Transnet strike – second arrest


Johannesburg – A second Transnet employee has been arrested for alleged intimidation during a strike at the Ngqura container terminal, outside Port Elizabeth, the parastatal said on Friday.

“Port Elizabeth police have arrested a second suspect, another Numsa member, in connection with the spate of bombings, arson and thuggery targeted at Transnet employees who chose not to join the union’s industrial action,” spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela said in a statement.

Police confirmed the man was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition on Tuesday.

Captain Andre Beetge said a non-striking Transnet employee claimed the 35-year-old man was a striker who intimidated him for refusing to join the strike.

“We cannot say it is strike-related, but both are Transnet employees.”

Police could not confirm a second arrest, nor whether the man arrested was affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa). Numsa members have been on strike for eight weeks at Ngqura over transport allowances, working hours for particular tasks, and the use of labour brokers.

Transnet said on Thursday it had increased security for its workers, their families, and property after at least 35 acts of violence and intimidation, including arson, since the strike began.

Numsa national treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo said in a statement on Thursday that “not a single shred of evidence exists or shows that our members are responsible for acts of violence or intimidation”.

He claimed Numsa members had been disciplined.

“Our members fully understand the code of conduct of Numsa, since any worker or member seen acting outside the ambit of the law will face serious consequences internally in the union,” Maqungo said.

SAPA

MEC Molapisi to meet the residents of Ganyesa


Ganyesa- Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi will meet the communities of Ganyesa following the case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Today’s MECs’ meeting with the concerned residents of Ganyesa would be the second following the one he had with them earlier this week.

In today’s meeting which will be held at Ganyesa Sport Ground, Molapisi will appeal to the fuming residents to calm down and have trust on the justice system that the case will be investigated and given a fit judgement.

A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was registered at the Ganyesa police station following allegations that a 9-year-old boy was handcuffed and hand electrocuted on Wednesday 28 May 2014, by the owner of a filling station.

Meanwhile, MEC Molapisi will also meet the senior staff of the South African Police Services on Tuesday, at the Police Headquarters in Potchefstroom. Molapisi’s meeting with the senior management of SAPS will be his first, since he accepted his responsibilities as MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management.

Details of the meetings are as follows:MEC meeting with Ganyesa resident

Venue: Ganyesa Sport Ground

Time: 15H00

Date :Friday 13 June 2014 (Today)

MEC meeting with SAPS senior management

Venue:SAPS Headquarters Potchefstroom

Time :09 H 00

Date :Tuesday 17 June 2014

Zuma considers PSL options


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg- Former Bafana Bafana and Supersport striker Sibusiso Zuma mulls his options of which team to join in an upcoming season.

A 39 year-old goal-poacher said many teams want to offer him a contract, but he will only make a decision on Monday.

“I have received offers from various teams and I do not contemplates in retiring any soon, next season I will be in action again” he told http://www.kickoff.com.

Zuma said he would not move out of Johannesburg as his family is here and would like to remain here. Former Orlando Pirates player said he would also like to reunite with his childhood friend and former teammate Siyabonga Nomvete.

“I would like to reunite with my friend Nomvete at Moroka Swallows, but Soweto-based team is not one of those teams that offered me a contract” he said.

Zuma started his football career at African Wanderers and illustrious player went on to form a deadly partnership with former players, Phumlani Mkhize and Siyabonga Nomvete.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Woman killed and son critically injured in N12 collision


By Obakeng Maje
Carltonville- The fire department personnel, who were initially called out to a veld fire emergency, arrived on scene and discovered that the vehicle had caught alight and set the veld on fire. 

ER24 paramedics were thereafter called out to the scene to declare the woman who had already succumbed to her severe injuries.

She was burned inside the vehicle. 

“Her critically injured son (20) was found ejected from the vehicle and he sustained severe suspected fractures as well burn wounds on his face” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said. 

No other vehicle was found on the scene and the incident is currently under investigation by local authorities.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Scolari heaps praise on Neymar


Sao Paulo – Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari paid tribute to forward Neymar after the 22-year-old scored twice in a come-from-behind victory against Croatia in the Soccer World Cup opening game on Thursday.

“The only thing we want is that Neymar is happy playing ball. He’s a special player,” Scolari told reporters after the 3-1 win gave Brazil a great start in their bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Brazil fell behind after 11 minutes through Marcelo’s own goal but Neymar led the comeback, scoring with a left-footed shot from outside the area and then with a controversial penalty.

The Barcelona striker is under intense pressure as Brazilian fans expect their team to deliver the country’s first World Cup title on home soil. He certainly delivered on Thursday and was named man of the match for his performance.

“He doesn’t need all of you (the media) to demand that he become the best player in the world. His responsibility is to play for Brazil, and that’s what he did today,” Scolari said.

Neymar said the victory was “more than I ever dreamed or imagined. The merit belongs to the team as a whole, which remained cool and calm to come from behind and win.”

Scolari also heaped praise on the Brazil supporters in the 62,103 crowd in Sao Paulo, a city with notoriously fickle fans who booed the team in their final warmup match for the World Cup.

“Our players were excellent, they showed determination to be able to come from behind. They were fantastic,” Scolari said.

“But who really deserves praise are the fans. It was wonderful, the support we received here in Sao Paulo. If there’s still any notion out there Sao Paulo doesn’t root for the national team effusively enough, that was put to rest today.”

– Reuters

Mathunjwa: We accept deal in principle


Johannesburg – Mining union Amcu has accepted in principle a new wage offer on the platinum belt, its leader said on Friday.

