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Time Flies News, Malamulele, Giyani (2024)

09/06/2023

BRICS Summit will take place in SA in August.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the BRICS Summit scheduled for August, will still take place in South Africa as things stand.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting, Minister Ntshavheni says President Cyril Ramaphosa would be calling his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping this week after the Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the upcoming peace mission by African leaders.

“When the IMC has finalised its work because the IMC continues to work, it may update the Cabinet once in a while and will consider various options.

“When it has finished its work we have indicated that the announcement will be made, that is the final decision as it relates to the hosting of the BRICS summit, as things stand South Africa is continuing to host the summit here and any other announcement will be made when the relevant decision has been take,” Ntshavheni explains.

11/09/2022

NATU calls on Education Department to ramp up security in schools

The National Teachers Union (NATU) has called on the Education Department to scale-up security at schools amid growing incidents of attacks on teachers.

The Union says teachers are not safe inside school premises as they are continuously attacked by learners and criminals who make their way into school grounds. NATU made this call during its elective conference in Durban this past week

Last week, a principal was shot and killed at a school in Pietermaritzburg while in a separate incident a learner allegedly set a teacher’s car on fire.

11/09/2022

Three people confirmed dead following flooding in Jagersfontein, Free State

News just in is that at least three people are confirmed to be dead and four are still missing after a mine dam burst at Jagersfontein.

Free State Emergency Medical Services says a pregnant woman is among people receiving medical treatment at Diamant Hospital in Jagersfontein for hypothermia.

Six others have been transferred to Albert Nzula in Trompsburg. Several houses in Charlesville and Itumeleng residential areas have been damaged.

06/09/2022

Seven die, two injured in Limpopo head-on collision

Seven people including two children died and two others were injured in a head-on collision on the N1 bypass near Mall of the North in Polokwane in Limpopo on Tuesday morning.

Transport Department spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene says the driver of a small truck apparently lost control of his vehicle and collided with another truck.

Preliminary investigations suggest that fatigue is the possible cause of the collision.

Chuene says two people who sustained injuries have been transported to hospital.

“The road had to be temporarily closed for law enforcement officers and emergency services to attend the scene. We continue to urge motorists to obey the rules of the road at all times, for them to arrive alive at their respective destinations,” says Chuene.

Limpopo MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Polly Boshielo, has sent condolences to the bereaved families.

31/08/2022

President Ramaphosa once again refuses to answer questions relating to Phala Phala Farm theft

President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again refused to answer questions related to the theft of money from his Phala Phala Farm in Limpopo.

The President says he would like to give law enforcement agencies investigating this matter the space to do their work before addressing it.

He says he stands ready when the time comes to take the country into his confidence. He was responding to a question from Vuyo Zungula of the African Transformation Movement on whether he would engage members of the National Assembly on this matter.

26/08/2022

No bail for slain Mayor Moses Maluleke's killers

The accuse Isaac Mudau appeared before Malamulele Magistrate today for bail application. The Lawyer for Mr Mudau indicated that she is not safe due to members of the public who are protesting outside court. The court ruled that all accused are denied bail. This also includes Wiseman Baloyi who was intending to apply for a bail on Monday on the 29 August 2022. All four suspect are expected to appear again on court on the 19 September 2022 includes Avhatakali Mulaudzi and Shumani Nemadodzi.

25/08/2022

Accused in Moses Maluleke’s killing back in court

The case of two men accused of the murder of the Mayor of the Collins Chabane Municipality in Malamulele, Limpopo, will be back in the local Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Moses Maluleke was gunned down at his home in Xikundu village in July.

Four people have been arrested so far for his killing.

Thirty-six-year-old Wiseman Baloyi and Takalani Mudau were arrested two weeks ago through cellphone data.

Maluleke’s family says Baloyi and Mudau were well known and familiar with Maluleke.

The first two accused, Shumani Nemadodzi, 42, and Avhatakali Mulaudzi, 42, who are believed to be the gunmen have opted not to apply for bail.

All four accused face six charges, including one of conspiracy and another of murder, as well as one of attempted murder.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it has assigned two senior prosecutors to the case, and police say more arrests cannot be ruled out.

25/08/2022

Limpopo EFF calls for Ramathuba’s sacking

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo has called for the sacking of the Health MEC Dr. Phophi Ramathuba following her recent statement.

