About 70 students kicked out of hostel in KZN

Lusanda Bill

31 May 2012

More than 70 students have reportedly been kicked out of the South Coast college hostel in KwaZulu-Natal for refusing to follow Islamic laws and customs.

The students were allegedly told to find other accommodation when they refused to study the Qur’an and wear Muslim clothes.

Management at the Coastal As-Salaam campus in Umzinto have also been accused of not allowing the students to carry Bibles inside the premises.

The students have since gone on strike at the campus and lectures have been suspended.

SA man convicted of drug smuggling

Lusanda Bill
31 May 2012

A South African man convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia has been sentenced to life in prison.

Brett Savage was arrested at the island of Bali after he tried to smuggle three-kilograms of tik into the country last year.

According to Judge Komang Wijaya Adhi, who handed down the sentence today, Savage is part of an international smuggling syndicate.

Savage’s family still lives in Pietermaritzburg.

Post Office strike unlikely to end soon

Lusanda Bill
31 May 2012

The Communication Workers Union spokesperson Matankana Mothapo says the SA Post office strike is unlikely to end soon.

The Union says they are open to negotiations but the post office representatives have not approached them yet.

He also called for Post Office workers who are on strike to refrain from violence during their marches.

The Union is protesting against the labour brokers that were hired to manage their employment and salaries.

Jackie Selebi is still receiving state pension

Andiswa Mkosi
31 May 2012


Former top cop Jackie Selebi is still receiving state pension and medical aid.


Police minister Nathi Mthethwa confirmed that after the former police commissioner’s contract expired in August 2009, it was allowed to lapse over instead of him being honourably discharged.


Selebi’s appeal against a corruption conviction was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeals last year.


He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and has been in and out of hospital with kidney problems.

Concerns over victims of sexual assaults

Andiswa Mkosi
31 May 2012


The ID’s member of the Western Cape’s provincial parliament and provincial executive member of the DA Rodney Lentit said he is very concerned over the fact that a lot of young girls and women are victim to sexual assaults.


This comes after he welcomed amendments to the Sexual Offences Act on Wednesday.

He said these victims have already endured trauma and as a result experienced more trauma when some perpetrators were nearly released.


Lentit says he will bring the matter up in Parliament so that they can discuss and debate this.

Missing Person Alert: Isaac Leibowitz

World No Tobacco Day

Andiswa Mkosi 31 May 2012


Today is World No Tobacco Day which is widely supported by different organisations.


Afriforum has asked that all South African citizens support this initiative.


The head of environmental affairs for Afriforum Julius Kleynhans said this initiative is for people to stop smoking.


He said this is a chance for smokers to make environmentally friendly changes.

Security guards fire on Post Office protestors

Andiswa Mkosi
31 May 2012


Security guards opened fire on Post Office workers who were taking part in a protest march in Pretoria yesterday and eight protestors had to be rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds.


The incident took place outside the Pretoria Post Office building. A police spokesperson told the media that the workers were marching against low salaries.


Six security guards were arrested on charges of attempted murder.

Four shotguns and two pistols were confiscated at the scene. The reasons why shots were fired are under investigation.

Learning support centre launched in Khayelitsha

Lusanda Bill
31 May 2012


A third of four planned Learning Support Centres has been launched in Khayelitsha Macassar.


The centres provide South African youth with access to the latest educational methods.


Each centre consists of assessment and counselling, library computer lab and facilitator and teacher training.


The CEO of Girls and Boys Town Lee Loynes says “we raise educational levels in the broader society which contributes to South Africa’s socio-economic development".

30 high school learners work with police for a day

Lusanda Bill
30 May 2012

As part of Take a Girl Child to Work Day Campaign Pretoria police today showed girl students what working in the police is all about.

The girls came from various high schools in the Pretoria area.

Police Spokesperson Colonel Tummi Shai says the programme is meant to empower girls with career information that is based on real work experiences.

Shai added that the tour was to give the girls a taste of possible career paths within the police force.

