Category Archives: NEWS

Cosatu blocking youth subsidy, says Zuma

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Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma confirmed that the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) remained the stumbling block to the implementation of the youth wage subsidy, DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said on Wednesday.

“The president also said government is still seeking trade union buy-in for the youth wage subsidy that would create more than 420 000 new jobs,” according to Mazibuko.

Zuma, in a reply to a DA parliamentary question, said discussions on the youth wage subsidy had taken place within the economic sectors and employment cluster, and consultation with social partners began at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on May 10 last year.

“Social partners continue to discuss the youth employment incentive at Nedlac. As such, final proposals have yet to be made to Cabinet,” he said.

Cabinet did not intend to abandon the policy. However, discussions with social partners, alongside the public comments received on the discussion paper, would inform a revised document and the design of the proposed youth employment incentive.

Zuma said Cabinet would respond to the final proposals made.

The government had undertaken to resolve the concerns raised by social partners, in particular organised labour, in Nedlac. 

This included outlining the role of the youth employment incentive as an important pillar of the economic development department’s multi-pronged strategy to confront youth unemployment, and adjusting features of the proposed incentive to address the specific concerns of social partners.

Zuma said there had been a number of valid concerns raised with the youth employment incentive, including the potential displacement of older workers by younger workers, the age of those potentially qualifying for the incentive, and the duration of probation. The government’s discussions with social partners were aimed at mitigating these concerns.

The rules, design, and monitoring of a youth employment incentive would be critical to actively reduce the risk of negative unintended consequences, including potential displacement, and help maximise net job creation.

The government would focus on accelerating social dialogue and finding satisfactory solutions to the valid concerns that social partners had raised, Zuma said.

– SAPA

DA lays charges against Cosatu

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DA national spokesman Mmusi Maimane laid charges against Cosatu on Wednesday after a protest by the party turned violent in Johannesburg.

Charges of incitement of violence, intimidation and illegal gathering were laid at the Hillbrow police station at noon.

The DA would also analyse footage of the march to try and identify individual perpetrators, Democratic Alliance spokeswoman Kelly Miller said.

“We hope first of all that we must all accept the rule of law, and we must accept that everything we do must be within legal parameters,” Maimane said.

Rocks and pieces of cement flew in a confrontation between DA and Cosatu supporters in Braamfontein on Tuesday. Police used teargas and water cannons to disperse Cosatu members, who stopped the DA from protesting outside its headquarters.

Miller said four party members were hospitalised, and a number of others injured.

The DA wanted Cosatu to stop stonewalling a government youth wage subsidy that, it argued, would create thousands of new jobs for young people.

Maimane said Cosatu had behaved “undemocratically”.

“They [Cosatu] came out in their numbers, holding an illegal march, and holding in contempt the idea that the youth wage subsidy should be considered.”

Cosatu was not contesting the youth wage subsidy because it had not come up with an alternative, he said.

“They have made it a contest of people, a contest of class. For the benefit of our democracy, we must make it a contest of ideas.”

A working environment must be created which could address the concerns of South Africa’s young people.

“The issue we are going to fight for is that people must be employed,” Maimane said.

The march, led by DA leader Helen Zille, youth leader Makashule Gana, parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and Maimane, began peacefully. But when the protesters turned into Jorissen Street in Braamfontein they were met by toyi-toying Cosatu members moving down the street from Cosatu’s offices, opposite the Joburg Theatre.

For an hour, the two groups traded insults, with a cordon of police keeping them apart.

When rocks and pieces of cement were thrown into the crowd during Zille’s speech and a DA member on the VIP truck was seriously injured, the DA retreated to Jan Smuts Avenue.

Cosatu members then chased DA supporters and police had their hands full trying to control groups intent on hounding blue-shirted protesters out of the area.

Police eventually sprayed teargas and fired a high pressure water gun to break up the Cosatu crowd.

Tug-of-war for Mathoho

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Despite Kaizer Chiefs announcing their intention to sign Bloemfontein Celtic defender Erick Mathoho, KickOff.com has learnt of a late approach for the player from Orlando Pirates. 

Earlier today, KickOff.com spoke to Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung, who revealed they have approached the respective clubs to sign Mathoho, along with Morgan Gould and Edward Manqele.

Motaung has since revealed that Mathoho has indicated his desire to be at Naturena next season, saying: “Mathoho has written a letter to Celtic informing them that he wants to play for Chiefs next season. 

“Players are becoming wise these days and they see that if they go elsewhere they won’t play. Look at Majoro … before we signed him he made it clear he wanted to play for Chiefs only and look at him now – he is enjoying himself. He is happy here and has played.”

However, KickOff.com has since learned that Pirates are have made a late move for the player, who had failed to win a move to Dutch club FC Twente earlier this season.

