South Africa is it Evil or is it Good

It is not all doom and gloom for South Africa, that is according to reports recently published. The widespread violence in universities, the ongoing strikes, filth and burning of buildings does not actually mean the country is sliding into chaos.

South Africa under the ANC leadership

South Africa is a wonderful country, a diverse country with a rainbow nation and 11 official languages. The heritage of different cultural groups and intensity among the people generate a varied perception that all is is well at times and not so well on other occasions. The ongoing racial conflict between these educated students (among others) spills out the hate the majority has toward the English and Afrikaans speaking people. What is the government doing to stop this from flaring into something nobody wants. The government condemns the actions, and that is that. 

It does not matter that students keep protesting about historical statuettes, languages, and fees, after all, this small group are really a drop in the ocean and do not represent the majority of people who choose to live in peace. It does not matter that crime, corruption, poverty and hardship affect millions of people. It does not matter if the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party spin their stories of deceit, poor governance and fool the uneducated people into believing there is a good story to tell.

Does the murders of innocent farmers matter, the farmers who are of the minority group and work tirelessly to produce and protect the country’s food security. No, it's not important that these people are tortured in the most dangerous manner before being murdered.  The overall crime escalation that affects all ethnic groups does not matter, especially when the police force is too small to contain the spiraling violence in the country.  We won't even mention how severely the drug situation has become over the last 20 years, and perhaps it is the saddest story of all. The police force have done a magnificent job in combating crime around the country or have they? Statistics (if correct) show that the increase in crime has spiraled out of control, yet the ANC will give us the good story of how controlled crime in the country has come to be under their leadership.

The grand story of good governance, infrastructure,  and providing homes for the homeless and the benefits of advancing grants for the poor. The infrastructure is a total disaster, the good governance is smeared with corruption and grants are a form of ensuring these people keep the ANC in power. The affirmative action and black economic power,  are a way of providing opportunities for the disadvantaged. It would have been an incredible story if only the disadvantaged got the opportunity but alas, it is the friend of a friend or family member of a politically connected person who gets the real slice of the pie, all coupled with tender fraud.

The delightful story of rolling blackouts, no power and government rescue of the power giant Eskom is a story of failure. A story that does not portray doom and gloom?  The power story spiraled into a disaster because the lack of maintenance, greed, and corruption. The recent drought that has cost the economy billions is a seriously sad story. The drought is not the government’s fault yet, if the maintenance over the past twenty years had been attended to, people would have had access to water.

A great story is that South Africa have municipal elections coming up soon and the opposition parties will have a chance to take on the mighty ANC  and hopefully win a bigger slice of the pie. 

We all know that the good story of governance in the Western Cape under the leadership of the Democratic Alliance is a story worth telling. It is not only a story but factually one of the best provinces demonstrating strong leadership, honesty, and good governance. Well done to the DA for giving South Africa a good story to tell.  

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) although a relatively new party have grown their membership base and stand a chance of growing their support.  Although there is a note of concern within their mandate, I would love for the EFF to win a province in the municipal elections and prove to all the people of South Africa that they do have the ability to deliver on promises.

There are so many other political parties who are determined to give the people of South Africa a better future, and listening to some of their opinions, makes me wonder if these little parties will ever have that chance.  One particular person, I should mention is Terror Lekota, president of the Congress of the People (COPE) party who seems determined to fight the corruption within current government.  I like this man and believe with the support of the people can make a difference. 

There is the beautiful side of the story, there are millions of people who are kind, generous, hardworking and inspiring. The people who care by continuing to do some good work in their communities, schools, and the environment.  Groups of people who tirelessly continue to uplift the poor, the homeless, and desperate people, without government help. We salute these people, for the unwavering consideration, time, and effort they have assumed without recognition. These are the people who leave behind a ray of hope for South Africa.

 Links to interesting stories

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/02/26/Vandals-spray-Fk-all-whites-Fk-white-tears-on-UWC-campus

http://ewn.co.za/2016/02/26/OPINION-Stephen-Grootes-Evil-will-not-win-in-South-Africa

Zuma wants the crown jewel

The Congress of the People (COPE), a political party of South Africa, issued a statement condemning President Jacob Zuma's intentions to capture SARS and treasury. COPE calls Zuma a desperate individual who believes Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is standing in his way.   

 Ahead of the municipal elections, the ANC will need lots of money to finance their campaign and probably will do fraudulent transactions like transferring money from government departments such as the Defense Force for this purpose. They will probably do some creative accounting to ensure nobody would be able to spot the transaction.  Perhaps Gordhan is the man that has the ability to detect the deceit and blow the whistle.

Zuma has strategically placed his people in all the relevant departments and the crown jewel would be capturing SARS and Treasury.  Well, I guess if he does get this right, we will certainly be in for a rough time. Let’s hope Gordhan uses all the resources he has to prevent the Zuma conquest becoming a reality. Let us hope that Gordhan remains honourable and does not bow down to corruption and bribery.

Here is the statement.
ZUMA DESPERATE TO CAPTURE SARS & NATIONAL TREASURY USING THE HAWKS
Cope is not shocked to learn in media reports that Minster Pravin Gordhan is under investigation by the Hawks. We accept that we are dealing with a desperate individual called Jacob Zuma. Gordhan is standing in his way.

