BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Northern Cape Police held a high density operation to concentrate on crime hotpots in Kimberley CBD recently.

The provincial police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said the operation consists of SAPS Provincial Office, Frances Baard Cluster Office, Kimberley Police Station, SAPS Airwing, Public Order Policing, Flying Squad, K9 unit, Tactical Response Team, Detectives and the SAPS Crime Intelligence.

“The operation concentrated on air, vehicle, motor cycles, bicycles and foot patrols. The Kimberley CBD was painted blue with all the police officers on patrol while stop and searches at taxi ranks, ATM’s, taverns and shopping centres were at the order of the day. Police also patrolled the Diamond Pavilion and North Cape Malls during this action.

“A 35 year-old wanted male suspect for robbery was arrested and the Kimberley SAPS Crime Prevention also followed up on leads of drug sales at the Indian Centre in Kimberley. Police searched the vehicle and found 245 Mandrax tablets stashed under the driver seat. They also confiscated the drugs and the red Mazda Sting that the suspect was travelling in,” Kock said.

He further said the approximate street value of the drugs was R2500.

In another incident at a taxi rank in the CBD, a 25-year-old male suspect was arrested for being in possession of 2g of dagga. Kock said the police also made sure that all dangerous weapons such as knives and pangas were confiscated during the operations.

The Frances Baard Cluster commander, Maj Gen Jean Abrahams applauded the police members for their vigilance. Abrahams also lauded the community for their assistance and patience during the operations.

“We will surely be having more of these operations in the coming weeks especially as we are approaching the Easter Holidays.”

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KickOff.com can reveal that Shakes Mashaba has won his case against SAFA and is set to be reinstated as Bafana Bafana coach.

Mashaba took legal action against the football association after he was sacked for ‘gross misconduct, insubordination and violating SAFA’s communications policy’ in December last year.

The hearing took place on Friday afternoon in Johannesburg, with the coach’s representatives since confirming his victory and reinstatment as of 1 April 2017.

“We have won the case with the CCMA and SAFA have been ordered to allow Shakes Mashaba to continue his contract as the head coach of the senior national team, which runs until 2018,” reveals our source.

“The official announcement from the association’s president Danny Jordaan is expected today.”

The source adds that Baroka co-coach Kgoloko Thobejane could be drafted in to assist Mashaba in his fifth stint in the hotseat.

On Thursday, SuperSport United confirmed talks between SAFA and current coach Stuart Baxter, but it is understood that negotiations collapsed at the end of last month.

Bafana’s next assignment will come in June, when they take on Nigeria in an all-important 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

A 50-year-old man was killed when two vehicles collided on the N12 approximately 3 kilometres outside of Potchefstroom shortly after midnight.

Er24 spokesperson, Werner Vermaak said paramedics arrived on the scene where they found the badly damaged vehicles. 

“A 50-year-old man was found in his vehicle with fatal injuries. There was nothing that paramedics could do for him and he was declared dead on the scene. A 49-year-old man from the other vehicle was found walking around on the scene. He was treated for minor injuries and later transported to Potchefstroom Provincial Hospital,” Vermaak said.

He said three other occupants declined to be ferried to hospital.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the collision is not yet known,” Vermaak said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THREE people sustained moderate injuries when four vehicles collided with each other on the N4 outside Waterfall Mall in Rustenburg on Saturday.

 Er24 spokesperson, Verner Wermaak said the incident took place at around 12pm. He said paramedics arrived on the scene where they found the vehicles scattered across the scene.

“Three people were found with moderate injuries. They were treated on the scene and later transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the collision is not yet known,” he said.

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It might have been an emotional day as some of the fired ministers cleared their desks and ventured into the unknown, but for President Jacob Zuma it was business as usual.

The president today officially opened the Mbizana rural enterprise development hub in Mbizana, Eastern Cape and received a hero’s welcome from the thousands who had braved the sunny weather.

He was on a charm offensive, smiling and waving to the crowd of mostly ANC supporters in party regalia.

Zuma – who shocked the nation on Thursday night when he fired the well-respected Pravin Gordhan as finance minister and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas, and other ministers – looked relaxed for a man many thought had done the unthinkable.

His usual giggling and laughter could be heard during a tour of the facility at Dyifani, including maize fields, before he visited a milling plant.

Zuma arrived in a military helicopter two hours after nine of his black SUV protection vehicles had already arrived at the venue.

