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Taung councillor rescued by police, community went beserk


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The community of Ward 2 in Taung were allegedly up in arms after accusing their ward councillor Toloki Tlhaganyane with discrepancies.

On Thursday police we called to intervene after the community in Maganeng, Ntshwanahatshe villages and other neighbourhood forcefully removed some of workers from the project alleged they were hired by Tlhaganyane.

Even though the information amid the issue is unclear, the community accuses ward councillor for practicing nepotism.

Police rescued Tlhaganyane in a heated meeting and the community said they do not want him anymore.

Ward 2 community said they are sick and tired of Tlhaganyane as is been a while showing signs of lack of compatibility.

More information will follow as our attempt to get clarification from Taung police and Tlhaganyane were futile.-TDN
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Amajita ready to face Ethiopia


Johannesburg- South African Men’s U20 National Team head coach Shakes Mashaba is satisfied with the work his charges have put this week ahead of the second round second leg 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier to be played this weekend.

Amajita and Ethiopia meet on Sunday, 25 May 2014. The match has been moved from the Bidvest Wits Stadium (Milpark) to the Dobsonville Stadium, kickoff at 15h00.

Mashaba admitted that he needed to have the practice match to fine tune his boys and rectify some mistakes from the first leg in Addis Ababa two weeks ago.

“We opted to play the School of Excellence because they play more or less the same type of football as Ethiopia – the short passing game. I am happy that we managed to contain them, close them down and score four goals on top of that. In this game we have addressed three things – tight marking, going forward quickly and finishing,” said Mashaba after three 30-minute games played in Eldorado Park.

“So far the camp has gone well and I am happy with their fitness levels which we have been working on over the past few days. We have had some power sessions and I could even see in the practice that fatigue was setting in, but I am happy with the progress so far.”

South Africa has a 2-0 lead from the first leg and the coach has emphasized that the boys should not think much of the previous match.

“Playing at home has its pressures; it’s no more a luxury. We have told the players this coming match is a new one and they must forget about the lead. I told them that if we managed to score two away, what can stop them from scoring three here. So we have to guard against such things. We have been having meetings and what I am pleased about is that they are aware that the past match is gone, we have another challenge ahead of us,” said the coach.

“We are just worried about set-pieces – for and against us – we will be working on them in the remaining training sessions and we hope it will pay off. We all know that worldwide matches are won or lost through set pieces. If you get a set piece in front of goal you have to convert.“

Mashaba adds that his charges know what is at stake.

“Yes they are very much aware. They know for us to get to the 2015 U20 World Cup in New Zealand we have to do well in these matches so we can qualify for the AYC. The route looks short but it is difficult so we have to work hard to achieve our goals,” added Mashaba.

The squad has three training sessions left before the match on Sunday.

Today and tomorrow (afternoon) they will train in Eldorado Park, and on Saturday they will move to the match venue for their final training session at 16h00.-TDN
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Banyana upbeat ahead of the Comoros game


The Senior South African women’s National team, Sasol Banyana Banyana take on the Union of Comoros National team in the first leg of the African Women’s Championship qualifier match this Friday, 23 May 2014 at the Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh Stadium, scheduled for 14H00 South African time.

The crucial away leg match preparations went well under cool weather conditions on Thursday afternoon in Moroni, the Capital City of Comoros, in contrast to the scorching heat that welcomed Sasol Banyana Banyana upon their arrival at the Island.

Sasol Banyana Banyana have never played with Comoros in the past, and Coach Vera Pauw is confident of getting positive results.

“It is crucial for us to continue with the spirit and enthusiasm that we displayed in our last friendly match. Although we do not know much about the Comoros team, we have prepared with the same intensity that we did for our match against Ghana. We are not going into the game with the mentality that they are a weak team due to their current FIFA Ranking (Comoros are ranked 32nd in Africa and 132nd in the world as opposed to Sasol Banyana Banyana who are ranked 4th in Africa and 52nd in the world), we cannot afford to be complacent and undermine any opposition. We intend on building on what we have and compete the very same way as we did against Ghana,” she said.

