 |
Cops slam Mpumalanga protests
IOL News 8 May 2012
Mpumalanga police have condemned the violence in recent service delivery protests in the province.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi said offices and an earth-moving machine were set alight during protests in Lillydale, in the Bushbuckridge municipality, on Monday.
Nine people were arrested for public violence and arson.
Residents had been demonstrating their dissatisfaction over municipal water, which they said was unfit for consumption.
The nine would appear in the Calcutta Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
Hlathi said the arrests followed the sentencing last month of Division Zungu, 32, Bhekisisa Gule, 34, and Sibusiso Lukhele, 21, for instigating a service delivery protest in Driefontein, near Piet Retief.
“They mobilised community members to barricade roads in the area, obstruct the entrance to a local mine, damaged the mine property and looted shops belonging to foreign nationals,” he said.
Zungu was sentenced to eight years in prison, Gule to four years and Lukhele to two years.
“Police management in the province believe the sentencing of the trio will serve as a deterrent to those who take part in and instigate violent protests,” he said. – Sapa
www.iol.co.za
Free State town quiet after protests
IOL News 3 May 2012
Free State police continued to patrol Mokwallo, Vredefort, on Thursday after three more shops were damaged during protests.
Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the situation was calm in the morning after some electricity supply was restored to the town.
Mokwallo residents blocked roads with burning tyres and stones this week, apparently in protest against a lack of electricity and water supplies. A group of 2000 residents started protesting, and three foreign-owned shops were damaged by fire. Attempts to set alight a municipal building in Mokwallo earlier in the week failed, but protesters broke most of the windows.
Police had been in the town since 2am on Wednesday morning. – Sapa
www.iol.co.za
Five in court for protest violence
IOL News 3 May 2012
A man appeared in the Alberton Magistrate's Court on Monday on several counts of rape and robbery.
Five people appeared in the Vredefort Magistrate’s Court on charges of public violence after protests in the town, Free State police said on Thursday.
Colonel Thandi Mbambo said the five also faced charges of possession of suspected stolen property.
A group of 2 000 residents started protesting, blocking roads with burning tyres and stones in Mokwallo township on Tuesday.
Three foreign-owned shops were damaged by fire. The protests were sparked by electricity supply problems in the township. Mbambo said the situation was calmer since some power was restored to the town on Thursday.
Attempts to set alight a municipal building in Mokwallo earlier in the week failed, but protesters broke most of the windows.
Police were continuing to patrol Mokwallo. - Sapa
Protests outside Musina court
IOL News 8 May 2012
Protests were taking place outside the Musina Magistrate's Court on Tuesday after nine people were arrested following service delivery protests in the Limpopo town, police said.
“On Sunday, members of the community marched to the house of Musina mayor Carol Phiri and the chief whip of the municipality Simon Madamalala,” Superintendent Ronel Otto said.
“They were protesting about service delivery... They demanded the two people be removed.”
Nine people were arrested for public violence - four of them on Sunday and the other five on Monday when they handed themselves to the police.
“This morning (Tuesday) the nine people are appearing in the Musina Magistrate's Court,” said Otto.
“That is why the protest started. There are burning tyres and blocked roads.”
Police arrived, flames were doused and road barricades removed. The nine people were still in court. - Sapa
www.iol.co.za
All quite after Lillydale protest
IOL News 8 May 2012
“It is all quiet this morning,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi.
Police were still in the area.
“At 6am residents… went on the rampage. They burnt municipal offices and a Caterpillar grader,” Hlathi said on Monday.
The residents were demonstrating their dissatisfaction over municipal water which was unfit for consumption.
According to the 2012 Blue Drop Report, the water of 14 municipalities, including Bushbuckridge, did not meet government standards. Residents were advised to treat the water by boiling it or adding bleach before drinking it.
