Category Archives: NEWS

Electoral Court to hear Tlakula matter


Bloemfontein – The Electoral Court will hear an application by opposition parties to force IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula to resign, a court official said on Thursday.

The Electoral Court would sit for the application in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The parties calling for Tlakula’s resignation are the United Democratic Movement, the African Christian Democratic Party, the Congress of the People, Agang SA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

This follows a forensic investigation by the National Treasury on the procurement of the Electoral Commission of SA’s (IEC) Riverside Office Park building in Centurion, Pretoria.

The probe found the process was neither fair, transparent, nor cost-effective. It found Tlakula did not give guidance or formally inform various people what was expected of them in the process.

Tlakula has maintained that she was not accused of corruption in the report.

The Treasury’s report followed a recommendation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in her own report into the matter, released in August 2013.

– SAPA

Platinum producers to approach Amcu


By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-Platinum producers will approach striking members direct after the negotiations collapsed.

The Amcu representatives were engaged in a meeting with Amplats and Anglo-Platinum but they could not come to conclusion.

More than 80,000 Amcu members down tools in January striking for a wage increase. The miners demand R12 500 and Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole says platinum producers have recommended that Amcu accept the offer.

Sithole said the mine will phase in the offer in mid-2017.

“We are urging Amcu’s leadership to consider the economic position of the industry and that of the companies as well as the dire consequences the employees are undergoing as a result of the strike.”

The three–month long strike has already cost the companies over R13 billion while employees have lost R6 billion in wages.

The union has established a fund to help workers who haven’t been paid for more than three months.-TDN
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FUN Run for 20 years of Democracy


Rustenburg-As we celebrate 20 years of our democracy in our country, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with Bojanala District Municipality and SAFA (South African Football Association) will be hosting a sporting event celebration on 26 April 2014 at Olympia park stadium at Rustenburg.

The aim of the celebrations is to mobilise a collective ownership of the country’s 20 years of democracy by South Africans and different sectors of society.

“It is also to promote awareness of the progress that freedom has brought and a sense of challenges of the third decade especially through sport” departmental spokesperson Shirley Montsho said.

Montsho said these games will be creating a build-up of public awareness and excitement, towards freedom day on April 27th and sustain it thereafter throughout 2014.

Fun run will kick start the day’s events with distances of five (5) and eight (8) kilos, open to clubs and individuals of all ages. There will also be artistic aerobics for participants who will not participate in the fun run.

Following the fun run will be ladies soccer match between 12h30, whereby teams who are in the SASOL League from four Districts within the Province will compete against each other and the winning teams will face off at the finals.

“MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the North West Province Mme Tebogo Modise calls members of the community to celebrate freedom through Sport, Arts and Culture’s activities and participate in the promotion of a physically active lifestyle” she said.

Details of the festival are as follows:
1. Fun Run
 Venue: Olympia Park
 Time: 06h00
 Date: 26 April 2014

2. Ladies Soccer Match
 Venue: Olympia Park Stadium
 Time: 12h30
 Date: 26 April 2014
-TDN
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‘A man jailed to 20 years for rape’


By Obakeng Maje
Port Nolloth-The South African Police Service welcomes the sentencing imposed on those who commit crimes against women. This is a clear indication that members of the SAPS work hard to tackle crimes against women and children, as this remains one of our priorities.

“It is through team work and the thorough collection of crucial evidence that we can achieve convictions and heavy sentences for offenders” liutenant Sergio Kock said.

A 24 year-old man was handed down 20 years imprisonment for the rape of a 17 year old girl.

The victim was with friends at the Port Nolloth Beach when the accused, Lizo Artrit(24) took her to his house Sizamele Township.

“He requested to have sex with her and when she refused he strangled her until she lost consciousness and raped her twice. The accused was arrested and found guilty on two counts of rape. Magistrate Chas Huisamen of the Port Nolloth Regional Court sentenced him to twenty years imprisonment for the crime” Kock said.

The Port Nolloth Cluster Commander, Colonel Johan Brooks lauds Det WO Andre Swanepoel , Det Sgt Ulrich Aitken and Det Sgt Shaun Brandt and of the Port Nolloth Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit members for a brilliant job done. “The team’s water tight case ensured that no impunity is granted to the criminal of this heinous crime.”

The SAPS hopes that the sentencing will serve as a deterrent to others who consider committing similar crimes against women and children. The SAPS sees crimes against women and children as priority and will continue with our endeavours to ensure that the society is and feels safe and secure.-TDN
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Three buglaries reported in Kimberley


By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating three separate business burglaries which took place over the past weekend in the Central Business District, Kimberley.

Lieutenant Sergio Kock said a substantial amount of cash was stolen at the burglaries and in all the cases the surveillance cameras and alarm systems were disarmed.

“In some instances it was dismantled and stolen along with the cash. The police request that anyone with information regarding the person in the ID kit to please forward it to the police as he can assist with the investigations” Kock said.

All information can be forwarded to Det WO Frikkie Rall on 053 838 4324 or call 10 111. The investigation continues.-TDN
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R1.7 billion water project to benefit NWest rural communities


Sustainable water is a collaborative undertaking between government, communities and other stakeholders, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa cautioned during the launch of the R1.7 billion Pilanesberg Bulk Water Project in Ntswana-le-metsing outside Rustenburg this week.

“The project we are launching today highlights the necessity for government, private sector and the general public to come together to provide and sustain equitable water supply to all,” Molewa said on Wednesday.

