Johannesburg – Drugs with an estimated street value of R42.6m were seized at OR Tambo International Airport, in Kempton Park, on Friday, said the SA Revenue Service’s (Sars) customs’ team.
Two women arrived from Tanzania with six large, black holdalls, Sars said in a statement.
When the bags were searched, they were found to contain nearly 150kg of crystal methamphetamine, also known as “tik”.
The women and the drugs were handed over to the police.
– SAPA
Cape Town – Western Cape Community Safety MEC Dan Plato raised his concerns about the government’s green paper on policing on Friday, his spokesperson Greg Wagner said.
Plato addressed a packed public briefing, in Cape Town, which was overseen by the civilian secretariat for police’s chief policy director Bilkis Omar.
Community policing forums, government departments, religious groups, and non-governmental and safety organisations also attended.
Plato referred to certain areas of the paper that he felt should be revised.
“Many of these issues relate to the seriously problematic trend of what appears to be a centralisation of power by the national police,” he said.
The green paper came about following a review of the 1998 white paper on safety and security in 2010, which sought to address a number of gaps around implementation of the crime strategy.
The draft white paper was presented in July last year, but was criticised for not addressing broader safety and security concerns.
A task team then resolved that a green paper be drafted while retaining the white paper. The white paper is still being reviewed.
The green paper set out a broad vision for the policing strategy and practice over the medium to long-term.
It proposed investigating the feasibility of implementing policy resolutions for a single SA Police Service (SAPS), which was integrated with municipal police services.
This was to ensure metro police services were more accountable, and to standardise the orientation and training of police officers.
Oppose to single police force
Plato said the Western Cape government would strongly oppose any moves to create a single police force.
“Integrating municipal police services and the SAPS would have a disastrous impact on policing crime. The existence of municipal police services is in line with the international trend towards devolving police powers to tackle local problems.”
He said the Constitution stated that national legislation had to provide a framework for the establishment, powers, functions, and controls of municipal police services.
He believed there were comprehensive measures in place to ensure these police forces were subject to the same national standards and accountability levels as the SAPS.
The green paper also considered the relationship between the provincial government and the SAPS.
It proposed that provincial MECs had a critical role to play in monitoring police conduct and service delivery, and promoting good relations between police and communities.
However, the paper stated that provinces had to be aligned with the national planning process.
The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act allowed for the alignment of provincial plans with the secretariat and the integration of strategies and systems.
Plato said the provincial executive had to determine how it fulfilled its mandate and allocated its budget.
“Strategic plans and annual performance plans of provinces must be determined by the provincial government and not by national government through the secretariat,” he said.
“In addition, the green paper completely disregards… the Constitution relating to the receipt of complaints about police and policing by the province and dealing with these complaints through investigation or through the appointment of a commission of inquiry.”
Limitations
He said the paper did not sufficiently acknowledge the role of the MECs and appeared to limit their role to monitoring adherence to government policy.
Plato also raised his concerns about the review of the role and regulatory framework for the private security industry.
While he agreed the industry needed proper oversight, it was inadvisable to limit or reduce private security in the absence of improved policing.
Plato’s other recommendations included the more frequent release of crime statistics and the reinstatement of specialised policing units for drugs, gangs, hijackings, and endangered species, among other priority crimes.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said on Friday that a broader consultation process involving communities in rural areas was important.
“In fact, one of the issues raised by some of the workshop attendees was the lack of presence of the youth, as there were few young people at today’s session,” he said.
Mnisi said the paper’s role was not to adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach to policing.
He said the deadline for comment was extended until 20 July.
According to Wagner, it was announced in the public briefing that the deadline for comment had been extended until 31 July.
– SAPA
Johannesburg – The thought of former president Nelson Mandela being unwell is unsettling, but has united people, parliamentary deputy speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo said on Friday.
“We have seen images of people of all colours and creeds, people from all walks of life, including visitors from other countries, converging at the entrance to the Pretoria [Medi-Clinic] Heart Hospital to say their prayers, to lay flowers, to sing, dance, to praise and to shed tears for Madiba,” she said.
“We are here to say a prayer for our father. May God’s peace be upon him.”
She was speaking at Parliament’s prayer service for Mandela at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town on Friday.
