Category Archives: NEWS

NPA must explain Marikana “murder” charges:Radebe

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Johannesburg – The NPA must explain why the 270 arrested Marikana miners are facing murder charges, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

 

“I have requested the acting national director of public prosecutions (NDPP), advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, to furnish me with a report explaining the rationale behind such a decision,” Radebe said in a statement.

 

“Section 179 (6) of the Constitution reads: ‘The Cabinet minister responsible for the administration of justice must exercise final responsibility over the prosecuting authority’.”

 

On 16 August 34 striking miners were shot dead in a confrontation with police who were trying to disperse them at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Another 78 were injured.

 

Initially, the arrested group was charged with public violence. On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority announced they would also face murder and attempted murder charges for the deaths of their colleagues.

 

Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema described the murder charges as madness.

 

“The policemen who killed those people are not in custody, not even one of them. This is madness,” he told protesters at the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court, outside Pretoria, on Thursday.

 

Radebe said in terms of the NPA Act the NDPP had to provide the justice minister with information or a report regarding the case, and give reasons for any decision taken.

 

“There is no doubt that the NPA’s decision has induced a sense of shock, panic and confusion within the members of the community and the general South African public.

 

“It is therefore incumbent upon me to seek clarity on the basis upon which such a decision is taken,” Radebe said.

SAPA

Sundowns agree on Xulu deal

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Mamelodi Sundowns have agreed to release Siyanda Xulu to Russian side FC Rostov.

 

We are in Chloorkop right now and the club’s spokesperson Kabelo Mosito has disclosed that Sundowns and Rostov have agreed a deal for the 20-year-old central defender.

 

“We have accepted the LATEST offer, but what is happening now is finalizing the paperwork,” Mosito confirms.

 

KickOff.com got a tip off this morning that Xulu will throw a “huge party” on Saturday to celebrate the move and when we got to Sundowns today, we also realized he was not at training.

 

His agent Paul Mitchell also came to Chloorkop today to finalise the deal, but the move will only be confirmed once the paperwork is done.

for more go to http://www.kickoff.com

Petrol hike shock

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Cape Town – The petrol price will go up by 93c/l next Wednesday, while diesel will cost 69c/l more.

 

The steep 8.4% increase that kicks in at midnight on 5 September is to partly to finance wage increases for pump attendants at garages, the energy department said on Friday.

 

The latest shock hike brings the price of 95 grade petrol in the inland commercial region of Gauteng to R11.97 a litre and R11.62 at the coast.

 

The wholesale diesel price will also go up by about 6.7% to R10.95.

 

This latest petrol increase is also the result of rising oil prices, which have been pushed higher by supply issues and improved consumer confidence in the US.

North West premier Thandi Modise bought the house fair and square, says MEC

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By Obakeng Maje

The sale of a state property belonging to the North West Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport to the Premier, Thandi Modise, was above board as sanctioned by the responsible state departments.

 
The transaction in question was entered into in 2006, when she was Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature through an open and transparent process to dispose of a total of 108 state properties that were declared redundant and inhabitable in accordance with the Land Administration Act No 2 of 1995, sub-section 3(c).
 

“Due to the continually deteriorating state of repairs, as well as expenses towards rates and taxes incurred by the department at that time, a decision was taken by management to dispose of the properties in question. Furthermore in complying with the government policy on the state properties declared redundant and inhabitable, the Department was correct in disposing of all the 108 properties that belonged to the state  including the one that Premier Thandi Modise bought”, says the MEC for Public Works, Raymond Elisha.

The Department placed advertisements in the extra-ordinary government gazette in September 2008 as well as in the local newspapers calling for interested parties or individuals to bid for the advertised state properties. 

 
 “The majority of the 108 state properties so disposed were occupied by public service officials, politicians and private persons, who all had the first option to purchase. The average purchase price for the properties was R110 000, far below the price for which this specific house was bought for. The total number of state houses sold to state employees at the time, was 216 at the value of more than R22m. Premier Thandi Modise’s property was sold to her for R405 000. At the time, it was valued at R450 000. In accordance with policy, all first time home-owners were granted a 20% discount, whilst second time home- buyers were offered a 10% The R45 000 difference in the valuation and the actual price paid represents the 10% discounted amount, which was offered to
 
  buyers and not only to the then Speaker,” says MEC Elisha.
 
 
 
“It must be emphasized that a period of almost two years (2006-2008) elapsed between the actual offer and actual transfer of the property due the fact that the department had to seek the approval of the Minister if Land Affairs in order to finalise the transaction. The transfer of the property to her name was done on the 27 November 2008. All records in regard to the sales of these state assets including hers are available for public scrutiny” remarks MEC Elisha.
 
