We are making some changes

Mantashe speaks for cabinet ministers whom are not in favour of Zuma

Somila Nkosana

30 November 2016

African National Congress Secretary General Gwede Mantashe says the party will not allow cabinet ministers who spoke in favour of a vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma to be persecuted.

Mantashe says they were well within their rights to raise the issue at the National Executive Committee meeting.

On Tuesday, the ruling party revealed that the call for Zuma to leave office didn't receive enough support and was thus rejected by the party's executive committee.

The motion was tabled by Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.

‘Pens down’ for matriculants

Somila Nkosana

30 November 2016

The national 2016 matric exams have come to an end.

Many of the grade 12 pupils will now divert their attention to enrolling at tertiary institutions countrywide.

Matric results will be released on the 5 January.

Two injured in shack fire

Natasha Mabuto

29 November 2016

According to a statement,a man and woman, both believed to be in their 50s, were injured this afternoon after a fire broke out in their shack in the informal settlement off Bremmer Road in Pretoria West.

Paramedics and other emergency sevices arrived on the scene and found the elderly man waiting by the side of the road.

The woman was found lying just a few feet outside of her shack which was well alight.

Upon assessment, paramedics found that both the man were found with numerous burn wounds and were both in a serious condition.

Paramedics treated the patients and provided them with advanced life support interventions.

Once treated, the patients were transported to Kalafong Provincial Hospital for urgent treatment.

It is believed that a gas cylinder exploded in the house, apparently causing the fire.

Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.

10 children injured after taxi overturns

Natasha Mabuto

29 November 2016

According to reports,10 children have been left injured this morning after a taxi overturned on the Doreen Road in Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg.

Paramedics along with Fire Services, arrived on the scene and found the taxi lying on its side in the left lane of the road.

The driver of the taxi was found lying trapped inside the taxi, believed to have sustained moderate injuries.

The occupants from the taxi were found to be children with special needs, believed to be aged between 6 and 17.

Paramedics assessed the patients and found that the children had sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Paramedics treated the patients and provided the driver with advanced life support interventions.

It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into a wall and overturn.

Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.

SADSAWU says proposed minimum wage is not enough

Somila Nkosana

29 November 2016

The South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers’ Union says while it welcomes the increase in wages, it simply is not enough.

As of Thursday, employees in urban areas who work a minimum of 27 hours a week will be paid a minimum of R2 422 per month and R12 49 for those who work hourly.

The union says it’s in talks with government to implement a R3 500 minimum wage.

Spokesperson, Myrtle Witbooi says unionised domestic workers are being exploited.

Occupants of a taxi escape uninjured

Natasha Mabuto

28 November 2016

On Voortrekker Road just off the R21, under the Albatross Bridge, earlier today, occupants of a taxi were lucky to escape uninjured after a taxi caught alight.

Paramedics attended to the incident and found the taxi on fire.

Fire and Rescue attended to the incident to extinguish the blaze.

It is understood that everyone travelling in the vehicle got out safely.

The exact details surrounding the incident are unknown.

Authorities were on scene for further investigations.

COSATU mourns the death of Cde Fidel Castro

Natasha Mabuto

28 November 2016

According to a statement the Congress of South African Trade Unions joins millions of people around the world to mourn the passing away of one of twentieth century’s foremost revolutionaries, the former president of CUBA, Cde Fidel Castro.

According to COSATU, Cde Castro reshaped the world and his influence and charisma inspired people from all corners of the world.

Cde Fidel Castro’s passing happened at a very significant time as it is a marking of 28 years since the glorious Battle of Cuito Cuanavale that took place in south-eastern Angola from September 1987 to July 1988.

Security guard dies after being shot multiple times in Vaal area

Natasha Mabuto

28 November 2016

A security guard has died after being shot this morning in the Vaal area.

It is understood that he was driving a cash vehicle on Westinghouse Boulevard, when suspects opened fire.

The man believed to be in his 30's was shot multiple times.

He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall.

The man was in a critical condition.

However, his condition deteriorated and paramedics began to resuscitate him, but he unfortunately died.

The exact details surrounding the incident are unknown.

EC police arrest man over Tik bust

Somila Nkosana
28 November 2016

Eastern Cape police have arrested a suspect for being in possession of drugs worth R400 000.

The man was pulled over in the Port Alfred area over the weekend and his vehicle searched. Tik was found hidden in the man’s vehicle.

The police’s Mali Govender says the 49-year-old will appear in the Port Alfred Magistrates court tomorrow.

