Hunting must be undertaken within the framework of regulatory prescripts, says the environmental affairs department.

Pretoria – Hunting activities must be undertaken within the framework of regulatory prescripts and government remains committed to sustainable use of South Africa’s biodiversity, the environmental affairs department (DEA) said on Sunday.

South Africa had noted the motion moved by seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) calling for an end to hunting captive-bred lions and other predators and captive breeding for commercial, non-conservation purposes in South Africa, the department said in a statement.

The motion was presented at the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) currently under way in Hawaii in the United States. The motion expressed the NGOs’ concern at the alleged escalation of breeding of lions for the specific purpose of “canned lion hunting”, or “canned lion shooting”, by sectors of the wildlife industry in South Africa.

“While South Africa does not support some of the aspects in this motion, it will however consider the implications associated with the motion and engage the IUCN director general and the IUCN members on the requirements contained therein. The IUCN has always recognised the role that sustainable, legal hunting plays in conservation and supports human livelihoods in areas where other farming and land use options are less viable,” the DEA said.

Subsequent to the motion, initial discussions with the NGOs had been undertaken leading to a consensus on the need for continued co-operation in addressing non-compliance and research needs, as well as further strengthening the regulatory framework.

Speaking at the IUCN WCC, environmental affairs department deputy director general responsible for biodiversity and conservation Shonisani Munzhedzi said that “while hunting makes a substantial and positive contribution to conservation management and economic growth, we also have a responsibility to preserve the resource base and ensure that the industry has a sustainable future. However, hunting activities must be undertaken within the framework of the regulatory prescripts”.

South Africa was recognised worldwide for its conservation successes which included the African lion. The country also had a proud record of collaborating with the global community to ensure natural resources for the global common good were properly conserved, sustainably utilised, and benefits shared fairly and equitably. It was in this light that the IUCN had recently hailed South Africa’s advances in protecting species such as the African lion.

“We would like to emphasise our commitment to the promotion of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use its biological resources, noting further that responsible utilisation of wildlife contributes to the enhancement of socio-economic development, rural livelihoods, and job creation in the sector,” Munzhedzi said.

However, South Africa, cautioned against assumptions that the adoption of this motion would result in the shutting down of facilities. Biodiversity contributed to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Existing legislative tools and frameworks therefore regulated this sector, including the aspects of captive keeping and hunting of lion in South Africa in a manner that ensured a balanced approach to its overriding developmental priorities and problems.

“[The] South African government remains committed to the sustainable use of the country’s biodiversity and will continue to develop and implement effective systems for managing and monitoring trophy hunts in the country,” the statement said.

African News Agency (ANA)

Former Joburg mayor Parks Tau has issued a warning to new DA mayor Herman Mashaba and his administration to brace themselves.

Johannesburg - The ANC in Joburg is gearing up for a battle to defend “transformation programmes” it says could be reversed as a result of its loss of power in the municipal elections.

Former mayor Parks Tau has issued a warning to new DA mayor Herman Mashaba and his administration to brace themselves for an activist ANC caucus in the opposition benches.

Tau said while his caucus strategy for the next five years would be to continue contributing constructively to ensure service delivery, his party would pursue all means possible, including the courts, to defend the gains made under his leadership.

“We are not going to be docile, certainly not, the city should brace itself for a very activist type of caucus that comes from the ANC,” he said.

“We will maintain decorum and discipline that is required of us as public representatives. It can’t be that because our position in the city has changed, we change our decorum.

“Our view is that being the party with the largest number of councillors we have a responsibility to the electorate to ensure that the city continues to deliver.”

Tau said the ANC in Joburg has started talking to other parties on areas of minimum co-operation because the influence in council was not limited to leadership, particularly in a minority coalition government.

He said that for the new council to pass an integrated development plan (IDP) and budget it would require a lot of buy-in from as many political parties as possible including the ousted ANC.

“We need to ensure that in the process of developing the IDP, we are active participants and mobilise our constituency to participate and influence the programme that the council has to adopt,” he said.

“Ours is to ensure the key issues continue to feature in the programme of the city.”

Tau said the ANC would also mobilise other spheres of government to continue contributing towards the transformation programmes of the city.

The former mayor has previously raised an alarm that the city’s flagship programmes, such as Vulindlel' eJozi - established to create opportunities for up to 200 000 youth in partnership with private sector - were under threat.

But this week Tau said he was awaiting to hear what the Mashaba mayoral committee will decide on the partnerships signed with private sector, including Microsoft, during his term of office.

“If they seek to reverse those, we might not agree with them in the first instance, but we might also look at alternative ways of partnering with other entities to ensure that implementation continues.

“Ultimately, our responsibility is to the people who elected us, and building Joburg into a world-class African city that represents a society that is transformed and create access to opportunity for all,” he said.

Tau has also taken issue with Mashaba over comments he made, after his election into office.

Mashaba apparently said positions would no longer be available to girlfriends of politicians under his administration.

He has threatened to take the new mayor to court for the comments, which he claimed reinforced gender stereotypes, and to report Mashaba's comments to the Commission on Gender Equality.

Tau said that his party was taking on this battle on behalf of the women managers in the city, on whom aspersions had been cast. He believed these women felt their professional capabilities had been questioned.

“It’s important that when you assume a position of leadership in society, in particular a leading city in Africa, that you have to be circumspect about some of the things you say,” he said in reference to Mashaba’s utterances.

“A number of people in the administration have raised concerns because some of the statements called into question the professionalism of people without even determining the extent to which they are capable and have the skills,” Tau added.

Sunday Independent

The ANC has warned headquarters staff to ‘expect groups of people to come for a possible protest’ and ordered them not to allow any visitors.

Johannesburg – As the battle to “occupy” the African National Congress Luthuli House headquarters intensifies, the ANC has warned headquarters staff to “expect groups of people to come for a possible protest” and ordered them not to allow any visitors.

According to an internal memo to ANC managers and Luthuli House staff, staff members should report for duty as normal on Monday but ensure they are at work before 8am. The memo is dated September 2 and signed by Ignatius Jacobs, general manager in the office of ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe.

