Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma will earn a cool R2 874 851 a year when his salary increase kicks in on April 1.

The salary increase was approved in the National Assembly on Thursday, despite fierce objections from some opposition parties.

172 MPs voted in favour of the increase, while 81 voted against, and two abstentions were recorded.

Zuma was not present to hear the good news, and also missed MPs arguing for and against the increase, with some complaints thrown into the mix of points of order.
For more http://www.news24.com

JOHANNESBURG – Recovery workers will now begin digging to reach the container trapped at the Lily Mine via a new entrance, but this could take up to six months. 

Vantage Goldfields and Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane have held a briefing in Pretoria, saying experts from around the world inspected the mine.

It’s been over a month since the container, with three workers inside, was buried during a rock collapse.  

The recovery mission was halted earlier this month for the drilling of a second evacuation hole near the container, but Vantage Goldfields Chief Executive Officer Mike McChesney says experts have recommended a new point of entry.

“This incident was much bigger and more complex than we had originally anticipated.”
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

South Africa coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba says it is “make or break” for his charges in their back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Cameroon this month.

Bafana Bafana and the Indomitable Lions first meet on Saturday, 26 March 2016 at Stade Omnisport de Limbe in Limbe, Cameroon.

Kick-off for that clash is at 15h30 local time (16h30 South African time).

The two nations will then take their battle to Durban for the second leg which will be played three days later – Tuesday, 29 March 2016 – at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban which kicks off at 19h00.

The return leg marks a very important occasion for both countries as it was 24 years ago when the two nations first clashed in a match to mark South Africa’s readmission into the international fold.

Bafana won the international friendly match 1-0 through a Doctor Khumalo penalty in the 82nd minute at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Durban.

In seven matches, South Africa has only lost once to Cameroon with three wins and three draws – the 2-1 loss coming in their second meeting back in 1992 in Cape Town.

Mashaba has a mammoth task to get South Africa’s campaign back on the road after his men managed just one point from two matches.

“These two matches are almost a make-or-break for us. If we want to resurrect our campaign, these are the matches that we will have to do “well in,” said Mashaba, who named his 25-man squad at SAFA House on Thursday.

“I have heard people talking about must-win matches – and these are the ones. We have only one point and they have six, and to add salt to the wound, some of our key players are not active in their clubs, have lost form, are out injured or have just returned from injury. But that is no excuse, the show must go on. We have to put up a fight as though our lives depend on these matches. I believe we have selected a strong team that will deliver.”

Bafana last played a competitive match in November last year when they defeated Angola in back-to-back 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“Unfortunately because of the non-availability of a FIFA date, we have not been able to prepare as thoroughly as we would have liked but lack of enough time to prepare should not blind from our mission, even though they have an edge over us as most of their players, if not all, ply their trade abroad and have been very active,” Mashaba added.

“I just hope the players are aware of what is at stake because these are no ordinary matches. Negative results will see us not active on the international scene for a long time, and if that is not motivation enough for boys to do well, then nothing will be. There are 12 points on offer and it’s up to us what we do with them. The reality is that it is still in our hands.”

Bafana will go into camp on Sunday, 20 March and are expected to depart for Limbe on Wednesday, 23 March.

South Africa is in Group M of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers with Cameroon, Gambia and Mauritania.

The Indomitable Lions lead the group with six points, three ahead of Mauritania. Bafana and Gambia have a point apiece.

The winner of the group will progress to the 16-nation AFCON finals, along with two best-placed runners up.
 
 
South Africa’s 2017 AFCON Results:
 
South Africa        0 – 0        Gambia                13 June 2015
(Durban)
 
Mauritania           3 – 1         South Africa        5 September 2015
(Nouakchott)
 
 
Remaining 2017 AFCON Fixtures:
 
Cameroon            vs             South Africa        Saturday, 26 March 2016
(Limbe, Cameroon)
 
South Africa        vs             Cameroon            Tuesday, 29 March 2016
(Durban)
 
Gambia                vs             South Africa        3, 4, 5 June 2016
 
South Africa        vs             Mauritius             2, 3, 4 September 2016
 
 
 Group M Standings:
 
                                            P               W             L                D               GF            GA           PTS
 
1. Cameroon                       2               2               0               0               2               0               6
 
2. Mauritania                      2               1               1               0               3               2               3
 
3. South Africa                   2               0               1               1               1               3               1
 
4. Gambia                           2               0               1               1               0               1               1
 Courtesy: http://www.kick-off.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE
MEC For Education and Sport Development department, Wendy Matsemela awarded the provincial colours to North West Flames netball team today.

The Bokone Bophirima Netball team will be representing the province in the 2016 Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League.

The tournament will commence from April 8-29 May 2016.

Provincial spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “The tournament will be held at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria and finals will be held in Durban.”
-TDN
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taungdailynews@gmail.com

Spending time behind bars would prove difficult for Nkululeko “Flabba” Habedi’s killer, Sindisiwe Manqele, the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge heard on Wednesday.

“It would not be an ideal environment for her,” clinical psychologist Teboho Seipati Monyamane testified during sentencing proceedings for Manqele.

She had three consultations with her in the last few weeks.

Monyamane told the court that Manqele was demotivated and had a generalised sense of fear following her lover’s death. She had lost her appetitite, struggled to sleep, showed signs of anxiety, and had shortness of breath.

Manqele stabbed Habedi to death at his Alexandra home exactly a year ago on Wednesday.

The couple had been arguing about Habedi’s ex-girlfriend, who had allegedly danced seductively in front of him at a Sandton nightclub. Habedi argued with Manqele after another man complimented her at the club.
For more http://www.drum.co.za

Former Bafana Bafana coach Augusto Palacios has slammed the English media for criticising Thabo Rakhale’s skill during the Soweto Derby.

English publication The Daily Mirror called Rakhale’s skill towards the end of the game – when Orlando Pirates were leading 2-0 – a “pointless display of nonsense”.

But Palacios, Head of Development at Pirates, questions why the English don’t slam the likes of Ronaldinho and Neymar for the same thing.

“Football is a special game that goes with natural ability,” he tells KickOff.com.

“The English media should not criticise what they don’t have. This is South African football, this is African football. It’s only Africa and South America that has such natural skill.

“Neymar and Ronaldihno are doing the same thing. Neymar is playing in Spain and people enjoy watching him. Why is it a problem when it’s done in South Africa?

“I don’t see anything wrong with Rakhale’s skill. Pirates were leading 2-0 and it was in opposition half. I encourage it as long it’s for the benefit of the team.”
Source: http://www.kickoff.co.za

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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taungdailynews@gmail.com

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
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

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