By Obakeng Maje
Northern Cape- Police would like to warn people to be wary of their surroundings when visiting banking malls and institutions.

“As we approach the last quarter of the year, companies will start paying out bonuses to their employees, therefore proactive measures must be in place to ensure that everyone enjoys a crime free holiday. The SAPS would like to warn the public to take heed of the following tips when making a trip to the bank” colonel Priscilla Naidu.

Beware of confidence tricksters

These people usually pick out their victims leaving an ATM or bank. There are many ways which they use to con you out of your money. In some cases, money is dropped in front of the ‘victim’. The con artist would then let the victim know that he (the victim) had dropped the money. When the latter replies negatively, he is taken aside and an offer is made to share the money. The victim is then persuaded to place his money into an envelope together with the so called found money. Being the experts that they are, the unsuspecting victim is later left red faced and penniless while the con man is far gone.

People are warned not to make unnecessary conversation with strangers at ATM’s.

“Never agree to accompany strangers to quieter spots and out of the public eye.
Do not offer to assist anyone at an ATM, should anyone request assistance; politely refer them to seek assistance from inside the bank. Never offer to show anyone how to use the ATM, demonstrating with your bank card and PIN number. Should you feel uncomfortable, cancel the transaction and leave” Naidu said.

Naidu in other cases, the victim is followed from the bank and approached by two/three people. They offer to double his/her money and once again very convincingly and skillfully take the money from the victim. Some sort of business is conducted and the victim is assured that his/her money has been double. He/she is then requested to open the envelope once they are gone. When the victim opens the envelope, blank pieces of paper is found inside.

Police is appealing to the public not be naïve and believe these confidence tricksters.

There is no way that they can double your money.

“Always be alert and observant when carrying large amounts of cash. Should you feel uncomfortable with a stranger, divert your route into a busy area or alert other people if the person is persistent” she said.

Avoid parking your vehicle far from the bank/ATM. Try to park as close as possible so as to reduce the risk of being robbed… Take note of your surroundings when getting into your vehicle. Never leave large amounts of cash in the cubbyhole of an unattended vehicle. If you suspect that you are being followed, rather drive to a police station or divert your route but never get out of the vehicle.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person as people are always watching when the wallet or purse is taken out.

“Let us work together and be proactive in safeguarding our possessions thus minimizing the risk of becoming yet another statistic of crime” concludes Naidu.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
North West- In an effort to decrease shortage of health professionals and to improve doctor patient contact in the North West Province, the North West Department of Health has awarded 180 students this year with bursaries to pursue medicine studies in Cuba. This is a major improvement from 100 that was recruited in the previous year.
Speaking during the farewell function of 180 recruits held last Thursday (26 September 2013), MEC Masike said the government will continue to use the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Medical Programme to address the broader challenge of human resource in the health sector.
“We believe the challenges before us is huge, the disease profile is concerning and the ever increasing shortage for health professionals particularly in rural areas need to be addressed. By increasing the number of the 2013 intake, we are demonstrating our seriousness in addressing this shortage in future” said Masike.
One of the bursary recipients Kesaobaka Mothudi (19) from Ntsweletsoku, thanked the department of health for affording him such a great opportunity to study medicine in Cuba.
“I have always wanted to be a medical doctor and I want to thank the department of health in the North West for giving us a once in a lifetime opportunity to do what we have always dreamed of. It’s a dream come true for me, and I am going to do my best to and am intending to come back home after completing my studies in Cuba and serve my the people of the North West Province”
Tlotlego Selemogo (19) from Huhudi Township in Vryburg also thanked the department, her teachers back in high school and community of Huhudi for raising her and for the guidance.
“I am here because of the guidance from my parents, community of Huhudi and my educators. Being here as one of the young people who received the bursary to pursue medicine in Cuban it’s a dream come true for me. Leaving my beloved country for Cuba it is a first step of my journey. I know there are challenges ahead, but we will overcome them. I want to assure people of the North West Province that I will do my best as I will be representing the province in Cuba and I will not disappoint them,” said Selemogo.

