Eastern Cape residents are urged to stay warm in this weekend

Nontando mafanya

30 April 2016

Eastern Cape residents have been warned to brace themselves for chilly and wet conditions this weekend as a severe cold front passes through the province.

South African Weather Service forecaster Phumla Goba yesterday said in a statement opposing weather conditions were caused by a surface high pressure system which extended its ridge over the Eastern Cape, behind a frontal system.

East London temperatures are expected to start at 12°C today, peaking at a low 14°C. Bhisho residents should expect a low 8°C, warming to a chilly 13°C later in the afternoon.

Mthatha started out at 7°C this morning and is expected to peak at 13°C. A warning of heavy clouds and very cold temperatures are expected, with showers in some places.

Opposition parties want NPA to reinstate corruption charges against S.A President

Nontando Mafanya

30 April 2016

Opposition parties are now calling on the National Prosecuting Authority to reinstate over 700 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma, in connection to the so-called spy tapes saga.

Yesterday, the High Court in Pretoria set aside former NPA boss Mokotedi Mpshe’s decision to discontinue Zuma’s prosecution on corruption charges.

Mpshe reached his decision after considering representations from Zuma which included secret recordings of former scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy The so-called spy tapes showed that McCarthy and former NPA boss Bulelane Ngcuka had made political considerations,- while deciding on when to serve the indictment on Zuma. 

The Democratic Alliance’s Mabine Seabe says in a statement its time Zuma face the music after seven years.  Congress of the People’s Dennis Bloem says in a statement Zuma is now a suspected criminal.

Response Task team found illegal substances in Bishop Lavis

Mbasa Gqokoma

28 April 2016

Provincial Operational Response Task team members on Wednesday, searched a house at Bishop Lavis.

Police Spokesperson Captain van Wyk in a statement says, on the premises members found a 7.65 pistol with four rounds, a .22 revolver, two sachets of dagga, one sachet tik and a stolen VW Golf vehicle.

Police allegedly arrested a 51-year-old suspect who is due to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court soon on charges of illegal possession firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs and stolen vehicle.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Mitchells Plain Crime Prevention Unit members stopped and search a suspicious looking youth and found 95 packets of tik, and 30 units of heroin in his possession.

A 15-year-old youth was arrested and later released on a warning to appear in court into the care of his parents.

The suspect faces a charge of possession of drugs.

R2K will handing over a memorandum today

Nontando Mafanya

27 April 2016

The Right to Know campaign will today be handing over a memorandum calling for government to reconsider its surveillance capabilities. 

The group is calling for a reform of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Communication-Related Information Act which they claim oversteps on the rights of citizens.

 Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Committee issued a report condemning the country’s surveillance capabilities.

 Right to know will be handing over their memorandum to officials at the Office of the Interception Centres in Sandton later today.  

The group’s Murray Hunter says there has been countless cases over the years showing the way in which the state is “spying” on some citizens.

City's Health Dept officially openes New Community Day Centre in Delft

Leonie Pretorius

26 April 2016

Today the Western Cape MEC of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, officially opened the new Symphony Way Community Day Centre.

The facility will provide further healthcare coverage for communities currently serviced by the Delft CHC.

With the drastically increasing Delft population, the newly opened Symphony Way Community Day Centre comes as welcome addition to the department service offering.

In a statement, MEC Spokesperson, Luyanda Mfeketo says “The new facility represents an investment of close to R50 million in the health of people in Delft”.

He said “It will be serviced by a staff complement of 58 staff members and uses modern technology, including Digital X-ray and e-reception, which creates an easy flow of operations around the clinic”.

Classes disrupted by vandals in Bonteheuwel

Leonie Pretorius

26 April 2016

The Western Cape Education Department says some classes will be affected at a Bonteheuwel high school today after vandals robbed the institution.

Arcadia High School’s roof and several windows were allegedly damaged by the vandals who also targeted the computer lab.

The provincial education MEC’s spokesperson Jessica Shelver says “We can confirm that Arcadia High School was targeted by vandals over the weekend”. 

