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New visa rules will choke SA tourism – DA


Cape Town – New visa requirements will have a “devastating impact” on South Africa’s booming tourism, the DA warned on Monday.

“[The] new immigration regulations are tying up our tourism industry in unnecessary red tape, and placing an unnecessary burden on the growth of this job-creating sector,” Democratic Alliance MP James Vos said in a statement.

The implementation of new biometric visa requirements for foreigners was already proving a serious obstacle for people wanting to visit the country.

“Visitors are now required to apply for their visas in person, which is an additional and unnecessary travel expense for those who do not live near South African embassies, consulates, and visa centres, or, worse, live in countries without these facilities,” he said.
Home affairs published the new regulations last month.
Last week, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said the new laws threatened the province’s film, business, and leisure tourism industries.

She has threatened to take the national government to court over the matter.
Vos called on Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom to urgently brief Parliament’s tourism portfolio committee on what steps his department planned to take to overcome “the potentially devastating impact” of the new regulations.

“The minister of tourism cannot let this go unanswered. He must now step in and protect the jobs that tourism creates in South Africa,” Vos said.
According to Statistics SA, tourism employs almost 600 000 South Africans, and contributes almost R90bn to the country’s GDP.
Vos said most countries were trying to relax requirements for tourist visas.

“It seems the ANC have missed this trend completely,” he said.
Just over a month ago, before the new regulations were announced, the tourism department announced that international tourist arrivals in South Africa were at an all-time high, and poised to break through the 10 million mark.
“South Africa’s international tourist arrivals grew at an annual average growth rate of 7.4% between 2011 and 2013, well above the global average of 4.5% during this period,” it said in a statement at the time.
SAPA

Premier Mahumapelo expresses shock at rape of minor   


North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has expressed shock at the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl by her 61- year -old grandpa and 51- year- old uncle. The pair arrested over the weekend is expected to appear in the Koster Magistrates Court today.

 

“We wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible the horrendous and shameful act which has robbed the child of her innocence. The alleged betrayal of trust by the closest people who were supposed to protect her is unforgivable,” Premier Mahumapelo said in calling for no bail, intensified effort to protect children and united action against the scourge of rape.

 

Mahumapelo said that the incident committed around child protection week calls for intensified effort to protect children and for moral regeneration to be deepened.

 

According to police, the incident happened between June 3 and 20, 2014, at Senthumule, Koster. 

 “The child’s guardian became concerned when she realised that the child was not walking properly. The child was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that she was raped,” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabaone said.

 

Mokgwabone said that the child informed the guardian that she had been raped by her two relatives.

 

They were arrested on Saturday.
-TDN
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Platinum strike: Agreement still pending


JOHANNESBURG-The Department of Mineral Resources has refused to be drawn on exactly when it expects the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu)’s five month long strike on the platinum belt will be called off but says it’s optimistic an agreement will be soon.
For more http://www.ewn.co.za

Man arrested for abducting girl


Johannesburg – A 39-year-old man was arrested in Zakariyya Park, near Lenasia, on Sunday for allegedly abducting a 13-year-old girl, Gauteng police said.

“The police were at a roadblock in Zakariyya Park where one man who was stopped was found with an abducted 13-year-old girl,” Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.

“He was found with pornographic material and he was arrested. He is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and possession of pornography.”

The man was arrested at around 13:00. The child, believed to be from Lenasia, was taken to a place of safety.

The man was expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court soon, said Makhubela.

SAPA

Spies probe NPA war


Johannesburg – The State Security Agency (SSA) is investigating an alleged plot to oust prosecutions boss Mxolisi Nxasana – but an affidavit it’s using in the probe may be a fake, City Press reports.
For more http://www.news24.com

Man killed by broken bottle in Lichtenburg


Rustenburg – A 23-year-old man has been arrested in Boikhutso near Lichtenburg for murder, North West police said on Sunday.

The man allegedly beat up another man who fell on a bottle which pierced his neck, said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.

“It is alleged that the fight started after the victim and the suspect, who are reported to be friends, got involved in an argument,” he said.

The man died in hospital.

The incident occurred on Saturday and the suspect was arrested on the same day.

He was expected to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, said Mokgwabone.

SAPA

678 suspects arrested across North West


By Obakeng Maje
North West police arrested a total of 678 suspects through various operations in the past seven days between 15 and 22 June 2014 for Contact, Contact related, Property related and other crimes.

The arrests include 3 for murder, 113 for assault GBH and common, 38 for burglary residential and business, 24 for shoplifting, 12 for driving under the influence of liquor, 68 for drug related crimes and 45  for theft.

Furthermore, 45 undocumented persons were also arrested while other suspects were arrested for many other crimes. 

“It was during the operation that the police managed to recover and seize properties such as various drugs, illegal cigarettes, 6 firearms, 7 cellphones, dangerous weapons like knives as well as numerous electrical appliances” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.  

Mokgwabone said most of the suspects have already appeared in various courts within the province while others are due  to appear on Monday.
-TDN
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E Cape man held over cousin’s murder


Johannesburg – A 30-year-old man accused of murdering his older cousin was arrested in Willowvale on Sunday, Eastern Cape police said.

The man was taken into custody after he shot his 37-year-old cousin in Lurhwayizo village, also on Sunday, said Captain Jackson Manatha.

“The deceased was hit on his upper body and died on the spot.”

Police confiscated the firearm used in the shooting, with it to be sent for ballistic tests to see if it was used in other crimes.

Manatha said the motive for the shooting was unknown at this time. Police were investigating.

The man was expected to appear in the Willowvale Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, and would also be charged with illegal possession of a firearm, he said.

SAPA

Zuma to lead SA delegation to AU summit


Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma will lead South Africa’s delegation to the 23rd ordinary session of the African Union summit in Equatorial Guinea, the presidency said on Sunday.

The summit would be held from Wednesday to Friday in Malabo, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“The theme of summit is ‘2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, Marking the 10th Anniversary of Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’.”

At the summit, the status of peace and security in Africa, the implementation of Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) projects, and the African Peer Review Mechanism would be discussed.

The African common position on the post-2015 development agenda, as well as the report of the committee of African heads of state and government on climate change would also be deliberated upon among other matters.

“The AU summit will also deliberate on the finalisation of the Agenda 2063 Continental Framework,” Maharaj said.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would be acting president while Zuma was out the country, he said.

Zuma would be accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana, Public Services Minister Collins Chabane and Deputy Public Services Minister Ayanda Dlodlo.

SAPA

MTPA rhino theft suspect an informer, court hears


Mbombela – The Nelspruit Regional Court has heard that one of the men implicated in the theft of 112 pieces of rhino horn from a strong room at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) was a police informer who knew where horns were being sold in Mozambique.
For more http://www.news24.com