Pretoria – After a seven-year long trial – that included two acquittals and two accused absconding – 14 members of a syndicate that targeted the taxman were sentenced in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Archives
Bodies found on ship in Durban harbour
Durban – Police are investigating the grisly discovery of two decomposing bodies, believed to be stowaways, found on a ship in Durban harbour on Sunday.
For more http://www.iol.co.za
Jaws recovered Eastern Cape stolen vehicle in Mahikeng
Jaws intervention unit have recovered a blue Nissan Centre which according to the system it was reported stolen on the 28 February 2014 in the Eastern Cape Province.
The vehicle was detected by the Number Plate Recognition System (NPRS), on the Station Road Mahikeng on Monday.
According to the Provincial Traffic Authorities, the 32-year-old driver tried to escape as he faced the oncoming traffic which he failed and got arrested.
Authorities further reported that the suspect provided wrongful information during the time of arrest. He’s currently detained at the local police station and is expected to be handed over to the Eastern Cape police in due course.
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi said the arrest and recovery of this stolen vehicle is an indication to criminals that there they don’t have a place in the province.
“This must be a lesson to criminals that they don’t belong here, we are going to arrest and put them behind bars where they belong,” said Molapisi.
The departmental MEC further applauded the Traffic Authorities for their hardwork and commitment. “Our traffic officers continue to show their commitment on the work and with their hardwork we will definitely win the fight against crime,” said Molapisi calling on communities to partner with government in the fight against crime.
“Fight against crime is winnable but it requires partnerships in all works of life, we need everybody to come on board, our communities and business sectors,” he concluded.
The NPR system was introduced by the department as part of strengthening fight against crime and road safety in the province. The device detects stolen vehicles, unlicensed and unregistered motor vehicles.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
MEC Molapisi appoints new police investigative officer on the Ganyesa case
Following dissatisfaction of Ganyesa community following the case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi has appointed the new investigative officer, through the office of the Provincial Police Commissioner to conduct a proper investigation.
Molapisi announced the decision during his engagement with hundreds of community members at the Ganyesa stadium.
The MEC said the decision was informed by the departmental preliminary investigation after the community registered their dissatisfaction on how the initial investigator has handled the case since it was registered at the Ganyesa police station.
“Your voices and concerned were registered and we conducted an internal investigation which informed our decision. We have trust that the newly appointed investigation officer will do justice on this case,” said Molapisi who called on the community to work with the police and have faith on them.
Hundreds of fuming communities voiced their challenges and dissatisfactions with the Ganyesa police services as they allege that the suspect on this case might have bribed the police. The community claimed that this case was not the first and further requested that other previous cases must be re-opened and investigated.
Molapisi said the cases would be re-opened and urged the communities to assist the police with information to ease the investigations.
“We solemnly need your cooperation, we need those who have information on those cases to come forth and avail the important information for the police to conduct a proper investigation. We are here to assist and make sure that nothing of this nature happen again,” said Molapisi.
The angry community members of Ganyesa further urged that the accused, Mr Ferdinant Monstert who is the owner of the Disipi filling station and super market must be expelled and close his businesses in the area.
In his response, Molapisi said the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality and the local dikgosi will consult with the business owner (the accused) as according to the community requests.
Monstert was arrested on June 11, following the allegations of handcuffing and electrocuting a 9-year-old boy on Wednesday 28 May 2014. He appeared at the Ganyesa Magistrate Court and released on R1000 bail the same day.
Since the arrest of Monstert, members of the victim’s family and Ganyesa communities claim that he continuously threaten and intimidate them and they have timeously reported such acts to the police who did not take any action.
MEC Molapisi condemned the allegations of threats, intimidations and further urged the communities to calm down and not finding themselves against the law.
“No one should be denied security or live in fear of been attacked, nevertheless we must also avoid to find ourselves on the wrong side of the law as a result of responding with high emotions. We must have trust on our police and the justice system,” concluded Molapisi.
