City to put poles on bus lane on N2

Athenkosi Mvane

30 November 2012

The City of Cape Town plans to place poles along the N2 bus lanes to help clamp down on illegal usage of the lane.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the illegal usage of the bus lane remains a major problem in the City.

Smith said the poles will be placed at six in the morning, and will then be taken off at nine so that vehicles do not duck in and out of the bus lane causing traffic problems.

“We do enforcement operations, have put in new cameras which will all help, but there are also some engineering solutions which  that we need to bring to bear, we cant just solve this entirely with enforcement as the capacity is simply not there” he stated .

WC Department of Safety submit application for Community Safety Bill

Athenkosi Mvane

30 November 2012

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety has briefed the Standing Committee on the motivation and need for a Community Safety Bill, which, if successful, will be unique in South Africa.

The Democratic Alliance’s Mark Wiley says the purpose of the Bill is to give clarity and direction to the interaction and contribution of civil society and the Provincial Department of Community Safety and that of the South African Police Service.

Wiley says that there has not been sufficient guidelines with regards to how the relationship between society and the SAPS.

“The bill will make it a lot clearer and will help with accreditation and legalisation of neighbourhood watches; and will help create a complaints line” Wiley added

City plans to visit police stations

Athenkosi Mvane

30 November 2012

The City of Cape Town plans to visit all law enforcement depots in Cape Town during the festive season.

The City`s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said they have set out six weeks to visit all the depots in the City.

Smith said the aim for these visits is to engage with law enforcement officers and the locals.

“Yesterday I got to see one of the newly promoted young staff who has just moved to management, I saw her deal with her complaints very efficiently” Smith said about the Khayelitsha personnel.

EC accuses ANC of rigging nominations

Andiswa Mkosi
30 November 2012

Voting delegates at the contentious Eastern Cape nomination conference are accusing the ANC provincial leadership of rigging nominations to ensure that President Jacob Zuma is re-elected for the second term.

The provincial nomination conference collapsed last night due to major disputes about nomination processes in branches.

Dullar Omar, the biggest branch, has endorsed Motlanthe.

Gauteng, delegates nominated Motlanthe for the presidency and retained Mantashe for secretary general, while Paul Mashatile got the nod for the treasurer post.

Cosatu march underway

Andiswa Mkosi
30 November 2012

The Cosatu march against e-tolls has gained momentum with more than 300 people gathered at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg.

They will march to the Premier's office and the Transport department to hand over a memorandum on their opposition to the tolling system.

The Opposition for Urban Tolling Alliance's Wayne Duvenage says the action should be able to convince government to halt implementation of the system.

As the protests get underway, government has reiterated its call for a peaceful march

 

NCOP passed the Protection of State Information Bill

Andiswa Mkosi

30 November 2012

 

Parliament's National Council of Provinces on Thursday passed the controversial Protection of State Information Bill.

 

34 members voted in favour of the Bill and 16 voted against.  The Ministry of State Security welcomed the developments of the Bill.

 

Meanwhile the Right2Know Campaign has threatened to take the matter to court if the bill is passed in its current form.

 

Critics of the bill say it will allow corruption to flourish as whistleblowers could be jailed for up to 15 years. 

 

Somerset Hospital Building celebrates 150 years

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 November 2012

Today marks the 150 years since the completion of the New Somerset Hospital Building. 

Through this celebration the Western Cape Department of Health will host Academic Day. 

The day will provide a showcase of the latest trends in various branches of medicine. 

Communication Officer at the Specialist and Psychiatric Hospital Ethne Julius said this academic day aims to provide an opportunity to share knowledge.

Call for harsher sentences for perpetrators of violence against women

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 November 2012

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities is calling on all South Africans to mark this year’s 16 days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign as the beginning of a year-long campaign.

 This campaign would aim to ensure that South Africa is free of violence against women and children. 

The committee also said that a year long commitment to fighting abuse if essential in eliminating the scourge of child and woman abuse. 

Committee Chairperson Dorothy Ramodibe said the statistics show that for women abuse, they are going up instead of the decline.

Ramodibe adds that perpetrators need to be given harsher sentences.

Dr Dlamini Zuma met with the US administration

Mluleki Mrwebi

30 November 2012

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with the Secretary General of the United States on Wednesday in Washington DC.

