President Zuma needs to table Marikana Report in Parliament without delay

Oscar Thomas
31 March 2015

The Democratic Alliance has called on President Jacob to commit to a date by which the official Marikana Report would be tabled in Parliament.

The Marikana Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired judge Ian Farlam, was established two years ago by President Zuma to investigate the deaths of 34 miners in 2012.

DA MP of Police Dianne Kohler Barnard said it is unlikely that the police were the only state entity responsible for what culminated on that fateful day.

Barnard said In terms of section 84f of the Constitution, the President is empowered to launch a Commission of Inquiry and did so following this tragedy that gripped the world.

Barnard said it is therefore President Zuma’s sole responsibility to submit this report to Parliament without delay.

“He should do so sooner rather than later to avoid any speculation that he could withhold the findings and recommendations made by the Commission to protect those implicated for undue political reasons” Barnard added.

Cape Chamber of Commerce says N1/N2 Winelands toll judgement a victory for transparency

Oscar Thomas
31 March 2015

The Cape Chamber of Commerce said the judgement regarding the N1/N2 Winelands toll roads project is a victory for transparency and the public of the Western Cape.

On Monday the Western Cape High Court set aside a ruling that ensured details surrounding the tolling project were kept out of the public domain.

Back in 2013 the City of Cape was granted an interim interdict allowing for the blocking of the project, pending a full review in court.

Cape Chamber President Janine Myburgh said this is a victory for transparency and the public of the Western Cape are indebted to the Council for the determined way it perused this case in the public interest.

Myburgh said these secrets reveal that he whole public consultation process was a sham as no meaningful comment was possible without the knowledge we now have.

“We have pointed out before that not a single institution in the Western Cape supported the tolling of these roads but all objections were swept away allowing the views to the consortium and SANRAL to prevail” Myburgh added.

NUM welcomes resignation of Zola Tsotsi

Oscar Thomas
31 March 2015

The National Union of Metalworkers of South African has welcomed the resignation of Eskom Board Chairperson Zola Tsotsi.

NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni in a statement said the sooner there is stability at Eskom the better for the country.

Tsotsi resigned last night stating that he is stepping down in the interest of the company and the country, to allow the board to focus on the core issues facing Eskom.

NUM Acting National Spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said we welcome the resignation by the former Eskom Board Chairperson Zola Tsotsi.

Mammburu said it has been long overdue.

“The sooner we get stability in so far the executive are concerned the better so that the oversight which is the Eskom board can focus on overseeing” Mammburu added.

President Zuma says matters at NPA and Hawks are dealt with

Jaimie-faith Poonah
31 March 2015

President Jacob Zuma says matters facing the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks are being dealt with.

The NPA is currently dealing with the strange disappearance of its deputy Nomgcobo Jiba, and the Hawks tackling the suspension of Hawks boss Anwa Dramat and the fighting with Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko.

In a statement President Zuma said Minister Nhleko has assured him that due process will be followed with dealing with the Hawks matter.

Presidential Spokesperson Mac Maharaj said the two ministers assured the president that they attending to the matters relating executive managers of the National Prosecuting Authority and the issues that have played out in the public.

Maharaj said government will ensure that confidence in the justice crime prevention and security cluster will remain solid and that cluster continues with critical tasks of fighting crime and corruption and ensuring the safety and security of the public.

One life lost on the M7 in Durban

Jaimie-faith Poonah
31 March 2015

An accident this morning on the M7 east bound in Durban claimed the life of one person after the car she was driving in lost control and landed in front of a petrol tanker.

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

Netcare 911 Chris Botha said a mini had travelled toward North Park when the lady lost control, went into the opposite lane and then landed in front of a petrol tanker.

Botha said the petrol tanker crashed into her and pushed the vehicles off the road through the barriers and just stopped before it went down a very steep embankment.

Botha said tragically the lady died on scene due to the extensive injuries that she had sustained.

NPA welcomes Thandi Maqubela sentence

Jaimie-faith Poonah
31 March 2015

The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the sentenced handed down to convicted murderer Thandi Maqubela.

