Sommaire pour 2025-09-30 de Cape Times

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has called for urgent reforms in the way South Africa’s metros manage their core trading services, warning that years of underinvestment in water, sanitation and electricity have left cities struggling to support growth and attract investment. Speaking at a Metro Trading Services Reform engagement session with executive mayors yesterday, Godongwana said the country’s stagnant economy and rising unemployment had put severe pressure on public finances. The National Treasury implemented these reforms to restore and sustain trading services such as electricity, water, sanitation, and waste services in metros through institutional and financial reforms. Godongwana noted that municipalities are unable to expand bulk infrastructure in fast-growing areas such as Lanseria in Johannesburg, Mooikloof in Tshwane, and Cape Town’s West Coast, limiting property development and revenue generation. “This means…

The Competition Commission has accused regional airline Airlink of aggressive and exclusionary conduct on the Johannesburg–Mthatha route, alleging that its pricing strategy between 2012 and 2016 forced rival Fly Blue Crane (FBC) out of the market and cost consumers more than R100 million in inflated fares. In the ongoing hearing at the Competition Tribunal, economist Jason Aproskie argued that Airlink had demonstrated its ability to sustain prolonged losses to keep competitors at bay. He pointed to the Johannesburg–Namibia route, where Airlink recorded losses for 35 out of 36 months, as evidence of its capacity to remain in unprofitable markets in order to outlast rivals. “Which shows its ability to sort of remain in that territory. If it was engaging in this conduct against a more efficient operator, it shows that…

It’s 8.30am on the dot last Wednesday in Kawasaki, an industrial city in the greater Tokyo area. Half an hour before the Apple Store opens, and already an orderly, curiously-constituted queue of a dozen or so people has formed outside the front door. My wife Sithabiso and I join behind what appears to be a homeless man, standing against the shop’s minimalist glass shopfront in the shadow of Toshiba’s looming new global headquarters. We’re all here hoping to cop one of the latest iPhone 17 devices that Apple has taken to drip-releasing for sale. Limited pre-orders and tiny batches made available at their stores to anyone willing to show up early every morning. Pre-order customers need to wait at least two weeks. Want it sooner? Rise early, join the queue,…

People don’t diet on vacation because food is central to experiencing local culture, and vacations are a time to relax and indulge, making it difficult to maintain strict dietary habits due to restaurant portions, rich ingredients, and travel-related factors like alcohol consumption and limited healthy options. The break from routine can also disrupt eating patterns, leading to unconscious snacking or overeating. To enjoy local culture without overindulging, consider shared dining experiences, such as ordering several dishes for the group to taste and share. Prioritising dishes abundant in vegetables can also help manage indulgence while savouring local flavours. That post-vacation “glow” often comes with an uninvited guest: inflammation. Think bloating, fatigue, cramps, or even a flare-up of old aches. You don’t have to give up indulgence to feel good. Experts say…

EFF leader Julius Malema spent the whole of yesterday in the dock as the East London Magistrate’s Court went through years of evidence in his firearm discharge case. But with time running out, magistrate Twanet Olivier — battling through proceedings with a hoarse, flu-stricken voice — postponed the final verdict to today. Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, were accused of breaking the Firearms Control Act by unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. The charges stem from the EFF’s fifth birthday rally at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018. Video footage presented to court showed Snyman handing a rifle to Malema, who then allegedly fired shots into the air before a packed crowd. The case was opened after lobby group AfriForum laid charges. Prosecutor Advocate Joel Cesar argued…

POLICE have warned that those taking law into their own hands will face the full might of the law. This follows a series of suspected vigilante attacks after four bodies were found during the early hours of in Harare, Khayelitsha on Monday. Provincial police spokesperson, Andrè Traut, said the incidents occurred in the Enkandla informal settlement. “At around midnight, police responded to a complaint of murder, where they discovered the body of a male burnt beyond recognition. While still attending to the scene, officers were alerted to another incident in the same area, where the bodies of two additional males were found, also burnt beyond recognition,” Traut said. Hours later, another body was found. “In a separate but possibly related matter, at about 2am, the body of a 30-year-old male…

