Posts Tagged ‘Johannesburg’
Written by admin on 17 August 2012
Johannesburg, Aug 17 (IANS) At least 18 people were shot and feared dead or injured in a conflict at a platinum mine in South Africa, media reports said.
The shooting took place at 4 p.m. as police attempted to disperse armed striking miners at Lonmin’s Marikana mine in the northern province of the North West, the South African Press Association (SAPA) quoted police as saying.
A witness claimed to have seen 18 bodies lying on the ground, reported Xinhua.
Paramedics attended to those hit during the shoot-out between police and armed miners.
Lonmin is reportedly the world’s third largest platinum producer with approximately 28,000 employees, and its operational headquarters is in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The miners had gathered on a hill at the mine since Monday, demanding the improvement of their working condition by raising their monthly salary from current about 4,000 to 12,500 rands (about $480 to $1,500).
The hill where the protesting miners gathered was cordoned off by police, and two helicopters were flying over the area.
Before the shooting happened, police issued an ultimatum for the protesting miners to come down from the hill and go home peacefully and surrender their weapons.
Early Thursday, the Longmin company issued a warning to striking miners to return to work within 24 hours or face dismissal.
Police said miners shot at them first before they opened fire, according to the report.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 14 August 2012
Johannesburg, Aug 14 (IANS) Five people have been killed in violence at a platinum mine in northern South Africa, police said.
A policeman was hacked to death at Lonmin’s platinum mine in the northern province of the North West, the News24 quoted police as saying.
Early Monday, an employee was found dead with five gunshot wounds, but it was not clear when he was killed, reported Xinhua.
A group of employees were attacked after coming out of an evening shift Sunday, leaving a man dead and several injured.
On Sunday, two security guards were hacked to death as a large group of protesting employees attempted to attack the mine facilities, which left eight vehicles burnt on the mine’s premises.
Four employees were shot and wounded on Friday and Saturday.
Police said the violence started due to employees demanding a 12 percent wage increase.
On Friday, about 3,000 rock drill operators held a protest march.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 05 August 2012
Johannesburg, Aug 5 (IANS) Five people were shot dead and 17 injured when a group of armed assailants launched an attack in an eastern province in South Africa, police said Sunday.
The incident took place as the victims were attending a traditional event in KuaZula-Natal Saturday, Xinhua reported citing the News24 website.
Police said it was unable to comment about the suspects’ motives.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 21 July 2012
Johannesburg, July 21 (IANS) At least 16 people were killed and 27 injured Saturday when a speeding bus collided with another in southern South Africa, Xinhua reported.
The accident occurred on route R61 in the southern province of Eastern Cape, according to the South African Press Association (SAPA).
One of the buses was carrying schoolchildren to an event.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 14 July 2012
Johannesburg, July 14 (IANS) The BRICS investment in South Africa mining sector is set to increase in the next few years despite an ongoing nationalization debate, BRICS Africa Portfolio director Stephen Oehley said here.
In an interview Friday with Xinhua ahead of the DHL BRICS African Import Export Conference, Oehley said the appetite of the BRICS nations in South Africa’s mineral resources “is not dampened” by the nationalization debate.
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Organized by BRICS Africa Portfolio, the conference will be held in Johannesburg from July 15 to 17.
“The BRICS nations, having been former colonies of imperial powers, understand more than anyone that the mining industry has to benefit both the suppliers of capital as well as the people who live in those countries,” said Oehley.
The conference sponsored by the business of DHL is set to be a platform to drum-up conversations and partnerships, share knowledge and experiences as well as explore opportunities on how best to improve trade across various economic sectors within Africa and between African countries and the BRICS nations.
BRICS Africa Portfolio, whose core mandate is to push for mutual economic progress of the BRICS nations and the African continent, said BRICS nations must realize vast untapped invest opportunities in Africa and use the BRICS arrangement to unlock the opportunities.
Oehley said there are great opportunities for BRICS nations to invest in a number of sectors in Africa, ranging from mining, agriculture, banking, insurance, retail, telecommunication, education and logistics.
