DA wants probe into Zuma’s multi-million rand home – The DA wants the Public Protector to probe allegations that R203 million of taxpayers money would be used in the revamping of President Jacob Zuma’s iNkandla homestead, the party said on Sunday. “Reports that the department of public works will be spending millions on Zuma’s private homestead is a serious abuse of tax payers’ money by a department which is failing in almost every other key responsibility,” DA Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said in a statement. [timeslive]
Meanwhile, housing projects being probed: Zuma – The total value of housing contracts being probed by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) stood at R4 billion, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday. He said in respect of the human settlements department, 59 low cost housing contracts had been identified by the SIU for investigation and that various instances of misconduct by officials had been identified and criminal charges were possible. The intention of the probe was to uncover mismanagement and misuse of taxpayers money allocated to low cost housing projects since 1994. [sabc]
Europe clinch Ryder Cup with stunning comeback – Inspired by the spirit of Seve Ballesteros, Europe pulled off one of the greatest comebacks on a golf course to beat the United States and win the Ryder Cup by 14-1/2 points to 13-1/2 on Sunday. Needing to claim eight points in the concluding singles to retain the trophy, Europe won six of the first eight encounters before Germany’s Martin Kaymer secured the vital point to retain the Cup by beating Steve Stricker one up. [reuters]
Zuma’s eldest still owes wedding planner R1.5m – Wedding planner Paul Mann has said he is tired of Edward Zuma’s “lies and excuses” after repeatedly trying to get him to settle his 2011 wedding bill. The eldest son of President Jacob Zuma still owes R1.5-million for his 2011 wedding, according to a report on Sunday. The Sunday Independent reported that wedding planner Paul Mann said he instructed his attorney to attach the assets of Edward Zuma and his wife Pumelele. [mg]
Site inspection starts off Marikana probe – Despite tight time frames and amid a reportedly tense atmosphere in Marikana, the Farlam Commission is “very ready” to proceed, its spokesman Kevin Malunga said yesterday. The deaths of 46 people, in particular the 34 who died in a violent clash with the police on August 16, have angered and traumatised the nation. Expectations of the commission are high. [bdlive]
Libyans hand over their weapons – Hundreds of Libyans handed in weapons left over from last year’s war on Saturday, part of a drive by the North African country to rid its streets of arms and crack down on rogue militia groups. As the day went on, a trickle of people turned into longer lines in Tripoli and in the eastern city of Benghazi, where tents were set up in squares for military officials to collect arms, explosives and even rocket propelled grenade launchers. [ewn]
No agreement in cash-in-transit sector – No agreement was signed in the cash-in-transit sector, the South African Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said on Saturday. “We would like to put it on record that the alleged agreement that has been signed is nothing else but a fraudulent document,” spokesperson Vincent Masoga said in a statement. [news24]
Maybe a meteorite, but not a helicopter – Cape Town had its own “it’s a bird! It’s a plane!” moment when multiple reports that a helicopter had crashed off the coast of Blouberg on Friday night saw rescuers across the spectrum mobilised, only to turn up… nothing. Reports included suggestions of “something flying through the air that looked like a shooting star or rocket”, complete with green light and in one case, a flash of flame, which suddenly disappeared. By yesterday morning not a scrap of wreckage had turned up, however. And NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon reported that what the witnesses were likely to have seen was in fact “meteorite fall”. [iol]
Did you know you can now listen to 2ov Radio on News24?
