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South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged supporters to vote for the ruling African National Congress ahead of fiercely competitive municipal polls that could see the party lose control of several major cities.

Zuma’s ANC, which controls the majority of the country’s 278 municipalities, has been weakened by graft scandals and growing public discontent since it led the fight against white-minority rule.

At a massive final rally, the party made a last push for votes, stressing its anti-apartheid history and the legacy of former president and Nobel peace price winner Nelson Mandela.

“Millions of our people must vote ANC and enable their movement to continue improving the lives of our people,” Zuma told a packed Ellis Park Stadium in the Johannesburg city centre.

“Every vote counts.”

An estimated 55,000 supporters decked in the ANC’s green, yellow and black filled the stands for the extravagant rally, crowning a campaign the party said had cost it an estimated one billion rand ($72 million).

“We have walked the streets of this country, we have visited every town, every city. We have been to thousands of homes,” said Zuma.

The latest Ipsos opinion polls suggest that the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, could be under threat in three major cities — Pretoria, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth — in Wednesday’s election.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which rules in Cape Town, is hoping for a breakthrough, citing the country’s poor economic performance and a series of corruption scandals plaguing Zuma.

Last week, South Africa’s highest court ruled that the president pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

“A lot of money was wasted there that should have been spent on the people,” Frieda Motlatla, 24, told AFP at Sunday’s rally.

But with her hair wrapped in an ANC turban, she said Zuma’s troubles would not affect her support: “I don’t vote for a person, I vote for a party.”

“Nkandla is not our business,” agreed Simon Machaka, 42. “Some people will always be dissatisfied. They don’t focus on the good things.”

Zuma, 74, will have completed two terms in office in 2019 and is not eligible to run for president again, but the ANC could replace him ahead of the next general election if the party scores poorly in the local polls.

Speaking to the weekly City Press newspaper, Zuma’s predecessor and later his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe said the ANC had “lost its ability to be representative of ordinary people”.

“It’s almost as though the country is on autopilot. There’s no leadership being provided,” he said.

“It may be possible at some point to salvage the ANC from this race to the bottom. But it is also possible that the ANC may so thoroughly discredit itself that there may be nothing to salvage.”

“If we reach that moment, it would mean a realignment of political forces in South Africa.”

The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also seeking to make a major impact in its first municipal elections.

“The ANC is dead,” EFF leader Julius Malema told thousands at a rally in a northern city of Polokwane.

“It is buried with Nelson Mandela.”

-AFP

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Pauline Williams has announced the Province’s readiness to hold safe, secure and fair 2016 Local Government Elections.

“It is all systems go for the Province and we are ready to hold safe, secure, free and fair elections for the people in the Northern Cape. Preparations are on track for the 2016 Local Government Elections from 1-3 August 2016 where all eligible members of the community will exercise their democratic right and cast their vote for the party and candidate of their choice.

“We call on eligible community members to go out in their numbers to cast their vote without fear while our plea is also for parties and candidates to be tolerant.  Every voter has a right to elect a candidate or party of their choice,” Williams said.

She said they have also assessed SAPS’ state of readiness in the Province. Williams further said they were confident that they will ensure protection for voters during this time.

“We do not doubt the level of commitment of SAPS’ officials towards their work in safe-keeping communities especially during this crucial time of the Local Government Elections.

“We will however not shy away from engaging SAPS and recommending corrective measures where we see a need as part of our oversight and monitoring role as a department over the organization,” Williams said.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) identified 710 registration points, inclusive of tents for the Province.

“SAPS’ plan is comprehensive and includes provision of support for the staff and security, securing polling stations during and after election, addressing disruptive actions, identifying high risk areas and securing electioneering material. All eligible voters are encouraged to make their mark from 1-3 August 2016,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Head coach of the South African Women’s Olympic Football Team, Vera Pauw said she was happy that the loss against New Zealand came just before the start of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Pauw said the game will help to bring the team back to reality.

This was Banyana Banyana’s fourth loss in a row after coming unstuck against Netherlands (2-0 and 1-0) and lost 1-0 against USA.

