Johannesburg – Almost two months after receiving the Marikana report, and amid threats of court action, the response from the country’s highest office remains the same – President Jacob Zuma will release the report publicly “in due course”.
Presidency spokesperson Harold Maloka on Tuesday said Zuma was sticking to his statement made on May 10.
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Bloemfontein – Opposition parties have reacted in disgust to the Free State government’s decision to employ 38 Cuban engineers.
Both the DA and the EFF have interpreted the announcement at the provincial headquarters of the ANC as a slap in the face of local engineers.
DA Provincial leader Roy Jankielsohn said Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s administration had a crop of locally qualified professionals to choose from.
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Cape Town – Marthinus van der Walt was found guilty of the murder and robbery of Dr Louis Heyns in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
Judge Andre le Grange found he had the direct intention to kill Heyns and to take his car when he attacked the Stellenbosch paediatrician on Strand beach two years ago.
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Clive Derby-Lewis in a photo taken in 1994. (Netwerk24)
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Pretoria – Clive Derby-Lewis should know by Friday whether he will be allowed to go home on medical parole so as to manage his lung cancer.
Judge Selby Baqwa adjourned one and a half days of dense legal argument over whether the prisoner had Stage 3b or Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, and whether he had shown remorse for his part in the murder of SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani.
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Angry minibus taxi drivers and owners descended on an exco meeting at Durban’s city hall on Tuesday afternoon and intimidated a journalist snapping pictures of them.
The marchers, protesting against the city and eThekwini metro police impounding taxis, had come from the old Durban drive-in, where between 30 to 40 taxis had been impounded.
It had begun at Botha Gardens mid-morning.
The protesters hurled stones at police at the drive-in, after attempting to negotiate with city officials to release the impounded taxis.
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Johannesburg – The ANC-run eThekwini municipality is precipitating a crisis and disrespecting cultural values by recycling graves, the CRL Rights Commission said on Tuesday.
The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) released a report on Tuesday entitled “The Re-Use of Graves by Local Government”.
Commission chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi told reporters of a crisis, at a media briefing held ahead of the release of the report.
“For this to happen 21 years into democracy, for the ANC not to value the dead people, it tells you we are in a crisis,” she said.
For more http://www.news24.com
Schweizer-Reneke- A social investment agreement to the tune of R33 million has been signed with the German Development Bank for the construction of six community care centres in villages, townships and small dorpies, North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe told the residents of Ipelegeng in Mamusa on Thursday.
“We are here to conduct an official project site hand over to the contractor who has been appointed to build a community care centre in this area. The construction of these centres including the one for Ipelegeng township will take ten months to complete. During this period and beyond we appeal to all community members to work hand in hand with the municipality, the steering community that is to be appointed with the involvement of the community and the municipality to ensure the smooth running of this project, Gaolaolwe said, adding that residents should stop burning the infrastructure that government has built when they participate in service delivery protests.
Calling for economic empowerment of local residents, Gaolaolwe said the contractor should ensure that the building material including the interlocking bricks to be used to build the centre are manufactured on site to impart skills and knowledge to the residents.
Any other materials for the construction of the centres, Gaolaolwe said should also be procured locally to boost the economies of village, townships and small dorpies.
The construction of the community care centres will start on the 06 June in Groot Marico in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Letlhakeng in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Lethabong in Rustenburg Local Municipality, Boikhutso in Ventersdorp Local Municipality, Ipelegeng in Mamusa Local Municipality and Kgomotso village in Greater Taung Local Municipality.
Gaolaolwe said community base model programme will be implemented in partnership with six non-profit organizations.
These organizations include Ikitsing home based care at Rustenburg service point, Ikageng Basha at Moses Kotane service point, Tshireletsego care and support at Ventersdorp service point, St Abram orphanage centre at Mamusa service point and lastly Malebogo home-based care at Taung service point.
Bokone Bophirima is the third province after Kwa-Zulu Natal and Limpopo to benefit from the German Development Bank funding initiative.
