Bonang explains why she cut Somizi out her life

More than a year after Bonang Matheba and Somizi's flashy friendship came to an abrupt end, Bonang finally revealed what it was that led to her cutting the Idols SA judge out of her life.

Ever since Bonang and Somizi's friendship fell apart, fans have been wondering what exactly led to the split and in her new book, Bonang From A to B, Bonang finally opened up about the incident.

In a chapter focused on her alleged assault at the hands of a boyfriend in 2012, (She's referring to Euphonik) Bonang said that the experience taught her who she could trust.

"In the end, it was one of the reasons I stopped being friends with one of my closest friends, Somizi Mhlongo, although not immediately," she wrote.

Bonang claimed that she phoned Somizi during the alleged assault and he came to pick her up after the incident. She said she later lost trust in him when he made friends with her ex-boyfriend.

"It took me a while to eventually leave that relationship, and years after I had, Somizi, who was my friend, suddenly became friends with my ex. The same one whose violence towards me he had witnessed. That's when I knew he had to go. I couldn't trust him anymore so I cut him out of my life," she revealed.

She admitted that she often would not let the person know if she was no longer friends with them and acknowledged that Somizi "didn't even realise why" she had suddenly cut him out of her life. She said that Somizi probably thought it was about something else he had actually not even done.

Opening up about the break-up on his reality show last year, Somizi said that he thought it was because she had been told that he spoken to DJ Zinhle about Bonang's relationship with AKA.

“What I hear is that she thinks or she was told that I told Zinhle about her relationship with AKA. But why? Why would I do that to her? I want the three of them, Zinhle, AKA and Bonang, to sit down and tell me who said that I said what,” he said.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE recently, Bonang said that her and Somizi were professional towards each other but "aren't friends".

"We are professionals. At the end of the day, we are in the same industry and we are often in the same spaces. The industry is so small and we know that we are going to bump into each other. We greet each other. We are very polite. I don't try to disrespect him but that is where it ends. We are not friends," she said.

Actresses Thishiwe and Mandisa will not give 'homophobic' people power over them

Being the talk of the town for their semi-nude art and romantic relationship is not what actress Thishiwe Ziqubu and Mandisa Nduna set out to do, but they have accepted it as part of their story and if it upsets the balance in society - so be it.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE about causing a storm with their semi-nude pictures, Thishiwe and Mandisa said they saw nothing wrong with expressing their love for each other on a public platform. They also said that they have had to accept that they may not be everybody's "cup of tea".

"More than the fact that we love each other, people look at us with raised eyebrows because we are not ashamed to express it. People are fine if we are together but on the down low, but hiding who you are is a dangerous game that neither Mandisa or I are interested in playing," Thishiwe said.

Mandisa said they 'know' they look good together and would post as many loved-up pictures as they wanted. 

"I love art in all its forms. Body art is a particular favourite of mine and I know for a fact that both Thishiwe and I are aesthetically appealing. This is just one channel we have chosen to use to express ourselves," she said.

The pair said they both knew from an early age that they were not "typical" in terms of what they liked. As they grew older they realised that they were attracted to girls and although they have had to go through different difficulties that accompany "coming out" as individuals, they would not change anything in their journey.

"My first crush was a girl and although I also dated men as I grew up, I always knew I was attracted to females. So when Mandisa and I came out to the public, people in my close circle were not surprised. Of course as a black female from a religious family and conservative community, not everyone is as accepting," Thishiwe said.

The pair said they fall in love with each other everyday and are living together with Thishiwe's eight-year-old daughter.

Mandisa and Thishiwe couldn't help but gush over each other as they tried to explain what attracted them to each other.

"She has great bums. But on the real, it is how much she has challenged me to become a better person and taught me to love her and to love me," Mandisa said. 

Thishiwe said she loved how Mandisa accepted her for everything that she is and that she fell in love with how Mandisa gave her the "freedom to be me".  

The couple said they were working on a project together and were toying with the idea of casting themselves in a reality show based on their life together. 

"By hiding who we are as people in the LGBTI community, we give homophobic people more 'power' over us. Of course we live in a world where just by existing as a women, your life is endangered but we believe the trick is to live and love just as we are meant to do. How is it your life when you live it for other people," they said.

