Monthly Archives: April 2014

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

Platinum producers to approach Amcu


By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-Platinum producers will approach striking members direct after the negotiations collapsed.

The Amcu representatives were engaged in a meeting with Amplats and Anglo-Platinum but they could not come to conclusion.

More than 80,000 Amcu members down tools in January striking for a wage increase. The miners demand R12 500 and Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole says platinum producers have recommended that Amcu accept the offer.

Sithole said the mine will phase in the offer in mid-2017.

“We are urging Amcu’s leadership to consider the economic position of the industry and that of the companies as well as the dire consequences the employees are undergoing as a result of the strike.”

The three–month long strike has already cost the companies over R13 billion while employees have lost R6 billion in wages.

The union has established a fund to help workers who haven’t been paid for more than three months.-TDN
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FUN Run for 20 years of Democracy


Rustenburg-As we celebrate 20 years of our democracy in our country, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with Bojanala District Municipality and SAFA (South African Football Association) will be hosting a sporting event celebration on 26 April 2014 at Olympia park stadium at Rustenburg.

The aim of the celebrations is to mobilise a collective ownership of the country’s 20 years of democracy by South Africans and different sectors of society.

“It is also to promote awareness of the progress that freedom has brought and a sense of challenges of the third decade especially through sport” departmental spokesperson Shirley Montsho said.

Montsho said these games will be creating a build-up of public awareness and excitement, towards freedom day on April 27th and sustain it thereafter throughout 2014.

Fun run will kick start the day’s events with distances of five (5) and eight (8) kilos, open to clubs and individuals of all ages. There will also be artistic aerobics for participants who will not participate in the fun run.

Following the fun run will be ladies soccer match between 12h30, whereby teams who are in the SASOL League from four Districts within the Province will compete against each other and the winning teams will face off at the finals.

“MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the North West Province Mme Tebogo Modise calls members of the community to celebrate freedom through Sport, Arts and Culture’s activities and participate in the promotion of a physically active lifestyle” she said.

Details of the festival are as follows:
1. Fun Run
 Venue: Olympia Park
 Time: 06h00
 Date: 26 April 2014

2. Ladies Soccer Match
 Venue: Olympia Park Stadium
 Time: 12h30
 Date: 26 April 2014
-TDN
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‘A man jailed to 20 years for rape’


By Obakeng Maje
Port Nolloth-The South African Police Service welcomes the sentencing imposed on those who commit crimes against women. This is a clear indication that members of the SAPS work hard to tackle crimes against women and children, as this remains one of our priorities.

“It is through team work and the thorough collection of crucial evidence that we can achieve convictions and heavy sentences for offenders” liutenant Sergio Kock said.

A 24 year-old man was handed down 20 years imprisonment for the rape of a 17 year old girl.

The victim was with friends at the Port Nolloth Beach when the accused, Lizo Artrit(24) took her to his house Sizamele Township.

“He requested to have sex with her and when she refused he strangled her until she lost consciousness and raped her twice. The accused was arrested and found guilty on two counts of rape. Magistrate Chas Huisamen of the Port Nolloth Regional Court sentenced him to twenty years imprisonment for the crime” Kock said.

The Port Nolloth Cluster Commander, Colonel Johan Brooks lauds Det WO Andre Swanepoel , Det Sgt Ulrich Aitken and Det Sgt Shaun Brandt and of the Port Nolloth Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit members for a brilliant job done. “The team’s water tight case ensured that no impunity is granted to the criminal of this heinous crime.”

The SAPS hopes that the sentencing will serve as a deterrent to others who consider committing similar crimes against women and children. The SAPS sees crimes against women and children as priority and will continue with our endeavours to ensure that the society is and feels safe and secure.-TDN
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Three buglaries reported in Kimberley


By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating three separate business burglaries which took place over the past weekend in the Central Business District, Kimberley.

Lieutenant Sergio Kock said a substantial amount of cash was stolen at the burglaries and in all the cases the surveillance cameras and alarm systems were disarmed.

“In some instances it was dismantled and stolen along with the cash. The police request that anyone with information regarding the person in the ID kit to please forward it to the police as he can assist with the investigations” Kock said.

All information can be forwarded to Det WO Frikkie Rall on 053 838 4324 or call 10 111. The investigation continues.-TDN
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R1.7 billion water project to benefit NWest rural communities


Sustainable water is a collaborative undertaking between government, communities and other stakeholders, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa cautioned during the launch of the R1.7 billion Pilanesberg Bulk Water Project in Ntswana-le-metsing outside Rustenburg this week.

“The project we are launching today highlights the necessity for government, private sector and the general public to come together to provide and sustain equitable water supply to all,” Molewa said on Wednesday.

 

“I consider it highly significant that the impetus for this project embraces this principle of working together and has responded to our call for collaboration in this manner,” she added.

 

The Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Scheme is a partnership of the Department of Water Affairs, the North West Provincial Government together with the Moses Kotane Local Municipality and Bojanala Platinum District Municipality to benefit. more than 57 villages in the Moses Kotane and Rustenburg Local municipalities, support local mining industry and support job creation.So far the project has already created 13 452 jobs.

In appealing to communities to exercise their democratic rights to vote on May 7,Minister Molewa highlighted that the project was resonating very well with the theme “celebrating 20 years of water delivery for social and economic development.”

It is envisaged that the scheme will also be extended to Koster, Swartruggens and other villages in the Kgetlheng River Local Municipality.

Welcoming the initiative, Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Tribal Authority said he was happy that the government has responded magnificently to the water challenges that the community has experienced.

He said this was a clear indication that the government cared about the needs of communities and that it was serious about service delivery.

The Mayor of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Councillor Fetsang Mokati-Thebe said that her municipality is excited about the project as it will deliver skills to communities.

“We wish to appeal to our communities to safeguard water and not to destroy properties as this is a legacy that will bear fruit for many years to come,” Mokati-Thebe said.

She appealed to members of the communities to ensure that btaps are properly closed to avoid water leakages.

Twenty-six -year old Emily Busang from the neighbouring village of Ledig said she was excited about the economic growth and other prospects.

Premier Thandi Modise had earlier said that the project will, in addition to the wellbeing of the communities, contribute significantly towards the economic growth of the region and the province.-TDN
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Marikana ANC office burnt down


Johannesburg – A shack used as ANC branch office was set alight at Nkaneng informal settlement in Wonderkop near Marikana on Thursday, police said.

“Police are investigating a case of arson. The shack is reported to have been used as an office for a political party,” said police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabona.

He said no injuries were reported during the incident at 3pm.

The ANC confirmed that its office in Nkaneng was torched.

“We appeal to our members in Marikana to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. The matter is under police investigation, ” said provincial spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi.

He called on residents to assist the police with information to arrest perpetrators.

“The culprits are known in the community. There are people who saw them committing the crime.”

He said the ongoing intimidation and burning of ANC property would not stop the ANC from doing its political work in Marikana.

“The ANC will prevail over this anarchy. We will continue with our work in Marikana, Madibeng and all other areas in Rustenburg.”

Two people were gunned down in Nkaneng two weeks ago, he said.

Mnisi said the burning of their office occurred at the time the ANC was concluding its election campaign in the Bojanala district.

As part of wrapping up the election campaign in Bojanala, ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize would address a gala dinner at Sun City on Thursday and provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo would have a public session with political analysts to debate on the 20 years of democracy in the North West Province.

– SAPA