Questions have arisen about Patricia de Lille's personal role in official reports on the arrest of her husband.

Cape Town - Questions have arisen about Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille’s personal role in official reports on the arrest of a motorist, her husband - despite a strong possible conflict of interest.

Her husband, Edwin, was arrested on Friday for reckless and negligent driving.

Soon after his arrest in Pinelands, De Lille told the Weekend Argus her husband had had a stroke.

It is understood that this served as an explanation as to why he may have been driving in a manner which led to his arrest.

More significantly, since the arrest, city officials have refused to comment.

The Cape Argus on Sunday submitted formal questions to Kylie Hatton, the city’s manager of media in the new Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department; to Paul Boughey, head of the office of the mayor; and to Solly Malatsi, De Lille’s official spokesman.

The following questions were asked:

* What led to the arrest of the mayor’s husband?

* What action has the city taken against the motorist?

* Will the city’s actions be free of any actual or perceived interference or pressure on officials involved?

* Is the city happy that due process has been followed, strictly “by the book”, thus far?

* Will the city’s electronic surveillance resources be utilised in prosecuting the motorist (ie, the city’s freeway camera system)?

In response, Hatton referred the questions to Malatsi, who quoted De Lille in reply. She refused to answer the questions, instead saying: “I thank the police for stopping him under that health condition and the law must take its course. All evidence about his health condition will be put before the court and we must respect the independence of the courts.”

Not only did De Lille refuse to answer the questions formally submitted by the Cape Argus, but she refused to explain why the city’s administration had either refused or been ordered not to answer the questions, as is routine.

Normally, on matters pertaining to roads, direct comment is made either by mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith or the executive director of safety and security Richard Bosman.

A personal comment from the mayor regarding a traffic violation - in this case involving her own spouse - is unprecedented.

De Lille and the city’s administration were also requested to give an assurance to the public that the matter would be dealt with without fear or favour.

This question was asked because while it will now be for the police to investigate and the courts to adjudicate, it will still be City of Cape Town employees who will carry the burden of testifying, or submitting evidence based on what they witnessed leading up to the arrest. But there was no response to this request from the city or De Lille.

A source in Cape Town with intimate knowledge of the workings of the city’s administration said De Lille’s actions were “outrageous” for at least four reasons. First, because it was highly irregular for the mayor to comment on traffic violations, as opposed to the usual city officials or the politician who heads that department.

Second, that it was “discourteous and plain wrong” for the mayor, having taken on the communications on the matter herself, to refuse to answer the Cape Argus’s questions.

Third, that it was deeply inappropriate for De Lille to be answering questions pertaining to charges against her own husband.

And fourth, that it was disingenuous for De Lille to claim that it was in the hands of the courts when she would know full well that any case would rely heavily on the co-operation of city officers.

The source said: “This is ‘spin city’ gone mad. It’s outrageous.”

The “spin city” allegation pertains to recent moves within the administration to put communications in the hands of politicians instead of politically neutral officials, as reported in the Cape Argus earlier this year.

Cape Argus

About 500 farm workers protested on the N1 highway at De Doorns, according to Western Cape police.

De Doorns - About 500 farm workers protested on the N1 highway at De Doorns on Monday morning, Western Cape police said.

Lieutenant-Coonlel Andrè Traut said the workers were locked in a wage dispute.

The highway between Touwriver and De Doorns was closed as a precautionary measure, with traffic diverted through Ceres.

No arrests were made and police were monitoring the situation. - Sapa

People desperate to get their hands on Social Relief of Distress vouchers queued and slept outside the SA Social Security Agency offices.

Cape Town - People desperate to get their hands on Social Relief of Distress (SRD) vouchers continued to queue and sleep outside the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices in the city centre at the weekend.

About 17 residents from Joe Slovo, Salt River and Bo-Kaap lined the pavement outside the Sassa offices on Sunday, hoping to get their hands on a R1 200 SRD voucher, which Sassa hands out every month on Mondays.

The voucher covers short-term relief for people who have suffered loss during fire disasters and other unwarranted hardship.

The Cape Argus reported last week about hundreds of people who spent Sunday night outside the Sassa offices.

The region’s Sassa senior communications and marketing manager, Shivani Wahab, told the Cape Argus that the province was allocated a R10.5 million budget for SRDs and each office allocated 25 vouchers each financial year.

She explained that a person was not entitled to both a social grant and an SRD, and should an applicant meet all the stipulated criteria for a SRD, the voucher could be issued immediately.