Ramathuba has defended the statement she made in a recent video at Bela-Bela Hospital that Zimbabweans are placing a strain on the province’s healthcare system.

Ramathuba was filmed confronting a foreign national scheduled for surgery at a hospital in the province. She is heard telling the patient that her country must take responsibility for her health issues.

The EFF says in a statement that Ramathuba’s comment was inappropriate.

However, the ANC Youth League in Limpopo is defending Ramathuba saying she had a frank engagement with the patient.

The League says that the EFF has no right to dictate the removal of the MEC.

The EFF says sentiments expressed by Ramathuba at Bela Bela hospital to a Zimbabwean national were a violation of human rights. They called on Premier Stanley Mathabatha to fire Ramathuba as her sentiments were also a violation of the doctors’ code of ethics.

19/08/2022

Murder increased in the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year: Cele

Police Minister Bheki Cele has announced that murder increased in the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year.

Six thousand four hundred and twenty-four people were killed by other persons in the period from April first to the end of June this year. This is an increase of 664 more people murdered, compared to the same period last year, when the country was placed under COVID-19 Lockdown levels one and two.

14/08/2022

Home South Africa

Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the department is enforcing transit visas on some foreign travellers in efforts to stop frauduent activities. This follows reports of corruption linked to Pakistani and Bangladeshi travellers’ transit through South Africa.

Passports can only be collected by the person who applied for them – with the document being activated by the applicants’ fingerprints.

Motsoaledi explains the importance of tightening rules around passport applications.

“The best way to deal with it, is to make sure that people who are in transit have to get transit visas. But we cannot make it a general rule because the people who were doing this were found to be coming from Pakistan and Bangladesh,” Motsoaledi says.

“So, we said for people coming from those two countries – even if they are transiting through the airport – they have to apply for transit visas whether they transit through the airport or not.”

14/08/2022

Two dead, one hospitalised in Limpopo after drinking beverage offered by passing motorist

Two men have died and the other one was admitted to the hospital after allegedly drinking a substance that was reportedly offered by a passing motorist in Mokopane in Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo says it’s alleged that the survivor aged 55 was amongst job seekers in Mokopane town when a motorist gave him bread and a 2L bottle half-filled with a red substance which was assumed to be a soft drink on Thursday.

It’s alleged that he then shared the substance with his younger brother aged 50 and the other man aged 36, who both became highly intoxicated and died on Saturday.

Mojapelo says they have opened an inquest docket.

“The Police Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered a full investigation into the death of two men who died on Saturday morning after allegedly drinking a substance that was reportedly offered by a passing motorist in Mokopane. The third man has been admitted to the hospital. Two cases of inquest have been opened and police investigations are continuing,” says Mojapelo.

12/08/2022

Chaos erupts in Cape Town High Court as matters proceed in Zandile Mafe’s absence

Drama ensued in the Cape Town High Court when arson accused Zandile Mafe refused to come to the dock.

The court proceeding was to be Mafe’s first as part of the run-up to the trial in the High Court.

Mafe is facing several charges including house breaking with intent to commit terrorism, two counts of arson and theft.

He was arrested on the second of January after a fire destroyed large parts of Parliament.

But shortly after proceedings started, the court was told he was lying down in the holding cells and wouldn’t get up.

After consultation, Mafe’s lawyer asked that the matter proceed in Mafe’s absence.

“I did not anticipate that Mafe will not be able to come up to the courtroom. He advised me that he is not well physically. He has been on a hunger strike for a considerable period of time. Unfortunately, I did not get any information from Pollsmoor. They usually advise me as and when Mafe embarks on a hunger strike, but this time they did not inform me until I was advised by Mafe and to make it even worse, he came out of prison knowing that he is not prepared to come to the courtroom as he is still in his pyjamas.”

12/08/2022

Marikana widows appeal to President Ramaphosa, government to apologise for the massacre.

Marikana widows are appealing to President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government to be remorseful and apologise for what happened to their husbands during the massacre ten years ago.

Thirty-four striking Lonmin Platinum mine workers were shot dead by police and many others were wounded during an unprotected strike.

Zameka Nungu, who lost her husband, says after the tragedy families have never been the same and the events of that day still haunts them.

Meanwhile, some victims’ families and survivors have found consolation through settlements by the state.

