Monthly Archives: May 2014

Cosatu: Water crisis affects communities


Mothutlung- The Congress of South African Trade Unions has resolved to take up a campaign on water after its debate on the challenges that workers and members of the communities are facing on a daily basis.

COSATU has learned with disappointment that some councillors, senior politicians and their officials at the municipality level are implicated in corrupt activities in the water tank scandal.

COSATU said they will take up the matter with the provincial government and the minister of water affairs to deal with the crisis and go deeper to the roots of the matter, but also calls for an investigation in all municipalities on the current crisis that is created by certain individuals helping their friends to collapse the municipalities of our province.

“There is an element of corruption and some of them are unable to provide service and we should campaign for some of them to be amalgamated” Cosatu North West provincial general secretary Solly Phetoe said.

“We have lost lives in our municipalities and we are still losing lives and poor communities are not making their responsibilities as parents for taking care of their children. We are losing jobs due to water as we now know that Mafikeng Supreme Chicken is retrenching workers due to water shortage. It must be the responsibility of the municipality to make sure that our members are not retrenched or they must employ them” he said.

Cosatu said it is the federation’s view that yes, there is water challenges but in some areas have people who have no interest in the poor communities.

Cosatu Solly Phetoe said they do not care about the challenges facing the communities. Phetoe said what they care about is if “I take one truck of water how much will get in my pocket”.

“Our communities are still struggling with water, so it is a crisis that needs a strong campaign and stop people from using the water crisis to get rich.
Our members are dying in the municipalities due to poor conditions of service and money is taken to a few people after making sure that they get the tender” said Cosatu.

Municipalities are not able to provide protective cloths to workers due to corruption that is taking place in almost all of our North West municipalities, says Phetoe.

Cosatu is still awaiting a feedback from the investigators on the matter of the killing of poor families in Mothutlung for water.

“We are just watching the space from far on this matter, hoping that it will not be like the killing of the late Moss Phakoe whose family is still awaiting the judgment since December 2013 till now” he said.

Cosatu said it is possible that the case may be put into the water, as the accused are ‘politically connected’ as they normally say to their friends and it reaches the late family.

Phetoe said this can happen as they see things taking place in Rustenburg, where one person is given bail more than three times that on the murder cases.

The water crisis is a national question that must be dealt with by both national and provincial government and the private sector.

Phetoe said they will be taking up issues that affect workers and communities who had challenges during and before the national elections.

“Our campaign will take us to the streets if we find that the crisis is caused by corrupt activities that we are seeing happening in the municipalities” he said.

Cosatu promised to take action against employers who retrench workers for shortages of water. They will take up issues of service delivery jointly with SANCO to the streets.

Phetoe call all employers, in particular Supreme Chicken in Mafikeng, to reinstate all their members who are retrenched because of water shortages.

The provincial secretary will be visiting the company on Wednesday 21st May 2014 to meet with workers who are retrenched including those who are still employed. The company has retrenched almost 450 workers and the remaining are 550 on one shift.

“The municipality of Mafikeng must take responsibility for this retrenchment and unemployment crisis that is created by poor planning” concludes Phetoe.-TDN
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NUM: Amcu president Mathunjwa a professional liar


Rustenburg- The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said they would like to inform and correct ill-informed and professional liar Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) President Joseph Mathunjwa who said that NUM President Senzeni Zokwana serves in an entity called SAPS Bureau.

Mr Mathunjwa was being interviewed today on The New Age breakfast briefing on SABC 2.

“NUM President Senzeni Zokwana is the National Chairperson of the South African Communist Party(SACP) and a member of the SACP Politburo. We think that Mr Mathunjwa was referring to the SACP Politburo. There is no such entity called SAPS Bureau unless he was referring to an unknown entity that we are not aware off, ” said NUM Deputy General Secretary Tshimane Montoedi.-TDN
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Cosatu NWest PECs met to discuss burning issues


COSATU North West held its normal PEC on the 15th and 16th May 2014 at Ngwenya hotel and received a report which amongst other focuses on the following:

1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL

The report was presented to the meeting and the following were highlighted.
i) Poaching

The NOBs at our last PEC requested that the matter of poaching be left to be discussed at national level and what must be looked at in the province must be the communication between Moses Kotane local and SATAWU, on which the PEC have said that a task team must be established to deal with the matter and it must be dealt with now and be reported to the next PEC.

