Category Archives: NEWS

ANC takes action against gunman


Johannesburg – Disciplinary action will be taken against ANC member Nelson Mdayi – identified as the man wielding a gun in newspaper pictures of clashes in Bekkersdal, the party said on Monday.
“The ANC will institute disciplinary action against Mdayi for bringing the organisation into disrepute by carrying a firearm whilst on a campaign trail,” said ANC Gauteng spokesperson Nkenke Kekana.

“His action has undermined the ANC’s integrity and [its] public image. The ANC does not approve the use of weapons during election campaign activities from its members or from any political party, as this can only serve to intimidate or escalate tensions unnecessarily.”

The party’s provincial integrity committee would look into the matter. Mdayi is also a government employee and a resident in Bekkersdal.

The City Press on Sunday reported that he was employed by the Westonaria municipality.

On Thursday, an ANC delegation visiting Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, were pelted with stones during a door-to-door campaign ahead of the 7 May general election.

The delegation included Eric Xayiya, Ntombi Mekgwe, and Brian Hlongwa.

Thabang Wesi, leader of the Concerned Residents of Bekkersdal, said residents saw ANC “bodyguards” with weapons in the township shooting at unarmed people, mainly school pupils.

The Star on Friday reported that ANC “bodyguards” fired live ammunition at residents after disrupting schooling.

The Citizen newspaper carried pictures of the episode. One was of Mdayi wearing an ANC bib with a gun behind his back.

Gun license questioned

Police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini told the newspaper the case was outside the jurisdiction of the police.

He could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Kekana called on the police to investigate whether Mdayi’s gun was licensed.

He said ANC officials were in touch with community members of Bekkersdal to address their concerns.

“We want to work the community… to resolve election campaign issues and related matters, so that all voters, no matter which party they will choose to vote for, can go to the polls in peace and without fear,” he said.

“It is unacceptable that schooling should be disrupted, and that legitimate public representatives be barred from doing their work.”

He said an investigation into the matter was also being carried out by the government.

“We will not accept any violence or acts of intimidation from any of our members and we will therefore investigate any wrongful action or intent.”

He urged ANC members to adhere to the Constitution.

“We encourage all of our volunteers to adhere to the election code of conduct in all their door-to-door and on-the-ground efforts.”

– SAPA

Marikana evidence leader supports bid for Mr X


Pretoria – A police witness, only identified as Mr X, should testify from a remote location, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry heard on Monday.

Evidence leader Kameshni Pillay supported an application to have Mr X testify in-camera through a video link.

“On a factual basis, having regard to all the factors, it has been shown to be reasonably necessary for Mr X to testify in-camera and via the video link,” she said.

The life of Mr X and his family would be in danger if the commission demanded that he travel to testify daily at the public hearings in Centurion.

“Having regard to what we understand to be the version of Mr X and the extent to which he directly implicates individuals, whom he said are capable of brutal violence, it is reasonable to draw the conclusion that his life will be in danger.

“There have been a number of witnesses who have not only been threatened but have also lost their lives,” said Pillay.

Farlam has authority to make arrangements

Sesi Baloyi, for the SA Police Service, earlier submitted the application for Mr X to testify through a video link.

Baloyi said the commission chaired by retired judge Ian Farlam had the authority to make such special arrangements for a particular witness.

The man identified as Mr X was apparently part of a group of protesting miners which underwent a ritual at Marikana that included the burning of live sheep on the night of 11 August 2012.

The rituals were a preparation for a confrontation with police, according to documents in the SAPS application.

He would testify about “the killing and intimidation of Lonmin employees who were unwilling to take part in the violent strike”.

Baloyi said Mr X’s name would be disclosed only to the commissioners of the inquiry, and lawyers for the wounded and arrested miners, but they could not disclose it to anyone.

When Mr X testified, the SAPS wanted only the commissioners, lawyers, and accredited media to be present in the auditorium.

Miners’ lawyers oppose application

The SAPS proposed that Mr X testify from a remote location.

“Members of the public willing to listen to the evidence of Mr X may do so by listening to audio transmission. The media reporting on his evidence should not identify him or in any way disclose his identity,” said Baloyi.

“Any video footage recording the evidence should be blurred or blacked-out so as not to disclose his identity in any way.”

The SAPS application was opposed by Dali Mpofu, SC, for the wounded and arrested miners, Dumisa Ntsebeza, SC, for the families of slain miners, and Anthony Gotz for the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

Concern over killings

The inquiry is investigating the deaths of 44 people during strike-related violence at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana, near Rustenburg in the North West.

The police shot dead 34 people, mostly striking mineworkers, wounded over 70, and arrested 250 on 16 August 2012 while trying to disarm and disperse them. In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed.

In August 2013, Farlam expressed concern about murders linked to possible witnesses of the inquiry.