Mathoho is seen as the perfect long-term partner for Siyabonga Sangweni, who had to carry a lot of the workload this season following a spate of injuries across the backline.

KICK OFF

Mkhonza names Banyana squad for Tanzania

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Banyana Banyana travel to face Tanzania in an international friendly to be played in Dar es Salaam. 

The match will take place on Sunday. Kick-off is at 16h00.
 
Banyana will use the clash as preparation for the upcoming African Women’s Championship (AWC) qualifier against Zambia, while at the same time building the momentum for the 2012 London Olympic Games scheduled for July.
 
The AWC qualifier will be played in Zambia on May 26.
 
The Banyana squad is in camp at the North West University High Performance Institute in Potchefstroom.
 
Head coach Joseph Mkhonza has selected 18 players to represent South Africa in Tanzania.
 
“This friendly match against Tanzania is very crucial for us as we prepare for the AWC qualifiers. It is important for the team to take on strong international competition on the road to the Olympics as we will be playing away. We haven’t played a match since March and the Sasol League is in recess, so these training camps and the friendly matches are helping to keep the players in good physical condition,” said Mkhonza.
 
The Banyana technical team has taken a different approach to training the squad by dividing them into their different positions on the field.
 
“Dividing the players into their various on-field departments has helped us greatly in focusing on these departments individually. It enables us to tackle the different field movements as well as positions and also allows us to work on set-pieces. We’ve had a serious lack in the goal scoring department but within the two days we’ve implemented this programme we’ve seen plenty improvement,” said Mkhonza.
 
Banyana midfielder Kylie Ann Louw will join her team-mates on Thursday.
 
The South Africans will arrive back in the country onMay 21.
 
Banyana squad to take on Tanzania:


Thokozile Mndaweni – UJ Ladies FC
Roxanne Barker – Pepperdine University
Nothando Vilakazi – Palace Super Falcon
Amanda Sister – Liverpool Ladies FC
Janine van Wyk – Palace Super Falcon
Zamandosi Cele – Durban Ladies FC
Gabisile Hlumbane – Kovsies
Lebogang Mabatle – Halleluyah Zebra Force
Refiloe Jane – Sundowns Ladies
Kylie-Ann Louw – Stephen F Austin (USA)
Mary Ntsweng – TUT Ladies FC
Robyn Moodaly – High Performance Centre
Leandra Smeda – Cape Town Roses
Amanda Dlamini (c) – UJ Ladies FC
Noko Matlou – UJ Ladies FC
Sanah Mollo – Bloemfontein Celtics
Andisiwe Mgcoyi – Sundowns Ladies
Portia Modise – Palace Super Falcon 

Leopards double incentives for Cosmos clash

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Source:

Local soccer publication has learnt that Black Leopards have doubled player bonuses ahead of the game against Jomo Cosmos at Sinaba Stadium tonight.   

A Leopards win will guarantee them a place in the Premiership next season while a Cosmos defeat will take them back to the First Division.
 
Lidoda Duvha are still on cloud nine after beating Nigerian side Warri Wolves to advance to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup and are highly motivated to beat Ezenkosi .

 
Leopards’ spokesperson Tendani Thidiela confirms that the club is doing everything possible to help them retain their top flight status.
 
“There has always been a bonus structure at the club but I am not at liberty to say if it has been increased or not for the game against Cosmos,” says Thidiela.
 
Meanwhile Leopards have been boosted by the return of striker Thabo Mongalo from a long term injury.
 
However Kingston Nkatha remains their likely starter after he scored a brace to help Lidoda Duvha beat Warri Wolves 2-0 last Sunday. 

Ernest Fakude

Elephant charges at honeymoon couple

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Johannesburg – A couple honeymooning in the Kruger National Park have videotaped an elephant charging at their hiking group.

Beeld reported that Jaco and Sharne Kamffer and six others were hiking with rangers when they came upon a herd of elephants with young elephants among them. 

Although they quickly moved away, a female elephant stormed at them.

The rangers stamped their feet and screamed at the elephant but to no avail. She only stopped her attack when they shot at her, breaking off her right tusk and causing her to stop about 11 metres from the hikers.

“It was one of the most difficult situations I have ever been in. On the one hand you want to look back to see what is happening, but on the other hand you also want to see where to run to,” said Kamffer on Tuesday.

He filmed the attack on video.

The couple had only been married two weeks.

“Already we have a nice story to tell our grandchildren one day.” 

Coach says sorry for referee assault

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Johannesburg – The EG Jansen High School first team rugby coach who shoved the referee after a match and swore at him has apologised, Beeld reported on Wednesday. 

Schalk Snyman said on Tuesday he was “very sad” about the incident with Mlungiseleli Mdashe.

“Everybody can see on the video what happened, and the context makes no difference, an offence stays an offence,” Snyman was quoted saying.