Here are some of their saucy  loved-up snaps:

Cape Town business robbery foiled but three officers wounded

A police constable is in a critical condition‚ while two others were injured after they responded to a business robbery in Cape Town on Monday.

The constables from Nyanga police station were shot at with an AK47 assault rifle and other weapons after they responded to the call of a wounded security guard at a tavern in the Browns Farm township.

"Eager to stop the robbers in their tracks‚ police members were quick to respond to the incident‚ when they came under fire. In the process three constables aged 26‚ 32 and 44 and a security guard were shot and wounded on the scene and admitted to hospital‚" said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut.

Police sources said four suspects were inside the building and fired at police‚ while another three were outside giving their accomplices covering fire and then fled.

The police Special Task Force was then summoned to the scene to "extract" four suspects trapped inside the tavern.

"During their intervention the four suspects aged between 33 and 35 were arrested and one firearm was confiscated‚" said Traut.

None of the arrested suspects was wounded and they are currently being interrogated by police.

"The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation‚ and once charged‚ the suspects are due to make a court appearance on charges of attempted murder and attempted business robbery‚" said Traut.

Couple shot on a block road'one killed!

A woman in a critical condition after she and her boyfriend were shot.

The two were driving in the village of Bityi, near Mthatha on Saturday night when their car was sprayed with bullets.

They were on a gravel road leading to Tyalarha when they found it blocked with rocks.

When they stopped to remove the objects blocking their way, unknown gunmen fired several shots at them.

The 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital and is said to be in a stable condition, but the 39-year-old man died at the scene.

Mthatha police spokeswoman Captain Dineo Koena said no arrests have been made.

“Four cartridges of a 9mm pistol were picked up at the scene.

“The victims were not robbed and the motive for the killing is unknown. Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened,” she said.

“We request anyone with information to come forward to help us bring the perpetrators to book.”

Meanwhile, two people aged 25 and 26 were killed in separate incidents in Port St John’s over the weekend.

A 26-year-old from Mthalala Village was beaten to death, allegedly by two men aged 40 and 45, with knobkerries, after he tried to rob them with a knife.

The two suspects were arrested and were due to appear in court on a murder charge.

The 25-year-old was shot dead in Dangwana by an unknown man while on his way home from a drinking spot.

Police spokeswoman Captain Nozuko Handile said cops are looking for the gunman.

Progress has been made, after a Cape Town businessman kidnapped

 The family of a kidnapped Cape Town businessman says some progress has been made in getting him back.

Zhaun Ahmed was taken outside his business in Woodstock last week, as he was heading home.

Ahmed, owner of Zhauns Business Opportunity Machines, was forced into a bakkie by three armed men on Tuesday evening.

The vehicle was later found abandoned.

Over the weekend, the family spokesperson Hanif Loonat revealed that the kidnappers had phoned them on Friday afternoon.

“At this point, we could reveal that contact has been made.”

Although it's understood Ahmed is still alive, Loonat says he cannot reveal details about what the kidnappers had discussed.

“Due to the obvious sensitivity of the matter.”

Police have called on anyone with information to come forward.

Back in court, after two me forced Victor Mlotshwa into a coffin

The trail begin today at Delmas High court against the two men accused of forcing Victor Mlotshwa into a coffin.

They are facing charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The incident happened in August at JM de Beer Boerdery, near Komati power station in Mpumalanga.

Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen were granted bail of R1 000 each on July 14 in the Middelburg Magistrate's Court, after reapplying for bail.

Mlotshwa had noticed two Land Cruisers following him, the investigating officer Constable Dimakatso Bahula had told the court.

Bahula said the vehicles stopped and two men assaulted Mlotshwa and kicked him, without any explanation.

A video of the incident posted on YouTube showed one man forcing Mlotshwa into a coffin and threatening to pour petrol on him, while Mlotshwa pleaded with them to stop.

During an appearance in 2016, the pair told the court they had merely wanted to "teach Mlotshwa a lesson". They claimed their actions were "negligible" and that they did not mean any harm.

The trial is set down for July 31 to August 10.

Wow! But Sbahle Mpisane's Umemulo was best!

