Johannesburg – The death toll in the Melmoth bus crash at the weekend has risen to 10, KwaZulu-Natal transport authorities said on Tuesday.

“This follows the passing of another young girl, who died from injuries at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital last night [Monday],” said Transport MEC Willies Mchunu.

“The girl had been airlifted from Ngwelezane Hospital after being in a critical condition,” he said, describing the news as devastating.

“On behalf of the provincial government, we would like to send our condolences to the family, who have now also lost their daughter and sister.

“We are indeed a province in mourning and our prayers are that we do not lose more lives,” he said in a statement.

After the accident on Sunday, it was reported that 10 people, including the bus driver had died in the crash.

On Monday, officials reduced the number to nine, after it was found that the driver had not died, but was injured and recovering in hospital.

The bus was travelling on the R66 near Eshowe, and was heading to uMzumbe in Port Shepstone, when it overturned and hit steel barriers.

It was carrying people returning from the annual reed dance at the Nyokeni Palace. More than 60 people were injured.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the barriers pierced the front of the bus.

The latest report from the provincial transport department indicated that the deaths were of eight girls who took part in the dance and two women who accompanied them as guardians.

Mchunu said investigations showed that the bus had been speeding and had faulty brakes.

Traffic officials had earlier stopped the bus in Nongoma and found that its driver was under the influence of alcohol.

“The driver was arrested and detained in Nongoma, and subsequently replaced with another driver, who was behind the wheel when the accident occurred,” said Mchunu.

Government would cover the cost of the funerals.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – The DA in Mpumalanga has laid criminal charges against the Govan Mbeki municipal manager and the director of technical services, the party said on Tuesday.

The Democratic Alliance claimed municipal manager Mmela Mahlangu and director of technical services Bongani Mtshali had contravened the National Water Act by failing to address sewage problems in the municipality.

“The sewage leaks in the municipality are so severe that they have affected three water sources, namely the Grootbrak River in Evander/Embalenhle, the Waterval River in Leandra/Lebogang, and the Blesbokspruit in Bethal/Emzinoni,” DA councillor Tim Denny said in a statement.

“Water samples taken from these sources have shown catastrophic levels of faecal coliform bacteria, which is dangerous for both human and animal consumption.”

The municipality could not be reached for comment.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Leonard Hlathi confirmed that a case had been opened at the Embalenhle police station.

Denny said the DA and members of the community had been trying for more than a year to get the municipality to repair the sewerage problems.

The municipality had also failed to inform residents of any health risks.

“It is both Mr Mahlangu and Mr Mtshali’s direct responsibility as municipal and departmental heads to ensure that sewage is disposed of in a manner that will not pose a threat to the well-being of the community,” he said.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Police on Tuesday night cordoned off the ANC’s headquarters in Johannesburg after an apparent attempt to set the building alight.

The party’s Jackson Mthembu said a “suspicious” fire had broken out in the reception area next to the main entrance.

He said security guards had put out the flames, which had almost reached the ceiling of the reception area.

“We view this in serious light as it appears as an act of attempting to destabilise the ANC through acts arson and sabotage,” said Mthembu.

He added that the police at Luthuli House would investigate the source the fire, while ensuring that there is no other pending threat to the building and people in the building.
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Johannesburg – UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has called on President Jacob Zuma to intervene to end the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) strike.

“The workers have passed a vote of no confidence in [Higher Education] Minister Blade Nzimande and now want President Zuma to intervene urgently, fearing for the collapse of the institution,” the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader was quoted as saying, the DispatchOnline reported on Tuesday.

“Community members cry as they feel the university is under threat and they want Zuma to declare what is going on in WSU as a crisis,” he reportedly said.

The protracted strike was in its seventh week and talks were set to continue between representatives of the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the National Tertiary Education Union (Netu) and university management.

Staff were demanding an eight to 10% increase,while management was only offering 4.25% backdated to January this year.

The DispatchOnline reported Holomisa, traditional, church and community leaders met in Mthatha to discuss issues affecting WSU.

Stakeholders attending the meeting passed a vote of no confidence in Nzimande and appealed to a newly established task team to urge Zuma to intervene.