The Western Cape High Court sentenced Maqubela to eighteen years in jail for the murder of acting judge Patrick Maqubela.

Judge John Murphy handed down the following sentences count one murder charge of fifteen years, count two forgery charge of three years and count three fraud charge of three years. Count two and three will run concurrently.

Western Cape NPA Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said as the states we do accept the sentence although we did ask for a sentence that is more then the prescribed minimum sentence on the murder.

Ntabazalila said we do accept and at last she will go to prison.

Housing subsidies application to open from 1st -17 April

Mbasa Gqokoma
31 March 2015

The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements will on the 1^st of April until the 17^th of April open the applications for individual housing subsides.

The provincial government has implemented additional criteria to ensure that the limited subsides available were allocated to those who have been waiting for houses for a long time and were most vulnerable.

MEC of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela said often potential housing beneficiaries had used the individual housing subsidy as way to jump the housing queue.

Departmental Spokesperson Nathan Adriaanse says for those of our communities we have people earning between zero and R3 500 they are the ones who qualify for the housing subsidy.

Having said that, we have revised the criteria somewhat in that they will need to be on the housing demand data base for a minimum period of ten years and also in line with National government we asked that priority be given to applicants over the age of 40, Adriaanse added.

 

Three suspects arrested and two shot dead in KwaZulu Natal

Mbasa Gqokoma
31 March 2015

Three suspects aged between 24 and 28-years-old have been arrested and two shot dead following a shootout between police in Newland East, KwaZulu Natal.

It is believed that police tried to stop a suspicious looking vehicle but then occupants jumped out and allegedly shot at the police members.

The three suspects have been charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and will appear in court soon.

Major Thulani Zwane says it is alleged that some of these occupants jumped out of their car and fired shot to the members.

The members reiterated as a result one member was shot and killed. The members managed to arrest three suspects.

The fetch them and found an AK47 as well as a 9ml pistol, both these firearms were unlicensed, Zwane added.

 

Business as normal at Eskom following the resignation of Zola Tsotsi

Loyiso Langeni
31 March 2015

Eskom Spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says they will be working together with the new acting Chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane to make sure that Eskom remains financially sustainable.

This follows the resignation of Chairperson Zola Tsotsi last night stating that he is stepping down in the interest of the company and the country, to allow the board to focus on the core issues facing Eskom.

Phasiwe said that they will be working together with the new interim chairman, together with the executives we will make sure that we do what we have to do.

“Our main focus at this stage is to keep the lights and also to make sure that the security of power supply for the country which is the number one priority for us and also making sure that we remain financial sustainable.” Phasiwe added.

COPE: Justice System in scandalous chaos

Oscar Thomas
31 March 2015

The Congress of the People has described the country’s criminal justice system as scandalous and in chaos.

This follows several incidents occurring in the country which include the disappearance Deputy Head of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba and the alleged fight between National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and National Director of Public Prosecutions Mxolisi Nxasana.

Cope Spokesperson Dennis Bloem said these situations are threatening to turn our country into a banana republic, where rule of law will cease to exist.

Bloem said this is totally out of order and we want to condemn that.

Bloem said the Presidents name is constantly coming up in all this controversy in government but we really want to call on the President if those allegations are true.

“He must put the country first and not his own personal interest” Bloem added.

Eleven injured in taxi collision

Oscar Thomas
30 March 2015

An accident earlier today has left a total of eleven people injured on the M37 in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal.

It is believed that a taxi and a light motor vehicle 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 scene and both light motor vehicles blocking the middle of the road.

Meiring said the occupants from the taxi and light motor vehicle were found sitting around the scene.

Meiring said on assessment, paramedics found that eleven people had sustained only minor injuries in the collision.

Meiring said fortunately no-one had sustained any serious injuries.

Meiring said Paramedics treated the patients for their injuries and thereafter transported them to various hospitals for further observations.

“Local authorities were on scene to begin their investigations” Meiring added.

City of Cape Town concerned regarding vacant private plots

Oscar Thomas
30 March 2015

The City of Cape Town has raised its concern regarding vacant private plots that have to be cleaned as they are neglected which poses health risks.

