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Radebe: “Vote no” campaign absurd


Pietermaritzburg – Justice Minister Jeff Radebe on Wednesday criticised a “vote no” campaign by some ANC stalwarts, saying the move undermines the sacrifices made by opponents of apartheid.

Conduct that belonged to the jungle had emerged, he said as he opened the revamped Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court.

“We found it absurd that some, for whatever reason, suggest today that the democratic right to vote should be nullified en masse through the spoilt vote because some of those of our people who were in the trenches paid the ultimate price for our freedom and democracy,” he said.

Radebe cited Solomon Mahlangu and slain SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani among the people that paid dearly to end apartheid.

On Tuesday, former ministers Ronnie Kasrils and Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge launched the “Sidikiwe! Vukani! Vote no!” campaign at Wits University, appealing to South Africans not to vote for the ANC.
The campaign calls on South Africans to either vote for a minority party, or spoil their ballot.

R57m revamped court

Radebe condemned ruling party critics, saying party members should protect the ANC’s image both in and outside government.

“There is a tendency which is gaining currency that anything negative can be propagated against the ANC and be attributed to the ANC government, but that the ANC government in general and the ANC in particular must not politically respond to these charges made against it.”

Radebe said government was aware of its shortcomings and took responsibility for them.

The revamped court consists of three civil courts, two maintenance courts, a children’s court, and facilities for administrative staff.

Radebe said the R57m facility underlined government’s commitment to ensure access to justice for all.

He said the court had historical significance in being the venue of former president Nelson Mandela’s appearance after his arrest in Howick in 1962.
– SAPA

Victory requires hard work- ANC


Johannesburg – More work is needed to secure the majority of the votes at the polls, the ANC said on Wednesday.
“We need to work hard in order to get a two-thirds majority after 7 May,” ANC Gauteng chair Paul Mashatile told residents of Aaron Motsoaledi informal settlement in Soweto.

“We need to continue knocking on doors… we will rest after the elections.”

He told residents not to listen to ANC critics and stick with the party.

“Even if they tell you…’look, you still live in a shack…’ tell them the ANC is coming.”

Mashatile joined ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize as he campaigned in Soweto for next month’s general election.

The party campaigned at Freedom Park and later held a mini rally at Aaron Motsoaledi.

Mkhize handed out party T-shirts and canvassed for votes among residents.-Sapa

A Chinese shop torched in armed robbery


By Obakeng Maje
Lethabong-Police are investigating  a case of business robbery and arson after a business belonging to Chinese nationals was robbed and set alight on Wednesday at approximately 04:20am.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said it alleged that three Chinese nationals were woken up by four unknown suspects who forcefully entered the premises and pointed them with firearms.

“The suspects who were allegedly wearing balaclavas, tightened the victim’s hands and feet with cable ties, ransacked the place and demanded money from them” Mokgwabone said.

They allegedly took cash amounting to R10 000, airtime vouchers and cigarettes with estimated value of R30 000. 

According to the information, the victims were assaulted in the process with an iron rod and set the place alight.

“The place that is trading as bottle store and grocery shop was completely burnt down.  All three victims were taken to the local clinic for medical treatment” Mokgwabone said.  

Nobody has been arrested yet and investigation regarding the matter continues.

“The police are appealing to anyone with the information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects to call Lethabong Police Station on 012 270 0064 or 082 416 1055. Alternatively, Crime Stop can be called on 08600 10111” he concludes.-TDN
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75 000 special votes so far- IEC


Johannesburg – Just over 75 000 applications for special votes have been approved so far, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) said on Wednesday.

“The electoral commission reminds voters that the deadline for applications for special votes in this year’s national and provincial elections is tomorrow [Thursday],” the IEC said in a statement.

There were two categories of special votes – home visits and special voting at a registered voting station.

For a home visit election officials would visit voters who had successfully applied due to physical infirmity, disability, or pregnancy. These visits would be conducted on 5 and 6 May.

Special voting at a registered voting station was for people who would not be in their voting district on election day. This voting would also take place on 5 and 6 May between 9am and 5pm.

The IEC said of the 75 000 special votes already approved, about 57 000 were for home visits and 17 500 for voting at voting stations.

