Daily Archives: February 17, 2014

Strike-hit Amplats warns of restructuring


Johannesburg – Mining giant Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] warned Monday that a nearly month-long strike at its South African mines could lead to further restructuring, raising the spectre of more job losses.
The world’s top platinum miner said its strike-hit Rustenburg and Union mines, in the country’s north-western and northern regions, were “in the most marginal financial position”.
“If the industrial action continues for much longer, we cannot rule out the need for further restructuring to ensure the long term sustainability of those mines,” said spokesperson Mpumi Sithole.
Job cuts
The company did not specify what measures could be taken, but before the current strike the company had already announced job cuts running into the thousands.
The firm claimed the strike over wages, which started on January 23, was costing about R100m or 4 000 ounces of platinum each day.
Talks between the company and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction workers (Amcu), which represents tens of thousands of striking workers have so far failed to end the dispute.
R12 500 wages
Workers are demanding the doubling of their monthly wages to R12 500 and have so far rejected an initial offer of least 7% each of the next three years.
In an interview with Business Day newspaper, chief executive Mark Cutifani raised concern about the future of Rustenburg mines.
“Until we get back to work and get the things up and running probably, I’m not sure they’ve got any future,” he said.
“It can only end badly for employees and that’s the thing that keeps me awake at night.”
Way forward
According to the paper, the struggling mines could be separately listed, folded into a black empowerment firm or sold.
Still recovering from a crippling 2012 strike wave, the company last week reported a loss of R568m ($51.2m) from a loss of RR6.4bn in 2012.
Last year the company, which is 80% owned by British-South African group Anglo American, embarked on a massive restructuring scheme that affected around 7 000 jobs after initially eyeing double the cutbacks.
The firm later said it had reduced the retrenchments to 3 300, then announcing that the workers had instead been given voluntary separation packages.

AFP

Illegal miners warned that the access hole will be shut


Johannesburg – Authorities have sent communication to the illegal miners in the abandoned Gold One Kleinfontein Mine in Benoni that the access hole will be sealed on 3 March, according to EWN.

The Ekurhuleni emergency services could not be reached for comment.

It is unclear whether more illegal miners will resurface from the mine, authorities have said.

Emergency services officials say they convinced 11 men to leave the mine earlier on Monday, making 22 the number of rescued miners.

EWN reports that up to 300 men could still be stuck underground.

Officials say that a rival group may have barricaded the miners in on Saturday while trying to rob them of their gold.

The illegal miners were found on Sunday while emergency services were conducting operations around illegal mining in the area. They heard screaming from the abandoned mine.

Rescue mission abandoned

Rescue workers abandoned their rescue mission on Sunday evening after the remaining men refused to be brought to the surface.

Emergency workers said they would not be returning to the mine until the miners indicated they were ready to come up.

It is said that the miners would rather stay down in the shaft than come to the surface and face arrest.

A makeshift ladder has been left hanging from above the ground for the miners to hoist themselves to safety.

All 22 people that have come to the surface have been arrested and charged with illegal mining.

EWN says that the suspects will appear in a Benoni court on Tuesday.

EWN

Taung IEC accused granted R500 bail


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Seven accused briefly appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for allegedly damaging of election material alleged to have occurred in Taung during the final voter registration over the weekend.

Seven people arrested in connection with the incident appeared in the Taung Magistrates Court on Monday and were granted bail of R500 each.

The accused, Kegomoditswe Kgosimore (33), Lebogang Magabe (31), Setsanyana Mmusinyana (25), Thapelo Leiri(20), Freddy Seruteng(20), Kagisho Ikeleng( 20) and Thabang Kumang ( 23)  who were arrested on Sunday, 9 February 2014 for contravention of Section (1) © of Electoral Act, 1998 (ACT 73 OF 1998), appeared in Taung Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 February 2014.

They were remanded in custody and re-appeared again on Monday for bail application.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible disruption of election processes and acts of violence during voter registration as they undermines our hard won democracy and the right of citizens to exercise their right to vote in a safe and peaceful environment, without intimidation .These should be stamped out and those responsible dealt harshly by the law,” Premier Modise stressed.
Modise called for an investigation as to why the disruptors were not immediately arrested at the scene of the alleged incident.
According to police, the group of three women and four men aged between 20 and 33 allegedly forced entry into a voter registration station at Itlameleng Primary School on Saturday around 7:40 and demanded registration from IEC officials.

