Daily Archives: March 26, 2014

Boks back in Bloem- in 2016


Cape Town – Free State Rugby Union CEO Harold Verster says the union will next host a Test match in the 2016 season.

Verster wrote a column on the Volksblad
website
where he explained to fans the situation regarding the union’s hosting of Test matches.

Verster said the union gave up its right to host last year’s Rugby Championship Test between South Africa and Argentina.

This was done upon request of the South African government to have the game staged at FNB Stadium in Soweto as part of the Mandela Day celebrations.

Verster said he, along with Free State president Lindsay Mould, last month held a meeting with SARU CEO Jurie Roux and president Oregan Hoskins to get assurance that a Springbok Test would soon return to Bloemfontein.

SARU offered them the opportunity to host a match between the Barbarians and Springboks in June this year.

But Verster said they turned
it down as they felt it was not a proper Test match and would like to offer more to their fans.

He said SARU then offered them a Rugby Championship Test in 2015, which they again turned down, eventually opting for the assurance of getting either the All Blacks or Australia in 2016’s Rugby Championship.

Explaining the decision to turn down a Rugby Championship Test in 2015, Verster wrote:

“The problem with 2015 is that it is a World Cup year. There will be no incoming Tests of teams from the Northern Hemisphere during June and in a World Cup year the big Southern Hemisphere teams typically do not pick their best players for the tour to South Africa. That makes the three Tests a bit of an unattractive proposition for Free State Rugby.

“It is important that fans understand that there is an huge guarantee of about R8m which must be paid in order to host a Test.

“Due to the quality of the match it is felt that the stadium won’t be sold out which means that ticket prices would have to be adapted. It means ticket prices could be as much as R400-R500 per ticket to ensure that Free State Rugby meets the guarantee. Not only is Free State Rugby very serious about its financial situation (which looked very good in 2013), but also the financial affordability of big rugby matches for its supporters.

“Taking all this into consideration, and due to the quality of the match, the management of Free State Rugby put pressure on SARU to get a “big” Test in 2016. It will therefore be a Test between the Springboks and either the All Blacks or Wallabies.”

Verster believes it is the best option to keep their fans happy.

2014 Springbok fixtures:

Incoming Series:

June 7: Springboks v World XV (Newlands, Cape Town – TBC)
June 14: Springboks v Wales (Kings Park, Durban)
June 21: Springboks v Wales (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
June 28: Springboks v Scotland (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth)

Rugby Championship:

August 16: Springboks v Argentina (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
August 23: Argentina v Springboks (Venue TBC)
September 6: Australia v Springboks (Patersons Stadium, Perth)
September 13: New Zealand v Springboks (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
September 27: Springboks v Australia (Newlands, Cape Town)
October 4: Springboks v New Zealand (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

Outgoing Tour:

November 8: Ireland v Springboks (AVIVA Stadium, Dublin)
November 15: England v Springboks (Twickenham, London)
November 22: Italy v Springboks (Venue TBC)
November 29: Wales v Springboks (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)-Sport24

Mugabe to boycott summit if wife not invited


Harare – Zimbabwe’s government said on Wednesday it would boycott a summit between the European Union and African Union in Brussels next week, if President Robert Mugabe’s wife was not granted a visa to travel with him.

Mugabe and his wife Grace are under an EU travel ban imposed in 2002, after a government crackdown on the opposition and the eviction of white farmers from agricultural land.

The EU had waived the visa ban on Mugabe, who is the vice-chairperson of the AU, saying it was not bound by the ban when hosting large international conferences.

But his wife was denied a visa, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Joey Bimha told dpa.

“We are expecting the Southern African Development Community and the AU to ensure that she gets a travel visa.

Otherwise, the summit has to be postponed,” he said.

In addition to vice-chairing the AU, Mugabe vice-chairs the SADC, making him “very crucial for issues of Africa,” Bimha said.

EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia said he would comment on the matter on Thursday.

The EU lifted most sanctions on Zimbabwe in February, but those against Mugabe remained in place.
SAPA

Marikana commanders not experienced- cop


Pretoria – Police commanders at the Marikana labour unrest in August 2012 were not experienced in crowd management and unrest scenarios, North West police air wing commander Lieutenant Colonel Salmon Vermaak said on Wednesday.
“Of the people that I know, it is [Lieutenant Colonel Joseph] Merafe… he was the most experienced person in the public order policing unit and Brigadier Adriaan Calitz,” Vermaak told the Farlam Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria.