New events of poaching have been reported to the province by SATAWU from other unions. This has an element of increasing tensions in the province and the country. The PEC resolved that all affiliates that have recruited members that do not belong to their scope must be handed over. Our target for recruitment must be the unorganised workers and those who defected to the rival unions against COSATU affiliates.

The last CEC took a decision that all affiliates must submit the sectors in which they are organising so that the CEC can determine if there is poaching or not.

The PEC reflected on the following issues and resolved to intensify our campaigns as we are now out off the election campaign:

· The state of the campaign in the mines and the current strike in the platinum belt
· The campaigns against the toll gate and labour brokers
· The refusal by employers to allow workers to celebrate Workers’ Day.
· The role of COSATU in support of the communities.
· The role of COSATU in building the ANC
· The implementation of the remaining activities for 2014.
· The role of COSATU in the platinum area during the election.
· State of the structures and their work.

ii) State of the affiliates
· Challenge of the submission of reports.
· The matter of poaching
· Intervention in the affiliates.
· Majority of affiliates are in good standing and some are not attending the provincial activities except for May Day and PSSC, this must be discussed with those affiliates as part of building the federation.

iii) State of the locals
· The last PEC took a resolution on rebuilding the locals and was disturbed by the work in the election and on May Day; this will now be carried to our next program from this month.
· There is still a challenge in some locals which are not functional.
· Locals are the backbones of COSATU as the campaigns are implemented in the locals

iv) State of the mining program
Based on the work which we have done in the area, workers have gone back to the union. There is a challenge of violence against those who want to go back to work. The marches which we had in the mines have helped to make workers aware of what is happening in the mines.

We are still calling all affiliates to play their part in working together with the federation, as agreed, in dealing with the challenges facing the mine workers.

“We condemned the continuation of the killing, intimidation the threats to workers and call on the SAPS and our government to protect the public including those who want to go to work” Cosatu provincial spokesperson Solly Phetoe.

The PEC reaffirmed its position to continue with its program in the mining area to protect workers and members of the communities.

v) May Day assessment
The summary assessment was presented to the PEC and resolved that:
· The full campaigns meeting must be convened to assess both the May Day and election campaign
· That the matter of employers who refuse to allow workers to attend May Day and Election Day, and not giving warning, must be dealt with
· We must deal with issues that affect workers, including those raised by workers during our election campaign,
vi) Campaigns
· Toll gate campaign

“Most of the campaigns were successful except the one which was supposed to be on 25 April 2014 which the police interrupted. The outcomes of the first meeting with the national Department of Transport were presented to the meeting” Phetoe said.

· Gender based violence
There was a march to the UNW which was poorly attended
· Water and electricity campaign
The PEC took a resolution to support the community in the campaign to demand the provision of water and electricity, which most of the communities in the province do not have.
· Racism
Racism is rife and still continuing and this was even more so during the elections
· Recruitment
We can report that recruitment takes place in the affiliates. There was no report on the details but some unions have shown growth
· Mandela Day and Child Care Day
The activities must be taken seriously by all the PEC members and we should all make sure that we take forward the legacy of comrade Nelson Mandela.

Decisions:
· Reaffirm the decision of the last PEC with regard to poaching of other affiliates.
· Engage with workers who resign from the union.
· Convene a workshop for the local office bearers.
· PEC members to help the locals to run the programs of COSATU.
· Continue to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Marikana until there is stability.
· Continue to intervene where workers require the intervention of the federation.
· Revive the local socialist forum in all the locals.
· Improve communication in the province.
· Go back to all the campaigns which have been suspended during the elections.
· The campaigns committee to sit and do the May Day and 2014 provincial and national election assessment
· Develop a coordinated campaign on water provision to the communities.
· Deal with challenges of service delivery protests that took place during the election and before.
· Take up all the campaigns of workers including the fight against labour brokers, the e-tolling system, the expensive toll gate and the exploitation of farm workers.

