Water Affairs Minister Fired

Apr 14, 2011

 

Senior water affairs official fired: minister 

One of the three senior water affairs officials suspended in November last year, has been fired, Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Thursday. 

 

 

Edna Molewa

 "The chief financial officer's [disciplinary case] has... been heard. It is about three weeks since he was released from the department; he is no longer an employee," she told a media briefing at Parliament.

Chief financial officer Onesmus Ayaya was suspended last November, together with the then acting director-general Nobubele Ngele, and the department's IT head Bubele Vakalisa.

The suspensions came only weeks after Molewa took over the portfolio from her predecessor Buyelwa Sonjica, and followed the dismissal a few months before that of the department's then director-general, Pam Yako.

The suspensions and dismissals follow a report by the Auditor-General on over R1 billion in "irregular expenditure" by the department.

Molewa on Thursday said the department had learned Ayaya was submitting an appeal against his dismissal.

It is understood that Yako has followed a similar course, bringing her case before the General Public Service Bargaining Council.

Molewa said Ngele and Vakalisa had yet to face disciplinary charges, but suggested these would take place soon.

Asked whether, given the huge sum of money involved, the department planned to press criminal charges, over and above internal charges, she said this was up to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which had recently been called in to help probe the matter.

"Once a person has been found guilty [at an internal disciplinary hearing], and depending on the amount of money that is involved... definitely, there's got to be a mechanism to try and get that money... and bring it back. That's out first port of call.

"We are working in that regard with the SIU; we have recently engaged them. We know that they have methods and... strategies that they always apply in getting either [the money back] and, or, actually criminal charges pressed. So we'll do any of the two, whichever comes out to be the best in any of these cases," she said.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1021346.ece/Senior-water-affairs-official-fired--minister


This would be the same Edna Molewa who thinks it takes water 40 minutes to get from "the top part of Eastern Cape down into the ocean"; timeslive.co.za/local/article976629.ece

At least we know you're good at firing people, even if you don't know anything much about water...

Another Million South African's get Grants

Apr 14, 2011 

Another million people will benefit from the social assistance grant programme this year, social development minister Bathabile Dlamini said in the National Assembly on Thursday. 

 

 

 

Delivering her budget vote, she said the social assistance grant was one of the department's biggest poverty alleviation programmes and currently reached 15,3 million people at a cost of R97 billion. 

                                        Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini

In the 2011/12 financial year, the department would spend over R104 bn to reach an extra million people. 

Beneficiaries of the grants were children, the aged and people with disabilities. 

Dlamini said that the age of children who could register for the grant had risen to 17 from January 1. 

A total of 10.3 million children accessed the grant. Some 1.2m people with disabilities benefited and 2.7m pensioners.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1021230.ece/Another-million-people-to-get-social-grants 

 

 

Mbombela Stadium a 'cruel reminder'

Apr 14, 2011

Every soccer match played at Mbombela Stadium is a "cruel reminder" of how the municipality robbed its people of their land, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Thursday. 

 

 

“I am here today because I have heard about the way you were treated by your municipality,” Zille said in a speech prepared for delivery at the Mataffin village, which is part of the Mbombela local municipality in Mpumalanga. 

“I have heard how the Mbombela municipality colluded with a representative of the Matsafeni Trust to steal your land so they could build a World Cup stadium. 

“Your land — which is worth R12-million — was taken away from you and given to the municipality for just R1. 

“The World Cup has come and gone, but you are still here, living in the informal settlement. Where are the houses and jobs you were promised? Where is the clean water, sanitation and electricity?” 

Zille said the stadium was one of the best in the country. 

“We all love soccer and we are so glad that we have these beautiful venues where our teams can play, but every soccer match here is a cruel reminder of what the municipality did to you,” she said. 

“Why should you have to use candles when the stadium is lit with floodlights? Why should you use long-drop toilets when the stadium has flushable toilets?” 

Zille said the money for Mbombela should have been used to improve the lives of the people, but instead it had “gone into the pockets of municipal officials and councillors”. 

“The corruption here is so bad that people are killed for speaking out about it,” Zille said. 

“Some people think that corruption is not their problem. They think it is something you must just accept, that it is a way of life. 

“I am here to tell you that corruption is your problem. When politicians are corrupt, they are stealing your money. They are taking away your opportunity for a better life.” 

Zille trumpeted the DA’s record in Cape Town. 

She said more poor people living in DA-governed municipalities had access to more basic services than anywhere else. 

