Investigations continue following a burglary at the home of the Western Cape’s top cop, Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer.

Cape Town - Investigations continue following a burglary at the home of the Western Cape’s top cop, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“The investigation is ongoing and there have been no arrests as yet,” provincial police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said.

The Panorama home of Lamoer was burgled with the robbers having gained entry by cutting open one of the house’s windows. A number of items, including electronic equipment, were taken from the house.

Lamoer and his family were in the house at the time of the robbery but only discovered they had been burgled when they woke up later on Tuesday morning.

“People must ensure that their doors and gates are locked at all times. Those with alarm systems must utilise them. Know your surroundings and movements of people around it,” Lamoer urged.

A case of burglary is currently being investigated by detectives from the Parow police station, with support from other units within the police.

ANA

A man alleged to have been part of deadly mob justice action in the Siyahlala informal settlement in Cape Town has been arrested.

Cape Town - A man alleged to have been part of deadly mob justice action in the Siyahlala informal settlement in Browns Farm, Cape Town, has been arrested, Western Cape police said on Tuesday.

The man was arrested on Monday and charged with murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, said Constable Noloyiso Rwexana.

It was understood that the suspect was one of several community members who assaulted three men suspected of robbing a community member.

One of the alleged robbers, a 26-year-old man, died due to the injuries he suffered.

The 39-year-old man arrested in connection with his murder was expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate's Court soon.

“More arrests are imminent,” said Rwexana.

The other two men who survived the assault were still in hospital.

Sapa

A Cape Town man who, while out on bail on fraud charges, allegedly duped people into advancing him money, was refused bail.

Cape Town - A man who, while out on bail on fraud charges, allegedly duped people into advancing him money, was refused bail by the Goodwood District Court, in Cape Town, on Tuesday.

Abri Gert Kruger, 35, of no fixed abode, is charged with fraud involving R1.6 million, forgery, and uttering (presentation) of forged documents.

He allegedly duped his victims by claimed he was waiting for a large sum to be transferred to him from the HSBC bank in the UK.

He appeared before Magistrate Sean Lea who said the fact that he allegedly duped five victims into giving him money, whilst he was out on R10 000 bail in another fraud case, presented a risk that he would do it again.

His release on bail was therefore not in the interests of justice, Lea ruled.

Prosecutor Thersia du Toit told the court the fact that he allegedly committed fraud, on such a large scale and whilst out on bail in another fraud case, meant that, if found guilty, he faced a minimum sentence of 15 years.

She said there were five different police dockets involving Kruger and she would centralise them into one case.

The current frauds happened between October 2010 and February 2015, she said.

Questioned by defence attorney Coen van Graan, Kruger declared solemnly that he would not abscond if released on bail, and that he would stay with his parents in Rustenburg.

Asked if he would abscond, he replied: “Not at all, not at all.”

He claimed to be a qualified medical doctor, and that he had graduated at a university in Manchester, UK, after a five-year period of study.

He said he had registered as a medical practitioner with, and had been admitted to practice by a UK medical board.

Asked by Lea what the board's name was, he replied: “I do not know.”

Kruger did not answer when Lea asked: “You were admitted to practice by the UK medical board, but you don't know the proper name of the authority?”

Asked by his lawyer if he would contact, or try to influence, any State witnesses, he replied: “Under no circumstances.”

He said he would plead not guilty at his trial, and added: “I do not think the State has a case against me, and I believe I will be found not guilty.”

Asked by Du Toit about the money he claimed to have in the HSBC bank, he replied: “I will not reply to any questions relating to this, until I have given my attorney full instructions.”

The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Johannes van Zyl, alleged that Kruger was not a medical doctor, but used the title to gain the trust of his alleged victims.

Van Zyl said he regarded the case as a priority for investigation.

“When I started this investigation, the accused reported me to senior police officers in an attempt to thwart progress in the matter.

“My concern is that there is nothing so stop him from making life difficult for me again if released on bail,” he said.

Any other victims could contact Van Zyl on 021-597-1760.

Kruger would be back in court on May 4.

Sapa

The EFF threw its support behind the call by UCT students for the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes.

Cape Town - The Economic Freedom Fighters on Tuesday threw its support behind the call by UCT students for the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the university's campus.

“Rhodes can never be a symbol worth celebrating in a post-1994

South Africa,” national spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.

“The EFF is not opportunistically raising the issue of Rhodes due to the momentum of students' and academics' demand.”

Ndlozi said the EFF had consistently called for the removal of symbols of colonialism and white supremacy.

“On various occasions, the EFF has demanded the complete removal and demolition of apartheid symbols, including the ones next to the Parliament of South Africa.”

During a seminar on transformation at the University of Cape Town on Monday, the president of the students' representative council, senior staff and half the audience walked out, TimesLive reported on its website.

