The four-day Gupta “wedding of the century” extravaganza kicked off on Tuesday evening in style.
Guests were treated to a fireworks display followed by a sumptuous dinner with delicacies from across the globe.
The multimillion-rand wedding is being held at Sun City, in North West, where the family reportedly booked out the entire Palace of the Lost City for more than 400 guests. Suites here cost between R4 600 and R44 000 a night.
For more www.iol.co.za
Pretoria – Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Thursday ordered that the Gupta family’s chartered jet be removed from Waterkloof Air Force Base.
“The clearance should be rescinded and the aircraft should immediately be removed… ,” she said in a statement.
The minister further called for an investigation on why the air force was approached with a request to use the base.
She was informed about media reports on the clearance given to the aircraft during her visit to Ethiopia. When she returned on Wednesday she asked for an urgent briefing from the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).
She said the international relations and co-operation department had agreed to the Indian High Commission’s request for the use of the base.
“The SA Air Force therefore dealt with the request as a normal process that has always applied when (the department ) makes such a determination and direction.”
Initially a representative from the Gupta-owned Sahara Computers approached the defence department for help with the Indian High Commissioner’s request for use of the base.
“This request for assistance was rejected, and since it was not even formalised, the ministry considered the matter closed. It had been our advice that the Airports Company SA was best placed to assist.”
She said against expectation attempts were then made to secure use of the base using diplomatic channels at the international relations department.
The office of the chief of state protocol dealt with the commissioner’s request without consulting the chiefs of SANDF or air force, or the defence ministry.
“The ministry of defence and military veterans would never have approved such a request… ,” she said.
On Thursday, the international relations department said the Chief of State Protocol, ambassador Bruce Koloane, was placed on suspension while it conducted its investigation.
The Gupta family, which owns The New Age newspaper and Sahara, is celebrating the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aaskash Jahajgarhia at Sun City, North West. – Sapa
By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Taxi Owners in Taung launched new association to have a strategic plan in taxi industry around the area.
The launch took place yesterday at Taung Conventional Resort and it was unveiled by new chairperson Mr Gaanakgosi Motsage.
The chairperson of Taung Local & Long Distance Taxi Association (TALLTA) said the formal structure will bring economic growth.
“TALLTA organisation will provide assistance to taxi drivers and owners in the area. The problems that will be encountered by taxi drivers and owners, will receive assistant from the organisation” Gaanakgosi Motsage said during the launch.
Some of taxi drivers welcomed the initiative while others not quite sure if that will help.
Taung taxi drivers and owners went beserk early this year when the Greater Taung municipality shut down original taxi rank for renovations.
They accused the municipality of short-changing them.
They also said other motorists steal their commuters as the other makeshift taxi rank allocated to them is too small and far from the CBD.
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South African bus drivers are set to strike indefinitely since no wage increase settlement has yet been reached between the employer and trade unions. Drivers have been on strike for almost two weeks, initially demanding a salary increase of 18%. It has since been reduced to 13%. Employers have increased their offer from from 6, 5 to 9%.
The parties involved in the negotiations had until three o’clock on Tuesday to respond and indicate whether they are prepared to accept the settlement amount as proposed.
The Commuter Bus Employer Chief Executive, Barry Gie says: “We were informed by the General Secretary, after 3 o’clock on Tuesday, that not all the parties had responded and as a consequence, there was no settlement. I know for a fact that both employer bodies did respond, so I can assume that one of that parties or two of the parties that didn’t respond was the trade union.”
South African Transport union, Satawu says it will not settle for anything less than a double-digit increase, as the bus strike continues. The bus strike is in its 12th day and has left thousands of commuters stranded across the country.
Satawu spokesperson, Vincent Masoga says there are no talks planned for Thursday; however, they will be communicating with their members on a way forward.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za
Sylvia Lucas was sworn in as the Northern Cape’s acting premier on Tuesday, the SABC reported.
This was after the ANC tried to get her inaugurated as the new premier after Hazel Jenkins’ collapsed while delivering the state of the province address last year after suffering a brain aneurism.
