South Africa to issue out multiple entry visas for BRICKS business executives

Mbasa Gqokoma

28 February 2015

The Department of Home Affairs on Friday announced a long-term, multiple entry visas for BRICS business executives.

This comes as President Zuma emphasised that the country is continuing to review the Immigration Regulations in order to achieve a balanced approach to economic development and national security.

This announcement means that business executives from Brazil, Russia, India and China who apply for a visa to the country for short business trips will now receive a long-term visa.

Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba says “we will continue to meet our turnaround time to fight these for short term businesses.

 This follows previous efforts to each traveller of BRICS business people to South Africa such as a directive last year waving the requirement to provide proof of financial needs to BRICS people” Gigaba added.

 

Three suspects caught in a hijacking chase in Port Elizabeth

Mbasa Gqokoma

28 February 2015

Three suspects between the ages of 17 and 30-years-old were arrested following a hijacking incident in Port Elizabeth.

 A 19-year-old woman was approached by three suspects while waiting for her friend in her car at Oceanview Street.

It is alleged that one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and demanded her phone and car keys, which she handed over and the suspects fled the scene.

Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg says the vehicle was spotted in the Shodavile area and there was a high speed chase within the area.

The suspects allegedly shot at the members, they returned fire and the vehicle was at a stand still. Three suspects were arrested, two of the suspects, one female, one male were taken to Livingston hospital for treatment Van Rensburg added.

 

Project MeerKAT underway

Mbasa Gqokoma  

28 February 2015

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is today embarking on a visit to the Square Kilometre Array site in the Northern Cape.

This visit will showcase the MeerKAT as the world’s biggest and most sensitive radio telescopes.

 The SKA will be able to probe the edges of the universe and be able to answer key questions about the laws of nature and physics.

 Deputy President’s Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says South Africa is currently building the sixty four dig MeerKAT.

Upon completion in twenty seventeen the MeerKAT will be the largest radio telescope in the world and most sensitive radio scope of its kind.

During his visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also have an opportunity to

interact with members of the community from surrounding areas of the SKA

side Mamoepa added.

 

 

 

Deputy President Ramaphosa to Visit SKA Site in Carnavon

Oscar Thomas

28 February 2015

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is today embarking on a visit to the Square Kilometre Array site in the Northern Cape.

His visit will showcase the MeerKAT as the world’s biggest and most sensitive radio telescopes.

The SKA will be able to probe the edges of the universe and be able to answer key questions about the laws of nature and physics.

Deputy President’s Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas and other Ministers of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

Mamoepa said South Africa is currently building the 64-dish MeerKAT.

Mamoepa said upon completion in 2017, the MeerKAT will be the largest radio telescope in the world and most sensitive radio telescope of its kind.

Mamoepa said the first dishes of the MeerKAT telescope have been erected in the Karoo and are performing to specification.

“It is expected to bring more than R30 billion into the country, which will benefit ordinary people, particularly in one of South Africa's most rural and underdeveloped provinces” Mamoepa added.

 

 

 

Boy drowns in KZN

Oscar Thomas
27 February 2015

A three-year-old boy died after he drowned in Ramsgate this morning. It is believed that the boy was found by family members who contacted emergency services.

The exact details to the cause of the drowning incident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Santi Steinmann said Reports from the scene indicate that the little boy was found by members of the family who contacted emergency services for assistance.

Steinmann said the boy was found in the swimming pool.

Steinmann said Paramedics spent about an hour trying to resuscitate the boy.

“He was declared dead on the scene” Steinmann added.

Western Cape Department of Health to decrease new HIV infections

Oscar Thomas
27 February 2015

The Western Cape Department of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding in decreasing new HIV infections by 50 percent by 2016.

MEC of Health Nomafrench Mbombo said in a statement that this agreement is an example of the importance of public-private partnership.

Ministerial Spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said what these partners will be doing is that they’ll be working a network of private practitioners training them to administer medical male circumcision and HIV counselling services.