Miss Fitness Bunny sure knows how to celebrate in style. Sbahle Mpisane celebrated her Umemulo (a traditional Zulu coming of age ceremony) and damn, did she give us the feels. Here's a breakdown.

The event was attended by some important people, including First Lady Thobeka Zuma.

The traditional outfits were on fleek.

Sbahle looked like a princess.

She changed into something a little more glam for the festivities later on. Sbahle wore a sexy white number with tassels. There was a band on stage and the party continued until the early hours of the morning.

Muthambi must pays back taxpayers' R300,000, says DA

Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi must be summoned to parliament to account for reports that she wasted R300,000 in taxpayers' money, the DA said yesterday.

The Sunday Times reported that she flew in 30 friends and family members for her budget speech in parliament in May.

The jaunt cost the public almost R300,000.

The DA's Desiree van der Walt said yesterday she would write to the chairman of the portfolio committee on public service and administration, Dr Makhosi Khoza.

"Muthambi must be made to repay every cent she spent on making sure people would come to watch her speak," Van der Walt said.

She said she would approach Khoza to request that Muthambi be called to explain her actions.

Muthambi's guests allegedly included her son, sister, aunt and mother and former SABC board chairman Ellen Tshabalala.

"These reports have surfaced on the back of revelations that the Gupta family had received highly confidential cabinet meeting information from Muthambi in May.

"The DA will not stand for this. Muthambi must appear to account before the public service and administration committee and be made to pay back every cent of wasted taxpayers' money," Van der Walt said.

50 people injured as bus and car collide

 At least 50 people were injured when a bus and a car collided on the N1 at the Klipheuwel turn-off north of Cape Town late on Sunday afternoon, paramedics said.

When ER24 arrived on the scene just after 5pm, two people from the car had to be extricated with the jaws-of-life. The rest of the patients were "walking on the scene", ER24 spokeswoman Ineke van Huyssteen said.

Injuries sustained varied from minor to serious. Two people from the car were in a serious condition. ER24, as well as other medical services on the scene, transported the injured to nearby hospitals for further medical care.

The circumstances surrounding the accident were not yet known, but police and local authorities were on the scene for further investigations, Van Huyssteen said.

A 24-year-old SA woman rescued from sex traffickers back home

A visibly traumatised South African woman rescued from a human trafficking syndicate that lured her to Asia with the promise of lucrative modelling contracts landed safely at OR Tambo International Airport late on Sunday.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, who was at the airport to welcome Princess Mahlangu, vowed that more arrests would be made in addition to the Zimbabwean national said to be part of the syndicate.

Mbalula said the 24-year-old woman was “traumatised”.

“There has been an arrest of a Zimbabwean in Malaysia and more arrests will be made,” Mbalula said.

He added that there was also “a Nigerian (national) involved” in the trafficking, whom he referred to as “the co-ordinator”.

The head of the Hawks, General Yolisa Matakata, also confirmed the arrest and said they were still working with the Malaysian authorities to apprehend more suspects preying on vulnerable young women.

The joint operation between the police, Hawks, Interpol and Malaysian authorities, rescued 14 women from 14 different countries.

Mbalula and Matakata said although they did not have the statistics of South African traffic victims readily available, the country was tightening its borders and actively pursing the syndicates to combat the scourge.

Mbalula said: “A lot of women come from outside South Africa and are trafficked here for various reasons.

“We have closed down brothels, even in Sandton, where we have found (trafficked women). They come here under the pretext of greener pastures,” Mbalula added.

Mahlangu’s relieved father was also at the airport to welcome his daughter, but her mother stayed home as she was “not feeling well”, Mbalula said.

The Bloemfontein woman had left South Africa for Malaysia after she was lured with promises of mega prizes in beauty pageants, modelling and a great life.

Other victims rescued from the syndicate came from countries such as Barbados, the US, the Philippines and Thailand.

Mahlangu’s close friend, who asked to remain anonymous, detailed the harrowing conversations he had with the victim after she realised that she had been taken to Malaysia under false pretences.

The friend told The Star he became worried when Mahlangu sent him a message saying she was worried that she was being trafficked.