Shelver says they can’t win the fight against such incidents without the community’s support

Mbalula: revoked privileges will not affect Commonwealth Games

Simamkele Vakaza

26 April 2016

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula says his decision to revoke the privileges of some sporting federations over their failure to meet transformation targets will not affect the country’s ability to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mbalula announced yesterday that SA Rugby, Athletics South Africa, Netball SA and Cricket South Africa have had their rights to host international tournaments revoked for failing to transform adequately.

He said the decision to implement punitive measures should come as no surprise as the federations themselves agreed to the terms of an important persons group on transformation.

Questions have been raised about the impact the decision will have on the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Durban.

But Mbalula says he believes federations would have done better by then.

EFF to defend itself in treason chargers laid by the ANC

Simamkele Vakaza

26 April 2016

The African National Congress laid charges yesterday evening against the Economic Freedom Fighters at Johannesburg's Hillbrow police station.

The EFF says it will defend itself in court against treason charges brought against it by the ANC. 

Malema warned the ruling party that if it continued to respond violently to peaceful protests, his party would remove the current government, 'through the barrel of a gun'.

 The comments were made by EFF leader Julius Malema in an interview with TV network over the weekend.

Hendrik Louw Primary School expresses condolences to the family of a boy who died

Nontando Mafanya

25 April 2016

Hendrik Louw Primary School in Strand has expressed its condolences to the family of a boy who had been electrocuted at his home near Gordon's Bay.

The grade six learner was reportedly playing in the yard when power cables fell on him on Friday afternoon.

It's believed strong wind uprooted a tree, which crashed into wires, causing them to snap. School principal John Reynecke said, It was a big shock to the school and the community.

Mbalula suspends privileges of SA players from bidding for international tournaments.

Nontando Mafanya

25 April 2016

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has suspended the privileges of SA Rugby, Cricket South Africa and Athletics SA from bidding for international tournaments due to lack of transformation.

He has also resolved to cancel the privileges of Athletics South Africa, Cricket South Africa, Netball South Africa and South African Rugby to host and bid for major and mega international tournaments in the Republic of South Africa as a consequence of the aforementioned federations, not meeting their own set transformation targets with immediate effect.

Mbalula made the announcement during the release of the Eminent Persons Group on Transformation in Sport in Pretoria.

DA refuses to intervene in banks’ standoff with oakbay

Leonie Pretorius

25 April 2016

The Democratic Alliance has alledgedly turned down a request to meet the CEO of Gupta-linked company, Oakbay Investments.

 In a letter addressed to party leader Mmusi Maimane, Nazeem Howa asked him to appeal to several banks to review their decision to close Oakbay’s bank accounts because it may lead to significant job losses.

 But the party has dismissed the request as inappropriate.

Last week, it emerged that the ministers of finance, mineral resources and labour would be interacting with the banks to discuss the account closures.

 Members of the Gupta family have allegedly resigned from all non-executive and executive positions in the company.

MISSING ADULT: LYNETTE JOHNSON

CPUT workers are demanding a Wage and Housing subsidy increase

Simamkele Vakaza

24 April 2016

Cape Peninsula University of Technology striking workers say while their frustrations with management are rising, they will not take drastic action as they wait for a response concerning their grievances.

The staff members are demanding a wage and housing subsidy increase.The striking employees on Friday threatened to shut down CPUT campus.

Spokesperson Ben Turner said, “We are not going to do anything that is irresponsible to the institution or our workers. Management has decided to take strong action against them, but we’ll see what that entails and take the matter forward.”

UDM election manifesto launch in Pretoria today

Simamkele Vakaza

24 April 2016

The United Democratic Movement will launch its election manifesto in Pretoria today.

The Manifesto’s purpose is for Bantu Holomisa to strengthen the UDM's support base in Gauteng.

The opposition party founded in 1999 by Holomisa following his expulsion from the African National Congress.

Yesterday the Democratic Alliance held its Manifesto in South of Johannesburg at Rand Stadium.

The DA says it has enough experience to successfully run municipalities and gave examples of Cape Town. The DA has also promised to speed up the provision of water, sanitation and electricity in the towns and cities that it governs.

