Monday, November 23, 2009
Road Safety campaign kicks off
The Provincial Department for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape said its safely home campaign this festive season will be held in conjunction with the City of Cape Town, the South African Police Service and the Traffic Department. According to the Department's spokesperson Solly Malasti the campaign will focus on identifying the roads where the most fatal accidents occur.
Speaking to VOC News on Friday afternoon Malatsi said that most of the time it is not bad road surfaces that causes the accident but driver behaviour. "If you've been observant enough most of the accidents which occur do not necessarily happen because of the conditions of the roads, though in some instances they do contribute, but it is more likely that it is driver behaviour and in some instances it is beyond the control of the driver," said Malatsi
During the festive season the Department of Transport will have more vigilant law enforcement. Malatsi said that there will be specified operations to deal with issues like drunk driving, seatbelt compliance and cell phone use which will occur at various distances on the road. According to Malatsi this will mostly occur at identified hotspots.
The City of Cape Town has had various road blocks on a Friday night which according to Malatsi has been welcome by the public. "Those blitzes have been supported by the public. The City of Cape Town has had various road blocks this week" said Malatsi. He said that the support received from the public has been overwhelming as road safety affects everyone.
Malatsi added that one does not have to rely only on law enforcement for road safety as it is the responsibility of all road users to ensure that the roads is safe for everyone. "It is very important for everyone to drive in such a manner that will guarantee their own safety as well as the safety of other road users" said Malatsi.
Meanwhile the MEC for Public Works and Transport, Robin Carlisle has expressed his condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in various car accidents in the Western Cape this week.
Speaking to VOC News on Friday afternoon Malatsi said that most of the time it is not bad road surfaces that causes the accident but driver behaviour. "If you've been observant enough most of the accidents which occur do not necessarily happen because of the conditions of the roads, though in some instances they do contribute, but it is more likely that it is driver behaviour and in some instances it is beyond the control of the driver," said Malatsi
During the festive season the Department of Transport will have more vigilant law enforcement. Malatsi said that there will be specified operations to deal with issues like drunk driving, seatbelt compliance and cell phone use which will occur at various distances on the road. According to Malatsi this will mostly occur at identified hotspots.
The City of Cape Town has had various road blocks on a Friday night which according to Malatsi has been welcome by the public. "Those blitzes have been supported by the public. The City of Cape Town has had various road blocks this week" said Malatsi. He said that the support received from the public has been overwhelming as road safety affects everyone.
Malatsi added that one does not have to rely only on law enforcement for road safety as it is the responsibility of all road users to ensure that the roads is safe for everyone. "It is very important for everyone to drive in such a manner that will guarantee their own safety as well as the safety of other road users" said Malatsi.
Meanwhile the MEC for Public Works and Transport, Robin Carlisle has expressed his condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in various car accidents in the Western Cape this week.
Friday, November 20, 2009
NTA SET TO STRIKE IN CAPE TOWN
DORIANNE ARENDSE
The National Taxi Alliance in the Western Cape is set to go on strike by late next week following a breakdown in talks with the City of Cape Town on the Integrated Rapid Transit System (IRT). Speaking to VOC News on Wednesday the spokesman for the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance said the decision was taken earlier this week at a meeting held by the NTA.
"A decision was taken on Tuesday that the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance needs to go on strike seeing that there is no response from the Mayor Dan Plato. We are waiting on the Mayor to come back to us and say gentlemen this is what we must do," said Mente.
He said the decision must be endorsed by the national office of the NTA at a meeting that will be held on 24th and 25th November 2009. After the decision is endorsed by the national office it is likely that the strike will take place between 26th and 27th November provided that no changes to the decision are made by the NTA's head office. Mente added that the strike action will be indefinite.
The NTA earlier this month consulted with its members in the Western Cape on possible strike action as well as the broader community. Mente said they were also "consulting with various communities in the Western Cape on the strike action such as Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu".
Consultation
Mente said that the communities which they have consulted are of the opinion that the strike action proposed by the NTA should go ahead. "They all say that when one does not want to talk to one another then there is a disease of our leadership whereby the leadership does not talk to you if you are opposing and you want to engage them in talks. So our people know that and they are saying that they cannot to tell us not to strike," said Mente.
