Bush Radio 89.5 fm Newsroom

Cele not to pay legal fees

2012-02-11T15:25:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

Suspended police Chief Bheki Cele will not be paying his own legal fees in the defamation lawsuit he has launched against The Sowetan.

The case dates back to July 2007.

The newspaper published a manipulated satirical photograph of him.

The KwaZulu-Natal transport department has confirmed that the legal costs will be paid by the taxpayer as Cele had still been a MEC in the province at the time.

Karate teacher to re-apply for new bail

2012-02-11T14:15:00.003+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

The defence on the case of the Fourways Karate teacher, who was arrested for molesting his students, told courts yesterday that they will re-launch a new bail application.

They did not reveal on what grounds.

The teacher appeared briefly in the Randburg Magistrates court but was ordered to return back in two weeks time.

He is accused of sexually assaulting eleven of his students but he has denied the charges.

The two week postponement was granted so that all parties could get a copy of the transcript of the first bail application.

Police arrest Bruno Bronn’s suspected murderer

2012-02-11T13:23:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

The 36-year-old John Frederick Coetzee believed to be connected in the murder of Bruno Bronn has been arrested.

He was arrested in Bo-Kaap this morning after police were informed about his whereabouts.

He was arrested on a charge of murder.

A second 29-year-old suspect from Salt River was also charged with murder.

Both suspects will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court on Monday.

88 people displaced by fires

2012-02-11T12:26:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

88 people have been left displaced after fires in Cape Town.

In the three separate incidents no-one was injured.

Two of these incidents occurred in Philippi and the other in Ocean View.

Authorities are still investigating and Disaster Risk Management will be assisting the families.

Disaster Risk Management Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said that they will deliver food parcels and blankets during the course of the day.

Friend and relatives to intensify demonstrations

2012-02-11T11:30:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

Friends and relatives of the woman who was raped and tortured by the so-called Modimolle Monster vowed to intensify their demonstrations as the case continues.

Johan Kotze and his three co-accused appeared in court on Friday but had their case postponed for three months.

They were arrested last month for the attack on Ina Bonnette and killing her teenage son.

Eliza Kotze said her friend Bonnette stayed away from court because of a threat she received.

Police arrested in Bishop Lavis

2012-02-11T10:11:00.003+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

Three policemen from Bishop Lavis were arrested yesterday afternoon confirmed Western Cape Police.

Warrant Officer November Filander said the officers were arrested when they reported for work.

He said that the investigating officer informed them of the allegations of theft, defeating the ends of justice, dealing drugs, perjury and extortion.

The two constables aged 26 and 28 and a warrant officer aged 48 will appear in the Bishop Lavis magistrate’s court on Monday.

Dewani to be added as fourth accused

2012-02-11T09:20:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
11 February 2012

The Western Cape High Court heard yesterday that British businessman Shrien Dewani will be added as the fourth accused in the honeymoon murder of his bride Anni in 2010.

The State says that Dewani is scheduled to join the other two accused in the dock when the trial does get underway.

It is Dewani’s prolonged battle against extradition to South Africa that is delaying proceedings.

The remaining accused, Zola Tonga was jailed for 18-years for his part in the murder, after a plea bargain.

An activist against the Chapman`s Peak construction goes on strike

2012-02-11T08:07:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
11 February 2012

A Cape Town activist has gone on hunger strike to show her dissatisfaction of the Chapman`s Peak toll plaza and office block building.

Bronwen Lankers-Byrne started her hunger strike on Sunday morning.

Lankers-Byrne the former Buddhist nun has previously fasted for 19 days.

The 59-year-old said that after 6 days of fasting she feels as strong as she did 20 years ago.

Western Cape Education Department is aware of a video

2012-02-10T18:24:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

10 February 2012

Western Cape Education Department today issued a statement that said they are aware of a video showing a Hout Bay school teacher fighting with and beating a learner.

The video is alleged to have been posted onto social networking site Facebook.

Department spokesperson Paddy Attwell said they are still investigating the matter.

Attwel further said the information they have is that the teacher was taking the pupil to the school office and the learner resisted.

A 9 year-old boy killed by bees

2012-02-10T17:29:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

10 February 2012

A nine-year-old boy from the Eastern Cape died after he was attacked by bees.

Lukho Lubasi was attacked by a swarm of bees on his way home from school .

Police Spokesperson Ernest Sigobe said that this was the second death of this nature in the province over the past two months.

Sigobe further said the first incident took place during a PT class in Queenstown.

Police search for Frederick Coetzee

2012-02-10T16:08:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

10 February 2012

Cape Town Police have released a photo of a man who they believe will be able to assist in their investigation into the murder of Bruno Bronn.

Bronn was found dead in his Green Point home on Tuesday.

Police believe Frederick Coetzee also known as John may be able to assist them in their investigation.

Cape Town Police Spokeperson November Filander confirmed that they are in search of Coetzee.

Filander also urged the public to come forward with any information on the whereabouts of the 36-year-old Coetzee.

Dewani murder case postponed for April

2012-02-10T13:17:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

10 February 2012

The case against two of the accused in the Anni Dewani murder case was postponed to 13 April.

Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe appeared in the Western Cape High Court today for a pre-trial.

They are alleged to have been hired gunman in a plot to kill Dewani and make it look like a random hijacking.

The state explained the outstanding matter of Shrien Dewani as delaying the case in

South Africa

Dewani appealed against his extradition to

South Africa

Lottery Board pays out

2012-02-10T12:34:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

10 February 2012

A Gauteng literacy organisation has won a case against the National Lotteries Board.

The Molteno Language and Literacy Institute approached the North Gauteng High Court to ensure that the board honours a R20.4 million grant it had previously withdrawn.

As soon as the court papers are filed The Lotteries Board will release the money.

500 mobile libraries are needed to reach out in areas that are not privileged enough to access a library.

Eerste River train victims identified

2012-02-10T11:55:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

10 February 2012

Cape Town police have identified the woman behind a suspected murder suicide in Eerste River.

A woman was alleged to have thrown her two children on a train line and then herself.

The incident happened on Tuesday morning.

Nyarai Chiwandire and her 18-month-old girl Rosemary and six-day-old Allan died on the scene.

Police spokesperson November Filander said that the children's father came forward on Thursday to identify them.

Filander further said they opened an inquest docket to establish the circumstances around the deaths.

Reactions from some of the minister’s who attended SONA

2012-02-10T07:34:00.001+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
10 January 2012

Helen Zille the Premier of the Wester Cape said the President highlighted many positive features.Zille also mentioned that she supports the structure of Lead economic growth.

Mangosuthu Buthelezi leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party said that since President Jacob Zuma took over presidency he has announced very good plans however apart from plans the country sees very little action.

Key highlights of universities and other structured elements in the Mpumalanga region was generally welcomed however the African Peoples Convention Party felt that rural issues were not highlighted enough.

Ruth Bengu President of SANCO felt that the address was well balanced and that it touched on organisations that participated in the liberation struggle for the country.

Malusi Gigaba responded that this years State of the nation address was the best since 1994 and that it was the most detailed address the president gave.

The president not only highlighted the vision but followed it up with concrete plans of how he intends to link all the major provinces and cities in the country.

The 2012 State of the Nation address in pictures (#SONA2012)

2012-02-10T01:24:00.000+02:00

Visualisation of the 2012 State of the Nation address

2012-02-09T19:34:00.000+02:00

Visualisation of the 2012 State of the Nation address by Jacob Zuma.

Full text: State of the Nation Address by Zuma #SONA2012

2012-02-09T19:27:00.000+02:00

State of the Nation Address By His Excellency Jacob G Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the Joint Sitting Of Parliament

9 Feb 2012

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,
Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces;
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP;
Deputy President of the Republic, Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe;
Former Deputy President FW De Klerk,
Former Deputy President Baleka Mbete,
Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic, and all esteemed members of the Judiciary;
Honourable Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and Speaker of the
Parliament of Zimbabwe; Mr Lovemore Moyo,
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honourable Minister of International Relations of the Republic of Angola, Mr Rebelo Chikoti,
Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Julio Baloi,
Distinguished Premiers and Speakers of our Provinces;
Chairperson of SALGA, and all local government leadership;
Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders;
The Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions;
The Governor of the Reserve Bank;
Leaders of all sectors from business, sports, traditional and religious leaders,
Members of the diplomatic corps;
Special and distinguished guests,
Fellow South Africans,

Dumelang, good evening, goeie naand, molweni, thobela, abuxeni!
I would like to extend warm greetings to all on this important day.
It is an honour to speak to South Africans in this House and in their homes and viewing centres around the country.