The nine people arrested would appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court soon on charges of public violence and arson. – Sapa
www.iol.co.za
Angry Delft residents ‘sick of waiting’
Sibongakonke Mama 8 May 2012
Nearly 100 protesters burnt tyres and portable toilets during a service delivery protest in Delft, which the local ward councillor said was linked to homes being illegally sold for as little as R4 000.
The residents, from temporary residential area (TRA) 5.1 in Delft, overturned bins on Symphony Way at around 7.30am on Monday, demanding houses and security for the area.
Nontsikelelo Phantsi, secretary of the TRA 5.1 community committee, said residents were sick of waiting.
“We were told that we’d be moved from TRA 5.1 to TRA 5, where there is temporary housing. We want to know when that is going to happen because we see people being put up in those houses while we get rained on in winter.
“There are very old, and very young people here. With the threat of losing our fencing, we are not safe. People will easily get raped here because we live near a bush,” said Phantsi.
Residents were also not pleased with the portable toilets provided by authorities, he said.
“We want toilets that we can at least flush,” said Phantsi.
Kayalethu Makeleni, councillor for ward 106, said: “I understand the residents’ plight. I even have proof that people have been selling houses to others. One person sold a house for R4 000.
“I confronted her and she admitted it. She was meant to meet with me on Sunday but did not pitch. I’m still trying to locate her,” said Makeleni.
He said he would continue to investigate the matter in order to lay a charge against those selling houses.
www.iol.co.za
sibongakonke.mama@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
Protest staged to save marine life
Laea Medley and Sapa 4 May 2012
KwaZulu-Natal surfers and divers will stage a paddle-out this weekend in support of marine life killed in shark nets.
Boats, jet skis, paddle boarders, and surfers will paddle out from Umkomaas, Scottburgh, and Rocky Bay on Sunday at 7am, and will meet at the shark nets where they will stay for about half an hour.
“We are protesting against the damage caused to sharks, whales, and other marine life, by the nets,” said Mark Addison of Blue Wilderness, an underwater filming logistics and expedition company.
Addison said the paddle-out was open to the public and that he was hoping for about 200 people to participate.
The paddle-out was triggered by the capture of 14 tiger sharks in the nets in April.
The sharks were thought to have been attracted to the nets by a whale carcass which became entangled.
Diver Cormac McCreesh and others believe the nets should not be in the Aliwal Shoal marine protected area. The shoal is a large rocky reef that lies about 7km offshore between Umkomaas and Scottburgh.
McCreesh said Aliwal Shoal was a popular spot for sightings of sharks, turtles, whales, dolphins and other marine life.
KZN Sharks Board operations head Mike Anderson-Reade said at this stage, there were no alternatives to protect marine life and bathers.
“We can’t use shark spotters like Cape Town because our water conditions are generally poor and unclean,” he said.
The board was considering electrical repulsion and shark repellents to protect bathing areas.
“We hope to use that technology some time in the future, but right now it’s in the early stages of development. It’s a groundbreaking technology,” said Anderson-Reade.
Between 500 and 600 sharks a year are caught in the nets.
- Daily News
*To participate in the paddle-out, call Mark Addison at 083 303 1515, or e-mail info@ bluewilderness.co.za
www.iol.co.za
Students beat robbers in Limpopo
IOL News 3 May 2012
Students assaulted a group of robbers at the University of Limpopo's Mankweng campus, east of Polokwane, on Thursday, police said.
The eight men had robbed a student of a cellphone at 1am, Constable Moses Molepo said.
“The suspected thieves were apprehended by the students and were badly assaulted,” he said. About 100 students beat them with sticks, stones and other weapons.
Three of the robbers escaped and were later arrested by the police outside the university campus. The other five robbers were badly injured.
Molepo said the students stoned an ambulance called to take the injured robbers to hospital, but did not injure the medics. They also broke a campus office window.
The injured robbers were under police guard in hospital. A case of malicious injury to property had been opened, but no arrests had been made and police were investigating.