2 children murdered in the Eastern Cape

Lusanda Bill
30 May 2012

Eastern Cape police today said a 12-year-old girl and a toddler have died after their family was attacked in their home in Buttterworth.

The two other family members sustained serious injuries.

The attackers fled the scene before the police arrived, and nothing was stolen from the house.

Police are yet to make arrests.

ANC to withdraw legal battle with Gallery

Lauren Snyders
30 May 2012

The ANC confirmed today that they will withdraw its legal challenge against the Goodman Gallery over The Spear painting.

On Wednesday morning the ANC and the Gallery held a press conference where they outlined the settlement agreement they reached.

The gallery’s Lisa Esser said she is sad over the hurt and humiliation that has been caused to certain individuals as s result of the exhibition.

She added that it was not the intention of the artist or the gallery.

Another ATM bombing rocks Cape Town

Lauren Snyders
30 May 2012

In the early hours of Wednesday morning an ATM bombing took place in Lansdowne.

The police’s Andre Traut said that at about 02:45am a device was detonated at the ATM.

He said the suspects fled with money but the amount is still to be determined.

Police are still investigating the incident and no suspects have been arrested.

Delayed municipal accounts not enough reason not to pay

Andiswa Mkosi
30 May 2012


The Ekurhuleni Metro municipality says the delayed delivery of municipal accounts is not reason enough for customers not to pay their accounts or to pay them late.


Spokesperson Justice Mohale says the on-going postal strike has seen a number of customers going into arrears because they had not received printed accounts.


He adds that the municipality has introduced numerous options, such as online access to accounts.


Residents can also pay their accounts at customer care centres, Post Offices or other identified outlets.

Suspended drivers’ licences could be an advantage for motorists

Andiswa Mkosi 30 May 2012


The call by the Road Traffic Management Corporation to suspend drivers’ licences of motorists convicted of certain traffic offices could end up lowering insurance premiums for South African motorists.


This is according to Christelle Fourie, Managing Director of MUA Insurance Acceptances.


Fourie says that fewer accidents caused by offences like speeding and reckless driving could ultimately benefit consumers in the future through lower insurance premiums.


She warns drivers that if they continue driving with a suspended licence their motor insurance cover becomes invalid.

AfriForum takes e-tolling to court

Andiswa Mkosi
30 May 2012


Government’s appeal of the interdict that was granted against the implementation of e-tolling.is going to be used by AfriForum for another legal challenge.


According to CEO Kallie Kriel they are preparing to challenge the penalty tariff.


The tariff is one-rand-75-per-kilometre that is set to be levied against road users who do not register for e-tolling.


Kriel says the interdict granted gives his organisation an opportunity to bring other problematic issues regarding the e-toll tariffs before the court to ensure that motorists are not treated unfairly.

EC doctors strike over no payment

Lusanda Bill

30 May 2012


Eastern Cape doctors have gone on a strike after not being paid for six months.


The National Union of Metalworkers held a protest outside the Nelson Mandela Academic hospital in Mthatha on Tuesday.


NUM also said they will support more than seven-thousand doctors who have been working for free since the beginning of the year.


The province’s Department of Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo says they are working to resolve the technical issue that has prevented the payment of doctors.

ANC called to drop court challenge over the Spear

Lusanda Bill
29 May 2012

The Freedom of Expression Institute has called on the ANC to drop its court challenge seeking to ban the painting by artist Brett Murray.

The institute says it recognises that the painting has caused much hurt and has offended large numbers of people.

The Freedom of Expression said it cannot support calls for the banning of artwork, nor threats to the artist and gallery, nor any attempt to narrow the space artists have to do their work freely and critically.

The pressure put on the City Press newspaper by the ANC has also been slammed. 

Budget vote held in Parliament

Lauren Snyders
29 May 2012

On Tuesday National Assembly speaker Maxi Sisulu had the budget vote speech in Parliament.

The budget for the 2012/2013 financial year stands at R1,63 billion.