The discussion between the two leaders focused on rebels in eastern Congo and terrorists in northern Mali.

The issue of shared responsibility for HIV/AIDS was also discussed.

 Dr Dlamini Zuma met with the US administration to talk about issues of Continental security, food security, health and education.

MEC of Transport expresses concern at the increase of motorcyclist’s deaths on our roads

Imogen Vollenhoven

30 November 2012

MEC of Transport and Public Works Robin Carlisle has expressed his growing concern at the increase of motorcyclists who are killed on the road.

 MEC Carlisle said while the overall road deaths had declined by 28 percent over the last three years, motor cycle deaths has increased by 11 percent.

 MEC Carlisle’s spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said that the figures for October 2012 show that this alarming trend in on the increase with 12 motorcyclists dying in October 2012 compared to only two motorcyclists dying in the same frame of 2011.

He adds that half of motorcyclists deaths occur in the Cape Town Metropolitan area and also over 200 cyclist have died on the roads over the past three years, in par with the amount of increase of motorcyclists but also too many of the motorists are not sufficiently alert of both cyclist and  motorcyclists on the road.

MEC of Tourism Alan Winde's summer campaign message

Imogen Vollenhoven

29 November 2012

Today Western Cape MEC of Tourism Alan Winde unveiled its Summer Campaign called Adventurously Yours, Naturally Ours”.

The campaign highlights the many adventure and nature activities that the province has to offer.

MEC Alan Winde said he is inviting domestic and international tourists to visit the province.

He adds that the message this year is to be more adventurous and think about our nature, our natural heritage and our natural products that we have on offer.

He explains that the Department wants to entice people to make use of those natural assets and go and enjoy what the province has to offer.

And then to the tourism industry Winde said that they want they want all the visitors to have a great time, they get good value for money and with the experience they should go out with a positive message about our region.

NAHAWU urges South Africans to be part of AIDS day

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 November 2012

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union has called on all its members and all South Africans to mark World Aids day by participating in the planned nationwide events, and activities and to also take a conscious decision to get tested on the day.

This year’s World Aids day on the 1st of December, will be zero discrimination, zero AIDS- related deaths.

Spokesperson for NAHAWU Sizwe Pumla as a union they are looking forward to the day because for the first time they can see noticeable changes in the fight against the epidemic.

He adds that they are also seeing that South Africans are leading by example in terms of fighting the Scourge of AIDS.

As a union they are urging to the public, especially those have not tested and those who do not know their status to do so, so that they can know their status and to also take part in the events of the day.

Department of Health: New anti-retroviral available from April 2013

Imogen Vollenhoven

29 November 2012

The Department of Health has today announced a rollout of a new anti-retroviral drug regime.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the drug will change the way people take their life-saving drug. This comes after awarding a new tender to three pharmaceutical companies for the provision of antiretroviral drugs to begin next year.

Motsoaledi says the 10 year tender was initially set at 8.1 billion-Rand but the cost has been reduced to 5.9 billion-Rand, a saving of 38 percent.

Department spokesperson Joe Maila added that the Minister of health Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that the from next year April a new fixed doze of anti- retroviral will be available for use in South Africa, it will also replace the amount of tablets that one person must take on a day to day basis.

He adds that this means that people who use ARV’s will now be taking one tablet a day instead of three.

City supports installation and piloting of solar bulbs and vegetable garden

Imogen Vollenhoven
29Novemeber 2012

The City of Cape Town has today installed retro-fitted solar bulbs and modular vertical vegetable gardens to three informal dwellings.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the pilot project will create opportunities for livelihoods and nutrition.

Smith added that the project also aims to reduce the spread of fires in informal settlements.

Furthermore he said that the point is to try and make sure people have alternative lights sources so that they don’t have to use flammable or combustible light sources that cause the risk of a fire.

The City has over the last two years expanded the fire fighting capacity of the department, but he adds that more fire fighting and more staff can only do so much.

He said that the better option is to still try and prevent the fires and this initiative is aimed at helping to prevent those kind of accidents in the future by helping the public in informal settlements get rid of all the flammable items in the homes.