The task team included Holomisa; Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) president Phathekile Holomisa; Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chair Ngangomhlaba Matanzima; ANC MPs Zukile Luyenge and Vatiswa Bam-Mugwanya; and Council of Churches regional chairperson Vusumzi Mabo.

Holomisa reportedly said they would write to the presidency on Tuesday asking for intervention.

Vote of no confidence

However, in a statement later on Tuesday, Eastern Cape SA Communist Party (SACP) spokesperson Siyabonga Mdodi dismissed the vote of no confidence in Nzimande as an “anti-communist sentiment”.

“We view some of the comments as anti-communist sentiments disguised as genuine voice representing the plight of the university,” Mdodi said.

He called the vote unfair.

“We find this to be very unfair as no one denies the resources pumped into the university under the leadership of comrade Blade Nzimande, who is not the minister of WSU but the minister of department of higher education and training with many challenges,” Mdodi said.

On Thursday, higher education director general Gwebs Qonde said the university was still technically and commercially bankrupt.

Qonde said the university could only afford a 4.25% increase.

Qonde said he had met the parties concerned in early August, but was unable to reach a settlement as the unions did not appear to grasp the gravity of their demands and the potentially disastrous consequences.

Qonde defended the administrator’s decision to shut down all WSU campuses and send students home.

“The risk to safety of students and prolonged nature of the strike has resulted in the university taking the decision to vacate the residences and send students home for a short term,” he said.

The decision has already led to protests by students who clashed with police on Wednesday.

At least a dozen students were injured during the scuffles.

– SAPA

By TDN

Young people in the North West Province are to be exposed to programmes aimed at addressing youth unemployment and unlocking opportunities for them to participate in the mainstream of the economy during a Youth Development Economic Empowerment workshop that is to be hosted in Rustenburg as from Thursday.

The objective of the two-day workshop, which is organised by the Youth Development Support in Premier Thandi Modise’s Office in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency is to empower young people on opportunities that will unlock their potential for economic development.

The  need for the Youth Economic Empowerment Workshop and intensified moral regeneration campaign to combat social ills that are distracting young people from reaching their full potential was identified  by young people in the province during the Provincial Youth Summit that was held in Mahikeng in 2011.

Premier Thandi Modise will highlight the importance of the National Development Plan in addressing skills development and unlocking economic opportunities for young people to participate in the mainstream economy in her keynote address to be delivered on the opening day of the workshop that is to be attended by 120 young people from across the province.   

The workshop will among others focus on entrepreneurship development, youth cooperatives and opportunities in key sectors of the provincial economy.

The event scheduled to be held as from Thursday, 05-6th September at the Orion Safari Hotel.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By TDN

Young people in the North West Province are to be exposed to programmes aimed at addressing youth unemployment and unlocking opportunities for them to participate in the mainstream of the economy during a Youth Development Economic Empowerment workshop that is to be hosted in Rustenburg as from Thursday.

The objective of the two-day workshop, which is organised by the Youth Development Support in Premier Thandi Modise’s Office in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency is to empower young people on opportunities that will unlock their potential for economic development.

The  need for the Youth Economic Empowerment Workshop and intensified moral regeneration campaign to combat social ills that are distracting young people from reaching their full potential was identified  by young people in the province during the Provincial Youth Summit that was held in Mahikeng in 2011.

Premier Thandi Modise will highlight the importance of the National Development Plan in addressing skills development and unlocking economic opportunities for young people to participate in the mainstream economy in her keynote address to be delivered on the opening day of the workshop that is to be attended by 120 young people from across the province.   

The workshop will among others focus on entrepreneurship development, youth cooperatives and opportunities in key sectors of the provincial economy.

The event scheduled to be held as from Thursday, 05-6th September at the Orion Safari Hotel.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-North West police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after one man died and two were rushed to a local hospital for medical attention.

The accident took place on Monday at around 20h15 between Cokonyane and Modimong village were a Toyota Hilux allegedly belonging to Batau Memorial Service crashed.

According to eyewitness, a vehicle veered of the road and it capsized.

“A man,35 succumbed to injuries and perished in an accident” said Emergency Service.

Esrom Tshabalala allegedly suffered head injuries and was certified dead on the scene by paramedics.

One of the casualties is Mandla Khubeka who was taken to hospital along the other unknown passenger.

