Johannesburg – The police and their management are covering up events surrounding the Marikana shooting, the SA Humans Rights Council (SAHRC) claimed on Friday.

It accused national police commissioner Riah Phiyega of failing to mention a statement by police officer Hendrich Wouter Myburgh, which contradicted her assertion that police acted in self-defence.

“At best, the national commissioner was dishonest in saying that she had received no information to cause her to question the truth of her press statement that the police had acted only in self-defence,” SAHRC representative Bonita Meyersfeld, director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, said in a statement.

“At worst, the fact that the police have never mentioned this evidence is indicative of a deliberate cover-up.”

Phiyega told the Farlam Commission of Inquiry investigating the events surrounding the shooting in North West on August 16 that she stood by her stance that police acted in self-defence when they shot the miners.

Approached for comment from Phiyega, her consultant Makhosini Nkosi indicated this would be forthcoming before the end of the afternoon.

However, no response had materialised by early evening.

During cross examination of Phiyega at the commission, evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga read a statement into the record by Myburgh about the shooting.

Myburgh said that after most of the shooting had stopped, he found three wounded people on the ground on the hill and continued to search for “other suspects”.

“I suddenly heard a gunshot behind me. As I turned, I saw a NIU 1/8national intervention unit 3/8 constable who is unknown to me putting his side firearm in his leg holster while he was standing next to the injured…,” he said in the statement.

“I asked him 1/8the NIU 3/8 constable what is going on. He replied by saying: ‘They deserve to die’ and he moved away.”

The commission heard that the constable could not be identified or named.

Madlanga asked Phiyega whether, if Myburgh’s evidence was indeed true, she would continue holding the view that the officers fired shots in self-defence.

“I’m consistent in my view that, given the sensitivity of the issue… I would be very, very cautious to answer such a question… It is difficult to say on this or that hypothesis,” answered Phiyega.

The commission’s chairman, retired judge Ian Farlam, warned Phiyega that her “deliberate attempt to not answer a question” led to inferences being drawn.

Phiyega said she and her commanders had wanted to understand what had happened, but Myburgh could not give them more details to find or identify the NIU constable.

On August 16, 34 striking Lonmin mineworkers were shot dead and 78 were wounded when the police opened fire while trying to disperse a group which had gathered on a hill near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana.

Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed near the mine in the preceding week. – Sapa

Pretoria – Members of the ANC must draw positive lessons from the decision to disband the ANCYL national executive committee (NEC) and the Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

“The (ANC) NEC collective decided to dissolve the NEC of the Youth League precisely because of its continued ill-disciplined behaviour, which has brought the organisation into disrepute on numerous occasions,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery at the KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial general council.

“On the same measure, we further decided to dissolve the Limpopo PEC because of institutionalised factionalism, which is un-ANC (sic).

“We encourage all our structures to draw positive lessons from this experience and forge ahead with the selfless struggle to make the lives of our people better.”

Zuma said nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of unity in the party.

“Let me take this opportunity to commend the comrades in erstwhile leadership of the Youth League and also the former Limpopo PEC for the manner in which they have responded to this directive from the organisation,” he said.

“They have respected the decision with humility and discipline. They have behaved in a manner that we expect ANC cadres to behave, to respect the authority of the organisation.”

He said members of the Youth League NEC and the Limpopo NEC were still members of the party.

“It is encouraging that the comrades are acting within the discipline of the organisation. The time for divisive and polarising political rhetoric is over. We must build the ANC,” Zuma said.

“The time for leaking information to the media and using journalists to divide the ANC must also come to an end. Already we are seeing progress in this regard.”

He said the African National Congress’s national conference in Mangaung in December had helped to draw a line against ill-discipline and factionalism.

“What stood out about that conference as well was the high levels of discipline and order. We proved that our movement remains an epitome of democracy and political maturity in the manner in which the conference was conducted,” Zuma said.

“Mangaung went smoothly and successfully, despite the so-called wise predictions from some sections of the media and analysts, who were saying authoritatively that the ANC would implode in Mangaung.

He said the ANC would mobilise millions of South Africans to defend the “gains of this hard-won democracy” during the national elections next year.

“We must prove to our people in word and in action that the ANC remains the only organisation capable of mobilising the broadest strata of society for fundamental social transformation,” Zuma said.

