The Office of the African National Congress Chief Whip in Parliament has distanced the party from what it says are malicious political views expressed in a document produced by Parliament’s research department. 

The research was done on behalf of the portfolio committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Caucus spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the report makes serious political judgments against the integrity of Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson and casts aspersions on her competence. 

Moloto says they will engage the research unit. “We are going to ask for a meeting with the head of Parliamentary research so that we can get clarity as to what is the role of Parliamentary research should it contain political statements should it made political claims we really need to get understanding so that we are together in this.”

However, Democratic Alliance MP Annette Steyn says the document does not in any way express specific political views and is a fair and accurate assessment on the performance of Joemat-Pettersson. 

She says the ANC caucus in Parliament should not be allowed to bully or intimidate any member of staff who does not toe their party-political line. “Parliamentary staffs are meant to be objective and present work that is an accurate and fair assessment of the performance of government that is their job,” says Steyn.

The role of the parliamentary research department is to offer objective and impartial research information

The document – extracts from which were quoted in Business Day on Wednesday – stated that the responsibility for fisheries management “is in the wrong hands”.

It further lists mismanaged ships, a lack of research planning, and targets and a strategic plan out of step with the National Development Plan, as problems that must be addressed. It claims the department is in a “defiant mode” with regard to its plans to allocate 70% of fishing rights to SMMEs during the 2013/14 financial year.

Motshekga said the paper attacked the integrity of Joemat-Pettersson. “The role of the parliamentary research department is to offer objective and impartial research information and analysis to enable committee members to have an informed discussion on the topic of the day,” he said.

“Expression of political statements, personal judgements, and posturing is a terrain that should be left to politicians, not staff members.” – Additional reporting by Sapa

World Haemophilia Day which was observed yesterday and is observed every year on April 17, advocates a global effort to ensure appropriate care and treatment for a disease that is the oldest known genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in the genes.

This year marked 50 years of advancing the cause for haemophilia treatment and care for all people with the disease and other inherited bleeding disorders.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

Sadtu yesterday morning abandoned its picketing to mourn the passing of its provincial deputy secretary, Ruth Oliphant.

Pupils were dismissed as early as 10am yesterday as hundreds of teachers from Kimberley and surrounding areas descended on the Galeshewe Social Centre to pay their last respects to Oliphant, who died last week after an unsuccessful operation.

Fr more http://www.thenewage.co.za

A US man whose estranged wife cut off his penis accused her on Wednesday of effectively murdering him, recounting his horror as she severed the organ and threw it into a garbage disposal machine.

The 60-year-old man said he would never have sex again after his wife – who said she “wanted him to stop hurting her with his penis” – drugged him and tied him to a bed, before taking a kitchen knife to his manhood.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

The battle for the control of Tlokwe local municipality between the ANC and DA rages on with the opposition calling for an open tender regime for the municipality.

The DA tabled a motion, scheduled for discussion on April 30, in which it calls for the public and the media to be allowed to witness the adjudication of tenders, as a way of fostering transparency.

DA councillor John Coetzee said that the motion would put mayor Maphetle Maphetle in a tight spot, alleging that tenders had been a source of patronage for the ANC, which controls the council.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Two bodies recovered from a crashed light aircraft that submerged into Modimola dam near Mahikeng.

North West Police Divers discovered a first body in the morning at around 10:00 today and used jaws of life to free another body.

A helicopter crashed into Modimola dam on Tuesday after it experienced some mechanical difficulties.

Police Divers from Potchefstroom were brought in to help with the search.

The search was adjourned later yesterday because of poor visibility.

“The search has been adjourned because of poor visibility. The search resumed today morning and police discovered two bodies who believe to be of instructors and his assistant” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

The DA NW laments over an unfortunate aircraft accident yesterday where 2 men from the Mahikeng area died when their plane crashed into Modimola dam around sunset.

The DA NW is very disturbed by the fact that divers had to come from Potchefstroom to assist in finding the deceased.

“Mahikeng has 2 dams in the area and over the December holiday 3 people drowned in Modimola dam” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

Kotze said Mahikeng Fire and Disaster Services had the necessary equipment, but the Municipality sold the boats and equipment in the previous term although 2 men with the necessary skills are employed by SAPS and are residing in Mahikeng. 

These men has assisted in the search for the 2 deceased men in Modimola.

“This is indicative of the prolonged and widespread factionalism within the NW ANC that stands in the way of service delivery” said Kotze.

The DA demands that a full report from the executive Mayor Nomtsama Lenah Miga’s on her action plan on the handling of such emergencies be tabled at the next Ordinary Council meeting.  

Moiloa local municipality has irked opposition parties, which accuse the municipal manager of further corrupt activities and irregularities in the municipality.

The DA, Cope and Working Together Political Party said they had written letters to municipal manager Crosby Maema, demanding answers for the appointment of Peter Applegreen as mayor Africa Thale’s private bodyguard and driver simultaneously and paid from the municipality’s coffers.

Working Together Political Party leader Olefile Moiloa, Ketumile Seswane (Cope) and Cornel Dreyer (DA) said Applegreen also received a R7000 subsidy per month for a vehicle he allegedly did not qualify for and that he earned two salaries.

“I wrote a letter to the municipal manager questioning the council resolution taken on December 13 last year, which approved the appointment of Applegreen, a traffic officer who is known to us, as the driver of the mayor but now has been appointed as a private bodyguard of the mayor.