“She (South African woman) sent me a WhatsApp message on Monday night, saying: 'I’m in trouble, can you check with the travel agency if they could move my return ticket to an earlier date'?

“I asked her what signs (of trafficking) she had picked up. She said she would talk to me when it was safe.

"I asked her to send me her (travel) itinerary,” the friend said.

The man said he told her to immediately contact the South African Embassy in Malaysia.

“Before she left, we spoke about the importance of knowing the South African embassies in the countries one is travelling to. Before she boarded the plane, she asked me to send her the embassy's numbers.”

The friend added: “She later sent me a message that ‘this guy says we must go to a nightclub and I became suspicious, because he was acting strangely'.”

According to Mbalula, swift action by the SAPS, the Hawks and Interpol saved the woman from the clutches of the traffickers.

Mbalula said the SAPS had on Wednesday received information that a South African woman was the victim of human trafficking in Malaysia.

The minister said he immediately alerted the SAPS, Interpol and the Hawks and asked them to investigate.

"Indeed, they found that a suspected case of international human trafficking was in progress in Malaysia, where at least 14 females from 14 countries had been conned into a fake internet model competition,” Mbalula told The Star on Saturday.

The close friend of the South African woman said she was introduced to the man she met in Malaysia by a woman in Bloemfontein, who posed as director of a modelling agency or a related business.

“My friend normally enters beauty pageants and she was introduced to the guy by this woman who said she was a director. It was the first time that she had met the man in Malaysia,” the friend said.

Mahlangu’s friend said: It’s been a week of hell. I’m so relieved my friend will be back soon,”he added.

I am not going to apologise, says defiant Edward Zuma

President Jacob Zuma’s son Edward has defied the ANC and refused to retract comments he made against senior party leaders whom he accused of being “sell-outs” and “defenders of white monopoly capital”.

“My entire statement stands. I respect the ANC but in this case I will not be retracting anything. I stand by what I said, I believe in what I said and I will never change anything,” he said.

In an open letter addressed to former ministers, Derek Hanekom and Pravin Gordhan, Edward berated the pair for “brazenly and unabashedly speaking out against President Zuma”.

He also called Hanekom a white Afrikaner askari.

“I feel justified in addressing Derek Hanekom in the language I used, he is an askari and I am not going to apologise,” he said.

He also called Gordhan one of the most corrupt cadres of the ANC “who thought natives are no better than just being sugar cane cutters who must forever be subservient to a master like him”.

Edward dared both former ministers to meet him in court if they wanted to sue him.

He said the open letter was not in retaliation to President Zuma’s critics.

“Zuma doesn’t need me to defend him. I am speaking on issues of leadership of the ANC, as a member of the ANC."

“You can’t reduce my thinking into a Zuma defence, that is insulting me. I am a member of the ANC,” he explained.

In another scathing open letter, Edward launched a blistering attack on The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which has promised to take action against him regarding comments directed at Hanekom and Gordhan.

He called the action a senseless censure and a witch-hunt against him aimed to “suppress the articulation of black pain”.

“I am surprised that they still exist, because when Zuma is being insulted they keep quiet, today they are talking, that’s convenient."

“They are biased, that’s why I said they are a post- apartheid champion of the exclusive protection of the minority settler rights, a vile dog unleashed to maul the black majority,” he added.

Zuma said he was prepared to be arrested and to go to jail for “telling the truth than to succumb in shame.”

ANC provincial spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli said Zuma had until Wednesday to retract some comments in his open letter.

“In whatever discomfort he has against them, deal with Gordhan and Hanekom as you would any other member of the ANC, don’t include the colour of their skin."

“The comments are divisive to the ANC, calling some of the comrades racists and then ending up becoming racist in the process,” Ntuli said.

Ntuli said Edward Zuma had not indicated to the ANC that he was not going to issue a retraction.

“When we spoke to him he seemed to understand why he needed to retract some comments. We will act when the five days we have given him lapses,” Ntuli said.

Pearl Thusi shares her thoughts on racism in the States

Pearl Thusi has relieved some of her experiences in the States, sharing that although she didn't personally experience racism in the creative industry, she was constantly scared.

During an interview on Touch HD's The Expensive Breakfast the actress spoke about how she had only experienced minimal racism.