10/08/2022

Linda Tshabalala only had a cellphone in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other, and was in the yard where he had rented out a back room in Endulwini Section in Tembisa, looking on as striking Tembisa residents descended on the Tembisa Customer Care Centre. Yet, he got shot allegedly by the police and died moments later.

That is the version of Lerato Masalesa* (not her real name), who says she was there when it all happened. She has asked that her identity not be revealed, indicating, “I don’t know what might happen to me if I talk to you. Please do not show my face.”

10/08/2022

The case against 12 people charged with the murder of Alexandra residents, north of Johannesburg, resumes on Wednesday in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.

It was postponed last week to allow them sufficient time to arrange for legal representation to prepare for bail applications.

The suspects are aged between 17 and 35.

They’re facing charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery as well as the unlawful possession of fi****ms and ammunition.

Alex FM DJ Joshua Mbatha and five other people were killed in separate incidents of armed robberies three weeks ago.

15 other people have been victims of gunshots and robberies by armed groups in the area.

10/08/2022

The case against 81 suspects who were arrested in Krugersdorp last weekend will resume in the Krugersdorp Magistrates Court on Wednesday, in Gauteng’s West Rand.

The suspects were arrested following the gang r**e of eight women, who were part of a production crew, shooting a music video in the area. They were working on site when the attack took place near a mine dump in Krugersdorp.

08/08/2022

One foreign national who is believed to be an illegal miner has been arrested by the police in Mohlakeng, Randfontein in Gauteng’s West Rand.

Community members are protesting in the area, calling for a total shutdown of illegal mines. The recent gang r**e of 8 women, allegedly by Zama Zamas in the area, has prompted protest action in several areas.

Residents are outraged and say they want illegal miners out of South Africa.

A woman who joined protest action on Monday morning says, they are not safe as illegal miners are engaged in criminal activity.

“The zama zamas must go out. We are sick and tired of them! We are not safe with them. They rob our children, they r**e our children. We are so tired, they must go, all of them. The illegal mines must be closed. As a community, we are tired, they must go right now,” says the woman

08/08/2022

Workers seen fixing potholes in South Africa at the Operation Vala Zonke campaign launch.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the National Roads Agency (Sanral) will work with local government officials to ensure potholes are repaired speedily.

The Minister launched the “Vala Zonke” project in Sasolburg, at Emfuleni Municipality in the Vaal on Monday.

The 16-month campaign with Sanral aims to ensure the national road network is in an acceptable condition. Mbalula says his department is willing to assist municipalities that lack the capabilities and skills to fix the potholes on their local roads.

“We have designated Sanral – our agency responsible for the national road network – to be the implementing agency for this campaign, working with different provinces. Sanral will coordinate the efforts, working with provinces and municipalities, to ensure potholes are attended to speedily.”

06/08/2022

Sihle Zikalala emotional as he addresses the media following his resignation as KwaZulu-Natal Premier, August 5, 2022.

Outgoing KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says he never betrayed former president Jacob Zuma. Zikakala was addressing the media following his resignation as premier earlier on Friday.

This follows his defeat during the closely contested provincial elective conference last month. He lost the position of chairperson of the ANC in the province to Siboniso Duma.

Addressing the media, Zikalala claims there is a narrative that he sacked Zuma and became a staunch supporter of President Cyril Ramaphosa. But he says, his support for any leader in power, was part of the ANC’s principles.

“I have supported former president Zuma, right from the beginning, from the 14th of June 2005 until today. I supported him as a leader and someone who sacrificed his life for South Africa to be liberated. My support has never been personal but organisational and it should be noticed that it is the tradition of the ANC. It dictates that members must always work with the elected leadership, whether they have supported the election of that leadership (or not). This is a principle of the movement.”

Meanwhile, Zikalala has urged the new provincial leadership to maintain ethical standards. He says during his term he managed to receive clean audits and to eradicate wasteful expenditure in a number of departments.

“In a period of three years, we’ve managed to reduce this irregular expenditure from R12.4 billion to at least R6.8 billion and further plans are in place to totally stop irregular expenditure. When we started this term, only two departments had obtained clean audits today as we depart from the Office of the Premier, we’re grateful that the Office of the Premier has for the first time received a clean audit.”

06/08/2022

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has resigned. In a statement, the African National Congress (ANC) in the province says Zikalala offered the provincial executive committee his resignation and they have accepted it.