Biggest region in the WC nominates Motlanthe

Andiswa Mkosi
29 November 2012

ANC branches in the Dullah Omar region, the biggest in the Western Cape, have endorsed Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe as their preferred candidate to lead the party.

Branches held their regional General Council in Khayelitsha last night.

The provincial General Council is expected to be held in Cape Town tomorrow.

Discussing ANC policies, ANC regional chairperson Xolani Sotashe said they are convinced that the current education system is failing the country. 

 

No one injured in an accident in Salt River

Imogen Vollenhoven
29 November 2012

 

An accident occurred today on the main road of Salt River on the corner of Hares and Victoria Road.

It is alleged that the cause of the accident was as a result of an on coming vehicle which was a white Bantam bakkie in the right lane, which changed lanes and hit the rear end of a vehicle which was a white Mazda, as it was swerving out into the right lane from a parking position.

No one was injured in the accident.

Police were on the scene and the accident has since been cleared. 

Parents up in arms over the bus phase out

Andiswa Mkosi
29 November 2012

Parents are up in arms over the bus phase out transport to a Boland school for about 100 pupils.

The Western Cape Education Departments Spokesperson Paddy Atwell said the department planned to phase out transport for pupils travelling past Rowne to Charleston Hill Primary.

On Tuesday a delegation from Charleston Hill handed over a memorandum of their grievances at the Education Departments Paarl office.

Atwell added that they will continue providing transport for the grade seven learners at Charleston .

 

Missing Adult : Jean-Claude Nahimana

Cope Youth Movement- people need to fight for their rights

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 November 2012

The COPE Youth Movement says the Constitution of the country was written by some great minds of South African politics and was agreed upon by all including the ANC which took most of its points from the 1955 Freedom Charter.

COPE Youth further said that the ANC plans to destroy what ever freedom and piece of Democracy South Africans still claims to have.

Secretary General of COPE Youth Movement Abel Rangata said we are entering into a constitutional crisis in this country.

Rangata adds that citizens need to stand up and fight for their rights more especially the bill (the Protection of State Information Bill) that is going to be passed at the National Assembly. 

Warrant Officer arrested in Worcester

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 November 2012

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has arrested a 48-year-old Warrant Officer who is based in Worcester for alleged rape.

It is alleged that the boy was left alone by his mother who was working night shift and when he heard a knock on the door he went to the flat of the officer for help and then the officer raped him.

IPID’s Moses Dlamini said the victim told his mother about the alleged rape in October 2012 after which the case was reported to the police. 

Dlamini said the Warrant Officer is expected to appear in court today on charges of rape. 

Teenager to appear in court

Mluleki Mrwebi

29 November 2012

An East Rand teenager will appear at the Boksburg Magistrate's Court today, to apply for bail.

The 18-year-old pupil from Phineas Xulu Secondary School was arrested after shooting a fellow pupil at school a week ago.

The pupil accused the deceased of having had bullied him at school.

The Congress of South African Students in Gauteng has voiced their concerns with the increasing violence at schools.

Cosas has vowed to ensure that all learners are searched when coming to school.

DA wants clarity on Bank SA retrenchments

Imogen Vollenhoven

29November 2012

Reports in the media that the development Bank SA are set to retrench 450 staff members, including infrastructure development professionals, should raise questions in the minds of South Africans about the state’s capacity to implement the 4 trillion infrastructure program.

DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Finance David Ross further adds that the end of October he posed a question to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to ascertain further details on the proposed roll out strategy of the infrastructure build program.

 The ramifications of this could be disastrous as 4 trillion could quickly spiral out of SIP’s as much as two years. 

The only survivor of the horror matric car crash talks

Imogen Vollenhoven
28 November 2012

The only  survivor of the horror matric car crash said his friends would still be alive if he had been behind the wheel.

 Nazan Klaasens was sleeping in the back of his mother’s Toyota Corolla when the car was crushed by a Golden Arrow bus in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Nazan reveals he had asked his friend, Keenan Smith, 18, to drive him and their two friends Leigh Anne Swail, 18, and Kelly-Jade Ford, 18, home from Clifton beach because he was sleepy.

He said he was previously involved in a car crash when he was feeling tired, so he decided it was best that Keenan drive them home

 Nazan said he only remembers dozing off in the backseat and then waking up in hospital and receiving the news that his friends were dead.

