Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance has called for Lumka Yengeni to be removed from her position as chairperson of the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Labour.

This after reports that she had been found guilty of breaching labour laws by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

The Sunday Times reported that Yengeni’s former domestic worker, Lucia Dlephu, had taken the MP to the CCMA.

Dlephu told the newspaper that Yengeni had not allowed her lunch breaks or leave, and that she had to be on duty 24-hours a day.

DA MP Ian Ollis said this was unacceptable.

Some of the issues raised with the CCMA included:

– Failure to supply a letter of appointment or an employment contract to the domestic worker;

– Failure to give the domestic worker a payslip;

– Not giving her employee leave, and never paying for any leave;

– Her employee was not paid double on public holidays, despite being forced to work on these days.

“This hypocrisy is simply unacceptable and in the interests of the scores of workers and labourers in SA, the DA simply cannot allow her to remain as Chairperson of this Committee or any committee for that matter,” Ollis said.

He said Yengeni, who had been outspoken about worker’s rights in the past, now had a conflict of interest and could not continue to chair the committee.

“As such, she must be removed if we are to meaningfully put the rights of workers at the apex of the Committee’s agenda and restore credibility to the committee itself.”

Source: http://www.news24.com

Cape Town – A paramedic died and several people were injured in a multiple car pile-up in Midrand, Gauteng, on Sunday, Netcare 911 said.

The paramedic was responding to an accident scene when he was struck by another vehicle on the N1 South, near the Allandale Road, around 5:00, said Netcare 911 spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Three cars, a tow truck and an ambulance were involved in the pile-up.

The paramedic was found trapped beneath the tow truck and was declared dead on scene, Mathe said.

Cape Town – Applications and nominations for a candidate to replace Public Protector Thuli Madonsela are officially open.

Nominations can be submitted until June 24, the ad hoc committee tasked with finding a new public protector said on Sunday.

Nominations should include a motivation letter, as well as the CV of the prospective candidate. Applications would have to include the same information.

The advert has been published on Parliament’s website, complete with requirements of the job.

Earlier this week, committee members stressed the need for public participation in the process.

Make CVs public

Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, called for CVs to be made public once submitted.

A list of applications/nominations received would be published in order to allow members of the public to comment on the suitability of candidates, the advert states.

On Wednesday, committee chairperson, Makhosi Khoza, assured MPs the process to replace Madonsela would be transparent and there would be no undercover dealings.

The best candidate would get the job, she stressed at a meeting to outline the committee’s work.

Madonsela’s term ends in October, and Parliament has tasked the ad hoc committee with nominating a replacement by August 31.

Candidates will be shortlisted in July, and interviews held in August after the local government elections on August 3.

For more http://www.news24.com

Picture: (SA Hip Hop artist, AKA)

You thought wrong if you expected the sacredness of Sunday to absolve social media of its ills.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if some of the comments you are about to read were posted dead-smack in church at the peak of the pastor’s sermon.

The 22nd edition of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) has come and gone with winners and losers. True to Somizi’s remarks during the show, not everybody was a winner, and the loser who took the most jabs is platinum selling rapper, AKA.

Fans alike took to Twitter with the hashtag #AKAwinanga (AKA didn’t win) to make fun of the fact that the SupaMega lost in all two categories he was nominated in – Best Collaboration and Best Remix.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Five people were left injured after a collision between a taxi and a light motor vehicle occurred late last night on the R28 between Westonaria and Randfontein.

ER24 spokesperson, Pieter Rossouw said it is believed that the light motor vehicle t-boned the taxi, causing the injuries.

“ER24 responded to the scene and found that the injuries that were sustained ranged from critical to moderate. All the injured were from the light motor vehicle. ER24 treated and transported two patients to Lenmed Hospital for further treatment,” he said.

The remaining patients were treated and transported to Leratong Hospital by other medical services on scene.

The cause of the incident remains unknown, local authorities were on scene for further investigation.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Provincial Government is determined to have super state-owned provincial entities which will drive the economy in the province, says Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

Mahumapelo met with chairpersons and CEOs of State-Owned Enterprises that are based in the province in Brits.

Most State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa generally tend to experience problems of underperformance and loss of revenue. Some of these entities have routinely been bailed out by government as they struggled to retain acceptable levels of profitability.

However, Mahumapelo believed that rationalising SOEs in the province under North West Development Corporation (NWDC) will change the situation.

He says the move will ensure that these entities are more focused, well-managed and well positioned to drive development and economic growth in the province.

“We have taken a decision to rationalise State-Owned Enterprises in line with the pronouncement by the President and the Minister of Finance.

“We must create jobs, deal with poverty and inequalities in our society and SOEs have a significant role to play in helping us achieve these.

