Johannesburg – South Africa on Tuesday condemned an attack on a building housing Turkish embassy staff in Mogadishu, Somalia, that claimed the lives of six people.

“The government of the Republic of South Africa condemns in the strongest terms the bomb attack that targeted a building in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Saturday,” the international relations department said in a statement.

“South Africa welcomes the announcement by Turkey that it will remain steadfast in its support for Somalia despite the attempts by terrorists to plunge the country into further disarray.”

The attacks, carried out by Al-Shabaab militia, claimed six lives, including a Turkish official, two Somali security guards, and a university student.

Nine people were injured, including four members of the Turkish security force charged with protecting the complex.

The department called on parties and individuals in Somalia to renounce violence.

“We call on groups and individuals who remain outside of the political process to desist from cowardly acts of terrorism and join the peace-driven political processes of reconciliation to ensure the development and prosperity of Somalia.”

– SAPA

By TDN

Rustenburg-The South African Police Service in the North West, continues to monitor and maintain stability in the North West Platinum Belt.

This comes after a media statement by the NUM that alleges that Police are failing to control the situation in the Platinum Belt. 

“It is important to note that we have seen only one untimely death to date in the area of Wonderkop Sports grounds on Sunday” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. 

This is an isolated incident where one man was found dead at about 20h00 Sunday, 28 July 2013. 

Ngubane said he was in his mine gear on his way to work and was allegedly shot with two bullets on the neck and the upper body. “This is an isolated incident which does not mean the situation is volatile in the platinum belt. It is an unfortunate taking of a man’s life and we cannot at this point, determine whether the murder pure criminality or lined to any mine related situation” he outlines. 

Police are still investigating and believe perpetrators will be arrested and brought to book. This incident occurred during awkward times. 

“It is a fact Police cannot be everywhere and guarding each and every individual in the area. Police continue to patrol and ensure that people of Marikana and Nkaneng are and feel safe” said Ngubane.

“It is wrong to continue making misinformed statements and remarks that are not verified in public platforms like the media. A wrong mischievous, malicious and an ill-informed comment was made last week to confirm death of a National Union of Mine Workers member in a NUM official statement” said police. “He was attacked last Sunday, 21 July 2013, he was wearing a NUM T-shirt, it is alleged that this man was on his way to a NUM rally. His attackers were unknown men with knobkieries”. “We would like to place it on record as the South African Police Service that NO NUM person died on that said date especially the man in question”. The man was treated and released by doctors where he was treated at Brits Hospital and Police reiterate this and place it again on record, and the warm blooded man is a living testimony to these facts. 

“This has a potential of sending shock waves and unnecessary tension amongst the people and destabilize the sector, which is the backbone of the South African Economy” police said.

Ngubane said it is the request of the SAPS to all parties involved in the Platinum situation to take caution when making statements that may instill unnecessary fear and uncertainty in the Platinum Belts. 

Police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane said It remains their call as the SAPS that every stakeholder takes their meaning full role in ensuring total peace and stability in the belt. 

He said Safety and Security is a shared responsibility that all must ensure that the people are safe,and this should be from the side of both Unions, NUM and AMCU, and the employer to join hands with the SAPS. 

“It is critical that we all report to the nation and base our assertions on facts and present a true picture to the people of South Africa, Africa and the world”.

“We can put it on record that the South African Police Service will never deter from upholding the rule of law in the Platinum Belt” he said. 

The situation is currently under control and police investigations are ongoing on certain cases that are working in the Platinum Belt. “We must further be very careful when analyzing or commenting on any situation in the areas of Marikana and Nkaneng not to link any crime that is taking place in the area to some instability in the Platinum belt. There were criminal activities taking place in the area before the situation in the Platinum Belt started hence we have Marikana Police Station tasked with security in the area”. 

Ngubane said these criminal activities will continue even today and that does not mean there is instability in the Platinum Belt.

The current status quo in the Platinum Belt is that there are no escalating levels of violence in the platinum belt, workers are going to work, and life continues as normal in the area. 

“Police continues to ensure that local residents are living in a safe and secure environment. The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo said “Our duty is to ensure that we act as per the dictates of section 205 of the Republic of South African Constitution to prevent, combat and investigate crime and that is what we continue to do in the Platinum Belt” concludes Ngubane.-TDN

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The Chairperson of Moral Regeneration Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa has called for the promotion of sound family and community values as part of the moral regeneration and social cohesion drive. Father Mkhatshwa was speaking on the role of religion in fostering social cohesion and morality during the two-day Provincial Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Summit that commenced in Mahikeng on Monday.

“We must promote that which is good for the soul. Churches have a critical role to play in moral regeneration because we need to build a society of people who respect others and uphold the values of honesty and integrity,” said Father Mkhatshwa.