Currently the province has 72 medical students from poor backgrounds who successfully completed their medical studies and are now serving their communities since inception of this programme in 1995.
The recruitment process of 180 students, who departs for Cuba this month, was highly competitive. Candidates were selected on the basis of academic excellence and commitment to serve the poorest communities upon completion of their studies.
Bursary recipients had undergone a week long orientation at health facilities to familiarize themselves with medical practice and to get perspective of Cuba from those who studied medicine in Cuba. Other criteria included a history of active involvement in their communities, and the potential to be a dedicated and caring doctor.
Priority was given to students from disadvantaged communities. The bursaries awarded to the students will cover the costs of books, accommodation and tuition.
In his farewell message, Masike urged these young aspirant doctors to conduct themselves in a way that shows commitment to the programme.
“Once you have decided to enroll in this programme, it means you must be willing to sacrifice some of the things you are used to. You are going into a foreign environment and your ability to adapt quickly will serve you well. You must see this opportunity as an investment of your time and energy and understand that there will be time to reap the reward. It is common knowledge that we all reap what we sow” concluded MEC Masike.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
The North West Department of Health recently held a joint-graduation ceremony of the Mmabatho and Excelsious Nursing Colleges where a total number of 545 nurses were graduating in different areas of nursing sciences. With 545 graduates, it is expected that this will assist in decreasing shortage of health professionals in the province particularly in the rural communities.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held in Mahikeng, MEC Dr Magome Masike said these nurses will be deployed to different health centres across the province particularly in the rural communities of the province.

“I am pleading with you to go and serve our most affected people in the rural areas. You are needed more in the rural communities more than you are needed in more developed cities. I hope you know better the conditions in our communities and will no doubt want to plough back,” pleaded Dr. Masike.

Masike also reminded the graduates that they are joining the health professionals workforce at the time when the country has taken a firm stand against maternal and child mortality.

“When you take the oath today, you must remember that you are joining a massive movement for zero percent maternal and infant mortality” said MEC Masike.

Top performer and midwifery graduate, Ontatile Magada (39) could not hide her excitement.
“This is a special day for me. It’s a dream come true. I have always wanted to be a nurse. I chose nursing not because of money but because I have always wanted to help people. I am very happy and i will continue with my studies part time to study intensive eye care. I got top performer award today and I can only say it is because I was working and studying very hard” said Doreen.
Her colleague, Mpya Jeffrey Madimetsa (36) from Letlhabile, Brits who graduated for Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing could also not hide his excitement.

“This is a great day for me. I want to thank my family. I was able to achieve all this because of their support and of course my hard work. Nursing it’s a call. I left my job to study nursing. After this I will be going back to my hometown, Brits in Letlhabile where I will be doing my community service at Letlhabille health centre. I want to thank the North West Department of Health for affording us this opportunity and I promise that I will serve my community with pride,” said Madimetsa.

MEC Masike used the opportunity to assure people of the North West province that his department will continue to work hard in addressing challenges of shortage of health professional.

“I am aware that there are still clinics out there that are not adequately staffed by nursing professional enough to match the population of a particular community, but I want assure you that, that is being given needed attention” said Masike.

Masike reminded graduates that, nursing calls for discipline and dedication whether in terms of adherence to strict working standards or going beyond the call for duty and as they will be working in different facilities he will be expecting exactly that.

“Nursing is a profession where quality and indeed, excellence are prerequisites,” concluded Dr Magome Masike. –TDN

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Cape Town – The Western Cape provincial government on Tuesday welcomed a ruling by the Constitutional Court dismissing Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s application against a probe into policing in Khayelitsha.

“The court’s judgment affirms the role of the Western Cape government in conducting policing oversight, according to Section 206 of the Constitution, which I exercised through the appointment of the commission of inquiry,” Premier Helen Zille said in a statement.

Zille set up the inquiry in August last year to investigate alleged police inefficiency in the area. Mthethwa opposed the inquiry in the Western Cape High Court.

His application for interim relief was dismissed in January. Mthethwa then approached the Constitutional Court.

He argued that the inquiry’s terms of reference were vague and Zille was not entitled to appoint a commission of inquiry with coercive powers over the SA Police Service.

Recommendations to Cabinet

But in the judgment handed down by Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, the court held that without coercive powers the commission would be unable to fulfil its mandate. It dismissed the argument that the terms of reference were too vague or broad.

“The Constitutional Court refused to make an order declaring the premier’s decision to establish the commission inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid,” it said.