I also extend a warm welcome to Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing 146 countries, with which South Africa has diplomatic relations. We value your presence in our country.
Compatriots and friends,

This State of the Nation Address takes place during a significant year in the history of our country, the centenary of the ruling party, the African National Congress.
In marking this occasion we are recognising the work of all South Africans in bringing about a truly free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous country.

We wish to single out the former presidents of the ANC who led our struggle for liberation and of creating a better life across generations. We salute John Langalibalele Dube, Sefako Makgatho, Zac Mahabane, Josiah Gumede, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, AB Xuma, JS Moroka, Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.

We welcome the families of the former ANC Presidents who are our special guests this evening.
We also recognise other components of the liberation movement - the Black Consciousness Movement which was led by Mr Steve Biko, whose son Samora is also our special guest, and the Pan-Africanist Congress which was led by Mr Robert Sobukwe.

We acknowledge too, the contribution of the late former MP, Ms Helen Suzman, who was a lone voice in this very House, speaking out against oppressive laws.

Honourable Members,
Compatriots and friends,

The year 2012 is also special because it marks the 16^th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic, which gives full expression to our democratic ideals.

The Constitution is South Africa’s fundamental vision statement, which guides our policies and actions. We reaffirm our commitment to advance the ideals of our country’s Constitution at all times.
Compatriots and friends,

At the January Cabinet lekgotla, we decided to undertake a mid-term review, looking at progress from 2009 till now instead of the usual annual review.

The mid-term review indicated steady progress in various areas such as health, education, the fight against crime, human settlements, energy, water provision, rural development and others.
However, the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality persists, despite the progress made. Africans, women and the youth continue to suffer most from this challenge.

Somlomo nosihlalo abahloniphekileyo,
Njengekhabhinethi kazwelonke sithathe isinqumo sokuthikufanele senze ngokwedlulele, ukukhulisa umnotho wezwe, ukuze siqede lezizinkinga zokwesweleka kwemisebenzi, ubumpofu kanye nokungalingani ezweni.
Ilezo zinto ezintathu esizobhekana nazo ngqo, kulonyaka naseminyakeni ezayo.

Compatriots,
When freedom was attained in 1994, South Africa inherited a problem of structural unemployment which goes back to the 1970s. Employment continued to deteriorate in the 1990s and the early 2000s due to slow growth and declining employment in gold mining and agriculture.

Although jobs grew rapidly during the boom of 2003 to 2008, unemployment did not fall below 20%.
Employment received another setback in the recession of 2009.

Fortunately, Government entered the 2008-2009 recession with healthy public finances, and a comparatively low level of debt.

This allowed for a flexible response to deteriorating economic conditions.
For example, we increased spending on social security and on infrastructure development to stimulate the economy, mainly through the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup build programme.
Informed by some of these difficulties and the need to move away from piecemeal planning, we took a decision in 2009 to establish the National Planning Commission and asked them to produce a national development plan for the country, informed by the Constitution of the Republic.
The Commission released the first draft of the National Development Plan for consideration, which looks at where we want to be in 20 years’ time.

The Plan also directly addresses the elimination of poverty and inequality as critical points that must be attended to.

The solution for the country therefore, is higher growth and job creation to reduce and ultimately eradicate poverty and inequality.

As a developmental state that is located at the centre of a mixed economy, we see our role as being to lead and guide the economy and to intervene in the interest of the poor, given the history of our country.

Informed by this responsibility, in2010 we launched the New Growth Path framework and identified our job drivers as infrastructure development, tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the green economy.

We declared 2011 the year of job creation, and mobilised our social partners, namely business, labour and the community sector, to work with us in implementing the New Growth Path.

The results are encouraging, although we are not out of the woods yet, given the global economic situation.

The fourth quarter figures released on Tuesday, indicate that the rate of unemployment has come down from twenty-five percent to 23.9% as a result of new jobs.

During 2011, a total of 365 000 people were employed. This is the country’s best performance since the recession of 2008.

What is also important is that all the new jobs are in the formal sector of the economy, in sectors such as mining, transport, community services and trade to name a few.

There are two main things that we did right in 2011 which are contributing to this joint success.
Firstly, we mainstreamed job creation in every government entity including state owned enterprises.

Secondly, we strengthened social dialogue and cooperation between government, business and the community sector.

The Accords, signed by government, business and labour on procurement, skills development, basic education, and the green economy, confirm our common purpose and determination to build this country.

Government alone cannot solve the challenges faced by the country, but working together, solutions are possible.

Compatriots,
Let me take this opportunity to report back on the undertakings made in the SONA last year.
The Job Fund which we announced last year began operating in June. Over 2 500 applications were received in the first round. Project allocations of over one billion rand have been committed.
We had also announced 20 billion rand worth of incentives under Section 12(i) of the Income Tax Act, designed to support new industrial projects and manufacturing, and seven projects with an investment value of 8,4 billion rand were approved.

The procurement regulations empowering the Department of Trade and Industry to designate specific industries where local content is prescribed came into effect in December.

The sectors include clothing textiles, canned vegetables, leather and footwear.

Progress has also been made in amalgamating small business institutions, and a new entity will be launched this year.

We had announced 10 billion rand to be set aside by the IDC for job creation.

To date, about one point five billion rand was approved for 60 companies to promote job creation.
Compatriots and friends,
The mining industry, one of the job drivers in the New Growth Path, plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of the country.

As part of addressing the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment, government has developed a beneficiation strategy, which seeks to provide opportunities in the downstream part of the minerals sector.

We remain committed to the creation of a favourable and globally competitive mining sector, and to promote the industry to attract investment and achieve both industrial growth and much-needed transformation.

Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Chairperson of the NCOP,
The work done last year indicates that if we continue to grow reasonably well, we will begin to write a new story about South Africa—the story of how, working together, we drove back unemployment and reduced economic inequality and poverty.
It is beginning to look possible.

We must not lose this momentum.
For the year 2012 and beyond, we invite the nation to join government in a massive infrastructure development drive.

Baba Somlomo noSihlalo,
Sizoqala umkhankaso omkhulu wokwakha izingqalazizinda ezweni lonke. Lokhu kuzophakamisa izinga lomnotho, futhi kuveze amathuba emisebenzi.

Compatriots,
We will use the project management expertise gained during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup to make this project a success.
The infrastructure plan will be driven and overseen by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission, (PICC), which was established in September, bringing together Ministers, Premiers and Metro Mayors under the leadership of the President and the Deputy President.
The PICC has identified and developed projects and infrastructure initiatives from state-owned enterprises as well as national, provincial and local government departments.
These have been clustered, sequenced and prioritised into a pipeline of strategic integrated projects.
We have chosen five major geographically-focussed programmes, as well as projects focusing on health and basic education infrastructure, information and communication technologies and regional integration.

The projects are as follows;
Firstly, we plan to develop and integrate rail, road and water infrastructure, centred around two main areas in Limpopo: the Waterberg in the Western part of the province and Steelpoort in the eastern part.
These efforts are intended to unlock the enormous mineral belt of coal, platinum, palladium, chrome and other minerals, in order to facilitate increased mining as well as stepped-up beneficiation of minerals.
Using the developments in Limpopo as a base, we will expand rail transport in Mpumalanga, connecting coalfields to power stations.
This will enable us to decisively shift from road to rail in the transportation of coal, which has caused a deterioration of the roads in Mpumalanga.
The eastern parts of the North West province will also benefit from the greater focus on infrastructure connected to mining and mineral beneficiation.

Secondly, we will improve the movement of goods and economic integration through a Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.

This project is intended to connect the major economic centres of Gauteng and Durban/Pinetown, and at the same time, connect these centres with improved export capacity through our sea-ports.
In this regard, I am pleased to announce the Market Demand Strategy of Transnet, which entails an investment, over the next seven years, of three hundred billion rand in capital projects.
Of this amount, 200 billion rand is allocated to rail projects and the majority of the balance, to projects in the ports.

Amongst the list of planned projects, is the expansion of the Iron Ore Export channel from 60 million tons per annum to 82 million tons per annum.
It also includes various improvements to the Durban-Gauteng Rail corridor and the phased development of a new 16 million tons per annum manganese export channel through the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The Market Demand Strategy will result in the creation of more jobs in the South African economy, as well as increased localization and Black Economic Empowerment. It will also position South Africa as a regional trans-shipment hub for Sub-Saharan Africa and deliver on NEPAD’s regional integration agenda.

We have also been looking at the necessity of reducing port charges, as part of reducing the costs of doing business. The issue of high port charges was one of those raised sharply by the automotive sector in Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage during my performance monitoring visit to the sector last year.

In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the Port Regulator and Transnet have agreed to an arrangement which will result in exporters of manufactured goods, receiving a significant decrease in port charges, during the coming year, equal to about 1 billion rand in total.

