Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
It was an emotional affair at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg as musicians and other entertainment industry players came together to remember multi-award winning musician Zahara (real name Bulelwa Matukana) who succumbed to illness on Monday, just over a month after turning 36. The musician had apparently been battling a liver disease. Musician and broadcaster Unathi Nkayi who was the MC at the memorial service called on South Africans to pause the discourse about whether the star-singer got a raw deal from the entertainment industry. This as questions are raised on whether she was remunerated fairly for her…
The high crime rate in Diepsloot is driven largely by neglect of the area by the government. Five men appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court where they are facing among others murder and kidnapping charges in connection with the mass killing of seven suspected criminals at the beginning of the month. Community leaders believe criminals running amok in the area because the conditions allow it. Lefa Nkala, one of the community leaders said lack of housing, roads and other basic amenities created the perfect conditions for the commission of crime. “ the area is neglected, we don’t have houses, there…
The community of Diepsloot, North West of Johannesburg have expressed frustration with the continued postponement of the case against five of their fellow residents who were arrested in connection with the mob killing of seven suspected criminals at the beginning of the month. The men had the case against them postponed to Monday for a bail hearing date. The prosecution asked for more time to verify the physical address of one of the accused. “We understand the court processes but I can tell you that the community of Diepsloot is very angry. As leadership we are in contact with residents…
Ties between South Africa are set to depen as the two countries mark 25 years of diplomatic relations which in 1998 while the ruling ANC and the mighty Communist Party of China have had close ties for much longer dating back to the apartheid era. International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor led a delegation consisting ministers and ruling party leaders to the Chinese embassy in Pretoria where they were hosted by Chen Xiaodong. China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and while the latter has been China’s trading partner on the African continent for 13 years now…
Tensions remain high at Gold One Mine’s Modder East operations near Springs despite the end of this week’s underground sit-in which was later described as a “hostage” after it emerged that some of the workers were kept there against their will. At issue is a seemingly popular demand for the mine to recognise the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union as well as the halting of disciplinary action against several hundreds employees who took part in a previous underground sitting. Currently a little over 70 of them have been dismissed while a similar number is on suspension. Most of the…
There was a heavy police presence at Gold One Mine’s Modder East operations where some 446 mine workers came to surface after being holed up underground in what was initially reported to be a sit-in only for mine management, unions and the government to categorise it as a hostage situation after it emerged there were employees among the group who were held against their will and were being threatened as well as assaulted. The National Union of Mineworkers promptly distanced itself from the action with the Association of Mining Construction Workers Union doing the same on Sunday. AMCU said on…
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed criticism by opposition parties that his sudden acceleration of service delivery and mass job creation programme were meant to sway voter sentiment to aid a struggling African National Congress ahead of next year’s general elections. The EFF has led the charge in questioning the “siya transformer” programme and has vowed to reverse all appointments made under the “nasi spane initiative” should it win elections in Gauteng next year. “We are deploying you to ensure that those who want to register to vote are identified, are encouraged and are registered to vote for the party…
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has vowed to roll out interventions for the benefit of the province’s poor and unemployed. Among others, Lesufi says his administration will be giving free school uniforms to children from poor households as well as food parcels. The Premier made the commitment in Randburg on Saturday where he handed out over ten thousand appointment letters to new recruits who are beneficiaries of the provincial government’s Nasi spane mass employment programme. Lesufi used the opportunity to hit back at opposition parties who claimed the sudden job creation initiative was meant to help the ANC retain power during…
Staff and families gathered at the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital to remember the dozen healthcare workers who were killed in a truck explosion near the facility on Christmas Eve. 39 other people who were in the vicinity of the hospital also perished while a dozen or so sustained serious injuries. Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on Friday led proceedings at opening of a remembrance tombstone in honour of the twelve healthcare workers who were killed instantly during the explosion. Nkomo-Ralehoko paid tribute to the hospital’s surviving staff and emergency services personnel for the rescue of colleagues even when the situation…
More than 350 miners are holed up underground at Gold One Mine in Springs. The National Union of Mineworkers says the group went underground as part of yesterday’s night shift and never came to the surface. The union says it is unclear if the unfolding situation is sit-in or hostage. Livhuwani Mambhuru, the spokesperson for NUM confirms that more than 350 mineworkers didn’t come to surface after going down for the night shift on Thursday. “The NUM can confirm that there’s a situation that is currently unfolding at Gold One that involves more than 350 mineworkers underground. So we don’t…