1.2 POLITICAL
i) Assessment of the election results and program:
· The ANC victory from the election
· The challenges faced during the election
· There was anticipation of disruptions in Marikana but this did not happened but there we disruptions in other areas
· There was an appeal of maintaining the relationship which was there with the ANC during the election post the election.
· There were good relations in the alliance.
· The role of the ANC in Marikana
· The role of the ANC councillors in the communities.
· The coming ANC provincial conference and the role of the alliance in the building strong ANC and strong alliance.

There is a need to have a high profile debate on the state of the NDR in our province, linked with the current state of the platinum belt and the current protest in service deliveries.

ii) state of the municipalities
We requested the Auditor General to investigate all the municipalities.
There is an element of corruption in many municipalities; some of them are not able to provide services and we should campaign for some of them to be amalgamated. The issue of health of safety in the municipality is also a problem and we must request the national minister to intervene.

vii) Election assessment

The PEC reaffirmed the position of the POBs and the statement issued by COSATU in congratulating the ANC but registering challenges that made the ANC to reduce the support.
· The assessment of the election campaign was presented in to the PEC and it was urged that the PEC must note the decline in the performance of the ANC in these elections.
· The war rooms in the province were not operational as resolved in the last PEC. Very few members of the PEC were part of the COSATU election program.
· The attack on the COSATU election activities.
· The role of the ANC in the alliance election program.
· The issues raised by workers and communities.
· The shortage of water
· The current state of the municipalities
· The current state of the mining strike in the platinum belt

Decisions:
· Convene an urgent political commission to do an assessment of the NDR and politically analyse and the outcome our election.
· Requested the auditor general to investigate all the municipalities.
· There is an element of corruption in many municipalities and some of them are not able to provide services and we should campaign for some of them to be amalgamated.
· The issue of health of safety in the municipality is also a problem and we must request the national minister to intervene including DOL
· COSATU must build a strong relationship with the ANC and all the alliance partners in the province. In the coming conferences of the ANC members of COSATU must participate from the branches up to the provincial conference.
· The Alliance must start to prepare for a joint campaign for the coming local government election for 2016 using our current results on election.
· COSATU and the entire alliance must be involved in the deployment post the 2014 national and provincial election

1.3 SOCIO –ECONOMIC
The following were highlighted in the socio economic report:
· The state of unemployment in the province.
· The role of the EPWP.
· The effect of the mining strike in the economy.
· The continuation of illegal evection of the farm workers and farm dwellers.

Decisions
The following were decisions were taken on the socio economic:
· Reaffirm the action at the toll gate.
· Develop a campaign on water.
· Engage the ministers of water affairs and local government on the water shortage.
· Engage the ANC on the state of the municipalities.
· The socio economic subcommittee must engage with the ANC
· The COSATU deployees in the board must report to the COSATU PEC.
· Appointment of the hospital boards have not been finalised by the MEC
· The political commission must also look at the matters which are socio-economic and have a bearing on politics.

COSATU PEC NW calls all workers to unite and build a strong federation and that all workers must go back to our principle of an injury to one is injury to all.

“We call on all workers in the platinum belt to unite and protect each other and workers must not go back to without proper security; all workers must stay away with full payment in particular those who are not on strike.”

“We condemned the continuation of killing of workers and call for peace and stability in the platinum belt” he concludes.-TDN
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Sasol Banyana Banyana depart for Comoros


Sasol Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw named a 20-member squad to travel to the Comoros, to play the first leg of the African Women’s Championship qualifier, scheduled for 25 May 2014.

Sasol Banyana Banyana lost 1-0 to the Black Queens of Ghana on Sunday afternoon, 18 May in an international friendly match played at Dobsonville Stadium.

“The result against Ghana was not very vital, what was important was to identify areas which needed improvement. Generally, the girls played well but still need to work on being ruthless in front of goals,” said Pauw.

