Daily Archives: May 20, 2014

Woman back in court over a toddler on a highway


Johannesburg – A 19-year-old woman whose son was found wandering on the N1 freeway near the Grasmere offramp is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The woman was granted R500 bail in April. Her child was at a place of safety, Gauteng traffic spokesperson Busaphi Nxumalo said at the time.

The 19-year-old mother is originally from Orange Farm and faces charges of attempted murder and child abandonment.

She was arrested on 5 April, two days after a truck swerved to avoid hitting her 16-month-old boy while he was walking along the freeway.

Traffic police patrolling the N1 noticed the truck swerve and then saw the child walking on the road at around 19:00.

Police suspected that the child had been left there as there were no houses nearby.
SAPA

A woman,23, killed by a bakkie on the N12


By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-A 23 year-old woman was killed when she was hit by a bakkie on the N12 highway near Stillfontein, Klerksdorp late last night.

ER24 paramedics arrived on scene to find the young woman lying in the grass near the roadside. A friend that had been walking with her sat next to her trying to assist her friend.

“Paramedics assessed the young lady and found no signs of life. She was declared dead on scene” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

The friend stated that they were walking on the road when the bakkie apparently failed to notice the pair walking in the road.

Local authorities were on scene to investigate further.-TDN
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ANC set to announce premier candidates


Johannesburg – ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe has said the premiers of eight provinces, including Gauteng, will be selected from the three submissions from each of the party’s provincial structures, Beeld reported on Tuesday.

“The ANC will in terms of a resolution taken earlier, designate a premier from the three candidates. We discussed the names yesterday [Sunday] and they cannot be changed,” he was quoted as saying.

“We accepted two important principles today [Monday]. First is that in each province if there is a man appointed premier, there has to be a female speaker.”

All legislatures must also have 50% of women in their executive councils.

Mantashe’s comments follow speculation that Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane would be re-appointed premier, despite not being recommended by the ANC in the province.

It was previously reported that ANC provincial secretary David Makhura, former education MEC Barbara Creecy and former finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe were the three names for the province.

However the Gauteng ANC said on Thursday that Nkomfe asked that his name be removed from the list.

Makhura, Creecy and former housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe were the top three names on the province’s list.

The party is holding a briefing later on Tuesday where the premier candidates were expected to be announced.
– SAPA

Supra Mahumapelo to become new premier of North West?


By Obakeng Maje and Sabc
Mahikeng-ANC Chairperson in the North West, Supra Mahumapelo, says the decision on whether he will become the next premier lies entirely with President Jacob Zuma and the deployment committee of the party.

This as political commentators predict Mahumapelo’s rise to the top seat in the province.

The ANC’s alliance partners on the other hand, say the ruling party must start preparing for the 2016 local government elections immediately.
 
ANC reclaimed the North West by 67.4%. The province has been marred by violent service delivery protests over the past few months in areas such as Bloemhof and Khunotswane.

Mahumapelo says they will be attending to the challenges in those areas.  He says they will also address issues such as non-provision of water in other areas.

On the issue of premiership, Mahumapelo says he will lead the province only if asked to do so by the ruling party.

“Of course I hear people saying that Supra Mahumapelo is going to be premier of the North West – it’s not true. What happens in the African National Congress is that the Provincial Executive Committees throughout the country are going to be recommending three names to the National Executive Committee which will have discussions. Thereafter a decision will finally be taken and it will be announced by the President of the Republic and the president of the ANC comrade Jacob Zuma.”

The ANC has been celebrating its victory in the province’s districts. It started at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, followed by Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema and ended in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

On the issue of premiership, Mahumapelo says he will lead the province only if asked to do so by the ruling party.

Mahumapelo has thanked everyone who assisted them in reclaiming the province, including their alliance partners.

“We want to thank our volunteers, our party agents our mobilisers on the ground. We also want to extend our gratitude to the people of the North West for showing confidence in the African National Congress – we got two thirds by the way.”

ANC NEC is hosting a two day meeting where amongst things being discussed, is who will lead the provinces as premiers.

President Jacob Zuma will announced names few days after being inaugurated as the president of the Republic.-TDN
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1000s line up for Gift of the Givers help at Rustenburg


Cape Town – Thousands of people arrived on Monday for food parcels given to starving mine worker families by the Gift of the Givers, the foundation said.

The foundation’s Imtiaz Sooliman told News24 that there had been up to 4 000 needy people who had queued in the hope of getting something to eat.

However, there was only enough for 500 families and the others had to turn back, hoping for another chance at being helped.

“They came in their thousands, hungry but dignified and disciplined. Marshalls controlled the crowds admirably.

“There was no rioting given this scenario, no complaints and no objection, but an overall acceptance that the most needy families stand in line first, even though they are fully conscious that further aid may not be forthcoming,” said Sooliman.

“Aid is sporadic, minimal and dependent on the generosity of well wishers sympathetic to the plight of the starving mine worker families,” he added.   

Sooliman said the need was huge and the situation desperate among the 80 000 families affected by the crippling 16 week strike at platinum mines.

He said many had sold most of their possessions and there was no means to pay school fees, to buy blankets, sanitary pads, baby milk powder or simple medication. 

“In all that frustration and desperation, our teams were never under any threat, but given full respect for coming and delivering.”

Sooliman said another 600 aid packages would be delivered at the Khuseleka Mine in Rustenburg on Tuesday, while 5 000 people would be given a hot meal.

Gift of the Givers spokesperson Emily Thomas says they are working in hand with the Marikana Community Support group to identify families mostly affected by the on-going strike.

The foundation says they will continue with initiatives to alleviate poverty in the area.

The mine workers remain resolute on their call for basic salary of R12 500.

News24

Malema warns new MPs


EFF leader Julius Malema has sent a stern warning to members to say those fighting to get positions in Parliament won’t get anywhere.

Speaking at Thapelo Lekeka’s funeral on Saturday at Mampudi Primary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, Malema said: “Some are literally crying to see themselves in Parliament.

“Those who are selected must be prepared to work for poor people on the ground. If they fail to do their duties they will be recalled and they must accept it. We don’t want to see our members taking the EFF to court.

“We want to see the poor people of South Africa living in proper houses and not shacks. We want their dignity restored.”
For more http://www.dailynews.mobi

Mining companies in court to oppose Amcu application


Platinum mining companies Amplats, Lonmin and Implats will on Tuesday oppose an urgent application by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) to stop them directly texting striking miners about wage increases.

Lonmin Chief Executive Ben Magara says up to 67% of Amcu members have indicated that they are willing to return to work, but fear for their lives.

Magara says, “We will strongly, as you may expect, oppose Amcu’s application. In our view, our actions to communicate with our own employees is in no way a contravention of the Labour Relations Act of our country, South Africa.”

Latest reports point to a hit list in Marikana of people who had to be killed
He says, ” We are not against any Recognition Agreements nor any employee’s constitutional rights, but outside of the mechanics of the law, we cannot understand Amcu’s objection to our communicating with our own members.”

Meanwhile, Amcu has distanced itself from the reported violent incidents and murders in the Platinum belt.

Four miners were killed in separate incidents a week ago as some employees prepared to go back to work at Amplats and Lonmin.

Latest reports point to a hit list in Marikana of people who had to be killed. According to the reports, the dead miners are on the list.

Amcu President Joseph Mathunjwa says they condemn violence in the strongest terms.

Amcu members is demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za