By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Greater Taung United Taxi Association held a meeting today at Batlhaping Ba-ga Phuduhucwana to discuss way forward of the temporary taxi rank.

The matter came to light after taxi drivers went on beserk on friday.

They insinuated their way beside busy roads of Taung as they claim the makeshif rank allocated to them is too small.

Eminent members of Taung Taxi Association contemplate the matter and agreed upon that all local taxis will continue operating in the streets as others are parked next to Vaaltar FM studios and others next to KFC.

“We had a meeting today to discuss a way forward with our taxi drivers. Even though fewer taxi drivers attended the meeting, we agreed that only long distance taxis will be based at the new taxi rank in Extension 6” Tshidiso Letlhaku said.

“All our taxis cannot be accomodated at the makeshift taxi rank so we would like to apologise to our commuters for any inconvenience caused” Taxi Association spokesperson said.

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-ANC North West called all their councillors in the province to a summit.

The meeting was held yesterday in Mahikeng.

Provincial Executive Committe(PEC) was discussing the role of the ANC and its representatives in the communities.

“We reminded our councillors that what’s their role within the communities their serve” Kenny Morolong said.

“Service delivery is one of our major challenges. Councillors must held monthly meetings with their respective communities” Morolong said.

ANC spokesperson explains that the ruling party councillors represent the party.

He said as the face of ANC, they need to be competent and fullfill the mandate of ANC.

“We told our councillors to know their role in the communities and their behaviour and reputation will be scrutinised” Morolong concludes.

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Thirteen SA soldiers have been killed and 27 wounded during a clash with rebels in the Central African Republic, the SA National Defence Force said on Monday.

Thirteen SA soldiers have been killed and 27 wounded during a clash with rebels in the Central African Republic, the SA National Defence Force said on Monday.

“It was 200 of us against 3000 rebels,” SANDF chief General Solly Shoke said.

He said SANDF members were engaged in an high intensity battle that lasted for 13 hours.

“Our troops are in Central Africa. There is a relative truce for them. They are in position. They cannot run away or walk away,” Shoke, said.

“The safety of our people is paramount and we will use all means at our disposal,” Shoke said, “For us running away is not an option. That is a force we must be proud of.”

President Jacob Zuma announced the thirteen deaths earlier.

“We are deeply saddened by the events and developments in that country over the past 72 hours, which saw violence escalating and many innocent lives lost. We have confirmed that 13 of our brave soldiers who were committed to fighting for peace and stability in Africa fell in Bangui,” Zuma said at a briefing in Pretoria.

In December, Zuma sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to the Central African Republic to assess the security environment and general situation which was tense after the Seleka rebel coalition launched an armed campaign.

The report from that mission recommended an intervention, he said.

On January 2 2013, Zuma as the commander-in-chief authorised the deployment of up to 400 South African soldiers to CAR.

Only 200 of the soldiers had been sent at the time of the attack.

Zuma said South Africa and CAR had signed a military co-operation agreement in 2007. This was renewed for a further five years in December 2012.

That agreement entailed provision of military training to the CAR army and refurbishment of military infrastructure.

The deployment of SANDF troops in CAR was part of the country’s effort to contribute towards peace and stability in the region, Zuma said.

SANDF was tasked with building the capacity of the CAR defence force and help the CAR with the planning and implementation of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process.

“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.

The just over 200 soldiers fought armed forces numbering over 1000 in a high tempo battle which lasted nine hours until the rebels raised a white flag and asked for a cease fire.

“South African soldiers inflicted heavy casualties among the attacking bandits,” he said.

Zuma said the South African government had not taken any decision to withdraw the army from CAR.

“We have not taken a decision to withdraw. You would in a sense appreciate that there existed an agreement between two countriesAnd our being there was related to the task that we were given. We defended our base successfullyThere has been no reason for us to leave. What we’ve been looking at is how do we enforce our forces, how do we ensure that there are no further casualties,” said Zuma.

“There is no reason for us to issue a command for withdrawal.”

President Jacob Zuma should have withdrawn South African troops when Central
African Republic President Francois Bozize failed to honour a peace agreement,
the SA National Defence Force Union (Sandu) said.

“The president… should have withdrawn our troops at the very moment Bozize dishonoured his obligations in this respect,” Sandu national secretary Pikkie Greeff said in a statement.

“His dishonouring of that agreement should have been the green light for the withdrawal of our troops from that country.”

Greeff called on Zuma to withdraw “our troops with immediate effect, even if it entails launching a military offense to relieve our troops in distress”.

On Sunday the SA National Defence Force said South African soldiers were killed and injured during the clashes in the CAR.

“Following the engagement that we had between the SANDF members and the CAR rebels there were some casualties from both sides,” Brig-Gen Xolani Mabanga said.

“We are at the moment still trying to assess the information from the people on the ground. We cannot therefore confirm any figures.”

However, some media reported that at least six South African soldiers have died.

Mabanga said the situation in the CAR was calm by Sunday afternoon and there was no threat to the lives of South African soldiers.

“But we don’t take anything lightly. We are taking all the precautionary measures.”

He said the contact between SANDF members and CAR rebel forces took place on Saturday.

The clashes happened at an SANDF base on the outskirts of Bangui, the CAR capital, as well as other isolated incidents.

CAR President Francois Bozize fled the capital early on Sunday after hundreds of armed rebels threatening to overthrow him invaded the city, the Associated Press reported.

By midday on Sunday the rebels reportedly took control of Bangui.

A peace deal was signed on January 11 which allowed Bozize to finish his term that expires in 2016, but the rebels soon began accusing the president of failing to fulfil the promises that were made.

They demanded that Bozize send home South African forces who were helping bolster the country’s military. And they sought to integrate some 2000 rebel fighters into Central African Republic’s armed forces.

For more details go to www.sowetanlive.co.za

Veteran coach Ted Dumitru believes “European influences” are impacting negatively on local football.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said his opposite number, AB de Villiers, was the difference as South Africa clinched a 3-2 series win in the fifth and final one-day international.

De Villiers hit an unbeaten 95 to guide his side to a six-wicket win after the teams went into the deciding match locked at 2-2. The South Africa skipper made 367 runs in the series at an average of 91.75 and took both the man of the match and man of the series awards.

De Villiers, who was dropped on one, overcame some hostile bowling on an unpredictable pitch as South Africa chased down Pakistan’s 205 all out with six overs to spare.

On a day when most batsmen struggled to time the ball consistently, De Villiers made his runs off just 111 balls, hitting nine fours and a six.

A fourth wicket partnership of 87 off 88 balls with Farhaan Behardien (35) made South Africa’s victory virtually certain after Pakistan’s new ball bowlers, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, caused early problems on a pitch where some deliveries bounced alarmingly, while others kept low.

Pakistan seemed headed for a more competitive total when they reached 151/4 in the 35th over after winning the toss. “It was a 250 pitch and the way we started it was gettable,” said Misbah. The Pakistan captain added that his team had fought back well after being trounced in the Test series.

“The team have got some confidence from the Twenty20 series and the one-day series. We have shown we can perform in these conditions against this quality bowling attack.”

Ryan McLaren took three wickets in 13 balls to swing Sunday’s match in South Africa’s favour.

Courtesy- www.sabc.co.za