Pretoria – Over three million South Africans visited their local voting stations over the past weekend, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Glen Mashinini, said on Tuesday.

The voting registration stations were opened on 5 and 6 March for voters to register for the first time, re-register and update their registration details.

Addressing the media on the outcome of the first voter registration weekend, Mashinini said the number of voters who visited voting stations was more than double the number recorded during the first registration weekend of the 2011 Municipal Elections.

This was also a 23% increase of registration activity compared with the first registration weekend for the 2014 National and Provincial Elections.

“This bodes extremely well for the upcoming 2016 Municipal Elections and for the future,” said Mashinini.

Of the 3 097 194 voters who visited voting stations, 692 730 were new registrations, while 1 086 958 were re-registrations in different voting districts and 1 317 506 visited to confirm and update their registration details in the same voting district.

The weekend also saw a huge response from young people, where 544 552 new registrations were from voters under 30 years old.

Almost 54% of the new registrations were women, a trend which applied to all provinces, except the Northern Cape, where there was almost a 50/50 split between men and women in respect of new registrations.

KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng accounted for almost half of the new registrations, with 24% voters in KZN and 22.5% in Gauteng.

KZN has highest participation

Mashinini said KwaZulu-Natal had the highest overall registration activity, with 864 295 interactions recorded, followed by Gauteng with 526 580 and the Eastern Cape with 519 674.

The Electoral Commission also expressed its appreciation to the response by registered voters who heeded the call to go and update their details.

Eligible voters, who have still not registered, are urged to ensure that they don’t miss the final registration weekend, which will take place on 9 and 10 April 2016, when all voting stations will again open from 8am to 5pm.

The Electoral Commission thanked all stakeholders, including political parties, the media, government departments, security services, civil society and community leaders for their support and cooperation in the successful registration, this past weekend. – SAnews.gov.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

SEVEN people died in a blazing fire at Senthumole section in Reagile location near Koster on Monday night. North West police said ten people were sleeping in a shack when it was set alight.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the deceased were family members. He said according to police primary information, the shack was set alight by a man who is known to them.

“Police are investigating a case of arson after seven people were killed and others sustained burn injuries. A 40-year-old victim was hospitalised due to burn wounds. Those who died in the fire aged between 3 and 75. A 49-year-old man has been taken in by police for questioning regarding the atrocity,” Mokgwabone said.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane extended her heartfelt condolences to the family. She called for calm in the community and requested them to allow the police to continue with their investigations.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 41-YEAR-OLD man was arrested after he allegedly killed his brother in a fight over good.

The incident happened in Pudimoe,  outside Taung at the weekend.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone  said: “The suspect stabbed his brother after a quarrel ensued between the two. A 37 year-old man was stabbed in his chest and was certified dead by paramedics. The two brothets were reportedly fighting over food.”

The man appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court today facing a murder charge.
-TDN
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AWARD-WINNING hip hop artist, Emtee, might have walked away with a whopping R400 000 prize money at the Metro FM Music Awards last Saturday.

But his Kia Picanto wanted nothing to do with him the night before his big night.

The Roll Up hitmaker, whose real name is Mthembeni Ndevu, was spotted pushing a small Kia Picanto outside the Royal Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday.

A few witnesses, who were enjoying drinks at the Royal Hotel, were surprised to see the rapper pushing a skorokorooutside the hotel, with a white lady who introduced herself as his manager.

One source said: “Emtee should make sure he uses his winnings wisely because young artists often abuse it.”

The second witness said he didn’t recognise him at first until he saw a black hoodie with his name on it.

“That’s when I realised it was him. I wanted to ask the guy where I could buy that Emtee hoodie, but when I got closer to him and greeted him he responded and asked for help with the car,” said the source.

The third source added: “The lady said he’ll be able to buy a fresh new car.”

After winning, the rapper reportedly said he wanted to build a house for his parents.

When called for comment, Emtee said: “Weeeeeh! Every driver experiences that problem. The car didn’t want to start and we needed a hand to push it. It’s not a big deal.”

Source: Sunday Sun

Three voter registration stations at Pampierstad in the Northern Cape were forced to close on Saturday following community protests in the area.

Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) provincial head, Bonolo Modise, said they hope to reopen the registration stations later on Saturday.

“The police are currently there monitoring the situation. The people there charged the tents (the IEC were conducting registrations in) and destroyed the tent, materials… everything,” Modise said. 

The protests were not related to the registration process.

“We are just caught in the crossfire. We don’t really know what the protest are about, but we hear they are protesting about municipal boundaries – apparently they are being moved back to the North West from the Northern Cape,” Modise said.

Modise says a new voters’ roll had been dispatched to the area and they hoped to reopen the three stations as soon as the situation allowed.

Elsewhere in the province, things were running smoothly. “Things are fairly stable around the province,” he said.

Politicians were out and about in the province getting people to register or check their details. First time voters are being targeted.

The ANC has sent several PEC members to garner support in the Calvinia area of the Northern Cape. It lost the municipality in the 2011 local government elections and hoped to recapture it this year. 