“Furthermore the premier was obliged to take reasonable steps to shield the residents of Khayelitsha from an unrelenting invasion of their fundamental rights as a result of the alleged police inefficiency.”

The commission’s primary purpose was to make recommendations to Cabinet on how to improve policing in the area.

“We remain committed to working with both the commission and the [police] in order to increase safety in all our communities and, now that we have clarity on this aspect, trust that the commission can move forward in fulfilling its mandate with the full co-operation of the police,” Zille said.

– News24

Cape Town – Conditions in South African prisons remain poor, with inmates becoming increasingly frustrated with their treatment, the 2012/13 annual report of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Centres (JICS) has found.

The report was tabled in Parliament last week.

“The inspecting judge [of prisons] characterised 2012 as a year of uprisings by inmates in correctional centres,” the report said.

“While gangsterism in correctional centres can be seen as a major contributing factor, amongst others, we cannot ignore that inmates have become frustrated with their conditions and treatment in correctional centres.”

More unnatural deaths

There was a decline in the overall number of deaths in prisons from 852 to 709, but the decrease only applied to natural deaths.

“The number of unnatural deaths reported has increased from 48 to 57, which is of great concern to the Inspectorate.”

Most unnatural deaths are as a result of suicide, followed by incidents where the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Nineteen inmates hung themselves, nine were murdered by fellow inmates, six overdosed on drugs and three committed suicide by setting their cells alight.

The Inspectorate conducted 39 investigations, of which 21 were probes into allegations of serious human rights violations.

Modderbee in Gauteng came under investigation five times for assaults, gang-related violence and suicides.

Gang violence at Groenpunt in the Free State, St Albans Prison in Port Elizabeth and Pollsmoor in the Western Cape – where dozens of inmates were injured in January this year – was also investigated.

“In respect of the allegations of violence we have found that officials acted beyond the scope of their authority and lacked the necessary judgement and characteristics when trying to quell the inmate uprising and gang-related activity,” the report said.

Inmates complain of assaults

In addition, Independent Correctional Centre Visitors (ICCVs) received thousands of complaints from inmates.

The number of complaints of officials assaulting inmates grew by 73%, while complaints of inmate-on-inmate assaults went up by 56% from the previous year.

“This occurrence can be attributed to the ill-discipline of officials and/or inmates which militate against the safe custody to which inmates are entitled,” the Inspectorate found.

“It furthermore infringes upon the spirit of rehabilitation which is one of the core functions of the DCS.”

Overcrowding remains a huge concern, despite the prison population decreasing from 158 165 to 153 049 between March last year and this year.

“We note that the sentenced offender population decreased by 7 144. By contrast the number of remand detainees increased by 2 082.”

‘Reduce inmate numbers by 25%’

The country’s prison infrastructure was still not adequate to accommodate the number of inmates housed in jails.

“The ideal number of inmates in relation to our current accommodation should be reduced by at least 25%…”

Inmate health care was also a major concern.

A survey conducted during the 2011/12 financial year revealed 38% of inmates were not examined within 24 hours of admission, 29% were not informed of their right to health care, and 54% did not receive immediate treatment.

“It is the view of the Inspectorate that the department [of correctional services] has not taken the findings and recommendations of the said report into account.”

Democratic Alliance MP James Selfe said the report showed that “all is not well in South Africa’s prisons”.

DA wants minister to appear before committee

“It also shows the urgent need for the immediate implementation of Section 49G of the Correctional Services Act which limits the period of incarceration for remand detainees to a maximum of two years,” Selfe said.

“The effective enforcement of this section could successfully address the concerning upward trend in the number of remand detainees held in our prisons.”

Selfe said inspecting judge Vuka Tshabalala should explain the report to Parliament’s portfolio committee on correctional services.

The DA would also call for Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele to appear before the committee to explain what his department was doing to improve the situation inside the country’s jails.

“Although prisoners have committed offences, they are still guaranteed basic human rights that need to be protected. What is needed now is a clear analysis of the JICS’s findings, and a definite strategy by the minister to turn the situation around.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) tribunal hearing into a complaint of misconduct against Cape Judge President John Hlophe was postponed on Tuesday.

“Older age has taught me not to make a decision too quickly. We [the tribunal] are going to need some time,” tribunal president, retired judge Joop Labuschagne said.

