Tabla de contenidos para 2021-07-12 en Cape Times

Odwa Mkentane odwa.mkentane@inl.co.za ANGRY Phola Park informal settlement residents damaged several City vehicles after law enforcement officers allegedly forcefully entered the home of a woman who was bathing and arrested her without clothes. Zintle Khwalo, 32, was arrested by two law enforcement officers while taking a bath during the eviction of informal settlements in Mfuleni on Friday. The area has been occupied since last September. According to residents, law enforcement did not produce a court interdict for the eviction. Community leader Sonwabile Ntondini said Khwalo spent the night in police cells without her clothes. Ntondini said two males entered Khwalo’s house and forced her to get in their van. “We were told she is in the police station where she spent her night without her clothes. When the community visited…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za THE illicit cigarette war continues to grow and is hurting legitimate farmers and producers, tobacco associations say. This follows research into the cheapest purchase prices in the tobacco cigarette market by research company, Ipsos. It found that the availability of products at and below R20 in informal trade and wholesale was a continued trend in the Western Cape. The cheapest carton (200 sticks) price picked up was R60. Modern trade in the province was also not immune to low pricing the study found, with a 2% increase in pricing below R20. The SA Tobacco Transformation Alliance said what was of particular concern was that some retail outlets were selling cigarettes for as little as R6 a pack, which is a fraction of the Minimum Collectible Tax (MCT)…

Gilbert Motsaathebe If you had met him in the 1960s and 1970s growing up in the Cape Flats, you wouldn’t have imagined that he would become one of the greatest soccer sensations one day. As a kid, the odds were stacked against him, from living in a small one-room house with his mother and six siblings to being separated from his mother at the age of nine. However, today Mark Williams, 54, needs no introduction as he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the best international footballers South Africa has produced. He is best remembered for scoring the final two goals that sealed South Africa’s win of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The 1996 Afcon win remains significant because it came shortly after South…

Compelling case for more independent power producers to widen power generation mix “SOUTH Africa enjoys some of the lowest renewable energy prices in the world, as low as 92c per kWh. Indications are that prices will continue to fall over the next few cycles,” says the latest report of the Paris-based International Energy Transition Observatory 2021, a think tank on energy transition especially through renewable energy aimed at curbing global warming, comprising six international law firms. In a wider context, South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) confirmed that “South Africa is in the top 20 emitters of CO2 in the world and the highest emitter in Africa, partly due to an energy system which relies heavily on fossil fuels – coal and oil”. On July 1, the PCC presented its…

NEW developments in the global Covid-19 crisis are causing concern. British authorities were worried about the risk of large gatherings at fan zones and pubs across England to watch the country’s first appearance in a major football final in more than half a century. London hosted more than 60 000 fans last night at Wembley Stadium when England and Italy clashed for the Euro 2020 title. Australia yesterday announced its first Covid-19-related death in the current Sydney virus outbreak, as the country’s biggest city struggles to bring the Delta variant under control. A woman in her 90s died on Saturday, hours after testing positive for Covid – the first death from a locally-acquired infection in Australia this year. Thai beauty queens who took part in a pageant last month could…

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria yesterday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis. Damascus has raised fuel prices in recent years to tackle a financial crunch sparked by the country’s decade-long civil war and compounded by a spate of Western sanctions. The price of diesel fuel nearly tripled and the price of bread doubled yesterday, only days after Damascus announced a 25% increase in the price of petrol. The price hikes coincided with a decree issued yesterday by President Bashar al-Assad that increases public sector salaries by 50%. This sets the minimum wage at 71 515 Syrian pounds per month ($28 or R397 at the official rate), up from 47 000 pounds ($18 or R255). In a…

Kabul: Afghanistan has urged European countries to halt forced deportations of Afghan migrants for the next three months, as security forces battle a wave of violence triggered by a Taliban offensive. There were almost 2.5 million registered refugees from Afghanistan in 2018 – the second-largest refugee population in the world, according to the UN refugee agency. The vast majority are in neighbouring Pakistan, followed by Iran and Europe. While more than 570 Afghan refugees voluntarily returned to the country between January and March this year, aided by the UN, just six came from outside Pakistan and Iran. | AFP…

