ECape DENOSA workers pleas not heard

Imogen Vollenhoven
31Jaunary 2013

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa in the Eastern Cape today said healthcare workers pleas are still going unnoticed. 

This follows the provincial department of health’s not speedily resolving the non-payment of health workers at Amathole District.  Denosa said the owed money goes back as far as 2009. 

Provincial Secretary of Denosa in the Eastern Cape Koliswa Tota said they are appealing to the National Department of Health to intervene urgently as the situation is getting out of hand.

Tota adds that the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape is not taking the employees seriously.

“They have been promising to pay them at the end of last year with their back-logs and accruals; overtime allowances, night duty allowances, performance allowances and rural allowances” Tota said.

Tota said the allowances have not been paid properly since 2008 in the Eastern Cape.

Several concerns raised at the City of Cape Town’s full council meeting

Amy Meyer and Loyiso Langeni

31 January 2013

The City of Cape Town held its full council meeting today.

In her address Mayor de Lille spoke about some developments that were unsuccessful in 2012.

This includes the tender relating to the old Athlone Power Station, renewal of municipal units at Fleur Park, near Gordon’s Bay and the fire in BM Section in Khayelitsha on New Year’s Day, where 800 families were affected and five people lost their lives.

De Lille said the city and the provincial government of the Western Cape has met with community representatives on a weekly basis and are in the process of fast tracking the development of the Temporary Relocation Area.

De Lille adds that the city is this year taking on additional projects which include the employment of 38 new traffic officers and additional vehicles and equipment for the safety and security directorate. 

Mayor de Lille also announced that the City of Cape Town has been awarded an Orio Grant by the Dutch Government to the value of about R19 million. 

The Mayor furthermore said the external funding will work in conjunction with funding from national government for the IRT roll-out, will go towards the project of building a sustainable road based public transport infrastructure and services in the Metro South-East of the City.

KwaZulu Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo under investigation

Imogen Vollenhoven
31 January 2013

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has today confirmed that her office will be investigating KwaZulu Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

It is alleged that Dhlomo used Durban’s only medial helicopter to make a 750 km round-trip to a funeral in Hlabisa in November.

 Democratic Alliance KZN Leader Sizwe Mchunu said any number of medical emergencies requiring the use of the medical helicopter could have occurred in the Ethekwini metro.

Mchunu said that the department has submitted a document of ethics violation by KZN health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo and that is therefore a confirmation that the department has since received from the public protector.

Mcunu adds that the department puts their trust that in the next 30 days they will receive a response, min terms of her findings within the executive ethics guideline.

WC Government's Police hotline a huge success

Imogen Vollenhoven
31 January 2013

The “report a cop, reward a cop” hotline which was launched by Western Cape MEC of Community Safety Dan Plato in July last year has received on average 20 calls a week. 

Plato’s Spokesperson Greg Wagner said the highest number of complaints received by the hotline came from Delft, Grassy Park and Elsies River. 

Wagner said the purpose of the hotline 021 483 4332 is to allow the public to comment on policing performance, if it be because they are happy or unhappy.

Wagner adds that if they have any complaints about how they are being treated by police and they give this information to the hotline, Wagner says that the department is then able to take it up with the provincial police commissioner and address it through the proper channels.

Wagner says this will ensure that an improved policing service be provided to the public.

City officials on the wrong end of the law

Imogen Vollenhoven
31 January 2013

Western Cape Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith received a complaint on Wednesday about a metro police vehicle that had been clamped by a private property owner for parking on a red line.

It is alleged that the metro police parked his car outside Parow shopping centre to issue a motorist with a ticket, when his car was clamped. 

Smith said it is obviously a bad example to set to the rest of the public as Metro police officers.

Smith adds that Metro police traffic and law enforcement officials and services should up hold the laws and traffic regulations and the City’s by laws.

Smith said he requested that the City’s internal affairs to find out who the officers were and responsible for parking the vehicle there and make sure that the City takes the necessary action.

Minister Madikizela to address housing project issues in Nyanga

Imogen vollenhoven
31 January 2013

Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela will today address the community of the boy’s town housing project in Nyanga, in a public meeting in response to allegations of corruption at the project and attempts by the community to forcibly stop construction, of phase 2 of the housing project.

Spokesperson Bruce Oom explains that some community members have been forcibly trying to stop construction at the site and they are concerned that housing opportunities are not being fairly allocated.