Thirdly, we will develop a major new South Eastern node that will improve the industrial and agricultural development and export capacity of the Eastern Cape region, and expand the province’s economic and logistics linkages with the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

In the former Transkei part of the Eastern Cape, we are committed to building a dam using the Umzimvubu River as the source, in order to expand agricultural production.

In addition, the implementation of the Mthatha revitalization project, which is a Presidential special project, is proceeding very well.

Work is at an advanced stage to improve water, sanitation, electricity, roads, human settlements, airport development and institutional and governance issues.

Fourthly, in the North West, we will expand the roll-out of water, roads, rail and electricity infrastructure. Ten priority roads will be upgraded.
Fifthly, we see enormous potential along the west coast of the country and need to improve infrastructure to unlock this potential.

Our plans include the expansion of the iron-ore rail line between Sishen in Northern Cape and Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, which will create large numbers of jobs in both provinces.
The iron-ore capacity on the transport-side will increase capacity to 100 million tons per annum.
This will allow for the expansion of iron-ore mining over the next decade to feed the developing world’s growing investment in infrastructure and industrial activities.

Compatriots,
We have also identified critical social infrastructure projects. These include projects aimed at laying the basis for the National Health Insurance system such as the refurbishment of hospitals and nurses’ homes.
A total of 300 million rand has been allocated for the preparatory work towards building new universities in Mpumalanga and Northern Cape.
Another infrastructure project with great potential is South Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope in partnership with eight other African countries. The winning bid will be announced next month. We urge you to support the country’s bid.
Lastly, our infrastructure work extends beyond our borders. South Africa champions the North-South Road and Rail Corridor, which is part of the African Union’s NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Championing initiative.

Work in this regard, comprises various inter-related projects that cover roads and railways, border crossings, energy and information and communication technologies.

Compatriots,
The massive investment in infrastructure must leave more than just power stations, rail-lines, dams and roads. It must industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much needed job creation.

I will convene a Presidential infrastructure summit to discuss the implementation of the plan with potential investors and social partners.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Chairperson of the NCOP,

I would now like to discuss matters relating to the extension of basic services, addressing inequalities, peace and security and social cohesion.
I received a lot of valuable correspondence in the run-up to this SONA. Such interaction enables us keep in touch with our people and their needs.

I received an email relating to a housing problem from Mzukisi Mali, a public servant from the Fingo area in Grahamstown. He wrote;

“In 1994 my income was too high to get an RDP and too low to get a bond, this continued until to date.I have three children and my wife is not working.
“When I apply for an RDP I am told that I do not qualify and cannot get a bond because I am risky to the banks...’’

Fortunately we have gone some way to address the problem facing Mr Mali and many others.
In 2010, we announced a one billion rand guarantee fund to promote access to loans.
We are pleased to report that this fund will start its operations in April, managed by the National Housing Finance Corporation. The scheme will enable the Banks to lend to people who are in a similar situation as Mr Mali.

In addition, from April, people earning between three thousand five hundred rand and R 15 000, will be able to obtain a subsidy of up to R83 000 from Provinces, to enable them to obtain housing finance from an accredited Bank.

Ungalilahli ithemba Mr Mali nabaningi abanye, kuzolunga ngenxa yalomxhaso ozotholakala kohulumeni bezifundazwe, kanye nalomshwalense omusha ozokwenza kubelula kumabhange ukuthi aniboleke imali.

Compatriots,
There is an ongoing concern from business and communities about high electricity costs.
I have asked Eskom to seek options on how the price increase requirement may be reduced over the next few years, in support of economic growth and job creation and give me proposals for consideration.

We need an electricity price path which will ensure that Eskom and the industry remain financially viable and sustainable, but which remains affordable especially for the poor.

However to achieve sustainability, a pact will be required with all South Africans – including business, labour, municipalities, communities and all customers and suppliers.
We must save electricity.

For the next two years, until the Medupi and Kusile power stations come into operation, the electricity system will be very tight.

We should all play our part in order to avoid load shedding.

To increase energy capacity we will continue searching for renewable energy sources, especially solar electricity and biofuels as we implement the Green Economy Accord with economic stakeholders.

To date we have installed more than 220 000 solar geysers nationwide.

The Government target is one million solar geysers by 2014-2015.

Honourable Members,
Compatriots,
Government continues to extend access to basic water supply. However, clearly, water access is still a challenge in some areas.
An email from Mmatsheko Pine from Hammanskraal is a case in point.
The writer says; “There is the area called Ngobi near Hammanskraal, under Moretele Local Municipality, the people residing in the area are now old, aged and mostly sick.
“The area has been without water for the past two years. People rely on rain to harvest water.
There are water pipes and machines installed but the problem is said to be pressure to pump water. Could your office kindly assist with the powers that be?”.

I have asked the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to investigate this matter with a view to finding an urgent solution.

Water expansion has been delayed in some parts of the country due to a lack of infrastructure.This is being attended to. For example, five new water augmentation schemes are on schedule.

These are Olifants River Water Resource in Steelpoort in Limpopo Province, the Vaal River Eastern Sub-System in Secunda in Mpumalanga, Komati Water Augmentation Scheme in Nkangala in Mpumalanga, the raising of Hazelmere dam in KwaZulu-Natal and the Clan William Dam in Clan William in the Western Cape. In addition, nine out of 25 dams have been rehabilitated.
In relation to the announcements we made during the United Nations COP 17 climate change conference, an amount of 248 million rand is to be invested over next two years to deal with the issue of Acid Mine Drainage in Witwatersrand.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the inter-ministerial committee on COP 17 for making the conference a huge success

The final outcome of COP 17 was historic and precedent setting, ranking with the 1997 conference where the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.

Building on the success of COP 17, South Africa will participate in the Rio plus 20 Summit in Brazil, which marks the 10^th anniversary of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Honourable Speaker and Honourable Chairperson,
Our intensive focus on education is paying off.
We are pleased that the matric percentage pass is on an upward trend.We congratulate the teachers, learners, parents and the communities for the efforts.

We will continue to invest in producing more teachers who can teach mathematics, science and African languages.

Compatriots,
Our call to teachers to be in school, in class, on time, teaching for at least seven hours a day remains pivotal to success. We thank the teacher unions for supporting this campaign.

A major achievement is the doubling ofGrade R enrolment, from 300 000 in 2003 to 705 000 in 2011. We appear poised to meet our target of 100% coverage for Grade R by 2014.

To fight poverty and inequality and to keep learners in school, over 8 million learners attend no-fee schools while over eight million benefit from government’s school feeding scheme.

Last year, national government instituted a Section 100 (1)(b) intervention in the Eastern Cape, to assist the department of education to improve the delivery of education.
Problems included non-delivery of textbooks, non-payment of scholar transport, excess teachers and a general poor culture of learning and teaching.

The implementation of the intervention will continue and we are working well with the province in this regard. Sizimisele ukwenza immeko yemfundo ibengcono eMpuma Koloni. We call on all stakeholders to work with us to make this turnaround a success.

Compatriots,
During the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, we resolved that the South African legacy would be to promote universal access to education.
School attendance in the country is now close to 100 percent for the compulsory band, 7-15 years of age.But we remain concerned by the report of the General Household Survey in 2010 that just over 120 000 children in that band are out of school.

Grade 10 drop outs appear to be a problem, particularly in the rural and farm areas of the Western Cape.
The national Government will work closely with the Western Cape government, to trace these learners and provide support so that they do not lose their future.
With regards to higher education, we are exceeding targets. Close to 14 000 learners were placed in workplace learning opportunities over the past year, and over 11 000 artisans have completed their trade tests.
Siyajabula ukubona ukuthi liyanda inani lentsha efunda amakhono kulamakolishi abizwa phecelezi ngama-Further Education and Training Colleges.
Siyaninxusa bazali ukuthi nigqugquzele izingane zifunde kulamakolishi. Akufanele zicabange ukuthi imisebenzi ifundelwa emanyuvesi kuphela.
Siyawadinga amakhono atholakala kulamakolishi.

To expand access to tertiary education as per our announcement last year,200 million rand was utilised to assist 25 000 students to pay off their debts to institutions of higher learning.

Compatriots and friends,
We congratulate the health sector as well as the South African National Aids Council led by the Deputy President of the Republic on the success of the HIV and AIDS programme.
While we are doing well with regards to treatment and the prevention of mother to child transmission, general prevention efforts must also be accelerated.
We also wish to encourage South Africans to live healthier lives to reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Compatriots and friends,
The year 2013 will mark the centenary of the Natives Land Act of 1913, which took away 87 percent of the land from the African people.
The Constitution requires that the State must realise the restitution of land rights for those who were dispossessed by the 1913 law.
We have only distributed 8% of the 30% target of land redistribution for 2014 that we set ourselves. The process is slow and tedious and there is general agreement that the willing buyer- willing seller option has not been the best way to address this question.
That is why have introduced a new policy framework, the Green Paper on Land Reform.
We urge the public to participate in the process of improving land redistribution and reform to reverse the impact of the 1913 Act.