“In Cape Town, households that earn less than R3 000 per month receive a 100% rates rebate, free refuse collection, 10 500 litres of free water and 50kw hours of free electricity per month.” 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1020916.ece/Mbombela-Stadium-a-cruel-reminder--Zille 

South African Police Kill Defenceless Man

Apr 13, 2011 

Protester beaten and shot to death by South African Police

Shocking images as police shown beating defenceless protester to death.

Police beat protesters; one man is singled out for apparently confronting police; the wounded man - shot in the back and chest, shortly before he collapses

Bystanders rush to help the man as he collapses on the street. 

Andries Tatane lies dead in the street after being beaten and shot by SAPS members.

Shocking images of police brutality were broadcast to the nation on television yesterday - they showed an unarmed man being beaten to death by a mob of policemen. 

Pictures of the attack on the 33-year-old man by at least six policemen simultaneously, during a service delivery protest at Setsoto, in Ficksburg, eastern Free State, were shown on all SABC news bulletins last night. 

The visuals show how the armed policemen cornered Andries Tatane, striking him with their batons and kicking him in an assault that lasted for a few minutes. 

Tatane, from Masaleng township, Ficksburg, is seen holding his hand against his chest after the assault. He collapsed about 20 minutes later and died before an ambulance arrived. 

As well as being beaten, he had been shot twice. 

Last night Tatane's brother, Lefu Tatane, told The Times of the "shocking murder" of his elder brother.

"We are very angry. I can't even describe it. He was no danger to the police or anyone. Why did they have to kill him?" said Lefu. 

Tatane was part of a group of about 4000 protesters who marched to the Setsoto municipal offices yesterday morning demanding a response to a memorandum of demands they had sent to the mayor, Mbothoma Maduna, and the municipal manager, Bafana Mthembu. 

The people of Setsoto, like many others across the country, are fed-up with the lack of services in their area and demanded that Maduna and Mthembu speed up their provision. 

According to Lefu, the demonstration had been peaceful until a rock was thrown into the crowd of protesters. 

Police reinforcements were called in and, according to at least two eyewitnesses, chaos erupted when police water cannon were used against the protesters. 

One eyewitness said that Tatane had jumped in front of an elderly man who was being sprayed by the water cannon. 

"The only thing he did was to ask that they not spray the old man and then all hell broke loose. The next minute, police were all over Tatane. He was defenceless." 

According to his brother, Tatane sustained two bullet wounds, one to the chest and one in the back. 

But the police claim that they were trying to arrest Tatane. They said they did not know who shot him. 

Police spokesman Captain Phumelelo Dlamini said: "They were trying to arrest him. While he was being arrested, there was a gun shot so we don't know who shot him but we're going to investigate." 

Police also shot at the crowd, which, after witnessing the beating of Tatane, turned violent. 

A number of witnesses said it was the police that shot Tatane. 

Last night, Lefu said his brother's wife was too distraught to talk and the family was taking her for medical treatment. Tatane is also survived by a three-year-old child. 

Maduna, the mayor of Setsoto, said: "It's really unfortunate to have a person dying as a result [of the protests]. We regret it . it was not supposed to have happened. We will contribute towards the burial and show that we care." 

Free State Premier Ace Magashule said: "We will sit down and talk and work together [with the people of Setsoto]. We are sending condolences to the family. 

Lefu said officials of the Independant Complaints Directorate visited the family home at about 3pm yesterday and would return today. 

The ANC last night condemned the killing and called on Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to set up a commission of inquiry 

 

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the police responsible for the killing should be brought to book.

"We are shocked and disgusted by what we saw on television. No reason can be raised about the behaviour of the police.

"Our people have a constitutional right to protest and the action by the police is reminiscent of the apartheid police force," Mthembu said. 

David Bruce, senior a researcher at The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, said that there had been an increase in the number of people killed by the police in recent years.

The peak year was 2008-2009. 

ICD statistics show a steady increase in complaints of serious non-fatal police violence, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and attempted murder. 

You Tube clip of Police Beating

http://www.timeslive.co.za/specialreports/elections2011/article1019541.ece/Protester-beaten-and-shot-to-death 

 Another Police Beating

 

Police Beating 

Julius Assures Supporters of Win

13 April 2011

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema assured supporters outside the High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday that he was going to win the hate speech case against him.

JOHANNESBURG - ANC Youth League president Julius Malema assured supporters outside the High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday that he was going to win the hate speech case against him.
 

"We are going to win, because we are children of winners," Malema, flanked by bodyguards and ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, told the crowd.

"We are doing well, our lawyers are doing very well... you are real friends, real comrades," he said before thanking Madikizela-Mandela, referring to her as "his mother".

