CONGRESS of the People regions in the Eastern Cape province were thwarted in their attempt to oust “dictator” and chairperson Sam Kwelita after national leadership refused to entertain their call for provincial leadership to be disbanded.

This came as Kwelita called for Cope factions in the Eastern Cape to unite and prepare for the party’s National Elective Congress, scheduled for next month. Leaders from Nelson Mandela, OR Tambo and Chris Hani have accused Kwelita and his Provincial Interim Leadership Group of deciding on dates for regional and provincial congresses without adequate consultation. The regions said they did not recognise Kwelita, whom they claim was imposed on them as their leader and had written to national leadership asking for intervention. The group’s decision was taken at a meeting of the collective at OR Tambo last weekend. “We took a resolution that for the sake of stability, and for us to send credible leadership to the National Elective Congress, the congress national committee (CNC) must take over this province, said Nelson Mandela region’s Sipho Mkwayi. The regions had also asked for the CNC to oversee co ordination of the regional and provincial congresses, saying they did not trust branch audits performed by the province.

Their attempts were thwarted yesterday at the weekly CNC meeting in Johannesburg, with Mluleki George saying the letters had not been placed on the agenda. “The general secretary raised the issue of the letters and it was decided that it was wrong for the structure (CNC) to entertain letters from parallel structures,” said George. “All congresses in the Eastern Cape have been set; they must go to them.” These fractures in the province re- emerge just months before next year’s local government elections. They could also affect upcoming regional congresses, compromising the October30 provincial congress. The regions, which include two of the biggest branch clusters in the Amathole region, Mdantsane and Duncan Village, have never been satisfied with provincial leadership.

Their gripes date back to a CNC resolution to appoint current provincial deputy chairperson Nkosinathi Kuluta as replacement for former provincial chair Andile Nkuhlu, who had resigned from the party. Instead Kuluta was “duped” into chairing the meeting thus ruling himself out of the running, they claim. They are aligned to Cope President Mosioua Lekota, and have even attempted to interdict the swearing in of Cope MPLs in the province. Despite the fractions , George said national leadership still believed the congresses would be successful. — By SABELO SKITI, (a href>mailto:sabelos@dispatch.co.za$) sabelos@dispatch.co.za

A SEALED police forensic laboratory bag containing 90 grams of dagga as well as a separate plastic bag with more dagga inside were discovered on the Chintsa West beach by a Cape Town tourist this week.

The forensic laboratory bag had been washed out on the beach, while the smaller one was found floating in the tidal pool. “The bag (containing the police exhibits) has either been lost while the police transported it to the forensic laboratory in Cape Town, or someone had thrown it away,” said East London Magistrate’s Court senior prosecutor Indra Goberdan. Goberdan said dagga, unlike other drugs such as Mandrax, was sent to the police laboratory for analysis only when an accused disputed that it was the same dagga that had been found on him or her.

“This is really weird. The forensic laboratory never sends dagga back after it has been analysed. “It normally only sends the report.” She said the fact that the dagga was inside a forensic laboratory bag indicated that the contents were still meant to be sent off for analysis. “It appears that the dagga never reached the laboratory,” she added. The tourist, who wants to remain anonymous, has since returned to Cape Town . She discovered the bags on Tuesday afternoon on Chintsa West beach and called the Dispatch. The Dispatch has now handed the dagga over to Captain Lionel Hughes of the Hawks crime fighting unit. Hughes contacted SAPS media spokesperson Colonel Mtati Tana, who said he would refer the items to the Fleet Street police station for further investigation. The bag containing the 90 grams of dagga has the official inscription of the SAPS Forensic Laboratory printed on it as well as a printed sticker, which reads: FSB-1300382, the exhibit bag number of the laboratory. A handwritten CAS docket number, which is unclear, also appears on the bag. However, the name of the police station investigating the case, which normally appears with the CAS docket number, was missing or not visible. An SAPS exhibit number, 13-375 2009, was also handwritten on the bag, as was the fact that it contained “12 bompies (zols) dagga” weighing 90 grams. Tana said police would have to check the exhibit registers of all the police stations in the area to determine which branch had been dealing with it. He appealed to any officer who might be missing the exhibit to come forward. — By EDDIE BOTHA, Investigations Editor, (a href>mailto:eddieb@dispatch.co.za$) eddieb@dispatch.co.za

BORDER Rugby Union’s financial viability is under threat while the Buffalo City council hesitates over a proposal to sign the union as an anchor tenant at the Buffalo City Stadium.

