Johannesburg – Cosatu has been served with legal papers challenging the suspension of its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, its affiliate Numsa said on Monday.

“We can confirm that (the) Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) and SA Football Players’ Union (Safpu) are co-applicants to Numsa’s court application,” National Union of Metalworkers of SA general secretary Irvin Jim said in a statement.

He said they wanted the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) to rescind and uplift the “unconstitutional and unprecedented” suspension of Vavi.

Vavi was suspended three weeks ago for bring the federation into disrepute after he admitted to having an affair with a Cosatu employee.

Jim said Numsa had been forced to take legal action as “Cosatu’s internal and democratic processes are being undermined and flouted”.

He said the decision to legally challenge Cosatu had not been made lightly, and it was not their preferred option of engagement.

“(However)… the sequence of events since the 11th National Congress of Cosatu held in September 2012 shows a clear agenda to have the democratically elected Cosatu general secretary removed.”

He said people had called for Vavi’s suspension in the February and May central executive committee meetings.

“We now know that Cosatu has been paralysed since September 2012 by the agenda to drive out comrade Vavi.”

He said the union would no longer publicly comment on the matter as it was now in the courts.

“We will only comment once court process has been concluded.”

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said it was not commenting on the matter at the moment. – Sapa

By TDN

Brits-A husband, wife and a one-year-old child died on the scene when a bakkie collided with a truck on the road between Rankelenyane and Baresba villages in the Brits area this morning.

According to the North West traffic authorities, two passengers from the truck survived with severe injuries and were airlifted to the nearest hospital as the driver survived with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the three deceased bodies were removed with jaws of lives from the bakkie.

“It is alleged that the driver of the bakkie was driving on the opposite lane facing the oncoming traffic when the accident occurred” department sposperson Ben Bole said.

North West MEC Nono Maloyi sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those admitted in hospital.

He further pleaded with motorists to drive with caution and to obey road rules at all the time.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Hartswater-A man appeared briefly before Warrenton Magistrate Court for alleged rape.

Hartswater Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit are investigating a rape which allegedly took place two weeks ago. 

The accused, Johannes Maphelle(52), employed as a general worker at a primary school in Warrenton, allegedly raped a 7 year old school boy in the school toilets. 

“The victim’s mother noticed that something was wrong while bathing the boy and questioned him about his peculiar actions. The boy then revealed to his mother that he was raped by the general worker during the school interval, earlier that day” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

The suspect was arrested and made his second appearance in the Warrenton Magistrates’ Court on Monday and the case was remanded for 10 September 2013. 

“The suspect will remain in custody. The investigation continues” he said.-TDN

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Pretoria – The Hawks and Gripen aircraft acquired through the 1999 arms deal have proven highly deployable and adaptable, the Seriti Commission of Inquiry heard on Monday.

The aircraft were flexible enough to meet requirements, said SA Air Force (SAAF) combat systems director Brigadier General John William Bayne.

“The Gripen we acquired was what was termed the export baseline. In other words, it was not the same aircraft that the Swedish air force flew originally… This aircraft was designed and adapted for worldwide climatic conditions,” he said.

“It was designed to operate in different environments and different equivalent areas… The Gripen is well-suited for the African battle-space for the future to support the country as strategic natural asset.”

He said people had questioned the SAAF buying aircraft from Sweden, where the climate and operating conditions were different.

The aircraft were thoroughly tested before they were acquired, and were flown in harsh conditions, including snow and rain.

The Gripen was the SAAF’s only full-fighter aircraft, while the Hawk was primarily a fighter-trainer aircraft.

Ownership

Bayne said the SAAF had taken over full ownership and delivery of the Hawks, and that ownership of the Gripen was expected to be concluded only in early 2015.

“There was adequate proof that the system [the Hawks] met the requirements.”

The Gripen had completed 85% of its tests and evaluation, but there were still steps which needed to be completed before the SAAF took full ownership.

On Monday morning, the commission heard that the SAAF had to adapt to all budget cuts to fit in with the realities.

Bayne said that after the 1994 elections, South Africa was seen as a highly successful and peaceful country, and that this had played a role in budgeting, particularly the budget cuts in 1997.

He said the risks of putting a young pilot into a high performance and high cost aircraft had been considered when it came to the costs of continuing the three-tier training system.

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission, which is chaired by Judge Willie Seriti, in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal.

The commission resumes on Tuesday morning, when Bayne will give evidence on the utilisation of the systems.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Jan Kempdorp-Police are investigating an inquest into the death of Daniel Mokae(an adult male) who was found dead on a farm near Jan Kempdorp on Monday. 

The brother of the farm owner found the deceased(an employee on the farm) lying face down on the ground when he visited the farm at approximately 07:20am. “Daniel Mokae was employed to feed the livestock while the farm owner was out of town for the weekend. It is at this stage alleged that the three bull terriers might have mauled him to death” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Kock said the deceased was covered with blood, both his ears are missing and his clothes were in tatters when the police arrived on the scene. 

“Several paw prints were found surrounding the place where the deceased was discovered. An autopsy will be done to confirm the exact cause of death” Kock said. 

The three Bull Terriers have not been removed from the farm but are kept in locked kennels as the investigation continues.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Groblershoop-Six men appeared in the Groblershoop Magistrates’ Court today on charges of dealing in dagga. 

“It is alleged that on Friday at about 16:00, police were engaged in special operations when they stopped at an accident  scene on the Upington/Groblershoop road” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.  

