Parliament – The DA on Thursday laid a charge of perjury against SABC board chairwoman Ellen Tshabalala.

“This follows (Parliament’s) communications portfolio committee’s finding yesterday (Wednesday) that Tshabalala lied about her qualifications in a sworn affidavit,” Democratic Alliance MP Gavin Davis said in a statement.

The affidavit had been submitted to Parliament as part of Tshabalala’s application for a position on the SABC board. It was signed at the Sandton police station in Johannesburg on July 23 last year.

In it, Tshabalala had sworn that her house was broken into and items stolen, among them all her academic records, and for this reason she had been unable to provide such credentials in her application.

However, the committee heard on Wednesday that the academic records and certificates referred to in Tshabalala’s affidavit did not exist.

“Tshabalala therefore lied when she stated in a sworn affidavit that these documents were stolen,” Davis said.

The DA trusted the SA Police Service would treat the criminal charge with the seriousness it warranted.

“This will send out a signal that qualifications fraud will not be tolerated at the SABC or anywhere else,” he said.

Sapa

Cape Town – A policeman filmed assaulting a Kraaifontein grandmother, standing on her neck as she lay on the ground, has been suspended after a “swift” investigation conducted by police.

The policeman is a 45-year-old sergeant at the local police station.

Police spokesman Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana said the matter would be handed over the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for further investigation.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Limpopo – The weddings bells are ringing for Julius Malema.

Sorry, all interested women! The EFF commander-in-chief has been taken.

Malema tie the knot in the coming weeks in a traditional ceremony in Seshego, his hometown outside Polokwane.

The woman who stole Malema’s heart is Mantwa Matlala.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Mahikeng – More than 40 previously unemployed youth across the province are now ready to enter the labour market after undergoing a year-long learnership programme in Community House Building NQF Level 2, through the North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements.

The learners started with the programme in August last year and included the following modules: bricklaying, carpentry, tiling and roofing whilst receiving a stipend of R2 500.  Speaking during the graduation ceremony held in Mahikeng, the Acting Head of Department, Moss Kgantsi, encouraged the graduates to continuously improve the skill and knowledge they have acquired through the learnership, by enrolling for other courses.

“As a Department, in response to what the Premier has raised in the beginning of the fifth administration that, the economy of this province will rest on three pillars which are Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT) to achieve 6% of economic growth of the province towards 2019. With this Community House Building Learnership Programme, we remain confident that, we would add value because if you need to attract tourist in the province, you would definitely need buildings of high quality where you become relevant to assist to avoid buildings which collapse from time to time”, he mentioned.

He said the programme was different as it was a work-based programme that combined a structured learning component along with practical work experience and leads to a nationally recognized qualification and is registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

“We need to agree that, our country is faced with major economic challenges, and therefore it remains our responsibility to skill our youth in order to address shortage of skills and unemployment amongst them, and redress the past imbalances within education fraternity, that’s why government has deliberately introduced Skills Development Act, 1998 (ACT No. 97 of 1998), National Skills Development Strategies as well as Sector Education Training Authorities to respond to these challenges”, he concluded.

Meanwhile, one of the graduates, Winnie Tladi said they had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. “It was not easy but we have made it. We are now looking forward to join the construction industry and build quality houses”, she said.

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There has been no progress on talks between star goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and league leaders Kaizer Chiefs to extend his contract past the end of the season, raising the possibility that the 27-year-old might have played his last game for the club, where he has been for 14 years.

Officials and agents, speaking on condition of anonymity, have confirmed no new deal has been signed with just one month left before Khune is free to enter into contract negotiations with other parties.

For more http://www.timelive.co.za