“It is a matter of concern because a number of people connected to this commission have been assassinated. It is a matter which I am sure is receiving attention from the authorities,” he said
SAPA

Cop quizzed on residue test


Pretoria – A primer residue test conducted on murder accused Paralympian Oscar Pistorius’s hands and arms was described in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
Warrant Officer Barend van Staden, during cross-examination by Advocate Barry Roux for Pistorius, explained how he did the so-called PR test on the athlete.

The test is done to determine if someone has fired a gun.

Pistorius is accused of the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on 14 February last year.

He shot and killed her through the closed door of his toilet, apparently believing she was an intruder.

Van Staden, who was standing in the witness box, pecked at his arm and hand with his index finger, and explained how he used a piece of special sticky paper to lift possible traces of residue from Pistorius’s hands.

Because Van Staden had learnt that Pistorius had washed his hands, he did the residue test on both his arms as well.

Roux wanted to know exactly how Van Staden did this.

“So you go around the whole arm up to the elbow, and then?”

He asked how long the test took.

“Seconds,” Van Staden replied, speaking clearly and confidently in Afrikaans.

Oscar’s emotional state

Roux asked Van Staden to describe Pistorius’s emotional state as he found him in the garage of his house, where he did the residue test and took photos of him.

“Very quiet and emotional,” he said.

Roux asked him to explain what he meant by emotional.

“Tearful,” he replied.

Court was adjourned until 09:30 on Tuesday.

Van Staden is attached to the photography section of the Local Criminal Record Centre. He had been with the centre for 12 years, and in the police for 21.

In addition to the murder charge, Pistorius is charged with contravening of the Firearms Control Act. He allegedly fired a shot from a Glock pistol under a table at a Johannesburg restaurant in January 2013.

On 30 September 2012 he allegedly shot through the open sunroof of a car with his 9mm pistol while driving with friends in Modderfontein.

SAPA

Eleven orphans receives a decent house to ease their burden


Matlosana-A family of eleven orphans in Khuma extension 6 was amongst the households’ beneficiaries who received houses during the recent handing over ceremony in the Matlosana Local Municipality.

Handing over the keys to the orphans, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi encouraged them to take a good care of the house and not fight over it.

“You should know that this house was built by government and it doesn’t mean that since you did not pay for it you must then smash it, a lot has been spent from taxpayers’ money. One other critical thing is that, this house belongs to all of you but one of you could apply on your behalf, therefore you all have equal rights to the house,” said Maloyi.

The 25-year-old Yolisa Jija who applied for the house, said their parents died in 2012. She said they were then forced to share a one room shack with their parents. “We used to live in a one roomed shack with our parents before they died. My siblings have kids now and twenty people were forced to share the small space. I am very happy for what government has done for us. Life has been tough as we are unemployed and survives on child support grant and this house will now ease our burden,” said the delighted Jija. 

Gogo Anna Naanyane who stays with her three daughters and two orphans of her late daughter also received a house. One of her dependants is mentally disturbed and they survive on old age and foster care grants.

”I used to stay in a shack which damaged my belongings when it rains, since my house was built I have been thanking God every day, and I would like to thank the Provincial Governemt for this good initiative,” said gogo Naanyane.

Since the beginning of February, MEC Maloyi has been handing over houses to their rightful beneficiaries. Over 8 000 houses are anticipated to be handed over at the end of the project which will be completed the end of March.-TDN
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MEC MALOYI TO HAND OVER 250 HOUSES IN GREATER TAUNG


Taung-MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi will on Tuesday hand over about 250 houses to the Taung families in the greater Taung local municipality.

The Houses are part of the 8000 houses that are expected to be handed over between February and March 2014.

“The benefiting families are mostly those that have been staying in mud houses while others are those who lost their houses due to floods in the area. The benefiting families are from villages such as Manthe, Tlapeng and Tsokonyane respectively” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

The department has prioritized families headed by the elderly, child and people living with disability. The Taung villages were previously hit by heavy floods where lifes were lost and thousands of rands lost due to property damages.

“The handover is part of celebrating twenty years (20yrs) of freedom, and also in line with the Outcome 8 of the National Development Plan vision 2030 which is intended to improve the quality of people’s lives and bring back dignity to the marginalised communities across the province” Bole said.

The hand over programme is also part of the department’s service delivery initiative and reduction of housing backlog in the province.

The handover will take place as follows:

Date: 18 March 2014

Time: 14H00

Venue: Tlapeng tribal authority
-TDN
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Premier Modise urges parties to recommit themselves to end strike


Marikana-Parties involved in the platinum mining sector wage dispute should intensify efforts to find a win-win solution to bring the protracted strike to end, North West Premier Thandi Modise appealed on Monday.

“There is a need for parties to renew their commitment to end the strike which has entered its eighth week as it is impacting negatively on our economy and putting a strain on relations between striking miners and our communities,” Premier Modise said.

