According to a reliable source Sishen Iron Ore Mine is awaiting a massive Conveyor Belt that landed in a plane from China on the 11th of September 2011 around ten’o'clock the morning.

I tried to get permission to get some video footage of the plane and its very expensive cargo but special permits were required to get onto the airport base.

The photo I took was from my front lawn as the plane was descending to land. I think most people living in Upington must have heard the plane as it flew over us.

I will try and get photos of the cargo once it leaves the stupid airport.

This is the Facebook picture that has sparked a police investigation. The police are asking members of the public who can identify the man in this picture - which may have been manipulated - to come forward to assist them in their investigation. We have obscured the child's face to protect his identity, but child advocacy groups are concerned about the youngster's well being

The Hawks have launched an investigation into an image on Facebook in which a white man with a rifle poses over the apparently lifeless body of a black child – like a hunter celebrating his kill.

The undated picture is on the social networking site in the profile of a user called “Eugene Terrorblanche”, a play on the name of the murdered leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB). As of yesterday, “Terrorblanche” had 590 “friends”.

While it is not known if the photograph is genuine or has been manipulated, a child protection charity has expressed concern for the well being of the youngster.

The search is now on for the person or persons responsible for the picture, for whoever created the user profile and for those who have seen the photograph but failed to report it.

The authorities have suggested that everyone party to the posting – including those who have seen the picture – could face prosecution and, if convicted, a jail sentence.

This is regardless of whether the picture is faked.

Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa’s spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said his boss had ordered an “immediate investigation” and called on the man in the picture – or anyone who recognised him – to come forward to assist in the probe.

Mnisi said: “If, indeed, it reflects a real incident, those responsible must be severely punished.”

The investigation was sparked when the Sunday Times presented the link to the site to the authorities.

Child advocacy groups said the production and dissemination of the picture violated several laws, including the Children’s Act, the Films and Publications Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.

Hawks spokesman Colonel McIntosh Polela said “no words can describe the disgust I’m feeling”, while Kidz Clinics advocacy manager Germaine Vogel called the picture “abominable”.

The Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, yesterday slammed the photograph, saying that any adult threatening a child must be condemned.

The Facebook user, who has few personal details in his profile, claimed to have attended school in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, and that he was “self-employed”.

“Terrorblanche” previously went under the name “AWB Wit Wolf”.

When using that alias, he said he was in the business of selling stun guns and pepper spray.

HisFacebook friends include a mechanic from the West Rand, a supermarket manager from Boksburg on the East Rand, a housewife from Upington in the Northern Cape and a teacher from Edenvale, east of Johannesburg.

The picture was put on Facebook on June 24 last year – and so far not one of the user’s “friends” has posted a comment condemning it.

The director of Women + Men Against Child Abuse, Miranda Jordan, said she found it “incredibly disturbing” not knowing whether the child in the picture was hurt or dead.

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing … this is sickening and disgusting. Is this child hurt? Is he dead? Who would take this kind of picture?

“This hate image incites racism that almost all South Africans have fought so hard to eradicate,” shesaid.

Those who commented favourably on the image could be charged and held accountable, she said.

“Anyone living in South Africa who has viewed this image of an abused child and has not reported it can be charged under the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which stipulates that, as a witness to the abuse of a child, you must report it to your nearest police station.”

Experts said it would be difficult to confirm the photo’s authenticity, but the authorities were hopeful someone would recognise the adult in the image.

Alternatively, they hope that the man (if he is also an unsuspecting victim) or friends who know the identify of the Facebook user will come forward with information.

South Africa has not prosecuted anyone for posting offensive material on Facebook, but law-enforcement agencies in the US are increasingly obtaining warrants to get users’ details.

They can even request or subpoena information from Facebook.

Vogel of Kidz Clinics said that, in terms of South African law, the person in the picture could be charged with murder, grievous bodily harm or, in terms of the Children’s Act, with the harm or ill-treatment of a child.

“Once an image is posted on the internet, it can never be deleted. So, for example, this hate image will be linked to this young man and this child for the rest of their lives. This is a gross violation of this child’s well-being and privacy,” said Vogel.