In the 2013/2014 financial year, the City’s Environmental Health Department issued 1 846 compliance notices to private property owners who were found to be in contravention of the City’s Environmental Health By-law.

The City of Cape Town states that the vacant plots has set the city’s health back nearly 2-million-Rand.

Mayoral Committee Member for Health Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli said we conducted 2000 site visits, cleaned up 642 private property owners.

Mamkeli said these property owners are supposed to take care of their property and that is why we are calling on Communities to help and work with us the City of Cape Town to ensure that these vacant plots are attended to by their owners.

“If not maintained the space will become a playground for illegal activities and great health hazards within communities” Mamkeli added.

Shabangu welcomed decision by the WCHC to reject an appeal by a suspect

Jaimie-faith Poonah
30 March 2015

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women Susan Shabangu last week welcomed the decision by the Western Cape High Court to reject an appeal by a suspect on a case of Ukuthwala.

33-year-old Mvumeleni Jezile was in 2014 sentenced to 22-years in jail on three counts of rape, one count of human trafficking and one of assault.

He also forcefully married a 14-year-old girl in 2009. In a statement Minister Shabangu said government would continue in its endeavours to ensure that the democratic rights of women and children are protected.

Ministerial Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said on the one hand they send a message that cultural practices can no longer be used to violate the rights of women and children, and yet on the other side they say to other perpetrators that the arm of the law is not short, and time will not erase crime committed.

Modiba said ultimately perpetrators will have to face the might of the law.

Draft regulations on motor vehicle licence fee increases published

Jaimie-faith Poonah
30 March 2015

The Western Cape government has published the draft regulations pertaining to motor vehicle licence fee increases in the province.

The provincial government is proposing an increase of three percent which remains lower than the current inflation rate of three point nine percent.

The closing date for public comment on the possible license increase will be on the 24^th of April 2015.

Department of Transport and Public Works Ministerial Spokesperson Siphesihle Dube said the department had issued mandatory amount of increases for a number of years, between 2006 and 2013 when they were finally increased, this due to pervious increases being very high.

"The figures are now inline mostly with other provinces and they look forward to the revenue that would be generated from these motor licence fees to continue support our roads network and keep them up to standards that is known to be ahead of other provinces" Dube added.

Two seperate accidents leaves four people dead

Oscar Thomas
30 March 2015

An accident this morning involving a taxi and a car left three people dead.

It is believed that the two vehicles collided into each other which resulted in the taxi rolling about 50 meters from where the incident occurred.

ER24 Spokesperson Chitra Bodasing said ER24 paramedics and other services arrived on scene and found the badly damaged vehicles. One person was entrapped in the car. The woman, in her early 30’s, was extricated by Fire and Rescue Services.

Bodasing said she was assessed. Her vital signs were weak. She had to be resuscitated but unfortunately died. The taxi driver and driver of the car had also sustained fatal injuries. They were found lying on the road. It is believed they were ejected from the vehicle.

Meanwhile in another tragic accident one person died and two sustained critical injuries when the vehicle they were travelling in rolled on the N17 in Secunda, Mpumalanga.

ER24 Spokesperson Chitra Bodasing said When ER24 paramedics and other services arrived on scene they assessed the people.

Bodasing said unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do for one of the people. He was declared dead.

Bodasing said the other patients were treated and transported to hospital.

 

 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to wrap up SADC Facilitation Mission

Loyiso Langeni
30 March 2015

Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, will today visit Lesotho for a ceremony to close down the Southern African Development Community Facilitation Mission.

Ramaphosa was the SADC facilitator to the mountain kingdom involved in creating conditions for the recent general election.

Deputy President Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the ceremony which will witness the lowering of the SADC Flag and the official closing down of the SADC Facilitation Mission will be addressed by the Facilitator, Deputy President Ramaphosa, Lesotho’s Prime Minister Phakalitha Mosisili and SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday 31 March 2015.

 

MEC Mbombo on a TB awareness campaign at Pollsmoor

Lusanda Bill
30 March 2015

Western Cape MEC of Health Nomafrench Mbombo will today embark on a TB awareness campaign at Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison.