Pauw said the defeat to New Zealand answered a lot of questions.

“It was not a good performance at all, very chaotic display but it was a good wake-up call for us to push away some of the distractions we encountered leading to the match. We have to get back into our routine of hard work and rest, and that is the only thing we need to do to get back to our best.

“To be honest, we could see it coming and we are glad it happened – now everything has to be back on point for the match against Sweden, otherwise we will have the same result,” said Pauw.

“The match was useful in many ways, in that now we know what we can or cannot do, and it also helped us with the question marks we had around some players. But the truth is, you don’t want a defeat, especially by such a big margin, before you are about to start a tournament – you would like to go there with a win under your belt.”

Pauw has asked for the same gutsy performance that the team displayed against the USA, despite the loss.

“When all is said and done, it is better we lost in our final preparation match than at the start of competition – in that sense, thank you New Zealand for showing us that we have to get our feet back on the ground.

“I hope the players have learnt that you are not a star player with one good display against the USA – which was without doubt a very good game for us despite the loss. We have to produce that performance every other day in a tournament like this. It’s good that we have been woken up,” added Pauw.

Banyana Banyana offered little resistance as they went down 4-1 to New Zealand in an international friendly match played on Thursday at Estadiu Luso Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro.

New Zealand’s goals came from Hannah Wilkinson, Amber Hearn, Annalie Longo and Sarah Gregarius while South Africa replied through Jermaine Seoposenwe.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad is left with a few days to rectify their mistakes – they take on Sweden in the opening match of the Games. But Pauw is confident ahead of that all-important clash.

“What is very clear is that we have to learn from this defeat and use it in our favour, and I know we will do everything we can to ensure we get a positive result against Sweden, I believe we will be ready,” said Pauw.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for community safety and transport management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane assured communities of Bokone Bophirima a safe and secured local government elections.

Motlhabane said South African Police Service (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies and role players of the Provincial Joint and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) have compiled a multi-agency provincial operational plan.

“We are ready for these elections. Our people must know that they will be safe wherever they will be casting their votes. Our law enforcement officers will always be on the lookout. We will be visible enough on our roads and every village of the province,” Motlhabane said.

Motlhabane said the Electoral Act provides for a number of offences punishable by law if committed during the election period. He said the following are some of the offences in terms of the Electoral Act;

“No person may publish any false information with the intention of disrupting or preventing an election or to create hostility or fear in order to influence the conducting or outcome of an election. No person may interfere with a voter’s right to secrecy while casting their vote. This in itself places an obligation on the leaders of political parties to ensure that their members observe the provisions of the Act and conduct themselves responsibly during this period.

“We also urge leaders to refrain from making irresponsible and/or inflammatory statements or pronouncements, which may incite irresponsible or even violent behaviour as well as to abide by the electoral code of conduct which was signed by all political parties,” Motlhabane said.

“We are convinced that with measures in place including activation of the Provincial Joint Operational Centre (PROVJOC), the securing and safeguarding of the 2016 Local Government Elections will be successfully safeguarded and secured,” he said.

Provincial chairperson of the PROVJOINTS, SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane said they will make sure that there is not only high visibility, but that there will be static deployments at all the 1662 voting districts.

“We want to give an assurance to all the people of the North West province that we are ready, willing and able to deliver on our mandate of a safe and secure election for all those who will be going out to exercise their right to vote.

“The successful safeguarding of the elections is also dependent on the cooperation of the community who are urged to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner,” Motswenyane said.

She added that they urge community to comply with various legislation including the Municipal Electoral Act, 2000 (Act No. 27 of 2000), the Dangerous Weapons Act of 2013 and the Regulation of Gatherings Act of 1993.

“All our law enforcement officers will not hesitate to take actions against any person who contravenes the law. We also appeal to the people who will be driving to different voting stations to be vigilant on the road and always comply on the road,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

FOUR people were injured when the car they were travelling in overturned several times on the N12 approximately 10 km outside of Potchefstroom on Sunday morning.

ER24 spokesperson, Werner Vermaak said the accident took place shortly before 4am.