He also told them not to give the "mickey mouses" standing behind him, reason to make a noise. He was referring to some Afriforum members standing behind the court gates. The civil rights organisation had brought the case against him.

"Peacefully sing, you must not allow people to provoke you."

Malema then began singing "shoot to kill, shoot to kill... kiss the boer, kiss the boer, kiss the farmer".

Eagerly awaiting the song, the crowd joined in. 

Madikizela-Mandela also spoke to the gathering, referring to Malema as "her son", and the supporters as "her children and grandchildren".

"Time will come when they know who we are... You must come back tomorrow," she said after shouting "amandla" repeatedly.  a Xhosa and Zulu word meaning "power"

Supporters chanted Malema's name, some carrying placards reading "leave. our president alone" and "Criminals are Afriforum, by stealing our fathers land".

http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/local-news?oid=187523&sn=Detail&pid=40&Malema-assurers-supporters-he-ll-win-case 

Hate Speech

Julius Malema's Body Guards

ANCYL Takes Aim at Judges

April 13 2011 

The ANC Youth League has again taken aim at judges, saying that those on the Bench should keep out of politics and stick to law. 

The league’s secretary-general, Vuyiswa Tulelo, referring to the Equality Court’s hearing of AfriForum’s hate speech allegations against league leader Julius Malema for singing Dubul’ Ibhunu (Shoot the Boer), told journalists in Johannesburg “the problem with judges is that they are supposed to preside over the law and not politics”. 

                                                                       Vuyiswa Tulelo

She said many judges were now expected to rule in political matters, such as who was the legitimate leader of an organisation. 

She was referring to the multitude of court cases Cope members had brought against each other over whether Mosiuoa Lekota or Mbhazima Shilowa was the legitimate leader. 

She said Malema’s hearing in the Johannesburg Equality Court this week before Judge Colin Lamont should be used to educate people about the ANC’s Struggle songs. 

“The question we should ask ourselves, and I hope that is what the judge would ask, is whether we are a racial or a non-racial society,” she said. 

She said the race issue emerged “at the slightest provocation”, but South Africans should identify themselves as South Africans first, not as white or black. 

The case was an attempt to “erode the history of the ANC” by attacking its Struggle songs and not about Malema. 

Tulelo was speaking at a briefing on the league’s discussion documents before its elective conference in June. - Political Bureau

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/ancyl-judges-must-keep-out-of-politics-1.1056091 

No Cash to Fly Gripens

No cash for SA air force to fly Gripens

Apr 13, 2011 

The air force cannot afford to put its new Gripen jet fighters into flight for the required number of hours, Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano conceded on Wednesday. 

 No, we are not going to fly the required number of hours," the air force chief told a media briefing in Cape Town ahead of Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu's budget vote in the National Assembly.

"But the hours that we will fly will ensure that the people and the aircraft are safe and that we do the correct training." 

Gagiano said the air force was getting around the problem by having the cockpits of its fleet of 24 Hawk jet trainers "Gripenised" to make for a smoother transition for pilots from one to the other. 

"We have a few mitigating strategies. First of all as a design principle, we have decided to Gripenise the cockpit of the Hawk so that means that the transition from Hawk to Gripen is almost seemless and very quick. 

"People adapt to the new environment. It is basically just higher performance but they are totally used to the systems. We are also in the process of upgrading the PC-7's cockpits which is enhancing this process and we intend to pull down work from Gripen to Hawk to PC-7 to do the same kind of training but at a much lower cost." 

He said the air force was also using Gripen simulators extensively and this was working very well. 

Gagiano said so far 15 Gripen have been delivered from Sweden. The rest would be stored there free of cost until there was a full consignment ready to be flown out to South Africa. 

He said the shortage of funding for the Gripen was part of the shortage of funds felt by the defence force, which is a getting a scant additional R1.3 billion this year. 

"Gripen is part of this under-funding, perhaps because of the cause of this capability it is perhaps more visible there." 

The air force's budget comes to around R6 billion of the total defence budget of just over R34 billion, which Sisulu described as totally inadequate. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/Politics/article1018530.ece/No-cash-for-SA-air-force-to-fly-Gripens 

 

Police Parties - R66m

Police parties cost public almost R66m

2011-04-13 12:31

Two national police day events in the past 15 months have cost the taxpayer nearly R66m, Beeld newspaper reported on Tuesday.

This information came out in a written answer to Parliament's portfolio committee on police.

The national police day festivities in Bloemfontein last January 2010 cost R29.2m.

The police on Monday refused to disclose the budget for the annual Police Day to be celebrated in Soweto on Friday.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Sally de Beer said an exact explanation of how much taxpayers’ money was spent and what it was spent on, will be given at Orlando Stadium on Friday.

