Top Sars officials suspended

NEWS Leave a comment

Johannesburg – Deputy SA Revenue Service’s commissioner Ivan Pillay and group executive of strategic planning and risk Peter Richers have been suspended, the revenue service announced on Friday.

“I have… decided to suspend the following two senior executives pending a disciplinary process in terms of the Sars disciplinary code and procedure, and applicable labour laws including the Labour Relations Act,” Sars commissioner Tom Moyane said in a statement.

Following media allegations against some of senior officials Pillay appointed a panel to investigate the existence and truthfulness of the allegations, he said.

Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, SC, together with a panel of senior advocates were tasked with investigating the allegations.

On November 16, it was reported that Moyane halted his executive committee’s advisory duties.

The Sunday Times reported that Moyane had elected to rather deal with the various managers on an individual basis.

Sars has been at the centre of reports over the last few weeks about an allegedly rogue intelligence unit that was set up in 2007.

Previously, the Sunday Times reported allegations that the unit had been involved in setting up a brothel in Durban as a cover for officials working from home, had spied on a wide range of people, including taxi hitmen, druglords, cigarette and abalone smugglers, Sars officials and politicians, and that some Sars officials were infiltrated into the ANC as bodyguards.

In September, then head of tax and customs investigations – who allegedly headed the unit at one time – Johann van Loggenberg, was placed on special leave pending a probe into allegations of misconduct.

In November, Sars spokesman Adrian Lackay urged that the investigation into the matter be allowed to complete its work, before further discussion, while the City Press newspaper reported that Monyane had formally suspended Van Loggenberg.

The Sunday Times published what is said what an extract of his notice of suspension that said he had been suspended in order to “provide for full investigations into allegations against you of irregularities, misconduct and bringing the organisation’s name and reputation into disrespect”.

The newspaper reported that Van Loggenberg denied all allegations against him.

Sapa

“Jump, jump, jump,” crowd says as man commits suicide

NEWS Leave a comment

JOHANNESBURG – An hour-long standoff ended in tragedy as a man, clutching his Bible, committed suicide by jumping off the fifth floor of a building.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

Bapong Weighbridge impounded 63 vehicles during Operation Patela


“http://wp.me/p2jDWS-bc2”
Motorists with outstanding fines and warrant of arrests travelling between the areas of Majakaneng, Bapong, Brits and Segoelane felt the pinch of law enforcement when the Bapong Weighbridge traffic authorities held Operation Patela.

More than 55 taxi and 8 private vehicles were impounded during the three hours operation, which was a build up to festive season.

North West Traffic Authorities encourages motorists to pay their outstanding fines to avoid inconveniences on the road.

Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi said thousands of rands are expected to be recovered and there would be more operations coming on the roads.

“Most drivers don’t pay their fines to an extent of getting warrant of arrests and those would be inconvenienced because if we find you with a warrant of arrest then your trip ends right there. We are not going to allow any motorist to drive on our roads while owing the state for not complying with the road laws,”

“To avoid to be subjected to an inconvenience by being arrested and not reaching your final destination, please go and check yourself and do the right thing, pay your outstanding fine and drive freely,” warned Molapisi.

The departmental MEC further warned those reckless drivers to obey and comply as they will face the full might of the law if found on the wrong side of the law during this festive season.

“This is where the buck stops, we have enough of deaths caused by reckless drivers on our road; we are not going to tolerate heartless people to continue killing our beloved ones on the roads,” he concluded.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Ex Bucs Striker Welcome VV’s Exit

NEWS Leave a comment

Former Orlando Pirates striker, James Mothibi, has welcomed Vladimir Vermezovic’s decision of vacating the position of head coach at the Buccaneers.

Vermezovic resigned from his position as Pirates’ head coach on Wednesday, following the team’s 2-1 loss to Maritzburg United on Tuesday.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.co.za

 Human Settlements to empower youth

NEWS Leave a comment

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says government’s responsibility is to empower and educate young people so they can provide for themselves.

“Our responsibility as government is to empower you [young people], educate you, provide you with work experience and opportunities and to the extent that you are provided with jobs,” Minister Sisulu told young people during the National Human Settlements Youth Summit.

