Afternoon Edition: 31 August 2015

DECLARATION TO SAVE MINING JOBS - Unions have called the declaration on the mining industry to save jobs a victory for social dialogue in the sector. 

A task team of government, business and labour today presented a 10 point declaration on how to manage job losses within the mining sector. 

The Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramathlodi, says the declaration placed no moratorium on retrenchments, but measures will be in place to try and assist those affected. 

Maryke Vermaak reports...

Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal will continue with a retrenchment process at its Vaal Meltshop and the Forge in its Vereeniging Works. 

The possible closure of the facilities would affect approximately 400 employees. 

This announcement comes despite the minister of Trade and Industry's announcement last week that import tariffs will be raised on imported steel. 

The steel giant says the minister's plan would only help in the medium to long-term, and would not change the current situation.

 

DEATH ON SA ROADS - South Africa recorded 141 deaths in 110 motor vehicles collisions in all provinces over the weekend. 

The highest number was recorded in the Eastern Cape where 53 people were killed. Two crashes, the bus accident in Willowvale with 36 fatalities and another involving a minibus taxi that crashed near Cradock with nine fatalities, accounted for the majority of the deaths. 

The Road Traffic Management Corporation says they will work with provincial traffic authorities to intensify law enforcement on the roads.

 

DA APPROACHES COURT OVER JIBA - The DA says it won't tolerate the destruction of our constitution and democracy by President Jacob Zuma and his cronies.

The DA's leader, Mmusi Maimane, says they have filed a court application to compel President Zuma to hold an inquiry into the fitness of Deputy Director of National Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba.

Maimane addressed members this morning outside the NPA headquarters in Pretoria where he announced the court application.

 

WEATHER - Tuesday, 01 September

Gauteng: Fine and warm.
                         

Pretoria  14 / 30
Johannesburg  12 / 27

Mpumalanga: Fine in the east at first, otherwise partly cloudy and warm but hot in the Lowveld.
                  

Mbombela  16 / 30
Skukuza  20 / 34

Limpopo: Hot in the Lowveld, otherwise partly cloudy and warm.
                       

Polokwane  12 / 30
Musina  19 / 35

North West: Partly cloudy and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers in the west at first.
                      

Rustenburg  10 / 32
Mahikeng  12 / 27