September 26, 2012
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:

The Polokwane Magistrate's Court says that Julius Malema benefited from corrupt activities.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressures Rwanda and DRC leaders on their border crisis resolution.

And, the Presidency slams Reverend Barney Pityana for comments about South Africa’s leadership.

Papers filed in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court state that axed African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema benefited from corrupt activities amounting to R4-million.

The papers say Malema had clear business ties with On Point Engineers director Lesiba Gwangwa. Gwangwa and three others appeared in court on charges including fraud, corruption and money laundering. The charges state that that the four misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo department of roads and transport, and a R52-million tender was awarded to On Point.

An earlier investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela could not find any evidence that Malema interfered in the tender process, but did find that Malema had benefited "improperly" from the contract. The court papers said Malema benefited from the tender by using it to fund a farm worth R3.9-million and to make a payment of over R380 000 for a Mercedez Benz vehicle.

Madonsela’s investigation also found that On Point acted corruptly by signing back-to-back agreements with subcontractors. The case continues.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to resolve a conflict over rebels in eastern Congo whose military advances have stoked tensions in one of Africa's most volatile regions.

A senior US official said that Clinton sat down with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Joseph Kabila in New York. She delivered a firm message to both that steps must be taken to resolve the crisis.

Clinton's meeting, which was her first joint session with the two feuding African leaders, was aimed at underscoring US concerns over the M23 rebel group. The DRC, the US and UN experts all believe that the rebel group is receiving support from neighboring Rwanda.

Clinton's meeting comes ahead of a UN meeting on the crisis. This follows a US decision in July to withdraw some $200 000 in military aid for Rwanda. This is Washington's first direct punitive action against the Rwandans. As a result, several other western European nations have also cut or suspended aid to the country.

The Presidency says Reverend Barney Pityana's comments about the country's leaders are disappointing and unfortunate. This follows an assertion by Pityana that South Africans need to take responsibility for the country's failures because they elected leaders without vision and basic competence.

Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said that some of the comments attributed to Pityana stoop far below dignified public discourse and intellectual engagement. He also said that some of Pityana's comments were incorrect and misleading.

Maharaj said that disagreements were welcome in a democratic society, however, they should take place within the bounds of common human decency, without promoting a culture of hurling insults.

Pityana was speaking at an annual memorial lecture to celebrate the life of anti-apartheid activist Neil Aggett.

Also making headlines

AU Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra says that Mali's interim leaders can tmanage the crisis in the north of the country.

The National Treasury’s Director General Lungisa Fuzile says financial inclusion is critical to lubricate the real economy.

And, Government seeks ways of reducing the e-toll costs to South African consumers.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.