The so-called Forces of Change...

An interesting piece on the Mail and Guardian website last night touched on the impact of a website called the Forces of Change – www.forcesofchange.co.za – a website that was recently established to propagate reasons for a change in leadership at the 53^rd national conference of the ANC. The website is clearly against Zuma and its preferred candidates are Kgalema Motlanthe for president, with Matthews Phosa as his deputy. Despite its best efforts to derail the presidency through distribution of its propaganda, it looks as though the movement has been quashed by the announcement of Zuma’s victory over Motlanthe.

Interestingly at the same time as the article’s publication, I was contacted by a concerned reader of my blog who it appears has done some fascinating research around the website, detailed below.

The IP address is owned by a US-registered internet service provider - Linode LLC - and belongs to their London hosting centre. This domain is the only domain hosted on this IP address indicating that a specific hosting package was purchased for this domain. The only piece of legitimate information in the registration details for the domain www.forcesofchange.co.za is the email address theforcesofchange@gmail.com.

The email address theforcesofchange@gmail.com is also associated with the registration details of one other domain, namely www.saveanc.co.za. This domain was registered on 9 November 2012 and the other registration details are also clearly invalid.

The domain www.saveanc.co.za points to the IP address 72.8.150.24, which is owned by the US internet service provider Staminus Communications. The IP address belongs to their hosting centre in Fullerton, California, United States. There are 316 unrelated domains also hosted on this IP address. This suggests that the IP address is part of a shared website hosting provider and no further identifiable information is available.

The parties behind the two domains have made a concerted effort to hide their true identities by entering invalid registration details and both domains are supported by an anonymising service, Afraid (www.afraid.org).

Mail and Guardian article: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-12-17-why-you-shouldnt-vote-for-jz

Fundamental police failures to blame for Marikana massacre

A police expert who testified at the Lonmin mine enquiry has blamed weakness in the police force for the deaths of the 34 miners on strike on 16 August this year. The scale of the police operation meant that communications breakdowns became rife and individual groups of police were operating without a collective or known objective.

Original article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212140750.html?viewall=1 

Top ANC nominees - Mangaung

Ahead of the decisive Mangaung conference, it is clear that there are several nominees in the running so far. Serving president Jacob Zuma will face a hard task to stay in his seat after a tough year in politics; Cyril Ramaphosa, the ex-politician turned businessman is looking for a return to the political sphere; Gwede Mantashe is the current ANC secretary-general and a former trade unionist; Jessie Duarte, currently a member of the ANC’s communications team, is a former apartheid activist and was a special advisor to Nelson Mandela; Baleka Mbete is the party chairwoman of the ANC, ex-speaker of the National Assembly and ex-deputy president of South Africa in 2008; Zweli Mkhize, the popular premier  of the KZN and free state regions; Kgalema Motlanthe is the deputy president and announced he would challenge Zuma for his seat recently; Tokyo Sexwale is a business pro and also an experienced politician; and Matthews Phosa who is the ANC treasurer general and nominee for deputy president by the ANC’s Limpopo and Western Cape regions.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212140325.html?viewall=1

E-tolls get green light

A court bid to scrap the e-tolling project has failed due to “a lack of efficient public participation”. The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) had campaigned in a vocal manner and accused SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) of keeping the public in the dark and intentionally being dishonest about the process of implementation but the case was ultimately lost over a three day battle in court.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212130889.html

Last chance for Julius Malema

If Julius Malema wants to see out the remainder of his career in politics, then the conference at Mangaung is his last possible hope of seeing this achieved. The chances of that happening are however very slim; despite attempts from his supporters to put the issue of his expulsion on the agenda at Mangaung, it is likely that it will not even be discussed, especially after Zuma’s comments recently to the press that he is out of the party and that “it’s not an issue”. And if it is discussed, what hope does the man have while he faces literally dozens of charges that include money laundering, fraud and corruption? Is that the kind of politician the South African public want to see in power?

Original link: http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/malema-s-future-uncertain-1.1440480#.UMnuuuQyJF8

New probe ordered into 1986 Samora Michel plane crash

The South African police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 1986 plane crash that killed Mozambican leader Samora Michel after an informant came forward to claim that South African apartheid-era officials engineered the crash. President Zuma has personally sanctioned the investigation after strong evidence, including documents, photographs and voice recordings, pointed to foul play. The original diagnosis from a South African judge, assisted by UK and US “experts”, was that the plane’s crew were partly responsible through negligence. However, Soviet experts working with the Mozambican authorities ruled that the crash was caused by the crew being misled by signals from a decoy navigation beacon that transmitted more strongly than the beacon at the airport in Mozambique's capital, Maputo…

Original link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20694109

SADC to send troops to DR Congo

The Southern African Development Community has pledged 4,000 troops as a neutral force to be deployed in DR Congo in order to tackle the rebellion. Under the arrangement, Tanzania will send 800 troops and the SADC will supply a standby brigade of around 3,000 troops mid-way through December.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212100110.html

