Category Archives: NEWS

Malema hold no punches against Zuma

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President Jacob Zuma and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa must resign following the death of mineworkers at Lonmin’s Marikana

operations, in the North West, expelled ANC Youth League President Julius Malema said on Saturday.

“President Zuma decided over the massacre of our people, he must step down.”

Malema was speaking in Wonderkop where around 34 people were killed in a clash between police on Thursday.

He said Mthethwa must also resign because the police shot people under his command.

“He must resign because he failed in executing his duties.”

Malema told the crowd that the police were supposed to protect them and not kill them.

“It has never happened before that so many people were killed in a single day and it became normal,” he said.

Malema, who pledged his support for the striking mineworkers urged them not to retreat and to stand firm on their demand for a R12,500 salary.

He said the reason the police shot at the people was because they were protecting the interest of ANC NEC member, Cyril Ramaphosa, who he alleged owned shares in Lonmin.

“Lonmin had a high political connection that is why our people were killed. They were killed to protect the shares of Cyril Ramaphosa,” he said.

He told the gathering that it was amazing that Ramaphosa was able to buy a buffalo for R18 million but could not pay them the R12,500 they were demanding.

Earlier today, the Shanduka Group, which was formed Cyril Ramaphosa, pledged R2 million for the burial of scores of people killed in the Lonmin clashes.

Malema said one reason why he called for the resignation of President Zuma was that he failed in his duty to protect the citizens of the country.

“When you were killed, Zuma was still in the country. He decided to go to Maputo, Mozambique and once he was there he was advised that he made a wrong decision. That is why he returned to the country yesterday (Friday).”

He told the crowd that if they were asked who is the president of the country, they should say they do not have a president.

“I don’t have a president. Zuma is not a president.”

He called on the mineworkers to form a militant union that would represent their interests.

He said that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was no longer a union that represented the interests of the workers but interested in making more money.

“NUM is not a union, it’s a company. They hold shares in mining companies, that is why when there are problems in the mines they are the first to sell out the workers.”

The crowd dispersed peacefully after Malema’s address.

A total of 34 people were killed in a shootout that erupted near the mine when police tried to disperse striking miners.

More than 78 people were injured. Another 10 people had by then been killed in the violent protests at the mine over the past week. – Sapa

for more details go to http://www.iol.co.za

Edward Manqele …


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Edward Manqele scored with five minutes left to save a 3-3 draw for Mamelodi Sundowns in their MTN8 first leg semi-final against Moroka Swallows in Atteridgeville on Saturday night.

 

The match got off to a cracking start as Swallows struck twice within the first eight minutes.

 

Felix Obada hit the back of the net as early as the sixth minute when he slotted in a close-range effort that stayed low.

 

Two minutes later Lerato Chabangu delivered a corner that found Ashraf Hendricks on the far side of the box, and Hendricks slammed a header into the ground that bounced in, with Punch Masenamela abandoning Sundowns’ near post.

 

Downs hit back nine minutes later after they were awarded a penalty for a handball infringement in the area.

 

Teko Modise’s first shot from the spot was saved by Greg Etafia, but the referee ordered a retake after the Birds’ goalkeeper was found to have moved off his line too early.

 

Modise, who was otherwise wayward during the opening period, made no mistake with his second attempt, although Swallows managed to maintain their 2-1 advantage for the rest of the first half.

 

Sundowns gained control in the second stanza, with Manqele wasting a gilt-edged chance six minutes after the break, fluffing a header in front of an open goal.

 

With half an hour left, Method Mwanjali also came close, but an outstretched Etafia got a hand to the ball and tipped it against the post.

 

Four minutes later, Hlompho Kekana found the equaliser, tapping in a well-placed shot as Downs fought their way back into the game.

 

Swallows edged ahead again when Bennett Chenene scored a stunning goal, curling the ball past the Brazilians’ keeper Wayne Sandilands to regain the lead for the visitors.

 

Manqele, however, netted the equaliser in the dying stages, collecting the ball in the area, controlling well and turning to fire it in with his left foot from a difficult angle.

 

The two sides meet again in the return leg next weekend.-sapa

NUM backs Zuma’s inquiry

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The National Union of Mineworkers has welcomed the commission of inquiry to investigate the killing of striking workers at Lonmin Marikana mine in North West.

“The NUM strongly believes that such a commission is necessary and would help unearth the motive forces behind the senseless violence,” said the union on Friday.

NUM said the commission should help the country understand the underlying threats faced by the country’s democracy.

It said the public display of dangerous weapons, threats and intimidation should have no place in the South African democracy.

President Jacob Zuma earlier announced that a commission of inquiry would be set up to uncover the truth behind the shootings at the Lonmin mine in Rustenburg where 34 protesters were gunned down this week.

“We remain fully committed to ensuring that this country remains a peaceful stable, productive and thriving nation that is focused on improving the quality of life for all,” Zuma told reporters at the Lonmin conference centre.

A total of 34 people were killed in a shootout that erupted near the mine on Thursday when police tried to disperse striking miners.

More than 78 people were injured. Another 10 people had by then been killed in the violent protests at the mine over the past week.

