Daily Archives: April 25, 2014

EFF Up In Arms After Being Denied Stadium


Economic Freedom Fighters condemns the ANC-run Tshwane Municipality’s sudden decision to withdraw permission to use the Lucas Moripe Stadium for its final elections rally. The decision is indeed unfair and illegal,says EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

“The municipality had first argued that there was a PSL match. However the PSL had agreed to move its match upon being requested by the EFF” he said.

According Economic Freedom Fighters, the municipality then granted permission, EFF paid for the stadium and signed the lease agreement.

Posters were printed and buses for EFF supporters were paid, including other logistical requirements.

“This morning, the municipality sent a communique indicating that the permission has been withdrawn as the day of the rally was scheduled for maintenance” Ndlozi said.

The EFF say they a hold a strong view that this has nothing to do with maintenance but political instructions that merely seek to deny EFF the right to gather. If 4 May 2014 was scheduled for maintenance, then why was PSL going to use the stadium on that day, asked Mdlozi.

EFF has approached the court for an urgent application to compel the municipality to stick to its signed agreement. The court must force the municipality to comply.-TDN
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North West top official suspended over milk


Mahikeng-Following preliminary investigation into the procurement of baby formula milk and subsequent failure to distribute the milk to worthy recipients until expiry, the North West Department of Health has placed Director Advocacy, Social Mobilisation and Communication, Mr. Cornelius Lebeloe on precautionary suspension with effect from Friday.

Mr. Lebeloe, the then director responsible for HIV and AIDS in the province was suspended for his alleged role in the procurement of baby formula milk.

“The department has written to Mr. Lebeloe and two more senior managers to explain their role in the procurement and processes that led to baby formula milk being incinerated. Based on what the preliminary investigations revealed a decision was then taken to suspend Mr. Lebeloe” departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

The investigation continues and the findings thereof will inform further action that the department will take with regard to other two senior officials.-TDN
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He will remain on suspension while a full investigation continues.

However, it is important to note that Mr. Lebeloe has not been found guilty.

North West top official suspended


Mahikeng-Following preliminary investigation into the procurement of baby formula milk and subsequent failure to distribute the milk to worthy recipients until expiry, the North West Department of Health has placed Director Advocacy, Social Mobilisation and Communication, Mr. Cornelius Lebeloe on precautionary suspension with effect from Friday.

Mr. Lebeloe, the then director responsible for HIV and AIDS in the province was suspended for his alleged role in the procurement of baby formula milk.

“The department has written to Mr. Lebeloe and two more senior managers to explain their role in the procurement and processes that led to baby formula milk being incinerated. Based on what the preliminary investigations revealed a decision was then taken to suspend Mr. Lebeloe” departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

The investigation continues and the findings thereof will inform further action that the department will take with regard to other two senior officials.-TDN
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He will remain on suspension while a full investigation continues.

However, it is important to note that Mr. Lebeloe has not been found guilty.

Nissan invents self-cleaning car


ROLLE, Switzerland – Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. And anyway, who really wants to mess up a sunny Sunday morning by having to wash the family car?

Nissan has started testing a superpaint that repels mud, rain and dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.

The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils, has been applied to the
all-new Nissan Note
to create what is believed to be the world’s first self-cleaning car.

…AND SELF-CLEANING CAMERA

To assess the paint job’s real-world effectiveness as a potential aftermarket application, engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe will be testing the self-cleaning Note over the coming months in a variety of conditions.

VIDEO: Watch the self-cleaning Note in action

Nissan is the first automaker to apply the technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry, on automotive bodywork. By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car’s surface.

It’s not the first time ‘self-cleaning’ technology has been used on the Note. The car already features a ‘wash and blow-dry’ function on its rear-view camera. This uses water and compressed air to clean the camera’s lens automatically and ensure the Notes’ safety sensors work in all conditions.

So far the coating, being marketed by UltraTech International, has responded well to common use – rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water. While there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to new cars on the production line, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology as a future after-market option.