Speaking on the role of traditional leadership to promote and preserve indigenous cultures and knowledge, Chairperson of North West House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Madoda Zibi said traditional leaders play a critical role in building a socially cohesive society. “Dikgosi have to act in the interest of the people in what they do or what they say,” said Kgosi Zibi.

Also speaking at the summit Judge President of the North West High Court, Honourable Justice Monicca Leeuw said the judiciary was in the process of establishing monitoring norms and standards that would enhance the performance of the courts to ensure that the courts were easily accessible, and that justice could be delivered effectively and speedily, as part of the judiciary to enhance the quality of life of the people of South Africa.

“The rights of the people and the society entrenched in the Bill of Rights directly impact on how we go about administering our duties as the judiciary. If cases take long to be finalised and are being postponed several times, both the accused and witnesses are usually adversely affected,” said Justice Leeuw.

Justice Leeuw said the Chief Justice has also established a national Efficiency Enhancement Committee comprising of all stakeholders responsible for the administration of justice in order to address issues that may hamper and delay the administration of justice in our courts.

Dr Willem Langveldt of the South African San Institute said the growing recognition and use of indigenous education methods and knowledge systems would go a long way in addressing the erosion of indigenous knowledge that was enforced through the processes of colonialism, apartheid and globalization.“Indigenous communities are able to reclaim and revalue their languages and traditions, and in so doing, improve the educational success of indigenous students, and thus ensuring their survival as a culture,” said Langveldt.Langveldt said Indigenous knowledge was particularly important to modern environmental management that is eluding much of the modern world.“Environmental and land management strategies traditionally used by indigenous peoples have continued relevance. Indigenous cultures usually live in a particular bioregion for many generations and have learned how to live there sustainably. In modern times, this ability often puts truly indigenous cultures in a unique position of understanding the interrelationships, needs, resources, and dangers of their bioregion,” added Langveldt.He said the inclusion of aspects of indigenous education requires us to acknowledge that there are multiple forms of knowledge, standards, and benchmark systems.

By Obakeng Maje

Tlokwe-The ANC’s former executive mayor in the Tlokwe Municipality in Potchefstroom, Maphetle Maphetle, and this morning refused to vacate his office by 10:00, as instructed by a High Court judgement yesterday.

Yesterday the ANC representative at the High Court, Dakota Legoete – also ANC Whip – stated that the ANC accepts the judgement, respects the judiciary and will adhere to the judgement.

Today, however, the ANC in another desperate attempt to cling to power reneged on its commitment.  

“They have applied for leave to appeal, but no such papers had been served on the DA or our legal representatives at 10:00 this morning” DA Chris Hattingh said.

Da said while the ANC in a blatant show of defiance not only against the Judgement in which it was severely castigated for their recent actions, but also against a majority of Councillors, occupies the offices, no committee meetings or Council meetings are being held. 

“It is clear that in its desperation to cling to power, to control the council’s financial resources and to suppress the forensic investigation into fraud and corruption, the interests of the community and the proper functioning of the Municipality do not come into the equation” Hattingh said.

The DA condemns the continued ANC attempts to frustrate the DA, the community and any attempt to restore stability, sanity and service delivery in the Municipality.

According to other media reports, ANC has been in a private meeting at Tlokwe since this morning.

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The senseless killings around Marikana need to be abated and those responsible unmasked  and brought to book to soonest to avert further loss of lives, North West Premier Modise said on Tuesday in condemning the shooting of a 49-year-old Lonmin worker and a taxi owner who were shot dead over the weekend.

“We wish to convey our condolences to the families that lost their loved in the two incidents and call on the community to work with the police to ensure that faceless instigators of violence within our mining communities are unmasked so that violence does not become a way of life in these communities,” Premier Modise emphasised in appealing to members of the public to come forward with information that might assist police in their investigations

In calling for intensified law enforcement to protect, Modise said that it is important to ensure that peace and stability prevails and that persons and property are protected so as to provide a conducive environment for development. She said that acts of provocation, violence and intimidation in the area undermine the Marikana Peace Accord and the Framework for Peace and Stability in the Mining Industry signed by Num and AMCU on 25 February 2013.

According to police, the victim was on his way to work when approached by unknown men who shot him with a firearm on the body and neck. The suspects allegedly fled the scene with a white Toyota Corolla with Gauteng province registration numbers.

Spokesperson for North West SAPS Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said that though the motive of the shooting that occurred on Sunday night was unknown, preliminary investigations revealed four shots were fired and that the victim is a Lonmin employee.

Mokgwabone said it was not clear if the shooting was related to other murder cases in the area, or linked to a rivalry between National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) and Association of Mineworkers’ and Construction Union (Amcu) at the Lonmin platinum mine in Rustenburg.

In a separate incident, a taxi owner was shot dead and another man wounded at the Marikana taxi rank.

“It is alleged the victim who is a taxi owner was shot by three men on Friday when he got out his car while the other man was standing by at the rank,” said Mokgwabone.

