Índice para 2023-11-10 em Cape Times

JUSTICE and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola’s department said it is in close contact with Interpol over the whereabouts of Rajesh and Atul Gupta after authorities in the United Arab Emirates had not been able to confirm whether the brothers are still in the country. Lamola told Parliament this week that continuous diplomatic talks are under way, which included his visit to the UAE in April. “The authorities in UAE are obliged to charge, for money laundering, they have not yet charged or indicated if they will charge. I also asked them about their whereabouts, and they said they didn’t know and were not aware. But in line with international law, the last position of the site is the site they are supposed to be requested from.” Interpol last year…

UCT political science lecturer Dr Lwazi Lushaba has described the independent panel report that probed governance issues at UCT as a “sham” that painted black academics at the university as inept and problematic. The panel, headed by retired Supreme Court of Appeal president, Judge Lex Mpati, investigated governance issues from 2018 to 2022, the period when the university was under the leadership of former vice-chancellor professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. The report recommended that the university council institute disciplinary proceedings against Lushaba for violating its code of conduct by using racially offensive language in one or more council meetings. “Dr Lushaba breached council’s code of conduct by using threats, intimidation, ethnic slurs, personal insults and generally conducting himself in a racially intolerable and disruptive manner during council meetings. Phakeng’s supporters, in particular…

A FORMER Grassy Park High School teacher has been dismissed for allegedly suggesting by innuendo that a learner watch out not to touch his genitals after taking her money and instructing her to remove it from his pocket. According to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), the teacher's conduct constituted misconduct of a sexual nature. Commissioner Jacques Buitendag ordered that the Department of Social Development be notified of the verdict and enter his name in their register as he was unsuitable to work with children. The teacher, with more than 21 years’ experience, faced six charges but was found guilty of one. He acknowledged that he understood the allegation levelled against him and pleaded not guilty. A 14-year-old pupil identified as ‘Learner A’ testified that the teacher saw her hugging…

Blood Lines Nelson DeMille, Alex DeMille Loot.co.za (R388) Sphere Authors Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille’s Blood Lines features the return of Army CID Special Agents Brodie and Taylor who are on the hunt for the cold-blooded murderer of one of their fellow agents. Army Criminal Investigation Agents Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor have been separated for five months following their last assignment, a dangerous mission in Venezuela to locate and detain an infamous Army deserter. Now, in Berlin, they are reunited and tasked with investigating the murder of one of their own: CID Special Agent Harry Vance of the 5th MP Battalion, an accomplished counterterrorism agent who had been stationed in western Germany, and whose body was discovered in a city park in the heart of Berlin’s Arab refugee community.…

In the past, the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was the game everyone looked forward to, as they were the two best teams in Mzansi. That is why there will still be a massive crowd at the FNB Stadium tomorrow when Amakhosi and Buccaneers lock horns in the showpiece game of the season for South African football fans. But the true kings of local soccer are Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been flying the SA flag high on the African continent and have dominated the domestic scene for many years. Sundowns have won the Premiership League title six seasons in a row, while they are contesting the final of the new African Football League against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday – and also clinched the Caf Champions League crown…

Shell is suing Greenpeace for $2.1 million (about R39m) in damages after the environmental group’s activists boarded the company’s oil production vessel in transit at sea this year. The British oil and gas major filed the claim in London’s High Court. Greenpeace activists boarded the vessel in January near the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of north Africa to protest oil drilling and travelled on it as far as Norway. Shell confirmed the proceedings but declined to comment on the claim amounts. Boarding a moving vessel at sea was “unlawful and extremely dangerous,” a Shell spokesperson said. The vessel was destined for the Penguins oil and gas field in the North Sea, which is not yet in production. Four Greenpeace activists used ropes to hoist themselves onto the vessel…

Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso’s junta has conscripted at least a dozen journalists, civil society activists and opposition members for its anti-jihadist fight in a crackdown on dissent, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina’s transitional president who came to power in a 2022 coup, declared a year-long “mobilisation” to give authorities power to requisition people from the age of 18 if needed in the fight against jihadists. HRW said yesterday the junta was using the sweeping emergency law to silence perceived dissidents. Burkina Faso is battling a jihadist insurgency that has left more than 17 000 dead. | AFP…

RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development will sign agreements worth 2 billion riyals (about $533 million) with African countries, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said yesterday during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh. “We are working with partners to support Ghana and other countries regarding their debt,” Jadaan said. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom’s $700 billion Public Investment Fund would make “game-changing” investments in Africa. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed preliminary agreements with Nigeria, Senegal, Chad and Ethiopia. | Reuters…

The Proteas head into today’s final round-robin match against Afghanistan (10.30am SA time start) with the comfort of having qualified for the World Cup semi-finals already. However, that will take none of the sting out of some potentially exciting head-to-head clashes, whose outcome will have a major impact on the match. We pick five clashes to look forward to at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad ... Marco Jansen v Ibrahim Zadran Jansen possibly needs a break after a hectic World Cup schedule, but having suffered a roasting from India captain Rohit Sharma in the last game, he will be eager to get back out on the park in a bid to regain his confidence before the semi-final showdown against Australia. He will have a tough task, though, with Zadran…

SAPPI’S profit halved to $259 million, or roughly R4.9 billion, (from $536m) for the year to September, but a stronger balance sheet with much reduced debt and healthy cash reserves should provide the flexibility to navigate the cyclical downturns, CEO Steve Binnie said yesterday. The satisfactory performance in a turbulent trading environment that had followed record profits a year before saw the share price rise a strong4.92% to close at R41.40 on the JSE yesterday. The share price was R54.93 a year ago. The group also announced that Nkululeko Sowazi, who became a board member on October 1, 2022, will succeed Sir Nigel Rudd as chairperson from February 8, 2024. Sir Nigel retires after first being appointed to the board in 2006 and becoming chairperson in 2016. Sowazi…

POLITICAL analyst Zweli Ndevu says freedom of expression was not applied consistently within the DA and that could be seen as hypocrisy by some, following the axing of former DA shadow minister for public enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia. Cachalia was last week fired from DA leader John Steenhuisen’s shadow cabinet after he broke ranks with the party over its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This was after the outspoken Cachalia tweeted that he would not be silenced and went on to accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. Steenhuisen said the caucus had affirmed the party’s position in favour of a two-state solution while calling for international law and access to humanitarian aid to be upheld at all times in Gaza. He said it was agreed that caucus members would refrain…

Inmate dies from disease; 8 others A 19-year-old inmate has become the first to die from an outbreak of diphtheria at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, with eight other prisoners also testing positive for the serious infection, according to the national Health Department. Two of the patients were presenting with mild symptoms, while six were asymptomatic. The inmate died days after having presented with diphtheria symptoms on October 28 and being referred to the local hospital for further medical care. “Throat swabs were collected the same day for culture laboratory testing and the results came back positive five days later (on November 2). Unfortunately, his health condition continued to deteriorate until he regrettably passed away on November 5. “Public health measures were undertaken to put the outbreak under control, and these include…

IN A groundbreaking judgment for studying prisoners, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled they can use their personal laptop ‒ minus a modem ‒ in their cells to study. The SCA ordered that within 12 months from the date of the order, the Department of Correctional Services must, after consultation with the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, prepare and promulgate a revised policy for correctional centres permitting the use of personal computers in cells for study purposes. In its reasoning, the court held that the provision of the policy that prohibits the use of personal computers in cells infringes the rights of prisoners to further education. The court also ordered that, pending the revision of the education policy, inmate Mbalenhle Ntuli, who earlier turned to court with the…

A diverse slew of books came on to our shelves this year. Orielle Berry highlights some of those that made an impact: THE WHISTLE BLOWERS Mandy Wiener Pan MacMillan ONE of the country’s most astute investigative journalists and writers, Weiner turns the spotlight on the whistle-blowers: those who have more often than not put their lives on the line to expose the horrendous corruption and fraud that has tragically become a part of life in South Africa. Cover-ups, malfeasance and wrongdoing – through sheer courage and determination, the acts of those whistle-blowers have seen the recovery of millions of rand and also, in fact, seen some improved transparency and accountability. Yet not without struggles and sacrifices by those brave enough to make the truth be heard. FINDING ENDURANCE Darrel Bristow-Bovey…

