Marikana Commission Inquiry resumes


The Marikana Commission of Inquiry will resume its public hearings in Pretoria today.

The commission, which is chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam, is investigating the deaths of 44 people during labour–related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mining operations at Marikana in the North West in 2012. 

The inquiry was initially set down for four months, but has been marred by a number of delays and interruptions since beginning in October 2012 causing its credibility to be questioned.

President Jacob Zuma set up the inquiry to determine whether police were justified in using lethal force on striking miners.
At least 34 people were killed in the 16 August 2012 shooting.
Lonmin miners had embarked on an unprotected strike to demand higher wages.

Ten other people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed in strike–related violence in the days leading up to the shooting. 

The Marikana standoff has been described as the bloodiest shootout in post–apartheid South Africa.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

North West premier defends her R1.3m car purchase

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Mahikeng-The vehicle purchased for North West Premier Thandi Modise was not acquired in defiance to a cabinet directive as alleged in an article published on the front page of The Sunday Times of Sunday 5 January 2013 under the headline,“ Premier cocks snook at Pravin’s cost cutting on cars,” the Office of the Premier retorted on Monday.  

 

Kgwele said in dismissing the article as not only disingenuous, but a mischievous piece that is aimed at tarnishing the image of the Premier as part of a cheap political ploy, the Office of the Premier said that the allegations are not only absurd but malicious because the vehicle was already on order when the Minister of Finance announced austerity plans in his the mid-term budget speech delivered on the 23 October 2013.

 

The said vehicle was not purchased on the Premier’s instruction as the article suggests.

 

“The decision to purchase the BMW 750i that cost R1,3 million was taken by the Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and was below the 70% limit prescribed by the ministerial handbook as the official vehicle that was used by the Premier’s predecessor had exceeded the maximum 120 000 kilometers it had to travel and experienced constant mechanical breakdowns that compromised the security of the Premier” said Kgwele.

 

Premier had for the past four months used the official vehicle allocated to the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport and had not put MEC Raymond Elisha and any official under pressure for the ordered vehicle to be delivered.

 

“We wish to dismiss with the contempt that it deserves the suggestion by Democratic Alliance Provincial leader Chris Hattingh that officials were put under pressure to deliver the vehicle before the Premier’s birthday on the 25 December” said Kgwele.

 

Kgwele said although Premier Modise was not well and did not enjoy much of her birthday and Christmas festivities, she would have found better things to do than celebrate her birthday in a state vehicle.

 

“Hattingh is clutching at straws in his usual theatrics and political opportunism because it is common knowledge that the vehicle could not have been delivered by the 12 December if it was ordered after the 23 October 2013”.

 

The paper and Hattingh’ disappointment is that no additional extras were ordered with the vehicle which was ordered through the national treasury contract hence no mention this is made of this in the article, says Kgwele.

 

“We challenge Hattingh to prove allegations of extravagant expenditure by Premier Modise which are unfounded and a figment of his imagination aimed at discrediting her track record of clean governance, fighting greed and corruption” Premier spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

 

 

Kgwele said the statement that Premier Modise was one of group of ANC leaders that unsuccessfully campaigned for the current political leadership to be ousted when she accepted nomination towards the Mangaung conference raises the question whether the Sunday Times understands ANC internal democratic processes.

 

“It also raises the question as to whether the paper is part of those in the media who are pursuing an agenda to project the ruling party as a weak and divided ahead of elections” concludes Kgwele.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

(Edited By Obakeng Maje)

North West premier splurges R1.3m on car


North West Premier Thandi Modise has ignored a Cabinet directive against splurging on luxury vehicles, and treated herself to a R1.3m BMW750i.

According to the Sunday Times, the MEC for transport in the province, Raymond Elisha, has confirmed the purchase.

This comes after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan instructed ministers, MECs and premiers to curb their penchant for splurging on luxury cars.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance North West leader Chris Hattingh said this latest extravagance comes at a time when service delivery was under extreme pressure and when emergency drought relief measures were collapsing.