“Other people from Pretoria that I met, I believe they had never been exposed to the experiences in the mines,” said Vermaak.

He was led in giving evidence at the commission by evidence leader Kameshni Pillay.

Vermaak was asked to explain whether his questioning of the police officers’ experience also extended to North West deputy provincial commissioner William Mpembe, who was overall operational commander during the unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg in North West.

He responded: “During my time as commander of the public order policing unit he was never involved at any time in any incident where we were dealing with unrest in mines.

“Whether he was involved in mines unrest after I left, I would not be able to respond to that.”

Vermaak said the commanders of the elite tactical response unit deployed at Marikana in the days leading up to the 16 August 2012, mass shooting were also inexperienced in public order policing which specialised in crowd management.

“The commanders are people who have never been involved in such violence,” he said.

Vermaak said it was peculiar that the special task force’s Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Scott was assigned to draw up the intervention plan, which inadvertently resulted in the 16 August shootings.

“It was strange to me that somebody from the task force was brought in to draw a plan for an incident that has public unrest,” he said.

‘Scott plan’

The police strategy implemented prior to the 16 August shootings was referred to by police officers as the “Scott plan”.

On Tuesday Vermaak told the inquiry the SA Police Service wanted him to take the blame for the deaths of the Marikana miners.

“In a consultation with the police legal team, it was mentioned to me that I am going to carry the responsibility for the people that were killed at koppie three,” he said.

“I realised that I should note everything down in my diary regarding meetings and discussions we were having [regarding Marikana incidents].”

Vermaak said he made it clear to the police legal team, national commissioner Riah Phiyega, and North West commissioner Zukiswa Mbombo that he would stick only to the facts.

Speaking in Afrikaans, Vermaak said he was disappointed by his superiors’ stance.

“I was disappointed that all of a sudden a finger was being pointed at me, with all my years of public order policing. I was being directly held responsible for the death of these people,” said Vermaak.

“Where do they base the allegations against me? It is not acceptable. Did they give me any other briefing about any other plan that was going to be implemented?”

He cited numerous flaws within the SAPS intervention methods to manage a lengthy wage-related protest at the Lonmin mine.

Shooting

On 16 August 2012, police shot dead 34, mostly protesting miners, at the mine.

At least 78 miners were also wounded when police fired on a group gathered at a hill near the mine while trying to disarm and disperse them.

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in the strike-related violence.

The commission, chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam, is probing the 44 deaths.

Unlike all other police officers who have testified at the inquiry, Vermaak is being led in giving his testimony by evidence leaders.

Other police officers have been led by SAPS lawyers at the commission. Vermaak will be cross-examined by the police lawyers.

SAPA

Girl,6, shot in a protest


Johannesburg – A 6-year-old girl was shot and wounded during a protest in Lorraine village near Ga-Sekororo, Limpopo police said on Wednesday.
The girl was grazed on the back of her head when police fired shots during the protest on Tuesday, said police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi.

“Her mother claims that the child was shot by the police during the protest,” Mulaudzi said.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) would determine who was responsible for the girl’s injury.

The 6-year-old was admitted to the Sekororo Hospital for observation, said Limpopo health department spokesperson Adele van der Linde.

Van der Linde said she was not severely wounded but medical observation was necessary due to her age and because it was a head injury.

Service delivery in the area had been compromised due to the protest in the area.

“It is a tense situation as the protesters are blocking many of the roads,” said Mulaudzi.

“Police are doing everything in their means to control the situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sekororo Hospital and the Lorraine Clinic were also disrupted due to the protest, said Van der Linde.

“Some of the staff were prohibited from entering the clinic, but the clinics are still open,” she said.

Mulaudzi said police were on the scene.

SAPA

Sixth Edition of SASOL League gets underway


Johannesburg-The South African Football Association (SAFA) together with partners SASOL today launched the 2014 Edition of the Sasol Women’s League.SASOL together with SAFA, have undertaken to plough huge resources into women football and in the process use the sport as a tool to empower and develop young women.

In the past years, the partnership between SASOL and SAFA has witnessed massive growth in women football which culminated in Banyana Banyana qualifying for the London Olympics. The Sasol sponsorship has also enabled the development of a competitive women’s football league around the country.

The Sasol League comprises of 16 teams participating in each of the nine provincial leagues.

