Monthly Archives: June 2014

Zuma will be ready for State of the Nation

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Johannesburg – There was no change in President Jacob Zuma’s condition on Saturday morning, the presidency said.

Spokesperson Mac Marahaj referred to a statement issued by the presidency on Friday evening which said Zuma would resume public activities next week.

”The president has been working from home and his first public engagement will be the state-of-the-nation address in Parliament on Tuesday,” Maharaj said.

Zuma would then attend the state-of-the-nation debate on Wednesday and Thursday and respond to the debate on Friday.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would address The New Age/SABC business breakfast session on Wednesday, while ministers and deputy ministers would also participate in media interviews in various languages in order to unpack the state-of-the-nation for the public, Maharaj said.
– SAPA

Judgement expected in rapist dentist case

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Johannesburg – The Thembalethu Regional Court is expected to hand down judgment in August in the case of a George dentist accused of raping a 15-year-old boy, Saturday Star reported.

The matter was postponed to 12 August for judgment, with the trial having wrapped on Friday, according to the newspaper.

The dentist, 42, allegedly raped the boy on 27 December 2011, when the boy was sleeping over at the dentist’s rental home in Victoria Bay.

The dentist allegedly engaged the boy in sexual conversation on the patio, and offered him alcohol, leaving him drunk.

Later, he allegedly came into the boy’s room with lubricant and pornographic DVDs, and performed sexual acts on him including penetration.

The dentist was arrested on 28 December and was subsequently released on R1 000 bail. The man faces nine charges including rape and sexual assault.

Prosecutor Brandon Smith reportedly said certain aspects of what happened were not contested, including that sexual acts had been performed.

What was contested was whether the dentist had given the boy alcohol, consent had been given, and whether penetration took place.

The dentist has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
– SAPA

Plane crashes near Stellenbosch


Johannesburg – A pilot was injured when his light aircraft crashed at the Stellenbosch Airfield in the Western Cape on Friday, paramedics said.

The 46-year-old was trying to take off when the aircraft’s tail hit the ground and the plane overturned, ER24 spokesperson Luyanda Majija said.

The man was treated for fractures and lacerations and taken to Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West.

The accident will be investigated.

SAPA

Plane crashes near Stellenbosch


Johannesburg – A pilot was injured when his light aircraft crashed at the Stellenbosch Airfield in the Western Cape on Friday, paramedics said.

The 46-year-old was trying to take off when the aircraft’s tail hit the ground and the plane overturned, ER24 spokesperson Luyanda Majija said.

The man was treated for fractures and lacerations and taken to Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West.

The accident will be investigated.

SAPA

Another blow for SA’s credit ratings


Cape Town – Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded South Africa’s credit ratings, handing another blow to an economy struggling with labour, growth and electricity challenges.
For more http://www.news24.com

Transnet strike – second arrest


Johannesburg – A second Transnet employee has been arrested for alleged intimidation during a strike at the Ngqura container terminal, outside Port Elizabeth, the parastatal said on Friday.

“Port Elizabeth police have arrested a second suspect, another Numsa member, in connection with the spate of bombings, arson and thuggery targeted at Transnet employees who chose not to join the union’s industrial action,” spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela said in a statement.

Police confirmed the man was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition on Tuesday.

Captain Andre Beetge said a non-striking Transnet employee claimed the 35-year-old man was a striker who intimidated him for refusing to join the strike.

“We cannot say it is strike-related, but both are Transnet employees.”

Police could not confirm a second arrest, nor whether the man arrested was affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa). Numsa members have been on strike for eight weeks at Ngqura over transport allowances, working hours for particular tasks, and the use of labour brokers.

Transnet said on Thursday it had increased security for its workers, their families, and property after at least 35 acts of violence and intimidation, including arson, since the strike began.

Numsa national treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo said in a statement on Thursday that “not a single shred of evidence exists or shows that our members are responsible for acts of violence or intimidation”.

He claimed Numsa members had been disciplined.

“Our members fully understand the code of conduct of Numsa, since any worker or member seen acting outside the ambit of the law will face serious consequences internally in the union,” Maqungo said.