He also said officials were put under pressure to deliver the car in time for Modise’s birthday on 25 December.
For more http://www.news24.com

A woman kills her husband in an argument


By Obakeng Maje
Mothibistad-A 43 year-old woman arrested after she allegedly killed her husband by pushing him against the steel door, says lieutenant Donald Mdhluli.

The monstrousness took place on Saturday at about 10:00am in Pholoholo Street, Unit 1, Mothibistad.

“It is alleged that the 43-year-old female suspect had an argument with a 46-year-old man, believed to be her husband” said Mdhluli.

This argument allegedly precipitated into a fight where the husband was pushed against the steel door.

The man was certified dead on the scene by paramedics and police were called in and arrested a 43-year-old female suspect. 

“She is facing a charge of murder and is expected to appear before Court soon” concludes Mdhluli.-TDN
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Majoro snubs Supersport United move


By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg-Kaizer Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro allegedly snubbed Supersport United move. According to other media reports, Majoro was back at training with Amakhosi and posted on his official twitter page that he is enjoying himself at work with Kaizer Chiefs players at Naturena.

Majoro apparently he is not happy about the whole swap deal negotiations and want to sign for a team of his choice.

Kickoff.com announce that Majoro trained with Amakhosi and there is no sign of him to join Suspersport United.

Chiefs announced that Majoro joined Supersport United in a swap deal seeing George Maluleka joining the Glamour Boys.-TDN
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Anger over drunk and driving conviction


Johannesburg – Despite carrying out their duties and arresting thousands of drunk drivers annually, traffic and police officers in various parts of the country have spoken out about the low conviction rate in such instances – blaming it on inefficiency and bribery.

According to the Sunday Times, a number of officers spoke out on condition of anonymity. They say police officers are not encouraged to build airtight cases – especially as convictions did not affect promotion prospects.

One official also said officers were being paid to throw cases while another said that convictions were rare and that officers are simply chasing targets.

Yet another officer said that an estimated 80% to 90% of all drunken driving cases are thrown out of court or withdrawn because of botched blood samples or corruption, according to the report.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has confirmed that it is investigating issues at the Durban Central police station. Spokesperson Moses Dlamini said the probe into systemic corruption related to about 200 drunken driving cases.

Internal documents obtained by the Sunday Times reportedly show that the Durban Central police station only had 111 convictions from 1 481 arrests in 2012. This translates into a conviction rate of only 7.5%.
For more http://www.news24.com

SAFA, Chiefs agree on release of players to Bafana Bafana squad


SAFA is happy to report that it has reached an agreement with Kaizer Chiefs FC on the release of players to participate in the 2014 African Nations Championship tournament (2014 CHAN).

 

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, said there will be no sanction against any team as no rule has been violated by anyone.

 

The Association on Friday held very constructive discussions with Kaizer Chiefs FC regarding the release of players. The two parties agreed that Kaizer Chiefs FC will release the players as discussed between the coaches of the national team and Kaizer Chiefs FC. Players will join the National Team over the next 24 hours to ensure that Bafana Bafana has a full strength squad by Sunday, 5 January 2013.

 

“We are extremely grateful to Kaizer Chiefs for their continued patriotism in support of the National Team,” says SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

 

“Our gratitude goes out to Mr Kaizer Motaung and Kaizer Chiefs for their long-standing and unstinting support of the National Team. They have always supported the National Team and we are very grateful for this patriotic gesture,” added Dr Jordaan.

 

Mr Motaung is a founding member of SAFA, a long-standing Member of the SAFA National Executive Committee, a stalwart in the development of our sport and an ardent supporter of Bafana Bafana who regularly attends the matches of the national team.

 

“We have no doubt that with the inclusion of Kaizer Chiefs players in the national squad, the team will be significantly strengthened for the CHAN tournament,” says the SAFA President.-TDN
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A man shot, burnt to death


Durban – A 33-year-old man was shot before being burnt to death in his house in Durban’s Umlazi area, police said on Saturday.

Captain Thulani Zwane said that the man was allegedly attacked by two men on Friday evening at his home in Umlazi’s Q section.