Public Protector laid charges against Adv Mandonsela

Nontando Mafanya
27 November 2016

A criminal charge has been laid against former public protector Thuli Madonsela by the new head of the office Busisiwe Mkhwebane, after receiving a complaint from the president.

According to a report, Mkhwebane laid the charges against her predecessor after President Jacob Zuma complained about the release of the audio from his and Madonsela’s interview on the state capture report.

The report says that the charges were laid at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria two weeks ago.

At the time, the Presidency announced that it had required clarity from the Office of the Public Protector on the policy of the institution regarding the release of audio recordings of interviews conducted during the course of investigations.

Cuban revolutionary leader, Castro Died

Nontando Mafanya
26 November 2016

Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and for five decades defied US efforts to topple him, has died.

He was 90.

The details surrounding his death are not yet clear.

It is believed the revolutionary leader suffered from bad health in recent years and kept out of the public eye.

His brother Raul announced his death on state television todaymorning. Raul took over from Castro in 2008 after the late statesman led as prime minister and president from 1959.

Deputy Minister of Communications to award Western Cape learners with a film and television production skills certificate

Natasha Mabuto

25 November 2016

The Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams, will today, 25 November 2016 recognize the stellar achievements of learners who have successfully completed the Film and Television Skills Programme.

According a media statement the 35 Western Cape learners will be handed over their Statements of Results and awarded a Certificate of Completion in Film and Television Production; an NQF level 5 qualification.

Department of Community Safety’s 16 Days of Activism campaign

Natasha Mabuto

25 November 2016

According to a statement The Department of Community Safety’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children is already in full swing.

They plan to continue to reach out to communities for the full duration of the internationally observed campaign between 25 November 2016 and 10 December 2016.

This year, they are partnering with different safety stakeholders working within various communities under the the theme: ‘Speak Out – Silence to Strength’.

Investigation continues for police officer killers.

Wayne Boonzaaier

24 November 2016

Constable Amanda Ladlokova was shot and killed while responding to a complaint in Philippi East Tuesday night.

Her colleague was wounded and an arrest has since been made.

According to reports Western Cape Police Commissioner Khombinkosi Jula has said that investigators continuing with the investigation for the two suspects wanted in connection with Ladlokova’s murder.

Judge absent for Blochliger murder accused bail application.

Wayne Boonzaaier

24 November 2016

Reports say magistrate Hafisa Mohamed was absent for the bail application for  one of the men accused for the rape and murder of Franziska Blochliger in Tokai Forest in March this year.

This led to the postponement of the bail application.

The accused then appeared before magistrate Goolam Bowa, who scheduled the bail application for December 6.

More than 150 left homeless by fire

Somila Nkosana

23 November 2016

At least 150 people have been left homeless after a fire spread throughout their shacks in Nomzamo, Strand.

No injuries have been reported following the blaze.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service member Theo Layne says those left homeless are currently in a hall in the area.

Disaster management is trying to find alternative accommodation for them

Armed Duo arrested for business robbery in CT

Nontando Mafanya

23 November 2016

Two armed men have been arrested following yet another business robbery in Cape Town.

There’s been a series of attacks on local shops over the past two weeks.

In the latest incident the men targeted a fast food outlet at Value Centre in Goodwood last night.

Two suspects were arrested shortly after last night’s robbery.

Police recovered cash and a toy gun.

A third suspect is still on the run following last night’s armed robbery in Goodwood.

Staff members were held at gunpoint while robbers emptied the cash registers.

Fire destroyed 150 shacks in Strand,Cape Town

Nontando Mafanya

23 November 2016

At least 150 people have been left homeless after a fire gutted their shacks in Nomzamo, Strand.

No injuries were reported following the blaze on Tuesday.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service member Theo Layne says, those left homeless are currently in a hall in the area.

Disaster management is trying to find alternative accommodation for them

Public protector’s report under spotlight at water and sanitation portfolio committee

Natasha Mabuto

23 November 2016

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation will today receive a briefing by the Minister of Water and Sanitation regarding the findings of the Public Protector’s Report on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. 

The Committee will also receive a briefing on allegations of tender irregularities at Rand Water.

According to a statement these briefings are to enable the Committee to determine if there was any wrongdoing that occurred and implications thereof. 

Public protector’s report under spotlight at water and sanitation portfolio committee

Natasha Mabuto

23 November 2016

The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation will today receive a briefing by the Minister of Water and Sanitation regarding the findings of the Public Protector’s Report on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The Committee will also receive a briefing on allegations of tender irregularities at Rand Water.

According to a statement these briefings are to enable the Committee to determine if there was any wrongdoing that occurred and implications thereof.