The team is expected to depart for the Indian Ocean islands this evening and Coach Pauw is confident they will return home with a positive result.

Pauw said the girls played well against Ghana but were indecisive in front of goals.

“Had we taken all our chances on Sunday, the final scoreline could have read differently. But overall, I am happy that we have a base to work on going forward,” she concluded.
-TDN
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Meyiwa cries foul over awards


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg- Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa pulled no punches after he was overlooked for any nominations in the Absa Premiership Awards that took place last night at Sandton Convention, near Johannesburg.

Meyiwa told http://www.kickoff.com that he does not understands the criteria used to nominates players. This comes after Kaizer Chiefs goalie Itumeleng Khune scooped Goalkeeper of the season award despite playing lesser games than Meyiwa.

“When I look back at the performance I gave, it was unfortunate not to see myself as one of Goalkeepers of the season that’s where I see in South Africa maybe there is no fairness.

Khune made 14 clean sheets in 26 games and he was nominated amongst Anssi Jaakkola and Wits Moneeb Josephs.

According to Meyiwa, atleast he expected to be nominated also for Nedbank player of the tournament.

“I had put it clear because I played all the games in the PSL, but I’m not there. I do not know how they select it…it is killing us as players. It is not fair” Meyiwa told Kickoff.com

The biggest winner of the night was Wits skipper Sibusiso Vilakazi who scooped two Absa Premiership Awards and the Nedbank Player of the Tournament taking home staggering R550 000.-TDN
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Krejcir witness questioned over injuries


Johannesburg – The man kidnapped and assaulted, allegedly by Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and five others, was on Monday questioned about permanent injuries he said he sustained.
Annelene van den Heever, for Krejcir, questioned State witness Bheki Lukhele in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, on injuries he said he sustained, allegedly at Krejcir’s hands.

Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, warrant officers Samuel Modise Maropeng and George Nthoroane, Jan Lefu Mofokeng, and Siboniso Miya are charged with dealing in drugs, and the attempted murder and kidnapping of Lukhele.

“Did you sustain permanent injuries or marks from this assault on you with boiling water?” she asked.

“Yes, there were some,” he answered.

He pointed to his left shoulder and said there were marks underneath his clothes. He earlier told the court that Krejcir poured boiling water over his head while he was being held captive in June last year.

Judge Collin Lamont asked the interpreter if he could see marks where Lukhele was pointing. The interpreter, after briefly looking, responded: “No my lord, I can’t see the marks.”

Van den Heever continued her cross-examination of Lukhele by asking him what kind of marks he had and if they were visible. Lukhele described his marks as black spots and said they were visible on his shoulders and back.

When Van den Heever continued to ask about visible marks, Lamont asked if she wanted Lukhele to be examined by the district surgeon. She said yes.

Lamont said Lukhele should be examined and a report compiled.

Skin peeling off

Lukhele said he was injured on top of his head and his skin peeled off.

“It [the peeling] was bit by bit, it was just peeling off.”

He said he wore a hat to cover it up.

Van den Heever asked Lukhele about the doctor he went to see after he was released following his kidnapping.

Lukhele earlier told the court he was kidnapped from his Katlehong home on 25 June last year by Krejcir and his five co-accused.

Lukhele’s brother Doctor worked for a cargo company at OR Tambo International airport. He apparently disappeared with 25kg of crystal methamphetamine (tik) he was supposed to help transport to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.

Lukhele was allegedly held at Krejcir’s Money Point gold exchange business in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, in June last year, and tortured in a bid to have him reveal his brother’s whereabouts.

Lamont ordered that images of Lukhele not be published because he is in witness protection.

SAPA

DA announces Gauteng caucus leader


Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance Gauteng caucus elected John Moodey as its leader on Monday.

“I am proud to serve the citizens of Gauteng as caucus leader in the provincial legislature,” Moodey said.

“The 23-member caucus aims to continue to play a leading role as the alternative government and hold the ruling party to account on matters that affect Gauteng.”

