Khunotswana residents to get tarred road after intervention


Khunotswana- The residents of Khunotswana near Zeerust are to get houses and a tarred road as construction processes starts in July this year.

This was announced by a government delegation represented by MEC for Education and Sports Development Wendy Matsemela and MEC for Public Works and Roads Madoda Sambatha at a community meeting in the area yesterday. 300 low cost houses are to be constructed for Khunotswana residents and the 25 kilometer road which links Khunotswana and Zeerust town.

“The delegation also broke the much awaited news to residents that government has resolved that the construction of the houses will start as soon as the necessary processes have been followed in July and that of the tarred road in August 2014” departmental spokesperson Dineo Lolokwane said.

MEC Wendy Matsemela concluded by appealing to residents to allow children to go back to school.

In the meantime, Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality in partnership with Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality will continue to distribute water tanks in the village as a temporary measure to relief shortage of water and Eskom has also began to deal with electrification backlog in the area.

The community had previously embarked in several violent protests which saw them burning tyres and blockading the road with stones. They complained about poor conditions of roads, insufficient water supply, lack of housing and electricity supply and these protests led to children not going to school.

“Residents wanted government to prioritize and in earnest begin the construction of 300 low cost houses and the 25 kilometer road linking their village and Zeerust town” Lolokwane said.-TDN
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Banyana Banyana complete preparations ahead of Botswana clash


Banyana Banyana have completed their preparations ahead of their international friendly match against neighbours Botswana.

The squad held their final training session at the Isak Steyl Stadium, University of Technology in Vanderbijl Park where the match will be played on Saturday, 07 June 2014.

Kickoff is at 15h00.

Head coach Vera Pauw concentrated mainly on tactics in their one-hour training session.

”We are looking forward to this match and we can’t wait for tomorrow where we will go full strength at our opponents. Unfortunately we have only one injury, defender Amanda Sister failed to recover from her groin injury, but the rest of the players are fit and raring to go. Tonight I will announce the 21 players who will form part of the playing squad from the 26 that we have,” said Pauw.

“What I would like us to see against Botswana is that we are in full control of the match both defensively and in attack. By that I mean I want to see teamwork, all the players working for each other all over the pitch and I believe if we can get that right we will emerge victorious.”

Her words were echoed by striker Leandra Smeda who was on the score-sheet when South Africa defeated Comoros in the first leg of the 2014 African Women’s Championships qualifier held in that country two weeks ago.

“We played very well against Comoros and I believe we will continue from where we left off when we face Botswana. Yes, tomorrow will not be as easy as it was in Comoros but I am confident we will do well against them. Training went very well this week and we put in a lot of work which should give us positive results tomorrow. I also think I will score again,” said Smeda.

Botswana arrived in South Africa on Thursday, 5 June and held their training session at the match venue on Friday afternoon (6 June).
-TDN
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SAFA tight-lipped over coach


Johannesburg – The South African Football Association have refused to divulge the identity of they want as the new Bafana Bafana coach, but revealed they will “announce the candidate soon”.

According to the football411 website, South Africa are currently in search of a new tactician after Gordon Igesund’s tenure came to an end earlier this week, with Sochaux manager Herve Renard and Stephen Keshi, currently in charge of Nigeria, considered favourites for the role.

However, SAFA refused to give anything away regarding the potential replacement, saying only that a decision would be revealed in time.

“The identity remains confidential and will only be made public once all details have been concluded,” SAFA spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi told Kick Off.

“The process of identifying the new Bafana Bafana coach has already began and we will be in a position to announce the candidate soon.”

He added: “Bafana Bafana are the country’s prime football brand; therefore we are looking at an individual who will take our senior national men’s team back to the golden days.”

Sport24

Power back in Johannesburg south late Friday


Johannesburg – Electricity in areas south of Johannesburg was expected to be restored by the end of Friday, except for Lenasia, City Power said.

“By the end of the day we think that all areas that were affected by power disruptions will be restored, with Lenasia perhaps being the only exception,” said spokesperson Sol Masolo.

“At the moment, the situation hasn’t changed compared to last night.”

On Thursday evening power went out in Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Klipspruit, Nancefield, Devland, and surrounds.

The power interruption was caused by the theft of 88kV electricity pylons between the Nirvana and Nancefield substations.

“A pylon is a major thing, it is not a street light at all. We are replacing them and connecting them,” he said.

“It’s a major concern. It is a very expensive exercise. We are taking as many measures as possible to ensure the pylons are protected and we are in contact with police in regards to this matter.”

City Power was ready for the winter electricity demand but appealed to residents to use energy sparingly.
SAPA

Counsel: Tlakula’s past matters


Johannesburg – A person’s past could make them unsuitable for a certain position, the Electoral Court sitting in the South Gauteng High Court heard on Friday.