Gwarube said this is the very first initiative of its kind in South Africa and we believe it will go a long way to achieve our goals of decreasing new HIV infections.

“The Western Cape government will be providing operational support like consumables such as the circumcision tax and the HIV tests” Gwarube added.

DENOSA says overcrowding at Hospitals is nothing new

Oscar Thomas
27 February 2015

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa said the overcrowding at Mamelodi Hospital is nothing new, as it is one of the issues that the union has been concerned about since 2013.

The hospital has been making headlines recently for its overcrowding at its maternity ward which resulted in a heavily pregnant women sleeping in benches.

Denosa’s Chairperson in Gauteng Simphiwe Gada said we of the view that an investigation into this matter is necessary as it is a matter we’ve been constantly been raising with the Department.

Gada said it’s a matter that we are not going to stop, it’s a matter that we’ll continue in all other hospitals in the province because it’s a matter of resources.

“There is a great influx of nurses who have resigned due to the pension reforms issues which is clearly a strain on the human resources” Gada added.

Suspects to appear in court for 13 bags of Dagga

Oscar Thomas
27 February 2015

Four suspects aged between 34 and 46-years-old who have been charged with dealing in dagga at Sammestroom farm are expected to appear in court on the 2^nd of March. 

The suspects were arrested following a tip-off police from the community about illegal activity taking place on a farm in the area.

Sergeant Yanga Ngcukana said when police arrived on the scene they pounced on a Kia SUV that was about to flee the scene and managed to block it.

Ngcukana said when the driver saw the police he drove off leaving his counterparts behind.

“They tried to run away but they were caught by the police and when we check the scene we found 13 black bags filled with dagga that is estimated at about R400 000 on the street market” Ngcukana added.

Proposal to lower blood alcohol level on the table

Oscar Thomas
27 February 2015

Today is the last day for the public to make their submissions on the proposed lowering of blood alcohol level to zero. 

Currently the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill allows for drivers to have up to two alcohol beverages. 

However the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works said it has strong reservations about the current proposal but fully supports the need for continual review of the legislation.

Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said while we at the Western Cape Transport Public Works support the need for continual review of the legislation to ensure that it’s appropriate for the South African contexts and AIDS as a continued fight against drunk driving.

Dube said we have strong reservations on the current proposals as there are still is no scientific evidence that exists that the current levels are acceptable.

Dube said if they were to be reduced they would decline the number of accidents and deaths on our roads.

“We also have no proof that shows that drivers that have had no alcohol are safer than drivers that have consumed alcohol within the current limit” Dube added.

47-year-old German tourist rescued from a near drowning

Lusanda Bill
27 February 2015

A 47-year-old German tourist was rescued after she was caught in strong rip current while swimming at Cape St Francis main beach.

National Sea Rescue Institute Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said on arrival on scene it was found that the German female had been assisted out of the water by family members as well as members from the tour group that she was with.

Lambinon said she was on the beach suffering breathing difficulties and near drowning symptoms

“NSRI medics treated the patient and monitored her condition while awaiting paramedics to arrive. She was taken to hospital in a stable condition and will make a full recovery” Lambinon added.

HETN condemns racist attacks against black students in Stellenbosh University

Loyiso Langeni
27 February 2015

The Higher Education Transformation Network has strongly condemned the ongoing racist attacks on black students and staff by students of the University of Stellenbosch.

It is alleged Lwazi Phakade, Sikhulikile Duma and Sphele Masuku were standing in a queue in a food franchise in Merriman Road early on Saturday morning when three white students allegedly began to insult the restaurant staff.

HETN Hendrick Makaneta said they have liaised and sent a complaint to the judiciary service commission so that this matter of judiciary biased by the judge can be thoroughly investigated.

“We expect a response as soon as possible from the JSC regarding our complaint.” Makaneta added.