Honourable Speaker,
Compatriots,
On economic transformation, we are amending the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. The amendments amongst other things, establish a statutory Commission that would deal with non-compliance and circumvention.

The proposed law will also criminalise fronting and other forms of empowerment misrepresentation.
With regards to issues of disability, we have directed all government departments to ensure that we meet the target we set several years ago of having 2% of people employed in the Public Service to be disabled persons.

We are also working towards a Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, to promote compliance in both government and the private sector and to provide for sanctions in the case of non-compliance.

Meanwhile, the NEDLAC Process on the Atypical Forms of Employment and Labour Broking has now been completed.
Government seeks to eliminate all forms of abusive practices inherent in labour broking, in order to strengthen the protection of vulnerable workers. We trust that common ground will be found this year on this matter.

Compatriots,
In 2009 we made a commitment to accelerate the fight against crime and corruption.
The crime statistics for the period 2010/2011 indicate that our country witnessed a decline of 5% in the number of reported serious crimes compared to the previous year.

We will however, not become complacent. We are continuing to implement our programmes of making South Africans feel safe and to be safe.

We also continue to improve the performance of the state in various ways, including the fight against corruption.

The Multi-Agency Working Group on procurement led by the National Treasury, SARS and the Financial Intelligence Centre is reviewing the entire state procurement system to ensure better value for money from state spending.

Initiatives include the vetting of supply chain personnel in government departments.
To further improve security, the Department of Home Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the banking industry, to roll out the online fingerprint verification system in all participating banks, to assist in fraud prevention and detection.

Compatriots and friends,
We are working with various provinces to improve governance, systems and administration.
These include Gauteng to improve health service delivery, the Free State on transport and roads and Limpopo to improve governance and financial administration in five departments, including the provincial treasury.

We welcome the launch of Corruption Watch by COSATU, as well as the recent agreement between government and business to implement anti-corruption programmes.
These interventions will complement the work of government in combating corruption.

Compatriots and friends,
As part of promoting social cohesion, this year we will undertake and continue many heritage projects.
Museums and centres to be unveiled will include the 1980 Matola Raid museum in Maputo, the Ncome museum in KwaZulu-Natal, phase 2 of the Freedom Park museum and the Steve Biko heritage centre in Ginsberg in King Williamstown.

We have also prioritised thehomes and graves of former ANC Presidents and other national heroes including Thomas Maphikela, Lillian Ngoyi, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, Robert Sobukwe and others.

Memorial sites to be prioritised include that of the Pondo Revolt, the sites of the Frontier Wars, the 1913 revolt by African women in the Free State, the 1957 anti-pass revolt by women in Zeerust, the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plein where the United Democratic Front was formed and the Gugulethu Seven monument in Cape Town.

We are also in the process of purchasing and rehabilitating the Winnie Mandela house in Brandfort, the Dr. Moroka house in Thaba Nchu and the Bram Fischer house in Westdene.
Additional projects include the launch of the Dube Tradeport and the unveiling of the statue of John Dube at King Shaka International Airport next month and renaming the Kings House presidential residence in Durban after Dr Dube.

The Presidential Guest House in Pretoria will be named after Mr Sefako Makgatho and the Diplomatic Guest House in Pretoria after the late prolific diplomat, Mr Johnny Makatini.
Government will also table the National Traditional Affairs Bill which makes provision for the recognition of the Khoi-San communities, their leadership and structures.

It is important to remember that the Khoi-San people were the most brutalised by colonialists who tried to make them extinct, and undermined their language and identity. As a free and democratic South Africa today, we cannot ignore to correct the past.

I discussed this matter extensively with the Khoi-San community when I met with them in Cape Town last year and we agreed to work together to redress the injustices of the past.
Compatriots,

Next year 2013, the seat of government, the majestic Union Buildings, will mark 100 years of existence and planning will start this year to mark the centenary.

Fellow South Africans,
We must perform better in sports this year! Our star performer, Oscar Pistorius has set the standard for the year by winning the 2012 Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.Congratulations for this achievement.

We also congratulate the national women’s soccer team Banyana Banyana for qualifying for the London Olympics for the first time. With our support, they will do well.
We have been given the honour to host the Africa Cup of Nations next year, replacing Libya as they are unable to do so.

Compatriots,
Allow me to use this opportunity to extend heartiest congratulations and good wishes to Mama Rebecca Kotane, wife of former ANC treasurer general, Moses Kotane and SACP general secretary, who will turn 100 years old on Sunday the 12^th of February.

The Young Men’s Guild of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Amadodana aseWesile, is also celebrating 100 years this year.
Another centenary celebration is that of Omama Besililo of the United Congregational Church of South Africa.
We wish them all successful celebrations.

Compatriots,
We have outlined a busy infrastructure implementation programme for now until 2014 and beyond.
I would like to appeal to all our people to join hands as they always do, as we deal decisively with the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Nobody will do this for us, it is in our hands. And we are all equal to the task.

As we get back to work tomorrow, let us internalise the words of ANC Women’s League founding president Charlotte Maxeke who said in her Presidential address to the National Council of African Women.
“This work is not for yourselves — kill that spirit of self, and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you’’.

I thank you.

source: www.gov.za

A visualisation of the State of the Nation address 2011, how will 2012 look?

2012-02-09T13:47:00.000+02:00

A visual breakdown of last year's State of the Nation address by President Jacob Zuma. How will the 2012 speech compare?

Tune into 89.5FM or via www.bushradio.co.za at 7pm to find out what is in the speech.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Arno Lamoer briefed Parliament

2012-02-09T10:41:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

09 February 2012

Western Cape Police Commissioner Arno Lamoer said that the billions of Rands worth of drugs seized in the province has not made a major dent in crime.

Lamoer briefed Parliament on Wednesday that R12billion worth of drugs were seized over the last 22 months.

The Commissioner believes that some troubling provincial crime statistics may be drug-related.

Police linked gang fights and other violent crimes to the Western Cape’s drug trade.

Lamoer further said that although they have stopped kilos of cocaine and other drugs from flowing into the province but drugs smuggling has not stopped.

Police block a possible robbery

2012-02-09T10:26:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

09 February 2012

Cape Town police blocked a possible armed robbery in the Blackheath Industrial Area.

Officers received a tip-off about the planned robbery at a factory.

Police Spokesperson November Filander said they arrested three suspects in the process on Wednesday.

Filander further said the officers also discovered a stash of weapons hidden in a vacant toilet in Bellville South.

Warden drunk on duty

2012-02-09T08:50:00.000+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
9 February 2012

A prison warden in the Free State who was filmed while he was drunk has not been dismissed.

The warden only received a final warning and will remain in his position despite his embarrassing behaviour.

His colleagues filmed him while he was in his drunk state on duty.

Regional commissioner at the department of correctional services Delekile Klaas says an internal investigation was conducted and the matter has been closed.

Alleged killer mom remain in police custody

2012-02-09T06:21:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
09 February 2012

A woman from the Northen Cape accused of murdering her five children will apply for bail next week.

Venolia Siwa is alleged to have given her children a concoction of brake fluid and cold drink before drowning them in Pampierstad.

The children were aged between two and 13.

Siwa appeared briefly in the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said that they are prepared for the case.

Child abandonment case postponed

2012-02-08T16:11:00.004+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

08 February 2012

Cebo Ncube appeared briefly at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today on child abandonment charges.

Ncube was arrested on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old is alleged to have left his nine-month-old baby locked inside a parked car in Wynberg.

Police were alerted by members of the public.His wife was also taken in for questioning but later released.

Ncube`s case has postponed to March.

Top ranking official suspended

2012-02-08T15:14:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
8 February 2012

The Department of Social Development in the Western Cape confirmed today that they have placed a high ranking official on special leave after drug possession allegations surfaced against him.

In June last year Dave McNamara was nabbed after he was found with tik straws on him at a notorious apartment block in the city.

Social Development spokesperson Melany Kuhn said that they have taken legal advice on the matter and they have decided to proceed with a course of action.

She added that the official has now been placed on immediate leave for the next seven days.

He also been informed of the department’s decision to follow through with proceedings.

Another Capetonian hit by a train

2012-02-08T13:12:00.000+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
8 February 2012

Today another person was hit by a train in Cape Town.