One province kicked off their league programme this past week (22-23 March); three provinces will commence their league programme this coming weekend (29-30 March) with the remaining five kicking off their programme next weekend (5-6 April 2014).

In addition to the weekly fixtures taking place around the country over the next nine months, SASOL and SAFA representatives will visit provinces to host a one day women’s football promotional event, which include trial sessions for players and a coaches’ workshop.

The trials are open to all players in the SASOL League. This will allow Senior National Women’s Team technical staff to identify new talent for possible selection to SASOL Banyana Banyana squad.

“We are excited to witness yet another bumper start of the 6th Edition of the Sasol League and we look forward to providing all girls with an equal opportunity to be spotted for national team selection,” said Mr. Dumisani Mbokane, Sasol Sponsorship Specialist.

The Sasol League reaches the peak with the hosting of the National Championships to be held from 8-14 December 2014 in Port Elizabeth where the nine provincial winners compete to determine the 2014 Sasol League national champions.

“This is an exciting chapter in women’s football. With the arrival of new Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw, the launch of this year’s Sasol League, again offers an opportunity to identify new talent.

“Our aim is to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2016 Rio Olympics and of course, dominate African women’s football,” said SAFA Chair of Competitions and Women’s Football committees, Ms. Nomsa Mahlangu.-TDN
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Lonmin CEO sees no end to Amcu strike


Johannesburg – The chief executive of platinum producer Lonmin has told staff to take voluntary leave because a wage strike at its South African operations by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) looks set to continue.

“Given the reality of a prolonged strike and Amcu’s unrealistic demands, we have to make tough decisions to preserve and protect the business by reducing costs and conserving cash,” Ben Magara said in a March 25 memo seen by Reuters.

Meanwhile the government mediator said it will meet with Amcu on Wednesday to restart talks aimed at ending the strike now entering its tenth week.

The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) also said in a statement it would meet separately with companies Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin this week.

Cosatu

Amcu is being irresponsible, according to Cosatu.

Cosatu is SA’s largest labour grouping and includes Amcu’s archrival the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Cosatu said it supported the call for a “living wage”, but accused Amcu of not acting in a responsible manner.

The mining companies have repeatedly stated they cannot afford the demand for a R12 500 monthly “living wage”, saying many steps have already been taken to remedy historical inequalities in the sector.

Striking miners in the platinum industry have already lost an estimated R4.4bn in earnings due to the mining strike by Amcu, mining bosses said on Tuesday.

It is SA’s biggest post-apartheid mine strike and has hit 40% of global production of the precious metal.

An estimated R10bn in revenue has also been lost due to the strike and the impact of the extended strike on employees, local businesses, suppliers and communities is described as “irreparable”, a joint statement by the CEOs of Impala Platinum (Implats), Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), and Lonmin Platinum said.-SAPA

Chiefs wary of minnows FC Buffalo in Nedbank Cup clash


Memories of Maluti FET College knocking out Orlando Pirates in last year’s Nedbank Cup will be fresh in Kaizer Chiefs players’ minds when they take on minnows, FC Buffalo, this evening.

Chiefs were also similar victims when amateur club, Baroka FC, sent them packing a few seasons ago in the same tournament.

Amakhosi, still smarting from their 3-0 defeat by DRC side AS Vita in the Caf Champions League, will want to quickly erase the weekend memories and advance to the quarterfinals of this competition.

The defending Nedbank champions will be without some of their key players, notably Knowledge Musona and defender Tefu Mashamaite, who have been suspended for the game.

But it won’t be smooth sailing for Chiefs as the Eastern Cape team has nothing to lose coming into this game.

Buffalo, the only remaining amateur side in the tournament, will be looking to upset Chiefs in their own backyard.

In another match tonight, Moroka Swallows welcome SuperSport United at Dobsonville Stadium. Swallows have been blowing hot and cold and this is their last chance of winning silverware this season.

United have also experienced mixed fortunes and will go to the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisian side, Etoile du Sahel, in the Caf Confederations Cup.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za

Premier Modise to open 2 nd North West Annual BRICS Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference


North West Premier Thandi Modise is to deliver the keynote address for the official opening of the 2nd Annual North West BRICS Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference that is to commence at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng as from 12:00 this afternoon.

“Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa will give an overview of the South African Tourism on the first day of the conference which is aimed at providing international and local business with valuable insight and exposure on how to leverage South Africa’s inclusion in the BRIC grouping, while showcasing the North West Province’s attractiveness as an investment destination” Lesiba Kgwele said.

