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Nkandla review is a delay tactic – EFF


The security cluster of ministers’ decision to approach a high court for a judicial review of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s Nkandla report was a delay tactic, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has said.

“Cognisant of the possibility that the outcome of the parliamentary ad hoc committee reviewing the Nkandla report may lead to a motion to impeach the president, they have resorted to unnecessary and costly delaying tactics,” spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said yesterday.

Earlier, acting government spokesperson Phumla Williams said the ministers were not taking the public protector to court. They wanted her report to undergo a judicial review, possibly in the high court in Pretoria.

The cluster believed Madonsela’s report, titled Secure in Comfort and released in March, lacked clarity in some areas, and that her findings were “irrational, contradictory and informed by material errors of law”.

“It is the ministers’ view that the public protector’s report and the investigation she conducted trespass on the separation of powers doctrine and section 198(d) of the Constitution, which vests national security in Parliament and national executive,” Williams said.

In her report, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found President Jacob Zuma and his family unduly benefited from a R246m security upgrade to his private Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal, which included a swimming pool, a cattle kraal, and an amphitheatre.

She recommended, among other things, that he repay a portion of the money.

Zuma has said he would await the outcome of another probe by the Special Investigating Unit before responding to the matter.

The ad hoc committee, which was set to consider Zuma’s submissions on the Nkandla report, was effectively dissolved on April 28.

A report by the committee referring the matter to the fifth Parliament was adopted, following heated arguments between ANC MPs and their opposition counterparts.

The matter was put to a vote after the ANC proposed the matter stand over for the next Parliament to consider after the May 7 elections.

The ANC used its majority to win the vote.

The EFF said it was the ANC’s intention to manufacture a sub judice defence against anticipated parliamentary debate on the Nkandla report.

“This is a proactive attempt by the ANC to block any efforts to have contents of the Nkandla report tabled in the National Assembly during the debate for re-election of President Zuma,” Ndlozi said.

The DA, which was consulting with its lawyers with the view of joining the case as an intervening party, took a similar view.

“We believe that it is part of a greater plan to try and block the reappointment of an ad hoc committee to consider this matter on the grounds of it being sub judice.”

The parliamentary ad hoc committee was the appropriate body to hear arguments should there be inaccuracies in the report.

“This committee will be able to listen to input from the security cluster as well as seek answers to questions which were not fully answered by the report,” the DA said.

Madonsela said earlier that she could not imagine any court finding in the security cluster ministers’ favour.

“The architecture of our constitutional democracy as we understand it requires that the matter be debated in Parliament first,” Madonsela said in a statement.

“Should there be no common understanding, the matter can then be taken to court.”

– Sapa

Ramphele taking a break, won’t go to Parliament


Johannesburg – Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele will take a break from politics, she said in an open letter on the party’s website on Thursday.

“I have always said that I was the bridge and would make sure that the reins are handed over at an appropriate time to a new generation of leaders,” she said.

“In the next short while I will take time to reflect on the Agang SA journey and will then return to contribute to building Agang SA and a winning South Africa together with all of you.”

‘Disappointing’performance

Ramphele admitted that her party’s performance in the general elections last week was “disappointing”, but said it had been wonderful to see so many South Africans vote and uphold political freedom.

Agang secured 52 350 votes, or 0.28%, in the national election.

She would remain available to provide advice to the party’s parliamentary pair, national youth forum co-ordinator Nyameka Mgozulu and chairperson Mike Tshishonga.

“After such a taxing journey I do need some time and space to settle my mind and body, enjoy time with family and friends, and reconnect with a personal world I have not had time to enjoy for a considerable time now.

“This is where I believe I can make the most valuable contribution to the party and my beloved country.”

Businesswoman and struggle veteran Ramphele founded Agang SA last year.

DA merger

In early 2014 the Democratic Alliance announced that Ramphele would stand as its presidential candidate. Within a week, however, the partnership collapsed.

Ramphele and DA leader Helen Zille gave conflicting reasons for their political break-up.

Zille said it would have been impossible to meet Ramphele’s demand that she simultaneously lead Agang SA and be the DA’s presidential candidate. She described Ramphele’s proposal as “electoral nonsense”, “unconstitutional” and confusing to voters.

Ramphele said: “Some cannot or will not transcend party politics. The time for this was not right. We see people trapped in old-style race-based politics.”

She said the technicalities of the merger were not ironed out properly. Ramphele said at the time that Agang’s interim constitution prohibited dual political party membership and that a merger with another party could only be done through a national congress, or if the national leadership council met with 20 members in good standing to discuss the decision.

Making a firm commitment to the DA would have been disrespectful to Agang members, she said.-Sapa

North West MEC saddened by shootings


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The Departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism together with Human Settlement confirmed the shooting that happened on Thursday at their offices situated at the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) Building which happened at around 11H00.

According to preliminary report by the South African Police (SAPS), two people died with three other injured.

“The gunman is said to have committed suicide after killing one of his colleague. It is alleged that two employees are seriously injured from ricocheting bullets and the other one sustained injuries on the head after been butted with a gun” departmental spokesperson Keorapetse Mosipidi said.

The MECs from both Departments send their heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

All the employees of both Departments are being counseled on the trauma of the situation. Further formal counselling is being arranged with Wellness Programme by both Departments.