ANC to visit communities affected by the heavy storms in CT

Simamkele Vakaza

23 April 2016

Hundreds of homes were flooded as rains and heavy storms hit Cape Town on Friday afternoon, resulting in a lot of destruction, particularly in the poor Communities and informal settlements.

Worst affected areas Macassar, Khayelitsha, Philippi and Marcus Garvey. Over 150 homes have been destroyed. All communities were affected yesterday by the heavy winds and rain, including Constantia, Fish Hoek, Wynberg and others.

The ANC, in partnership with local businesses will be visiting various communities today and tomorrow in order to bring much needed relief in these affected communities.

WC Police Officer shot in Delft

Simamkele Vakaza

23 April 2016

Police have opened a case of murder after yet another police officer has been fatally shot in the Delft area.

Western Cape Police spokesperson, Noloyiso Rwexana, says the officer was in his private vehicle at the time of the incident. 

A case of murder is being investigated and anyone with information has been requested to contact their nearest police station.

On Monday morning, Constable Lindekile Sikade was allegedly shot and killed in front of his house and robbed of his firearm.

Another policeman based in Mitchells Plain was shot on Thursday evening. He's currently in hospital.

The police's Noloyiso Rwexana said, “We’re investigating a case of murder after an incident which happened last night in Delft where an off-duty constable was fatally wounded by an unidentified suspect.”

Two women shot in Durban this morning

Simamkele Vakaza

23 April 2016

Two women sustained serious injuries when they were shot in Pinetown, Durban during the early hours of this morning. Both women were treated and stabilised on scene before being transported to hospital. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident is not yet known.

 “ER24 arrived on Dale Street in Pinetown where they found the two injured women”, said Werner Vermaak, ER24 Spokesperson.

 “A woman, believed to be 29 years old, was found with a gunshot wound to her neck”, said Vermaak.

“Another woman, believed to be 21 years old, was found a few meters away with a gunshot wound to her leg”, added Vermaak.

DA election manifesto today in Johannesburg

Simamkele Vakaza

23 April 2016

The Democratic Alliance will launch its 2016 local government election manifesto at the Rand stadium in Johannesburg today.

It says it expects about 20 000 people to attend the launch which marks the official start to its campaign for the August 3rd elections.

In the 2011 poll the DA won 24 percent of the vote and it runs 18 councils, including the Cape Town Metro. The party is confident that it can win South Africa's economic hub and other key metros that the ANC governs in the country.

DA is unveiling its vision for the country's municipalities. It is expected to showcase its successes in the Western Cape.

Metrorail Arsonist to apply for bail

Leonie Pretorius

22 April 2016

A man accused of an arson attack on a train at Cape Town station is expected to apply for bail next week.

He was taken into custody after several carriages were gutted in a fire about two weeks ago.

 It was one of several incidents in which Metrorail infrastructure was torched or vandalised in the city, crippling train services.

 The 47-year-old man faces a charge of arson.

  He’s expected back in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday.

Investigators have linked him to an incident in which 10 coaches were set alight at the Cape Town train station two weeks ago.

 Police have yet to make arrests in connection with other arson attacks and acts of vandalism. Metrorail has offered a R100,000 reward for information which could lead to further arrests.

MISSING: ADULT

Suspects arrested for dealing in drugs and possession of unlicensed firearm

Leonie Pretorius

22 April 2016

Western Cape Police say two suspects aged 22 and 25 year old were arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs yesterday.

Police received information from the community that people are selling drugs in Siyahlala, Smarty town, Paarl East.

The members immediately followed up the information and the following drugs was confiscated. 539 dagga fingers, seven powdered mandrax tablets, 15 three quarter mandrax and 15 half mandrax tablets.

The suspects are expected to appear in Paarl Magistrates’ Court once charged.

Meanwhile, Centane Police arrested three suspects all males aged 27, 31 and 40 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The suspects were arrested on Thursday along Main Street in Centane.

The police were patrolling and did stop and search operations when they came across a suspicious vehicle with the three suspects.

The vehicle was stopped and the pistol with ammunition were found inside their vehicle.

The firearm’s serial numbers were scratched off. No one had a licence to possess the firearm.

All the suspects were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to establish if it was not used in the commission of crime.

