Daily Archives: March 22, 2014

MEC MALOYI HAND OVER 600 HOUSES TO RESTORE HUMAN RIGHTS


Wolmaransstad-Providing houses to the poor communities is a basic human right that any other government can do. These were the sentiments echoed by MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison in the North West, Nono Maloyi.

MEC Maloyi was speaking during the official hand over of about 600 houses in ext 13 Trottsville in the Wolmaranstaad in the Maquassi Hills municipality on Friday.

According to MEC Maloyi the department will continue to ensure that the department continues to address the basic human right and ensure that housing backlog is reduced in the province. He said that the right also ensures that the dignity of those who were marginalized in the past was restored and that they enjoy the basic rights in the 20 years of Democracy in this country.

The handover also in line with the Outcome 8 of the National Development Plan vision 2030 which is intended to improve the quality of people’s lives across the province as the country celebrates human rights day.

“Government will ensure that the rights of ordinary South Africans are taken care of and respected at all costs. Our people were belittled and lived in unbearable conditions. This is a noble gesture that the government is undertaking to unsure that we restore their right” said MEC Maloyi.

Ms Merriam Moreng of Wolmaranstaad is one of the beneficiaries who received their houses on the Human rights day. Receiving what she called the greatest gift ever, that she never had before, the 64 year old Ms Moreng expressed her gratitude and further informed the MEC that she will no longer have fear during rainy days like before.

“Before when it rained, I had fears that my house will collapse and damage my furniture. We were also exposed to hazardous conditions which compromised our health and that of my children. I have run out of words to express my happiness about the house that government has built for me and my family,” said the excited Moreng who stood beside her husband.

MEC Maloyi congratulated Ms Moreng and other beneficiaries and urged them to take care of their houses and make them homes.  

The handing over of 8000 houses which started in February will continue until the end of March. The MEC will among others hand over low cost houses, rental stock, and financially linked individual subsidy programme and Community residential units.-TDN
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Maritzburg scrape past Dikwena


Maritzburg United advanced to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after edging Platinum Stars 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Moruleng Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bhongolwethu Jayiya, Robyn Johannes and Heinrich Isaacks converted their penalties, to save the potential blushes of Mario Booysen, who failed to do so.

Stars captain Vuyo Mere slotted his effort from the spot, but his teammates Henrico Botes, Solomon Mathe and Sibusiso Msomi were unsuccessful with their attempts.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Three allegedly died in Taung crash


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Three people allegedly perished in a fatal accident that took place in Kolong bridge, near Taung.

The bakkie swerved into a river and strewn five people into the river.

A bakkie with a canopy was allegedly travelling at a high speed from Taung CBD to the direction of Manthe village when the driver allegedly lost control.

According to bystanders, it was around 21:00 on Friday and the bakkie has two women and two kids aged 11 and 7 respectively and the driver.

“I saw that car this morning, actually is a bakkie with canopy. Apparently it is alledges that it was carrying four passengers, and a male driver” said our mole.

Even though police could not confirmed the reports, three people lost their lives after the horrendous accident.

“It was two women both with their children age estimated at 11 years and 7 years respectively. The driver was from Taung CBD direction heading to Manthe direction. So from my observation, instead of him to stop on the stop sign before the bridge he swerved into the river. But I think he was on high speed. The accident took place yesterday around 21h00” our mole concludes.

Other occupants were allegedly rushed to Taung hospital for medical conditions-TDN
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Cops bumble while women suffer


Domestic violence is not a local scourge. Almost a third of murdered women globally are killed by their partners, writes Charlene Smith.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Vavi launches website with ‘facts’


Johannesburg – Suspended Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi launched a website on Friday so the public had all the “facts” about his “illegal” suspension from the labour union federation, his spokesman said.

“We’ve set up the website to ensure members of the public have all the facts about the paralysis in Cosatu which has manifested itself through the continued suspension of comrade Zwelinzima Vavi from his elected position as general secretary,” spokesman John Dludlu said in a statement.