“Please note that the ANC HQ shall prepare for all possible eventualities. As part of these arrangements, all staff are encouraged not to have any activities or meetings in Luthuli House over the weekend. On Monday itself, all ANC managers and Luthuli staff members are requested to report for duty as normal. Please note that no visitors shall be allowed into the building on Monday,” the memo stated.

This comes after calls by “a group of concerned ANC members” for mobilisation and a mass occupation of Luthuli House on Monday.

The group includes former Wits University Students Representative Council (SRC) president Mcebo Dlamini, Johannesburg ANC member Sasa Manganye, and former ANC Youth League national executive committee member Ntibi Modise.

The planned occupation of Luthuli House was apparently intended to demand that President Jacob Zuma and the ANC national executive committee resign following the losses the party suffered in the August 3 local government elections.

On Sunday, security was being beefed up outside Luthuli House ahead of the planned march.

At least three South Africa Police Service nyalas were parked in the area around Luthuli House, with barbed-wire on trailers on standby, presumably to prevent protesters getting close to the building.

Johannesburg metro police had also already closed one of the lanes on Sauer Street which passes outside Luthuli House.

Not many police officers were on the streets. Some were sitting in their cars, but the number of vehicles visible showed they were not taking the planned protest lightly.

Also on Sunday, the ANC Gauteng provincial executive committee (PEC) “strongly” discouraged all members of the ANC in Gauteng from participating in the campaign to occupy the headquarters.

“The PEC believes the challenges facing the ANC can only be resolved through proper and structured organisational processes such as the special national consultative conference that we are calling for. All ANC members should therefore remain disciplined and participate in these processes,” it said in a statement issued after an extended PEC meeting in Johannesburg this weekend.

African News Agency (ANA)

The #OccupyLuthuliHouse campaign by disgruntled ANC members set to march to the party's headquarters is driven by 'cowards', says the ANCWL.

Pretoria – The #OccupyLuthuliHouse campaign by disgruntled African National Congress members set to march to the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg on Monday is driven by “cowards”, says the African National Congress Women’s League.

“We feel that those are cowards. Those are not members of the ANC, they are afraid to participate in the structures of the ANC. They are pulling this cheap political stunt to show people that they can go and demand that certain things happen in the ANC,” ANCWL secretary general Meokgo Matuba told journalists in Pretoria on Sunday.

“Members of the ANC would understand their roles and responsibilities in terms of the constitution of the ANC. They would seek at all times to defend the ANC but raise their issues with the structures. Going out, organising anti-revolutionaries will not help them rebuild, re-energise, and revitalise the ANC.”

Matuba warned the #OccupyLuthuliHouse campaigners that they would meet at the governing party’s headquarters.

“We will not allow them. They will find us there tomorrow [Monday], at Luthuli House waiting to defend the African National Congress. I don’t want to be misquoted, we will be defending the African National Congress and our revolution. We will be there as the women’s league. It is our position and we are not afraid to engage with any individual who wants to engage us as an organisation,” she said.

Matuba was addressing media alongside ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini after the league’s national executive committee concluded its meeting at a Pretoria hotel.

In Johannesburg, security was being beefed up outside Luthuli House on Sunday ahead of the planned march to demand President Jacob Zuma’s resignation.

At least three SA Police Service nyalas were parked in the area around Luthuli House, with barbed-wire on trailers on standby presumably to prevent protesters getting close to the building. Johannesburg metro police had also already closed one of the lanes on Sauer Street which passes outside Luthuli House.

Not many police officers were on the streets, with some sitting in their cars, but the number of vehicles visible showed they were not taking the planned protest lightly.

This comes after calls for mobilisation by “a group of concerned ANC members” on platforms including social media under the campaign #OccupyLuthuliHouse.

The group of campaigners includes former Wits University Students Representative Council (SRC) president Mcebo Dlamini, Johannesburg ANC member Sasa Manganye, and former ANC Youth League national executive committee member Ntibi Modise.

The planned occupation of Luthuli House was apparently intended to demand that Zuma and the ANC national executive committee (NEC) resign following the losses the party suffered in the August 3 local government elections.

A media briefing by the group was disrupted by ANCYL regional leaders in Pretoria on Friday. ANCYL regional chairman Lesego Makhubela and others stormed the hotel venue and told the organisers they were not allowed to speak on behalf of the ANC without the party’s consent.

It appears the police are preparing themselves for a showdown when the two groups meet on the streets of Johannesburg on Monday.

African News Agency (ANA)

Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown has conveyed her condolences to the families of two Transnet employees who died when a train derailed between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Pretoria – Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown has conveyed her condolences to the families of a Transnet train driver and a train assistant who died when a train comprising of three locomotives derailed between Durban and Pietermaritzburg in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“I am saddened by the death of the Transnet personnel and would like to express my sympathy to their families and colleagues,” she said in a statement.

“I have asked Transnet to give the families the necessary support they would need during this period. I have also requested Transnet to continuously review its safety procedures on the various rail routes to prevent and minimise a recurrence.”

The cause of the derailment was being investigated, Brown said.

African News Agency (ANA)

Security has been beefed up at the ANC's headquarters in Joburg’s CBD for an expected protest by some party members.

Johannesburg - Faced with a revolt on its doorstep over its leader who has veered from one scandal to another, the ANC has brought the precinct around its Joburg headquarters under stringent surveillance.

On Sunday, personnel in an unmarked midibus fitted the Luthuli House precinct with security apparatus, including CCTV cameras. The cameras, which were tested on site, were in addition to the two existing in-house security cameras - one facing the main entrance of Luthuli House and the other the main parking entrance.

Late on Sunday, officers from the Joburg metro police department (JMPD) in half-a-dozen vans manned the offices while coils of razor wire, ready to be rolled out, were stationed around the building. This was as the police braced themselves for the #OccupyLuthuli House campaign on Monday.

More police officers were due to be deployed on Monday morning. ANC security personnel and bodyguards for party officials would be expected to be on high alert.

“We are going to deploy a lot of officers. We will work together with Gauteng traffic police and the SAPS to ensure the safety of citizens. We have deployed some officers already in the area, but will deploy more in the morning,” said JMPD spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

The cameras were part of the ANC’s attempt to stop members - who are demanding that President Jacob Zuma step down - from trying to storm the offices. The campaign is led by former Wits University student representative council (SRC) president Mcebo Dlamini, Joburg ANC member Sasa Manganye, and former ANC Youth League national executive committee members Ronald Lamola and Ntibi Modise, among others.

