Leading judges are reportedly being asked to block honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani's extradition to SA.

London - Leading judges are being asked to block honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani's extradition to South Africa until he is fit to stand trial, the British Press Association reported on Friday.

Dewani is fighting removal to face trial over his wife Anni's death until he has recovered from mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Members of Mrs Dewani's family were present for the hearing in London before the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Mr Justice Ouseley and Mr Justice Blake.

The hearing followed a decision by the high court in October that there were outstanding legal issues the court had to decide.

Dewani's lawyers have stressed at various hearings that he will be willing to defend himself at trial once he is fit to do so.

On Friday, proceedings at the high court centred on two issues:

Dewani's status as “an accused person”; and whether it would be “unjust and oppressive” to extradite him “regardless of the prognosis” of his mental condition.

Lord Thomas said that if Dewani's legal team won on the first issue, then Dewani “has to be discharged”, but he “could be re-arrested subject to him remaining in this country when he becomes fit”.

In discussion with Clare Montgomery QC, for Dewani, he said that if successful on the second issue, then “you have another adjournment, he remains where he is until better and then goes”.

His lawyers have said he is unfit to plead under English law and his “prognosis is not certain”.

He is compulsorily detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, with his next annual review set for next May.

The first ground of appeal being addressed by the court asks whether a person who is unfit to plead is “an accused” for the purpose of the Extradition Act 2003 “if he is being extradited in circumstances where he may remain unfit to plead”.

The second question being tackled by the judges is whether it is “unjust or oppressive to extradite a person who is agreed at the time of the determination to be unfit, whatever the prognosis”.

In July, Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle ruled at Westminster Magistrate's Court that Dewani should be extradited, and rejected his attempt to stay in the UK for further hospital treatment.

He said Dewani, from Bristol, was not fit to plead or stand trial at present, but there was evidence that he would receive the care he needed in South Africa.

Judge Riddle originally gave the go-ahead to Dewani's extradition in 2011 but had to reconsider the position after the High Court allowed his appeal in March last year.

Dewani is accused of ordering the killing of his new wife Anni, 28, who was shot as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

So far, three men have been convicted of Mrs Dewani's death.

Last year, South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting her.

Prosecutors claimed he was a hitman hired by Dewani to kill his wife, which Dewani has consistently denied.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and received a 25-year prison sentence.

Dewani's family have said he remains committed to returning to South Africa “when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety”.

Sapa

Capetonians will be able to watch former president Nelson Mandela's funeral on a big screen at the Grand Parade.

Cape Town -

Capetonians will be able to watch former president Nelson Mandela's funeral on a big screen at the Grand Parade in town, the city said on Friday.

Mandela will be laid to rest in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, where he spent much of his childhood, at 9am on Sunday.

City spokeswoman Priya Reddy said free public transport to the Grand Parade would be provided that day.

People could use the MyCiTi and Golden Arrow bus services to get in and out of town between 7am and 5pm.

Metrorail trains into town would be free from 7am to 9pm and from noon to 5pm for the outbound service.

“Once the funeral has concluded, various artists will pay tribute to Madiba on the Grand Parade, including Goldfish, Emo Adams and the Delft Youth Jazz Band,” Reddy said.

“Trenton and Free Radical will do the Madiba Jive and there will be performances by Drummer Mapumba Cilombo, the Cedric Samson Band, and the Freeflight Dancers.” - Sapa

The judges in Shrien Dewani's extradition case have reserved their judgment to next year, the British Press Association reported.

London - The leading judges in Shrien Dewani's extradition case have reserved their judgment to next year, the British Press Association reported on Friday.

They were asked to block honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani's extradition to South Africa until he is fit to stand trial.

Dewani is fighting removal to face trial over his wife Anni's death until he has recovered from mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Members of Mrs Dewani's family were present for the hearing in London before the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Mr Justice Ouseley and Mr Justice Blake.

The hearing followed a decision by the high court in October that there were outstanding legal issues the court had to decide.

Dewani's lawyers have stressed at various hearings that he will be willing to defend himself at trial once he is fit to do so.

On Friday, proceedings at the high court centred on two issues:

Dewani's status as “an accused person”; and whether it would be “unjust and oppressive” to extradite him “regardless of the prognosis” of his mental condition.

Lord Thomas said that if Dewani's legal team won on the first issue, then Dewani “has to be discharged”, but he “could be re-arrested subject to him remaining in this country when he becomes fit”.

In discussion with Clare Montgomery QC, for Dewani, he said that if successful on the second issue, then “you have another adjournment, he remains where he is until better and then goes”.

His lawyers have said he is unfit to plead under English law and his “prognosis is not certain”.

He is compulsorily detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, with his next annual review set for next May.

The first ground of appeal being addressed by the court asks whether a person who is unfit to plead is “an accused” for the purpose of the Extradition Act 2003 “if he is being extradited in circumstances where he may remain unfit to plead”.

The second question being tackled by the judges is whether it is “unjust or oppressive to extradite a person who is agreed at the time of the determination to be unfit, whatever the prognosis”.

In July, chief magistrate Howard Riddle ruled at Westminster Magistrate's Court that Dewani should be extradited, and rejected his attempt to stay in the UK for further hospital treatment.

He said Dewani, from Bristol, was not fit to plead or stand trial at present, but there was evidence that he would receive the care he needed in South Africa.

Judge Riddle originally gave the go-ahead to Dewani's extradition in 2011, but had to reconsider the position after the high court allowed his appeal in March last year.

Dewani is accused of ordering the killing of his new wife Anni, 28, who was shot as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

So far, three men have been convicted of Mrs Dewani's death. Last year, South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting her.

Prosecutors claimed he was a hitman hired by Dewani to kill his wife, which Dewani has consistently denied.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and received a 25-year prison sentence.

Dewani's family have said he remains committed to returning to South Africa “when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety”.

