Category Archives: NEWS

Presodency: One Deputy President Only


Johannesburg – South Africa can only have one deputy president in terms of the Constitution, the presidency said on Monday.

“The presidency wishes to correct a media report by Sunday Times newspaper quoting unnamed sources claiming the possibility of two deputy presidents of the republic,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

The Sunday Times reported discussions had been held within the African National Congress to promote the idea of a second deputy president.

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete were reportedly proposed as the two candidates.

Maharaj said Section 91 of the Constitution provides for only one deputy president, who the president selects from the National Assembly.

“The Constitution therefore states unequivocally that the Republic of South Africa shall have one deputy president only.”

Maharaj said the interim Constitution, which was valid from 1994 to 1996, had allowed for two deputy presidents under the government of national unity. Under the interim Constitution, both Thabo Mbeki and FW de Klerk served as deputy presidents under former president Nelson Mandela.

De Klerk was entitled to this position because he was the leader of the National Party, which received the second-largest number of votes.

The Constitution adopted in 1996 no longer allowed for this arrangement, Maharaj said.

SAPA

Illegal miner goes back to warn others


Johannesburg – One of the illegal miners inside the abandoned mine in Benoni, on the East Rand, surfaced on Monday but went back underground to talk to his colleagues, Ekurhuleni emergency services said.

“One of the illegal miners surfaced this morning but went down to try and convince others to come up when he heard the opening would be closed,” rescue technician David Tshabalala said.

“The illegal miners did not want to come up. The total of miners that resurfaced today is 11, bringing the overall number to 22. It is unclear how many are still underground.”

Tshabalala said the mineral resources department would close the opened shaft in a bid to stop illegal mining, and gave the miners notice about this on Monday.

“We will give those underground ample time to get out, but will have to close it,” he said.

By 18:15, emergency services suspended their operations. Tshabalala said police and mine security would remain overnight. He said the 11 who resurfaced were not injured. They were handed to police after medical checks.

Tshabalala said it was unclear how many illegal miners were still underground because those who resurfaced could not provide them with numbers. Earlier he said some of the illegal miners came halfway up the shaft, but then turned around.

Rescuers could not go down the shaft because it was too dangerous.

“There is an opening and we sent a chain down that we can pull them up with,” Tshabalala said.

He said food and water were sent down to the miners on Sunday, but they could be running low.

The illegal miners were found on Sunday when Ekurhuleni metro police were patrolling the area and heard screaming from the abandoned mine.

Gauteng police said 11 illegal miners who were rescued on Sunday had been charged. They would appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of illegal mining, Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale said.

SAPA

Madonsela SABC report: Carrim must decide


Johannesburg – The public protector’s report on SABC acting chief operations officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng will be studied, the communications ministry said on Monday.

“We’ll consider it and, if necessary, refer it to our lawyers as soon as we get it,” spokesperson Siyabulela Qoza said in a statement.

He said it was the SABC board which mainly needed to act on the public protector’s findings, and the ministry would talk to the public broadcaster about it.

On Monday, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela criticised Motsoeneng and the SABC board over his irregular appointment and salary progression at the SABC.

Madonsela found former communications minister Dina Pule had interfered unduly in the SABC’s affairs during her tenure.

“Her conduct amounts to abuse of power,” Madonsela said.

She urged Communications Minister Yunus Carrim to take urgent steps to fill the “long outstanding vacant post of COO” with a suitably qualified permanent incumbent within 90 days.

She called on Carrim to establish why group chief executive officers at the SABC could not function, and left prematurely, causing financial and operational strains.

SABC to consider report

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said earlier the public broadcaster would consider Madonsela’s findings.

“We have just received the report today,” he said in Johannesburg.

“The board needs to study the report, then we can communicate later what will happen because we only received it today like everyone else.”

Madonsela found Motsoeneng irregularly and rapidly increased the salaries of various staff members, resulting in the state broadcaster footing an unprecedented salary bill escalation of R29m.

“He unilaterally increased [the] salaries of Ms Motsweni, Ms Thobekile Khumalo, Mr Hannes du Buisson, and certain freelancers without following parts of the SABC personnel regulations,” Madonsela said in the report.

Complaints against Motsoeneng were raised with Madonsela by former SABC staff – including former chief operations officer Charlotte Mampane and ex-SABC senior executive Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande.

Fraudulent qualifications

Motsoeneng was also investigated for fraudulently misrepresenting his qualifications to the SABC, including claiming that he had passed matric when he applied for employment.