When asked if the communities which were consulted by the NTA were prepared to be left stranded by the strike Mente said: "They are prepared for that. If you look at what is happening in Gauteng we are hearing that the IRT there is experiencing problems, because there are no people jumping on those busses."
Meanwhile when VOC spoke to the City of Cape Town earlier this month about the strike action the Media Manager for the City Kylie Hatton said they will not tolerate any call to strike action as it negatively impacts on the commuters of Cape Town.
The National Taxi Alliance in the Western Cape is set to go on strike by late next week following a breakdown in talks with the City of Cape Town on the Integrated Rapid Transit System (IRT). Speaking to VOC News on Wednesday the spokesman for the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance said the decision was taken earlier this week at a meeting held by the NTA.
"A decision was taken on Tuesday that the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance needs to go on strike seeing that there is no response from the Mayor Dan Plato. We are waiting on the Mayor to come back to us and say gentlemen this is what we must do," said Mente.
He said the decision must be endorsed by the national office of the NTA at a meeting that will be held on 24th and 25th November 2009. After the decision is endorsed by the national office it is likely that the strike will take place between 26th and 27th November provided that no changes to the decision are made by the NTA's head office. Mente added that the strike action will be indefinite.
The NTA earlier this month consulted with its members in the Western Cape on possible strike action as well as the broader community. Mente said they were also "consulting with various communities in the Western Cape on the strike action such as Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu".
Consultation
Mente said that the communities which they have consulted are of the opinion that the strike action proposed by the NTA should go ahead. "They all say that when one does not want to talk to one another then there is a disease of our leadership whereby the leadership does not talk to you if you are opposing and you want to engage them in talks. So our people know that and they are saying that they cannot to tell us not to strike," said Mente.
When asked if the communities which were consulted by the NTA were prepared to be left stranded by the strike Mente said: "They are prepared for that. If you look at what is happening in Gauteng we are hearing that the IRT there is experiencing problems, because there are no people jumping on those busses."
Meanwhile when VOC spoke to the City of Cape Town earlier this month about the strike action the Media Manager for the City Kylie Hatton said they will not tolerate any call to strike action as it negatively impacts on the commuters of Cape Town.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
ANC CAUCUS FORCED TO CUT STAFF
DORIANNE ARENDSE
The African National Congress Parliamentary Caucus staff was informed on Tuesday morning that they will have to reapply for their jobs and that interviews will start on Wednesday morning. Speaking to VOC News on Tuesday, the spokesman for the office of the Chief Whip of the ANC in Parliament, Moloto Mothapo, said that a multi-stakeholder report had been adopted by the task team that was set up earlier after it emerged that the ANC Parliamentary Caucus was in dire financial straits.
"The multi-stakeholder task team recommendations were accepted by the political committee that oversees the work of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus. It was also taken to the National Working Committee as well as the National Executive Committee of the ANC," Mothapo said.
The Parliamentary Caucus has already advertised the positions but first preference will be given to staff members currently employed by the ANC Parliamentary Caucus. Mothopa said that those staff members who are not successful will be assisted by the ANC to find alternate employment.
"There is a process that will unfold afterward that will include assisting them with alternative employment either within the ANC or outside of the ANC," said Mothapo. In addition, staff members will also receive additional skills training.
ANC Caucus staff has alleged that the report which was earlier leaked to the media indicating that the ANC Parliamentary Caucus was in serious financial difficulty, had inflated staff numbers. According to one staff member whose name is known to VOC, the ANC Caucus has about 44 admin assistants and not 70 as indicated.
When asked about this, Mothapo declined to comment as the report was not final at the time. Earlier this month Mothapo refuted allegations that the ANC Caucus would be reducing staff numbers as "it may compromise the current negotiations with multiple stakeholders. The forum is to ensure that we arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution," he said.
The African National Congress Parliamentary Caucus staff was informed on Tuesday morning that they will have to reapply for their jobs and that interviews will start on Wednesday morning. Speaking to VOC News on Tuesday, the spokesman for the office of the Chief Whip of the ANC in Parliament, Moloto Mothapo, said that a multi-stakeholder report had been adopted by the task team that was set up earlier after it emerged that the ANC Parliamentary Caucus was in dire financial straits.