This will be Pauw’s first test out of South Africa in charge of Sasol Banyana Banyana, having led the team to a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe and a 1-0 defeat to the Black Queens of Ghana in the two friendly matches on home turf thus far.

Sasol Banyana Banyana go into the match with a full squad, with the inclusion of defender Letago Madiba, who prides her skills for Tshwane University of Technology in the Sasol Women’s League returning to the team after missing the friendly match against Ghana due to a knee ligament strain.-TDN
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SA Embassy visits Banyana Banyana in Comoros


South African Embassy visits Sasol Banyana Banyana in Comoros

The South African diplomat in Comoros, His Excellency Ghulam Hoosein Asmal visited Sasol Banyana Banyana at their hotel in Moroni on Thursday morning, to pass his best wishes ahead of their African Women’s Championship qualifier match against Comoros this Friday, 23 May.

Sasol Banyana Banyana take on the Union of the Comoros senior national women’s football team at the Stade Said Mohamed Stadium Cheikh, Mitsamiouli at 14h00 SA time.

In his address to the team, his Excellency Ghulam Hoosein Asmal expressed his gratitude and honour to have the South African Women’s National team in Comoros.

“It is an honour to have the team in Comoros. Everyone on this Island has warm feelings towards South Africa. Not many people know about Comoros, and the team is fortunate to be one of the few people to visit this country,” said Asmal.

“You are ambassadors of South Africa and your presence here is a picture of what South Africa is like; vibrant and colourful. Just as you have flown the South African flag with pride across the world, we know you will continue with that when you play tomorrow,” he added

His Excellency, Ghulam Hoosein Asmal was presented with a Sasol Banyana Banyana signed playing jersey by the South African Football Association National Executive Committee member and Head of Delegation, Mr. Jack Maluleka.

“This jersey will take a place of pride in the embassy, next to Nelson Mandela’s picture. It will be a lasting memory of Sasol Banyana Banyana’s visit to this country,” he concluded.
-TDN
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Services at standstill in parts of North West – DA


Johannesburg -The municipal offices in Sannieshof in the Tswaing local municipality in the North West have been closed for the past three months, the local DA said on Thursday.
“Residents cannot obtain any service a municipality is functionally obliged to render,” DA caucus leader in the area Carin Visser said in a statement.

Several problems had been experienced in all departments, including bulk water shortages since 2003.

Bulk water supply projects were cancelled by the Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality and the money spent on a municipal building in Mahikeng.

There was also no disaster relief emergency water supply operational plan when needed.

“The rapid response unit of the premier could not resolve the problem…” said Visser.

The four emergency boreholes drilled in 2013 were still not connected to the network to relieve the bulk water supply problems and sewage reservoirs on residential and business properties were constantly overflowing.

“Equipment [was] not available to service the sites,” she said.

The waste water treatment works were neglected and dysfunctional and there was no control over dumping of raw sewage.

“The municipal tractors had also broken down causing no services in refuse removal,” said Visser.

Pending investigation

The licensing department in the area was closed down due to irregularities and a pending investigation, and there were no municipal burial services in the area.

Consumer accounts were not being sent out, and when they were sent out, the information and readings were inaccurate.

There was no consumer desk to report problems to. Roads were not maintained and had potholes and water damage.

Visser said the electrical supply in the area could not meet the demand of new developments and there was no public participation in the legal processes of council.

“The ANC-governed Tswaing does not comply with their constitutional or statutory obligations as a local municipality.”

She said provincial intervention was “the inevitable alternative as ANC governance continues to fail the people of Tswaing”.

The municipal manager could not be reached for comment.

SAPA

Premier Mahumapelo condemns slaying of non-striking mineworker


North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has condemned the slaying of a mineworker who was allegedly stabbed to death while on his way to work at the Anglo American Platinum Mine on Thursday.

“Despicable acts of violence and intimidation of non-striking workers call for parties involved in the wage dispute to find each other to bring the strike to an end. One death of a miner due to violence associated with the protracted strike is a death too many,” Premier Mahumapelo said.