A police computer expert said an investigation of this nature would determine, among other things, if the child was harmed in the making of the image.

“If the picture has been photoshopped, those responsible for producing such an image can also be charged for child abuse,” he said.

Experts on children’s rights agreed that the Children’s Act made it a crime to expose a child to behaviour that might harm him or her psychologically or emotionally.

Meanwhile, Polela said the person responsible for the picture and those who posted it on a social networking site were spreading “hate speech”.

“As you would probably expect, there are many South Africans who will feel deeply offended by this. I am,” he said.

Web and digital media lawyer Paul Jacobson said the first step would be to identify the man in the picture.

But he said it was unfair to single out social media networks for the racist material, saying “these people were like this before Facebook”.

Police could also contact the social network for help. “This is a clear violation of Facebook’s policies and, if put under enough pressure, I am certain (they) will react and assist investigations,” Jacobson said.

Local internet service providers could be forced to help track down the user. “It is definitely in the public interest,” Jacobson said.

Polela has requested those with information about the photograph, or who know the user or the picture’s creator, to contact Crime Stop on 0860010111

WERNER SWART

- swartw@sundaytimes.co.za

Die Kalahari Kuierfees het die afgelope paar jaar ‘n belangrike inskrywing op die sosiale kalender van Upington en die Kalahari geraak en het laasjaar duisende toegangers gelok.   Wanneer stalletjie eienaars by die Kalahari Kuierfees gevra word watter fees in die land vir hulle die lekkerste is, is die antwoord gewoonlik “Kalahari Kuierfees”.  Vanjaar vind die opwindende fees van 22 tot 24 September plaas.

Die Kalahari Kuierfees onderskryf Afrikaans as taal,  ons omgewing se toerisme aantreklikhede, sport,  inheemse kos,  streeksprodukte,  die natuur,  eiesoortige kulture,  teater en opbouende musiek – terwyl die verskillende teikengroepe in aanmerking geneem word.  Dis ‘n fees vir die gesin.

Die fees word weereens vanjaar gekenmerk deur ‘n verskeidenheid  sportsoorte en kompetisies wat aangebied word soos die Kumba Iron Ore Classic wat ‘n seeding event vir die Cape Argus is, armdruk,  halfmaraton, “bench”, gholf hole-in-one”,  Upington Toyota Bybelgenootskap pretstap ens.

Aktiwiteite word nie net op die Eiland Feesterrein aangebied nie maar ook op talle goed geleë venues.  Die fees het ook die ABSA Vryverhoog by //Khara Hais Munisipaliteit, wat toeskouers gratis kan bywoon en bekende nasionale en plaaslike kunstenaars in aksie gesien kan word.  Vanjaar gaan daar ook vir die eerste keer by die ABSA vryverhoog ‘n toneelstuk deur Hoërskool Upington onder leiding van Lesley Swart aangebied word.  Die produksie PING gaan een van die hoogtepunte by die Vryverhoog wees.

Jaarliks is daar meer as 100 kunsmark-stalletjies wat aan elke smaak voldoen.
En as jy ietwat meer rustiger en eksklusief wil kuier, kom skop jou skoene uit in die Oranjerivier Kuiertent tent.  En vanjaar beloof die Desert Palace Casino Kuier Wal groter en beter…

Die volgende aktiwiteite gaan hoogtepunte wees: Rocco de Villiers met Beautiful Beautiful Piano, Dowwe Dolle met 007: geskud, nie gepluk en dan verseker die weghol sukses teaterproduksie: My naam/name is Ellen Pakkies met Vinette Ebrahim.

Die Kuierfees Kuns Kafee was laasjaar ‘n reuse sukses en gaan vanjaar met nog meer en beter kunstenaars voor die dag kom.  Die Toyota Kunsgallery gaan ook vanjaar weer die beste van kunswerke vir die publiek aanbied.  Kunstenaars wat vanjaar vir die vermaak gaan sorg is onder andere Nianell, Jay, Ray Dylan en Juanita du Plessis.  En as jy lus is om saam te dans is die Meerkatgat vanjaar die venue vir jou.  Daar gaan Christo, Cobus en Nic Stevens sowel as die Klipwerf Orkes jou dansvoete laat juk.