The seminar was held following protests last week that began when a student reportedly emptied a toilet on the Rhodes statue.

On Sunday, the statue was covered with black rubbish bags.

A “UCT: Rhodes Must Fall” Facebook group has been created.

It had 3285 likes by 5pm on Tuesday. The group described itself as “a collective student, staff and worker movement mobilising for direct action against the institutional racism of UCT”.

Rhodes, 1853-1902, was a British colonialist, businessman, mining magnate, and politician in South Africa.

He founded Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe) which was named after him in 1895.

Rhodes University is also named after him. Provisions of the Rhodes Scholarship are funded by his estate.

Sapa

A joint operation involving the Hawks and Crime Intelligence officials resulted in the seizure of a drug shipment.

Johannesburg - Police have seized a consignment of Mandrax tablets with a street value of R5 million, arresting three suspects in Cape Town, the Hawks said on Tuesday.

Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the arrests took place on Sunday in a joint operation involving the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and Crime Intelligence.

“On 15 March 2015, members of the DPCI and Crime Intelligence acted on information gathered about Mandrax tablets that were being transported from Gauteng to the Western Cape.

“The assistance of the Paarl K9 Unit and the Forensics Department was sought to assist in the extensive examination during the search and seizure of four suspected vehicles,” said Mulaudzi.

Around 11.20pm, the vehicles were stopped at the Huguenot Toll Gate and the Hawks seized large quantities of drugs which included 117 000 Mandrax tablets valued at R5.2 million, 10 000 ecstasy tablets with a street value of R500 000, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The drugs were found hidden in the vehicles' compartments. It was found that the fourth vehicle was not involved and it was released.

“Three people have been taken into custody. The three suspects, aged between 20 and 40, are likely to face charges of possession and dealing in drugs when they appear in the Paarl Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.”

Acting DPCI head, Major-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza said the operation again demonstrated the power of joint law-enforcement efforts.

“Criminal networks seeking to bring illicit drugs into our cities will continue to find it harder and harder to operate when they are up against the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement.

“We are well aware that international criminals see Australia as a lucrative market for their drugs, but we will continue to work closely with our partners to identify syndicates such as these and ensure their shipments never make it to the streets of Australia.”

“Syndicates of organised crime should know that we are prepared, willing and able to combine our skills, resources and efforts to target them,” said Ntlemeza.

Sapa

A murder charge is being probed against a cop who is believed to have shot an alleged "crowbar gang" member.

Cape Town - A murder charge is being investigated against the police officer believed to have shot dead an alleged member of the “crowbar gang” in his home in Kuils River.

It was reported that a man broke into the policeman’s home in Aloe Street at 3pm on Monday and was shot dead. The policeman was at home and off duty at the time.

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the incident. He said the case was being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said the investigation was in its early stages.

“A case of murder has been opened, but the outcome will depend on the evidence.

“If the shooting is not justified we will make a recommendation to the prosecuting director that he be prosecuted, but if he says he acted because his life was in danger and evidence shows it, we will not recommend prosecution.”

Dlamini said as far as he knew the policeman had not been suspended.

It was the police management’s prerogative to suspend a member.

“Ipid is not in a position to make recommendations for suspension as the investigation is still incomplete.”

Earlier on Monday, police arrested six burglary suspects who were also suspected of being crowbar gang members.

Three were caught inside a house in Franschoek Street in Kenridge, Durbanville, where a domestic worker had been tied up. The other three men were stopped in a rented bakkie.

Durbanville Community Police Forum chairwoman Lesley Ashton said there had been a spate of crowbar robberies in the area.

“The crowbar-type robberies and burglaries have once again increased in the Durbanville area. However, it is still less than the total compared to this time last year.”

The police, neighbourhood watch and armed response security companies were working together to accumulate information on whether this was the so-called crowbar gang or copycat robbers, as suggested by police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut.

“This specific modus operandi of robbery is currently being focused upon.

“Durbanville, as well as many other residential areas, are unfortunately continuously targeted by opportunistic as well as organised crime syndicates,” said Ashton.

Lansdowne and Rondebosch East Neighbourhood Watch chairman Adam Fisher said they had the same problem last year. “Last year, from May to November, we had about 15 incidents of crowbar robberies.”

Fisher said the robbers tended to operated from 9am to noon when homeowners were at work and domestic workers were alone in the house.

They opened garages, gates and windows with crowbars.

To increase security, Fisher said residents used social media to alert each other about suspicious vehicles and people.

“We have also put in surveillance cameras at certain key points and have people on standby when others are at work.”

zodidi.dano@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Nine past UCT SRC presidents have added their support to a campaign to remove the Rhodes statue from the campus.

