Police are still searching for the killers of transport union South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) Gauteng Secretary Chris Nkosi.
He was gunned down in Germiston, east of Johannesburg, on Monday. Union leader June Dube’s house was also petrol bombed in Vooslorus. Police took statements from Dube on Tuesday.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has dismissed reports that he has apologised to King Goodwill Zwelithini for reprimanding him over the comments he made about foreign nationals.
Addressing displaced foreign nationals, Gigaba said leaders should refrain from using inflammatory language which some interpreted as a reference to the King. Gigaba and Security Cluster Ministers David Mahlobo and Nathi Nhleko met with the King on Monday night.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za
Pic: Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Boitumelo Moiloa, NEC member for Sanco, Motlalepule Rosho and Dr Tutu Faleni
On Wednesday, 15 April 2015, the Portfolio Committee on Provincial Affairs, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development will be conducting public hearings on the Division of Revenue Amendment Bill 2015 at Dinokana Tribal Hall near Lehurutshe, Kgakala Community Hall in Leeudoringstad, Japie Kotze Hall in Stella and Sunrise Park Community Hall in Rustenburg at 10H00.
Amongst others, the bill aims to provide for the equitable division of revenue raised nationally among the national, provincial and local spheres of government for the 2015/2016 financial year and the determination of each province’s equitable share and allocations to provinces, local government and municipalities from national government’s equitable share.
-TDN
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BY OBAKENG MAJE
A 29 year-old man from Lokgabeng village, in Taung said he was sitting at a local tavern last week Saturday(28 March 2015 at around 16:00 drinking a nice beer with friends without realising what’s coming his way.
Ditebogo Nobula was allegedly attacked and assaulted by his own ward councillor who accused him of stealing his sheep.
“I was sitting at Letlamoreng tavern drinking beer with friends and was approached by ward councillor Moemedi Baijane and his friends. The grabbed me and forcefully dragged me to his bakkie” Nobula said.
He said he was allegedly beaten and attacked before he could even ask what’s going on.
“I was surrounded by four men in the bakkie and they beaten me with bare hands and fists. The councillor Moemedi Baijane said I stole his sheep and he want to teach me a valuable listen” he outlines.
According to Nobula, the councillor and his friends drove away to Taung Dam where they alleged to throw him in.
“We arrived at Taung Dam and I was beaten, kicked and attacked by knobkirrie and bricks. Baijane said I must give him the sheep I stole from him, but they continue beating me even though told them I know nothing about the alleged sheep” Nobula said.
He said he agreed to the crime even though he knows nothing so that they could spare him his life.
“I agreed to show them the sheep where just to be safe from trials and tribulations they put me through. We drove back to my house, but the four men swore at my father who tried to intervene. We arrived at my house bleeding and fortunately my dad called the police who came to my rescue” he said.
North West police spokeswoman colonel Emelda Setlhako confirmed that an assault case against councillor Moemedi Baijane and his three co-accused was opened.
“The assault case laid by the victim was opened at Taung Police Station after he was allegedly attacked by four men and they were released on warning and will be back at Taung Magistrates Court on 20 April 2015” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.
According to Setlhako, the suspects were not arrested because they alleged the victim threw himself off the moving bakkie that is why he suffered injuries.
Ditebogo Nobula said the suspects were not arrested even though he laid a charge against them.
Ward councillor Moemedi Baijane said both cases are under investigations and is very adamant that he has a very strong case against Ditebogo Nobula whom he accuse of stealing his sheep.
“I cannot say much regarding both cases because they’re all under investigations. I know for sure that he stole my sheep and I will prove that in court” Baijane said.
However councillor couldn’t answer why he did not lay a criminal charge against the accused rather than taking the matter into his own hands.
Cape Town – Deferred generator maintenance has caused an overload of unplanned repairs, resulting in a week of darkness for South Africa.
On Tuesday, unplanned outages resulted in 9 500MW being cut off the grid, while planned outages accounted for 5 000MW, according to Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe.
After implementing a third day of stage 2 (2 000MW cut) load shedding at 06:00 on Tuesday, Eskom escalated the outages to stage 3 (4 000MW cut) at 18:00.
