The so called Youth Wage Subsidy Bill does not need National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) approval, National Treasury officials told Parliament’s finance standing committee today.

“Parliament is the only supreme body here and it approves or rejects or amends Bills,” Treasury deputy director general Ismail Momoniat said.

Treasury was reporting back on last week’s submissions by, among others, trade unions, businesses and churches. Both the Federation of Unions of SA and the Congress of SA Trade Unions rejected the draft Employment Tax Incentive Bill, saying there was a lack of consultation over the Bill at Nedlac.

Momoniat said legally government did not even have to table the Bill at Nedlac. “It’s a money Bill therefore we were not compelled to take it to Nedlac, but we have taken the idea to Nedlac…The consultation process may not be perfect but it has been done and you don’t always reach consensus, but it doesn’t mean government is not allowed to come up with a proposal and put it to Parliament,” he said.

On concerns by unions that employers would abuse the Bill by replacing workers with subsidised employees, Momoniat said significant penalties were in place to prevent this. “The Bill affects those who are not currently employed so perhaps if it does have some sort of economic impact it will not be on labour, it will be those outside of labour who will join the labour force.”

Momoniat suggested the incentive scheme could benefit trade unions by boosting their membership numbers. While many of those taking part in the public participation process had rejected the subsidy in principle, they had done little to offer as alternatives.

Treasury officials conceded the incentive scheme was experimental. “We are not saying this is a panacea, but this is one of many measures government uses to deal with the problem of youth unemployment,” Momoniat added.

Some of the concerns of the Bill’s opponents were accepted and would be included in the revised draft of the Bill to be presented on Wednesday.

The wages will be the same whether you are subsidised or not subsidised

“We’ve tried to listen carefully, so we took to heart a lot of the issues on incentive design, the whole issue to detect abuse like displacements, bringing penalties for abuse. People felt that we shouldn’t start it at too low an age range because you didn’t want young people to leave school and find work.”

The incentives would apply to workers earning between R4 000 and R6 000. Treasury said the incentive scheme would not lead to subsidised workers earning more than their unsubsidised colleagues.

“The wages will be the same whether you are subsidised or not subsidised. The difference is to the employer because the employer will presumably pay the same, but if you subsidise, the employer is getting something back for the subsidised worker.”

Unions’ concerns on deadweight loss were also dealt with, with Treasury conceding it was something it could do little to prevent. Deadweight loss occurs when a company would have employed a person anyway, without the subsidy. “Yes, for every incentive we have, there’s deadweight loss. You try to minimise that, but you can’t eliminate that,” Momoniat said.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State has been confirmed by Cabinet as the Host City for the African Nations Championship 2014 (Chan 2014), scheduled to commence on the 11th of January 2014.

The Chan 2014 is an official Confederation of African Football. The playing format is similar to the Afcon 2013 structure with a 16 team format and a total of 32 matches to be played.

Mangaung Metro spokesperson Qondile Khedama says that unlike the Afcon edition, the Chan 2014 tournament is designed exclusively for African footballers playing in their domestic or African continent leagues.

Khedama says the city has been selected to host a total of four teams from group matches and the teams which will participate in the quarter-final and semi-final matches.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

ABSA Premiership

Date: 22 October 2013

Venue: Free State Stadium

Result: Bloem Celtic 2-2 Swallows

Ernst Middendorp first game in charge of Bloemfontein Celtic ended in disappointment, as Siyabonga Nomvete inspired Moroka Swallows to a come from behind 2-2 draw in their Absa Premiership clash.

The visitors started brightly when Lerato Chabangu crossed the ball in from a free kick with just three minutes played, after Edward Mnqele had been fouled by Tsietsi Maho but it was well cleared by the Celtic defence.

The next real chance came just after 10 minutes in with a shot by Keagan Buchaman, but the Phunya Sele Sele midfielders attempt was well saved by Dube Birds goalkeeper Greg Etafia who got a fist to the ball.

The rest of the half was relatively stop start with not many clear-cut chances, until the game came to life with two goals within the final three minutes of the first 45 minutes.

Lerato Manzini opened the scoring for the hosts, with a well taken header from a cross by Vuyani Ntanga in the 42nd minute of the PSL clash.

The Birds responded almost immediately when veteran goal-poacher Siyabonga Nomvethe was played in by Luvhengo Mungomeni and the striker slotted home to draw level just before the end of the first-half.

The visitor’s striker Edward Mnqele had the first shot of the second-half but Celtic shot-stopper Patrick Tignyemb parried the ball away with 49 minutes played.

Nomvethe looked to have stole all three points for Swallows when the striker got on the end of a well whipped in Chabangu cross, and with just two minutes left to play only for Celtic substitute Frank Mhango to net a dramatic equaliser at the death.