Madonsela said allegations that Motsoeneng committed fraud by stating in his application form that he had completed matric at Metsimantsho High School in QwaQwa were substantiated. She said it was worrying that Motsoeneng’s file disappeared at the SABC while he denied falsifying his qualifications.

Madonsela’s report recommends that the SABC board institute corrective action against the “dishonest” Motsoeneng.

Du Buisson said he was offended by the allegation by Madonsela, as he had not worked for the SABC in the past 14 years.

“I am not employed by the SABC. I was employed there 14 years ago,” he told Sapa.

“I am very offended by this statement by the Public Protector. That statement is tarnishing my reputation and name.”

Du Buisson, who is president of the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union, said he had contacted Madonsela’s office to demand an immediate correction. Madonsela’s spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi could not be reached for comment.

Plagued by incompetence

The Democratic Alliance said the report confirmed that the SABC had been plagued by incompetence, corruption and cadre deployment for years, and called for Motsoeneng’s immediate suspension.

“We call on Minister of Communications Mr Yunus Carrim, in his capacity as the shareholder’s representative, to instruct the SABC board to immediately suspend Mr Motsoeneng and recruit, as soon as possible, suitably qualified and experienced group CEO and COO to head a crisis management team to stop the rot at the SABC,” spokesperson Marian Shinn said in a statement.

Motsoeneng should be removed from the premises and forbidden access to any SABC staff during the process of determining his possible permanent removal from the corporation, she said.

‘Unhealthy relationship’

“He must also be forbidden to have contact with the SABC board, with whom he has an unhealthy close and protective relationship.

“Mr Motsoeneng has an extensive record as an unscrupulous character within the broadcaster’s administration. Mr Motsoeneng used his political clout to collapse the last SABC board when it voted to remove him from the acting COO post. And it is unlikely that any of the current board would be serving if they were not indebted or in league with Mr Motsoeneng.

“The Public Protector’s picture of Mr Motsoeneng’s character and behaviour clearly shows that his continued presence at the corporation will continue to have a destructive effect on operations and personnel.”

The Congress of the People called on the SABC board to fire Motsoeneng by the end of business on Monday.

“The Public Protector’s finding that Mr Motsoeneng’s misrepresentation of his qualifications is improper and constitutes a dishonest act must be acted upon immediately,” spokesperson Johann Abrie said in a statement.

“We urge the board to implement every single one of the recommendations without any delay and to restore integrity to the SABC.”

SAPA

Khuli Chana earns international acclaim  


North West Premier Thandi Modise has congratulated award winning rapper Khuli Chana for making the Top 6 shortlist for the Black International Act of the Black Canadian Awards.

In thanking the residents of the North West Province, South Africans and music lovers in general for heeding her call to vote for the winning artist, Premier Modise said that Khuli Chana’s nomination represents a big break for him into the international rap music arena.
“We are proud of him as our brand Ambassador who represents excellence in artistic expression. In him we have a gem that is still to sparkle on the world stage. He is our pride and an inspiration to many of our young people who are looking up to him as a trendsetter and a role model.” said Modise.
Khuli Chana, who was born in Mmabatho Unit 2 in Mahikeng, is a Mmabana talent show product .He has toured with big names such as Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar and has had the successful Sleepwalker collaboration with the Parlotones.The Black Canadian Awards is a non-profit initiative of the Diversity Advancement Network. Part of the proceeds will be added to their Youth and Talent scholarship program.
 

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 1 March 2014 at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, Canada.-TDN
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Strike-hit Amplats warns of restructuring


Johannesburg – Mining giant Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] warned Monday that a nearly month-long strike at its South African mines could lead to further restructuring, raising the spectre of more job losses.
The world’s top platinum miner said its strike-hit Rustenburg and Union mines, in the country’s north-western and northern regions, were “in the most marginal financial position”.
“If the industrial action continues for much longer, we cannot rule out the need for further restructuring to ensure the long term sustainability of those mines,” said spokesperson Mpumi Sithole.
Job cuts
The company did not specify what measures could be taken, but before the current strike the company had already announced job cuts running into the thousands.
The firm claimed the strike over wages, which started on January 23, was costing about R100m or 4 000 ounces of platinum each day.
Talks between the company and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction workers (Amcu), which represents tens of thousands of striking workers have so far failed to end the dispute.
R12 500 wages
Workers are demanding the doubling of their monthly wages to R12 500 and have so far rejected an initial offer of least 7% each of the next three years.
In an interview with Business Day newspaper, chief executive Mark Cutifani raised concern about the future of Rustenburg mines.
“Until we get back to work and get the things up and running probably, I’m not sure they’ve got any future,” he said.
“It can only end badly for employees and that’s the thing that keeps me awake at night.”
Way forward
According to the paper, the struggling mines could be separately listed, folded into a black empowerment firm or sold.
Still recovering from a crippling 2012 strike wave, the company last week reported a loss of R568m ($51.2m) from a loss of RR6.4bn in 2012.
Last year the company, which is 80% owned by British-South African group Anglo American, embarked on a massive restructuring scheme that affected around 7 000 jobs after initially eyeing double the cutbacks.
The firm later said it had reduced the retrenchments to 3 300, then announcing that the workers had instead been given voluntary separation packages.