The Mayoral Committee proposed three options to secure the future of the stadium, the first being a plan to give the union (BRU) a 10-year lease as interim tenants. The committee also toyed with a second option of appointing a stadium operator to run the stadium . The third option would have been to create an entity within BCM to run the stadium, which is being used by the union’s professional team, the Border Bulldogs, as a home base. The entire proposal was put on ice by council this week as they demanded more information and wider consultation. Now delays in deciding on whether to give the union the lease are taking their toll on the cash-strapped franchise in terms of generating revenue, said its president, Buntu Ondala, yesterday. Being unable to claim “ownership” of the venue means the union cannot attract sponsors because it cannot guarantee advertising on the fields. There is also the matter of money lost from hiring out the hospitality suites. The union appealed to be appointed tenants at the beginning of June. Ondala said being in a state of limbo had its financial costs. “We cannot generate enough revenue to bring in the kind of players we need, because we cannot pay them. “It will affect development of black talent. Out of the 14 provinces, we are the real producers of black players,” he said. The union relies on South African Rugby Union’s monthly stipend and had to ask for an advance after the city cut power to the stadium recently until the bill was paid.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, debate was heated as councillors demanded more information before taking a final decision. They said the committee should include the views of the wider BCM community. “The Eastern Cape Sports Council are the custodians of sport in the province, so they should have been central in making this decision. Everyone must feel they have equal access to the stadium. “I’ve had codes like soccer and others complain about the field not being made available to them before,” said councillor Siyabonga Jabavu. Others, including the DA’s Robert Muzzell, felt that denying Border the venue would be a dent to professional sport in the city. “ Every major city wants to have a facility where professionals can play their sport. I don’t know why we don’t renew it (the lease) on the basis of having pride in the rugby team that represents our area,” said Muzzell.

Council also ordered a full report on current stadium operations. —By SABELO SKITI,

INSPIRED by a R15 000 incentive, nine pupils from Holy Cross High School put their heads together and came up with a winning concept – turning the school tuck shop into a library.

And today, as a result of their efforts, the Transkei school will represent the Eastern Cape in Gauteng in the national leg of Youth Citizen Action Programme competition. This follows after the Grade 10 pupils won the provincial leg of the competition held in East London two weeks ago. Their efforts won their school R15 000. Holy Cross pupil Uyolo Mthetho, part of the winning group, said they were excited about making it to the national leg. “We have worked very hard to put together our portfolio,” she said. Participating schools were given a range of topics to choose from. The Holy Cross pupils chose “knowledge and learning” and had to identify a need at their school. “We did not only have to identify the challenge, but we had to come up with a solution to it,” Mthetho said. The pupils found their biggest challenge was that the school did not have a library. Boxes of books were stored in cupboards because the school had no place in which to unpack them. “We approached the principal and asked for her permission to turn the school’s tuck shop into a mini library. She welcomed the idea.” Teacher Bongiwe Sokutu said she was happy that the group had made it to the finals. “They have made the school proud, something that has motivated other pupils as well.” She said the library had yielded positive results since it was established in May. “We have seen a significant improvement in reading and spelling,” she said. Another pupil, Sisonke Jordan, said she was happy that what started small had benefited the whole school.“When we opened the library, it was only meant for Grade 10 pupils, but Grades 11 and 12 pupils showed interest and they are using it as well,” she said. Provincial co-ordinator of the programme Funeka Jwaai said the school had won because their presentation had been “perfect”. “We had a problem with other schools’ presentations and their portfolios. We had a situation where portfolios would have something different from what was presented and viceversa, but in their case both their portfolio and presentation were good,” she said. Jwaai said since the project was still in its first year, they only selected seven schools in the province to be part of the programme. The competition, sponsored by Deutsche Bank, is hosted by MaAfrika Tikkun working in collaboration with the Race and Values Directorate of the national and provincial Departments of Education. MaAfrika Tikkun is a NGO focused on empowering children. Marketing manager for MaAfrika Tikkun Amanda Blankfield said pupils were provided with an opportunity to discuss their challenges and celebrate their ability to formulate solutions to issues that affect them. This year’s programme was designed to transform words into action, she said. “The programme required Grade10 learners at participating schools to identify challenges within their schools and communities – and then actually implement a programme of action to address them.”