Even though police cannot outline what was the cause of the accident, investigations continue.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – A former Ivory Park mechanic has been awarded an interim settlement of R1.29m after he lost his left arm when police shot him, The Star reported on Tuesday.

Ntantise Daniel Taliwe, 37, reached the settlement with police, after initially claiming more than R10m in damages.

The matter never went on trial as the minister of police, in his official capacity, admitted total liability.

Taliwe was working on a car engine with three friends on 19 August 2004 when they heard shots being fired, according to the report.

His friends ran off but Taliwe was hit with a bullet from behind. The bullet entered the left side of his chest, damaging an artery.

He had to undergo an operation to restore circulation to his arm, and a second operation due to gangrene, which resulted in his arm being amputated above the elbow.

Being unable to return to work, he received the settlement in respect of past and future loss of income and for damages.

The newspaper said police gave no explanation for the shooting. 

SAPA

Pic: (Beautiful Freaky Fredah Tlhapane)

By Obakeng Maje

South Africa just commemorated Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

The Government of South Africa declared August a women’s month and 09 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, many women have made significant progress in empowering themselves in the spheres of politics, the public sector and education, but most notable in media industry.

The country has moved from the past where women suffered oppression based on their gender, colour and class to one where gender equality is now a constitutional imperative.

Our crew took time to speak to one of glittering women thus far, Motsweding FM’s one and only Fredah Tlhapane.

Motsweding FM Senior Producer in Education, Tlhapane has thrown herself into an ecstatic whirl of success, so stay plugged into this and experience it when it unfolds.

Motsweding FM senior producer,Fredah Tlhapane is a hardworking woman from Madidi in the outskirts of Pretoria.

“I was born in Mmakau next to Garankuwa and I’m in my late tweenties.I’m from a family of 3 girls and 2 boys” Tlhapane said.

It was Freaky Fredah’s dream as she is affectionately known to the masses that one day she will be working for one of the biggest radio stations in South Africa.

Fredah Tlhapane realised her dream back in 2007 when she maneuvered her way into Motsweding FM’s radar after she went through auditions.

“It was through auditions which were held in Rustenburg in a search of presenters back in 2007 and managed to be part of the top three presenters” she said.

“I’m living my dream and it is good to be part of MotswedingFM family” Tlhapane adds.

Armed with National Diploma in(Media Studies & Journalism) also studying towards B-TECH degree, Fredah does not show only beautiful face, but armoured with brain too.

“I’m now doing my B-TECH with Tshwane University of Technology and I have National diploma in Journalism. Education is a key to success and it opens opportunities, it gives one the edge into any form of career” she said.

Tlhapane said to become a radio personality one must be Opinionated,Smart,Funny,Informative,Creative and Be Outspoken.

She started as an On-Air presenter and now working as a Senior Producer we asked her to talk us through the role of senior producer and she has this to say: “As a senior producer, you lead, manage and supervise a team of producers and ensuring quality control/ meet set standards through continual monitoring of produced educational programmes and making sure that the mandate of SABC meets the rest of the world through different programme areas”

Tlhapane also talks about behind-the-scenes anaecdotes and challenges.

“Not really challenges,but knowing that you’re contributing to the bigger picture of SABC makes you to work even harder” she giggles.

Any new projects you’re working on, our crew asked?

Tlhapane said she is working on a project where she donating food and clothes to the less fortunate but her focus is an old age and children center in Garakuwa since the beginning of this year.

In a very lighter note, Fredah said she chose radio because of her passion.

“I chose radio because I have that love for content and if I was not into radio, I could be contributing to conversations, daily news. I could be writing for newspapers, books and magazines” she said.

In your opinion, what’s your take on South Africa as a country?

“It is alive with possibilities especially for young generations to live their dreams”

Tlhapane also encourages youngsters and said they must remain positive no matter what.

“Your voice should be heard and remain positive”.

Unemployment, drugs, crime, sex, and alcohol are most rife against the youth nowaday…what’s your take?

“They should not give up on life, each and everyone of us have a purpose in life”

In 2011,Tlhapane was left crestfallen after she lost her mother…and as if that was not enough she also lost her father two months ago. Our crew asked Fredah how she coped after her world was shattered and left despondent.