“The ANC accepted Comrade Zikalala’s resignation with pain and difficulty as he was still doing a great job in the province since he took over,” says the party in a statement.

04/08/2022

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority says one person has died as a result of adverse effects to a Covid-19 vaccination.

SAHPRA CEO Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela says the patient in question was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome and died after being jabbed with a Johnson&Johnson vaccine.

SAHPRA has declined to provide further details about the patient’s age and other key details, in order to protect their privacy.

Chairperson of SAHPRA’s Pharmacovigilance advisory committee, Professor Marc Blockman has described the syndrome as a very rare entity that affects the immune system of patients, and it affects about 100 000 people globally and annually.

Blockman says it can present mild symptoms but may also have a serious element and it is characterised by the rapid and progressive ascending weakness.

He says even though it is rare, there are many causes of the Guillain-Barré syndrome, including viruses and bacterial infections and as a vaccine regulator, they were aware of the inherent risk that the syndrome may be one of the adverse events that they would have to deal with.

04/08/2022

Church leaders in Polokwane have called on government to do more to strengthen immigration laws in South Africa.

Minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, Reverend Mautji Pataki was speaking at the church leaders’ engagement held on Wednesday, where various church leaders gathered to discuss issues of crime, violence and corruption, among others.

Pataki says it is concerning that more than 80 suspects appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate Court on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act and others in relation to the r**e of 8 women at a mine dump in Krugersdorp, on Gauteng’s West Rand.

He says the levels and brutality of crime that is allegedly committed by the illegal immigrants in the country is alarming and should urgently be addressed by government.

04/08/2022

A Bolt driver, and spokesperson appointed by e-hailing services drivers in Polokwane, Bekky Manaka says the high cost of living has forced them to charge an extra R10 on every trip, since the company is refusing to hear their needs.

Manaka says Bolt charges the driver 27% commission fees and 3% booking fee, leaving them with 70% per trip in which they will have to maintain the car, pour fuel, buy data, and pay car owners or instalment.

He says Bolt is not willing to increase the asking price since 2019, when fuel was still R14 per litre and now it is R27 per litre and they are not benefiting as drivers.

Manaka says charging an extra R10 is a cry for help as they are working at a loss.

04/08/2022

Police have fired rubber bullets at protesting community members in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg.

Residents in Kagiso have taken to the street blockading the R28. They are expressing frustration over illegal mining in the area which they believe is the cause of the criminality in the area.

This comes after eight women were gang r**ed last week at an abandoned mine dump. Police say the suspects are believed to be illegal miners.

A number of residents are searching the township for illegal miners, saying they are terrorising community members.

Several illegal miners have been assaulted by community members.

Police are currently on the scene firing rubber bullets at the protesting community.

03/08/2022

Community members from Bhambayi north of Durban are protesting outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court where a man is expected to apply for bail for the alleged r**e of his 13-year-old stepdaughter.

They are carrying placards with messages like- ‘our bodies are not here for your pleasure’ and ‘save us from rapists, end r**e, no bail’.

Bhambayi Project CEO Mandy Pearson says, “The community-based NGO focuses on supporting and empowering orphans and vulnerable children in the area.

“There is no way that this man must be given bail. We have had three cases in the last few weeks of young children being r**ed, the youngest being five years old. This is not acceptable. We say zero tolerance for GBV. It’s women’s month but it also must be girls’ month.”

“We are seeing mothers who drop the charges because the man is the breadwinner, or because they’re threatened. We say how can we fight for the girl child? Let it not be just a woman’s month. Let’s fight for the rights and let’s make sure that r**e of young children of anyone in this country [is] stopped today.”

Earlier, the Commission on Gender Equality conducted an oversight visit to almost 70 police stations across the country to assess some of the mechanisms they have put in place to deal with issues relating to gender-based violence.

But what they found highlighted the enormous challenges and pressures that police work under.

Gauteng for instance, which is the smallest and yet densely populated province, had a total of 143 police stations servicing a population of almost 16 million people.

“One police station in Gauteng services 109 000 people. KwaZulu-Natal, one station services 62 500 (people). It does look like, in terms of service delivery there are nodes where there are extreme pressure points for SAPS. We are also aware that recently SAPS announced that they are building new stations. Whether it will be sufficient to change this pressure, that is the question,” says the acting chairperson of the Commission