"Racism in New York is difficult to experience especially in the creative industry. In the corporate space, I think maybe that is where it may be experienced. I was in Atlanta and I had a great time, I went to several cities and I can’t say that I experienced racism at that level (of what was shown on TV and in the media). I have seen just as much as you have," she said.

Pearl also shared how she was "scared and stressed"  to be a "person of colour" in the States at a time when Americans were going through the worst kind of racism.

"It’s a mess what is happening in the States. With everything that was going on, I can't say I wasn't scared to be pulled over by cops in America because of my skin colour. If a policeman rode past and it wasn’t a black policeman, I was stressed, I won’t lie. I would check myself and make sure that everything was in order. I was just projecting what was happening around me," she explained.

The actress said because of the restrictions of her visa, she was advised not to participate in the marches against Donald Trump. She added that being there during "such a historic time for the country" was quite interesting.

One killed, one injured as bakkie rolls in Carletonville

A man, believed to be in his late 20s, was killed and another man was injured when their bakkie rolled at the R501/N12 intersection in Carletonville on the West Rand on Saturday night, paramedics said.

When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene just before 8pm, another medical service was already on the scene, ER24 spokeswoman Ineke van Huyssteen said.

“They declared the man dead. The other man was lying outside of the vehicle. ER24 assessed the other man, believed to also be in his late 20s. He sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Carletonville Hospital for further medical care.”

The cause of the accident was unknown at this stage, Van Huyssteen said.

Zuma won't see the end of his term,says Malema

Julius Malema Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader  has repeated that next month President Jacob Zuma will no longer be in the highest office if the secret ballot vote is granted.

Malema was speaking at the party's fourth birthday celebrations in Durban yesterday.

The red beret leader says the party intends to grow its support base in KwaZulu-Natal and has even invited Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini to give the organisation advice.

Malema is clear that Zuma will not see the end of his presidential term.

But he says this does not mean their goal is to remove the African National Congress from power.

“ANC was elected by the people, we are saying to them remove Zuma, you can elect anyone, you are the government of today, we are going to remove you in 2019. We can’t remove you through a backdoor.”

Malema has called on South Africans to join a countrywide shutdown on 8 August if the secret ballot is not granted by Parliament.

Police to probe stampede that killed two at Soweto derby

 What was supposed to be a celebration of football between South Africa's two biggest clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, turned to tragedy after two people died and 17 were injured in a stampede at the FNB Stadium.
 
Saturday afternoon's match, the annual Carling Black Label Champions Cup between the two Soweto rivals, was won 1-0 by Kaizer Chiefs, with the stampede believed to have taken place outside the stadium while the action was already well underway.
 
As such, the match was completed with many unaware of the disaster, until various reports starting flooding in just before full-time.
 
The shocking news was, however, confirmed about an hour after the game when the event stakeholders issued the following statement:
 
"As sponsors of the event, we are saddened by the fatalities that occurred late this afternoon due to a number of people who attempted to push through the gates.
 
"At the moment we can confirm two fatalities caused by blunt force trauma, one critically injured and sixteen spectators with minor injuries following a turnstile stampede.
 
"This incident is extremely unfortunate as solid security plans were put in place in conjunction with SAPS and various other stake holders, to ensure that this is a risk-free event.
 
"Since the inception of the Carling Black Label Cup in 2011, we have had record attendance and incident free events.
 
"The Police and Stadium Management South Africa are working together to investigate this matter. As Carling Black Label, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and SMSA wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of those affected by the incident."

The SA Football Association (SAFA) also offered condolences to the family members of those who lost their lives.

“We are going to ask for a full report and institute a full investigation on what transpired and the cause for the stampede,” said SAFA President Danny Jordaan.

“I would also like to wish the injured speedy recovery. A football match is supposed to be a place of entertainment. What happened to at FNB Stadium is very unfortunate,” he added.

Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba also confirmed an investigation into the stampede.

"The cause of the stampede is under investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The city’s emergency management services (EMS), 100 Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) officers, and disaster management unit are on site," he said.

All gates had been opened to ensure crowd control and the game proceeded without any further incident. The city would work with the SAPS to ensure that the cause of the tragedy was investigated.