“The last few weeks have seen an escalation in the malicious disinformation campaign to discredit him.”

He said the website was aimed at enabling the public and the media to have full facts to access Vavi’s side of the story.

Dludlu said the site contains documents, speeches, press releases and pictures from Vavi as well as well as nine member unions of the Congress of SA Trade Unions which were calling for his reinstatement.

“As comrade Vavi prepares to challenge his illegal suspension in the South Gauteng High Court next week, we’ve prepared an easy to read guide to workers about his crisis in Cosatu as well as details about next week’s night vigil in his support.”

Dludlu said the website also dealt with the selective leaks around the sale and purchase of Cosatu House.

Vavi was suspended last year after he admitted to having an affair with a junior employee. She initially accused him of rape but did not lay charges with police. – Sapa

Mpisane give away homes, furniture


Durban – In a show of defiance against the naysayers, Durban power couple Sbu and Shauwn Mpisane on Friday gave away seven fully furnished houses.

In what city officials, celebrities and local residents described as the ultimate act of generosity the couple who have been dogged by controversy for several years handed out keys to their astonished employees.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

ANC to take DA to court over sms


THE ANC is planning to take legal action against the DA over a text message about President Jacob Zuma, the party said on Saturday.

“We are actively taking this matter up by opening a charge of defamation and malicious conduct,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“We will also be approaching relevant recourse structures that deal with elections including the IEC and the electoral court if necessary to ensure that this irresponsible conduct is curtailed and exposed.”

Mthembu said the SMS was based on a “deliberate lie” and targeted Zuma.

The text message, which was sent to prospective voters, read: “The Nkandla report shows how Zuma stole your money to build his R246m home. Vote DA on 7 May to beat corruption. Together for change.”

Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko hit back and welcomed the court challenge.

“The DA welcomes the opportunity to go to court to defend our efforts to ensure accountability for the Nkandlagate scandal,” she said.

“We will tell the judge exactly what the rest of South Africa was told this past week, that president Zuma improperly and materially benefited from the R246 million so-called security upgrade of his private home in Nkandla.”

She said the ANC was blindly protecting Zuma.

“Instead of doing everything possible to ensure that President Zuma is removed from office, and made to apologise for this wrongdoing, they would rather spend their time and energy trying to hide the truth from the country.

“This will not work. South Africans are rightly outraged by this serious maladministration which has diverted much-needed public money from the poor in order to benefit one man. This is a shame that warrants the president being fired from his post, not blindly protected.”

She suggested that the ANC re-examine Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report as it was clear they missed some key details.

“The rot in Jacob Zuma’s ANC has now reached crisis proportions,” she said.

“The leadership of the party can no longer see the difference between right and wrong. They see only through the prism of keeping power in the hands of President Zuma. ”

Madonsela this week found that Zuma and his family had improperly benefited from R215 million security upgrades to his Nkandla home. This was paid for by government. Outstanding work on the property was around R36 million.

“It is common cause that in the name of security, government built for the president and his family in his private [home], a visitors’ centre, cattle kraal and chicken run, swimming pool, and amphitheatre among others,” she said in her findings.

The Economic Freedom Fighters and the DA have since opened criminal cases of corruption against Zuma.

South Africans remember Sharpeville massacre


Johannesburg – Sharpeville was coloured yellow, red and black on Friday as the ANC, EFF and the PAC commemorated Human Rights Day in the historical township in Vereeniging, south of Gauteng.

Thirty-year-old Duduzile Skhosana came by bus from Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga to celebrate the day.

He said he was a loyal African National Congress supporter and would be voting for the party come the general elections on 7 May.

“There is still a lot to be done… I am still going to vote ANC,” he said.

“The opposition thinks Zuma is corrupt, but as a leader people are always waiting for him to make a mistake, but we support him nevertheless.”

Noma Mpumula, 35, and Ntoiseng Motaung, 25, drove by car from Sebokeng, near Vanderbijlpark.

They said they were staunch supporters of the ANC because it had done a lot for them.