Sources said the installation of the CCTV cameras was to assist the governing party to obtain footage to be used for the sanctioning of “all bona fide ANC members” taking part in the march.

“This is how seriously the ANC is planning to deal with these dissidents. The footage of all the cameras will be used in the planned disciplinary cases against them. The final purpose is to fire them from the organisation,” said one source.

This came as the clamour for Zuma to step down continued unabated, following the party’s dismal performance in the municipal elections that saw it lose several key metros. This has largely been blamed on Zuma’s administration, which has been embroiled in controversies surrounding his alleged role in state capture by the controversial Gupta family, who are his close friends.

On Sunday, the ANC in Gauteng resolved, following its extended provincial executive meeting, to join the calls by those within and outside of the ANC for a broad special national consultative conference. It is hoped that Zuma would be voted out of office.

Political analyst Professor Somadoda Fikeni said the ANC in Gauteng was trying to find a middle ground because the national leadership had banned its structures from making conflicting statements about it.

On the installation of CCTV, he said it was definite that the ANC would use the footage to identify those taking part in the march. “They will take disciplinary action as they will interpret the march as a disciplinary issue rather than a political matter,” Fikeni said.

The march could also become a battlefield for the ANC factions aligned to Zuma and those opposed to him.

The ANC Women’s League said on Sunday that the #OccupyLuthuliHouse campaign was driven by “cowards”.

“We feel that those are cowards. Those are not members of the ANC, they are afraid to participate in the structures of the ANC. They are pulling this cheap political stunt to show people that they can go and demand that certain things happen in the ANC,” ANCWL secretary-general Meokgo Matuba told journalists in Pretoria.

Matuba warned the #OccupyLuthuliHouse campaigners that they would meet at the governing party’s headquarters.

“We will not allow them... They will find us there tomorrow (Monday) at Luthuli House waiting to defend the ANC. I don’t want to be misquoted; we will be defending the ANC and our revolution,” she said. - Additional reporting by Kgopi Mabotja and ANA

baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za

The Star

Joost van der Westhuizen is set to go to court in a bid to recover his money from the trust account of his former lawyer, who allegedly committed suicide.

Pretoria - Ailing Springbok rugby legend Joost van der Westhuizen desperately needs his money, which is in the trust account of his former lawyer Robert Klinkenberg, who allegedly committed suicide.

Van der Westhuizen will head to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, next Tuesday in a bid to recover the more than R350 000 he claims is owed to him.

The former Bok captain, who has life-threatening motor neurone disease, said in papers filed in court that he was dependent on the money to pay the bills and for medication.

“I have outlived the prognosis that was given to me by far. Unfortunately, I am reliant on the fund for my medicine and day-to-day maintenance. I cannot wait for the Fidelity Fund - watchdog of lawyers’ trust accounts - to decide whether to pay me or not.”

He also said it was a known fact that stressful situations had an adverse effect on a person suffering from motor neurone disease, which could have negative implications on his life.

According to Van der Westhuizen, he had from time to time paid money into the trust account of Klinkenberg to take care of his needs.

Klinkenberg was found dead last December in Magaliesberg. His body was found near his Porsche with one bullet wound. While it was suspected that he had committed suicide, the police were still investigating.

It was also not clear as to why he allegedly committed suicide, but speculation was rife that it may be due to shortfalls in his trust account, and that he may have stolen some money.

Klinkenberg handled Van der Westhuizen’s divorce proceedings a few years ago against his singer wife Amor Vittone. This was shortly after Van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 40.

Fidelity Fund took over the managing of his trust account.

Van der Westhuizen, reportedly only able to move his eyes now, said Klinkenberg offered to administer his money through his trust account. He accepted, as there was not much point in investing the money elsewhere as he did not know how long he was going to live.

“As I started receiving my disability payments, I paid it into the trust account of Klinkenberg Incorporated... He also made payments on my behalf when instructed to do so.”

Van der Westhuizen was one of Klinkenberg’s elite clients and his name was used in television ads to promote the firm. This was before its closure after Klinkenberg’s death.

Van der Westhuizen stated that he at first approached the Law Society of the Northern Provinces to get his money back, but it referred him to the Fidelity Fund.

But Jerome Losper, of Fidelity, said there was no indication whatsoever that Klinkenberg had stolen Van der Westhuizen’s money.

According to him, Van der Westhuizen is jumping the gun and he should wait until the money in the trust account is paid out to him in due course and not demand it by way of an urgent application.

He said the fund was for various reasons entitled to reject the claim and it would fight his application in court.

Losper said that if Van der Westhuizen wanted to lodge an urgent application, this should have been against the estate of Klinkenberg and not Fidelity.

Van der Westhuizen’s lawyer, Ferdinand Hartzenberg, said the former Blue Bulls skipper’s condition would determine whether he will attend court proceedings.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za

Pretoria News

A pupil has alleged that a Cape Town school fines pupils R10 for speaking isiXhosa. It doubled from R5 last year.

Cape Town - A pupil has alleged that a Cape Town school fines pupils R10 for speaking isiXhosa. It doubled from R5 last year.

The school’s name is being withheld.

The pupil, who has asked to not be named for fear of victimisation, told the Cape Times: “The student leaders will write your name and write the amount of money next to it. If you don’t pay the fine, you get detention,” she said.

According to her, the school’s reasoning for enforcing this rule was to better their English marks.

The pupil’s mother confirmed her daughter had been fined for speaking her home language.

She said rules at the school had remained the same for years and parents had not questioned them.

But the school principal said on Sunday night: “In the light of current events this matter is one of serious concern. I am, however, able to say that in our code of conduct, admission and language policy, no mention is made of fining learners for speaking languages other than English. No mention exists of this in any staff meeting minutes or school management team minutes.

“We encourage learners to speak English at school to aid with their language skills in this subject. However, we do also offer Xhosa and Afrikaans as first additional language subjects at our school.

“I have made it known to the girls that I am very approachable. And though many of the girls have come and discussed issues with me in my office, no one has brought any complaint regarding a fine for speaking a language other than English to my attention.”