“My world was shattered but life has to go on and losing again my dad two months ago made me realize that MODIMO KE ENA MONG WA BOPHELO. What is left for me is to take every lesson they taught me about life and apply it. They were the best parents I had” she said.

Fredah said she want to establish an orphanage home in her name in five years time.

For every woman with need to be healed, a need to beloved, a need to be saved….Fredah said she is not married, but she is seeing someone.

If you can become a president for a day, what you will change?

“I will make sure that there are laws which protect women against all forms of abuse and also making sure that there is no child who should sleep with an empty stomach” said Tlhapane.

Our crew asked Fredah if her friends treat her better, or special because of your achievements and she responded.

“They love me for who i am, not for what I have achieved. They support me unconditionally”

She also shared her experience on how it is working in a male-dominated field, any challenges she experienced because of being a woman.

“Not yet, they are very much supportive because radio is more concentrated into making things happen, team work is key” she concludes.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

*You can listen to Motsweding Fm only on 89.9-109.9 MHZ or listen to their audio streaming on http://www.motswedingfm.co.za

Pretoria – Boeremag member Dr Lets Pretorius told the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday he was not a racist and had never been in favour of using violence to achieve change.

Testifying in mitigation of sentence, he said he had not raised his sons to be racist or to be fanatical extremists.

“We were a happy, loving, God fearing and close family. I raised my sons as patriotic Afrikaners,” he said.

Pretorius, his three sons and 16 other Boeremag members were convicted last year on a charge of high treason.

This arose from a rightwing coup plot to overthrow the ANC government.

His sons, and Herman van Rooyen and Rudi Gouws, were also found guilty on charges of attempting to murder former president Nelson Mandela with a home-made bomb.

They were, furthermore, convicted of murdering Soweto mother Claudia Mokone with a bomb placed on a railway line in October 2002.

Pretorius said that as a medical doctor he worked with black patients at a missionary hospital for three years.

He ran several rural clinics in the former Lebowa for 16 years and treated both black and white patients at his private clinic.

His sons often accompanied him and did not have any problems with black people, he said.

“The day before my arrest, I received a command from the Holy Spirit to level the road for the Boer nation in the desert, and to raise a banner for the new nation that would be formed.

“There was no element of violence anywhere in this command.

“I’ve kept myself busy with this since my release on bail. I know the State has watched every word and step I take, and I am sure that if there was even a hint of illegality anywhere my bail would have been cancelled.

“I am still involved in the website Boerevryheid that is used as a debate forum to build the Boer nation as an entity.”

He denied playing a leading role in the Boeremag.

He said his role would have been to provide medical support services when a large scale black-on-white attack (the so-called Night of Terror) predicted by Boer prophet Siener van Rensburg came to pass.

Coup plot

He claimed the coup plot was exclusively the brainchild of fellow accused Tom Vorster and that he had not been privy to all of Vorster’s plans.

“Vorster assured me we were busy with plans that would come into effect after the Night of Terror.

“I never had the impression that we were busy with an offensive action. I was very effectively bluffed.

“I am prepared to admit attending meetings and to admit my lack of insight.

“I was always on the sidelines and never helped to make plans, except to ensure there was medical equipment available.

“I can say in all honesty that I was never at any stage busy planning a coup.

“If people had enough trust in me to link my name without my knowledge to ranks and posts, I should not be punished for it.

“I never had the impression that my sons were going to plant bombs.

“I knew absolutely nothing about the planting of bombs. If I had not been arrested, I would have done everything within my power to ensure than no bomb ever went off.

“I confronted my sons in jail about the bombs and was told Tom Vorster and Hanekom had convinced them they would be in a situation of war and would be protected by the Geneva Convention.

“I’ve never been in favour of violence to achieve change.

“I had always treated the victims of violence, but the first time I personally came into contact with violence was when a gun was pushed against my head and I was shoved around during my arrest.

“I’ve had a good relationship with black people all of my life. My record [as a medical doctor] speaks for itself,” he said.

Pretorius testified that he and his son Johan, also a medical doctor, had according to his calculations each lost about R20m as a result of the case.

They had to close down their private hospital and Pretorius also had to sell off his farms and livestock.

The trial continues.

SAPA