Oom said there is conflict as there is a much greater demand for housing opportunities than there are opportunities themselves and this leads to quite a bit of conflict on the ground in the community.

Oom said Minister Madikizela will be addressing these concerns as well as detailing a way forward with the project.

However Minister Madikizela is expected to say that construction will continue, because many people are waiting for their houses and they need to get into them as soon as possible, Oom added.

City pilot distribution of lamps, generators harnessing sun’s energy

Athenkosi Mvane

31 January 2013

The City of Cape Town is piloting the distribution of new lamps and power generators which harness the sun’s rays.

The City said solar powered lights may soon replace dangerous fuel powered lamps.

The focus of the project is to reduce the need for flammable lighting and heating sources, which will reduce the number of fires due to candles and gas lamps.

Western Cape Chairperson of Energy and Climate Change Potfolio Committee Xanthea Limberg said energy strategy is a great example of how technology can positively impact people’s lives.

Limberg also said that innovation can become the true equaliser in terms of poverty.

“Lighting up a home in a township could mean that a student can study at night or a mother can cook for her family; so it truly allows communities to access opportunities at no additional costs” Limberg said.

Clinton Brent Found

Missing Adult Alert: Aniesa Bardien

ANC: DA failed on its promises to the City

Athenkosi Mvane
31 January 2013

The African National Congress has stated that the DA in the City of Cape Town has again failed on its promises to improve infrastructure for poor residents. 

The ANC says the DA government cut its capital budget with more than R270 million at a council meeting. 

According to the ANC the DA makes big promises but struggles to deliver the promises. 

ANC’s Chief Whip Pierre Uys says a lot of excuses were made, a lot of money re-allocated and rolled over, but money is not getting to the poorest.

“The budget of The City of Cape Town is over a R6 billion, and with a full budget like that of capital expenditure, there is really a long way you can go to alleviate poverty” Uys said.

One injured in an accident between a truck and light vehicle

Athenkosi Mvane

31 January 2013

ER24 responded to an accident at Contermanskloof road late last night. 

One person was left with extensive and critical injuries after a truck and VW Golf collided. 

It is still unclear as to what caused the accident but local authorities are investigating the matter. 

ER24’s Vanessa Jackson said when paramedics and rescuers arrived on the scene, they found the Golf entangled into the front of the truck and the driver was trapped.

 

“It was more than an hour that paramedics had to battle to try to get the man out of the vehicle” Jackson said.

A crane had to be used to lift the front of the truck off of the Golf.

“The man was then transported to the Groote Schuur Hospital, in a critical condition; the truck driver was not injured in the incident” Jackson added.

SACTWU opposes Eskom’s tariff hike application

Athenkosi Mvane

31 January 2013

The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union is planning to protest today at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s public hearings in Johannesburg.

Sactwu says they cannot accept Eskom electricity tariff hike application. 

South African Research Institute in Sactwu Simon Eppel said they have conducted interviews with companies and workers if Eskom goes ahead with its increase massive job loses will occur. 

Eppel said companies have indicated generally, that there may be large scale retrenchments.

“Obviously as SACTWU we can not condone actions which threaten jobs of local workers, particularly in the context that there is such large unemployment in South Africa” Eppel added.

NEHAWU accused WC Health of wasting resources

Imogen Vollenhoven

31January 2013

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union on Wednesday accused the Western Cape Health Department of wasting resources and failing nursing students.

NEHAWU spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said as a union they are angry that the department does not offer nursing students permanent employment. 

Pamla said that they do despite the fact that there are a lot of funded vacancies within the health department in the province.

Pamla adds that they have so far failed to fill those vacancies.

Pamla said as NEHAWU they will be sitting sown with the department and explaining to them, telling them how disappointed they are and Pamla adds that in all this they hope to find a common ground regarding all the factors they have been facing so far.

SA air force future plans for maintenance a concern for Solidarity

Imogen Vollenhoven
30 January 2013
 

 Today Solidarity has raised its concerns regarding South African Air Force plans for the future maintenance of its aircraft. 

 This is after one of air force’s aircraft had to make an emergency stop due to engine problems. 

 The SAAF’s contract for aircraft with maintenance Denel Aviation/AMG ends on the 31^st of March. 

Solidarity said the termination of the contract and the loss of aircraft specialist is a concern. 

