By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Today the Commemoration Service to honour those who died in Marikana during August last year is taking place in Marikana.

The organisers, the South African Council of Churches and AMCU, applied for and were granted permission to hold the gathering.

Mourners are gradually converging on the commemoration venue and the atmosphere is sombre but calm.

South African Police Service members and officials of the Rustenburg traffic department have been on duty since the early hours of this morning to regulate traffic and ensure that the proceedings take place in a safe environment.

“Various joint operations are underway to ensure that peace prevails and that the mourners adhere to our call to not carry or be in possession of any form of dangerous weapon at the venue.  This plea was made to allow us to ensure that the service is held in a dignified manner which shows respect to those who passed and is concluded peacefully” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

Vehicles entering the venue are being stopped and searched to ensure that the conditions of the authority to hold the gathering are being complied with.

“At this stage, people on a bus which was en route from the Impala Platinum mine were found to be in possession of approximately 100 traditional weapons which were confiscated.  Groups of people entering the venue carrying weapons were also stopped and asked to hand the weapons over to the police” Ngubane said.  

Ngubane said the SAPS will continue to monitor the situation and, again, call for calm from all parties and participants.

“We once again appeal to those still on their way to the venue, to refrain from taking any form of dangerous weapon as they will most definitely be seized, as with any major event secured by South Africa’s law enforcement agencies” he said.-TDN

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Pretoria – “General Phiyega se p**s.” These were allegedly the words of six rogue police officers from the Katlegong TRT unit, while they harassed a Mountain View couple along the R21 towards Pretoria on Sunday evening.

According to Emile Jansen van Rensburg, he and his wife Belinda were travelling back from OR Tambo International Airport when six fully uniformed police officers in a marked police vehicle pointed R5 rifles at them, ran them off the road and inappropriately searched them to get their cellphones.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Durban – A man was killed and three others injured after a car hit a tree in Phoenix near Durban on Friday, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said it was unclear how the accident happened.

When they arrived on the scene, paramedics found that a man had died and some people were trapped in the wreckage, Botha said.

“[A] critically injured man was placed on a ventilator at the scene and …transported to the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital for specialised care that he required,” Botha said in a statement.

Two seriously injured patients were stabilised before taken to a nearby hospital.

Botha said police would investigate the cause of the accident.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been ordered to hand over the so-called Zuma spy tapes to the DA within five days.

City Press reported on Friday that Judge Rami Mathopo said the transcripts must be handed to DA attorneys with alleged confidential parts marked.

DA attorneys are not allowed to disclose the confidential parts of memos.

The judge also ruled that the NPA had “misconstrued” its position but was not in contempt of court for failing to hand over the tapes to the DA earlier.

The spy tapes are recordings of intercepted phone conversations which could shed light on why fraud and corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma were dropped in 2009.
For more http://www.news24.com

Mahikeng – The boycotting of the Marikana shooting commemoration by the ANC and the NUM was deeply worrisome, the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo) said on Friday.

“In our view as Azapo, participation by NUM and ANC would go a long way in trying to bridge the gap between NUM and Amcu mineworkers – perhaps ease the tension in and around the mine,” spokesperson Funani KaNtontela said in a statement.

“Attending the commemoration would allow them an opportunity to apologise to families who would be present.”

KaNtontela said some of the men killed last year were members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). He called the union’s decision heartless.

Concerns

On Thursday, the African National Congress in the North West said it would not take part in the event.

“The commemoration is organised by an illegitimate team called ‘Marikana Support Group’ – a group which the African National Congress does not recognise,” spokesperson Kenny Morolong said.

The NUM voiced similar concerns.

The Federation of Unions of SA said it was concerned that the inquiry into the event was still not concluded.

“We bemoan the fact that these families have not seen justice being done to the persons responsible for the death of their beloved fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons.

“The commission of inquiry must finalise its work so that the wounds can heal and we can move on,” general secretary Dennis George said.

George said Marikana was a lesson in how collective bargaining could go wrong. He said workers, employers, and government should work together to make collective bargaining a constructive form of social dialogue.

“This is the only fair and sustainable solution. History has taught us that any other approach will lead to chaos and unnecessary suffering by all involved,” George said.