Agri SA builds tension for Mangaung conference

The federal agricultural trade association Agri SA has branded the Mangaung conference a watershed event, saying it will require exceptional leadership skills to tackle problems such as the economy, labour unrest and reduced foreign direct investment. Agri SA chief Johannes Moller said that, “Policy decisions taken at Mangaung should be aimed at positively influencing the country's economy... whilst preoccupation with ideologies should certainly not be on the cards.” Agri SA have been approached to participate in the business programme of the ANC’s progressive business forum, which will run parallel to the conference.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212121457.html

Farmer strikes’ demands too excessive, say employers

Many employers have lamented the demands of R150 daily wages for farmers and have said that, if the wage is approved, would mean thousands of workers would be laid off. Employers attending the Department of Labour's public hearing into wages and other conditions of employment, which was held in Ottosdal in the North West, said should the workers' wage demands be met, the livelihoods of many employees would be negatively affected due to farmers being unable to afford the increase. The minimum wage for the sector currently stands at R69 per day…

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212120136.html

Madagascar presidential candidate out of poll race

Following on from the news yesterday that leaders from Southern African nations had called for exiled Marc Ravalomanana and his rival Andry Rajoelina to not run in the election race, it seems their wishes have been granted. Ravalomanana will not run for the May 2013 elections now and has expressed a hope alongside the SADC that Rajoelina will follow suit.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212120698.html

Zimbabwe: Concerns over crackdown on rights activists

Rights groups reveal that Zimbabwean authorities have launched a widespread crackdown on political dissent and rights activists ahead of the elections next year. A number of rights activists, lawyers and journalists have been detained and the latest incident concerned the arrest of 29 members from the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) while attending a meeting. Despite later releasing 27 of them, two were charged with “organising an unlawful gathering and failing to notify the police of a gathering in contravention of a Section the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).”

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212101990.html

Southern Africa leaders want Madagascar election bans

Southern African leaders have expressed concern that Madagascar’s deposed president Marc Ravalomanana could stand in the country’s new elections and have also stated that Andry Rajoelina, the man who took power from him, should additionally not stand. The same leaders are calling for an amnesty law from Rajoelina to allow Ravalomanana back into the country; the former president was sentenced to life imprisonment two years ago for his part in the suppression of protests that led up to his removal. 30 people died during those clashes.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212110963.html

South Africa signs anti-poaching deal with Vietnam

The South African and Vietnamese governments have signed a deal to combat the increasing number of rhinos illegally slaughtered in the country every year, a figure that continues to rise annually. The latest official figures show that 618 rhinos were poached in 2012, double that of 2010, with most of these taking place in the Kruger national park. The new deal will focus on seven key areas of cooperation, including the protection of South Africa's biodiversity and compliance with internationally binding conventions. Each nation will appoint a co-ordinator to help implement the agreement, which will remain in force for five years. It’s about time some progress was made on this front.

Original link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20670012

Zimbabwe changes stance on Chinese investment

President Mugabe has stated recently that Zimbabwe would be stupid to accept investment from China or any other foreign nation without pre-conditions. Mugabe said foreign investors were free to bring in their capital and technology, but should never dream of owning land and majority shareholding in local companies, deeming this as "robbery" and  "theft". He said the nation’s industry was ready for 100% indigenisation claiming the country had now done enough to acquire 51% shareholding in foreign-owned companies. He said mining would be the first sector to be affected by the proposed 100% indigenisation.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212090119.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns 

Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF party losing initiative?

There are growing reports of rifts appearing within the Zimbabwean ruling Zanu-PF party after a recent lacklustre party conference, in which an estimated 5,000 delegates were “rather passive” and Mugabe’s speech was far from its usual passionate tone. The national chairman and also the vice president have both denounced the scourge of corruption and lack of discipline at the party, and have also mentioned divisions and conflicts from within. Some even alleged that there is a plot to oust Mugabe as party leader… 

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212090118.html?viewall=1 

Mandela “looks well” after being hospitalised

94-year old anti-apartheid hero and former President Nelson Mandela was rushed to hospital on Saturday and is understood to be doing well. President Zuma reassured the nation that Mandela was looking well and that there was “no cause for alarm”. Fingers crossed... 

Original link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20657105

Motlanthe nominated ahead of Mangaung

Kgalema Motlanthe has been nominated to be the party president ahead of Manguaung, receiving 99 votes to Jacob Zuma’s 90. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was endorsed as the secretary-general with 96 votes to current sec-gen Gwede Mantashe’s 85 votes. The positions of deputy president, deputy secretary, chairperson and treasurer general failed to yield any majority votes and will have to be re-voted. The voting came amid allegations from a group of members from ANC branches in Wellington that they were denied a say in who their branch delegate should be. The leader of the group, Primrose Mbenene, alleges that the chairperson of her branch made members sign for another delegate “in the middle of the night”…

Original link: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-12-06-motlanthe-picked-by-w-cape-anc-amid-fraud-allegations

Confusion after SABC pulls radio debate on ANC

There has been a row this week concerning an incident in which the SABC cancelled a Metro FM debate on the ANC and the upcoming Mangaung conference. According to the SABC chief operating officer, the show was pulled because there was no spokesman there from the ANC. Journalists waiting at the debate were told the show was cancelled at the last minute. The media in general expressed its perplexity at why an ANC individual was needed at a debate that mainly concerned the media and the media’s interpretations of upcoming events. Fishy indeed….