Source: News24

BY REGINALD KANYANE
The North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo may pursue legal action against one of Bakgatla Ba Kgafela’s royal member, Mmuthi Pilane.

This came after a ‘defamatory’ article published on Sowetan newspaper on Friday 4 March 2016 with the caption “Premier milking dispute”.

According to acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung, the article states that the Bakgatla ba Kgafela royal family is angry at him for ignoring  a ruling by the provincial commission on traditional leadership disputes.

“In the same article Pilane accuses Mahumapelo of having interests in mines and lodges around the area and want to benefit financially.

“Pilane chooses to ignore the facts that he knows very well regarding this matter and opted to make  the above accusations,” Setswambung said.

 He said that Pilane can approach the relevant law enforcement agency to launch investigation for irregularities which put Mahumapelo in a conflicted situation according to him.

“If the allegations he is making have substance, he is advised to approach law enforcement agencies and submit evidence .

“The fact that the report was ignored is misplaced to say the least. It is within the premier’s purview to consider the report and thereafter to approve or disapprove it. So Mahumapelo opted for the latter, which was followed by reasons duly given to the claimant,” he said.

Setswambung said in an event, Pilane was ill informed from any quarters by people without facts. He further added that hence Pilane made the accusations on the article which are defamatory in nature.

“Pilane is called upon by the Mahumapelo to make an apology in the newspaper on or before Tuesday 8 March 2016. Failing to do so, the premier will use his rights to pursue legal avenues.

“Any effort exerted by the Mahumapelo in relation to the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela is intended to bring finality and unity in the community in general. Unfortunately there is no one who will derail this effort,” Setswambung concluded.
-TDN
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THE Constitutional Court today turned down Oscar Pistorius’ bid to appeal his murder conviction.

In December last year the Supreme Court of Appeal changed his original conviction of culpable homicide to murder. This means his sentence changed from a five-year sentence to a minimum of 15 years in jail.

Pistorius, who is currently out on R10 000 bail, is expected to return to the High Court in Pretoria on 18 April for sentencing.

“It has been concluded that the application should be dismissed for lack of prospects of success,” the Constitutional Court said.

On Valentine’s Day in 2013, he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. He said he mistook her for an intruder hiding in the toilet of his Pretoria home.

Pistorius has already served about 10 months of the five-year sentence he was handed for culpable homicide. He was released on bail in October last year.

HTTP://WWW.NEWS24.COM/SOUTHAFRICA/OSCAR_PISTORIUS/PISTORIUS-APPEAL-LACKED-PROSPECT-OF-SUCCESS-CONCOURT-20160303

– NEWS 24

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A 21 YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 12 year imprisonment for murder. Neo Molefi briefly appeared in Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The accused was walking in the street with his companion in Huhudi near Vryburg when approached by the victim.

“Teussie Monchwe, 23 demanded a cigarettes from them. The incident took place on February 20 in Huhudi near Vryburg.  An argument ensued between the two which precipitated to a fight.”

Monchwe was stabbed on the head and upper body with a knife. 

Molefi briefly appeared in the Vryburg Regional Court where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Mokgwabone further added that four years was suspended for five years.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Motswenyane  applauded the justice system and police for instantaneous trial and conviction.

She also commended the community members for reporting the incident to the police.
-TDN
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Cape Town – ANC chief whip Stone Sizani has resigned from Parliament with immediate effect, the party said on Wednesday.

An ANC MP, who spoke off the record, said Sizani was heading to Germany, where he would be deployed as an ambassador.

Sizani would be temporarily replaced by deputy chief whip Doris Dlakude, said spokesperson Moloto Mothapo.

He did not say where Sizani would be going.

 

“The National Executive Committee of the ANC will make a decision regarding the replacement when it meets for its regular sitting in a few weeks’ time,” he said.

Sizani was appointed to the position in 2013.

The MP said the party had found out at an urgent caucus meeting, called on Wednesday.

For more http://www.news24.com

By Reginald Kanyane
MAHIKENG- North-West premier, Supra Mahumapelo visited North West University, Mafikeng campus on Tuesday.

According to statement, he wanted to ascertain for himself the damage caused during the latest unrest at the university.

His visit came abiut after few buildings were torched allegedly by protesting students.

He condemed the torching of the buildings. Mahumapelo informed Campus Rector, Professor Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele and her entourage that they will have the full support of government.

“This is an unfortunate incident. My own view is that this is not linked to students’ demands because there was a clear agreement on how the issues that students were raising were going to be addressed.

“Therefore the university’s approach must be commended. You have our support. We will encourage you to address the legitimate demands of the students and solve them. We will help where we are able to,” Mahumapelo said.

Professor Davhana-Maselesele said the university was determined to salvage the situation despite the damage caused.

“We are re-opening on March 29. Our intention is to save this semester. We will teach on Saturdays and we should be able to recover with the measures that we will put in place,” she said.

Last year Mahumapelo dedicated a whole day meeting with students and the university management imploring them to bring the situation to normalcy.
-TDN
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