Potchefstroom – The African National Congress is combat ready for the Tlokwe by-elections in the North West, the party said on Tuesday.

“We will utilise this opportunity to place resources at our disposal and our energies in winning the three ward by-elections we are contesting tomorrow,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“The ruling of the court today is neither a victory, setback nor a loss for the ANC.

The Electoral Court in Bloemfontein ordered 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.

ANC leaders campaigned in Tlokwe on Tuesday.

Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula and ANC Youth League convenor Mzwandile Masina were among those campaigning.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe was scheduled to address party volunteers in Potchefstroom on Tuesday evening.

Sapa

Johannesburg – Four men have been arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.

They were caught in bushes after a police chase on Monday, said police spokesperson Jay Naicker.

He said the police gave chase to a white bakkie that drove through a red traffic light in KwaMashu.

“When they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver turned to Nkonjane Road at K Section where the vehicle crashed and came to standstill.”

The men, aged between 35 and 48, jumped out and ran towards bushes while shooting at the police.

“Dogs were released to give chase and the men were found in possession of firearms and ammunition,” said Naicker.

Police confiscated a .38 special Taurus revolver with six rounds of ammunition, a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition, a 7.65 pistol, a .38 Taurus revolver and an AK-47 assault rifle with 30 rounds.

Six cellphones, an identity document and five rubber gloves were also seized.

Naicker said the firearms would be sent for ballistics tests to determine whether they had been used in any other crimes in the province.

The men would appear soon in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court, said Naicker.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has condemned the looting of foreign-owned shops and related violence in the city.

The attacks on Somalians had put the people of Port Elizabeth to shame, the municipality said in a statement on Tuesday.

It said a suspected act of criminality by a Somalian could never justify the looting and attacking of innocent people.

“We want to put it straight and clear, these incidents are criminal, cowardly, irresponsible and inexcusable to say the least.

“We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms. We call upon the law enforcement agencies to act strongly to those found to be responsible for this chaos.”

The municipality extended its condolences to the family of a man who was shot dead by a foreign shop owner on Saturday in New Brighton.

It said it would visit the man’s family and the Somalians affected in various areas of the city.

70 arrested

Earlier on Tuesday, Eastern Cape police said 70 people had been arrested for looting and public violence.

Police spokesperson Marinda Mills said the situation was “tense but stable” on Tuesday morning after sporadic looting of shops owned by immigrants on Monday night.

Looting was reported in Kwadwesi, Missionvale, Swartkops, New Brighton, and Motherwell.

“During our interaction with affected communities, it was clear that the motive for the attacks on foreign-owned spaza shops [was] not xenophobic in nature, but a criminal element that has seized an opportunity,” Mills said.

Looting was considered public violence, which was a schedule one offence under the Criminal Procedure Act.

It was difficult for the police to prevent looting, as it was hard to predict when and where it would occur.

“Most of the foreign shop owners have been assisted to relocate their property to safer locations,” said Mills.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Tuesday condemned the actions of a municipal spokesperson who allegedly threatened a reporter seeking information in Grahamstown.

“Sanef condemns the efforts of Makana municipality spokesperson Mncedisi Boma to prevent Grocott’s Mail municipal affairs reporter Awuwile Diko, from gathering information about a financial package that the Makana municipality is considering offering the municipal manager.

“Boma is also alleged to have issued what is interpreted as a death threat against Diko,” Sanef said in a statement.

Diko said when she asked Boma where the money would be found for the package, he told her: “Awuwile, you must stop digging. People who continue to dig don’t last forever. You will hear people saying that you were wearing a black jacket and you were going there to dig.”

Sanef said the conversation was in Xhosa and his words were interpreted by Diko as a death threat. She reported the matter to police.

Sanef said attempts to “stifle the public’s right to know” were unacceptable and subverted the country’s constitutional values.

Sanef was alarmed by Boma’s refusal to supply information of public importance when asked for it.