Sonusindiswa Hlaba, 28, a mother of three from Joe Slovo, on Sunday settled for her third night away from home. Hlaba and another Joe Slovo resident, Ntombovuyo Dabasi, 44, spent Friday and Saturday night in the city’s police station. Hlaba said a security guard had told them that it wasn’t safe to sleep on the streets. “Today we will sleep here because there [are] more people,” she said.

Hlaba depends on occasional “peace jobs” for which she gets about R500 a month. She left her children, aged between two and eight, with her unemployed boyfriend at home.

“I can’t travel back and forth every morning, we don’t have that kind of money. Every cent goes towards food for my children,” said Hlaba. She said this was her third attempt to get the SRD voucher.

“Each time I pray not to go home empty-handed. This money will help buy Christmas groceries and school uniforms for my children,” she said.

Two blankets and half a loaf of bread is all Hlaba had to get her through the night.

About eight residents questioned by the Cape Argus said they heard about the SRD vouchers from friends within their communities.

Spokeswoman for Social Development MEC Albert Fritz, Melany Kühn, said the MEC had written a “strong worded” letter to Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini “requesting them to communicate properly with the public”.

“There is no campaign to let the public know what the procedure or requirements are. It’s not necessary for people to queue overnight like this,” said Kühn.

Wahab said Sassa officials would be sent out overnight to “address and ascertain” what the people were queuing for: “Lots of people who are receiving social grants are under the impression that we have more to offer.”

She added that as part of a contingency plan the St Georges Cathedral had been hired to accommodate some of the people from tomorrow.

nontando.mposo@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The last king of Scotland is in Cape Town and has visited Hangberg, in Hout Bay to spread a message of peace.

Cape Town - The last king of Scotland is in Cape Town and has visited Hangberg, in Hout Bay, to spread a message of peace.

Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, who won the best actor award for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, visited Hangberg on Sunday, where he charmed residents at the “The Quarry,” a section earmarked for housing development.

Hangberg made headlines in 2010 with violent clashes between police and eviction authorities and residents.

Some residents lost eyes to rubber bullets and police and law enforcement officers were injured during the protest.

A ceasefire was later brokered through a mediator, resulting in the drafting of a peace and mediation accord to be used as the framework for the community to start “rebuilding”.

Whitaker, a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) goodwill ambassador for peace and reconciliation and founder of the Peace Earth NGO was in town to shoot his upcoming film Zulu.

The Hollywood star, who has taken an interest in the Hangberg mediated development process, commended the mediation process, saying that the rebuilding of Hangberg could be used as a blueprint to bring about peace in other townships.

Whitaker also visited the “Sloot”, where he met rastas and community members from different faiths and organisations.

“What I saw was a passion for and a spirit in community that was very powerful,” he said.

On Sunday, the actor spent the afternoon with residents at a multi-faith service celebrating a “breakthrough” in agreements struck in the community to vacate precious tracts of land to make way for construction of houses.

Whitaker shook hands, hugged and posed for pictures with fans who huddled around him, eager to get a snap of the actor.

He said it was an honour to share the moment and that it was a “very special thing”, the way the community had set aside their anger.

“People who had lost their sight have the sight and the vision to see what you need to do for your community - it is an overwhelming thing,” he said.

Whitaker arrived, escorted by peace accord mediator Brian Williams, who said that Whitaker’s visit was a “great injection of energy”.

“There have been so many negative forces trying to destroy the peace and to have an important celebrity endorsing it is an important recognition of the work done.”

Whitaker has been conducting his own research on gangs in Gugulethu for his role in Zulu.

natasha.prince@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Joe Slovo residents set fire to containers owned by foreign nationals, accusing them of using businesses as a front to sell drugs.

Cape Town - A mob of angry Joe Slovo residents have set fire to several containers, mostly owned by foreigners, accusing them of using their businesses as a front to sell drugs.

Residents said their actions on Sunday were not a xenophobic attack, but an attempt to rid the community of drugs and to claim back land.

Joe Slovo Park, off Koeberg Road in Milnerton, is a small township made up of brick houses and shacks.

Residents blocked roads leading into the area with burning tyres and placed about 10 shipping containers in the area’s main road, then set fire to them.

SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) chairperson, Mncedisi Jibe, said residents did not understand why houses could not be built on land occupied by the foreign-owned shops.

Jibe claimed residents had proof that people operating their businesses from containers had been dealing in drugs and that this was the reason why they wanted them out.

“We are burning any containers in sight because they are on our land,” Jibe said.

