Monthly Archives: January 2014

Sex workers to pay taxes


Madrid – Prostitutes in the Spanish tourist island Ibiza have formed a sex workers’ co-operative to pay taxes and gain social security benefits – the first such group legally registered in Spain, they say.

Eleven women registered with local authorities as working members of the Sealeer Co-operative providing sexual services, said their spokesperson, Maria Jose Lopez.

“We are pioneers,” she told AFP. “We are the first co-operative in Spain that can give legal cover to the girls.”

The 11 active sex workers who registered in November are women in their 20s and 30s from Spain, Italy and “the East”, she said, declining to elaborate.

The group is applying to register 40 more women as members.

A 42-year-old local housewife, Lopez is not a sex worker herself but registered as a member of Sealeer to act as a voluntary representative for the women, who refuse to speak to reporters.

Like any workers’ co-operative, Sealeer members declare their income and pay taxes, which entitles them to public healthcare, a pension and other benefits.

A parliamentary report on prostitution in 2007 said Spaniards spent €50m a day on prostitutes, of which it estimated there were 400 000 working in the country – the latest such figures available.

In Ibiza, whose sweltering beaches draw millions of foreign tourists every year, “prostitution moves a huge amount of money in summer”, in hostess bars and in private apartments, Lopez said.

“Just as they regulate the hotels and restaurants to make sure all the workers are registered, they should also see that the girls are comfortable and legalised.”

Tolerated

Prostitution is neither illegal nor regulated nationwide in Spain but the government in November unveiled a new civil security bill that would fine people for picking up prostitutes near schools.

Authorities in Barcelona have introduced fines for picking up prostitutes in the street and Madrid is planning to do the same.

The co-operative “is a way to give the women independence from the gangs of pimps, for women who choose to exercise this profession”, said Gloria Poyatos, a former employment lawyer who advised the prostitutes in Ibiza.

“I think that something is changing. A debate in society is beginning on whether or not to regulate prostitution,” said Poyatos, who is now a judge in the Canary Islands.

Prostitutes can register as workers in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands and in some cases claim social benefits.

Despite prostitution being tolerated in practice in Spain, the issue is divisive.

“In this case we are talking about a minority of prostitutes with supposed liberty, but in reality in most cases they do not have real freedom to choose,” said Ignacio Arsuaga, the president of HazteOir, a conservative pressure group, in an e-mail to AFP.

“Regulating prostitution is harmful for victims who are exploited, for sexual slaves.”

AFP

Muvhango actress injured in car crash


Johannesburg – Jiva Sexy singer and Muvhango actress Thulisile Madihlaba, better known as Chomee, suffered mild injuries after she was involved in a car accident near the SABC offices in Auckland Park, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Ditton Avenue was blocked by ambulances and paramedics who attended to the accident scene while bystanders were visibly shocked, City Press reported.

The accident took place as Chomee was leaving the SABC buildings after a day of shooting on the Muvhango set.

Chomee’s BMW M3, with a Divas registration plate, collided with a Nissan Sentra. The unidentified driver, who was trapped in her car for some time until paramedics freed her, was badly injured.

Three eyewitnesses claim the accident was caused by the driver of the Nissan, who had failed to adhere to a stop sign.

However, this has not been officially confirmed.

The Nissan Sentra flew through the air, crashing into another stationary car.

While taking pictures of the unidentified driver, a Daily Sun photographer was manhandled by one of the paramedics who tried to force him to delete the pictures of the injured woman.

Chomee was taken to a Joburg hospital for treatment.

-City Press

Farm attack accused to apply for bail


Johannesburg – Six people arrested in connection with a farm attack and robbery are expected to apply for bail in the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Henry Ofoha, 39, Paulus Radebe, 38, Johannes Koalepe, 42, Stoffel Maloisane, 31, Lebelo Mochoa, 43, and Prince Sunny Asagwara, 34, were arrested on 10 December.

They face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, and robbery.

Five of them allegedly held up a farmer, gardener and domestic worker near Bothaville, in the Free State, in November.

They allegedly stole cash, a watch, jewellery, cellphones, five hunting rifles, a shotgun, and a vehicle. The sixth accused was a farm worker.

SAPA

Mandla Mandela in court for assault


Johannesburg – Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela is due to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a charge of assaulting a teacher.

He allegedly drew a firearm in Mthatha in October after the teacher, Mlamli Ngudle, crashed his car into a car driven by one of Mandela’s guests.

SAPA

Numsa- Check Water Suppliers


Johannesburg – The local government ministry should investigate the relationship between local businesspeople and senior government officials responsible for supplying water to Mothutlung in the North West, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Wednesday.