On 10 August last year, rock drillers at platinum miner Lonmin embarked on an unprotected strike for a monthly salary of R12 500. More workers joined the strike and the protesters gathered at a hill near the Nkaneng informal settlement, some carrying weapons such as pangas, spears, knobkerries, and iron rods.

On 16 August police trying to disperse and disarm them opened fire and 34 people were killed. Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike-related violence the preceding week.

President Jacob Zuma established the commission to probe the deaths.

Commemorations are planned for Friday at the site of the shooting.
SAPA

Bloemfontein – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) will investigate allegations that a group of Ficksburg police officers assaulted residents last weekend, a spokesperson said on Friday.

The directorate had received dockets to investigate three allegations of serious assault, one of common assault, and one of attempted murder, spokesperson Moses Dlamini said.

The attempted murder investigation related to allegations that a woman was run over by a police vehicle. A so-called “Rambo Squad” of police officers in and around Ficksburg allegedly assaulted residents last weekend.

Free State police said two officers, who were off duty at the time, were arrested for allegedly interfering with on-duty officers questioning a suspect at a local tavern.

Spokesperson Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the matter was under investigation.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Murder accused paralympian Oscar Pistorius will face two additional charges when he appears in court on Monday.

Pistorius will be charged for two counts of recklessly discharging a firearm in public, eNCA reported.

In the first incident at a restaurant in Johannesburg in January, Pistorius accidentally fired a gun shot and almost hit a friend. 

In the second incident, driving with friends, he allegedly discharged a gun through the car’s sunroof just moments after being stopped by metro police officers in Gauteng.

Pistorius is facing murder charges for shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria.

News24

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma’s recent holiday on a Mozambican island and that of his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, in the Seychelles, cost the taxpayer R2.6m, Beeld reported on Friday.

A Falcon 900 and two Oryx helicopters had to make 36 flights to take Zuma to Bazaruto and back.

This emerged from answers provided on Thursday by the defence ministry to written questions by Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier.

Advised to rest

Zuma took a break on Bazaruto earlier this year after his doctors advised him to rest.

Two Oryx helicopters from 15 Squadron flew from Durban to the Mozambican town Vilanculos to take Zuma to the island.

According to Beeld, every time the helicopters land to refuel, it counts as a new flight.

Zuma flew in a Falcon from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Vilanculos, where the helicopters took him and his bodyguards to the island.

Overall expenditure, including crew and staff allowances, amounted to R1.6m.

Motlanthe used the Falcon for the Seychelles break with a female friend and at least five bodyguards.

Motlanthe paid for his own accommodation, but taxpayers funded the crew and bodyguards which cost R512 000, with travel and subsistence expenses for staff costing over R130 000.

The agent who made arrangements that included the fuel, was paid R296 000.

Airline tickets cost R83 000.

Government policy

In March, Motlanthe defended the costs of his Seychelles holiday, saying that in line with government policy, transport for the president and deputy president was the responsibility of the state, regardless of whether it was for official or private purposes.

“The state also has a duty to provide security for the deputy president at all times, whether he is engaged in official duties, or while he is on leave.

“The deputy president has no role whatsoever in the planning and carrying out of operations concerning his own transport and security. These matters, including deployment of personnel and equipment, as well as related costs, are managed by the competent state organs,” Motlanthe said in response to a question posed by Maynier at the time.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The first anniversary of the shooting at Lonmin’s Marikana mine, near Mahikeng in the North West, will be marked during a commemorative rally on Friday.

On 10 August last year, Lonmin rock drillers embarked on an unprotected strike for a monthly salary of R12 500.

More workers joined the strike and the protesters gathered at a hill near Nkaneng informal settlement carrying weapons, such as pangas, spears, knobkerries, and iron rods.

On 16 August last year, police trying to disperse and disarm them opened fire on the mineworkers, killing 34 of them.

Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike-related violence the preceding week.

Violent deaths

Several violent deaths in the area following the Lonmin strike have been blamed on rivalry between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union [AMCU] and the National Union of Mineworkers [NUM].

The Congress of SA Trade Unions, to which NUM is affiliated, said that there had been “overwhelming concern” in the wake of the Marikana shooting that such killings should never again happen in democratic South Africa.

“Tragically however, one year later, we cannot say that there have been no further deaths,” spokesman Patrick Craven said in a statement on Thursday.

Social problems, poverty and lack of transformation still affected the lives of mining communities.