The incident occurred near the Nolungile Railway Station in Khayelitsha.

This is the forth person to die in such an accident in Cape Town

Yesterday a woman and two children were run over by a train in Eerste River.

Post-mortem on Bronn to be conducted today

2012-02-08T12:39:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

08 February 2012

A Post-mortem to determine the death of a Cape Town businessman Bruno Bronn will be conducted today.

Bronn was found dead in his Green Point home on Tuesday.

Bronn was found dead in his Green Point flat on Tuesday by his domestic worker.

Police spokesperson November Filander said that Bronn’s family members were expected to come to Cape Town and identify his body today.

Abalone captors to appear in court

2012-02-08T12:27:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

08 February 2012

Three men will appear in court today for being in possession of abalone.

The suspects were arrested in Cape Town by police and the Hawks on Monday.

A Chinese national was accused and arrested with abalone valued at R650,000.

Police spokesperson November Filander said the suspects will appear in different courts in Cape Town.

Night club owner murdered

2012-02-08T10:12:00.000+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

08 February 2012

Bronx night club owner Bruno Bronn, has died yesterday in his Green Point home.

The 50-year-old's body was found with his hands tied together by his domestic worker.

Police and forensic experts spent many hours at the scene before removing his body.

Police spokesperson November Filander said that the victim was found lying on his back on the floor with his hands tied with tape in front of him. There are also marks around his neck.The cause of the death is still to be confirmed.

SA drug mule sends her family a letter

2012-02-08T09:09:00.003+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
8 February 2012

South African drug mule Nolubabalo Nobanda wrote a letter to her parents from prison in Bangkok .

In the letter she explains how she ended up in the country.

Last year Nobanda was arrested at Bangkok’s Airport after getting off a Qatar Airways flight.

Since then she has been in custody.Her first court appearance will be on the 19 March 2012.

ATM bombings calls for concern

2012-02-08T06:36:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
08 February 2012

The South African Banking Risk Information yesterday said the recent increase in ATM bombings in Cape Town was a troubling factor.

In the last week, there have been three ATM bombings in Bellville and Goodwood.

Sabric’s Kalyani Pillay said ATM related crimes do not usually involve explosives.

Pillay further said that this particular crime has kept police on their toes in recent years.

A man arrested for child abandonment

2012-02-07T17:54:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

07 February 2012

A 32-year-old man has been charged with child abandonment.

This comes after he and his partner left their nine-month-old child inside their parked car.

The incident happened in Wynberg today.

Cape Town police were alerted by the members of the public.

Police spokesperson November Filander said security guards managed to get the child out of the vehicle.

Basic Education Ministry concerned about matric pass rate

2012-02-07T17:31:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

07 February 2012

Basic Education Ministry said today they will focus on improving the matric pass rate in the Eastern Cape.

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education unpacked the 2011 matric results today.

The national pass rate was 70.2 percent but the Committee said there are major concerns about the low pass rate in the Eastern Cape.

Officials stressed that 2011’s national pass rate was a standard that must be upheld.

The portfolio committee is concerned about the drop in the number of matric admissions and underperforming districts in the Eastern Cape.

Journalists briefed ahead of the State of the Nation Address

2012-02-07T13:58:00.001+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
7 February 2012

Presiding parliament officials held a press conference today at Parliament in Cape Town.

The State of the Nation Address will this year again be delivered during the evening.

Chairperson of the National Council of the Provinces Mninwa Mahlangu explained the reason for having the speech during the evening is to enable all South African citizens to be part of the State of The Nation Address.

He further explained that the ceremonial aspects of the State of the National Address will remain the same as all the other years.

The theme for this year is knowledge economy and development opportunities.

Speaker of the National Assembly Maxwell Mahlangu, says the reason for this is that South Africa is leading a consortium of nine African countries in Africa’s bid to build the site of the multi Radio Astronomy Project.

Extradition to be decided on Friday for Serbian fugitive

2012-02-07T12:17:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
7 February 2012

The extradition date of Serbian fugitive Dobrosav Gavric is set for Friday after he appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates court yesterday.

He was arrested in December last year after Serbian authorities issued an extradition request.

He is wanted in his home country to serve a 35-year-sentence for a triple murder which happened about ten years ago.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila said extradition documentation from Serbia had arrived.

He added that there is a formal request from Serbia and those papers will be handled to the defence to confirm that there is a formal request from Serbia.

Ntabazalila said that that matter is now with Minster Jeff Radebe to decide.

Hearings on Info Bill continues

2012-02-07T11:36:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
7 February 2012

The government’s hearings on the Protection of State Information Bill will continue in Bloemfontein in the Free State today.

The hearings in the Western and Eastern Cape have been marred by controversy.

This comes after opposition parties claim the hearings have been manipulated to gain support on the bill.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Adhoc committee Raseriti Tau says they plan on holding at least two hearings in each province and will conclude by the 1st of March in the Northern Cape.

Alleged suicide at Eerste River train station

2012-02-07T09:51:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
7 February 2012

A woman and two children were killed by a train in Eerste River earlier this morning.

Metrorail’s Lindelo Matya said it appeared that the woman threw herself and the children in front of the train.

He added that an unknown female and two children were allegedly standing at the tracks trying to commit suicide.

Matya said the incident has affected services.

He said that trains bound for Strand are subject to delay.

An electrical store owner arrested for illegal possession of copper

2012-02-07T09:34:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

07 February 2012

The owner of an electrical store at Steenberg in Cape Town was arrested for allegedly selling stolen copper cables .

The copper cable is believed to be belonging to the City of Cape Town.

Members of anti-metal theft unit The Copperheads and the police's Crime Intelligence Unit raided the premises on Monday.

Unit's Neil Arendse said they seized about 50 meters of copper cable worth about R25 000.

Neil said the man will appear in court today.

More ATM bombings in Cape Town

2012-02-07T09:09:00.002+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
7 February 2012

This morning two ATMs were bombed at the Goodwood Mall.

November Filander of the police said two of the ATM’s were bombed.

Three suspects armed with rifles fled with two containers and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Three ATM last week, an ATM was bombed in Goodwood and the week before, an ATM was bombed in Durbanville.

Cape Town police investigate a mysterious death

2012-02-07T06:14:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
07 February 2012

Cape Town police are investigating the death of a young Blue Downs woman after her body was found at a mosque in the area on Monday afternoon.

Janine Philander’s body was removed from the backyard of the Tuscany Glen Mosque.

The police confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened.

The mother and sister were comforted by community members. Blue Downs resident Debby Cookson said that she felt troubled by the death of Janine.

Agri South Africa calls on the President

2012-02-06T18:16:00.004+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

06 February 2012

Agri South Africa is calling on President Jacob Zuma for straight talk at the state of the nation address at the opening of parliament on Thursday.

President of AgriSA Johannes Moller said there are several issues they want to raise on behalf of agriculture.

Moller also said their main focus is in the rural areas.

Moller further said they need the assurance that proper investment is available within the agricultural sector.

Residents evacuated in Hout Bay

2012-02-06T17:49:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

06 February 2012

Firefighters were deployed in Hout Bay this afternoon to extinguish a veld fire.

The raging veld fire has seen three retirement villages and one school evacuate because of the smoke.

A helicopter and more than 30 firefighters have managed to bring the blaze under control.

Emergency Medical Services's Keri Davids said she was not sure as to how many people were assisted.

She further said the cause of the fire is still not known.

A fire man died in MoutonsHoek Valley

2012-02-06T16:07:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

06February 2012

Emergency Medical Services responded to a call activated by a local West Coast Fire and Rescue team in MoutonsHoek Valley last night.

Seven firemen had been working in the area for the past four days trying to extinguish a fire that had been burning there.

EMS`s Spokesperson Keri Davids said the ground they had been standing on gave way.

Davids also said one man fell thirty metres down the mountain and died instantly.

A man arrested in connection with Asemahle Ntsabo`s disappearance

2012-02-06T14:21:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

06 February 2012

A six-year-old girl Asemahle Ntsabo went missing from her home in Paarl two weeks ago.

A man was taken in for questioning last week by the police.

He was subsequently charged with the girl’s murder and appeared in court on Friday.

The suspect remains in police custody till his next court appearance.

Missing Children South Africa`s Judy Oliveier said the child is still missing.

She further said they are aware that the suspect confessed to the murder.

Forty children still missing in SA

2012-02-06T13:51:00.003+02:00

Lauren Snyders
6 February 2012

There are about forty missing children unaccounted for according to Missing Children South Africa.

The statistics show that 291 children have been reported missing since January last year.

In the past 13 months 250 of those children have been found.

The organisation’s Judy Oliver said that most of the children have been missing since last year.

