He approached the court last month after the public broadcaster stopped scheduling him.

JOHANNESBURG – The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed an application by South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) freelance journalist Vuyo Mvoko to have his contract protected.

Mvoko approached the court last month after the public broadcaster stopped scheduling him.

Seven other journalists who were fired for questing the SABC’s editorial policies were reinstated after taking the matter to the Labour Court.

The journalist says although he had hoped for a positive outcome in court today, the judge’s decision came as no surprise.

“He seemed to be of the view that we have jumped the gun, in other words, that the SABC is yet to decide on what should happen and whether to terminate the contract.”

Mvoko says he’s disappointed with the ruling.

“The SABC has said that while it is looking at the matter, I shall not be scheduled, which means I can’t invoice, which means I can’t get paid.”

The freelance senior journalist says he will be appealing today’s decision.

At the same time, Trade Union Solidarity will continue with its application to have two SABC news executives pay for legal bills incurred by four journalists in their legal battle to be reinstated at the broadcaster.

Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane, SABC’s general manager for radio news and current affairs, and Moloko Tebele, acting group executive of news and current affairs, submitted court papers to the Labour Court in Johannesburg this week, explaining why they should not be held personally liable for legal bills.

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

Kodwa says the ANC doesn’t take its support base for granted & needs to own up on its mistakes.

JOHANNESBURG – African National Congress spokesman Zizi Kodwa says while the ruling party still enjoys a vote of support from most South Africans, the steady decline shown in the local government elections results cannot be ignored.

The party has accepted defeat in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan  and has decided to withdraw its complaint to the Independent Electoral Commission.

Kodwa says the loss should instead be used as an opportunity to reflect on the party’s mistakes.

“We have now crossed the 10 million mark in terms of people who voted for the ANC, we don’t take that for granted. People carry expectations. For us it’s about how do we then use the period between now and the end of term to address the expectations of the people. We must with humility look at some of the areas where we have not performed well, because in some areas, it’s areas that are strongly ANC, traditionally.”

He adds, “At times we must sit back and own up an actually acknowledge our own mistakes in order to self-correct, and that is the strength of the ANC. That is why it has lived for more than 400 years.”

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Defensive midfielder of the South African Men’s Olympic Team, Mothobi Mvala has apologised for the red card he received in the opening match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games against hosts Brazil.
The clash was played on Thursday at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, ended in a goalless draw.

Mvala received his marching orders in the 58th minute following a second yellow card, leaving his compatriots to battle it out against a strong Brazil side for just over half an hour.

“I feel really bad for getting a red card and I feel as though I made a big mistake which was unnecessary, but I had to do something in the situation. I want to apologise to my teammates and the country as a whole, as I may have disappointed a lot of people. I believe I have learnt a lot from that mistake,” said Mvala.

“I also want to applaud my teammates for their courageous performance after my departure. We played really well, and they continued even during my absence. They did extremely well, and I just believe had it not been for my error maybe we could have attacked more instead of being defensive for the last 30 minutes. It was very difficult but they pulled it off.”

Mvala will serve a one-match suspension.

South Africa faces Denmark on Sunday, 7 August 2016.

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Ramaphosa’s reflected on the party’s performance in Nelson Mandela Bay, conceding that it was disappointing.

JOHANNESBURG – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says the African National Congress (ANC) will listen carefully to the messages that the people of South Africa are sending the ruling party.

He was speaking on the floor of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) national results centre in Tshwane this afternoon, after taking a tour of the operations there.

Ramaphosa also reflected on the party’s performance in Nelson Mandela Bay, conceding that it was disappointing.

“It was a hotly contested area, where we as the ANC had a number of challenges and problems. We accept that the people have spoken.”

The deputy president says the party will do its own analysis of its performance, listen to the people and self-correct.

WATCH: Cyril Ramaphosa briefs the media on ANC progress

Meanwhile, with ballot numbers coming in gradually this afternoon, and less than five percent of results yet to be finalised as at 3pm, the battle is still on in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

With all the votes now counted in the nelson Mandela Bay metro, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has the most with 46.71 percent of the vote.

The ANC is second with 40.92 percent and the Economic Freedom Fighters is third with 5.12 percent.

The DA has indicated it’s been talking to various opposition parties to enter into a coalition.

The United Democratic Movement has 1.91 percent and has already confirmed that DA leader Mmusi Maimane has been in contact.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for local government and human settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe has expressed her sincere gratitude to Bokone Bophirima citizens who went out in their numbers at various polling stations.

Gaolaolwe said thousands of voters braved the cold weather to cast their vote on the fourth local government elections on August 3.

“One of the most important freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this beautiful country is the right to vote. This is the right that we must never take lightly and that we must take advantage of.

“This shows that democracy is at work and it is going to grow from strength to strength. On behalf of the department we want to thank each and every one of you who voted. We also want to urge and change the attitude of those who did not vote. We hope that they will join the new voters in the next general elections in 2019 to vote” Gaolaolwe said.