“His conduct is another example of the ever-increasing trend by government and civic officials to attempt to censor or maintain secrecy over information that should be in the public domain.”

Sanef called on the municipal authorities to act against Boma for failing in his role as spokesperson and to investigate the alleged threat against the reporter.

Violence against journalists was becoming a matter of serious concern after the arson attack on Sasolburg radio station Karabo FM.

On 7 September, two masked men stormed into the building at 21:00 and ordered a radio presenter, two studio guests, and a female security guard out of the building.

They poured petrol in and around the station and set it on fire.

– SAPA

Cape Town – The DA claims that the ANC members of the portfolio committee on communications recommended to President Jacob Zuma for appointment to the SABC board was on the basis of party political loyalties.

On Tuesday Parliament released the names of 12 people recommended to President Jacob Zuma for appointment to the SABC board.

The list includes the current interim chairperson of the board, Ellen Tshabalala, her deputy Noluthando Gosa and a past member of the broadcaster’s board, Vusumuzi Mavuso.

The others are Ronnie Lubisi, Thembinkosi Bonakele, Rachel Kalidass, Nomvuyo Mhlakaza, Bongani Khumalo, Mbulaheni Obert Maguvhe, Krish Naidoo, Aaron Tshidzumba and Hope Zinde.

In a statement, DA MP Marian Shinn said Parliament had had the opportunity to select a new board to steer the SABC into calm waters.

“Instead, ANC members of the portfolio committee on communications chose to select candidates on the basis of party political loyalties and not proficiency for the task at hand.”

The 12 board members proposed and accepted by the ANC were rejected by the DA and other political parties.

They felt the proposed board deviated from the draft agreed on by the committee task team last week, and said the ANC was not prepared to negotiate about the proposed board.

“The DA will oppose the ANC in Parliament’s list of SABC board candidates when it is tabled for a vote on Thursday.

“It is disappointing that the ANC in Parliament refused to select a capable and effective board to fix it,” Shinn said.

– SAPA

Potchefstroom – About 1 000 people in Tlokwe were given the title deeds to their homes on Tuesday, on the eve of crucial municipal by-elections, but any link was flatly denied.

The human settlements department denied that the handing-over ceremony had anything to do with electioneering.

“This is part of MEC Nono Maloyi’s ongoing project which started [in 2010] to deliver services,” spokesperson Ben Bole said.

He said with or without elections, service delivery efforts would continue.

Another 50 people were given houses during the event, which was held next to the Ipeleng Community Library voting station.

Children queued for the free food being handed out.

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini recently came under fire for handing out food parcels ahead of by-elections in Tlokwe.

She was accused of using her ministerial position to garner votes for the ANC.

DA spokesperson Mmusi Maimane described what the ANC was doing as appalling.

“The ANC seems to think that people should only eat and get houses every five years. The mandate should be such that we provide for the poor every day,” he said.

Bole said the handover had been planned long before the IEC decided on a date for the elections.

The houses were completed last December, and Tuesday was just the issuing of the title deeds.

“The MEC is very consistent in saying going forward immediately after houses are completed we need to issue a title deed,” he said.

Bole said the government should be applauded for the manner in which it handed out houses quickly, unlike the apartheid government.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Four children died in a fire at Gedleza, near Jozini, in KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Jay Naicker said the children were alone in the house when it caught fire on Sunday night.

“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage,” said Naicker.

Amkelwa Kwesaba, 19-month, Nkosingizwile Mazibuko, 2, Noxolo Mazibuku, 7, and Sinegugu Mazibuko, 10, all died on the scene.

An inquest docket had been opened.

– SAPA

Potchefstroom – Campaigning ahead of by-elections in Tlokwe, North West, continued late on Tuesday despite uncertainty about whether they would go ahead as planned.

By mid-afternoon, the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein had reserved judgment on an application to postpone the by-elections.