She added that they worked on about 383 cases of missing children and adults.

Oliver said that a large percentage of the missing children are ones who run away from home.

South Africa has the highest murder rate in the world

2012-02-06T13:04:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

06 February 2012

The South African Institute of Race Relations says

South Africa

is the only country in the world that has the highest murder rate than the road accident rate.

The murder and road fatality rates for the past two years were 32 and 28 per one-hundred-thousand-people respectively.

The Institute`s Researcher Kerwin Lebone said road fatality rates ranged from three times the murder rate in the United States to ten times the murder rate in Poland.

Lebone also said that the factors which contribute to the murder rate to be so high are unknown.

Western Cape experiences a heat wave

2012-02-06T12:47:00.005+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
6 February 2012

Cape Town will once again experience a hot temperatures this week.

Temperatures of above 40ºC are expected in the Boland region.

The South African Weather Service has issued a heat wave warning yesterday.

Cape Town metropole residents will experience a maximum temperature of 34ºC today.

Information Bill hearings a success

2012-02-06T12:09:00.000+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

06 February 2012

The parliamentary committee in charge of the public hearings on the Protection of Information Bill said that the public meetings went well.

Hearings on the notorious piece of legislation was held in various locations around the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

There has been a positive turnout at the public hearings in Gugulethu,Cape Town and in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Many people also raised concerns regarding the protection of whistle blowers.

Babysitter disappears with six-month-old child

2012-02-06T11:46:00.000+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
6 February 2012

Police were unable to confirm the kidnapping of a baby today in Hestia Park.

Police are urging the mother to report the matter.

The mother of the six-month-old child called a radio station this morning to report that the baby sitter had disappeared with her child.

Her cell phone, house keys and her money had also gone missing.

The babysitter was spotted by security guards.

Rondebosch Common hosts summit

2012-02-06T10:55:00.000+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

06 February 2012

There is no end in sight for the issues surrounding Rondebosch Common.

Activists have said they will not stand down until they have reclaimed the land.

The vacant piece of land remains a huge debate for the City of Cape Town.Protesters gathered over the weekend at the Commom to discuss issues of housing, land and jobs.

The summit was lead by Congress Of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) member Tony Ehrenreich.

Tony addressed the contents of the memorandum to the public.The main phrase that was highlighted throughout the summit was “An injury to one is an injury to all”.

Mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille was not present to accept the memorandum however Maycor member Grant Pascoe accepted the memorandum as it was handed over to him.

Many activist said that they will continue to gather in future to discuss issues regarding land , jobs and housing.

Another fire hits the Western Cape

2012-02-06T10:07:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
6 February 2012

Fire fighters are battling another blaze in the mountains above Caledon.

On Sunday fire fighters managed to extinguish the fire which has been burning for more than a week in Standford near Hermanus.

Overberg district municipality’s fire chief Reinard Geldenhuys said that ground crews have been deployed.

He added that the fire is out and they are still watching it at the moment.

Geldenhuys said they are deploying ground teams to make sure the fire stays out and that the fire in Caldeon is being worked on.

Students suspend strike

2012-02-06T09:54:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
6 February 2012

There are no signs to show that the tempers between management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the students is about to end.

This comes after the strike was cancelled by students over the 11 percent fee increase.

Students will now be paying R5000 for registration fees.

The students who have been suspended have been allowed back onto campus.

Sasco’s Sello Nkhatho said that discussions between the student body and the university are set to continue.

Nkhatho said that the issue of interdicts have been withdrawn because they chose to suspend the strike.

Johannesburg man killed by train

2012-02-06T08:53:00.004+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
6 February 2012

A man was killed by a train at the George Goch Railway Station in Johannesburg.

The incident happened during the early hours of this morning.

Spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services Robert Mulaudzi , said the man was on a platform, running to catch a train.

Train passengers are warned to make sure trains have completely stopped before boarding.

DA youth notes Malema finding

2012-02-06T06:18:00.002+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
06 February 2012

The DA youth notes the finding by the ANC`s disciplinary appeal committee to uphold Julius Malema`s guilty sentence.

DA youth Leader Makashule Gana said they hope that this marks the end of a period of sensationalist and bully politics.

Gana further said they will continue to constructively and proactively deal with the problems that young South African face.

The ANC disciplinary appeal committee dismissed the appeal of Malema and other youth league leaders on Saturday.

A13-year-old boy arrested for attempted murder

2012-02-05T15:39:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

A 13-year-old boy from Protea Glen in Soweto has been arrested for attempted murder.

Johannesburg police Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the boy allegedly stole R700 from his parents in their home in Protea Glen, Soweto.

He further said while the boy was searching for the money on Friday, the parents found that he had rat poison.

Later that evening his mother was hospitalized after drinking tea.

Makhubela said the boy then confessed to his father that he had poisoned the tea.

Info bill hearings move to the Free State

2012-02-05T14:56:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

Public hearings on the controversial Protection of State Information Bill will move to the Free State on Tuesday.

Last week the hearings were held in Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.

Ad-hoc committee member Louis Nzimande said residents raised their concerns.

Nzimande said the Eastern Cape residents have welcomed the bill but raised their concerns about certain clause in the bill.

The committee will visit all the provinces holding the debates with the public.

Western Cape firefighters are on high alert

2012-02-05T12:35:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

Western Cape firefighters are monitoring Hermanus and Stanford after a vegetation fire in those areas earlier this week.

It took firefighters hours before they could completely extinguish the fire.

Authorities believe the blaze could flare up despite bringing it under.

The fire was being fuelled by strong winds and sweltering temperatures from a heat wave.

Several water tankers and helicopters were used in the area as the fire department battled to extinguish the flames.

DA Youth`s five key points for the youth of South Africa

2012-02-05T12:13:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

Next week it is the annual state of the nation address by the president.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the nation on the plans for the year 2012.

The DA youth has issued a statement on what they would like the president to touch on in his speech.

DA youth Chairperson Mbali Ntuli said they would like the government to implement a youth wage subsidy.

She further said the government should scrap VAT on books.

Ntuli said if the president can have a look at those and other key issues affecting the youth only then the youth of

South Africa

can reform.

They would also like to see the National Student Aid Scheme reformed.

COPE Leader Mosioua Lekota investigated

2012-02-05T10:51:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

The Western Cape COPE leader Mbulelo Ncedana has laid charges of corruption against the COPE Leader Mosioua Lekota.

Cape Town police have confirmed that a fraud case has been opened and they are investigating.

Mosioua Lekota suspended party treasurer Hilda Ndude for alleged financial mismanagement.

Ncedana opened the case of corruption and mismanagement on Friday.

Lekota has rubbished the allegations against him.

Ncedana claims Ndude was used as a scapegoat.

Fifteen people arrested in North West for arson

2012-02-05T10:10:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

05 February 2012

The North West police have arrested fifteen people for arson.

North West police Spokesperson Thulani Ngubane said these people allegedly set fire on a local businessman`s cars and broke down a wall at his home.

The incident happened yesterday in Ntweletsoku village in Lehurutshe.

He further said the people are accusing the businessman of being involved in a ritual murder following the body that was discovered next to his business premises on Friday.

missing child alert:Nicole Mishka Paulsen

2012-02-05T09:14:00.001+02:00

Zoliswa Nkonyana remembered

2012-02-04T16:51:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

04 February 2012

Gender activists have gathered at the Solomon Mahlangu Community Hall in Khayelitsha to remember murdered lesbian Zoliswa Nkonyana.

Today marks the sixth anniversary since Nkonyana was stoned to death because of her sexual orientation.

She was assaulted and stabbed nine times.

Nine men were arrested for her murder and four of them were found guilty.

The four men were sentenced to 18 years each in prison earlier this week by the

Khayelitsha Regional Court

NDCA dismisses Julius Malema`s appeal

2012-02-04T15:36:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

04 February 2012

Julius Malema and other youth league leaders have lost their bid to have their guilty verdicts for sowing division in the ANC and bringing the party into disrepute overturned.

The National Disciplinary Committee of appeals chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa announced this afternoon.

The announcement had a two hour delay due to what the Chairperson said was an “unavoidable reason”.

The statement was made at a press conference at the ANC’s Luthuli House headquarters in central Johannesburg.

The NDCA did grant the League's appeal against a charge that they disrupted the ANC’s 2010 national general council meeting in Durban.

The conference on Malema`s outcome postponed

2012-02-04T13:40:00.003+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

04 February 2012

The African National Congress’ disciplinary appeals panel will host a news conference this afternoon.

The conference was scheduled for half past eleven this morning to announce the appeal committee`s decision on Mlema`s future.

The suspended ANC Youth League and other league leaders appealed a five year suspension for sowing division and bringing the party into disrepute.