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Jessica Shelver said it was the first their office has heard of the allegations and district officials had been requested to visit the school to investigate.

She said claims of racism and discrimination were taken seriously by the department.

This comes as allegations continue to emerge about discriminatory policies at schools across the country.

Sans Souci Girls’ High School pupils, who receive demerits for speaking isiXhosa, will on Monday hand over a memorandum demanding the changes they want to see in the school’s code of conduct.

Protests erupted at the school last week after the girls spoke out about institutionalised racism perpetuated through the code.

The girls say the school rules do not accommodate their natural hair, and they are not allowed to speak their home language if it is not English.

Many of the girls showed they had been given a demerit for speaking isiXhosa in their yellow merit book.

Alice Mbongwa, the parent of a Sans Souci pupil, said the girls and parents would meet on Monday night to map out the way forward to a transformed school.

She said the pupils and parents would call for the scrapping of yellow merit books the girls had to carry with them at all times, which some have called a dompas - the hated permit from the apartheid regime without which blacks were not allowed to enter white areas.

And the memorandum would include the call for the removal of Charmaine Murray as principal.

“We are calling for the code of conduct to be improved and inclusive. It is currently an oppressive code of conduct.”

Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer has given the school until the end of this month to come up with a new code of conduct. A department official would oversee the process as an investigation continues into the serious allegations of racism and discrimination at the school.

lisa.isaacs@inl.co.za

Cape Times

A 21-year-old man on a mission to walk from Joburg to Manenburg to raise awareness about gangsterism has been knocked down.

Cape Town -

Maruwaan Scullard, 21, was on a mission, walking from Joburg to Manenberg to raise awareness about gangsterism in Cape Town.

But he was killed on Friday, barely 24 hours into his 1 500km journey, when a “speeding car” mowed him and two others down.

In a video posted on the team’s Facebook page hours before the accident, Maruwaan said: “I’m feeling excited, I’m doing this, we can do this, we actually walked 38 kilometres yesterday [September, 1] and I’m feeling good.”

Organisers say Maruwaan, his teammate Jaryd Jooste, 26, and their team leader, Jonathan Jooste, were resting inside a parked vehicle on the side of the road when the car rammed into them. The team had covered 60km at that point.

Jaryd, who suffered serious head injuries and Jonathan, who sustained injuries to his abdomen, were rushed to hospital where they are still in a critical but stable condition. The driver of the car was also injured.

The men were members of the Love Out Loud team, an initiative of the national NGO Fusion Community Trust and Tree of Life, were walking to raise funds for a new programme looking to fight drugs and gangs in Manenberg.

The trio were planning to walk 1 500km over 60 days, and had set off on Thursday.

Organisers say the young men’s families have since flown up to Joburg.

Clare Pretorius from Fusion Community Trust said: “As a community we are completely devastated. It came as a shock for us. Maruwaan’s mom is here and is heartbroken about the whole ordeal.

“Maruwaan had been staying with us in Johannesburg for 18 months and he was a courageous young man who had beaten drugs and wanted to change his community.”

Now funds are being raised to help pay for the medical bills of the injured men as well as the cost of returning Maruwaan’s body to a funeral at home.

To date over R44 000 has been raised.

Manenberg community leader, Roegchanda Pascoe, says Maruwaan died a hero to many young people in their community.

“He is leaving a legacy behind that you don’t let your circumstances define your future,” she says.

Police spokesman Sergeant Gertrude Makhale confirms that Vanderbijlpark SAPS are investigating a culpable homicide case.

No arrest has been made yet.

Daily Voice

The V&A Waterfront is set to add two more fast charging stations for electric cars at its Silo Precinct.

Cape Town - The V&A Waterfront is set to add two more fast charging stations for electric cars at its Silo Precinct, bringing to five the number of stations where visitors can recharge their electric vehicles free.

In August the Waterfront, together with Nissan and BMW, installed three free fast-charging stations at the popular shopping and tourist attraction.

In 2015, the two car manufacturers signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly roll out charging stations in South Africa.

Each station at the Waterfront has two bays, meaning the three stations can replenish the batteries of six electric cars simultaneously.

They are located in the parking lot outside the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, outside Tasha's Restaurant on Breakwater Boulevard, and in the basement parking near Pick n Pay.

The stations, which resemble petrol pumps without the hoses, will remain free to use for now.

Waterfront's executive manager of operations Colin Devenish said: "We are not charging for the initial rollout. At the moment, you charge while you park."

Devenish said the stations were the first fast-charging locations open to the public at shopping centres in Cape Town, and electric car owners had "definitely picked up on it".

It costs roughly R25 in electricity costs to recharge an electric car, such as the Nissan Leaf, which has a range of about 135km.

Devenish said the Waterfront would consider making a switch to paid charging in the future.

‘Future proof’

Each bay, which is reserved for electric cars, allows people to park for three hours. It takes about two and a half hours to charge the current generation of electric cars available in South Africa, said Devenish.

The stations are linked to "universal chargers", which can recharge electric vehicles such as the Leaf, and the BMW i3 and BW i8.

BMW said the stations were "future proofed".

"These stations will be able to cater for future electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles," it said.

To use the stations, you need to swipe a "recharge card" that is given to buyers of electric vehicles. The card unlocks a flap into which owners can plug their own cables.

In addition the the Waterfront stations, users of electric cars can recharge their cars at fast-charging stations at the four BMW i dealerships in the Western Cape.

Electric cars owners can also use standard three plug points to recharge, but this takes longer.

Cape Town still lags behind major international cities when it comes to fast-charging infrastructure.

London, for example, has more than 1500 fast-charging stations, according to the tracker Zap Map, and more than 500 "rapid" chargers which take just 30 minutes.

Weekend Argus

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe to our Newsletter

A Kimberley father was stabbed to death while trying to protect his son who was being attacked by a man carrying a pair of sheep shears.

Kimberley - A Kimberley father was stabbed to death while trying to protect his son who was being attacked by a man carrying a pair of sheep shears.

Shocked community members gathered outside a bottle store in Roodepan where the body of Selwyn May, 45, was found on Saturday afternoon.

He was stabbed in the neck and was declared dead on the scene.