The anti-apartheid icon was admitted to hospital on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.
On Thursday, the presidency said he was still in a critical, but stable condition.
Mfeketo said Mandela was one of a kind.
“We needed you at the worst of times in our history. We need you now, we need you for eternity. May God grant him [Mandela] His favour and his family strength,” she said.
– SAPA
Pic: (David “Tazman” Nkoane)
By Obakeng Maje
Radio Presenters is the voice of a station or programme, whether they work in speech-based or music Radio.
They are responsible for creating the tone and style of Radio output and establishing a relationship with listeners. They may also be required to carry out a range of other production tasks, as well as deliver content for related websites or other mobile platforms.
Our crew take time to speak to one of the finest radio presenters who’ve ever graced Motsweding FM, David “Tazman” Nkoane.
Motsweding FM’s Afternoon Drive co-host leaves no stone unturned as he let us into his “miracle” world.
A sassy presenter was born in Ga-Rankuwa, near Pretoria 38 years ago.
He said his love for radio started at the tender age while he was still at school.
“My love for radio started back then at the early stage while I was still at school” Tazman said.
“I would listen to different radio stations and imitate different radio presenters. Fortunately when I finished my matric, I enrolled for Communication and Radio Presenting at Classic FM, which was examined under University of South Africa (Unisa)” Nkoane said.
Tazman went on to work at Winterveld Community Radio Station where he hosted Afternoon Drive show for six years.
“In 2002 I left Wintervelt Community Radio and joined TUT FM which is situated at Soshanguve” he said.
Tazman’s radio career started congealing back in 2010 when he joined Sabc radio, Motsweding FM as a stand-in presenter.
“Through hardwork, determination, discipline and dedication I was shifted to a Breakfast show which I co-hosted with veteran Douglas “D-mos” Mosadi” he smiles.
Nkoane as peaceful, loving and caring person said he is happily married with three wonderful kids namely Aobakoe, Kgosiotsile and Motlagaabo.
The energetic Dj is now hosting an Afternoon Drive with D-mos after the station reshuffling.
The finest Dj does not stay with his family currently as he has to relocate to Mahikeng after joining the station in permanent basis.
Tazman released his newly track called Congo and is in high rotation in various radio stations around the country.
“I enjoy my work so far and the only challenge is missing my lovely family. My single called Congo is on high rotation in different radio stations and it was warmly received” outlines Tazman.
The inspiring Club DJ and Radio Presenter said his fans must expect another blasting album in October.
Tazman worked with Master T (Rythmnic Elements and DJ Khotso) on a single called Congo.
Nkoane is working on his third album as said even though he is not yet signed to any Recording Label, he believes discipline and hardwork is key to everlasting career.
“To survive in this industry, one needs to focus and be current with what’s happening around you” he said.
He said as youth, they do not have to rely on government for everything.
“Firstly education then follows your dream. Our government should do more to eradicate drugs and substance especially amongst youth” Motsweding FM Dj said.
Tazman said he sees himself as a radio legend in five years and we asked him what he would change if he could be a president for a day.
“If I’d be a president of Republic for a day, I will bring very harsh punishment for piracy. Piracy really kills our career and takes food away from artists” he smiles.
Motivational Words
“Through my life I have always strived for success- as a presenter, in my adventures, I want to share the many truths I’ve learned along the road to success which have helped me to be the best I can. Have faith in yourself, believe that anything can be done and live life to the full, last but not least, Never Give Up.”
Essential Knowledge & Skills
Radio Presenters need the following:
Excellent presentation and performance skills
Ability to generate original ideas, and to think creatively about how to communicate them
An understanding of how to use the voice effectively for radio
Ability to build credibility and rapport by communicating knowledgably and engagingly with audiences
Determination and tenacity
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to draw information from people
Knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles, and audience demographics
A comprehensive knowledge of subjects relevant to the Radio genre in which they wish to work
Ability to work independently but also as part of a team
Self-motivation and adaptability
Ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly, and meet tight deadlines
Knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect Radio production
Knowledge of when it is necessary, and how to acquire, the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
A high level of IT skills – particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
Ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios
Ability to present while operating studio controls and co-ordinating a range of simultaneous technical activities
ability to conduct effective internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites
You can listen to Tazman only on Motsweding FM from 87.9-107.9 (Monday- Friday) at 15:00-18:00 on FokotsaGee Afternoon Drive.
