Monthly Archives: August 2012

DA shows their support against E-tolling

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Group of DA supporters gathered outside constitutional court and claim they are against E-Toll gates system.

“We are going to be here the whole day,” Precious Gcabashe said.

 

“We don’t want the toll gate. We are hoping for the government to hear us.”

 

Clad in blue DA T-shirts they sang and danced, holding posters which read: “Hoot for a toll free GP”.

 

Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said he was expecting up to 300 supporters.

 

The court is expected to hear arguments today as to why it should overturn an interim interdict preventing e-tolling in Gauteng from going ahead.

 

According to the interdict granted by the High Court in Pretoria on April 28, a full review first needed to be carried out before electronic tolling of Gauteng’s highways could be implemented.

 

The SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) and National Treasury are appealing the order.

 

The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), which was granted the interdict, would oppose this move.

 

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan applied to the Constitutional Court to set aside the court order preventing Sanral from implementing e-tolling.

 

Gordhan argued that Judge Bill Prinsloo had ignored the principle of the separation of powers. He said the decision to halt e-tolling would negatively affect the economy.

 

In its reply, Outa said Sanral was still not ready to launch the project.

 

Last week, the DA said it had applied to join the Constitutional Court case, but it was not admitted as a friend of the court as it had hoped.

 

The High Court in Pretoria would hear further arguments in the e-toll case on November 26.

SAPA

Sexwale fails to placate protesters

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Yesterday Sexwale was in Langa township for the handing-over of the most recently completed houses of the N2 Gateway development.

 

But, instead of listening to the complaints of the protesting residents, Sexwale told a packed marquee that it was wrong to play politics when development was at stake.

 

Earlier, about 200 residents from informal settlements along the N2 sang Sexwale’s praises, saying that he would take them out of shacks.

 

But their high spirits took a dive when the housing minister said those who were not on Cape Town’s housing waiting list would not benefit from the latest phase of the N2 development.

 

“Those who are getting these houses, do not sell these houses. Do not rent them out,” Sexwale told beneficiaries before the ceremonial handover.

for more details go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

ANC OR TAMBO REGION ANTI ZUMA-REPORTS

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This decision by the ANC’s top six to order the conference to resume and its results to be released is an indictment on the Eastern Cape’s provincial leaders.

They stand accused of having been at the centre of the chaotic gathering two weeks ago that came to an abrupt end after members of the provincial executive committee (PEC) decided to dissolve the conference and withhold the results.

 

The ANC’s national leaders, including ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, ruled the OR Tambo regional executive committee must reconvene the conference from August 24 to August 26 with the same adopted credentials; that the electoral commission be instructed to announce the results and conclude its work; and that more national executive committee members be deployed to the region to oversee the conclusion of the conference, said an ANC leader.

 

The ANC heavyweights’ decision was a major boost for those lobbying for President Jacob Zuma to be replaced. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale have been touted as possible ANC presidential successors.

 

The results of the conference, which were leaked to the media, show that the anti-Zuma camp in the region had won by a slight margin.

For more details go to http://www.mg.co.za

A school for th…


A school for the blind in Limpopo is still waiting for textbooks, eight months into the school year.

 

The Department of Basic Education has not honoured its promise to deliver Braille textbooks at Siloe School for the Blind in Thokgwaneng village near Lebowakgomo.

 

The school had been sent textbooks for pupils who have sight.

 

Several incidents of books being dumped or destroyed have been reported in the province.

 

Speaking on condition of anonymity yesterday, authorities at Siloe School, which accommodates 143 pupils doing Grades R to 7, confirmed they were still awaiting delivery of the books.

 

A source at the school, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said the department had promised to deliver the required books “soonest”, but there had been no communication between them and the department as to when the delivery would be made.

For more details go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

Marques reshuffle Birds nest

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Marques came under fire after the club’s 3-1 defeat to Platinum Stars in their opening Absa Premiership match at the Royal Bafokeng stadium on Sunday, a result he labelled “a freak game”.

 

Swallows will now take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 first leg semifinal on Saturday at Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, with Marques targeting the competition as his first major title.

 

“The pressure is coming from myself. I want to be successful as the head coach at Swallows.