Moodey has been an MPL since 2004.

Former DA youth leader Khume Ramulifho was elected as caucus chairperson unopposed.

“Moodey and Ramulifho bring with them a wealth of expertise having served at the legislature in previous terms,” the party said in a statement.

The whippery has yet to be announced.

– SAPA

ESKOM: Learner Intern Technical (Pupil Technician Chemical Services) x5


The closing date is drawing near for a Learnership in power plant operations so make sure you don’t miss out by applying today.

Position : Learner Plant Operator X10 Vacancy type: External/Internal

Task Grade : TR5

Area of Speacialization : Operating

Department : Operating

Business Unit : Matla Power Station

Location : South Africa (Mpumalanga)

Reference Number : 329-1643969NZ

Closing Date : 5/22/2014

Minimum Requirements

Qualification(s):

• Grade 12 / N3 with Physical Science and Mathematics
• Languages include English as second language (50%)
Skills and Competencies

• Ability to apply Maths and Science knowledge
• Good understanding of thermodynamics
• Technical, electrical equipment and energy conversion process understanding
• Self-motivation, analytical, cognitive thinking and good communication skills
Key Responsibilities

• Complete Learnership in power plant operations successfully as per set standards
“If you have not been contacted within 28 days after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.”

The appointment of the candidate is at the Manager’s sole discretion, taking into account factors which Eskom consider relevant including but not limited to Eskom’s Employment & Occupational Equity Policies, Strategies & Guidelines. Also note that Eskom supports a smoke-free environment.

Link to Apply Online Click Here to Apply http://www.careersportal.co.za/learnerships/3416-eskom-learner-plant-operator-x10.html
-TDN
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Boskuil and Oersonskraal communities benefit from housing project


By Obakeng Maje
Boskuil and Oersonskraal communities to benefit from housing project,says MEC Nono Maloyi.

“The North West province is not recognised as the best performing province to no vain. The recent handing over programme of more than 8000 housing units across the province by Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, MEC Nono Maloyi bears testimony to that” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

Following the three month programme, Maloyi further went on to introduce two newly appointed contractors for construct of 914 housing units to the communities of Boskuil and Oersonskraal.

In his speech, Maloyi indicated that the province has launched the new look RDP house that will be the common feature of all houses to be build in the North West with effect from this year.

The house has more features than the previous houses that were build in the province but same in size. The house was launched during the recent provincial Govan Mbeki awards held in Phokeng outside Rustenburg.

“The New look house will be 45 square meters, with big windows, phase brick, or maxi bricks, plastered from inside, with gutters and basin inside. The houses will be of quality and will further enhance the face and the dignity of RDP houses build in the province” said Maloyi.
 
Furthermore, the MEC called on communities to support the contractors during the construction period since they will also benefit from the project by being employed.

“I humbly appeal to the appointed contractors to use local labour to further create employment and develop skills among the community members. Please make sure that you gain proper training and safe guard the material in order to stall the project by stealing the goods”, Maloyi concluded.

The project is expected to start as soon as applications are finalized.-TDN
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Premier Modise: Strike afftect miners with chronic diseases


Marikana- North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed concern at reports that miners who are on chronic medication in the platinum belt are defaulting on Anti-Retroviral treatment due to acts of violence and intimidation that prohibit them from accessing health services at their workplaces.

“We appeal to workers on strike to be mindful that their colleagues on chronic medication for HIV-Aids, TB ,Hypertension and Diabetes need to access wellness care facilities for chronic medication that is life sustaining. Preventing them from accessing health facilities at their workplaces is putting their health at great risk,” Premier Modise said.
Modise has urged workers to visit their nearest public health facilities to access their chronic medication, family planning support, prenatal care, Free TB and HIV/Aids testing and counseling.
She reiterated that ending the strike which has now entered into its 17th week will be the first step to avert possible job losses and restoring peace and stability as the protracted strike by AMCU has degenerated into a vicious cycle of violence that has resulted in the brutal killings of non-striking workers, destruction of private and public properties.-TDN
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