Sunday Sun 1/26/2020

TRANSNET paid millions to sponsor an insert in the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper in 2012, and the deal can’t be justified, the state capture commission heard. Briefing the commission, Transnet’s internal communications specialist Joseph Jackson on Friday provided evidence on the deal that would see Transnet sponsor the “Big Interview” insert in the newspaper. Then-group CEO Brian Molefe had approved the deal on 23 February, 2012. Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo questioned Jackson on the motivation behind the sponsorship. The inquiry adjourned until 4 February. THE EFF has lambasted Patrice Motsepe for telling Donald Trump that “Africa loves him”, saying the statement was “selfish, false, driven by greed and utterly regrettable”. Motsepe was caught on camera addressing Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Motsepe told Trump:…

By SMANGA KUMALO KHAMA Billiat may find himself on the bench. This as the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder has suffered an off-the-field injury . . . THANKS TO BEING KNIFED BY HIS “BABY MAMA”! The woman, whose name has been withheld, stabbed the Zimbabwean player in his hand using a screwdriver on Monday. Said the 22-year-old when asked for comment: “Yes, I stabbed him once and it’s a crazy cut. He was so lucky because he’s taller than me. I wanted to teach him a lesson.” She also summarised the details of the day’s events in her WhatsApp status. According to the young woman, the drama unfolded when she went to the midfielder’s house in Midrand, Jozi – with the nine-month-old baby in tow – to demand that he buy their…

A RECORDING, allegedly of Mpumalanga’s MEC for Sports and Recreation Lindiwe Ntshalintshali discussing government deals, is an attempt to discredit her ahead of the ANC’s elective conference in the province, she told the SABC. The recording was aired by the SABC yesterday morning and details alleged kickbacks with an unidentified man. The recording also allegedly contains Ntshalintshali’s plan to fire key staff members. Responding to the allegations, Ntshalintshali told the public broadcaster it formed part of a plan to discredit her ahead of the party’s conference. She said the authenticity of the recording would need to be verified and that her right to privacy may have been infringed upon. ANC spokesperson Dakota Legoete said the recording and its authenticity would be investigated by the governing party. Said Dakota: “Upon us…

SULTRY house music songbird Bucie may find it hard to briskly get around town. This as the muso (real name Busisiwe Nqwiliso) has been stripped off her VW Amarok for failing to keep up with its monthly instalments. According to court papers from the South Gauteng High Court in Jozi, Nedbank Limited was granted a default judgment in October 2018 to repossess her wheels. This included the 31-year-old Thando Lwethu hitmaker’s finance agreement, entered into in December 2016, being cancelled. Read the summons: “The unpaid balance was payable by way of 01-monthly instalment of R10 719.65 on 16 January 2017, 70 monthly instalments of R10 651.25 each commencing on 26 February 2017 and thereafter on the 26th of each and every consecutive month, with a final instalment of R10 651.25…

HE’S one of Mzansi’s most treasured villains on the e.tv soapie, Rhythm City. Not an episode goes by without viewers wondering about his next move. But after 13 years of playing the evil puppet master of David Genaro, actor Jamie Bartlett (66) is ready to take his final bow. On 5 February, the Rhythm City cast crew will be celebrating his last day on the show and wishing him well on a journey well-lived at an exclusive celebration. Although the actor can’t give more info on his exit and final move, his fans will be watching him closely. A colleague, who wished to remain anonymous, said Jamie was one of the most dedicated actors he has ever worked with. “When you say action, he immediately switches from being sweet Jamie…

A BIG surprise awaits Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi when she touches down on Mzansi shores next weekend. The 27-year-old model and beauty queen, together with media personality Bonang Matheba, are the faces of the Sun Met 2020 taking place at Cape Town’s Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday. But while her return is eagerly-awaited, one Cape Town artist has put pen to paper in a tribute to the Eastern Cape-born beauty queen. Themba Mkhangeli has drawn a portrait of Zozi, as she’s affectionately known, using a ballpoint-pen. Zozi, who’s now based in New York, is expected to land at the Cape Town International Airport next week to much funfare ahead of what’s been dubbed “Africa’s Richest Race Day”. In a recent interview, Zozi said: “I can’t wait to feel the energy, when…