According to eyewitnesses the man wanted in connection with this incident was only recently released on parole and was seen carrying a pair of sheep shears shortly before May was stabbed.

The police were on Sunday still searching for the suspect.

According to Eddy May, Selwyn’s father, his grandson, Alistair May, came looking for his father (Selwyn) who was having an afternoon nap.

“Alistair was bleeding profusely after being stabbed in the arm when he became involved in an argument with the suspect. I do not know what the fight was about ... he just ran past the house, screaming for help. I told my son (Selwyn) not to get involved but he did not listen to me and went with Alistair to confront the suspect.”

Eddy said that he also went to the scene.

“Within a blink of an eye Selwyn was dead. Alistair kept on saying that his father was dead as he was being taken to hospital for treatment.”

Dorothy du Plooy was grief-stricken when she saw the silver blanket that was used to cover her son’s body.

“I was playing bingo at the church when my family called me to the scene.

“I initially thought that it was my 96-year-old mother.

“His death was so unnecessary because he was always peaceful and loving and never fought with anyone. Why did he have to die?”

Family members added that it was tragic that relatives, who had come to Kimberley to visit an ill uncle, would now have to attend Selwyn’s funeral.

“Selwyn recently left his place of employment at Mapogo security.”

Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said the Roodepan police were investigating a case of murder and attempted murder.

“It is alleged that the father was defending his son who had an argument with the suspect. He was stabbed to death while his son was transported to the hospital for treatment.”

He indicated that the police were still searching for the suspect who fled the scene. The investigation continues.

Diamond Fields Advertiser

Investigators are probing whether there could be a syndicate colluding with Rea Vaya to fleece the bus service after almost R2m was paid into a couple’s business account.

Johannesburg - Investigators are probing whether there could be a syndicate colluding with Rea Vaya to fleece the bus service of millions of rand.

This is after almost R2 million was paid into a couple’s business account.

It was supposed to be paid as compensation to a taxi boss who had his permit cancelled and two taxis removed to make way for Rea Vaya. The taxi boss was among the owners of 317 minibus taxis who were paid a total of R263m to have their vehicles taken off the road to make way for Rea Vaya.

Shafick Bangus, 56, and Ayesha Bangus, 55, have since been arrested for allegedly defrauding Rea Vaya. They appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court recently on charges of theft and fraud.

According to the charge sheet, an amount of R1.7m was “erroneously” paid into a couple’s business account on August 8 last year.

It was during the time that Rea Vaya’s transport department was paying dividends into the accounts of the people whose bus or buses were being taken off the road. However, the couple were never involved in the taxi industry.

The Star understands that investigators are trying to find out if there could be anyone colluding with the couple.

Captain Zenzele Sithole from the Hawks Specialised Commercial Crime Unit said investigations started in March when the rightful beneficiary approached Rea Vaya, saying he had not received the money.

The couple were released on bail of R10 000 each and the case was postponed to September 13.

solly.maphumulo@inl.co.za

The Star

The NFP troubles have gone from bad to worse as some of its MPs’ administration employees have not been paid for three months, and the party is failing to service its debt.

Durban - The National Freedom Party’s (NFP) troubles have gone from bad to worse as about 20 of its MPs’ administration employees have not been paid for three months, and the party is failing to service its debt.

The leaders were also allegedly squabbling over MP posts.

Acting national chairman Bheki Gumbi said a forensic investigation had been instituted to establish what happened to the party’s finances.

“The party does not have money. I cannot give figures left in our bank account because this information would further tarnish the image of the party,” he said.

The unpaid administration employees are meant to be paid by the party, which is provided funding for this by Parliament. Monthly allowances are provided to have staff in constituency offices.

One employee not paid for three months, Samuel Ngwenya, works for MP Maliyakhe Shelembe in his Bloemfontein, Free State, office. He said the party’s parliamentary caucus had forgotten to submit monthly claims to Parliament for the salaries to be released.

“This slipped (our minds) because we were busy with elections and problems facing the party,” he said.

A furious Ngwenya said he was last paid in May. “My children are hungry. I have been taking loans to support my family, and now I have to hide from people who are demanding their money,” said the father of four.

Shelembe resigned as national chairman following the party’s failure to register for the local elections. Early last week Gumbi suspended Shelembe and deputy national chairman Sicelo Mabika from Parliament in response to their alleged refusal to co-operate with the forensic investigation.

Shelembe has turned to his lawyers to challenge his suspension. He said he did not recognise Gumbi because there was no provision for an acting national chairman in the party’s constitution. Shelembe said Gumbi wanted the MP position for himself after he lost his council position in Johannesburg.

He said only suspended national treasurer Xolani Ndlovu should be held accountable for the party’s financial woes. “Gumbi is targeting us (him and Mabika) because he is looking to be an MP,” he said.

However, Gumbi said Shelembe and Mabika were the signatories in authorising the use of the party’s budget.

Gumbi said he had to negotiate with three of the party’s unpaid service providers to stop them from applying to have the NFP liquidated. The companies were owed R8 million for printing election posters and T-shirts. Office rent was also outstanding.

“We want them to explain what happened to the party’s budget, because prior to the elections, 227 of our councillors had been paying 15% of their salaries to the party since 2011,” he said.

The Mercury

Organisers of the #OccupyLuthuliHouse protest say that a “possible Marikana” would have happened if they had gone ahead.

Johannesburg - The planned #OccupyLuthuliHouse protest has been cancelled at the 11th hour following threats of violence and intimidation against its organisers.

Organiser Gugu Ndima said they had expected about 3 000 ANC supporters to attend the protest, but pleaded with them to stay away because of the strong security detail around the party’s headquarters in central Joburg.

She said there had been “high level threats” against many of their comrades, with some receiving calls that they “would be dealt with”.

Some Umkhonto weSizwe military veterans openly jeered and threatened Ndima at the nearby Beyers Naude Square, where she briefed the media contingent covering the event.

Ndima’s counterpart, Sasabona Manganye, chairman of the ANC’s Sefako Makgatho branch, described the heavy police presence in the Luthuli House precinct as “very shocking”.

“We were surprised to see all the police cars around Luthuli House. We are here to request the national executive committee to do the right thing. We will submit a memorandum to the ANC on behalf of all those who were supposed to be here,” he said.