Cape Town - Nine past SRC presidents from UCT have added their support to the campaign to remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the campus, but those wanting the statue gone were reminded on Tuesday that theirs was not the only voice.

Other students and some staff members want the statue to stay where it is, in its prominent position above the rugby fields, and this led to an altercation during a protest at lunchtime on Tuesday, which spread to the university’s Beattie building where students toyi-toyied and sang loudly.

Language lecturer Dr Azila Reisenberger found herself in the middle of a fracas when she emerged from her office in the Beattie building, with a poster reading: “Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.”

Reisenberger, who has been a lecturer for 30 years and has published award-winning books of poetry, caused an uproar among the students, although the arguments remained verbal rather than physical.

“For all they know, I can fully agree with their demands or I may not,” Reisenberger told the Cape Argus. “The only thing that I have an issue with is that these students must remember that they are among a select few youngsters in this country that attend a university. Instead of throwing a tantrum they should be discussing the matter in a proper dialogue.”

Mechanical engineering student Rhys van den Handel also believes the Rhodes Must Fall group’s actions over the past two weeks should have been conducted in a more democratic manner.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg. If they do get the statue taken down then what will be next? It is not like when the statue is gone then everything will be okay.

“I agree that change at the university has taken a long time, but what really will change when one statue has been taken away? Instead of complaining about a statue they should focus on other issues at the university that affect all of us, then they will get more support.”

When the protesting students arrived at the black bag-clad statue on Tuesday they were greeted by two posters taped to the back of the statue, saying: “Which black students are you representing? Do not throw away our history because of your anger!” and “What about other black voices that do not agree with you?”

One student, who did not want to be named, climbed the statue in an attempt to remove the bags but only managed to tear off a patch before the protesting students chased him off.

Protester Roscoe Jacobs took the posters down, saying other students should not piggy-back on their action.

“If there are other black students or any other students for that matter who are unhappy with the way we have conducted our business then they should speak out for themselves. We made our statement so if others have more to say then they should do so in their own way.”

Meanwhile, the protesters are garnering support from beyond the university, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and past SRC presidents.

Jerome September, Nqobizitha Mlilo, Andiswa Magadla, Zukiswa Mqolomba, Thulani Madinginye, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Lorne Hallendorf, Insaaf Isaacs and Nommangaliso Gondwe – who all served as SRC president between 1999 and earlier this year – have written an open letter to chancellor Graça Machel and other senior UCT members.

The past presidents said the issues surrounding the Rhodes statue were not new, and the time had come for the university to deliver on its transformation promises.

“Recent events only serve to confirm that UCT can no longer justify defending the statue’s existence, nor can it ignore its political significance. We also believe this is a poignant opportunity for the university to reaffirm its own stated aim of ‘making UCT a place that is owned by all its staff and students, and by the community’,” read the letter.

The letter goes on to reject the idea that the removal of the statue would erase Rhodes from the university’s history.

They said the university should not feel it owes the former statesman for the land because “it was not his to give in the first place”.

All nine past presidents said they were frustrated at the slow rate of the transformation at the university, and felt the removal of the statue would go a long way to proving to students the university’s willingness for change.

“We acknowledge that addressing the full legacy of centuries of racial bigotry will take time, and that removing the statue is not a panacea. Still, the statue’s removal presents an opportunity for progress, and we see no reason not to take it. This should not detract from the other dimensions of transformation to which the university is committed.”

In lending support to the students, the EFF said it continued its fight for the removal of all symbols of colonial South Africa.

junior.bester@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

* In Tuesday’s IOL news poll, we asked: Should the statue of Rhodes be removed from UCT’s campus? The results were: Yes 473 (23 %) and No 1620 (77 %)

The Judicial Services Commission is to decide whether to probe Judge Jeanette Traverso's handling of Shrien Dewani's trial.

Cape Town -The Judicial Services Commission is to decide this week whether to investigate Judge Jeanette Traverso’s handling of the Shrien Dewani murder trial.

In January, the Higher Education Transformation Network laid a formal complaint against the judge, accusing her of judicial bias against the State’s case and deciding to acquit Dewani of murder without giving the prosecution a fair hearing.

Judge Traverso was given until the end of last month to respond.

A spokeswoman for the Judicial Conduct Committee, which is composed of the chief justice and four judges, said Judge Traverso had replied in writing and her letter would be presented during a meeting on Friday.

The committee could not disclose the contents of the letter because, it said, this could jeopardise its decision on whether to investigate the judge’s conduct, which was set to be made during the meeting.

The Higher Education Transformation Network said on Tuesday that the commission had already convened a panel to pursue the case.

In its original complaint, the Network wrote that:

* Traverso had shown prejudice against the “black prosecutor Adrian Mopp”.

* She favoured Dewani’s “white Afrikaans counsel”.

