BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

UNDOCUMENTED persons were arrested and two foreign nationals were charged with fraud after they were found to be in possession of fraudulent passports during Operation Phakisa in Northern Cape.

The provincial police spokesperson, Capt Olebogeng Tawana said one suspect was issued with a fine subsequent to be found in possession of crayfish. Tawana further said fines were also issued against motorist who was driving unroadworthy vehicle without valid driver’s licence.

“More than 1600 grams of Hydro dagga worth R208 000, 20 x sachets of crystal meth (Tik) worth R2 000 were confiscated. This includes 1913 litres of liquor worth millions of rands,” he said.

The Northern Cape Provincial  Commissioner, General Peter Shivuri commended the SAPS including officials from Department of Environmental and Nature Conservation (DENC), Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), State Security Agency (SASSA) and Customs for executing Operation Phakisa duties diligently along the Northern Cape Coast- line

“The Operation commenced on June 14 and was wrapped up on the 18. The focus of the operation was to fight marine related crimes, illegal hunting, illegal mining, crimes against endangered species, enforcing compliance. We will continue to fight crime, along the Northern Cape coast and Ports of entries,” Shivuri said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects were arrested after being found with suspected stolen goods at Zinniaville, near Rustenburg on Tuesday. North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects will appear at Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on charges of being in possession of suspected stolen goods on Wednesday.

“The suspects were arrested through crime intelligence driven operation. The initiative was executed by Flying Squad members. Upon arrest, the suspects were found in possession of suspected stolen goods to the value of R200 000.

“The goods consist mainly of building materials. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the goods were allegedly stolen in Benoni earlier this month,” Mokgwabone said.

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​BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 
President Jacob Zuma will reply to oral questions in the National Assembly (NA) and the policy debates on budget votes in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) this week. 

Parliament spokesperson, Molopo Mothapo said about 44 committees will also meet to discuss various issues.

 “President Jacob Zuma will on Thursday provide oral answers to Members’ questions during the National Assembly plenary sitting on Thursday at 14h00.

“The NCOP is scheduled to continue its programme of policy debates on Budget Votes with Tuesday’s plenary scheduled to debate Vote 5 (Home Affairs), Vote 11 (Public Works) and Vote 35 (Transport). Wednesday’s plenary sitting is scheduled to hold policy debate on Labour (Vote 28) while the Mineral Resources (Vote 29) is provisionally scheduled for consideration,” Mothapo said. 

He further said the plenary will debate Vote 36 (Water and Sanitation) on Thursday. Mothapo said two Bills, the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill and the Refugees Amendment Bill, are also provisionally scheduled for consideration during the Thursday plenary of the NCOP.

“The sitting is also scheduled to consider the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill and Financial Sector Regulation Bill. Items for committee sittings scheduled this week include the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday. 

“The Committe will hold follow-up hearings on the irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure as well as payables and receivables by the Department of Water Affairs. The Portfolio Committee on Energy will be updated by the Department of Energy and Eskom on the signing of Power Purchase Agreements with Independent Power Producers,” he said. 

Mothapo further said the Select Committee on Social Services will consider and finalise the Refugees Amendment Bill. The Standing Committee on Finance will be briefed by National Treasury/South African Revenue Services on their latest quarterly reports. He said the Standing Committee on Appropriations will be briefed by National Treasury on the Fourth Expenditure patterns for national departments for the 2016/17 financial year. 

“The Portfolio Committee on Social Development will be briefed by the Department of Social Development on the impact of the Command Centres and also get an update report by SASSA on the payment of social grants. The Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises will hold discussions and preparations for the inquiry in Eskom and related matters. 

“The Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament will, amongst others, meet to adopt reports and consider its strategic plans. On Thursday, only the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry will meet to get updates on legislation and other matters related to Space,” Mothapo said. 

He said on Friday, the Select Committee on Finance will be briefed by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury on their preliminary expenditure for the 2016/17 financial year.  Mothapo added that the Standing Committee on Auditor-General will also be briefed on the proposed amendments to the Public Audit Act.

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Cape Town – North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has “suspended” ties with the SABC amid claims he was getting preferential treatment from the broadcaster’s provincial unit, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.

“The office of the premier has, as a result of these unfounded and fabricated claims, decided to suspend its working relations with the SABC, this to afford the corporation time to investigate these allegations,” Brian Setswambung said.

City Press reported claims that Mahumapelo was getting excessive coverage and was telling the SABC’s provincial unit how stories about him should be reported on.

Setswambung said the premier was shocked by allegations that he interfered with the broadcaster’s editorial policy.

He said Mahumapelo always made himself available for interviews, even allowing reporters to go off topic at press conferences.

Mahumapelo wrote to the SABC about these allegations, and the broadcaster indicated it would investigate.

The suspension meant Mahumapelo would not comment on stories when asked by the SABC in North West and would not be available for interviews, he explained. It would not apply to other media platforms, locally or nationally.

“The decision to suspend the relations is to curb further encroachment accusations, against the premier, on the corporation’s editorial policy, whilst the investigation is being carried out.”

Setswambung said Mahumapelo indicated in his letter to the SABC that he respected press freedom and had not taken the action to harm press freedom.

“He is disturbed by these allegations and wants them resolved,” he said.

Source: http://www.news24.com

Bhekisisa, the Mail & Guardian’s Health Journalism Centre, is one paid journalism internships a final year journalism student. If you are interested in health reporting and have a strong academic record, this internship could be for you.

Housed within the Mail & Guardian, Bhekisisa focuses on solutions-based journalism whether as part of narrative writing or news stories.

We aim to produce stories that tell our readers what’s happening, why it’s happening and what can be done to solve problems. We value creative angles and enterprise reporting.