Sapa

This was the message a brave matriculant sent to the men who kidnapped and gang raped her earlier this year.

This brave young woman was kidnapped, gang raped and brutalised.

But pretty McKayla George, 18, is refusing to be a victim and another statistic.

The determined teen invited the Daily Voice into her home recently as she prepared for her matric ball.

And her message to her attackers is clear: I will not be your victim anymore.

Police spokesperson Elvis Mahote confirms that there have been no arrests in the brutal kidnap and rape of the teen.

According to South African law the identity of a sex crime victim cannot be made public.

But the Grade 12 pupil from Grassy Park High School wants her rapists and kidnappers to see her proud face and know that they did not break her spirit.

Her mother and grandmother support her brave decision.

“I don’t want to hide my face,” says McKayla.

“I want to show them [attackers] I didn’t lie down, that I got up and that I will not be a victim.

“I took a bad situation and used it to my advantage.

“I made it because God and my family, friends and community held my hand.”

Dressed in an Indian-inspired two-piece dress, McKayla looked radiant before she was whisked off to her Matric ball, which was held at Goodwood Civic Hall on Tuesday night.

The inspiring young woman, who has an array of certificates from her final year at school, wants to dedicate a year to helping rape victims at shelters.

“I want to study Forensic Anthropology but I want to spend next year volunteering at shelters and centres.”

On January 22, while McKayla walked to school, three men with balaclavas followed her in a black Toyota Tazz which had tinted windows.

They forced McKayla into the car and beat her severely in the face and raped her before dumping her along the side of the road in Zeekoevlei.

“They pulled me into the back of the car and they placed a cloth with a chemical over my face as I tried to fight them off.

“Then they penetrated me.

“I woke up and was in and out of consciousness.

“The next moment when I woke up, I was on the side of the road in Zeekoevlei and I was bruised and bleeding.”

It was Marilyn Levine, 46, who came to McKayla’s aid.

“I wanted to make a joke that she was late for school but then I saw the blood,” says Marilyn.

“I put my arms around her and took her to school where I called the teachers.”

McKayla explains everyone thought she would crumble and give up after the attack.

But this year McKayla was a prefect and received certificates of achievement for English, Afrikaans and Life Orientation.

“I went back to school two days after the incident,” she says.

“Many expected me to break down but this experience has brought me closer to God.

“I carried on and didn’t act like a victim and told myself don’t let those who did this to you get the satisfaction that they have won.”

McKayla’s mom, Antoinette, 40, says her daughter’s ordeal has made her stronger.

“She doesn’t know the people who did this and they haven’t been caught,” adds Antoinette.

“She [McKayla] has made me stronger throughout this.”

Her grandmother, Magdalena Willemse, 64, who was in tears, says she is an inspiration.

“I am so proud of her and she told me, she made it because God held her hand.”

Daily Voice

Graeme Eadie, who beat a man to death during a road rage incident, is accused of assaulting a 67-year-old man.

Cape Town - Graeme Eadie, convicted of beating a man to death with a hockey stick during a fit of road rage in 1999, was back in court on Friday facing new charges of assault and malicious damage to property after he allegedly attacked a 67-year-old man.

Eadie appeared briefly in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where the matter was postponed after the prosecution said it needed more time to “peruse” the case docket. This, they indicated, was after reports of his previous murder conviction surfaced in the media.

Prosecutor Keppler Uys said the Director of Public Prosecutions wanted more time to review the case, and decide its next course of action.

Magistrate Sylvia Mandla agreed to a postponement to January 16.

Eadie allegedly assaulted the 67-year-old man in Plumstead during a “heated argument” on November 22. He allegedly punched the man and damaged his camera.

Eadie was convicted of murder after he bludgeoned 54-year-old Kevin Duncan to death with a hockey stick during a fit of road rage in Fish Hoek in 1999.

Eadie, who had been drinking on the night of the murder, had been on his way home from Woodstock with his wife Wendy and their two sleeping children when they encountered Duncan on Ou Kaapseweg.

During his 2000 trial, Eadie said he had become angry when Duncan drove up behind his car, tailgated him, flashed his lights, overtook on a solid white line and then cut in front of him.

He was also charged with defeating the ends of justice after he left the scene, changed his bloody clothes, only to return to the scene and pretend to be an onlooker.

He was sentenced to seven months in prison for this, which ran concurrently with his murder sentence.

Eadie also had previous convictions of drunk driving, negligent driving and escaping lawful custody.

His defence – that he suffered temporary non-pathological criminal incapacity because of financial, marital and work stress – was rejected by Judge Bennie Griesel.

He was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2000, five of which were conditionally suspended. He was released on parole in September 2006.

kowthar.solomons@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus

Two accidents left 10 people dead on the section of the N1 near Beaufort West known as “death road”.

Cape Town - The N1 highway remained partially closed late on Friday after two trucks collided head-on, killing three people in one of two accidents which left a total of 10 people dead on the section known as “death road”.

The crashes marked a grim start to the festive season with all 10 bodies burnt beyond recognition.

Tens of thousands of motorists are still expected to make their way out of the province as Christmas approaches, raising safety concerns among traffic authorities.

Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said on Friday that the N1 was closed for most of the day, until part of the wreckage from the two crashes, which occurred within an hour of one another, could be removed from the crash site near Beaufort West. A single lane was then opened at 3.30pm.

The first accident occurred at 3.30am on Friday, and the next at 5am.

In the first, a collision between a bakkie and a minibus taxi

about 14km outside Laingsburg, seven people were killed. The six dead in the bakkie included two adults, two children and two babies. The passenger in the front seat of the taxi also died, while the driver and another passenger were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

In the second crash about 45km from Beaufort West, two trucks collided head-on, sparking a major blaze which raged most of the morning because one truck carried crates of paper. The blaze damaged phone lines and affected landline and cellphone reception.

Both drivers and a passenger in one of the trucks were killed.