All the suspects will appear before the Centane Magistrates’ Court on Monday. 

Gang boss arrested again

Leonie Pretorius

22 April 2016

Reports have emerged that former gang boss Rashied Staggie has allegedly been arrested.

Staggie is understood to be one of four suspects taken into custody by the Hawks yesterday.

The group was apparently found in possession of firearms and suspected stolen contraband on the N1 highway.

The Hawks' Hangwani Mulaudzi says in a statement, officers were following up on a theft that occurred in Johannesburg.

Druglord Arrested in Beaufort West

Leonie Pretorius

22 April 2016

Western Cape police yesterday welcomed the lengthy jail sentence handed down in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on a foreign drug lord.

37-year old Nigerian national, Paul Udoji was allegedly arrested twice in one year with large amounts of tik and Mandrax estimated at R1m.

He was convicted and sentenced to sixteen years on two charges on     two charges of possession of drugs.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Police Officer Shot and Wounded in Gugulethu

Leonie Pretorius

21 April 2016

A Police Constable stationed at Mitchells Plain has been shot and wounded in Gugulethu, Cape Town.

 The Constable was sitting in an official vehicle in Galaweni Street KTC when two suspects allegedly came up to his vehicle and fired three shots through the vehicle window.

 Provincial Police Spokesperson, Constable Noloyiso Rwexana says, the member was wounded, thereafter the suspects allegedly left with his cell phone. 

He was admitted to hospital in a serious condition.

No one has been arrested yet.

City’s Transport Dept ready to implement tuk-tuk vehicles

Mbasa Gqokoma

21 April 2016

The City of Cape Town’s Transport department says residents and visitors to Cape Town will soon be able to make use of tuk-tuk vehicles to travel short distances within the city and surrounding suburbs.

The tender for the provision of tuk-tuk public transport services was issued on Friday 15 April 2016 by Transport for Cape Town, the City’s transport authority.

Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Brett Herron explains…..

“The tuk-tuk vehicle are intended for those wanting to travel short distances of 3km’s or less to local destinations”.

He says “The people who will make use of the tuk-tuk services are those who do not necessarily want to make use of metre taxi services, and who do not want to walk 3km’s to their destination”. 

Teaching and Learning suspended at Rhodes amid protest action

Mbasa Gqokoma

21 April 2016

Academic activity at Rhodes University remain suspended until further notice as anti-rape protests are set to continue today.

Hundreds of students and some support staff gathered at the drama department on Prince Alfred road inside the campus since Monday, demanding immediate action by university management against the people identified on an anonymous ‘reference list’- a list of the names of alleged rapists and sexual offenders.

The list which circulated on social media sites on Monday has been forwarded to the university's management.

The protesters demanded that these individuals be suspended from the university immediately and later be expelled.

Memorial service to be held for ANC bus accident victims

Mbasa Gqokoma

21 April 2016

A memorial service will be held today to honour the ten ANC volunteers killed in a bus accident last Sunday.

The five men and five women died when their bus overturned near Winburg, in the Free State.

They were travelling back to Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, after attending the ANC’s election manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth.

They will be buried on Saturday and Sunday during services in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Police have confirmed that the bus drivers may be charged with culpable homicide

Two Former ANC Leaders allegedly arrested

Leonie Pretorius

20 April 2016

Former ANC leaders in the OR Tambo region, allegedly arrested after allegations of a plot to kill another party leader, yesterday claimed they were tortured by police.

Thandekile Sabisa, former OR Tambo chairman, and Lawrence Mambila, former deputy secretary, were arrested on Monday at OR Tambo district municipality’s Myezo Park offices in relation to the death of Zukile Nyontso, a bodyguard for current chairman Xolile Nkompela.

Monday’s arrests follows the arrest of a councillor in the Mhlontlo municipality last week.

Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi says in a statement, the two had been charged with conspiracy to murder both Nkompela and Nyontso.

The two prominent politicians have strongly denied the charge and told treporters they had been tortured while in police custody on Monday night.

Investigations Into a rush of torching attacks on Metrorail trains underway

 Leonie Pretorius

20 April 2016

There's reportedly been a breakthrough in investigations into a rash of torching attacks on Metrorail trains in Cape Town.