For more http://www.news24.com
Picture By Obakeg Maje: (North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono)
MAHIKENG – The North West Department of Tourism is proud that the Province is hosting the 21st edition of the South African Music Awards. This is in line with the department’s newly adopted campaign “A Re Yeng Bokone Bophirima” which when loosely translated means “Let’s go to the North West province”, which aims to ensure that the province becomes a preferred tourist destination.
MEC responsible for Tourism in the North West Province, Desbo Mohono said that her department intends to make their Province a home of the SAMAs. “Brand properties such as the SAMAs do not only assure other investors that the North West Province is capable of hosting events of such magnitude, they also contribute immensely to the socio-economic drive of the entire province”, she said.
“This is one of the vehicles which can be used to carry this province forward and contribute sustainably so, in growing our tourism economy. This will bring about real change in people’s lives and will further contribute positively to our emerging entrepreneur’s intentions and ambitions of growing our local economy”, Mohono added
Meanwhile, Acting Head of Department, Charles Ndabeni said that department has been able to put into implementation its three key strategies (Events, Culture and heritage strategies) with the sole intention of luring investors to our shores. “The finalization of these key strategies will see a much consolidated efforts in alleviating poverty and addressing inequalities within communities in particular villages, townships and small dorpies. Our aim is to ensure that we take lead and become a preferred tourism destination in the country. And this can also be made possible by partnerships between government and the private sector”, he said.
The 21st edition of South African Music Awards will be hosted by one of North West’s most famous sons Jabulani “Hip Hop Pantsula” Tsambo will be held on Sunday, 19 April 2015 at Sun City outside Rustenburg.
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West MEC for Department of Education and Sports Development, Wendy Matsemela met with principals of underperforming schools in the province.
The programme started at Batlhaping Secondary School in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district on Tuesday.
MEC Matsemela engaged with different school principals and its School Governing Body chairpersons (SGB) in quest to understand challenges facing the schools so that necessary measures are taken while it is early in the year.
The focus was also put on Dinaledi schools that offer critical subjects like Mathematics and Science.
The meeting was attended by various Senior Management staff in the districts.
Matsemela said the challenges affecting various underperforming schools were underlying factors and they (as the department) came up with strategic plans that will be implemented to help those schools in improving their results.
“We are here as the department to meet those schools those which are performing under 70%. Do not get twisted, I must say as most of the schools that are here, they are performing under 70% percent. And as you know the National Standard pass rate is at 60%, but as the department of North West, we raised the par so we set a target for our schools to perform at over 70%” Matsemela said.
She said however, the reality is there are three underperforming.
“We have three schools that are underperforming. We have Totonyane High School from Madipelesa village; we have Thaba-bosigo High and St Pauls High school which is also underperforming. We here to encourage the teachers to work hard so that they can improve the situation at those schools” she said.
According to Matsemela, the common challenges that were raised by principals of those above-mentioned schools, they lack laboratory, having pupils who are over-age and those who are home-headed children.
“Most of issues for instant in Totonyane High School, the principal and SGB chairperson outlined problems like sitting with 70% of pupils who are over 18 years; discipline was another issue and lack of equipments at school. We decided to look into the matters raised and see how we can assist.
“We will visit that school soon and also invite LoveLife organisation, Pastors and other Stakeholders because according to principal and SGB chairperson, the problem is having pupils indulging in alcohol and the school experienced high rate of pregnancy last year” she said.
Matsemela outlined that those serious underlying factors need to be uprooted.
She advised the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District department to twin Damasiko High School with Buxton-based school, Gabobidiwe High School which is high-performing school and only 5km away from Damasiko.
“According to information, Damasiko high school has only four mathematics pupils which they not performing well, so we suggested that those students moved to Gabobidiwe High School so that they can also produce results. We will take those students to Gabobidiwe High School and monitor them closely” Matsemela said.
She also encouraged principals to show more commitments in their work so that situation can improve.
Another issue that showed its ugly head was that, most schools in remote areas have more foreigners as local teachers refuse to go and teach there because of accessibility.
She also said those schools will be handed-over tablets so that curriculum implementation could be easily improved.
Up to 10 schools were regarded as underperforming in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Totonyane High School SGB chairperson, Maruping Moncho said he welcomes the implementations brought forward by MEC because they share the same objective which is to see pupils passing and progressing to the next level.