The summit, which was held at Gallagher Estate Conference Centre, aimed to share the department’s programmes with the leadership of youth formations.

The programmes are targeted at young people and how they can participate in the implementation of these programmes.

The summit also aimed to identify opportunities in the private sector for young people to participate in the implementation of the Social Contract for the Development of Human Settlements.

“When we fought for you to be free, we intended to ensure that you are truly free … We are here for you and would rather teach you to fish and provide you with fishing rods than give you fish. We would rather sufficiently empower you to build houses for the State and to build your own houses,” the Minister told the youth.

Youth Brigade Programme

The summit was held ahead of the launch of the National Human Settlements Youth Brigade Programme. The Youth Brigade Programme will be launched at Savanna City in Walkerville, Johannesburg.

Minister Sisulu explained that the concept of Youth Brigade is based on the quest to create a vast group of well-trained young people, who will have the requisite skills in the construction sector.

“The concept of a Youth Brigade cuts across political affinities and includes all young people, irrespective of gender and geographic location. Any young person, who desires to craft a career in the construction sector, qualifies to be part of this Youth Brigade.

“The idea of a Youth Brigade does not just seek to avail opportunities to youth in the construction sector, it seeks to engender a certain form of work discipline, work ethic and an appreciation of doing things for oneself,” Minister Sisulu said.

Last month alone, 76 houses were built by 100 young men and women volunteers. The houses were handed over to families at Lindelani Informal Settlement and contributed in the restoration of the dignity of the community.

Agents of change

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela challenged the youth to be drivers and agents of change and ensure that they are not passive recipients of government services.

“You must be active and involved in your communities and not be part of those who destroy them but redirect energies to build and protect communities. As government, we believe that you, more than ever before, are change-makers,” Deputy Minister Manamela said.

He said the shaping of young people as active and productive citizens is critical for the development of the country.

“All over the world, youth are driving social change and innovation, claiming respect for their fundamental human rights and freedoms, and seeking new opportunities to learn and work together for a better future.”

Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu encouraged young people, who are running businesses, to have the necessary skills and fully understand what their businesses are all about, even if they have someone doing the books for the company.

She said young people that need assistance should contact the call centre on 086 1843 384.

Meanwhile, chairperson of Legacy Group, Bart Dorrestein, encouraged South Africans to do it themselves, saying that importing was not a sustainable solution.

“South Africans have great potential, only if we go out and do something about it,” Dorrestein said.

During the summit, representatives from various companies shared information on internship programmes offered by companies and how to apply for them. – SAnews.gov.za

 Bursaries to study Health and Safety in 2015

NEWS Leave a comment

SRA has on a continuous basis strived to improve the lives of many South Africans.

We put our client’s money to good use.

SRA serves committee in the following ways:

We donate school bags, paint classrooms, plant veggie gardens and distribute groceries and stationery hampers to rural schools.

We distribute toys and Santa’s Shoe boxes to disadvantage communities.

We also distribute hampers containing personal toiletries to the Aged

SRA has identified that there is a greater need to uplift our Youth now than before.

With the rate of Unemployment soaring, we need to give the Youth hope for the future.

SRA is proud to launch our BURSARY COMMUNITY PROJECT.

This is just a little something to assist our youth who are so lost and generally choose the wrong path in life due to boredom or simply the lack of finance to subsidise any form of education.

What is great about these bursaries is that it is fully transferrable.

This means that the bursaries can be passed on to someone who needs a helping hand.

Saras Reddy
SRA SHE SOLUTIONS
SAFETY HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT
National Number: 0861 HAZARD (429273)
Fax: 086 6377 058 | Mobile : (+27) 82-5366 955
688 Gallagher Avenue
Gallagher Business Exchange,
Block C, First Floor, Office No1
Halfway House, Midrand
http://www.srakzn.com


MASTERPLAN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ON THE CARDS

NEWS Leave a comment

Mahikeng- OVER 800 unemployed youth and role players in the small business sector met at Mmabatho Convention Centre for the Youth entrepreneurship workshop to come up with an approach to gain a foothold in their respective industries.