“BRICS is central to global economic stability,” Oehley said.
“When we talk of the economic health of BRICS, we are essentially talking of the economic health of the global economy.
“The BRICS memberships are important not just as consumers but as producers of goods and services. This is not a matter that rests only on China’s shoulders but the entire grouping in collaboration with the rest of the world’s major economies,” he said.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 12 July 2012
Johannesburg, July 12 (IANS) Former South African president Nelson Mandela is in good health, incumbent Jacob Zuma said after paying a visit to Mandela’s rural home in Qunu village in Eastern Cape province.
Zuma’s visit comes before Mandela turns 94 July 18, Xinhua reported.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Zuma and Mandela had lunch together.
“It was a delight to see him as always. I was particularly happy that I had an opportunity to give him good wishes for his upcoming birthday,” Zuma said in a statement.
“I also informed him that as usual, all South Africans are waiting for the 18th, preparing to wish him a happy birthday in every possible way,” Zuma added.
Zuma took the opportunity to brief Mandela about the construction of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge, being built in his honour at a cost of over $15 million. The bridge will connect Mandela’s village with many places in the province.
Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years during the apartheid, was elected the country’s first black president in 1994.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 11 July 2012
Johannesburg, July 11 (IANS) South Africa and other BRICS members should prioritize the development of small and medium enterprises as a way of quick job creation to benefit communities and people, an Indian diplomat said here.
“There is nothing more effective than the smaller and medium enterprises when it comes to job creation. Small businesses generate effective and real economic empowerment,” said India’s High Commissioner to South Africa Virendra Gupta.
“At one time, particular items could only be made by medium and smaller enterprises with large industries prohibited from entering certain sectors. The government nursed these businesses by giving them support in marketing, funding as well as aiding their technological needs,” Xinhua quoted Gupta as saying Tuesday.
BRICS grouping comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The Indian diplomat said his country has been able to reap massively from the resources spent on developing small and medium businesses.
“Small and medium enterprises today contribute close to 50 percent of our industrial output and between 50 and 60 percent of our exports. They also contribute a great deal to our gross domestic product as well as to the industrial and manufacturing activities,” he said.
The high commissioner said his country is ready to share its experiences with other BRICS members in terms of the kind of industries suited to small and medium enterprises and the required policy framework.
Gupta hailed the economic and social cooperation between India and South Africa.
He said: “Despite the economic down-turn which is affecting all countries including India, South Africa and other BRICS countries, India and South Africa economic exchanges have seen very robust expansion.”
He revealed that tourism between the two countries has increased by nearly 20 percent, and added that social cooperation has also followed the historic route characterised by strong cultural exchanges enhanced by a large presence of the Indian community in South Africa.
“I can’t think of any other two countries that enjoy the kind of a special relationship that exists between India and South Africa. We are constantly striving to promote a better and more comprehensive relationship,” the high commissioner added.
He said India is sourcing large amounts of coal from South Africa while providing high quality but cheaper and more competitive pharmaceuticals to South Africa.
Gupta said that nearly 70 Indian companies will take part in this year’s South African international trade exhibition, which will take place near Johannesburg July 15-17.
The Indian diplomat hoped the exhibition will improve its trade relations with South Africa and other fellow BRICS members, especially in the area of small and medium enterprises.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 01 July 2012
Johannesburg, July 1 (IANS) A pilot was killed after a jet plane crashed at an air show in South Africa, Xinhua reported.
The pilot lost control over the jet — a privately-owned L-39 plane — while conducting an aerial manoeuvre at the Klerksdorp air show in the North West province, police said.
L-39 is an old type of jet trainer widely used for training or air travel by some countries.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority was yet to find out the cause of the crash.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 24 June 2012
Johannesburg, June 23 (IANS) Terminal buildings at a South African airport near Johannesburg had to evacuated Saturday following a bomb scare.