“Hence Exco has taken a decision that SOEs must all reside under NWDC which will become an anchor state owned entity  to drive the economy in the province, said Mahumapelo.

Acting CEO of Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Sipho Nkese said they welcomed the decision with both hands.

“This kind of consolidation is going to assist with regard to collaboration efforts and control. This will strengthen governance and help improve service delivery,” said Nkese.

It is expected that the process to rationalise these entities under NWDC will be completed by December this year.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo urged artists to become serious entrepreneurs who can contribute enormously to the economy of the province.

“The business opportunities in the arts and culture sector are huge and we want to request you as our artists to take this more seriously.

“We have taken a decision as the fifth administration to put arts and culture as one of our top priorities in growing our economy but we will not achieve this if our artists are not serious about it.”

Mahumapelo and the newly appointed MEC for Culture Arts and Traditional Affairs MEC, Ontlametse Mochware held a consultation session with artists at Tzvenza farm in Letlhabile outside Brits recently.

The aim of the meeting was to explore ways on how to deal with challenges affecting artists in the province.

More than 70 performing artists attended the consultation session and raised a number of concerns.

One of the artists, Mahlubi Kraai, a professional producer and actor said the department of Culture Arts and Traditional Affairs must employ people who have worked in the creative industry.

“We are really happy about the support that our provincial government is willing to give to us and we are keen to work together with them in taking our province forward.

“My suggestion is that our department must employ senior managers permanently who are professionals in our industry because they will understand exactly the kind of support we need,” he said.

Another artist, Joan Legalamitlwa, visual arts curator appealed to the provincial government for support.

“I want to comment the efforts of our government but I also want to request that my field be given the same treatment and support like other forms of arts in the province,” she said.

Music Producer, Thabiso Tsotetsi also raised a concern about lack of government support from government when local musician request assistance to compete in Africa and Internationally.

“We have a concern as professional artists from this province that we do not get support and the recognition after moving from here to other provinces such as Gauteng.

“We remain the children of this province and we want our government to respond to any form of request for assistance especially if we are nominated to compete in the continent and internationally,” he said.

Other artists raised concerns ranging from lack of financial supports in their various fields and projects, corruption within state owned entities such as Mmabana Arts and Culture, and the collapse of Taung Cultural Calabash.

Artists also commended Mahumapelo for the establishment of the Annual Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival.

The Newly appointed MEC for Culture Arts and Traditional Affairs, Ontlametse Mochware made a commitment to continue working closely with artists in the province.

“This gathering was an eye opener for me; I will personally go from one municipality to another to engage with artists with a view to address their concerns.

“I also agree there is potential in our sector and we need to continue with what we have with all our stakeholders to explore all the available opportunities,” she said.

MEC Mochware assured artists that she will move with speed in transforming the arts and culture in the province in order to increase its contribution to the economy of the province.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West police are looking for a 30 year-old suspect for alleged sexual assault. Provincial spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspect is a black male, medium and well-built.

“He does have a brushed hair cut and speaks Afrikaans. The suspect is sought after he was linked to a sexual assault case.

“The incident took place on March 30 at Kanaalweg, near the bus parking at around 14:30. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect can call the investigating officer, Cst AA Langford of Potchefstroom FCS on 082 568 9028.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Two male prison wardens died and a prisoner survived when the white Ford Ranger club cab they were traveling with collided with a truck on the N4 road at Groot Marico yesterday.

According to Traffic Authorities at the scene, it is alleged that the truck driver applied brakes and swift to the right avoiding to hit cars in front as they were also applying brakes and collided with the oncoming vehicle.

Community Safety and Transport Management department spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said the correctional services vehicle was driving from Zeerust to Swartruggens direction while the truck was from Swartruggens to Zeerust.

Bokone Bophirima Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane has sent his deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased.

“We wish to send our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families. It is heartbreaking to think of the fact that someone has just became a widow and a child somewhere in the families of the bereaved is now an orphan just because of this unfortunate accident. The rate we are losing lives of our beloved one is heartbreaking,” Dr Motlhabane said.

He further urged motorists to be vigilant and always obey to the road rules.

Motorists and road users are advised to report any hazard on the road by calling the departmental toll free number: 0800 204 992.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A collision between two light motor vehicles occurred on the Elandsrand Road just outside Carletonville this afternoon. The collision seems to have been a semi head on collision.

Er24 spokesperson, Pieter Rossouw said ER24 paramedics found one person dead after sustaining fatal injuries.

“Over and above the deceased patient, there were five other patients with injuries ranging from moderate to serious. ER24 treated and transported two patients to Fountain Hospital for further treatment. The remaining patients were treated and transported to hospital by other services,” Rossouw said.

The cause of the incident remains unknown. Local authorities were on scene for further investigation.

-TDN

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