Cape Town – The number of strikes last year in South Africa hit a five-year high, the labour department said on Wednesday.

A total of 99 strikes were recorded in 2012, close to half of them unprotected or illegal strikes, and many of them characterised by violence, labour director general Nkosinathi Nhleko told journalists in Cape Town.

Tabling the latest Industrial Action Report, which covers the 2012 calendar year, he said strikes over the period involved 241 391 workers, cost the economy 3.3 million working days, and resulted in workers losing R6.6bn in wages.

The trend was continuing into this year.

“From what we can all see, there is a continuation of the trend we experienced in 2012,” Nhleko said.

However, no figures were yet available for the current calendar year.

Asked why so many strikes involved violence, he suggested this had to do with leadership.

“The issue of how parties in the dispute have got to conduct themselves… hinges largely around the issue of exercise of leadership.

“And when we cite leadership as a factor… it is also informed by the mere fact that when these things begin to happen, it is something that wants to suggest that at a level of exercise of leadership, there is something that has not been handled properly and… accordingly.”

This, Nhleko said, was a “worrying point”.

He said “social partners” needed to tackle the issue of how to prevent violence during strikes.

According to the report, 99 “strike incidents” were recorded in 2012, compared to 67 in 2011; 74 in 2010; 51 in 2009; and, 57 in 2008.

“South Africa experienced violent, bloody and deadly industrial actions in the mining, transport and agricultural industries…. Out of 99 strikes processed within the department, 45 strikes were unprotected.”

The document finds most of the working days lost by industry were in the mining sector (82.4%).

“Wages, bonuses and other compensation issues still remain the main reasons for work stoppages in South Africa during 2012.”

Further, most workers involved in last year’s labour unrest were members of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Among the provinces, Gauteng – South Africa’s economic heartland – had the most work stoppages.

“Gauteng experienced 42 strikes in 2012, up from 33 in 2011, an increase of 27.3%.”

According to the report, workers still had confidence in the Labour Relations Act, the legislation governing bargaining processes and associated legislation, “[but] most of them believe that the cost of living is too high”.

Among its conclusions are that “government needs to take control of the situation and solidify practice and protocol with regard to wage negotiations before the nation’s mining sector becomes un-investable [sic] as a result of the strikes…”. 

Johannesburg – Lolly Jackson’s alleged killer George Louka has been granted 40 days to appeal against his extradition to South Africa, The Star reported on Wednesday.

Louka’s lawyer Loukis Loucaides would seek to invalidate Justice Minister Jeff Radebe’s application that compelled his client to be extradited, it reported.

According to the newspaper, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Cyprus ruled on Tuesday that Louka would be in mortal danger if he returned to South Africa. Loucaides reportedly argued that his client would be assassinated upon his return to the country.

The court believed South African authorities would not be able to protect Louka.

Loucaides reportedly said he would not hesitate to approach the European Court of Human Rights, should the extradition be ordered again.

Louka was implicated in the death of Jackson who was shot dead in May 2010. He fled to Cyprus soon after.

Louka had vowed to the Star that he would “never open his mouth” even if he were to be extradited. He had claimed “important people” would be brought down if he had to tell the full story of Jackson’s murder.

Only a witness

Eyewitness News reported on Wednesday that Louka claimed he was only a witness to Jackson’s murder, and had tried to report the crime, not confess to it.

He allegedly phoned former Gauteng crime intelligence head Joey Mabasa on the night that Jackson was shot dead, and then left the country.

Louka’s said his client believed the alleged murderer was in a corrupt relationship with a top policeman, and he feared for his life.

SAPA

Cape Town – The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will still be implemented this year, but the commencement date for e-tolling has yet to be determined, according to Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.

In written reply to a parliamentary question, she said the transport department was awaiting the promulgation of the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill.

The bill was with President Jacob Zuma, who still had to sign it into law, she said.

On September 5, the presidency said Zuma was still considering the bill.

“Once he has made a decision, the president will inform Parliament and the public,” presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement at the time.

The e-tolls have been challenged by several political parties, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), and the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa).

In April this year, the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng’s roads within two months.

The previous April, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be put into effect.

The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls, pending the outcome of a review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.

In September last year, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order, and, in December, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Outa’s application to scrap e-tolling.

The court granted Outa leave on January 25 this year to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The appeal is expected to be heard this month.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a case of inquest after a man allegedly hanged himself at Taung Distrct Hospital.

