Johannesburg – Expelled ANCYL leader Julius Malema will on Wednesday address members of the SA National Defence Force in Johannesburg.

“The address is as a result of requests sent by the armed forces to Malema to come and listen to their cries and demands,” suspended ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu said in a statement.

Shivambu said the soldiers’ complaints included being threatened with dismissal, and low salaries.

“Malema will listen to their demands and suggest solutions to end the unnecessary starvation and threats of dismissals to the soldiers.”

In response, military bases were placed on high alert on Tuesday night, according to a report.

Timeslive reports that Defence Ministry spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said all bases had been placed on “high alert”.

“The situation is being monitored. We cannot elaborate. Directives have been issued to base commanders and certain steps are being taken,” Dlamini was quoted as saying.

According to Timeslive, Dlamini said it was the first time that something like this had happened in the military.

“The military is a non-partisan organisation… this is being viewed as incitement… which is a criminal offence… it will be treated as such,” he said.

The report said that Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula also issued a strongly worded statement saying that ill-discipline in the military was a direct threat to the country’s security.

“It has been the expressed intention of Malema that his activities in the mining sector are aimed at rendering the sector ‘ungovernable’, thereby undermining the economy. The country cannot afford for similar instability in the military. The SANDF is the last line of defence of the sovereignty of the country. We cannot allow anyone to play political football with this institution,” she said.

According to Timeslive, Mapisa-Nqakula said any attempt to destabilise the military would be regarded as anti-South African and counter-revolutionary at the highest level.

“It is not going to be tolerated. It must be stated in no unclear terms that the military operates within an environment of command and control wherein discipline forms an integral part.

“Any actions outside this realm will be dealt with decisively by the chief of the SANDF.

“The minister calls on all members of the SANDF and the public to distance themselves from these actions of Malema.

“No permission has been granted by the SANDF’s command structures for any soldiers to participate in the proposed gathering.

“Any member who does without proper permission will be subjected to the disciplinary code of the SANDF. The compromise of discipline within the SANDF is a threat to the security of our country and all our people.” – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-A joint–task team to investigate interruption of water supply experienced in the Mahikeng-Mmabatho areas in recent weeks was established by the Office of the Premier in the North West Province on Monday.

The task team comprising of representatives from the Office of the Premier, Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Department of Water Affairs, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mahikeng Local Municipality and Botshelo Water Board is expected to conclude its report with recommendations in a week’s time.

The establishment of the team follows Premier Mme Thandi Modise’s concern about interruptions which have inconvenienced the public and also disrupted services as employees were released early whenever disruptions were experienced for hygienic and health considerations.

“By Tuesday the team had completed inspection of all valves and testing of pressure at all major pipelines to ascertain the cause of the interruption which has affected the Mmabatho CBD including the Ga-Rona Government Complex and Lowe Parliamentary Village and also inconvenienced households in the immediate vicinity” Lesiba Kgwele said.

Despite an incident of a burst pipe in Golf View and a closed valve on the pipeline supplying the Mmabatho CBD and its surrounding areas which was opened on Monday, preliminary investigations have not ruled out the possibility of human error and or sabotage. 

“Botshelo Water Board has also reported that Molopo Oog which normally supplies Mafikeng with an average of 1200 cubic meters per hour has now has dropped to 740  cubic meters per hour thus decreasing  the normal total supply of water” Premeir spokesperson,Kgwele asserted.

The Water Board appeals to the community of Mahikeng, government departmentsand businesses to use water sparingly and refrain from watering their gardens until the water supply improves.  

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Johannesburg – Police have confirmed that a man’s body was found near Lonmin’s Marikana mine, not far from where striking miners have been gathering, but there are concerns that the scene may have been contaminated.

“I can confirm that a body of a man was found 300m away from where the miners usually meet, on the western side of the koppie,” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

Ngubane said the man, wearing black pants, appeared to have been hit with a sharp object at the back of his head.

He said police were at the scene and it was not known what had happened to the man.

“Whether killed yesterday or this afternoon we have no information,” he added.

But Jacaranda FM tweeted that police fear the scene has been contaminated.

According to @Jacanews, “Police say possible contamination of the scene, will be investigated.”

Sapa had reported that as journalists raced towards the spot where the body was said to have been found, the leaders of the protesters told everyone to move away from the scene.

A Sapa reporter saw a picture of the body, taken by a news cameraman.

The photograph showed deep cuts at the back of the man’s neck

Standoff

Tuesday afternoon saw a standoff between policemen and protesters at the Andrew Saffy Memorial Hospital in Marikana.

A throng of protesters marched to the hospital in the afternoon, from an open space near the hill where 34 people were killed in a confrontation with police on 16 August.

As the protesters, carrying pangas, knobkerries, golf clubs, arrows, and spears, approached, police barricaded the hospital’s entrance with four armoured Nyala vehicles. A police helicopter hovered overhead. A private security company’s vehicle was parked nearby.

One of the workers’ leaders, Loyiso Mtsheketshe, said they wanted to instruct the hospital to stop discharging injured miners into police custody.

A protester claimed the police instructed hospitals to tell them when wounded mineworkers were discharged, and arrested them then – some even before they left the hospital premises.

The group marched around the hospital and split into groups before returning to the open space near the hill.

CCMA

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) met employee representatives in Rustenburg on Tuesday, as the strike at Lonmin entered its second month.

“A meeting was held with the employee delegation [accompanied by the clergy] at the CCMA offices in Rustenburg. At this stage we cannot confirm the contents of the meeting,” CCMA spokesperson Nersan Govender said.