The Bloemfontein side are struggling and are still without a first home win this season and have not picked up victories in their previous five games with the Dube Birds flying high at second spot behind Mamelodi Sundowns who top the table.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

ABSA Premiership

Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 7-1 Amazulu

Date: 22 October 2013

Venue: Loftus Stadium

Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Amazulu 7-1 on Tuesday night at Loftus Stadium, to move into top place on the log in the Absa Premiership.

Sundowns’ two Katlegos, Mashego and Mphela, both got braces on the night, with Mphela’s goals coming in the last ten minutes after replacing Mashego.

Hlompho Kekana wasted no time in giving Sundowns the lead, as he was given too much time and space on the ball and his long range effort in the second minute took a slight deflection and flew into the back of net.

In the fifth minute Sthembiso Ngcobo had a close range effort, but his shot went straight at Kennedy Mweene and bounced out off his leg, though the officials gave a goal-kick.

In the ninth minute Sundowns had another chance as first Bongani Zungu tried a header from a corner, but it went straight at a defender, who could only knock the ball to Cuthbert Malajila, but his effort was cleared off the line.

Malajila made it 2-0 in the 21st minute after he pounced on a wayward header by Thamsanqa Teyise from a deep cross by Tebogo Langerman, and slotted it into the back of the net.

Just seconds later, after a fast build-up and some neat passing, Katlego Mashego made it 3-0 as he got the ball in the box and turned his defender well to poke the ball home past Tapuwa Kapini.

Marc Van Heerden tried a long range effort in the 27th minute, but his shot flew high into the stands.

In the 37th minute, Khama Billiat got the ball from a defensive error, but his shot lacked power and Kapini was able to deflect it out for a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Kekana just outside the box, but his attempted lob went just wide.

Sundowns went 4-0 up in the 43rd minute through Dove Wome, who ran forward, played a one-two with Malajila, as he continued his run into the box to score past Kapuwa at the near post.

Ngcobo had a chance to get a goal back for Amazulu, but his effort was superbly saved by Mweene, and at half-time Sundowns remained 4-0.

Amazulu saw a lot more of the ball as the second-half started, but their first real attempt at goal only came in the 58th minute when Van Heerden tried a shot from a free kick, but his effort went wide to the right.

Amazulu were awarded what looked like a soft penalty in the 64th minute, when Alje Schut was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box.

Ngcobo stepped up and converted from the spot to get his first league goal for Amazulu and make it 4-1.

Mashego got his second goal of the match in the 80th minute as he ran onto a great through ball from Mzikayise Mashaba and placed the ball under an advancing Kapini into the back of the net.

Just before being replaced by Katlego Mphela, Mashego had a chance to grab a hat-trick, but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

It proved to be a good substitute as Mphela blasted in Sundowns’ sixth goal from a Billiat cross in the 86th minute to make it 6-1.

Mphela made it 7-1 in injury time as once again he got the ball from Billiat, after some good work from Mashaba down the left, and Mphela blasted it into the back of the net.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Johannesburg – A request for the graves of former prime minister Hendrik Verwoerd and his assassin Dimitri Tsafendas to be declared national heritage sites was rejected by the National Heritage Council (NHC) on Tuesday.

“As the NHC, we would appeal to anybody interested in heritage to avoid emotional outburst and subjective judgements about what should constitute heritage. Such decisions should be based on policy and principles,” it said in a statement.

On Monday, a letter from ANC Eastern Cape MPL Christian Martins to the NHC was released to the media.

Martins argued in the letter that South Africa’s history would be incomplete without Verwoerd, who is referred to as the “architect of apartheid”.

On 6 September 1966, Tsafendas fatally stabbed Verwoerd in the then House of Assembly in Parliament.

“Dimitri Tsafendas and Hendrik Verwoerd arguably changed the course of post-war South African history more than any other, when Tsafendas stabbed to death the ‘architect of apartheid’,” said Martins.

The NHC on Tuesday described Martins’ decision to release his letter to the media as “unfortunate”.

“Firstly, it is important to realise that history and heritage are not the same thing.”

The council said Martins appeared to be unaware that there was very specific legislation which needed to be followed before declaring a national heritage site.

– SAPA

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on Tuesday between the South African Police Service, the Higher Education Department and the University of South Africa (UNISA) to establish a Police University at Paarl near Cape Town.

Approximately 120 police members will enroll for a Bachelor of Policing Degree from next year. Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa says the aim of the project is to increase police capacity to deal with sophisticated crime.

“Our approach against crime is both tough and smart and we will continue on that line,” said Mthethwa.

“What we are witnessing today is the smart part of it in ensuring that we as part of the global nation are not left behind in ensuring that we create and build our own experts in crime fighting,” Mthethwa added.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

ABSA Premiership

Result: Platinum Stars 2-2 Mpumalanga Black Aces

Date: 22 October 2013

Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Platinum Stars and Mpumalanga Black shared the spoils as they drew 2-2 on Tuesday evening at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Mogakolodi Ngele and Henrico Botes scored for Dikwena, while Clifford Ngobeni and Dennis Masina got the goal for AmaZayoni.