Flanked by Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister Bheki Cele, Small Businesses’ Lindiwe Zulu, Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Mlibo Qoboshiyane and Premier Phumulo Masualle, the president sang his trademark song, Awulethe umshini wam, before his address.

The large marquee went into raptures as the crowds joined the president in the song.

During his address the president stuck to the script and did not mention any word of his Cabinet reshuffle that happed last night.

“We are happy to meet in Mbizana, the hometown of the longest serving ANC President, the late uTata Oliver Reginald Tambo.

“As you know, we have declared this year as ‘The Year of Oliver Reginald Tambo: Unity in Action Together Moving South Africa Forward’ and it is therefore fitting that we launch a rural enterprise development hub here today. We are celebrating the life of OR Tambo who worked for a better life for all including the people of Mbizana and surroundings,” Zuma said.

Zuma also paid tribute to late struggle stalwart, Ahmed Kathrada who died earlier this week.

“At the beginning of this week, we lost one of the big stalwarts of our movement, ‘Isithwalandwe’ Comrade Ahmed Kathrada. May his revolutionary soul rest in peace! His spirit will always be with us,” he said.

He said he was pleased with the creation of the hub, as one of government’s efforts to stimulate growth through agriculture and agro-processing and was positive the development will alleviate poverty and address low levels of development in the district of Alfred Nzo.

“The establishment of the hub will thus stimulate local economic development as well as the investment drive to expand beyond agriculture and traditional subsistence farming.

“Our people must make a living from the land, and must also not go hungry when they can produce food from the land. We are thus happy with the partnerships between the local municipality and other stakeholders to embark on massive grain production with the aim of addressing high level of poverty in the area,” he said.

The Mbizana hub is one of three others, in Mqanduli in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, Ncora at Intsika Yethu Municipality and Lady Frere in Emalahleni Municipality. The total amount invested by the government in the hubs over the past three years is R190 million.

“Of the four existing hubs, this hub we are launching today leads the pack in terms of investment as government has invested R53 million for the state-of-the-art structure.

It is with great pleasure to note that the communities where the hubs have been established, have responded actively to the clarion call that government has been making over time for our people to establish cooperatives, Zuma said.

Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

JOHANNESBURG – There have been 20 changes to cabinet.

Some ministers have been axed, while others have moved to new portfolios.

Let’s take a look at some of the changes.

Finance Minister: Malusi Gigaba

Gigaba served as Home Affairs Minister since May 2014.

He previously held the post of Public Enterprises Minister in 2010.

Gigaba is considered a close ally of President Zuma.

Last year, Gigaba lashed out at ANC stalwarts calling for the President to step down.

He branded struggle veterans Ahmed Kathrada and former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel as disillusioned former ANC leaders who lack discipline.

Police Minister: Fikile Mbalula

Mbalula served as Sports Minister since May 2014.

He was appointed deputy minister of police in May 2009.

Mbalula is no stranger to Twitter, regularly engaging in ‘twars’ with MP’s an Olympian Sunette Viljoen.

Public Works: Nathi Nhleko

Nhleko served as the Minister of Police.

He previously served chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, chairperson of the ANC caucus, African National Congress chief whip, and member of the Judicial Service Commission.

Nhleko faced criticism for the suspension of Robert McBride in March which was ruled by the Constitutional Court to be unlawful.

Sports and Recreation: Thulas Nxesi

Nxesi served as the Minister of Public Works and previously served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.

He assumed responsiblity of the portfolio in October 2014, following an investigation into the conduct of former Public Works Minister, Geoff Doidge and his then deputy minister, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.

Nxesi was denied a visa by Israel in 2012.

Public Service and Administration: Faith Muthambi

Muthambi served as Communications Minister.

She was one of the seven ANC MPs nominated for the ad hoc committee to consider President Jacob Zuma’s submissions on former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on his Nkandla home.

Opposition party MPs called for Muthambi be axed.

The proposals came as members of the ad hoc committee continued deliberations on the SABC inquiry.

The SABC is fully owned by the government, with Muthambi acting as its shareholder representative.

Tourism: Tokozile Xasa

Xasa served as Deputy Minister of Tourism.

She was the first female mayor of a district municipality in the transitional period of local government in the Eastern Cape.

Home Affairs: Hlengiwe Mkhize

Mkhize served as Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from 2014.

She is a founder member and a trustee of the Children and Violence Trust since 1995 and she has been a trustee of the Malibongwe Business Trust from 2005.