Tel Aviv: Israeli same-sex couples can have children via surrogates within the country, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday – a step advocates hailed as strengthening equality but critics blasted as eroding family values. The court ruled that restrictions on surrogacy for same-sex couples and single men within the Jewish state must be lifted within six months. People who couldn’t have children with surrogates in Israel resorted to solutions overseas in countries including India, Nepal, Thailand and the US. Surrogacy was legalised in Israel in 1996, at first only for heterosexual couples before single women were added. | AFP…

MATSHELANE MAMABOLO kolobe24@gmail.com KHAMA BILLIAT says he has ‘seen this movie before’ and would love nothing better than a repeat. Delighted that he has recovered from a long-term injury in time for Kaizer Chiefs’ maiden CAF Champions League final clash against Al Ahly, the Zimbabwean winger is eager to have a second winner’s medal dangle down his neck. Billiat won the continental title back in 2016 with Mamelodi Sundowns under the guidance of Pitso Mosimane, who will be on the opposite bench this time around as coach of the nine-time African champions from Egypt. Such is the influence of Mosimane on those that he works with that Billiat borrowed from the outspoken coach’s lexicon as he looked ahead to Saturday’s clash at the King Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca. “It’s…

SIPHELELE DLUDLA siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za THE alcohol industry has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift restrictions on the sale of alcohol, saying it cannot continue to endure a double pandemic of Covid-19 and poverty. The National Liquor Traders (NTL), representing 39 000 township-based taverns, shebeens and bottle stores, wrote to Ramaphosa over the weekend pleading for the lifting of the ban. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) met yesterday to assess developments in the Covid-19 pandemic and the national response to this challenge. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (Saapa SA) urged the government to allow access to alcohol through off-consumption sales, while retaining the suspension of on-consumption trading, which it said “is clearly the best option”. NTL convener Lucky Ntimane said the devastation of the current ban…

Vernon Mchunu, Sakhiseni Nxumalo and Nonhlanhla Nozizwe Hlatshwayo THE ongoing destruction of property – estimated at R100 million – was a glaring message to investors to stay out of South Africa, which would ultimately hit the pockets of the poor and organised business. This was the warning issued by the business sector and economists amid threats of heightened violence today. Sporadic violent protests, which began across KwaZulu-Natal last Thursday, yesterday spread to other parts of the country, including Gauteng, as protesters continued to demand the release of jailed Jacob Zuma. By last night, a total of 37 trucks had been torched in various parts of KZN. Mooi River and its surrounds were the worst affected with at least 28 trucks torched and six retail shops looted. Durban metro police had…

Francesca Villette francesca.villette@inl.co.za IMPLICATED as the accused mastermind behind the murder of a police constable, Theresa Mabaso has walked free after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) rejected inconsistent witness testimony. Mabaso was acquitted of murder last week after being sentenced to life imprisonment by the high court in Mpumalanga in 2018 for the November 2013 murder of police constable Sifiso Mabuza. The matter dates back to 2013 when three men armed with a firearm and ammunition broke into Mabuza’s house while he was sleeping. Two of the suspects entered through a window while the third kept watch outside. After a physical altercation with Mabuza, he was shot in the chest, and the suspects then robbed him of his official SAPS issued firearm. Mabaso’s co-accused, Wiseman Ngomane, was indicted with…

THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA CAN we use lockdown to re-invent the economy that will be based on giving, building and equality for all people? The old saying goes “when there’s a problem there is a solution”. Even with the strict regulations like social distancing, wearing of masks and other forms of limitations the virus is still spreading, the spirit should be of turning big corporations and multinationals into servicing the public rather than being driven by self-interest profits. Although, it will take some time for SA to better comprehend the damage or opportunities brought about by this global pandemic. But one thing is for sure – life has very much turned around for many who have lost jobs, their businesses are in decline or collapse and the death of loved ones.…

THE right to protest is one of the rights that are guaranteed and enshrined in the country’s Constitution. This is provided for in Section 17 of the Bill of Rights, which states that “everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions”. However, the sporadic protests witnessed in parts of KwaZulu-Natal over the past few days were the opposite of what is generally unacceptable in a democracy. They flew in the face of the struggles waged by patriotic South Africans to ensure this right and many others are enjoyed by all. The sporadic protests formed part of the #FreeJacobZuma campaign, which was instigated by some of his fervent supporters. Several incidents were reported where there was malicious damage to property, arson, looting,…