Original link: http://mg.co.za/article/2012-12-06-00-sabc-decision-on-mangaung-talk-show-leadership-at-its-best  

Ramaphosa tipped for behind-the-scenes role

South Africa's Times has released an article looking at the prospects for Cyril Ramaphosa's role in the next South African government, arguing that he would be best placed to "run the government" while President Zuma "runs the politics". It also covers some interesting background on how Ramaphosa entered the political sphere.

Original link: http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2012/12/06/post-zuma-era-scenario

Corruption Perception Index – SA 67th out of 187 countries…

Transparency International released their Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on 5 December and South Africa has not fared well - the country has dropped five places to 69th out of 187 countries, representing a drop of 14 places between 2009 and 2012. The announcement has been pounced upon by the opposition DA who released a press statement capitalising on the CPI.

Original link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201212051375.html

Zuma in rare interview with British press

In a rare interview with the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, Jacob Zuma commented that South Africa would not mount a Zimbabwe-style takeover of the white-owned economy, dismissing all talk of nationalisation being a cure to the nation’s “gaping inequalities”. Zuma seemed very composed throughout and came across very much as someone with the ANC’s best interests at heart, not just his own - signified in the comment that “once the ANC says this is what we want you to do, I will do it”. He also touched briefly on the matter of Malema, stating that it was not a pressing issue, as Malema is no longer part of the ANC. Zuma praised Cyril Ramaphosa as a politician and recalled perhaps happier, or at least more stress-free, days when he was a deputy to the union leader...

Original article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/9727945/South-Africa-is-safe-in-my-hands-says-Jacob-Zuma.html 

AU head’s appointment a victory for women, says the Guardian

British newspaper the Guardian has published a positive column on the AU following an interview with Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, calling her appointment as head of the AU Commission a victory for women across the continent. The article provides balance when addressing the issues facing the continent but is equally hopeful as to Africa’s future.

Original article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/dec/03/african-union-development-peace-progress   

AU urged to find new sources of funding

South Africa’s Independent Online has returned to the issue of AU funding, reporting on “funding constraints” facing the organisation and urging the union to turn to “non-traditional” sources of funding, including the private sector.

Original article: http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/au-faces-money-constraints-1.1435527#.UL6N-SJf9K0   

Potential rise in mining taxes, despite downgrading of SA debt

Despite the nation’s debt being downgraded due to slow economic growth and the mining strikes, the ANC may call for an increase in mining taxes. ANC head of economic policy Enoch Godongwana has said that this is a very tight situation to be in – does the ANC appease the financial services companies like Moody’s and Standard & Poor, or does it deal with the constituencies it is facing?

Original article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-05/south-africa-s-anc-may-ignore-moody-s-by-increasing-mining-taxes.html

ANC refuses to comment on Malema exit

The ANC has refused to say whether the expulsion of Julius Malema would be raised at the national conference in Mangaung. Some speculate that his only hope of remaining with the party are if the issue is brought up at the conference and a vote goes in his favour. ANC sec-gen Gwede Mantashe has said that as far as the ANC is concerned, the ANC National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal’s confirmation of Malema’s expulsion in April was a final decision…

Original article: http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/malema-anc-can-t-say-1.1435454

Motlanthe rules out “deals” to secure leadership position

Kgalema Motlanthe  stated that he will reject any “wheeling and dealing” behind the scenes that could secure him a leadership position at the conference in Mangaung. He said that the branches of the ANC should not be interfered with and he also refused to confirm his nomination, saying that it was merely an initial expression of interest from others. He said he would answer the question of his availability when it was put to him by the electoral commission, but it was not a "difficult" decision.

Original article: http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/politics/2012/12/03/motlanthe-rejects-deals-to-secure-top-job-at-mangaung

Political killings on the rise

The New York Times has published a rather alarmist article on the conduct of provincial ANC officials following the violent death of a nominee for a ward in the KZN branch. It reveals how  smaller-scale political posts are increasingly being seen as opportunities to make money rather than opportunities to contribute to the community.

Original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/world/africa/south-africa-corruption-fuels-battle-for-political-spoils.html

Motlanthe playing it cool

ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe is trying to come across as the loyal cadre by reportedly "agonising" over whether or not to challenge JZ in the upcoming elective conference. He also aired his views that the ANC is becoming “a stepping stone towards personal gains” and that the current leadership are trying to eradicate these views in the upcoming election.

Original article: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/anc-stepping-stone-to-personal-gain-motlanthe-1.1433878#.ULxmG-Tcmxo