The protests were believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher wages. – Sapa

Zuma concludes Marikana visit

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ZumaLonmin

President Jacob Zuma has concluded his visit to Marikana near Rustenburg where more than 30 people were tragically killed, the presidency said on Friday.

The President received a briefing from the police and later from injured workers at the Andrew Saffy Hospital, said spokesman Mac Maharaj.

“I am convinced that the Commission of Inquiry will uncover the truth and facts will emerge. We have asked relevant government departments, including especially the provincial government, to provide every possible assistance to the families during this painful and difficult period,” Zuma said.

“The loss of life in this manner is unacceptable and we have to ensure that this never happens again.”

Zuma added: “We know that many families are still desperately looking for their loved ones. Therefore government stands ready to assist.”

The President was accompanied by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, North West Premier Thandi Modise and National Police Commissioner Ria Phiyega. – Sapa

North West roads project to resume

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By Obakeng Maje

Construction on the Lichtenburg-Koster road is to resume in the next few weeks ending months of suspended work and protracted litigation between the North West Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Public Works and Down Touch Investment. This follows a settlement agreement reached by the two parties on Thursday.

 

In welcoming the agreement reached by the parties for an amicable parting off ways presented to her by MEC Raymond Elisha, Premier Mme Thandi Modise congratulated them for taking into account the interest of the Public in the usage of the road and the inconvenience caused which is highly regrettable particularly on the basis of the delays and discomfort considering that the road has been a subject of litigations for an inordinately long and protracted period of time.In terms of the out of court settlements agreement reached after a mutual understanding of the principle of Government in maintaining clean governance, Fairness and Transparency as enshrined in the constitution, the PFMA and supporting Supply Chain prescripts, Down Touch Investment has agreed to leave site.

 

Both parties have agreed to withdraw all litigation processes against each other including the Appeal Process that saw the department pursuing to challenge Justice Landman’s decision.

 

 

 

Though pressurised by public demand and socio economic dynamics to ensure the delivery of the road and to restore the calmness and peaceful use of the road by business people who have been affected, directly or indirectly, The Provincial department will explore all fair and transparent process and acceptable legal prescripts and authorities to expedite a legitimate process towards appointment of a new contractor.

 

 

 

The Department will in due course communicate to all the bidders who took part in the earlier bid and who were also affected by the award process and probably having a keen interest in the litigation cases.

 

 

 

Internal disciplinary proceedings of the officials who flaunted supply chain processes in the irregular award of the tender will continue until they are finalised.

 

 

 

Premier Modise has committed her administration to clean governance, to fight corruption and maladministration across departments including municipalities and has vowed that her administration will not be intimidated or deterred to seek the truth on the fairness, transparency and cost effectiveness of awarded tenders.

 

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SAFA new partner looking for future stars

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By Obakeng Maje

Castle Lager has unveiled its ambitious initiative to find and develop South Africa’s undiscovered football talent, strengthening the future prospects of soccer in South Africa.

 

The programme, called Castle Superstars, will run in partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to identify tomorrow’s soccer stars.

 

During the eight-month campaign, players from the 52 SAFA regions will compete for a place in the Castle Lager Superstars XI.  Qualifying players will be coached, conditioned and mentored by the country’s top professional coaches, trainers and ex-Bafana players, earning them the opportunity to prove themselves to local professional football clubs, and possibly even abroad.

 

“Castle Lager has been a proud supporter of South African football for over 50 years and Bafana Bafana for 20 years, and is extending that commitment to drive the development of our local undiscovered talent, giving them an opportunity to prove themselves at the highest level of the game that they would otherwise not have experienced,” explains Alastair Hewitt, General Manager for Castle Lager.

 

Performance analysis services will be provided by Amisco, which serves 60% of FIFA member countries with football statistics and analysis technology.  Data captured by Amisco will be used by coaches and scouts to identify and monitor individual talent throughout the campaign.

 

The first phase of the campaign, commencing in September, will see players in 52 SAFA regions throughout the country being scouted to be part of the Castle Superfans XI.  Scouted and selected players will attend a two-week training camp in January 2013, where they will coached and mentored by ex-Bafana captain Neil Tovey and be exposed to camp life at a professional level in preparation for professional trials.

 

SAFA CEO, Dr Robin Petersen, explains the importance of the initiative to the Association’s long-term development strategy.

 

“By partnering with a brand that has been a strategic sponsor of the South African national team for over 20 years, we are able to build a talent pipeline for South Africa’s professional leagues and ultimately the national team.  While development takes time, this initiative will bring players closer to where they should be at their age.

 

 “SAFA is all about development, and this initiative is one of many that the Association is using to help nurture talent from an early age.

We have to use the bottom-up approach, because if you take care of development using the right components and the right personnel, then the top, which is Bafana Bafana, will take care of itself,” he explains.

 

 

Two boys arrested for raping a 16 year old girl

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By Obakeng Maje

Lurutshe- Two suspects appeared before Lurutshe Magistrate Court yesterday in charges of rape.

Sphamandla James,18 and his co-accused who cannot be named because of his age were arrested after allegedly raping a 16 year-old girl in Selosesha,near Lurutshe.