Earlier, government urged those who still needed to register for a special vote to do so before the 5pm deadline on Thursday.

“Government encourages the elderly and people with disabilities to submit their applications for special votes by the 17 of April,” acting Government Communications and Information System CEO Harold Maloka said in a statement.

“All registered South African voters are urged to exercise their democratic right to vote on the prescribed days.”

– SAPA

SA going backwards under Zuma- Zille


Pretoria – South Africa is going backwards under President Jacob Zuma’s leadership, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, under Zuma there is corruption,” she said.

“South Africa is much better than 20 years ago but sadly under… Zuma it is going backwards.”

She was speaking to reporters after addressing residents of Block R in Soshanguve.

She was given a warm welcome as she conducted a door-to-door campaign ahead of the 7 May elections.

Throngs of supporters in blue party regalia sang and danced in the streets with “vote DA” posters.

A few African National Congress supporters danced and sang about President Jacob Zuma a few metres from the park where the opposition leader addressed residents.

– SAPA

Khumalo, Baxter fined


Kaizer Chiefs, as well as their head and assistant coach, have been fine by the PSL for an altercation that took place ahead of their game against AmaZulu.
Chiefs beat Usuthu 4-1 back in December, but ahead of the game there was an altercation between the Amakhosi and AmaZulu’s security after the home team refused Chiefs entry into the stadium.
Both Stuart Baxter and Doctor Khumalo were involved, though only verbally, and have now been fined by the league.
A statement read, “Arising from an incident which took place prior to a match against AmaZulu FC on 14 February 2014 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Doctor Khumalo and Stuart Baxter were found guilty of acting improperly and failing to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. Each were fined R30 000.00 of which R 15 000.00 was suspended until the end of the season.
“Kaizer Chiefs FC was found guilty of bringing the League into disrepute and was fined R100 000.00, of which R25 000.00 was suspended. In addition, the club was ordered to pay an amount of R25 000.00 which had been conditionally suspended in respect of previous offence earlier in the season. The three respondents were ordered to pay their share of the costs of the sitting.”
It remains to be seen whether the club will appeal the decision.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.co.za

Nel queries expert’s evidence


Pretoria – Evidence given by defence expert witness Roger Dixon came under scrutiny in the North Gauteng High Court during Oscar Pistorius’s trial on Wednesday.
Dixon, who gave evidence on Tuesday and Wednesday on issues including fibres, wood splinters, the sound of a gun versus a cricket bat hitting a door, and how a bullet could ricochet off tiles, said as an expert he “only looked at the evidence”.

“In my experience in the police, I feel I can interpret,” he said.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel queried Dixon’s qualifications and background, before asking specifically what type of expert Dixon, a qualified geologist, was.

“Are you a sound expert?” Nel asked.

“I would hope I’m a sound expert,” he replied.

Acoustics

Nel repeated the question, referring to sound and acoustics specifically, to which Dixon said the test he did of the sound made by a cricket bat hitting a door and a gun firing was to determine whether the two could be confused.

“[The] expertise used was attempting to reconstruct the situation… I was not listening to myself making that sound,” he said.

Nel asked who was involved in the sound test at a firing range. Dixon said the range officer, two ballistic experts, their wives, two people from the sound recording company, and himself.

“I think that’s almost all.”

After further probing on who was at the range, Dixon said the range was closed.

“I was concentrating on the test. I can’t recall anyone there.”

Darkness

Nel moved onto the test Dixon conducted on how dark it would have been in Pistorius’s bedroom on 14 February last year, when his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead.

Dixon said: “The instruments that I used were my eyes.”

Following further questioning from Nel he said he was not a light measuring expert, and had not used equipment to conduct the test.

Pistorius, who appeared to pay rapt attention to Nel’s cross-examination of Dixon, is on trial for shooting Steenkamp through the locked door of a toilet cubicle in his Pretoria house.

Bullet casing

The bullet casing found in the toilet bowl next to a fatally wounded Steekamp could not have been from the one that hit her in the head, the court heard earlier.

Dixon said the weight of the bullet casing did not add up, testifying that the Black Talon bullet which hit Steenkamp weighed around 127 grains.

The one found in the toilet weighed 65.9 grains. One grain is about 0.06 grams. Dixon explained that adding this to that of the projectile found in Steenkamp’s skull, the numbers did not add up, meaning it could not have been the same bullet.