“They allegedly removed IEC banners from the school fence and set them alight before fleeing the scene,” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

Damaging election material is prohibited in terms of Section (1) (c) of the Electoral Act of 1998.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Mboweni leaves AngloGold Ashanti


Johannesburg – Former SA Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni stepped down as chairperson of AngloGold Ashanti on Monday, the company said.
“As a result of his increasing portfolio of professional commitments, Mboweni has decided not to stand for re-election as non-executive director at the annual general meeting to be held in May, 2014,” the company said in a statement.
Mboweni said he had left the company fundamentally stronger, stable and focused.
“It’s been a privilege to help establish such a firm foundation for the company alongside an accomplished executive team and an experienced board,” Mboweni said.
The company wished him well in his future endeavours and thanked him for his service over the past four years.
Sipho Pityana was elected to replace him. Mboweni has agreed to work closely with the new chairperson to ensure a smooth transition.
Pityana has been a non-executive director of AngloGold Ashanti for the past seven years. He was also chairperson of the company’s safety, health and environment committee.
“I am honoured to follow Mboweni as chairman of AngloGold Ashanti. I will work closely with him over the coming months to ensure a seamless hand-over,” Pityana said.
Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, who was chairperson of the audit and corporate governance committee, would assume the new role of lead independent director of the board.
SAPA

Zim cost Mbheki his presidency- ZANU-PF MP


Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party legislators are reportedly pushing for a street to be named after former president Thabo Mbeki for “bringing stability to the country” following the disputed 2008 polls.

Mbeki helped broker a now defunct power sharing agreement between the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu-PF following a disputed election in 2008 which left at least 200 people dead.

According to the Daily News, a Zanu-PF legislator Reuben Marumahoko urged Zimbabweans to appreciate the work done by the “African icon” who “made Zimbabwe to be what it is today after the difficulties we went through during the 2008 elections where the regime change agenda was at play”.

He said Mbeki was the “son of the soil” and “a principled man” who helped the country when “the enemies of Africa and Zimbabwe were ready to pounce on Zimbabwe”.

MDC against the proposal

Mbeki was criticised for his quiet diplomacy in dealing with the Zimbabwean issue and this, Marumahoko said was the reason why he (Mbeki) lost his presidency.

Marumahoko said Mbeki was recalled “not [because] people of SA did not want him” but because “the enemies of Africa did not want him”.

He said Mbeki lost his presidency for helping Zimbabweans.

Marumahoko urged all MPs to support his motion to name one of “our roads after him like we did to Nelson Mandela and other African leaders”.

MDC legislators were, however, opposed to the proposal, accusing Mbeki of having propped up Zanu-PF, the report said.

News24

‘Waterkloof 2’ all over social nertwork sites


The re-arrest of two of the so-called “Waterkloof four” was the talk of the town on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Johannesburg – The re-arrest of two of the so-called “Waterkloof four” was the talk of the town on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter on Monday.

“Why are they making such a big fuss over the Waterkloof boys, all prisoners have cellphones and are still even on Facebook,” said Shai Ling in a Facebook comment in response to the video clip posted on the page “947 Breakfast Xpress”.

“If anyone is to be blamed its [sic] our fucked up system.”

Convicted killers Frikkie du Preez and Christoff Becker were back in custody on Sunday after footage of them allegedly drinking alcohol and using a cellphone in jail emerged.

Another Facebooker said he could not see any alcohol in the video footage.

“As far as I can see on the video clip there is no alcohol being consumed the only alcohol is displayed on the TV screen ie. virtual alcohol all a storm in a teacup,” said Frik Strh.

Top trending topic

Another user, Shirley van Niekerk said the people who should be investigated or fired were the wardens.

Tweeter Tau Sello said the “Waterkloof 2 are pathetic 4 making mockery of thier sentence [sic]”. Freelance journalist Rebecca Davis joked: “Has anyone made a very weak joke about the Waterkloof 4 “putting the cell into cellphone” yet. If not I call dibs.”

Bekker, Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk, and Reinach Tiedt were released on parole on Tuesday after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.

Thanks to the video, ‘Waterkloof 2’ was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in South Africa.

Correctional services department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said they were being held for allegedly smuggling alcohol and having a party inside the prison.

Wolela said the investigation would involve watching the video, interviewing the two parolees and speaking to those responsible for security on the day.

Flexing his muscles

Pop music plays throughout the video. The cell is shown equipped with a sink, a table with a computer on it, and a pot plant with heart-shaped leaves. Becker takes photos of himself with a cellphone while posing topless in front of a mirror.