According to Police, a 16 year girl was walking with her friend when they passed group o men in the stree.

“The girl was dragged in the nearby bushes by two men waring balaclavas. And she was raped and assaulted by two suspects” said Sergeant Nkwalase.

The two suspects, James and hs co-accused who is a 17 years-old teenager were reminded in custody and will appear back on the 22 of August for bail application.

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Presidency must launch a full judicial commission of Inquiry for Marikana massacre-DA

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The DA calls on President Zuma to launch a full Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Marikana massacre and the questions that this has raised around the use of force by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

 

On Thursday, the police opened fire on protestors at the Lonmin mine in the North West. The massacre which ensued and the use of live ammunition by the police have raised some very serious questions about how the SAPS manage violent protests. In particular, we want to know who authorised the use of live ammunition on the striking workers. We have to know what the line of command was for yesterday’s protest. Whoever gave the order to use live ammunition and open fire must be held accountable. 

 

In August 2011, Minister Mthethwa approved a policy to better manage public protests. The policy called for the establishment of National Public Order Policing Units, which had been disbanded in 2006.

 

One of the key principles of the policy was that members of these units would have to go through specialised training courses on how to manage public protests. It also highlighted the need for a strong line of command and control to ensure that all members involved in policing protest action know which role to play. 

 

The irony of this situation is that yesterday a revised policy document on public order policing was distributed for comment to various members of the SAPS. This begs the question as to whether the policy that was originally drafted was sufficient for public protests.

 

The protest yesterday has shown the failure by the top management of the SAPS to implement this policy effectively.

 

The nation deserves answers as to why this massacre happened. We will be calling on the President today to launch a full Commission of Inquiry into the massacre. The Commission of Inquiry should not only look into the actions of the police but also those of the labour organisations. The inquiry should look into the following issues:

 

Who authorised the use of live ammunition at the mine?

Who was in command of the various police units at the mine?

Who issued the order to fire?

Who was responsible for planning the operation?

On what intelligence was the planning conducted?

How many police, who participated in the operation, were actually trained in (a) public order policing and (b) the use of the weapons with which they were issued?

Whether there has been incitement to violence by any of the labour organisations involved.

The Commission of Inquiry will also provide us with a better understanding of whether the police acted unlawfully or in self-defence and whether the current policy is insufficient to deal with public protests in South Africa.

 

The victims and their families, as well as the nation, deserve answers as to what happened yesterday. We can never have another Marikana Massacre.

for more details go to http://www.da.org.za

AMCU Union to speaking on Lonmin massacre

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Violence that started a week ago has been blamed on rivalry between the new union and the NUM

 

  

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) will hold a briefing on Friday morning to discuss the killing of at least 30 striking workers at Lonmin’s Marikana mine the previous day, it said in a statement.  

 

Amcu’s treasurer Jimmy Gama said the press conference would be held in Johannesburg.

 

The protests, which began last Friday, are believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers and Amcu over recognition agreements at the mine. Workers also wanted higher wages.

 

North West premier Thandi Modise said in a statement that the deadly clashes could have been avoided.

 

“This is the most tragic labour dispute with untold misery that South Africa has ever experienced which could have been avoided had parties involved respected the law,” she said.

 

She appealed for “sanity to prevail” to avoid further bloodshed. 

 

NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said that union shopstewards at the scene counted 36 bodies after the shootout between police and striking workers on Thursday afternoon. 

 

Modise sent her condolences to the families of those killed.

 

“We wish to reiterate our call for cessation of hostilities and for a return to the negotiation table.”

 

Modise’s spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said the premier’s office and police had been in negotiations with Lonmin and the unions in an attempt to find a solution to the impasse and prevent “the dispute from escalating to the level to which it has deteriorated”.

 

Modise and public safety MEC Nono Maloyi would be part of a government delegation set to visit the scene later on Friday.  

 

The SABC reported that Lonmin Platinum’s chairman in Rustenburg, Roger Phillimore had condemned Thursday’s killings.

 

Mine management treated the matter with the utmost seriousness, and regretted the bloodshed.

 

Phillimore said that the platinum producer considered the unrest as a matter of public order, not as a labour relations problem.

SAPA

 

North West premier,mme Thandi Modise sent her condolences to Marikana victims

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By Obakeng Maje

North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise is saddened by the loss of lives experienced at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana and wishes to convey her condolences to the families of those that lost their lives in the tragic incidents.

 

 “This is the most tragic labour dispute with untold misery that South Africa has ever experienced which could have been avoided had parties involved respected the law. We appeal for calm and for sanity to prevail to avoid further casualties. Survival of the fittest, anarchy and lawlessness shouldn’t characterise wage negotiations in the mining sector. We wish to reiterate our call for cessation of hostilities and for a return to the negotiation table” pleaded Modise. 

 

 Modise who together with the MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, MEC Nono Maloyi will be part of the government delegation visiting the area today says that the provincial government is supporting investigations and intervention aimed at bringing the situation to normality.

 

The Office of the Premier and South African Police Management (SAPS) have for a while been engaged in negotiations with Lonmin, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) to broker a solution to avoid the dispute from escalating to the level to which it has deteriorated.

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