Johannesburg – Cosatu in North West is disappointed at premier Thandi Modise’s reshuffling of the provincial cabinet, it said on Thursday.

“[The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu)] is highly disappointed at the manner in which the ANC continues to deal with issues of deployment… including deploying people who have destroyed the credibility of the ANC in the municipalities,” said Cosatu provincial secretary Solly Phetoe.

“We have demanded that some of the MECs be recalled, in particular in education and local government and traditional affairs, due to their incompetence to deal with corruption in their departments…”

The African National Congress announced on Wednesday that Modise had reshuffled her cabinet.

Wendy Matsemela replaced Louisa Mabe as education MEC; Manketse Tlhape replaced China Dodovu as local government MEC; and, Collen Maine replaced Mamokomele Mothibi as social development MEC.

Phetoe said Cosatu was not against the replacement of MECs.

“But we are disappointed that the replacement is done in a factional way, not to serve the interests of the poor people, but to serve the political agenda of certain individuals who want to continue with their corrupt activities using our movement.”

Phetoe said the person deployed to local government as MEC had “failed the ANC and failed the poor”.

“The current reshuffling is not going to unite that ANC with its alliance, as we are being highly disrespected,” he said.

“What we agreed at the deployment committee is not what we are seeing today, and we are expected to keep quiet for the sake of peace… .”

Sapa

Driving between Koster and Lichtenburg in North West is tough. For residents, this has been a daily experience for the past four years.

This potholed road has not only become a headache to its users, with lives lost and vehicles damaged, but the government has paid millions to companies, with nothing to show for it.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Assets of Northern Cape ANC leader John Block worth more than R20 million were frozen by a high court order on Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority said.

The Northern Cape High Court provisionally granted the order, freezing the guest house and shares, which the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) applied for, said Northern Cape NPA spokeswoman Mashudu Malabi.

The Upington guest house was worth about R500 000.

“The AFU is seeking to recover the value of improvements made to the guest house to the value of R380 000,” said Malabi.

The order also froze 10 ordinary shares worth about R20m in companies in the Trifecta Investment Holdings group belonging to Block.

Malabi said the high court would decide later whether the provisional order should be confirmed.

The assets were frozen on the basis of evidence presented to court in the NPA’s investigation into alleged corrupt payments by companies in the Trifecta group to Block and others.

Trifecta allegedly entered into a number of lease agreements with the Northern Cape social development department in which the rentals, or rental space, were grossly inflated.

As a result Trifecta received, or would receive, at the end of the lease agreements, rentals of R57m.

The order forms part of a series of freezing orders obtained by the AFU so far in the Trifecta matter against a number of Northern Cape politicians and department officials.

The other accused in the case are the director of Trifecta, Alfeus Scholtz, and Northern Cape African National Congress heavyweights Alvin Botes and Yolanda Botha.

Social development officials Rodney Saal and Cecil Ryland were also arrested in connection with the case and were out on bail. – Sapa

Mooinooi-A man was killed when he tried to steal an electricity transformer in Bokfontein in North West, police said on Friday.

The man apparently scaled poles supporting a transformer that supplied power to the residents and farmers of Bokfontein, said police spokesperson Lesego Metsi.

“The deceased unscrewed the transformer and moved further up about 5m on the poles and tried to slacken off the live electric wires,” said Metsi.

“He was electrocuted and was burnt to ashes.”

The power was switched off for police to remove his remains.

Police had opened an inquest docket.

SAPA

Johannesburg – US President Barack Obama has accepted an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Johannesburg, vice chancellor Ihron Rensburg announced on Friday.

“It is my delight and pleasure to announce, on behalf of the entire community of the University of Johannesburg, that Dr Barack Obama has become our newest alumnus, and that all matters relating to the award were concluded according to the relevant policies and charters of the university,” he said in a statement.

Obama would not accept the award in person at this stage.

“First, it is normal and standard that the formal procedures relating to the conferral of an honorary degree do not coincide with the actual conferral of the qualification,” said Rensburg.

“Secondly, Dr Barack Obama’s visit to South Africa is a matter between the South African state and the US. Accordingly, and on this occasion, Dr Obama is a guest of the South African state and the South African people, and not of the University of Johannesburg.”