"This sad loss of life at such a highly anticipated event is indeed a tragedy and the city will work with all the relevant authorities to prevent tragedies such as this in future," Mashaba said.

It was just over 16 years ago that 43 people lost their lives in a stampede at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg in a match between the same two clubs. 

#suspected gang violence:Two shot dead and three critically injured

Two more people have been shot dead in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas‚ bringing to four the number of people killed in two suspected gang-related incidents since Thursday night.

Three people have been injured.

Fears are now mounting that the recent spate of shootings could lead to retaliation attacks from rival gangs.

On Friday night‚ an off-duty police detective was wounded and two suspected gangsters were shot dead in Windvogel.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said a group of people were standing outside drinking in Second Street when a bakkie approached and stopped metres away.

She said a passenger in the bakkie opened fire.

“David Kokora‚ 26‚ [allegedly] a Dustlife gang member and Aartjie Kok‚ 23‚ were fatally wounded while three other persons‚ aged 23‚ 29 and 39 sustained injuries‚” she said.

Naidu said an off-duty policeman who lived in the area was among the three people who were injured.

“The suspect is unknown and police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder‚” Naidu said.

Friday night’s shooting comes about 24 hours after an incident on Thursday in which two Upstand Dogs gang affiliates‚ Hillerion Jacobs and Dane Oosthuizen‚ both 27‚ were gunned down inside their vehicle at the corner of Standford and Gail roads in Gelvandale.

Mount Road cluster commander Major-General Funeka Siganga urged residents to speak out about gangsterism and work with the police to ensure those responsible are brought to book.

“The community are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police and every information that is given to us will be investigated‚” she said.

One soldier died and four critically injured

One soldier died‚ four were critically hurt and 38 suffered minor injuries when a South African National Defence Force bus overturned on Friday.

The accident happened on the N12 near Victoria West in the Northern Cape after the bus left Kimberley on its way to Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape‚ where the soldiers were due to take part in a soccer tournament.

“Emergency medical personnel attended to the scene and stabilised the injured. The name of the deceased member will be announced as soon as the next-of-kin have been informed‚” said a Defence Force statement.

“Three critically injured members were taken by road to a hospital in De Aar and subsequently airlifted to 3 Military hospital in Bloemfontein‚ and one highly critical member was airlifted from the scene of the accident to a hospital in George for further emergency medical treatment.

“Details on the circumstances that led to the bus overturning will form part of an investigation into the bus accident.”

Guptas a bad influence, says Gigaba

 Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has made a U-turn on the Guptas and said he was worried about their influence in doing business with the government.

He said he backed a judicial commission of inquiry into the state capture.

Speaking on Talk Radio 702 on Friday, Gigaba said the allegations uncovered in the leaked emails on the influence of the Guptas were damaging to investor perceptions.

“I am very worried about that. I think we need to establish fact from allegation.”

He also said the Guptas had a negative impact on how lenders and ratings agencies view the state-owned entities.

“The allegations are quite damaging to investor perceptions, as well as ratings agencies, of the governance of our state-owned companies.”

Gigaba’s comments came a day after Eskom chief financial officer Anoj Singh was placed on suspension pending an investigation. This came after Gigaba and his Public Enterprises counterpart Lynne Brown intervened after the Development Bank of Southern Africa threatened to recall a R15billion loan to Eskom if no action was taken against Singh.

The bank had apparently flagged R3bn in expenditure that flouted the Public Finance Management Act.

Gigaba has been accused of having appointed Gupta associates to SOE boards when he was public enterprises minister.

Recent reports alleged he vetoed senior officials who refused to grant citizenship to the family after they did not meet requirements.

On reports that some of the problems dated back to his days in the department, Gigaba said it was important the portfolio committee established how far the problems went. “The issues that are under consideration relate to the audit findings over the past financial year when I was no longer in the Department of Public Enterprises. But if there are issues that go back, they need to go back.”

He was said while he was minister of public enterprises there had been no such problems. “Had those issues been reported to me I would have acted promptly on them as the minister has done.”

Boys-only school accused of racism over hair policy

 A Cape Town parent has accused his son’s southern suburbs school of bullying and racial insensitivity after he was given a warning letter for an “unacceptable” hairstyle.

