Monthly Archives: August 2012

NW women applaud govt to promoting total emancipation of women

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By Obakeng Maje

Various women in the North West Province have applauded Premier Thandi Modise and her provincial Government for strongly pushing the agenda of total emancipation of women in the province.

 

Mogomotse Gumede, of Reivello in Greater Taung Local Municipality said she is very happy that the province is being led by a woman who has the interests of women in the province at her heart.

 

“We are pleased that our province is led by a strong woman who is representing us well and doing a lot to uplift women not only in the province but the country at large.

 

We still believe that thought the leadership of our Premier, more women will be at the cutting edge of executive decision-making, policy formulation and legislative processes,” said Gumede at the Gala Dinner hosted by Premier Modise at Madiba Banquet Hall on Thursday.

 

The gala dinner was the last event to mark the end of August women month’s activities in the province.

 

Gumede said younger women must learn a lot from the women in high positions who are doing very well in positions that are dominated by men.

 

Goitsemang Molefe, from Anglican Church of Resurrection in Mahikeng remarked that women must continue to take a lead in shaping the future of the country.

 

She thanked all the female leaders in government who are serving the nation with dignity, pride and passion.

 

“When we take leadership positions as women, let us not be tempted to lose our touch as caring, dignified, hard working human being we always are in our homes.

 

We must continue to teach our young people who will be our future leaders the difference between right and wrong,” she cited.

 

Violet Molotsi, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Environment Development in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality also added her voice and said women must relook at their role in building a caring society.

 

“We have the responsibility to change the society that we are living in right now. We must be very worried when we hear in the media that a child has raped a very old granny.

 

We must ask ourselves as women, what kind of children are we raising?” she asked also adding that women must teach their children good morals from an early age.

 

Also speaking at the gala dinner, North West Premier, Thandi Modise encourages women to challenge all the issues that affect women in the province.

 

She said women must not fold their arms when they have a reason to believe that things are not done in a correct manner.

 

She further warned women to stop being used by greedy men who want to further their own agenda.

 

“I have heard that women accept high positions given to them by men not because they can hold these positions but because men use these women for their own selfish reasons,” she cited.

 

Premier Modise said the best way of building a caring society is to go back to the basics of raring a disciplined child.

 

She also encouraged young women to prioritize education as it is the only weapon that will fight many challenges faced by women

 

 

Nkumane completes a move to Sivuta

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Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sikhumbuzo Nkumane has completed his move to NFD side, Sivutsa Stars. Bruno, as the 22-year-old goal minder is known in football circles, has been training with the Mpumalanga-based outfit in pursuit of gaining some game time

 

His stay with the Parktown-based team saw him get very little game time due to the stiff competition for a starting berth in the team, competing for the number one jersey with the likes of Moeneeb Josephs and Senzo Meyiwa.

 

Stars’ communications officer, Charles Nkosi, confirmed to the Siya crew that Nkumane has completed a season-long loan deal.

 

“It has been finalised. The manager said it’s a season-long loan deal. The other players that are with us from Pirates are Linda Shiba, Thabo Rakhale and Siyabonga Zulu,” said Nkosi.

 

Rakhale caught the eye of Pirates while playing for Stars last season. He subsequently signed with Bucs and was quickly loaned back to Stars so as to gain more experience.

 

Lonmin negotiations hit deadlock

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Negotiations aimed at brokering peace at Lonmin Mine ended in a confrontation last night after negotiators failed to reach an agreement.The talks that began on Tuesday were aimed at normalising the situation at Marikana’s Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg in North West. Forty-four people died in a violent labour dispute two weeks ago. AMCU has described the talks as being one sided and only meant to serve the interests of the employer and the NUM. AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa has accused management and other stakeholders for disregarding the needs of the workers, hence they were left out during the last round of negotiations.

 

“I think to us it didn’t come as a surprise because remember on numerous occasion we have been set up by this management. We have in the mountain, we have been preaching peace for people to return to work, and the workers mandated us to call the workers to make commitment in terms of how will they reach that R12 500 but their cell phones were switched off. No one was cooperating, surely they are still continuing with their modus operandi,” says Mathunjwa.