He said the land on which those businesses operated belonged to the people of Joe Slovo and that they wanted it back. “We are burning them because when we put our shacks on here, law enforcement removes them,” he said.

Hairdressers, barbers and mechanics operating from the area were angered by Sunday’s attack.

Dolanti Kamana said that he had returned from church to find that his mother’s salon was among the containers which had been destroyed.

“The police were there but they didn’t do anything. They just watched. I couldn’t believe what was happening,” Kamana said.

“My mom is very upset and angry, but she is trying not to show it,” he added.

Kamana said he was preparing for an engineering exam and was not able to concentrate after his mother’s business container was torched.

“We weren’t there when it happened, but we think they threw something in the window and burnt the container like that. We didn’t have time to get some of the stuff like TVs and hairdryers out,” he said.

Joy McCarthy, a Joe Slovo councillor, said the community had not been protesting over a lack of services.

“This is not a service delivery protest, as we are trying very hard to deliver services and housing to the informal settlements,” McCarthy said.

“However, such unlawful behaviour and damaging of the existing infrastructure by certain individuals within the community is hampering service delivery.”

Late on Sunday, police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said streets in the area had not been re-opened because some containers were still in the road.

“We will monitor and patrol the area to maintain calm and order and we will reopen the roads once we are sure that motorists wont be in any danger,” Traut said.

yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The Provincial Department of Health could end up paying more than R130 million in medico-legal and civil claims.

Cape Town - The provincial Department of Health could end up paying more than R130 million in medico-legal and civil claims if litigation against its health workers is successful.

According to the 2011/2012 report, new claims worth R62.3m relating to botched medical treatment and procedures were registered during this period, while civil and legal claims amounted to R1.1m. Just over 9 300 medico-legal cases were admitted during the year under review.

The report, which was discussed by the standing committee on community development and the standing committee on public acccounts on Friday, also revealed that there was an increase in cases of corruption, nepotism, fraud, financial and human resource irregularities at the department, with 83 cases relating to the department appearing on the forensic investigating unit’s (FIU) register.

Some 60 people were dismissed during the 2011/2012 financial year due to theft, bribery and absenteeism. Four were staff members who were dismissed for alleged fraud that amounted to almost R3m.

The auditor-general’s report stated that of the 83 cases referred to the FIU, 27 relating to alleged corruption, financial irregularities, procurement fraud and theft were investigated between July 2006 and January 2012. Twenty-one were deemed as fraud or irregular while six were cleared.

About 30 cases, which were lodged between January 2010 and March 2012, have not been investigated yet, 18 cases were currently under investigation and eight cases had been referred back to the department.

Although the department had developed the compliance monitoring instrument, which put focus on compliance with laws and regulations, the auditor-general’s report said it was “evident from the extent of non-compliance relating to procurement and contract management that full adherence to the instrument had not yet been established by the department throughout all institutions”.

During the discussion of the report, the department was also quizzed on its policy for the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI), which contradicted that of the national Department of Health.

While the department supports some aspects of NHI, which was to improve quality of service in the public health-care sector, Health MEC Theuns Botha said the province supported universal health for all - a model which was already used in the province that stressed partnerships with the private sector.

Botha told the committee that the department had communicated the province’s model to the national Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi who backed a pilot operation in the Western Cape.

sipokazi.fokazi@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The State has to prove that Xolile Mngeni fired the shot that killed Anni Dewani, a Western Cape High Court judge has said.

Cape Town - The State has to prove that a man on trial for tourist Anni Dewani's murder shot her, a Western Cape High Court judge said on Monday.

Deputy director of public prosecutions Adrian Mopp told the court during closing arguments in Xolile Mngeni's trial that there was “overwhelming evidence” against the accused.

“Yes, you can take your cake and eat it,” Judge Robert Henney said.

“The only thing then is who was responsible for the shooting? Most of the evidence, the cellphone records, that's not in dispute.”

Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to hijacking, robbing, and killing Dewani in Gugulethu on November 13, 2010.

Henney said the State would have to prove it was Mngeni who pulled the trigger rather than convicted killer and alleged accomplice Mziwamadoda Qwabe, who was jailed for 25 years.

Qwabe entered into a plea and sentencing agreement, in which he turned State witness and testified that Mngeni was both his accomplice and the shooter.

“Let's hone in on Qwabe. He's like a person on crutches. If he doesn't have a crutch, he falls,” Henney said.

The State said it would prove Qwabe was a reliable witness and that the testimony of several other witnesses corroborated his version of events.