 Jack Loggenberg, spokesperson of Solidarity, said that the SAAF’s termination of its contract for aircraft maintenance with Denel Aviation/AMG and the resultant loss of 523 aircraft specialists is cause for concern since various cases of air force aircraft’s experiencing difficulties have occurred in the past few months.

Loggenberg adds that many of the air force’s aircraft are already old and must be serviced frequently.

Loggenberg furthermore at the moment there are still aircraft specialists who can do this.

However, the morale of these specialists is affected very negatively by the continuing uncertainty and lack of transparency regarding matters relating to the termination of the maintenance contract, Loggenberg said.

Parents in Khayelitsha opt to register children at illegal school

Imogen Vollenhoven
30 January 2013

Although the Western Cape Education Department has reported that there are places in some schools in Khayelitsha, some children have been attending an unregistered school because parents say they couldn’t find a place for them.

Education executives visited the school premises and discovered them inadequate for learning, and there were no resources.

WCED Ministerial spokesperson Bronagh Casey explains further that what the parents have done, they have ignored the Department’s offers complacently and have instead opted to place their children at an unregistered and illegal school that has no real resources or equipment.

Casey said that on Tuesday officials from the WCED visited the site of the illegal school to issue a notice that indicated to parents that the school was not registered, and that the WCED has arranged to accommodate their children at a legally recognised school.

Casey adds that the Department also gave further details and telephone numbers that the parents can contact.

Research shows more than 4 million people are unemployed in SA

Imogen Vollenhoven
30 January 2013

One in four unemployed people have been without work for more than five years in South Africa.

That's according to a study by the South African Institute of Race Relations.

The survey shows that over four million people are unemployed of which three million of them have been unemployed for one year and about 1.2 million have been unemployed for five years.

 

The Institute's Lucy Holborn says they also got a group of people that they call discouraged work seekers.

 

Lucy Holbron explains that they have noted how long that people were unemployed and in South Africa over a quarter of the people who are unemployed have been unemployed for more than five years.

Holbron adds that this would be defined as really extreme and a long time of unemployment, the international definition of long time unemployment only sees someone being unemployed for just over a year.

Furthermore Holbron said the fact that South Africa has such a high rate of unemployment and people without work for so long and it is of major concern.

Holbron also said that it just so happens that those unemployed people don’t have the skills required to participate in the country’s economy and labour market.

MEC Frits: 80 year old women not locked up against her will

Imogen Vollenhoven
30 January 2013

Social workers have visited the 80-year-old Parkwood woman neighbours claim is being kept in her council flat against her will. On Monday, residents of Gerda Court in Parkwood told members of the media that Maureen Johnson, whose mental state is said to be confused, was allegedly being kept locked up by a couple.

The couple were also alleged to be fraudulently collecting Johnson’s monthly pension.

However Social Development MEC Albert Fritz confirms this is not true.

 Frits said that the Departments social workers went to investigate the whole matter and what they found was that the lady who has the card is the legitimate proxy and has been given permission by Johnson to go and collect her pension.

Frits adds that Johnson is unable and incapable to collect her own pension.

Frits also said that there were article going around saying that there were locks on the door and a big padlock, Frits said this is untrue and there is no such thing, social workers did a thorough search and Frits said he will personally be following up on it on Thursday morning.

Frits said the person is the legitimate proxy of the house.

However the Department has seen it fit to arrange for Ms Johnson to get home care  based nursing, Frits said.

A pupil killed by a speeding vehicle in Mahikeng

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 January 2013

North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed that a man who allegedly knocked down and killed a pupil while driving a security company vehicle in Mahikeng was denied bail.

In conveying condolences to the family of the young girl who was ran over by the vehicle, Premier Modise condemned irresponsible driver behaviour which accounts for most accidents and deaths on public roads.

The 33 year-old, driver appeared at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court on Monday.

Premier’s Spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said the pupil was trying to cross the near a post office on her from school when she was hit by the vehicle and was declared dead on the scene.

Kgwele added that the driver was attacked by community members and pupils who witnessed the accident.

MEC Robin Carlisle: Road deaths still a major concern in SA

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 January 2013

The MEC of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape Robin Carlisle, on Tuesday said road deaths will soon be the main cause of premature death in the country. 

The department has managed to curb road deaths by 27 percent in the province since 2009. 

MEC Carlisle added that drunk driving is still the biggest cause of road deaths. 

MEC Spokesperson Sipheshile Dube said the road death toll stands at 5700 since 2008.