“Police are hereby making an appeal to all people to refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” said Molepo. – Sapa
www.iol.co.za
Parents, teachers in racist incident
Bongani Hans 4 May 2012
Maths and science lessons for matric pupils at a Durban school have ground to a halt on Thursday because three teachers of the subjects were kicked off the school premises by parents, who claim that the trio hurled racial insults at their Indian principal.
The teachers, from Khulabebuka High School in uMbumbulu outside Umlazi are SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) office-bearers. They teach maths literature, life sciences, maths and physical science.
A source, who spoke to The Mercury on condition of anonymity, said the teachers had made racial remarks aimed at principal Premilla Deonath, and also taunted her by singing Mbongeni Ngema’s infamous Amandiya song in her presence.
In 2002 the SA Human Rights Commission ruled that its lyrics were racially offensive.
According to the parents, they ordered the teachers out of the school in a bid to restore order, but they had been unsuccessful in persuading the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department to employ substitute teachers.
Khulabebuka’s school governing body secretary Ncamisile Ngcobo said the teachers had told the parents and pupils that they wanted Deonath out of the school.
“They refused to give us reasons why they did not want to work with the principal, except to say ‘this Indian should leave the school’.
“We told them that we are not prepared to get rid of the principal, because she is a hard worker,” said Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said the trouble started in September last year when all three teachers returned from a month-long absence, providing medical certificates from the same doctor.
Prior to this they had been absent for two months.
“On their return they were greeted by angry parents and pupils who demanded to know why they had been absent from work. They then told the parents that they would only teach if the Indian principal, left the school,” said Ngcobo.
One of the teachers, whose name is known to The Mercury declined to comment, but confirmed being a union office- bearer.
Department spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said the governing body members had been instructed to allow the teachers back to work, and let the department handle the disciplinary matters.
He said the department would not hire replacement teachers while there were teachers employed at the school.
Sadtu regional secretary in Durban Sva Xulu said the union, which held a meeting to discuss the matter, would comment about the matter on Friday. - The Mercury
www.iol.co.za
‘They call us Jacob Zuma’s children’
Tshego Lepule 3 May 2012
Black children and parents go to court after the arrests of two protesters.
A group of learners are refusing to return to school after they were racially abused by fellow schoolmates – and even a teacher.
Now their angry parents have pulled the pupils out of their classrooms.
And they are demanding that their kids are given a school of their own.
The shocking race row erupted in the Marvin Park Primary School in Macassar this week.
It reached boiling point on Wednesday after black learners – backed by their parents – boycotted their classes.
One pupil tells the Daily Voice: “They call us foreigners, Bantus, k***** and even Jacob Zuma’s children.
“And some of the teachers also call us names.
“This school is too far and learning is not easy as we do not get along with the coloured children.
“We don’t want to go back to that school anymore.
“We are often told to attend school in Khayelitsha and leave their area.
“We want our own school in our own area where we won’t have to walk for long distances to get to.”
One senior teacher at the school Wednesday night confirmed it has dealt with at least two cases of racial discrimination.
And she admits one of these involved a teacher who is accused of racially abusing a black learner.
“There are two separate cases that we have had to deal with here at the school,” she explains.
“One involves a few learners against one black child.
“And the other was against an educator and a child.
“Both cases were dealt with following the proper procedures.
“It’s a difficult situation, especially with the people from Macassar Village.
“It is not fair for the children but we are dealing with it as best as we can.”
The pupils joined residents at the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday as two men faced public unrest charges after they were arrested during another protest on Tuesday.
Thokolo Makhetha and Khangelani Matshola were released on free bail, but both will have to return to court again next month.
Cops clashed with residents as the protests turned violent on Tuesday.
Roads were barricaded and tyres burnt throughout Macassar Village as residents demanded a Xhosa teaching school to be built near their homes.
Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Casey says they are aware of the problem and are looking into the possibility of building a new school.
“The main concern is the safety of learners who walk through bushes to attend their current school,” Casey tells the Daily Voice.
“Our district office is discussing the viability of a new school in Macassar with the community leadership.”