“We [will] submit in our argument that the accused was, indeed, the shooter,” Mopp said.

The trial continues. - Sapa

The State has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Xolile Mngeni acted in common purpose to kill honeymooner Anni Dewani, the Western Cape High Court has heard.

Cape Town - The State has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Xolile Mngeni acted in common purpose to kill honeymooner Anni Dewani, the Western Cape High Court heard during closing argument on Monday.

Deputy director of public prosecutions Adrian Mopp said 26 State witnesses and phone records had given the court “overwhelming” evidence incriminating Mngeni.

The evidence “showed” Mngeni and accomplices had directly intended for Dewani to be killed, using whatever means necessary.

It was the State's case that Mngeni had been unable to prove his innocence, successfully explain where he was on the night in question, and give reasons for being linked to Dewani's stolen possessions.

Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Dewani was shot in an apparent car hijacking while on honeymoon with her husband Shrien in Cape Town on November 13, 2010.

The State said on Monday it had decided to concede the charge of kidnapping since it formed part of the continuous criminal intention of executing the murder.

Mopp said he believed they had proven Mngeni was the gunman, rather than alleged accomplice and convicted killer Mziwamadoda Qwabe.

“Sorry to be crude, but Qwabe was the brains and Mngeni was the brawn,” he said.

Qwabe, serving a 25-year jail term for his role in the murder, had testified Mngeni was both his accomplice and the shooter.

Mopp said the court could find beyond reasonable doubt that Mngeni had been in a vehicle with Qwabe and shuttle driver Zola Tonga the day of the crime to discuss the murder plan.

“Once he's inside the vehicle, the dominoes start falling... being inside the vehicle is fatal to the accused because that's where the plan was hatched,” he said.

The State wrapped up its closing arguments and the defence was called to begin its argument.

Defence lawyer Qalisile Dayimani said he would need more time to prepare and asked for a postponement until Tuesday, which the court granted. - Sapa

A policeman from Somerset West shot dead three members of his family at home before turning the gun on himself.

Cape Town - A policeman from Somerset West on Sunday night shot dead three members of his family at home before turning the gun on himself.

Sergeant Max Gwanya, 37, was stationed at the Commercial Crimes Unit in Bellville.

Gwanya lived with his wife and four-year-old son in Rusthof Street in Broadlands.

His son, 37-year-old wife and her 20-year-old sister all died in the attack. They have not yet been named.

Neighbours say they heard around eight shots at 9.30pm last night.

“We dived to the ground not knowing where the shots had come from. We contacted police and stayed inside until they arrived,” said a neighbour, who asked not to be named.

The man described Gwanya as a “cool, friendly” person who always greeted his acquaintances on the street with a smile on his face. There were no external signs of conflict in the family, he said.

“They seemed normal as can be. A young, happy family. There was not even a sound of a quarrel before we heard the shots go off,” he said.

Police spokesman André Traut today said the incident was being investigated, but a motive was yet to be established.

Gwanya’s neighbour said that he had noticed a number of bags packed near the door of the house, while police were investigating the scene. This led him to speculate that a quarrel had occurred before the shooting.

Relatives of Gwanya arrived at the home this morning. They stood in the yard, crying and consoling each other.

Also on the scene was a fellow police officer and friend of Gwanya’s. He said that the stress under which police officers performed their duties could lead “ordinary, good” people to a “breaking point”.

“There’s no way of knowing what will trigger it off, I don’t even think that the officers themselves realise the effects that the stress of the job has on them,” he said.

Cape Argus

Hundreds of pupils were absent fearing they would be the victims of “hooligans” who smear them with shoe polish on Guy Fawkes Day.

Cape Town - Hundreds of Western Cape children were absent from school on Monday fearing that they would be the victims of “hooligans” who smear pupils with shoe polish or hurl paint and eggs at them on Guy Fawkes Day.

Principals said pupils had told them of youngsters – some wearing pantyhose to cover their faces – who apparently place blades between their fingers and then smear them with shoe polish. They said parents were too afraid to send their children to school.

Some schools were forced to call the police to ensure their pupils’ safety.

A Cape Argus photographer saw groups of children in Mitchells Plain beating each other with what appeared to be pantyhose filled with paint during school hours.

Passing cars were also targeted.

Condoms filled with paint were also hurled at a Cape Argus vehicle.

Edwin Philander, principal of Saambou Primary in Manenberg, said fewer than 100 of the school’s 360 pupils were at school on Monday: “In one class there are only two learners. Pupils fear the smearing. It is terrible. We dread November 5.”

