By-elections in Tlokwe will take place on October 23, the North West local government department said on Wednesday.

It said the date was set after the local government MEC consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“This follows [the] Electoral Court ruling in Bloemfontein which ordered the IEC to request… the member of the executive council to postpone the by-elections in Wards One, Four, 11, 12 and 20 of the municipality,” it said in a statement.

This was after the court heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the IEC.

The ANC retained control of two of three wards in the remainder of the by-elections in Tlokwe.

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

Fourteen ANC councillors were expelled from the party in July for participating in a motion of no confidence in then Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle. He was replaced by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee subsequently overturned the expulsions.

– Sapa

Bloemfontein – A Free State prison official was rescued after security services intervened in a hostage situation at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, officials said on Thursday.

The woman was unharmed but it was not immediately clear if anyone else was injured during the operation on Wednesday night.

“We can confirm that the hostage [situation] at Mangaung Correctional Centre has been concluded,” security services company G4S Africa head Andy Baker said.

Tactical response team

“Predetermined plans, which are in place for hostage situations, were activated at 21:10 by the SAPS tactical response team, resulting in the safe release of the employee at 22:15.”

Asked if anyone else was injured during the operation, or what the operation entailed, G4S spokesperson Kirsten van der Nest said no further details would be released.

Baker said: “We are extremely pleased to report that our employee was not physically harmed during the hostage and is receiving care and counselling support.”

The woman, who works for the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in the Free State, was taken hostage by four inmates on Wednesday morning.

G4S Africa manages the prison under contract for the correctional services department.

The company said all other prison operations were stable.

Recently, more than 300 members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union were dismissed at the prison for taking part in an illegal strike.

SAPA

Durban – The gloves are off for the 2014 election campaign with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal declaring its intent to obtain a minimum of 70% of the vote and eliminate the opposition.

In the opening salvo of the party’s election campaign, African National Congress provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala told journalists in Durban on Wednesday it was hoping to “wash out” all opposition parties who he claimed had added no value to the province.

“The ANC is convinced that 70% is achievable as a minimum target in the province. The elections that are coming for us are a mirror of a political landscape post 2014. We are going all out.”

In 2009 the party garnered almost 63% of the votes in KwaZulu-Natal.

“For us 2014 must mark the demise of all people who have been in the political landscape without adding any value in terms of changing the lives of the people of our province.”

The press conference was held to announce the party’s first election rally, to be held on Sunday in KwaMashu.

“Are opposition bringing any value? They bring absolutely no value at all,” ANC deputy provincial secretary Nomusa Dube said.

“You don’t see them providing any solutions to the challenges that people are confronting. Instead of providing solutions they add on to the frustrations of the people that they would never even deliver.”

Dube, who is also the province’s co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC, said the ANC’s delivery record was evident and opposition parties were taking “opportunistic stances”.

“You say to them ‘you have been in Parliament for the past five years, what have you done? What have you done either legislatively or qualitatively to say what is the value you have added to those people that you have been serving?’ Zilch. Nothing.”

Zikalala said the party had theorised whether the ANC had “suffocated” the opposition and if an opposition was needed.

“It is not the task of the ANC to build an opposition. Our task is to consolidate the support of the people of South Africa for the ANC. Once the ANC gets that support, the task of the ANC is to render service delivery.”

He said some opposition parties had been in government prior to 1994, when the first democratic elections were held, and never delivered on their promises.

“We are not going to be concerned about the growing or shrinking opposition. If we get 100% [of the vote] we are going to enjoy,” he said.

SAPA

Pic: (A baby picture taken from internet, not Botshelo)

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad- A week ago North West residents and South Africa at large were left with mild astonishment after they heard unexpected news.

The reason behind scalp itch and jaw pop came to light two weeks ago when a mother of a three month-old baby came from a local clinic were she took her little girl for check-up.

Maria Tshatsha,31 told sabc that she was left dithered after her three month-old baby Botshelo spoke to her with euphony.

According a Pampierstad-born woman,her three month-old daughter spoke for the first time when they arrived at her house from the clinic.

“I was changing her nappies and suddenly I heard a voice and felt like someone is talking to me. I never expected my daughter Botshelo to communicate with me as she is just a child” Maria Tshatsha told sabc.

Maria Tshatsha, 31 resides at Mountain View, near Pampierstad township and she said after hearing her daughter communicates with her precisely, she was left astonished.

“I tried to change her nappies, suddenly she said mom einah…I asked her what’s wrong and she replied that she do not want to wear a pamper anymore as it makes her feel uncomfortable” Maria said.