 It's believed a person has been taken in for questioning in connection with one arson incident, but it’s unclear at this stage if the individual has been charged.

Police, however, have not confirmed or denied if someone is being questioned.

 The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Western Cape has called for strict action against the person, if and when formal charges are laid.

Metrorail Regional Manager Richard Walker says company infrastructure has been targeted yet again, this time in the Eerste River area.

Draft Bill dealing with racism will also criminalise hate speech

Raymond Pani

20 April 2016

Justice Minister Michael Masutha says draft legislation intended to deal with racism will also criminalise hate speech, where it is intended to cause harm.

The so-called Hate Crimes Bill is a response to a spate of racist statements made on social media.

Masutha says it was decided that the draft bill be expanded to include hate speech.

He was speaking during his department’s budget vote debate in the National Assembly yesterday.

Masutha said “all South Africans must rise to deal with all forms of intolerance in order to consolidate the country’s democracy.

As a department we will soon introduce legislation which will address racism and in particular, hate speech.”

Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery said “the draft bill is a response to the outcry that met the recent spate of racist comments on social media”.

Jobs for cash report to be presented today by the Basic Education Minister

Simamkele Vakaza

19 April 2016

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the report of an investigation into the sale of teachers’ and principals’ posts will be presented to a Cabinet sub-committee today.

Motshekga has been put under pressure by the opposition Democratic Alliance and the NGO, Equal Education, to release the report.

She ordered the investigation in July last year after media reports that South African Democratic Teachers Union members were paying thousands of Rands to secure jobs as principals and teachers in a widespread scam.

Motshekga has defended the delay in releasing the jobs-for-cash report, saying it’s based on attorneys’ advice.

The team that investigated asked for more time as they were swamped with information about the jobs-for-cash scam in schools.

Police and Criminal Justice Sytem being Questioned

Leonie Pretorius

19 April 2016

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety, Dan Plato, in his report yesterday says a lack of trust in the police and the criminal justice system and the perception that some officers are corrupt, were some of the safety needs and key points highlighted  in the 2015-2016 Provincial Policing Needs and Priorities report.

 The report presented by Plato is the Western Cape department of Community Safety’s official submission to national Police Minister Nathi Nhleko.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Francois Beukman, expressed serious concern about the state of community safety in Chicago Township in Paarl East, Western Cape.

During his constituency work yesterday and subsequent briefing by community leaders and councillors, it came to the fore that people in Chicago were living in fear in light of the ongoing fights between rival teenage gangs in the community.

 Beukman says Although the root of the problem could be directly linked to the socio-economic conditions in the area, the police still needed more resources in order to root out all acts of criminality and elements of public disorder.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela still recovering in hospital

Raymond Pani

19 April 2016

The Nelson Mandela Foundation says Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is still recovering in a Johannesburg hospital after undergoing back surgery.

The foundation has released a statement at the request of the Mandela family saying Madikizela-Mandela underwent an initial procedure on March 8.

This was to relieve the pain that a compressed spinal nerve was causing.

A follow-up surgery took place on April 14.

The Mandela family has thanked South Africans for respecting its privacy and for the messages of support it's receiving.

President Jacob Zuma was amongst those who wished the struggle stalwart a speedy recovery.

President Zuma also urged the nation to keep her and the Mandela family in their thoughts and prayers during this time.

The 79-year-old former anti-apartheid campaigner who has been having problems with her health recently, suffered a blow last week after the High Court in Mthatha dismissed, with costs, her claim to Mandela's ancestral home in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.

Krejcir's appeal of conviction, sentence to be heard today

Raymond Pani

19 April 2016

Radovan Krejcir is due back in court on today where he will appeal both his conviction and 35-year sentence.

Krejcir and his five co-accused were last year convicted for attempted murder, kidnapping and dealing in drugs. 

The group includes three former Hawks warrant officers, Samuel Maruping‚ Jeff Nthoroane and Lefu Jan Mofokeng, businessman Desai Lupondo as well as taxi boss Siboniso Miya.

The charges relate to a multimillion rand drug deal gone wrong.