If the Holy Cross pupils win, they will bring home R25 000 from Deutsche Bank – money they would use to buy more books for their library. — By SINO MAJANGAZA, Mthatha Bureau, (a href>mailto:sinom@dispatch.co.za$) sinom@dispatch.co.za

GONUBIE High School can scratch one item off its wish list – thanks to the Gonubie Rotary Club.

The school, which opened last year, operated for close on two years without a library before Gonubie Rotary stepped in. “We’re so happy that our school finally has a library. I enjoy reading and I used to go to the public library to get lots of books,” an excited Sinomtha Qinisile said. The Grade 8 pupil was one of five pupils appointed yesterday as a library monitor. Another pupil, Courtney Atkinson, said the library would go a long way to assist pupils while Benathi Cetwayo was more concerned about being the only boy monitor. Gonubie High opened with just over 190 Grade 8 pupils, and lacked finer touches of a school, such as a library, swimming pool, adequate sports fields and even a school bus – these being just some of the items on the school’s wish list. “I wish I’d win the Lotto to assist the children of Gonubie High School,” Gonubie Rotary Club member Lynne Hall said yesterday. Hall, who was the president of Gonubie Rotary for 2009/10, said she met with principal Grethe Botha last October to see what the school needed. After some discussions with the board, they initially donated trophies for the school’s prize-giving and then came “Project Library”. “It is important that learners have the opportunity to expand their knowledge through a resource centre at school, where they have the opportunity to read books,” Hall said at the official opening yesterday. From February, Gonubie Rotarians began sorting through books destined for the new library, selling some that were unsuitable to purchase others and seeking guidance from Cambridge High School’s Heather Moore, Hall said. Principal Botha said the library was all about empowering her pupils. “As our motto says: ‘Knowledge is power’. We still need a few more books but what we have so far is brilliant.” From yesterday, Gonubie High pupils now have a library they can call their own, thanks to R20 000 well spent. – By ASA SOKOPO, Education Reporter,

GOVERNMENT has warned that rolling blackouts would be imposed from next year unless “extraordinary” measures were taken by Eskom to ward off an impending power crisis.

Eskom, in turn, has appealed to the public to conserve energy, and has urged private investors to help rescue the situation. “We are going to run out of power,” spokesperson for Department of Minerals and Energy, Bheki Khumalo, said yesterday. Khumalo was responding to a government report which predicted load shedding would become a reality from next year, lasting until 2016, unless urgent solutions were found. Released for public comment yesterday, the Medium Term Risk Mitigation Plan (PTRM) for Electricity in South Africa – 2010 to 2016 anticipates rolling blackouts if energy providers other than Eskom are not found soon. “This situation poses a real risk of rolling blackouts, similar to those experienced in 2008, and a serious threat to government’s objectives for growth and job creation,” the report states. Khumalo said the report was a warning to all that energy in South Africa would not last forever. “This report is a wake-up call to South Africans that we are not doing enough to improve our energy efficiency.”

Eskom division executive for system operations and planning Kannan Lakmeeharan explained that the shortfall between demand and supply expected over the five-year period would peak in 2012 at nine Terrawatts (TW), the equivalent output of one unit of a nuclear power station. To put this into context, Cape Town uses about 12 TW a year. The average consumer uses about 340 kilowatts a month. Lakmeeharan said this shortfall must, by necessity, be made up from power producers who would work alongside, but independently from, Eskom. Already, agreements have been signed with private operators who would provide 277 Megawatts of power, and by April, Lakmeeharan said agreements should make up about 400MW of power. The problem of power supply in South Africa is not a new one, and in recent months a number of foreign and local investors have shown an interest in energy production. In August, President Jacob Zuma signed an agreement with leading solar company Suntech in China, the terms of which included looking into building a 100MW solar facility in South Africa.

On whether the gap could be closed, and the threat of power outages averted, he said: “It is feasible. What this report is about is being transparent to the country about the risks we face. The risks are real, and Eskom can’t deal with them alone. ” Border Kei Chamber of Business chief executive Les Holbrook was glum in his prediction of how blackouts would affect East London should they be implemented. “It would be disastrous, and would take us back to recession days,” he said. “Business is resilient…but the lack of energy or power is not something we can overcome on our own. If those blackouts happen, we will have no hope of reaching growth targets.” A watt is a unit of power that measures the rate of energy conversion. A kilowatt equals 1000 watts. A megawatt equals one million watts while a gigawatt equals a billion watts. The terrawatt is equal to one trillion watts. — By TARALYN McLEAN

A MASSIVE housing project in Buffalo City is locked to its residents after contractors decided to close it down until they are paid for their work.

