The board stated it reached its decision to suspend Mampone on the basis of information in its possession which appeared to point to possible acts of serious misconduct.

This related to both his current position and during his period as acting group CEO (May 2008 to December 2009), the broadcaster said in a statement.

“The board believes that Mr Mampone’s continued presence at the SABC may jeopardise investigations into the allegations of possible misconduct by him.

“On Wednesday, Mr Mampone was invited to make representations on why he should not be suspended.

“Earlier today [Friday], the board received and considered Mr Mampone’s representations and issued notice of his suspension,” it said.

Sapa

26 February 2010

Amos Ngcobo, 40, admitted stealing or hiding more than 40 court dockets.

In addition to the sentence, he was also fined R20,000 to be paid to the South African National Council for Alcoholism, and to undergo three years of correctional supervision. Regional magistrate Paul Abelman said he had defeated the ends of justice by stealing or hiding the dockets for bribes. He also broke into offices of his colleagues and removed dockets to destroy or hide them. Ngcobo pleaded that he had a drinking problem which made him short of money. At times he prosecuted in the “drunken driving” court where, due to the enormous volume of cases it was easy to manipulate the system by stealing or hiding dockets. This would delay some cases so much that they were ultimately withdrawn. Abelman found that these acts amounted to corruption and/or defeating the ends of justice and/or unlawfully receiving benefits. He lost his government job. Sapa

26 February 2010

A litre of petrol 95 ULP will now cost R8.10 a litre in Gauteng.

The wholesale price of diesel with a 0.05% sulphur content will increase by four cents a litre. Diesel with a 0.005% sulphur content will also increase in price by four cents a litre. However, both the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin and the single maximum national retail price for illuminating paraffin will decrease by two cents a litre. Sapa

26 February 2010

DJs Fresh, Euphonik, Milkshake, Fistaz, Mahoota, Pepsi, Black Coffee and Culoe de Song will hook up with their international counterparts such as Master Key, Nick Holder and Keith Thompson to wow music fans at the Miami Showcase on March 26. This is an exclusively South African music showcase, the first initiative by local DJs to ever take place in the US. This is essentially a gig hosted by SA DJs, with the rest of the international DJs restricted to the status of guest DJs. South Africans in Miami, who want to connect with their country’s contemporary music sounds, should head for the South Seas Hotel and Pilika. The gig is part of the festivities at the US Winter Music Conference taking place at about the same time.

These DJs have certainly paid their dues on the local music scene. Their impressive résumés speak for themselves in terms of their status on the local music scene. Some of them have already made their names on the international music scene and this gig confirms that they are up there with the best.

Edward Tsumele

Sources close to the group confirmed the collaboration and the song will be a celebration of South Africa’s hosting the biggest soccer tournament . The sources also confirmed that a studio in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, was booked for five hours last night and the song would be released both locally and internationally ahead of the June 11 kickoff. R Kelly, who composed the song, has already recorded his part. Soweto Spiritual Singers’ contribution will be sent to the US for the final mixing. The recording company handling the project could not be reached for comment last night. The 27 member vocal ensemble beat the best local groups. “Several groups were asked to submit CDs because R Kelly was looking for a South African choir to work with. They are very excited and they did not care that they were given such a short period in which to do this,” the source said. One of the co-founders of the group, Vicky Vilakazi, neither confirmed nor denied that they had been selected to work with R Kelly. Formed in 2007, the group is the brainchild of Vilakazi, Gift Vilakazi-Ledimo, Nkululeko Vilakazi and Thabo Ledimo.

The ensemble has toured Europe extensively. They are scheduled to perform in Slovakia in May and will be heading for Japam im July. The group will wrap up 2010 in style with a three-month tour of the Netherlands.

Patience Bambalele

Please send us your photos of what you've been up to – gearing up for the Cup.

Send your photos to (a href>mailto:tellus@sowetan.co.za$)$(font color>blue size>2$) tellus@sowetan.co.za with WORLD CUP FEVER in the subject line

Let us all show our true South African spirit, and that we are all behind Bafana Bafana. KE NAKO!

26 February 2010