This budget has been divided into five categories: administration- R392 million, legislation and oversight- R311 million, public and international participation- R118 million, members facilities- R200 million and associated services (providing financial support for political parties)- R311m

Sisulu also said there is a greater public desire in parliament. He said more accountability should take place in Parliament. He also outlined why service delivery to the people is very important.

It was also said that public participation be increased in Parliament. Child Protection Week was a major focal point in Parliament as Sisulu expressed his concern over crimes committed against children.

Taxi drivers receive first aid training

Lusanda Bill

29 May 2012

The Department of Transport in conjunction with the South African National Taxi Council and Netcare 911 launched a first aid programme for the taxi industry.

Level one first aid training will be rolled out nationwide by Netcare 911.

Department spokesperson Logan Maistry said the programme is to ensure that as government we deliver on our mandate of providing safe, efficient and reliable public transport.

Maistry added that it is important for minibus taxis and its drivers are fully equipped to assist in a case of any emergencies.  

Police seize drugs worth R8-million

Lusanda Bill
29 May 2012

Cape Town police today seized drugs with a street value of R8-milion.

A 39-year-old Nigerian man was arrested after being caught in possession of two kilograms of tik.

Police also searched the suspect’s home, club as well as an apartment in Buitenkant Street.

Police found cocaine, heroin and crystal-meth.

The suspect is expected to make a court appearance soon.

Senior party members hold private meetings

Andiswa Mkosi
29 May 2012

The ANC in Gauteng is investigating allegations that senior party members are holding secret meetings to discuss leadership changes ahead of the Mangaung Conference later this year.

A newspaper reports the party's provincial secretary, David Makhura, as saying complaints had been received from the regions that they have been called to attend the secret caucuses.

The caucuses are being held by some of the national leadership.

Makhura said in his reaction that they would take action as the idea of secret caucuses was wrong.

Anti corruption conference being held

Lauren Snyders
29 May 2012

Monday was the start of a two day conference on strengthening society’s leadership against corruption.

The organisers were the South African NGO Coalition in the Western Cape.

Keith Vermeleun of the South African Council of Churches said the conference is a continuation of a process to set up the national anti corruption forum.

He said they want to promote a society that is based on integrity.

WC government signs multi lateral agreement

Andiswa Mkosi
29 May 2012

The Western Cape Government together with four universities will be signing a historic multi-lateral agreement today.

Previous attempts over the past twenty years to review the current agreements were unsuccessful.

Department of Health Spokesperson in the Western Cape Helene Rossouw says this is a historic moment.

Rossouw says it will govern the future agreement between national health and higher education institutions.

Vehicles must have first aid kits

Andiswa Mkosi
29 May 2012

On Monday Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele announced that all public transport vehicles must have first aid kits.

He said it is optional this year but by next year it will be compulsory.

The Western Cape MEC for transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle said this is not a bad  
thing.

He said that in the Western Cape the most important thing when a bus is in an accident is a cellphone and a GPS indicator.

A man sentenced for raping his niece

Lusanda Bill
29 May 2012

A Free State man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping his 7-year-old niece.

Mthandaze Johnson Magasi who was found guilty on rape charges in March was sentenced in the Bloemfontein High Court on Monday.

Warrant Officer Arleen Snyman was commended for her sterling work and speedy investigation in the case.

He says crimes against women and children should be viewed as serious transgressions and the perpetrators of these crimes should be properly punished for their evil deeds.

More effort needed to involve children in decision making

Lusanda Bill
28 May 2012

Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, says more effort should be put into gathering the views of the country’s children when designing policies and programmes pertaining to them.

Xingwana spoke to learners from various high schools around Soweto today.

The interactive dialogue session aimed to discuss what young people should do to avoid being victims of sexual violence, and how to report perpetrators.

Child Protection week kicked off today.

Concerns raised over SAPS broken telephones

Lusanda Bill
28 May 2012

MEC of Community Safety in the Western Cape Dan Plato has raised his concerns over a report of phones not being answered at crime hotspots.