* She harassed the State with “aggressive and unpleasant” interrogation.

* Her decision to discharge Dewani was made without giving the prosecution a fair and proper hearing.

Dewani was acquitted of all charges, including murder, after his counsel brought an application to have him discharged.

He had been charged with orchestrating the death of his bride, Anni Hindocha, during their honeymoon in November, 2010.

It was the State’s case that Dewani paid a taxi driver to stage the hijacking in which Hindocha was killed.

Judge Traverso granted the application for discharge, and he was thus acquitted of five charges relating to the killing.

“There is no evidence on which a reasonable man can convict the accused,” she said at the time.

Local lawyers, including William Booth, agreed that the State’s case had slowly unravelled throughout the murder trial. But now the Higher Education Transformation Network has argued that Judge Traverso deliberately skewed the case against the State. In its complaint it called for the deputy judge president to be removed from the Bench.

It’s not the first time Judge Traverso’s actions have been questioned. Last November, the Justice4Anni campaign delivered a petition to the offices of the justice department calling for her recusal from Dewani’s case. It attracted more than 2 400 signatures.

In a 22-page dossier accompanying the petition, the organisation wrote that the judge had refused to allow key prosecution evidence from being submitted, without explanation, and had made an incorrect statement in court.

The judge had frequently blocked the prosecution from delving into Dewani’s self-admitted bisexuality, saying it had no bearing on the murder trial.

Anni’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, saidhe supported complaints against Judge Traverso.

The Higher Education Transformation Network has now called for transparency, complaining it was left in the dark about the judge’s response until Tuesday.

kieran.legg@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Teachers accused of conspiring against an alleged sex pest principal were chased from their school and told never to return.

Cape Town - Three teachers were chased off the grounds of their Kraaifontein school and told never to return, as protests over the dismissal of the principal continued on Tuesday.

Imvumelwano Primary in Wallacedene was closed for several days last month and again on Tuesday after the dismissal of the principal on misconduct charges sparked protests by parents and residents who want him to be reinstated.

There was a strong police presence around the school and a heap of rubble, that had been set alight earlier, was still smouldering outside the school gate by about noon.

The principal had been charged with “five charges of misconduct under sub-sections 18(1)(dd), 18(1)(q) and 18(1)(s) relating to sexual assault and harassment, and two charges of misconduct relating to dishonesty under section 18(1) (ee) of the Employment of Educators Act”.

Chippa Arosi, the chairman of the SA National Civic Organisation in the Kraaifontein area, said members of a steering committee, which includes himself, governing body members and other residents had tried to intervene, but the “community” demanded that the three teachers leave their classrooms.

“They were then chased away.”

He said the three were among 11 teachers who residents accused of conspiring against the principal.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer announced on Tuesday that her office had received new evidence in the case.

Last week her office received a report from an independent investigating officer.

She said this investigation had found that the process by the Western Cape Education Department had been “procedurally and substantively fair” and that there was nothing that occurred in the duration of that process which, in their minds, would justify an approach to a court for the overturning of the dismissal on that basis.

It was, however, recommended that the principal be advised to refer the matter to the Education Labour Relations Council for arbitration, “notwithstanding that the principal had refused to pursue this avenue beforehand”.

“However, subsequent to receiving the report, my office then received new evidence, in the form of a sworn statement pertaining to the facts of this case and which may, or may not, have had an influence on the charges that were laid, the evidence that was led and hence the findings of the disciplinary panel in this matter.”

She said there had been an agreement with officials that, based on the new evidence received, they would not oppose any application for condonation, which the principal was now advised to launch.

“I now request the community to respect my decision and, if they so choose, lawfully participate in that arbitration process further, once initiated by the principal.”

She condemned the violent protest action.

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A Kuils River child pornographer has been declared fit to stand trial - despite telling doctors that he hears voices.

Cape Town - A Kuils River man, previously convicted of child pornography and who is back in court on similar charges, has been declared fit to stand trial - despite telling doctors that he hears voices in his head.

On Tuesday the 40-year-old, who is also wanted by US authorities, appeared in the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court.

He is sought by Interpol in connection with the alleged mass distribution of videos and images involving his alleged rape of street children.

At a later stage the man’s defence attorney is expected to bring an application to have him assessed by a panel of experts at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital. He had previously told the court he had a psychological problem and wanted to be admitted to hospital.

At his last court appearance, the court ruled that he should be assessed by a district surgeon.

At the time it emerged that the man may have received treatment at a facility in Stikland, but this was not confirmed.

On Tuesday, following his visit to the doctor, a medical report handed in to court said the man was “not psychotic”.

It said that the man claimed he had admitted himself to Stikland in 2008 to “overcome an addiction”.

A part of the report read into the record said that while he “claims to hear voices in his head, he might have impulse control problems”.