His future would be decided at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

According to Jurie Coetzee, head of the Valke Rugby Union, and Leon de Beer, headmaster of EG Jansen High School in Boksburg, Snyman had been provisionally banned from any involvement with the Valke and the school, pending the hearing’s outcome.

Mdashe said he was considering “a very serious charge of assault, intimidation and undermining my authority”. He said he might proceed with a civil case, depending on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

“In the end, I want rugby to win. I hope the right decision will be taken,” Mdashe said.

Snyman attempted to contact Mdashe on Monday and Tuesday to apologise, but Mdashe, acting on the advice of his lawyers, refused to speak to him. 

– SAPA

Farm attacker killed while fleeing

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Mahikeng – An elderly couple survived an attack on their North West farm, but one of their assailants died when he crashed their bakkie,Beeld reported on Wednesday.

Two men throttled, kicked and beat Charlotte Strumpher after breaking into the farmhouse, between Zeerust and Lichtenburg, on Saturday night.

Strumpher’s husband, Johan, had gone to a neighbouring farm to watch a televised rugby match, the newspaper reported.

While Strumpher was being assaulted, one of her attackers told her to stop praying to God for help, as he did not want to hear any of “those words”.

Strumpher’s husband returned to the farm, where he was attacked and beaten with a metal pipe, police spokesperson Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said.

Johan Strumpher managed to get hold of his revolver and fired shots at the assailants. The two fled in the couple’s bakkie, but one of them, Ontiretse Marumo, 42, was killed when it overturned.

The second man, aged 18, fled the scene of the accident. His parents later handed him to the police.

The Strumphers, both in their sixties, were treated in a Klerksdorp clinic and discharged.

– SAPA

Five people killed in Free State bus crash

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SAPA

ive people were killed when an SA Roadlink bus overturned on the N1 while travelling towards Bloemfontein early on Wednesday morning, the Free State transport department said.

“I can confirm the bus veered off the road around 4.45am. It was on the N1, 30km from Gariep towards Bloemfontein. Five people were killed,” spokesman Zolile Walaza said.

Two people were trapped in the wreckage and had since been freed and taken to a hospital in Bloemfontein.

It appeared the driver lost control of the bus, which was carrying 28 passengers, said Walaza. The accident would be investigated by the appropriate authorities

 

Mthethwa gets Mdluli removal papers

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may 11 Richard Mdluli

By SAPA

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Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has received legal papers from Freedom Under Law (FUL) applying for the removal of Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli from the police, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

“We can confirm that we received the court papers and that our legal team are currently studying (them),” Zweli Mnisi said.

He said that as the urgent application would be heard in the High Court in Pretoria on June 5, there was time to deliberate and decide on the way forward.

FUL, which describes itself as a “not-for-profit organisation in order to promote democracy under law”, applied for an urgent interdict on Tuesday to prevent the former crime intelligence head from serving in the police.

FUL also applied for an interdict against Mthethwa, preventing him from moving Mdluli to a new position before a review into his reinstatement could be heard.

Anti-apartheid activist and FUL member Mamphela Ramphele said in the organisation’s founding affidavit that Mthethwa suspended former police commissioners Jackie Selebi and Bheki Cele for “less serious criminal charges” than Mdluli.

“The way… Mdluli had been dealt with by the respondents reflects an extraordinary degree of a lack of accountability and a breach of a culture of justification,” said Ramphele.

She said Mdluli’s letter, which detailed a conspiracy against him, had generated mistrust and instability in the police.

The letter, written by Mdluli in November, was addressed to President Jacob Zuma, Mthethwa and acting national police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

In it, Mdluli reportedly wrote that Cele, Hawks head Lieutenant-General Anwa Dramat, operational services head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya and Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros, were ganging up against him.

Ramphele said the task team, appointed by Mthethwa to investigate the allegations in the letter, would not resolve the problem caused by Mdluli’s reinstatement.

On Friday, the presidency denied ever having received such a letter from Mdluli.

Said Ramphele: “By his conduct, the minister accepted that there was a need to act, but has not initiated suspension proceedings, or any other measure which would remove… Mdluli from active daily service in SAPS.”

Mthethwa announced on May 9 that Mdluli would be shifted from his position to another division in the police.

Last year, Mdluli faced fraud and corruption charges relating to alleged misuse of a crime intelligence fund, the purchase of luxury vehicles and the hiring of family members. He also faced a murder charge following the murder of a former lover’s boyfriend, Oupa Ramogibe.

Both sets of charges were withdrawn and Mdluli was reinstated as head of crime intelligence.

The murder investigation became an inquest.

In the meantime, Mthethwa appointed a task team led by chief state law adviser Enver Daniels to investigate the claims made in the letter. It would consist of Lieutenant-General Abel Mxolisi Shilubane from the defence force, Stan Noosi from state security and SAPS head of legal services Lieutenant-General Julius Molefe. – Sapa