 

 

 

Labour union Solidarity believes AMCU’s demands are unrealistic. Spokesperson, Gideon du Plesis says:  ”Solidarity always had the view that it might be a smoke screen, we have done some serious research on the payment of the workers and we have discovered that there are workers who are receiving a take home payment of R16 700 and those who would be receiving R4000. We noticed there was a high level of absenteeism, garnishee orders.”

 

 

 

 

 

The Congress of the South African Trade Unions, the National Union of Mineworkers and the Labour department have declined to comment. They instead released a short statement saying the talks will resume on Monday.

 

 

 

 

The police who fired on the miners are not facing any charges at this stage, pending the outcome of the judicial commission of inquiry into the killings.

 

Meanwhile, the state said yesterday that it was charging the 270 miners with the deaths of 34 of their colleagues, who were shot dead by the police at Lonmin’s Marikana mine earlier this month.

 

The state said they had been charged under the common purpose doctrine because they were present when the miners charged at the police while armed with various weapons.

 

The miners will also face charges of attempted murder and public violence. They were remanded in custody again yesterday so that the police can verify their addresses, take fingerprints and check on pending cases and convictions.

 

The police who fired on the miners are not facing any charges at this stage, pending the outcome of the judicial commission of inquiry into the killings. SABC. http://www.sabcnews.co.zaj

Shoot-out at Pick ‘n Pay

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Johannesburg – A robber was shot dead and

three people were wounded in a hold-up at the Pick n Pay in Radiokop, west of Johannesburg, Gauteng police said on Thursday.

 

An 14-man gang hit the supermarket at 19:00, ordering everyone inside to lie down, said Lieutnant Colonel Katlego Mogale

 

The robbers held them at gunpoint while they took money from the tills and some of the cashiers’ belongings

 

Police were alerted and arrived while the robbers were still on the scene, she said.

 

“Upon realising that the police were on the scene. the robbers opened fire.”

 

An off-duty police officer, a Pick n Pay staff member and a person outside the shop were wounded.

 

“One suspect was shot dead while trying to flee,” said Mogale.

 

The other robbers made their getaway in two kombis waiting outside the supermarket.

 

Police later traced one of the vehicles to the George Goch hostel, in Benrose.

 

“Five suspects were arrested at the hostel and five unlicensed firearms were also recovered,” said Mogale. It was not known how much money the robbers took.

 

Police were still searching for the rest of the robbers.

 

SAPA

The law used to charge miners is precedented

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Johannesburg – National Prosecuting authority spokesperson Frank Lesenyego said on Thursday that the law  under which the 270 Lonmin miners were being charged with the murder of their colleagues has been used before.

 
The miners are being charged with the deaths of 34 colleagues who were shot dead by police during violence at Lonmin’s Marikana mine, under the common purpose law.
 
Lesenyego said it was case law, meaning it has been used in previous cases and that there is legal precedent even though it is not in the constitution.
 
“The State has placed murder charges against all of them. Finer details around the charges will emerge in court when their bail application starts next week,” he said.
 
He said every one of the miners was being charged with murder, attempted murder and public violence.
 
Earlier, Magistrate Esau Bodigelo ruled that the group be kept in custody as not enough information had been provided to start their bail applications.
 
“My ruling is that it will be in the interest of justice that the State be granted another postponement not exceeding seven days. This matter will be postponed until next week.”
 
The matter resumes next Thursday.
 
‘We must be strong’
 
Expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema said charging the 270 miners with murder was madness, Sapa reported.
 
He was speaking after the postponement of the case
 
“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.
 
“The whole world saw the policemen kill those people. We are going to be seized (sic) with this matter. We have asked the lawyers [representing the 270 men] to consider making an urgent application at the High Court.”
 
Malema said arrangements had been made for the group to be held at the Pretoria Central Prison and the Mogwase Prison, in the North West.
 