*This article was published in the Daily Voice
www.iol.co.za
Pupils protest over principal’s return
Bongani Hans (IOL News) 3 May 2012
A Newcastle school had to close early on Wednesday after pupils from three local schools stormed the office of a school principal accused of attacking a senior colleague.
The chaos at Siyabonga High School in Osizweni started after school principal Sipho Mlotshwa reported for work despite being on suspension for the alleged attack.
Police and education officials intervened and immediately instructed Mlotshwa to leave the school.
He was suspended last week after he had allegedly assaulted his second deputy Thembelihle Mbhele, several times with a knife handle.
Police spokesman Captain Shoes Magudulela said Mlotshwa appeared at the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court where he was released on R100 bail on Monday.
A teacher at the school said Mlotshwa joined other teachers during the morning prayer on Wednesday.
The trouble started when the principal had a staff meeting and tried to address the teachers about the attack.
“He had just told us that we should not take sides on the matter when a group of our pupils and others from nearby schools approached the staff room, toyi-toying,” said the teacher.
Police immediately escorted Mlotshwa from the school. Pupils from nearby Xolani and Thembalentsha high schools had also joined the Siyabonga pupils to protest against Mlotshwa.
Education spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said Mlotshwa had been handed a suspension letter last week and told not to return to work.
Mbhele claimed that Mlotshwa had punched him after accusing him of being late for work. Mlotshswa then allegedly pulled a home-made knife from under his desk and struck him repeatedly on the head with the handle.
Mbhele was later treated for head injuries at Madadeni Provincial Hospital.
Police said the school was closed for the day. - The Mercury
www.iol.co.za
Fifty-three protesters to appear in court
IOL News 1 May 2012
Fifty-three people would appear in the Reddersburg Magistrate's Court after a violent protest by residents of the nearby Matoporong township, said Free State police on Tuesday.
“They will appear tomorrow (Wednesday) on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property, arson and sabotage,” Sergeant Ikobeng Hlubi said.
She said everything was calm in Reddersburg on Tuesday.
But the N6 in Reddersburg remained closed to traffic because of stones in the road.
Contrary to earlier reports only 53 people were arrested for the protests, she said.
On Monday the Reddersburg's municipal building was set alight during the protests and protesters also threw stones at the municipal building, at the library and at a supermarket.
The protesters were angry about an unsatisfactory response to a memorandum handed to the Kopanong local municipality three weeks ago.
Hlubi said the protesters were calm late on Monday morning and in the early afternoon, but that renewed violence broke out when it appeared that talks with the municipality had failed.
However, the Democratic Alliance argued that whenever there were protests it was far too easy to “trot out the usual lack of service delivery problems” and have a protest.
“There are service delivery problems throughout the Free State, and Reddersburg is not the worst. This just appears to be too well orchestrated Ä Zastron last week and now Reddersburg,” DA spokesman on local government and housing, Peter Frewen, said in a statement.
“Surely, political interference cannot be ruled out.”
He said it was time that the African National Congress elected councillors who understood their roles and who were accountable to the public that elect them and take responsibility for their actions.
“It is time that the ANC Deployment Committee stops placing comrades, friends and family in positions in municipalities but rather let the council put the right people in management positions in municipalities.” - Sapa
www.iol.co.za
COSATU May Day Celebrations
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will be holding the annual May Day Celebrations on 1st May 2012 under the theme “Celebrating Workers Contribution in the Struggle for Liberation”. There are fifteen rallies organised across all provinces in the country. The rallies will be addressed by speakers from COSATU, ANC and the SACP.
The National rally will be in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo Stadium and will be addressed by COSATU President Sidumo Dlamini, ANC President Jacob Zuma and SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande.
Below are the details of the rallies in each province. The media are invited to attend and report.