“We need unity and cohesion. That is why we commend the KZN province for working hard to achieve unity in the province, which has led to enormous success both in the ANC and governance.”

He congratulated the province for the way it had dealt with the “leadership question” at recent conferences.

“You have demonstrated that the unity of the ANC and its cohesion is more important than who is at the helm,” Zuma said.

“That is an important spirit, because the ANC is not about fighting for positions. It is about sacrifice, dedication and commitment.” – Sapa

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is not in a position to start work on the N1-N2 Winelands toll highway project in April, it said on Friday.

“Statements in this regard are mischievous and intended to influence public opinion in a particular direction,” said spokesman Vusi Mona.

“Sanral has never said it intends to start with the project or to conclude the concession contract on 20 April 2013.”

Mona was responding to a statement by the City of Cape Town on Wednesday that Sanral intended resuming the N1-N2 Winelands toll highway project.

Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron said the city received notification from Sanral on March 6, and undertook to provide the city with 45 days’ notice of its intention to start working on the toll project.

“This means that Sanral could commence work on the project by 20 April 2013, without first resolving the city’s concerns,” said Herron.

He said a review application about the planned tolling was before the Western Cape High Court and was yet to be decided.

Mona said negotiations of contracts was a time-consuming and lengthy process.

“Only after the appointment of a concessionaire, and once funding has been secured, can the necessary works under the project be carried out.”

There had been exchanges between Sanral and the city about a possible meeting.

Mona said: “It is untrue that Sanral is not willing to engage the city… however, we have noted the city’s threatened action to interdict Sanral on the project.”

Although Sanral respects the city’s right to approach the court where it feels aggrieved, Sanral will also exercise its constitutional right in this respect, he said. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the province are calling for resignation of Department of Education MEC Louisa Mabe.

The Sadtu in the province accuse the MEC of ignoring their needs and claim the way MEC is running the department leaves more questions than answers.

Sadtu general secretary in the province Thabo Sematle vows that they will try all their level best to push the premier Thandi Modise and ANC in the province to heed to their call.

“We are sick and tired of the way MEC runs the department. There are lack of teachers and some teachers are not yet paid” he said.

Last month president Jacob Zuma announced that education will be trated as essential.

On wednesday the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) called on teachers, parents, learners and communities to unite behind quality public education as a basic human right. 

“As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day on the 21st March 2013(yesterday), SADTU fully acknowledges that the key to quality public education lies on all key stakeholders working together” Sadtu said. 

“Education cannot be the responsibility of the teacher alone, we need to get the whole nation involved,” said SADTU’s General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke. “Education is indeed a human right because education reduces inequality in the society. It gives knowledge which makes one to be critical and therefore becomes an informed decision maker. It even improves one’s life expectancy.”  

Sematle said they haven’t approached premier and ANC yet about their call and will do so soon.

“We haven’t send a formal inquries to ANC North West and premier,but we will launch our grievances soon” Sematle said.

SADTU recently launched a campaign to promote quality public education. 

The Promotion of Quality Public Education Campaign calls on the learners to cooperate with the teachers in class, do their homework and respect. 

Parents are urged to support the learners with their school work and show general interest in their children’s education. Communities are called to look well after the school premises and to treat them as community property.

Business, churches and the youth are also targeted in this campaign. “We believe these sectors, more especially business, have skills and resources that they can share with education in bring about quality education,” Maluleke said. 

The decision to come up with such a campaign is in line with SADTU’s 2030 Vision’s strategic pillar of Creating a Learning Nation.

The national leadership of SADTU will soon embark on a nationwide information drive and the idea is to inform members, parents and communities about the initiative.  

*Our attempt to get Department of Education response proved futile before going to press.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Banyana Banyana have climbed three places to 53rd position in latest FIFA Coca Cola Women’s World Rankings released on Friday, 22 March 2013.

The Sasol sponsored senior women’s national team has made similar strides on the continent moving into fourth position, one place above the 2012 African Women’s Championship winners, Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria retains their position as the number one team on the continent followed by Cameroon and Ghana in second and third place respectively.

Banyana Banyana head coach, Joseph Mkhonza said he was excited about the recent developments.

“I am very happy; this is good news for me and the whole country. We want to see ourselves amongst the top 10 in the world and be consistently in the top three in Africa.”