 
 
“Since the signing of the offer to sell and offer to purchase agreement between Premier, who at the time was serving as the Speaker and the Department, we have never carried out any renovations at the said property as alleged. All renovations and replacements were done at the cost of Premier Modise, who is the legitimate owner of the property in question,” concludes MEC Elisha.
 
 

five suspects arrested for being in possession of unlawful firearms in seperate incident

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By Obakeng Maje

Klipgat-Police arrested three Somalian citizens after a tip-off from a member of the community.

This happened in Klipgat and when Police arrived at designated area,they found three Somalian suspects in the house.

They allegedly found a 9mm Norinco with close to 70 live rounds of ammunitions.

They arrested those suspects and charged them with being in possession of unlawful firearm and ammunitions.

“On Wednesday, 29 August 2012 at about 04:00 Police were summoned to a house after a tip-off and found three Somalians in the house,after a search Police discover a firearm and arrested them for being in possession of an  unlawful fire-arm”Captain Botma said.

” Klipgat Police received information about someone who is in possession of an unlawful fire-arm in Bheki Section, Klipgat.  On the arrival of the Police they found three Somalia citizens in the house, and an unlicensed 9mm norinco pistol with 70 live rounds hidden between the base and the mattress in one of the rooms. 100 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes, containing 10 packets each, with a street value of approximately R3000-00 were also found in the house” she continues. 

The three were arrested and  are expected to appear today at Ga-Rankuwa  Magistrate Court.

Meanwhile on the same day, another tip-off was received from a community member in Tsebe section, Klipgat, of someone who is in possession of an unlicensed fire-arm.

The  police searched the house and found an unlicensed 9mm pistol with 3 live rounds.

“Two suspects in the house aged 32 and 36 years old were arrested for being in possession of the unlicensed fire-arm and ammunitions” Captain Botma said.

They will also appear today, 31 August 2012 in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court.

 

 

Three crates of ammunitions discovered in church

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BY Obakeng Maje

Schweize-Reneke-A large quantity of more than 5000 live rounds of ammunition, ranging from 9mm, R1 and R5 rounds, were confiscated by Vryburg Police on Thursday, 30 August 2012, in a church at Schweier-Reneke.

Members of Vryburg SAPS received information that there are crates with fire arms hidden below the floor behind the pulpit in one of the churches in Schweier-Reneke.

Upon receiving this information, a search warrant was obtained and members of Vryburg K9 unit went to the scene. 

 

“The minister/preacher of the church was contacted to open the church that was locked at that time. Upon opening up the church, the members searched inside of the church and they found, a trapdoor in the wooden floor behind the pulpit”Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

The door was opened and three crates full of ammunitions and one loose pack of ammunitions  were found on the floor below the pulpit.

The crates were confiscated and a case of Unlawful possession of ammunition was opened in Schweier-Reneke.

No arrests have been made. The investigation continues.

 

 

Bafana Bafana and SA U20 to feature in a double header at the Mbombela Stadium

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BY Obakeng Maje 

Bafana Bafana and the South African National Under 20 Men’s Team (Amajita) will take part in a double header at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

 

The match takes place on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.

 

Bafana Bafana host Mozambique at 20h30, while Amajita will take on Botswana earlier in the day at 17h30.

 

Tickets for the two matches are already on sale at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Shoprite Checkers stores around the country.

 

They are also available at the Mbombela Stadium.

 

The prices are as follows:

 

 

 

•         Upper & Lower tier                       R50.00 per ticket

 

•         Club South (Suite level)               R150.00 per ticket (including a light meal)

 

•         Restaurant Suite                           R300 per person (inclusive of a buffet) – R3000 per table of 10

 

•         Private Suites                                 R5000.00 per suite

 

This will be head coach Gordon Igesund’s second match in charge of Bafana Bafana – (they face Brazil on Friday, 7 September 2012 in Sao Paulo)

 

 

NW women applaud govt to promoting total emancipation of women

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By Obakeng Maje

Various women in the North West Province have applauded Premier Thandi Modise and her provincial Government for strongly pushing the agenda of total emancipation of women in the province.

 

Mogomotse Gumede, of Reivello in Greater Taung Local Municipality said she is very happy that the province is being led by a woman who has the interests of women in the province at her heart.

 

“We are pleased that our province is led by a strong woman who is representing us well and doing a lot to uplift women not only in the province but the country at large.

 

We still believe that thought the leadership of our Premier, more women will be at the cutting edge of executive decision-making, policy formulation and legislative processes,” said Gumede at the Gala Dinner hosted by Premier Modise at Madiba Banquet Hall on Thursday.

 

The gala dinner was the last event to mark the end of August women month’s activities in the province.

