering with a witness and evidence in the trial.

Magistrate Blessing Msani ruled that the trial must start on Monday based on the 119 charges against her of fraud and forgery of violating the Close Corporations Act for remaining the sole member of Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport when she had a fraud conviction.

Mpisane has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“The accused has been appearing in court since June 2011 and we are now in November 2012. As I counted from the court records I saw 19 appearances (by the accused) but there could be more.

“All that was happening during this period was just applications and counter applications. This obviously places the administration of justice in a very bad light,” Msani said.

“No-one can deny that this case is very widely reported about in the press and other media. All the time the reports read: “Mpisane case delayed, Mpisane case postponed… and all those kind of things. This gives a wrong impression that there is something wrong about this case that is postponed each time,” Msani said.

“The state has been somersaulting and moving the goal posts and the end result is there has been a lack of progress and therefore an unreasonable delay in the matter,” Msani said.

He said that to grant another adjournment and allow further changes to the charge sheet would cause a “vicious circle” of further applications.

“The accused pleaded as long ago as June this year. The accused is entitled to a verdict. The accused cannot be left in limbo for an indefinite period with a case hanging over her head,” Msani said. “The accused has the right to have her trial begin and be concluded without unreasonable delay,” Msane said.

“I have found that there has been an unreasonable delay in this matter. The state did not proceed with the matter in good time. Every day has its events. The longer we delay the present trial the more the chance that something else occurs,” Msani said.

Immediately after Msani handed down his ruling Howse asked the court to avoid further delay by reflecting over the weekend on his intention to challenge the admissibility of certain evidence.

State attorney Meera Naidu said she would have to investigate with Sars but it would be a “near impossibility” to do so over the weekend.

However, Msani said he assumed she would have gone through the law before presenting her case.

“Is it a situation where the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing?

“In the light of the order I have made if you refuse to lead evidence I may close your case for you,” Msani said.

The matter was adjourned to Monday for trial.

Independent on Saturday

Three people were killed and three others injured in a collision on the N3 east in Pinetown.

Pinetown -

Three people were killed and three others injured in a collision on the N3 east in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said on Saturday.

Netcare 911 spokesman, Chris Botha said the cause of the accident was unclear.

“(We) arrived at the scene and found the crumpled remains of the vehicles obstructing the highway,” said Botha.

“One man and two women from one vehicle had tragically died on impact and a man from the same car had sustained life threatening injuries.”

Two men, who had been traveling in the second vehicle also suffered serious injuries.

The injured were stabilised at the scene and transported to various hospitals. - Sapa

Members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union have marched in Pietermaritzburg in support of a second term for President Jacob Zuma.

Pietermaritzburg -

Members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) have marched in Pietermaritzburg in support of a second term for President Jacob Zuma, the SABC reported on Saturday.

About 500 members wearing red and black SADTU colours and carrying placards were marching to the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.

The marchers would hand over a memorandum to the head of the education department, Nkosinathi Sishi. - Sapa

Police have called on the public to come forward with any further information on sexual allegations against former tennis star Bob Hewitt.

Durban - The South African Police Services have called on the public to come forward with any further information on sexual allegations against former tennis star Bob Hewitt.

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sgt Delene Grobler, based in Joburg, on 071 604 5836.

In December, Suellen Sheehan from Joburg laid a charge of rape at the Honeydew Police Station related to when she was a teen and being coached by Hewitt. The sex allegation scandal surrounding Hewitt broke last year when US pro tennis player, Heather Conner Crowe (51), who was coached by Hewitt, went public with claims that she had been coerced into sex with Hewitt when she was only 15.

Crowe confirmed that she had also filed charges of rape in the US two years ago.

“There were no other victims at the time and the District Attorney’s office chose not to pursue based on that. I didn’t pursue it either because my original intent was never malicious. In fact I had to speak out and seek help because of what it was doing to me,” she said.

The Boston Globe launched an intensive investigation regarding the allegations, with nine women from around the world coming forward with similar allegations.

Hewitt was South Africa’s “golden boy” of the international tennis circuit in the ’60s and ’70s, as well as becoming a well-known tennis commentator after his tennis career.

He was ranked as one of the best doubles players in tennis history and was inducted into the International tennis Hall of Fame along with his partner Frew Macmillan. They are the only two South Africans to have been inducted into the hall.

The Hall of Fame also launched their own inquiry into the allegations and are still to release their findings.

Another former South African tennis player, Twiggy Tolken, now living in New Zealand and also coached by Hewitt when she was a teen, has confirmed she still has damning letters allegedly written by Hewitt during that time.