PROVINCE
RALLY
VENUE
CONTACT PERSON
SPEAKERS
Free State
Bloemfontein
(National Rally)
Botshabelo Stadium
Sam Mashinini
079 835 4020
Monyatso Mahlatsi
076 115 9923
COSATU President Sidumo Dlamini
ANC President Jacob Zuma
SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande
Eastern Cape
East London
Sisa Dukashe Stadium
Mandla Rayi
082 779 2466
Mkhawuleli Maleki
082 339 5482
COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe
SACP Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Cronin
Mpumalanga
Embalenhle
(Govan Mbeki municipality)
Embalenhle Stadium
Fidel Malombo
082 719 5699
David Mokoena
073 750 2041
POPCRU General Secretary Nkosinathi Theledi
ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe
SACP Central Committee member Charles Setsubi
Bushbuckridge
Thulamahashe New Stadium
Oupa
071 945 0233
NUM President Senzeni Zokwana
ANC NEC member Bathabile Dlamini
SACP Central Committee Member Madala Masuku
Limpopo
Thohoyandou
Vhembe District Stadium
Dan Sibabi
082 779 2421
SAMWU 1st Deputy President Nomvula Hadi
ANC NEC member Baleka Mbethe
SACP Central Committee member
George Mashamba
Lebowakgomo
Civic Centre
Louisa Nxumalo
082 339 6004
FAWU General Secretary Katishi Masemola
North West
Moses Kotane Municipality
Moruleng Stadium
Solly Phetoe
082 304 4055
Kopano Konopi
082 339 5836
NEHAWU General Secretary Fikile Majola
ANC NEC Member Nathi Mthethwa
SACP Central Committee Chris Matlhako
Northern Cape
Kuruman
Mothibastad closed grounds
Anele Gxoyiya
082 401 6598
Manne Thebe
082 339 5907
NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim
ANC- Duma Ndleleni
SACP National Treasurer Phumulo Masualle
KwaZulu Natal
Durban (Main Rally)
Curries Fountain
Zet Luzipho
072 884 3456
Khaliphile Cotoza
072 122 7223
NUMSA President Cedric Gina
ANC NEC Member Jeff Radebe
YCL National Secretary Buti Manamela-
Ulundi
Multipurpose Hall
Patrick Xhakaza
079 348 5930
SADTU President Thobile Ntola
ANC NEC member Malusi Gigaba
SACP Central Commitee member Willies Mchunu
Ladysmith
Civic Centre Hall
Thobile Nkosi
082 569 6715
SACTWU President
Themba Khumalo
ANC NEC member Dina Pule
SACP Central Committee member Ben Martins
Gauteng
Johannesburg
Alexandra Stadium
Dumisane Dakile
082 727 1422
Matserane Wa Mapena
083 587 2788
Deputy General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali
ANC Deputy Secretary General Thandi Modise
SACP Deputy National Chairperson
Joyce Moloi-Moropa
Western Cape
Cape Town
(Main Rally)
Good Hope Centre
Tony Ehrenreich
082 773 3194
Mike Louw
082 339 5442
NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni
ANC NEC member Jessie Duarte
SACP Central Committee member : Thulas Nxesi
Plettenburg Bay
KAA Nokuthula Community Hall
Dumisani Mnweba
083 495 4848
Leon Zintwana
082 837 3402
COSATU Treasurer Freda Oosthuysen
ANC Treasurer General Mathews Phosa
SACP Central Committee member
Godfrey Oliphant
Saldanha Bay
Skilpad Saal
Andie Wilson
079 555 1156
SACTWU General Secretary Andre Kriel
ANC NEC Member Tina Joemat-Pettersen
SACP Central Committee member Shiela Barsel
For more information contact:
Phindile Kunene (Shopsteward Magazine Editor)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Cnr Jorissen and Simmonds Street
Braamfontein
2017
P.O.Box 1019
Johannesburg
2000
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080 / 6940
Mobile: +27 79 167 9544 or 82 494 2409
E-mail: phindi@cosatu.org.za
COSATU NW continues with its protest action against R71 toll gate
Cosatu 26 May 2012
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West is going back to the most expensive toll gate at Swartruggens plaza on 30 April 2012 from 7h30 in the morning until 15h30.