Africa said traffic was backed up 17km in both directions, as vehicles were diverted along a farm road.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities have announced that roadblocks will be beefed up across the province, and vehicles will have to undergo safety checks before leaving Cape Town.

Africa told Weekend Argus that traffic officers would adopt a “no-nonsense” attitude.

“There will be high visibility. Traffic officers will be out in full force and do thorough inspections,” he said.

“We will stop and arrest anybody who decides to do excessively high speeds.”

Since December 5, a motorist was arrested on the N2 near Mossel Bay driving at 182k/h in a 120km/h zone, another for driving more than 170km/h in a 120km/h zone, also near Mossel Bay, and another for driving 138km/h in an 80 km/h zone between Beaufort West and Aberdeen.

Africa blamed 80 percent of deaths on the roads on people not wearing safety belts, and warned that drivers would be held responsible if children younger than 14 were not buckled up.

“We will be very strict towards culprits not wearing safety belts,” Africa said.

On Thursday, safety and security mayco member JP Smith launched Operation Exodus, which will continue until Christmas Eve.

He said the exercise would involve 102 traffic officers who would check the fitness of long-distance transport vehicles, and the credentials of drivers leaving the city.

The checks would be done at the city’s public transport interchanges, including Joe Gqabi, Bellville/Parc Du Cap, Mfuleni, Langa, Du Noon, Cape Town station and Epping.

Officers would also check for over-loading, and would ensure that the documentation of all drivers and vehicles were in order before they were allowed to leave.

On Friday Smith was at the Joe Gqabi interchange in Philippi, where he said 10 vehicles were impounded for unroadworthiness during the morning.

“Vehicles first have to be tested before they pick up passengers. The aim is to avoid the carnage between Cape Town and the border of our province,” he said.

However, large bus companies have reported that they have the necessary safety measures in place.

Sharon Oliver, administration manager for Greyhound and Citiliner, said all coaches underwent checks by qualified technicians, including brake testing, before they were allowed to depart.

Coach checks en route were also carried out “to ensure we maintain our safety measures and customer service levels”.

The companies also tracked and monitored all coaches at all times, Oliver said.

Intercape spokesman Danie du Toit said each coach underwent a comprehensive safety check before every departure.

Every driver also had to take a breathalyser test before each trip.

The company instituted its own 95km/h speed limit and 40km/h on mountain passes, Du Toit added, saying that each coach was equipped with a real-time satellite tracking device which allowed for effective monitoring.

Weekend Argus

Capetonians from all walks of lifegathered at the Grand Parade to bid farewell to Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town - Some walked there. Some cycled. Some were pushed in wheelchairs. Some toddled, clutching their parents’ hands. Some hobbled, leaning on crutches. Some wept solemnly, some sobbed openly. Others smiled, sang and danced.

These were the scenes at the Grand Parade on Sunday where thousands of people, from different walks of life and expressing different emotions, gathered with a common purpose – to bid farewell to Nelson Mandela.

The national funeral service for Mandela took place in Qunu and proceedings were screened live on the Grand Parade.

Scores of residents and visitors, many holding South African flags and wearing T-shirts depicting Mandela’s face, stood around the big screens, sat on the ground or on camping chairs and blankets and watched the service. Countless posters of Mandela at different stages of his life could be seen being carried around.

Sipho Sangweni, originally from Mpumalanga and now living in Melkbosstrand, sat in front of the city hall draped in a South African flag and holding two Mandela posters to his chest.

“Initially I wanted to go to Qunu. Due to logistics I could not. This is what we’re all about: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. This is something special. This is for him,” he said.

Azu Okparaugo, president of the Nigerian Union in the Western Cape, stood with friends and held up a Mandela poster the group printed specially for on Sunday.

“As a community we wanted to show solidarity and celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela... We decided to be part of this historic moment.”

Residents originally from Cameroon also formed a group and walked around the parade, singing their thanks to Mandela for providing them with “a second home” in South Africa.

A homeless man, who declined to be named and who sat under the shade of a tree watching the service alongside police officers, said he was happy he had been given the opportunity to watch the funeral as he had no access to a television.

Hundreds of flowers and tribute messages to Mandela lined a barrier in front of the city hall and throughout on Sunday people added tributes.

As they walked along the barrier lined with tributes, which included teddy bears and candles, some people stopped to photograph their families in front of it.

Some walked slowly along the barrier and pointed items out to their young children. As some noticed particular messages, they started weeping.

Hanifa Parker, who wept as she walked along the barrier, paused before she managed to say she had once been in exile.

She said she had just come back to live in South Africa.

“My children don’t know him,” she said, referring to Mandela.

She was too emotional to say any more.

At several points during the screening of the service, a number of the law enforcement officers stationed on the Grand Parade could no longer contain their emotions and joined in the singing.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

A solemn mood hung over Parliament as locals and tourists paid tribute to Nelson Mandela while watching the live broadcast of his funeral.

Cape Town - A solemn mood hung over Parliament as families and tourists paid tribute to Nelson Mandela while watching the live broadcast of his funeral.

Visitors left messages on a wall of remembrance, took photographs and watched silently as the funeral service broadcast from Qunu was displayed on two big screens.

Mansour Mahed from Strandfontein said he and his wife, Ferial, wanted to witness the funeral at Parliament because it was where Mandela had opened the country’s first democratic assembly.

“It is our connection with him. He was the first democratic leader this country had since 1652,” he said.

He carried a cooler box filled with fruit, juice and water. “We came prepared. We want to spend the whole day and will pass the Grand Parade.”

Mahed said he was proud of South Africa for holding such a dignified service for Mandela.

“This whole week made me proud. I just wish my children were here with me,” he said.

Tanya Diedericks and Dianne Fortuinse finished their shifts as security guards at the V&A Waterfront early on Sunday. They decided to visit Parliament instead of going home.

“We felt it would be more special to watch the funeral here. He has been an inspiration to us,” said Diedericks.