Krejcir and his associates kidnapped and tortured Bheki Lukhele in November 2013.

It was alleged Lukhele’s brother had 'disappeared' with drugs weighing 25 kilograms, a stash that was said to have belonged to Krejcir. 

Krejcir, however, maintains that the state failed to call an expert to prove the existence of the drugs and thereby did not produce the necessary, concrete evidence of the charges against him.

He also claims he never knew what the package in question contained.

Bus drivers to be charged with culpable homicide

Raymond Pani

19 April 2016

Two drivers of a bus which crashed near Winburg in the Free State, killing at least 11 people and injuring 50, will be charged with culpable homicide.

Police say they have enough evidence to prove that the accident was caused by the two drivers swapping seats while the vehicle was in motion.

Spokesperson Malebo Khosana confirmed that a 31-year-old man has already been questioned and the second driver is in hospital.

Khosana said “The drivers were trying to swap the driving positions when the bus overturned. We will proceed with this other driver and we will assess him accordingly, and at a later stage, both will be charged with culpable homicide.”

One of the bus drivers involved in the crash has given an account of what happened. He confirmed his colleague was tired and they were swapping seats when the bus crashed.

Western Cape Department of Health to Erect Health Facilities

Leonie Pretorius

18 April 2016

The Department of Transport and Public Works, commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Health, on Friday started its major project on the construction of three much-needed health facility in the Province.

 This includes the Stellenbosch Hospital and the Community day centre in Prince Alfred Hamlet and Wolseley in the Witzenberg municipality at a cost of R31million and R25 million.

 The construction projects will give effect to the Healthcare 2030 aim of providing high-quality health facilities at district hospitals and primary health care levels.

 The emergency centre at Stellenbosch Hospital includes the building of triage rooms, a triage waiting room, a new ambulance canopy, a new outpatient department, staff areas and stores.

Search operation called off at Klipwart mine

Raymond Pani

18 April 2016

Search and rescue teams at the Klipwart mine near Ophongolo, northern KwaZulu-Natal, have called off the search for five illegal miners, presumed dead.

The illegal miners or Zama Zama, believed to be Lesotho nationals, were trapped underground by a rock fall on Friday.
The bodies of the five illegal miners remain trapped 90 meters below the ground.

The illegal miners believed to be part of the group called Zama Zama resumed illegal mining after forcing their way into the mine last week.

Over the weekend the police search teams halted the search and rescue operation after they were fears that the mine shaft is dangerous.

It is believed a group of thirteen men had broken into a section of the mine which was mined out several years ago, eight of them escaped and three were arrested later on Friday.

The Klipwal mine, which is owned by Bosveld Mines, ceased underground mining operations in 2007. A contractor Birrell Mining is overseeing the care and maintenance of the underground operations.

The Chief Executive Officer of Birrel Mining, Lloyd Birrel has called police and courts not to treat illegal mining as trespassing by few individuals who want to feed their families.

He says it is a well-organised syndicated criminal activity. 

Minister condemns vandalism of Metrorail property

Raymond Pani

18 April 2016

Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters has condemned the deliberate destruction of Metrorail property.

She also called for an immediate end to the violence, vandalism and criminality.

She says those responsible for the arson, must stop these actions immediately.

Metrorail said “a limited, less frequent service will be available today  on the Central service area. The Northern area, which was the worst affected by the recent acts of sabotage, will operate with delays and cancellations”.  

Fifteen coaches were torched in the past week's arson attacks on Metrorail property. In the past 23 months, at least 40 carriages were destroyed.

De Lille vies for another term as CT Mayor

Raymond Pani

18 April 2016

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille is confident that the DA is working hard to get party leader Mmusi Maimane into the Union Buildings in 2019.

De Lille addressed supporters at the provincial launch of the DA’s election campaign in Mitchells Plain.

She’s vying for another five years in office and Maimane encouraged voters to 

support her.

De Lille says the local government elections will be a stepping stone to getting Maimane elected as president.

Patricia De Lille said “We have done so many redress projects in this city … that's what the rest of the country will get if they vote DA. A South Africa led by the DA, a South Africa by Mmusi Maimane."