Last week was Tuesday was World TB Day with the national theme being “Ending South Africa’s TB epidemic: Accelerating our response in key populations.

MEC Mbombo said it is important to create awareness about the TB epidemic.

Ministerial Spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said so part of the strategy in fighting the spread of TB is getting those who are infected onto treatment plans as quickly as possible.

Gwarube said this initiative is a partnership between an NGO that we work very closely with called TB Care Association and the Department of Correctional Services which with whom we have an agreement to supply medical expertise and our medical facilities to inmates in correctional facilities.

14 fatalities recorded in the Western Cape over the weekend

Oscar Thomas
30 March 2015

Western Cape Traffic Authorities over the past weekend conducted 24 roadblocks across the province of which 3090 vehicles were stopped and checked. 

1 740 drivers were screened for driving under the influence of alcohol and 25 people were arrested for the offence.

Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said a total of R343 000 fines were issued during the roadblocks. 

Africa said the highest speed recorded in the Western Cape was 159 in 120 zone and that was on the N1 near Brackenfell.
“On the N1 just outside Beaufort West it was 113 in a 100 zone and in Knysna on the N2 a 120 in an 80 zone” Africa added.

Meanwhile 14 fatalities were recorded on the province roads over the weekend. Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa says the number of people dying on the province's roads remain a concern.

Two drivers died in a motor vehicle accident in the Gordons Bay area. In observatory, one pedestrian died in an accident.

Another pedestrian got killed in Sea Point and another one in Goudini.

Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said there was also one accident in the Saldana area where one driver lost his life in a motor vehicle accident.

Africa said a cyclist got killed in a motor vehicle accident in Oudtshoorn.

Africa said in Vredenburg 1 passenger died in an accident and earlier yesterday morning shortly after 3am in Hindle road Delft there was a head on collision between a Corsa vehicle and a Golf motor vehicle

“In this accident six people lost their lives, 2 in the Corsa and 4 occupants in the Golf vehicle died in this accident which brings the total fatalities to stand on 14” Africa added.

DA : R50 million worth of job creating projects squandered

Oscar Thomas
29 March 2015

At a meeting of the Portfolio Committee the DA Minister of Tourism James Vos raised the issue that the National Department of Tourism had failed to implement R50 million worth of projects associated with the Social Responsibility Implementation program.

According to the schedule of projects submitted to Committee, a substantial number of projects have been placed on hold as a result of poor management from project implementer’s, some of whom are under forensic review.

Vos said a substantial number of projects have been placed on hold as a result of poor management from project implementer's, some of whom are under forensic review.

Vos said what is of even more concern is that some of these projects and investigations into them date as far back as 2011.

“This failure is essentially a lost opportunity to create jobs for South Africans because if implemented successfully, the nation could have had a further R50 million worth of job creating projects” Vos added.

Elderly woman killed in collision

Oscar Thomas
29 March 2015

An elderly woman died and eight other people were injured when the bakkie they were in rolled on the R501 about 20km from Potchefstroom late last night.

It is understood the driver lost control of the vehicle.

ER24 Spokesperson Chitra Bodasing said the vehicle rolled and landed in the veld.

Bodasing said when ER24 paramedics and other services arrived arrived on scene they found people scattered across the area.

Bodasing said an elderly woman was assessed.

Bodasing said she sustained multiple injuries. Unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do for her. She was declared dead.

Bodasing said other patients were assessed. Four children between the ages of six and 14 sustained minor injuries.

Bodasing said all other patients sustained minor to moderate injuries.They were treated. They were transported to local hospitals.

“Authorities were on scene for further investigations” Bodasing added.

NUM Youth Forum position on Vavi attacking NUM national leadership

Oscar Thomas
29 March 2015

The National Union of Mineworkers Youth Forum has noted alleged insulting and disgusting comments made by Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi on his twitter page about the NUM national leadership.

Vavi on his twitter said the NUM would still be a union of choice had its national leaders not abandoned workplace issues for a preoccupation with Vavi.

NUM Youth Forum Secretary Mgotywa Sabelo said this divisive character has taken himself too seriously thinking he is bigger than anyone and the Cosatu.

Sabelo said our national leaders do not have time or energy to fight Vavi. They have time to do organisational work. 