“At the prisons, the comrades will not be mixed with other people already serving sentences there. Their families will be allowed to visit them,” Malema, speaking in Sotho, told the crowd.
 
“Visiting days at the prisons are Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are going to get the lists [of which members of the group are detained at which prison] and will give them to your leaders. We must be strong.”
 
Malema urged the protesters to remain steadfast and to return to court next week for the group’s next appearance.
 
“We will come back next week, hopefully in larger numbers. We must not be demoralised by this postponement,” he said.
 
“We have organised lawyers for these comrades. We have organised buses for you to go to the funerals this weekend.”
 
Malema was introduced to the protesters as “president” by suspended ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu.
SAPA
 

Du toit scooped gold for S.A in paralympic

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London – Team South Africa bagged their first gold medal of the London Paralympic Games when Natalie du Toit won the women’s 100m butterfly S9 final on Thursday evening.

 

Having breezed through the heats in the morning, she went on to win the final for the third Games in succession, in one minute, 9.30 seconds (1:09.30).

 

Sarai Gascon of Spain and Elizabeth Stone from America were second and third respectively, in 1:09.79 and 1:10.10, in a closely contested race.

 

Competing for the last time at a Paralympics, Du Toit said she was feeling more relaxed and determined to just enjoy the experience.

 

“After everything I’ve gone through, it’s actually quite a relief that it’s my last Games,” Du Toit said.

 

“It’s a great feeling to be able to walk away and know that I’ve achieved everything I wanted to achieve and there’s nothing else that I could have done.

 

“So I’m more relieved than anything else.”

 

Five-time gold medal winner at both the Paralympics in Athens and Beijing, Du Toit has kept a low profile in the lead up to the London Games.

 

“London has been great and I’ve been able to see a few of the sights which took a bit of the pressure off the racing,” she said.

 

“That was my aim coming into this competition – just to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing.”

 

The 28-year-old from Cape Town, who had her left leg amputated at the knee after she was hit by a car while riding her scooter, will take part in a further six events in London.

 

Du Toit will be back in the pool on Friday in the 100m backstroke event.

 

Aiming to go out with a bang, she will also compete in the 100m breaststroke later in the week and attempt to defend her medals in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle races and the 200m individual medley.

SAPA

Marikana murder charge “madness”-Malema

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Ga-Rankuwa, North West – Charging 270 miners arrested after the violence at Lonmin’s Marikana mine with murder was madness, expelled ANCYL president Julius Malema said on Thursday.

 

“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.

 

“The whole world saw the policemen kill those people. We are going to be seized with this matter. We have asked the lawyers 1/8representing the 270 men 3/8 to consider making an urgent application at the high court.”

 

Malema was speaking after the men’s bail application was postponed for another seven days.

 

Malema said arrangements had been made for the group to be held at the Pretoria Central Prison and the Mogwase Prison, in North West.

 

“At the prisons, the comrades will not be mixed with other people already serving sentences there. Their families will be allowed to visit them,” Malema, speaking in Sotho, told the crowd.

 

“Visiting days at the prisons are Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are going to get the lists (of which members of the group are detained at which prison) and will give them to your leaders. We must be strong.”

 

Malema urged the protesters to remain steadfast and to return to court next week for the group’s next appearance.

 

“We will come back next week, hopefully in larger numbers. We must not be demoralised by this postponement,” he said.

 

“We have organised lawyers for these comrades. We have organised buses for you to go to the funerals this weekend.”

 

Malema was introduced to the protesters as “president” by suspended ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu.

 

Earlier, Magistrate Esau Bodigelo ruled that the group be kept in custody as not enough information had been provided to start their bail applications.

 

“My ruling is that it will be in the interest of justice that the State be granted another postponement not exceeding seven days. This matter will be postponed until next week.”

 

Malema attended the court proceedings on Thursday afternoon.

 

Heads turned in the courtroom when Malema walked in before 2pm, accompanied by Shivambu and suspended ANCYL secretary general Sindiso Magaqa.