“We don’t believe in [President] Jacob Zuma, we believe in the ANC. The ANC is not Zuma,” Mpumula said.

“He must be removed because he is abusing money and ruining the party’s reputation,” Motaung said.

They vowed to keep voting for the party for the sake of their heroes.

Sixty-year-old Maria Mabaso from Moroka, Soweto had travelled to the George Thabe stadium to see Zuma, who addressed the thousands of people at the stadium.

“I was happy to see Zuma. It doesn’t feel good to hear all the negative things about him.

“We as black people like to judge one another, white people also abuse money.”

Zinhle Maqhuzu, 19, and Kamogelo Mahlong, 17, are Sharpeville residents.

They said they had come to the stadium to celebrate and to understand what made 21 March a historical day.

“Our parents and grandparents tell us about it, and we were happy to see Zuma,” Maqhuzu said.

“I thank the ANC for what it has done for us and our parents,” Mahlong said.

“We are able to eat for free at school, we get free uniform, I say thank you to the ANC that I was born free.”

The two said they would not abandon the ruling party, as everyone made mistakes.

They said the Economic Freedom Fighters were constantly trying to recruit young people in the area.

“Julius Malema is a snake, he makes empty promises. We don’t like him.”

Johanna Malefane, 69, whose husband died on 21 March 1960 at the age of 17 when the massacre took place, said the day brought about bitter-sweet memories for her.

“It is good that we commemorate the day, but it also brings back memories of our husbands who died on that day,” she said.

“I love Sharpeville, I will never leave it. I have built myself a house here, not a government’s house, my own.”

She said she would never abandon the ANC and that she loved Zuma.

“He takes care of us elderly people. I don’t listen to all the negative things about him, I just know his kindness.”

Two EFF supporters, who would only give their first names, said they had lost hope in the ANC.

“We have been loyal to the ANC forever but they do nothing for us, they only pop up on the 21st of March,” 50-year-old Itumeleng said.

“Our children are done with school but they are not working. Malema is going to do better.”

Mmalefu, 51, said she wanted to support a party that treated its members well.

“ANC is Zuma, no one reprimands him, they all support him,” she said.

“We must stop putting these people on pedestals… We are also keeping our eye on Julius.”

They said they had lived in Sharpeville their entire lives and had seen little change in the area.

The PAC held a joint commemoration with the EFF across the road from where the ANC had its ceremony.

Thousands of ANC supporters were treated to a number of performances on stage after Zuma addressed the crowd.

PAC secretary general Mike Muendane said the ruling party was being disingenuous by hosting the event without acknowledging the PAC.

“It shows how disingenuous the ANC is because they know the day is associated with the PAC,” he said.

Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960.

The massacre occurred at the Sharpeville police station in the Vaal when black South Africans, led by the PAC, protested against the pass laws.

A crowd of about 5 000 to 7 000 protesters went to the police station.

Police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people.

SAPA

Two nabbed for rape


Johannesburg – Two men were arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping and kidnapping a woman in Moletsane, Soweto, Gauteng police said.

The woman was coming from Tladi going to Naledi when she was confronted by the two men, aged 21 and 28, said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela.

“They forcefully took the woman to a shack in Moletsane where they allegedly raped her throughout the night and released her in the morning,” said Makhubela.

He said the girl reported the matter at Protea police station.

The men were expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday.-News24

Follow Mandela’ lesson, says Ban


New York – The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says racial discrimination remains “a dangerous threat” and is urging countries and people around the world to follow the lesson of Nelson Mandela, who triumphed over racist forces and became a defender of the dignity and rights of every person.

Ban’s message was read at a General Assembly meeting on Friday to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The UN chief said he focused on Mandela because it was the first commemoration since his death, and because the assembly established the international day to support the anti-apartheid movement following the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, when police killed 69 black South Africans protesting peacefully.

Ban said the lessons of South Africa’s staunch defence of equality that Mandela began “can be applied anywhere in the world”.
AP