 

Gumede said younger women must learn a lot from the women in high positions who are doing very well in positions that are dominated by men.

 

Goitsemang Molefe, from Anglican Church of Resurrection in Mahikeng remarked that women must continue to take a lead in shaping the future of the country.

 

She thanked all the female leaders in government who are serving the nation with dignity, pride and passion.

 

“When we take leadership positions as women, let us not be tempted to lose our touch as caring, dignified, hard working human being we always are in our homes.

 

We must continue to teach our young people who will be our future leaders the difference between right and wrong,” she cited.

 

Violet Molotsi, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Environment Development in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality also added her voice and said women must relook at their role in building a caring society.

 

“We have the responsibility to change the society that we are living in right now. We must be very worried when we hear in the media that a child has raped a very old granny.

 

We must ask ourselves as women, what kind of children are we raising?” she asked also adding that women must teach their children good morals from an early age.

 

Also speaking at the gala dinner, North West Premier, Thandi Modise encourages women to challenge all the issues that affect women in the province.

 

She said women must not fold their arms when they have a reason to believe that things are not done in a correct manner.

 

She further warned women to stop being used by greedy men who want to further their own agenda.

 

“I have heard that women accept high positions given to them by men not because they can hold these positions but because men use these women for their own selfish reasons,” she cited.

 

Premier Modise said the best way of building a caring society is to go back to the basics of raring a disciplined child.

 

She also encouraged young women to prioritize education as it is the only weapon that will fight many challenges faced by women

 

 

Nkumane completes a move to Sivuta

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Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sikhumbuzo Nkumane has completed his move to NFD side, Sivutsa Stars. Bruno, as the 22-year-old goal minder is known in football circles, has been training with the Mpumalanga-based outfit in pursuit of gaining some game time

 

His stay with the Parktown-based team saw him get very little game time due to the stiff competition for a starting berth in the team, competing for the number one jersey with the likes of Moeneeb Josephs and Senzo Meyiwa.

 

Stars’ communications officer, Charles Nkosi, confirmed to the Siya crew that Nkumane has completed a season-long loan deal.

 

“It has been finalised. The manager said it’s a season-long loan deal. The other players that are with us from Pirates are Linda Shiba, Thabo Rakhale and Siyabonga Zulu,” said Nkosi.

 

Rakhale caught the eye of Pirates while playing for Stars last season. He subsequently signed with Bucs and was quickly loaned back to Stars so as to gain more experience.

 

Lonmin negotiations hit deadlock

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Negotiations aimed at brokering peace at Lonmin Mine ended in a confrontation last night after negotiators failed to reach an agreement.The talks that began on Tuesday were aimed at normalising the situation at Marikana’s Lonmin Platinum Mine near Rustenburg in North West. Forty-four people died in a violent labour dispute two weeks ago. AMCU has described the talks as being one sided and only meant to serve the interests of the employer and the NUM. AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa has accused management and other stakeholders for disregarding the needs of the workers, hence they were left out during the last round of negotiations.

 

“I think to us it didn’t come as a surprise because remember on numerous occasion we have been set up by this management. We have in the mountain, we have been preaching peace for people to return to work, and the workers mandated us to call the workers to make commitment in terms of how will they reach that R12 500 but their cell phones were switched off. No one was cooperating, surely they are still continuing with their modus operandi,” says Mathunjwa.

 

 

 

Labour union Solidarity believes AMCU’s demands are unrealistic. Spokesperson, Gideon du Plesis says:  ”Solidarity always had the view that it might be a smoke screen, we have done some serious research on the payment of the workers and we have discovered that there are workers who are receiving a take home payment of R16 700 and those who would be receiving R4000. We noticed there was a high level of absenteeism, garnishee orders.”

 

 

 

 

 

The Congress of the South African Trade Unions, the National Union of Mineworkers and the Labour department have declined to comment. They instead released a short statement saying the talks will resume on Monday.

 

 

 

 

The police who fired on the miners are not facing any charges at this stage, pending the outcome of the judicial commission of inquiry into the killings.

 

Meanwhile, the state said yesterday that it was charging the 270 miners with the deaths of 34 of their colleagues, who were shot dead by the police at Lonmin’s Marikana mine earlier this month.

 

The state said they had been charged under the common purpose doctrine because they were present when the miners charged at the police while armed with various weapons.

 

The miners will also face charges of attempted murder and public violence. They were remanded in custody again yesterday so that the police can verify their addresses, take fingerprints and check on pending cases and convictions.

 

The police who fired on the miners are not facing any charges at this stage, pending the outcome of the judicial commission of inquiry into the killings. SABC. http://www.sabcnews.co.zaj