Earthquake affected areas declared disaster areas

Johannesburg - Several municipalities in the North West have been declared disaster areas following last week's earthquake, the premier's office said on Monday.

The areas affected were the Khuma, Jouberton, Vaal Reefs, Kanana, and Tigane townships in Matlosana local municipality, within Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipality, said acting spokesperson Bonolo Mohlakoana.

Don't marginalise yourselves - Makhura

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday urged the residents of Reiger Park on the East Rand not to marginalise themselves.

"Do not allow yourselves to be marginalised, South Africa is your country too," Makhura told residents during a visit to the area."Don't allow anyone to marginalise you from this government. See yourself as a South African and not a coloured South African."

Tutu Foundation to lease 200-year-old building

 

Cape Town - The Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation Centre appears set to obtain a nominal lease on one of Cape Town's architectural masterpieces, the 200-year-old Granary building in Buitenkant Street.

"The city is proud to announce that council will soon be considering an exciting joint venture with... Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu," Mayor Patricia de Lille told a media briefing at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Monday.

The proposal to lease one of the oldest and most important historical buildings in the city would shortly be put to council for a decision, she said.

Cape father jailed for son's murder

Cape Town - A father who tried to suffocate his toddler son, then buried him alive in a hole under his bed, was jailed for 28 years on Monday.

Zolani Malanga, 31, was sentenced in the Western Cape High Court in plea-bargain proceedings before Judge President John Hlophe.

The sentence was negotiated between State Advocate Jacqueline Sibiya and Legal Aid defence counsel Morné Calitz.

Hlophe warned Malanga that plea-bargain sentences were not appealable and that he should ignore the advice of "those wise lawyers you will encounter in prison".

Ramaphosa tells of 'perfect storm'

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was asked to tell the Farlam Commission of Inquiry on Monday why Amcu was not involved in the labour unrest.

"Why were you only in a meeting with the National Union of Mineworkers [NUM]? I am not aware that you made any attempts to contact Amcu. Why didn't you?" asked Dumisa Ntsebeza, for the families of killed miners.

Ntsebeza was cross-examining Ramaphosa at the commission hearings in Pretoria, regarding his role as a Lonmin shareholder and non-executive director.

Ramaphosa, a former NUM general secretary, said he did not have the contacts for the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).