It added: “But this does not reduce his criminal liability as he can distinguish between right and wrong.”

The doctors have requested more information regarding claims that the man had received treatment at Stikland.

Prosecutor Lenro Badenhorst asked for the matter to be postponed in order to get the relevant information.

Arrested on November 25 last year, the man has yet to apply for bail and could face extradition to the US.

It is believed that American members of Interpol allegedly made the link from child abuse websites and contacted police specialised units in Gauteng.

A warrant was issued for his arrest on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and transportation of child pornography.

He also faces a charge of sexual abuse of a minor child and child pornography.

These charges relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2010 and last year. He had previously been sentenced to four years in prison - which was suspended for five years - after he was found in possession of child pornography in 2002.

He is due back in court next Tuesday.

natasha.prince@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Court bid begins for access to documents on fees, revenue, profits and building costs.

Cape Town - The fight for the right to scrutinise critical information about toll fees and the cost of the SA National Roads Agency’s controversial N1 and N2 toll road project moves to the Supreme Court of Appeal today as the City of Cape Town lodges its appeal for access to all related documents.

The Western Cape High Court ruled last year that papers filed by Sanral in response to the city’s application to review the toll project, should remain confidential.

This meant all supplementary papers and answering affidavits dealing with the review application will remain sealed until the matter is heard.

Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for Transport for Cape Town, said then that this barred the city from releasing information about the most significant aspects of its supplementary papers, which dealt with the toll fees, total expected revenue, profits, construction costs and the cost-benefit ratio.

Although Judge Ashley Binns-Ward dismissed Sanral’s confidentiality plea, he applied a rule that prevented parties from providing details of an administrative action.

The Legal Resources Centre said this deprived the public of information about the way the government operated.

Judge Binns-Ward also reversed the practice that allowed anyone to access court records from the Registrar of the High Court.

Eleven civil society organisations, including the Right2Know Campaign, the Legal Resources Centre and Corruption Watch, have thrown their weight behind the city’s court battle. As friends of the court they will give evidence of the impact of the high court decision on the independence of the judiciary, the right to access the courts, the prevention of corruption and freedom of speech and the press.

In their submission, the organisations argue that the high court decision makes it difficult for journalists to report accurately and fairly on court proceedings. It also “prevents or delays the discovery and exposure of public or private wrongdoing”. Furthermore, by keeping a lid on court documents, the judgment threatened the right of the public to open justice, the right of everyone to access to information, as well as the city’s right to freedom of expression.

Herron will be in Bloemfontein for today’s hearing.

The city has been fighting Sanral’s proposed Winelands toll project since 2012, on the basis that the tolling will be detrimental to poorer communities and that the road upgrades it will fund are unnecessary.

Its review application, set down for August 11 in the Western Cape High Court, calls for Sanral’s “unlawful and improper” decision to declare the N1 and N2 as toll roads set aside, and for the whole project to be scrapped.

Cape Argus

Outraged Samwu members threatened to burn down the Oudtshoorn Municipality over alleged fraud.

Cape Town - Outraged members of the SA Municipal Workers Union threatened to burn down the Oudtshoorn Municipality after discovering money deducted from their salaries each month had not been paid to their pension funds, medical aids and other third parties.

They believed the money had not been paid since November. Charges have been laid and police are investigating.

About a hundred workers took to the streets over the past two days, burning tyres and rubble in front of the municipal building while demanding swift action.

On Tuesday, the municipality said “all monies that needed to be paid to the third parties have since been paid in full”.

Acting municipal manager Ronnie Lottering said the workers could have followed internal legal processes to voice their grievances instead of resorting to an unprotected illegal strike.

“This activity is a gross breach of the code of conduct that all are subscribing to and shows a great degree of irresponsibility.

“Management will ensure that all the necessary disciplinary actions are instituted accordingly.”

But despite the municipality’s assurances, union secretary Xolela Silinga said workers had laid criminal charges of fraud and corruption against Lottering and the municipality’s acting chief financial officer, Francois Human, for failing to pay the third parties.

“Our salary slips show that this money was deducted but we found out that it was never paid over. Workers are angry and they want answers. We will burn down this municipality and are prepared to go to jail if need be, but we will not allow people to rob the poor of their hard-earned money.”

Silinga said workers were fed-up with fraud and mismanagement at the local authority and called for national government intervention.

Police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie confirmed that a case of fraud and corruption had been opened by municipal employees.

Lottering said they were still negotiating with the union leadership.

warda.meyer@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Residents of an informal settlement in the Cape’s CBD say an offer of formal housing will do little to improve the quality of their lives.

Cape Town - Longtime residents of the Kraal, an informal settlement at the top of Hout Street, say the City of Cape Town’s offer of formal housing in Pelican Park will do little to improve the quality of their lives.

