Monthly Archives: August 2012

Malema uses Marikana situation for resurrection:Cosatu

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Pretoria – Expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema is using death and misery in an attempt to make a comeback to mainstream politics, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Sdumo Dlamini said on Friday.

 

“That boy is walking on the bodies of all the people who were killed there [at Marikana]. He is expelled, derogatory, [a] renegade loose cannon. Who is Julius Malema?”

 

Dlamini was addressing a meeting of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union in Pretoria.

 

“I will not stop saying this, I have said it before. It was very wrong to take advantage of any people who are weak at any time to get back into the political system of this country.

 

“Nobody will be able to repair that boy, even doctors. I am not even affected by all his insults. I have made my point and I am still making it now.”

 

Malema used a recent memorial service for the 34 Lonmin miners killed in Marikana, North West, to attack the government. On Thursday he arrived at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court, where 270 Lonmin workers were appearing on charges of public violence and murder.

 

In a statement, the Friends of the Youth League said Dlamini was talking “nonsense”.

 

Dlamini rubbished threats by Malema to make South African mines “ungovernable”.

 

“Such utterances tell you that there is something wrong with that man. How can you say let us make mines ungovernable when you know that thousands of people are dependant on that economy?

 

“Something has gone wrong with his head, only that no one has taken him to a [mental] institution to have him certified. Something is also wrong in the heads of the so-called Friends of the Youth who believe their fortunes will turn through such a person,” Dlamini said.

 

Describing Malema as “fired and condemned”, Dlamini said he had become the mouthpiece of people trying to propagate chaos in South Africa.

 

Self defence

 

On Thursday, Malema promised to make all mines in the country ungovernable.

 

“We are going to lead a mining revolution in this country… We will run these mines ungovernable until the boers come to the table,” he told workers at the troubled Aurora mine in Grootvlei, Springs.

 

“We want them to give you a minimum wage of R12 500. These people can afford R12 500. Mining in South Africa amounts to trillions of rands.”

 

Regarding negotiations at the troubled Lonmin mine, Dlamini said there were ongoing discussions for all parties to sign a peace agreement, probably on Tuesday.

 

“We need to sign a peace accord where everybody will commit to stability, peace and condemn violence. They [the aggrieved miners] need to leave all those sharp objects,” he said.

 

Dlamini said the policemen who opened fire on the workers on 16 August had acted in self defence.

 

“I am not even trained as a police [officer], but I can tell you that if you come to me, carrying a spear and I have a gun, I will defend myself. You would die a very foolish death if you do not defend yourself,” he said to applause.

 

“It is a crime to go around carrying a sharp object. If you want a peaceful strike, leave the dangerous weapons at home. We are not ashamed to say this.”

 

Regarding assertions by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), that it had been sidelined and therefore would not take part in the government-brokered peace accord, Dlamini said the newly-established union was lying.

 

“Yesterday they ran away [from the negotiations]. That man they call president [of Amcu] is now lying that they were locked [out]. It’s a lie, they walked out,” said Dlamini. SAPA

Experts working on smartphones Aids test

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Pretoria – South African and South Korean researchers are working on making a smartphone capable of doing AIDS tests in rural parts of Africa that are the worst hit by the disease, a researcher said Friday.

The team have developed a microscope and an application that can photograph and analyse blood samples in areas far from laboratories to diagnose HIV and even measure the health of immune systems.

 

“Our idea was to obtain images and analyse images on this smartphone using applications,” said Jung Kyung Kim, a professor in biomedical engineering at Kookmin University in South Korea.

 

The gadget, called Smartscope, is a small 1mm microscope and light which clips over a smartphone’s camera.

 

A standard chip with a blood sample then slides into the gadget in front of the microscope. Next, a special phone programme photographs the sample and analyses the cells.

 

The team hopes that trials in clinics may start next year, Kim told AFP.

 

A different prototype developed in the United States takes tests in the field that need to be sent to a computer for analysis.

 

But the Smartscope will itself be able to do a CD4 cell count – a measure of white blood cells, which determines when treatment starts.

 

“Its basic function is to count those CD4 cells for diagnosis,” said Kim.

 

The new technology is destined for AIDS treatment in remote communities in South Africa and Swaziland, where clinics often don’t have the technology to do these tests effectively.

 

Almost six million South Africans are infected with HIV, while a quarter of Swazi adults carry the virus.

 

“In community health mobile technology is not a gimmick. It becomes an essential part of access,” said Professor Jannie Hugo, who heads the family medicine department at the University of Pretoria, the partner in the study.