“The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage. Umlazi police are investigating a case of murder and no arrests have been made at this stage,” he said.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We heard him crying. The house was on fire. We couldn’t do anything.”

She said she had heard the gunshots but did not see the attackers and that the man had been killed in an outbuilding of a house.

“The guy was trying to escape. His body was near the door.”

She said local residents had doused most of the flames by the time the fire brigade arrived.

KwaZulu-Natal emergency management services spokesperson Robert McKenzie confirmed that the service had been alerted to a fatality at a house fire in Umlazi.

He could not immediately provide further details.

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Family holds vigil for Shumi


Grenoble – Michael Schumacher’s friends and family took turns by his hospital bed Friday, as fans rallied outside the hospital to support the critically injured Formula One great on his 45th birthday.

Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma since Sunday, when he fell while skiing and struck his head on a rock. His manager, Sabine Kehm, said Friday that his condition remains stable but critical.

The German driver and his family typically celebrate Christmas, New Year and his birthday at their ski house in the French resort of Meribel, where the accident happened.

Instead, they have been keeping watch over the retired champion at his bedside in a Grenoble hospital.

“They take turns to watch him: Michael’s wife, children, his brother,” said former Formula One driver, Philippe Streiff, who is one of several members of the F1 community to visit the hospital. “They are very traumatized. It’s very upsetting to see that for the family.”

About 100 fans also converged on the hospital Friday, arriving by bus from Italy or by car from northern France and other places, saying they felt compelled to honor a man who had given them so many reasons to celebrate in the past.

At nightfall, some fans used a projector to screen the words “STAY STRONG!” and “KEEP FIGHTING!” on the hospital’s wall.

“With all the joy he has given us, it was important for us to return the favor and be here for Michael,” said Gulio Carissomi, who drove four hours from Italy to reach Grenoble.

One group of fans quietly assembled in view of the hospital’s windows, unfurling a large banner for Ferrari, the racing team that Schumacher had anchored.

A fan as far away as India carved a likeness of Schumacher in sand on a beach in Puri and wrote “Get Well Soon” below it.

The family, which has been periodically posting messages on Schumacher’s website, wrote Friday night that they were “overwhelmed” by the show of support.

“The incredible sympathies shown today by the Ferrari Fans outside the hospital has utterly overwhelmed us and moved us all to tears,” it said.

The seven-time F1 champion has undergone two brain operations since the accident. Doctors are keeping him sedated and his body at an artificially low temperature to help with the healing. The physicians have refused to give a prognosis for Schumacher, saying they are focused on his immediate care.

Schumacher, known affectionately as Schumi by fans, is the most successful F1 driver in history, racking up a record 91 race wins. He retired in 2012.

Ferrari on Friday sent special birthday greetings to Schumacher, recalling the 72 victories he won from 1996-2006.

“Today is Michel Schumacher’s birthday. In these hours he’s on the most important race of his life and we want to dedicate a special honor to him,” the statement said. “Forza (Come on) Michael!”

___

Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report.

AP

Krejcir suitable for bail, court told


Johannesburg – Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir was a suitable candidate for bail, his legal team told the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg during an urgent application, The Saturday Star reported.
The application was launched in a bid to overturn the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court’s decision to deny Krejcir bail on 13 December.

Krejcir was not present when the new application was brought before court on Friday.

Krejcir’s lawyer Francois Roets said he believed the charges Krejcir and his co-accused faced, of kidnapping, assault and attempted murder, should not be a schedule five offence.

Roets also argued that Palm Ridge magistrate Reginald Dama, who denied Krejcir bail, should have allowed his team to cross-examine a SA Revenue Service investigator who had submitted an affidavit.

“This was a gross irregularity,” he said.

Roets told the judge that Krejcir was “a suitable character for bail”.

The judge raised the issue that Krejcir previously escaped the Czech Republic by cycling to Poland.

Roets said that Krejcir feared for his life.

“His father was killed. He was put in a tank of acid.”

He said Krejcir stood to lose R60m if he skipped bail.

Judgment was postponed until Thursday.

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