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CAPE TOWN – A Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in the Northern Cape, Hannes Baaitjies, has been killed, just hours before he was due to be sworn in.

Baaitjies was found dead near his car in Groenwater, just outside Postmasburg in the early hours of this morning.

The councillor disappeared last night, after apparently receiving a call from people who wanted to see him.

DA leader in the Northern Cape Andrew Louw says, “He never returned home. And subsequently to that, the wife then went on a search with some DA councillors and members as well as the police.”

Louw says the news of Baaitjies’ murder has been a shock in the Kgatelopele Municipality. 

“We as the DA as well as the entire community we’re mourning the sudden death and killing of councillor Baaitjies.”

Source: wwwewn.co.za

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JOHANNESBURG – The ANC Youth League has officially called for the ANC to have an early national conference to elect new leadership for the party.

In a statement released this afternoon, it says the party needs to change direction urgently after the results of the local government elections.

The league also says that this early conference must not be contested and strong leadership must emerge.

The ANCYL’s Mondli Mkhize says, “We want an elective conference, that’s why we are calling for an early conference. 

“A conference in any event is due in December 2017. We are saying if we could have it June that would be better because it would give use more time to recover towards elections in 2019.”

More details to follow on this developing story.

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

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A man accused of committing at least 23 rapes over the past five years is expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old suspect appeared in the dock in May and the State requested an additional three months for further investigation.

Forensic evidence linked the man to the rapes, committed over an extended period in Delft and Khayelitsha.

According to police, the man followed and threatened his victims before robbing them of jewellery and money.

The man was nabbed in Epping three months ago. At the time, seven victims had been traced.

The State said it needed more time to locate the rest of the complainants, who are aged between 18 and 28. Some are currently in the Eastern Cape.

The suspect previously told the court he would not be applying for bail.

Source: http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – Miners at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana do not want houses; they want to live in informal settlements, mine spokesperson Sue Vey told News24.

Vey was responding to a damning report by Amnesty International detailing how Lonmin was still failing to provide adequate housing for its workforce in Marikana.

The report, titled Smoke and Mirrors: Lonmin’s failure to address housing conditions at Marikana, indicated how conditions had not changed for the approximately 20 000 miners working for Lonmin at Marikana. Many were still living in squalor despite the company’s legally binding commitments to build more houses.

Vey however said part of the reason the company had not built adequate housing was because “miners chose to live in informal settlements”.

“We have learnt our employees don’t want houses. They want to go back to their home countries and province… They choose to live in informal settlements,” she said.

Vey also cited the mines financial difficulties and the economic downturn as some of the reasons it was not able to fulfil its promises to the miners.

She said the mine had provided hostels for some miners while some employees are given a living allowance. “They have a choice to live in a converted hostel or rent a room,” Vey told News24.

Lonmin CEO Ben Magara admitted to the crowd who had gathered for the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union’s (Amcu) Marikana commemoration on Tuesday that living conditions for its employees “should be better”.

Broken promises

He assured miners that the mine was working towards making the situation better.

Nosakhe Nokhamba, a widow of one of the slain miners, said the conditions they were living under were deplorable.

She told the crowds that the mine had not fulfilled all its promises to the Marikana massacre victims’ families.

According to the report, in 2012 thousands of Lonmin employees were living in squalor in informal settlements around the mine at Marikana. In 2006, the company had committed to building 5 500 houses for workers and upgrade the single-sex, barracks-style hostel accommodation into family or bachelor units by 2011. By 2011 however, it had only built three show houses and converted just 60 out of 114 hostels.

On August 16, 2012, police shot dead 34 striking Lonmin miners, apparently in an attempt to disperse them and end their industrial action. Ten people, including two police officers and two Lonmin security guards, were killed in the preceding week.

Zuma subsequently established a commission of inquiry, chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam, to look into the matter. It found that no senior government officials, including Lonmin non-executive board member Cyril Ramaphosa, were responsible for the shooting. It however recommended a probe into suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s fitness to hold office.

Source: http://www.news24.com

THE education and sport development department in conjunction with North West-based PSL club, Platinum Stars held soccer clinics recently at Moruleng, Rustenburg.

MEC for education and sport development, Sello Lehari said the program will benefit young soccer players especially in rural areas.

“We organised these soccer clinics to assist our young players. We also brought in former professional players to impart their knowledge. The new soccer programs are not just fun for the children. They are also fun for those parents who are coaching.

“Coaches no longer need to concentrate on a complete coaching session and a match. They also need to encourage their players because the technical advisor makes sure that the players are doing the activities properly, and ensures that the fundamental skills are being learned,” Lehari said.

He added that North West province has produced many soccer players and they will continue with that trade. Lehari further said this was an opportunity for young players to learn techniques and tactical response from this mentorship.