Dube further said the department is working hard together with the Safely Home and they plan to decrease the death by 50% in December 2014.

By- elections in the Western Cape underway

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 January 2013

The first municipal ward by-elections for 2013 is taking place today in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

Ward 22 in the City of Cape Town Municipality will be contested, by the ANC, COPE, DA, NFP and UDM. 

The Independent Electoral Commission said a total of 22 131 voters are registered in the three wards and 18 voting districts where by-elections will be taking place. 

IEC’s Western Cape Spokesperson Courtney Sampson said the voting stations in Belhar opened at 07:00 and they only close at 21:00 this evening.

Sampson added that people are coming in slowly but they are expected to pick up later today.

DA:Media’s attention focused in the wrong direction

Athenkosi Mvane
30 January 2013


Media attention was diverted from Nkandla, to focus on a First National Bank advert campaign.

FNB Chairman Sizwe Nxasana last week made an apology to the African National Congress after the bank’s senior executives were summoned to Luthuli house for an advertising campaign.

Spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance leader’s office Cameron Arendse said there is nothing wrong with the Gupta family giving money to any political party they choose

“As long as they don’t expect to receive favours from the government using tax payers’ money as a reward”Arendse said.

Ideally the DA prefers transparency in these kinds of dealings.

“Instead of focusing on money spent by SAE’s on the New Year’s breakfast, the media diverted their attention”Arense added.

COSATU want Nkandla R206 million to be investigated

Athenkosi Mvane
30 January 2013

The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomes the statement by the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, about money spent on President Jacob Zuma’s residence at Nkandla.

They union appreciates that there is no evidence that public money was spent to build the private residence of the president or that any house belonging to the president was built.

Cosatu does not question the need for the state to take adequate measures to secure the President and other public office bearers.

Cosatu National Spokesperson Patrick Craven said they are still concerned with the amount that was used ostensibly for security at the President’s home.

“While we appreciate that the details of what that money was spent on may not be able released for security reasons; we feel that the amount should be incestigated” Craven said.

Craven said that R206 million is grossly excessive, and is particularly insensitive to theworkers, the poor and the homeless.

UDMYV challenges institutions to address youth issues

Athenkosi Mvane

30 January 2013

The United Democratic Youth Vanguard said South Africa’s youth has not been taught the necessary decision-making skills regarding their own lives.

Teddy Thwala the UDMYV said they believe that more has to be done to help the youth cope with drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, lack of education opportunities, joblessness, HIV/Aids and crime.

Thwala said there is high rise and increase of young people who abuse drugs.

“We are calling on institutions like National Youth Development Agency to come up with a clear programme to address this social ill” Thwala said.

Thwala said that there is a new drug called nyaope that is eroding South Africa creating problems in families and society.

“Instead of using R820 000 for budgeting for activities for launches and marketing, why don’t you (NYDA) use it to address socials ills?” he asked.

ANC states that the WC is in chaos

Imogen Vollenhoven

30 January 2013

The African National Congress said the DA-run Western Cape provincial government is swaying from crises to chaos with inferior service delivery in poor areas.

ANC Spokesperson on Health in the Western Cape Mcebisi Skwatsha said this is most evident in the number of regularly reported horror stories of unacceptable suffering and even deaths at provincial health institutions.

Mcebisi Skwatsha said the leadership of health in the province both in the form of the MEC and the HOD are focusing on fighting for who controls health in the country, provincial or national.

Skwatsha added that pressing matters in the province is service delivery, particularly in terms of health.

DA submits application to access Nkandlagate report

Imogen Vollenhoven

29 January 2013

Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader will today submit an application, in terms of the Promotion Access to Information Act, to gain access to the now secrete Nkandlagate report.

Lindiwe said she will announce that a formal request has been made to the Chairperson of the portfolio committee on public works, Miss Manana Mabuza, by DA Shadow Minister of public works, Anchen Dreyer, for the report to tabled and discussed in the committee.

Spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said it is a slap in the face of accountability and transparency for the report, which makes a number of unsubstantiated assertions, to remain secret.

Gwarube adds his casts yet another shadow over this shameful saga and makes it clear that the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, is engaged in a concerted campaign to protect President Zuma from accountability at all costs.

Furthermore Gwarube adds that President Zuma must do the right thing and intervene to ensure that his government tables the report in Parliament for proper scrutiny and debate.