Naidu said the drivers of a Ford Sierra and a bakkie allegedly lost control of their vehicles causing both to overturn. 

“In total there were six men in the vehicles. No serious injuries were sustained. When police stopped to assist, the men informed police that they were fine and that they did not need any assistance however police officials at the scene insisted in helping” police said. 

When they inspected both vehicles, they discovered that the vehicles were packed with dagga. 

The vehicles were bound for Keimoes from Bloemfontein. 

All six men aged between 35 and 60 were arrested and charged for dealing in dagga. 

The dagga weighed in at 287 kg with a street value of R1,4 million.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Democratic Alliance in North West will visit the fire victims on Monday at Tshepong Hospital, DA said in a statement.

The Chinese shop-owner and two other employees were allegedly burnt by robbers at their fruit & vegetable shop in Mahikeng.

“I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family of the 3 victims who was robbed and then set alight in Mahikeng on the 1st of September” DA Theologo said. 

“We will be visiting the family at Tshepong Hospital today” she said.

Police said three men stormed at the shop and allegedly ordered owner to hand over cash. 

“They were allegedly set three victims alight after they demanded more money” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.

“The DA strongly condemns these heinous crimes against members of the public. I believe the SAPS should be put on full alert to combat crime in the Mahikeng area and to be on the lookout for possible xenophobic attacks” Theologo said. 

According bystanders, three men set the shop alight before fleeing the crime scene with a white Jeep.

 “I hope that the people responsible for this attack would be brought to justice and face the full might of the law. Crime not only damages the fibres of the community but also the economic confidence in Mahikeng and South Africa as a whole” said DA NW spokesperson Tiaan Kotze. 

The DA in Mahikeng urges any members of the public with information with regards to this heinous crime to contact the SAPS. 

No one has been arrested thus far and police investigations continue.-TDN

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Kimberley – The trial of a 17-year-old boy accused of murdering a Griekwastad farmer and his family was postponed in the Northern Cape High Court on Monday.

Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on their farm Naauwhoek on 6 April 2012.

Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo postponed the matter to 21 October without disclosing reasons.

The legal teams of the State and the youth met the judge in chambers before the hearing started.

In court the boy’s defence counsel Willem Coetzee asked for the postponement as agreed in chambers.

He told Kgomo that the court would be kept up to date with developments so that everything possible would be done for the case to continue in October.

Kgomo postponed the matter with additional dates set in November and December this year.

SAPA

Durban – President Jacob Zuma has offered his condolences after 10 people died in a bus crash, after the annual reed dance festival in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, at the weekend.

“We are shocked and saddened by this tragic and horrific loss of life in this manner following a successful cultural event that promotes self-confidence among young women,” Zuma said in a statement on Monday.

The ceremony had taken place at the Nyokeni Royal Palace.

Seven young women, who had participated at the reed dance, two women who had accompanied them as guardians, and the driver of the bus died on Sunday when it overturned on the R66 near Nkwalini between Melmoth and Eshowe.

“Our hearts go out to His Majesty King [Goodwill] Zwelithini, the families, relatives and the community as a whole,” he said.

According to Netcare 911 officials, 62 others had been injured when the bus overturned, slid down the road and smashed into steel barriers.

“Paramedics… arrived at the scene and found that the barriers had pierced through the front of the bus,” said Netcare spokesman Chris Botha.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Willies Mchunu would visit the accident scene on Monday to get an update on the investigations.

Spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said he would also go to the Eshowe mortuary to meet with the families of the deceased to convey his condolences, and to begin a process of identifying how government could assist the families who had lost their children.

Probe welcomed

Provincial DA leader Sizwe Mchunu welcomed the announcement that the transport department was committed to a full investigation.

“This tragedy must be fully probed and the outcome made available to the family members of the deceased in a bid to help them find closure in the difficult weeks that lie ahead,” Mchunu said.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said his thoughts were with the families who had lost their loved ones.

“Our thoughts are with the young maidens, and with our faithful women who died while travelling as their companions and guardians.

“We think also of the bus driver, who lost his life, and of the many that were injured in this accident,” Buthelezi said.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) Secretary General Bongani Msomi conveyed the party’s condolences to King Zwelithini and the families of the deceased.

“Their deaths cannot be in vain since they were promoting moral values in this generation which faces many negative challenges.

“They also took pride in their culture and they will always be remembered,” he said.

National Freedom Party (NFP) Youth Movement Secretary General Maria Tshabalala said the young women who died were role models for the youth.

“They were a living proof that we as the nation can fight the high rate of teenage pregnancy and HIV/Aids,” Tshabalala said.

SAPA

Johannesburg – The growing media contingent outside former president Nelson Mandela’s Johannesburg home was instructed to keep well away from the house’s entry points on Monday.

“The media must stay 50m away from entrances, you have been confined to that corner,” said an official, who did not give his name, while pointing to an area opposite the house.

Mandela’s Houghton home was a national key point and was under constant surveillance, the official said, while manning the house’s smaller gate.

Entry to the house and parking within nine meters of its vicinity was restricted to vehicles and people with official clearance.

Johannesburg metro police officers patrolled the streets, ensuring the media and their equipment did not obstruct traffic.

On Sunday the presidency said Mandela had been discharged from hospital.

A large media contingent gathered outside to watch his return, and police were present.

Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Mandela’s condition remained critical and “at times unstable”.

His home had been reconfigured to ensure he received the correct care. Some staff who had been at the hospital would care for him at home.

Mandela was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on 8 June this year with a recurring lung infection.

SAPA