The two days workshop which was on Tuesday, was hosted by Department of Economy and Enterprise Development on account of giving industry experts time to share their experiences with and to create a platform for participants with special emphasis on the three pillars of economy Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT).

Highlighting the purpose of the workshop Acting Head of the Department Ndlela Kunene referred to it as an information sharing platform, where department interacts with registered and emerging youth businesses to exchange ideas and share best practices that will take Bokone Bophirima forward.

The intent is for the Department to engage with vibrant, committed and responsible youth entrepreneurs that will be able to contribute significantly towards stimulation of the local economy.

The workshop was attended by unemployed youth and SMME’s from four district of the province.

Addressing representatives from various economic sectors and SMMEs, MEC Wendy Joy Nelson stressed the need for collaboration to unlock opportunities for SMMEs and dealing with the socio-economic challenges facing the province.

“It is crucial that we acknowledge that our province is faced with a challenge of poor youth economic participation. This is brought about by a large percentage of our youth registering businesses with similar services throughout the entire country impacting negatively to their potential business growth.  

“This creates a challenge for government to fund and invest on businesses that are not sustainable”, said MEC Wendy Nelson.

She further indicated that it is imperative that youth realise that their businesses do not operate in isolation from the country’s economic growth plans. Therefore it is key that any business ideas that youth come up with should be aligned with the hope of propelling the country’s economy in the right direction.

MEC challenged entrepreneurs particularly youth, to think outside the box and come up with unique, doable and sustainable business ideas.

She further highlighted that government of Bokone Bophirima has resources available to fund a variety of business ideas that will contribute to the growth of the economy of this province.

Government will give priority for funding to programmes that are focusing on the three pillars of economy ACT, that will be aligned to youth service programmes geared towards structured learning opportunities and work exposure, Youth entrepreneurial collateral funding and Youth Entrepreneurial competition awards.

Nelson said also, the province, through the department is looking into mainstream interventions which directly integrates socio economic empowerment of women, youth and people living with disabilities which include Business Incubation and Business Infrastructure Support, where for example the Province of Bokone Bophirima is looking into forming cooperatives with the Expanded Public Works Programme participants that have gained various built environment hard skills.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Photographer suing govt for R20m for using Mandela image

NEWS Leave a comment

82157a56319345ce846725be6d9d9f14

Cape Town – A photographer is suing the South African government for R20m for using his image of Nelson Mandela.

Shaun Earl Harris says he has tried addressing government with his concerns but have received no response.

In 2006, the South African Government Communication & Information Systems (GCIS), purchased a license to use Harris’s photograph in a book.

For more http://www.news24.com

Mahumapelo calls for calm amid assassination allegations

NEWS Leave a comment

supra-mahumapelo

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has appealed for calm following reports of conspiring to murder him, by a Mafikeng based councillor.

The suspect, Gaasitswe Legalamitlwa, was arrested earlier this week by the police while consulting a traditional doctor allegedly planning to carry out the plot to kill Mahumapelo.

The Hawks unit of the police are reported to be in possession of the audio-recordings implicating the suspect.

On Wednesday, she was granted a R300 bail by a magistrate court near Zeerust.

However, Mahumapelo says people should allow the law to take its course.

“There was a person who was arrested. What we are going to urge people to do, (is to) allow the law to take its course. We also urge (them) to ignore that development and go on with life as if it has not happened. We are not going to allow ourselves to be distracted by people,” adds Mahumapelo.

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

5 injured in Randburg shooting

NEWS Leave a comment

prisoncell

Johannesburg – Five people were injured in an accident and shooting in Randburg, Johannesburg, on Thursday, paramedics said.

“Reports from the scene indicate that a light delivery vehicle collided with a motor vehicle and another light delivery vehicle at the intersection of President Fouche Road and Malibongwe Drive in Randburg,” Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said.

“After which a shooting incident followed.”

Four men were injured in the shooting. The car’s driver was injured in the accident. They were treated on the scene and taken to hospital.

Earlier, Steinmann said two men were critically wounded at 12:45 and taken to a nearby hospital. Paramedics were assessing more people for injuries at the time.

The cause of the shooting was still unclear.

Police spokesperson Augustinah Selepe could not immediately give details of the incident.

– SAPA