Sien jou by die FEES SONDER BRIEKE.

A Yellow Billed Hornbill which can be seen all over the Kalahari takes flight. Picture Brenton Geach

Stressed out and tired of all the bad news on TV? Hop into your car and take the 10-hour drive to Upington, then go a few kilometres further and you’ll enter the lost world of the Kalahari.

Take your children too, because the way man is killing off animals, be it on land or in the sea, means they might not have the same opportunities to view these magnificent creatures in the wild in future.

The red desert dunes, diverse wildlife, thorn tree-dotted savannahs and wide open spaces are all part of one of Africa’s largest untouched wildlife sanctuaries, the Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park.

With no border between Botswana and South Africa, an area of more than 3.6 million hectares (twice the size of the Kruger Park) allows large game to roam in unspoilt freedom. The two dry, ancient river beds of the Auob and Nossob also host a wealth of plants, animals and birds which have adapted remarkably to this unique semi-desert environment.

Compared to the Kruger, the Kalahari has little infrastructure and fewer visitors, offering the perfect environment to make a true soul connection with nature as it was.

It’s not about seeing the Big Five and as many other animals as possible.

Brenton Geach

The local business and labour sectors have welcomed plans for a R5bn solar plant in Upington.

This follows the recent announcement by construction company Group Five that it would build a R5bn solar power plant in the province within the next two years.

Group Five indicated its interest in establishing the plant if it was included in the government’s renewable energy procurement process. Rowan Gueller, the company’s director of investments and concessions, reportedly said the solar project could create 1000 jobs during construction and 80 permanent jobs. It would further boost local manufacturing, with local content for the plant set to be as high as 70%. Gueller said the company would conduct an assessment of the environmental impact of the project.

Greg Heale, Group Five’s director of engineering and construction, said the company expected to conclude the contractual arrangements for the project, including power-supply agreements with a number of local mining companies, within the next six months.

Reacting to the news, Anele Gxoyiya, provincial secretary of Cosatu, said the establishment of a solar plant would provide much a needed economic boost to the region. “It’s going to create jobs.

“As Cosatu, we support every project that creates jobs and reverses poverty.”

But he sounded a warning that the trade unions would have expectations about the quality of jobs created. “We hope that there will be decent jobs rather than casual jobs,” Gxoyiya said.

Jan van Vuuren, president of the Northern Cape Chamber of Industry, said the new project was good news. “It’s fantastic for the renewable energy potential we have in the province.”

Last October, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters told a two-day investor conference in Upington that the government was ready to contribute its share of the cost of the “milestone” renewable energy project.

Solar power is a clean alternative to both fossil fuels and nuclear power and would help to alleviate the pressure on the country’s coal-based energy supply. It will also assist the country to achieve its target of a 34% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. – Reuters

The government would, however, provide “relief and assistance” where infrastructure was damaged and displaced farm workers needed food parcels.

“Where there is damage to infrastructure, government would assist. However, government will not offer compensation for any damage to crops,” she said in a statement.

Her office said the issue of crop damage was an insurance matter.

“We hope that the farmers will be able to recover their losses through their insurance companies,” a ministry statement said.

Joemat-Pettersson said past experience proved that government had always prioritised the plight of people, especially the most vulnerable in the society.

“We will provide everything possible in terms of evacuation, food parcels and to assist with the restoration of the damaged infrastructure.”

Provinces affected by the floods, especially those that had been declared disaster areas could also apply to Treasury for financial relief, she said.

The agricultural body TAU SA on Tuesday said farmers also needed relief of disaster funding.

TAU SA president Ben Marais said the body appreciated the fast action by several ministers to visit the flood-stricken regions.

If the position of farmers, as employers, was not addressed the consequences for farm workers and their families would deteriorate accordingly.

“With much of their security lost in the floods, the ability of farmers to service their financial commitments will indeed be under severe pressure.”