Bhekisisa is currently accepting rolling applications for a two-month paid internship. Successful candidates will be mentored by our team and report to our news editor.

Additional opportunities may avail themselves based on intern performance.

The candidate should have strong news instincts with an interest in health and a desire to explore narrative and feature writing. The person should have a better-than-average grasp of the English language and should be reliable, open to feedback and be able to work independently.

KEY OUTPUTS

• Proactively pitch ideas for articles. These ideas should be well-thought through and show an awareness of current health news;
• Work with editors to develop these ideas into either short news stories for the web or longer form features for the website or newspaper. Note: the journalist will be expected to research their story as well as conduct interviews and write the initial draft of their stories independently;
• Work with a content management system to upload your articles as well as those from fellow reporters and contributors;
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Excellent English writing and language skills, including spelling and grammar, and attention to detail;
• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently while showing initiative;
• Strong time-management skills;
• Willingness to work outside normal working hours if need be;
• Familiarity with the South African Press Code;
• Must have a strong editorial sense and demonstrate analytical thinking, be able to research stories, conduct interviews and produce stories in their entirety;
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver under time constraints;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• Good planning and implementation skills;
• Should have good, sound news judgment.

Prospective candidates must be final year journalism students at a university or journalism students studying towards an honours journalism degree. Students must be available to complete a two-month internship between November 2017 and February 2018.

Application deadline: 15 July 2017

Students must send the following as part of their application to health@mg.co.za. Incomplete applications will not be considered:

• CV;
• Academic Transcript;
• A recommendation from a journalism lecturer that includes the lecturer’s contact details (email and phone number). This recommendation should be able to speak to the quality of your work and should be sent directly to the Mail & Guardian at health@mg.co.za. Please ask your lecturer to use your full name and ID number as a subject line;
• A 400-word motivational statement clearly stating which of the three positions you are applying for and why you would be a good fit for this internship. This motivation should speak to the tasks / qualities outlined in the relevant job description below;
• Two samples of your writing

Short-listed candidates will be expected to complete a timed, written test and will be interviewed by our staff. 

Source: http://www.mg.co.za 

Cape Town – Ben Ngubane, the Eskom chairperson has resigned with immediate effect, Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown said on Monday.

“Dr Ngubane formally tendered his resignation, which I accepted,” Brown, said in a statement.

Ngubane has been named twice so far in the GuptaLeaks saga. Once due to a failed bid to secure a lucrative oil concession in the Central African Republic (CAR) as well as in the revelations about the capture of Eskom.

“I would like to thank Dr Ngubane for his contribution to turning Eskom around since the load shedding days of 2014/15, and wish him well in the future.

“To ensure continuity at Eskom, I have decided to appoint Mr Zethembe Khoza as interim chairperson until I am able to take new board appointments to Cabinet for approval,” Brown said.

Eskom’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place later this month.

Source: http://www.news24.com 

Bafana Bafana will face Zambia in an international friendly match on Tuesday, 13 June at Moruleng Stadium.

Kickoff is at 19h00.
 
The clash will be played just two days after the South Africans return from Uyo in Nigeria where they will face the home side in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier – that clash is on Saturday, 10 j=une 2017).
 
Zambia will come into this match at the back of their AFCON qualifier against Mozambique – it also takes place on Saturday in Ndola.
 
Bafana Bafana and Chipolopopo last met in January 2015 at Orlando Stadium. A Thuso Phala goal in the 81^st minute gave the hosts victory in the international friendly match which was used as a warm-up clash shortly before the start of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
 
This will be South Africa’s new head coach Stuart Baxter’s second match in charge of Bafana Bafana.
 
Tickets for this match are already on sale at R40 and can be purchased at Computicket outlets as well Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide.
taungdailynews@gmail.com 
  

​

South Africa started their 2019 African Nations Cup qualifying campaign in the best possible way by securing their first ever competitive victory over Nigeria, 2-0 in Uyo.

After South African midfielder Themba Zwane hit the post with a close-range poke in the first half, Tokelo Rantie netted with a near-post header in the 54th minute from Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s right-wing cross.

Zwane rattled the upright again in the second half as the Super Eagles lived dangerously on the counter, while the home side struggled to create any chance that could trouble Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

It was mostly South Africa in the second half and Stuart Baxter’s side got a deserved second goal on a quick counter-attack when, following a Nigeria corner, Keagan Dolly released substitute Percy Tau clean through on goal and he rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home.

The result puts South Africa level on points in Group E with Libya, who beat Seychelles 5-1 on Friday.

Source: http://www.espnfc.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Provincial Legislature will host a Religious Sectoral Parliament at Tshing Community Hall in Ventersdorp on Friday at 9am. The Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie will deliver the keynote address.

Dantjie said the event will be hosted under the theme: “Enhancing Social Cohesion through Freedom of Religion.” 

“In commemoration of the 20 years of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the establishment of the National Council of Provinces, the sectoral parliament will solicit ideas and challenges from leaders in the sector to communicate on ways to promote social cohesion through religion and build a better society.

“South Africa is facing the triple challenge which is unemployment, poverty and inequality caused by the lack of social cohesion. The Legislature finds expression in bringing all religions of diversity to look into the matter regarding social cohesion as an important element feature of nation building that defines any society and religious groups.

“It can play a critical role in instilling good values within society. Among stakeholders invited to attend the event are representatives from the North West University – Faculty on Theological Studies, Premier’s Office – RHR Office, Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, Hindu Federation, Bahai Council, Rastafarism Community, Muslim Judiciary Council, Indigenous Churches Of South Africa, National Interfaith Council Of South Africa (NICSA), South African Minister’s Fraternal (Samifra), South African Council Of Churches (SACC) and the Federation Of African Independent Churches,” she said.

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