Energy Minister: Mmamoloko Kubayi

Kubayi served as a Regional Executive Member of the ANCYL in the Greater Johannesburg region.

She subsequently became a Deputy Provincial Secretary of the ANCYL in Gauteng province.

Kubayi previously held the position as Chairperson of the Telecommunications and Postal Services committee.

Transport Minister: Joe Maswanganyi

Maswanganyi is a member of Parliament and former MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture in Limpopo.

Communications: Ayanda Dlodlo

Dlodlo served as the Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration .

She is a member of the ANC National Executive Committee and a Member of Parliament.

Dlodlo served an Adviser to President Zuma from 2009 to 2010.

– eNCA

Friday will see Government launching the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for the next five years, on HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Cabinet approved the five-year plan, which will guide South Africa’s response to the HIV epidemic, STIs and TB, at its fortnightly meeting on Wednesday.

The plan, to be launched in Mangaung, in the Free State, draws on the vision of the United Nations programme of zero new HIV infections, zero preventable deaths associated with HIV and zero discrimination associated with HIV.

It is also in line with the World Health Organisation’s goals for reducing TB incidents and mortality.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, supported by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe, and Members of the Executive Council, will launch the plan.

The Deputy President is the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), a voluntary association that includes government, civil society and all other stakeholders committed to drive an enhanced country response to HIV, TB and STIs.

The launch of the NSP is one of the highlights of TB month which is commemorated annually across the globe, to raise awareness about TB.

In a statement on Thursday, Cabinet said that South Africa’s response to HIV and TB epidemics means that the average South African now lives nearly a decade longer than they did in 2004.

“This fourth NSP seeks to scale up successes while introducing new strategies to prevent new infections, identify infected people sooner and successfully treat and care for them. It outlines the strategic framework for a multi-sectoral partnership to accelerate progress in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV, TB and STIs.

“This is aligned to the National Development Plan, which acknowledges the profound effect that HIV and TB have in slowing national development,” said Cabinet.

The document will be aligned with all national and provincial strategic plans on HIV prevention and its entire implementation will be monitored by Cabinet.

The NSP is the strategic guide for the national response to HIV, TB and STIs in South Africa. One of the objectives of the Plan is to intensify focus on geographic areas and populations most severely affected by the epidemics.

This Plan is usually developed for a period of five years, and the current one is coming to an end on 31 March 2017.

The slogan of this new NSP is: “Let Our Actions Count” which is a call to action for all South Africans to play a part in achieving the goals of the Plan.

This year, government is targeting mainly leaders of society such as Parliamentarians, Members of Provincial Legislatures, Councillors, Traditional leaders, Business leaders, Religious leaders and civil society to commit themselves in the fight against these epidemics and to engage their communities and constituencies. – SAnews.gov.za

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Bafana Bafana and Angola played to a goalless draw in an international friendly match held at a packed Buffalo City Stadium on Tuesday, 28 March 2017.

 
With the result, South Africa extended their unbeaten run to 17 games.
 
A moment of silence was observed before the start of the fixture in remembrance of the late liberation struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada who passed away on Sunday morning (28 March 2017) as well former Bloemfontein Celtic owner Dr. Petrus “Whitehead” Molemela who lost his life this past Sunday (26 March 2017).
 
In the first half Bafana Bafana looked disjointed, but that was to be expected after stand-in coach Owen da Gama made nine changes to the team that started in the 3-1 win over Guinea Bissau on Saturday, 25 March 2017 in Durban.
 
Da Gama handed out three new caps to Phakamani Mahlambi, Diamond Thopola and Luther Singh.
 
Angola controlled the proceedings in the first half as the hosts tried to find their feet.
 
South Africa were however able to create a number of chances but nothing came of them, with Percy Tau coming close in the opening 20 minutes but chose the wrong option of passing the ball when he could have taken the shot himself.
 
The visitors nearly found the back of the net with a Herenilson’s shot, but Darren Keet was alert in the Bafana Bafana goals and was able to deal with it.
 
With the score 0-0 at halftime, Da Gama made four changes as he brought on Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero and Keagan Dolly for Thopola, Mahlambi, Lebohang Manyama and Singh respectively.
 
The home team managed to wrestle back the control of the game, but still could not find the back of the net – even the late inclusion of Kermit Erasmus for Tau was to no avail as the match ended in a stalemate.
 
South Africa has now met Angola 13 times, winning eight matches, drawing four and losing only once.
 