 

SAPA

One person died during protest

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Polokwane – A protester was shot dead on Friday in a service delivery protest in Tafelkop near Groblersdal, Limpopo police said.

 

Local residents barricaded roads, stopping workers and pupils from leaving the area, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

 

“A taxi ferrying passengers was stopped by the protesters, who surrounded the vehicle. The driver panicked, pulled a gun and fired at the protesters, hitting one of them,” he said.

 

The driver drove off with the passengers still inside. The wounded protester was taken to hospital and died later.

 

Police were searching for the taxi driver.

 

“At the moment, the situation is still tense and police are maintaining their presence in the area.”

SAPA

NPA must explain Marikana “murder” charges:Radebe

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Johannesburg – The NPA must explain why the 270 arrested Marikana miners are facing murder charges, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

 

“I have requested the acting national director of public prosecutions (NDPP), advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, to furnish me with a report explaining the rationale behind such a decision,” Radebe said in a statement.

 

“Section 179 (6) of the Constitution reads: ‘The Cabinet minister responsible for the administration of justice must exercise final responsibility over the prosecuting authority’.”

 

On 16 August 34 striking miners were shot dead in a confrontation with police who were trying to disperse them at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Another 78 were injured.

 

Initially, the arrested group was charged with public violence. On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority announced they would also face murder and attempted murder charges for the deaths of their colleagues.

 

Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema described the murder charges as madness.

 

“The policemen who killed those people are not in custody, not even one of them. This is madness,” he told protesters at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court, outside Pretoria, on Thursday.

 

Radebe said in terms of the NPA Act the NDPP had to provide the justice minister with information or a report regarding the case, and give reasons for any decision taken.

 

“There is no doubt that the NPA’s decision has induced a sense of shock, panic and confusion within the members of the community and the general South African public.

 

“It is therefore incumbent upon me to seek clarity on the basis upon which such a decision is taken,” Radebe said.

SAPA

Sundowns agree on Xulu deal

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Mamelodi Sundowns have agreed to release Siyanda Xulu to Russian side FC Rostov.

 

We are in Chloorkop right now and the club’s spokesperson Kabelo Mosito has disclosed that Sundowns and Rostov have agreed a deal for the 20-year-old central defender.

 

“We have accepted the LATEST offer, but what is happening now is finalizing the paperwork,” Mosito confirms.

 

KickOff.com got a tip off this morning that Xulu will throw a “huge party” on Saturday to celebrate the move and when we got to Sundowns today, we also realized he was not at training.

 

His agent Paul Mitchell also came to Chloorkop today to finalise the deal, but the move will only be confirmed once the paperwork is done.

for more go to http://www.kickoff.com

Petrol hike shock

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Cape Town – The petrol price will go up by 93c/l next Wednesday, while diesel will cost 69c/l more.

 

The steep 8.4% increase that kicks in at midnight on 5 September is to partly to finance wage increases for pump attendants at garages, the energy department said on Friday.

 

The latest shock hike brings the price of 95 grade petrol in the inland commercial region of Gauteng to R11.97 a litre and R11.62 at the coast.

 

The wholesale diesel price will also go up by about 6.7% to R10.95.

 

This latest petrol increase is also the result of rising oil prices, which have been pushed higher by supply issues and improved consumer confidence in the US.

North West premier Thandi Modise bought the house fair and square, says MEC

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By Obakeng Maje

The sale of a state property belonging to the North West Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport to the Premier, Thandi Modise, was above board as sanctioned by the responsible state departments.

 
The transaction in question was entered into in 2006, when she was Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature through an open and transparent process to dispose of a total of 108 state properties that were declared redundant and inhabitable in accordance with the Land Administration Act No 2 of 1995, sub-section 3(c).
 

“Due to the continually deteriorating state of repairs, as well as expenses towards rates and taxes incurred by the department at that time, a decision was taken by management to dispose of the properties in question. Furthermore in complying with the government policy on the state properties declared redundant and inhabitable, the Department was correct in disposing of all the 108 properties that belonged to the state  including the one that Premier Thandi Modise bought”, says the MEC for Public Works, Raymond Elisha.

The Department placed advertisements in the extra-ordinary government gazette in September 2008 as well as in the local newspapers calling for interested parties or individuals to bid for the advertised state properties. 

