Vryburg-The untimely death of former secretary of the North West Provincial Legislature, Dr. Tuelo Joshua”Baba” Schalk has robbed the province of a committed son of the province who was and loyal servant of the people, a true revolutionary and a cadre, North West Premier Thandi Modise.

 

“Dr. Schalk who was affectionately known as Baba was well read, capacitated, humorous and humble. He was helpful to those in need, forthright, articulate and arrogant in argument to the arrogant. In him we have lost a fighter and a brother who was a snazzy dressed with a ready smile. We are saddened by his premature death as his contribution will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this period of sadness,” said Premier Modise in conveying her condolences.

 

Modise who had worked closely with Schalk when she was Speaker of the Provincial legislature said that his contribution as a trade unionist at the height of oppression, former chief representative of the ANC to Namibia and secretary of the provincial legislature have left an indelible mark in the sands of time.

 

Dr. Schalk who was affectionately known as “Baba” was appointed six weeks ago as a Resort Manager for Madikwe River Lodge, a subsidiary of Dirapeng Pty Ltd, a state owned entity established by the North West Parks and Tourism Board. He was on route to Tourism Indaba when he reportedly slipped and fell down an escalator at OR Tambo Airport and succumbed to injuries in hospital.

 

Dr. Schalk was born on 8 December 1960 in Huhudi Townshipnear Vryburg. He had obtained aBachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Masters in Business Administration Degree (MBA), Honors Degree in Public Management & Governance and a Masters Degree in Development & Management including Masters in Public Administration (MPA). He studied at various tertiary institutions including University of South Africa (UNISA), New Port University (USA) and North West University.Dr. Schalk has 32 years working experience with skills including strategic and change management, public policy analysis, project management, office administration and labour relations, financial and human resource management, communication and marketing, diplomacy, qualitative and quantitative research and writing of speeches and articles. Dr. Schalk had a deep passion for developmental issues in all sectors of society as well as Public Service and had a solid understanding of Section 9 institutions including Quasi – State Institutions.

 

Memorial services in honour of Dr. Schalk are to be held at 11:00 am Cookes Lake in Mahikeng on Thursday and at Vryburg Banquet Hall at 3:00 pm.

 

His funeral is to be held on Saturday at 7:00 at Vryburg Fairview Estate.

 

 

 

  

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry has heard on Wednesday morning that the Lonmin Platinum Mine is doing all in its powers to resolve the current standoff at the mine.

Lonmin lawyer Schalk Burger read to the commission, a media release quoting Lonmin’s Mark Monroe. The latter says in the letter that Lonmin has been meeting with unions affected and hopes a speedy resolution will be reached. It further says the mining company has conducted a search at the union offices for firearms, as it was alleged some people are carrying guns into the mine.

Burger quotes Monroe as saying: “Lonmin is fully committed to achieving a fair and peaceful resolution to the dispute, although this has yet to be achieved. In the meantime, the physical safety of everyone at Marikana remains our overriding priority and must take precedence of all other matters.”

“Embarking on an unlawful and unprotected work stoppages puts lives and livelihood at risk, while families also suffer due to loss of earnings. Lonmin’s recovery depends on everyone working together to meet our production targets safely and efficiently.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of Lonmin striking workers have started to assemble at the Wonderkop stadium next to the Koppie in Nkaneng informal settlement. This as the wildcat strike by these workers, mostly affiliated to union, Amcu enters its second day. The workers have been angered by the killing of Amcu regional organiser in the province, Mawethu Steven over the past weekend. Steven was killed at a tavern in Nkaneng informal settlement.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – A rhino poacher has been wounded in a shootout with rangers in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park, SA National Parks (SANParks) said on Wednesday.

He and another poacher were arrested, and a .458 rifle fitted with a silencer, ammunition, an axe, and a knife were seized on Tuesday night, said spokesman Ike Phaahla

“The third suspect managed to escape in the cover of darkness,” he said.

The two men arrested would appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. – Sapa

A game ranger has pleaded for forgiveness after he was sacked for taunting and charging an elephant in a scene which has gone viral on social media.

The Singita group of companies reported on its Facebook page that “disturbing video footage had spread through the social media arena over the past few days portraying a group of off-duty field guides in a vehicle and one confronting an elephant on foot” in the Kruger National Park.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Kimberley – A Homevale High School matriculant, who was left with a broken right jaw when a police officer allegedly hit him with a beer bottle for urinating against his wheel, underwent emergency surgery at Kimberley MediClinic on Tuesday.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg – The University of SA has postponed some exams after question papers were leaked, Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramatshela said on Wednesday.

He said the exams of four modules were affected.

“[We] recently became aware of and confirm the existence of leaked question papers for four modules… [they are] in financial reporting and financial planning.”

Ramatshela said in a statement the papers were scheduled to be written between 15 May and 20 May.

The subjects were specific financial reporting (FAC 3703), distinctive financial reporting (FAC 3702), group financial reporting (FAC 3704), and financial planning and control (ACN 3073).

“The university has also urgently invoked its internal investigation measures to ascertain where the leaks occurred, as well as the extent of the leakage.”

The delay was until further notice from the university and pending re-setting of the papers in question.

– SAPA

Rustenburg – It was not safe for Lonmin officials to approach striking miners gathered on a hill in Marikana last year, the Farlam Commission of Inquiry heard on Wednesday.