And while Hewitt did not respond to any requests for comments from the media, he finally went public in an interview with You Magazine last month, flatly denying the allegations of sexual abuse.

Now in his 70s, Hewitt is retired and living on his farm in Addo in the Cape.

Independent on Saturday

"Zille is not welcome here, (we’ll set lightning on her) because if we manhandle her, we will be arrested."

KwaZulu-Natal - Police in President Jacob Zuma’s hometown of Nkandla are on high alert on Sunday preparing for a visit from a DA group led by party leader leader Helen Zille in what could turn out to be a bloody battle in the usually sleepy village of KwaNxamalala.

On Saturday Nkandla was tense, with a conspicuous police presence that included armoured cars.

The ANC was set to have a night vigil outside Zuma’s homestead on Saturday night as the party prepared to drive Zille and the DA out on Sunday, regional chairman Thulani Mashaba confirmed.

Zille and other DA heavyweights are due in Nkandla to inspect improvements to the president’s private residence which has reportedly been upgraded at a cost of more than R200 million in public funds.

Our news team was escorted inside Zuma’s homestead, although we were ordered to leave all photographic equipment in a car parked outside.

The team was also ordered to delete photographs of Zuma’s son Edward Zuma driving his BMW X5, which had been due for repossession.

A Zuma supporter who identified himself only as Mbambo said Nkandla villagers were prepared to do anything – even employ black magic – to stop Zille from setting foot at KwaNxamalala.

“Zille is not welcome here, sizomshaya ngezulu (we’ll set lightning on her) because if we manhandle her, we will be arrested. But if she’s struck by lightning it will be called a natural disaster.

“In the morning, we will be outside the home, on the road, where we will be waiting for Zille.”

The SACP on Saturday said Zille was behaving like a “white madam” and threatening reconciliation.

The party called on the community of Nkandla to “protect the dignity of the president”.

The SACP urged her to take “personal responsibility” for any consequences arising out of her “racist, insensitive and extremely provocative actions”.

Zuma was in Nkandla on Saturday attending a family event, but is expected to be in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.

His spokesman, Mac Maharaj, asked whether Zuma had tried to calm ANC supporters, said: “I’m not going to comment on that.”

Maharaj said Zuma would leave this morning for the Eastern Cape. It seems unlikely he will meet Zille.

Maharaj said the Presidency had received a letter from a DA official stating that Zille wanted to deliver letters from Limpopo pupils to the president at his Nkandla residence.

“The director-general in the Presidency advised the DA that they were welcome to deliver any communication to the Presidency at his offices in the Union Buildings, Pretoria, or Tuynhuys, Cape Town, where the offices of the President of the RSA are located.

“To this end, he advised the DA to make suitable arrangements with his office.

“The Presidency notes that since then, the DA has informed the media that a delegation of their leadership proposes to visit Nkandla to inspect the upgrade to the president’s residence and the area.”

Maharaj said the Presidency had “always been steadfast in its commitment to maintaining courteous and constructive working relations with all political parties.

“In this instance regrettably the Presidency is left with the impression that the DA’s conduct smacks of a disingenuous publicity gimmick.”

Zille was adamant she would not abandon her visit.

“These threats are just further proof of the ANC’s contempt for the freedoms guaranteed in the constitution, such as freedom of movement and the right to protest.

“The ANC is trying to reintroduce ‘no go areas’. No democracy can tolerate that.

“We have no intention of going on to the president’s property. We will only protest outside.

“Any South African has the right to do that, considering that R238m in public money has been spent on upgrading a private home. Even more so given the fact that the president refuses to answer questions about it.”

Zille is expected to be joined on Sunday by DA national spokesperson Mmusi Maimane and chairperson of the DA Youth, Mbali Ntuli.

Sunday Independent

About 100 police officers in riot gear were in Nkandla ahead of Helen Zille's planned inspection of President Jacob Zuma's homestead.

KwaZulu-Natal - About 100 police officers in riot gear were in Nkandla on Sunday ahead of DA leader Helen Zille's planned inspection of President Jacob Zuma's homestead.

About 50 African National Congress supporters were protesting on the road outside Zuma's residence, in the village of KwaNxamalala. Some carried placards reading: “Stop attacking Zuma”.

A police helicopter was in the air and officers were stopping vehicles heading in the direction of Zuma's compound, checking licences and identities.

There were several armoured Nyala riot vehicles at various points along the road, as well as a water canon.

The Democratic Alliance was planning to visit Zuma's private residence, where an upgrade, reportedly costing R200 million, was in progress. Zille and DA officials intended inspecting roads around the property and would try to enter the compound.