AFP

Illegal miners warned that the access hole will be shut


Johannesburg – Authorities have sent communication to the illegal miners in the abandoned Gold One Kleinfontein Mine in Benoni that the access hole will be sealed on 3 March, according to EWN.

The Ekurhuleni emergency services could not be reached for comment.

It is unclear whether more illegal miners will resurface from the mine, authorities have said.

Emergency services officials say they convinced 11 men to leave the mine earlier on Monday, making 22 the number of rescued miners.

EWN reports that up to 300 men could still be stuck underground.

Officials say that a rival group may have barricaded the miners in on Saturday while trying to rob them of their gold.

The illegal miners were found on Sunday while emergency services were conducting operations around illegal mining in the area. They heard screaming from the abandoned mine.

Rescue mission abandoned

Rescue workers abandoned their rescue mission on Sunday evening after the remaining men refused to be brought to the surface.

Emergency workers said they would not be returning to the mine until the miners indicated they were ready to come up.

It is said that the miners would rather stay down in the shaft than come to the surface and face arrest.

A makeshift ladder has been left hanging from above the ground for the miners to hoist themselves to safety.

All 22 people that have come to the surface have been arrested and charged with illegal mining.

EWN says that the suspects will appear in a Benoni court on Tuesday.

EWN

Taung IEC accused granted R500 bail


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Seven accused briefly appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for allegedly damaging of election material alleged to have occurred in Taung during the final voter registration over the weekend.

Seven people arrested in connection with the incident appeared in the Taung Magistrates Court on Monday and were granted bail of R500 each.

The accused, Kegomoditswe Kgosimore (33), Lebogang Magabe (31), Setsanyana Mmusinyana (25), Thapelo Leiri(20), Freddy Seruteng(20), Kagisho Ikeleng( 20) and Thabang Kumang ( 23)  who were arrested on Sunday, 9 February 2014 for contravention of Section (1) © of Electoral Act, 1998 (ACT 73 OF 1998), appeared in Taung Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 February 2014.

They were remanded in custody and re-appeared again on Monday for bail application.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible disruption of election processes and acts of violence during voter registration as they undermines our hard won democracy and the right of citizens to exercise their right to vote in a safe and peaceful environment, without intimidation .These should be stamped out and those responsible dealt harshly by the law,” Premier Modise stressed.
Modise called for an investigation as to why the disruptors were not immediately arrested at the scene of the alleged incident.
According to police, the group of three women and four men aged between 20 and 33 allegedly forced entry into a voter registration station at Itlameleng Primary School on Saturday around 7:40 and demanded registration from IEC officials.

“They allegedly removed IEC banners from the school fence and set them alight before fleeing the scene,” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

Damaging election material is prohibited in terms of Section (1) (c) of the Electoral Act of 1998.-TDN
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Mboweni leaves AngloGold Ashanti


Johannesburg – Former SA Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni stepped down as chairperson of AngloGold Ashanti on Monday, the company said.
“As a result of his increasing portfolio of professional commitments, Mboweni has decided not to stand for re-election as non-executive director at the annual general meeting to be held in May, 2014,” the company said in a statement.
Mboweni said he had left the company fundamentally stronger, stable and focused.
“It’s been a privilege to help establish such a firm foundation for the company alongside an accomplished executive team and an experienced board,” Mboweni said.
The company wished him well in his future endeavours and thanked him for his service over the past four years.
Sipho Pityana was elected to replace him. Mboweni has agreed to work closely with the new chairperson to ensure a smooth transition.
Pityana has been a non-executive director of AngloGold Ashanti for the past seven years. He was also chairperson of the company’s safety, health and environment committee.
“I am honoured to follow Mboweni as chairman of AngloGold Ashanti. I will work closely with him over the coming months to ensure a seamless hand-over,” Pityana said.
Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, who was chairperson of the audit and corporate governance committee, would assume the new role of lead independent director of the board.
SAPA

Zim cost Mbheki his presidency- ZANU-PF MP


Cape Town – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party legislators are reportedly pushing for a street to be named after former president Thabo Mbeki for “bringing stability to the country” following the disputed 2008 polls.

