Genderlinks deputy director, Kubi Rama, says she believes that Congress of the South African Trade Unions Secretary-General, Zwelinzima Vavi’s behaviour highlights the disregard many men have for their wives and families.

“It’s just extremely saddening when you sit back and think that someone who is a role model, that a lot of people look up to, does something like this. We need to start holding people accountable for their behaviour in their private life, particularly, in relation to gender and women,” says Rama.

She adds: “We can’t really have people treating women differently in their private life and then expecting them to be aware in their public life. There has to be a level of consistency and that’s not what we have right now.”

Political Analyst Sipho Seepe has meanwhile called on Vavi to start acting cautiously. Seepe says the withdrawal of the rape charge will not assist Vavi in removing his tainted public image.

Earlier on Monday, the 26-year-old woman, who over the weekend accused Vavi of rape, withdraw the charge 2 hours into the labour federation’s internal grievance process.

The SABC understands from sources that the woman who is Vavi’s colleague was unable to answer many of the questions related to her charge of sexual harassment against Vavi.

The Secretary-General has insisted that he had not raped her but was rather in an extra-marital affair with the woman.

“It’s just extremely saddening when you sit back and think that someone who is a role model, that a lot of people look up to, does something like this.”

In a statement, Vavi said he was ‘pleased’ that rape charges against him have been withdrawn. “I am pleased that the grievance has been finalized. I hope that we all can put this saga behind us so that we all can concentrate on the real issues of the day, ensuring that we have a vibrant trade union federation that promotes South Africa, the interests of workers and the working class as a whole.”

Vavi has however opened a case of extortion against her after the woman allegedly demanded R2 million in exchange for her silence on the matter. “I trust and hope that the SAPS will deal with this matter expeditiously,” Vavi added.

He also said that in the “light of the extreme damage that has been done to his reputation” he will consult with his lawyers to consider any further actions about the matter.

“I will have to deal with this issue with my wife and family and I hope that you will all afford me the opportunity to deal with this matter privately and in the most constructive manner possible. I wish to thank all those who have expressed their support,” added Vavi.

Meanwhile, the attention at the Cosatu meeting has shifted from a charge of sexual harassment to allegations that he had appointed the woman without following due process.

The woman told a weekend newspaper that she met Vavi at a check-in counter at O.R. Tambo International Airport in 2011. She helped him to sort out a problem with his ticket. According to the woman, she was then hired without going through proper procedures.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) has accused the Chamber of Mines of provoking workers to go on strike.

Last week, unions rejected the management’s offer of a 5% salary hike. Workers are demanding up to 100% depending on seniority.
Employers say their proposed wage increase is based on the declining gold price, spiralling costs and falling productivity.

“We remain concerned about the existing a dispute, especially, in the Chamber of Mine’s gold sector in particular,” says Num’s Frans Baleni.

He says that the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) will intervene but hopes that they do not end up with a strike. “We should try through the facilitated process to find an amicable solution,” he added.

On Wednesday, Num said it is also disgruntled with the fact that the “Chamber of Mines has rejected the improvement of conditions of service.”
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe says there is no chance the party will lose control of Gauteng in next year’s elections, Eyewitness News reported on Monday.

He said the ANC was hard at work in the DA -led Western Cape, and did not foresee a change of governance in Gauteng.

Mantashe was speaking at a SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) meeting in Johannesburg on Monday morning.

He said the ruling party was now in full election mode.

“We want to win convincingly, and we want to win everywhere.”

Mantashe said elections were a time for the ANC to showcase its achievements as well as admit to problems.

“We can say many things, that it hasn’t started yet, or we are still preparing, but my feeling in earnest is that election campaigns have started.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is trying to score political points by blaming the Western Cape government for the killing of police officers in Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha, the DA said on Monday.

“His comments today were distasteful, insensitive and an insult to the grieving families of these police officers,” DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard said in a statement.

“The only people to blame for the deaths of our police officers are criminals, who have no respect for the police.”

She said Mthethwa should pay more attention to this fact.

Earlier, Mthethwa said the Western Cape community safety department’s criticism of the police service reinforced the idea that officers did not deserve respect.

“What we are saying is that criticising the police is not a problem if they think there are weaknesses. But if they say nothing positive, they open them [the police] up to criminal attack,” he told Sapa.

Mthethwa spoke to reporters in Mitchell’s Plain on Monday morning following the fatal shootings of two policemen in Cape Town on Sunday night.

He said the province had the highest number of attacks on police.

The DA called on Mthethwa to retract his comments.

“[He must] stop abusing his position to make irresponsible statements. Instead, he should be proactive and launch an investigation into the causes and extent of police killings,” Kohler-Barnard said.

The DA intended asking Parliament to summon Mthethwa to explain what he would do to better protect police officers in the Western Cape and the rest of the country.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The case of a man accused of murdering a teenage girl and dismembering her body was postponed by the Blue Downs District Court on Monday.

Prosecutor M Holt told the court that the Western Cape directorate for public prosecutions wanted an extra 14 days to finalise and formulate the charges.

Holt said it was possible that more charges would be added to the six counts Johannes Christiaan de Jager, 48, already faced. The magistrate granted the postponement, but at the request of defence attorney David Mbazwana, warned that it would be the final postponement for the DPP to finalise the charges.

This was De Jager’s seventh court appearance.

The case was postponed to 12 August.

De Jager allegedly murdered teenager Charmaine Mare in January, while staying at her home in Kraaifontein, in Cape Town’s northern suburbs.

At the time Mare’s mother and other family members were away on a sea cruise.