For more http://www.thenewage.co.za
Kimberley- The National Workers Day event in Kimberley was celebrated in two contradictory ways by Cosatu members clad in their unions colours.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Pretoria – International Relations officials and the taxman are investigating how a jet chartered by the Gupta family was allowed to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Neither the International Relations and Co-operation Department nor the Presidency granted executive authority for the aircraft to land at the base, departmental spokesperson Clayson Monyela said on Thursday.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed the need to probe the circumstances under which the clearances for the aircraft to land were secured,” Monyela said in a statement.
“We are looking into why the airplane landed at the base and why custom officials were not requested to be at the base,” South African Revenue Service (Sars) spokesperson Adrian Lackay said in a separate statement.
Monyela said the Chief of State Protocol, ambassador Bruce Koloane, had been suspended while it conducted its investigation.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had placed him on compulsory leave with immediate effect. His deputy would assume his responsibilities.
The Gupta family, which owns The New Age newspaper and Sahara Computers, is celebrating the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aaskash Jahajgarhia at Sun City in North West.
A Gupta family spokesperson said on Tuesday that the authorities had given permission for the jet, carrying guests to a family wedding, to land at the air force base.
“The Waterkloof Air Force Base was used as Lanseria airport could not accommodate the size of the jet chartered by the family,” said family spokesperson Haranath Ghosh.
“The permissions were applied for and granted to the Indian High Commission and not the family,” he said.
He said all transport arrangements had been transparently made.
“Naturally, suitable protocol was used to receive and transport the foreign ministers to the wedding,” he said.
The South African National Defence Force said on Tuesday that it was not aware of any permission granted for the Gupta family to use the base.
The Times newspaper reported on Thursday that 20 flying squad members, 10 flying squad cars and 40 counter-assault and VIP protection officers escorted wedding guests from the base in a convoy of white Range Rovers.
According to the newspaper, at least 40 counter-assault and VIP protection policemen were ordered to escort five trucks – two of them containing gifts for the bridal couple and dignitaries – from OR Tambo Airport to Sun City. – Sapa
Johannesburg – The leader of a new political party formed by disgruntled former ANC and MK members has demanded that the ruling party release a list of its cadres who allegedly secretly served the apartheid regime.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Johannesburg – Chief of State Protocol Bruce Koloane was suspended on Thursday during a probe into how a Gupta family chartered jet was allowed to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed the need to probe the circumstances under which the clearances for the aircraft to land were secured,” said international relations and co-operation department spokesman Clayson Monyela.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had placed ambassador Koloane on compulsory leave with immediate effect, he said in a statement. Koloane’s deputy would assume responsibility in the interim.
This would allow the department to get to the bottom of the matter.
A Gupta family spokesman said on Tuesday that the authorities had given permission for the jet, carrying guests at a family wedding, to land at the air force base.
“The Waterkloof was used as Lanseria airport could not accommodate the size of the jet chartered by the family,” said family spokesman Haranath Ghosh.
“The permissions were applied for and granted to the Indian High Commission and not the family,” he said.
He said all transport arrangements had been transparently made.
“Naturally, suitable protocol was used to receive and transport the foreign ministers to the wedding,” he said.
The Gupta family, which owns The New Age newspaper and Sahara Computers, is celebrating the wedding of Vega Gupta, 23, to Indian-born Aaskash Jahajgarhia at Sun City, North West
Monyela said neither the department nor the presidency granted executive authority for the aircraft to land at the base.
Internal investigations, by the department and other state organisations would start with immediate effect.
The SA National Defence Force said on Tuesday that it was not aware of any permission granted for the Gupta family to use the base. – Sapa
By Obakeng Maje
Morokweng-Yesterday South Africans celebrated 01 May known as Workers Day.
Premier of Gaunteng and ANC Ms Nomvula Mokonyane was a main speaker at Morokweng village near Ganyesa.
Mokonyane highligted few issues that affect the youths and urges for a change.
Unemployment amongst the youths was main issue as she said many youths are not working in the country.
“We have few projects in place that will help us to alleviate poverty and encourage youth development in the area” she said.
Premier outlined that South Africa will be a better place when the gap between rich and the poor couyld be narrowed.
Many South Africans were celebrating May Day as the Workers Day affectionately known.
May the 1st is celebrated in more than 16 countried worldwide for the same fate.
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