Gwarube adds that if the President fails to do so, having gained access to the document through a PAIA application, Lindiwe Mazibuko will table the report herself as she is empowered to do as a member of the National Assembly.

City of Cape Town thanks Capetonians for continued support and donations

Imogen Vollenhoven

29 January 2013

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre would like to thank those members of the public who have made donations or given of their time to assist the victims of the fires and other disasters in Cape Town.

The City’s Charlotte Powell said the City saw a tremendous outpouring of support following the devastating fire which occurred in BM section, Khayelitsha on the 1^st of January.

Charlotte Powell said the City’s the Disaster Risk Management Centre has reached the recovery phase in its efforts to assist those affected by this fire and any further donations should therefore please be directed to the following non-governmental organisations.

Powell adds that these are the NGO’s that the City would like to thank HDI Support, Mustadafin Foundation, The Salvation Army and The South African Red Cross Society.

Furthermore Powell said that it is the Disaster Risk Management Centre’s mission to support Cape Town’s residents and to that end it continually builds, sustains and improves its capability to protect against, respond to and recover from all hazards.

Powell said that the City looks forward to the continued support of Capetonians, which enables the Disaster Risk Management Centre to provide shelter, food, counselling and other forms of assistance to victims of a range of disasters.

UDM welcoms Anglo American Platinum's decission to delay retrenchments

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 January 2013

The United Democratic Movement welcomes Anglo American Platinum’s decision to delay the retrenchment of approximately 14 000 workers until the relevant stakeholders have sat around the table and discussed the issue at hand.

The UDM said that this step will go a long way towards finding a solution for the parties involved.

UDM Deputy Secretary General Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said that as the UDM they feel this is an important step and it will go a long way towards finding a win, win solution for all the parties concerned.

Kwankwa adds that this consultation process should help the South African Economy, the detrimental effects of large scale employee retrenchments, and as a country it is already known for a suffering with a chronic unemployment rate.  

24 year old foreigner arrested for possession of illegal cigarettes

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 January 2013

Western Cape police on Monday arrested a 24-year-old man for being in possession of illegal cigarettes. 

Captain FC van Wyk said they arrested the man on Monday following a tip-off from the public. 

Captain FC van Wyk said the driver got out of the vehicle and started unloading boxes, after which the members of the community approached him.

Van Wyk said after examining the boxes, police discovered it contained cartons of illegal cigarettes.

Van Wyk adds that the vehicle and 50 boxes each containing 50 cartons of cigarettes has been seized.

Van Wyk furthermore said that SARS officials have estimated the value of the cigarettes to 310 000 worth.

Van Wyk said the man a foreigner from Jordan was arrested and is due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court soon.   

EC School battles shortage of teachers

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 January 2013

The Dunsi Secondary school in the Eastern Cape is struggling with class sizes of over 100 learners.

As the temporary teachers shortage crisis in the province continues.

The Democratic Alliance visited Dunsi Secondary in Nthabankulu as part of an oversight meeting of the legislature’s Education Committee.

DA Eastern Cape Education Spokesperson Edmund van Vuuren said the school principal notified them that they are loosing teachers each an every year.

Van Vuuren said the school was 8 teachers short in 2010, in 2011 there were about 12 teachers short and in 2013 there is a shortage of 17 teachers.

Corruption Watch uncovered a R30 million tender irregularity

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 January 2013

Corruption Watch has uncovered fronting in a R30 million tender won by Mvula Trust to manage the distribution of hundreds of millions of rand through a communities-based job-creation project.

The revelations follow a four month investigation after CW was approached last year by a whistleblower who alleged that rural development NGO Mvula Trust had obtained a government tender illegally.

Corruption Watch’s Bongi Mlangeni said the tender was for a lead agent to manage the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Community Works Programme.

Mlangeni added that they would like to see action being taken in this matter and they will do a follow up to see how the police are handling this matter.

AU Commission Chairperson calls for youth development

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 January 2013

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding between the African Union Commission and the government of Cameroon.

Her Excellency Dlamini Zuma, reiterated her call to all member states to focus more on the development of young people as Africa has the youngest population in the world.

Dlamini Zuma said education is high on the agenda of the AU. 

Zuma further said the plan is to go beyond the higher education encourage science and technology and they will be expanding science and technology.

Four people arrested for public violence KwaNdengezi

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 January 2013

Four people have been arrested for public violence in KwaNdengezi, Kwazulu Natal.

