BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

RUSTENBURG local municipality denied allegations that it will retrench some of its employees. Municipal spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said no employees will be retrenched.

“There is no retrenchment of employees. However we have 57 employees who have been on month-to-month contracts. They have been notified that their contracts will not be extended any further as a cost-containment measure.

“The municipality has absorbed 200 of them so far. Other than that, the municipality cannot just unilaterally implement the retrenchment process. We cannot do that first without consulting with all relevant stakeholders,” Matebesi said.

He said retrenching employees was a lengthy process that will need a council resolution first. Matebesi said the allegations came about after Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) in Rustenburg highlighted that the municipality was planning to retrench at least 182 workers.

“The municipal council took a resolution at its meeting on March 29. We will embark on the audit and verification of personnel. We will be paying staff salaries through cheques as a once-off during the date to be determined soon. We will consult with all stakeholders with the objective to eliminate the possibility of ghost employees.

“So there is no contravention of any employee contract. It is an implementation of council resolution with the objective to enhance clean governance. As a strategic objective, we have set ourselves in terms of the national government policy of clean governance.” he said.

Provincial secretary for COSATU, Job Dliso said: “We will engage with our alliance, South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) before we could fully commend on the matter.

North West provincial government once launched an investigation after allegations that there were ghost employees.However the results of an investigation established that the non-permanent employees were suspected as ghost employees on the system.

North West provincial government director-general, Dr Keneilwe Sebego said in a statement last that a total number of 37 515 employees were appointed on Salary Level 0 (zero) which is used to capture non-permanent employees on the PERSAL system.

“These are employees that are appointed without occupying a post on the organisational structure. And their appointments are classified as either Periodic Remuneration or Abnormal Appointments,” Sebego said.

She further added that people employed in these legislated categories are mainly for programmes such as EPWP, Internships, Learnerships, Student Nurses and Examination Markers.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The ANC in North West lambasted Sunday Times newspaper reports that several passengers were forced to disembark from the bus ferrying its members to the manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The newspaper alleged that some of ANC members from North West were reportedly removed from the bus by party leaders because they feared that they did not support President Jacob Zuma. According to reports, a branch delegate who made it to the manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth said the bus was told to turn back as it was approaching Pretoria.

However ANC in North West refutes claims and released a statement calling the newspaper’s article malicious and damaging.

Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said: “The story claims that some of ANC members were forced off the buses to Port Elizabeth because they are viewed as non-supporters of ANC President Jacob Zuma. This claim lacks authenticity and it is clear that the three Sunday Times journalists who wrote the article saw no need to dig deeper for the truth.

“Simple questions like who issued instructions for people to be removed from buses. Who were those given instructions, how were the instructions communicated and why such instructions were issued would have helped the journalists get the true facts.”

Legoete further added that however it appeared that the newspaper deliberately avoided asking these crucial questions because the answers were going to spoil their mean intentions to vilify the ANC.

“For the record, the ANC ensures that for every trip undertaken the party knows who is on which bus. The organisation does this to adequately account for everyone on board. Even with this being the norm, the ANC in Bokone Bophirima does not have any information supporting the claims reported in the Sunday Times about the trip to Port Elizabeth. There was no instruction from anyone from the ANC Bokone Bophirima provincial leadership to remove people from buses.

He said the Sunday Times article was pure fabrication. Legoete further added that it is disappointing that none of the three journalists who were proud to put their names on the article saw it proper to advise each other to do an adequate investigation on this untrue non-story.

“As ANC in Bokone Bophirima, we do not want to reach a conclusion that our country’s media has lost its core responsibility of reporting the truth and being objective and fair. However, reports such as the one carried by Sunday Times make us wonder if we do not already have such among South Africa’s media houses.

“We call on all journalists and editors to refrain from being used as political tools and strive for the objective reporting they all claim to uphold,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

BLOEMHOF- A Public violence case against six people who were arrested during protests in Bloemhof was postponed until this coming Friday. They appeared in Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with unrest in the area two weeks ago.

Three women were granted a R500 bail each, while their male counterparts were granted R1000 bail each.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said that the residents embarked on an illegal protest and barricaded N12 road with objects.

A Nissan 1400 bakkie was torched during the violent protests.

“The protesters allegedly looted foreign-owned shops at Ext 4, in Boitumelong location. Police reported that some of protesters pelted passing by cars with stones during the protests,” Mokgwabone said.