This is according to David Unterhalter SC, for five political parties calling for the removal of Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) chairperson Pansy Tlakula.

The United Democratic Movement, the African Christian Democratic Party, the Congress of the People, Agang SA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters want the court to issue a recommendation to Parliament to have Tlakula removed from office after allegations of misconduct.

Their bid followed a forensic investigation by the National Treasury which found the procurement of the IEC’s Riverside Office Park headquarters building in Centurion, Pretoria, was neither fair, transparent, nor cost-effective.

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

Madonsela found Tlakula had a relationship – possibly of a romantic nature – with then chairperson of Parliament’s finance portfolio committee Thaba Mufamadi.

He was a shareholder in Abland, which owns the IEC’s current premises.

Tlakula has submitted that she made an “honest mistake” during the procurement process.

On Thursday, Daniel Berger SC, for Tlakula, said the court should take into consideration that the procurement took place when she was CEO of the IEC, not the chairperson.

He argued the issue had not affected how she conducted her duties and the country held successful elections under her leadership last month.

Unterhalter, however, argued on Friday that the matter could not be swept under the carpet just because it was not revealed when she applied for the chairwoman position.

The matter continues.
SAPA

Two sanctioned to life imprisonment for killing a cop


By Obakeng Maje
Garankuwa- Swift reaction, co-operation and diligence led to conviction and sentencing of Lucky Edwin Baloyi,26, to life imprisonment for murder and other charges while Jabu Javas Basaya,31, got fifty years imprisonment.   

The sentences were imposed by the North West Division of High seating in Ga-rankuwa on Wednesday. 

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the accused were arrested after shooting Tshwane Metro Police Official two years ago along Molefe Makinta Highway.

By then, three Metro officials were enforcing National Road Traffic Act through Vehicle Check Point when attacked by the accused who shot one of the officials and robbed him his service pistol. The officials returned fire and that led to injury of one of the accused who was admitted to the hospital, while a metro official was rushed to Legae Private Clinic where he later died. 

“A joint intensive search by Ga-rankuwa, Mabopane, Hebron, and Tshwane Metro police officials led to arrest of one of the suspects within a short space of time after the incident” Mokgwabone said.

Jabu Javas Basaya was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, twenty years for armed robbery, 3 years for each of five counts of attempted murder and 6 years for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunitions.  

The court also sentenced Lucky Edwin Baloyi to 25 years imprisonment for murder, 10 years for armed robbery, 6 years for each of 2 counts of attempted murder, and 3 years for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions. Sentences will run concurrently.

The North West Provincial Commissioner expressed thanks to the members for their commitment and team effort that led to arrest and eventual sentencing of the culprits.

“This is an indication that working together will bring results such as this one; a long jail term. We will continue to serve and protect the community with pride and ensure that perpetrators pay for their deeds”, Lt Gen Zukiswa Mbombo said.    
-TDN
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Municipal manager quits over water crisis


Johannesburg – Lekwa Teemane municipal manager Andrew Makwapane has resigned amid a water contamination crisis that claimed the lives of three babies in Bloemhof.

“Yes, I can confirm that,” North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s spokesperson Sam Mokaila told Sapa on Friday.

“We received confirmation on the resignation yesterday [Thursday].”

Mokaila said an interim city manager would be appointed next week.

“The exco [provincial executive council] has requested for someone to be sent from the department of local government to sit in until someone is properly appointed,” he said.

“No one has been sent yet. The request came through yesterday, so the appointment is expected to be made on Monday.”

Task team set up

Earlier this week, a joint task team was set up to look into the municipality’s ailing infrastructure, governance, and administrative problems, and a spillage that resulted in the water contamination.

The team comprised members of the exco, the water and sanitation department, and other officials.

Makwapane was suspended on Monday following a meeting by provincial and municipal leaders.
Last week, Makwapane blamed a contractor for Bloemhof’s water contamination problem.

At the time, he said the water contamination followed a sewage spillage in Boitumelong and a contractor was hired to clean it up.

“…But he abandoned his work due to protest riots in the area,” said Makwapane.

He could not say when the spill happened, or specify which riots he was referring to.

Locals told to boil water

In April, violent protests erupted in Boitumelong and residents torched several buildings, including houses belonging to municipal employees. Residents wanted the entire municipal council removed.

Over the past two weeks, scores of residents were treated for diarrhoea at local clinics. Three babies later died after contracting severe diarrhoea.

The municipality shut down the water supply system for it to be cleaned and sanitised. Last Thursday, water was restored.

Afterwards, residents still complained of brown water coming out of taps. Residents were asked to boil the water before using it.

Water samples were taken and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said tests for cholera were negative.
SAPA