Mahikeng – Former ANC councillors in the Tlokwe municipality have accused party leaders of having tried to bribe them with cushy government jobs if they refrained from contesting by-elections.

According to the Sunday Times, newly elected Tlokwe ward 26 independent councillor Stone Mahlabe, singled out ANC North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo as having offered him a government job in exchange for his withdrawal from the by-election. Another former ANC councillor, Maseapei Madiehe-Teme, said Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom had visited her at home and promised a proportional representation seat or a government job.

Both Hanekom and Mahumapelo have denied doing so. 

Mahlabe and Madiehe-Teme are two of 14 ANC councillors who were expelled for participating in the removal earlier this year of ANC mayor Maphetle Maphetle, whom they accuse of corruption.

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini is expected to force the abandonment of a special congress meant to save the career of embattled general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

According to the Sunday Independent, Dlamini, who holds the key to the special congress, will cite financial difficulties as the reason for not going ahead with such a meeting, which if allowed, would lead to fresh elections that could see his leadership coming under fire from Vavi’s supporters.

According to Nehawu general-secretary Fikile Majola, who is also a Cosatu central executive committee (CEC) member, they would respond to the issue of the special congress after the release of a report by the federation’s national office bearers at the November CEC meeting.

Vavi was suspended last month pending a probe into a sex scandal involving him and a junior staff member. Vavi is also being investigated for alleged maladministration following the sale and purchase of Cosatu buildings in Johannesburg.  

For more http://www.news24.com

Johannesburg – A survey commissioned by a local pharmaceutical company has found that South Africans live in perpetual fear of falling victim to crime.

According to the Sunday Independent, Pharma Dynamics – which specialises in treating depression – found that 94% of people who took part in the survey were “extremely afraid” and that perceptions of insecurity were really high.

Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Mariska Fouche said the survey was indicative of how much crime, especially violent crime, can contribute to a mass fear of insecurity.

According to Fouche, the survey was conducted on Wednesday last week and 1 000 adults were interviewed from around the country. 

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Following the destruction wrought upon the Magogong village,near Taung the municipality has continued to do door to door evaluations in the affected parishes,Diplankeng area and other part of Magogong village.

With more than 10 homes affected in the area, it is evident that the process of recovery will also be long and challenging. 

Beyond the figures, there are numerous individual human stories.

September 19, 2013 will forever be etched in the minds of Kelebogile Gaboutlwele and her young sister, residents of Magogong village, one of the parishes hardest hit by copious wind. 

Kelebogile Gaboutlwele and her sister are picking up the pieces of what remains of their home and lives now that the wind has gone.

The wind, which lashed the eastern area of Taung, resulting in a great deal of structural damage and the displacement of families.

Gaboutlwele told sabc that the wind blew the house roofing and her sister was fortunate to escape unharmed.

“We were in the house and heard a bang and next minute our house roofing were gone. The was a wind outside, but that one was terrifying” she told sabc.

“I told my sister to seek safety under the bed, and immediately after she moved from where she was standing, one of the rocks that was on the roof landed” Kelebogile said.

According to reports, 10 houses and two churches were destroyed and leaving owners crestfallen.

“We are emotionally touched and all people who where left despondent were shortlisted and evaluations are in process” councillor Otsile Victor Mongale said.

“We visited all affected families and the municipality will see where they could lend helping hand” Mongale concludes.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_  

JOHANNESBURG – Police are investigating the possibility of a Dobsonville woman being involved in the disappearance of a UJ student, after she provided false information about her whereabouts.

The 19 year old was arrested on Friday after she claimed to have spotted Palesa Madiba, who has been missing for over a month.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the information sent them on a wild goose chase.

“We arrested her for misdirecting the police.”

Madiba is still missing and police are urging anyone with reliable information to come forward.

For more http://www.ewn.co.za

Suspended Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi is likely to win a battle for control of the union federation if it convenes a special congress to re-elect its leaders.

That’s according to a survey, which found that Vavi was the only leader of the federation who represented workers’ aspirations.

A pro-Vavi union leader said it was clear that Vavi is popular among workers on the shop floor.

“The whole thing (Vavi’s removal) is about leaders, not workers. That is why they would try to block the conference.

“It is only correct that workers be involved if there has to be a change of leadership,” he said.

For more http://www.citypress.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Polokwane-Former Orlando Pirates coach Kostadin Papic is linked to a vacant position at minnows Polokwane City after Duncan Lechesa was shown the door.

Black Leoprads coach is tipped to take the position at City even though the decision is yet dithered.

Papic is on top of the list at City to take over, however he is not the only candidate in the run for the post.

Polokwane City has been inept since their arrival on top flight football.

Lechesa is also been tipped to take over coaching position at Black Leopards and Brazillian physical trainer Eduardo Schoeler sat on the bench against Orlando Pirates.

Schoeler confirmed in midweek that he is not keen on taking coaching position permanently.

Papic has been shortlisted and is believed to be City’s man is all report is anything to go by.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Knowledge Musona came off the bench to score the winner as Kaizer Chiefs defeated Platinum Stars 2-1 on Saturday night.

Bernard Parker put Chiefs 1-0 up in the 21st minute, but Platinum Stars pulled one back on the stroke of halftime through Tintswalo Tshabalala.

However, Chiefs dominated play and created numerous chances, but Siyabonga Nkosi and Lehlohonolo Majoro failed to hit the target when it seemed easier to miss than to score.

Musona was brought on in the second half and duly scored the winner from Parker’s cross. 

For more http://www.kickoff.com

pic: (obakeng maje)

Rustenburg-EFF founder Julius Malema has slammed the ANC, saying black people will never own land as long as the party is in charge.

The ANC is worse than the apartheid government, Economic Freedom Fighter founder Julius Malema said on Saturday.

“Our people did not die for a house that will not last for three months,” he said referring to RDP houses.

He was speaking at a rally in Lethabong near Rustenburg, to celebrate his party registration with the Independent Eletoral Commission.

He said the ANC built small poor quality houses in contrast to what they had been fighting for. “There is nothing dignified about the houses.”

He said supplying water to residents was not complex. “You just dig a hole and put a pipe to take water to the people it is so simple.”

He said black people would never own land under the ANC.

“Our struggle is about land. Mandela was arrested for demanding land.” He said people should vote for a party that could deliver. “Do not vote for people who sing and jive. Vote for principles and policies that deliver.”

Malema was expected to launch his party in Marikana on October 13. Malema accused the ANC of killing Marikana mineworker.

“It is only in South Africa where 34 people are killed and no one resigns.”

He was refering to 34 mineworkers killed on August 16 2012 during a strike at Lonmin mines in Marikana. “There is a restless spirit at that koppie. We are going to tell the spirit that we are taking the economic freedom forward.”

Malema ended his speech by singing the controversial kill the boer song, replacing kill with kiss. – Sapa

Johannesburg – A man was killed when a train ran over him in Soweto, Gauteng paramedics said on Saturday.

“The young man…. was killed yesterday evening [Friday] when he fell under the wheels of a train near the Mzimhlope train station,” ER24 said in a statement.

“[He] was found to be in a critical condition and [had] sustained multiple amputations.”

The man was placed on life support and treated on scene before being taken to a nearby hospital.

“While… being rushed through to hospital his condition deteriorated and paramedics initiated [resuscitation],” it said.

“They continued CPR into the casualty of the hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries doctors declared him dead.”

The details of the incident were not known.

SAPA