NINETEEN suspects – 17 Colombian nationals and two US citizens of Haitian descent – have been arrested in the wake of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last week. The Caribbean nation has been under martial law since, with interim authorities asking the US and UN to deploy troops to help secure strategic infrastructure. Claude Joseph, the interim prime minister of Haiti, has said that President Jovenel Moise was tortured before his assassination, as he vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Mercenaries came to the president’s house, they tortured him and they killed him. We captured about 20 of them. They are in custody. And we believe, we staunchly believe, that justice will be provided to the President Jovenel Moise… We do have the right people (in custody),”…

Jerusalem: Israel’s former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally departed his official Jerusalem residence early yesterday, nearly a month after he was ousted by his successor Naftali Bennett. Moving trucks were seen outside the residence and black Audi cars were towed from the property over the weekend. Right-wing nationalist Bennett was sworn in on June 13, unseating him. However, Netanyahu did not vacate the residence and continued to host dignitaries. Crime Minister, an anti-Netanyahu organisation, yesterday said: “The defendant and his family fled as the last of the thieves in the night.” | AFP…

Kano: Gunmen kidnapped an emir with 12 members of his family in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state early yesterday, family members said, in the highest-profile abduction to rock the volatile region. The attackers, known locally as bandits, stormed the palace of 83-year-old Alhassan Adamu, the emir of Kajuru, outside the state capital of Kaduna, and seized their victims, including women and children. A palace source said the emir knew that a kidnapping was being planned. Police in Kaduna have not yet commented on the incident. Kaduna has become a target for kidnapping-for-ransom gangs who seize victims on the highways. | AFP…

Dubai: The city of superlatives with the world’s tallest tower among its many records, Dubai now has the deepest swimming pool on the planet complete with a “sunken city” for divers to explore. Deep Dive Dubai, which opened last week, prides itself as “the only diving facility in the world” where you can go down 60m, 15m deeper than any other pool. It contains 14.6 million litres of fresh water, a volume equivalent to six Olympic-size swimming pools. Guided down by lights and ambient music, divers can play table football and other games at the bottom as well as explore an “abandoned sunken city”. | AFP…

Mike Greenaway mike.greenaway@inl.co.za WHEN the Springboks resumed training yesterday afternoon in Johannesburg, it was Rassie Erasmus who had the whistle around his neck in a reprisal of his role of head coach at the last World Cup, and he will continue to do so until Jacques Nienaber concludes his self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. Nienaber was one of a number of management and players who tested positive last week in a chaotic time for the Boks, giving rise to speculation that the tour of the British & Irish Lions might not even get as far as the Test series, which is not long away now (the first Test is on July 24). But the good news is that yesterday morning a large group of players were cleared to return…

Venues such as gyms and fitness centres can also operate, subject to strict health protocols Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za The RESTAURANT industry has heaved a sigh of relief as the government has slightly relaxed the lockdown restrictions, although the healthcare system remains under pressure. President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday announced that the country would remain at adjusted level 4 of the lockdown for another 14 days, until July 25. Ramaphosa said that restaurants and eateries would be able to operate, albeit while observing strict health protocols, in a bid to boost economic activity. The restaurant industry has been pleading with the government to be allowed to reopen, because a number of establishments have closed or were on the brink of collapse because of the economic fallout from the pandemic. “Such establishments may…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za THE SA Weather Service (SAWS) has advised of another strong cold front with the possibility of snow set to make landfall in the province today. Rainfall in the region of 30 to 40mm is expected, coupled with gale-force winds and dangerous coastal conditions along the shorelines. “Flooding incidents are likely over the western areas of the Western Cape. Very cold conditions are also expected to set in, with daytime temperatures plummeting to below 10°C over the western mountains of the Western Cape – in these areas there is a possibility of snowfall which may be as deep as 5 to 15cm. “These conditions may lead to a loss of vulnerable livestock and crops, particularly today,” the SAWS cautioned. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton…

Baldwin NdabA baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za ADVOCATES Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC and Dali Mpofu SC are today set to battle it out for the second time in less than a week over the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, who is serving time for undermining the order of the Constitutional Court. The battle unfolds as Zuma faces another daunting challenge to convince the Constitutional Court to rescind its decision to sentence him to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of court. Zuma began his prison term on Wednesday following his failure to meet the apex court deadline of July 4. He was sentenced to jail on June 29 and was given five days to hand himself over to the police and Correctional Services officials for his failure to obey a January Concourt order to appear…