“It was unrealistic for Lonmin to be expected to go there… It was an unprotected, illegal strike and the strikers were defying a court order,” Lonmin lawyer Schalk Burger said.

Striking mineworkers wanted wages of R12 500 a month, without any explanation of how they reached that amount, said Burger.

“There was also an existing wage agreement, which was to [be kept in place] until October 2013.

“They had already killed security guards and stolen their firearms.”

It was believed the stolen weapons were at the hill where the miners were gathered, Burger said.

Clashes

The wage impasse culminated in a clash between police and striking miners, during which 34 workers were shot dead on 16 August.

Ten people, including two police officers, were killed in strike-related violence the week before.

Burger made his remarks while cross-examining Major General Charl Annandale, who headed the police tactical response team during the unrest.

Annandale agreed it was not safe for Lonmin officials to go to the hill.

“Lonmin said there were methods to address grievances that should have been followed… They said they wouldn’t go to the koppie, but wanted to sit around a table for discussions,” said Annandale.

“I respected their decision.”

The commission is holding public hearings in Rustenburg as part of its inquiry into the violence.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Gauteng deputy police commissioner Major General Phumza Gela is back at work despite his suspension, the SA Policing Union (Sapu) said on Wednesday.

“The union is of course shocked that Gela is back at work,” spokesperson Oscar Skommere said.

He said Sapu learnt through its members that Gela had been back at work since Friday.

“We are trying to understand this because the allegations levelled against him were very serious.”

Skommere asked why Gela’s suspension was publicly announced, yet his reinstatement was not.

“We are seeking a meeting with the national [police] commissioner to try and understand this.”

Police spokesperson Phuti Setati said he was not aware of Gela being back at work, adding he would look into the matter.

“As a result I cannot comment.”

Gela was suspended along with four other high-ranking officials and military personnel over the landing of a privately chartered plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base, a national key point, in Pretoria on 29 April.

The plane, chartered by the Gupta family, was carrying 270 wedding guests.

They were attending the wedding of Vega Gupta and Indian-born Aakash Jahajgarhia at Sun City.

The landing sparked widespread criticism.

Suspensions

The other suspended officials were: the Chief of State Protocol ambassador Bruce Koloane, SA Air Force command post Brigadier General L Lombard, Air Force Base Brigadier General TS Madumane, and Movement Control Officer Lieutenant Colonel C Anderson.

In addition, the Tshwane metro police department suspended eight officers for allegedly escorting and providing unofficial security to the wedding guests.

A team of directors general investigated the landing.

A report was handed to Justice Minister Jeff Radebe on Tuesday.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Police arrested two suspects aged 18 and 29 for allegedly being in possession of illegal copper cables yesterday at about 15:00 in Rustenburg.

Police said they were on patrol and conducting a stop and search operation around Rustenburg East, when they spotted a white Ford Bantam bakkie that appeared to be carrying a very heavy load at the back.

“Police stopped it and allegedly found a big copper cable hidden under a blanket” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said. 

“It is alleged that the two suspects could not produce the necessary documents on request” she said. 

The suspects told the police that they were hired by a certain man known to the police, to transport the cables to Derby where they will be paid two thousand rand on delivery.

“The suspects agreed to take the police to a house where they have loaded the copper cable. On arrival, police discovered more copper cables estimated to the street value of R280 000 hidden at the back of the house”.  

“Both suspects were arrested and charged with illegal possession of copper cable” Moiloa said. 

They are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s court soon.

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North West – The wildcat strike at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West, continued on Wednesday, with workers demanding that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) leave the premises.

Workers associated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) went on strike on Tuesday, demanding that the NUM’s offices at the mine be shut down with immediate effect.

At Lonmin’s platinum mine in Karee, near Marikana, workers stood in groups. Some of them were wrapped in blankets, and others carried knobkerries.

Worker Amos Maja said they wanted the NUM to leave the mine premises.

“The NUM must do the honourable thing and leave in peace,” he said.

On Tuesday, Amcu branch chairman Mceli Balimani said Lonmin had refused to close the NUM’s office, and had said the NUM had been given notice to vacate the office by July 3.

Striking workers agreed at a meeting at the Wonderkop stadium on Tuesday that they would report for duty, but would not go underground.

“We want to stop ‘amagundwane’ (rats) from going down,” Maja said.

A group wielding knobkerries stood at the entrance to the Marikana West township, near the Karee mine.

“We are going there [to the shaft]. It is not yet over,” said one of them.

In a list of grievances submitted to their leaders, Amcu members demanded an investigation into what they termed fraudulent membership of the NUM, and that the police arrest NUM members who they alleged carried weapons on mine premises.

They also wanted Lonmin to sign a recognition agreement with Amcu as the majority union.

Workers were expected to meet at the Wonderkop stadium later on Wednesday for a briefing by local Amcu leadership on progress made negotiating their demands.

Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said there were no operations at the mine on Wednesday.

“Everything has come to a halt. Management is meeting with unions as we speak.”

Brigadier Thulani Ngubani said no incidents had been reported at the mine.

Marikana was the centre of a wildcat strike in the platinum belt last year, with 44 people killed – 34 of them at the hands of the police – in strike action. – Sapa