Monstert will appear at the Ganyesa Magistrate court on the 7
th July to face allegations of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Meanwhile, stakeholder departments reported that the 9-year-old victim and the family have been going through the psyco-social counselling. The Department of Social Development reported to have been monitoring the counselling recovery of the family following the incident and further provided food parcels through its Social Relief of Distress programme, while the Department of Education assured that the 9-year-old victim whose a Grade 3 learner would be taken through the recovery plan for the 17 days of schooling he lost after the incidents.
Premier Mahumapelo welcomes end of platinum wage strike
North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has welcomed the announcement that the five months strike in the platinum sector will end with workers returning to work on Wednesday.
“We wish to commend parties for finally reaching a settlement to avert a near human catastrophe that has impacted negatively on our economy and pledge our support for the healing process that needs to unfold in the aftermath of the violence and losses suffered during the protracted strike,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
Mahumapelo said that ending the strike will pave the way for peace and stability to be restored and for mining operations to return to full productivity.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
SAFA dismisses Keshi appointment rumours
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has received a lot of media inquiries following an article in a Nigerian website claiming that Stephen Keshi had signed a two-year contract to take over the Bafana Bafana job.
SAFA would like to reiterate its earlier position that the new Bafana Bafana coach will only be announced mid-July following due processes.
“That article, which is attributed to a source, is devoid of any truth as SAFA will only make the decision on the appointment of the new coach mid-July.
“Keshi’s name is among the various names that have been thrown around by the media. SAFA has not yet arrived at any decision regarding the appointment of the new Senior Men’s National Coach. That decision will be pronounced once the World Cup is over,” said SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Arab Spring has turned into nightmare – Sanef
Johannesburg – The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) expressed shock on Monday at the conviction and sentencing of three Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt.
“What started off as the dawn of the Arab Spring has turned into a nightmare where freedoms of Egyptian people are treated with disdain by the ruling military-aligned government,” Sanef said in a statement.
“The sentencing of the journalists comes as African leaders gather in Equitorial Guinea for a summit of heads of state and governments.”
Sanef, which is part of the African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), called on the African Union Commission to ensure that the summit condemned the sentencing of the journalists.
It also wanted Egypt’s participation in the AU to be suspended until it observed its principles and protocols.
“Sanef also calls on TAEF to embark on continent-wide protests against this heinous act by the Egyptian government.”
The three Al Jazeera journalists, Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, were arrested in Cairo in December last year while covering the aftermath of the coup that deposed Mohamed Morsi.
They were sentenced on Monday to seven years in prison each on terrorism-related charges.
Baher Mohamed was sentenced to three extra years in prison on separate charges.
SAPA
Zuma considering Tlakula’s leave request
Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma is considering IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula’s request for special leave, the presidency said on Monday.
“President Jacob Zuma has received a request for special leave from advocate Pansy Tlakula, the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission,” acting spokesperson for the president, Ronnie Mamoepa, said in a statement.
“The president is considering the request and the outcome will be relayed to advocate Tlakula.”
Tlakula asked Zuma to put her on special leave following the Electoral Court’s recommendation that she be removed from office.
Last week, Tlakula’s lawyer Leslie Mkhabela said the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) chairperson would appeal against the recommendation in the Constitutional Court.
“In the meanwhile, she will be approaching the president of the republic to seek his permission to take leave of absence from office while the appeal process is under way,” Mkhabela said at the time.
Several opposition parties approached the Electoral Court seeking Tlakula’s resignation as IEC chairperson before the 7 May elections.
However, the matter was postponed until after the elections to allow the court time to make a recommendation.
The United Democratic Movement, the African Christian Democratic Party, the Congress of the People, Agang SA, and Economic Freedom Fighters wanted Tlakula’s resignation, arguing her integrity was compromised.
This followed a report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and a subsequent forensic investigation by Treasury into the procurement of the IEC’s Riverside Office Park building in Centurion. Tlakula was chief electoral officer at the time.