Staff writer FOR eight years, the timing of price increases of maize and wheat products were decided on during meetings and telephone calls. This was noted by the Competition Tribunal as it confirmed a settlement agreement between the Competition Commission and Premier FMCG (Pty) Ltd, relating to collusion in the wheat and maize milling industries during 1999 to 2007. However in terms of the settlement agreement, Premier has not been fined as the cartel whistle-blower was the leniency applicant that applied for immunity under the Commission’s corporate leniency programme. The Competition Commission's Corporate Leniency Policy offers a cartel member the possibility to disclose information on a cartel to the Commission in return for immunity from prosecution and fines. In 2007, the Commission launched an investigation into Premier and others for…

KOERT MEYER THIS paper should be commended for publishing the article informing us of the abolition of the death penalty in Malawi, “Malawi death penalty decision a road map for many countries”, June 18. Having access to many papers even from abroad, as far as could be ascertained this was the only local paper that carried this good news story. Although the article emphasises the fact that other countries in the southern African region should emulate this bold decision, it is unclear why countries take so long to do so. When South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan, the largest African country at the time, it became the 54th African country. About a decade ago a newspaper news item stated that four more countries were struggling with the idea…

British billionaire Richard Branson yesterday soared more than 80km above the New Mexico desert aboard his Virgin Galactic rocket plane and safely returned in the vehicle’s first fully crewed test flight to space, a symbolic milestone for a venture he started 17 years ago. Branson, one of six Virgin Galactic Holding Inc employees strapped in for the ride, has touted the mission as a precursor to a new era of space tourism, with the company he founded in 2004 poised to begin commercial operations next year. The success of the flight also gave the flamboyant entrepreneur bragging rights in a highly publicised rivalry with fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos, the Amazon online retail mogul who had hoped to fly into space first aboard his own space company’s rocket. Yesterday’s launch of…

Two former Ivory Coast presidents and longterm political rivals, Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bedie, yesterday announced they were uniting in opposition to current head of state Allasane Ouattara. Gbagbo, 76, Bedie, 87, and Ouattara, 79, the current president, have dominated Ivory Coast’s political scene for decades, often plunging into rivalries or forging alliances. Gbago and Bedie decided to join forces because of an “urgent need for a definitive and durable peace in Ivory Coast,” they said in a joint statement following Gbagbo’s visit to the Daoukro – Bedie’s stronghold.. During Gbagbo’s decade-long stay in office, the country was wracked by revolt and turmoil, culminating in a conflict that erupted after he refused to cede electoral defeat to Ouattara. Gbagbo was arrested in 2011 and hauled before the International Criminal…

Rome: Pope Francis greeted supporters for prayers yesterday from the 10th floor balcony of his hospital where he is recovering from surgery. “In these days of being hospitalised, I have experienced how important good health care is, accessible to all, as it is in Italy and in other countries. A healthcare system that assures good service, accessible to everyone. This precious benefit must not be lost. It needs to be kept,” Francis said. The 84-year-old pontiff has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since the previous Sunday, when he underwent surgery for an inflammation of the colon. He temporarily ran a fever last week after his operation, but a chest and abdomen scan and other tests revealed no abnormalities. The pope also urged people to take care of the environment.…

Athens: Greek firefighters have brought dozens of wildfires under control despite high winds. Holidaymakers and locals were among 500 people who fled Niborio village on Evia island after a blaze ripped through a forest on Saturday. Four fires, all in areas of dried grass, were also burning in the western Attica towns of Elefsina and Aspropyrgos on Saturday, while a forest fire raged in Varnavas. Sixty firefighters, 23 fire engines , six helicopters and seven planes tackled the blazes. A farmer, 57, was arrested in Evia for arson. He told police that while trying to crank start his van, sparks from the exhaust set grass alight that burnt through 400 hectares of vegetation. | AFP…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za If there was any hint of complacency within the South African camp ahead of their ODI series against Ireland, the Proteas' first outing at a damp Malahide yesterday would surely have put those notions to bed now. There wasn't enough time to complete the first full ODI between these two countries on Irish soil since 2007 before the heavens opened once too many times, but Ireland certainly did enough to show that they will be no pushovers when the sun does indeed stay out long enough. Temba Bavuma won the toss and inserted the hosts and despite opting to rest Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje, the Proteas skipper would have expected his first-choice new ball pairing of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi to make the necessary…