NUM concerned over deaths of workers in the line of duty

Loyiso Langeni
27 February 2015

The National Union of Mineworkers in the Western Caper said it is shocked and disgusted at the death of a workers at a construction site in Pinelands.

NUM Provincial regional Secretary Happiness Holiday said one death is too man and construction companies need to make sure that health and safety structures are functioning at their workplaces.

Holiday added that our dismay to the companies is that they do not involve us in the investigation of those fatalities.

“Now as the stakeholder we are recognised as the union, in terms of the membership, they do not involve us in the investigation, we believe that that they could be something they are hiding.

Our worry is that these incidents are not reported to the Labour Department for them to be captured.” Holiday said.

Office of the Ombudsman in the WC up and running

Loyiso Langeni
26 February 2015

The Western Cape office of the Ombudsman is up and running and Advocate Vusi Pikoli says his main focus of the office is to receive and investigate complaints from the public regarding police inefficiencies.

Advocate Pikoli said his office will seek to foster good relations between the police and the communities to make sure that both work well together.

Premier Helen Zille appointed Advocate Pikoli to head the office in 2014 following the Commission of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha.

Pikoli added that police inefficiency will manifest itself in the form of poor service delivery when the members of the public complain, it will be because they are not getting good service from the police.

“Sometimes the police would not respond immediately or even not respond at all. That’s enough of a cause for them to lodge a complaint to my office and my office will have to investigate that complaint.” Pikoli added.

A couple died in a house fire in Pietermaritzburg

Loyiso Langeni
26 February 2015

A house fire in the Oribi area of Pietermaritzburg left an elderly couple dead this morning. This is after their house was engulfed in flames.

Netcare 911 Spokesperson Chris Botha said when they arrived on the scene the firemen were fighting the blaze.

He said as soon as the firemen finished paramedics went in and found both people had tragically died due to the severe injuries they had sustained

The exact details to the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

A truck accident left two people injured

Lusanda Bill
26 February 2015

Picture provided by WC Traffic

 

A truck which lost control and nosedive under the bridge on the N1 inbound bridge below Koeberg Interchange has left two people injured.

The two suffered moderate injuries.

Western Cape Traffic Spokesperson Richard Coleman said the N1 incoming was closed for about one hour while they tried to clear the road. The N1 has since been opened.

Police were on the scene to investigate. 

Shortage of chronic medication nationwide

Loyiso Langeni
26 February 2015

The Western Cape Department of Health says there is still a shortage of chronic medication across the country.

This shortage affected a wide range of medications which include heart conditions and high cholesterol. The shortage of chronic medication is causing a major strain on health facilities and staff.

The departments Marika Champion said the department is doing their best to address the shortage and to provide patients with all the medical care including the medication that they need.

Patients are urged to go to their closest facilities and bring this, to the attention of the facility Manager and liaise with their Medical Practitioner and the Pharmacists. 

Cosatu and Nehawu respond to budget speech 2015

Oscar Thomas
26 February 2015

The Congress of South African Trade Union said it is concerned at the nature and tone of the 2015 budget, as there was no radical economic transformation provided within the budget as mandated by the Freedom Charter.

Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene on Wednesday delivered his first budget speech and announced that there would be a tax increase including personal income tax.

Cosatu Spokesperson Patrick Craven said they are worried at the Minister’s silence on the country’s triple crisis of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Craven said we didn’t feel that it came to grips with the seriousness and the depth of the crisis we face particularly unemployment, poverty and inequality.

South Africa has not been able to break the massive unemployment levels of 34.6%, by the more realistic expanded definition, and woefully low levels of economic growth and unbearable levels of poverty and inequality over the past 21 years of democracy.

Surely business as usual will not enable us to escape this unsustainable economic crisis.

Meanwhile the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union said there was nothing new in the speech.

The union has however welcomed the undertaking by Treasury to release a discussion paper on the financing options for the National Health Insurance and the White Paper.

Nehawu Spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said we felt the Minister was not talking to the poor.