The atrocity took place on Monday when Ntsime Dikwejane who was a patient at the local hospital, found hanged in the toilet.

Dikwejane was admitted at the hospital after he tried to burnt himself last week.

He allegedly tried to set a house on fire last week while he was inside and was rescued by neighbours.

Mogopela-born man was allegedly taken to hospital and was found dead in the Monday morning.-TDN

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Potchefstroom – Three wards in Tlokwe will be contested in Wednesday’s by-elections with the ANC confident of clinching victory.

At least 13 000 voters are expected to turn up for the elections. This despite the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein ordering on Tuesday evening that five out of the nine by-elections in Tlokwe be postponed.

This was after the court heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission.

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

Late on Tuesday, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told party volunteers they should not be discouraged by the postponement as it afforded them the opportunity to focus all their energy on the three wards, six, 18 and 26.

“Go to every family and encourage them to vote for the ANC,” he said.

In July, the ANC expelled 14 councillors after its provincial disciplinary committee found them guilty on four counts of misconduct for participating in a motion of no confidence against Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle.

Maphetle was replaced as mayor by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.

However, the ANC’s national disciplinary committee overturned the expulsions.

Despite this, eight of the councillors registered as independent candidates for the by-elections.

Voting stations are expected to open 09:00.

SAPA

WHEN 13-year-old Mthokozisi led the people and cops to a human skeleton, it was not the first time he had made the strange discovery of a person’s corpse.

Mthokozisi Mkhonza, from Nancefield Hostel in Soweto, was only seven years old when he found a baby’s body in a rubbish bin not far from the hostel.

And on Sunday he came across a human skull, with the rest of the body still covered with soil.

Fikile Gumede, the boy’s mum, told Daily Sun on Sunday that her son and other boys went to hunt birds at a space across the road from the hostel.

“When he came back he looked a little bit strange, as if he was in a dream,” said his mum.

“I didn’t think much of it because that is the sort of thing that happens with children.

“I never thought he might have seen something scary.”

Fikile said Mthokozisi did not sleep well that night.

“He was jumpy and he told me he was having nightmares, but never said what the problem was.

“On Monday he went to school, but he was not concentrating.”

Fikile said the teacher asked him what was wrong.

That was when Mthokozisi disclosed his secret.

His mum said: “Then I could see that the child was traumatised and I went to the community leader and the cops and Mthokozisi took us to the skeleton.”

Fikile said she was reminded of that time six years ago when her child took them to the baby’s body.

She said the baby was dead, but the boy told them it was still breathing when he found it.

Cops said an inquest docket was opened and they are investigating.

Constable Sibusiso Chauke said: “We are calling on all families who are looking for missing relatives to come forward.”

For more http://www.dailysun.mobi

BY TDN
For the first time in his life the 66-year-old Maleho Majoe became the owner of his own home. The gesture was made by the North West MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi when he handed over more than one thousand title deeds to the residents of Ikageng location extension 11 and 7 in Potchefstroom.
Jubilation was written all over Majoe’s face who could not explain the joy brought to him by government.
“I am happy now that government has made it possible that I own and have property of my own. Firstly they build a house for me, when I had nowhere to stay. They created a home for my six children and my sick wife. What else could I ask for,” said Majoe.
Majoe is amongst the one thousand beneficiaries that received title deeds which guaranteed those families ownership of their houses in Ikageleng.
Handing over the title deeds to beneficiaries MEC Maloyi, called on the residents of Ikageng to make sure that they take care of their houses and further make them homes.
Maloyi said that having a title deed will make them owners of their own properties.
“It is government’s responsibility to make sure that you have a shelter, as guided by the constitution. We will continue as government to make sure that all the residents become owners of their own properties”, said Maloyi.
He could not complete his speech before warning those who continue to rent their houses and stay in informal settlements in the area. He said that their gesture defeats government’s initiative of eradicating informal settlements and reduction of the housing backlog.
Earlier in the day MEC Maloyi handed over 50 houses in Ikageng extension 11. He called on beneficiaries to report defects if they find any on their newly build houses.
Maloyi called on contractors to enrol their houses with the National Home Builders Registration Council, to make sure that there is quality in the houses that they are building.-TDN
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By TDN
Mahikeng-The powerful and shocking story of SkierIik, based on the tragic events that made news headlines in South Africa in 2008, comes under the spotlight for a theatrical re-run in Mahikeng for one week only.
Hosted in partnership between Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation, Lentswe Arts Projects and the National Arts Council; Skierlik will be shown at Mmabana Head Office, Studio 1 from 24 to 28 September 2013 at 7pm every evening.