The community demanded that the Lekwa-Teemane municipality council be disbanded. They also wanted to be relocated to Kenneth Kaunda municipality district from Dr Ruth Mompati district.

-TDN

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Convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius made a brief appearance in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday where sentencing proceedings were postponed to June 13.

Judge Aubrey Ledwaba has set down proceedings to run from June 13 to June 17.

State advocate Gerrie Nel placed on record that both parties would make themselves available to proceed on the public holiday, June 16, if necessary.

Last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Pistorius’s culpable homicide conviction and instead convicted him of murder for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.

The former paralympic athlete now faces a sentence of at least 15 years, in terms of prescribed minimum sentencing legislation.

He is currently serving out the remainder of his initial sentence under correctional supervision.

Pistorius was sentenced to five years behind bars on the culpable homicide conviction, and served about one year of that sentence behind bars.

The athlete was reportedly admitted to a Pretoria hospital at the weekend, but the reasons have not been revealed.

He remains under house arrest at his uncle’s Waterkloof mansion in Pretoria.

Pistorius’s bail conditions were also formally amended. If he wants to travel outside the stipulated hours of 7am to noon, he may only do so with the permission of the investigating officer.

He may not travel outside a 20km radius from the Waterkloof residence, and only with the permission of the investigating officer. The investigating officer must first inform correctional services of Pistorius’s movements and report back to the accused before he leaves the house.

Pistorius’s defence placed on record that his tracking device has been malfunctioning. The third device he has been fitted with warns him that he is violating his bail conditions when he is in fact at his residence.

Judge Ledwaba ordered correctional services officials to resolve the problem and the matter was then postponed to June 13.

Pistorius immediately made a call from his cellphone and left the courtroom.

A crowd of people had gathered in the street outside the North Gauteng High Court to show Pistorius their support.

Courtesy: Mail and Guardian Newspaper

TEN people were killed and scores more injured after a bus overturned on the N1 Highway between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State on Sunday. It was returning from the ANC’s manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. Photo: eNCA

JOHANNESBURG – The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has sent accident reconstruction experts to the scene of the bus crash that has claimed at least 10 lives on Sunday.

The acident occured on the N1 Highway between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State.

Paramedics reported that the bus was at full capacity, and had rolled several times in the accident. Five men and five women were killed.

“About 20 people are believed to have suffered serious injuries, 38 had light injuries and one was in critical condition. The injured have been transported to various hospitals in Winburg, Kroonstad, Virginia and Welkom,” said the RTMC in a statement.

A private bus has been arranged to collect all patients with minor injuries at the various hospitals and transport them back to Ekurhuleni.
The RTMC said the deceased have not yet been identified.

However, eNCA reporter on the scene, Sikelelwa Mdingi, said relatives of those on board the bus have started arriving from Johannesburg in an effort to glean more information on their loved ones.

Free State MEC for Health, Dr. Benny Malakoane stated “Fatigue is suspected to be the main possible cause of the accident as all tyres are found to be intact. The driver is not divulging any info about the cause. However, fatigue is strongly suspected as the bus went off the road on and rolled.”

Survivors told police that the drivers of the bus were swopping seats while the bus was in transit.

ER24 paramedics reported finding the bus on it’s roof when they arrived on the scene, with scores of bodies scattered around, and others trapped under the body of the bus.

The passengers are reportedly ANC supporters from Wards 60 and 62 in Gauteng.

The ANC Women’s League, the DA, and the EFF have all sent their condolences on the tragedy, in media statements.

Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Cllr Mondli Gungubele has also expressed his shock and has sent condolences to the families of those involved in the crash.

“These comrades were with us yesterday as we launched our manifesto and today they are no more. May their souls rest in peace,” Gungubele said.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone gets home hence we have set up a disaster joint operation centre to ensure that as and when we are called into action we are ready,” he added.

Courtesy: eNCA

JOHANNESBURG – While South Africans prepare to watch the first installment of Lip Sync Battle Africa this evening, one of the hosts, D’banj says he is just as excited.

The afrobeat singer will be in Johannesburg to shoot 13 half hour episodes this season alongside TV personality Pearl Thusi.

Former love birds Boity and Cassper Nyovest are expected to battle it out on tonight’s show.  

The Nigerian artist says the entertainment show is the perfect platform to show love to South Africa.

“Without a doubt I love South Africa, if there is a way where I can transcend and make people understand, is it a reality show? What do I do? So when the opportunity came I moved in. So after this I am just going to marry a South African.”