This followed an aborted attempt at wage negotiations on Monday, when just under 7% of employees reported for work.

Under a peace accord signed by three unions representing some of the 28 000 employees at the platinum mine last week, it was agreed that wage negotiations would be re-opened, but only if the strike ended.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union did not sign the accord, but did arrive for wage talks on Monday.

Its members waited in vain, with the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity, Uasa, and Lonmin management, for representatives of a splinter group of workers to arrive.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Wolmaranstad- The Police in North West scored another success against copper cable theft when two suspects aged 34 and 29 years appeared before Wolmaransstad Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The accused, Stephen Marumoagae (34) and David Thipampeng (29) were arrested on Saturday morning after a community member informed the police about two men who were suspected of being responsible for stealing of copper cables at the local municipality sewerage station.

The police followed the lead and found one of the suspects at his house and he led the police to another suspect’s place.

“The police questioned the suspects and that led to recovery of copper cable that was hidden at an informal settlement at one of the accused (David Thipampeng)’s parental place” Captain Makau said.

“They were arrested and charged with possession of copper cable” she continue.

Both accused are still in custody and their case was remanded to the 14 September 2012 for bail application.  

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By Obakeng Maje

Ms Natasha Tsichlas has been appointed Match Commissioner for tonight’s friendly match between Bafana Bafana and Mozambique that will be played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

With her appointment, Ms Tsichlas becomes the first female official to serve as a Match Commissioner for a Bafana Bafana home fixture.

“I feel honoured as the first woman to act as a Match Commissioner for such an important game,” said Tsichlas

“This is a historic moment for our country and I am hoping this will inspire more women around the country to get involved in soccer and officiating at the highest level. It would also be great for FIFA and our Confederation of African Football (CAF) to acknowledge more women as Match Commissioners,” she added.

South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani said such is an honour for a woman who has dedicated a lot towards football in the country, this is a fitting reward and should work as a catalyst for other women to get involved in various soccer activities.

“We as SAFA are happy for Natasha. She has always been a trendsetter and we encourage other female soccer fans to take a cue from her and occupy rightful places within the soccer fraternity, whether it is administration or on the field of play,” said Nematandani.

SAFA head of referees, Adeel Carelse said Tsichlas’ appointment as match commissioner for the upcoming game was great for the development of the game among female officials

“Her appointment is a sign that we are headed in the right direction with the development of female match commissioners in the country,” said Carelse.

By Obakeng Maje

delareyville- police arrested twenty four people after they embarked on illegal strike this morning at Extension 8 in Tswaing township.

According to information received,most members belong to Democratic Alliance(DA) and they went on protest after accusing their ward councillor who belong to the ruling party,ANC of Nepotism.

“The police were called at the scene after most members allegedly belonging to the opposition party,DA went on strike” Brigadier Ngubane said.

“The Police tried to disperse the crowd since the strike was illegal,but the adamant crowd did not burge” Ngubane continue.

The crowd were also protesting about poor service delivery and allegedly said the councillor only appoint his buddies for positions in the municipality while overlooking the DA members in the process. 

Arrested members will appear in court soon and will be charged for public violence.

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The Siya crew can exclusively reveal that Matthew Rusike has concluded his move to Kaizer Chiefs. It is believed that the striker has joined the club after having agreed to a three-year deal during the transfer window.

The former Jomo Cosmos player has been linked with a move to Naturena for several weeks and after having agreed to personal terms, the move was put on hold after Cosmos failed to hand him his release with club indicating that the 22-year was still contracted to the team.

Rusike has been training with the Chiefs squad under coach Stuart Baxter while trying to sort the issue out in what has been a frustrating process.

After lodging a case with the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) due to a disagreement between him and his former club, Cosmos, it was though that he would have to wait until September 18 before receiving a verdict.

However, Siya crew sources have now revealed that Rusike has received his clearance and will be turning out for the Amakhosi this season.

Johannesburg – Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema called for a national strike at all mines on Tuesday until the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) leadership steps down. 

“There must be a national strike at all the mines until Frans Baleni and the Num leadership step down with immediate effect,” Malema told a packed stadium at the Gold Fields KDC West gold mine near Carletonville, where 15 000 workers are on strike. 

“The problem is not Num. The problem is the leadership who take money from mlungu (whites).” 

Malema said the R12 500 salary workers wanted “is a reality”.

Baleni, Num’s general secretary, read about their demands in newspapers. 

“Comrades, you don’t have leaders. You are leaderless. You are not alone. We are encouraged by what you are doing,” Malema said. 

Making mines ungovernable did not mean violence, “it means downing tools”. 

Malema said he and his companions had travelled to the mine to meet “the real revolutionaries”. 

“This is a serious revolution. Don’t give up.” 

The mine obtained an interdict on Monday for workers to return to their posts after they suddenly went on an unprotected strike on Sunday. 

Malema said people had been stealing gold from the workers. 

“Now you want a piece of gold. You want R12 500.” 

He said workers should strike for five days a month “until they listen”. 

Malema has been touring mines and addressing disgruntled mineworkers. 

He had already spoken at Lonmin, where workers have been on strike for a month, with the rallying cry that their pay be raised to R12 500 a month. 

Forty-four people have died in violence associated with that strike – 34 when police fired on protesters at Marikana last month. 

Malema also spoke at Aurora’s Grootvlei mine, which is in the process of being liquidated. 

The ANCYL and its parent body the ANC have been at loggerheads over the nationalisation of mines, which the league is lobbying for but the ANC has said is not feasible. 

Last week trade union Solidarity laid a charge of incitement against Malema.