“I ran outside for help as I was suprised too. Botshelo is only three months and normally kids of her age cannot speak delicate”.

This drew a lot of attention including local media as many people flocked to Botshelo’s house to hear her speak.

Some people where left with mixed feelings as others said they waited forever hoping for Botshelo to utter a word, but with no success.

Whether Botshelo was gurgling or babbling which is norm to three month-old babies, or she can talk with precision, it remain to be seen.

Yesterday sabc radio spoke to Botshelo’s mother who tried in vain to make her speak, but ‘miracle’ child did not buy that story as you could hear her playing in the background.

According to Maria, she took her ‘miracle’ baby to the local doctor, but the doctor confirmed all is well with the baby and the doctor allegedly said this is normal and shows that Botshelo is a genius.

Maria also alleged that doctor adviced her not to breastfeed her daughter as she might drain her out.

Others who attest to this ‘miracle’ was other woman in the area who claims she gave Botshelo R10 note and she said ‘dankie’ loosenly translated to thank you.

Now Botshelo allegedly eat solid food like an adult without any hassle and she allegedly told her dad that she is hungry.

Our crew tried to contact North West Department of Health MEC Dr Magome Masike to shed his medical experience on the matter, but unfortunately our attempt proved futile as he was in a meeting.

North West health departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane was equally suprised and said he will brief MEC about the issue and they will look into it.

“I’ve never ever heard about something like that and this is very very suprising. Unfortunately MEC Masike is engaged it a meeting, but I will brief him about that and see if he could share any idea” Lekgethwane said.

What can a three month old baby do?

A three month baby is already working hard to become more mobile.

As her head and neck muscles become stronger she may soon learn to roll over.

You may want to start changing her nappy on the floor. Babies have a habit of surprising their parents with their new-found abilities.

Your baby is likely to be babbling away to you now.

You can help develop her language skills by talking to her throughout the day.

Try describing what you’re doing as you do it, even if it’s just loading the washing machine.

By three months, probably even earlier, your baby will know you’re special. Most likely she will still smile at strangers, especially when they look her straight in the eye and coo or talk to her. But she’s beginning to sort out who’s who in her life, and definitely prefers some people to others.

The part of the brain that governs hand-eye coordination and allows your baby to recognise objects (the parietal lobe) is developing rapidly now. And the part of the brain which assists with hearing, language and smell, the temporal lobe, has also become more active.

So when your baby hears your voice now, she may look directly at you and start gurgling, or trying to talk back.

Try changing the pitch of your voice, using accents, and singing, to capture your baby’s interest. Don’t worry if she looks the other way, or loses concentration. Try something else, or give her time to rest. Don’t worry about the content of the conversation.

How can I help my baby to understand and use words?

Now your baby is babbling and gurgling habitually, talking to her will encourage her understanding of words. This is the beginning of your baby’s conversation skills. Seize the moment and engage her with different words and sounds. She may babble back to you when you talk to her.

Even with others, your baby is becoming more responsive and engaging, by flashing smiles, oohing and cooing. The fun has really begun. Your baby’s social skills are blossoming.

When you’re with friends, keep your baby nearby so she can hear your conversation. Your baby can’t repeat any words yet, but she’s beginning to store all the information in her rapidly developing memory.

If your home is bilingual, your baby will get double the language training if she regularly hears both languages spoken. Speaking more than one language will broaden her linguistic skills, and knowing another language can support her knowledge of English.

If you’d like your baby to learn more than one language, you and your partner should regularly speak to her in your mother tongue. Doing this from birth means that she will pick up both languages naturally.

If you have any questions at all about your baby’s development, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

In other previous events took place around Taung and its Surroundings.

Benjamin Story?

A person who was allegedly found on top of the roof of the house with bed?

A person who allegedly cooked a human meat with dumbling?

Now a 3 months ‘talking’ baby?

What next…only time will tell.

Approved by the BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – The case against one of six men accused of involvement in a child pornography syndicate was postponed in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The grey-haired man stood quietly in the dock during his brief court appearance.

The matter was postponed to 5 November for the report of the cyber crimes unit to be received. His bail was extended until the next court date.

He was one of six men arrested on 15 August, after police received a tip-off from Interpol.

The six, from four provinces, were arrested for possession of child pornography.

The accused were arrested in Lichtenburg, Bloemfontein, White River, Douglasdale, Florida, and Potchefstroom.

The six are a lawyer, a dermatologist, a businessman, two teachers, and a retired school principal.
Police raided several homes in various provinces in August.

