Daily Archives: October 10, 2014

Drug equipment seized in W Cape

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Johannesburg –  A spokesperson for the Western Cape police said on Friday that equipment used to manufacture Mandrax was confiscated from a house in Old Crossroads in Cape Town.

Spokesperson Tembinkosi Kinana said the police made the discovery after they were tipped off by a man they had arrested for possession of an illegal firearm.

“On arrival, the police discovered that this was a drug laboratory.”

A suspect escaped through the back window of the house before the police gained entry, he said.

No arrests were made and the police were investigating a case of dealing in drugs.

SAPA

Water problems need multi-faceted approach

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Johannesburg – The Gauteng department of co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) said on Friday that a co-ordinated and multi-faceted approach to water management, infrastructure improvement and secured power supply was needed to solve Gauteng’s water supply problems.

Spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa said the problems were discussed at a water stakeholder meeting in Johannesburg by the department of water affairs, Gauteng Cogta, Gauteng municipalities and Rand Water.

“Going forward, the meeting agreed that improved planning and increased co-ordination among the different stakeholders is important and that water conservation, management and efficient use must top the provincial agenda,” he said in a statement.

Many parts of Gauteng last month had no water or an interrupted water supply for up to three weeks.

Water losses

Cogta MEC Jacob Mamabolo said: “As we speak right now, water supply has been restored across all areas in Gauteng and we are keeping a close eye on the situation.”

The problems included illegal irrigation, water losses, water leakages, ageing infrastructure and the inability to efficiently treat and use effluent.

These were compounded by intermittent power cuts caused by cable theft.

Mamabolo urged people to use water sparingly.

Rand Water said it would plan better to meet growing demand.

SAPA

Telkom issues retrenchment letters

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Johannesburg – Telkom [JSE:TKG] has issued retrenchment letters to 105 staff members, the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) said on Friday.

“This was surprising to us as Telkom had reported that 302 management staff had taken voluntary severance packages and others had taken voluntary retirement packages,” it said in a statement.

“The target that Telkom wanted to achieve was 223, which meant that with 302 having been allowed to exit through severance packages they had over- achieved their target of 223…

“Secondly, there were still 168 vacancies available, yet Telkom had issued these 105 managers with letters of forceful retrenchment.”

CWU demanded that Telkom retract the letters.

Telkom spokesperson Pynee Chetty said its restructuring was undertaken with “a commitment to consult and engage with all our labour representatives, at the appropriate and necessary junctures”.

“Telkom has begun feedback discussions with organised labour, including the CWU,” he said.

“These discussions are ongoing and it would not be appropriate to discuss any potential content, prior to the conclusion of those discussions.”

The CWU said it had raised concerns with CEO Sipho Maseko about a number of issues, including employment equity in relation to retrenchments.

“With the current process of retrenchment of management staff in all divisions, the majority of positions that are not affected are those of whites, while the black majority is being retrenched,” the union claimed.

“Those who are lucky to make the cut are misplaced in favour of his [Maseko’s] white staff.”

The CWU called for Maseko’s resignation.

SAPA

Government reaches out to the elderly in commemoration of the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction  


Mmabatho- North West Provincial Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, is stepping up its efforts to strengthen communities’ resilience to disasters by promoting the inclusion of older person in disaster risk reduction strategies.

This comes as the international community commemorates the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction on Monday.

South Africa will commemorate the day in Rustenburg, North West, where Premier for North West Supra Mahumapelo and Local Government and Human Settlement MEC Collen Maine will lead disaster management practitioners in finding disaster resilience measures that are inclusive of all vulnerable people like the older persons.

MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine says: “As a country we need to recognise older persons indigenous disaster risk resilience knowledge and use that for better planning and mitigation of disasters”.

In line with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s call for involvement of older person’s in planning for disaster risk reduction, the National Disaster Management Centre has undertaken to consult with older person’s and the organization’s working with them to understand their needs in time of disaster.

Municipalities in the country will be requested to pledge their support to improve the situation of older person’s by including them in their disaster risk reduction which must address their vulnerabilities and strengthen their resilience.

The commemoration of the International Day of Disaster Reduction will take place over two days as follows:

Date: 13-14 October 2014

Venue: Rustenburg Civic Centre (13 October 2014) and Rustenburg Olympia Park Stadium (14 October 2014)

Time: 09h00 – 17h30 (13 October 2014)
09h00 – 13h00 (14 October 2014)
-TDN
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We are here for a result – Mashaba


Polokwane- Bafana Bafana have safely arrived in the coastal city of Pointe Noire in Congo for a date with the host nation in a CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco Qualifer.