DA police spokesperson Dianne Kohler Barnard said she doubts whether this will be done, as she has been trying in vain since January 2010 to see last year’s budget, and the same event in Soweto this January 2011 cost R36.4m.


Some 37 000 police officials attended the Soweto event. About 1 800 of them were transported by train from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

A police band marched across the field before the introduction of the provincial police teams, dressed in the colours of the South African flag.

Various provincial teams were introduced shortly after a DVD showing what to expect during the celebrations was played on big screens set up next to the stage.

The Gauteng police team led officers from eight other provinces across the field, dressed in sporty outfits and displaying mountain bikes, while the 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka by Shakira and Freshly Ground blared from huge speakers around the stadium.

The portfolio committee received the information in an answer to complaints from a police trade union that a "culture of entitlement" was developing in the SA Police Service.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa had, until now, declined to say how much the two events cost.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Police-parties-cost-public-almost-R66m-20110413



http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Police-celebrate-in-Soweto-20110128

Morale

She said Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa repeatedly refused to answer questions about the costs for that day.

“This kind of expenditure has to be seen in the context of backlogs in our forensic laboratories, lost and stolen dossiers and the delays at our 10111 phone-in centres.”

She feels that the celebration of good work by members of the police and the promotion of morale should form a central part of the police’s strategy to fight crime and corruption.

“It is disappointing that individual officers cannot be honoured at local and provincial police day functions but that, instead, they are bussed to Johannesburg in their thousands from all over the country,” Kohler Barnard said.

According to her, sources in the police told the DA that more than 30 000 officers are expected at the festival on Friday. That means one in every five officers will not be on duty, she said.

During last year’s festival in Bloemfontein police officers allegedly flouted the prohibition on drinking in public and crowded around bottle stores in the town.

“If the outcome of the celebrations would mean a safer South Africa, then it would be a good thing, but ironically enough, it’s going to be an unsafe day for all South Africans,” said Solidarity’s deputy CEO, Dirk Hermann.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Thousands-of-cops-to-celebrate-Police-Day-20110124 

"They're not in uniform, but they are police"

Juju's guards cause chaos

Judge says firearms will not be tolerated in court precinct

Apr 12, 2011

A defiant Julius Malema yesterday greeted hundreds of supporters, some of whom, just hours earlier, had sung the controversial "Shoot the Boer" struggle song outside the Johannesburg High Court, where the ANC Youth League leader is being sued for hate speech.

Using a megaphone to address the crowd from the steps of the court, Malema, who was surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards, said: "It is not me on trial, the revolution is on trial." 

Tensions in the hate speech case against Malema - brought by civil rights group Afriforum - sky-rocketed yesterday morning after Judge Collin Lamont said it had been "brought to his attention that there may be people bearing arms in this court. 

"I will not tolerate firearms within the precincts of this court," he said.

At both his court appearances Malema has been guarded at all times by at least five bodyguards armed with assault rifles. 

It is understood that ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was again in court to support Malema, also had a cohort of bodyguards. 

On Monday, Department of Justice spokesman Tlali Tlali said that Malema's bodyguards "were police officers".  

BUT 2 DAYS BEFORE FLOYD SHIVAMBU SAID:

“It’s none of your business who is paying for it, but it is not government,” Shivambu said outside court during a recess, when asked about the guards. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/Politics/article1014268.ece/Malema-warned-AfriForum-marchers 

"They're not in uniform, but they are police," said Tlali. 

SO WE AS TAX PAYERS ARE PAYING FOR THESE BODY GUARDS

Digest the above comments, are they or are they not police ? This is the mind set of these people.

But the police's Colonel Vishnu Naidoo yesterday said that was "not true" and that the guards were not linked to the police. 

Security was dramatically tightened after the lunch break, which saw Afriforum's lawyer Willie Spies and Afriforum deputy president Ernst Roets struggling to walk through a 30-strong group of ANC Youth League supporters singing the Dhubul' ibhunu song outside the court. 

Both Afriforum and the Transvaal Agricultural Union, the second complainant in the case, complained that members of their legal teams were barred from the court by bodyguards who were neither police nor official court security.

Lamont said he had "no idea" where the increased security had come from, but said it was "more than slightly unusual".

Roets was yesterday cross-examined by Malema's lawyer, Vincent Maleka, who asked if Afriforum had convened "a meeting of Afrikaners . to get a mandate?"

Roets replied that he "didn't think it was necessary for [Afriforum] to get a mandate".

The case continues today. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1016881.ece/Jujus-guards-cause-chaos