Daily Archives: May 16, 2014

Cosatu calls for probe in to North West shooting


Mahikeng- Cosatu North West on Friday condemned a shooting at provincial government offices, where two employees were killed and three were wounded.
“Cosatu calls on the departments to thoroughly investigate the root cause of this incident,” Cosatu provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said in a statement.

“Cosatu is also informed that this tragic incident happened after employee relations were not properly managed and the employee was not paid his salary…,” he said.

Police could not confirm this, and said the motive for the shooting was not known.

The shooting happened on Thursday at a building in Mmabatho, which houses several departments.

Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said a man entered the building and fired shots inside the offices of the human settlements department.

Two people were wounded by ricocheting bullets. A third suffered head injuries after being struck with a gun. They were taken to hospital.

Cosatu said violence would not be tolerated “irrespective of the circumstances”.

It also called on department managers to handle employee relations with sensitivity.

“We call on all workers to report all their challenges at work to the union or any other person to intervene and not to allow emotions to decide for your mind,” said Phetoe.

SAPA

ANC provincial secretary tops Gauteng list


Johannesburg – Gauteng ANC secretary David Makhura is headed to the provincial legislature, according to the party’s provincial list, which was released by the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) on Friday.
The list has 40 candidates for the legislature. It includes Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, former MECs, and several ordinary ANC MPLs.

The top 10 on the list are Makhura, Barbara Creecy (education), Ntombi Mekgwe (human settlements), Mandla Nkomfe (finance), Faith Mazibuko (safety), Lebogang Maile (sport), Hope Papo (health), Brian Hlongwa, Qedani Mahlangu (economic development), and Andrek Lesufi.

Mokonyane is number 11 on the list.

It was reported that she was being overlooked in favour of Makhura, former education MEC Barbara Creecy, and former finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe.

The ANC’s head of provincial executive committee (PEC) communications Nkenke Kekana said Nkomfe would be released from the list.

“His name will be removed from that list as he would not be involved in the parliamentary processes of the legislature,” he said on Friday.

Kekana said Nkomfe asked for his name to be removed after he decided to serve the ANC as a researcher instead.

– SAPA

ISASA: Teaching Bursaries 2015


ISASA is offering prospective Foundation Phase, Intermediate and FET teachers the opportunity to win bursaries to study for a four year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or a one year post graduate (PGCE) degree at UNISA.

Learn from and be mentored by experienced independent school teachers

Access to excellent teaching, learning resources and technology

Training in ISASA schools

The cost of the bursary will fully cover UNISA fees and textbooks.

Requirements

A certified copy of your ID document or birth certificate.

Application Form

http://www.careersportal.co.za/bursaries/3421-isasa-teaching-bursaries-2015.html

For school leavers: A certified copy of your mid-year or latest report that is available.

For University students / Graduates: A certified copy of your Senior Certificate and transcripts of your complete academic record to date.

A one- page personal statement explaining why you should be considered as a future teacher of mathematics and why you will be an asset to the Programme.

How To Apply

Email: mathsenglish@isasa.org or

Post to: ISASA, PO Box 87430, Houghton, 2041 or

Hand deliver to: ISASA, 16 St David Road, Houghton, 2198

Closing Date: 14 July 2014
-TDN
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ANCWL: Nigerian girls kidnapping a travesty of human rights


Johannesburg- The African National Congress Women’s League, under the leadership of its President, Angie Motshekga will this Saturday in Johannesburg provide a platform for all interested parties and women’s NGO’s to come together and discuss what actions South African women can undertake to bring back the kidnapped Nigerian Schools girls.

“The kidnapping of these girls is a travesty of human rights and justice
and as women of the African continent we need to come together and combine our efforts until these girls are home in the arms of their parents and loved ones.” Motshekga said.

The ANCWL will also invite the Department of International Relations and Cooperation(DIRCO) to brief the meeting to ensure we are making plans using the most updated information.

Out of this joint meeting, the ANCWL will also be sending a delegation of
South African women to Nigeria to meet with women’s organizations in that country and assist the situation in whatever way they can.

“We are hoping that if we put our heads together as women we can come up with solutions or ways to assist Nigerian women in their efforts. These are our daughters and we need to come together in times like these.” She said.

The ANCWL have also called on all its structures throughout the country to join women in their Thursday women’s prayer meetings and pray for the girls.

Motshekgoa said they are pleased as the Women’s League that the girls are still alive based on the video clip released by Boko Haram. They do not leave their thoughts or prayers.

“We call on all women’s NGO’s and interested parties to join us at this platform and participate.
We are calling on the media to assist in spreading the message to those interested to come on board and support this cause.

Time:  09h00 -14h00
Venue: Johannesburg City Hall
Date:  17th May 2014 (Saturday)
-TDN
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Zuma mum on Aurora mine


Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma’s office on Friday declined to comment on a report alleging that he had a hand in securing an investment for his nephew’s mining company in 2010.
“No, no, there is no comment, as you can see from the story itself,” said his spokesperson Mac Maharaj.
He was referring to a Mail&Guardian report on Friday that Zuma allegedly helped secure a $2m investment for Khulubuse Zuma’s Aurora Empowerment Systems company.