Now 140 completed homes in Potsdam stand empty and sub-contractors Nare Housing and GC Civils refuse to allow residents to move in until they are paid by the main contractor, Khumbula Properties Services. Khumbula signed a R194million agreement with Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) to build 2003 houses. The sub-contractors claimed BCM had failed to make payments on the multi- million rand project – while hundreds of desperate Potsdam residents continue to live in shacks and temporary homes sponsored by the Department of Human Settlements. Nare Housing said they had completed 50 low-cost houses, while GC Civils completed 90. Construction on 300 more houses are at an advanced stage . Both said completed houses could have been handed over to Buffalo City as soon as next week Tuesday – but they will not do so until they are paid. “I have no protection left. That is why I am holding onto the keys,” said Nare Housing’s managing director, John Cook. A manager at GC Civils, Gerhardt Vermeulen, added: “Eastern Cape is under pressure to build houses and here you have houses available and the people can’t move in. We want to hand over the keys, but there are millions (of rands in payments) outstanding.” A notice from Cook stuck on the door of one of the houses reads: “Nare Housing has a builder’s lien on this house due to non-payment. Until we are paid in full no one is allowed to occupy this property. Anyone doing so will be regarded as a trespasser and the appropriate legal steps taken.”

Director for Khumbula Properties Services Khanyisa Mkaza refused to comment on the matter and referred the Dispatch to the municipality.

BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said that the municipality did not deal directly with sub-contractors . “Any challenges the sub-contractors of the main contractor experience will be the responsibility of the main contractor.” Ngwenya said phase one of the project, which began in March this year, consisted of 500 units and phase two, which has 1503 units, will be implemented in stages depending on the availability of funding from the provincial Department of Human Settlements. But while there is still confusion over payments, hundreds living in shacks grow tired of waiting each day.

“We are angry. We are not happy living here in this shack,” said Bongile Fetheni, who has lived in a temporary container since October last year. “There are holes in the floors and rats get in and damage our groceries.” Fetheni explained that the promised RDP house will have two bedrooms, a shower and toilet, but for now he has to make do with one communal tap and one toilet shared among five households. Zoliswa Buyana said while her name had been on the list for some time, she had been living in the container since March this year. “I am very upset. I am a cleaner there on the site and I saw the notice that someone was not paid. We want the municipality to speed it up.” Ngwenya added that the municipality is committed to the project and that any contractor who prevents the occupancy of such units by beneficiaries will be addressed through the municipal legal process. — By LOIS MOODLEY

A FORMER volunteer at the SPCA has denied allegations by the East London animal welfare organisation that there were plans to take over the facility.

The SPCA claimed in a report published yesterday that a campaign by a group of “troublemakers” bent on destabilising the facility had slowed public donations. It alleged that a small group of volunteers wanted to undertake a hostile “takeover”. “To make unfounded allegations that the ex-volunteers are planning a hostile takeover is ludicrous,” said Bev Weyer in response. Weyer, who worked as a volunteer for two years, said she felt the problems and negative press affecting the animal shelter would not go away until a meeting between the society and volunteers was held to address various concerns. She said while the volunteers had come in for a lot of blame, they had also done a lot of good for the SPCA and had been involved in several fundraising initiatives to buy new equipment. “In the meantime, the dogs are being forgotten while nothing is being done to solve any problem areas,” she said. “I appeal to the SPCA authorities to meet with us. I feel strongly about dogs needing exercise, human contact and love; and the (SPCA) staff do not have the time for this and it is a necessity if the animals are to be rehabilitated.” Weyer said that while the “troublemakers” were getting the blame for finances drying up, the SPCA should also consider other influencing factors such as the current economic climate, before making accusations against them. — By ANDREW STONE Senior Reporter

A NAMIBIAN man separated from his daughter for more than seven years after he was accused of armed robbery will finally get to spend Christmas with his family – thanks to a generous dad living in South Korea.