Geraldine Ingham, chief marketing manager for Nissan, said: “Nissan engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families’ lives easier.” Millions of teenagers will also be relieved that their Sunday chore might be no more…

The Nissan Note has other technology to make driving safer. Lane departure warning, blind spot warning and moving object detection combine to form a virtual shield. There’s also a 360°view monitor which relies on the self-cleaning rear camera.
For more http://www.news24.com

The rich will pay – Mpofu


Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng will focus all its energy on improving the lives of the poor, the party’s premier candidate Dali Mpofu said on Thursday.
“Our constituency is the poor and we make no shame about that,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.

“We are not going to balance, the development of our people is going to happen at the expense of the rich, full stop.”

Mpofu was speaking during a media briefing setting out the EFF blueprint for the province, “Formula 777”.

It outlines the seven pillars the party was founded on – seven values and priorities for the first 100 days in office.

He said the upliftment of the poor had to happen through rigorous taxation of the rich. He compared the flourishing economy and lifestyle of Sandton, Johannesburg, with the abject poverty of neighbouring Alexandra.

“It’s a shame that we can have Sandton being so prosperous and Stjwetla [in Alexandra] next door where people don’t have sanitation.”

Mpofu said government might have to integrate the tax base of Sandton with that of Stjwetla at the expense of Sandton residents.

“Stjwetla must be developed, it’s as simple as that. We are tired of this diplomatic thing of trying to please everybody.”

Asked if such a move would not alienate the rich and make them vote for other parties, Mpofu said those who had the country’s best interests at heart would support the party.

“If the business people do not realise that, it is in their own long-term interest that the poor are developed. Those who are wise and patriotic will vote for us because they will know that in the long run this will be in their best interest.”

Mpofu said no one wanted to live in a country of inequality, as this bred instability, crime, corruption, and social decay.

“You can’t be an island of profit making while surrounded by people who are hungry. Those people are going to revolt and cause trouble for you.”

Mokoena: Title race isn’t done


Johannesburg – Former Bafana Bafana captain, Aaron Mokoena, has expressed his opinion on where he feels the direction of the PSL title race is going.

According to the soccerladuma
website
, the 33-year-old, who starred for the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Germinal Beerschot, Genk, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers during his playing career in Europe, last spent time playing in the PSL for Wits in 2012/13.

The tough-tackling central defender has not ruled out a return to playing in South Africa’s domestic top flight, however he has in earlier times revealed to the Siya crew he will only reach a decision at the end of the current campaign.

Nonetheless, the Boipatong-born star still retains a keen interest in this season’s battle for the Absa Premiership crown, and he gave his view on what he thinks might happen as the league race reaches its final stretch.

‘Mbazo’ told the crew, “It’s still a race! It’s not done as yet. It’s quite interesting the way it is at the moment. I think now it’s a mental game. It’s about who is going to crack more. This title race will go to the last day. Of course, it will be a bit difficult for Kaizer Chiefs at the moment – I mean they’ve dropped crucial points in the past few games. But, knowing Stuart Baxter as I do, he’s going to prepare the boys as best as possible. Against Wits they looked a bit tired perhaps because of the games in Africa and what-not. For me, it’s all about a test of mental strength now. This is why I’m saying, mate, this title race is not done.”   

Sport24

Malema forced to leave after ANC disrupts EFF event


Johannesburg – An EFF event at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where leader Julius Malema was due to speak, was disrupted by ANC supporters on Thursday, the SABC reported.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters had gathered in a hall at the university, with Malema having arrived, the state broadcaster reported.

Shortly before the event was meant to get under way, ANC supporters made their way into the hall, disrupting the event.

University academics attempted to calm the situation but ultimately Malema and other EFF officials accompanying him were forced to leave the venue.

Malema then addressed supporters from the steps of the hall.

“They [the ANC members] are very few and we will find that some of them are not even students,” he said.

“[It] is a rented crowd paid with yellow t-shirts.”

The SABC reported that the ANC said it would investigate the incident, and it did not tolerate its members disrupting other parties’ events.

The Electoral Commission of SA said all parties should promote political tolerance at all times.

– SAPA

Facebook woos journos in Twitter attack


San Francisco – Facebook launched on Thursday FB Newswire, billed as an online trove of real-time information for journalists and newsrooms to mine while reporting on events or crafting stories.