Zille was expected to arrive at the residence between 10am and 11am, along with a media contingent.

The African National Congress and its allies have criticised the move.

On Saturday the SA Communist Party said the planned inspection was part of a racist right-wing agenda.

On Friday the African National Congress warned the DA could receive a welcoming similar to the stone-throwing that erupted in May when the opposition party tried to march to the Congress of SA Trade Unions' headquarters in Johannesburg. - Sapa

Police were preventing DA leader Helen Zille and her entourage from approaching President Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla.

Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal - Police were preventing DA leader Helen Zille and her entourage from approaching President Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla on Sunday, for her own safety.

Zille told reporters she would stand her ground, that she had permission to be there, and that a group of ANC protesters had no permission to block the road leading to the homestead.

About 700m from where the Democratic Alliance was stopped, police in riot gear prevented ANC supporters from advancing. Officers formed a human chain across the road, outside Zuma's residence, in the village of KwaNxamalala. Two water canons and several armoured Nyala vehicles were parked nearby.

The song Awulethu Mshini Wami (Bring me my machine gun) was blaring from a sound system. Some people carried placards reading: "Stop attacking Zuma".

Eight people lay down in the road and refused to move when police asked them to. ANC supporters spilled out of several buses that arrived earlier in the morning.

A police helicopter was in the air and officers were stopping vehicles heading in the direction of Zuma's compound, checking licences and identities.

The Democratic Alliance intended visiting Zuma's private residence, where an upgrade, reportedly costing R200 million, and funded with taxpayers' money, was in progress. Zille and DA officials intended inspecting roads around the property and would try to enter the compound.

The African National Congress and its allies have criticised the move. On Saturday the SA Communist Party said the planned inspection was part of a racist right-wing agenda.

On Friday the African National Congress warned the DA could receive a welcoming similar to the stone-throwing that erupted in May when the opposition party tried to march to the Congress of SA Trade Unions' headquarters in Johannesburg. - Sapa

A student was left bleeding after being stabbed on her neck and face, allegedly by a student who also stole her laptop.

Durban - A 21-year-old Norwegian exchange student studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal was left bleeding profusely after being stabbed 24 times on her neck, face and shoulders, allegedly by a fellow student who also stole her laptop.

The brutality of the attack, which took place on Howard College campus, has left Rakel Fastings’s South African friends reeling and students outraged.

Stephen Haynes, a second- year house and town planning student, said this would dent the university’s image. “This is bad for foreign students and our image. Students were striking a few months ago about the issue of safety. A student was raped at res and now [there is] a stabbing on campus. We should be able to feel safe on campus. We see security walking around, but what are they doing?”

Simu Mdlalose, a second- year media studies student, says attacks on campus are a problem. “I haven’t been a victim, but some of my friends have: one had his laptop stolen… We come to campus to study and we hear of these horrific stories. It’s happening too often,” he said.

“More should be done to tighten up security on campus. I mean, if security is present and these things still happen, what’s the point of security?” said Phiwa Mazibuko, a second-year house and town planning student.

Fastings, who has been in South Africa for four months, was doing a third-year course in community development.

She returned to Norway with her mother on Friday morning.

One of her close friends, who saw Fastings before she left the country, told the Sunday Tribune what happened.

The friend, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred at 6pm on October 24 in Shepstone 14, a classroom in the Shepstone Building at UKZN’s Howard College as Fastings was skyping from her Apple Mac.

“It was just her and another guy in the classroom. She presumed he was a student, as he looked to be studying. When she had finished her conversation, the other guy left the classroom. Suddenly he came back and tried to grab her laptop, stabbing her countless times as they struggled.”

He said Fastings begged her attacker to take the laptop and leave her alone, but he continued to stab her.

“He didn’t say anything to her as he stabbed her. It was totally unprovoked. She told him he didn’t have to hurt her. She was badly injured and has lost partial feeling in her thumb, which was slashed. She has multiple stab wounds to her neck, shoulders and back and had 29 stitches.”

He said the suspect only stopped when she started screaming loudly. He then grabbed the laptop and ran off.

“There is a quad outside the Shepstone building and a number of students were gathered there. The guy dropped the laptop as male students started to chase him, but he got away. Campus security was called and the first thing they asked for was her student card.

“She was covered in blood and that’s what they ask for. It was the height of stupidity,” he said.

“Her mother, an academic at the University of Oslo, flew to South Africa. Rakel is her only child.”

Her friend described Fastings as a warm and intelligent person.

“She was no physical match for [her attacker]; it doesn’t make sense that [he] used such excessive force. Her mother was appalled by the brutality.