Among the items seized were 672 DVDs, 22 memory sticks, eight laptops, two computer tablets, 39 external hard drives, and 25 books containing child porn pictures.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – Free State University rector Jonathan Jansen is wrong if he pleads that all school education in South Africa should be in English, FF Plus leader Pieter Mulder said on Wednesday.

“He [Jansen] confuses proper education principles with his own hidden nation building recipe.”

Mulder was reacting to media reports on Jansen saying teaching in English from school to university level could be the solution to South Africa’s education problems.

Delivering the Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture last month, Jansen said many parents already preferred English as teaching language because they knew the country’s economy was organised on English terms.

“Therefore, the chances of success are much greater.”

Mulder said English as a learning subject should be compulsory for all South African children up to university level.

“This is different from making English the only language of instruction in education.”

Mulder said research globally showed mother tongue education was best for knowledge transfer.

Jansen’s argument for English as the best language for reconciliation and nation building was also wrong.

“An important aspect of a person’s being and dignity is acknowledging his mother tongue,” said Mulder.

The Christian Democratic Party said Jansen’s suggestion was not scientifically sound and in conflict with the Constitution.

AfriForum said the necessity for single-medium schools in pupils’ mother tongue was acknowledged internationally. The civil rights group’s deputy CEO Alana Bailey said quality education would only be accomplished by, among others, better teacher training and stopping the destabilising influence of some education unions.

Replying to the reports on Twitter on Wednesday, Jansen said a careful argument on language in education had been distorted to create media hype.

“It still amazes me how a careful argument about language inclusivity can be seriously distorted for maximum media hype,” he said on his Twitter account.

Afrikaans newspapers Beeld and Die Volksblad published front page articles on Wednesday on Jansen’s opinion that exclusive white Afrikaans schools and universities held a danger for race relations in South Africa.

This was Jansen’s second run-in with newspapers this year over the way his remarks were reported.

In April, Jansen said reports that he told students, “Don’t you also wish he [former president Nelson Mandela] would die?” misrepresented what he said.

“My argument was that Madiba had done so much for South Africa, that he had served South Africa well, and that sometimes you just wish that people would leave him alone so that he can pass his final days quietly,” he said at the time.

Wednesday marked the 32nd day since Mandela was discharged from a Pretoria hospital, where he spent nearly three months being treated for a recurring lung infection.

– SAPA

Polokwane – A Limpopo detective and five co-accused have appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court in connection with theft of liquor worth R15 000.

Constable Johannes Mashitisho, 27, of the Lephalale police station, appeared in court on Tuesday, a Sapa correspondent reported.

He appeared along with his co-accused, Thabo Tswele, 22, Edwin Mogashoa, 37, Buti Mnyakeni, 30, Kgothatso Letswalo, 22, and Evans Tolo, 36.

They were not asked to plead and faced charges of business burglary and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The six were arrested on Sunday morning in connection with a burglary at a liquor store in Lephalale on Saturday night, Limpopo police said.

“The owners of the store reported the matter and a follow-up by the police led to the officer’s house where some of the stolen alcohol was recovered,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

During the search, police found two firearms and ammunition at the officer’s home. Police were led to the other five suspects, Mulaudzi said. The serial numbers on both firearms had been removed.

The six would remain in custody and the case was postponed to 8 October, for a bail application.

Police would investigate to determine whether the firearms were linked to any other crimes, Mulaudzi said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Nineteen new political parties have been registered on a national level with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over the past nine months.

Prominent among this group are Mamphela Ramphele’s Agang SA, Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters, and the Workers and Socialist Party.

The lesser-known parties include the Lekgotla for Democracy Advancement, the International Revelation Congress (IRC), and the Poelano Revelation Party.

All these are contesting next year’s national elections and hoping for seats in Parliament.

Kokoloti Mametja, leader of Lekgotla, on Wednesday said South Africans were “wising up” and realising the ANC was not delivering.

“In this country… we are in very, very big trouble. As a public servant I know that,” he told Sapa.

“A lot of South Africans are wising up (sic).”

Mametja, a former African National Congress member, worked in the Gauteng local government department. He resigned from his job in August this year.

He said the “wheels started coming off” for the ANC in the early 2000s when nepotism, corruption, and cadre deployment surfaced. Lekgotla was started in 2011 as a civil rights organisation.

“We went into the communities and initiated dialogue over the past three years. You need to find a greater objective and ours is service to the people.”

Not listening

Mametja said current leaders and politicians were not listening to the people.

“We are going to speak the language of ethics, the language of good governance. Good governance can’t take a back seat, it needs to be the national agenda.”