The report stated that about six out of fourteen police stations did not answer the phone in the Cape Town metro. 

The MEC will now be doing his own investigation and making visits to all the stations involved.

MEC Plato said he will make sure that the stations in error will be put back on track.

Champman’s Peak toll plaza in the spotlight again

Lusanda Bill
28 May 2012

The Hout Bay Residents' Association and the Habitat Council today said the construction of a toll plaza on Chapman's Peak drive is unlawful and unauthorised.

Speaking on behalf of the group Advocate Jeremy Muller said provincial Transport MEC Robin Carlisle failed to get written permission from the national environmental affairs director general, as required by the Protected Areas Act.

The construction has caused uproar from residents especially in Hout Bay.

Hout Bay Residents' Association and the Habitat Council are now seeking an interdict to halt the construction of the plaza building. 

Re-introduction of the sexual offences court a possibility

Lusanda Bill
28 May 2012

Government is expecting a report about the re-introduction of the sexual offences court.

Minister Jeff Radebe said the report will be handed over to government in August.

Radebe says 62 courts that are operating on a pilot basis have proven to be very effective.

The Minister added that government is concerned about the increase in rape case.

A task team has now been set up to look at the possibility of reintroducing the dedicated sexual offences courts.

Housing handover takes place in Blue Downs

Lusanda Bill
28 May 2012

The MEC of Human Settlements in the Western Cape Bonginkosi Madikizela today handed over houses as part of the Nuwe Begin Housing Project.

The Nuwe Begin Project was started in 2007 after some beneficiary communities were affected by flood.

When completed the project will deliver 1200 houses and phase. 

The department has already reserved 900 houses for the Khayelitsha beneficiaries and 300 for the Greater Blue Downs and Mfuleni beneficiaries.

Father unhappy over WCED investigation

Lauren Snyders
28 May 2012

The father of the boy who was allegedly raped on a school rugby tour said he was disappointed in the investigation of the Western Cape Education department.

The departments Paddy Atwell said the investigation found that the learners did engage in initiation practises which included shaving hair off newcomers and drinking non alcoholic mixtures of various kinds.

Atwell said that two learners consumed alcohol despite being told not to do so.

It was said that the boy was subjected to humiliation by some of his team members during the night of the 17th of March.

Photographs were taken of the incident and put on social media websites.

Atwell said the school subsequently suspended seven learners for seven days after a disciplinary hearing.

He said the investigation found that the school followed procedure in the disciplinary process.

Protests take place in Botrivier

Lauren Snyders
28 May 2012

Police were called out to a violent service delivery protest in Botrivier near Hermanus.

A group of people blocked two entrances into the area.

The police’s November Filander said the group tried to block another road near the N2 but police stopped them.

Police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, who threw stones.

Filander said in the process police arrested one person for public violence.

The NSRI assists three sailors

Lauren Snyders
28 May 2012

The NSRI was alerted to a sea rescue late yesterday after three sailors failed to arrive in Simons Town.

After attempts to try and contact the three sailors failed, the NSRI launched a sea rescue.

The NSRI's Craig Lambinon said a search operation was launched and they were found near to Seal Island.

He added that on Sunday evening the men alerted them that they are having difficulty approaching Simons Town.

Lambinon said the NSRI launched a rescue craft which guided them into Simons Town harbour.

Once they arrived at the harbour they required no more assistance.

The NSRI assisted two people yesterday

Lauren Snyders
28 May 2012

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) assisted two people onboard a yacht yesterday in Simons Town after the yacht’s rudders lost control.

The NSRI took the vessel to the False Bay Yacht club.

The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon said the incident occurred near Roman Rock lighthouse.

He said the yacht had a male and a female onboard and they were safely towed into Simons Town harbour.

They required no assistance once they arrived at the harbour.

Minister Carlisle officially opens R82M Saldanha

Andiswa Mkosi
28 May 2012


On Tuesday the MEC for transport and public works in the Western Cape Robin Carlisle will be opening the road between Langebaan and Saldanha Bay.