Pamla said it’s an insult to people who get grants a R60 increase, it’s an insult considering that they themselves the political principles and political office bearers are currently contemplating giving themselves an 5% increase despite the fact that they are earning men with benefits.

Pamla said they are currently waiting on President Jacob Zuma to approve of a 5% increase for themselves and yet they throw around scraps to the poor majority and workers.

“From where we stand there is nothing radical about what was presented” Pamla added.

IFP demanding answers on money spent on Meyiwa’s funeral

Oscar Thomas
26 February 2015

The Inkatha Freedom Party is demanding answers regarding money that was spent by the province of KwaZulu Natal on the late Bafana Bafana Captain Senzo Meyiwa’s funeral.

IFP Leader in the provincial legislature Blessed Gwala is calling of Premier Senzo Mchunu to explain if proper processes were followed in the awarding of contracts for the funeral.

Gwala said we want to know how proper procedures were followed of the following contractors for R1.2 million catering contract awarded to Solesa Production, which once listed President Jacob Zuma's cousin, Deebo Mzobe as a director, the contract to Soundrite for R599 405 to provide infrastructure, the contract to Courtesy Marketing for R190 500 for banners and Sunsun Investments was paid R12 118.50 to provide lanyards.

“All these questions must be answered because we need to know who and how are related with regards to the money that was spent” Gwala added.

Stage 2 load-shedding implemented across the country

Oscar Thomas
26 February 2015

Eskom has implemented stage two load shedding across the country today which will last until ten o clock this evening.

Eskom Spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said earlier this morning the power utility lost some of its generating units due to technical fault, and have not been able to bring them back online. 

Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene while delivering his first budget speech on Wednesday announced that Eskom will receive a capital cash injection of 23 billion-Rand and electricity tariffs will also increase.

Phasiwe said we are urging all our customers at this stage though to continue to use electricity sparingly.

Phasiwe said especially where air conditioners are frequently used and if possible people in residential areas to switch off geysers when not in use, pool pumps to be switched off so that we can either reduce the duration of load shedding or the severity of load shedding meaning that we may not have to go into stage three load shedding.

“We want to limit it to stage two or even go to stage one as we want to eventually cancel load shedding in all” Phasiwe added.

An accident which involved two taxis has left twenty-five people injured

Jaimie-faith Poonah
26 February 2015

An accident which involved two taxis has left twenty-five people injured in Pinetown, KwaZulu Natal this morning.

It is believed that the two taxis collided into each other.

The exact details to the cause of the accident will remain the subject of a police investigation.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said: “ER24 paramedics along with other services arrived on the scene and found the two taxis in the centre of the road, some of the occupants of both of the taxis were found walking around on the scene.”

Meiring said: “One inspection paramedics discovered that 25 people have sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate. One of the moderately injured patients was found trapped in the front of one of the taxis.”

“Rescue services had to use the Jaws of Life to free the patient. Paramedics treated all the patients on scene and transported them to various hospitals in the area for further treatment.” Meiring continued.

 

 

Xenophobic attacks and looting of shops condemned in Philippi

Jaimie-faith Poonah
26 February 2015

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety Dan Plato has condemned the recent violence, xenophobic attacks and looting of foreign owned shops which have taken place in Philippi’s Marikana Settlement.

Some members of the Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement went on a rampage on Tuesday following the appearance of the so-called poo protestors in court.

The court found the nine to have contravened the Civil Aviation Act.

Foreign nationals are now fearing for their lives in the township.

Ministerial Spokesperson Ewald Botha said: “Ses’khona leadership’s weak attempts to call for calm after the violence was committed as well as the attempts to legitimize these actions, is seen as a slap in the face to the victims of yesterdays looting and violence.”

“Ses’khona’s history of public excitement of violence and looting cannot be left separate of the event which took place yesterday.  Call on their leadership to assist the police in identifying responsible for the violence, the looting and all criminal acts in order for those perpetrators to face the consequences of their unlawful actions.”