He also allegedly raped and murdered a prostitute, Hiltina Alexander, in May 2008.

De Jager faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery, defeating the ends of justice, dismembering a corpse, and fraud.

It was alleged that he buried Mare’s partially burned torso in a deserted piece of veld in Kraaifontein, and that he hid her arms and legs in a carton in the garage of her home. He also allegedly falsely reported the girl as missing to the police.

De Jager has already appeared in the Atlantis District Court for Alexander’s murder.

The two cases are to be combined.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – A 26-year-old woman was gang-raped and her cousin brutally assaulted in Meloding, Virginia, Free State police said on Monday.

The women were assaulted on Sunday night when 14 men broke into their shack in Mahala Park, said Sergeant Mamello Mokhuoane.

The woman was assaulted and taken to a place near the railway station where she was repeatedly raped by six of the men, he said.

The other eight men assaulted her 29-year-old cousin in the shack.

“She was stabbed with a garden spade and taken to a hole that was also near the railway. They attempted to rape her, but she screamed.”

Residents heard her and the men fled.

Both women were seriously injured and were taken to nearby hospital, said Mokhuoane.

Police were investigating cases of house breaking, robbery, rape and assault.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The ANC respects the decision by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday, to dismiss an application to nullify the council meeting at which Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle was unseated.

“The ANC maintains its respect for the judiciary and the ability of our courts to dispense justice without fear or favour,” ANC North West spokesperson Kenny Morolong said in a statement.

“This court decision is a temporary set-back for the ANC, but will not defocus our movement from its historic mission of ensuring a better life for the people of Tlokwe and all South Africans.”

Judge Neil Tuchten said on Monday that the council meeting and the decisions of the council to remove Maphetle and vote in DA councillor Annette Combrink as mayor were lawful.

“It is declared that the occupation of the municipal office premises by the second applicant [Maphetle] and other respondents [to the DA’s counter application to have them vacate the offices]… is unlawful,” he said.

“The respondents… are hereby ordered to vacate the office premises… before 10:00 on the day following the granting of this order.”

Tuchten said the sheriff of the court was directed to evict whoever did not comply with the order.

DA leader Helen Zille said the party welcomed the judgment.

“Today’s ruling means that the DA now officially governs Tlokwe, and will do so for the foreseeable future,” she said in a statement.

“This is an important moment in the continued growth of the DA across the country, and in the continued realignment of South African politics…

“The positive response from the residents of Tlokwe to the DA taking control of Tlokwe has been overwhelming.”

DA in Tlokwe

On 2 July, Combrink was voted in as the new mayor for the second time since November, unseating Maphetle.

The application by Maphetle and Tlokwe speaker Barei Segotso sought to have the meeting at which Combrink was voted in nullified.

Zille said the judgment allowed Combrink and her team to enter their offices.

“[It also]… ends the ANC’s attempts over the last month to make it impossible for the DA to begin delivering a stable, clean, and efficient government in Tlokwe.”

On 3 July, the day after the council meeting, the ANC’s North West provincial disciplinary committee expelled 14 of its councillors. They were also removed as Tlokwe councillors.

Morolong said the ANC would explain the court’s decision to its members.

“Furthermore, the ANC will intensify all efforts aimed at mobilising our people for the forthcoming by-elections in the affected wards in Tlokwe,” he said.

“We call upon all members and supporters of the ANC to once more ensure an overwhelming victory for the ANC in these by-elections, to entrench the will of our people and the hegemony of our movement.”

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Stilfontein-Police arrested a man at Khuma location after he allegedly beat and broke his niece’s leg.
A man who is uncle to two minors aged between 8 and 10 year-old was arrested after he allegedly beat the kids after accusing them of stealing his R10 note.
The incident came to light after two siblings did not go to school for the whole week and the concerned teacher went to check on them at their place.
“The teacher informed social worker regarding the incident after it was confirmed by the aunt of the kids” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
The kids were taken away to the place of safety by social workers and the uncle was arrested.
Police confirmed that the alleged perpetrator used his fists to assault the kids.
Police investigations continues.
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Moral regeneration and social cohesion drive should be approached from a people centred point of view, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe asserted on the first day of the Provincial Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Summit that commenced in Mahikeng on Monday.

“Moral cohesion is a function of better life for all because if we don’t address the material condition of our people, they will forever wallow in poverty and abject conditions,” said Patron of Moral Regeneration Movement Deputy President Motlanthe in responding to issues that emerged from the panel discussions.

Motlanthe called on South Africans to stop using poverty as an excuse to commit crimes, adding that there was no reason why people should resort to crime because of their economic conditions.

“Culture is a historical phenomenon which is driven by the manner in which society produces and distributes the means to support life,” said Motlanthe.

The Deputy President also encouraged uncircumcised men to get circumcised because it has been proven that male circumcision reduces the rate of sexually transmitted infections.

In responding to a concern about continued oppression of women raised by former Member of Parliament and representative of the Progress Women’s Movement, Lorna Maloney, Premier called on women to make a stand against any form of abuse irrespective of their economic condition.

Premier Modise said there is a need for a paradigm shift as some people seem to think that women can only be successful if they are married or involved with men.

“The problem is that some people still think that women do not have value until they are attached to men. No woman should stay in any form of abusive relationship just because they feel that the men could provide them financially, said Modise.

She said that the provincial government was serious about the issues of equality, fairness, and human rights, and will stop at nothing in ensuring that everyone in the province is treated fairly and receives the same kind of services.

“The citizens of this province are morally obliged to create a society that will reflect the ideals that subscribe to our freedom, democracy, political stability, social security and Sound moral values,” highlighted Modise.
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