He agreed with the testimony of a police official who earlier told the court that the first shot Pistorius fired probably struck Steenkamp’s hip.

As Dixon spoke about the wounds on Steenkamp’s body, Pistorius leaned forward and held his head in his hands. His sister, Aimee, who sat in the court gallery, was also visibly upset.

Pistorius is on trial for the murder of Steenkamp. He shot her dead through the locked toilet door of his home on Valentine’s Day last year, apparently thinking she was an intruder.

SAPA

Call Centre Agent Opportunities at Metropolitan


If you have recently finished matric and looking to obtain valuable workplace experience, then this opportunity is for you. Metropolitan has positions for 14 Client Services Agents in Pretoria.

The Incumbent will be responsible for:

Answering calls from members and service providers to confirm benefits and assist with queries.

First call resolution for resolving member and service provider queries.

Ensuring the Scheme and in particular MH is not unnecessarily exposed to financial risk as a result of incorrect information being provided to members and service providers.

Ensuring quality service, production, first call resolution and appropriate follow up to ensure resolution of queries which delivers effective individual contribution towards service level agreement compliance.

Client retention and goodwill by effectively resolving queries from members, employer groups, service providers and the Scheme.

Understanding and effectively using the call centre telephony system and workflow management system.

The applicant should meet these requirements:

Matric/Grade 12 qualification with maths or accounting.

1- 2 years experience in a call centre or client service environment

Medical aid administrative experience is essential

Advanced MS Office

Competencies Required

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to learn and apply new skills

Team Orientated and attention to detail

Flair for decision-making and problem solving

Initiating action (taking prompt action to accomplish objectives)

Excellent communication skills

Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to the following statutory checks: ITC, Criminal, References,

Qualifications

How to apply

Click here to apply online: http://www.careersportal.co.za/careers/careers/3326-call-centre-agent-opportunities-at-metropolitan.html

Closing Date: 22 April 2014

Should you not be contacted within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
-TDN
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eNCA Graduate Programme (Broadcast News Bootcamp)


SA’s first and most watched 24-hour news channel wants you for its television news graduate programme.

Here’s your chance to learn what it takes to work in broadcast news! The 6-month Broadcast News Bootcamp starts in June and only 10 recruits are drafted to the Hyde Park base. So hurry and submit your application before 9th May 2014.

”To be the best you have to learn from the best.”

Reporting to the eNCA managing editor, your key performance areas will be:

news writing

camera operation

video editing

archives

news logistics

online

reporting

Requirements

Have completed an Undergraduate Degree or National Diploma (minimum three years)

An excellent command of the English language, writing skills and visual sense

Thorough computer skills, including advanced research techniques and social media experience

Be a passionate debater about South African and world affairs

An insatiable curiosity

Exceptionally wide-ranging general knowledge

Meticulous attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

How to apply

To apply for our Broadcast News Bootcamp (Graduate program), please email the managing editor on bootcamp@enca.com with:

– application form (download here)

– motivation letter detailing why we need you on our program

– full CV

– photograph (max 1MB)

Failure to submit any of the above will result in disqualification from the process. All applicants must be available for a panel interview process in Johannesburg during the week 19-23 May 2014.

Successful candidates:

must be available for the full six month duration of the program from June to December 2014

will be paid a nominal stipend

must be prepared to work irregular and long hours, including weekends and public holidays

If you have not received a response 14 days after the closing date, please assume that your application was not successful.

Closing Date: Friday, 9 May 2014

-TDN
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Minnie admitted in hospital


The Sabc sport presenter, who is also an actor and the face of Motions Haircare, went to a Joburg hospital at the beginning of the week complaining of chest pain.

Yesterday she spent her second night in hospital after being diagnosed with a chest infection. Her doctor prescribed strong antibiotics and put her under observation.

Her spokeswoman, Pumza Nohashe, told Daily Sun: “Minnie has been sick with a flu strain for three weeks but due to many commitments she couldn’t rest. She then developed a chest infection.”

Minnie will be treated until her doctor feels it is safe to release her. She has been receiving flowers from friends and family wishing her a speedy recovery.
For more http://www.dailysun.mobi