“In principle we have agreed to the offer. There are still issues that we need to consult with the employer,” Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union leader Joseph Mathunjwa told Sapa by phone.

“It’s not true that we have entirely rejected the offer,” he said, in response to a radio report saying the union had rejected the latest offer.

Amcu and platinum mining companies Impala Platinum, Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin are expected to meet again on Friday.
SAPA

Mathunjwa: Mine deal is imminent


Cape Town – The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and platinum mining firms are on the cusp of a breakthrough to end a bruising five-month long wage strike, according to union leader Joseph Mathunjwa.
For more http://www.news24.com

Joy for Brazil as SWC opens


Sao Paulo – Brazil launched the Soccer World Cup with an emotion-fuelled 3-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday as an opening day which began with violent clashes gave way to an outpouring of joyful celebrations.

AS IT HAPPENED: Brazil v Croatia

GALLERY: Open Ceremony

Barcelona superstar Neymar scored in each half as Brazil recovered from conceding an early Marcelo own goal to set up a win before hordes of golden-shirted fans at the 61,600 Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar put the seal on the win with a late strike from distance to trigger delirium.

The host nation’s Group A victory was greeted by an explosion of fireworks across Sao Paulo, a sharp contrast to several hours earlier when riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse angry protests.

But a largely free-flowing tournament-opener was shrouded in controversy, with Brazil’s second coming courtesy of a dubious penalty when Croatia defender Dejan Lovren was harshly adjudged to have shoved Fred over.

The hosts, chasing a record sixth World Cup, had also enjoyed a degree of good fortune in the first half when Neymar received only a yellow card for elbowing Croatia’s playmaker Luka Modric.

Moments later Neymar scored Brazil’s equaliser to settle home nerves after Marcelo’s 11th-minute own goal.

Lovren was furious with the performance of Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura, branding his display a “scandal.”

“Two billion people I think saw that it was not a penalty. I didn’t touch him,” Lovren said.

“It wasn’t a mistake, it was a scandal.”

– National pride –
Pop superstars Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull headlined a lavish opening ceremony which included the appearance of a paraplegic wearing a robotic bodysuit controlled by brain signals who performed a ceremonial kick-off.

The match began after a hearty rendition of Brazil’s national anthem with fans — exhorted to unite behind the team by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari — roaring their support for the “Selecao.”

Even after the music stopped, fans and players belted out one more verse.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva epitomised the mood, bellowing a rallying cry to his team-mates as they embarked on their quest to earn a first title on home soil.

The victory provided a euphoric counterpoint to scenes earlier in the day when violent protests in Sao Paulo had threatened a stormy start to the month-long football extravaganza.

It had been a torrid seven-year build-up bedevilled by delays and public anger at the tournament’s $11 billion cost, and scattered protests took place Thursday in several of the cities which will host World Cup games.

The worst violence took place just a few kilometres from the opening match, as anarchist demonstrators in black shirts and masks lit bonfires of rubbish after armoured police sought to quell protests.

But Sao Paulo and other cities largely went quiet as the game started. Yellow and green flags hung from many buildings.

– Tear gas fired –
After the victory some fans expressed hope Brazil could rally behind the team’s campaign.

“This joy will be a contagion that will spread to all Brazilians,” said Jonathan de Jesus Silva, 21, a nursing student. “This happiness will help bring a better climate.”

Protesters who last year brought chaos to the Confederations Cup rehearsal tournament had vowed to march on the Sao Paulo stadium.

But riot police responded forcefully, chasing protesters up a main avenue and firing tear gas in the middle of oncoming traffic, forcing cars decorated with the Brazilian flag to weave their way through the chaos.

A cannister fired by police hit and injured a CNN journalist and an AFP correspondent saw one woman in tears clutching her arm.

In Rio de Janeiro, striking ground staff briefly blocked a road leading to the city’s international airport.

Around 1,000 protesters also gathered in the city centre, a small group of them scuffling with police, who arrested four people.

A total of 64 games will culminate with the July 13 final in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium next month.

Friday’s action promises more drama, with world champions Spain facing the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final in the northern city of Salvador in Group B.

Group B’s other encounter sees dark horses Chile take on Australia. In the day’s other remaining game, Mexico play Cameroon in Group A.

– AFP

Fraud accused sent for mental observation


Cape Town – A woman who allegedly made a false R900 000 claim against the Road Accident Fund (RAF), was referred on Thursday to a psychiatric hospital for 30 days’ observation.

Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg ordered Elizabeth Ndikandika to be sent for assessment, when she appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town.

Legal aid lawyer Hayley Lawrence told the court she had consulted Ndikandika, who did not seem to understand what was being asked of her, despite the use of an interpreter.

“She needs to be referred for observation,” Lawrence told the court.

Prosecutor Annette de Lange suggested that Ndikandika first be assessed by a district surgeon, and only be sent to a psychiatric hospital for observation if the district surgeon considered it necessary.

De Lange said the case was ready for trial, but that the trial had so far been delayed twice by postponements.

Sonnenberg said the court was obliged to refer Ndikandika for psychiatric observation if it appeared that she was unable to understand the proceedings due to mental illness or defect.

She said this was in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The matter was postponed to 11 July.

SAPA

E-tolls system will be down, says Sanral


Johannesburg – The e-toll violation processing centre will be unavailable to process transactions from Saturday due to maintenance work, said the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).
“This will impact on customers who want to query or pay their violation accounts through both the internet and at customer services stations,” Sanral said in a statement on Thursday.
“The website will remain active for registered customers only, so maintenance work will not affect them if they need to make online enquires and payments.”
The maintenance work was scheduled for Saturday 18:00 to Tuesday 08:00.
SAPA