Marais urged Joemat-Pettersson to approach the flood situation in “an holistic manner” to ensure employers also benefited from disaster support from government. – Sapa

Today I finally finished my last river video and added it to YouTube for your viewing pleasure. (Links below) I went all out to bring you the best footage of the amazing river and its 5 Million liters  of water per second. The only thing I did not do was go up in a plane or helicopter. My fear of flying kept me at bay!

I took some footage on the flooded vineyards and even some farm worker houses that are under water but decided to strip it from my final video. Although the River took everything it gave some people over the last couple of years I don’t want to focus on the negative.  If you feel like contributing to the people in need, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the right person.

The images below are some of my favorites from the flood water we received. The river made a big impact on the people of Upington and everyday there are hundreds of people driving over the bridge just to catch a glimpse of all the water.

The videos are in sequence of how I made them. My river trip was the most exiting and crossing the middle stream was scary yet adrenalin pumping good!  Sakkie from Sakkie se Arkie was our boatmen (or whatever you call him) If you ever need to go out on the river, there are no one more qualified to do so. He knows the river like the back of his hand and have years of experience on the Orange River. If you have never been on Sakkie Se Arkie you are missing out!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynU-BywbmQs

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFSaXLjEbzw

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApoCeyDuDEg

A further 22 families have been evacuated near Upington ahead of expected flooding. Spokesperson for the department of defence, Siphiwe Dlamini, said that the SANDF had also distributed 27 food parcels to people stranded in flooded areas.

The defence force had dispatched an Oryx helicopter and Cessna 210 from Air Force Reserve Squadrons, as well as two doctors from the Military Health Service to the area.

Spokesman for the Hais municipality Patrick Williams told Sapa that the families evacuated had been provided with tents, food and water.

Williams said they were prepared for further evacuations saying :” We have a big army base in town and they promised to help us”.

Sapa-N

The girls, who cannot be named, are between the ages of 14 and 18.

Police say each girl was sold for R1 200.

Police explained that the girls were “recruited for work” from the quiet town of Prieska in the Northern Cape almost a month ago by a man known only as Oom Boetie.

The girls were promised work in restaurants, bakeries and shops but instead were groomed for the sex trade.

But a week before the end of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence against Women and Children, the whistle was blown on the evil syndicate.

The girls were guests at the campaign’s closing ceremony held in Robinvale, Atlantis.

There the Daily Voice met Dirk Jacobs of law enforcement’s vice squad, who investigated the girls’ case and placed them in the care of Barbara Rass.

Rass is the chairperson of the Atlantis Women’s Movement and runs the House of Healing shelter.

Jacobs said cops made the breakthrough when the oldest girl encouraged the others to escape and go to cops.

“They went to the nearest police station, which was Athlone, and they informed police they needed help,” said Jacobs.

The girls were lured by an unknown male who cops have dubbed “the recruiter”.

They were transported to the Cape Flats by 60-year-old male Oom Boetie, who has since been arrested and charged.

The recruiter is still at large in Prieska,” said Jacobs.

“These girls could have ended up as prostitutes, sex slaves or worked in bars or strip clubs.

“An agreement was made between the recruiter and transporter… each girl was worth R1 200 and the recruiter received R100 for each person (he lured).”

Jacobs said Boetie is from Upington but operates in Bellville.

In an interview with the Daily Voice, the brave girl who encouraged the others to escape is clearly nervous when talking about her ordeal.

Speaking in Afrikaans, she said they met “Oom Boetie” in Prieska. He told them he was looking for girls to work in bakeries and to do house work in Cape Town.

She said that they all went with him – six girls, two men and two women.

Oom Boetie’s brother and sister were also there, the girl said.

The teen said they were then brought to an unknown location on the Cape Flats where they could eat and wash.

But she realised something was wrong when she and the girls were “put on display” for a bunch of men with cash.

“Die mense moet vir ons kies (The people had to choose between us),” she explained.

She recalled that the 15- and 14-year-old were dropped at various locations.

She said she made her escape soon after that.

Meanwhile, Rass said: “The poverty made them vulnerable to crimes like these.

“How can a mother allow a 14-year-old child to come to Cape Town.

“Their parents don’t even know where they are.” – Daily Voice

By Genevieve Serra