“Rakel left without writing exams. It’s a pity this happened because she was loving the city. She mentioned that she wants to come back, but I’m not sure if and when she will.”

The university did not respond to questions as to whether the suspect was a student, or about how many recent incidents of violence there had been on campus. However, UKZN spokeswoman Nomonde Mbadi said the university regretted the “unfortunate incident”.

“The university views the matter in a very serious light and an investigation is under way, both by SAPS and the university’s risk management services,” said Mbadi.

Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was being investigated by Umbilo SAPS. No arrests have been made.

Sunday Tribune

DA leader Helen Zille and her entourage were stopped from approaching President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead.

KwaZulu-Natal - Police prevented DA leader Helen Zille and her entourage from approaching President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead on Sunday.

Zille was told she could not pass the police roadblock as there were ANC supporters gathered on the road to Zuma's home.

She said the party had permission to gather on a public road outside a school opposite Zuma's home, but police refused to let her pass, saying they wanted to prevent violence.

Several cars carrying ANC supporters passed by on a side road. They carried sticks and sang Dubhula iBhunu (Shoot the Boer).

When Zille asked officers why those cars were allowed to pass, she was told they would open a case against the organisers of the ANC march.

About 700m from where the Democratic Alliance was stopped, police in riot gear prevented ANC supporters from advancing. Officers formed a human chain across the road, outside Zuma's residence, in the village of KwaNxamalala.

SABC news reported that a man was arrested in possession of an unlicensed rifle and handgun after a shot was fired into the air during a demonstration by ANC supporters. Several ANC members lay down in the road in front of the group of protesters.

Police had several armoured Nyala personnel carriers, two trucks with water canons, and a helicopter in the area.

The DA intended visiting Zuma's private residence, where an upgrade, reportedly costing over R200 million, and funded with taxpayers' money, was in progress. - Sapa

Unless Edward Zuma, President Jacob Zuma's son, can find a benefactor, he stands to be publicly humiliated.

Durban - Unless Edward Zuma, President Jacob Zuma’s son, can find a benefactor, he stands to be publicly humiliated on Wednesday when goods seized from his home go under the auctioneer’s hammer to help pay off a massive debt incurred for his wedding a year ago.

Bizarrely, when the Sunday Tribune contacted Zuma this week to ask how he felt about the imminent sale of his worldly goods, he claimed not to know anything about it.

He went on to assert that no official application for the seizure of the items had been served on him by the sheriff of the court, nor had he been invited to the auction.

“Why haven’t I been invited to attend this auction? I would like to go and see my things being auctioned. The only knowledge I have of this is what my wife and I have read in the newspapers. We have not received any type of formal notification and I am still in possession of all my goods,” said Zuma.

An almost incoherent Zuma went on to deny he owed his wedding planner, Paul Mann, money.

“I know nothing about the debt to Paul Mann. My wife dealt with all the wedding preparations, and as far as I know we do not owe Paul anything. Why hasn’t his lawyer contacted me?” he said.

Mann refuted this, saying he won his court action against Zuma, who still owes him R1 million of the R2.5m he billed them for their Hollywood-style bash.

The wedding of Zuma and his wife, Phumelele, took place at the Tala Game Reserve in October 2011.

When repeated appeals to Zuma to settle his debt failed, Mann said he took legal action. However, he remains optimistic that a last-minute settlement will be negotiated, sparing Zuma the humiliation of the auction and “bringing this very long, drawn-out matter” to a close.

Mann said his relations with the Zumas “remain cordial” and “our legal representatives are in negotiations”.

When the Sunday Tribune asked Zuma why he had not asked his father for help, he said, “The last time my father gave me money was when I was a student. Like any ordinary person I owe a lot of people and banks money. My father tells me to go and work for my money.

“That I am Jacob Zuma’s son is a non-entity. I am Edward and I live my own life.”

He said he and his wife lived in a rented flat in Pinetown.

This week the Sunday Tribune’s sister newspaper, The Mercury, reported that Zuma had forfeited his BMW X5 and costly household items to the sheriff of the court.

He told the Sunday Tribune a different story, denying he owned a vehicle of that description and saying he drove a navy blue 1.8 litre Toyota Corolla. He claimed his wife travelled by public transport.

“I wish I was able to afford an X5. It is my dream car, but unfortunately I can only afford to drive a car worth R80 000. So what BMW are they going to attach? Let’s wait and see on the day of the auction.”

However, on Saturday the Sunday Tribune witnessed Zuma sitting behind the wheel of a black BMW X5 in Nkandla.