A framework agreement for a sustainable mining industry, signed by government, employers and most unions, needed to be fulfilled in order to prevent a repetition of the Marikana tragedy, Craven said.

He said the union federation was “bitterly disappointed” at the procedural arguments stalling the work of the Farlam Commission.

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission to probe circumstances around the 16 August shooting.

State funding for miners’ lawyer

On Friday, the Constitutional Court is expected to rule whether the State should pay the legal costs for the miners arrested and injured at Marikana.

In June Dali Mpofu, for the miners, told the commission that due to financial constraints his team could be forced to withdraw from the inquiry.

He previously brought an urgent court application in the North Gauteng High Court several weeks ago seeking funding, but this was dismissed.

The commission has been postponed several times while solutions to the funding problems were sought.

Amnesty International’s Africa spokesperson Noel Kututwa said on Thursday that the organisation was concerned that the Farlam Commission was in crisis.

“The long-term consequences for the respect and protection of human rights in South Africa will be severe should the South African authorities fail in taking all necessary steps to achieve accountability for what happened in Marikana on 16 August 2012.”

The SA Communist Party called for the speedy conclusion of the Farlam Commission’s work.

“The SACP hopes that the commission will also attend to the broader systemic, underlying issues around the mining areas and the mining industry.”

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said it was concerned about continuing violence and killings in the Marikana area.

“The SAHRC recognises the urgent need for an understanding of all of the causes and reasons for these deaths, and what can be done to improve the material conditions of the people of Marikana, and hold those responsible accountable.”

Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele said: “As we honour all those who died at Marikana, we must encourage a spirit of reconciliation backed by practical steps so that all concerned parties can work together to finally bring peace to Marikana”.

Police brutality

The CCMA said its offices would observe a minute of silence at noon on Friday as a mark of respect for those killed at Marikana.

The CCMA committed itself to working tirelessly in efforts to prevent a repetition of the events of 16 August last year. It also acknowledged the work of its members in relation to the Marikana labour disputes.

Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution chairperson Sipho Pityana said police needed to heed lessons learnt from the Marikana shooting.

“The continued brutality of the police, and their inadequacies in policing protests, shows how urgent it is that reforms are introduced to protect the human rights of everyone who lives in South Africa.”

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega called for peace at Friday’s commemorative events.

“We wish to appeal to everyone who will be in attendance to conduct themselves appropriately and to co-operate with the event organisers, marshals and the police,” she said on Thursday.

“Most importantly, we plead with them to not carry dangerous weapons including knives, knobkerries, firearms or any other dangerous weapons.”

NUM, ANC not attending commemorations

NUM and the African National Congress in the North West signalled on Thursday that they would not be attending the commemorations.

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the decision was based on the fact that the events were organised by the Marikana Support Group, rather than deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe’s office.

NUM initially welcomed Amcu’s invitation to its president Senzeni Zokwana to attend the commemoration. Zokwana had been asked to share the stage with Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa in an attempt to ease tensions in the platinum belt.

Lonmin signed an agreement with Amcu this week, recognising it as the company’s majority trade union. 

The agreement set a threshold of a 30% membership for any trade union to be recognised by the company.

Membership of the NUM, which used to be the majority union, has dropped to 20% of Lonmin’s workforce.

ANC provincial spokesperson Kenny Morolong said: “The commemoration is organised by an illegitimate team called ‘Marikana support group’ – a group which the ANC does not recognise”.

The ANC would only participate in a commemoration organised by government, as agreed with families, Lonmin Platinum and labour unions, he said.

SAPA

Mabhuti Khenyeza is free to play soccer again after his 12-month ban was overturned.

KickOff.com can confirm that the 31-year-old striker, who was recently signed by Mpumalanga Black Aces, was instead handed a R50 000 fine, R25 000 of which is suspended.

As it stands, Khenyeza will be able to feature for Aces straight away, though we have learnt that the Premier Soccer League may take the matter to arbitration.

Khenyeza was originally banned for 12 months after being found guilty of spitting at and abusing a match official while playing for Ajax Cape Town against Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We are very pleased with the ruling and now hope the player will assist Aces in our 2013/14 season. He can now focus on football matters on the pitch and put this saga behind him,” Aces co-chairman George Morfou says.
For more http://www.kicoff.com