A teacher at Leiden Secondary in Delft, who didn’t want to be named, said only 132 of the school’s more than 1 000 pupils had arrived for class, while at Rocklands Primary in Mitchells Plain, about 50 percent of pupils were absent.

Dino Abrahams, principal of Crystal Secondary in Hanover Park, said that in order to ensure his matric pupils’ safety, teachers picked up pupils at home on Monday morning. Police were also asked to assist.

Matrics wrote their maths paper 2 exam on Monday.

“There are very few kids at school. The only group that is well represented is the matrics,” Abrahams said.

Achmat Chotia, principal of Glendale Secondary in Mitchells Plain, said the incidents happened every year: “A lot of children are absent and I’m saddened by this. These hooligans are disrupting education. Communities, police and the Education Department have to get together and change this.”

He said he had phoned the police to ask them to protect pupils after school.

Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for Education MEC Donald Grant, said a number of schools in the Mitchells Plain area had reported high absenteeism.

She said while some pupils feared being attacked, others were participating in the activities.

“The Western Cape Education Department and schools have contacted the police who are on high alert in the area, particularly around the schools. A group of children were allegedly moving from school to school [on Monday] morning and were seen with paint,” she said.

“This is a totally unacceptable practice which should be condemned by the community. It not only affects teaching and learning time, but also puts some of our learners at risk.”

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A Grabouw man has been sentenced to 30 years in jail for murdering, assaulting and raping his neighbour with a wooden stick.

Cape Town - A Grabouw man has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for murdering and assaulting and raping his neighbour with a wooden stick.

The rape took place in front of her 17-year-old daughter.

Ian October, 44, admitted in a plea and sentence agreement that the beating and rapes also occurred in the presence of his daughter, 14, and her friend, 15.

The girls got together when October invited Eunice Elizabeth Steyn to visit him on the evening of January 6.

In the agreement before Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe, October said he had invited Steyn, who also lived on Molteno Farm, to drink at his house that night.

October said he later assaulted Steyn, 41, by bashing her head against the wall, and beat her with the stick.

He tied up Steyn’s legs and arms and raped her with the stick. Afterwards he cleaned up the blood, dressed Steyn and dragged her outside. Steyn was declared dead about 11am the next day.

October was arrested on January 9 and has been in custody since.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, three counts of rape, and murder.

“[October] admits he had the intention to cause [Steyn’s] death,” the plea agreement reads.

He said that despite being under the influence of alcohol, he was aware of his actions and wanted to plead guilty as he was sorry for what he did.

October was sentenced to 15 years for each count of rape, one year for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and 30 years for murder. The rape and assault sentences are to run concurrently with the murder.

Cape Argus

Around 8 000 farm workers gathered in De Doorns following a violent protest that left vineyards in flames.

Western Cape - Around 8 000 farm workers gathered in De Doorns on Tuesday morning following a violent protest that left vineyards in flames, a Western Cape agriculture official said.

“The situation is very tense, but police seem to be in control at the moment. They've also called for reinforcements to come and a helicopter is on its way,” said Wouter Kriel, spokesman for agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg.

He said it looked as though the group was planning to march.

Van Rensburg, community safety MEC Dan Plato and cultural affairs and sports MEC Ivan Meyer met with police, local safety authorities and the farming community at around 8am to discuss a plan of action.

Kriel said they had not made it clear what they wanted or why they were protesting.

“There is no specific leadership and no list of demands… one thing that is very important is to get dialogue going.”

Breede Valley mayor Basil Kivedo was expected to address the crowd later in the day to try and establish their needs. The provincial government was calling in an experienced negotiator to handle the situation.

The N1 highway had to be closed between Touws River and De Doorns on Monday when farm workers gathered on the road.

Over 30 hectares of vineyards were destroyed in the protest.

Western Cape police said at the time the cause of the protest was likely a wage dispute, but the agricultural department said this was incorrect.

“This is not a labour strike and (is) not organised by farm workers, even though farm workers are involved. It seems to be politically motivated,” Kriel said.

“There is a lot of intimidation going on. We have a lot of seasonal labour on the farms starting for (the) grape season. We are adamant that it is not traditional workers who are involved, but the seasonal workers.” - Sapa

Cape Town police have arrested three people for possession of drugs with a street value of about R850 000.

Cape Town - Three people have been arrested in Milnerton, Cape Town, for possession of drugs with a street value of about R850 000, Western Cape police said on Tuesday.