In appealing to communities to assist police in their investigations to ensure that those behind the senseless violence unleashed on non-striking miners are behind bars, Mahumapelo also called to employers to tighten the security of non-striking workers who are reporting for duty.The National Union of Mineworkers had reportedly claimed that the death of the slain mineworkers whom they declared was their member brings to five such brutal killings experienced in the platinum belt in the past two weeks.
-TDN
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NUM member stabbed to death at Amplats mine


Johannesburg – South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers said on Thursday one of its members was stabbed to death on his way to work at an Anglo American Platinum mine, the fifth such killing in the past two weeks.

NUM’s rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), is leading a 17-week strike against Amplats, Impala Platinum and Lonmin.
Reuters

One dead, two injured near Pampierstad


By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad- A 36 year-old driver will be laid to rest this weekend after he lost control of his vehicle.

The accident took place on Saturday in Pampierstad where a driver and his two passengers were involved in a car accident.

Northern Cape police said three people were allegedly from Tlapeng village, near Pampierstad.

The accident took place at around 04:00 am and left occupants strewn across.

Two people were taken to a local hospital with injuries.

A case of inquest has been launched and investigation continues.-TDN
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Taung murder-accused case postponed


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-A 39 year-old man who is accused of killing Maphoitsile-man at Blue Flame tarven at Lokgabeng village, near Taung appeared before court on Monday.

A case of Moses Goitsemodimo,39, was postponed after he re-appeared before court.

He was subsequently arrested almost three weeks ago after he was involved in a fight with Thebe Bogaleboile,45, tha left him dead.

Police said both men were allegedly playing dice at a local tavern when a fight erupted over a R4 change.

It is alleged that one of the men owed a R4 change and demanded it. The argument led to a fight and Goitsemodimo allegedly stabbed Bogaleboile with a knife on a shoulder.

Bogaleboile bled profusely and was rushed to Taung District Hospital were he died the following day. The community of Lokgabeng cornered Goitsemodimo and handed him to police.

He firstly appeared before court and was handed down a bail of R800. Court ordered Goitsemodimo to relocates from Lokgabeng village and should not interfer with witnesses.

He was back in court on Monday and his case was remanded until the 17 June 2014 for further investigations.-TDN
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Former premier Modise elected NCOP chairwoman


Former North West premier Thandi Modise was elected chairwoman of the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.

Modise, who was elected unopposed, paid tribute to her predecessor Mninwa Mahlangu.

“Just as I and the outgoing chairperson might be buying the same shoes from the same brand of the ANC, it is quite clear that I do not have to fit my feet into these shoes, but must continue to make sure his legacy, his aspiration to take this house somewhere, will remain committed to,” Modise said.

The new NCOP chairwoman told MPs that because 80 percent of delegates in the House were new to Parliament, they should attend training programmes.

“The NCOP has a unique and important role to play. It represents provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government,” Modise said.

“As permanent delegates to the NCOP, I must implore you to look beyond your party politics and unite in the pursuit of better responses to the vexing challenges that are facing our people,” she said.

Raseriti Tau was elected as her deputy, also unopposed.

Earlier, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng swore in the 54 permanent delegates to the NCOP.

The NCOP comprises 90 delegates altogether.

Fifty-four of these are permanent delegates, who are appointed by provincial legislatures, and 36 are special delegates. The 36 special delegates are members of provincial legislatures.

The 54 permanent delegates -six from each province -are not members of provincial legislatures.

They are designated by their parties to serve in the NCOP as permanent delegates and the provincial legislatures appoint them to do so.

The African National Congress has 33 permanent delegates and 27 special delegates; the Democratic Alliance 13 permanent and seven special delegates; the Economic Freedom Fighters six permanent and one special delegate; the Inkatha Freedom Party one permanent delegate and no special delegates; the United Democratic Movement one permanent delegate and no special delegate; and the National Freedom Party has no permanent delegates and one special delegate.

       
-Sapa