He said a membership audit had not been conducted yet, but that the party had a presence in the provinces. The party, which was launched in July, would start campaigning in October.

“We might be operating at a low budget but there is nothing stopping us. We are a functioning political party right now. We don’t have an organisation which is groping in the dark. We are actually ready,” Mametja said.

The IRC’s Thinawanga Mammba said he started the party because the ANC was not doing anything for the people.

“When the ruling party came in they said they will unite all South Africans, but they are dividing people. They did not fulfil their promises.”

Mammba, who claimed to be a former National Union of Metalworkers of SA shop steward, said no one should still be living in a shack without electricity or running water.

He claimed the IRC had 34 000 members so far and was strong in Limpopo.

Political butterfly Philemon Sadick, who fluttered from one party to the other, registered the Poelano Revelation Party in March.

During apartheid Sadick said he campaigned for the ANC, but when the party came into power he decided to join the National Party to try to “neutralise” its image.

Battling

However, when the NP decided to merge with the ANC Sadick left the party.

“I decided to leave it and join the Democratic Alliance. The Democratic Alliance was not nice for me so I decided to go and learn more about the ANC and I became again a member of the ANC until I registered this party,” he explained.

Sadick said he was focusing on getting a seat in Parliament so he could “lay matters on the table”.

“My problem is poverty is fluctuating in rural areas and government is not supporting emerging farmers and emerging business people. Crime is my problem, and xenophobia, and drugs.”

Sadick said his party had about 2000 registered members and he was battling with funding.

Other political parties registered this year are: the Bolsheviks Party of SA, Direct Democracy Forum, First Indigenous Nations Civic Association of SA, the Nationalist Coloured Party, the Nehemiah Liberation Christian Party, People’s Party of SA, Security Workers Political Party, SA People’s Party, True Freedom Party, Ubumbano Lwesizwe Sabangoni, and the United Congress.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) on Wednesday accused media and opposition parties of distorting the auditor general’s findings published in its 2012/13 annual report.

Auditor General Terence Nombembe found the NYDA had racked up R62m in irregular spending and failed to act against the officials at fault.

“The AG’s report points to areas of improvement in the NYDA finances and operations,” spokesperson Siyabonga Magadla said.

“Among these, the AG’s report has noted significant improvements in the reduction of irregular expenditure, which dropped from R133m in the 2011/12 financial year to R62m in the 2012/13 financial year.”

Magadla said while this was welcome, further steps were being taken to cut irregular spending even further.

The AG found the NYDA had flouted National Treasury regulations by procuring goods and services worth more than R500 000 without a proper tender process.

Magadla said this did not suggest money was wasted or misappropriated.

“In such instances, deviations were approved by the accounting authority wherein it was impractical to source three quotations [due to time constraints or scarcity of the service required] as required by the Treasury regulations,” he said.

The agency had further financial losses to the tune of R31.5m in defaulted loans.

In his opinion, Nombembe noted that the recovery of the money was “doubtful”.

“In terms of the possible defaulted loans… the agency has put in place a recovery plan to recoup this money,” said Magadla.

“The NYDA is taking legal action on all defaulted loans. Slow-to-pay and no-pay customers are handed over to debt collectors.”

Magadla also justified the widely criticised salaries and bonuses paid to management and staff.

Performance bonuses totalling over R7.5m was approved for 2012/13.

Top management and senior management were paid out close to R5m, while general staff were paid R2.6m.

“It is not uncommon for any organisation or institution to pay its staff performance bonuses, and this is usually done in line with signed performance agreements with staff at the start of the financial year,” Magadla said.

“They are therefore paid against agreed upon performance targets and to do otherwise would be illegal on the part of any employer.”

The NYDA executive will appear before Parliament’s portfolio committee on appropriations later this month, and are likely to be grilled by MPs on the report.
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Pretoria – A paramedic is missing after being attacked by a giant crocodile in front of her 12-year-old daughter in Botswana.

Beeld reported on Wednesday that Danelle Viljoen, 38, was on holiday with her daughter and friends at Shakawe in the Okavango Delta on Monday.

She was apparently watching her daughter and a friend’s son while they were fishing, and sat in the shallow water to cool down. Almost immediately, a crocodile pounded on her and dragged her into the water.

The crocodile was estimated to be 5-metres-long and a metre wide.

Botswana police searched along the river but there was no sign of Viljoen.

Viljoen’s daughter is being cared for by her grandparents, who are doing missionary work near Maun in Botswana.
For more http://www.news24.com