Monthly Archives: February 2014

Amplats worker shot dead, allegedly by police


An Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) worker was shot dead, allegedly by police, during protests at the mine’s plant near Northam, Limpopo.

The man was an Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) shop steward, the SABC reported yesterday.

Police told the SABC they were trying to defend themselves as they were under attack. They said they were unsure whether they or security guards fired the fatal shot.

Amcu workers said they were singing and going to a gathering where they were expecting feedback from their leaders when police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades, and live ammunition at them.

Several striking mineworkers had been arrested following violence and intimidation during the strike that began several weeks ago. The platinum sector has been crippled by the protected strike headed by Amcu. Its members from Amplats, Impala Platinum and Lonmin downed tools on January 23.

The union is demanding a R12 500 monthly basic salary for miners.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has been facilitating talks between the platinum producers and the union.

– Sapa

EFF told to doff berets


Johannesburg – Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) visiting the family of Lerata Rabolila, who was shot dead during protests in Boiketlong, south of Johannesburg, were asked to remove their red berets on Friday.

“We do not want political parties here. The protest is about the needs of the community,” said community leader Daniel Mofokeng.

“We ordered EFF members to take off their berets because the issues in this community have nothing to do with politics but service delivery.”

EFF members visited Boiketlong informal settlement in Sebokeng without their leader, Julius Malema.

“We gave them an hour to pay their condolences to the Rabolila family,” said Mofokeng.

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane was expected to address the residents of Boiketlong later on Friday.

Residents took to the streets on Wednesday demanding decent housing. Rabolila was shot dead during the protest.

Afterwards police spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said he had been shot while protesters disagreed over whether barricades should be removed.

“The protesters split into two groups. The one group wanted to remove the barricades on the road and the other group would not allow it. Several shots were fired between the two groups,” said Mofokeng.

SAPA

Flame lit at Sochi opening


Sochi – The honour of lighting the Sochi Olympic flame was given to two triple Olympic champions on Friday as Vladislav Tretyak and Irina Rodnina jointly lit the cauldron at Russia’s first Winter Games.

The 61-year-old Tretyak, who won three Olympic ice hockey golds and a silver as goaltender for the Soviet Union and is president of Russia’s ice hockey federation, received the torch from figure skater Rodnina and both jogged from the arena to ignite the flame.

The lighting was the finale of the longest-ever relay for a Winter Games that President Vladimir Putin wants to burnish Russia’s image on the world stage.

After a route that included the North Pole, the depths of Siberia’s Lake Baikal and even outer space, four-times tennis grand slam winner Maria Sharapova, who carried the Russian flag at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, brought the flame into the 40 000-capacity Fisht Stadium.

She handed it to double Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva, who passed it to three-times Olympic champion wrestler Alexander Karelin.

Olympic champion gymnast-turned parliamentarian Alina Kabayeva, who Russian media have speculated is Putin’s girlfriend, was next in line.

Rodnina, who won a hat-trick of golds in the pairs event before entering the Russian parliament, took over before joining Tretyak in taking the flame outside the arena to its final resting place for the duration of the Games, which conclude on February 23.

Reuters

Final voter registration weekend kicks off


Eligible South Africans still have a chance to register at their voting stations in the final registration drive this weekend.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) aimed to get 80% of the voting population on its voters’ roll before the general elections on 7 May. The IEC said on Thursday that just over 24.1 million South Africans had registered to vote.

“This is 76.7% of the estimated voting age population which, according to Statistics SA, is 31.4 million,” spokesperson Kate Bapela said in a statement.

“This includes just over one million new voters who were added to the voters’ roll during the previous registration weekend held in November.”

To reach the target another 1.1 million people needed to register.

Candidate lists

Bapela said 22 263 voting stations throughout the country would be open on Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 05:00.

On Friday, the IEC said eligible voters had until the official proclamation of the election date to register. The date of the official proclamation still had to be announced.

After the weekend voters would have to go to one of the IEC’s regional offices to register.

President Jacob Zuma announced that the fifth national general elections would be held on 7 May.

Once the proclamation was published the IEC would issue an election timetable.

This would give deadlines for submissions of candidate lists by political parties and applications for special votes, among others.