“We’re very grateful to see MEC taking time to come and discuss way forward with us so that we can improve the situation. Challenges we normally experienced, were highlighted and we have a strategic plans how we will tackle those issues” Moncho outlines.
-TDN
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Mahikeng- An American human rights activist, Dr Martin Luther King once said “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”.
His words gave meaning to the annual gospel festival which was hosted by the Department of Culture, arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA) this past weekend at the Mmabatho Civic center.
The festival was ushering in the month known to South Africans as Freedom Month. The Department saw it fit to celebrate this through the second annual gospel festival which was a resounding success.
The Department under the leadership of MEC Tebogo Modise gave an opportunity to gospel groups representing all local Municipalities of the Province to participate in the festival which aims to unearth, record and promote the hidden talent Bokone Bophirima has in its midst.
The aim of the festivals is to identify a need for artists to promote their craft and create a platform to showcase gospel music in the province and bring about an economic gain.
Participating groups were recorded live on the day, whereby a collaboration CD and DVD will be compilled and given to groups on completion to afford them an opportunity to generate income from its sales.
Last year’s participants were handed over a compilation CD which was recorded in partnership with Motsweding fm during the first annual gospel festival by MEC Modise during proceedings of the festival.
The day also saw MEC Modise with South African Gospel Queen, Dr Rebecca Malope and other senior Departmental managers with the assistance of South African Police Services (SAPS) hearding an Anti Piracy campaign which took place at Mahikeng CBD. The aim of the campaign was to encourage community members not to buy pirated CDs and encouraging them into buying original material.
MEC Modise praised the talents groups displayed during their performances and pleaded with communities to support efforts made by artists in harnessing their craft. She also pledged support from the Department in assisting artists to develop their talent and help in the fight against piracy.
“Our artists spend money and time trying to make a better life for themselves but instead of reaping the rewards of their labor, they find their work being copied and sold on street corners for minimal amount”, said MEC Modise.
She continued, “CATA strives to be visible and have an impact in people’s lives and we will work together with our artists and law enforcement to see to it that the people who steal bread from our artists face the full might of the law”, she concluded
Bojanala District was represented by: Thaba ya Moya, Reformed church choir, Ikageleng Areka.
Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District was represented by: Motswedi wa bophelo gospel choir, Ukhololwethu gospel choir, Ikageng gospel group, Lesedi gospel choir, Mighty voice gospel choir and Bacha ba tumelo.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was represented by: , Platinum voices, Dinaledi tsa Tumelo, Ba apostolo ba pele, Dikhutsana tsa Bethesda, Boitshoko Gospel choir and Bana ba lesedi gospel choir.
Ngaka Modiri Molema was represented by: Uqhatso la madodana, New revelation, Bajadi ba lentswe, Gomotsang gospel choir and The Holy Emmanuel gospel choir.
The day included praising and dancing to the melodic tunes of different gospel genres such as clap and tap, Traditional Gospel and contemporary Gospel.
The festival saw Dr Rebecca Malope performing on the day closing the show.
-TDN
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A ten-year-old girl was injured following a pedestrian accident on Eden Road near High Road in Bramley, Johannesburg this afternoon.
Netcare 911 paramedics arrived at the scene and found the young girl had sustained serious injuries after she was knocked over by a motor vehicle while trying to cross the road.
The injured girl was treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.
Exact detail surrounding the cause of the pedestrian accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.
-TDN
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A motorcyclist was injured following an accident on Steenbras Road near Shad Road in Wadeville, Germiston this afternoon.
“Netcare 911 paramedics and provincial services arrived at the scene and found that a motorcycle and light delivery vehicle were involved in a side impact accident. The thirty-three-year-old motorcyclist was found lying on the roadway and upon assessment of the man, paramedics found that he had sustained serious injuries during the crash” Netcare 911 spokesperson, Santi Steinmann said.
The injured man was treated at the scene, placed on a trauma board and transported to hospital for further medical care.
Exact detail surrounding the cause of the crash and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.
Traffic was slightly affected as a result of the accident. The occupants of the light delivery vehicle were not injured during the accident.
-TDN
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The Guardian 