The businessman, originally from King William’s Town, this week gave Tom Paremore his ticket home. Paremore, 32, was arrested for armed robbery while on holiday in East London in 2003. What was supposed to be a pleasant break away from work turned into a holiday from hell when Paremore was found in possession of stolen goods – taken during an armed robbery the previous night. It later emerged that his friend and co-accused in the matter had bought some of the stolen property and stored it in the boot of a car Paremore was driving at the time of his arrest. The case dragged on for seven years and Paremore’s bail conditions prohibited him from leaving the country. He also battled to hold down a job, being fired on several occasions as a result of the pending case. However, in the East London Regional Court last week, Paremore was acquitted on all four counts of robbery and possession of stolen goods. And now, his dream of opening presents under the Christmas tree with his 14-year-old daughter will come true, thanks to the kindness of Chris Linde. After reading last week’s online story of Paremore’s seven-year wait for justice, Linde wrote to the Dispatch, asking to be put in touch with Paremore. And yesterday, Linde’s brother Russell Linde, who lives in East London, shared the good news with Paremore. An emotional Paremore said he was ecstatic he could finally see his family. “I am forever grateful to the Dispatch and Mr (Chris) Linde. The last time I spent Christmas with my daughter, she was seven years old.” Linde, who has been working in Singapore for the past 14 years and recently moved to Seoul in South Korea, said he had read the Dispatch article and “it touched me”. “I moved to Seoul on my own for a few months while my family remains in Singapore so that my wife can give birth to our third child there in December,” he said. “I felt a remote connection to the story in the sense that I have left my family and it pains me not to see them. This is through choice and yet Tom’s was not. “It hurt me to think that his kid was deprived of her father for seven years through no fault of his own .” Linde said he was “angered by the injustice” that had occurred but at the same time “gladdened by the fact that he is now in a position to be reunited with his family”. “I wanted to help in that journey in any way that I could.” — By KATHRYN PARKES Court Reporter

TEMPERS ran high at East London Airport yesterday, where dozens of travellers have been stranded – some since Wednesday – when a plane to Durban apparently broke down.

The Dispatch received numerous calls on Wednesday and yesterday from frustrated travellers who said SA Express flights to Durban had been delayed and that there was not enough communication from the airline. Finally, by midday the airline managed to fly all the stranded passengers out. But for Bunker’s Hill resident Mary Lou Berndt, it was a little too late. She was meant to fly out at 7.50am yesterday for her grandmother’s funeral at 11am.

“I am really upset. I want to take this further. It goes beyond just a money issue. Even though they are giving us a full refund, I lost time that I can never get back. “If they had told us on time, I would have made alternative plans like fly to Johannesburg and then to Durban, but now it’s too late and I am going to miss the funeral,” she said.

In a press statement, SA Express public relations and communication manager Dileseng Koetle said the cancellation of flights had been “unavoidable”. “Yesterday, SA 1302 out of East London was cancelled due to a technical defect on the aircraft (Dash 8 300). The cause of the technical problem is still under investigation. “The cancellation of this flight was unavoidable and resulted in a rotational delay on the next few sectors of our flight schedule.

“As per normal SA Express procedures, the passengers were kept constantly informed of the situation at hand, and those whose schedules permitted were re-routed to their destinations via Johannesburg.” Koetle said the remaining passengers were accommodated on two additional flights.

“SA Express apologises for the inconvenience caused to our valued customers and would also like to highlight that, although we strive for on-time departures, the safety of our customers is our utmost priority and will not be compromised,” she said. A passenger who did not want to be named said she missed her first meeting with her new boss . “I was supposed to meet my new boss for the first time and they were already waiting for me at the airport but I’ve had to postpone because I don’t think we’re going to have any luck today,” she said. Another passenger, Peter Booyens, said he had spent two days at the airport and was tired of it. “I was booked for an 11.25am flight yesterday (Wednesday), which was delayed, and I cancelled, then I booked for another one today. “When I got here today, we’re being delayed again .” - By SIYA BOYA

56 injured as truck, bus collide on pass FIFTY-SIX people were injured and two drivers trapped in the wreckage after a collision involving a truck and a bus on Van Reenen’s Pass on the N2 yester day, paramedics said.

According to eyewitnesses, the truck made a U-turn and the bus crashed into it. Both drivers were trapped in the twisted metal and the jaws of life had to be used to free them from the wreckage. — Sapa 7 killed in shootout SEVEN suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed in a shootout with Limpopo police near Polokwane yesterday. — Sapa Taxi driver over limit A CAPE Town taxi driver transporting schoolchildren was arrested after testing eight times over the alcohol limit yester day morning. His breathalyser test indicated 0.88mg per 1000ml of breath, compared to the legal maximum of 0.10mg, Cape Town traffic authorities said. The taxi was conveying school children aged six and seven years old. — Sapa No bonuses this year THE municipal manager and five other senior staffers of the uMhlathuze Municipality, incorporating Richards Bay and Empangeni, will not take home bonuses this year.