“Paramedics and fire fighters arrived on the scene and found the vehicle capsized in a nearby veld. All four of the occupants were found outside of the vehicle. It is understood that they were ejected from the vehicle when it overturned.

“One person was found in a critical condition with multiple injuries ranging from possible chest injuries to fractures. The three other occupants sustained several bruises, abrasions and some fractures. The injured were transported to Potchefstroom Provincial Hospital for further care,” Vermaak said.

He said the driver was apparently asleep.

“The occupants alleged that the driver fell asleep while driving. He was allegedly frightened when they woke him up and lost control over the vehicle. Local authorities attended the scene,” Vermaak said.

taungdailynews2gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

One person was killed and another sustained moderate injury when their car collided with a truck on the N12 in Westonaria during the early hours of this morning.

Er24 Werner Vermaak said the accident took place shortly after 1am. “Our paramedics arrived on the scene where they found a Toyota Corolla on the side of the road. The vehicle had severe damage. Two people were found inside the vehicle and while the driver was found with fatal injuries and declared dead on the scene.

“A passenger in the vehicle was found with shoulder injuries and he was extricated from the vehicle and ferried to Fountains Hospital for further care. It is understood that the vehicle was travelling towards Potchefstroom when the driver apparently lost control,” Vermaak said.

He said the vehicle overturned several times and collided with an oncoming truck. Vermaak further said that the driver of the truck was not injured.

The incident was handed over to the local police for further investigation.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​Soweto Derby Report: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirats 30 July 2016

Club Friendly

Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Orlando Pirates

Date: 30 July 2016

Venue: FNB Stadium

Goals from Erick Mathoho and Lewis Macha were enough to hand Kaizer Chiefs a 2-0 win over Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.

Chiefs were in control from the onset and dominated the possession statistics, but they were unable to create a single chance in the opening 20 minutes.

Steve Komphela’s charges had the ball in the box after 30 minutes, but it was ruled out after Brighton Mhlongo had been fouled in the build-up.

Pirates, meanwhile, could not get their passing game going for the entire half, as the likes of Oupa Manyisa and Issa Sarr struggled to contain Chiefs’ midfield trio.

Chiefs had the first real opportunity in the 42nd minute when Benard Parker acrobatic effort sailed just wide of Mhlongo’s upright.

Neither coach would have been delighted with the first half showings, especially Komphela, having seen his side dominated the entire 45 minutes.

Five minutes into the second half, changes were made for both sides. Ramahlwe Mphahlele replaced Lorenzo Gordinho, while Luvuyo Memela replaced Issa Sarr.

Chiefs eventually took the lead in the 58th minute when Erick Mathoho tapped home from six-yards out, after Parker’s effort crashed off the crossbar.

Komphela’s charges nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute, as Tsepo Masilela played a neat one-two with Parker, before striking the upright from close range.

New signings were given a run by both coaches, as Muhsin Ertugral introduced Gladwin Shitolo, Bernard Morrison and Riyaad Norodien after 70 minutes, while Sibusiso Khumalo made his first appearance in a Chiefs shirt.

Norodien certainly made his presence felt, as he carved out an opening in the 82nd minute when he picked out Morrison, whose effort was cleared off the line by Mathoho.

With Pirates pushing for an equaliser, Komphela introduced Daniel Cardoso for the final 10 minutes, while also giving new signing, Lewis Macha some game time.

However, Chiefs sealed the win in stoppage time, as Macha headed home at the near post to mark his debut with a goal.

Here’s how they lined up:

Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 18. Moleko, 26. Gordinho, 03. Mathoho, 24. Masilela, 27. Ekstein, 31. Katsande, 12. Maluleka, 17. Lebese, 25. Parker, 7. Twala

Orlando Pirates: 16. Mhlongo, 4. Jele, 2. Gcaba, 33. Gyimah, 8. Matlaba, 5. Makola, 18. Sarr, 20. Manyisa, 25. Rakhale, 31. Gabuza, 7.Ndoro

 Source: http://www.soccerladuma.co.za