“We are suspicious that the service delivery protest might be a war over the tender to supply water in the area,” said national spokesman Castro Ngobese in a statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, North West premier Thandi Modise’s spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said people in the area believed the water supply had been sabotaged.

“People in the area… believe an act of sabotage took place by people who want to continue tanking,” he said, referring to the water tankers used in the area.

“We need to investigate this particular water interruption, as it has happened frequently as a result of people involved in tanking.”

He said residents were clear they did not want to use water tanks from private service providers. People suspected the pumps had been sabotaged to keep these providers in business.

“That is where a investigation is required in that regard,” he said.

Numsa also condemned the killing of two protesters allegedly by police, which they believed happened due to police using excessive force, comparing the tactics used to those employed by police during apartheid.

The union called on Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner Riah Phiyega to suspend the policemen responsible for the deaths.

“Furthermore, we are concerned by the loud silence of Popcru [the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union] in condemning these continuous killings of the working class by their own members,” Ngobese said.

Not a sudden problem

The union wished two other protesters injured the best in their recovery.

Police allegedly shot the two protesters while they were en route to the Madibeng municipality with other residents to demand water.

Beeld newspaper named them as mineworker Osia Rahube and a photographer known only as Bra Mike.

A third man died after he allegedly tried to escape from a moving Nyala armoured vehicle.

On Tuesday, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa promised Mothutlung residents, near Brits, water before the weekend.

“Water will be back by Friday,” she told residents. She was there with Mthethwa after visiting the families of the two men killed during violent protests in the township on Monday.

DA provincial leader Chris Hattingh said in a statement on Wednesday that the water crisis in the municipality was not a sudden problem, as claimed by Molewa.

“The crisis has not been the result, as the minister has implied, of a sudden and unexpected breakdown of the water pumps in Madibeng,” he said.

“During her explanation to the community of Mothutlung, Minister Molewa failed to state that two of the three water pumps… serving the Mothutlung and Damonsville communities, had been out of service for more than two years.”

Molewa said three local water pumps in the area had broken down, which she said was a “very strange problem”.

Three months

The area has been without running water for three months and water tankers arrive every three days.

Kgwele said the DA was muddying the waters for electioneering purposes.

“It is political grandstanding. The lives of the people there need to be brought to normality,” he said.

Hattingh said the municipality had not cared enough to repair the pumps before. When the third pump, which was larger than the other two, broke down, people were left with only the water remaining in the reservoirs.

“After the national outcry this week, all three pumps were sent in for repair on Tuesday,” he said.

“Minister Molewa should expand her investigation. Four of the other nine pumps providing water to communities in the Madibeng municipality have also been dysfunctional for months. One of these pumps has disappeared.”

Kgwele called on political parties not to be opportunistic.

“For the DA, it’s black on black on violence from which they seek to get political mileage,” he said.

Molewa’s spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

SAPA

Bafana rue missed chances


Cape Town – Bafana Bafana let their half-time lead slip, allowing Mali to score a second half equaliser as the teams drew their African Nations Championship group A clash 1-1 at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Ibourahima Sidibe brought the teams level after the interval, after Bernard Parker had sent South Africa ahead through his 25th minute spot-kick.

A spirited Mali outfit fought back to grab the equaliser 10 minutes after half-time, as the teams shared the points, keeping Bafana top of group with four points.

The opening 10 minutes passed without incident, save for a penalty shout from Mali that was turned down by referee Souley Mohamadou.

Shortly after, however, Lassana Diarra flashed his effort narrowly wide of Itumeleng Khune’s upright, before Siphiwe Tshabalala’s delicate effort went wide of the target, grazing the crossbar on the way.

The hosts found their rhythm and soon were paying regular visits into the opposition half, as Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Hlompho Kekana came close.

The decisive moment came on 23 minutes, when young Lindokuhle Mbatha -who made his international debut for Bafana against Mozambique four days prior – made a darting run into the area and was brought down on the edge, prompting Mohamadou to point to the spot.

Mohamadou waived away furious protests from the Malians, who felt Mbatha had been fouled outside of the box.

Nevertheless, Parker scored his second penalty in as many games to hand the South Africans the lead.

The home side were fortunate not to concede shortly before the interval, after the defence failed to deal with a loose ball inside the area, which led to Abdoulaye Sissoko thumping the upright with his driven effort from close-range.

Making his first appearance of the tournament, Edward Manqele forced a solid save from Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite, who punched clear, as Bafana saw out the half unscathed.

After the break, South Africa upped the ante and dominated the early exchanges, but Mali soaked up the pressure and soon drew level, as Sidibe thundered home the equaliser.

Diarra got the final pass to the goal-scorer, after the visitors won the arial battle and sent Diarra through on goal, but a hefty touch steered the ball into Sidibe’s path, and the midfielder made no mistake in hitting his effort first time, sailing into the back of the net.