The proxy war we are now witnessing is the next Nkandla episode. It is round two in the attempt to capture SARS and the National Treasury.
To meet the requirements of the “payback the money” clamour and to ensure an escape from tax liability after the Nkandla account, as determined by Thuli Madonsela is settled, it is necessary for the incumbent of the top post to have his former MK comrades fully in charge of SARS and of the National Treasury. He will now need protection on the money front.
We saw how Des van Rooyen wasted not a second in sending two representatives to Treasury with a mandate to start signing cheques there and then. This gambit instantly revealed the game plan of Mr Zuma having Des van Rooyen as Minister of Finance.
The first attempt of powerful actors in the ruling to seize the National Treasury was stopped just in time because of the billions that were instantly wiped off. The business community revolted. The upper echelons of the ruling party, however, didn't care. Those who had set their hearts and minds on grabbing all they could, as they have been doing since 2009, accepted the set back as being temporary. Now starts round two in the attempt to grab SARS and the National Treasury. The first failed action will now be followed by a second but more desperate attempt. No hostages will be taken. Pravin Gordhan stands surrounded by hostile foes.
The legal battle for the man at the top has been lost. The battle for the loot, however, continues.
Up to now the majority party in the legislature has dismally failed in its sacred duty to exercise scrutiny over the executive. ANC MPs have been excited watchers on the side line or active abettors of the schemes hatched by the powerful to rob and despoil at will. These MPs have shown no commitment whatsoever to voters. Neither have they shown any backbone. they allowed the alarming drift that Thabo Mbeki warned about to become a turbulent whirlpool. They sold out.
South Africa, therefore, has now entered its most dangerous period since 1994. Tensions are rife everywhere and these tensions are becoming red hot. The cost of living is rising faster than earnings and hunger is a reality for most people. The rand is becoming punier by the day. Things are getting tighter and worse by the day. The time has certainly come for parliament to put an end to government guarantees and bail outs for SOEs and state entities. The time has come for the legislature to stand united in defence of the Constitution, in defence of an autonomous SARS and in defence of a National Treasury free of political interference. Taxpayers need protection from predatory politicians. Party loyalties must give way to what is good in the common national interest. The capture of SARS and of the National Treasury must be stopped in its track through united action in the legislature.
Mr Zuma, clearly, is still hell bent on getting Des van Rooyen, in his estimation the most highly qualified man to be Minister of Finance, to head the Finance ministry. He needs him there to serve his own interest and that of his friends in SAA and elsewhere. The nation must never allow that. We are almost bankrupt. Des van Rooyen will take us over the edge.
The ball is now in the court of the ruling party MPs. Will they meekly allow the man at the top to capture SARS and the national treasury? Or, will they stand with the Minister of Finance as he attempts to save the country from fiscal disaster? That is the question.
Cope warns Mr Zuma that its members will not sit with arms folded and let him loot the treasury. COPE will put up a fight like its members had put up against PW Botha’s regime.
Dennis Bloem
Spokesperson

South Africa Today

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Rubbish floating down the streets

More rubbish floating down the streets of South Africa. 

 

The municipality of Gonubie has started to clean up the mess caused by the striking workers. Gonubie is a town in Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Gonubie is under the African National Congress (ANC) with 42 out of the 49 councillors having the control and responsibility of this town. 

In the meantime, the residents were fed up and took action after weeks of no refuse removals by dumping their rubbish at the municipal offices.

 If the government cannot control an essential service like this, what will happen when we have a severe crisis.

 SOURCE:

http://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/metro-to-dock-half-pay-of-the-striking-workers/

Metro to dock half pay of the striking workers

BUFFALO City Metro’s striking workers will receive only half their pay this month following 12 days of violent strike chaos and destruction.
This was announced by municipal manager Andile Fani, who also ordered the garbage collectors and street cleaners to return to work.
Metro spokesman Keith Ngesi said Fani’s instruction was sent down the chain of command to supervisors who were told to tell workers to “get back to work”.
He also said that workers, who returned to work yesterday, but gathered at their depots and did not work, had lost pay for 12 working days and were at the mercy of the municipality as to when the deductions would be made.
They could be on payday, Friday 24th, or if the metro decided to show compassion, the deductions would be rendered in two months’ time.
South African Municipal Workers’ Union BCM secretary Zolani Ndlela had not responded to questions regarding the docking of pay at the time of going to print yesterday.
Meanwhile, the metro has started collecting trash. A refuse truck was spotted in Quigney on Wednesday night and in Gonubie yesterday accompanied by armed metro police.
Due to security concerns Ngesi said he was not in a position to disclose which areas would have collection.
“We really don’t want to publicise our plans since there are some people hell-bent on sabotaging us,” he said.
He said a decision to hire private companies to collect refuse would be in effect until all employees return to work.
At present, he said about 90% of employees had returned, and 40% (about 2000) were from community services directorate including workers in amenities and environmental health services.
He said the armed escorts were there to protect workers against potential violent attacks. Private companies were also worried about the safety of their resources.
Ngesi admitted the city centre remained a concern and was among the critical areas to be cleaned up.
Other areas to be cleaned up include Quigney, Bunkers Hills and Beacon Bay.
“Due to limited resources, this will happen incrementally. Refuse collection is a challenge because it keeps heaping up and we can’t tell people to keep it in their own yards.”
Asked how much budget had been allocated to pay private companies to pick up trash, Ngesi said payments were based on a day-to-day basis.
He said costs would be communicated to the council and public at a later stage.
Ngesi said he was not aware of any decision to consult the Department of Correctional Services to use inmates to clean up the metro as yet.
He said the damage caused from torching the East London City Hall amounted to R500000.
Further assessments were going to be conducted to calculate damages at the Chiselhurst municipal buildings where procurement documents were allegedly burnt and computers destroyed.
The spokesman said, however, there was no serious damage to the building and that it was likely that most documents were not affected as the metro was migrating to electronic filing of documents. —