The fact that Obama’s visit coincided with former president Nelson Mandela’s hospital stay was also cited as a reason for the university not physically conferring the doctorate.

“Accordingly, the ceremonial conferral of the honorary doctorate on Dr Barack Obama will take place at a future occasion on a mutually agreed date,” Rensburg said. 

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating an armed robbery which allegedly took place on Thursday between 08:00 and 11:30 at Johanna Street, Monument Heights. A woman in her early fourties was allegedly phoned by two men who pretended to be registered diamond dealers with a permit to sell diamonds.
“It is alleged that the men entered the house of the victim with a briefcase. The two suspects then allegedly opened the briefcase to show the victim their permit to sell diamonds, but instead one suspect allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened the victim with it” Lieutenant Andrea Cloete said.
“The two suspects managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of money and jewellery to the value of R 100 000. The two suspects then fled the scene on foot” Cloete said.
Police request any assistance from the community are being request with regard to trace these suspects because they are posing a danger to anybody as they are in the possession of a firearm.
The police request that information regarding the incident be forwarded to Detective Warrant officer Dibebe at 082 3020 407.
The investigation continues.
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The North West Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison will host a one day youth summit, as part of creating, a sustainable and enabling environment for youth in Human Settlements.
The summit, which will be held in Potchefstroom, with the main objective of identifying youth contractors, who can play a significant role in the housing delivery processes in the province.
“Other discussions during the summit will be centred on the transferring of skills and empowerment of emerging youth contractors and will be topping the discussions during the summit” departmental spokesperson Simon Mmope said.
“The Departmental MEC, Nono Maloyi is expected to address the summit, where about 500 youth delegates are expected to attend” he said.
The summit will be held as follows:
Date: 28 June 2013
Venue: Potchefstroom Banquet Hall
Time: 08H00
(Edited by Obakeng Maje)
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-Police are investigating a case of possession of dagga after two males were arrested on the Boshoff Road approximately 5km outside Kimberley on Wednesday.
“The SAPS Crime Intelligence unit received information of a Toyota quantum travelling from Kwa Zulu Natal en route to Kimberley with dagga. The SAPS K9 unit and Flying Squad spotted the mentioned vehicle at approximately 22:22pm and it was immediately stopped and searched” Lieutenant Andrea Cloete said.
The police found the dagga in the luggage of two men.
“The total weight of the two bags of dagga is 22,75kg and it has a street value of R110 000, 00. The men aged 18 and 27 who are originally from Kwa Zulu Natal were charged with the illegal possession of dagga and should be appearing before the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon” Cloete said.
The investigation continues.
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Spain beat Italy in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in their Confederations Cup semi-final in Fortaleza, Brazil on Thursday.

The game came down to penalties after a 0-0 draw at extra-time, with the current World Champions winning the shoot-out 6-7.

Spain will face Brazil in the Final on Sunday.

Spain went on the attack early on, with Pedro hitting wide in the opening minutes.

Despite La Roja’s early possession the Azzurri were a threat on the wing, and Iker Casillas had to make the first save of the night on 20 minutes, coming off his line to stop Christian Maggio, after a pin-point pass from Andrea Pirlo.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape says it will write a letter to the MEC for Education, Grizelda Cjiekella, to ask that the education department takes urgent action in all reported cases of teacher abuse and assaults at schools in the province.

This after a teacher at a Kimberley high school was allegedly locked in a computer room where she was assaulted and verbally abused by her school principal.

The DA’s Dr Allen Grootboom says they are concerned about the attacks on teachers in the workplace.

“Firstly is because we have a problem of some teachers and some principals who are untouchables because of their position within the union and because of the allegiance and connection with the top structure. Once you don’t have those bindings, you are pushed around like a little pony.”

Grootboom adds: “One thing that is good here is that the educators themselves took it upon themselves to go to the department to present the department with a memorandum.”

However, the department of education in the province says the matter has been reported and a team comprising of labour has been tasked to look into the issues around it.

Departmental spokesperson, Sydney Stander, says schools are supposed to be friendly environments.

“We really condemn the incidence where teachers themselves are made or are belittled by the conduct of school managers and in this case without really saying he is guilty, we will look into it and take the necessary action.”
For more http://www.sabc.co.za