Rumours have swirled for years that multimillionaire businessman and racehorse owner Roy Moodley has backed the Zuma clan when its members are in dire financial straits.

Although Moodley is known to be a long-standing friend of the president, Edward Zuma told the Sunday Tribune he did not know who Moodley was.

“I have never met the man in my life. Why don’t you tell me more about him?” he said.

Moodley himself told this newspaper that Zuma’s confiscated assets were not his own, but were instead owned by a mystery third party. He claimed it would be wrong and illegal to attach goods that belonged to someone not involved in the debt.

“Anyone can go to a court and get an order to attach items but they can’t really attach goods that do not belong to Edward. They can go to his house and take the goods, but can’t auction them.

“The goods will be returned to the rightful owner. An interpleader summons will be made to stop the auction and the removal of the goods.”

The tycoon refused further comment, claiming the issue was “too sensitive”.

Sunday Tribune

Hijack horror… make sure it’s genuine or you will be charged, police warn after a string of hoax cases.

Durban - The recent spate of bogus hijack claims has police on high alert for scam artists, warns SAPS spokesman Jay Naicker.

“People should not be offended if they are questioned in depth when they report matters. We’ve experienced many hoax robberies and hijacking cases recently,” said Naicker.

He warned that scam artists would face the full might of the law if found out.

“We’d like to warn people to refrain from filing fake reports. It is a crime to make a statement under oath claiming you’ve been hijacked or robbed.

“We’ve arrested and charged a lot of people for reporting false cases and they have been convicted,” Naicker said.

Instead of wedding bells, an Umlazi couple looks more likely to be hearing the clang of prison doors closing.

Unable to come up with the lobola he needed to secure her hand in marriage, the groom SMSed a relative claiming he and his partner had been hijacked.

Police said the man hoped to put the ransom money towards his lobola obligation of R32 000.

But police uncovered their plan and the couple, who disappeared for two weeks, will appear in court tomorrow to face charges of defeating the ends of justice.

It has emerged that there have been a number of hoax cases in Phoenix this year.

The latest incident happened on Thursday when a young woman reported a mugging to Phoenix SAPS. She claimed to be on her way to deposit R12 000 belonging to her employer at a local bank when she was robbed.

Phoenix detectives discovered that the woman had apparently left the money at a local supermarket parcel counter before going to the police.

Later that day, it is believed she and a co-worker fetched the money and went on a shopping spree. The next day she took the balance to work and left it with another co-worker for safekeeping. Police suspect the money was to be shared among the three.

The three have been charged with defeating the ends of justice.

“This year alone we know of 11 instances where people were arrested for opening false cases in Phoenix. All relate to hijackings and business and house robberies,” said Naicker.

Since each case was different, Naicker could not say how much it cost police each time to track hoax allegations, but he said hundreds of thousands could be involved in some instances.

“If we’re tracking a hijacked vehicle in Durban, surrounding stations may respond to the call and that could amount to hundreds of vehicles and personnel involved in the search.

“That is a waste of manpower and resources that could have been used more effectively to pursue genuine cases,” he said.

mervyn.naidoo@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

A large group of ANC supporters sang as they waited for DA leader Helen Zille to leave the Nkandla police station.

Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal - A large group of ANC supporters sang as they waited for DA leader Helen Zille to leave the Nkandla police station on Sunday.

She wanted to lay a charge against the ANC for holding an illegal gathering during her failed attempt to visit President Jacob Zuma's KwaZulu-Natal homestead.

When the convoy transporting the Democratic Alliance and a media contingent left the satellite police station, African National Congress supporters shouted “hamba” (leave).

An ANC supporter was arrested for drunk and disorderly outside the police station.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said another man was arrested earlier, during a demonstration by ANC supporters, for having an unlicensed firearm.

“The man was in possession of a rifle. He will be charged for discharging a firearm in public and possession of a firearm.”

Zille said Zuma had lost the right to call his home a private residence.

“Nkandla belongs to each and every South African who has to sacrifice the basic services they need, so that the president could turn his home into a five-star fortressed palace.

“One day we will look at it as a monument to the fight against corruption.”

She questioned how the government could spend R248 million on Zuma's home, when it would not pay to transport the relatives of the victims of the Marikana shooting to the Farlam commission of inquiry.

Earlier police stopped her and her entourage from approaching Zuma's homestead, in the village of KwaNxamalala, saying they wanted to prevent violence.

Zille was told she could not pass the police roadblock as there were ANC supporters on the road to Zuma's home. She said the party had permission to gather on a public road outside a school opposite Zuma's home.