 

“I consider it highly significant that the impetus for this project embraces this principle of working together and has responded to our call for collaboration in this manner,” she added.

 

The Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Scheme is a partnership of the Department of Water Affairs, the North West Provincial Government together with the Moses Kotane Local Municipality and Bojanala Platinum District Municipality to benefit. more than 57 villages in the Moses Kotane and Rustenburg Local municipalities, support local mining industry and support job creation.So far the project has already created 13 452 jobs.

In appealing to communities to exercise their democratic rights to vote on May 7,Minister Molewa highlighted that the project was resonating very well with the theme “celebrating 20 years of water delivery for social and economic development.”

It is envisaged that the scheme will also be extended to Koster, Swartruggens and other villages in the Kgetlheng River Local Municipality.

Welcoming the initiative, Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Tribal Authority said he was happy that the government has responded magnificently to the water challenges that the community has experienced.

He said this was a clear indication that the government cared about the needs of communities and that it was serious about service delivery.

The Mayor of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Councillor Fetsang Mokati-Thebe said that her municipality is excited about the project as it will deliver skills to communities.

“We wish to appeal to our communities to safeguard water and not to destroy properties as this is a legacy that will bear fruit for many years to come,” Mokati-Thebe said.

She appealed to members of the communities to ensure that btaps are properly closed to avoid water leakages.

Twenty-six -year old Emily Busang from the neighbouring village of Ledig said she was excited about the economic growth and other prospects.

Premier Thandi Modise had earlier said that the project will, in addition to the wellbeing of the communities, contribute significantly towards the economic growth of the region and the province.-TDN
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Marikana ANC office burnt down


Johannesburg – A shack used as ANC branch office was set alight at Nkaneng informal settlement in Wonderkop near Marikana on Thursday, police said.

“Police are investigating a case of arson. The shack is reported to have been used as an office for a political party,” said police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabona.

He said no injuries were reported during the incident at 3pm.

The ANC confirmed that its office in Nkaneng was torched.

“We appeal to our members in Marikana to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. The matter is under police investigation, ” said provincial spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi.

He called on residents to assist the police with information to arrest perpetrators.

“The culprits are known in the community. There are people who saw them committing the crime.”

He said the ongoing intimidation and burning of ANC property would not stop the ANC from doing its political work in Marikana.

“The ANC will prevail over this anarchy. We will continue with our work in Marikana, Madibeng and all other areas in Rustenburg.”

Two people were gunned down in Nkaneng two weeks ago, he said.

Mnisi said the burning of their office occurred at the time the ANC was concluding its election campaign in the Bojanala district.

As part of wrapping up the election campaign in Bojanala, ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize would address a gala dinner at Sun City on Thursday and provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo would have a public session with political analysts to debate on the 20 years of democracy in the North West Province.

– SAPA

Mpofu outlines EFF plans for Gauteng


Johannesburg – An EFF-led government in Gauteng will launch its own provincial land audit and report to residents within 100 days on past failures, the party’s candidate for premier Dali Mpofu said on Thursday.

“An EFF government will report findings on why the ANC [African National Congress] has failed to audit land in a… small province like Gauteng,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.

“Within the first 100 days, the EFF Gauteng government will identify land for expropriation and equal distribution.”

Mpofu set out the Economic Freedom Fighters’ blueprint for the province titled “Formula 777”. It outlines the seven pillars the party was founded on – seven values and priorities for the first 100 days in office.

A preliminary analysis would be completed within the set timeframe, of urban land that could be expropriated for the development of communities closer to job opportunities.

“The apartheid legacy of spatially excluding black entrepreneurs is something that could have been reversed within 20 years with planning and willpower. An EFF Gauteng government will show urgency that has been lacking,” he said.

Gauteng ‘a province of plenty’

Mpofu added that his government would determine the value of the mineral resources remaining in Gauteng, as well as future costs to the environment caused by mining.

“Together these two monetary values, the [natural] asset and the liability [to the environment] will constitute the share that the state should have in mining companies,” said Mpofu.

This would form part of preparations for the nationalisation of mines.

Mpofu said Gauteng was a province of plenty, but its wealth did not benefit the majority of residents.

“Under an EFF government, Gauteng will cease to be a province that serves the few. It will be a province which looks after its poor, its most vulnerable, those who have been marginalised and forgotten, the voiceless,” he said.

The EFF would hit the ground running should it win the province. Mpofu added that heads would start to roll should the 100-day plan not be effectively implemented. Members of the executive council would be recalled should they fail in their duties.
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Premier Modise prays for peaceful elections


Seaparankwe Mama Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Premier Thandi Modise in worship to Gospel Singer Winnie Mashaba’s music at the Provincial Interfaith Women’s Prayer Service underway at the Naledi Local Municipality Theatre in Vryburg.
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A man bludgeoned a lover to death in North West


By Obakeng Maje
Hartbeesfontein-North West police arrested a 37 year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death.

Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said a 37 year-old man engaged in an argument with his girlfriend and hit her with an unknown object.

“The suspect handed himself over to the police at Hartbeesfontein after he allegedly bludgeoned his girlfriend to death. The atrocity took place on Monday where two lover were engaged in an argument” Moleko said.

She said the suspect dragged a 31 year-old girlfriend into the streets and stabbed her several times.

The victim allegedly died on the scene and the suspect dug a shallow grave and buried her.

He allegedly handed himself over to the police and pointed out where he buried the victim.

He was charged with murder case and investigations continue.-TDN
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