Manganye said more than anyone else, it was President Jacob Zuma who had brought the name of the ANC into disrepute. He said however, they would subject themselves to any ANC disciplinary processes, should the organisation charge them.

He was adamant that a “possible Marikana” would have happened if they had gone ahead with the protest.

Manganye called on the ANC to get its house in order in an effort to inspire confidence ahead of what’s expected to be the hotly contested national election in 2019.

“The ANC must hold its moral high ground. We are fighting for the ANC to be what it’s supposed to be, not something foreign. Zuma remains the elephant in the house regarding some of the challenges we have. We want Zuma to resign in order to inspire confidence in our people,” said Manganye, describing the ANC leader as someone who did not uphold the very values that underpinned the former liberation movement.

The #OccupyLuthuliHouse organisers are demanding, among other things, that ANC stalwarts lead the movement to a consultative conference in December to deal with the many challenges dogging the ANC.

luyolo.mkentane@inl.co.za

@luyolomkentane

The Star

A 60-year-old train driver has shot and killed one of four robbers who attacked him at a train station in Cape Town.

Cape Town - A 60-year-old train driver from Kraaifontein has shot and killed one of four robbers who attacked him.

The incident took place at the Kraaifontein train station at about 3am on Friday.

This was the second attack on the driver, only identified as JD Joubert, in one month.

Joubert resigned following the first attack on August 2, after 42 years in service of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

His last day of work is on September 30.

According to the United National Transport Union (Untu), a “traumatised” Joubert was arrested on a charge of murder. He was released on bail hours later.

Joubert was armed with his personal firearm, and the attack comes weeks after fellow driver Piet Botha was shot and killed while waiting for a train at Netreg station.

According to the union, Joubert was on his way to the train station’s office to sign the attendance register when the four men tried to rob him.

Joubert drew his licensed gun and fired, killing a 26-year-old attacker.

The other three ran off.

The union’s Steve Harris says Joubert has been advised by a Prasa-appointed lawyer not to make any statements about the incident.

Zino Mihi, corporate affairs manager for Prasa, says according to their statistics, Kraaifontein station was “medium” risk for crime.

In July, Piet Botha was robbed and killed and two suspects were later arrested after police viewed CCTV footage.

The day after the shooting, Metrorail workers downed tools, demanding increased safety for workers.

Mihi says arming train drivers was not part of Prasa’s plan to safeguard employees.

“As far as I could establish, there’s no policy that prohibits our employees from carrying licensed firearms,” he added.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said: “The circumstances surrounding the matter are being investigated and a death inquest case docket has been registered.”

Untu’s Harris says their members “are up in arms”.

“We are unable to calm them. This is the third life lost in two months after the senseless killing of Botha, and a male security guard, 33, who was shot in the head by two armed robbers while patrolling the line between Heideveld and Nyanga,” he says.

“How many more people need to die before Prasa and the government will act?”

Daily Voice

Think carefully about approaching "an online loan provider because you might be signing up for a service" instead - and get deeper into debt, writes Georgina Crouth.

Think carefully about approaching “an online loan provider because you might be signing up for a service” instead - and get deeper into debt, writes Georgina Crouth.

On Friday last week, the National Credit Regulator (NCR), the City of Joburg and metro police officers targeted illegal advertising in Midrand as part of the regulator’s “Misleading Advertising” campaign.

Jacqueline Peters, the NCR’s manager for investigations and enforcement, commented at the time “that the National Credit Act was clear on the required content for credit adverts - and that certain words and phrases were prohibited.

Language matters, and adverts suggesting: “No credit checks required”, “blacklisted consumers welcome” and “free credit” are simply illegal.

“Despite these clear regulations, we still find a substantial number of these unlawful adverts of this kind, even in the mainstream media. The NCR is engaging in a concerted effort to eliminate these unlawful adverts,” said Peters.

Judging by the adverts plastered all over lamp posts for “penis enlargement”, “bring back lost lover” and “blacklisted welcome” - never mind the classifieds sections in some tabloid newspapers advertising everything from faith healing and raising the dead to “the philosopher’s stone" and other pie-in-the-sky schemes - the regulator and metro police are seemingly embarking on an impossible enforcement task.

But examples must be made of these charlatans.

One area that needs their attention is the online micro-loan sector, which is rife with promises of “no credit checks” to the blacklisted.

Our economy is in poor shape and desperate times mean some stressed people “are making reckless financial moves”.

The Wongas of this world are not obfuscating their business model: payday loans. Such loans are generally small amounts loaned at high interest rates and linked to the borrower’s pay day.

What, though, of companies that appear to offer loans, by making grandiose claims like: “Our success in finding the perfect micro-finance every time is due to our strong partnership with many lenders and brokers across the country.” They even have the word “loan” attached to their names, so it’s reasonable to expect them to offer loans, right?

A reader by the name of Morgan contacted me “with a heartbreaking story “ about three companies he approached for loans “only to find all they offer “ is advice” - and it’s “certainly “ not free.

He wrote: “These companies fool desperate individuals like me looking for a loan.

“Early this year, I was in need of a loan to pay my children’s school fees as they were taken out of their classroom until their fees were paid. I searched the internet and came across the company Loan Quest which disguises as a loan-offering company and I applied for a loan.

“I also came across Loan Hub and Loan Spotter, hoping I would be successful in one of these loan companies. I didn’t realise I was applying to the same company using different names with the aim of deducting money from my account month to month without offering me a loan.

“For two months, they deducted money from my account and I was not aware until I checked my bank statement and realised. I told them what I needed was a loan, not for them to deduct money from my account.

“These companies then sent my information to Lifestyle Legal which has been sending me letters of demand and threatening to summon me to court for non-payment. Lifestyle Legal has sent three letters of demand from the three companies. The summonses were emailed to me and they don’t indicate an issuing court.

“I’ve tried to ignore these companies but they continue with their harassment. I checked on the internet and discovered a number of people have fallen victim to them.”

To my mind, such companies are engaging in cynical, false advertising: consumers see the word “loan” in a name and have a reasonable expectation of such a service.

For instance, Loan Hub’s website says: “No more worries! We’ll help find what you’re looking for!”

But their “A-grade service” extends only so far as finance and paralegal advice.