Mbeki helped broker a now defunct power sharing agreement between the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu-PF following a disputed election in 2008 which left at least 200 people dead.

According to the Daily News, a Zanu-PF legislator Reuben Marumahoko urged Zimbabweans to appreciate the work done by the “African icon” who “made Zimbabwe to be what it is today after the difficulties we went through during the 2008 elections where the regime change agenda was at play”.

He said Mbeki was the “son of the soil” and “a principled man” who helped the country when “the enemies of Africa and Zimbabwe were ready to pounce on Zimbabwe”.

MDC against the proposal

Mbeki was criticised for his quiet diplomacy in dealing with the Zimbabwean issue and this, Marumahoko said was the reason why he (Mbeki) lost his presidency.

Marumahoko said Mbeki was recalled “not [because] people of SA did not want him” but because “the enemies of Africa did not want him”.

He said Mbeki lost his presidency for helping Zimbabweans.

Marumahoko urged all MPs to support his motion to name one of “our roads after him like we did to Nelson Mandela and other African leaders”.

MDC legislators were, however, opposed to the proposal, accusing Mbeki of having propped up Zanu-PF, the report said.

News24

‘Waterkloof 2’ all over social nertwork sites


The re-arrest of two of the so-called “Waterkloof four” was the talk of the town on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Johannesburg – The re-arrest of two of the so-called “Waterkloof four” was the talk of the town on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter on Monday.

“Why are they making such a big fuss over the Waterkloof boys, all prisoners have cellphones and are still even on Facebook,” said Shai Ling in a Facebook comment in response to the video clip posted on the page “947 Breakfast Xpress”.

“If anyone is to be blamed its [sic] our fucked up system.”

Convicted killers Frikkie du Preez and Christoff Becker were back in custody on Sunday after footage of them allegedly drinking alcohol and using a cellphone in jail emerged.

Another Facebooker said he could not see any alcohol in the video footage.

“As far as I can see on the video clip there is no alcohol being consumed the only alcohol is displayed on the TV screen ie. virtual alcohol all a storm in a teacup,” said Frik Strh.

Top trending topic

Another user, Shirley van Niekerk said the people who should be investigated or fired were the wardens.

Tweeter Tau Sello said the “Waterkloof 2 are pathetic 4 making mockery of thier sentence [sic]”. Freelance journalist Rebecca Davis joked: “Has anyone made a very weak joke about the Waterkloof 4 “putting the cell into cellphone” yet. If not I call dibs.”

Bekker, Du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk, and Reinach Tiedt were released on parole on Tuesday after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.

Thanks to the video, ‘Waterkloof 2’ was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in South Africa.

Correctional services department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said they were being held for allegedly smuggling alcohol and having a party inside the prison.

Wolela said the investigation would involve watching the video, interviewing the two parolees and speaking to those responsible for security on the day.

Flexing his muscles

Pop music plays throughout the video. The cell is shown equipped with a sink, a table with a computer on it, and a pot plant with heart-shaped leaves. Becker takes photos of himself with a cellphone while posing topless in front of a mirror.

Throughout the video, which runs for just under four minutes, Becker constantly pulls on his shorts to expose more of his red-banded briefs.

He stands up to flex his muscles, does some dance moves and plays with his belly button, which is shown in an extended close-up.

At one stage, Du Preez, who appears to be seated on a toilet and drinking something out of a mug, doubles over with laughter and lifts his eyebrow and pouts.

‘No remorse’

A photo on the computer screen shows a bottle of J&B whisky and Johnny Walker Red Label, which one of the men says “Francois” gave them.

Others on Facebook felt differently about the video footage.

“They are stupid youngsters who are celebrating the fact that they got off lightly,” said Cherylyn Fairlie in her Facebook response.

“There is no remorse for what they did……..they killed a human being and now they are celebrities, because this video clip gave them instant fame.”

Maritsa Greeff said she was not sure why people were complaining about the cellphones.

“From this video clip, I can see a PC and kettle and more things. Some people out there don’t even have this at home!! So glad my tax money is being used to treat prisoners to have a life of much comfort while they are supposed to be punished.”

SAPA