Durban – Disposing of harmful electronic waste (e-waste) with everyday refuse is harmful to the environment and a waste of money that could be made through recycling.

For http://www.iol.co.za

The recent sharp increase in cases before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was an early warning indicator that the economy was heading for extremely tough times, Nerine Kahn, the executive director of the statutory body, said last week.

She also said that for the first time in its 17-year history skilled professionals were referring cases to the CCMA.

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An application by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to stop platinum miner Lonmin [JSE:LON] from de-recognising it was struck off the roll by the Labour Court in Johannesburg on Monday.

“The matter is struck off the roll for lack of urgency. The applicant is ordered to pay the costs,” Judge Rob la Grange said.

“NUM did not need to wait until it saw the notices before raising the alarm about the situation. In any event, it could have pressed for notices as soon as it was advised orally of the membership situation at the beginning of April this year,” he said.

NUM wanted the court to stop Lonmin from de-recognising it, claiming it had detected irregularities in the transfer of its members to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

The NUM also wanted the court to reverse the membership of those who had joined Amcu.

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the ruling was a minor setback.

“We are meeting at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on Wednesday. We knew from last week that the court has no jurisdiction.”

He said the NUM would speak to its lawyers about what would happen to the offices it occupied at Lonmin’s Marikana operations near Rustenburg, North West.

The NUM had until July 16 to recruit more members and retain its majority union status, or vacate the offices.

Source: http://www.news24.com

A man appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning for allegedly setting alight his ex-girlfriend, resulting in her death.

Roger Lucas, 24, wearing a blue tracksuit top and khaki pants, was led into courtroom A after being kept in custody.

He was told that the charge against him had been changed from attempted murder to murder, after Nazeema Terreblanche died in hospital at the start of the month.

He told the court it was the first time he had heard of the new charge.

The case was postponed until 31 July for Lucas to get a lawyer and for further investigation.

Lucas allegedly attacked Terreblanche on 14 June. The Daily Voice reported that Lucas and Terreblanche had been arguing. 

He allegedly poured petrol over her – while she carried a friend’s baby – and struck a match. The baby sustained minor burns to his feet.

It was believed that Terreblanche was pregnant at the time of the attack.

SAPA

Pretoria – There was little activity outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on Monday, where former president Nelson Mandela is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

The anti-apartheid icon is spending his 38th day in the private hospital since being admitted on 8 June.

Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe Mandela arrived at the Park Street entrance shortly after Surgeon General Aubrey Sedibe.

At the Celliers Street entrance the display of well-wishes on the wall continued to grow. Hand-made cards, balloons, flowers, and flags of different countries covered the wall.

Handful of reporters

Tshwane metro police continued to cordon-off Celliers Street, restricting traffic to residents, hospital visitors, and cars belonging to media. Police at both entry points searched cars entering the hospital premises.

Outside broadcast vehicles remained parked on the Celliers Street pavement, and a handful of reporters were doing live crossings.

On Sunday, it was reported that former president Thabo Mbeki said he believed Mandela would be discharged soon to recuperate at home.

Mbeki reportedly said he knew the ailing elder statesman’s doctors and they were doing an excellent job.

The last update from the presidency said Madiba was responding to treatment and still in a critical but stable condition.

SAPA

Pretoria – North West deputy police commissioner William Mpembe on Monday faced questions regarding police interaction with striking mineworkers during the Marikana unrest.

Mpembe was on the witness stand at the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, which is probing the events that led to the deaths of 34 miners shot by police on 16 August. It is also looking into what led to the deaths of 10 people, including two police officers and security guards, the preceding week.

Evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga showed Mpembe several videos and asked him to explain the methods police employed in managing thousands of protesting mineworkers.

Madlanga asked: “General, that police officer we see in the video with his back to the camera is you, isn’t that so?”

Mpembe said he was not sure.

“I would know myself general, even if I was facing the other side. Was that not you?”

Mpembe conceded it could have been him, judging from the other police officers at the scene.

Running away

Some of the videos showed protesters running away after police fired stun grenades and teargas in a veld.