Constable Lybey Swartz said police stormed a house in Brooklyn around 3pm on Monday and seized three kilograms of tik (crystal methamphetamine), a kilogram of cocaine, an unknown white powder, and 11 tik “lollies”.

They also seized a scale and a cellphone, and arrested two men, aged 30, and a woman, 27. - Sapa

A man who confessed to stabbing his ex-lover 25 times and assaulting her friend has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

Cape Town -

A man accused of stabbing his ex-lover 25 times and assaulting her friend has been sentenced, by Judge President John Hlophe to 30 years in jail, after striking a deal with the State.

Honest Sipho Dyakopu admitted in the Western Cape High Court on Monday to killing his ex-mistress, Nenziwe Dyantyana on February 26.

Dyakopu also confessed to stabbing Masibulelo Mpompo, Dyantyana’s friend, while trying to get hold of Dyantyana – who he had been having an affair with since December 2010.

It is not clear what the motive was, but one of the aggravating factors listed in the plea agreement was that Dyakopu did not want to accept that the relationship was over.

According to the plea, Dyantyana visited her sister, in Inkanini at the informal settlement of Khayamandi, Stellenbosch, on February 25.

The next day, Dyakopu inquired about Dyantyana’s whereabouts at the house. When Mpompo said Dyantyana was not there, Dyakopu started assaulting her, and stabbed her once in the upper left harm.

Dyantyana took refuge in the kitchen and covered herself with a duvet.

“The accused went to the deceased, pulled the duvet from her and stabbed her several times on her body, while she screamed,” the plea agreement reads.

jade.otto@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

A construction worker who had been buried alive was pulled from the ground after an urgent rescue.

Cape Town - A construction worker who had been buried alive was pulled from the ground after an urgent rescue on Monday – he was one of four workers trapped after a two-metre-high wall collapsed on them.

Two of the workers lost their lives and a third sustained serious injuries.

The tragedy and rescue unfolded at a residential home in Adam Tas Road in the suburb of Parel Vallei on Monday afternoon.

The wall separated two properties, but was higher on one side because it was built on the ground of the home higher up on the hill.

The four construction workers were on the lower one side of the wall when it collapsed around 3pm.

Keri Davids, of the Western Cape’s Emergency Medical Services, confirmed the incident and the two fatalities.

“Two adult males have been declared dead on arrival, one adult male is critical and one sustained serious injuries,” said Davids.

The latter was still buried when the Cape Argus arrived on the scene late on Monday afternoon.

After about 45 minutes – after large chunks of broken brickwork and mounds of earth had been dug away – the man was finally freed, alive.

He was airlifted to hospital by helicopter.

An update on the condition of the two injured men was not available at the time of going to print on Monday night.

Among the small army of rescue workers were trauma counsellors to assist occupants of the two homes.

Cape Argus

Several children hurt by fireworks during Guy Fawkes celebrations were to undergo surgery for their injuries.

Cape Town - Several children hurt by fireworks during Guy Fawkes celebrations were to undergo surgery for their injuries on Tuesday. Red Cross Children Hospital’s spokeswoman Lauren O’Connor May confirmed that three children were admitted with firework-related injuries.

The names of the children were not released.

“We admitted a nine-year-old with a severe injury to his right hand.

He has a fracture and will require surgery later on Tuesday.

Then there is an 11-year-old with a lesser injury, also to his hand. He will not require surgery. Finally, we admitted another nine-year-old with an injury to his mouth,” she said.

It is understood that the latter injury happened when the child put an unexploded cracker in his mouth. Doctors were to assess his condition later on Tuesday.

Tygerberg Hospital also admitted three children with firework-related injures.

They have been identified as Heinrich Jacobs, 11, of Somerset West; Nakiem February, 13, of Delft and Desline Lillistone, 11, of Elsies River.

Tygerberg Hospital spokeswoman Laticia Pienaar said one of the three children was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.

Theo Layne of the city’s Fire and Rescue services said he knew of three injuries at designated firework areas.

One of the injured children, 15-year-old Dylan White, was admitted to Milnerton Mediclinic after he was injured by an explosion on Table View Beach, said the hospital’s spokeswoman, Marize Botha.

Dylan is still in hospital, and he will be assessed to ascertain whether surgery is required.

Callers to radio talk shows complained that children were seen running around with fireworks and that authorities were not effectively regulating this.

Layne, however, said that Fire and Rescue, along with metro police, Law Enforcement and traffic officials, handled the crowds “impeccably” on Monday night.