The economic and investment advantages of South Africa and the North West Province being part of the BRICS Group, trade and investment opportunities, evaluation of progress made since last year’s North West BRICS event,industrialization projects that the currently implementing in growing the economy of the province will feature prominently throughout conference which ends on Saturday.

The conference has attracted international, national and local businesses across all the sectors including small, medium and micro enterprises, national and provincial government departments, investment promotion agencies, tourism agencies, companies in transportation, financial institutions, academia and the media.-TDN
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ANC to march over Cape service delivery


Cape Town – Township residents will be marching to the Western Cape legislature in Cape Town to demand a response on land and housing issues, a provincial ANC official said on Tuesday.

“Around 2000 to 3000 people will be coming from the Cape town townships of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Strand, Delft, Gugulethu, Manenberg, Langa, Hout Bay, Atlantis and Kraaifontein,” said provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile.

The purpose of the African National Congress march on Wednesday morning was to get a response from premier Helen Zille.

Mjongile said a memorandum of demands was delivered after a march on February 5. He complained that no response had been forthcoming.

Mayor Patricia de Lille had responded to the demands on February 27, according to a scanned document seen by Sapa.

The ANC responded to De Lille’s letter on March 19, criticising her responses and the way she had “cherry-picked” certain issues to respond to.

Among the ANC’s demands were that land be made available for religious and cultural purposes, that houses be given to “backyarders” and that the bucket and portable toilet system be immediately eradicated.

Zille’s spokesman Zak Mbhele said on Tuesday that the issues raised during the march and in the memorandum last month related entirely to local and national competencies.

“The city has responded to matters relating to municipal delivery and the Western Cape government cannot comment on others for which it is not responsible,” he said.

“It is ironic that the ANC laments not having received a response from the premier’s office when the ANC and Congress of SA Trade Union leaders of the march denied her the opportunity to speak on that occasion.”

Mbhele said Zille would have directed their grievances appropriately had she been given the chance to speak.

“The Western Cape ANC has no leg to stand on in their protestations when the matters in their memo, like policing, recognition of Khoisan traditional leadership and land reform rest principally in the national government’s jurisdiction.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Zille expressed concern that the planned march might not be peaceful because of the recent reinstatement of the ringleaders of last year’s so-called “poo protests”.

Loyiso Nkohla and Andile Lili were welcomed back into the ANC on Monday following a successful appeal process with the provincial disciplinary committee.

They led protesters in dumping faeces on, among others, the steps of the Western Cape legislature and at Cape Town International Airport last year.

“The ANC is set to march to the provincial legislature tomorrow and Mr Lili and Mr Nkohla, now full members of the ANC again, have been making repeated threats of ungovernability against the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government,” Zille said.

She said their reinstatement showed how disingenuous the ANC had been all along in trying to avoid blame for the rhetoric inciting violence and destructive riots that Lili and Nkohla were behind for months.

Mjongile reassured that the march would be peaceful.

“All ANC marches are peaceful. Don’t worry about that. They must sort their issues with their nemesis.”

Mjongile said it was not appropriate to ask him whether Lili and Nkohla would be attending the march.

“That’s not important to us. The leadership of the ANC will be marching.”

The Cape Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday said that protesters who damaged property and disrupted business should be held accountable.

“We already have court judgments making union organisers responsible for the damage to property caused by their undisciplined members on protest marches and the same principle should apply to other demonstrations,” said chamber president Janine Myburgh.

People had a constitutional right to protest but this right did not include throwing stones at cars or blocking national roads, she said.

While it was difficult to sometimes identify individuals who had overstepped the mark, the police and City of Cape Town should look for “more imaginative ways” to deal with unruly protesters.

“There are usually organisers involved and I would like to see some of them in court and possibly being sentenced to perform community service,” Myburgh said.

“A bit of community service might give them a better insight into the problems of service delivery.”

The march would start in Keizersgracht Street in Cape Town at 10am.

Sapa

Date set for Griquatown judgement


Kimberley – Judment in the Steenkamp murder trial will be handed down in the Northern Cape High Court on Thursday morning. This follows closing arguments in court on Tuesday.

A 17-year-old boy is accused of killing Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and their daughter, Marthella, 14, on their farm Naauwhoek near Griquatown.
For more http://www.iol.co.za