Category Archives: NEWS

35 protesters perished at Lonmin fiasco

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Johannesburg – No violence was reported at Lonmin mine in Marikana, North West, overnight after 35 people were shot dead there on Thursday afternoon, police said on Friday.

 

“Police have been patrolling the area, but the situation remained quiet after the shooting,” said Captain Dennis Adriao.

 

ENews quoted Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa as saying that 35 people had died in the shoot-out. 

 

“Police did everything they could… but people [miners] said they were not leaving and are prepared to fight,” he said in an interview with Talk Radio 702.

 

Provincial health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said no injured people were admitted to hospital although Mthethwa countered this.

 

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega will hold a media conference on Friday at 11:30 at Lonmin Training Centre. 

 

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Corruption destabilise democracy-Premier

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By Obakeng Maje

Corruption is a disabler that destabilises democracy, democratic institutions as it slows economic development and hampers service delivery says North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise.Speaking at the opening of the two-day Provincial Anti- Corruption Round table discussion that commenced in Potchefstroom on Thursday, Premier Modise vowed that her administration will intensify its fight against corrupt elite networks in order to win the battle against greed and corruption.

 

 “It is highly disappointing that scandals involving public officials are common in the South Africa. Everyday people are debating and complaining about outright corruption, lack of ethics, transparency, integrity and unprofessional behavior in government.Corruption has become so rampant throughout the world, not just in South Africa but both public and private sectors throughout the world are faced with the challenge of eliminating bribery and corruption,” she stressed.

 

Premier Modise urged delegates to continue encouraging everyone to be aware of corruption in all sectors as it has the potential of threatening the country’s integrity.

 

Premier Modise said that the provincial government has put in place strategies to root out corruption by recommitting itself to uphold and implement the programme of action of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum.

 

She said the forum emphasizes among others the promotion of strong governance structures, sound financial management practices and internal controls, competent workforce and prevention of collusion particularly between the public and private civil sector officials.

 

She also called on all delegates to help in building the culture of integrity in all sectors of society, including communities, families and individuals.

 

Many presenters at the conference supported Chairperson of the Moral Regeneration Movement, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa’s call for reclaim of values and united civic action.

 

They called for intensified advocacy and protection of whistle blower.

 

The Public Service Commission commended the province for having the only functional Anti– Corruption Forum in the country.

 

Addressing the conference, Commissioner Selinah Nkosi commended the Office of the Premier for establishing the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit,a dedicated Hotline, Risk Management and the Forensic Unit and

for ptting in place mechanisms to prevent, detect and investigate corruption.

“The Office of the Premier is leading by example with 100% compliance in financial disclosures for the 2011/2012 financial year. Departments of the Finance ,Agriculture and Rural Development also achieved 100% submissions.

Though there is room for improvement in departments that failed to achieve a 100% submissions, other provinces could benchmark with Office of the Premier the North West Province” she said

 

 

Kgosi Maubane elected as new chairperson for Traditional Leaders

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By Obakeng Maje

Premier Modise congratulates newly elected chairperson of National House of Traditional Leaders

North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise has congratulated Kgosi Phopolo Pontsho Maubane on his election as the new Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) for the next four years.

elected the new chairperson during the inauguration of the House in Pretoria on Thursday. The event also saw traditional leaders being swor…

Kgosi Maubane who is from the North West Province was elected the new chairperson during the inauguration of the House in Pretoria on Thursday. The event also saw traditional leaders being sworn in as members of the House by Judge Peter Mabuse.After the swearing in, traditional leaders voted for the both the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, where Kgosi Maubane and Nkosi Jacob Matanzima from the Eastern Cape were nominated for the positions of Chairperson.Kgosi Maubane received 15 votes while the remaining votes from 23 members went to Inkosi Matanzima.Kgoshi Sefogole Makgeru from Limpopo and Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu from Mpumalanga were nominated to contest the Deputy Chairperson position. Makgeru got 13 votes to become the Deputy Chairperson.Addressing the House after his election, Kgosi Maubane said: “It is an honour and privilege to ascend to what I consider to be the most important position within the history of the traditional leaders … and it is indeed a surprise.”I commit myself to do the best of my ability, guided by the supreme laws of the country.”Cooperative Governance Minister Richard Baloyi said there were five areas where traditional leaders and municipalities would need to work together.”We know that with your sterling leadership we can further accelerate service delivery, further promote good governance, further enhance sound financial management, as we accelerate the roll-out programme for infrastructure development and as we fight corruption.”It is when we [work together] on these five areas, that the true story about a successful South Africa in a chapter that is to be written led by yourselves will become a real story,” he said.The fourth National House of Traditional Leaders will be officially opened by President Jacob Zuma in Parliament next week.

Board suspended over irregularities

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By Obakeng Maje

The Executive Council (Exco) of the North West Province has suspended North West Transport Investment (NTI) Board and its subsidiary companies, North West Star(Pty) Ltd (NWS) and Attredgeville Bus Services(Pty)Ltd (ABS) for financial irregularities, MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha announced on Thursday.

