Johannesburg – A Harmony Gold employee was killed on Sunday in a fall of ground accident at the Masimong mine in the Free State, the company said.
Investigations into the accident were underway, Harmony Gold said in a statement.
No further details were available.
The company sent its condolences to the employee’s family.
For more http://www.news24.com
Cape Town – Suspended Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega has had a difficult year. Suspended by President Jacob Zuma following the Farlam Commission report which called for an investigation into her fitness to hold office for among other things tampering with evidence and lying, she now faces significant findings against her from an inquiry by the Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko, reports GroundUp.
For more http://www.news24.com
Johannesburg – The Water Institute of Southern Africa (Wisa) has called on citizens to stop playing the blame game and work together when it comes to the country’s water crisis.
Wisa chief executive Lester Goldman on Monday said discussions and frustrations about the challenges of climate change, infrastructure planning and maintenance, increasing demand and skills concerns needed to temporarily be put on hold.
“All these challenges need to be addressed in due time, but first, let’s get through the heatwaves and water shortages together as a nation united in using our water supply sparingly, and to the benefit of the greater good,” he said in a statement.
For more http://www.news24.com
Durban – One police officer has allegedly been killed and another is in a critical condition following a shoot-out near Ginginglovu, south of Richards Bay, on Monday.
Police are yet to confirm details on the incident, but it is believed the two officers spotted two men in a suspicious vehicle and stopped them. When the vehicle came to a halt, the men in the car opened fire on them.
Speaking to News24, IPSS spokesperson Paul Herbst said paramedics had treated the critically injured officer.
For more http://www.news24.com
Paris – French police have carried out “more than 150” raids on suspected Islamists since the attacks on Paris, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Monday, as a source in the southeastern city of Lyon said an arsenal of weapons had been seized there.
Police sources in Paris said “several dozen” pre-dawn raids were carried out in French cities on Monday, including in Bobigny, an eastern suburb of the capital.
Thirteen raids were carried out around the southeastern French city of Lyon, a local police source said.
For more http://www.news24.com
The case against two senior South African Defence Force (SANDF) officials is due to start on Monday in the Oudtshoorn Regional Court in the Little Karoo.
Brigadier General Xolani Mankayi and Colonel Nkhabu Nthejane face charges of intimidation after they allegedly threatened police.
It relates to an incident in May last year when police arrested eight soldiers at an unlicensed shebeen in Bongolethu.
The military officers then allegedly gathered two platoons in armoured vehicles and drove to the local police station to demand the release of their comrades.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of heavy winds and hail, expected on Monday, for Gauteng and the western parts of the country. This comes in the wake of a persisting heat wave sweeping through the country, causing several water supply disruptions.
According to forecaster Bransbey Bulo, “We have issued a watch for possible severe weather that will be accompanied by some hail and strong winds. The areas that are likely to be affected are Gauteng, western parts of North West province, Eastern parts of North West Province, Western parts of Limpopo and the extreme western parts of Mpumalanga.”
For more http://www.sabc.co.za
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Paris – Hours after the synchronised attacks that terrorised Paris, French police questioned and released the suspect who is now the focus of an international manhunt, officials told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Saleh Abdeslam, 26, was one of three men in a getaway car, headed for France’s border with Belgium, when police pulled them over after daybreak on Saturday.
The French president had already announced new border controls to prevent the perpetrators from escaping. Hours had passed since investigators identified Abdeslam as the renter of a Volkswagen Polo that carried hostage-takers to the Paris theatre where almost three-quarters of the 129 victims were killed.
For more http://www.news24.com
BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE beleaguered Ditsobotla municipality affianced with Eskom in quest to reach an agreement after the municipality defaulted in their monthly payments. The municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said they met with Eskom in quest to come up with payment plan.
“We had a meeting with Eskom recently and we came up with a payment plan after the municipality defaulted in its monthly payments. We believe that this will help municipality in settling its bill with the giant electricity. We can confirm that the municipality owes Eskom R138m which needed to be settled. However we reached an agreement that no power cut will take place as it was previously reported,” Batsile said.
Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe said: “It is true that we met with Ditsobotla municipality last week. We have reached an agreement even though there were some other issues to be finalized. However, everything went sound and we actually not doing this with Ditsobotla municipality alone, we are also in talks with other municipalities that defaulted in their monthly payments.
“The national treasury also intervened and instructed all municipalities which owe us to reach an agreement with us. They said they will cut the equitable share provided to the municipalities if they do not come up with a plan. So everything is running smoothly so far. We want municipalities to commit, to show that they are willing to settle their bills.”
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
MORE than R34 000 was raised during Bakwena’s Annual Potjiekos Competition last week Saturday. The event was held at the Voortrekker Monument Cultural and Picnic area in Pretoria. The organizer, Thandakazi Mashalaba said they rose over R34 920 for three community projects situated along the N1 and N4 toll route.
“Bakwena is dedicated to uplifting the communities that reside along the N1 and N4.The money was handed over to three charities. The three organisations that benefited from this year’s potjiekos were President Kruger Children’s Home which received R11 640 as well as some stationery. Trust Hope Faith Youth Development Organisation, received R11 640 as well as stationery and lastly, Solidarity “My Held” received R11 640 as well,” Mashalaba said.
She said this year’s competition brought industry stakeholders together to enjoy a fun day. Mashalaba said the event was an opportunity for all the participants to interact and network while working towards a cause relevant to them all.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Bakwena’s finance team. The event ran smoothly from start to finish. However, none of it would have been possible without sponsorship from generous donors. The competition itself was tight and the judges had a tough time choosing between the delicious potjies on offer. However, a decision had to be made and the team from Bigen was announced as the first prize winners, followed by National Asphalt in second place and Scan RF who came in third,” she said.
Bakwena spokesperson, Charmaine van Wyk said: “We are grateful to all the volunteers, participants and donors for making the day such a success. We looking forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s event.”
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyEws or @IceT_
The Guardian 