It was upon José Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself a “special one”, although that sheen has worn away two decades on as he returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Benfica. The Portuguese coach claims he is now more “humble” and “altruistic”, but at his Benfica presentation he still made the point that, even though he is considered to have struggled in recent years, he has led two teams to European finals. Bringing those big nights and silverware to Benfica is the 62-year-old’s new mission, after he was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahçe in August. Mourinho, who won the Uefa Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, as well as three Premier League titles across two spells at Chelsea and La Liga with Real Madrid,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said South Africa was strengthening trade and investment ties with the US, following a series of high-level engagements with US companies, lawmakers and government officials in New York last week. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and included a South Africa–US Trade and Investment Dialogue, convened by the US Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business advocacy organisation. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the engagements demonstrated growing confidence in South Africa’s economic reforms and its long-term growth prospects. “The optimistic, future-focused tone of this important engagement underscored how, beyond the headlines and debates around trade policy and political frictions, US and South African businesses are forging ahead,” he said. “Many US companies already have operations in South Africa,…

SYNDICATES involved in Tembisa Hospital corruption siphoned off more than R2 billion through fraudulent tenders and the circumvention of proper tender processes, says Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Andy Mothibi. The unit released its interim report yesterday into corruption at the facility. It was triggered by slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who flagged irregular tenders at the hospital shortly before her assassination in 2021. The senior official in the Gauteng Health Department’s finance unit had flagged R850 million in suspicious payments out of Tembisa Hospital in the weeks preceding her assassination. “This would not have been possible without the help of whistleblowers, including Babita Deokaran. We are on record to ensure measures are taken, and where there is a need, whistleblowers must be protected. The current legislature is narrow…

A WOMAN who out of the blue discovered that she was “legally married” to her former lover, against whom she had obtained a domestic violence interdict, was successful in her court bid to be restored to her single status. She had turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to have the registration by home affairs of the “customary marriage” overturned. She had discovered two years after the marriage was registered in 2014, that she was indeed married. The applicant, only identified as MM, told the court that she was never engaged nor married to SM (the respondent). In a bizarre set of circumstances it turned out that SM turned to the court behind her back in 2014 to obtain an order directing Home Affairs to register their customary marriage. The…

OPPOSITION parties in the Western Cape have accused the DA of continuing to shift blame for its failure to tackle crime to the national government, saying demanding more policing powers will not lead to reduction of violent crimes. Speaking during a podcast, Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson, Ian Cameron, and Safety and Security mayco member JP Smith, reflected on their party’s call for devolution of policing powers. “The ANC single-handedly destroyed the South African Police Service. We should say it unapologetically,” said Cameron. “We’ve come to a point now, where, if we use the Hawks, for example, they are running at 47% capacity at the moment.” Cameron said legislation already allowed for the devolution of powers to enable the provincial government to play more of a role. He accused the…

South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup have been thrown into uncertainty after Fifa handed Bafana Bafana a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in their March qualifier against Lesotho. The world governing body confirmed that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in the match played in March earlier this year against Dikwena. The breach of Article 19 of the Fifa disciplinary code and Article 14 of the preliminary competition regulations has now been punished with a forfeiture. As a result, the game – originally won by Bafana 2-0 – has been awarded as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho. In addition, Safa have been fined around R215 000, while Mokoena received a warning. Safa expressed deep disappointment with the ruling on Monday, in…

The Proteas Women ticked several important boxes in their final World Cup warm-up match on Sunday, sealing a four-wicket win over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Chasing 230, South Africa reached the target in the 40th over, showing great resilience after a shaky start. With their tournament opener against England looming on Friday, here are five key takeaways from the performance. Chloe Tryon anchors with experience Tryon once gain underlined her importance to the Proteas team with both bat and ball. She conceded a mere 13 runs off her five overs of spin at an impressive economy rate of 2.6, taking one wicket, to keep Pakistan in check during the middle overs. She also struck an unbeaten 45 off 39 balls with the bat to provided the…

South Africa’s agricultural sector is experiencing uneven recovery in 2025, with strong gains in field crops, fruits and vegetables offset by persistent challenges in the livestock industry, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo yesterday said the latest data shows a robust recovery in crops and horticulture, supported by favourable rains, but warned that animal diseases continue to weigh heavily on livestock producers. “From the high-frequency data, we are starting to see mixed fortunes. There is a robust recovery in field crops, vegetables, and fruits, thanks to good rains, but the livestock industry continues to struggle with animal diseases,” Sihlobo said. However, he said the livestock industry continues to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease. “We have also continued to struggle with foot-and-mouth disease…