The decision was due to the effect of the economic crisis on the municipality. — Sapa Spilled drink trial POLICE have completed their investigations into the allegations that a Gauteng racehorse owner spilled his drink on President Jacob Zuma. “The investigations are complete and the State is ready to proceed with the trial,” said State prosecutor Thami Ntuli. The State alleges that Daryl Peense, 31, of Alberton, s pilled his drink on Zuma during the Durban July. — Sapa Reprieve for couples A WESTERN Cape High Court application, in which four couples sought a court order to compel the Department of Home Affairs to issue them with temporary work permits for their foreign spouses or partners, has been postponed to November. Their attorney, Gary Eisenberg, said the purpose of the application was to stop the four couples from being separated from their spouses or partners through deportation or the loss of their jobs due to expired work permits. The court orders, if granted, would urgently interdict the department from taking action against the couples. — Sapa Ship’s fire controlled THE crew of a container ship that caught fire off the West Coast is safe after a fire onboard was brought under control yester day. “All 21 crew remain onboard. “They are all safe and in no danger,” National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon said . The 162-metre long MV Boundary requested urgent assistance yester day morning after reporting its engine room was on fire 27 nautical miles off-shore from Brittania Bay in the Western Cape.

Following efforts to fight the fire, reportedly confined to the engine room, by 12.55pm it appeared the situation was under control. The cause of the fire remained unknown. The ship was heading for Walvis Bay. — Sapa

TAXPAYERS may start footing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill by 2012, even if they would not benefit immediately, a senior government official said yesterday.

At least another R11billion was needed to start implementing the NHI by 2012, said Olive Shisana, chairperson of the ministerial advisory committee dealing with implementing the NHI. “There is a shortfall of R11bn in order for us to be able to start…it becomes obvious…(that taxation) will start in 2012,” Shisana said . But she added: “I’m saying we’re expecting to fill the gap in 2012, but if the economy grows very well, you never know. I’m sure it (the date when taxation will start) will be in the legislation.” The government has said the NHI would be phased in over 14 years, with rollout starting in 2012 in under served rural areas. Earlier, Health Department director general Malebona Matsoso said the public would not see a dramatic difference in the health system in 2012. “We don’t have a big bang approach.” The NHI would start in 2012 with health teams visiting rural areas to assess health needs and provide transport to facilities if necessary. Also by 2012, government planned to have all vacant posts in the public health system filled, Matsoso said. Time-frames to make the implementation happen had not been finalised, said Matsoso. Neither had a deadline been set for the drafting of a White Paper. The preparation process included a National Health Council meeting next week, a National Health Consultative Forum in November and an NHI summit in January next year. Shisana said the government wanted to put a risk management vehicle in place for the NHI to prevent corruption in the transaction process. “It’s very important that a risk engine be set up…in that way you don’t wait for problems to occur; you catch them when they happen,” said Shisana. SA Medical Association chairperson Norman Mabasa said the organisation would enter into “robust engagement” with the government about the NHI. Sama was in favour of universal access to health and agreed the public health service was in dire need of improvement. “We are aware that the public health system is near collapse …We wish to see health care improved.” This would include “incompetent managers” being replaced by competent ones, hospitals being given enough beds and equipment and being kept clean and made attractive, said Mabasa. — Sapa

THE Congress of the People’s disciplinary committee has cleared Willie Madisha of sexual harassment charges.