Apple apologises for Maps switch ‘frustration’ – Apple’s chief executive has penned an apology following a barrage of criticism caused by its switch to a new maps system. Tim Cook acknowledged that users had been frustrated by the move and repeated a pledge to improve the software. In the meantime he suggested users download an alternative product from one of its rivals. [bbc]
Dissolving silk electronics melt in your body, not in the hand – When it comes to electronics, boffins are usually going one way – how to make them smaller, faster and longer lasting, but a few researchers are going against the tide – looking for electronics that can last just a moment and then disappear. At the University of Illinois, with help from Tufts and Northwestern Universities, scientists have come up with biodegradable electronics that can do their job and then dissolve. [theregister]
French family feud erupts at clothing firm Lacoste – A family feud at the top of the Lacoste clothing company is pitting father against daughter in a battle for management of the green crocodile brand. Michel Lacoste, 69, has decided to seek a court ruling against the company board’s nomination of Sophie Lacoste-Dournel as non-executive president, which he told the daily Le Monde was an “irregular” decision “by an irregular board.” Lacoste told Le Monde that his 36-year-old daughter, who has studied business and loves theatre and acting, “hasn’t spent a day of her life in a business and is not able to manage a successful company.” [afp]
‘Tiger man’ Varty issues rhino horn challenge – “Tiger Man” John Varty has suggested that breeders should defy the government’s trade ban and stage a high-profile global auction of horns. In an open letter to the world’s largest rhino breeder, Mpumalanga-based John Hume, published on his own JV and the Big Cats website, Varty said Hume should ask the environment minister for permission for a one-off auction of all privately owned horns. “Point out that the precedent was set in the 1980s when South Africa’s National Parks had ivory auctions in which Japanese, Taiwanese and Chinese buyers participated in the purchase of ivory from culled elephants in Kruger National Park,” he said. [mg]
Fish to shrink by up to a quarter due to climate change, study reveals – Scientists predict a 14-24% reduction in fish size by 2050 as ocean temperatures increase. Global warming is likely to shrink the size of fish by as much as a quarter in coming decades, according to a groundbreaking new study of the world’s oceans. The reduction in individual fish size will be matched by a dwindling of overall fish stocks, warned scientists, at a time when the world’s growing human population is putting ever greater pressure on fisheries. [guardian]
KStew turns over voicemail, email passwords to RPatz to prove her love – Kristen Stewart told Robert Pattinson that she never actually slept with her married Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, and this is the reason why the Twilight star was able to forgive the dalliance and get back together with her. [radaronline]
Arnold Schwarzenegger expresses regret over affair – In a ’60 Minutes’ interview, former California Gov. Schwarzenegger says he realized he was the father of his housekeeper’s child when the boy was 7 or 8. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he realized he was the father of his housekeeper’s child when the boy reached age 7 or 8 and the resemblance became apparent. Although he never discussed the matter with the boy’s mother, who kept the child’s paternity secret while continuing to work in the home of Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, he began secretly sending the woman extra money to help care for his son. [latimes]
The Lightyears, Speedway 105 – When the UK-based band who perform at the Cape Town Tens every year arrived in Cape Town for the first time in 2009, they received a warm welcome from Paul & Dave Van Der Spuy at the Speedway 105 cafe. Paul & Dave booked them for a gig and kept them in beers for a week or so, and The Lightyears made the Speedway their unofficial home in CT before heading back to London. Upon returning home, the band wrote a song in tribute to the place, called Speedway 105. In the video, The Lightyears perform the song live in a vineyard whilst on tour in southern France. [projectlightyears]
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Season Of Sauvignon Celebrates White Wine Season – Today, Josie chats Season Of Sauvignon at 13h00, which takes place 6th & 7th October at the Durbanville Wine Valley. Check it out if you feel like something zesty, crisp and fresh. [justjosie]
Tones Of Note – Hosted by Rus Nerwich, SA saxophonist, composer, writer and actor, this show will wire you into the the musical mainframe. Exploring Jazz and all its branches, exploring modern neo-soul and hip hop, and its roots in blues, reggae and folk music. Tune in from 20h00-22h00. [tonesofnote]
FRESH PODCASTS
5 Reasons Why You Should Not Touch Your Pension – Tapping into your retirement funds to accommodate your living expenses and lifestyle is becoming an increasingly big issue. Listen to the podcast for 5 important reasons why you should not touch your pension when you leave your job. [podcast]
Hammer Time On 2oceansVibe Radio – MC Hammer is no stranger to the 2oceansvibe scene, we really appreciate his vibe, and he really appreciates ours too. Listen to the podcast of Susana Kennedy’s exclusive interview with MC Hammer, or Stanley Kirk Burrell if you must, on the Loerie Awards, and living his dream by making a difference. [podcast]
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