The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed that a murder and attempted murder docket has been opened in the Marikana massacre case. “We are investigating 34 counts of murder,” said IPID spokesman, Moses Dlamini. Another 32 counts of attempted murder were being investigated. Dlamini said the number could change as the investigation continued. “This number will change… We would only add more counts as people come forward and say they were injured, or if we ascertain that they were injured.” The police ministry said 34 people were killed and 78 injured when police officers opened fire to disperse strikers.
MANYI NO LONGER SPEAKS FOR CABINET
Jimmy Manyi’s contract as CEO of Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) has expired, and will not be renewed. Collins Chabane, minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, said Manyi had made “a good contribution to government communication and Cabinet communication processes”. In a statement, the ministry said Manyi had brought with him wealth of experience both in the public and the private sector to this position”. But critics disagreed, with Professor Adam Habib telling the Mail & Guardian that Manyi had “left one of the worst legacies as a government communicator”. The DA said it was “about time that Mr Manyi was removed from office. He has consistently showcased behaviour unbecoming of government’s chief communicator”.
ANCYL WANTS LAND IN CONSTANTIA, RONDEBOSCH
The ANC Youth League in Cape Town handed over a memorandum containing nine demands to the Provincial Government of the Western Cape. This followed a stand off outside the Legislature offices in Wale Street when Premier Helen Zille refused to receive the demands until the ANCYL withdrew its threat to make the province “ungovernable”. In the memorandum, received by MEC for finance and economic development, Alan Winde, the ANCYL said land in Constantia and the Rondebosch Common should be given to the poor. Over 1,000 protestors gathered outside the legislature, chanting, “We want Zille. We want the madam”. Cosatu’s Tony Ehrenreich, also an ANC councilor, said workers in the province would be called on to add to the pressure on Zille to change the DA’s approach, specifically when it came to housing in affluent areas in the Cape Peninsula.
DEWANI’S FATHER IN COURT FOR HONEYMOON MURDER TRIAL
Anni Dewani’s father, Vinod Hindocha, was in court on Monday to hear about the last moments of his daughter’s life described by her killers. Convicted murderer, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, told the Western Cape High Court he and Xolile Mngeni lay in wait for the Dewanis’ shuttle vehicle, as agreed with shuttle driver Zola Tongo. Qwabe was testifying at the trial of Mngeni, who has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and murder charges. Qwabe said they forced driver Tongo, who was jailed for 18 years for his part in the murder, into the back seat of the vehicle and that Mngeni drove the shuttle to Khayelitsha. Dewani’s husband, Shrien, was dropped off and shortly afterwards Qwabe heard a gunshot. Dewani’s father wiped away tears as Qwabe described how her husband allegedly organised her murder.