The EFF says it condemns the corrupt ANC'S abuse of SASSA parcels for partisan political purposes

Nontando Mafanya

17 April 2016

The Economic Freedom Fighters says it condemns the corrupt ANC government's abuse of Social Development services and products for party political purposes.

The Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, who has publikly admitted to hiding skeletons, abuses social development services for party political and campaigning purposes.

In the morning of the 15th of April 2016 at SASSA Offices, Port Elizabeth, a truck was allegedly loading blankets from the SASSA Offices.

When asked by the EFF Activists in Port Elizabeth, the truck driver said it is intended for ANC Regional Office.

When the SASSA management was confronted about the place of delivery, they denied that it is going to ZANC campaigning programme but they were not willing to disclose the address where it's going.

Gupta came with another scandal

Nontando Mafanya

17 April 2016

Yet another Zuma family member has been found to apparently have close financial ties with the controversial Guptas.

This time it’s one of President Jacob Zuma’s wives.

Questions were raised in 2012 about whether the Guptas helped First Lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma secure a R3.84m home loan from an Indian state-owned banking and financial services company.

 The allegation was denied but now City Press reports that there may have been some truth to it.

The home loan was reported to be for a R5.2m home in Pretoria’s upmarket Waterkloof Ridge suburb.

The SA National Aquatic Championships were successfully concluded yesterday

Nontando Mafanya

17 April 2016

The SA National Aquatic Championships were successfully concluded yesterday with 10 athletes making 13 Olympic Qualifying Times.

 In the multi-disability section, a phenomenal 5 female and 5 male swimmers clocked 17 Paralympic Qualifying Times during the week-long competition which took place at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

 The KZN trio of Chad le Clos, Matthew Meyer and Brad Tandy entrenched their names firmly in the minds of the national selectors as they confirmed their Olympic qualifying times on the last evening of the competition.

Hawks still investigating Russian frauster

Nontando Mafany
17 April 2016

The Hawks have set their sights on the local arm of an international investment scheme which has already collapsed in Russia and is apparently on shaky ground here after attracting millions of South African investors.

A Russian fraudster is allegedly the mastermind of the operation, suspected to be a pyramid scheme.

It left millions of Russian investors bankrupt. But the probe by the Hawks, which also involves crime intelligence police officers, is being hampered by the magnitude of the scheme.

The so-called MMM scheme, founded by convict Sergey Mavrodi and known locally as MMM South Africa, entices investors by promising 30 percent profits every month.

This week, despite reports the scheme had collapsed, local recruiters denied this was the case. They were adamant that while two arms of MMM – MMM Global and MMM Extra – had closed to protect investors’ money, the South African branch was unaffected.

 A recruiter said nearly two million South Africans had signed up to MMM since February last year. Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said an inquiry into MMM had been opened.

EFF does not take no for an answer when they are commemorating struggle icons

Nontando Mafanya

16 April 2016

The EFF say they do not need anyone's permission to stage events commemorating struggle icons.

This comes after the family of the late Solomon Mahlangu tried to interdict the party from holding a lecture about his life.

Economic Freedom Fighters secretary general Godrich Gardee on Saturday said the Pretoria municipality on Friday had informed the party about its intention to interdict and stop the planned lecture.

National Action Plan against the SA President

Nontando Mafanya

16 April 2016

Civil society leaders in parts of the country will today map out a national plan of action to intensify calls for President Jacob Zuma to step down.

Religious leaders, former politicians and members of the public have gathered at the University of Johannesburg to add their voice to the People's Assembly movement.

 Similar meetings are currently taking place in Durban and Cape Town, to allow citizens to voice their concerns about South Africa’s current leadership.  

Gangsterism is high in the Western Cape

Nontando Mafanya

16 April 2016

Teachers at a Paarl-East high school in the Western Cape say the institution is directly affected by gangsterism in the community.

 Charleston Hill High was forced to close for the day yesterday due to gang violence.

 Western Cape Community Safety MEC Dan Plato is engaging with religious leaders, residents and government role players at the school this morning.

The school's acting principal Derrick Newman says the school is situated directly between Chicago and Magnolia; these are the areas that have been overwhelmed by gang fighting in recent weeks.