Their arrested follows a resident’s march on Sunday, the people were protesting against corruption in the awarding of the RDP houses in the area.

Abahlali Basemjondolo Secretary General Bandile Mdlalose said a former MK Soldier who alleged bought a house illegally had pointed a fire arm and threatened the protestors.

Mdlalose said they went to the police station to open a case of intimidation but nothing was done about.

She further said the same MK Veteran together with the councillor of the area, Mduduzi Ngcobo came with police and pointed out which residents they wanted arrested.

The people arrested will appear at the Pinetown Magistrate Court today.  

Missing Adult Alert: Wayne O'Gorman

Missing Adult Alert: Edlyn Abrahams

NSRI searches for a man believed to be drowned off Gordon’s Bay

Athenkosi Mvane
29 January 2013

The National Sea Rescue Institute is still searching for the body of a 30 year-old man who is believed to have drowned in Gordons Bay.

The man, who is believed to be a construction worker, was with his colleagues on the sea front rocks when a massive wave swept the man off the rock.

Efforts by the man’s colleagues to rescue the man, throwing a rope towards the direction he entered the water were unsuccessful.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the Cape Town Traffic Services, security guards; Emergency Medical Services had assisted in the search for the missing man.

“No sign of the man was found, and the search continues” Lambinon said.

Corruption Watch write to Public Works Minister for reports regarding Nkandla

Athenkosi Mvane
29 January 2013

Corruption Watch has written a letter to Minister of Public Works Thulas Nxesi to ask for a copy of the investigation report into the upgrade of President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home.

In particular, the civil society organisation wants the Minister to publish names of the companies or individuals who were awarded contracts to perform the Nkandla upgrade.

Corruption Watch’s David Lewis said they have looked at the outcome of the media briefing on the weekend and decided that it raised more questions than it answers.

“We have written to the minister and asked not only for the report, but specific information regarding the tenders and the procurement of them and are awaiting the answers” Lewis said.

Organisations oppose 16 % electricity tariff increase

Athenkosi Mvane
29 January 2013

Since the start of public hearings on Eskom’s third Multi-Year Price Determination application, different organisations have come before the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to register their opposition to the request of an annual average 16% tariff adjustment between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

The National Union of Metal Workers of South African said regardless of sector and background, those that have made presentations to Nersa have been united in stating that the proposed increases will pose an economic and social disaster for South Africa as the hikes will lead to job losses, factory closures and general increases in consumer goods.

Numsa General Secretary Irvin Jim said Eskom should get supply of affordable electricity that is accessable and make sure that we do not pay such high prices we continue to pay.

“We should use this three year period to look at a number of alternatives that government itself can be thinking about” Jim said.

Correctional Services Department to investigate prison riots

Athenkosi Mvane

29 January 2013

The Department of Correctional Services has strongly condemned recent riots in prisons.

Earlier this month, prisoners at the Groenpunt Correctional Centre at Deneysville in the Free State set fire to parts of the facility which resulted in three prisoners being killed and over 60 injured.

Last week, at least 20 inmates at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town were injured when a riot broke out between inmates.

The Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Correctional Services James Selfe said the Correctional Services Department needs to conduct a thorough investigation about this.

Selfe said the department had to stabilize the situation and reintroduce discipline; it also needs to investigate the root causes of the violence.

“For this reason, we are calling for appointment of an independent inquiry; it is insufficient in our view that the department investigates itself because in that way, it is not going to get to the root of the problem” self added.

DA: Independent investigations into prison violence necessary

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 January 2013

The Department of Correctional Services has strongly condemned recent riots in prisons.

Earlier this month, prisoners at the Groenpunt Correctional Centre at Deneysville in the Free State set fire to parts of the facility which resulted in three prisoners being killed and over 60 injured.

Last week, at least 20 inmates at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town were injured when a riot broke out between inmates.

The Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Correctional Services James Selfe said the Correctional Services Department needs to conduct a thorough investigation about this.

Selfe Adds that It is of course absolutely essential that the situation is stabilized.

Selfe said prisons must be places of order and discipline, for the safety and good management of inmates and staff alike.

Futhermore Selfe said In particular as the DA  they empathise with the staff in the institutions affected for the conditions under which they are required to operate, which often involves exposure to violent, gang-involved inmates and remand detainees.

Self said that it is deeply concerning, however, that the Portfolio Committee is hesitant to discover these conditions for itself, and it is even more concerning that the Department is once more investigating itself.