“When you look at the sheer [number] of people and compare it to the number of injuries reported, I think that we can fairly say that last night (Monday night) was a success from a crowd management, law enforcement and safety point of view,” he said.

“It is inevitable that individuals in such large groups of people will at times act irresponsibly, even with authorities close by.

“There were instances of crackers being discharged between people, but in general I feel that we fulfilled our mandate.”

JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the city had effectively communicated safety tips and the details of the designated areas, adding that injuries are an annual “inevitability”.

Meanwhile, the city has confirmed that it confiscated about a ton of illegal fireworks in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Day.

“The Informal Trading Unit confiscated approximately a ton of fireworks from traders at traffic intersections and from persons selling at designated fireworks discharge locations along the False Bay coast,” said Shaun Smith, assistant chief at the city’s Law Enforcement Services.

“This is much more than last year, and we consider it to be the product and proof of a more concerted effort by our services in 2012,” said Smith.

daneel.knoetze@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

The State has failed to link Xolile Mngeni to the murder of honeymoon tourist Anni Dewani, the Western Cape High Court heard.

Cape Town - The State has failed to link Xolile Mngeni to the murder of honeymoon tourist Anni Dewani, the Western Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.

Lawyer Qalisile Dayimani said in his closing argument that the evidence given by the State's witnesses was not convincing, and was littered with mistakes and discrepancies.

The physical evidence presented by the State had also been lacking, he said.

Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to hijacking, robbing and killing Dewani in Gugulethu on November 13, 2010.

The defence conceded that Mngeni's palm print was found on the murder vehicle, but said this proved nothing.

Dayimani said his client may have accidentally touched the vehicle in passing.

The lawyer spent four days questioning the credibility and knowledge of the State's fingerprint expert, Warrant Officer Johan Hanekom.

Dayimani submitted that the State had also not been able to prove that Mngeni was the one who placed Dewani's jewellery in the roof of his friend's shack.

Judge Robert Henney asked who could have placed the items there.

“My respectful submission is that it could have been Mr (Mziwamadoda) Qwabe,” the lawyer replied.

Qwabe was sentenced, under a plea agreement, to 25 years in jail for his part in the murder.

Dayimani also suggested that the police could have planted the items there.

“I find it strange that the police could not have found the items the day of the arrest. It, in a sense, baffles me,” he said.

The trial continues. - Sapa

A murdered Pretoria North mother's car was chopped up, the parts sold and the rest burnt within a day after her murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard.

Pretoria - A murdered Pretoria North mother's car was chopped up, the parts sold and the rest burnt within a day after her murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Tuesday.

Witness Jacob Molapo testified in the trial of Sipho Masiqa, 34, Raymond Matshaba, 27 and Bradley Molefe, 34, who are accused of murdering Thifhelimbilu Mashau, her eight-month-old baby Avheani, and four-year-old daughter Adivhaho.

The three have pleaded not guilty to the three murders, as well as to charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and rape.

The State alleges they strangled the two children and robbed their mother of her car and other goods at their Theresa Park home before taking her to Ga-Rankuwa, where they raped and murdered her.

Molapo testified that Matshaba had on August 1, 2010 asked him for a place to store a red Volkswagen Polo, which he said belonged to him.

Matshaba parked the car in his yard and the next day dismantled the doors with tools borrowed from Molapo. When Molapo returned home after work he saw the car's doors, engine and seats had been stripped.

Molapo became suspicious and asked Matshaba why he would chop up his own car. Matshaba said he wanted to sell the parts.

“He wanted to burn the car in my yard, but I refused. Later that night his friend arrived and they pulled the car into the veld. He said they were going to burn the car.

“I said why don't they just leave the car, then the police can find it. He said he's going to burn it because he wants to delete the fingerprints,” Molapo said.

The court also heard evidence that Matshaba later pointed out various car parts to the police.

Warrant Officer Rufus Baloyi, who identified Mashau's body, testified that he had known her from an armed robbery investigation in which Mashau had been the victim.

Mashau had laid a complaint after being robbed at gunpoint of her cellphone, cash and a laptop in June 2010, a month before she was murdered, he said.

The trial continues. - Sapa

A farmer was arrested after he allegedly fired a shot at protesting farm workers in De Doorns on Tuesday, Western Cape police said.

Johannesburg - A farmer was arrested after he allegedly fired a shot at protesting farm workers in De Doorns on Tuesday, Western Cape police said.

“The farm owner has been arrested for attempted murder,” said Lt Col Andre Traut.