After consultation with political parties in the national party liaison committee, the IEC would publish the full election timetable in the Government Gazette, Bapela said.

– SAPA

SASOL Banyana Banyana striker to fly SA flag high in USA


Johannesburg- High flying SASOL Banyana Banyana striker, Jermaine Seoposenwe has begun her four-year scholarship at Samford University in Alabama, USA where she will pursue an undergraduate Degree, majoring in Business Studies. 

Seoposenwe left South Africa a week ago.

The Western Cape-born footballer who was playing for Sasol League side, University of Western Cape, will now play for first division side, Bulldogs, in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

With 25 appearances for Banyana Banyana, Seoposenwe has come through the ranks having shone as a youngster at the 2010 Edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup held in Trinidad and Tobago. She was also chosen as the best U17 player at the SAFA Awards in the same year.

“As a parent, I am very proud and impressed that she has made a move to the United States where she will get more experience and improve her game. But most importantly she will be able to continue with her studies which is very crucial for her future as she will have something to fall back on when her football career comes to an end,” said Jermaine’s father, Jeffrey Seoposenwe.

“I would like to wish her well and hope she becomes an inspiration to other players. Let me also take this opportunity to thank SAFA for giving her the chance to play in the national team, thus giving her exposure to the world.”

SAFA’s Technical Director and Head of Women’s Football, Fran Hilton-Smith says this is remarkable achievement for a player who has displayed outstanding talent through the years.

“In my opinion, Jermaine is a great player who has a huge potential going forward. My wish is to see more and more of our players feature in overseas clubs. This gives them more game time and a higher level of competition. The more players we have plying their trade overseas, the stronger our national teams will be. I want to wish her the best of luck,” said Hilton Smith.

Speaking on behalf of the Banyana Banyana sponsors, Sasol Sponsorship Specialist, Mr Dumisani Mbokane expressed his organisation’s happiness with the recognition that is starting to come through for players in the Senior Women’s National Team.

“Sasol is excited at the prospect of players having opportunities to further their playing careers whilst they also get a decent education. We are glad that through the Sasol League and Banyana Banyana, Sasol is an integral part of the development of women’s football in South Africa.” 

Seoposenwe joins fellow Banyana Banyana squad members Robyn Moodaly, Roxanne Barker and Kylie-Ann Louw in the USA.-TDN
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Five die in Dr Ruth Mompati after floodings


Ganyesa-North West Premier Thandi Modise is saddened by the deaths of five people who drowned due to flooding as a result of the heavy rains experienced in Dr Ruth Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

 

“We wish to convey our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in these tragic incidents and also wish the 97 who were injured when their mud houses collapsed across the province a speedy recovery,” Premier Modise said.

 

Modise said that those displaced after their mud houses collapsed will be considered for social emergency housing and those in need will be assisted to access social relief of distress grants after Social workers and SASSA officials have concluded needs assessments.

 

In the meantime, District Disaster Management Centres are distributing blankets, food parcels and cottage tents to those who are displaced

 

The Premier has called on members of the public to exercise extreme caution when they cross flooding rivers and streams and for those in low lying areas to take precautionary measures and to keep authorities informed of threatening conditions for early intervention.

 

Emergency relief efforts are being coordinated to support over 700 families affected by flooding reported in several areas across the province due to heavy rains experienced over the past few days.

BonaBona, Morokweng and Pomfret were inaccessible on Friday due to flooding.-TDN
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Swartruggens murder accused remain in custody


By Obakeng Maje
Swartruggens-A case of a 33 year-old murder accused Eduard Pretorious was postponed by Swartruggens Magistrate Court after he appeared for murder.

Pretorious was subsequently arrested after a decomposed body of Maria Mathe,25, was allegdly found behind a local tavern at Swartruggens complex.

Mathe’s mutilated body was found by a passerby and informed the residents.

Police were summomed to the scene and found a decomposed body with parts missing.

“A heart, left lung, breasts and private parts were cut out. The police primary investigations linked Pretorious with a murder” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

North West police said the killing is linked to muti. The case was postponed until 14 May 2014 pending Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) decision. He will remain in custody .-TDN
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ANC Heavyweights case: Govt short-changed


Kimberley – Work to make a Trifecta-owned building ready for government office work in Springbok was left incomplete for 10 months despite payment having been made, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Thursday.

