Johannesburg – The University of Pretoria (UP) appeared to be deliberately delaying providing information about its admissions policy for its veterinary sciences faculty, lobby group AfriForum Youth charged on Monday.

“AfriForum Youth requested 15 pieces of information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act on 13 March,” national chairperson Charl Oberholzer said in a statement.

“This was the third time in two years these requests were submitted to the UP about top students, who were allegedly denied entry into the faculty as a result of racial profiling.”

Oberholzer said AfriForum Youth had been waiting since the beginning of 2013 for feedback about its third request, and still certain pieces of information were being withheld.

“The last letter was sent on 9 September to the UP in which they were given 21 days to respond after they had once again failed to supply the requested information,” said Oberholzer.

“The UP indicated that they would need more time. The more the UP prevaricates, the more top students have to leave the country because of discrimination.”

The request for information was submitted on behalf of a second and third year student at the university who approached AfriForum Youth for help, Oberholzer said.

“Various other students had to move abroad or give up on their dream profession.”

The documents requested by AfriForum Youth related to:

– the identity and the number of students admitted to the faculty since 2009;

– all information regarding funding obtained by the UP from the higher education department as remuneration for policies that “redress the past”;

– all documents pertaining to correspondence regarding the negative impact of the admission policy on individuals applying for admission;

– all documents leading to the approval of such policy;

– a copy of the university’s policy regarding unfair discrimination on the basis of race;

– all additional criteria taken into consideration to determine the possible admission of a student, and the weight accorded to such criteria; and

– the overall throughput rate for students admitted since 2006.

Last year, AfriForum Youth protested, with 10 students, about racial profiling. The students were later admitted to the faculty, Oberholzer said.

The UP was not immediately available for comment.

– SAPA

Malema addressing the masses

Malema addressed scores of his supporters at the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission in Centurion, shortly after receiving his party’s registration certificate to contest the 2014 elections.

“This certificate means we are now going to contest the elections. We are a legal organisation which must be respected and be given space to mobilise and organise in South Africa for support, including for the votes next year,” he said.

“On Sunday, we are in Marikana [North West] to say to the people: ‘Here is our certificate, we are a political party. A giant has been born, a giant that will give radical change to the politics of South Africa.'”

As Malema waved the certificate to his supporters, they chanted and sang songs denouncing President Jacob Zuma.

They sang: “Sibatshelile uJuju uyeza…” (we told them Malema is coming), while running around the parking lot. Some chanted: “Dubula Zuma” (shoot Zuma).

Support

Malema said the party was intensifying its campaign to galvanise support.

“We will talk about many things on Sunday [in Marikana]. I would like to thank [you for your] patience and discipline,” he told the supporters.

The EFF is scheduled to hold its national official public launch on Sunday at the hill in Marikana where 34 mainly mineworkers were shot by police on 16 August. The week before, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike-related violence.

Zuma appointed a judicial commission of inquiry headed by retired judge Ian Farlam to probe the circumstances around the killings. Its public hearings are still under way.

Malema, who used to be an outspoken supporter of Zuma and president of the ANC Youth League, formed the EFF this year after being expelled from the ANC.

He would not grant interviews on Monday and was whisked off in a grey BMW 7 series driven by EFF spokesperson Floyd Shivambu.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Tswaing-Residents of Ottosdal and Letsopa have been without water since Friday. 

Eskom allegedly issued a notice of disconnection two weeks ago after non payment from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

It is alleged that the municipality last paid electricity accounts in April.

“Eskom has since disconnected the power of 6 new boreholes, and this has shut down water supply to Ottosdal and Letsopa. This includes 11 of Tswaing municipality’s 15 wards” DA councillor in the area, Caren Visser said in a statement.

Visser said the District Municipality has known about this for some time, after Eskom gave notice of their intention to disconnect the electricity 3 weeks ago. 

“All that the District Municipality had to do, was pay its bill on time, and this crisis would have been avoided” DA said.

The DA has allegedly attempted to contact the Municipal Manager, Dion Mere to assist in resolving this situation, but he has been non-responsive. 

“The people of Ottosdal and Letsopa have the right to water as guaranteed by our constitution. The failure of the municipality to pay its bills and keep the water running is therefore not only a failure on delivery but also a human rights violation” Visser outlines. 

According to opposition party,despite thousands of people being without water in extremely hot and dry conditions, no disaster relief is conducted by the District Municipality. 

“Citizens are left to fend for themselves” said Visser.

They said the current state of affairs is utterly unacceptable. 

“The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality must pay its bills and restore the flow of water as soon as possible”.

DA said if the situation is not rectified shortly, they will approach the Human Rights Commission.-TDN

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Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen believes his side was ‘totally outclassed’ by Mamelodi Sundowns as they were eliminated from the first round of the Telkom Knockout.

Siwelele will not be able to defend their title as they fell 4-0 at home to the Brazilians thanks to a goal by Dove Wome, an own goal Mzava and a brace from Khama Billiat.

“The game? It is very simple; we were totally outclassed by a very good team,” he says.

“But they must dust themselves off and continue soldiering on.

“First 45 minutes they got behind us once and the first goal was gifted by the goalkeeper’s clearance. In the first 45 minutes you go into the break 3-0 down- it is a bitter pill to swallow.

“There were times we built it up and we gave it away cheaply. There wasn’t enough penetration and we didn’t clean it up- it wasn’t our day.”

Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was at fault for two of the goals let in and the coach believes his Cameroonian shot-stopper will recover from his questionable form.

“I think he has made two or three mistakes this season and they are always blown out of proportion. He is a strong character and I am sure he will bounce back from this,” concluded Larsen.

By Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho-A 19 year-old man has been arrested by North West police after he allegedly threatened some residents with a hammer.

The incident took palce on Friday at a church in Seweding and police were allegedly summoned to the scene and arrested him.

“Police in Mmabatho allegedly arrested a 19 year-old man who intimidated residents with a hammer at a church” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

A week ago, a 15 year-old girl was allegedly being killed by unknown suspect and her naked body was found by passerby.

The atrocity took place at Sikha Lekhekhe and police confirmed that a womna was bludgeoned to death.

Makau said a 19 year-old man will appear before Mmabatho Magistrate Court, but he could not be linked to incident that tool place in past weeks.

More than 10 people were allegedly admitted at local hospital for medical attention after being allegedly hit by ‘hammerman’.

Police investigations continue.-TDN

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