Teacher and pupil in the middle of Sans Sauci drama suspended

Pupils at Sans Souci in solidary with the teacher; Image WCED

The teacher and the leaner involved in a physical confrontation at Sans Souci have been suspended, the Western Cape Education Department has confirmed.
In a video that emerged earlier this week, a teacher and the pupil were filmed during a confrontation that later turned physical.
Both the mother of the pupil and the teacher have laid criminal charges.

More on the story to follow

Death toll rises to 5 at Gloria mine explosion

The death toll from an underground gas explosion at abandoned Gloria Coal Mine has risen to five Eyewitness News reported.

According to reports, more than 40 miners were underground when the explosion occurred, about 20 managed to escape.

The Department of Mineral Resources said it was aware of the explosion, the department says it is engaging with mine rescue services for assistance.


Original article on
https://ewn.co.za/2019/02/07/death-toll-in-mpumalanga-mine-gas-explosion-rises-to-5

Ramaphosa to deliver SONA

President Cyril Ramaphosa: Image courtesy of the Presidency ZA

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) today. This year's SONA is themed " following up on commitments - making your future work better.

Ramaphosa's SONA comes at the time when the ruling party is under immense pressure to deal with corruption in state owned entities  and outrageous allegations of state capture.

One of Ramaphosa's biggest challenge is show citizens that his administration is serious about rooting out corruption and restoring credibility in institutions hit by allegations of capture.
Ramaphosa will deliver the state of this nation address on Thursday evening.

Judge Makaula recuses himself from Omotoso trial

Judge Mandela Makaula has appeared to have recused himself from controversial pastor Omotoso's trial. 
In December 2018 the Supreme Court of Appeal had dismissed the application brought forward by Omotoso's legal team to have Judge Makaula recuse himself.
Omotoso's lawyer accused Makaula of being " too friendly " with the first witness,  Cheryl Zondi.

More on this developing story to follow.

Mother lays charge against teacher caught on camera slapping child

A Cape Town mother has laid an assault charge against a teacher who slapped her daughter at Sans Sauci school.
In a video that has since gone viral, an altercation between the teacher and the pupil escalates resulting in the educator slapping the learner.
The teacher can be heard reprimanding the girl over using a cellphone in class .
The Western Cape Education Department said it is awaiting the outcome of the school's governing body's investigation.

Opinion: Lily Mine three years later

Pretty Nkumbule's children. Image:Trevor Makhanani Hlungwani

I remember seeing the visuals of the sinkhole at Lily Mine like it were yesterday, an image most would live never to forget.
 It has been exactly 3 years since the tragic accident that claimed the lives of three miners at the mine.
Yvone Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyarende were trapped underground in a metal structure during the massive ground collapse. Their families members are yet to get an opportunity to bury their loved ones.

The images of families members camping outside the  site hoping for news on loved ones is one yet to fade. I often ask myself questions i am not certain i want answers to, did they die the minute the structure landed? Who died first. At that time hope is all they had but eventually lost that hope.
Three years later I, like their families will ever get any of the answers to the questions we are burning for answers.
I followed all the failed operations on the news in 2016, witnessed the challenged faced by the geologists, but somehow feel like something could have been done, even though i know it was just hard. How do the family members move on, how do you move on from something so tragic, no compensation is enough to fill or erase the pain.

The new owners of the mine have come out to say that operations to retrieve the remains of the three miners will resume soon. I don't want to get my hopes high, but at the same time continue to wait with bated breath for the outcome of the operation.

Bushiri and wife out on R100 000 bail each

Bushiri out on bail: Image-Facebook

Controversial Shepert Bushiri and his wife Marry have been granted R100 000 bail each, after they were arrested by the Hawks last Friday.

The couple appeared at the Commercials Crime Court in Pretoria, where thousands of supporters came out in their numbers in solidarity with their pastor.
The case has been postponed to May 10.
The Hawks arrested the pair on concerns of fraud and money laundering.

Bushiri earlier this week acquired the services of well known Advocate Barry Roux whose shot to fame was when he represented former paralympian Oscar Pistorious after he shot and killed his girlfriend.