“It’s a pity that council meeting was held in Setswana and I could not understand what was discussed. Subsequently I was informed that a resolution was taken regarding Applegreen,” Dreyer said.

Seswane further accused the municipal manager of interfering in the supply chain processes, which had resulted in the mayor instituting a forensic audit to probe corruption in the municipality.

The parties also accuse the municipality of making a R12000 payment to a bus company on August 3 last year to transport ANC branch delegates to Haartbeespoort for the ANC provincial conference ahead of the Mangaung elective conference.

Municipal manager Crosby Maema said the municipality took a council decision in December for Applegreen to provide security services to the mayor.

“Those people (parties) know exactly what happened because they were part of that council meeting. In relation to other matters, we have instituted a forensic investigation led by the police and we are waiting for the report from them,” Maema said.

For more http://www.thenewage.co.za

Johannesburg – A granddaughter of Nelson Mandela has harshly criticized a longtime associate of the former president and anti-apartheid leader, in an escalation of a dispute over funds linked to one of the world’s most revered figures.

Tukwini Mandela accused lawyer George Bizos of insulting her mother, slandering the Mandela family name and spreading “blatant lies and innuendo” in a bitter rift over control of two companies linked to 94-year-old Mandela. The main purpose of the companies is to channel funds from the sale of handprint artwork by Mandela for the benefit of his family.

“Please have the decency to behave as an elder if you care for my grandfather and his name, which catapulted you into undeserved stardom,” Tukwini Mandela wrote in an open letter that was emailed to The Associated Press on Tuesday. She urged Bizos, a stalwart of the struggle for equal rights in South Africa, to act in a manner “befitting of your status” in society.

The disagreement comes as Nelson Mandela, who last appeared in public in 2010, receives medical care at his Johannesburg home after several hospital visits in recent months. He is seen globally as a symbol of reconciliation and sacrifice after spending 27 years in prison during racist white rule and then leading South Africa’s transition to democratic, all-race elections in 1994.

The dispute over the funds troubles many South Africans for whom corruption, high crime rates and economic inequality have tainted the new South Africa. Mandela was South Africa’s first black president and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Makaziwe Mandela, Tukwini’s mother, and Makaziwe’s sister Zenani have launched a court case against Bizos and two other associates of Nelson Mandela, alleging they should not remain directors of Harmonieux Investment Holdings and Magnifique Investment Holdings because they were not properly appointed. The case also alleges that the trio has neglected its duties at the helm of the companies.

Earlier this week, The Star newspaper quoted 84-year-old Bizos, who defended Mandela during the apartheid years, as saying Makaziwe Mandela’s goal was to take some company money, estimated to be $1.3 million, without providing details of how it would be used.

“This woman wanted to take over the money, not for any specific purpose, and distribute it to members of the family,” he said. “That is contrary to the provisions of the trust. Therefore we refused to give her the money.”

The AP telephoned Bizos’ office and home to seek a response to Tukwini Mandela’s letter, but was told that he was away on legal work. Bizos does not carry a cellular telephone. Norton Rose, a Johannesburg law firm representing Bizos in the dispute with Mandela’s daughters, declined to comment on the letter, saying in a statement that Bizos’ position will be outlined in papers likely to be filed in court in mid-May.

In an interview last week with South Africa’s Talk Radio 702, Norton Rose director Michael Hart said Nelson Mandela gave “explicit instructions” for Bizos and two associates, lawyer Bally Chuene and Tokyo Sexwale, a businessman and politician, to oversee the disputed companies. They have done so “without any charge or remuneration,” he said.

In the letter, Tukwini Mandela said her mother is a “highly educated and accomplished businesswoman in her own right,” and that Bizos’ reported comments showed a lack of respect for Nelson Mandela and his advocacy on behalf of women.

“I doubt you would ever refer to the women in your life as ‘this woman,’“ Tukwini Mandela wrote.

“You and your peddlers of falsehood have spent the whole of last week casting aspersions on my family, spreading blatant lies and innuendo, hoping that a trial through the media will deter us from defending our name and legacy,” she wrote.

Tukwini Mandela is the marketing director of House of Mandela, a winemaking company. Two other granddaughters of Mandela are starring in a U.S. television reality show titled “Being Mandela.”

Bizos, who was born in Greece, defended Mandela during the Rivonia trial in 1960s that led to the African National Congress leader’s conviction on sabotage charges and a sentence of life imprisonment.

Bizos works at the Legal Resources Center, a human rights group in South Africa. He has recently cross-examined the national police commissioner and other witnesses before a panel investigating the shooting deaths of 34 striking miners by police last year. – Sapa-AP

An estimated R37, 2 million for fodders supply is needed to mitigate the effects of drought for livestock in the North West Province, the Provincial Executive Council (Exco) endorsed support for mobilisation of dedicated funding for emergency relief on Wednesday.  

TheDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the National Disaster Management Centre and National Treasury as possible funders.

Exco applauded the extend of immediate intervention by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to mitigate drought through provision of emergency fodder to 6553 farmers in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema Districts.

One thousand three hundred and forty-two tons of fodder was distributed across 43 villages within the two districts at the cost of R7.2 million during the 3

rd quarter of the past financial year.

The districts were the hardest hit as the province has experienced below normal rainfall for the past twelve months with nine dam levels ranging from moderately dry to extremely dry.

Extremely hot temperatures are forecasted during autumn, which will aggravate the drought conditions currently experienced in the province, the effects of which will be predominant during winter and spring.