Johannesburg – The Golden Highway was reopened on Tuesday after residents of Lehae township, south of Johannesburg, blockaded it with rocks earlier, metro police said.

The highway was reopened around noon after the rocks and stones had been removed, spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said.

“Traffic is flowing but there is still a very heavy police presence.”

He said some of the protesters were still in the area.

The protest started before 05:00.

Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo condemned it, called on police to stabilise the area and to act against those responsible.

“There is no reason for this type of unlawful protest in this area. Lehae has been receiving attention by government in terms of housing and other services.”

Mamabolo said he was open to discussions with residents of the area, near Lenasia.

“I have established a task team to investigate the issues surrounding the protests and to engage in talks with the community.”

Mixed income development plans for the area included building 5 344 housing units, of which 3 066 would be RDP houses, 770 rental units and 1 508 bonded units, he said.

Six community centres, two secondary schools, two primary schools, four crèches, eight sites for religious institutions, two taxi ranks, four business sites and 38 public open spaces were part of the plan, Mamabolo said.

His office could not immediately say when this would be implemented.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The DA on Tuesday urged SABC chairperson Ellen Tshabalala not to resign and rather face a parliamentary inquiry into whether she lied about her qualification.

Reacting to media reports that Tshabalala would be asked to jump ship following a push for her resignation during an ANC NEC meeting held at the weekend, DA MP Gavin Davis said this would result in a scheduled parliamentary inquiry being scrapped.

“This will rob us of an opportunity to ascertain once and for all whether she lied to Parliament when she claimed to have a BCom and diploma from Unisa,” Davis said.

“Ms Tshabalala has consistently denied lying about her qualifications. The parliamentary inquiry is an ideal opportunity for her to prove her innocence.”

The inquiry was meant to start on Thursday, but was postponed to 14 October to give her an opportunity to prepare for the hearing.

“If Ms Tshabalala does decide to jump before she is pushed, she should be aware that the case against her will not go away,” Davis said.

“Lying to Parliament may amount to perjury, which is a criminal offence.”

Last week, the portfolio committee on communications recommended she be suspended pending the outcome of the hearing.

Only President Jacob Zuma, who is the appointing authority, can suspend her from her duties.

– SAPA

Mahikeng- Learners from different schools across the province will deliberate for the 5th year in succession on the best models of road safety awareness which seeks to establish new techniques on how to improve road safety campaigns.

The annual provincial Participatory Education Techniques (PET) competition is aimed at capacitating learners on road safety issues within their respective communities and develop their own research and presentation skills.

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi is expected to set the tone of the competition and expectations from the debates when he officially opens the competition.

The winning team will thereafter represent the province at national level.

Members of the media are invited to be part of the session which will be held as follows:

Venue : Mmabatho Palms – Mahikeng

Date : Friday 26 September 2012

Time : 08H30
-TDN
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