Madlanga asked: “From what we can see [in the videos] the people started running around only after stun grenades have been thrown and exploded. It’s only then that they start to run around, do you see that?”

At that point, Tebogo Mathibedi, SC, for the police, objected.

“We are not able to see clearly in the video. There is some interruption being caused by the trees. We don’t see what’s happening on the other side,” he said.

Mpembe said it was not possible to ascertain whether the smoke seen in the video was from teargas canisters or stun grenades.

The hearing continues.

SAPA

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DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe has warned that the ANC faces a tough election next year when its “glorious history” will not be an automatic attraction to voters.

“It’s definitely not going to be an easy election as people assess a party not on the basis of its glorious history but on the basis of what they experience,” Motlanthe told the London business daily Financial Times.

For more http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

Johannesburg – Agang SA on Sunday welcomed the resignation of SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Oupa Magashula following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

“It’s sad to see such a promising career go up in smoke,” Agang SA said in a statement.

“However, Magashule’s show of remorse, coupled with an apology and resignation, rather than further dragging Sars’s name in the mud, are like a breath of fresh air in public office, where corrupt, unethical officials abuse and violate the public trust with impunity.”

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan previously ordered an investigation into allegations that Magashula offered a chartered accountant (CA) a job at Sars.

According to reports in March, Magashula allegedly offered a job to a CA, in a recorded telephone conversation facilitated by one Timothy Marimuthu who allegedly had influence over Magashula.

Gordhan said the reports raised questions about the integrity of staff recruitment processes at Sars, and he had appointed justice Zak Yacoob and advocate Muzi Sikhakhane to investigate.

Gordhan said on Friday he would instruct the Sars audit committee to investigate Magashula’s behaviour.

He would also appoint a committee to review Sars’s governance and ethical standards, pertaining to the office of the commissioner.

Deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay was appointed acting commissioner until the appointment of a new head at Sars.

Agang SA welcomed Gordhan’s decisiveness in bringing an end to the saga and in so avoiding the erosion of trust in Sars.

Gordhan’s move is a good example of the zero tolerance to corruption needed in our country, the party said.

SAPA

Pretoria – Former president Nelson Mandela taught South Africans how to become better people through acts of kindness, a citizen said in his get-well message to the ill statesman on Sunday.

“You have given us hope to transform ourselves into extraordinary individuals,” said Elmon Mokoatedi in a letter, which was posted on a growing wall of messages outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria.

“You have taught the world the greatest gift… that it doesn’t matter what colour I am.”

Mokoatedi said the 94-year-old’s teachings were a blessing to all South Africans and the world. He promised to honour Mandela by being a good person and helping others.

“Tata, you are our hero and we will honour your legacy by living a proud [life] of our own,” his letter said.

“We honour the sacrifice you have made for us. Every day we will do our best to make our lives worthy of your sacrifice.”

Mokoatedi’s note and other messages were surrounded by colourful balloons, flower baskets, and South African flags.

Sunday marked Mandela’s 37th day in hospital. He was admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.

The Presidency said last week that he remained in a critical but stable condition.

People continued to visit the Celliers Street wall on Sunday, and posed for pictures in front of it.

Organisations also added their words of support.

One get well poster was from the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, another from the University of the Free State, and one from the Pretoria News team.

White media marquees lined the street, and journalists took shelter underneath it while keeping a close watch.

Police continued to monitor the hospital entrance.

SAPA

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma will hand over houses to the community of Danville in Pretoria on Mandela Day, the presidency said on Sunday.

The Danville project is a “Flagship Project” for the eradication of the Bethlehem informal settlement in Pretoria West, which is occupied by poor white families, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

Zuma visited the area twice, in 2008 and 2010.

Residents raised a number of concerns, among them availability of social grants, the need for land to build houses for homeless and access to basic health, public transport and provision of electricity.

The South African Social Security Agent (Sassa) visited the Hermanstad area regularly for various services,” Maharaj said.

A mobile clinic was provided by the Tshwane Municipality and streets lights were installed.

Council properties in the vicinity were rectified completely.

SAPA