Though their online sign-up page asks for your financial details, what you need the money for and how much you require, it’s a red herring because if you look at the terms and conditions, their 12-month fixed-term agreement “is for “a convenient service package”, which amounts to telephonic advice and DIY links to download documents for personal injury, litigation, criminal matters, will and testament, and other “advice assistance”.

No mention of a loan, though a “complimentary” loan-finding service is available. That’s splitting hairs and is tantamount to “advising you to approach a bank directly for the money”. They gave you the advice, right?

Then, after a year, the contract rolls over on a month-to-month basis until they’ve been notified otherwise. The costs?

A “convenient” R399 initial sign-up and R99 a month for 11 months thereafter.

The sign-up pages and T&Cs for all three “loan” companies mirror each other and were clearly pulled off the same template right down to the flashing banners, listings and clause numbering.

All three are based in Cape Town and their collection agency, Lifestyle Legal, wasn’t subtle about their debt-collection tactics. The clients - or victims rather, as they insist - were emailed unstamped summonses.

A contact in the National Prosecuting Authority perused the documents and said: “The summons have not been issued or they would have a court stamp. Summons that are not issued have no effect. It looks like blatant extortion as they do not provide the kind of services they purport to (loans), yet they penalise the customer for their failure to deliver on their promise.”

There are numerous complaints about such operators on social media - all for “loan providers” including Loan Tracker SA, Loan Tracer, Loan Connector and Loan Zone SA. One complainant set up a WhatsApp group and invited me to join in their conversations.

Most of the victims deny completing an online application.

They might have inadvertently though. One and the same company perhaps?

I asked Loan Hub, Loan Quest and Loan Spotter for comment; none responded, although Henno Bothma from Abrahams & Gross - who represent Lifestyle Legal - did, saying they had no interests in these companies and were merely representing their clients - then threatened legal action should I defame their clients or tarnish their reputations.

Tellingly, a bookkeeper wrote in response to a complaint about the “loan” providers: “I am having the same problem with Loan Tracer. First, they tried debiting money from my account without permission (I reversed the transactions every time) and according to them, I did an online application.

“After I questioned them, they sent me the application with an IP address, which I found belongs to a store in a town I have never even been to, so they said I must open a case of fraud, but they’ve handed me over to their lawyers.”

Another wrote: “They trick people on their site. I went on to their site, entered my details just for more info on what they provide. I never signed anything or agreed to anything and now they are sending me letters of demand.”

The National Consumer Commission is on to them though. Its spokesman, Trevor Hattingh, told me they’re investigating, but couldn’t comment.

Deputy credit ombudsman Reana Steyn told me: “There are entities on the internet who advertise that they can source a loan for you - they are not offering to grant the credit themselves. The consumer agrees to the T&Cs, they tell the consumer they could not find him or her a loan, but their fees are still payable.

“They are quick to hand over this amount and start to demand payment and legal action.

“Consumers complain bitterly. But it was not a credit agreement, and second, it is not with one of our members, so we cannot assist.

“The only thing to do is refer the matter to the consumer commissioner and their offices are well aware of these claims. It is a misleading advertising/product/service issue under the Consumer Protection Act. But the entities are getting away with murder.

“Consumers do not read, but they click to say they have read and understood.

“Consumers do need to be warned.”

Wise up . Here’s how!

Tread carefully: Reading the terms and conditions on any contract is an act of self-preservation. If only “Morgan” wasn’t in such a hurry to sign up for the “loan” he would have realised they weren’t offering what he wanted or needed.

Complain: If you’ve had a similar experience, contact the National Consumer Commission about it. Call 012 761 3000, mail complaints@thencc.org.za or visit www.thencc.gov.za.

*Georgina Crouth is a consumer watchdog with serious bite. Write to her at consumer@inl.co.za

Follow on Georgina Crouth on Twitter: @askgeorgie

The Star

Investigations are under way in Tshwane to determine what caused a petrol tanker, with at least 55 000 litres of petrol in it, to explode.

Pretoria - Internal investigations are under way to determine what caused a petrol tanker to explode outside the Waltloo depot in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police officers said officials from Total South Africa had not specified if any charges would be laid, as internal investigations were being instituted.

At least 55 000 litres of petrol were in the tanker when it exploded.

Tshwane Emergency Services spokesman Johan Pieterse said the fire looked like it started in the driver’s cabin. When the driver failed to bring it under control, it spread to the tankers.

“In the process, 55 000 litres of petrol burnt out and the front trailer ruptured. We only just managed to extinguish the fire before the second trailer could burst,” he said. “It was quite a massive blaze, and took emergency personnel an hour to put it out.”

Pieterse said the response to the fire was quick as four stations with 25 staff members were on the scene shortly after it was reported to emergency services.

The fire was believed to have started at about 8am, and the driver of the vehicle was unharmed.

“Exact details as to what happened or what caused the fire are still to be investigated by the depot’s company representatives. The driver is still being questioned,” he said.

Pieterse said it appeared the fire was started because of a fault with the truck.

Total South Africa spokesman Nadia Vosloo said there were no injuries and the company was working with the authorities to establish the cause of the fire.

“As health, safety and the environment is of the utmost importance to Total, our emergency response management was immediately activated.

“The emergency services were called to the scene, the area was cordoned off and the fire extinguished,” Vosloo added.

Pretoria News

Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga is determined to bring to book those responsible for creating what he calls "Nkandla 2.0".

Pretoria - Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga is determined to bring to book those responsible for creating what he calls “Nkandla 2.0”, referring to wasteful expenditure on renovations of the Pretoria City Hall.

Msimanga, who conducted an oversight visit of the city hall, said he was shocked at what R90 million had got the city.

“It’s quite shocking that R90m later, we have nothing but another version of the Nkandla debacle where money has been spent, but when you look at what has happened, it’s actually a shame.

“We’ve really tampered with the rich heritage of this city and this is something that I am still to investigate and find out really how people can justify spending that much money for the damage they did.”

Msimanga said the forensic report on the city hall formed part of the reports which, once completed, would be handed to the relevant law authorities.

He said that despite there being too much money spent on the city hall, more was needed to restore the building properly. The refurbished city hall would form part of the city’s new direction in boosting the tourism.

