Cape Town – The South African mother accused of murdering three of her four children in the UK was living a life of hell as she struggled to care for 3-year-old twins, Ben and Max and their 4-year-old sister Olivia – all of whom had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a report says.
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Zuma taken back by Sadtu racketeering
Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma has approved the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of job promotion racketeering by Sadtu members, City Press reported on Sunday.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga told the newspaper she met Zuma on Friday night.
“He told me he was also taken aback by the report [about the racketeering] and that we have to act and deal with it immediately,” Motshekga was quoted as saying.
The inquiry will look into reports that SA Democratic Teachers Union members were allegedly selling principal and deputy principal positions at schools for upwards of R30 000 each.
Details
“If the reports are true and principals are being forced out of schools with a gun to their heads and told not to come back, then we have a very dangerous situation on our hands which cannot be allowed to continue,” Motshekga said, adding that protection would need to be given to potential witnesses.
The minister was now set to meet the presidency’s legal advisors on Monday to work out the logistical details of the inquiry.
Sadtu general-secretary Mugwena Malukele said the union had asked the SA Council of Educators and the Education Labour Relations Council to investigate the allegations.
He said the union had not sanctioned ‘posts for sale’.
“It is individuals who do it,” said Malukele.
SAPA
ANC North West welcome more than 200 Cope members
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The ANC North West welcomed more than 200 Cope members back into its fold after they circumvented back.
The event took place at Taung library on Saturday and the welcoming ceremony was graced by ANC NEC member Humphrey Mmemezi, ANC North West Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo and Mongezi Tsenca who is a manager in North West Legislature office.
Humphrey Mmemezi said they are so elated to reunited with their former members who realigned to Cope after former president Thabo Mbeki was recalled by ANC.
“We are very grateful and overwhelmed to welcome back our former members back into ANC and that really shows that ANC is the only party that can take the people to the better place” Mmemezi said.
ANC North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo said they welcome the former Cope members back into ANC and that alone shows people are very tired of being used by cheap opposition parties.
“ANC is the only party that can take South Africa forward. Those who re-join ANC saw that other political parties are a mess. We are elated and we welcome them with open hands” Mahumapelo said.
More than 200 members who nimble to Cope after the former president Thabo Mbeki was recalled by NEC shared their story and say ANC is the only political party that can truly liberates blacks from oppressors.
Nandi Mashudi and Steven Kheswa are some of Cope members who re-joined ANC. According to Mashudi, she was impressed by ANC performance and its achievements.
“I was actually taken away about ANC’s achievements. I decided to come back to the ruling party because it is the only party that can liberate the masses” Mashudi said.
Mashudi was a member of Legislature in North West for opposition. Steven Khwesa also said he left ANC because he was crestfallen after Mbeki was recalled, but now he is willing to help ANC achieve more in the future.
ANC North West chairperson Supra Mahumapelo said ANC welcome its members.
“People see that ANC is the only party that they can vote for. We will be welcoming EFF members next week in Kgetlheng village, near Swartruggens. The masses have spoken and we will fight corruption tirelessly” Mahumapelo said.
He also said Bapong Ba Mogale’s D-account resolution has been reached. Mahumapelo said people should not be deceived by minorities who promise them heaven and earth.-TDN
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Mmemezi: Most whites are hypocrites
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The ANC North West welcomed more than 200 Cope members back into its fold after they circumvented back.
The event took place at Taung library on Saturday and the welcoming ceremony was graced by ANC NEC member Humphrey Mmemezi, ANC North West Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo and Mongezi Tsenca who is a manager in North West Legislature office.
Humphrey Mmemezi said they are so elated to reunited with their former members who realigned to Cope after former president Thabo Mbeki was recalled by ANC.
“We are very grateful and overwhelmed to welcome back our former members back into ANC and that really shows that ANC is the only party that can take the people to the better place” Mmemezi said.
Mmemezi said ANC has done a lot for its people and they should not be deceived by cheap talks of opposition parties.
“ANC has more good stories to tell and people must not listen to white monopoly who use DA and media to turn against ANC” he said.
He said majority of white people are still defending apartheid and blacks must wake up especially those who are educated because by keeping quite they compromising their intellectual capacity. He said the floor-crossing shows that people feel cold out of ANC.
He said this vindicate what president Zuma said.
“Zuma said we must open doors and share the good story that we have achieved with all South Africans. We have given homeless people houses and even we empowered the youth and we still do” Mmemezi said.
Mmemezi said the ANC will win the battle of economic freedom and masses must not listen to cheap politics from opposition who promise to liberate them economically.
He said most countries are flocking to South Africa because they say the country has improved under president Jacob Zuma’s leadership. “We have changed the outlook of SA universities, most students are funded by government scheme and people must stop to be influenced by white-owned media who doubt the ANC-led government achievements” Mmemezi outlines.
He also said the epidemic of HIV-Aids has been reduced since Zuma came into power. Mmemezi said God will be very unhappy if the opposition lie to the nation.