Many residents, some of whom have been living in Wash House Quarry for 20 years, said on Tuesday they would prefer to remain in the city, close to work opportunities and their children’s schools.

The city’s offer has been met with mixed reactions.

A younger resident, who was born in the quarry, said she was “very excited” about the chance to live in a house with running water and electricity.

When the Cape Argus visited the site on Tuesday, city law enforcement officers were dismantling some of the 18-odd illegal structures.

As council workers loaded a truck with old mattresses and pieces of wooden structures, a handful of permanent residents sat nearby, unperturbed by the eviction of their neighbours.

The residents, who refused to give their names, said they weren’t bothered by the “transient” informal dwellers who set up temporary housing on their doorstep. “They don’t bother us, so why should we bother them?”

Ward councillor Dave Bryant said it would be easier to deal with the illegal structures once the permanent residents had been relocated.

Officials from the city’s housing department were due to meet residents last week about the offer of fixed housing in Pelican Park, but none of the families were present at the meeting.

The Bo-Kaap Civic Association explained later that residents wanted more information about the move before they agreed to go.

But Bryant said on Tuesday that while he understood their misgivings, the reluctance of some to move while others wanted a fresh start was “frustrating for everyone”.

“This is groundbreaking because in the past it was always an offer of a temporary relocation.” But, the city could not force residents to move to Pelican Park, a development that fronts on to the False Bay Ecology Park.

“It is their choice if they want to take the offer.”

Another meeting, with city housing officials and residents, has been scheduled for next week.

The Kraal has been a source of concern for several years, with criminals using it as thoroughfare from the Bo-Kaap to Strand Street. Bryant said the city would improve lighting in the area.

Despite the Kraal’s reputation as being unsafe, many residents said they lived without fear.

A man who said he had raised his children and grandchildren in the Kraal, said people “on that side” were being killed in gang wars.

“Here we feel safe. You don’t even hear a gunshot.”

anel.lewis@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed to death a former pupil outside a Cape school.

Cape Town - A pupil at Sarepta Secondary School in Kuils River has been arrested after allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old former pupil outside the school premises on Tuesday.

The incident happened at about 3pm.

”A 16-year-old boy is alleged to have stabbed an 18-year old boy who died at the scene. The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation. The 16-year-old boy was arrested by the police for further investigation,” police spokesman FC van Wyk said.

Provincial education spokeswoman Jessica Shelver said

: “Details are still sketchy and we will know more tomorrow (on Thursday) once the matter has been investigated. Should any of our learners have been affected by the alleged incident, counselling will be provided.”

The department was concerned about violence affecting pupil – inside or outside school premises

“We need the assistance of law enforcement agencies such as SAPS. The provincial government will continue to engage with the SAPS when it comes to stepping up law enforcement around our schools. Parents also have a role to play in this regard, to encourage them to refrain from violent activities or antisocial behaviour.”

Cape Times

A Philippi East man has been charged with negligence after his 13-year-old son took a loaded gun to school.

Cape Town - A Philippi East man has been charged with negligence for allegedly failing to properly store a loaded gun his 13-year-old son took to school.

According to police, the pupil - who cannot be named because he is a minor - took the firearm from his father’s drawer. The “legal” gun was loaded with five rounds of ammunition, the police said.

The pupil allegedly brought the gun to Phakama High School to show to his friends. Subsequently, the police have charged the son with possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Philippi East police spokeswoman Nondumiso Paul confirmed that the pupil would appear in court on Wednesday and be released into his mother’s care pending the outcome of the court case. Paul said the school principal had told her the boy was seen by the school caretaker with two of his friends, playing with the firearm.

The matter was reported to the principal, who called the police.

The South African Gun Owners’ Association (Saga) says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should send out a strong message by jailing the father for being negligent.

Saga spokesman advocate John Welch praised the actions of the caretaker and the school principal, describing the pupil’s actions as “horrible”.

Welch’s message to young people was that “if you find a firearm, leave the room, don’t touch it and call an adult”.

The provincial Education Department’s director of communications, Millicent Merton, said “the school will handle the incident in terms of their code of conduct”.

She said the department had a safe schools call centre, where school-based violence could be reported and counselling offered.

Contact the safe schools call centre at 0800 454 647.

Cape Times

A group of principals have come out in support of a Cape principal who is facing suspension over assault allegations.

Cape Town - A group of principals have come out in support of South Peninsula High principal Brian Isaacs who is facing suspension after several allegations, including assault of a pupil, were made against him.

On Tuesday the Cape Argus reported that Isaacs had received a letter from the Western Cape Education Department stating that he had allegedly made himself guilty of “serious misconduct in that you assaulted a learner” as well as “victimisation and improper conduct against learners”.