Fortuinse said tears had rolled down her face when she saw images of Graça Machel at the funeral. “It was just too much for me. I will always remember this day and the moment,” she said.

Rebecca Mogashoa, from Pretoria, said she and her family were in Cape Town for the holidays.

“It was our second day here but we had to come to Parliament and to pay our respects. We were honoured to have such a leader.”

cobus.coetzee@inl.co.za

Cape Times

A tourist was stabbed on Lion's Head and another person injured near Sandy Bay in separate muggings an hour apart.

Cape Town - An Australian tourist was stabbed on Lion’s Head and another person injured in the Sandy Bay vicinity in separate muggings an hour apart, prompting authorities to warn those visiting mountain areas to do so in groups.

Community Safety MEC Dan Plato, worried about the two weekend incidents, said he would on Tuesday reassess the security plans focusing on the mountain chain.

Those visiting the mountain, especially secluded areas, should do so in groups of four or more, said regional SANParks spokeswoman Merle Collins.

“Don’t bring your valuables. What you do bring, don’t display it openly,” she said.

The two attacks, on Sandy Bay and Lion’s Head, both happened late on Sunday.

On Monday, police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said Australian tourists Aaron Joseph Ryan and his wife had been on the Camps Bay side of Lion’s Head at about 6.58pm when three men mugged them.

“During the incident, Mr Ryan tried to fight his attackers and got stabbed in the left shoulder,” Van Wyk said.

He said Ryan was robbed of his wallet, camera, cellphone and an undisclosed amount of money.

The muggers then ran towards Camps Bay.

Van Wyk said Ryan had not been able to give an official statement to police as he had needed urgent medical treatment.

No arrests were made.

On Monday, Natalie Mendelsohn of the Australian High Commission said it was aware of the incident and was working with the city’s disaster management to assist the couple. Asked how the attack was viewed, Mendelsohn sent an Australian government website link about travel advice.

It said: “We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa because of the high level of serious crime.”

The second mugging on Sunday happened in the Sandy Bay area.

Van Wyk could not confirm it, but the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch’s Twitter account said the mugging, in which a knife was used, happened around 8pm.

On Monday, the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch’s chairman, Anthony Chemaly, said he had seen an incident report and confirmed a mugging had occurred and that someone was injured.

He did not have further details.

The neighbourhood watch’s Twitter account said the mugging victim had been hit in the face.

Chemaly said muggings occurring in the Sandy Bay area “are of concern” and the matter had been raised with SANParks.

General mountain safety has been an ongoing problem, with a number of hikers, bikers and tourists being targeted, and many safety measures have been implemented over the years.

Earlier this year, the mountain crime situation made international headlines when a Norwegian exchange student was attacked on Signal Hill and later raped.

On Monday, Plato said he would on Tuesday contact the Table Mountain Safety Forum, set up nearly three years ago by his predecessor, Albert Fritz, following a spate of attacks, to see what more could be done to boost security.

The safety forum consisted of the community safety department, law enforcement agencies, SANParks and a number of civil society formations and volunteers.

Plato said he would look into whether more law enforcement officers could be stationed at areas including Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Sandy Bay.

He said when tourists in particular were targeted, it sent out the wrong message.

“These people may decide not to come back to South Africa. My advice to tourists: if they visit the mountain, they must do it in a group,” he said.

In other incidents, cyclist Benjamin Bungartz, originally from the US and now living in Hout Bay, was robbed at the end of September on the Karbonkelberg of his bicycle at gun- and-knife-point by three men.

After this incident, which followed a number of others in the same area, the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch had warned people to stay away from the Sandy Bay dunes.

In April, the Norwegian exchange student, 19, and her boyfriend were attacked on Signal Hill and she was later raped.

As a result, authorities had decided to apply to control access to Signal Hill Road and Tafelberg Road between 10pm and 5pm.

About two weeks ago, the city council said it supported controlling access “to monitor vehicle movement following a number of recent muggings, robberies and hijackings on both these roads”.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za

Cape Times

Two Cape Flats children were wounded when they got caught in the middle of a gang shoot-out.

Cape Town - Two Kalksteenfontein children were wounded when they got caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting at the weekend.

The young victims - eight-year-old Moegamat Swanepoel and 12-year-old Gershwin Petersen - were in Salvia Street on Sunday when they were hit.

Moegamat was shot in the foot and Gershwin in the thigh. They were taken to Tygerberg Hospital and returned home on Monday morning.

Moegamat, who was still in pain, said he’d been playing with balloons with his cousins when he was shot.

“We heard the shots and then ran to the house. While I was running I could feel the pain in my leg and I then fell on the doorstep,” he said.

Moegamat’s grandmother, Johanna Jansen, said she’d been watching the children from the yard when the shooting started. “After the first shot I called them to come inside the house and when Moegamat came he cried out, ‘Ma, ma, my foot!’ showing me his injured foot,” she said.

His mother, Kashiefah Swanepoel, was furious. “If I could just find out who did this to my child, I will take him to be arrested. They could have killed my baby,” she said.

Moegamat said he feared for his safety - “I’m never going to play outside again”.

Gershwin said he feared he’d never be able to play soccer again. “I want to be a soccer player when I’m older and I play for Manenberg’s Celtics club but I’m scared that my leg won’t heal.”

He lives one street away from Moegamat, and said he’d been on his way to buy a packet of biscuits when he’d been wounded. “When they shot me I ran to the other house and fell.”

His mother, Chantelle Petersen, said she’d run after her son when she heard the shots but before she managed to reach him other children said that he’d been hit.

“I can’t keep my eyes away from my children anymore because I’m scared anything can happen with the gangs,” she said.

An unnamed resident told the Cape Argus that the shooting was the result of rivalry between the 26s and the 28s gangs, and followed the unconfirmed death of a 17-year-old who’d been shot on Saturday.

Provincial police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk

said an attempted murder investigation had started after the shooting of the two boys but no arrests had been made.

zodidi.dano@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has renamed the fan walk to the stadium the Walk of Remembrance, in honour of Madiba.