This is how they lined up:
 
South Africa:
Darren Keet (GK), Diamond Thopola (Mphahlele 46′), Erick Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee, Teboho Langerman, Andile Jali (C), Tiyani Mabunda, Phakamani Mahlambi (Zwane 46′), Lebohang Manyama (Serero 46′), Luther Singh (Dolly 46′), Percy Tau (Erasmus 74′)
 
Subs:
Shu-Aib Walters (GK), Itumeleng Khune (GK), Lorenzo Gordinho, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Hlompho Kekana, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Dean Furman, Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero, Keagan Dolly, Kermit Erasmus, Lars Veldwijk
 
Angola:
Neblu, Lunguinha, Nary, Bastos, Natael, Manquxi, Leite, Herenilson, Nandinho, Yano, Papel.
 
Bafana Bafana’s 17 game unbeaten run

24 Oct 2015 (a)              v Angola 2-1                         (CHAN qualifier)

13 Noc 2015 (a)             v Angola 3-1                          (World Cup qualifier)

17 Nov 2015 (h)             v Angola 1-0                          (World Cup qualifier)

26 Mar 2016 (a)              v Cameroon 2-2                     (Nations Cup qualifier)

29 Mar 2016 (h)              v Cameroon 0-0                     (Nations Cup qualifier)

05 June 2016 (a)              v Gambia 4-0                        (Nations Cup qualifier)

18 June 2016 (a)              v Lesotho 1-1                        (COSAFA Castle Cup)

22 June 2016 (a)              v Swaziland 5-1                    (COSAFA Castle Cup)

25 June 2016 (a)               v Botswana 3-2                    (COSAFA Castle Cup)  

02 Sep 2016 (h)                 v Mauritania 1-1                  (Nations Cup qualifier)

06 Sep 2016 (h)                 v Egypt 1-0                           (Friendly)

08 Oct 2016 (a)                  v Burkina Faso 1-1               (World Cup qualifier)

11 Oct 2016 (h)                  v Ghana 1-1                          (Friendly)

12 Nov 2016 (h)                 v Senegal 2-1                        (World Cup qualifier)

16 Nov 2016 (a)                  v Mozambique 1-1               (Friendly)

25 Mar 2017 (h)                  v Guinea-Bissau 3-1             (Friendly)

28 Mar 2017 (h)                  v Angola 0-0                         (Friendly)
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Drought conditions associated with an El Nino weather pattern are likely to reoccur in a few months time, the government said on Thursday.

“Recurrence of El Niño drought conditions likely … The next summer season has increased the likelihood for the development of El Nino conditions which are often associated with drought and water scarcity as seen recently in South Africa,” the government said in a statement.

The previous El Nino, which faded in May of last year, brought widespread drought to southern Africa, hitting crop production and fuelling inflation across the region while leaving millions in need of food aid. South Africa’s weather service and global forecasters have predicted that El Nino will form again in the southern hemisphere winter or spring, which falls between July and September.

“The likelihood has increased from previous assessments and as we near the winter period, these forecasts improve in reliability,” the government said.

It said the issue had been raised at a meeting on Wednesday of the National Disaster Management Advisory Forum (NDMAF), which coordinates the government’s response to such events. The forum will meet again on May 11.

If El Nino does return between July or September, it would be the first time it reformed so quickly since the mid-1960s.

El Nino is a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that occurs every few years, with global consequences. In Africa it often brings excessive rains to the east while the southern cone gets parched.

Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

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EFF leader Julius Malema will honour the late struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada’s wish for him to visit Robben Island.

It was revealed at Kathrada’s funeral on Wednesday that the struggle stalwart wanted to personally take Malema to the island where he and many other anti-apartheid activists were held captive.

“One of the last things Ahmed Kathrada wanted me to organise last year, comrade Malema, he wanted to take you to Robben Island. He pressed us to organise this thing, unfortunately the communication didn’t work out,” Neeshan Balton, the Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation told Malema at the funeral service.

Speaking to Imaan Rapeti on Power FM, Malema said he will be going to Robben Island on Kathrada’s birthday.

He revealed that he spoke to the Kathrada’s wife Barbara Hogan and came to a conclusion to visit the island on the stalwart’s birthday in August.

The visit to Robben Island in August will be Malema’s first after he told the radio station that he has never gone because the place did not make him “feel comfortable”.

Malema received a special mention at the funeral by the Kathrada Foundation before the stalwart was laid to rest.

Source: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za