latest info: South Africa

Assets worth R1.7m seized from suspected Cape gang leader

Cape Town – Police attached to the Mitchell’s Plain policing cluster, together with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the director of public prosecutions (DPP), have swooped on various premises owned by a "well-known self-proclaimed gang leader" in Cape Town, Western Cape police said on Saturday.

"This was done [on Friday] in order for the curator to seize assets to the value of R1.7-million," Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said.

Assets, including luxury motor vehicles, a trailer, a superbike, and vehicles of a business linked to the suspect were seized at his premises in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain; Athlone Industrial; Reindeer Street, Grassy Park; and in Worcester.

The seizure came after a lengthy investigation since December 2014 when police confiscated a large quantity of drugs and a large amount of cash in Lentegeur.

During September 2015 police confiscated a large quantity of drugs and cash at a house in Grassy Park. Police together with the office of the AFU seized the drugs and money amounting to more than R4-million.

"The investigation continues and the suspects arrested, including the said well-known self-proclaimed gang leader, are due to appear in the Khayelitsha Priority Court on 24 January 2017 on 239 charges, which include dealing in drugs, money laundering, and other charges in terms of POCA [Prevention of Organised Crime Act], which charges relate to racketeering," Rwexana said.

South Africa Sport

Ephraim Mashaba sacked as South Africa coach for misconduct

Unknown at 03:21 0

South Africa's FA (Safa) has sacked coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba for "gross misconduct". He was also found guilty of insubordination and violating communication policies. Mashaba was suspended last month after making strong comments about Safa president Danny Jordaan. "Due to the seriousness of [his] actions, we had to release our head coach with immediate effect," a Safa statement said. The incidents all followed South Africa's 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on 12 November. That result left Bafana Bafana second in Group D on four points, behind Burkina Faso on goal difference. Only the group winners qualify for the finals in Russia in 2018. "It is regrettable that we had to face the events of the past month at a time when the National Team is experiencing a resurgence in its quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup", Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble said in a statement. However South Africa failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon next month. Mashaba was also accused of having a verbal altercation with Mr Mumble and insulting the media. The suspension meant he missed a friendly against Mozambique in November, when assistant coach Owen da Gama took charge. Safa says it will "immediately institute a search for a new head coach, familiar with African football competition." The new coach would be charged with continuing the "quest to qualify for the world's apex football competition", the statement said. Safa appealed to fans to continue to support Bafana Bafana.

Africa South Africa

We had a few seconds to run' – camper caught up in Cederberg fires

Unknown at 12:49 0

Cape Town – A holidaymaker and his family had seconds to grab what they could before a wildfire spread dangerously close to a campsite they were staying at in the Cederberg. Clinton du Preez told News24 on Wednesday that while on holiday with his family on the Sanddrif holiday farm on Tuesday afternoon winds blew the fires raging in the area since Friday close to where they were. "We were still watching helicopters fight flames on the one side of the farm when we realised that the fires had spread incredibly close to our tents," he said. "We had a few seconds to run and grab our wallets in our tents and drive away." Du Preez said even though none of the fires spread to where their tents stood, their camping gear was still damaged. "There are holes everywhere in our tents as the small coals burnt through. A mattress that I specially bought last week needs to be thrown away." Du Preez said some accommodation units were nearly caught in the blaze. 21 00 hectares of fynbos burnt "It's a miracle that that the fires didn't burn down any of the chalets," he said. The Sanddrif and Driehoek holiday farms did not respond to requests for comment. According to a statement posted on the Working with Fire Facebook page, the fires started in the Cederberg Wilderness area on Friday. Justin Lawrence from CapeNature said more than 21 000 hectares of fynbos and three campsites have been burnt so far. Lawrence said by Wednesday afternoon the fires were 90% contained. He said the fires were not putting anyone in immediate danger. Teams from CapeNature, Working on Fire, the West Coast District Municipality and neighbouring landowners were working together to combat the flames.