“ANC is living under the commitment to empower all South Africans. ANC will deal harshly with those who are corrupt and under Zuma’s wisdom, he created institutions to deal with corruption. Zuma said those who inflated the prices in Nkandla project will be dealt with.
Mmemezi said they have also welcomed many members into ANC from DA. “Those who are found guilty will be fired and we met as the NEC to discuss the matter. White people who jailed our late former president Nelson Mandela pretended to be crying and mourning with us during his death, but deep down they know they are hypocrites.”
Mmemezi also said the ANC will surprise many people on the 07 May 2014 in national elections.-TDN
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‘Famous Taung Skull to return to its original place’
The North West Provincial Government has identified Taung as a strategic area to be developed into a rural city, MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho revealed during the launch of new Taung Hotel School and Conference facilities this week.Â
in her speech delivered on Wednesday,MEC Rosho said the province is determined to be a trend-setter for other provinces in terms of rural development strategy.
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“As the province we want to be able to say that rural development strategy started to unfold in the North West Province. What you see here today is also part of the local economic strategy and will add immense value to the plans of the developmental plans of the local municipality,” said Rosho adding that the project was one of the initiatives that are very close to Premier Thandi Modise’s heart.Â
Rosho also paid a special tribute to ANC stalwart Dr Rush Mompati, after whom the district municipality is named.
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“We appreciate the good work that she has done for us and we must take the work that she has started to new heights.  Therefore, we must jealously guard the assets that must benefit our communities as we continue to unleash quality hospitality service, and arts and culture in the province,” she said.
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Neil Paterson of the Peermont Hotels which assisted in facilitating the sale of the former aung Tusk Hotel to the North West Development Corporation, said the hotel group was an ongoing stakeholder that continue to support training schools in the industry, as evidenced by the R200Â 000 annual bursary grant to the Mafikeng Hotel School and the number of learnership opportunities available to students within the industry.
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“Peermont’s commitment to social development is driven by many pillars primarily in the area of education, which is also in line with government’s national priorities. We operate within the hospitality sector and it is prudent that we support individuals that aspire to enter the industry,” said Paterson.
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Earlier Premier Modise had also reiterated that the government was steadfast in developing Taung into a sophisticated multicultural city similar to the Belgian city of Brussels, adding that the new hotel school was part and parcel of the process.Â
“The plan also aimed at creating job opportunities for rural communities involves the development of the site where the first human fossil in Africa, the Taung Skull, was discovered,” Modise said.
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MEC Rosho confirmed that the provincial government was at an advanced stage of bringing back the world famous Taung Skull back to its original place.
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Deputy Chairperson of the North West Development Corporation, Keneilwe Mosenogi said that more economic opportunities should accrue for young people in rural communities. Â
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“Projects to be rolled out should benefit youth who are supposed to be at the forefront of development because as young people, we are the future of our country,” said Mosenogi.
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According to Allen Losaba, the CEO of the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the province is not only setting the trend within the country but is also making remarkable in-roads in other parts of the world.
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“The University of Inhambane in Mozambique will be sending its students to the school to solidify their expertise. China has also expressed interest to bring about 400 students to the Hotel School,” said Losaba.
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Twenty-six year old Kelebogile Mancwe from Shaleng village said she was looking forward to reaping the rewards from an array of opportunities presented by new hotel school and conference facilities
Anele Msingale (24) who is already involved in the hotel industry said it was crucial that the service was extended to areas such as Taung so that young people who want to be involved in the hospitality service can get the necessary training without having to relocate to other areas.
Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane of the Batlhaping Ba-Ga Phuduhucwana Traditional Council expressed appreciation with development projects that are targeting rural communities in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi District Municipality.
“Just few days ago government was here to handover a R10 million donation to the Taung Agricultural College which should reposition it as a centre of excellence in irrigation technology to overcome poverty and joblessness ,” said the elated Mankuroane.Â
The event was graced by the Mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality, Councillor Kaone Lobelo, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane of Batlhaping Ba Ga Maidi Traditional Council, Acting Executive Mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi District Municipality, Councillors Suzan Montshiwagae, Members of the North West Parks and Tourism Board and other stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector.-TDN
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We will nationalise the sea – EFF
Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters would nationalise the ocean to ensure South Africans benefit from the country’s natural resources, the fledgling party’s Western Cape premier candidate said on Friday.
“We need to end the limited access people have to natural resources,” Nazier Paulsen told the Cape Town Press Club.
“We will nationalise the ocean, the abalone, the perlemoen.”
Paulsen said the EFF’s aims included total gender parity, free education up to post-graduate level, minimum farm workers’ wages of R5 000, and creating a provincial construction company that would provide 100 000 jobs.
The company would be set up to end the corruption-prone practice of contracting private builders to construct social housing, and would “end the spacial divide” that persisted 20 years after the advent of democracy.
“We are still living in the apartheid spacial divide. It hasn’t ended, it is only being managed by the Democratic Alliance.”
The company would also take charge of the delivery of electricity, water, and sanitation.
“We will end this potty system within a year.”