On February 21, 2024, the first enforcement notice relating to direct marketing was sent to FT Rams Consulting. The main reasons for the notice were that the responsible party did not, (1), stop sending direct marketing after the recipient opted out and, (2), did not obtain the recipient’s consent before sending them electronic direct marketing. The Information Regulator released a media statement shortly before the enforcement notice, which had some very interesting statements. Advocate Pansy Tlakula, the chairperson of the Information Regulator had this to say: “Our leniency regarding direct marketing through unsolicited electronic communications is going to be a thing of the past because responsible parties (public or private bodies) ignore the provisions of section 69 of POPIA and infringe on the rights of data subjects. “In response to…

If you’ve ever stared at your inbox late at night, timing an e-mail to “send later” just so it looks like you’re working around the clock, you’re not alone. Welcome to the world of task masking, one of the latest workplace trends shaking up office culture. It’s the cousin of quiet quitting, the rebellion against hustle culture that went viral in 2022. But while quiet quitting is about setting boundaries and doing just enough to meet your job description, task masking takes things in another direction: it’s about looking productive, even when you’re not. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a Gen Z quirk or a TikTok fad. It’s a symptom of something deeper in our post-pandemic work culture, return-to-office mandates, and the pressure to always appear “on.” What…

MOST of the officials involved in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal have resigned while only 11 have been hauled before the disciplinary process. “We have recommended disciplinary processes and we have laid criminal charges. Some officials are still under investigation,” said Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. She was speaking during a media briefing by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The SIU report revealed that over R2 billion was looted at Tembisa Hospital, with three companies allegedly linked to Vusi “Cat” Matlala and 41 others said to be linked to Morgan Maumela being implicated. Some of the activities were flagged by Babita Doekaran, who lifted the lid on suspicious payments of R850 million, before she was murdered in 2021. “Some of the officials have run away. Most of them…

SAPS divisional commissioner of crime intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo believes that the serious threats to police operations originate internally, allowing external threats to infiltrate the SAPS. Khumalo, who heads the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), began his testimony before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry yesterday by providing a historical background about the formation of the task team, which was established at the time when political killings in KwaZulu-Natal were increasing in 2018. He identified businessmen Katiso "KT" Molefe and Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala as two of the leaders of the notorious Big Five cartel, accused of infiltrating South Africa's criminal justice system and the political sphere. The investigation into the other three alleged leaders is ongoing, which is why their names have not been disclosed, he said. He described…

The resilience of a little girl - the youngest person to testify in her own rape case in South Africa successfully - has been lauded for ensuring the prosecution and sentencing of 55-year-old George man to life imprisonment. The victim was three years old when she was raped and sexually assaulted. She was four years old when she testified for four consecutive days. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the Thembalethu Regional Court sentenced child rapist, Ian Hoggins, to an effective life imprisonment after the State successfully argued that there was no other fitting sentence following his conviction for child rape, sexual assault, and illegal possession of 124 child pornographic images. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm and ordered his name to be entered into the National Register…

Rory McIlroy was not shy about expressing his dislike for Ryder Cup hecklers after a week that included taunts, insults and a beer thrown at his wife, Erica. The situation grew so ugly that extra police with dogs escorted McIlroy over the weekend as he helped Europe beat the United States 15-13 at Bethpage Black in the biennial team golf showdown. “I wish they had have let the dogs off the leashes,” McIlroy joked, on Sunday following Europe’s nail-biting victory. Raucous fans created an intense and unsafe atmosphere, with over-the-top insults aimed at players and their families, and five-time major winner McIlroy emerging as the top target. “The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane,” McIlroy said. “Nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t going to…

The Springboks called up Lood de Jager on Monday as cover for Franco Mostert ahead of the second and decisive Rugby Championship Test at Twickenham on Saturday against Argentina. South Africa find themselves first on the standings, and a victory in London will likely secure the title for a second season in a row. The world champions are top with 15 points, New Zealand one point behind, Australia in third on 11 points, and Argentina on nine at the foot of the log. Mostert remained in South Africa due to a family bereavement, and De Jager has made a full recovery after picking up a niggle during the 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington. After Saturday’s 67-30 demolition of the Pumas at Kings Park, the attention now shifts…

It did not take long for the folly of failing to add depth to the centre-back position to bite Liverpool, with Crystal Palace exposing cracks that had been hinted at despite five wins in their first five Premier League matches. Granted, Arne Slot could not have envisaged the crushing injury blow to young Italian defender Giovanni Leoni, who had impressed on his League Cup debut. But the decision to try to wrap up a move for England’s Marc Guehi only on transfer deadline day – when interest on both sides had been apparent throughout the window – may be a rare black mark on Slot’s previously unblemished record on Merseyside. The England stalwart demonstrated exactly what Liverpool had missed out on after the deal collapsed late on the final day…