A ceremony will be held on the side of the road.


The MEC’s spokesperson Steven Otter says road openings are crucial for the Western Cape because of the economic development.


Minister Carlisle will cut a ribbon at the roadside after which the gathering will move to the Long Acres Country Estate in Langebaan for the commencement of the rest of the programme, which will include a speech by the Minister.

Police have seized more than a ton of the drug hashish

Andiswa Mkosi
28 May 2012

Members of the Hawks, police and customs have seized more than a ton of the drug hashish which has a street value of some 36-million rands.


The raid was carried out in Tulisa Park in Johannesburg at the weekend.

A tip from a member of the public led to an investigation lasting some weeks before the hashish was
confiscated.


Some of the hashish had been packaged and labeled as a popular brand of pet food as well as coffee and tobacco.

Two men involved in a helicopter crash

Andiswa Mkosi
28 May 2012


Two men were critically injured in a helicopter crash in an abandoned industrial park off 16th Avenue in Midrand yesterday afternoon.


Netcare spokesperson Jeff Wicks says paramedics found the two men and stabilized them before they were rushed to hospital by helicopter and an ambulance.


The helicopter split up when it hit the ground with the largest piece coming to rest against concrete fencing.


The cause of the accident and the series of events leading up to it will form the subject of a Civil Aviation Authority Investigation.

National Lottery Board in need of money for funding

Lusanda Bill

28 May 2012


The National Lottery Board has stated that there is not enough money to fund grant applications.


The board's spokesperson, Sershan Naidoo, said the board needed R70 billion more to accommodate last year's funding requests.


He added that they only had R2.2 billion available.


The Lottery Board has been experiencing some problems with funding being delayed or applications turned down.

Bheki Cele prepared to fight

Lusanda Bill
27 May 2012

Suspended General Bheki Cele says he is prepared to challenge the findings of a board of inquiry.

The findings look into his fitness to hold office.

Cele says he will fight whether he is fired by President Jacob Zuma or not.

The findings of the board recommend that President Jacob Zuma fires Bheki Cele.

The presidency says Zuma is still studying the report.

Gugulethu, Nyanga and New Crossroads without running water

Lusanda Bill
27 May 2012

Residents of Gugulethu, Nyanga and New Crossroads woke up without running out today.

This is after a water mine burst on Saturday night.

The City of Cape Town Farouk Robertson says they had people working on the problem throughout the night on Saturday.

Measures have been put in place to make sure people receive water while the problem is still being attended to.

Roberts added that it will take the technicians a couple of hours to fix the burst water mine.

Vredefort Dome could become SA’s eighth world heritage site

Lusanda Bill
27 May 2012

The Vredefort Dome Memorandum of Agreement was signed by the relevant stakeholders on Saturday.

The agreement comes after four years of negotiations between Environmental Affairs and Free State and North West landowners.

The agreement creates a formal partnership to ensure that the integrity of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site is maintained.

The site is now well on its way to becoming South Africa’s eighth world heritage site.

This comes after Unesco decided that it fulfilled the selection criteria for being of outstanding universal value to humankind.

ANC calling for a boycott of today’s City Press

Lusanda Bill
27 May 2012

The ANC Youth League has criticised the ANC for calling for a boycott of today’s City Press.

The ANC wants people not to buy the newspaper until it removes the controversial Spear painting from its website.

The ruling party also wants an apology from the newspaper for using the image.

ANCYL spokesperson Khusela Sangoni the ANC is trying to silence the views of disobedient individuals.

Richard Mdluli has bee suspended

Lusada Bill
27 May 2012

Former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has been suspended.

This is the second time Mdluli has been suspended the first time was back in 2011.

In 2011 he was arrested for fraud and murder allegations but in March 2012 the suspension was lifted.

Richard Mdluli was in May moved to the office of operations within the SAPS, pending an investigation.

The move caused uproar from opposition parties with many saying Mdluli should be suspended.

Eight illegal miners’ bodies recovered

Lusanda Bill
26 May 2012

The bodies of eight illegal miners have been recovered in a diamond mine in the Northern Cape.