The court was hearing an application by five independent candidates, who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Judge Kenneth Nthiyane said he realised the by-elections were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, and the court might give an order before then. Reasons for the order would be given at a later stage.

The ANC was campaigning in three Tlokwe wards on Tuesday.

“These [wards] are our main focal areas,” spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said.

North West ANC chair Supra Mahumapelo was visiting Ward 4, Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula Ward 18 and former Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Memezi was in Ward 26.

The wards, which were previously represented by the ANC, became vacant when the party expelled the councillors.

Expelled councillors

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 by DA 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.

Mnisi said the ANC would hold a press briefing once the IEC had made a decision.

DA constituency leader in the area Juanita Terblanche said the party was going ahead with its preparations for Wednesday’s by-elections.

Campaign posters for ANC, DA, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and independent candidates adorned lamp posts around Potchefstroom.

The ANC’s posters bore the faces of their candidates in the different wards.

DA posters read: “Your vote can make Potch DA.” The FF Plus poster read: “Stop die ANC [Stop the ANC]”.

There were also posters for David Kham, a former ANC member and Tlokwe chief whip, campaigning as an independent candidate.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The ANC has set up a task team to help Cosatu resolve its problems, party spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said on Tuesday.

“It is the view of the NWC [National Working Committee] that it is in the interest of the ANC, our alliance partners and broad mass democratic movement to find a lasting solution that will allow Cosatu to unite, and continue to lead the struggle of the workers and the labour movement broadly.”

Mthembu said the NWC resolved at a meeting on Monday to create the task team.

It would be led by ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa. Other members are Baleka Mbete, Gwede Mantashe, Zweli Mkhize, Mildred Oliphant, Susan Shabangu, Connie September, and Ebrahim Patel.

Mthembu said an urgent meeting would be arranged with Cosatu leaders, and alliance partners would be informed of the decision.

“We are confident that the current phase of challenges facing Cosatu will be overcome.”

Vavi suspended

Cosatu suspended its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into to an affair he had with a junior employee.

The employee accused him of rape.

The woman subsequently withdrew a sexual harassment complaint against him.

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) brought an application at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for his suspension to be declared unconstitutional.

The Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) and the SA Football Players’ Union (SAFPU) are co-applicants in Numsa’s case.

Numsa’s application was postponed last Tuesday to allow an application to intervene by seven opposing unions.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates will show no mercy to a bottom-of-the-log Polokwane City, Buccaneers’ captain Lucky Lekgwathi said ahead of their soccer Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

Polokwane parted ways with their coach Duncan Lechesa on Monday after four consecutive losses in their league campaign, and now have to deal with a dangerous Pirates side on their home turf without a recognised mentor.

“It’s the best time to be playing Polokwane, it’s good to build our motivation,” Lekgwathi said on Monday.

“I heard that their coach has been fired and they’re not doing well, so we must just use that advantage.”

While other teams have played three and four matches each, Pirates have turned out just once in the league – due to their CAF Champions league commitments – losing 1-0 to AmaZulu at Orlando in early August. They are one spot above Polokwane with no points following the loss.

“We don’t have any points in the league yet, so we want to make sure we get three points on Wednesday,” Lekgwathi said.

“We are second from bottom and we want to improve that by winning the game and using the advantage of playing at home. It’s time to catch up now, we spoke about it. It’s just taking it one game at a time.”

Pirates go into the game fresh off a 1-0 loss to Congolese side AC Leopards in the Champions league on Saturday.

Lekgwathi said his side is keen to translate their success into the local league.

“We need to carry on our good form from the Champions league. The experience from Africa will help us a lot. If you look at our team there are a lot of youngsters who have gained experience in the Champions league.”

He said playing Polokwane would provide a brief respite from tackling the bigger sides.

“It’s nice to be playing them instead of a team like Kaizer Chiefs. They are obviously bottom-of-the-log, but when those teams play us or Kaizer Chiefs they double their efforts.”

SAPA