The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Tuesday condemned the burning of a member’s car in Sefikile village, North West in the early hours of the morning.

“He is one of the NUM members who rejoined the [union] in 2013,” branch chairman Steve Modimokwane said in a statement.

“He has been receiving threatening calls since he rejoined the NUM. Last night the people who burnt his car warned him that they are coming back to burn his house, but he could not see them because it was too dark.”

Modimokwane said the car was burnt around 12.15am on Tuesday.

The NUM was worried about the escalation of “systematic” attacks on its members.

“Last month on May 27, two houses belonging to our members were petrol bombed in the same area.”

He said the union’s national executive committee (NEC) had condemned the continuous intimidation and killings of non-striking mineworkers.

The NEC called for its members to exercise their right to go to work and to defend themselves against any form of violence and intimidation, he said.

Police could not confirm the matter.

Platinum miners affiliated to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union in the North West have been on strike since January 23 in the hopes of having their salaries increased to R12,500.

Work at the mines has come to a standstill.

-Sapa

Rustenburg – A 42-year-old woman and her brother, believed to be part of a syndicate stealing goats, were arrested in Ledig, near Rustenburg, North West police said on Monday.

“The pair was found in possession of a goat carcass, meat, as well as 6.1kg of dagga with a street value of R3 000,” said Sergeant Kealeboga Molale.

“It is suspected that the pair is part of a syndicate that has been stealing and selling goats in KwaZulu-Natal.”

She said over 357 goats were stolen over the past three months in several villages around Mogwase and Madikwe.

The woman and her 31-year-old brother were expected to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

They have been charged with possession of suspected stolen goods and possession of dagga.

“Investigations into the matter continue and more arrests are imminent,” she said. – Sapa

Johannesburg – The Hoërskool Rustenburg played a rugby game against a high school in Boksburg at the weekend – and left with five tons of food donations, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.

Alta Greyling, who was in charge of the collection of food donations at Hoërskool EG Jansen, east of Johannesburg, said parents and businesses responded overwhelmingly positive to the request.

Hoërskool Rustenburg teacher Danie Greyling said the donations were “wonderful”.

“Our parents and learners are really suffering and this will make a huge difference. Many parents last earned a salary months ago and their food cupboards are empty,” said Greyling.

He said the Hoërskool Wonderboom in Pretoria also recently made donations when Hoërskool Rustenburg played a rugby match there.

The North West town of Rustenburg is buckling under a mining strike on the platinum belt that started in January, making it one of the longest strikes in South Africa’s history.

Widespread reports of intimidation have kept many mineworkers home.

Government-mediated negotiations were set to finish on Monday. So far, there was no indication of what its outcome would be. – Sapa

Cape Town – The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has announced that it will be providing free wi-fi to commuters in taxis and around taxi ranks, according to reports.
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Johannesburg – It is untrue that the presidency does not heed the findings of the Public Protector, incumbent Thuli Madonsela said on Monday.

There were only three reports in the last five years on which presidential action was still being awaited, she said in a speech prepared for delivery in Kempton Park.

“A perception is developing that the presidency does not implement the remedial action I take as mandated by section 182(1) (c) of the Constitution,” she said.

“This cannot be any more further from the truth.”

Matters on which action was still outstanding included the “Docked Vessels” report, released on 4 December last year.

Madonsela recommended that President Jacob Zuma consider disciplinary action against then-agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson.

This was for her reckless use of state money and services, resulting in wasteful expenditure, a loss of confidence in the South African fisheries industry and alleged decimation of South Africa’s fisheries resources.

Joemat-Pettersson had opted to take the public protector to court to challenge the report.

Another outstanding case was her investigation into security upgrades to Zuma’s Nkandla home.

She found Zuma and his family unduly benefited from the R246m upgrades.

Madonsela said: “The president [Zuma] has partially complied while asking Parliament for more time as he awaits a Special Investigating Unit report that deals with aspects of the matter forming the subject of my report.”

She said on the same “Secure in Comfort” report, compliance reports from two of the key departments involved were submitted within the timelines stipulated in the report.

“The president’s report to Parliament also complied with the 14 day requirement. It’s true that what you focus on grows – hence the perception that non-compliance is the norm.”

She said that last year, her office issued fewer than 30 formal reports. In most of these, her findings were quietly accepted and remedial action implemented without any drama.

