The crates of Chateau Brehat wine from Bordeaux had gathered dust for three years in a bonded warehouse on the outskirts of Shanghai before the owners cut their losses in July, slashing three-quarters off the $50 price tag.

The fire sale was prompted by a huge oversupply of wine that had built up after a swarm of importers jumped at seemingly stellar growth from 2010. China wine consumption – which had been rising in double digits – dropped last year and is set to inch up just over 1 percent annually until 2020.

The striking slowdown is a headache for a global wine industry pinning hopes on fast China growth, and a further sign that Chinese consumers are reining in spending even as Beijing hopes they will pick up the slack from falling exports.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTHERN Cape police need your assistance in locating the parents of a missing boy. Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said: “Police found the boy aged between 15 and 18 at Ackermans in Chapel Street, in Kimberley. The boy cannot speak, write nor hear. He is dressed in a light blue denim shirt, red pants, blue takkies and a black cap. He has an old burn mark on his right ear and a healed mark of operation on his right hand.”

Kock said the boy is around 1.6m tall, slender built and has a short hair. He added that anyone who could know the boy or his parents can call Kimberley Police Station on 053 838 4331 or alternatively call 10 111.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

It is still 0-0 between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Telkom knock out semi finals at FNB stadium in Johannesburg. The two teams received equal share of chances, but could not bury them.

-TDN

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JOHANNESBURG – While students and workers arrested for protesting at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have now been released, they say they are angry at the manner in which their struggle has unfolded. 

 
According to the police’s Tsekiso Mofokeng, all 141 protestors were released today on a warning on condition they appear at the Brixton Magistrates Court on Monday. 
 
They were detained for contravening a court order prohibiting protests at the Kingsway campus during exams. 

A student says they demands have been very simple. 

“There is a lot of anger and the manner in which the struggle has drawn out wasn’t expected. We are angry about how the demands are being ignored. We are angry because we are being referred to as a minority, we are not a minority.” 

Courtesy of http://www.ewn.co.za

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance said they will force the minister of water and sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane to release the 2014 Blue and Green Drop reports.

DA deputy shadow minister of water and sanitation, Leon Basson said Nomvula’s reluctance shows the lack of transparency. “Mokonyane’s actions show the government’s unwillingness to own up and confront South Africa’s water crisis. She promised to release the reports in September 2015, but she missed the deadline without an explanation.

“Mokonyane’s inaction in this regard raises serious concerns. She is not committed to solve the country’s water problems.  Her department’s poor management of water infrastructure has already compounded the effects of the drought currently facing South Africa. Earlier this week, during an oral reply in parliament, she refused to give a date for release of the reports.” Basson said.

Basson said the Blue Drop programme measures water treatment plants and the quality of drinking water. He said that the programme assesses the quality of wastewater treatment.

“These reports are crucial for identifying systems that fail to provide communities with clean and safe water. The DWS clearly has something to hide regarding the state of our water infrastructure. The DA urgently calls on Mokonyane to stop stalling and table the 2014 Blue and Green Drop Reports in Parliament within the next seven days. Failing to do so, the DA will request the reports through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder on Thursday. Papiki Motabogi (27) and Maiuane Paulino Romao (44) were arrested for the murder of Ronel Van Ek. They appeared before North West High Court in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

Motabogi and Ramao killed a 49 year-old farmer in Hartbeesfontein in August 2012. Van Ek was entering her farm when she was attacked. The suspects pointed her with a firearm and robbed her hand bag and undisclosed amount of money, two cellphones and a hand gun.

 North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “Motabogi and Romao attempted to steal Van Ek’s vehicle, but the police found it few meters away from the crime scene. The police followed the lead that assisted in tracking the suspects. On August 19 last year, Motabogi was arrested in Wolmaransstad for a separate case he committed. Police’s preliminary investigations linked him to the Hartbeesfontein farm murder,”

Ramaloko said a Mozambique man, who was a second accused in the matter, fled to Gauteng. He was subsequently arrested on December 15 last year.

“They were both charged with murder and robbery. Motabogi was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery. Romao was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery, four years for possession of firearm and one year for possession of ammunitions. All the years will run concurrently.” he said.

The acting provincial commissioner, Major General Job Tsumane welcomed the sentencing. He said the sentencing will send a clear message to criminals.

“We have no doubt that the sentence will send a clear message that police will deal effectively with those who commit crime. We commend the team of dedicated members who made it possible to secure the conviction. Together with other role players, we will continue to ensure that those who transgress the law are dealt with accordingly.” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Right2Know Campaign said they strongly condemn the action by the University of Johannesburg’s management and the SAPS’s conduct in dealing with the protesting students and workers.

About 138 students and 13 workers were arrested during a #FeesMustFall protest and are currently held at Brixton Police Station. According to the students, the University called in private security that has been very violent when dealing with the protesting students and workers. Further reports states that police who were called in used excessive force against protesters.

Busi Mtabane said: “We believe five students including the SRC president were suspended for allegedly inciting violence during protests at the institution, an accusation they strongly deny. The university claims that the workers were arrested for being in violation of a court interdict.

“The court interdicts which have been brought into play on campuses across the country are hugely problematic and have restricted students’ and workers’ rights to engage in protests, including those which are non-violent but disruptive of normal campus activities.

“We demand the release of the arrested protesters; we also call on the University to reinstate with immediate effect the suspended students.”

Mtabane said they call on UJ not to silence the students’ voices and respect their right to protest. She said the right to organise, protest and speak out is central to all community struggles for social justice.

-TDN

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