While the rest of the lineup has been kept under wraps he says viewers can expect a few surprises this season.

“We saw some great performances. You will see some actors you will want to feature after this. They are very good, I can’t mention names but I was blown away.”
Courtesy: http://www.ewn.co.za

SA Revenue Service’s (SARS) customs officials confiscated drugs to the value of almost R80-million at the Kopfontein border post with Botswana in North West on Saturday.

“Two foreign nationals have been arrested for drug smuggling and handed over to the police,” SARS said in a statement on Sunday.

“The bust happened when an empty truck was stopped for routine inspection. The customs detector dogs reacted positively to narcotics.

“It was found the truck had false compartments to stash away 141 packages of Mandrax. Thus 1,428,140 tablets worth R78,547,700 were confiscated.”

The two men, truck, and tablets were handed over to the SA Police Service, SARS said.

Courtesy- Africa News Agency

BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG- Two men aged 44 and 24 respectively were arrested after they defrauded a man R370 000 in Meriting outside Rustenburg on Friday. Two Ugandan men are expected to appear in Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court for fraud and being in possession of suspected fraudulent documents. They were arrested after a tip-off.

North West police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said a 42-year-old man from Meriting, outside Rustenburg opened a case after being defrauded R370 000.

“It is alleged that the victim started to consult the fraudulent healers since August last year. He saw a pamphlet advertising their services. It is further alleged that during one of the consultations, he was advised to resign from his work. They claimed that the victim’s ancestors were going to double his pension money.

“The victim allegedly resigned in December last year. Two suspects allegedly accompanied him to the bank where he went to fetch his money. They waited for him outside and took him to their house afterwards,” Moleko said.

The victim was allegedly shown two safes at the suspects’ house. He was instructed to put his money in one of the safes. He was taken to his house afterwards with the wrong safe. The victim was instructed not to open the safe until both traditional healers return to perform the last ritual.

The victim was forced to open the safe by family members after he did not hear anything from the bogus traditional healers after a few days. He opened the safe and realised that there was no money inside.

Moleko said police found fraudulent medical certificates and vehicle registration certificates amongst others in possession of the suspects during the arrest. The police also urge community members who were conned in the same way to contact Constable Tsholofelo Matube 082 772 6491 or (014) 590 4258.

-TDN

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Sigi Burger and Renske Stoltz were on fire for the North West Flames as they beat the Free State Crinums 55-44 in their Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League encounter tonight (16 April 2016.) This was the third win in a row for North West, who maintain a 100% record this year. The match played at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, was anything but heartfelt as both team played competitive netball as they gunned for the win.

North West though pulled the early trigger as they lead 12-11 after the first quarter. One could see that North West had not yet hit their straps in the first 15 minutes and gained momentum in the second quarter. Burger and Stoltz carried on from last year’s Varsity Cup exploits for Pukke as their synergy grew stronger by the minute. The Flames duly took a 5 point lead at the start of the second half to lead 29-23 at halftime.

The Flames hit the 40 goal mark in the third quarter to lead 41-31 with one quarter to play.
The Crinums, Maryke Holtzhausen, was still an ever present threat and could easily get her team back in the game with her goal shooting ability. Burger and Stoltz though had other plans as their accurate and precise shooting made it a comfortable win for the North West. Lauren-Lee Christians also had a good game for the Free State side, but was kept in check.
Credit must also be given here to Flames captain, Nadia Uys and Rome Dreyer who had a cracking game.
“We have been working hard on our fitness. We had a great game,” said Burger, all smiles after receiving her player of the match award.
“The Crinums did well and we thank them a great game. I am proud of my players tonight. I believe in my team from the starting line up to the bench and I know they can do the job. The season is still in its early stages and it’s important to still focus on every game ahead,” said Dorette Badenhorst, coach of the North West Flames.

Courtesy: http://www.potchhearld.co.za

JOHANNESBURG – The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has slammed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, for calling on black people to have more babies, saying the comment is irresponsible and ignores the plight of poor black people. 

This week in Meadowlands, Malema called on black people to reproduce for their legacy to remain dominant, then accused white people of discouraging this so that they can take over politically. 

Sanco says this statement ignores the importance of family planning in human development and will push poor people into further poverty if they heed his call.

Spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu says the EFF leader should be aware of the power of his words.

“There are issues of poverty that people are confronted with and we believe such a statement, especially for people who may not be knowledgeable, might take Malema for what he says.”  
Courtesy: http://www.ewn.co.za