Meeting
In the report, Maharaj confirmed he had received detailed questions about the allegations but later indicated there was no response from the presidency.
Global Emerging Markets (Gem) director Chris Brown told the newspaper he had been treated to a face-to-face meeting with Zuma on the morning of the Fifa World Cup final on 11 July 2010.
He alleged in the report that Zuma “thanked him many times” for helping to bail out the flailing company during their meeting in Zuma’s living room.

Evidence
At the time of the claimed meeting, Aurora was desperately trying to raise funds to follow through on its bid to buy the Pamodzi gold mines out of liquidation.
The newspaper stated Brown’s claims were buttressed by circumstantial evidence.
Gem launched legal action against First National Bank after the investment it paid into an account was later transferred and disappeared.

A bank employee has reportedly resigned, and FNB said it intended defending itself against claim against the bank.
SAPA

A 15 year-old teen raped near Maphoitsile


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- A 15 year-old girl has been raped by unknown suspect while walking home from school, says Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.

North West police said the girl was from school near Maphoitsile village and the suspect is still at large.

“We can confirm that a case of rape was launched by Taung Police Station after a teen was allegedly raped” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

Police urge anyone with information that can lead to any arrest to contact Taung Police Station.
Police investigations continue.-TDN
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Woman raped at Extension 6, suspect fled


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a case of rape after a 46 year-old woman was allegedly raped.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said a woman was asleep at her house in Extension 6, near Taung when an unknown suspect pounced on her.

“A suspect allegedly robbed a woman a cellphone and other items before he fled the scene” he said.

The atrocity took place on Wednesday at around 02:00am and the rape case has been opened.

Police investigations continue.-TDN
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MEC Maloyi to visit the bereaved families and those injured in hospitals


Mmabatho- North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi, accompanied by the MEC for the Department of Economic Development Motlalepula Rosho will visit the bereaved families of the officials who passed away yesterday after a sudden shooting incident at the departmental offices at NWDC building in Mmabatho.

Two officials were certified dead on the scene and three severely injured after one official allegedly entered the building and randomly fired gun shots.

Among the deceased was the official responsible for the incident whom allegedly gunned himself down. Two of those injured officials were immediately rushed to Bophelong and Victoria hospitals respectively.

North West Premier Thandi Modise and both the MEC’s will later address the officials at the Mmabatho Civic Centre at 11H00-TDN
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First Brutal Fruit Netball Premier Cup underway


Pretoria- The Brutal Fruit netball Premier Cup is currently underway at the Pretoria University Rembrandt hall in Gauteng Province.

The highly anticipated premier league incorporates 10 teams from all nine Provinces in South Africa and will be played over five weeks.

The idea of forming a National Professional League, similar to the professional soccer league, was pioneered by Minister of Sport and Recreation Mr Fikile Mbalula in 2012, as part of his programme to get more women involved in sport.

The first week of the tournament saw the North West flames playing two games, which saw them winning 38-37 against Free State Crinums and losing 48-47 against GP Jaguars.

The flames will face more opponents such as the Eastern Aloes and the Golden Fireballs over the weekend and are currently in training with the intention of winning both games.

Speaking at the launch of the North West Flames which were held at Potch on May Day, the Head of Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Mme Desiree Tlhoaele congratulated the Team in their selection and offered them support. “You should be passionate about netball as a sport and honour the game win or lose” said Mme Desiree Tlhoaele.

“These games will give girls across the country especially from previously disadvantaged areas to play netball as a professional sport” said MEC for Sport Arts and Culture Mme Tebogo Modise.

She urged the people to rally behind the team as they are carrying the hopes of the province on their shoulders.-TDN
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Premier Modise shocked by fatal shooting of govt employees


North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed shock at the shooting incident in which two employees of the provincial government were killed and three others seriously injured. The episode occurred at the North West Development Corporation building in Mmabatho on Thursday.“We wish to condemn in the strongest termspossible violence in the workplace which has left us numb with shock and convey our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the tragic incident. We also wish those injured in the incident a speedy recovery,” Premier Modise said in appealing for calm.Modise said that the failure of the security personnel contracted to safeguard the safety of employees is being investigated.
“Security companies are employed at a very high cost to the state to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the workplace. We will be demanding answers and taking drastic action,” she added. 
Premier Modise said that employees of the Department of Human Settlements-Public Safety & Liaison and the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism would receive professional post traumatic counselling at 11:00 today.“We will await a preliminary report of the investigation announced by MEC for Human Settlements-Public Safety & Liaison, Nono Maloyi that will among others also investigate what could have led to the incident,” Modise said.
The MEC’s for the two departments, their Heads of Department and senior managersare to visit familiesthat lost their loved ones in the incident. The delegationwill later in the day at around 11:00 address staff.   

According to police, a middle-aged man started shooting while outside the building and reportedly entered the building and fired shots inside the offices of the human settlements department.  

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said that two people were injured from ricocheting shots while the third victim suffered head injuries after being struck with a gun.

“The man allegedly went to one of the offices where he shot and killed one person, then turned the gun on himself when police arrived,” Mokgwabone said.

The motive of the man whom it has been confirmed is an employee of the Department of Human Settlements. The injured – two women and a man – were taken to a nearby hospital.

Mokgwabone said a case of two counts of attempted murder, one of murder and an inquest would be investigated.-TDN
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