Denosa finds private hospitals submission unfair

Loyiso Langeni
26 February 2015

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa has labelled unfair and mischievous the move by private hospital groups in submitting an inquiry into the Private Health high costs.

Denosa President Simon Hlungwani in a statement said private hospitals need to close shop if their business models are solely based on underpayment of health professionals who are the engine of their core business.

He said that what they are doing and saying is just to undermine Nurses and we do know that, they continue to use elementary staff to conduct nursing duties, which is contravening and compromising nursing care.

“We call upon them to develop those people, instead of complaining and contravening, what is available in the law.” Hungwani said.

Reactions to budget speech

Loyiso Langeni
25 February 2015

Members of Parliament have reacted to the budget speech with some saying there was nothing new that Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene presented during his budget speech this afternoon.

Minister Nene despite the budget constrained increased budget allocation to key government departments including the departments of health, education and social development.

DA Parliamentary Leader Mmusi Maimane said this year’s budget does not give us any better economic indications of where South Africa must go.

While delivering his first budget speech minister Nene said fighting corruption continues to be a priority for this government which has resulted in the budget allocation of the office of the Public Protector.

Econnomic Freedom Front Leader Julies Malema said the ordinary people will have to carry the burden of the electricity including a huge contribution to the taxes of our country, with a co-operate tax being left out.

Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Forests Senzeni Zokwana said it gives them a direction of what they should be doing and a call for them to make sure that they create jobs.

Suspect and cop shot dead in Cape Town

Oscar Thomas
25 February 2015

A police constable was killed and a sergeant badly wounded when a man turned their own guns against them in a shootout in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village on Tuesday.

The sergeant is recovering in hospital and neither of their names has been released.

The shooter was later shot and killed. MEC of Western Cape Community Safety spokesperson Ewald Botha said Mr Plato sends his sincerest condolences to family friends and colleagues of the deceased.

Botha said Mr Plato condemns this callus attack on SAPS in the strongest manner possible.
Botha said this past weekend Minister Plato marched in solidarity with the provincial community against various incidents of police killing occurring within our province.

“It is clear more needs to be done to protect the people of our communities and the brave men and women in blue who serve our communities to ensure a safe environment” Botha added.

Government digging deeper into tax payer’s pockets

Mbasa Gqokoma and Jaimie Faith Poonah
25 February 2015

Over the next three years government has promised to spend six hundred and forty seven billion on basic education, one hundred and forty five billion on municipal infrastructure, five hundred and two billion on health, four hundred and ninety eight billion on social protection, thirty six billion on school infrastructure.

Meanwhile excise duties on alcohol beverages and tobacco products will again increase.

A bottle of wine will cost fifteen cents more, quart of beer goes up by fifteen cents, bottle of sparkling wine will increase by forty eight cents, whisky by three-rand-seventy-seven cents and a pack of twenty cigarettes goes up by eighty-two-cents, Ciders and alcoholic fruit beverages by seven-cents

State old age grant will increase from 1350 to 1410, disability grant from 1350 to 1410, foster care grand from 830 to 860, care dependency grant from 1350 to 1410 and child support grant from 315 to 330.

Government has also vowed to decrease expenditure in its departments for catering, entertainment, travelling, hiring of venues by eight-percent.

Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene said the first phase of implementation of the National Development plan is elaborated in Governments medium term strategic framework.

“If we remain united and energised around its implementation- government, labour, business and all South Africans we will continue to make progress towards a just and prosperous future Nene added.

Minister Nene said “Today’s budget is constrained by the need to consolidate our public finances, in the context of slower growth and rising debt.”

He added that “We must intensify efforts to address economic constraints, improve our growth performance, create work opportunities and broaden economic participation”.

Unemployment remains our single greatest economic and social challenge. Government continues to prioritise measures aimed at generating employment.

“These include tax incentives for employment and investment, support for enterprise development, skills development and employment programs”, Nene added.