Written and performed by Phillip M. Dikotla who received the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) Impact Award for theatre last year; Skierlik, produced by Karabo Kgokong was originally staged at Mmabana Studio 3 in 2011. This year, the production drew much public attention and has thus been staged on various stages across the country.
“The play’s genesis evolved from the horrific incident that shook South Africa on 14 January 2008, in the informal settlement called Skierlik, just outside Swartruggens in the North West Province. On that fateful day 17-year-old Johan Nel went on a shooting spree killing four people including a three-month old baby and wounding eight others. Nel was sentenced to four life sentences for the murders” Mmabana spokesperson Trinity Bogosi said.
The devastating massacre left tragic effects on survivors and on families who had lost their bread-winners. Determined to try restore what had been lost, by re-telling the tale of Skierlik on stage, Dikotla set out to write the play with hopes that the communities and audience members would relate to it.
Bogosi said the play sees Dikotla seamlessly embracing characters that represent the different faces of the people in Skierlik and his honest performance successfully draws the audience into fully experiencing the emotional journey of the incident.
“After I matriculated I wanted to be a theatre-maker so I joined the Market Theatre Laboratory. During my studies there, the terrible news about the Skierlik shootings broke and I was determined to write about it and so started my journey with this play,” explains Phillip Dikotla.

After winning Best Production at the Zabalaza Theatre Festival in March this year, the production got a full two weeks mainstream season at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. At the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Skierlik got awarded the Standard Bank Ovation award for its innovation and artistic excellence.
The production was also invited to the Wits University 969 Festival and Sasol Gauteng Schools Festival.
Production is scheduled as follows:

Venue: Mmabana Head Office, Studio 1
Time: 19H00pm
Writer: Phillip Dikotla.
Ticket price: R 50 (sold at Mmabana Head Office every day)

Details
Duration: 60 minutes
Language: Mix (English, Setswana & Afrikaans)
Age Restriction: 12+ (L)-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-The police in Marikana have arrested a second suspect who is allegedly linked to the murder of Dumisani Dlamini (33), a former employee of Lonmin who was shot at the Wonderkop taxi rank. The 37-year-old taxi owner was arrest on Monday at about 13:00 at his place of residential in Mooinooi.
“It is alleged that the deceased, who was also a taxi owner was standing next to his vehicle at the taxi rank when an unknown suspect approached him. According to information received, the suspect allegedly shot the victim several times in the chest and the stomach” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The suspect allegedly used a taxi to flee the scene while the victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment, where he later died.
Ngubane said preliminary crime scene investigations revealed that a 9mm pistol had been used during the shooting incident.
“The police found one bullet head, two sharp rounds of ammunition and cartridges at the scene. Allegations further indicated that the two suspects who have been arrested are members of the Bleskop Taxi Association” he said.
The police conducted their investigations and on 11 September 2013, and the first suspect, Lungisani Mzobe (23), was arrested. Mzobe made his first court appearance last week and he is still in Police custody” Ngubane said.
The two accused are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges of murder.-TDN
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Cape Town – The DA proposed measures on Tuesday to ensure child grants are not abused, as part of their green paper on poverty relief.

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said social workers should be obliged to intervene if there was suspicion that grant conditions were being flouted, for example if a child was not attending school.

The party also called for the introduction of a community oversight system on grant spending.

This would allow teachers or others to apply for the grant to be paid out to another caretaker or to a social worker if grant money was not being spent in a child’s best interest.

To encourage behaviour that would help children overcome poverty, the party proposed that bonuses be paid to children for completing Grade 12.

This should be backed up by other measures to help the youth complete their studies and find jobs, including a comprehensive government intern programme and education vouchers for the unemployed.

If it were in power, the party would also provide transport and communication coupons for job-seekers and speed up the expanded public works programme in areas where unemployment was particularly high.

“A DA government will ensure that we have a growing economy, which will free millions from the shackles of poverty and allow people to move from welfare to work.

“The DA feels the pain of the millions that are unemployed, and we are determined to better their future,” she said.

– SAPA