She also expressed her delight for the calm that prevailed during the Election Day. Gaolaolwe said the environment was conducive to produce peaceful, free and fair elections.

“We want to also thank all the stakeholders especially the security cluster for the work they have put together to ensure safety to the voters. Residents were allowed space to express their opinion peacefully without fear through the ballot box,” Gaolaolwe said.

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Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates players in a heated argument during the Telkom Knockout Final match between Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates on the 07 December 2013 at Mbombela Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Top class football will be coming to South Africa’s Bokone Bophirima Province once again with the second edition of the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup to be played on August 13.

A new format of the one day competition will see two teams facing off for the Maize Cup, as opposed to last year’s edition which had four clubs battling it out in two semi finals and a final in one day.

This year Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates FC will play against defending champions Platinum Stars FC. Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the encounter promise to be a cracker.

“The format from the former Maize Triangle to the Maize Cup was necessitated by the fact that Mpumalanga no longer has a team in the PSL.

The North West Province is delighted to have two top teams competing in the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup this year. We are looking forward to an outstanding day of entertainment for local and travelling fans.

“The match will provide football-starved fans with top quality pre-season action. This will be an opportunity to see some of the new recruits ahead of the 2016/2017 campaign. Both teams will be looking for good performances as they continue to prepare for the new season,” Setswambung said.

He said the province commended all stakeholders particularly grain producers in the Bokone Bophirima, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces.

“Through this Maize Cup, the Provincial Government seeks to provide an opportunity to all soccer loving citizens from the province and beyond to enjoy a thrilling day of entertaining soccer. This will contribute to the efforts of rebranding, reposition and repositioning.

“Orlando Pirates will be fresh from a pre-season camp in Namibia and will possibly have new signings Riyaad Norodien, Donald Mokondelela and Bernard Morrison on show on the day,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is investigating irregularities regarding the re-draw or new house plans. The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Philani Nkwalase said several victims allegedly approached the Plan & Structure Office at Sol-Plaatje municipality and made payments for both approval and drawing of new house plans or redraws.

“Different amounts were paid to the person believed to be responsible for the processes, but no services rendered in terms of drawing the house plans. As part of the investigation, we kindly appeal to all the possible victims within Kimberly to come forward with their proof of such allegations.

“It is not known how many people were affected with this scam. However, few victims came forward with reasonable evidence. We would like more possible victims to come forward before the start of the prosecution processes,” Nkwalase said.

Captain Emily-Harriet Mofoka from Commercial Crime Unit can be contacted with tangible information before August 12 on Tel: 053- 838 5551, Cell: 071 481 2862.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

IN what was an intense clash of the titan’s kind of match day, the results have spoken for themselves. Resilient side Arsenal FC will take on the nations SA U19 squad in the final match of the tournament at King Zwelithini Stadium on 6 August 2016.  

The teams have managed to advance in the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament after both won their semi-final matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday.

The English Side Arsenal eliminated TP Mazembe from Congo DRC, while SA U19 edged past Sporting Lisbon.

The two teams will now meet on Saturday’s championship decider, which is scheduled to kick-off at 14:45.

Ahead of that, losing semi-finalists TP Mazembe and Sporting Lisbon will battle it out for the bronze medal at the same venue at 12h30.

Arsenal won their place in the final after a tense 90-minute match that ended with a 3-0 result.

It was an epic battle between giants who tried their best in the match to find the back of the net and the 2015 victors that got a first half lead when their jersey number 10 Malen, scored a tremendous goal in the 24^th minute. Team mate Nkhetiah followed the lead up with a magnificent 2^nd goal and the clincher came in what was an unexpected penalty kick goal when Mavididi scored in the 83^rd minute.

The second clash of the day took shape when the National SA Under 19 side took to the ground against opponents Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

This was perhaps the toughest game of the tournament with both teams defending their right to advance to the finals with all they had. Numerous chances at goal scoring occurred and finally in the 62^nd minute the first goal of the match hit the back of the net when SA Under 19 forward Kodisang pulled a stunning fast one on his opponents back-line.

Mayo assisted the National team when he scored the second goal of the match and while the crowd was recovering, to cement the team’s road to victory and the Final on Saturday was Kodisang with his second goal that ended the match with at a 3-0 win for South Africa.

Speaking from the Moses Mabhida stadium, Bafana Bafana Head Coach Shakes Mashaba said “Congratulations to the Boys who’ve made it to the final of the tournament. The match was not what we expected as we started at a very low key, we should’ve scored in the first half, however we’re closing the gap in the world of football. I think that the only constant thing is change and initiatives such as the Durban U19tournament speak to that. I am greatly looking forward to the final”

SA U19 defeated Sporting Lisbon in the second semi-final with an assured display that will give them plenty of confidence going into the tournament decider.

Fixtures – 06 August 2016 – Moses King Zwelithini Stadium

3^rd and 4^th Place Play-Offs

12h30 Sporting Lisbon vs.  TP Mazembe

 Final

14h45 Arsenal vs National U19

-TDN

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