Cape Town – ANC president Jacob Zuma was on Wednesday elected South Africa’s President for a second term.
This despite an objection by the Democratic Alliance.
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North West govt officials who died in “Hostage Drama” to be laid to rest
Mahikeng- Two officials of the Department of Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison in the North West, who died following the shooting incident at the departmental offices in Mafikeng last week Thursday, will be buried on Saturday in different funeral services.
The late Aubrey Kgaladi will be buried in Mmabatho while Serame Moirapula will be buried in Lomanyaneng village also in Mahikeng. The department will continue to provide support to the bereaved families.
According to the departmental spokesperson Ben Bole unfortunate incident has sent a panic wave among employees. Some of the employees had to be counseled as most of them witnessed the horrific incident, on that fateful Thursday.
“The department will continue to provide counseling, to staff members as some of are still unable to cope. We understand that the incident is unusual, and happened when everybody was list thought it could happen.”
“We will therefore continue to monitor the situation and intervene where there is a need and also offer professional assistance, just ensure that we bring the situation to normality,” said Bole.
The police are still investigating what could have lead to the unfortunate incident where Mr Moirapula is alleged to have shot and killed Kgaladi and seriously injuring other colleagues and later turned the gun on himself.-TDN
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Zille re-elected as Western Cape premier
Helen Zille was re-elected Western Cape premier at the provincial legislature on Wednesday morning.
The Democratic Alliance leader received 27 votes, easily beating the 14 votes for provincial African National Congress leader Marius Fransman.
One ballot was spoilt.
She was expected to announce her new provincial executive at 1pm, after they had been sworn in.
– Sapa
Miners strike will collapse- Union
The four-month-old strike in the platinum mining sector will eventually collapse, the Workers’ Association Union (WAU) said on Wednesday.
“The strike has reached its summit and is declining,” WAU general secretary Elifas Ngoepe said.
For more http://www.thenewage.co.za
Malema stands to attention as he’s sworn in
Cape Town – Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema stood to attention as he was called up to be sworn in as a first-time MP on Wednesday.
Malema and other male EFF MPs, dressed in red overalls, removed their matching hard hats before taking the oath.
For more http://www.news24.com
Bafana Bafana coach bring in Nhlapo, Letsholonyane, Khumalo, Mthembu
Johannesburg- Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund has made four changes to the team going on the Australasia tour.
He has brought in Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), veteran Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Sibusiso Khumalo (SuperSport United) and Siphelele Mthembu (Platinum Stars). They come in for Oupa Manyisa, Teko Modise, Thabo Matlaba and Kermit Erasmus who have pulled out for various reasons.
“I am very happy with this squad. As I said before, I have identified around 34 players who form the core of my vision and all these replacements are part of that bigger group. We are going to Australia and New Zealand to compete,” said Igesund.
Bafana Bafana leave for Australia on Thursday, 22 May and play the Socceroos on 26 May before flying to New Zealand for a date with the home team on 30 May.
They return to South Africa on 1 June 2014.-TDN
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Teko Modise pulls out of Bafana squad
By Obakeng Maje
Johannesburg- Bafana Bafana have been forced to make a number of changes to the squad scheduled to play Australia and New Zealand next week.
Bafana Bafana take on the Socceroos of Australia on 26 May in Sydney and travel to Auckland for a date with New Zealand on 30 May 2014.
Coach Gordon Igesund said while the withdrawals had somehow affected his plans, he was still confident that those selected would do the country proud.
“I have put together a big squad of around 34 which is young and excited about playing for the country, so those who I have called as replacements are part of that broader squad. They are very capable players.
“All these players are part of the group that should participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches for 2015 in Morocco. This is an opportunity for those selected to raise their hands and be counted. They are young and should compete,” said Igesund.
The Bafana Bafana coach said there was little he could do about injuries but added he had confidence in those selected.
“It has been a long season for most of these players and there is little I can do about injuries. Injuries are part of the game of football and there is no one to be blamed for this,” he said.
Bafana Bafana leave for Australia on 22 May and play the Socceroos on 26 May before proceeding to New Zealand for a date with the New Zealanders on 30 May. The matches will be played in Sydney and Auckland respectively.
However Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise told Sundowns website that he will not be available due to prior arrangements.
“Unfortunately I will not travel with the rest of the squad due to some prior arrangements and I am honoured to be elected to represents my country. Hopefully next time as I feel honoured” Modise said.
The squad returns home on 1 June 2014.-TDN
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EFF overalls brighten up Parliament
Cape Town – Parliament awoke to the sights and sounds of the Economic Freedom Fighters on Wednesday morning.
Male EFF MPs, dressed in red overalls and hard hats, sang and danced in front of the steps of the National Assembly where they were due to be sworn in.
Most female EFF MPs chose to dress as cleaners in red dust coats with aprons, and brightly coloured headscarves.
New EFF MP Magdalene Moonsamy said she was excited to be in Parliament.
Moonsamy, unlike her EFF colleagues, wore a red skirt and red knitted top.
Representing working class
Explaining the symbolism, EFF MP-in-waiting Floyd Shivambu said: “The working class and poor now know they’ve got representatives in Parliament. There is no other organisation which associates itself with the struggles of the poor.”
Shivambu said the EFF dress code was deliberate.
Unlike during election campaigning when EFF members wore overalls displaying the party’s name, Wednesday’s uniforms were bare of party insignia.
Parliament has said MPs should observe the decorum of the House by not displaying party political insignia during sittings.
MPs from other parties walking into the National Assembly building chose the traditional suit and tie, or dress suits for women, for the swearing in ceremony, due to start at 10:30.- SAPA
Mbete ‘to ensure ANC presence in Parliament’
Cape Town – Luthuli House will have a strong presence in Parliament with ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete steering matters in the National Assembly, according to an ANC MP.
Die Burger reported on Wednesday that the ANC elected Mbete as the Speaker for the fifth parliamentary term, which starts on Wednesday.
The unnamed MP told Die Burger that the ANC had to improve its performance in Parliament, and Mbete was the right person to ensure the party’s leadership stood strong in the National Assembly.
Mbete was the Speaker from 2005 to 2008, and was described by MPs who worked with her as strong, capable, effective and a very loyal ANC cadre.
Political analyst Richard Calland said Mbete is very ambitious and a “heavyweight” and based on this the party had to give her an important position.
Lechesa Tsenoli, previously minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, will be the new deputy Speaker. Stone Sizani remains as the ANC chief whip and Doris Dlakude is the deputy chief whip.
Speculation over Sisulu
Mbete will take over as Speaker from Max Sisulu.
According to Die Burger, there was speculation that Sisulu ‘s role as Speaker ended because of his decision to appoint a parliamentary ad hoc committee to investigate the Public Protector’s report on Nkandla. Beeld reported that Sisulu had made himself available for a second term.
However, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe strenuously denied this speculation and said Sisulu was not the head of the Nkandla project. There is thus no reason for the party to blame him. There were rumours that Sisulu could be given a Cabinet post.
Mantashe also announced that former Reserve bank governor Tito Mboweni had withdrawn as MP, but would not give reasons. There was still speculation that Mboweni could be appointed as finance minister, as two Cabinet ministers can come from outside Parliament.-Sapa
Fifth Parliament set to elect president
Cape Town – South Africa’s fifth democratic Parliament holds its first sitting on Wednesday morning to swear in new MPs and formally elect President Jacob Zuma as head of state.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng will preside over the swearing in of the 400 new members of the National Assembly – a process traditionally undertaken in batches of 10 for speed’s sake.
Following this, the chamber will elect a new Speaker. The African National Congress announced on Tuesday that it will nominate Baleka Mbete, the party’s national chairperson, to return to the post of Speaker she held from 2004 to 2008.
Once elected, the Speaker will preside over the election of the deputy speaker. The ANC plans to nominate Lechesa Tsenoli for the post.
MPs will then elect the country’s new president, a post certain to go to Zuma for a second term.
He will take the oath of office at the Union Buildings on Saturday, bringing foreign dignitaries back to the capital for the inauguration five months after former president Nelson Mandela lay in state there.
Zuma will announce his new Cabinet on Sunday.-Sapa
The Guardian 