Cape Town - Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has renamed the fan walk to the city's stadium the Walk of Remembrance, in honour of former president Nelson Mandela, her office said on Tuesday.

“I can think of nothing more fitting than renaming it, the Walk of Remembrance,” De Lille said in making the announcement at a Reconciliation Day event in the city on Monday.

The fan walk is a 2.6km pathway created in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. It connects the city's CBD and Cape Town Stadium.

“This new designation will commemorate all of those who died for the cause of freedom and all those who sacrificed a portion of their lives in the struggle for justice,” she said.

“This commemoration is only fitting now, after saying goodbye to Tata Madiba, who left us over a week ago. His spirit, and the spirit of all those men and women who joined him in the cause to make the new South Africa, will be kept alive by the walk.”

De Lille said the government had a duty to help those in need, address past imbalances and create a stable and inclusive space.

She said the private sector and civil society also had their own roles to play.

One of Mandela's greatest lessons was the wisdom of fortitude and the recognition that the road was long and difficult, De Lille said.

“It requires one step after another... And let the spirit of reconciliation, of being a united people, live and grow.” - Sapa

A teen was bitten by a shark while surfing with two friends at Die Plaat, just west of De Kelders in Cape Town.

Cape Town - A Cape Town surfer bitten by a shark on Monday is recovering after undergoing minor surgery.

The teenager – whose family has not released his name – was surfing with two friends at Die Plaat, just west of De Kelders in Walker Bay, on Monday morning. Hermanus is on the far-western side of the same bay.

Witness Brian Kilbey told the Cape Argus: “It was about 8.45am, with around head-high waves. The others had paddled out, but I was the last one to paddle out – I was still stretching on the beach – when I heard a shout. I looked up and couldn’t work out what was going on at first. There was a thrashing – evidently a tail fin – very near to one of the surfers.”

Kilbey estimated the shark to be about three metres long.

“I could see from the distance between the tail and the mouth that it was a decent-sized shark,” Kilbey said.

“It thrashed around quite a bit, but fortunately a set of waves came through and two of my fellow surfers caught the wave in.”

The third friend had been a little further out and caught the next wave in.

“(The surfer) who had been bitten first sat down and we checked the wound, on his left thigh,” Kilbey said.

“What seems to have happened is that it first bumped him and then turned round to bite. The lower jaw got the board and the top jaw his thigh.”

There were a series of puncture marks on the surfer’s leg.

“We tried to carry him a couple of times, but he was better off walking.”

A friend drove the injured surfer to a Hermanus hospital.

Kilbey, meanwhile, had contacted the Overstrand Municipality as well as Shark Spotters. The public were warned on social media sites and at the scene to be wary for a few hours.

“It was scary, but we’re not over-reacting,” said Kilbey.

“I’m going to surf again as soon as I can. Possibly not there for a while, but we’ll all be back in the water soon.

“I’ve been a regular surfer for 18 years. I’ve surfed some spots which should be a lot sharkier than that spot, and this is the first time I’ve seen a shark in 18 years. I know they’re always around, and that this was not a ‘shark attack’, just a random interaction with nature.”

Alison Kock, research manager for Shark Spotters, Cape Town, said: “According to a witness report, at approximately 9am a 19-year-old boy was surfing with friends when a shark approached him while he was sitting on his board waiting for a wave. The shark, estimated to be between 3m to 4m, bit him on the left thigh.”

Kock said that based on descriptions, it was believed the shark was a great white.

“Water users are reminded that …this is the peak time of year when sharks move closer to shore to follow schools of fish and smaller sharks and rays.

“When using the ocean one needs to remain vigilant at all times.

“The risk of a shark bite remains extremely low, but to reduce the risk further, follow safety tips available on sharkspotters.org.za.”

Cape Argus

There will be a picket outside Newspaper House in Cape Town over the replacement of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois.

Cape Town - The Right2Know Campaign says it and other civil society organisations will hold a picket outside Newspaper House in St George’s Mall on Tuesday to protest against the replacement of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois.

In a statement, the campaign said that events at the Cape Times “set a worrying precedent” that threatened the editorial independence of newspapers.

Independent News and Media SA (INMSA), owned by Sekunjalo Investments, has a number of titles, including the Cape Times.

Dasnois was offered a transfer by the top executives in the company on Friday, December 6, and her replacement, Gasant Abarder, was announced on Sunday, December 8. Abarder took up the position the following day.

INMSA chairman Dr Iqbal Survé said Dasnois had been offered redeployment to another editorial position and had taken a month’s leave to consider her options. They await word from her.

Dasnois told the media she considered herself unfairly treated by the company and was considering legal action.

The SA Centre for Pen International said it ”has the impression that the new owner has not yet comprehended the treasured and universal concept of editorial independence”.

“The SA Pen aligns itself with any considered move to help restore the editorial independence of the Cape Times and the job security of journalists in the INMSA group,” it said.

Cape Times

10 years after Andrea Katzeff was scalped at a go-kart facility, the Cape Times visited her to see how she is doing.

Cape Town - Moments after 10-year-old Andrea Katzeff was scalped at an indoor go-kart facility, she looked at the paramedic and asked: “Am I going to die?”

“He looked at me with a face that said ‘yes’,” says Katzeff, now 20.

Ten years ago, the young Katzeff was scalped when her waist-length blonde hair was caught in the rear axle of the go-kart she was driving. Katzeff had accompanied a friend and his mother to the Indoor Grand Prix track at Canal Walk. She was rushed to the N1 City hospital and underwent several skin grafts but her hair has never regrown.

She was left with a few stray hairs at the nape of her neck.

She spent a month in hospital at the time and another six months “more in than out”.

Katzeff’s father, Neill Katzeff, went on to sue Canal Walk and the Indoor Grand Prix for R3 million.