Throughout the video, which runs for just under four minutes, Becker constantly pulls on his shorts to expose more of his red-banded briefs.

He stands up to flex his muscles, does some dance moves and plays with his belly button, which is shown in an extended close-up.

At one stage, Du Preez, who appears to be seated on a toilet and drinking something out of a mug, doubles over with laughter and lifts his eyebrow and pouts.

‘No remorse’

A photo on the computer screen shows a bottle of J&B whisky and Johnny Walker Red Label, which one of the men says “Francois” gave them.

Others on Facebook felt differently about the video footage.

“They are stupid youngsters who are celebrating the fact that they got off lightly,” said Cherylyn Fairlie in her Facebook response.

“There is no remorse for what they did……..they killed a human being and now they are celebrities, because this video clip gave them instant fame.”

Maritsa Greeff said she was not sure why people were complaining about the cellphones.

“From this video clip, I can see a PC and kettle and more things. Some people out there don’t even have this at home!! So glad my tax money is being used to treat prisoners to have a life of much comfort while they are supposed to be punished.”

SAPA

Madonsela: Sabc must act against ‘dishonest’ COO


Pretoria – Successive SABC boards allowed controversial acting chief operations officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng to operate above the law, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Monday.

She released a report titled When governance and ethics fail at a media briefing in Pretoria.

The report recommends that the SABC board institute corrective action against the “dishonest” Motsoeneng.

“The SABC board should ensure that all monies are recovered which were irregularly spent through unlawful and improper actions,” Madonsela said.

Abuse of power

“The board should take disciplinary action against Mr Motsoeneng for his dishonesty relating to the misrepresentation of his qualification, abuse of power and improper conduct in the appointments and salary increments of Ms Sully Motsweni [SABC head of compliance and acting group executive].”

Madonsela found that Motsoeneng irregularly and rapidly increased the salaries of various staff members, resulting in the state broadcaster footing an unprecedented salary bill escalation of R29m.

“He unilaterally increased [the] salaries of Ms Motsweni, Ms Thobekile Khumalo, Mr Hannes du Buisson, and certain freelancers without following parts of the SABC personnel regulations.

“Mr Motsoeneng’s conduct in this regard was irregular and amounts to improper conduct and maladministration,” said Madonsela.

Earlier, Madonsela said Motsoeneng’s appointment was irregular.

Her investigation dwelt on allegations of Motsoeneng’s alleged irregular appointment and a crooked salary progression.

“The allegation that Mr Motsoeneng’s salary progression was irregular is substantiated in that he received salary appraisals three times in one year as alleged, hiking his salary as executive manager [for] stakeholder relations from R1.5m to R2.4m.”

“His salary progression as the acting COO concomitantly rose irregularly from R122 961 to R211 172 (a 63% increase) in 12 months and was in violation of the SABC personnel regulations and constitutes improper conduct and maladministration,” she said.

Qualifications

Complaints against Motsoeneng were raised with Madonsela by former SABC staff – including former chief operations officer Charlotte Mampane and ex-SABC senior executive Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande.

Motsoeneng was also investigated for fraudulently misrepresenting his qualifications to the SABC, including that he had passed matric when he applied for employment.

Madonsela said allegations that Motsoeneng committed fraud by stating in his application form that he had completed matric at Metsimantsho High School in QwaQwa were also substantiated.

“By his own admission, Mr Motsoeneng stated in his application form that he had passed matric, filled in made-up symbols in the same application form, and promised to supply a matric certificate to confirm his qualifications when he knew he did not have the promised certificate, [this] was admitted by him during an interview.

“Mr Motsoeneng would have never been appointed in 1995 had he not lied about his qualification and… he repeated that lie in 2003 when he applied for the post of executive producer: current affairs to which he accordingly should have never been appointed,” said Madonsela.

File ‘disappeared’

She said it was worrying that Motsoeneng’s file “disappeared” at the SABC amid his denial of falsifying qualifications.

“At one point he used the absence of evidence to support his contention that there was no evidence of his alleged fraudulent misrepresentation,” said Madonsela.

“The circumstantial evidence points to a motive on his part although incontrovertible evidence to allow a definite conclusion that he did in fact cause the disappearance of his employment records, particularly his application forms and CV, could not be found.”

The public protector investigations also revealed that allegations of irregularities in the appointment of Motsweni to several posts and her resultant salary increase, which took her from R960 500 per annum to R1.5m, were valid.