Police spokesperson Cherelle Ehlers says it is not known how many other men the rescue and recovery teams are still searching for.

Ehlers added that the conditions at the site are extremely difficult and dangerous.

It is expected that a campaign against illegal digging will be launched.

An accident leaves two people dead

Lusanda Bill
26 May 2012

Two people died in an accident at Postdam Road near Du Noon.

Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Keri Davids said the accident involved a bakkie.

Two women and a man who suffered injuries were taken to hospital.  The other two victims were declared dead on the scene

The cause of the accident is still not known at this stage, an investigation is underway.

Missing Children: Keketso Kgomo and Mandisa Nkwanya

 

President Zuma still studying Cele report

Lusanda Bill
26 May 2012

Calls for President Jacob Zuma to fire suspended police commissioner Bheki Cele are increasing.

A leaked report indicates that a board of inquiry found that Cele was not fit to hold the office and should be removed.

The inquiry dealt with allegations of misconduct relating to two leases for new police headquarters in Pretoria and Durban, which Cele signed with businessman Roux Shabangu.

President spokesperson Mac Maharaj says President Zuma is busy studying the report.

NUM lobbying support for Zuma

Lusanda Bill
26 May 2012

The National Union of Mineworkers is today holding its conference on the East Rand.

NUM today said it would support President Jacob Zuma to retain his presidency at the ANC’s elective conference in Mangaung in December.

The Union says personal attacks on Zuma and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe is unacceptable.

NUM will be lobbying other Cosatu affiliates to support Zuma.

Zuma congratulates Minister Pandor on the SKA deal

Lusanda Bill
26 May 2012

President Jacob Zuma has congratulated Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor for winning the rights to co-host the Square Kilometre Array telescope with Australia.

Zuma said that the achievement was possible because of the African Union's endorsement and support from partner countries including Namibia. 

South Africa will receive the bigger part of the 23-billion-Rand telescope project.

The project site will be in Carnarvon in the Northern Cape.

Dagga worth R2million confiscated in Gugulethu

Lusanda Bill

26 May 2012

Western Cape Police with the National Intervention Unit confiscated dagga worth R2million in Gugulethu.

Police received a tip-off about illegal dealings in the area.

Warrant Officer November Filander said they confiscated dagga estimated at R1.8million.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Western Cape Government withdraws funding

Andiswa Mkosi
25 May 2012


The Western Cape Government Health has today announced that it is withdrawing its funding to all District Health Councils in the province.


The District Health Council Act makes provision for the establishment of legislated governance structures in each district in the province.


Health Communication Officer Angelique Jordaan says the Western Cape government deemed the funding of these structures inappropriate.


The Department will now start with formalising the PHC Health Facility Committees in terms of appropriate provincial legislation.

ANC states that DA is uncaring

Andiswa Mkosi
25 May 2012


The African National Congress in the Western Cape has stated that the Democratic Alliance is uncaring.


This follows the cutting of funding for the poor.


ANC’s Lynne Brown said the levels of inequality and poverty in this province are extreme


She says that often often the feeding scheme is the only provider of food for the poor.

Police officers trained in Serial Rape Investigation

Andiswa Mkosi
25 May 2012

To celebrate Child Protection Week, anti-child abuse organisation Matla A Bana have been hosting a Serial Rape Investigation Course for police in the Western Cape.

Founder of Matla A Bana Monique Strydom says 75 police detectives in Gauteng have already been trained and 50 more from across the Western Cape will complete the course today in Cape Town.

She says South Africa has great success in the investigation.

She says SA has had great success particularly in arresting serial rapists.

Twenty two year old man arrested by WC police

Andiswa Mkosi
25 May 2012


Western Cape Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for being in possession of 1.8million-Rands worth of dagga.


Some of the dagga was loose and some packed.

The man was arrested in Gugulethu on Thursday afternoon.


Warrant Office November Filander says the man will appear in court on Monday.