‘The madam’
Paulsen was equally scathing of the DA and the ANC, from which he said he was an early defector.
Referring to DA leader Helen Zille as the “the madam”, he said her provincial executive had not only failed to create “a single job” but was unable to understand the plight of women because it consisted of 10 men.
By contrast, he said, EFF leader Julius Malema had included women on his “war committee”.
Paulsen dismissed suggestions that the EFF was tarnished at the outset by the charges of fraud, corruption, racketeering and money-laundering against Malema.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to permanently drop related charges against his business associates proved that the case against Malema was one built on political interference, he said.
Whatever percentage of the provincial vote the EFF won in Wednesday’s polls, the party would not enter into a coalition with either the ANC or the DA.
“We are not interested in the riff-raff of government,” he said.
– SAPA
Petrol price relief for motorists
Cape Town – Motorists will get some relief at the pumps with the retail price of petrol and diesel dropping, the energy department announced on Friday.
Petrol will decrease by 15.0 cents/litre (c/l), while diesel will drop by 29.78 c/l in Gauteng.
Illuminating paraffin will decrease by 25.0 c/l and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 4.0 cents/kilogram.
The strengthened rand against the greenback and the reduction of the slate levy by 8.78 c/l contributed to the price decreases.
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One nabbed for rape and robbery in Mmabatho
By Obakeng Maje
Mmabatho-North West police arrested a 30 year-old suspect for rape,possession of unlicence firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, reckless and negligence driving.
Colonel Emelda Setlhako said two suspects allegedly entered a couple’s matrimonial house and ransacked their house.
“Two suspects allegedly entered a house at Unit 15 and ransacked the house, raped the wife and fled the scene” Setlhako said.
The police said the suspects found the man in the house, overpowered him and went to the couple’s bedroom where they found the victim’s wife and raped her.
“The suspect later took their cell phones, laptop, plasma TV and undisclosed amount of cash. They put them inside the couple’s car and drove-off. The neighbours informed the police and the car was traced by a tracking device” she said.
The police waited for the suspected car at the corner of James Moroka and DP Kgotleng streets and alleged that the suspects panicked when they saw police cars. They allegedly faced oncoming traffic and that led to a collision with an oncoming car.
The suspects allegedly opened fire at the police and one of the suspects was shot in the leg after police returned fire.
One suspects fled the scene on foot and is still at large.
“One suspect was arrested and under heavy police guard in hospital. He will appear before court soon” she said.Â
Police investigation continues.-TDN
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Abahlali Basemjondolo publicly endorse the DA for the elections
By Obakeng Maje
The Democratic Alliance is pleased to announce that we have accepted a public endorsement from Abahlali Basemjondolo for the upcoming elections.Â
Abahlali is the biggest and most influential shack dwellers’ movement in the country whose campaigns are largely geared towards improving the living conditions of the poor.Â
“The DA has travelled a long road with Abahlali; particularly under the stewardship of eThekwini housing spokesperson Hlanganani Gumbi who first made contact with them two years ago as chairperson of the DA eThekwini Housing Task Team” DA Sizwe Mchunu said.Â
Gumbi took the initiative to engage with Abahlali as a key stakeholder in housing developments within informal settlements across Durban so that they could become an integral component of the party’s source of reference and network in these areas.Â
At the time, Abahlali noted that the DA was the only political party to engage them in such a manner.Â
“Over the past two years, Gumbi has configured many bilateral meetings between the DA and Abahlali; particularly when it came to housing corruption in eThekwini, the lack of transparent housing allocations in the city as well as Abahlali’s “No land, no house, no vote” campaign”.Â
Throughout many of these discussions, we have both come to the common conclusion that we need to strengthen our resolve to: Â
·Fight housing tender corruption
·Fight housing allocations corruption
·Speed up housing delivery
·Increase community participation and communication within projectsÂ
·Ensure all land evictions are done within the confines of the law
·Treat informal settlement residents with the dignity they are entitled toÂ
Abahlali boast a national membership of over 27 000 people and are going to add considerable weight to final leg of the DA’s election campaign.Â
The DA said they continues to show growth amongst traditional ANC supporters who have been let down by Jacob Zuma’s corrupt ANC.
“Voters are coming to the DA because we have a plan to stop corruption, create jobs and improve service delivery” Mchunu said.Â
“We are deeply humbled and ecstatic over this public endorsement and will work tirelessly with Abahlali’s president S’bu Zikode to fight corruption so that there can be delivery for all” he said.Â
Abahlali have taken a brave step in this realignment of South African politics and DA said that with no doubt that their opponents will respond both harshly and critically to this move.Â
“Nevertheless, Abahlali must remain strong and committed to the realization of the better life we have all dreamed of since 1994. Together we will move forward with Abahlali on this new journey for change” he concludes. -TDN
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Zuma wants new propaganda machine – report
Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma will set up a new information ministry modelled on Zimbabwean, Chinese and Russian government departments should he get a second term as president, the Mail & Guardian reported on Friday.
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The Guardian 