SAPA

MEC Molapisi to meet the residents of Ganyesa


Ganyesa- Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi will meet the communities of Ganyesa following the case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Today’s MECs’ meeting with the concerned residents of Ganyesa would be the second following the one he had with them earlier this week.

In today’s meeting which will be held at Ganyesa Sport Ground, Molapisi will appeal to the fuming residents to calm down and have trust on the justice system that the case will be investigated and given a fit judgement.

A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was registered at the Ganyesa police station following allegations that a 9-year-old boy was handcuffed and hand electrocuted on Wednesday 28 May 2014, by the owner of a filling station.

Meanwhile, MEC Molapisi will also meet the senior staff of the South African Police Services on Tuesday, at the Police Headquarters in Potchefstroom. Molapisi’s meeting with the senior management of SAPS will be his first, since he accepted his responsibilities as MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management.

Details of the meetings are as follows:MEC meeting with Ganyesa resident

Venue: Ganyesa Sport Ground

Time: 15H00

Date :Friday 13 June 2014 (Today)

MEC meeting with SAPS senior management

Venue:SAPS Headquarters Potchefstroom

Time :09 H 00

Date :Tuesday 17 June 2014

Zuma considers PSL options


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg- Former Bafana Bafana and Supersport striker Sibusiso Zuma mulls his options of which team to join in an upcoming season.

A 39 year-old goal-poacher said many teams want to offer him a contract, but he will only make a decision on Monday.

“I have received offers from various teams and I do not contemplates in retiring any soon, next season I will be in action again” he told http://www.kickoff.com.

Zuma said he would not move out of Johannesburg as his family is here and would like to remain here. Former Orlando Pirates player said he would also like to reunite with his childhood friend and former teammate Siyabonga Nomvete.

“I would like to reunite with my friend Nomvete at Moroka Swallows, but Soweto-based team is not one of those teams that offered me a contract” he said.

Zuma started his football career at African Wanderers and illustrious player went on to form a deadly partnership with former players, Phumlani Mkhize and Siyabonga Nomvete.-TDN
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Woman killed and son critically injured in N12 collision


By Obakeng Maje
Carltonville- The fire department personnel, who were initially called out to a veld fire emergency, arrived on scene and discovered that the vehicle had caught alight and set the veld on fire. 

ER24 paramedics were thereafter called out to the scene to declare the woman who had already succumbed to her severe injuries.

She was burned inside the vehicle. 

“Her critically injured son (20) was found ejected from the vehicle and he sustained severe suspected fractures as well burn wounds on his face” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said. 

No other vehicle was found on the scene and the incident is currently under investigation by local authorities.-TDN
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Scolari heaps praise on Neymar


Sao Paulo – Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari paid tribute to forward Neymar after the 22-year-old scored twice in a come-from-behind victory against Croatia in the Soccer World Cup opening game on Thursday.

“The only thing we want is that Neymar is happy playing ball. He’s a special player,” Scolari told reporters after the 3-1 win gave Brazil a great start in their bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Brazil fell behind after 11 minutes through Marcelo’s own goal but Neymar led the comeback, scoring with a left-footed shot from outside the area and then with a controversial penalty.

The Barcelona striker is under intense pressure as Brazilian fans expect their team to deliver the country’s first World Cup title on home soil. He certainly delivered on Thursday and was named man of the match for his performance.

“He doesn’t need all of you (the media) to demand that he become the best player in the world. His responsibility is to play for Brazil, and that’s what he did today,” Scolari said.

Neymar said the victory was “more than I ever dreamed or imagined. The merit belongs to the team as a whole, which remained cool and calm to come from behind and win.”

Scolari also heaped praise on the Brazil supporters in the 62,103 crowd in Sao Paulo, a city with notoriously fickle fans who booed the team in their final warmup match for the World Cup.

“Our players were excellent, they showed determination to be able to come from behind. They were fantastic,” Scolari said.

“But who really deserves praise are the fans. It was wonderful, the support we received here in Sao Paulo. If there’s still any notion out there Sao Paulo doesn’t root for the national team effusively enough, that was put to rest today.”

– Reuters