The lease agreement for the building in Springbok had preconditions such as the provision of 60 parking bays, air conditioning, an alarm system, and provision of facilities to accommodate disabled people, PWC forensic auditor Trevor White told the court.

Ten months after the lease came into effect the department inspected the building and found no lock-up parking, no shade parking, no disability facilities, or alarm system.

“All matters were still outstanding,” White said, adding that the situation affected staff morale.

Judge Mathebe Phatshoane is hearing evidence in a fraud, corruption, and money laundering case against Northern Cape ANC heavyweights John Block, Alvin Botes, Yolanda Botha, and Trifecta director Christo Scholtz.

“The state was short-changed,” White said.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleges the Trifecta Group entered into a number of lease agreements with the Northern Cape social development department in which rentals, or rental space, were grossly inflated. The accused pleaded not guilty on all the counts.

White testified the department was looking at cancelling the lease with Trifecta for the Springbok building.

The court heard that ANC MP Botha, who was head of the social development department at the time, apparently asked the relevant official on whose authority he wrote the official letter informing Trifecta of the likely cancellation.

White said evidence indicated Botha wanted the official to withdraw the letter. The state would have lost more than R7.7m in the Springbok lease case.

200m² per employee

White also testified about the lease agreement for the Summerdown Place building in Kuruman, where the social development department was looking for 55 offices and parking space. The forensic investigation found the state paid for, among others, parking bays that did not exist.

The loss to the state in that agreement was more than R7m, White said.

The lease of Trifecta’s Keur en Geur building in Douglas was also investigated. In that case the department wanted around 205m² to accommodate nine offices.

The department, however, got 400m² for two government employees. The harm to the state in that case was projected at over R1.1m.

White testified about a further estimated loss to taxpayers of more than R11.3m. This related to a lease agreement between the department and Trifecta for floors in the Du Toitspan building in Kimberley.

The trial continues.

SAPA

The Greater Taung Municipality Hired New Manager


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Most of Greater Taung Municipal officials who thought they will scoop the position on Municipal Manager were left crestfallen and abashed as the position was given to Katlego Gabanakgosi.

The appointment was made after a fierce and well-contested race between Morgan Motswana, Lesego Nakana and the one and only Katlego Gabanakgosi.

Gabanakgosi appointment brought us to the closure of former municipal manager Mpho Mofokeng chapter.

According to our mole, Gabanakgosi received an appointment letter last week and the announcement will be made soon. The abstemious manager’s appointment came as a suprise as many acceded Morgan Mostwana, however Gabanakgosi came out top.

Lesego Nakana who was once a Technical Director, but his relationship with former Municipal Manger Mofokeng deteriorated.

The new manager is expected to adze dead woods who occupied the positions clearly because of affinity between officials. According to Vaal Times, there is a snaky layout at the organogram within the municipality.

Amidst of the appointment, two officials jumped boat and many expected to follow suit. Former director of Land and Housing Zinhle Mchunu and Human Resource Manager Dawie De Jager handed in their resignation letters.

The newspaper also outlines that there is a bad blood between few officials and Ganakgosi will need ball of steel to have those amorous glances within employees.

The position was left vacant by deposed Mofokeng. The affray manager was left with an egg on his face after court ruling.

The municipality is expected to ameliorates under Gabanakgosi’s tenure and uproot corruption if is any.-TDN
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Pudumong protesters near Taung ‘prepared to die’


Pudumong-A road between Vryburg and Hartswater was closed after the community members took to the streets their protesting against poor service delivery.

The communities of Pudumong, Matlapaneng and other neighbouring areas were picketing on N18 and barricaded the road with tree branches and burning tyres.

The community said they want a tarred road and they are gatvol as they have waited forever.

“We spoke to previous mayors but nothing was done. Now we saw fit to take to the streets to show unhappiness” community representative Kabelo Gaseranye told sabc.

The protesters barricaded the road and no vehicles were allowed to passby. The police monitored the situation and according to other media reports, the current mayor Kaone Lobelo came to address the masses.

The community members will submit their memorandum tomorrow morning at 06:00.-TDN
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