He adds that he is still in shock and that it could have been different because I would have been the one driving. I miss my friends.

 He also added that to all the families involved, he wants to apologise for what happened.

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology student had to receive stitches to his head. His face is swollen and a patch covers his right eye.

 Golden Arrow officials are also carrying out an investigation into the tragedy.

Premier wants to bring the army in to keep the peace in rural areas

Imogen Vollenhoven
28 November 2012

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula must send the army to Western Cape rural areas to prevent farmworker violence, provincial Premier Helen Zille said on Wednesday.

She said the army was needed to keep the peace and to prevent workers from becoming violent.

 Her request followed Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant's announcement on Tuesday that the December 4 deadline to review the agricultural sectoral determination would not be met.

 Oliphant said the Basic Conditions of Employment Act allowed a review of the determination only 12 months after promulgation.

The latest sectoral determination was put in place in March.

Sixteen

Western Cape towns were hit by violent protests this month over farming wages and working conditions. Two people died and there was extensive damage to property.

The protests started with table grape harvesters in De Doorns, who were calling for wages of R150 a day.

Most earn between R69 and R75 a day.

Workers agreed to suspend their strike until December 4 on condition that the employment condition commission  look at the sectoral determination for agriculture.

Representatives of both sides have been in negotiations since the strike was suspended.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions  in the Western Cape accused Oliphant of undermining these negotiations with her announcement and said the news could renew strikes.

Memorial service held in honour of matric trio

Imogen Vollenhoven

28 November 2012

A memorial service was held at Mondale High School on Wednesday to honour the three matriculants killed in a car accident last weekend.

Parents, teachers and classmates paid a moving tribute to the trio, who died when their vehicle collided with a Golden Arrow bus near Strandfontein.

The school hall was packed with hundreds of people, whose lives had been touched by the trio.

The three were described as remarkable learners.

While classmates remembered Leanne and Kelly as the school’s two fashionistas, they remembered Keenan as the lookalike of the well-known character from the Twilight movie saga, Jacob Black.

Some believe their lives were cut short, but many grade 12 classmates say their memories will live on.

NUM to meet with the CCMA

Andiswa Mkosi
28 November 2012

The National Union of Metalworkers and Xstrata management are meeting with the CCMA in Rustenburg in the North West, to seek mediation for the current standoff at the mine.

The strike at Xstrata has entered its fourth week and numerous attempts to end the strike have failed.

Numsa spokesperson Monty Mahloko says they wish to end the strike but an amicable resolution must first be reached.

They have decided to present their case to the CCMA.

Health Minister confident about intervention

Andiswa Mkosi
28 November 2012

Health Minister Doctor Aaron Motsoaledi says he is confident that the intervention in the Limpopo health department is on track and that all the problems in the department have been picked up on.

The minister, says the department, still faces numerous problems.

This includes broken x-ray machines which remain unrepaired, while others remain unused because they have not been accredited by the Radiation Oncology Board.

Last year the cabinet announced an intervention in five Limpopo provincial government departments, effectively placing them under national executive administration.

NCR embarks on the 'Spend Wisely, Borrow Wisely' campaign

Andiswa Mkosi
28 November 2012

The National Credit Regulator has embarked on the "Spend Wisely, Borrow Wisely" campaign and is urging consumers to think twice before spending on gifts and holidays, they cannot afford.

The NCR says, with only a few weeks left before the end of year bonus pay outs, some consumers are already drawing up long shopping lists before the money is even in their bank accounts.

Spokesperson for the NCR, Lebogang Selibi says: it is important to spend wisely during this festive season.

He added it will affect your expenses and your budget within the new  year.

Two suspects to appear at the Wynberg Magistrate Court

Mluleki Mrwebi

28 November 2012

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened outside the Wynberg Magistrate’s court on Monday.

It is alleged that one suspect came out of court and started shooting and got into a Toyota bakkie.

 Police Spokesperson Warrant Officer November Filander said the suspects were arrested for discharging a fire arm in a municipal area.

Filander adds that the suspects will appear at the Wynberg Court today.

The suspects are between the ages of 21 and 34 years old.