In the year ending 31 March 2014, her office handled about 40 000 cases, with 32 000 of these concluded.

The reality was the public only heard about a handful of cases via the news because of the issues and high profile state actors involved, Madonsela said.
– SAPA

Johannesburg – A man has been arrested after a suspected stolen vehicle was spotted in Riverlea, Johannesburg metro police said on Monday.

Three other men who were with him in the vehicle managed to flee on foot, said Superintendent Edna Mamonyane.

The men were intercepted in Riverlea after CCTV camera footage reported a Ford Ranger with no number plates as having been stolen in the Main Reef area.

“The four occupants were flagged down by metro officers and after stopping, they started to shoot at officers,” Mamonyane said.

The officers returned fire and managed to apprehend one of them. A firearm was confiscated.

The man is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of car theft.

Police are looking for his three accomplices.
– SAPA

Johannesburg – A Bulgarian national believed to be Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir’s accountant and right-hand man has been arrested in Benoni, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old was arrested at the Benoni police station around 18:30 on Monday when he reported to the station as part of his bail conditions, national police spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said.

He was currently out on bail of R30 000 after being arrested on two counts of fraud unrelated to Monday’s arrest.

“Police believe that the accountant was Krejcir’s right-hand man, who knew the ins and outs and participated in all of Krejcir’s alleged criminal activities.”

Man to appear in court

Police also believed that the man paid those in Krejcir’s pocket in cash, Makgale said.

The man would appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s court on Wednesday on charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. He would appear with Krejcir and five others at a later date to face the same charges.

Krejcir, Desai Luphondo, Warrant Officers Samuel “Saddam” Maropeng and George Nthoroane, and Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Siboniso Miya face charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and dealing in drugs.

They allegedly kidnapped Bheki Lukhele from his Katlehong home in June last year.

Accused deny involvement

He testified about how he was bound, blindfolded, assaulted and had boiling water poured all over him – allegedly by Krejcir – in a bid for him to reveal the whereabouts of his brother Doctor.

Doctor had allegedly disappeared with 25kg of tik (methamphetamine) which he had been tasked to transport to Australia, allegedly for Krejcir.

All the accused have denied involvement in the matter.

“Most of the investigations are at an advanced stage and we can say with absolute confidence that more charges are going to be brought against Krejcir and those around him who have been engaging in criminal activities,” Makgale said.
– SAPA

Cape Town – The city’s eviction drama has taken another turn as tensions rose between Blackheath residents and their new neighbours who were moved from Lwandle last week.
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Cape Town – Two Cape Town men have been found guilty of murdering their German employer and throwing his body down the mountainside, a report said on Tuesday.
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Pretoria – Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils’s statement submitted to the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal was criticised on Tuesday.

“We are going to take you through what the critics say. Your statement just deals with common cause things, except where it highlights when you took trips abroad,” evidence leader Simmy Lebala SC, said.

“The critics are saying ‘why did we go to procure these capabilities when we had the financial and budgetary constraints?’ Where there is need for you to explain, we will make it a point that you explain.”

In response, Kasrils said he did not want to waste the inquiry’s time by repeating issues that had been traversed by previous witnesses.

Not wasting time

“I did have a discussion with leaders of evidence about a year ago and indicated the extent to which I am aware and not. I am working with my own learned counsel, in terms of their advice to me,” he said.

“I am not wishing to waste the time of the commission. It was clear that there have been so [many] witnesses relating to minutes of meetings, acquisition, defence procurement, and so on, and I am advised not to repeat those things.”

Lebala said Kasrils would have to be taken through some of the minutes of meetings.

Kasrils’s sworn statement to the inquiry stated that it was vital for the SA National Defence Force to obtain the weaponry.

“It was vital for these forces to have the capability and capacity, supported by appropriate resources and equipment, to support their assignments at home and on the continent,” said Kasrils in the affidavit.

Good working relationship with Modise

He has previously told the inquiry that because he was only a deputy minister, working under former defence minister Joe Modise at the time of the arms deal, he was not privy to all the details of the transaction.

However, he had a good working relationship with Modise dating back to the liberation struggle.

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the multi-billion rand deal.

The government acquired, among other hardware, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the air force, and frigates and submarines for the navy.

Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota was at the public hearings on Tuesday. He is scheduled to testify after Kasrils.
– SAPA