Learners at ACJ Phakade received desks

Lauren Snyders
25 May 2012

The Western Cape Education Department this morning said they are pleased that ACJ Phakade Primary School received desks.

The department’s spokesperson Bronagh Casey said the department has also arranged that 500 qualified educators be paid a salary until the end of the second term.

She said parents have been briefed on the plans to transfer about 800 learners from ACJ Phakade to a new school site which is currently being built.

The department confirmed that the new school site will be ready by the start of the third term.

School transport a problem in the Free State

Lauren Snyders
25 May 2012

Hundreds of children have been prevented from going to school in the Free State because of problems with transport.

The DA’s education spokesperson in the province Basil Alexander said MEC Tate Makgoe should act to rectify the problem immediately.

He added that school transport has come to a standstill as from 1 April, with a number of schools affected.

He said that at one school in the province teachers are sitting with empty classes.

Alexander said about 187 children who cannot attend classes because of school transport that has been stopped by the department.

Child Protection Week kicks-off

Lauren Snyders
25 May 2012

Today marks the start of Child Protection Week in South Africa.

The department of health and social development in Gauteng in conjunction with the Lyttleton Art Gallery will be hosting a two-week exhibition for the cause.

Township children’s art will focus on family preservation.

The department’s Gregory Chauke said that child protection should always be a priority.

He added that they have identified school children in primary and high school who will participate in the art exhibition.

Solidarity launched wage dispute

Lauren Snyders
25 May 2012

On Thursday Trade Union Solidarity launched a wage dispute in the petroleum sector.

Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp said employers in the sector want to implement a three-year agreement this year, while trade unions are busy negotiating for a one-year agreement.

Croucamp added that there has been no offer from the employers in terms of negotiations.

He said they find the situation appalling.

The negotiations will now be dealt with in terms of a dispute procedure which will take place in two weeks time.

Various groups argue about fracking

Andiswa Mkosi
25 May 2012

The debate around shale gas hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, continues as various groups argue about the impact the practice could have on the Karoo.

Chris Nissen says the debate has become racialised, with wealthy white people largely opposed.

Poorer black people want the economic benefits of fracking.

Nissen is the co-ordinator of the Karoo Shale Gas Community Forum. He says economically people in the Karoo could benefit, but environmental issues need to be taken into account as well.

DA has called for an urgent multigrade

Andiswa Mkosi
24 May 2012


The Democratic Alliance has called for an urgent multi-grade training for the Eastern Cape.


In Parliament today it was revealed that 2 333 schools in the Eastern Cape have six teachers or less.


On average these schools have less than three teachers.


DA’s Annette Lovermore says children in rural areas face multiple challenges, including poverty, lack of transport and inadequate access to resources.

Health department launches health foundation

Andiswa Mkosi 24 May 2012


The Western Cape Health Department today launched the Western Cape Health Foundation.


MEC of Health Theuns Botha today said that the Western Cape Government’s Health Care 2020 vision is patient-driven.

He also added that more investment in health infrastructure is needed.


Department spokesperson Helene Rossouw says the foundation will be a facilitator to work with the private sector to gather money for health infrastructure.

A report on the impact of child support grant

Andiswa Mkosi
24 May 2012


The Social Development Department today released a report on the impact of child support grant in Gugulethu.


Currently around about 10million children under the age of 18-years-old receive the grant.


Molo Songololo’s Director Patrick Solomon says the child social grant cannot be the only instrument in tackling poverty.


He says children poverty is linked to the economic states of their parents and communities.

NPA will approach the Supreme Court of Appeal

Andiswa Mkosi
24 May 2012


The Western Cape High Court has granted the NPA leave to appeal a judgment that prevented a man from being sentenced for forcibly fondling a woman.


The NPA will now approach the Supreme Court of Appeal.


The Riversdale Magistrate’s Court in the Southern Cape found earlier this month that a flaw in the Sexual Offences Act meant that there was no penalty for the behaviour of the accused.


Other offences without a penalty include sexual assault and consensual sexual acts with children.