According to officials, terminal buildings of the Lanseria Airport were evacuated due to a bomb scare, after an “unattended bag was found” at one of the terminals, prompting the evacuation, Xinhua reported.
The bag was suspected to be full of explosives, they said.
A witness at the airport said later a bomb squad arrived at the airport and the passengers had been moved to the “fire and rescue shed” and incoming flights were “waiting on the runway”.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 17 June 2012
Johannesburg, June 17 (IANS) South Africa Saturday celebrated Youth Day with various activities across the country.
The day is celebrated June 16 every year to recognise the role of youth in the liberation of South Africa from the apartheid regime.
In Soweto suburb of Johannesburg, hundreds of youth gathered at Hector Pieterson Memorial to mark the day, Xinhua reported.
Premier of Gauteng Province Nomvula Mokonyane laid a wreath at the memorial and called on the youth to unite and fight against “drug abuse, hunger and joblessness”.
In northern Limpopo province, people took out a rally to celebrate the occasion.
Activities were also organised in Eastern Cape and KuaZula-Natal provinces.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 13 June 2012
Johannesburg, June 13 (IANS) A Pretoria court has begun hearings in a case where a man is accused of planning terror attacks on stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup before the championship finals.
Johannes Scheepers, 49, is facing 10 charges, including illegal possession of firearms, possession of handmade hand grenades, possession of a mortar and for terrorism. But Scheepers has pleaded not guilty to the charges, Xinhua reported Wednesday.
He was arrested in April 2010 after police suspected he was planning terrorist attacks at 2010 World Cup stadiums and to fire mortars into townships. The charge sheet says he planned these activities between Dec 16, 2009 and April 7, 2010.
Scheepers, from Pretoria, was allegedly a member of a right-wing organisation and a founder of the Nuwe Boerekommando (New Boer Commando).
Two agents who were said to fear for their lives gave evidence for the allegations of Scheepers’ terror attempt.
One of the agents testified that Scheepers told him he wanted to provide military training to his group and also fire mortars into black townships. After this, they would target World Cup stadiums, according to Pretoria News.
Several 9mm pistols, ammunition, tear gas, hand grenades, an M3 semi-automatic gun, shotgun and crossbow were seized at Scheepers’s farm after his arrest.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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Written by admin on 13 June 2012
Johannesburg, June 13 (IANS) Cricket South Africa (CSA) Wednesday showed faith in the Test squad that won their last series comprehensively against New Zealand when the selectors named an unchanged group for the three-match series in England.
The 15-man squad will play Tests at The Oval in London and at Headingley in Leeds before returning to London for the final match at Lord’s. The series starts on July 19 with the final Test finishing Aug 20.
England and South Africa are ranked Nos.1 and 2, respectively, on the latest ICC Test match rankings announced this week at the conclusion of England’s series against the West Indies.
“The players fully deserve a vote of confidence after the outstanding manner in which they outplayed New Zealand away from home,” CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson said.
“We are now building up excellent depth in both the batting and bowling departments. This was highlighted by JP Duminy’s century when he was called up as an 11th hour replacement for Jacques Kallis.
“I believe most other countries would be very happy to have the fast bowling resources we have at the moment. Marchant de Lange has been most impressive since his outstanding debut against Sri Lanka while Lonwabo Tsotsobe gives us a left-arm option.
“Consistency has also been one of the key pillars of our selection policy and this is also contributing to our success on the field.”
Hudson added that AB de Villiers would be the reserve wicketkeeper for the Test series.
Captain Graeme Smith has made a complete recovery from his out-of-season operation and has already had two throw-down sessions with national coach Gary Kirsten.
“Graeme has been outstanding both as our leading runs scorer and as captain during our last two Test tours of England and I have every confidence he will continue that form,” added Hudson.
Johan Botha (knee injury) has been forced to withdraw from the T20 series in Zimbabwe. Hashim Amla will take over the captaincy and the squad will be reduced to 14 players.
Test squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Tags: Johannesburg, South Africa
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