“Unity of Cosatu is of paramount importance but we will not allow this divisive character and the so-called social media revolutionary to mislead the society” Sabelo added.

IFP Calls for Greater Youth Involvement in Policy Making

Oscar Thomas
29 March 2015

The IFP Youth Brigade is calling for greater youth involvement that will be meaningful and to provide solutions to the very real problems confronting youth, as young people are key to economic and social progress in developing countries; South Africa in particular.

IFP Youth Brigade National Chairperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa said this conference must provide proper solutions to address youth challenges.

Hlengwa said Government must ensure that the voice of young people is included in policy-making and implementation.

Hlengwa said the youth need to be at the forefront of global change and innovation, by ensuring that they have an opportunity to participate fully in the affairs of their societies, including national development.

“We need to unite our efforts and stand up and be the vanguards of democracy to make meaningful gains” Hlengwa added.

Four dead in head on collision

Oscar Thomas
28 March 2015

Four people died and five sustained minor to moderate injuries in a head on collision in Hendrina on the N11 in Mpumalanga.

ER24 Spokeperson Chitra Bodasing said ER24 paramedics and other services arrived on scene, about 30km from Middelburg, and found four people entrapped in the vehicles.

Bodasing said unfortunately the people, among them a child, had already succumbed to their injuries.

Bodasing said the other patients were assessed and treated before being transported to hospital.

 “Authorities were on scene for further investigations for the cause of the accident “Bodasing added.

SAMWU Supports CWU Go-Slow at Telkom

Oscar Thomas
28 March 2015

The South African Municipal Workers Union has thrown its support behind the go slow at Telkom by works associated to the Communications Workers Union.

The workers are protesting against the outsourcing of Telkom’s call centre, supply chain and IT departments.

Samwu General Secretary Walter Theledi said they remain opposed to any form of outsourcing as it is responsible for the dire financial situation that workers find themselves in.

Theledi said undoubtedly, this move will result in job losses, as those who will be awarded to deliver these services will seek to ensure that they milk Telkom while workers suffer.

Theledi said Telkom has further failed to assure unions that it will force their service providers to incorporate all employees affected and that there will be no job losses.

Theledi said SAMWU will be embarking on a massive campaign against the privatisation of local government services.

“We are of the firm view that municipal services should be rendered by municipalities and not thorough the tendering systems” Theledi added.

ACDP condemns rape and murder of 16 year old girl

Oscar Thomas
28 March 2015

The African Christian Democratic Party in the Western Cape has strongly condemned the rape and murder of 16-year-old Micheala Adriaanse.

Her badly decomposed body was found in the bushes in the Muizenberg area last week Sunday after she had been missing for three days.

A suspect identified as Bradley Noble was arrested and is expected to appear in court on the 1st of April 2015 where he is expected to apply for legal assistance.

ACDP Provincial Leader Ferlon Christians said the rape and murder of any individual is horrific.

The ACDP calls on the Western Cape Police Commissioner, Arno Lamoer, to implement a zero tolerance anti-crime strategy.

The ACDP leader also agrees with the State that bail should be denied for gruesome crimes such as murder and rape.

Christians said that bail opposition is vital because men such as Noble should not be allowed to roam around society freely.

“ACDP calls on the State to try perpetrators swiftly and impose heavy sentences on them if they are convicted” Christians added.

Chinese national arrested with rhino horn and abalone

Loyiso Langeni
28 March 2015

Western Cape Police this week arrested a 32-year-old Chinese national for being in possession of abalone and rhino horn. The suspect was arrested at the Cape Town International Airport.

Captain FC van Wyk said the Chinese national was charged under the Nature Conservation and Marine Coastal Resources Act.

The suspect was en-route to Durban when the Border Police anti-smuggling team apprehended him. He was found in possession of five kilograms of rhino horn and chucked abalone.

The suspect is currently in custody and will appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.

Two elderly people died in a collision in Gordons Bay

Loyiso Langeni
27 March 2015

An accident on Sir Lowreys Pass in Gordons Bay earlier today left two people dead. This is after a motorbike and an SUV collided into each other.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring said ER24 paramedics arrived on scene and found a SUV lying on its side in the middle of the road. A motorcycle lay a few metres away with the body of the driver lying next to it.