 

The decision to suspended the nine-member board and appoint an interim board including a shareholder`s representative that will be seconded to NTI for a period of six months on a full time basis pending investigation into the affairs of NTI and its subsidiaries was taken yesterday during Exco’s bi-weekly sitting.

The Exco resolution to appoint an audit firm that would conduct a forensic audit and report within the six months was announced by MEC Elisha on the sideline of the two-day Provincial Anti-Corruption Roundtable in Potchefstroom.

Exco’s decision to suspend the board and institute an investigation was based on the 2010/2011 qualified Auditor General`s report that pointed out that:o   The entity could not provide sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support the ownership of investment property of R 21 570 000 (2010: R19 561 000), included in investment property of R 177 890 000 (2010: R 179 126 00) disclosed in note 22 to the separate annual financial statements. The entity`s records could not permit alternative audit procedures. Consequently the Auditor General could not determine the rights pertaining to this investment property.o   Payments amounting to R 110 208218 were made in contravention of section 51 of the PFMA. This amount was not disclosed in the financial statements leading to an understament of irregular expenditure by the same amount.o   The entity did not correctly depreciate property, plant and equipment in terms of its accounting policy and also as required by the South African statements GAAP, IAS 16 (AC 123) property, plant and equipment.o   The Auditor General could not obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine the accuracy of lease commitments relating to immovable property R 25 330 000 included in the lease commitments of R 132 909 000.o   The accounting authority submitted annual financial statements for auditing that were not prepared in all material aspects in accordance with generally accepted accounting practise and supported by full and proper records as required by the PFMA.o   The accounting authority did not take effective and appropriate steps to prevent irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure as per requirements of the PFMA.o   Contrary to requirements of the PFMA no system for properly evaluating all major capital projects prior to a final decision on such projects was implemented and no appropriate procurement and provisioning system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective existed for purchasing of busses.o   The Auditor General also found that the accounting authority does not exercise oversight over reporting and compliance with laws and regulations and internal control, decisive actions are not taken to address risks relating to the achievement of complete and accurate financial and performance reporting. 

 

Elisha has vowed that action will be taken upon receiving the report on the investigation.

 

He confirmed that the powers of the board will be vested with the accounting officer of his department as members of the board were served with suspension letters notifying them of their suspension and advising them to cooperative with the investigation which he is confident will be concluded within three months.

 

 

 

In terms of the letters of suspension, members of the board must not visit the company locations (nor those of its associated companies) or contact any employee of the company without written authorization from the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport as the responsible Executive Authority.

 

 

 

NTI is a company registered in terms of the Companies Act of 1973 and wholly owned by the North West Provincial Government as holder of 100% of the total ordinary issued shares of the entity.

 

NTI, NWS and ABS are all Public Entities within the context of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and are therefore subject to provisions of the PFMA.

 

 

 

The NTI board constitutes the accounting authority for NTI and its subsidiaries in the form of NWS and ABS in terms of section 49(2) (a) of the PFMA.

 

 

 

The suspensions are in line with Premier Modise’s administration’s commitment to clean governance aimed at ridding provincial government departments, municipalities and state owned enterprises of the scourge of corruption and maladministration targeted to achieve clean audits by 2014

 

 

Bafana coach about overseas based players

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By Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana Coach, Gordon Igesund is happy with the progress of his overseas-based stars among them Kagisho Dikgacoi, Dean Furman, Bongani Khumalo and Kamohelo Mokotjo.

Due to time constraints and a tight schedule, Igesund has not managed to go and physically watch players who ply their trade overseas, especially in Europe and has been forced to monitor them from home.

And after learning of Dikgacoi’s storming performance for Crystal Palace in their match against Second Division side Exeter City in the League Cup, the Bafana coach said he was encouraged by performances and progress of overseas players and also by the report back from their respective managers.

The former Golden Arrows midfielder scored Palace’s winner with a header just before half-time in a 2-1 victory over Exeter to progress to the next round.

Apart from the burly midfielder’s sterling show, Igesund said he had also monitored and continued to follow the likes of Oldham Athletic captain Furman who played a key role when Athletic defeated English champions Manchester City in a recent friendly match.

Both Bongani Khumalo who recently moved to Greek side PAOK and Mokotjo who plays for Dutch giants Feyenoord had also received the attention of the wily coach who insists he is merely monitoring potential candidates for the Bafana place.

“Not everyone being observed will automatically get called to the national team. This is a normal exercise in the name of fairness that I assess as many players as possible,” added the Bafana coach.

“Having said that, I must admit that I am generally happy with what I have seen from most of these players. It gives me a fantastic headache because I will have a bigger pool on which to choose from,” said Igesund.

Igesund said not only was he happy with the progress of the overseas-based players but was also encouraged by the form of many of the players in the domestic league.

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Six has bee arrested in Lonmin unrest

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Rustenburg – Six people have been arrested following violent protests at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg police said on Thursday.

 

“They were arrested for various incidents of intimidation,” Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo said.

 

Police made the arrests between Monday and Wednesday night. The suspects were expected to appear in court on Thursday.