Several cars carrying ANC supporters passed the police roadblock on a side road. They carried sticks and sang Dubhula iBhunu (Shoot the Boer).

Buses full of ANC supporters were allowed to pass on the main road.

When Zille asked officers why they were allowed to pass, she was told they would open a case against the organisers of the ANC march.

“We never intended to go inside Zuma's home, we only wanted to gather opposite his compound on a public road,” Zille said.

About 700m from where the Democratic Alliance was stopped, police in riot gear prevented ANC supporters from advancing. Officers formed a human chain across the road.

Police had several armoured Nyala personnel carriers, two trucks with water canons, and a helicopter in the area.

The DA had wanted to visit Zuma's private residence, where an upgrade, reportedly costing over R200 million, and funded with taxpayers' money, was in progress. - Sapa

Dismissed Ilanga employees went on the rampage, disconnecting the newspaper’s server containing Sunday’s edition.

Durban - Dismissed Ilanga employees went on the rampage on Saturday, disconnecting the newspaper’s server containing Sunday’s edition.

Managing director Arthur Konigkramer told the Sunday Tribune senior staff worked furiously to ensure the paper would be delivered to readers.

“We managed to recreate it so that Sunday’s paper could go out,” he said last night.

Employees of Ilanga, KwaZulu-Natal’s oldest newspaper, were demonstrating outside the offices on Saturday when two of them managed to evade security to erase copy for today’s edition.

The incident came after 19 employees were dismissed on Friday for engaging in a wildcat strike in April.

Konigkramer said the two staff members would be charged.

Earlier this year, Ilanga did not publish after journalists went on strike over low salaries and poor work conditions.

Sunday Tribune

Businessman and fraud accused, Thoshan Panday, isn’t saying what is on the secret telephone recordings of conversations he had with top politicians and police members.

Durban - Controversial Umhlanga businessman and fraud accused, Thoshan Panday, isn’t saying what is on the secret telephone recordings of conversations he had with top politicians and police members.

On Saturday Panday promised to answer “all questions” raised in the matter of “illegal tapping”, in court.

This week the Sunday Tribune was told the bugged calls were “explosive”.

A source said legal intercepts of Panday’s calls connected top ANC figures, businessmen and police officials to big state contracts.

The source said there was a call in which a KZN businessman claimed to have paid a politician millions of rands, and there are others which linked Panday to a prominent Nkandla businessman and ally of President Jacob Zuma.

This week the issue of the bugged calls made headlines ahead of a labour court case involving the former head of Crime Intelligence in KZN, Major General Dina Moodley. On Friday Moodley’s case was adjourned pending judgment. Police brass are attempting to transfer Moodley and he is resisting.

It emerged this week that Moodley had been issued with a new notice of intention to suspend him.

The Daily News broke the story when it reported that the suspension was for playing recordings of intercepted phone calls to Panday at a meeting with the police last September.

On Saturday Panday refused to disclose the substance of the conversations or who they were with.

He said the “illegal bugging” was being dealt with by the “relevant authorities at the highest level”.

Panday claimed illegally procured recordings of his “private conversations” with prominent political and business figures were used to blackmail him.

He alleged that high-ranking police officers, led by Moodley, had tried to coerce him to say provincial police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni was on his payroll in an attempt to get her fired.

The meeting came a week before he was arrested and charged with corruption and defeating the ends of justice, for which he stands accused of supplying R1.3 million in cash with which Colonel Navin Madhoe allegedly attempted to bribe KZN Hawks head Johan Booysen. The bribe is alleged to have been in exchange for information on a Hawks probe into an alleged R60m police accommodation tender scam during the World Cup.

The businessman, through Gold Coast Trading, one of his 30 companies, is alleged to have inflated hotel room prices and sold them to the police for a tidy sum of R60m. The flamboyant Panday is furthermore alleged to have paid for a birthday party for Ngobeni’s husband Lucas. Panday denied allegations that his latest revelation is a ruse to draw attention from his other matters.

Moodley was ousted by then acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who cited serious misconduct related to top secret information.

If Moodley’s labour court opposition is successful, he will return to the helm of crime intelligence in the province.

The source told the Sunday Tribune the latest bid to have Moodley suspended was a political move to keep him from his post.

Sunday Tribune

Helen Zille has laid a charge against the ANC for blocking a public road during her failed attempt to visit Zuma's KZN homestead.

Nkandla - A large group of ANC supporters sang as they waited for DA leader Helen Zille to leave the Nkandla police station on Sunday.

She laid a charge under the Gatherings Act against the ANC for blocking a public road during her failed attempt to visit President Jacob Zuma's KwaZulu-Natal homestead.