Jakes Gerwel died in Hospital

Mluleki Mrwebi

28 November 2012

Professor Jakes Gerwel died this morning at the Kuilsriver Hospital.

Media reports revealed on Tuesday that the 66-year-old professor was in a critical condition after he underwent a heart surgery.

In a statement issued by the family, the funeral arrangements will made available soon.

Professor Gerwel has served as an adviser to the SA Students' Organisation, as chancellor at Rhodes University, and he has served as rector at the University of the Western Cape. 

Chanelle Henning's trial continues

Imogen Vollenhoven

28 November 2012

 Convicted murderer Willem Pieterse wiped tears from his face while testifying in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday about Chanelle Henning's murder.

Pieterse was testifying in the trial of former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye and André Gouws.

He told the court that Monye and Gouws met him and fellow convicted murderer Gerhardus du Plessis on various occasions to arrange Henning's murder.

The 26-year-old woman was shot dead while driving her car in Faerie Glen, Pretoria East, on November 8 2011 shortly after dropping off her child at a crèche.

ANC Women's League nominated President Jacob Zuma to retain his position

Imogen Vollenhoven
27 November 2012

The ANC Women's League has nominated President Jacob Zuma to retain his position as ANC leader at the party's national conference in Mangaung.


According to reports, African National Congress Women's League president Angie Motshekga President Jacob Zuma has never failed us as women in terms of the things that we want to achieve

However the league chose Cyril Ramaphosa to take over from deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe.

Several ANC branches, as well as the ANC Youth League, had nominated Motlanthe for president. He had not yet stated whether he would accept the nominations.

Motshekga said because the league had nominated Ramaphosa, it did not mean it was trying to malign Motlanthe.

Intervention for farmworkers

Imogen Vollenhoven
27 November 2012

In the last few months South Africa has had to contend with a wave of strikes both legal and illegal in different sectors.


During a Media briefing today Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant said the latest industrial action involving farm workers in the Hex River valley has had unacceptable levels of violence which led to the death of one worker.

The Minister adds that the initial Sectoral Determination for the Farm Worker Sector was promulgated in December 2002 in the government Gazette R 24114 as Sectoral Determination number 8 Farm worker sector.

This Sectoral Determination was repealed in 2006 after farmers approached the minister raising concerns relating to some of the conditions of employment in the sectoral determination.
The revised sectoral determination was therefore promulgated as Sectorial Determination 13 Farm worker Sector, South Africa

Corruption under the spotlight in Durban

Imogen Vollenhoven
27 November 2012

Global corruption in the public service sector is under the spotlight in Durban.

Trade union leaders from 150 countries are drafting a plan of action aimed at advancing quality services.

On the front line of mobilising workers, now, some union leaders, representing 20 million public service workers, are working for a common goal.

The 29th Public Services International  World Congress comes at a critical time.

Staff strike has negative impact on well being of hospitals

Andiswa Mkosi
27 November 2012

Patients at the Bhisho Hospital in the Eastern Cape say the staff strike has had a negative impact on their well-being.

This comes after patients are leaving the hospital for home, following a staff protest which started yesterday.

Members of staff, including cleaners, have been protesting over what they call delays to pay them incentives for housing and long service.

Health MEC, Sicelo Gqobana, says they are in the process of negotiating with worker's representatives to normalise the situation.

Police search for another suspect in connection with a drug bust

Andiswa Mkosi
27 November 2012

Police are looking for another person who could be linked to this morning's raid at a house in Steeldale south of Johannesburg.

The owner of the house was arrested this morning after police found millions of rands' worth of drugs in a vehicle outside the house.

The arrest follows lengthy police investigations.

A foreign national, his wife and their domestic worker are still undergoing intensive questioning.

Oppostion parties walk out of Bill meeting

Andiswa Mkosi
27 November 2012

Opposition political parties have walked out of the National Council of Provinces' Ad Hoc committee where a report on the Protection of State Information Bill was supposed to be tabled today.

The opposition felt that they did not have sufficient time to study the report, because they only received it this morning.

Members of COPE, DA and ID were not satisfied with the suggested 15-minutes given to go through the report.

When the chairperson, Papi Tau, insisted that the meeting should go ahead, the opposition staged a unanimous walkout.