 

Mbombo said on Thursday that the police wanted to bring an end to the violence in the area.

 

“Today [Thursday] we are going to disperse those people.”

 

She said the intention was to disperse them peacefully, but did not say what police would do if the group resisted.

 

A group of men armed with pangas, iron rods and knobkerries was gathered at the top of a hill, in Wonderkop, near the mine, at 08:00 on Thursday.

 

They vowed not to move until their pay was raised to R12 500 a month.

 

Lonmin rock-drill operators embarked on an illegal strike and protest march on Friday.

 

Ten people – two police officers, two security guards, three protesters and three other men – have been killed since the strike began.

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Kaizer Chiefs boss to appear in court

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By Obakeng Maje

Nelspruit- Yesterday South African football fratenity and the citizens at large were left with jaw dropping after reports that Kaizer Chiefs Director of Football was arrested.

Bobby Motaung arrest came after his name was implicated in allege tender fraud. Motaung ad two accused are charged wth fraud after their alleged company obtained a tender to built Mbombela stadium back in 2010 fradulently.

According to media reports,their company was awarded a tender to build 2010 World Cup stadium illegally after they submitted a fake SARS tax number.

“We arrested two accused yesterday and one was arrested in Cape Town and the other one was arrested in Naturena near Soweto” Hawks spokesperson said.

The third person handed himself this morning at Nelspruit.

Three accused are due to appear in court at Nelspruit today in charges of corruption and fraud.

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Negotiations continue in Lonmin

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MARIKANA – While negotiations continue with striking miners at Lonmin’s Marikana mine in the North West, police are expected to be back on patrols on Thursday morning after what seemed to have been a night without incident. 

Protesters vowed not to return to work until their pay is raised from R4,000 to R12,500 per month.
The miners embarked on an illegal strike last week which sparked violent attacks leaving 10 people dead, two of which were policemen.
Police are expected to start dispatching Nyalas and hundreds of officers to the hilltop near the mine shafts, the protesters’ official spot where meetings and demonstrations have been held.
It is understood a sangoma is giving them traditional medicine to make them brave.
The group seemed pleased with an address by officials from start up union Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union on Wednesday night, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

Lonmin management will continue negotiating with the miners on Thursday.

For more details go to http://www.enw.co.za 

Chris Brown and Drake sued over Nightclub brawl

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Chris Brown and Drake were sued yesterday over a bottle-throwing  nightclub brawl involving their entourages, as a company with ties to the club sought to hold the music stars responsible for the melee.

Representatives for the R&B singer and the rapper didn’t immediately answer inquiries for comment about the $16 million lawsuit, which faulted the artists for – at a minimum – doing nothing to stop June 14 melee and said it sullied the chic Manhattan nightspot’s name.

 

Brown and Drake should bear blame for a glass-flinging, broken-bottle-swinging free-for-all in a crowded club “in circumvention of the venue’s extensive security measures,” says the  lawsuit, filed by Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. The company owns the trademark for Greenhouse; the owners of the club itself aren’t involved in the lawsuit and declined to comment.

 

No criminal charges have been filed against anyone in the fight,  which left Brown, NBA star Tony Parker and others injured. Police say the fracas started after members of Drake’s entourage confronted Brown on the dance floor as he was leaving the club’s basement lounge, called W.i.P. Drake’s representatives have said he  was on his way out and didn’t injure anyone.

It is continuing to fight a State Liquor Authority effort to nix its liquor license.

The lawsuit, however, points to news accounts of bad blood between Brown and Drake, both of whom have dated singer Rihanna. Entertainment Enterprises believes the two men instigated, encouraged, or at least failed to stop the fight, lawyer Andrew T. Miltenberg said.

 

“It’s their posse, and they’re in charge, and to the extent that  they could have controlled or dissipated whatever was going on, we don’t believe they did,” he said.

 

Because of publicity about the fight, a $4 million deal to license Greenhouse’s name for other clubs around the country fell through, the lawsuit says.

 

Entertainment Enterprises is headed by a former Greenhouse owner, Jon Bakhshi.  he current owners face suits over the fracas, including a $20 million claim from Parker.

 

The city shuttered the club for a time after the brawl; Greenhouse reopened July 10. It is continuing to fight a State Liquor Authority effort to nix its liquor license.

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A 35 year-old mentally ill man murdered for his pension

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by obakeng maje

Taung- Police are looking for unknown suspects after a 35 year-old mentally ill man was killed on friday.

This gruesome event happened at Mathestadt in Taung.

Thabo Jasson,35 is mentally ill and received government monthly grant. He went to receive his money at Baga-Maidi Tribal Hall and later on at night he was attacked and killed by unknown suspects.

“Thabo Jasson was staying alone and he was unfortunately being attack by unknown people”

“So we would like to appeal to the community,if anyone has information that could lead the police to any arrest” Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane told our crew.

According to the head master,this is the second incident happened in Baga-maidi.

“In 2010, we experienced the same gruesome incident where an ederly woman was killed in the same manner” he yelled.

There are no arrests made up o s far and police are urging community to help wtih any information.

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