 

At the time, Bodigelo was going through arguments presented by prosecutor Nigel Carpenter and the defence team, made up of six attorneys.

 

The State applied for the bail application to be postponed for seven days, so that the particulars of every individual, including criminal records, could be verified.

 

The men’s lawyers had wanted them urgently released, and told the court some of them were not getting their medication for chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis and HIV.

 

The matter resumes next Thursday. – Sapa

 

 

Northern Cape schools at halt

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Northern Cape – Three schools have been burned down, 64 schools have closed and 16 000 pupils are unable to attend school.

 

Public violence around service delivery in the Northern Cape has brought education in the Johan Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, in which Kuruman is situated, to a halt.

 

Panyaza Lesufi, spokesman for the Department of Basic Education, said on Thursday: “The situation remains the same: 64 schools in the affected area remain closed. The 24 schools that were reopened outside the affected area”.

 

“I can confirm that a (neutral) religious leader is acting as a go-between and mediator between the protesters and the Department of Education. He is currently meeting with the protesters,” said Lesufi.

 

“Based on his feedback, the department will decide on whether it will be necessary to launch a full-blown to attempt to resolve the impasse,” said Lesufi.

 

Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, has been unable to visit the affected area due to “the high level of intimidation and disruptions”, said Lesufi, who had earlier called on police to step in and stabilise the situation to allow schools to re-open.

 

“These acts of vandalism (burning of schools) must be investigated and culprits be identified and appropriate action be taken by our law enforcement agencies,” said Lesufi.

 

“The majority of parents have asked us to re-open the schools. Once the situation has been stabilised the schools will be re-opened.”

 

Lesufi said the demands tabled by the protesters were not education-related. Residents have been protesting over the lack of tarred roads in the municipality.

 

The education department was focusing its support on matric pupils as there was a full recovery plan for pupils in the lower grades.

 

IFP spokesman Alfred Mpontshane said no matter how many camps or catch-up plans the education department had, children whose schooling was continually disrupted could not possibly be expected to achieve their potential.

 

Patrick Mabilo, the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, said that more police officers and intelligence operatives would be deployed to the affected areas to resolve the problems.

 

“We cannot allow this anarchy to continue. We are sending in more law enforcement officers to all affected areas to restore calm… they must be relentless in their efforts to get to the masterminds who are behind the violence there,” Mabilo said.

 

A source in one of the troubled villages told sister newspaper the DFA police were afraid of arresting those responsible for violence because their families were being threatened.

 

Cape Argus

Igesund defend his Bafana selection

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By Obakeng Maje

New Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a 25-man squad to face Brazil and Mozambique in the forthcoming international friendly matches.

South Africa play Brazil in Sao Paolo on Friday, 7 September before hosting Mozambique at Mbombela Stadium on 11 September.

This is Igesund’s first squad announcement since his appointment on Saturday, 30 June 2012 and has kept the core of the Bafana Bafana team while calling up seven new players – Kamohelo Mokotjo, Kgosietsile Ntlhe, Katlego Mashego, Thabo Matlaba, Dean Furman, Dino Ndlovu and Thamsanqa Gabuza.

Making a return to the national team after a long absence are Bevan Fransman, Bernard Parker, Kagiso Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu.

Goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has also been included after rescinding his decision to retire from the national team.

Ten of the 25 players called up for the two assignments are based overseas.

“I have chosen the best squad available based on current form and fitness – the strongest team in my view.” said Igesund.

“I am also giving other players a chance so that I know early the type of players we have. It is better to make mistakes now, rectify them and chart the way forward. It does not mean the career of names not on this sheet is over. My philosophy is that every player should fight for the flag and not take things for granted. In that way we will have a fighting mentality in the national team.”

“These are very exciting times for our country, especially with the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the World Cup qualifiers that are coming up. I believe if everyone pulls in the right direction, we can make it happen,” said Igesund.

The South African Senior Men’s National Team plays Brazil on Friday at the Estadio do Morumbi in Sao Paolo.