Israeli forces fought Hamas militants among ruined buildings in the north of the Gaza Strip yesterday, inching their way closer to two big hospitals as the plight of civilians in the besieged Palestinian territory worsened. Thousands more Palestinians were fleeing from the embattled north to the south along a perilous frontline path after Israel told them to evacuate, residents say. But many are staying in the north, packed into the Al Shifa Hospital and al-Quds Hospital as ground battles rage around them and more Israeli air strikes rain down from above. Israel says its Hamas foes have command centres embedded in the hospitals. In Doha, the heads of the CIA and Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency met with the prime minister of Qatar to discuss a possible deal for hostage releases…

Hollywood actors and studios have reached a tentative deal to end a months-long strike that has crippled the entertainment industry, delayed hundreds of popular shows and films, and cost the US economy billions. The Screen Actors Guild called off its 118-day strike yesterday, after finally reaching an agreement with Disney and Netflix for a new contract, including higher pay and protections against the use of artificial intelligence. This paves the way for actors to head back to movie sets, an end to picket lines outside studios, and a return to employment for thousands of other jobs linked to the industry. Negotiators said the contract was valued at more than $1 billion (about R18.6 billion) and would enable members “to build sustainable careers”. Hollywood’s many less-known actors said it had…

LONDON: Eli Lilly’s new weight-loss treatment, approved by the British health regulator this week, has the potential to benefit thousands of obese Britons and could help the state-run National Health Service save billions of pounds, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said. US and British regulators gave the thumbs up to Lilly’s weight-loss treatment Zepbound, also known as Mounjaro or tirzepatide, paving the way for a powerful new rival to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. “Tackling obesity could help cut waiting lists and save the NHS billions of pounds,” he said. Further approvals were needed before the drug could be covered by the NHS. | Reuters…

LOS ANGELES: Elon Musk says his new artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbot uses “a little humour”. Musk revealed that Grok is able to answer questions with some jokes. The billionaire said that Grok “loves sarcasm” and would give solutions to queries with “a little humour”. In a demonstration, the new bot – which is still plagued by a few glitches – was asked for a recipe for cocaine. It replied: “Just a moment while I pull up the recipe ... because I’m totally going to help you with that” and gave vague advice instead of detailed instructions. | Bang Showbiz…

Former finance minister Trevor Manuel has given a scathing diagnosis of the contributing factors to South Africa’s moribund economy and, to a larger extent, the whole of Africa’s growth and development. Manuel, the chairperson of Old Mutual, yesterday said that there were four things that were stifling economic growth in Africa which had to do with the infrastructure decay, debt entrapment, weak institutions and bad poli- cies. Speaking at the 10th Southern Africa- Europe CEO Dialogue in Johannesburg, Manuel said the biggest challenge for Africa was that the five largest economies in the sub-Saharan African region – South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Angola – were “in a slump”. “Our big challenge and what's holding us back as South Africa is the rate at which our infrastructure is…

THE Eastern Cape faces an unprecedented and dire situation in terms of a child malnutrition crisis in which 116 children succumbed to Severe Acute Malnutrition between April 2021 and April 2022. At least 1 087 children suffered from malnutrition in the same period. This was revealed in the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Provincial Inquiry into Child Malnutrition And The Right To Food report launched yesterday. The data revealed an alarming 27% stunting rate among children in the Eastern Cape, the disproportionately vast majority of whom are black children, painting a stark picture of the urgency of the matter, the SAHRC said. SAHRC commissioner Jonas Sibanyoni, who presented and chaired the inquiry, said the Disaster Management Act (Act No 57 of 2002) offers a compelling legal avenue for…

A 27-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the theft of hundreds of thousands of undeclared US currency hidden in furniture at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, after handing himself in to police. Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the suspect was arrested by the Serious Corruption Investigation unit based at the national head office of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation yesterday afternoon when he handed himself in at the Bela Bela police station. The other two accused, Imanuwela David, 39, and Ramaphosa’s then-housekeeper Froliana Joseph, 30, will also be appearing after their case was postponed on Monday. They were arrested on Sunday in Rustenburg and on Monday in Bela Bela, respectively, on charges of housebreaking, theft and an additional…