Madonsela found, among other things, that Tlakula had a relationship – possibly of a romantic nature – with the then chairperson of Parliament’s finance portfolio committee, Thaba Mufamadi.
Mufamadi was a shareholder in Abland, which owns the building and was awarded the R320m contract to lease it.
The Treasury probe found the procurement process was neither fair, transparent, nor cost-effective. It found Tlakula neither gave guidance nor formally informed various people what was expected of them in the process.
In a written judgment on Wednesday, Judge Lotter Wepener concluded Tlakula’s misconduct warranted her removal from office.
SAPA
Taung man burnt to death in a shack
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a case of inquest after a 25 year-old man burnt to death in a shack.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said it is alleged Tshwarelo Mocuminyane was burnt to death in a raging fire.
The atrocity took place at Lokgabeng village, near Taung.
“Police opened a case of inquest after a 25 year-old man was razed in a fire. Mocuminyane allegedly arrived home in the early hours of Saturday and burnt to death after his stovel caught fire” he said.
It is alleged Mocuminyane arrived home on Saturday morning at around 01:00 am and tried to cook.
Mocuminyane allegedly slept forgetting a burning stove.
He was burnt to death in a shack and police investigations continue.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Amcu ends five-month platinum strike
Rustenburg – The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) accepted a wage offer on Monday to end a five-month strike in the platinum sector.
“We are signing the agreement tomorrow. That means the strike has come to an end officially,” Amcu leader Joseph Mathunjwa said at a mass rally.
Miners will go back to work on Wednesday.
Mathunjwa asked thousands of striking miners whether they wanted to sign a wage deal with the three leading producers on Monday, eliciting thunderous applause.
“Yes! Yes,” the miners roared.
“The strike is officially over,” Mathunjwa then shouted back, to unrestrained jubilation.
The spot price of platinum fell 1%, the rand firmed slightly against the dollar and the London-listed shares of number three producer Lonmin [JSE:LON] rose nearly 5%.
The Johannesburg stock market, where the other two producers Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] and Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] are listed, had closed by the time Mathunjwa finished his speech, but their shares closed up 1.1% and 1.6% respectively.
Earlier, he praised miners at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, near Rustenburg in the North West, for not giving up during the protracted strike.
“Platinum will never be the same again… What other unions could not do in more than 20 years, you could do in five months.”
Mathunjwa presented to loud applause a revised wage deal to miners at the rally.
Thousands of miners were given a programme that included “back to work arrangements”, signalling the possible end to the longest strike in the history of the country’s mines.
The rally’s schedule is the clearest sign yet of an end the stoppage and follows the three main producers saying the most recent round of wage talks had seen “further progress towards a return to work”.
Mathunjwa read out the details of the deal for different salary bands at Lonmin, Implats and Amplats, which included a R1 000 per month salary increase for lower earners.
He told miners he wanted to get feedback from them on whether to accept the offer.
The deal would be back-dated to last July at Implats and Amplats but the back pay would end on January 22, when the strike started. This meant miners would not be paid for the months they were on strike.
At Lonmin the deal would be back-dated to last October until January 22.
“In 2012, we asked for R12 500 and people died… and left us with a challenge [to keep fighting],” he told miners at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, near Rustenburg in the North West.
Before reading out the deal, Mathunjwa asked all miners in the stadium to stand and have a moment of silence for “fallen comrades”.
He said the strike was one of the most peaceful strikes in South Africa.
Mathunjwa boasted about organising a strike that lasted five months, and mocked rival union National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for a three-day long strike in the gold sector.
In a series of mass meetings in early June, members of Amcu accepted wage offers “in principle”, while introducing new demands that producers said were unaffordable.
In their latest offer the producers said they would increase pay by about 20%, or R1 000 a month.
The strike has hit 40% of global production of the precious metal used for emissions capping catalytic converters in automobiles.
The stoppage dragged the economy into contraction in the first quarter and has so far cost the companies almost R24bn in lost revenue, according to an online tally run by the three firms.
– Sapa, Reuters
The Guardian 