“Within a 2km radius of the city centre, we have the Union Buildings, Freedom Park, Voortrekker Monument and museums - all with a potential to connect us to the many investment opportunities,” he said.

Msimanga said facilities such as the city hall also held immense wealth for the film industry, and in the previous year alone, there had been eight requests to use city’s heritage sites for filming.

He said he had also visited the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve to see the justification of the R500m spent on it, as well as the Rooiwal purification centre.

“There are a lot of sites that I will be visiting in the coming weeks, but what I don’t want to do is announce where I will be going to otherwise people could try to sweep things under the carpet.

“I want to continue to do these unannounced visits, so I can see first-hand what is not working, so that when we start implementing solutions, at least I would have seen it for myself,” he said.

Msimanga said the work his team had included tackling infrastructure that had been neglected.

One example was the Centurion testing centre, which was in a deplorable state. “When you walk in, you are welcomed by filth all over. This is unacceptable for a government building.

“You go inside and speak to the workers... they are passionate, but they experience challenges of non-maintenance of infrastructure and printers that are not working from time to time. You have people who go to look for assistance that are being asked to make copies elsewhere. That is totally unacceptable,” said Msimanga.

goitsemang.tlhabye@inl.co.za

Pretoria News

King Goodwill Zwelithini has told the ANC that if it is unable to lead his people, it should step aside and allow him to take over the reins.

Durban - King Goodwill Zwelithini has told the ANC that if it is unable to lead his people, it should step aside and allow him to take over the reins, because “God gave me powers to lead”.

The king said the tit-for-tat political murders in Inchanga, allegedly as a result of infighting between alliance partners the ANC and the SACP before and after the local government elections were signs of a failed leadership.

“It hurts me when I am seeing people holding two separate funerals on the same day in one area while they belong to one party, one alliance,” he said.

He was referring to the Inchanga incident in which SACP activist Nonsikelelo Blose was killed near a tavern in the area after attending an SACP meeting, which was followed by the revenge killing of the ANC’s Xolani Ngcobo. The parties held separate funerals for the two a few kilometres apart on the same day.

“If you fail (to lead the country) step aside and allow us to lead the country. We can lead it very well. Anyway, God gave me powers to lead,” said the king.

King Zwelithini was addressing thousands of maidens during a reed dance ceremony held in Ingwavuma, just north of Jozini, at the weekend. The event was part of preparations for the main event to take place at his Nyokeni Palace this weekend.

The king lamented the loss of power by the ANC in three metros, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay, saying this was a consequence of failing to listen to his advice.

“As I am talking the capital city of South Africa is governed by whites, which is a sign that the country is gone. The economic base (Johannesburg) has been taken over by whites. If politicians had listened to me the election results would not be like this,” he said.

The king had previously told government leaders that they should be honest with people and tell them if they would be able to deliver on their promises on time instead of giving them false hope.

He said the ANC and opposition parties were interested in power struggles instead of service provision. He said this had led to the Umkhanyakude District Municipality not being able to function. The district could not elect its executive committee before political parties resolved their stand-off on who should govern the Jozini Municipality.

Jozini, which is yet to form its council, has to be represented in the district council, resulting in the Umkhanyakude impasse.

He said the politicians had shown immaturity because of their failure to unite behind service provision.

“Therefore they are failures. What does it mean when people who have been elected by people point fingers at each other?

“Solve these problems so that you can provide services. I cannot tolerate what is happening because if it continues like this it is setting a bad example.”

DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said he was concerned that the king’s “racial” comment about the ANC losing the metros would derail the DA’s mission to take the province from the ANC in 2019.

“We found this statement not only misleading, but it shows his majesty leaving his role to unite (the people), instead meddling in political issues, dividing people according to race and politics.

“To insinuate that because Tshwane is governed by the DA, it is in the hands of the white people, is racist itself and an insult to DA leaders and members,” he said.

Mncwango said that he was willing to meet the king to discuss his statement.

ANC provincial spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli said his party “welcomes and respects” the opinions expressed by the king.

“We are also working harder to ensure that the current stalemate is resolved in the best interests of the people of Jozini,” he said.

bongani.hans@inl.co.za

The Mercury

The eThekwini municipality has recognised SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng as a luminary in the city and opposition parties are livid.

Durban - The eThekwini municipality has recognised controversial SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng as a luminary in the city.

Opposition parties at City Hall in Durban are livid.

The city on Saturday, in a glittering event, honoured 10 past and present eThekwini citizens who have contributed to the upliftment and development of society. The event was the ninth instalment of the eThekwini Living Legends awards.

The awards, according to the city’s media invitation, “acknowledge individuals with outstanding achievements, and those who have demonstrated a sustained and extraordinary contribution to the municipality’s legacy, in various categories of expertise”.

Motsoeneng is understood to be the first person outside of KwaZulu-Natal to receive the “special recognition award”. Organisations such as the LIV Village, the KZN Society for the Blind and the Willowton Group have all previously received the special award. The first two are based in Durban and the latter is in Pietermaritzburg.

City communications head Tozi Mthethwa explained that the special recognition award was bestowed on “someone who has made an impact on the lives of people in this country, irrespective of which city or province they are from”.

“The role Motsoeneng has played in securing the future of many local artists must be commended. Motsoeneng was instrumental in the introduction of a 90 percent local-content quota at the SABC. This has had a far-reaching impact on the lives of many local artists, and Durban artists have also benefited.”

DA provincial and eThekwini caucus leader Zwakele Mncwango and IFP councillor Mdu Nkosi were unimpressed.

“He made it seem as if he took the decision all by himself,” Nkosi said of Motsoeneng’s acceptance speech.

“The whole event just became about the ANC... This is ratepayers’ money, not the ANC’s.”

He said it was just an event to honour ANC leaders, with the exception of a few. “What also hurt me was ANC supporters chanting party slogans.”

Nkosi said he could not understand the reason for honouring Motsoeneng.

“I understand with people like Minister Naledi Pandor, who was born here. There was no clear explanation.”

Mncwango pointed a finger at parks, recreation and culture head Thembinkosi Ngcobo, whose department organised the event. “The problem is that we have an official who does not know where his role ends,” he said.

The Mercury