"The multi-stakeholder task team recommendations were accepted by the political committee that oversees the work of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus. It was also taken to the National Working Committee as well as the National Executive Committee of the ANC," Mothapo said.
The Parliamentary Caucus has already advertised the positions but first preference will be given to staff members currently employed by the ANC Parliamentary Caucus. Mothopa said that those staff members who are not successful will be assisted by the ANC to find alternate employment.
"There is a process that will unfold afterward that will include assisting them with alternative employment either within the ANC or outside of the ANC," said Mothapo. In addition, staff members will also receive additional skills training.
ANC Caucus staff has alleged that the report which was earlier leaked to the media indicating that the ANC Parliamentary Caucus was in serious financial difficulty, had inflated staff numbers. According to one staff member whose name is known to VOC, the ANC Caucus has about 44 admin assistants and not 70 as indicated.
When asked about this, Mothapo declined to comment as the report was not final at the time. Earlier this month Mothapo refuted allegations that the ANC Caucus would be reducing staff numbers as "it may compromise the current negotiations with multiple stakeholders. The forum is to ensure that we arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution," he said.
Nehawu and ANC Caucus in negotiations
DORIANNE ARENDSE
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) this week confirmed that it is in negotiations with the African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentary Caucus following an internal report by the party which indicated that they are in dire financial straits. The union’s comments follow an ongoing investigation by VOC News during which ANC Caucus staff raised their concern as they were issued with short term contracts, despite being permanently employed.
Those staff members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the ANC Caucus was in severe debt and that R50 million was either “mismanaged” or had gone “missing” by the former Chief of Staff, Mzwandile Radebe who is currently working in the same capacity in the Ministry of Police.
In response to these allegations, spokesperson for the ANC Chief Whip, Moloto Mothapo confirmed that staff went on paid leave but the short term contracts had to be issued as the party lost seats in the current Parliament following the April 2009 election.
“The fact is, the ANC came back to this current term of Parliament, with a reduced majority. Staff were issued with a short term contract because the ANC lost 33 seats. The financial allocation that Parliament gives to political parties is proportionate to the number of MP’s that the party has in the National Assembly,” he said.
Mothapo refuted allegations that the ANC Caucus would be reducing staff numbers as “it may compromise the current negotiations with multiple stakeholders. The forum is to ensure that we arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution. I am not aware of any money that had gone missing from the Caucus.
Meanwhile having acknowledged the staff grievances, provincial secretary for Nehawu, Soraya Jawoodien, explained that ‘technically’ they were “not permanently employed by any political party’s Parliamentary Caucus.” She said that the ANC had indicated that when the five year staff contracts had expired, it would review the current structure in place, as there was a new administration in national government.
At the time of going to press, Radebe chose not to comment on the issue.
DORIANNE ARENDSE
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) this week confirmed that it is in negotiations with the African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentary Caucus following an internal report by the party which indicated that they are in dire financial straits. The union’s comments follow an ongoing investigation by VOC News during which ANC Caucus staff raised their concern as they were issued with short term contracts, despite being permanently employed.
Those staff members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the ANC Caucus was in severe debt and that R50 million was either “mismanaged” or had gone “missing” by the former Chief of Staff, Mzwandile Radebe who is currently working in the same capacity in the Ministry of Police.
In response to these allegations, spokesperson for the ANC Chief Whip, Moloto Mothapo confirmed that staff went on paid leave but the short term contracts had to be issued as the party lost seats in the current Parliament following the April 2009 election.
“The fact is, the ANC came back to this current term of Parliament, with a reduced majority. Staff were issued with a short term contract because the ANC lost 33 seats. The financial allocation that Parliament gives to political parties is proportionate to the number of MP’s that the party has in the National Assembly,” he said.
Mothapo refuted allegations that the ANC Caucus would be reducing staff numbers as “it may compromise the current negotiations with multiple stakeholders. The forum is to ensure that we arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution. I am not aware of any money that had gone missing from the Caucus.
Meanwhile having acknowledged the staff grievances, provincial secretary for Nehawu, Soraya Jawoodien, explained that ‘technically’ they were “not permanently employed by any political party’s Parliamentary Caucus.” She said that the ANC had indicated that when the five year staff contracts had expired, it would review the current structure in place, as there was a new administration in national government.
At the time of going to press, Radebe chose not to comment on the issue.
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