This program is part of the national campaign as adopted by the central Committee in June 2012 and programmatised by the CEC.
COSATU NW calls its members, the communities, business and our taxi industry to support our action which is calling for the owners of the toll gate to reduce the payment.
As COSATU we are not acting as an opposition party but we just demand a better life for all which we were promised in 1994 when we voted for the first time including during all election campaign.
COSATU believes that the people of this country did not struggle to be over-taxed, as we see happening with the e tolling, where those who cannot register will pay six times more than those who can register. For us this means that people who do not reside in Gauteng should no longer go to Gauteng and this becomes another group areas act.
COSATU calls on the masses of our people in the country to fight against this reverse colonialism of apartheid.
We are calling the media to focus on real issues that affect workers and the communities, when the factions of councillors and their police who are in the pocket of capitalists and corrupt councillors refuse permissions with no reasons. The media must be worried also that illegal marches are encouraged by the attitude of the police under the instructions of the factions of the municipalities for their continuation of corruption and stealing from the poor.
Our protest march will start from the Swartruggens local municipality next to the police station from 7h30 a.m. to the Swartruggens expensive toll gate of R71 in the country, the memorandum will be handed over the acting MEC of roads and transport at 15h00.
We call on all COSATU members not to be intimidated by anybody. This is our life and death; this is our country; this is our government; this is our road. Our children must enjoy the 1994 breakthrough in the next decades.
We must fight for our rights; we must be clear about what we want to see taking place in our country, and we will not allow a few racists to tell us how we must use our roads. Petrol is going up next week. Where does it take us as the poor workers and the poor working class of this 18 years democracy?
Media is invited to the march that will take place at this racist town.
For more information contact Solly Phetoe COSATU North West Provincial Secretary at 082 304 4055
Farmer attacked in land grab
Tania Broughton and Colleen Dardagan (IOL News) 26 April 2012
The R10-billion Blythedale Coastal Resort project is likely to be affected by the invasion of a 1 000ha farm neighbouring the property during a recent “land grab” by a chanting and toyi-toying group.
Now the massive sugar farm and timber plant on the North Coast has been shut down after a 65-year-old farmer was dragged from his office, beaten up and chased off the property before allegedly being forced to sign a document cancelling his lease.
Former SA Sugar Association chairman Rodger Stewart, of New Guelderland Sugar Estates, obtained an urgent Durban High Court interdict last week to stop the invasion of the farm which his family once owned.
The farm was handed over to the Dube clan as part of a R200-million land claim deal.
Stewart then leased the land to run his farms.
Last week’s “land grab” also affects the neighbouring R10bn resort project, which formed part of the land claim deal, and was bought by developers from the clan.
The developers obtained a second interdict, preventing members of the Zwelabantu Dube Communal Property Association and its “consultant” Jabulani Mabaso – a man facing charges of R200m government fraud – from any further “illegal” action and ordering them to immediately vacate the properties.
But the interdicts have been ignored and community spokesman Makinyesini Ndiniso remained defiant this week.
He insisted that neither Stewart nor the resort developers had stuck to their end of the deals and the court orders were meaningless.
“We have not seen any money (from the lease) at all,” he said. “They must go. We are coming to farm here now.”
According to papers before the court, the land was in Stewart’s family for 130 years and was handed over to the clan in 2008, after which the estate signed the five-year lease.
In terms of the agreement, it would pay the community rent for houses, 10 percent of the gross proceeds of crops, and train community members in farm management.
He says the estate has complied with its obligations and has paid the rent and about R1.2m, being the community’s share of the proceeds of harvested sugar cane.
All was well until earlier this month when community representatives expressed “frustration”, and said they wanted to cancel the lease.
He rejected this, saying there was a binding lease agreement.
Then, on the afternoon of April 16, a group came to the farm, chanting and toyi-toying.