Political parties debate the Western Cape State of the Province Address

Oscar Thomas
25 February 2015

Western Cape members of the provincial legislature threw blows at each other while debating the State of the Province Address on Tuesday.

Major topics which were debated including schools, land reform, racism and employment.

The opposition parties criticised the Democratic Alliance of not finding placement for learners who registered late for school and did not have place.

MEC of Education Debbie Schafer said the Matric results we all know,number one we can look at retention.

If you want us to become number one by culling all our learners like they do in the North West and the Free State Gauteng then that’s fine we’ll do that if you want but what about those poor learners who don’t have an education.

With regards to the allegations of learners not being in classrooms from 500 to a 1000 we don’t know as we have asked Vanessa Le Roux to come and tell us who they are she still hasn’t given us the list despite us meeting with her.

When you have 23 000 extra people coming into the province at the beginning of the year you cannot simply plan for every individual to be in school at the beginning of the term.

Meanwhile African National Congress’s Marius Fransman said the dropout rate in the province is poor and the province is doing little to solve this.

Fransman said a 100 learners in the Mitchells Plain is struggling to get access to schools.

Fransman said The Dropout rate in the Cape Flats is high then they decided to close the schools apparently they have tried again with a particular process.

“Don’t play party political interests when it comes to the lives of poor people” Fransman added.

A fire in Ottery Road leaves one person dead

Lusanda Bill
25 February 2015

A fire which broke out at a residence in Ottery Road in Wynberg this morning has left one person dead and three others injured.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said when they arrived on the scene they found three men lying on the pavement next to the burning residence.

Meiring said paramedics assessed the men and found that two of them had sustained severe burn injuries to most of their bodies, and the third one had sustained moderate injuries to his back.

“While fire services were busy extinguishing the blaze, paramedics found that a woman had sadly lost life in the fire” Meiring added.  

MEC Plato says the main aim is to keep citizens safe

Oscar Thomas
25 February 2015

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety said the ultimate aim is to make sure that citizens in the province are safe and secure in their daily lives.

He said the issue of illegal firearms that are used by gangs is a big concern.

MEC Plato said we need more convictions as the conviction rate in the province is still very well.

He added that the department is focusing on youth in the province.

Plato said I’m busy with a drive on the Cape Flats, last week I visited Nyanga,

Phillipi Browns Farm area,Nyanga central the week before I visited Scotts Dean.

I visited Manenberg,Sunday past I was in Manenberg again to do some follow up work in that area and the reaching out to the youngsters work.

We try to communicate to the youth that we do have the answer towards their future.

Meanwhile MEC Plato said police need to make many more arrests of gangs in the province.

He added that the department is consistently talking to the police to find ways in making more arrests within the gang world in the province.

Plato said the police knows who’s the top people involved, the top dogs in gangster and drug world.

Plato said why is it that the police can’t get those top dogs behind bars but the guy that is the runner, running around with one stop dagga and one small packet of tik that guy gets his four to five years in jail but the top guys never end up in jail.

“It is only a fraction of them ending up in jail which the public is well aware of as we constantly are still in arguments with the police about this issue” Plato added.

Sadtu condemns disruptions at the Roodepoort Primary School

Loyiso Langeni
25 February 2015

The South African Democratic Teachers Union in Gauteng has raised its concern regarding the recent disruptions which have taken place at the Roodepoort Primary School.

Last week parents protested outside the school calling for the school to be closed or the principle must step down.

There have been allegations that some parents prefer a coloured principle rather than a black one, but these claims have been rubbished.

Sadtu Provincial Secretary Dudu Nkosi said as the province they really worried about what happened that school.
It is clear that there are some elements that hell bout to bring back that demon of racism into the whole structure.

Its worrying that they are only complaining now when that process of appointment and recruitment of staff have got recourse in case you are dissatisfied of the processes.

We think they were supposed to have utilised that kind process and so that it is clarified at that point.