The squad touched down on Thursday afternoon (9 October) after a four hour flight from OR Tambo International Airport.

The match will be played at the Stade Municipial de Pointe Noire on Saturday, 11 October.

Kickoff is at 16h30 (SA time).

Head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has made it clear to his boys that nothing but a win will be enough.

The Bafana Bafana mentor was the first South Africa coach to face and defeat the same Congo back in 1992.

“It really brings back memories and I want to make it worthwhile by beating them again and qualifying for AFCON 2015 – I believe that would be befitting. If you look at the four teams in the group, the two top teams havent lost a game, and if we continue this way the we (SA and Congo) will go through. So it is up to us to beat them and put one leg into the tournament,” said Mashaba.

“You must also rember that we haven’t qualified for major tournaments in a long time and we must rid ourselves of this mentality of íf only we can get to the next round or we are on a learning curve that is why we are not here for draw. The mission is to quaiify for 2015 and playing for draws won’t help us. We want three points, but at the same time we will not be running like headless chickens. We have to win this one and the home leg and we have one foot in Morocco.”

While stats between the two nations favour South Africa, Mashaba is not focussing on them. In eight meetings, Bafana Bafana have won four times and lost once.

“Sports and mathematics don’t belong together, you don’t have therefore in football. In my view stats don’t have a big role in these games, there are no guarantees because it is about now. It is another day it is another game. We all have to come up with new ideas, new approach and new commitment from the players as well,” added Mashaba.

He is also aware that it is not going to be an easy match.

“In fact, it is going to be a very physical game. It is giong to need a strong match official because with a weaker refeeree it is going to be spoilt match. The referees must exert their authority on it. But if it is open it is going to be open then it will be one of the best games ever, concluded Mashaba.

Asked whether he feels any pressure, he coolly said: “I don’t feel any pressure at all. The only time I feel pressure is when I have dinner because I know if I don’t finish the food my wife will ask where I had food before coming home.

The squad will complete preparations at the match venue this afternoon.

N West patient dies after infection


Klerksdorp- The 72 years old male patient was admitted in Klerksdorp Hospital Highly Infectious Disease Unit as a referral from Potchefstroom Hospital under strict Infection Prevention Control Measures on Thursday at 00:30 am.

“The patient was under constant watch of two Intensive Care Unit trained nurses rotating 4 hourly, medical officer and the specialist in charge. Investigations were done and rivotril was given as the need arises to stop the fits” departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

Blood investigations from both Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp Hospitals were done to determine the actual diagnosis.

The patient was treated for the identified bacterial infection in his blood while awaiting blood results from National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to rule hemorrhagic Fevers.

“The outcome of the blood results showed negative of HIV, Congo Fever, and Malaria. Unfortunately, the patient demised this morning” Lekgethwane said.

According to specialists, the cause of death is Septicemia, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and multiple organ failure due to overwhelming bacterial infection.

MEC for health in the North West Province Dr Magome Masike would like to send his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this very difficult time.-TDN
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SAFA Annual General Congress to be held in Sandton


Johannesburg- The South African Football Association (SAFA) launch the 24th SAFA Annual General Congress, which will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 11 October 2014.

The Congress will be attended by, among others, President Jacob Zuma and former Presidents of the Republic of South Africa, founding fathers of SAFA and other high level dignitaries.

Details of the Congress are as follows:

DATE: Saturday, 11 October 2014

TIME: 08h00 for 08h30

VENUE: Sandton Convention Centre
-TDN
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A murder case against Dodovu resumes


By Obakeng Maje
Stilfontein- A case against a North West former MEC for Local Government China Dodovu and his co-accused will resume on Friday after it was postponed by Stilfontein Magistrate Court on Monday.

Beleaguered former MEC China Dodovu and current member of provincial legislature Papiki Babuile, and other accused are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated murder and murder after they were linked to a murder case of former Kenneth Kaunda District’s regional secretary David Chika who was shot at point-blank.

Security is expected to be beefed-up inside and outside the court as ANC and EFF members are expected to come out in numbers to show their support to troubled comrades.

William Chika, who is a father of David Chika told TDN that the postponement of the case is affecting them.

The case was postponed after two accused including Sihlangu Sikhakhane who is believed to be a gunman asked time to get legal representatives.

“This case has been dragging for so long and this really makes our lives very difficult. We would like to see this case come to a closure as we would like to move on with our lives. We have trust in the justice system and at the end of the day justice will prevails” David Chika’s father William Chika said.

Dodovu and other accomplices will be back in Stilfontein Magistrate Court on Friday.

Chika was shot two days ahead of ANC National Elective Conference that was held in Mangaung in 2014.
-TDN
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