Follow Tazman on Twitter@Tasingo or call Manzomate Music Production (MMP) 076 885 6222 or 072 310 8409 for any bookings.
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Johannesburg – DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko wants an investigation into whether President Jacob Zuma misled Parliament about the upgrades to his Nkandla homestead.
“I have today written to the speaker of the National Assembly Max Sisulu to request that an urgent resolution be placed on the agenda… which would establish a full-scale investigation into whether… Zuma misled Parliament,” she said in a statement on Friday.
“I will also request that all documentation, including the public works task team report, into… Zuma’s private residence be submitted to the National Assembly without delay to form the basis of this investigation.”
Earlier, the Mai l& Guardian reported that the public works department released 42 files with over 12 000 pages on the Nkandla upgrade to the newspaper.
They were released following a request for information, under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, about public spending on Zuma’s private residence in KwaZulu-Natal.
The request was submitted a year ago and pointed out that the act obliged the department to redact parts of the requested information related to security, while making the rest available.
The documents were released to the newspaper two weeks ago, and related to bid evaluations, needs assessments, contracts awarded and their values, and to whether costs were allocated for public or private accounts.
‘Top secret’
The public works task team report was declared top secret and closed to public scrutiny.
The files provided to the newspaper contained numerous references to documents or annexures which were not disclosed.
The Mail & Guardian reported that there appeared to be no security-related basis for their redaction.
There was nothing in the Nkandla files that could not have been publicly disclosed, except for how senior officials and politicians “scrambled” to meet deadlines set by Zuma, and how short-cuts were taken in tendering processes.
Money was also shifted from other programmes to accommodate the unbudgeted spending.
The Mail & Guardian reported that the cost of the Nkandla homestead ballooned from R27.8m in 2009 to a projected total of about R270m by October 2012.
The official expenditure as of June this year was reportedly R210.5m. This did not appear to include bills yet to be paid.
The newspaper further reported that Zuma was expected to pay five percent of the security-related improvements. It said a top-secret March 2011 memorandum split the bill by allocating R203m to the public purse, and R10.5m for Zuma’s account.
Important info missing
Mazibuko said the newspaper’s report showed that Zuma had omitted important information when questioned by Parliament about the upgrade.
“These reports show that he was not merely a bystander as he claimed in his reply to my parliamentary questions on 15 November 2012,” Mazibuko said.
She quoted Zuma as saying in Parliament: “My residence in Nkandla has been paid for by the Zuma family. All the buildings and every room we use in that residence were built by ourselves as a family and not by government.
“I have never asked government to build a house for me, and it has not done so. The government has not built a home for me.”
Mazibuko said the magnitude of the newspaper’s revelations on Friday brought the office of the president into “massive disrepute”.
“Parliament must take urgent action and send the message that corruption at any level will not be tolerated,” she said.
Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj declined to comment.
“You say the request was sent to the speaker. The speaker can respond to that matter. There is no need for us to respond to that matter,” he said.
– SAPA
Johannesburg – Nearly 15 years ago Nelson Mandela was unperturbed by his own death, telling a dying teenager that he had lived his life to the full.
The video dating from 1998, broadcast by American news channel CBS on Thursday as Mandela remained in critically ill in hospital, showed the towering South African statesman visiting a 15-year-old, also named Nelson.
“Understanding the fact that I’m near the end, I remain optimistic with my morale very high, because I’m saying I have lived my life,” the statesman, then 80, told the teen, who was dying of brain cancer.
‘Optimistic spirit’
In the amateur video the boy, his head shaved, smiled shyly from his bed at the peace icon, who wore one of his colourful trademark shirts.
Posters of cars adorned the wall next to where the then-president sat holding a teacup.
“If your spirit is not optimistic, your morale is not high, medicine is not very effective,” the then president said.
The boy died under three months after the visit.
Broadcast as the 94-year-old nears one month in hospital, the words carry added poignancy.
According to court documents from Mandela family lawyers, filed nine days ago, doctors believed Mandela was in a “permanent vegetative state” and they advised his family to turn off his life support machine.
South Africa’s presidency has since said his condition has improved and on Thursday denied he is in a vegetative state.