Premier Modise wishes the injured man who was taken to hospital a speedy recovery.

Mokgwabone said that the motive of the incident is also unknown at this stage and that the incident is not linked to previous cases of murder that were reported in the area.

Durban – The SA Air Force’s two helicopter squadrons on the coast have received no funding this year for sea and mountain rescue operations, but have received funding for VIP flights, according to a report.

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By Obakeng Maje

“While some police officials are adhering to the SAPS Code of Conduct to which they have committed themselves even if it requires them to investigate criminal conducted by fellow police officials, it is however disturbing to note that some police officials do not abide by the SAPS Code of Conduct and abuse their powers as police officials, thus tarnishing the reputation of the SAPS” said colonel Priscilla Naidu.

A Kimberley police official is expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate Court today on a charge of corruption. “It is alleged that the Warrant Officer offered a suspect to make a docket ‘disappear’. The suspect was instructed to deposit R300-00 on the 16 July 2013 at the local Shoprite Money Market” colonel Priscilla Naidu said. 

The transaction was allegedly made and later that day, the money was withdrawn by the Warrant Officer.  

The suspect and the police officer allegedly met again on the 27 July where another R300-00 was handed over to the policeman. 

“The police officer was arrested after the transaction was completed” Naidu said.

In another incident, a police Constable from Port Nolloth was arrested on the 23 July and charged for Fraud and Corruption. 

He appeared in the Springbok magistrate court on the 25/07 and was released on R1000 bail. “It is alleged that the Constable approached the Director of a diamond company and extorted money from her in exchange for information” Naidu said. 

The Constable produced false documents to the woman where it is alleged that some of her workers were implicated in a police investigation. 

The Constable received R1200 in two separate payments during June and July 2013.  

On the 5th July, the Constable demanded R20 000 for himself and R20 000 for two other ‘fictitious’ police officers. 

“The Constable falsely represented to the woman that he was going to make the case go away. His next appearance in court is on the 9 September 2013” police said.

In both cases, the SAPS has already begun with the internal investigations which is running parallel with the criminal investigations.

“Acts of corruption, fraud and criminality will not be tolerated within the SAPS as our police leadership expects nothing but excellence from the members and personnel of the SAPS” Naidu said. 

Information on corrupt police officials involved in criminal activities may be reported anonymously to the Public Service Commission National Anti-Corruption Hotline – 0800 701 701. 

Alternatively the anonymous Crime Stop number 08600 10111 can be used.

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Johannesburg – Seven illegal miners have died and 12 have been wounded in a clash in a mine shaft in Brakpan North, on the East Rand, Ekurhuleni emergency management services said on Tuesday.

“The mine rescue services retrieved seven bodies yesterday [Monday]. This morning they will go and search [for more] on another level,” said senior district manager Roggers Mamaila.

Rescue workers had initially thought there were only four bodies underground, but had found six bodies on level two of shaft seven, and one in shaft 11.

“Today they will go to shaft seven, level three just to check that we leave no bodies down there, because some families are claiming their family members are still missing,” Mamaila said.

On Monday, a 12th illegal miner was rescued from the mine.

“He just has a broken leg. For someone who went through such an ordeal he looks fine,” Mamaila said. He was taken to the Far East Rand Hospital.

The other 11 rescued had injuries, including gunshot wounds, and some needed amputations.

Emergency services were alerted to the violence at the mine on Sunday.

Mamaila said shots were fired during an underground clash between two groups of illegal miners on Thursday.

Mamaila said the rescue mission involved the police and the mineral resources department.

SAPA

Johannesburg – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and police commissioner Riah Phiyega should resign, the SA Policing Union (Sapu) said on Monday.

“[We] call on [them] to… do the honourable thing – resign from their positions,” the union’s leader Mpho Kwinika said in a statement.

“We have been calling for a judicial commission of inquiry into the SA Police Service (SAPS) simply because there is no leadership and management in the police.”

Sapu was reacting to the outcome of an audit released by the police ministry on Sunday, which found that 1 448 police employees had committed crimes.

In a statement, Mthethwa said the audit – into how many current police employees had criminal records – had been going on for two years.

Mthethwa said the next step was for Phiyega to decide what action to take.

Sapu said the “so-called report” was not credible.

“The lack of credibility in the audit report comes from the fact that even its findings are inaccurate… We have been calling for its terms of reference to be made public,” said Kwinika.

“Sapu would like to challenge the minister and the national commissioner to be frank and honest about the criteria used to determine this figure, the process, and its accuracy.”

The union questioned whether the figure included those employees who were given fines in court, and those found not guilty.

Sapu said it did not condone ill-discipline or illegal acts, but wanted clarity on the report.

“We want to reassure the public that as much as we acknowledge that there are few rotten elements within the SAPS… thousands of men and women in blue are people of great integrity,” Kwinika said.

SAPA