According to the provincial Department of Education, the school is objecting to the child’s hair being cut with a step.

Ngqiqo Mahlutshana, father of 7-year-old Lebone Ramedupe, a Grade 1 pupil at Wynberg Boys Junior School, has been given until Monday to have his son’s hair cut or face “disciplinary action”.

The letter stated that the boy’s haircut “did not comply with the school’s code of conduct” and until it was changed, Lebone “would not be allowed to go out on to the playground during break”.

Mahlutshana told Weekend Argus he found the letter to be “bullying both to the child and parents” and also “very prescriptive”. “The tone tells one what to do and if not what will happen,” he said. “This makes me feel like this letter is entrenching racial divides.”

An emotional Mahlutshana recalled that when Lebone arrived home with the letter, he asked his father to “fight for me”.

Mahlutshana met the school principal on Friday for more than two hours and told Weekend Argus the school had conceded the letter “was pre-emptive as the parents had not received the school’s code of conduct which was still a work in progress”.

However, according to the school secretary there had not been a change in the school’s policies or code of conduct, but “there could have been a misinterpretation of the policy by the parents”.

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Jessica Shelver confirmed the meeting between the two parties and said: “The learner reportedly had a step cut into his hair which does not comply with the school’s code of conduct.” According to Shelver, the father said the haircut was part of his culture and was to discuss the matter further with the school’s governing body.

“SGBs determine dress codes as part of their codes of conduct, including hairstyles. It is important that all schools ensure that their codes of conduct represent the inclusive society in which we live and are in line with the values of our constitution. Discipline and authority is required at all schools. However, it is important that there is a healthy balance between school discipline and behaviour and individual rights,” added Shelver.

It’s the not the first time the issue of hairstyles has been the focus of media attention. Pupils at Pretoria High School for Girls protested in August last year when girls with Afros were told to brush their hair by teachers. San Souci in Newlands also saw protest action by pupils.

An unconnected drama at another of the country’s prestigious schools has also grabbed headlines. St John’s College has been forced to accept the resignation of a teacher for racism and face calls for the principal to step down following his handling of the case. On Friday, former and current St John’s pupils who go by the name #OpenStJohns said the headmaster and chairperson of the council had failed in their responsibility to lead and protect pupils at the Joburg school. “They must be held accountable for bringing disrepute to the college.”

They said the headmaster of the school, Paul Edey, and the chairperson of council, John Patricious, needed to step down.

The Gauteng Department of Education also criticised Edey’s handling of an alleged racial incident that involved one of the school’s teachers. 

#MiWay racist author apologies 'Email'

A former MiWay client has apologised for writing and distributing an email in which the insurance company’s black customers are referred to as baboons.

"I have learnt how dangerous social media can be, if misused, especially in South Africa," Mondli Madlala said in a statement issued by the company. "I also realise that I put the two MiWay employees in danger and I plan to meet with them, to apologise again in person," he was quoted as saying.

He wrote an email and made it look as though it had come from a MiWay employee.

It reads: "Good day Nobu. This is a reminder of yesterdays [sic] managers meeting. The final decision was to reject 90% of claims made by black people as from 1 August 2017. They are an easy target, its [sic] also a great opportunity to save money and also punish these black baboons."

READ: WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE - MIWAY ON RACIST EMAIL

Forensic investigation

Nobu is an employee in the company's disputes department who had sent Madlala an email to tell him his claim had been rejected. His subsequent appeal to the ombudsman for short-term insurance was also rejected, which led him to write the derogatory email.

Madlala apologised in a meeting with MiWay CEO René Otto and marketing head Nthabiseng Moloi on Thursday. He said he acted impulsively, without thinking about how his email and social media post would spiral out of control.

The two MiWay employees mentioned in the email accepted his apology. MiWay and the two employees would not pursue charges.

Madlala was identified during a forensic investigation by the company.

"We accept Mr Madlala's apology and we hope that this is a lesson to many people that you can’t get away with something like this. We trust that this matter has now been laid to rest," Otto said.

Madlala agreed to give talks at six schools about the dangers of social media, as part of the company's MiHeart Project.