“We have established a partnership with Platinum Stars. Our main objective is to see many players from grassroots playing for Platinum Stars. We have abundance of talents that need exposure. Several match-related activities will aid in their knowledge of the game.

“Our department values soccer active and believes the development of physical literacy is essential. The sport participation also assists children to stimulate their minds,” he said.

Platinum Stars chairman, Cliff Ramoroa said they want to rope in many players from the province in their academy program.

“We focus mainly on positive impact and maximize youth player development across the province. Our academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. We want our academy to set the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide,” Ramoroa said.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Jacob Tshisevhe said “It is important to groom the young players at the tender age. They need to learn discipline, dedication and determination. The mentality of our players needs to be improved. Most players fail when they go abroad. South African players have abundance of skills and talents, yet we continue to fail compare to other countries.

 “Most European players are not skilful, but their work-rate is out of this world. We need to have more tournaments like Maize Cup through and not a once-off thing. The tournament will improve and develop the young players if used efficiently.”

Soccer Development coach, Goodman Cumming shared the same sentiments. He said they experience challenges in soccer developments especially rural areas.

“Many coaches are reluctant to come to far-flung areas and nurture youngsters. Lack of resources is sometimes hindering the progress of many academies. We need to go to schools and start to develop players from that phase. Youngsters need to work with their role models and get inspired. We believe soccer clinics will benefit most of them and set a platform for them to expand,” Cumming said.

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THE North West provincial government said the best way to remember the human tragedy that happened in Marikana four years ago is to make sure the area is given due attention.

The message came at the time the province, South Africa and the entire world relived the horror massacre that left 34 people dead on August 16 in 2012.

Prior to the fateful day, 10 other people, including police officers, had been brutally killed in one of the ugliest mining labour unrest the world has ever seen.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo said that while the people of Marikana commemorate the tragedy, the entire society has to draw lessons on the need for peaceful coexistence and stability in the area.

He said it was imperative that the North West provincial government continues to partner with other spheres of government to ensure that services are delivered to the people of Marikana.

“The Marikana Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Committee has been established and it comprises of a broad segment of stakeholders in Marikana. This committee seeks to draw all stakeholders in the area to work together for the attainment of long lasting peace and stability.

“We are however, still persuading AMCU to join the committee to ensure inclusivity of all stakeholders in Marikana,” he said.

In collaboration with the Rustenburg local municipality and the national Human Settlements department, the provincial government started a four-phased housing project.

Mahumapelo said that the first phase has 532 housing units, 252 of them are flats and 292 form part of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) project.

This phase is complete but there has been controversy on the beneficiaries. The matter is currently before the courts.

This has somehow delayed the start of phase two which Mahumepelo said will kick-in once the issue of illegal occupation is resolved.

The Rustenburg Local Municipality said it has established a R3m fire station so that Marikana residents no longer have to travel to Rustenburg to access the fire services.

The municipality is also in the process of establishing a public safety office which will provide vehicle road worthiness testing, learners licences and drivers’ licenses and many other services.

The provincial government said it wants to thanks and congratulate the people of Marikana for the prevalence of peace and stability in the area.

EFF leader, Julius Malema introduced the party’s councillor in the area and told residents gathered for the commemoration that more services will be delivered to the area.

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Picture: (EFF councillors inaugurated at Greater Taung local municipality)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

GREATER Taung local municipality held its council inauguration at Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre on Tuesday. Incumbent councillor, Ebusang Tladi was elected as a new speaker for the municipality.

The municipality was one of highly-contested during recent local government. Even though Greater Taung local municipality was a stronghold for the ruling party, most independent candidates who registered with IEC were from this municipality.

Tladi said hard work has began now. He said they will make sure that they address socio-economic issues affecting the people of Taung at large.

“It is an honour for me to be bestowed with these responsibilities. ANC saw it robust for me to lead the municipality, and I will not disappoint. We will make sure that good governance prevails. We will also build upon an effective interface between political office bearers, political structures, councillors and officials.

“We will make sure that the delegations of appropriate powers achieve maximum operational and administrative efficiency. As the speaker, councillors will be urged to conduct monthly meetings with their communities across and adhere to submit their monthly reports. They need to perform their duties and show high performance,” Tladi said.

He added that the municipality had improved in the past five years. He further said they will create job opportunities for unemployed youth and support entrepreneurship.

Tladi said they will also organise a council meeting soon to outline strategic plans going forward.

Economic Freedom Fighters regional secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati district said: “We have six councillors that will serve the people at Greater Taung local municipality. We will also make sure that our people are well-represented. Despite Taung being predominately rural, the area is rich with minerals. We want to see the diamond mine being operational in the area.”

ANC won the municipality with 64.84% and wins 34 seats. EFF received 12.26% and have six seats and F4SD received 6.6% with 3 seats.

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