He won his lawsuit against the Indoor Grand Prix but failed against Canal Walk but says, Katzeff, the family did not receive any monetary gain.

Today, Andrea Katzeff is a cheerful UCT student who, despite her go-karting incident, is loathe to shy away from the extreme.

A downhill skateboarder, she is gearing up for a provincial competition in February that includes “leather outfits”.

Katzeff sports the cuts and bruises from skateboard injuries as if they were medals of honour. But it’s hard to miss the deeply etched scar that runs across most of her forehead, partly covered by what she calls a “hair system” which is made up of human hair and is attached to what is left of the “paper thin layer of skin” that now covers her head.

While she remembers the accident with surprising clarity, she says it’s not something she “ponders” about.

“But I haven’t tried to block it out,” she says. “And the scar doesn’t bother me.”

“I remember it happened just before the finish line. I ran my hands over my head and they were covered in blood, my T-shirt was covered in blood and my eyes were filled with blood. I ran towards everyone there but they screamed and I thought: ‘Is it so horrific that older people run away?”

She says all the nerves in her body shut down and she could feel no pain.

“I had the shakes and the shivers. I felt like I was about to pass out but I was forcing myself not to.”

Paramedics arrived and she was put into an ambulance along with her mother, Natalie, who tried to comfort her.

She underwent six skin grafts, two of which failed.

“The doctor took the skin from my buttocks. It hurt so much. The doctor said it was the most skin he had ever taken from one space in his entire career,” she says seriously, before breaking into a smile: “So yeah, you can call me butthead.”

But despite her light-hearted approach, she knows the incident left behind more than just the scar on her forehead. “The hardest moment for me was when I was about to go into surgery and it was the first time ever that I saw my dad cry. That still lives with me to this day.

“I regret all the crap I put them through when (the accident) could have easily been prevented. My mom and dad were the ones who had to deal with the consequences.”

Katzeff admits to lying to her friend’s mother at the time that she had been granted permission by her parents to ride the go-karts.

Asked whether she had ever been go-karting again, she shakes her head.

“But that’s not because of the accident. I just have no interest in it. I have fallen from my skateboard many times – one time suffering serious concussion – but have always gone back to it because I love it.”

So how does a girl who has survived such a horrific ordeal turn into such a daredevil?

“Skating has just always been my thing. I am more cautious though, and always wear my knee and elbow pads. My parents know I’m more responsible.”

She still hopes that one day, technology will be advanced enough to enable her to grow her own hair again – if only for the “convenience” of not having to reattach her hair every few months. Her scalp is also susceptible to cancer and infection, she says.

Last year Katzeff and her father visited a plastic surgeon in New York to see whether the fine remaining hair follicles on her neck could be grown in a petri dish and be transplanted to her scalp. The brown “hair system” she now wears is attached to the thin layer of skin on her head with “special adhesive glue”.

It is structured and moulded to her specific needs, has to be replaced every one to three months and can take up to a hour. The plus side? It gives her an opportunity to experiment with different styles and hair colours.

“Blondes don’t really have more fun,” she laughs. “That’s a lie.”

She is convinced, however, she will get her own hair back.

“I’ve been positive about the outcome since the beginning. At this rate, I think I’ve started my own gene pool.”

* Where Are They Now? is a feature in the Cape Times. If you have suggestions for who we can track down, e-mail ctnews@inl.co.za, with Where Are They Now? in the subject line.

aeysha.kassiem@inl.co.za

Cape Times

The City of Cape Town and the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association have failed to reach an understanding about the annual minstrel carnival.

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town expressed disappointment on Tuesday at the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association's (CTMCA) failure to sign a memorandum of understanding about the Cape Minstrels' annual carnival.

The CTMCA's demand for additional money and for greater control of the event and its resources from the city was unsustainable and unreasonable, the city said in a statement.

“It was apparent during the negotiations that this group would not sign the agreement and that they were hell-bent on pressuring the city to transfer the money to organise the event to them,” it said.

This was instead of issuing a tender to appoint an event organiser, as required by municipal financial regulations.

“The city will never bend the law for any organisation that refuses to subject itself to the Municipal Finance Management Act.”

Negotiations with the CTMCA had been non-co-operative and confrontational, it said.

The city said it started negotiations with minstrel associations, Malay choir boards and Christmas band boards in April to ensure this year's road march was properly organised. The memorandum was signed by more than three quarters of the interested parties on December 3.

The CTMCA refused to sign the memorandum, despite three attempts by the city to secure its participation.

“The SA Christmas Bands Board, which marches in the central city annually on 24 December, has also not signed the agreement,” the city said.

As a result, the city would not organise or incur costs for the marches on Tuesday, December 24.

The city said it provided R3.5 million in support services, such as traffic control and law enforcement, to ensure the carnival was properly controlled and managed.

The provincial government provided R2m for the transportation of all minstrel groups taking part in the carnival, Malay choirs, and Christmas bands.

“National government also allocates an unspecified amount to the event through these groups in order to pay for various costs,” the city said.

“This shows that the minstrels' carnival receives sufficient financial support from all three spheres of government.”

The city was determined to grow the Tweede Nuwejaar Minstrel Road March into an event with similar status to the Cape Town Carnival and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

“It is our sincerest hope that it can grow to display the professionalism and management competence of these two major iconic events,” it said.

Sapa

A protest against the alleged removal of Alide Dasnois as Cape Times editor was hijacked by groups calling for media transformation.

Cape Town - A protest against the alleged removal of Alide Dasnois as Cape Times editor was hijacked on Tuesday by groups calling for media transformation.

The Right2Know campaign had formally applied to protest in front of Newspaper House in Cape Town at lunchtime, about a perceived threat to editorial independence.

About 50 media professionals, members of the political party Agang SA, and members of the public, including children, stood quietly in front of the building holding posters declaring “This is not Gov Times”, “reinstate Alide now”, and “Surve - hands off the Cape Times”.