“We will get together this afternoon and during the course of tomorrow [Wednesday] and we will do our best to make a decision on Thursday morning at 10:00.”

The tribunal heard earlier on Tuesday that it was an invalid proceeding.

Selby Mbenenge, SC, for Constitutional Court judges Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde, said the tribunal’s legitimacy was at stake because the rules governing it were invalid.

“This tribunal is not a properly appointed structure as the rules applicable to these proceedings make no provision for its creation,” he said.

Rules not published

He said the rules of the tribunal were also invalid since they were not published in the government gazette by the minister of justice, in terms of the unamended JSC Act.

“In our view the failure to publish the rules in question is fatal and the rules cannot be relied on,” Mbenenge said.

“The entire proceedings become a nullity. There was in the first instance no complaint to investigate – there was no inquiry to conduct.”

Mbenenge said Jafta and Nkabinde were entitled to raise the defence that they were not obliged to subject themselves to the proceedings.

He said that “strictly speaking” the two were not party to the proceedings. However they had made submissions in the anticipation that they be called to testify.

“They have a right not to testify before an illegitimate structure,” Mbenenge said.

In 2008, Jafta and Nkabinde alleged Hlophe approached them while they were considering a corruption case involving President Jacob Zuma and arms company Thint in the multi-billion rand arms deal.

The justices regarded discussing the case with them as an attempt to improperly influence its outcome and a complaint was lodged.

Court decision

Evidence leader Xoliswa Khanyile said on Tuesday the issue surrounding the legality of the proceedings was beyond her.

“All I can say is the issues that are raised here are issues that really should be decided by the court. I don’t think this tribunal can really invalidate itself and say ‘we are part of an illegal structure’.”

Gilbert Marcus, SC, for the Constitutional Court judges excluding Jafta and Nkabinde, said on Tuesday that “everybody” had accepted since July 2008 that these proceedings were conducted in accordance with a set of rules that were made in terms of relevant legislation.

“We submit that on the acceptance that there has not been publication of those rules, it really cannot have the effect of invalidating everything that follows,” he said.

“What we are concerned about is whether or not the initiating complaint in May and June 2008 is valid or not. We submit… that there is no basis upon which section 14 of the act, which only came into force on the first of June 2010, can be held to apply retrospectively to completed transactions.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – A 33-year-old man accused of a double murder was arrested in Merafe, Soweto, on Tuesday, Gauteng police said.

The man was caught after he instructed his lawyer to call the police, Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.

He allegedly shot dead two men at the Merafe hostel on 23 September, and had been on the run since.

Spent R-5 rifle and 9mm pistol cartridges were found on the scene of the crime.

He would appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court soon, Makhubela said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The ANC asking former president Thabo Mbeki to assist in capturing Gauteng’s middle class votes in next year’s election was a sign of desperation, DA national spokesperson Mmusi Maimane said on Tuesday.

“When President Mbeki proclaimed that he was an African, born of the people of this continent, we shared his pride,” Maimane told residents in Soshanguve.

“President Mbeki wasn’t perfect. Nobody is. But during his presidency we saw progress. He got the economy on track. Houses were built and electricity and sanitation were delivered.”

The Sunday Times reported that the strategy arose out of fears of President Jacob Zuma’s unpopularity with the middle class. Zuma would instead be used to woo the poor and working class voters in the province.

“We are pulling out all the stops and using all the resources of the ANC,” the party’s Gauteng provincial secretary David Makhura reportedly said.

Once an ANC supporter – Maimane

On Monday, the ANC in Gauteng queried the report, stating that it suggested without any basis that Zuma was unpopular with the middle class.

The ANC’s campaign in the suburbs was also different in every election and the report made no reference to provincial secretary David Makhura’s extensive criticism of the opposition campaign in Gauteng, the ruling party said.

Maimane said Mbeki introduced Black Economic Empowerment, and while there may have been problems with its implementation, it signalled the injustices of apartheid were being redressed.

During this time, he was an ANC voter and an Mbeki supporter.

“Things have now changed. The economy is sliding and people are battling to put bread on the table. Jobs are being lost,” he said.

“The best opportunities always seem to go to the same connected insiders. And communities across Gauteng are taking to the streets to protest against corruption.”