 
 “The majority of the 108 state properties so disposed were occupied by public service officials, politicians and private persons, who all had the first option to purchase. The average purchase price for the properties was R110 000, far below the price for which this specific house was bought for. The total number of state houses sold to state employees at the time, was 216 at the value of more than R22m. Premier Thandi Modise’s property was sold to her for R405 000. At the time, it was valued at R450 000. In accordance with policy, all first time home-owners were granted a 20% discount, whilst second time home- buyers were offered a 10% The R45 000 difference in the valuation and the actual price paid represents the 10% discounted amount, which was offered to
 
  buyers and not only to the then Speaker,” says MEC Elisha.
 
 
 
“It must be emphasized that a period of almost two years (2006-2008) elapsed between the actual offer and actual transfer of the property due the fact that the department had to seek the approval of the Minister if Land Affairs in order to finalise the transaction. The transfer of the property to her name was done on the 27 November 2008. All records in regard to the sales of these state assets including hers are available for public scrutiny” remarks MEC Elisha.
 
 
 
“Since the signing of the offer to sell and offer to purchase agreement between Premier, who at the time was serving as the Speaker and the Department, we have never carried out any renovations at the said property as alleged. All renovations and replacements were done at the cost of Premier Modise, who is the legitimate owner of the property in question,” concludes MEC Elisha.
 
 

five suspects arrested for being in possession of unlawful firearms in seperate incident

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By Obakeng Maje

Klipgat-Police arrested three Somalian citizens after a tip-off from a member of the community.

This happened in Klipgat and when Police arrived at designated area,they found three Somalian suspects in the house.

They allegedly found a 9mm Norinco with close to 70 live rounds of ammunitions.

They arrested those suspects and charged them with being in possession of unlawful firearm and ammunitions.

“On Wednesday, 29 August 2012 at about 04:00 Police were summoned to a house after a tip-off and found three Somalians in the house,after a search Police discover a firearm and arrested them for being in possession of an  unlawful fire-arm”Captain Botma said.

” Klipgat Police received information about someone who is in possession of an unlawful fire-arm in Bheki Section, Klipgat.  On the arrival of the Police they found three Somalia citizens in the house, and an unlicensed 9mm norinco pistol with 70 live rounds hidden between the base and the mattress in one of the rooms. 100 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes, containing 10 packets each, with a street value of approximately R3000-00 were also found in the house” she continues. 

The three were arrested and  are expected to appear today at Ga-Rankuwa  Magistrate Court.

Meanwhile on the same day, another tip-off was received from a community member in Tsebe section, Klipgat, of someone who is in possession of an unlicensed fire-arm.

The  police searched the house and found an unlicensed 9mm pistol with 3 live rounds.

“Two suspects in the house aged 32 and 36 years old were arrested for being in possession of the unlicensed fire-arm and ammunitions” Captain Botma said.

They will also appear today, 31 August 2012 in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court.

 

 

Three crates of ammunitions discovered in church

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BY Obakeng Maje

Schweize-Reneke-A large quantity of more than 5000 live rounds of ammunition, ranging from 9mm, R1 and R5 rounds, were confiscated by Vryburg Police on Thursday, 30 August 2012, in a church at Schweier-Reneke.

Members of Vryburg SAPS received information that there are crates with fire arms hidden below the floor behind the pulpit in one of the churches in Schweier-Reneke.

Upon receiving this information, a search warrant was obtained and members of Vryburg K9 unit went to the scene. 

 

“The minister/preacher of the church was contacted to open the church that was locked at that time. Upon opening up the church, the members searched inside of the church and they found, a trapdoor in the wooden floor behind the pulpit”Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

The door was opened and three crates full of ammunitions and one loose pack of ammunitions  were found on the floor below the pulpit.

The crates were confiscated and a case of Unlawful possession of ammunition was opened in Schweier-Reneke.

No arrests have been made. The investigation continues.

 

 

Bafana Bafana and SA U20 to feature in a double header at the Mbombela Stadium

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BY Obakeng Maje 

Bafana Bafana and the South African National Under 20 Men’s Team (Amajita) will take part in a double header at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

 

The match takes place on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.

 

Bafana Bafana host Mozambique at 20h30, while Amajita will take on Botswana earlier in the day at 17h30.

 

Tickets for the two matches are already on sale at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Shoprite Checkers stores around the country.

 

They are also available at the Mbombela Stadium.

 

The prices are as follows:

 

 

 

•         Upper & Lower tier                       R50.00 per ticket

 

•         Club South (Suite level)               R150.00 per ticket (including a light meal)

 

•         Restaurant Suite                           R300 per person (inclusive of a buffet) – R3000 per table of 10

 

•         Private Suites                                 R5000.00 per suite

 

This will be head coach Gordon Igesund’s second match in charge of Bafana Bafana – (they face Brazil on Friday, 7 September 2012 in Sao Paulo)