– AFP
Tlokwe councillors who voted to unseat former mayor Maphetle Maphetle should be applauded, Agang SA said on Friday.
“Agang SA deplores the firing by the ANC of councillors who stood up against an incompetent ANC mayor of Tlokwe,” Mamphela Ramphele’s newly-establish party said in a statement.
“We applaud these men and women for standing up and saying ‘enough is enough’.”
On Tuesday, Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink was voted in as the new mayor for the second time since November.
DA North West leader Chris Hattingh said 29 councillors of all parties, including the African National Congress, unanimously voted to return Combrink to the position of mayor.
The North West ANC’s provincial disciplinary committee said on Wednesday 14 ANC councillors who voted to unseat Maphetle were expelled from the party. The expelled members would be removed as Tlokwe councillors.
While the DA was in charge last year, it asked for a forensic investigation into irregularities at the municipality. The probe found the council irregularly bought Maphetle a R736,000 customised Mercedes-Benz. Maphetle was also allegedly abused the municipality’s disaster management fund and poverty relief fund. It was recommended in the report that formal disciplinary action be taken against him and other officials.
Agang SA on Friday said this was another case of deployment in the public service gone “horribly wrong”.
“Rather than disciplining wrongdoing, there is a tolerance of corruption in the narrow party interest, rather than putting the rights of citizens first. South Africa needs more politicians guided by duty and conscience who can speak truth to power, even to their own,” it said.
-Sapa
Over seven hundred and six million rand has been allocated to address sanitation backlog within the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, the Executive Mayor, Councillor Louis Diremelo reported at the North West Provincial Basic Services Acceleration Summit in Rustenburg on Friday.
According to Diremelo’s report presented on the last day of the two- day summit, 5485 households in Moretele Local Municipality are beneficiaries of theR255 million sanitation projects that are under construction in eleven wards.
Six thousand VIP’s and 4000 waterborne toilets project is to be rolled out in Klipgat in Madibeng Local Municipality. The intervention includes the rehabilitation of 4 waste treatment works funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant. Two hundred and forty-four million rand has been allocated for the project.
Other projects to address the sanitation backlog are underway in Moses Kotane, Kgetleng Rivier and Rustenburg Local Municipalities.
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The Free basic services programme should be accelerated by municipalities as a safety net for the poor, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in her closing address to the two-day Provincial Basic Services Acceleration Summit that ended in Rustenburg on Friday afternoon.
Premier Modise said that local government should be effective in taking development directly to the people and prioritise development that is sustainable and that helps to reduce poverty.
“The character of a developmental state that we envision as a nation is the creation of a local government system that is responsive, efficient, effective and accountable. We need to improve public confidence in our municipalities in the province as a critical step towards attracting investment by increasing the pace and improving the quality of basic water, sanitation, electricity and housing services” stressed Modise.
The Premier highlighted that though the province has achieved the Millennium Development Goals for sanitation provision, it needs to intensify work towards universal access by next year.
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The South African Senior Men’s National Team Bafana Bafana will play two international friendly matches in August in honour of former South African State President, Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Bafana Bafana will take on reigning African Champions Nigeria in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, 14 August 2013.
This match will be followed by yet another interesting clash against Burkina Faso (who placed 2 nd in the 2013 AFCON) in the Nelson Mandela Sport & Culture Day at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 17 August 2013
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Other activities on the day will see an Italian Masters team locking horns against the South African Legends. This will be followed by the Bafana Bafana match against Burkina Faso. Then the Springboks face Argentina in a Test match at the same venue. The day will conclude with a concert late in the evening, also at the FNB Stadium.
“It is a great honour for us to be associated with such a huge and significant, and also highly important project for our former State President. When we got the invite to be part of this venture, we did not hesitate as Madiba has made a selfless sacrifice for the nation” said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.
“We are obviously mindful of the fact that the former President is not well in hospital. We can only wish him all the best for him to come out and be among us so he can continue to inspire us as he has done for many years. This event shows that no one can unite the country quite like he has, and we are proud to be taking part” said President Nematandani.
Bafana Bafana Head Coach Gordon Igesund, is expected to announce the squad for the two matches soon after his return from the COSAFA Cup tournament in Zambia.
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The Guardian 