-TDN
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BY OBAKENG MAJE
Rustenburg- The stock theft unit of the South African Police Service based at Phokeng Police station, in Rustenburg was summoned to a rhino poaching incident in a private game farm in Koster.
Captain Paul Ramaloko said upon arrival at the scene, police found a dehorned three weeks caucus of a female grownup rhino.
“According to the owner, he last saw the rhino earlier this months. One of his employees in the farm saw the caucus while on this routine patrols in the farm” Ramaloko said.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that, a high calibre rifle was used to put the rhino down.
“It is not clear how the poachers gained access to the farm” he said.
No arrest has been made, and investigations are continuing.
-TDN
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STAFF REPORTER
North West police are investigation a case of murder at Molelema village, in Taung after a man was stabbed to death on Sunday.
According to information, two friends were involved in an argument and that led to a fight. Unconfirmed reports, they were involved in a brawl over R2.
Mpaeki Seleke was allegedly stabbed with a knife by his friend, whose name is known to TDN, but cannot be released amid court appearance and was taken to local clinic where he was confirmed dead.
North West police spokesperson, Colonel Emelda Setlhako could not confirm the atrocity as she said they have not received the matter yet.
“I cannot confirm the event as I have not received any matter of such, but i will inquire with Taung police then I will call you tomorrow morning for full details” Setlhako said.
A case of murder was opened at Taung police station and investigation continues.
-TDN
BY OBAKENG MAJE
South Africans paid tribute to the African National Congress fallen hero,
Mama Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at Vryburg, in North West on Saturday.
The funeral of Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, who passed away two weeks ago was buried at Huhudi cemetery, near Vryburg.
The funeral was hosted at Vryburg Dome Show-ground.
Amongst those who attended the funeral were South African president, Jacob Zuma, Deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, African Union Commission chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and other ANC and Government officials.
The late ANC stalwart Ruth Mompati(89) was described as a nurturer, a guardian and selfless principled leader.
ANC veteran, Sophie De Bruyn said it is not possible to describe Mama Ruta in great details.
“She is among those who permanently stays in the hearts of her people. She has a vast history abroad and here at home. She left us with tools to contribute in improving other people’s lives” Sophie de Bruyn said.
According to mourners, they said true to her name Segomotsi, which means ‘Comforter’ in setswana, she was to play the role of mother, aunt, sister, friend and grandmother to hundreds of young and old who found themselves separated from their own as a result of apartheid brutality.
President Jacob Zuma has described the late ANC stalwart Ruth Mompati as an exceptional freedom fighter and a disciplined activist.
The 89-year-old died on 12th of this month, in Cape Town, at the Military hospital.
Mompati’s family representative, Sindisiwe Ngaba paid tribute to Mama Ruta and took mourners down memory lane as she spoke fondly about her.
“Mama Ruta’s life touched the hearts of many. She was a loving mother and grandmother to all and always carried herself elegantly” Ngaba said.
Ruth Mompati was described as firm, strict but structured, balanced and gentle human being who was also a devout Christian.
Her death marks an end of years of dedicated service to the ANC in exile and in post-Apartheid South Africa.
President Zuma delivered a eulogy in Mompati’s honour at her official burial ceremony in Vryburg in the North-West on Saturday.
Mama Ruta as she was fondly known by those close to her was regarded as an international icon as she played an important role in the struggle for the liberation of this country.
The President has urged women and young people to emulate Mompati.
“We gathered here to celebrate Mma Ruta’s life because she dedicated her life to the struggle. When people talk about Dr Ruth Mompati, they get motivated because she brought changes into their lives.
“We are grateful for producing such a revolutionary and selfless person. She was a towering giant in fighting for the freedom we enjoy today. She was an outstanding leader, who embodied values of unity, humility, honesty, hardwork and mutual respect,” Jacob Zuma said.
He encourages all South Africans to take those values and improve their lives.
-TDN
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