“A tense meeting ensued. At about 6pm, when some said they wanted to smoke and I opened the door, I was pulled outside by the mob, thrown to the ground, kicked and punched.
“Some of the 10 members in the meeting intervened, forming a cordon around me and helping me back into the office. I was bruised, hurt and very shaken… the doors were again closed and team members present made it clear that they now insisted on the termination of the lease.
“I was forced to sign the document… I had no option. It was a life-threatening situation.”
He said he had since moved his family to safety.
In the second interdict application, Stewart says the resort land – also part of the land claim – was earmarked for an upmarket development and was sold on to the eLan property group’s Mark Taylor in return for a 20 percent stake.
Stewart said a share certificate had been issued, but the trust had yet to be formed.
He said the development had never taken off because of the world economic slump and because an attempt to secure “mezzanine finance” to start a “celebrity row” on the property had been stopped by community leaders.
Stewart said the community was laying claim to this land and he anticipated that people would simply arrive and take occupation, interfering with contractors on site.
Taylor said he was confident the law would take its course.
“I am very concerned about Rodger, but we are carrying on. We have met regularly with the BCR board where the community is well represented. They understand the slow progress of the development is due to forces beyond our control – the recession. They are on board with us,” he said.
The community property association has until next Thursday to respond in court to the interdict applications. - The Mercury
www.iol.co.za
Lonely 'pro-e-toll' protester rescued
IOL News 26 April 2012
A lone ranger who is apparently in favour of Gauteng's e-toll project had to rescued by police during an anti-toll protest in Pretoria, according to a report on Thursday.
Paul de Beer held up a hand-written white placard on a stick saying, “Stop moaning, pay e-toll”, at a protest in Pretoria organised by Cosatu.
Upset Cosatu members descended onto him and broke his placard, reported Beeld newspaper. The police then intervened and escorted him to safety. – Sapa
www.iol.co.za
PROTEST MARCH! FRIDAY 27TH APRIL 2012: Expand our freedoms on FREEDOM DAY!
Calling all Residents, Community Activists & Organizations: Join the struggle against high electricity hikes and disconnections, for access to water and sanitation, for access to decent housing and livelihoods, for access to a clean & healthy environment and to reject xenophobia!
Join thousands of citizens of Durban and surrounding areas under the banners of the Durban Social Forum, Climate Justice, Housing Rights and Affordable Service Delivery on this day. We will be out in the streets to fight for the voice and interests of Durban’s poor and working people, and the protection of our exploited environment. There is growing mass opposition to Durban municipal increases in rates, electricity, water, waste removal and sanitation prices. Government’s increases come on top of the increase in the cost of food, and the massive petrol price increase.
The government’s failure to provide housing for shackdwellers, to upgrade forgotten apartheid-era flats, and to end the misery of those pushed into Durban’s notorious transit camps, have created a crisis of credibility for the municipality. New municipal management must urgently address the policies and practices we fought with in prior administrations. Mayor Nxumalo and City Manager Sithole can do a much better job than Mlaba/Sutcliffe – but only if they listen to and respect our communities, our working class, and our environment.
Despite the high unemployment rate in Durban, municipal policies still limit the livelihoods of our subsistence fisherfolk, our small farmers and our street traders. In struggling to survive, they are still being denied the right to ply their trades and they suffer ongoing harassment and removal of their goods. Hundreds of organizations and critical thinkers throughout South Africa are standing together against these atrocities, as well as against the Secrecy Bill which contradicts our Human Rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
In our common interest we ask you to join a peaceful march from Botha Park/ King Dinizulu at the corner of Dr. Pixley Ka Seme (West) and Anton Lembede (Smith) Streets to the Durban City Hall on 27TH April 2012. This is Freedom Day, and we urgently need to expand our freedoms – or lose them to an authoritarian, neoliberal, environmentally-destructive state.