He said about 8000 farm workers gathered to protest in De Doorns on Tuesday.

“The situation is calm. They are slowly dispersing and more police have been deployed to maintain order.”

Wouter Kriel, spokesman for agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg, said the reasons for the protest were not immediately clear.

“There is no specific leadership, and no list of demands... one thing that is very important is to get dialogue going.”

The N1 highway was closed between Touws River and De Doorns on Monday when farm workers gathered on the road.

Over 30 hectares of vineyards were destroyed in the protest.

Western Cape police said at the time the cause of the protest was likely a wage dispute, but the agricultural department disputed this.

“This is not a labour strike and (is) not organised by farm workers, even though farm workers are involved. It seems to be politically motivated,” Kriel said.

“There is a lot of intimidation going on. We have a lot of seasonal labour on the farms starting for (the) grape season. We are adamant that it is not traditional workers who are involved, but the seasonal workers.”

The Congress of SA Trade Unions in the Western Cape said it supported demands by farm workers and residents of De Doorns for a living wage and decent living conditions, with basic services and proper housing plans.

“Many of the farmers have been exploiting the farm workers for too long in the agricultural sector, and this needs to come to an end,” provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said.

“People cannot be expected to live on their knees, whilst the farmers profit handsomely from the exploitation.”

He called on workers and residents not to resort to violence. - Sapa

Western Cape police are hunting a mom who allegedly sold her 13-year-old as a sex slave for just R50 a time.

Cape Town - Western Cape police are hunting a mom who allegedly sold her 13-year-old daughter as a sex slave for just R50 a time.

The woman allegedly regularly took her little girl to bushes or outside shebeens and rented her out to men.

She allegedly used the money to feed her own alcohol addiction as her little one was being raped.

The alleged abuse only came to light when the girl told one of her friends who in turn alerted their teacher.

The girl is now being cared for at a shelter run by Atlantis ward councillor and abuse councillor Barbara Rass.

“I have to applaud the teacher, the silence was broken,” Rass said. “It seems everyone knew what was going on but no one protected her… no one intervened at any point. If she didn’t tell her friend and that teacher, this would have been continuing.”

On Monday, a case was formally opened with the police who are investigating a case of rape and child prostitution.

Rass – who has 35 years experience serving the community and fighting on behalf of victims of sex attacks – was close to tears as she spoke of the horrific case.

She said the teen told her how her mother would allegedly lure her to shebeens to have sex with old men.

“The mother would take her to the shebeen yard and say ‘here is a man for you’,” said Barbara.

“Or she would give her a chocolate and say ‘En hier is vir jou ’n man [and here is a man for you]’.

“She had to go into bushes with the men while her mother would always be drinking.”

When the Daily Voice team visited the isolated scene on Tuesday, children as young as five were walking around aimlessly and without parental guidance.

Waste removal trucks chugged along the main dusty road leading out of the area which is surrounded by bush and shacks.

The traumatised teen finally ended up in the care of the police last week.

But she did not disclose the abuse she has been forced to endure until she met Rass.

“She didn’t want to open up and the last person who raped her was a Xhosa man,” the councillor added.

“She didn’t want to undress or speak, then she told me what had happened.”

The young girl on Tuesday spoke – in the presence of her temporary guardians – about the abuse she has suffered.

Her skeletal frame and dark eyes hint at the awful pain she has endured.

She fidgeted nervously as she revealed that she lived with her mom and stepfather, who frequently called her foul names.

“Ons het op die plaas gebly, op die tip [we lived on the farm, at the dump site],” she said as she clutched a doll.

“We lived inside a hokkie (We lived in a shack).

She said her stepfather called her names.

Local community leaders are demanding the arrest of the girl’s mom.

And they want her to point out all the perverts that paid her to have sex with her underage child.

Police sources confirmed they are hunting for the girl’s mother.

They are also drawing up a list of the names of the girl’s alleged attackers, but so far no arrests have been made.

“The mother must be arrested and she must point out to police the men she sold her daughter to,” Rass added.

“I feel no mercy should be given to mothers who sell their own offspring. The court should deal with her like they would deal with someone who had underage sex with a minor.

“She was being sold for R50, this is disgusting. I want the mother to be exposed.”

Until then, Barbara’s main concern is to keep the girl safe from further abuse.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander confirmed that a case of rape has been opened as they hunt for the girl’s mother.

“The allegations of the mother accepting money for the sex attacks is being investigated,” he said.

“The child is in a place of safety.”

*This article was published in the Daily Voice