 

“No two seasons are the same and I think the comparison between last season and this one is unfair. I understand people are looking at me. I must make things happen because I am head coach.

 

“My ambition is to win the league. I’d like to win every single trophy that is available. I want to be remembered for those things. But I also have to be realistic because I am not the only coach who is thinking like that.”

 

Marques was livid at his players after Sunday’s loss to Stars and warned them about the danger of being “complacent”.

For more details go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

10 000 Fords recalled in S.A

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Ford’s Indian subsidiary is recalling nearly 140 000 of its most popular cars to rectify manufacturing defects that could cause a fire and date back as far as 2008.

 

Ford said it would examine 111 000 Ford Figo and Classic (Ikon in South Africa) models sold in India and assembled between January 2008 and December 2010 for a faulty rear twist beam which could compromise brake performance and make the vehicle inoperable.

 

10 000 IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

Ford will also replace a hose in 17 655 Figos and Classics assembled in India between September 2010 and February 2011 as a precautionary measure. Oil, it was claimed, can leak from the hose and produce noxious fumes, smoke and, in extreme cases, fire.

 

The company said an additional 10 000 vehicles exported to South Africa would also be recalled.

 

No injuries have occurred as a result of the defects, Ford said.

 

Like other global automakers in India, Ford relies heavily on local suppliers to keep down costs. Toyota, Tata, Honda and Maruti Suzuki have all recalled cars in India in recent years, although not as many as Ford.

 

Ford’s compact Figo, launched in 2010, made the American auto giant a real player in India’s competitive small-car market. The company has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into India, part of the company’s strategy to pursue growth in Asia over the next decade.

 

It laid the cornerstone in March 2012 for a $1-billion factory in the Indian state of Gujarat.

 

WHAT FORD SA SAYS…

 

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa told Wheels24 it was aware of potential concerns with some Ford Figo and Ikon models and will initiate the necessary customer service action from late August 2012. Meanwhile, should customers have any concern relating to their Figo or Ikon, they are encouraged to take their vehicle to an authorised Ford dealer for inspection.

 

They can also contact Ford Customer Service Operations directly through the helpline 0860 011 022.

 

A spokesperson said: “Ford considers the long-term durability and quality of its products to be of utmost importance and will continue to work with our customers to deliver a sound technical guarantee and complete customer satisfaction.”

For more details go  www.news24.com

A mother,son perish in a blazing fire

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By Obakeng Maje 

Morokweng- Police has opened a case of arson on Sunday, 12 August 2012. 

According to information received, the police got a call from a community member at about 20:30.

The caller alleged that there was a shack on fire at Blekkies section in Morokweng and that there might be people inside.

Police went to the scene, also Fire Emergency services were also called and managed to extinguish the fire.  

“It is alleged that a 40-year-old mother and her six-month-old baby boy were sleeping inside the shack, when a neighbour saw the fire”.

“According to the deceased’s 15 year-old daughter, her mother came home at about 19:00, under the influence of liquor. She asked the teenage girl to light the candle and there after the girl went to sleep in another room. Whilst sleeping, the teenager was woken up by her three year old sister’s cry and she discovered that their home was on fire” Captain Nkwalase said.

A 15 year-old daughter, 11 & seven year-old boys as well as their three year-old sister survived the ordeal.

They were left homeless as their house was reduced to ashes and claimed the life of their mother and infant brother. 

School books, birth certificates, clothes and blankets were completely destroyed.

The remains of the two deceased were taken to Vryburg Government mortuary.

Follow us on twitter@Taung_DailyNews

 

 

SANEF slams PSL over new competition

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has objected to the new Premier Soccer League competition for soccer reporters.

 

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza announced the new competition on Friday where winners who correctly predicts the outcome of matches will be rewarded with R500 000 for each of the three categories; print, television and radio after the end of each quarter, with the new season having been divided into four quarters. Quarter one will have eight fixtures and so forth.

 

Sanef have released a statement, saying the new competition for the reporters doesn’t only violate the journalism code, but also undermines the ethics of the profession.

 

“Sanef wishes to place on record that it was not party to this ‘extensive’ consultation process, nor is it aware of any other credible industry bodies that were consulted about this competition,” the statement reads.