A CLAIM by a family against the Public Investment Corporation for the payment of R1.35 trillion – money which it said the PIC is holding – is headed for the Constitutional Court. The apartheid government’s policy of precluding any person from paying money over to a foreign creditor, citizen or country will also come under the spotlight. The legal wrangle concerns the wife and executrix of the estate of the late Abdul Razak Tayob Surtie. The Surtie family said Surtie was the beneficiary of offshore inheritance assets which were repatriated during 1984 after the repatriation was initiated at the time by the Lesotho branch of Barclays Bank. The source of the funds was from diamond mining claims and investments done with a share certificate portfolio, after having been involved in…

South African Décor & Design 2024 Marcia Margolius Loot.co.za (R270) SOUTH African Décor and Design: The Buyers’ Guide is marking its 25th anniversary of showcasing the industry with a stylish return in the printed version continuing its legacy as the go-to resource for decor, design, and interior professionals, as well as chic enthusiasts. Owing to popular demand from the industry, the new printed version of the Buyers’ Guide has launched and it has been an absolute labour of love, says Marcia Margolius, well-known designer and decorator and author of the award-winning blog, “Marcia loves it”, on the SA Décor and Design website. “With our new look Buyers’ Guide, we have transformed the way buyers connect with the finest suppliers and service providers in the industry. “This guide goes beyond highlighting…

SOUTH Africans brace yourself for the next three years! Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his Medium- Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) last Wednesday, like his president a few days earlier, invoked the spirit of Amabhokobhoko with its resilience and resolve which the Springboks so doggedly meted out to the All Blacks in Paris to win the Rugby World Cup for a historic fourth time. Team Ramaphosa wants to emulate the success of the champion Boks against much greater great odds in reversing and thus transforming the socio-economic fortunes, some would say entrenched woes, of the country. Messrs Ramaphosa and Godongwana have also repeatedly invoked the spirit of ubuntu as the guiding principle of their policy approach. The metaphors abound like confetti – that of a team and government in union.…

After living in Pakistan for years, thousands of Afghans have gone into hiding to escape a government order to expel undocumented foreigners because they fear persecution under a Taliban administration in their homeland, rights activists say. “The gate is locked from the outside ... we are locked inside, we can’t come out, we can’t turn on our lights, we can’t even talk loudly,” said a 23-year-old Afghan woman, speaking online from a shelter where she said dozens of others had holed up until earlier this week before moving on to a new hideout. Local supporters put a lock on the gate so neighbours believe the house is unoccupied, said other inmates. “This is worse than prison,” said a 22-year-old Afghan man. The woman, who is from the Afghan capital Kabul,…

Madrid: Spain’s prime minister has clinched agreement with Catalan separatists, officials said yesterday, in a deal that will enable him to remain in power but that has raised tensions and sparked protests in the country. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialists finished second in the July 23 parliamentary elections and he has until November 27 to cobble together a working coalition, or face fresh elections. Sanchez needs the support of Catalan independence parties and has accepted their demands to offer amnesty to all those being pursued for their role in a failed secession attempt in 2017. The proposed amnesty bill sparked several nights of demonstrations this week. | AFP…

Washington: The US state of Alabama has set a date for the execution of a death row inmate by nitrogen hypoxia, an alternative to lethal injection, for the first time in the country, the governor’s office said. Kenneth Eugene Smith, convicted for a murder in 1988, would be executed between January 25 and 26, it said. Death by nitrogen hypoxia deprives the brain and body of oxygen, so the inmate would die by suffocation. Smith’s execution by lethal injection was abruptly cancelled in November 2022 after the state was unable to properly set the IV line before the warrant for execution expired. | IANS.…

Burnley striker Lyle Foster will be sidelined indefinitely due to a recurrence of a mental health issue, the Premier League club said yesterday. The 23-year-old South African has scored three goals for Burnley this season in eight appearances. “Recently, Lyle let us know that he continues to live with issues around his mental wellbeing and has reached out for help,” Burnley said on X. “He is currently in the care of specialists – giving him the support and care he needs to help him back to full health.” Foster has earned 10 caps for the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, and featured for them last month against Eswatini and Ivory Coast. But now he may miss this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda. “We ask for your…