Kickoff for the match is 15h45 local time in Brazil (20h45 SA time).

The match comes during Brazil’s celebration for their Independence Day, and will also be used as part of a symbolic hand-over from the previous to present hosts of the FIFA World Cup tournament.

“The clash with Brazil is going to be very tough, and we will be using it to see what type of players we have available. This is also the chance to get the best possible squad to represent our country at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament next year, which we are hosting,” said the head coach.

“We are going out there to do our best, one thing I am sure of, this team will play with pride, passion and commitment – hopefully we can achieve our objectives. The most important thing is that we should not be scared to lose.”

Igesund has also called for the country to support the national team as they embark on a new era.

“We cannot do it alone, we need as much support as we can get, we need everyone to rally behind the team,” he said.

The squad assembles for camp on Sunday, 2 September 2012 at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International Hotel.

They then depart for Sao Paolo on Monday, 3 September in the morning, arriving in Brazil on the same day due to the five-hour time difference.

Training while in Brazil will be held at the CT Palmeiras grounds on Tuesday (4 September) and Wednesday (5 September). On Thursday (6 September) training will be held at the match venue, Estadio do Morumbi.

Bafana Bafana return home on Sunday morning (9 September) at 07h40.

Three hours later they fly to Mpumalanga for another international friendly match against Mozambique.

The clash will take place at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Kickoff is at 20h35.

South Africa will train at the match venue on Monday, 10 September.

The squad returns to Johannesburg on Wednesday, 12 September.

Here is the full Bafana Bafana squad:

NO.

PLAYER’S NAME

CLUB

GOALKEEPERS:

1.SANDILANDS Wayne

Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

2.JOSEPHS Moeneeb

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

3.KHUNE Itumeleng

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

DEFENDERS:

4.

SANGWENI Siyabonga

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

5.

FRANSMAN Bevan

Supersport United FC (SA)

6.

KHUMALO Bongani

Paok Thessaloniki FC (Greece)

7.

MATHOHO Eric

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

8.

NGCONGCA Anele

Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

9.

MASENAMELA Punch

Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

10.

MOKOTJO Kamohelo

Feyenoord FC (Holland)

11.

NTLHE Kgosietsile

Peterborough FC (England)

MIDFIELDERS: 12.

PIENAAR Steven (

C)

Everton FC (England)

13.

LETSHOLONYANE Reneilwe

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

14.

TSHABALALA Siphiwe

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

15.

PARKER Bernard

Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

16.

SERERO Thulani

Ajax Amsterdam FC ( Holland)

17.

MAHLANGU May

Helsingborg FC (Sweden)

18.

MASHEGO Katlego

Free State Stars FC (SA)

19.

MATLABA Thabo

Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

20.

FURMAN Dean

Oldham Athletic FC (England)

21.

DIKGACOI Kagisho

Crystal Palace FC (England)

22.

CHABANGU Lerato

Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

STRIKERS

23.

NOMVETHE Siyabonga

Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

24.

NDLOVU Dino

Maccabi Haifa FC (Israel)

25.

GABUZA Thamsanqa

Golden Arrows FC (SA

Former Cosmos striker to throw a towel

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Former Jomo Cosmos striker Benjamin Mwaruwari is likely to hang up his boots at the end of the month if he fails to secure a contract with a South African top-flight side.

KickOff.com, the former Zimbabwe national team captain refuted claims that he is on the verge of signing a contract that would see him rejoining Jomo Cosmos.

Mwaruwari, who was released by English side Portsmouth at the end of last season, has also ruled out linking up with one of the big clubs in the Zimbabwe Premier League.

 

“I am ready to retire from football if I do not manage to secure a contract with a Premier League team here [in South Africa],” Mwaruwari tells

“I have been training with Jomo Cosmos, but I am not going to be signing a contract with them. Those were just rumours. I still attend some of the training sessions at Cosmos just to keep fit, but this is as far as it goes.

For more details go to http://www.kickoff.com