This was why the ANC was talking about bringing Mbeki back to campaign in Gauteng, so people forget what has happened since he left office.

‘People deserve to know candidates’

“He was recalled once and now the ANC want to recall him back,” Maimane said.

“It amazes me that you can kick a president out of office and then expect him to come back and campaign for you.”

Maimane, the DA’s candidate for Gauteng premier in next year’s elections, said people deserved to know who their candidates were.

“If [Gauteng Premier] Nomvula Mokonyane is going be the premier candidate, then she must come out and campaign,” he said.

“She must come out and defend her record in government.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The transport department was concerned that many South Africans were still having to use untarred roads, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said on Tuesday.

While a lot had been achieved in transport in cities, many rural transport networks were still struggling, she said in a speech prepared for delivery at the launch of transport month in Pretoria.

Rural transport development had become one of the country’s main problems.

“Some in the rural areas have to walk long distances to access public transport. It is important for all of us to focus on the improvement of mobility and access in rural areas.”

A national travel survey had highlighted that a high percentage of the population could not afford transport costs. This in turn affected their access to social and economic services, she said.

Peters acknowledged that much had been achieved in transport. In centres such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Rustenburg there were investments in projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit system.

“The system is a catalyst for urban regeneration, reconnecting isolated nodes and bringing disconnected communities closer to economic opportunities.”

She said the country had more tarred roads than the rest of sub-Saharan Africa combined.

“They are worth over R1 trillion, which is equal to the national budget for a year. We need to spend R30 billion a year on just maintaining them, but at the moment we can only spend R30bn on both maintenance and new construction.”

Hundreds of billions were being invested to expand and upgrade rail networks, harbours, and airports, she said. The aim was to enable easy access to goods which the country’s economic growth depended on.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The Afrobarometer poverty survey released on Tuesday showed President Jacob Zuma’s handling of the economy needed to be debated in Parliament, the DA said.

According to the survey, South Africans were experiencing increased levels of poverty, Democratic Alliance economic development spokesperson Kenneth Mubu said in a statement.

“In terms of Afrobarometer’s Lived Poverty Index (LPI), South Africa now ranks sixth in Africa, down from third in 2009 when President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel took office.”

South Africa’s score on the LPI for 2012 was 0.81 on a scale from zero to four. Four reflects a constant absence of all basic necessities, while zero reflects no poverty.

In 2002, South Africa scored 0.71, 0.82 in 2005, and 0.89 in 2008 on the LPI.

“The Democratic Alliance believes that job creation should be the number one priority to reduce poverty,” Mubu said.

If the party were elected to national government, it would implement job-creating economic policies such as the youth wage subsidy.

“The DA has repeatedly requested a debate in Parliament on President Jacob Zuma’s handling of the economy,” said Mubu.

“Our requests have been denied by the Speaker [Max Sisulu] on the basis that he did not believe that the subject was of ‘immediate concern’.”

With the survey’s findings showing South Africans getting poorer, and young people struggling to find jobs, the DA reiterated its call for an urgent parliamentary debate.

“We trust that the Speaker of Parliament will wake up to the realities of ordinary South Africans and allow for this crucial debate to take place.”

The survey indicated that poverty in South Africa increased despite reported average economic growth of 3.6% between 2002 and 2012.

Between 2011 and 2013, 60% of South Africans never experienced water shortages, while 29% did so once, twice or several times. Eleven percent experienced water shortages many times or always.

Medical shortages were always experienced, or many times, by eight percent of South Africans, while 31% experienced the same shortages once, twice, or several times.

Most South Africans – 60% – never experienced medical shortages, according to the survey.

Regarding cooking fuel shortages, eight percent of South Africans always or many times experienced such shortages, 30% once, twice, or several times, and 62% never.

Nearly a quarter – 22% – of South Africans experienced cash income shortages many times or always.

Thirty-four percent experienced the same shortage once, twice, or several times while 44% of South Africans never experienced cash shortages.

When South Africans were asked what they thought of the current condition of the national economy, 47% said it was fairly or very bad, 17%said neither good or bad, and 34%said very or fairly good.

Compared to the condition of the country’s economy a year ago, 33% of South Africans said the economy had become worse or much worse, while 36 said it was the same.

The survey was conducted in 35 countries across Africa (though Ethiopia’s data was yet to be released).

– SAPA