Modise has expressed concern regarding continued acts of violence and intimidation of non-striking workers and called on striking workers to respect public and private properties and the freedom of movement of other citizens and those who wanted to go to work.-TDN
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Pistorius trial enters week three


Johannesburg – Monday will see day 11 unfold in the murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius in the North Gauteng High Court.

On Friday, a former police officer admitted to the court that evidence was mishandled on the scene where the paralympian shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Giliam van Rensburg said he was dismayed to see a colleague pick up the handgun found on Pistorius’s bloodied bathroom floor without protective gloves.

“So I asked him ‘what are you doing?’ ” said Van Rensburg, adding that at this the ballistics expert looked down and realised he was bare-handed.

“And then he said ‘Sorry’,” said Van Rensburg, a now retired station commander who was the first policeman to arrive at Pistorius’s home after he shot Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

The admission came as Van Rensburg was answering questions from prosecutor Gerrie Nel, testifying notably that there was no sign of forced entry into the disabled track star’s home.

Pistorius has pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, claiming that he believed there was an intruder hiding in a locked toilet cubicle in his home when he fired four shots into it, fatally wounding Steenkamp.
SAPA

500 000 workers set for strike action

NEWS Leave a comment

Johannesburg – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) called a one-day strike for Wednesday to highlight youth unemployment in the country, where one in four people are jobless, the union said.

The 340 000-member union draws its members from car manufacturing, the metal industry, transport and general workers.

The strike would be the latest in a string of work stoppages.

“It is a strike that members in all other unions can join. We think half a million workers will take part,” Karl Cloete, deputy general secretary of Numsa, told Reuters on Sunday.

 

In December, Numsa, the biggest bloc in the Cosatu, said it would not support the ANC in the upcoming election.

Many South Africans are disgruntled by the slow pace at which the ANC is rolling back poverty two decades after the end of apartheid.

A strike over wages in the platinum sector has been going on for nearly two months and has cost employees more than R3.8bn ($354m) in lost earnings.

The strike has cost mining companies R8.6bn in revenue so far, according to a tally updated almost every second on the Chamber of Mines’ website.

Oscar Trail: hinging on forensic science

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oscar-pistorius-4300

WASHINGTON DC – One of the key aspects of the Oscar Pistorius trial has been the forensic evidence – what it shows, and whether or not it’s valid.

In the US, it’s a reminder of a case that many Americans still see as a watershed moment for the country’s justice system.

The OJ Simpson trial also hinged on the opinion of forensic scientists.

Washington DC’s crime museum has a whole section devoted to forensic science  – a discipline that used to be shrouded in mystery.

Taking fingerprints or measuring bullet holes was inexact and criminal trials were a case of ‘he said, she said’.

But now, things have changed – forensic science can make or break a case, and TV crime shows have raised its profile significantly.

But on top of that, the famous trial of OJ Simpson back in 1994 also gave the discipline a much higher profile, as the issue of the glove – which the prosecution said linked him to his ex-wife’s murder – got the whole country talking … just as South Africa and the world is now discussing the evidence shown in the trial of another famous athlete.

As the Oscar Pistorius case continues, in the absence of witnesses, it’s the forensics that are coming to the fore – but instead of a glove, here it’s a cricket bat, a bathroom door and even the athlete’s own prosthetic legs that are taking centre stage.

And when asked if that trial reminds them of any big American cases, it’s clear that people here see parallels with OJ:

Said former police officer, Michael Cerisano: “I think forensics plays a big part. I remember in the OJ Simpson trial, there was the famous line Johnnie Cochran brought out, ‘If it does not fit, you must acquit’, when they had OJ try the glove on.”

Forensic scientist Victor Weedn was a named witness in the OJ case, and says the forensics are similarly important now for Oscar Pistorius: “In both the OJ Simpson case as well as this case, it’s largely hinging on forensic science, because you have the defendant, has a story which of course doesn’t match with the prosecution. But the prosecution doesn’t have any other witnesses to go to, they have to go to the forensic evidence as their only witness.”

But, he says, for Pistorius, guilt is already established. So the role of forensics is more subtle.

“In the OJ Simpson case, for instance, there was the glove – you know – ‘If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit’. I’m not sure I see that in the same way in this case. 9.49 //10.08 They’re not really going to hard evidence that he was there or not there, we know that. This is more subtle than that. Essentially what we have is a case where we have the defendant’s testimony, which says one thing, and the prosecution has to come up with something which is not going to be from witness testimony but has to come from the forensic evidence.”

Back at the museum, an exhibit of a disturbed bedroom with rumpled sheets, bullet holes and bloodstains eerily brings to mind the scene of the crime now being discussed in Pretoria.

Here, using forensics to search for clues is just a bit of fun for visitors. But for Pistorius – as for OJ – the science and what a court makes of it will be lifechanging.

-eNCA