On Tuesday, Isaacs received a visit from a group of about 10 principals who make up the executive of the Progressive Principals’ Association.

Riyaadh Najaar, the association’s chairman, said the group wanted to show their support to Isaacs, adding that a “madness was taking grip of our society” where principals who are performing are being charged without having given their side of the story.

Najaar, who is the principal of Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain, said the association didn’t support principals who made themselves guilty of assaulting children, but there were also cases where the allegations were trumped up.

“More needs to be done to support principals in terms of discipline.

“Governing bodies don’t always have the capacity to deal with issues of discipline.”

Najaar said pupils often came off lightly for bad behaviour and returned to school “knowing that they can get away with it”.

“If we get to a situation where principals give up on discipline then our schools will fall apart.”

Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Attwell said its special education support officials in every district worked with schools to plan and implement positive behaviour interventions.

“The interventions include training in classroom management, building self-esteem, anti-bullying, restorative justice, conflict management, reclaiming school environments and development of school codes of conduct.”

He said the Safe Schools division also trained school safety committees on how to implement codes of conduct.

Isaacs has denied all the charges against him and has accused the department of a witch-hunt because his school had opposed many policies and other decisions over the years.

He has also said that he couldn’t defend himself properly as he had not been given the names of the children he had allegedly assaulted and victimised.

The department has asked him to provide reasons why his suspension should not be confirmed and Isaacs said he had done so.

On Monday, Attwell said the case was sub judice but added that there was no witch-hunt against Isaacs.

He said the department could not release the names of the pupils at this stage.

“The department will give Mr Isaacs the names when it is deemed necessary, should he need to defend himself.”

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

UCT vice-chancellor Dr Max Price believes the controversial Rhodes statue on campus should be moved.

Cape Town - UCT vice-chancellor Dr Max Price believes the controversial Rhodes statue on campus should be moved.

He has also called for a special meeting on Friday to discuss the future of the statue following picketing and protests.

In a statement released by Price on Wednesday, the vice-chancellor said only the university council could take the decision to move the statue and it would first have to seek approval from Heritage Western Cape to do so.

“I believe that there is a significant view that the statue should be moved. However, as suggested above, there has never been any formal consultation or organised discussion on this matter, and it would not be appropriate for the UCT executive, or council, to make such a recommendation without undertaking such a discussion,” said Price.

The meeting is set to take place on Friday. it is understood that protesting UCT students also plan to march on a university building on that day.

Price said he believed the statue should be moved, rather than destroyed or hidden away. He said the statue’s position at the focal point of the university had attracted connotations of being a “founder, hero, patron, role model and (an) embodiment of UCT’s heritage”.

“I just think it should not be there - it should be moved. This will not compromise our ability to record and debate the role Rhodes played in the city’s and continent’s history. And it will not change our acknowledgment that UCT acquired its site from the Rhodes estate, and the positive contribution it has made to our institution and its students.”

He said another option was to leave the statue standing where it is but include a plaque at its base which in writing will acknowledge the “injustices of colonial conquest enacted under Rhodes’ watch”.

“This might be accompanied by another artwork to be located alongside Rhodes, to ‘speak back’ by way of alternative values and convictions. However, it is, in my view, the particular location and setting of the Rhodes statue that is the problem and it cannot be addressed by contextualising the statue or installing alternative icons.”

Price said Friday’s meeting was part of the university’s plans for addressing various transformation issues this year.

He said they had initiated a process to review statues, building names and other symbols that affect the “institutional climate” of UCT and how these may affect the “sense of inclusiveness or alienation felt by staff and students”.

Meanwhile, nine past SRC presidents from UCT have added their support to the campaign to remove the statue, but those wanting it gone were reminded on Tuesday that theirs was not the only voice.

Other students and some staff members want the statue to stay where it is, in its prominent position above the rugby fields, and this led to an altercation during a protest at lunchtime on Tuesday, which spread to the university’s Beattie building where students toyi-toyied and sang loudly.

Language lecturer Dr Azila Reisenberger found herself in the middle of a fracas when she emerged from her office in the Beattie building, with a poster reading: “Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.” Reisenberger, who has been a lecturer for 30 years and has published award-winning books of poetry, caused an uproar among the students, although the arguments remained verbal rather than physical.

“For all they know, I can fully agree with their demands or I may not,” Reisenberger told the Cape Argus. “Instead of throwing a tantrum they should be discussing the matter in a proper dialogue.”

Meanwhile, the protesters are garnering support from beyond the university, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and past SRC presidents.

Jerome September, Nqobizitha Mlilo, Andiswa Magadla, Zukiswa Mqolomba, Thulani Madinginye, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Lorne Hallendorf, Insaaf Isaacs and Nommangaliso Gondwe - who all served as SRC president between 1999 and earlier this year - have written an open letter to chancellor Graça Machel and other senior UCT members. They said the issues surrounding the statue were not new, and the time had come for the university to deliver on its transformation promises.