Madonsela urged Communications Minister Yunus Carrim to take urgent steps to fill the “long outstanding vacant post of COO” with a suitably qualified permanent incumbent within 90 days.

She also urged Carrim to establish why group chief executive officers at the SABC cannot function and leave prematurely, causing financial and operational strains.

SAPA

Road rage accused granted bail


Johannesburg – A man accused of shooting dead a motorcyclist during a road rage confrontation was granted R5 000 bail in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Magistrate Denise Smith said murder accused Meekahefele Masooa, 43, presented compelling personal facts and circumstances that warranted that he be released on bail.

“The evidence before the court indicates this is a road rage incident. The accused did not flee the scene but waited for the police to arrive,” she said.

The court would still have to test Masooa’s facts, she said.

She said Masooa handed his and the deceased’s firearm to the police at the scene.

Masooa told the court through an affidavit read by his lawyer that he is married and has four daughters.

The family lives in Centurion and owns a R2.2m house. Masooa, on whom the family depends, is a labour law consultant, the court heard.

Confrontation

He said the deceased, motorcyclist Douglas Pearce, confronted him on the day of the incident.

“He shouted at me, pointed the middle finger at me…I don’t know why he did that.”

The biker then stopped and pointed a firearm at him.

Masooa said he realised the danger he was in and pulled his gun to defend himself.

“I had no intention to kill him. I realise the seriousness of the offence, but I acted with [within] legal boundaries.”

Masooa sat in the dock, dressed in a black suit as he listened to his lawyer, Victor Nkwashu, read his affidavit.

Nkwashu said his client’s behaviour at the scene was an indication that he would not flee and avoid standing trial.

Abrasions

He told the court that Masooa suffered a gunshot to the head, but Smith said a medical report before the court did not indicate any gunshot wounds, but only abrasions.

Masooa was previously arrested for pointing a gun at someone, but was never convicted, said prosecutor Sam Campher.

The State had opposed bail due to the seriousness of the offence.

Masooa said he would plead not guilty.

Pearce, 39, was shot dead in the apparent road rage confrontation on Malibongwe Drive on Friday.

The two allegedly got into an argument, pulled off the road and continued their confrontation during which Masooa was injured and the biker shot dead.

The matter was postponed to 25 April.

SAPA

Another 10 illegal miners rescued


Johannesburg – Ten illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine in Benoni, on the East Rand, were rescued on Monday, Ekurhuleni emergency services said.

“Ten illegal miners have been brought to the surface this morning and they were in a good condition of health,” rescue technician David Tshabalala said.

“The men have undergone a medical check and were handed over to police.”

Tshabalala said it was unclear how many illegal miners were still underground because those who resurfaced could not provide them with numbers. “We had men who came halfway up the shaft but then turned around. Our rescue members cannot go down the shaft because it is too dangerous,” he said.

“There is an opening and we sent a chain down that we can pull them up with.”

He said food and water were sent down to the miners on Sunday, but they could be running low.

Screaming

The illegal miners were found on Sunday while emergency services were conducting operations around illegal mining in the area. They heard screaming from the abandoned mine.

At least 200 more illegal miners were believed to be trapped underground.

Gauteng police said on Monday that 11 illegal miners who had already been rescued had been charged.

“They will be appearing in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court [on Tuesday] on charges of illegal mining,” said Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.

The group was in police custody.

They were brought up from the mine shaft on Sunday and examined by emergency workers. No injuries were reported.

Rescue workers abandoned their rescue mission on Sunday evening after the remaining men refused to be brought to the surface.

“After the 11 illegal miners had been brought up, the rest heard that they would be arrested and said they did not want to come back up,” ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said.

It was too dangerous for the rescue workers to go down into the mine. Police and private security companies, however, remained at the shaft.

SAPA

MEC MALOYI TO HAND OVER 230 HOUSES IN MAHIKENG


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng-MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi will handover houses to about 230 families of extension 39 in Mahikeng on Tuesday.

The Handover is part of Maloyi’s programme of handing over more than 8000 houses between February and March across the province.

“According to Maloyi the handover programme is part of the 20 years of democracy celebrations and restoration of dignity among Mahikeng residents who continued to live either in mud houses or in shacks which compromises their health and wellbeing” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

The handing over ceremony will be held as follows:

Date: 18 February 2014

Time: 10H00

Venue: Extension 39
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_