Independent News and Media SA (INMSA) chairman Iqbal Surve denied in a statement earlier this month that Dasnois had been fired, but had been offered alternative positions in the company.

“Ms Dasnois was not fired,” Surve said in a statement.

Danois however has said she was “unfairly dismissed”.

Surve said in a press release that the move formed part of a strategy aimed at arresting poor sales figures.

In a letter to staff three days later, he said the Cape Times's compounded loss of sales, between 2008 and 2012, amounted to 28

percent.

In this letter, Surve also said Dasnois was reprimanded for not leading with the news of former president Nelson Mandela in its Friday edition. His death was covered in a wraparound editorial supplement.

Instead, the front page carried a public protector finding that the awarding of a fisheries tender by the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries department to Sekunjalo Marine Services Consortium was improper.

The consortium is a subsidiary of Sekunjalo Holdings which acquired a controlling share in INMSA earlier this year. Surve also chairs Sekunjalo.

The Sunday Times also ran with the story.

Sekunjalo subsequently laid criminal charges against a Sunday Times editor and a reporter, accusing the Times Media Group of a “dirty tricks” campaign.

It has since decided to drop the charges and lay a complaint with the Press Ombudsman regarding the Sunday Times and Cape Times's coverage, as well as a broader complaint regarding an attack on its integrity in various newspapers in the past two years.

Surve categorically denied that Dasnois's replacement was due to the fisheries tender story.

About 10 minutes into the protest on Tuesday, a group calling itself the Movement for Transformation of Media in SA (MTMSA) arrived in front of the building.

They carried posters stating “Fire racist reporters” and “Fire Tony Weaver”, who defended Dasnois in his recent “Man Friday” column in the Cape Times. Some wore African National Congress and SA National Civic Organisation shirts.

Tension ran high as both sides mingled and shouted their slogans.

Protesters defending Dasnois and media freedom shouted “the ANC is corrupt” and “Zuma is corrupt” while the media transformation group shouted “fire racist reporters” and “transformation now”.

At one point, a man with a R2K T-shirt attempted to divide the two sides to calm the situation.

MTMSA leader Wesley Douglas said they were protesting on the same permit as the R2K organisers.

“We are saying in every democracy around the world you can have a demonstration where you can have the pros and the cons in the same space at the same time. Why can we not have that in South Africa?”

He said they supported the removal of Dasnois but their protest was about more than one individual. It was about the entire media needing to be transformed.

“Why is it that white media houses are attacking black media owners?” he asked.

Sapa

A group of rowdy protesters who disrupted a planned protest over the alleged removal of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois were told to disperse r face arrest.

Cape Town - A group of rowdy protesters who disrupted a planned protest in Cape Town over the alleged removal of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois on Tuesday were warned to disperse or face arrest.

A policeman told members of the Movement for Transformation of Media in SA (MTMSA) and the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) that they had not applied for a protest permit.

After he warned the group of around 150 people to disperse or face arrest in terms of the Illegal Gatherings Act, they slowly left the area.

Earlier, they stormed St George's Mall, where the Right2Know campaign had formally applied to stage a protest in front of Newspaper House at lunchtime.

About 50 media professionals, members of Agang SA and members of the public, including children, stood quietly with posters calling for press freedom.

Several minutes into the protest, the MTMSA joined in, carrying posters stating “Fire racist reporters” and “Fire Tony Weaver”, who defended Dasnois in his recent “Man Friday” column in the Cape Times.

Some wore African National Congress and Sanco shirts. Both groups mingled and shouted their slogans.

Protesters defending Dasnois and media freedom shouted “the ANC is corrupt” and “Zuma is corrupt” while the media transformation group shouted “fire racist reporters” and “transformation now”.

At one point, a man with a R2K T-shirt attempted to divide the two sides to calm the situation.

A minstrels group supporting media transformation joined in the protest and drowned out the shouting from both sides with an upbeat tune.

MTMSA convenor Wesley Douglas claimed they were protesting on the same permit as the R2K organisers.

“We are saying in every democracy around the world you can have a demonstration where you can have the pros and the cons in the same space at the same time. Why can we not have that in South Africa?”

He said they supported the removal of Dasnois, but their protest was about more than one individual. It was about the entire media needing to be transformed.

“Why is it that white media houses are attacking black media owners?” he asked.

He also wanted to know why Dasnois had not approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA).

Dasnois said last week that she was considering legal action.

“In my opinion, I was unfairly dismissed from my position at the Cape Times,” she said at the time.

“I have taken legal advice and we are considering referring a dispute to the CCMA or the Labour Court.”

Independent News and Media SA (INMSA) chairman Iqbal Surve denied in a statement earlier this month that Dasnois had been fired, but said she had been offered alternative positions in the company.

“Ms Dasnois was not fired,” Surve said.

He said the move formed part of a strategy aimed at arresting poor sales figures.

In a letter to staff three days later, he said the Cape Times's compounded loss of sales, between 2008 and 2012, amounted to 28 percent.

In this letter, Surve also said Dasnois was reprimanded for not leading with the news of former president Nelson Mandela's death in its Friday edition. His death was covered in a wraparound supplement.

Instead, the front page carried a public protector finding that the awarding of a fisheries tender by the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries department to Sekunjalo Marine Services Consortium was improper.

The consortium is a subsidiary of Sekunjalo Holdings which acquired a controlling share in INMSA earlier this year. Surve chairs Sekunjalo.

The Sunday Times ran with the story. Sekunjalo subsequently laid criminal charges against a Sunday Times editor and a reporter, accusing the Times Media Group of a “dirty tricks” campaign.

Sekunjalo since decided to drop the charges and lay a complaint with the Press Ombudsman regarding the Sunday Times and Cape Times's coverage, as well as a broader complaint regarding an attack on its integrity in various newspapers in the past two years.

Surve categorically denied that Dasnois's replacement was due to the fisheries tender story.