The charge sheet for Wednesday’s disciplinary hearing alleged, firstly, that Madisha had “disrespectfully and intentionally touched” Cope Women’s Movement interim secretary Nozipho Didiza-Ndlela “on her buttocks ”, and secondly, that he had intentionally touched Didiza-Ndlela on her private parts. In its findings, the committee said, having heard and considered the evidence of both sides, it concluded there was no substantial evidence to believe that Madisha had violated Cope’s constitution “under the article which deals with sexual misconduct”. “The committee therefore found that the defendant is not guilty of sexual harassment, as charged.” On the first charge, the committee found Didiza-Ndlela’s evidence was inconsistent with her behaviour during and immediately after the incident. “She could not sustain her claim that she was very emotional and disturbed,” the committee said. Her two witnesses had informed her at the last minute that they were not available for the hearing, despite them being within easy reach of the hearing and having earlier confirmed their attendance. On the second charge, the committee said clarity was requested on the wording “private parts”, as Didiza-Ndlela has stated it was not on her “private parts”, but rather a violation of her privacy as a woman. “As a result, this charge was not proved, as the complainant admitted that it had never happened.” Madisha had stated that in passing close behind her in the passage, his body accidentally touched hers, but that he did not squeeze her buttocks. His words were: “I never used my hand to touch her.” “It was found that the defendant’s evidence was consistent and he stuck to his account of events,” the committee said. “He further called a witness to substantiate his evidence. “The witness performed in a way that corroborated the evidence of the defendant. He was found to be a credible witness, as he was present when the incident occurred,” the committee said. — Sapa

JOHANNESBURG customers were only marginally more satisfied with municipal service delivery this year than last . “Compared to the previous year, 2009, the city saw an increase of one percentage point in satisfaction,” Executive Mayor Amos Masondo said. “The customer satisfaction status on the delivery of services in the city of Johannesburg has stabilised in the past two years, with some improvements in key areas,” he said. He was speaking at a briefing on the 2010 Customer Satisfaction Survey results conducted by the Bureau of Market Research. The survey found a decrease in the performance in municipal service areas, which encompasses street sweeping and litter control, fire and ambulance services, municipal clinics and informal trading facilities. Public urinating was also still a major problem in the city, Masondo said. A total of 3000 residents and 750 businesses in Johannesburg’s seven administrative regions participated in the survey. The city has been conducting the survey annually since 2005. “ The city has sought to use this information to determine key needs and priorities for the future.” — Sapa

THE majority of Africans were not benefiting from the continent’s economic recovery, women and child rights activist Graça Machel said on Wednesday. She was speaking at the annual summit of the National Business Initiative (NBI) in Johannesburg. “In Africa, the economic recovery from the global recession has been faster, as 80 percent of countries had positive growth in 2009. “However, income gaps are growing and the vast majority of people are not benefiting, and we must remember that we can’t move ahead while millions are left behind.” Machel said it was a pity that “we don’t watch indicators of life like we watch economic indicators”. One in 16 African women died during pregnancy or birth, while HIV/Aids was the number one cause of death of women of child-bearing age. Furthermore, Machel said an enormous number of African women were illiterate. “Women in Africa are prevented from accessing land and capital that they need and financial institutions don’t have the systems in place to cater for women’s entrepreneurship as unreasonable collateral is required.” Machel said more African women should be included in decision- making processes of the continent’s financial institutions. “They should work with these financial institutions to remove obstacles to their participation as entrepreneurs.” Machel said the youth of Africa had become “disengaged”. “Africa is a continent of young people and 60 percent are below the age of 25.” As there was insufficient employment for even educated young people, the youth of the continent had become marginalised. If groups such as women and youth did not participate in the decision-making process, their interests could not be taken into account, Machel said. “Here in South Africa, when you look at the top decision-makers like board members and CEOs – where are the women?” Africa’s best capital was its people and the potential of expertise they represented. “Some young economies have high growth rates but they are leaving their people behind.” While building schools and clinics was all important, human capital was just as important, Machel said. “As business leaders, the best investment you can make is in the human capacity of Africa.” Machel said that although it might take 20 years to see results, business and society would benefit. “Take the example of China as 25 years ago everyone laughed at that country, but now the Chinese are not only here in Africa but elsewhere.” China had invested in its youth, training them both in the country and around the world. “Now Africa must invest in its youth – the resources we have can make us a prosperous continent, but not through minerals – we need people to transfer these minerals into wealth and therefore create well-being.” Another problem facing the continent was that while Africa traded with other continents, African countries did not trade among themselves. “You, as big business, you make deals with the US, Europe and Asia, but very few deals are made with African countries. “You can do more and you must think strategically,” Machel said. South Africa being the only African member of the G20 and the only representative in the Bric movement, was both the face and voice of the continent. “You, as business people, must engage governments and help governments to make Africa function as a continent. Plan clearly how you are going to make Africa a continent of prosperity.” Machel said systems imported from around the world by African business were “collapsing”. “Africa must learn and do things its own way.” — Sapa