In partnership with News Corp-owned Storyful, FB Newswire aggregates newsworthy content shared publicly at the social network, including original pictures, videos, and comments posted by “people on the front lines of major events” such as protests, elections and sports matches.

“News is finding a bigger audience on Facebook than ever before,” Facebook director of global media partnership Andy Mitchell said in a blog post. “Journalists and media organisations have become an integral part of Facebook”.

The California-based social network has been ramping up features for real-time sharing and communicating in a challenge to Twitter, which has become a globally used platform for instantly sharing information about current events.

FB Newswire can be reached at facebook.com/FBNewswire and at Twitter account @FBNewswire.

News Corporation, which owns the Wall Street Journal, acquired Storyful in December in a deal valued at about $25m.

The Dublin, Ireland-based start-up specialises in discovering, verifying and distributing “timely and relevant video and user-generated content” to partners, the list of which includes the Journal, according to News Corp.

“Journalists and media organisations have become an integral part of Facebook,” Mitchell said.

“We’re excited to deepen our relationship with media organisations and journalists in the days to come.” AFP

Cops to get driver skills training


Pretoria – Dropping possession of driving licences as a requirement to join the SA Police Service was enabling poor people to be recruited, national police chief Riah Phiyega said on Thursday.
“In this journey of transformation, it is our wish that we recruit those who have licences but unfortunately we know our country,” she said in Pretoria.

“How do I expect a child of a poor family down in Lusikisiki who has never even seen a car, who has never even seen a driving school in her area to be part of this mighty force if I don’t enable?”

Driving skills

Phiyega officiated at an event where the SAPS and the Safety and Security Education and Training Authority (Sasseta) entered an agreement to provide training on motor vehicle driving skills to 1 000 officers during the 2014/15 financial year.

The SAPS has fully waived the possession of a driving licence requirement for recruits from 2009.

Phiyega said the recruitment of police officers without the critical driving licences was a strategy to level the playing field for people affected mainly by poverty and inequality.

“It is our responsibility not to cherry pick, not to anti-select, but to be inclusive. It is important for us to ensure that through this partnership, an ordinary child who did not have the opportunity of being in the city, in a model C school can be a general in this organisation”

“A car is a primary tool for performance in this service. It is important that cars be available and it is equally important that our members be able to use those cars,” she said.

Officers proficiently trained in driving vehicles would assist SAPS to curb the huge legal costs which emanated from the involvement of officers in road accidents.

Police officers would be taken for driving lessons after the 7 May elections, under the Sasseta agreement.

Phiyega said only 10 500 members of the 200 000-strong police service did not have driving licences.

“The margin of those without licences is around 10%. To optimise our efforts, everybody should have the capacity to drive,” she said.

“We need to continuously refresh our driving skills and ensure that we are in tip-top shape. We still want to recruit people with licences but we also accommodate who cannot have them because of circumstances beyond their control.”

Discrimination

Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu said a driving course incorporated into the basic police training would extend the lifespan and working condition of vehicles.

“We realised that the strict requirement was discriminating against our young people, especially those who come from rural areas,” she said.

Due to this requirement, many prospective police officers ended up “buying” the licences and mishandling state vehicles.

“Because of the fact that the requirement was a driving licence, they went and bought the licence to get access into the police. When they are supposed to drive, they would drive from here to Kroonstad in first gear.”

Two testing centres, in Gauteng and the Western Cape, were established internally to assist officers to get driving licences.

SAPA

Electoral Court to hear Tlakula matter


Bloemfontein – The Electoral Court will hear an application by opposition parties to force IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula to resign, a court official said on Thursday.

The Electoral Court would sit for the application in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The parties calling for Tlakula’s resignation are the United Democratic Movement, the African Christian Democratic Party, the Congress of the People, Agang SA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

This follows a forensic investigation by the National Treasury on the procurement of the Electoral Commission of SA’s (IEC) Riverside Office Park building in Centurion, Pretoria.

The probe found the process was neither fair, transparent, nor cost-effective. It found Tlakula did not give guidance or formally inform various people what was expected of them in the process.

Tlakula has maintained that she was not accused of corruption in the report.

The Treasury’s report followed a recommendation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in her own report into the matter, released in August 2013.

– SAPA