They said the university should not feel it owes the former statesman for the land because “it was not his to give in the first place”.

Cape Argus

A social worker has suggested that convicted killer Thandi Maqubela be handed a suspended sentence or periodic imprisonment.

Cape Town - The most appropriate sentence for convicted killer Thandi Maqubela would be periodical imprisonment, a social worker told the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.

Arina Smit, called as a defence witness, said this sentence attempted to balance the interest of society, the seriousness of the offence, and Maqubela's rehabilitation or healing.

According to the Criminal Procedure Act, a person given a periodical sentence had to serve not less than 100 hours (four days) and no more than two thousand hours (83 days).

In her 50-page pre-sentencing report, Smit had also recommended as an alternative a wholly suspended sentence.

However, she acknowledged that this sentence could be viewed as too lenient for murder, by the courts and society.

The wholly suspended sentence would be on condition that Maqubela, 60, pay for at least 20 sessions with a clinical psychologist to deal with the trauma of the crime, trial, detention in prison and public humiliation.

She would also have to submit to the supervision and control of a correctional or probation officer, and perform no less than 800

hours of community service.

Thomas Tyler, for Maquebela, had called Smit to the stand in mitigation of sentence.

She has worked for the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Re-integration of Offenders (Nicro) for 18 years.

Smit said Maqubela was not a danger to society and had a low risk of re-offending.

She should be offered the chance to remain productive in society, especially as she had started up 24 businesses, mostly aimed at enhancing social welfare.

“If she is to spend a number of years in prison, she will not be able to benefit the community and her children. It is important that she actually contributes to society,” Smit said.

Last November, the same court found Maqubela guilty of killing her acting judge husband Patrick Maqubela in June 2009, despite not having conclusive medical evidence pinpointing a cause of death.

She was found guilty of forging her husband's will and committing fraud by causing potential prejudice to his estate.

The acting judge was based at the Western Cape High Court at the time of his death.

Smit said Maqubela was likely to develop medical and health issues if detained since she presented as blunted and numb in her interviews.

Maqubela had told her she had not been able to cry since being incarcerated.

“She has dissociated from her current experience as a coping mechanism... she hasn't had the opportunity to grieve and for her, it is as if he is still alive.”

Although her two youngest daughters were not minors, Smit believed they were still psychologically and emotionally immature and needed guidance and approval from parental figures.

With both parents unavailable, they had suffered a double loss and this had impacted on their ability to finish their studies.

“Having been a social worker in practice, I have quite a few concerns about families and the disintegration of families. Family preservation would be important with regards to the accused.”

The report was based on three face-to-face interviews with Maqubela, interviews with her family and collateral information from other documents.

Smit will be cross-examined when sentencing proceedings resume on Thursday.

Sapa

A four-year-old was allegedly forced to smoke dagga by an older brother who posted the pictures on social media.

Cape Town - The four-year-old toddler allegedly forced to smoke dagga by an older brother has been found, the Western Cape social development department said on Wednesday.

“The DSD (Department of Social Development) ministry was yesterday (Tuesday) made aware of a 17-year-old teenager who had posted pictures on social media of him allegedly coercing his four-year-old sister to smoke marijuana,” social development MEC Albert Fritz said in a statement.

“Our social workers from the metro south regional office were immediately activated and launched an investigation to try to track the whereabouts of the toddler, made difficult given the lack of information and an address.”

He said social workers found the four-year-old's location on Wednesday and approached the child's mother to intervene.

The police have been asked to assist in the situation because of the 17-year-old's alleged gang connections, Fritz said.

The department was probing the matter as well as working with police to track down the teenager.

Sapa

A former manager at the Pearl Valley Estate clubhouse in Suider-Paarl in the Western Cape is charged with fraud and theft.

Cape Town - A former manager at the Pearl Valley Estate clubhouse in Suider-Paarl in the Western Cape, appeared in a Cape Town court on Wednesday charged with fraud and theft.

Elana Lee-Ann Adams appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court before Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg, who warned her to appear again on May 4.

The charges involve an amount of R77 153. According to the charge sheet, the estate comprises a golf course, homes, and the clubhouse.

The clubhouse employs waiters to serve meals and drinks to members of the club.

It is alleged that she manipulated the electronic system between November 2013 and April last year.

According to the charge sheet, Adams received the takings from each waiter after their respective shifts.

Club members paid cash for their orders or paid by means of bank cards.

It is alleged that she regularly cancelled cash transactions on the electronic system and kept the cash for herself.

On one count, it is alleged that she received R2957 cash from the waiters in April last year but failed to hand the amount over to management and kept it for herself.

Sapa