Sapa

The Right2Know campaign called for an editorial charter and an editorial advisory board at Independent Newspapers following the alleged removal of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois.

Cape Town - The Right2Know campaign on Tuesday called for an editorial charter and an editorial advisory board at Independent Newspapers following the alleged removal of Cape Times editor Alide Dasnois.

The R2K campaign handed over a memorandum addressed to Independent News and Media SA (INMSA) chairman Iqbal Surve, in a protest outside Newspaper House in Cape Town.

The memorandum stated that the only way to assure the public of its commitment to independent journalism was to draft a charter and appoint an advisory board “by people and institutions entirely independent of the owners of the Independent Newspapers”.

It called for the withdrawal of all threats to sue Dasnois and reporter Melanie Gosling.

“We call for the unconditional re-instatement of Alide Dasnois as editor of the Cape Times, should she be willing to return after the treatment meted out to here,” the statement read.

“Alternatively, a suitable settlement to compensate for all her losses should be negotiated with her, including the indignities she has had to suffer.”

Surve denied earlier this month that Dasnois had been fired, saying she had been offered alternative positions in the company.

“Ms Dasnois was not fired,” Surve said in a statement.

Dasnois, however, has said she was “unfairly dismissed”.

Surve said in a press release that the move formed part of a strategy aimed at arresting poor sales figures.

In a letter to staff three days later, he said the Cape Times's compounded loss of sales, between 2008 and 2012, amounted to 28

percent.

In this letter, Surve also said Dasnois was reprimanded for not leading with the news of former president Nelson Mandela in its Friday edition. His death was covered in a wraparound editorial supplement.

Instead, the front page carried a public protector finding that the awarding of a fisheries tender by the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries department to Sekunjalo Marine Services Consortium was improper.

The consortium is a subsidiary of Sekunjalo Holdings which acquired a controlling share in INMSA earlier this year. Surve also chairs Sekunjalo.

The Sunday Times also ran with the story.

Sekunjalo subsequently laid criminal charges against a Sunday Times editor and a reporter, accusing the Times Media Group of a “dirty tricks” campaign.

It has since decided to drop the charges and lay a complaint with the Press Ombudsman regarding the Sunday Times and Cape Times's coverage, as well as a broader complaint regarding an attack on its integrity in various newspapers in the past two years.

Surve categorically denied that Dasnois's replacement was due to the fisheries tender story.

In its memorandum, the R2K campaign wanted written assurance that none of Sekunjalo's arms nor Surve would ever again sue or threaten any Independent Newspapers' titles, editors and staff “on matters of overwhelming public interest or that involve fair comment”.

Members of the Movement for Transformation of Media in SA (MTMSA) dropped in on the protest over Dasnois's removal on Tuesday, and were later told by police to leave because they did not have a permit.

“We have seen a concerted effort by largely white-owned and run media houses to discredit black business and political leaders in South Africa while at the same time ignoring the shortcomings of their white compatriots,” said MTMSA convenor Wesley Douglas.

“As civil society we hold the buying power in our hands and we are demanding free and fair reporting and true journalistic freedom in South Africa.”

Douglas said the impression was being created that media freedom was under siege.

“The attack on Sekunjalo has got nothing to with press freedom or the right to know, it has everything to do with the fact that the company is prepared to transform a media house that has for more than a century been supportive of colonialism, apartheid, and is anti-black in its engagements with society.”

The movement demanded that more black editors, sub-editors and management staff be appointed.

Boycotts and demonstrations were being planned to support black ownership of media houses.

The movement is made up of the Western Cape Social Economic Development Forum, the SA National Civic Organisation, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other bodies.

Sapa

There have been fewer road deaths in December in the Cape than the same period last year.

There have been fewer road deaths in the Western Cape since the beginning of the month than in the same period last year, while more than 500 people have died in accidents across the country.

According to statistics released by the Road Traffic Management Corporation on Tuesday, 550 people have died in 459 fatal road crashes in the country since the start of the month.

The three provinces with the most fatalities are Gauteng with 99, KwaZulu-Natal with 89, and Mpumalanga with 51. The Western Cape has had a reported 40 fatal road crashes.

According to the RTMC, dangerous overtaking, excessive speed and drunken driving continued to contribute to road fatalities.

The highest speed clocked by traffic officers was 221km/h, in a 120km/h zone on the N2, near Ellingham in KwaZulu-Natal. The motorist, driving a BMW Z4, was arrested and released on R5 000 bail.

This month, 77 people have died on Western Cape roads.

Transport and public works MEC Robin Carlisle said while this number remained unacceptably high, the decrease showed progress had been made in changing behaviour and saving lives.

His department launched its Safely Home “It Takes a Second to Save a Life” campaign last month.

“Notwithstanding a bloody past weekend on our roads, we are beginning to see the positive results of this campaign.”

Carlisle said the number of passenger deaths had decreased by 70 percent from 59 last year to 18 this year, the number of driver deaths from 27 to 14, and the number of pedestrian deaths from 55 to 45.

Drunken driving, speeding and fatigue management continued to be the focus of law enforcement.

“The horror crashes we see, particularly on the long stretches like the N1 and the N2, can no doubt be attributed to one (if not all) of these contributing factors.”

Drivers travelling long distances would be pulled over and made to rest if found to be fatigued. - Cape Argus

Two George men accused of possession of dagga worth about R101 000 have appeared in the Calitzdorp Magistrate's Court, police said.

Johannesburg - Two George men accused of possession of dagga worth about R101 000 on the street have appeared in the Calitzdorp Magistrate's Court, police said on Wednesday.

The matter was postponed to December 20 when it was heard on Tuesday, Captain Bernadine Steyn said. She could not give a reason for the postponement.

Lusanda Dando, 26, and Thando Ngobo, 29, were charged with dealing in drugs. They would remain in police custody.

They were arrested on Saturday night when about 101kg of dagga was found in the boot of their car on the R62 between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp, Steyn said. - Sapa