Chairperson of the ANC disciplinary committee Cyril Ramaphosa apologized for the delay.

Cape Town residents urged to prevent fires

2012-02-04T12:53:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwewbi

04 February 2012

Western Cape fire and rescue services has appealed to people to do everything in their power to prevent fires.

The Peninsula, West Coast and Boland is under an extreme fire alert with hot, dry, windy conditions.

The fire fighters have been busy since last year in December.

The shack fires as well as the veld fires that have been prevalent in the last four months.

A veld fire in the Macassar area on the Cape Flats kept emergency workers busy overnight.

They are still on the scene, trying to keep it under control.

Mother reunited with her daughter after eighteen years

2012-02-04T10:55:00.004+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

04 February 2012

Deloris Cyster spent eighteen years searching for her daughter Johnica Ambral .

Ambral was kidnapped in 1993.

The Mitchells Plain mother never stopped pleading with the police to find her daughter.

That ended on Friday when Deloris was reunited with her daughter.

Ambral is alleged to have been living in Port Elizabeth all this time.

Johnica first made contact with her mother in December but due to financial constraints the pair only reunited on Friday.

Free State University honors Richard Goldstone

2012-02-04T09:26:00.005+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

04 February 2012

The University of the Free State had an official opening yesterday.

Vice-chancellor Jonathan Jansen said the University`s fastest growth is being seen in its university preparation program on its South Campus in Bloemfontein.

Jansen further said the facility is set aside for children who cannot be taken up in the mainstream.

He mentioned that some of the students who were part of this programme are doctors, lawyers and teachers today.

Kovsies conferred an honorary doctorate on Justice Richard Goldstone during the opening ceremony.

Two bus drivers arrested for drug possession

2012-02-04T08:13:00.002+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi

04 February 2012

Yesterday two bus drivers were arrested in Beaufort West with khat worth about R30,000 in their possession.

Khat is a energy boosting drug derived from a shrub.

They were taken into custody following a tip off.

Frederick van Wyk of the police’s said the two suspects will appear in the Beaufort West Magistrates Court once they’ve been charged.

Plato says top cops are being paid by drug lords

2012-02-03T13:19:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
3 February 2012

According to the Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato, topcops are being paid by drug lords in the Western Cape.

Plato was quoted to have said that nightclub owners and others who areconcerned about the issue is to afraid to go to the police because police wereinvolved with the people they want to complain about.

He added that they have no trust in the police because there are toomany police officers on crime bosses payrolls.

The names and the ranks of the police officers allegedly receivingbribes are known by Plato and he is taking it up with police management.

Gautrain bus drivers strike

2012-02-03T12:46:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

03 February 2012

Gautrain bus drivers are accusing the company of fowl play because management is refusing to discuss their grievances.

Dozens of drivers are protesting outside the company’s MegaExpress bus depot in Midrand.

Management will surely be taking action against the drivers for striking illegally.

The drivers are demanding that the company provide them with transportation, in line with the labour regulation, because they work after hours and public transport is not available.

They are also demanding better salaries to cover the costs of living.

Gavric granted SA permit

2012-02-03T11:39:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
3 February 2012

The Home Affairs Department issued Serbian fugitive Dobrosav Gavric with a permit to reside in South Africa until the case against him is finalised.

Last year he was arrested after Serbian officials issued an extradition request for him.

He was convicted of a triple murder in his home town and sentenced to 35 years in absentia.

Judgment in his bail application is expected on Friday.

It is believed Gavric was with underworld boss Cyril Beeka when he was shot dead in Cape Town last year.

Bongani Moyo to reappear in court

2012-02-03T11:22:00.002+02:00

AndiswaMkosi

3 February 2012

BonganiMoyo who is accused of robbery will appear in the Pretoria Magistrates Courttoday on a charge of escaping custody.

Thetrial was postponed on Tuesday to allow Moyo to read and understand thedocumented court proceedings of the day he escaped.

Hewas arrested three weeks after walking out of court.

Hetold the court he staged his escape because a policeman had threatened to killhim.

Six people lost their lives in separate Cape Town road accidents

2012-02-03T09:59:00.000+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
3 February 2012

Yesterday afternoon six people lost their lives in accidents across the Cape Peninsula.

In Manenberg a four-year-old boy was knocked over and killed.

A woman died when her car collided with a truck on the N1 near Kraaifontein.

Another motorist was also killed when his vehicle collided with another car on Sir Lowry's Pass.

Two others lost their lives when a truck overturned.

A second ATM bombing takes place in Cape Town

2012-02-03T09:14:00.002+02:00

LaurenSnyders
3 February 2012

Cape Town police have confirmed another ATMbombing.

Theincident took place at Goodwood this morning.

The detailsare unclear and officials are not sure whether the robber made off with anycash.

This hasbeen the second ATM bombing in Cape Town this week.

Farmworkers receive wage increase

2012-02-03T08:10:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

03 February 2012

The Labour Department has increased the minimum wage for farmworkers by R127,96 a month.

This will take effect from the 1st of March 2012. The remuneration is applicable to an ordinary 45-hour week of work.

The increase is calculated at the previous year's minimum wage, plus the consumer price index including one and a half percent.

The department warns that employers who are ignorant toward the farm workers' sector determination must do so at their own risk.

Protest march granted

2012-02-03T07:10:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

03 February 2012

The City of Cape Town has granted permission for a planned protest march to take place at Rondebosch Common.

The protest which will be headed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions will take place on Saturday.

The city council’s Grant Pascoe said the relevant parties spent most of this week discussing the pros and cons associated with the upcoming protest.

Last week a protest march also took place at the common which led to numerous arrests been made by the police.

Kidnapper in custody

2012-02-03T06:12:00.002+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi

3 February 2012

Yesterday the City of Cape Town bosses praised law enforcement officials after their arrest of an alleged child kidnapper.

Chante Christofells was abducted from a Bellville parking lot in 2011 by a woman who had promised to buy her food.

The suspect will appear in court today.

A woman from Mitchell’s Plain was arrested for kidnapping the three-year-old.

13 people injured in Mug and Bean blast

2012-02-02T14:56:00.003+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
2 February 2012

Doctors are worried about the condition of three of the people who were injured in an explosion at a Mugg and Bean in Ekurhuleni.

Police believe gas pipes could have been involved in the explosion in the kitchen of the restaurant this morning.

Famous Brands Graeme Morrison says safety officials are still investigating the incident.

At the time of the explosion only seven employers were inside.

The City warns Seli 1 vessel be removed by June

2012-02-02T13:42:00.004+02:00

Lauren Snyders
2 February 2012

The City of Cape Town has warned that the wreck of the Seli 1 vessel must be removed before winter to prevent the procedures costs from skyrocketing.

The City is planning to declare an inter-government dispute after the national departments of transport and environmental affairs failed to attend meetings.

The Seli 1 ran aground in Bloubergstrand in September 2009.

The City’s JP Smith said that costs would exceed R30 million if the wreckage is not removed by June this year.

He added that there are time frames and in winter it will take longer to remove it and push up the costs.

Both deaths in Khayelitsha might be linked to mob justice

2012-02-02T13:11:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
2 February 2012

Cape Town police are investigating two deaths in Khayelitsha that may be linked.

Authorities did confirm that one of the killings was a mob killing.

On Tuesday a body of a burnt man was found in Khayelitsha.

The police’s November Filander said that the body has been identified but nobody has been arrested yet.

He added that they are investigating if it is another case of mob justice.

Fire warnings in Cape Town

2012-02-02T11:50:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
2 February 2012

Firefighters are on high alert again today following hot and stormy conditions sparking wildfire warnings.

Over the past 24 hours Cape Town firefighters had their hands full with shack fires leaving nearly one-hundred-and-twenty people displaced.

In Seawinds last night a fire swept through an informal settlement leaving 60 people homeless.

In the early hours of this morning a fire gutted 20 shacks in the Joe Slovo informal settlement leaving nearly 60 people homeless.

Disaster risk management Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said that the fires will be investigated and they will be assisting the families today.

Western Cape tourism numbers increase

2012-02-02T10:22:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

02 February 2012

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says that there has been an increase in tourism numbers over the past festive season .

Zille says that the tourism sector in the Western Cape remains an important contributor to the province's economy.

She also mentioned that the number of international arrivals rocketed by 27 percent and that tourism arrivals from the rest of Africa went up by 16 percent.

However Zille says it is not always factual that the beauty of an area means that tourism numbers will rise.

Shabangu files an affidavit

2012-02-02T07:11:00.002+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

02 February 2012

The Minerals Resources Minister Susan Shabangu has filed an affidavit in the North Gauteng High Court.