“I thought we did well in the Cyprus Women’s Cup despite finishing in the 11th place. We must continue building on what we learnt during the tournament. We will continue to introduce new players to the squad as a means of having more players and creating healthy competition.”

Mkhonza, who is South Africa’s 2012 Coach of the Year, applauded the controlling soccer body, SAFA and sponsors Sasol for giving women soccer great exposure, something he said raised the profile of women football.

The next FIFA Women’s World Rankings will be released on Friday, 21 June 2013.

BY Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The Police arrested three suspects at Mfidikoe Village on Friday at about 08:00 after they allegedly robbed and assaulted the SAB truck crew while they were offloading beers at a local tavern. 

According to the witnesses, it appeared that four suspects at the time tried to rob the truck and two of them entered the truck police said.

“One of the suspects pointed the truck’s crew with a firearm and a scuffle ensued. The firearm fell off from the suspect’s hand and all three suspects fled on foot and managed to catch a taxi” Warrant Officer Sam Tselanyane said.

“At that time the Police sector vehicle that was on patrol was informed and reacted immediately to the complaint. The Police managed to stop the taxi and three suspects aged 28, 28 and 35 were arrested and SAB invoice machine and knives were recovered from them” he said.

Police are investigating a case of armed robbery and the suspects will appear at Rustenburg Magistrate’s  Court on Monday .

BY Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Police are investigating a case of murder after a body of a 51-year-old man was found in a bedroom at his rented farm house. 

The incident happened 23 Kilometres outside Rustenburg at Olifantshoek farm near the R24 (Rustenburg –Johannesburg) road. 

Police said that on Thursday at about 14:00 the farm owner went to visit the  deceased and his 78-year-old mother. On his arrival at the farm, the owner alleged that he was met by deafening silent. 

“He allegedly knocked on the door and there was no respond.  The farm owner then became suspicious and called the police” colonel Emelda Setlhako said. 

“Upon arrival of the police at the scene, the house door was forced open and members were met by the strong smell coming out of the house” she said.

Police then searched the house and the decomposed body of a 51-year-old man was found in one of the bedrooms .

Police could notice that there was some serious scuffling inside the house as blood spots were seen on some of the walls. 

Further search and investigation was conducted at the scene. 

“During the search police were shown to the other secluded bathroom that is accessed through the wardrobes and found a 78-year-old woman sitting inside a bath still in a state of shock and dehydrated” police said. 

Emergency Medical Services were summoned and the old woman was transported to a local Hospital. 

Allegedly the two had a gardener who was generally assisting at the farm as the deceased was also breeding dogs.

According to the information received, the gardener was last seen by the neighbouring farm’s gardeners on Wednesday. 

Among the things that are missing include a VW Caddy and two Cellular phones belonging to the deceased and his mother.  The motive for the murder is unknown and  the suspect/s are still at large.  

A case of murder was registered and investigation continues.

Durban – Using the latest cellphone and Apple iPad technology, a Durban North couple led police to where a gang of burglars was hiding out with their stolen goods.

Police also recovered bags of stolen clothing, shoes, credit and debit cards as well as flat screen television sets from other house break-ins and robberies, including the couple’s neighbour. One of the gang was arrested.

Shauna Wynne Cole said the men had broken into their Highdale Road home while they were asleep on Monday night.

“We never heard a thing. But when we woke up in the morning we realised that our cellphones, iPad, wallets, takkies and watch were missing,” she said.

Her husband, Richard, activated “find my iPhone” (a GPS satellite tracking application) on his home computer and within seconds found the GPS location of the stolen items.

The application can be downloaded free of charge from the internet (http://ipod.about.com/od/usingios4/ss/Set-Up-Find-My-Iphone.htm).

“It was amazing how fast the application worked. A satellite image came up and we could see the phone was at a house in Inanda,” Wynne Cole said.

“An hour later the phone location moved to a spaza shop in the area.”

She said they borrowed a neighbour’s iPad to activate the satellite image and go mobile, heading them for Greenwood Park police station.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

Bloemfontein – The Supreme Court of Appeal has converted the 10 murder charges against Jacob Humphreys to 10 charges of culpable homicide, according to reports.

The SCA also reportedly replaced Humphreys’ 20 -year prison sentence with 8 years behind bars.

The Cape Town taxi driver was appealing both his conviction and sentence in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za