Meiring added that on assessment, paramedics discovered that both the motorcycle driver as well as the driver of the SUV had sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Unfortunately nothing more could be done for both patients.

“Rescue services had to use the jaws-of-life equipment to later free the deceased driver from the SUV.” Meiring said.

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

President Zuma says Eskom is receiving support from government

Loyiso Langeni
27 March 2015

The Presidency in a statement said President Jacob Zuma is being kept informed of the developments at Eskom.

A week ago Eskom suspended four of its board members to conduct an independent investigation into challenges facing the power utility which include delays in launching the new power plant station and cash flow problems.

President Zuma said Eskom is receiving support from the department of Public Enterprises and government as a whole.

Presidential Spokesperson Mac Maharaj said the Presidency wishes to encourage all stakeholders to provide the needed support and to focus on assisting Eskom and the Department to take the country on the route to energy sufficiency.

Maharj added that the Presidency will not entertain the rumours and gossip about the operations at Eskom as that will not assist the process at hand, the imperative task of implementing the urgent medium term plan to enable the country to manage the energy shortages.

A Belgian man died in flash flood while kloofing

Loyiso Langeni
27 March 2015

A 29-year-old man from Belgium died after he was swept down the Salt River in Plettenberg Bay Mountain.

National Sea Rescue Institute Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the man went missing after a group of about seven people on a canyoning expedition were caught by a flash flood. 

“The NSRI Plettenberg Bay, Police, Red Cross AMS Skymed rescue helicopter searched for the man. During the search his body was located and recovered and handed in to the care of Forensic Pathology Services.”  Lambinon added.

He also said that the Belgium Consulate are assisting with family care abroad.

Cosatu says it will continue to monitor MyCiTi bus service

Loyiso Langeni
27 March 2015

The Congress of South African Trade Union in the Western Cape said the victory against the City of Cape Town in the Equality Court, is a great victory for workers and communities.

Cosatu took the City of Cape Town to court over the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service in Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha.

Meanwhile the City of Cape Town in a statement said it was evident right from the start that Cosatu’s complaint, which criticised the standard of the service offered in the metro south-east before it had even been launched, was unfounded.

Cosatu’s Tony Ehrenreich said until after all these demands have been made as essential been considered and put in place by the city even though it tries to deny that these are as the result of Cosatu’s pressure.

Tony added that what is clear is that, there is a vastly different transport experience between the two areas. Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha has the sub-standard service while the Milnerton and Blaauberg are well serviced.

“We will continue to monitor the City of Cape Town and we will take them back to Eqaulity Court should they not continue to advance greater equality in Public transport.” Ehrenreich said.

21 people injured in a taxi collision

Mbasa Gqokoma
27 March 2015

An accident this morning involving two taxis in Johannesburg has left 21 people injured.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring says paramedics from the ER24 Johannesburg West branch arrived on the scene and found both taxis in the middle of the road.

Meiring added that the front of one of the taxis was badly damaged after it rear-ended the second taxi.

He emphasised that the occupants of the two taxis were found sitting on the embankment near the two vehicles. Paramedics assessed the patients and found that they had sustained only minor injuries in the collision.

“Fortunately no-one had sustained any serious injuries. Paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported the patients to various hospitals for further treatment.” Meiring said.

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

 

Over a 1000 people fired at Eskom Medupi Station

Mbasa Gqokoma
27 March 2015

Power utility Eskom said the contractors at Medupi Power station have started the process of disciplinary action against workers who embarked on an illegal strike on Wednesday.

 

Eskom Spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said so far about one-thousand workers have been fired and the number is expected to increase as the process continues.

 

Phasiwe said operations at Medupi will not be affected by this as many other workers have returned to work.

Phasiwe says it is important to note that of the 14 000 people who are working at the Medupi Power station many of them are not Eskom employees, they are actually employed by the contractor which is why the contractor is taking disciplinary actions against them.

Phasiwe added that so far, just over a thousand people have already been fired.