 

“Had Sanef been consulted, we would have made it clear to the PSL that the competition undermines the ethics of our profession. This competition seeks to turn journalists who use their skills to report and analyse football into gamblers.

 

“It risks opening the door for corrupt practices which our profession has no desire to be part of. Equating this competition with other awards is disingenuous. Genuine journalism awards reward excellence and hard work.

 

“The proposed competition is also a direct violation of our professional codes, which state that journalists should avoid conflicts of interest and ‘arrangements or practices that could lead audiences to doubt the press’ independence and professionalism’.

 

“However, should journalists wish to participate in lotteries and sweepstakes in their individual capacities they are free to do so. But this cannot be done under the guise of professional work. Journalists are not allowed to use their roles in media outlets – broadcast, print and digital – for gambling purposes.”

 

Sanef says it will be seeking a meeting with the PSL to voice their concerns about this competition and “its potentially corrosive impact on journalism and media ethics”.

Caster Semenya hit back at critics

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Caster says people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.

POWERFUL: South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Russia’s Elena Arzhakova compete during their 800m final race. Photo: Getty Images

 They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so yeah, I tried my best 

 

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South Africa’s lone track medallist in two Olympic games, Caster Semenya, hit back on Tuesday at criticism of the tactics which resulted in her winning a silver medal in the women’s 800m race.

 

There was speculation that Semenya did not go all out to win the race.

 

“[There is} nothing much I can say. I try my best and I won a silver,” Semenya told reporters at OR Tambo International Airport on the team’s arrival from London.

 

Semenya said people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.

 

“So whatever people are saying, they always talk, they know nothing about athletics.

 

“They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so yeah, I tried my best.”

 

Semenya’s medal was the first for South Africa in a track event since Mbulaeni Mulaudzi’s silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

 

Despite her individual success, she was disappointed at being the only member of the track team to finish in a podium spot.

 

“For me, I’m a little disappointed about the results. We had a strong team so we were expecting at least another four medals, but at least we have a silver.”

 

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula highlighted the performance of Semenya, who was South Africa’s flag-bearer for the games.

 

“When you were running there our hearts nearly stopped. We don’t [know] what your strategy was.

 

“Caster represents the greatest guts for women. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you represent a symbol of [a] courageous woman in South Africa.”

 

Mbalula congratulated all the medallists.

 

“There are no words that can describe the joy you have delivered. I don’t think you can comprehend what you have done for this nation.

 

“Today we are united — black and white — with your deeds. For what you have done it will remain in the annals of history. You did not ask, but you obeyed.”

 

Mbalula said the gold medal won by Cameron van der Burgh in the 100m breaststroke, in a world record time, was the catalyst for the South African team.

 

“When Cameron got that first gold, like we said, if you don’t believe don’t catch that flight. When that gold was delivered it changed for our nation.

 

“I want to say to you Cameron, job well done. We would have been disappointed had you not delivered that gold.

For more details go to http://www.sowetanlive.co.za 

North West premier Mme Thandi Modise concerned about Lonmin drama

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By Obakeng Maje 

The North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise has expressed concern about the violence triggered by union rivalry that has thus far claimed nine lives and also resulted in destruction of property at Lonmin Marikana Mine.

 

Two policemen, two security guards, three protestors and two other men were killed and another policeman was critically injured by Monday afternoon.

 

“We wish to convey our condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones in the violence that is allegedly triggered by union rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).Survival of the fittest, anarchy and lawlessness shouldn’t characterise wage negotiations in the mining sector. We call for cessation of hostilities and for a return to the negotiation table” said Premier Modise.

 

Modise expressed optimism that extra police deployed in the area will bring the situation under control.

 

Lonmin reportedly announced that the body of a man with gunshot wounds believed to be linked to the violence was found on the premises.

 

Another man died in hospital on Sunday after being hacked with a panga as he left the mine after the evening shift. On Saturday, two security guards were killed when the car they were travelling in was set alight.

 

Scores of other people have been injured in the violent unrest in the last four days allegedly caused by the NUM and AMCU fighting for control of local mines. Police also reported that eight vehicles were torched on the mine property on Sunday.

 

Lonmin has called for an end to the violence, which begun on Friday following an illegal work stoppage and protest march by about 3000 rock drill operators. Both unions have blamed each other for the violence.

 

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