Mogakolodi Ngele wasted no time in putting Platinum Stars into the lead, when in just the third minute he got the ball from Siphelele Mthembu and made no mistake to make it 1-0

In the 13th minute Mabhuti Khenyeza had an opportunity for Black Aces, but his shot went wide.

In the 18th minute Sandile Zuke had a chance but his shot was easily dealt with by Siyabonga Mpontshane in the Dikwena goal.

Vuyo Mere tried a shot from a free kick in the 29th minute, but his effort went just over the crossbar.

In the 35th minute Mduduzi Nyanda had a chance for Stars, but his shot was saved by Aces goalkeeper Bafana Nhlapo.

Khenyeza was back in the action in the 38th minute but his effort at goal was saved by Mpontshane.

Mthembu got forward for Dikwena in the 41st minute but his shot at goal went just wide and high.

In the 45th minute, Clifford Ngobeni came close to equalizing but Mpontshane made a diving save to stop his shot, and at half-time Stars led 1-0.

Benson Mhlongo had the first chance of the second-half in the 48th minute, but his shot was saved by Nhlapo.

Ngobeni found the equalizer for Black Aces in the 50th minute, as he pounced onto the ball, after Mpontshane parried from a corner, and put it in the back of the net to make it 1-1.

In the 57th minute Ngele tried to get Dikwena back in the lead, but his shot went over the goal.

Thabang Rooi tried a shot in the 64th minute, but Mpontshane made a good diving save.

Substitute Henrico Botes put Platinum Stars back in the lead in the 69th minute, as he got up to head in the ball from a Nyanda ball.

In the 70th minute Khenyeza had another opportunity but his shot was saved by Mpontshane.

In the 73rd minute Khenyeza had an effort with his head, but the attempt went wide to the left.

Black Aces grabbed the equalizer through substitute Dennis Masina, who fired home in the 83rd minute to make it 2-2.

Ofentse Nato came close to giving Aces the lead in the 85th but his headed effort could only find the woodwork.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

KwaDukuza – A fourth man linked to the murder of two men in Groutville was arrested on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Colonel Jay Naicker said the 42-year-old man was arrested in Shakaskraal, Umhlali.

“(He) was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with 13 live rounds. He will be charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder as well as possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” Naicker said.

On Thursday, two men, aged 25 and 48, were shot dead in their taxi in Groutville, outside KwaDukuza.

They were believed to be a prominent taxi operator from the KwaDukuza taxi association and his driver.

The provincial transport department said the shooting was linked to “running tensions” between the KwaDukuza and Dolphin Coast taxi associations over routes between Ballito and Durban.

Three men, aged between 27 and 50, were arrested shortly afterwards. They were found in possession of two R5 rifles and a revolver.

Sapa

Kimberley – A suspect, who allegedly tried to break into an Audi A4 belonging to the provincial secretary of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation (NCCO), Glen Chase, was killed after being hit by one of several bullets that were fired through the vehicle’s window.

A murder case has been registered and is being investigated by the Kimberley police.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

The Board of the AFCON 2013 and CHAN 2014 Local Organising Committee wishes to announce the appointment of new Local Organising Committee board Chairperson, Dr Molefi Oliphant.

The announcement of the withdrawal of Advocate Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana as a director which was announced last week Friday (18 October 2013) has created a vacancy to appoint a new CHAN 2014 Local Organising Committee Board Chairperson.

The board expressed its appreciation to Advocate Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana for stewardship in delivering AFCON 2013.

After careful consideration, as well as the serious time implications with only 81 Days to Kick Off, the LOC board saw it fit that the appointment of the Chairperson should be an individual who understands and is well experienced in the strategic planning and execution of tournaments of this magnitude and has a relationship with CAF. In light of the round robin format, the Board appointed Dr Molefi Oliphant as the new Chairperson.

Dr Oliphant is no stranger to the football circles with him currently serving on the CAF Executive Committee and FIFA Appeals Board.

“It is always an honour to serve the Nation. CHAN is a very important tournament and I am humbled to have been tasked to be the Chairman of a Board that will without a doubt make South Africans proud. I promise to do my best, with the support of the board to make this tournament a success” said Oliphant.

Local Organising Committee CEO, Mr Mvuzo Mbebe was confident that the experience and leadership of Dr Oliphant would assist the LOC in delivering a successful CHAN 2014.

“We would like to express our sincere gratification of this new appointment. We are fast approaching Kick Off and the appointment of Dr Oliphant’s caliber will without a doubt give us confidence that we will deliver yet another memorable and exceptional tournament” said Mbebe

Orange CHAN 2014 Kicks Off on 11 January 2014 to 1 February 2014 in Cape Town, Mangaung and Polokwane.-TDN
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