“The police are still doing investigations and a detailed report will be released soon” Mosipidi said.-TDN
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Govt taking Madonsela to court over Nkandla report


Johannesburg – Government announced on Thursday that it will take Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to court over her report on the controversial upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.
For more http://www.news24.com

‘Two dead, three injured in hostage drama’


By Obakeng Maje
Mmabatho- Police are investigating a case of two counts of attempted murder, one of murder and Inquest  after a middle aged man allegedly shot and killed one person while the other three were seriously injured.

The incident took place on Thursday at approximately 11:00 at North West Development Corporation (NWDC) building, housing both provincial departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism as well as Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison in Mmabatho, Mahikeng. 

 

Colonel Sabata Mogwabone said that the man started shooting while outside the building. He allegedly entered the building where he also fired shots while at offices of Human Settlements and that led to injury of two persons due to ricocheting shots.

“The third person sustained head injuries after being struck with a gun. The man allegedly went to one of the offices where he shot and killed one person, then turned the gun on himself when police arrived” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

The motive of the incident is not yet known and police are still working on the scene. 

The injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention.-TDN
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Shoprite Graduate Programme 2015


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Fantastic opportunities exist for B. Pharm, Retail Management and B.Compt/B.Acc graduates. Although these are our focus areas, we also recruit graduates in other fields from time to time, as we need talented people in all departments throughout Shoprite Group.

Current Opportunities

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Logistics/Supply Chain Graduate Programme

Retail Business Management/Hospitality Management Trainee Programme

Trainee Buyer

IT Trainee Programmer

How to apply

http://www.careersportal.co.za/graduates/graduate-placement/3412-shoprite-graduate-programme-2015.html

Closing Date: 31 October 2014
-TDN
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‘Three died in a hostage drama in North West’


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng-North West police are investigating a case of murder and inquest after allegedly three people died.

According to unconfirmed report, an employee at one of North West departments stormed at the office and allegedly held staff hostage.

Two people were allegedly shot dead and the suspect committed suicide afterwards.

The reports say the employee was suspended for more than four months without pay and demanded his salary.

Police are at the scene and our crew tried to confirm the atrocity with colonel Sabata Mogwabone,but our attempt was futile.

More details will follow soon-TDN
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ANC should be worried about EFF – Mpofu


Johannesburg – The ANC should be worried by the EFF winning 10% of the votes in Gauteng in the general election, the EFF’s Dali Mpofu said on Thursday.

“If I was the ANC I would be worried about that,” Mpofu said at The New Age breakfast briefing in Johannesburg.

“We are represented in all nine provinces, all the legislatures. To me that is priceless. We have a footprint around the country.”

He said the Economic Freedom Fighters was the fastest growing party in the country.

“The ANC has lost 15 seats, that’s the reality. The DA [Democratic Alliance] gained 22 seats and the EFF gained 25 seats so we are the fastest growing party in South Africa. That trend is definitely going to continue.”

He said the African National Congress needed to learn how to govern differently.

Perspective

After listening to opinions from a panel of political analysts, Mpofu said the election results should be looked at in a proper perspective.

He said the EFF could not be compared to the Congress of the People, which came third in the 2009 election and was the new party at the time.

“We started off eight months ago. We didn’t have any money. And the ANC and the media blemished our leader, not like Cope,” he said.

“The media was used against us, all sorts of shenanigans were used – we were denied stadia, our adverts were banned, our posters were removed… so it was clear.”

Despite this, the EFF campaigned effectively and took 10% of the votes in Gauteng.

Throughout the run-up to the elections, the ANC did not underestimate the EFF, he said.

“The ANC did not underestimate us. They had no illusions. Other people were rubbishing us,” said Mpofu.

“They [the ANC] know we know the game. We know how to go to the ground and how to work the ground. The ANC knows that. We are going to show that going forward.

Nkandla

Before Mpofu spoke, political analyst Adam Habib said the controversy around the Nkandla saga had played a role in the election.

“I think Nkandla hurt the ruling party. It seems to me that the ANC paid the cost of it. If I was the ruling party, I’d be very, very worried.

“If you lose these big cities, if you lose the middle class, you cannot claim to be a party of modernity, you cannot claim to be a cosmopolitan party of the 21st century.”

He said the results of the elections had sent a strong message to the ruling party.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that President Jacob Zuma and his family unduly benefited from R246m security upgrades to his private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, which included a swimming pool, a cattle kraal, and an amphitheatre.

Two days before the 7 May election, Zuma attempted to justify the upgrades by speaking publicly about the rape of his wife in 1999.

“My homestead was burned twice during violence… These criminals came, raped my wife during the time I was still the MEC,” he said at the time.

Zuma was KwaZulu-Natal economic affairs MEC between 1994 and 1999.

He said the perpetrators were arrested, charged, and convicted.-Sapa

Xingwana: Religion is no excuse


Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu Xingwana visited 600 Soweto schoolgirls who demonstrated against the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls on Wednesday. EWN’s Sebabatso Mosamo reports.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

EFF walks out of ‘New Age’ breakfast


JOHANNESBURG – Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have walked out of a New Age business breakfast, saying it was hoodwinked into attending.
The party’s Dali Mpofu said the EFF was invited as part of the panel at the briefing, but somebody in the ANC got a fright, and they were excluded.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za