When the convoy transporting the Democratic Alliance and a media contingent left the satellite police station, African National Congress supporters shouted “hamba” (leave).

An ANC supporter was arrested for drunk and disorderly outside the police station.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said another man was arrested earlier, during a demonstration by ANC supporters, for having an unlicensed firearm.

“The man was in possession of a rifle. He will be charged for discharging a firearm in public and possession of a firearm.” Zille said Zuma had lost the right to call his home a private residence.

“Nkandla belongs to each and every South African who has to sacrifice the basic services they need, so that the president could turn his home into a five-star fortressed palace.

“One day we will look at it as a monument to the fight against corruption.” She questioned how the government could spend R248

million on Zuma's home, when it would not pay to transport the relatives of the victims of the Marikana shooting to the Farlam commission of inquiry.

Earlier police stopped her and her entourage from approaching Zuma's homestead, in the village of KwaNxamalala, saying they wanted to prevent violence.

Zille was told she could not pass the police roadblock as there were ANC supporters on the road to Zuma's home. She said the party had permission to gather on a public road outside a school opposite Zuma's home.

Several cars carrying ANC supporters passed the police roadblock on a side road. They carried sticks and sang Dubhula iBhunu (Shoot the Boer).

Buses full of ANC supporters were allowed to pass on the main road.

When Zille asked officers why they were allowed to pass, she was told they would open a case against the organisers of the ANC march.

“We never intended to go inside Zuma's home, we only wanted to gather opposite his compound on a public road,” Zille said.

About 700m from where the Democratic Alliance was stopped, police in riot gear prevented ANC supporters from advancing. Officers formed a human chain across the road.

Police had several armoured Nyala personnel carriers, two trucks with water canons, and a helicopter in the area.

The DA had wanted to visit Zuma's private residence, where an upgrade, reportedly costing over R200 million, and funded with taxpayers' money, was in progress. - Sapa

A prison boss is adamant he had a three-year love affair with a warden – and has the tapes to prove it.

Durban - A prison boss is adamant he had a three-year love affair with a warden – and has the tapes to prove it.

In turn the warden denies the claim, saying her boss sexually harassed her and victimised her husband and relatives.

The details of the relationship are part of a R14 million joint law suit against the minister of correctional services, made by the warden and three family members.

Rehno Dhanraj claims when she refused to have an adulterous relationship with Dunraj Mohan, a director of corporate services, he continuously harassed her and three family members who worked with her at the Umzinto prison.

The woman claims her husband Sanjay, her brother Lomendra Singh, Reshma Singh (sister) and herself were subjected to humiliation, death threats and attempts to have them dismissed when she spurned Mohan’s advances.

“I categorically deny ever having an affair with Mohan… It never happened,” Dhanraj said. “He made our lives hell after I refused to give into him.

“My husband and I have been through some dark days, our marriage was on a very rocky path while all of this was playing out. But we’ve managed to work through things.”

Dhanraj said they had lodged complaints with the Department of Correctional Services’ hierarchy since 2009, but had received no response.

Recently, attorney Raj Hiralall submitted summons on behalf of the family members to the minister of correctional services, claiming R3.5 million apiece for their pain and suffering arising from Mohan’s alleged persecution.

But Mohan, who played a taped telephone conversation, allegedly between himself and Rehno, to the Sunday Tribune claims “she’s in denial” by refuting they were lovers.

In the summons served to the minister, Rehno claims:

* Mohan wrongfully and maliciously caused a disciplinary action to be brought against her on false charges that she lied about her brother and sister having a car crash on their way to work.

* He intercepted her letters and bond statements and circulated these among several officials at the Umzinto prison. Sanjay, Lomendra and Reshma claim they were also affected.

* He used abusive language and threatened to murder her.

* He influenced a senior official at Umzinto to open fraud charges against her.

In the joint claim, Sanjay alleges that:

* Mohan conspired with a prisoner to say he had smuggled drugs into the prison to sell to inmates.

* Disciplinary action was instituted against him, through Mohan’s influence, over an alleged assault of a police officer.

Lomendra, who has since been transferred to the Leeukop prison in Gauteng, alleges that Mohan was behind the disciplinary hearing he was subjected to for a false charge of assault.

“We initially served Mohan with a protection order when his harassment started. That didn’t do much to stop him. We then sought a High Court order, but he still continued to make our lives a misery,” said Rehno.

“Our advocate wrote to the department thereafter and still nothing was done to alleviate the situation. After exhausting all the necessary processes, we had to take out the summons against the minister.”