She has requested the task team to set up an investigation around the impact of fracking in the Karoo region.

Shabangu refused to reveal the names of the people on the team to the Treasure the Karoo Action Group.

Jonathan Deal chairperson of TKAG says that they have been calling for information for months and are now pleased to have received some form of response.

Concern arises for TopTv Investors

2012-02-02T06:10:00.001+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

02 February 2012

Investors are concerned about the direction TopTV is moving in aswell as the selection of their media content.

TopTv made headlines previuosly for plans to launch three adult channels on the network.

The Communications Authority of South Africa has denied TopTv’s application to broadcast the channels last month.

Founder of Janine Lazarus Communications group , Janine Lazarus says that critical strategies need to now be put in place for TopTv.

More awareness for public hearings needed

2012-02-01T18:11:00.000+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

01 February 2012

The Press Freedom Commission completed public hearings on the freedom of the media in Johannesburg today.

The commission was led by former Chief Justice Pius Langa.

More than four hundred submissions have been submitted to the commission orally and in writing.

Public Prosecutor Thuli Madonsela says the commission should have put more effort into creating awareness around the hearings.

Mazibuko announces new shadow cabinet

2012-02-01T17:14:00.000+02:00

Anansa Jacobs

01 February 2012

The Democratic Alliance’s parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has announced the new shadow cabinet for 2012.

Mazibuko says the completely all new shadow cabinet has been designed to achieve greater objectives in Parliament.

She added that the new cabinet is made up of a generational mix of veterans and energetic youth which will make a formidable impact this year.

DA MP Wilmot James has been reassigned to the Trade and Industry portfolio and new recruit Tim Harris will be shadowing the Finance Minister.

Stellenbosch School calls for safety measures

2012-02-01T11:53:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
1 February 2012

Management at a Stellenbosch Primary School appealed to traffic authorities to implement safety measures to stop road accidents involving learners.

Vlottenberg Primary School learner Aiden Jumath was knocked over and killed while trying to cross a busy road yesterday.

Principal Ruth Dreyer said that the death of the eight-year-old is another wake up call for the traffic officials.

She added that this was the tenth learner they have lost in an accident.

Driver and owner of earthmover granted bail

2012-02-01T11:35:00.000+02:00

Lauren Snyders
1 February 2012

The owner and the driver of the unlicensed earthmover which was involved in Monday’s fatal accident will be granted five-hundred-Rands bail each.

The accident took place near Wellington in the Boland when eight farm workers died after the truck they were travelling in smashed into the earthmover and plunged over the bridge.

The case against the driver Isak Stuurman and the owner James van Rooyen will resume in the Tulbagh Magistrates court early in April.

At this stage the two are facing charges of culpable homicide.

Western Cape clinics to work with traditional healers

2012-02-01T11:25:00.000+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi
1 January 2012

The Western Cape Municipal health officials are looking to have a working relationship with traditional healers in Cape Town.

Officials said the role of these health practitioners has to be recognised as they are the first point of contact for many South African communities.

The City`s Mayco member for health Lungiswa James on Tuesday met with about 50 traditional healers.

They met to encourage a working relationship between the two parties.

James said they will have a lot of talks concerning the basis of their relationship with the traditional healers.

James further said clinics need to work closely with the traditional healers.

Zille promotes animal welfare

2012-02-01T10:39:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
1 February 2012

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille hosted a summit with animal welfare organisations yesterday.

This forms part of the Premier’s efforts to ensure a direct approach to promoting animal welfare.

She wants to promote the humane treatment of domestic animals in the province.

Spokesperson for the Premier Zak Mbhele says the provincial government’s key role is disease prevention and management through by-laws and local policing.

Many people do not know what the Secrecy Bill is

2012-02-01T10:27:00.000+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
1 February 2012

Unions are accusing parliament of not explaining the Protection of State Information Bill to people attending public hearings .
Hennie van Vuurenfrom the Right2Know Campaign explained that without proper information people cannot be expected to express an opinion.

Gugulethu township which is situated in Cape Town and Thembalethu which is in George are the first two townships that hearings were held in.

Residents that attended the hearings were more concerned about the lack of service delivery than the Bill.

Zoliswa`s murderers to be sentenced today

2012-02-01T09:37:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

01 February 2012

Four convicted homophobic killers are due to be sentenced in the

Khayelitsha Regional Court

today.

The four men were found guilty of murdering 19 year-old Zoliswa Nkonyana in 2006.

Nine men were arrested for the murder.

The other five men were acquitted due to lack of evidence linking them to the murder.

The four that are sentenced have been arguing their innocence throughout the trial.

Nkonyana was stabbed nine times and stoned to death following an argument about her sexual orientation.

Terre’Blanche’s widow defends him

2012-02-01T06:12:00.001+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
1 February 2012

Today Eugene Terre’Blanche’s widow discarded claims that her murdered husband sodomised a worker on his farm.

Eugene was murdered two years back on his farm in Ventersdorp .

Two farm workers, including a minor, are standing accused and were arrested for allegedly murdering him.

Chris Mahlangu’s lawyer Kgomotso Hlongwane said Hlongwane was sodomised by the late Terre’Blanche.

Public's knowledge about the State Information Bill is limited

2012-01-31T16:34:00.001+02:00

Mluleki Mrwebi

31 January 2012

The debate on the State Information Bill got off today at the Gugulethu Sports Complex.

The public is being given a chance to voice their views on this bill.

The NCOP members will be visiting all provinces with this debate.

The people that attended raised their concerns about certain clause of the bill.

The Chairman of the NCOP Mr Papi Tau answered some of the questions the public had, concerning the bill.

In his response he clarified that this bill is here to prevent things such as espionage and the state information.

Mr Papi further said that the bill will not deprive the citizens their right to know but will protect them against false information.

Mr Dennis Bloem a member of the NCOP said the bill has been passed from the National Assembly and it is now brought to the public.

Blikkiesdorp residents speak out

2012-01-31T15:44:00.001+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
31 January 2012

Today residents from Blikkiesdorpmarched to voice their concerns due to poor conditions they stay in.

The residents have been protesting fora couple of days asking the government to provide them with houses.

The group gave their local wardcouncilor a memorandum, the warden then listed down their concerns.

About 200 unhappy residentsprotested on the temporary relocation area close to Delft.

2 Airport staff members arrested

2012-01-31T15:25:00.004+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
31 January 2012

Two staff members of Cape Town International Airport havebeen arrested after being found with a stolen iPad 2.

The driver and cleaner were caughtwhile exiting the airport.

The iPad2 are valued at seventhousand rands.

A customer apparently forgot hisgadget on a flight from Johannesburg.

The time he came back to get it wasalready gone.

He was able to track his iPad on hislaptop.

No suspects for Bellville ATM bombing

2012-01-31T12:43:00.002+02:00

Lauren Snyders
31 January 2012

An ATM has been blown up in Bellville in Durban Road in the early hours of this morning.

No suspects have been arrested.

The incident took place at an ABSA ATM.

The police’s FC Van Wyk said at about four o clock this morning the ATM was damaged by explosive materials.

He added that the security guard on duty did not notice any suspicious person or vehicle while conducting his patrol.

Police investigating Bryston murder

2012-01-31T12:00:00.003+02:00

Andiswa Mkosi
31 January 2012

Forensic investigators are at the moment investigating the scene of a murder and robbery case that occurred lastnight in Bryston.

The evidence they gathered is still vague but the police claim that a man was robbed and killed on the scene.

The police’s Kim Cloete says they have laid a charge of house robbery and murder which they are still investigating.

The police are still trying to track down the victim’s vehicle.

Harsher sentences for lesbian killers

2012-01-31T11:53:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
31 January 2012

Some of the lawyers in the Zoliswa Nkonyana case said they dismissed testimony from gay and lesbian representatives because it might have been biased.

Jill Henderson from the Triangle Project presented a report in the Khayelitsha Regional Court yesterday which outlined lesbian attacks in townships.

She was the state witness in the case against four men who were convicted of killing Zoliswa Nkonyana in 2006.

The Triangle Projects Marlow Valentine said that it has taken the court six years to get to this point.

She also added that on the one hand they are happy that the case will be concluded and they hope the court passes down an appropriate sentence.

Shortages at petrol stations

2012-01-31T10:25:00.001+02:00

Lauren Snyders
31 January 2012

Shell petrol stations in Sea point and Heathfield are running out of certain grades of petrol.

This comes after garages brace themselves for the massive fuel price increase on Wednesday which sees motorists flocking to fill their tanks.

The price of petrol is set to increase by 34 cents a litre.

Shell SA’s Bonang Mogale said he was trying to figure out exactly where the shortages were and how to address them.