Parker tested Diakite in the 70th, as the Kaizer Chiefs striker spun on the ball and got a muffled attempt away on goal, but was denied by the shot-stopper.

Mali piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the match, as Bafana proved wasteful in possession and gave away the ball in dangerous positions as the clock ran down.

SAPA

Premier Modise calls on IPID to expedite Mothotlung investigations, condemns grandstanding and political opportunism


North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on the independent police investigative directorate (ipid) to expedite investigations into allegations of brutality levelled against police following the death of a third person in Mothotlung near Brits.

“We are saddened by the death and wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one in this recent incident. The volatile situation demands for police and the protestors to exercise restraint to avoid further loss of lives,” emphasised Premier Modise in reiterating her call for calm.

According to police, the man identified as Lerato Seema died from head injuries after he fell from a moving police Nyala vehice while trying to evade arrest.

Modise has expressed concern about irresponsible, inflammatory statements that seek to incite further violent confrontation.  

“Grandstanding and political opportunism to draw political mileage out of a tragic situation should not override the need to support interventions aimed at finding a solution to the water crisis in the area. We remain confident that water would be restored by Friday as per the commitment made by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs during our visit to the area on Tuesday,” she stressed.

Members of bereaved families and community leaders had in their engagement with Premier Modise, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa and Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa alleged that Madibeng Local Municipality officials who benefit from water tankering service business had tampered with the water pumps hence their rejection of tankered water.  

The government delegation has committed to institute investigations into the alleged sabotage that resulted in water interruptions in Mothotlung, Damonsville and part of Mmakau.-TDN
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DA: Minister Molewa lied to the Nation over Mothutlung saga


By Obakeng Maje
The DA in the North West is concerned about the political spin of Minister Edna Molewa about the water crisis in the Madibeng Municipality (Brits) which leads to the death of at least three people.

“The crisis has not been the result, as the minister has implied, of a sudden and unexpected breakdown of the water pumps in Madibeng” DA Chris Hattingh said.

Hattingh said during her explanation to the community of Mothutlung, Minister Molewa failed to state that two of the three water pumps (300cubic m/h each) serving the Mothutlung and Damonsville communities had been out of service for more than two years.

“The municipality did not care enough to repair the pumps before. When the third 600-700 cubic meter /hour pump broke down the communities were left with only the water remaining in the reservoirs” he said.

After the national outcry this week, all three pumps were sent in for repair on Tuesday.

Democratic Alliance said one will be operational later today, another one will be back in operation before Friday while the bigger pump should be functional during the weekend.

The negligence by the municipality in not maintaining critical infrastructure has in the past resulted in communities being without water for months.

“This was not the first time that Mothutlung went without water.  
Minister Molewa should expand her investigation – 4 of the other 9 pumps providing water to communities in the Madibeng Municipality have also been dysfunctional for months – one of these pumps has disappeared” he said.

Several investigations into the affairs of this dysfunctional municipality have already been conducted – however the findings and reports of these investigations remain a tightly guarded secret.

The DA calls on the NW Premier to table all these reports and to give feedback on the implementation of the recommendations: “Swift and decisive action will be required to start to turn around the troubled municipality”.-TDN
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Seven accused out on bail


By Obakeng Maje
A case of fourteen suspects arrested for Contravention of Road Traffic Act, Act No. 93 of 1989 has been postponed until 27 February 2014 for further investigation.

“All accused persons with ages ranging from seventeen (17)  to fifty (50)  are still in warning” said colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.-TDN
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Premier Modise expresses shock at Blydeville triple murder


North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed shock and condemned the murder of a pregnant woman, her unborn baby and her toddler in Blydeville outside Lichtenburg.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this horrendous act which has left us cold with shock. No amount of anger justifies this heinous act. The heartless person responsible needs to be permanently removed from society,” said the angered Premier Modise.
The Premier who expressed concern about escalating incidents of gender based violence called for united action against the scourge and for real men to stand up to protect women and children.
“Men who are experiencing pressure should seek counselling and professional help before matters get out of hand to avoid such incidents,” added Modise.
According to police, the 32 year old Zimbabwean national, Samuel Ndlvovu was arrested after allegedly stabling Jenelee van Rooyen on Saturday night.“The police were called to the scene, where on arrival they found the bodies of the 22-year-old woman and her daughter with blood all over them. The woman was pregnant and her womb was cut to remove the foetus and its throat was slit with a knife. Charges of murder are being investigated,” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
 

Ndlovu was remanded in police custody when he appeared briefly in the Lichtenburg Magistrates court on Tuesday. He is expected to appear again in court on January 22.-TDN
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