Mohan countered this with claims of his own in court documents submitted in 2009.

He continues to allege that Rehno and her family have been harassing him for the past five years.

“I have about 40 recordings of conversations between Rehno and I and numerous SMS conversations as well. It was a relationship of consent,” Mohan alleged.

“On many occasions Rehno expressed her love for me and she even told me she wanted to have my child. She’s no angel,” claimed the prison official.

When Mohan played the recording to the Sunday Tribune, a female can be heard saying to the man: “I love you baby… .”

“If I was guilty of any wrongdoing why would I ask my superiors to investigate me? I have nothing to hide. This whole situation took a turn for the worst when I came clean with my wife about my affair with Rehno,” Mohan said.

Mohan also refuted the allegations made by the four against him in the summons served to the department.

“I’ve never intercepted their letters. I’m based at the area commissioner’s office. Nor did I make abusive comments or death threats to any of them,” he said.

“I played no role in them being brought before disciplinary committees for their conduct.”

Sunday Tribune

Insurance policies and ailing business thought to be at the heart of assassination attempt, writes Jeff Wicks.

Durban - The Hawks are to investigate the circumstances surrounding the wounding of Durban student Rosanne Williamson, 19, by a gunman in Mtunzini last week.

The attack has been widely labelled a hit, with evidence indicating her mother, Rosemary Smith, was the target.

According to a source close to the family, Smith has a life insurance policy worth R11 million and the money would go to her allegedly ailing business, Mashobane Electrical, if she died.

The business, of which Smith is a shareholder, is linked to a number of lucrative tenders, including some from Eskom.

According to the company website, major clients include the Nongoma, Utungulu and Umhlathuse municipalities.

The source said Hawks investigators had visited the coastal town and taken charge of the attempted murder docket.

Officers had reportedly taken possession of a bloodied shirt, thought to have been worn by the gunman. He was wounded in an exchange of fire with a security guard who had pursued him.

Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko confirmed the investigation had been taken over.

Williamson was taking her brother to school, which her mother usually did, when she was shot several times at close range by a lone gunman.

Reece Williamson, 10, was not hurt in the hail of bullets.

Williamson said that while she was parked in her driveway, waiting for her brother to join her, she noticed a man loitering near their gate. Seconds later he opened fire on the car before running away.

The tinted windows of the Toyota Fortuner would have made it impossible for the gunman to confirm who was in the driver’s seat, and the shots fired at close range indicate the intention was to kill the driver.

In the wake of the shooting, Smith questioned the motive of the attack. She said the vehicle was not stolen and nor were any valuables from her daughter, which indicated it was not a botched hijacking.

Fearing for their safety, the family fled their impressive Mtunzini home to stay at an undisclosed location.

The Durban student is recovering in a Richards Bay hospital after being critically injured in the apparent assassination attempt.

Last week she underwent surgery to remove bullets lodged in her hand and chest and was in a stable condition.

Jaco Derckson, a labour consultant acting on behalf of Smith, has written a letter to KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni pleading for a task team to investigate the shooting.

He claimed the attempt on Smith’s life was directly linked to the business and insurance.

He was quoted as saying he had tried to settle a dispute between Smith and business partner Christo Bornman on the grounds that Mashobane Electrical was in financial difficulty and Smith wanted to bail out.

He confirmed to the Sunday Tribune that “a special investigative team” was probing the shooting, but would not elaborate.

Smith’s partner, Bornman, dismissed claims that the business stood to gain from Smith’s death. “All the facts (reported in the press) are wrong. The bank and her estate would be the beneficiaries of her life insurance.”

He said he had instructed his attorney to sue Derckson and a newspaper that published the claims, saying he had been defamed.

“We are suing all the newspapers and that guy Jaco Derckson… there is big s*** coming for them.”

Further comment should be obtained from his lawyer and insurance broker, he said.

Bornman’s attorney, Joe Coetzee, confirmed his client would sue a newspaper and Derckson for defamation.

“We have filed papers at the high court and the respondents should receive their summons soon. It is going to be for a significant amount,” he said.

Bornman’s broker, who works for Momentum and did not want to be named, told the Sunday Tribune two policies existed. “There is a life insurance policy for Mrs Smith to cover surety. In the event of her death, the bank would reclaim her debt from her estate.

“The second policy is a buy and sell agreement – that is, if Mrs Smith were to die, the policy would pay out the business and Christo Bornman would be obliged to buy her shares. This money would go to her estate,” he said.

He confirmed he would not let Smith cancel the policies before the shooting. “She did try to cancel and I refused, because both business partners need to agree or it would be against the law.”