This march is being coordinated by a coalition, headed by the Durban Social Forum. The participants will be gathering at Botha Park from 8:30am on the morning of 27th April 2012, then start marching from 9am down Dr. Pixley Kaseme (West Street) Street and finish off at the City Hall by 12 noon with a memorandum being presented on the steps of the City Hall to the City Manager, Mr Sbu Sithole, a representative of the Premier’s office and a representative of Eskom.
SAY YES TO DEMOCRACY!
ENQUIRIES CALL: Sbu Zikode cell 0835470474 Desmond D’Sa 0839826939 Roy Chetty cell 0823348461
March to Department of Transport in Tshwane by COSATU Gauteng Province On 25 April 2012
COSATU Gauteng press release 24 April 2012
SCRAP THE E-TOLLS!
COSATU in Gauteng will be marching to the office of the Department on Transport as part of its build up campaign to scrap the toll-gates called E-tolls. The workers and the public will be gathering at corner Schubart and Proes Street at 09h00 and the march will leave at about 10h00 to Ditsong Museums in Church Street and thereafter proceed to the Department of Transport which is situated at corner Struben and Bosman.
For further information contact COSATU Gauteng Provincial secretary, Dumisani Dakile, at 0827271422
Limpopo Municipality will strike tomorrow
SAMWU PRESS STATEMENT 24 April 2012
The South African Municipal Workers Union in the Mopani District Municipality in Limpopo will embark on an indefinite strike action which will commence on the 25th April 2012, until such time that the Municipality responds positively to workers’ demands.
The strike emanates from a failed conciliation process which was held under the auspices of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. The union will also utilize the strike action to further expose the harassment which workers suffered under the current Municipal Manager. The Municipal Manager has been ruling the Municipality with an iron first, it is time the Council let go of him.
The South African Municipal Workers Union will not rest until the Municipal Manager has been shown the door. We are also demanding the following; the Municipality stop violating policies, reverse all appointments made against the court order which was granted by the Labour Court, ensure that all matters relating to the transfer of former staff members be dealt with accordingly and all overtime and leave days are paid, an end to the consistent use of attorneys by the Municipality which is against the collective agreement and finally we demand that the Municipality provide us with proof that they have erected boreholes in certain areas.
The problem identified at Mopani is generally what is happening in all Municipalities in the Limpopo province. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has tried to intervene but Municipalities undermine even these efforts. We are going to fight to ensure Municipalities in Limpopo are free from maladministration and corruption.
We have tried to engage the Municipality but we were not successful. The planned protest action at the Mopani District Municipality will go ahead as planned, indefinitely, until our demands are met.
Mole Mole Municipality in Limpopo is next on the list; Problematic Municipal Managers must leave one by one, to ensure Municipalities in the province are free from maladministration and corruption and that much needed services are delivered.
For more information contact SAMWU’s Limpopo Provincial Secretary, Simon Mathe, on 071 458 4532.
Issued by;
Tahir Sema.
South African Municipal Workers' Union of COSATU
National Media and Publicity Officer
tahir.sema@samwu.org.za
Office: 011-492 2835.
Fax: 0866186479.
Cell: 0829403403.
ROLLING MASS ACTION AGAINST LABOUR BROKING AND E-TOLLING
COSATU PRESS RELEASE 23 April 2012
Government’s seeming disdain and dismissive attitude towards the massive anger displayed by workers against labour brokers and E Tolling, forces COSATU and others to embark on further action.
COSATU Western Cape is mobilising towards the following action:
23rd April 2012 at 15h00
Occupy Department of Labour
21 Riebeeck Street
Wesbank Building
The media is invited to take statements at 17h00.
24th April 2012
Lunch time protests
13h00 – 14h00
Epping
Bofor Circle (opposite Bonteheuwel Station)
Montague Gardens
Woolworths Distribution Centre
Montague Drive
1st May 2012
May Day Protest March
9h00-12h00
Good Hope Centre to Cape Chamber and City of Cape Town
For further comments please contact Tony Ehrenreich @ 0827733194 or Mike Louw @ 0823395443
|
