Sommaire pour 2023-06-30 de Mercury

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) yesterday confirmed that seven people died in Tuesday’s storm in the province. Cogta said two bodies were recovered in the Bayhead Canal yesterday. Other deaths occurred in Cato Crest, Pinetown and Glenashley in Durban and one death was also confirmed in Ugu Municipality on the KZN South Coast. The department said others were reported as missing. When The Mercury visited Cato Crest yesterday, residents reported that at least 20 houses had been washed away and two people had died – Happy Gwija, 60, and 20-year-old Ludres Chambe. Seven people were named as being missing by relatives. They are Babalwa Phandla, Nomfundo and Sisanda Mbhele, Thembela and Puleng Ngxolo, Lindiwe Luthuli and Bulelwa Mkhize. Nozipho Sibiya, 40, a resident who survived…

A recent statement by an eThekwini spokesperson lauded the fact that a whole 15 beaches were open – and that we should be grateful for this, notwithstanding that seven popular beaches remain closed. Is this what the municipality calls service excellence and are these the standards we, as the public, should accept? There has been enough time, since the floods, to get the sewage infrastructure sorted out. It is obvious that those running the city are out of their depth. It is time for new leadership based on skills for the job at hand.…

It’s here! Not only is it one of the biggest shows on Earth, it’s also Africa’s greatest horse-racing event that will be taking centre stage this weekend. Such an attraction is the Durban July that all eyes will be on it, not only to watch the four-legged animals race down the track to the cheer of the crowds, but also to ogle the two-legged fillies who use the social platform to strut their expensive outfits on the racecourse. Each will be vying to attract attention from the crowds and the cameramen. The Durban July also shows the great gulf between the haves and have-nots in this country. While millions are jobless and go to bed not knowing how to get their next meal, thousands of the well-heeled will race down…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has made decisions to prosecute only 53 cases that were referred to it by police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), in the financial year ending in March. Ipid, which is mandated to probe criminal offences committed by SAPS officers and metro police, made 2 093 referrals to the NPA in 2022/23. This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele when he was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Henry Andries Shembeni. Cele said the 53 cases represented 3% of referrals. “It can be observed that for 1 347 of referrals to NPA, the Ipid is still waiting for responses,” he said. Cele also said the prosecuting body declined to prosecute 684 referrals, and that nine cases were withdrawn. Cele’s response showed that…

ETHEKWINI Municipality says it is on track to fully spend one of the key grants central to service delivery in the City. The City revealed in a statement yesterday that it was on track to fully spend the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG), adding that it leads the country in the spending of this grant. It said the USDG seeks to support the development of sustainable human settlements and improved quality of life for households through accelerating the provision of serviced land, with secure tenure for low-income households, in the large urban areas by supplementing municipal resources. The eThekwini Metro recently came under fire after losing R100 million of this grant amid concerns of poor spending by the National Treasury. When the grant was cut, the municipality expressed dismay, saying…

Recognising this is one area that the governing ANC seems to be getting right This week over 2.01 billion Muslims worldwide and some 2 million co-religionists in South Africa are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) which signals the end of the Hajj (the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia). More importantly, it symbolises the willingness of the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, when God ordered him to do so in a dream as an act of obedience. As a reward to his resolute faith, God instead sent a lamb to be sacrificed. No doubt the traditional message of Eid Mubarak (Blessed Festival) will echo all over, including from President Cyril Ramaphosa and other dignitaries. While race understandably still dominates the South African psyche, it…

The UK government said it would challenge a court ruling issued yesterday that blocks its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, a set-back to its controversial bid to cut migrant numbers. Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that Rwanda could not be considered a safe third country, after a challenge to the policy by 10 migrants and a charity supporting asylum seekers. The ruling was welcomed by human rights groups but sparked an indignant response in Kigali, which insisted it met UN standards for the treatment of refugees. UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said he respected the court but “fundamentally” disagreed with the judges’ conclusions. “I strongly believe the Rwandan government has provided the assurances necessary to ensure there is no real risk that asylum-seekers relocated under the Rwanda…

French police yesterday fired tear gas at protesters who were staging a march outside Paris to remember a teen killed at point-blank range by an officer earlier in the week. Some protesters began throwing projectiles at police outside the main local administration building in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, and security forces then dispersed the protest by firing tear gas. About 6 200 people were present at the protest, police said. France yesterday ordered the mobilisation of tens of thousands of police to prevent a further escalation of violence after two nights of clashes over the killing. Cars and bins were torched in parts of the country, while some 150 people were arrested nationwide following clashes and unrest that included a tramway’s carriages being set alight in a Paris suburb.…

New Delhi: Aspartame, one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners, is soon likely to be declared as a cancer causing agent by the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings were “the first fundamental step to understand carcinogenicity,” it said. Food and beverage makers have defended their use of aspartame. But a 2022 observational study from France including 100 000 adults showed that people who consumed larger amounts of artificial sweeteners had a slightly higher cancer risk. Indian health experts say that the use of non-sugar sweeteners in moderation may not cause harm in people with diabetes. | IANS…

LONDON: Water bills in the UK could rise by 40% by 2030 as water companies seek to offset the costs of fighting the sewage pollution crisis in the country. Water UK, which represents the country’s water companies, has said that UK residents will face rising bills as water companies invest £10 billion in a new scheme to modernise sewage systems. Most water companies are asking the regulator to approve tariff increases of 25% between 2025 and 2030, the report said. Tariff increases are to be announced in 2024, with annual water bills rising from an average of £450 (R10 663) to £680 in parts of the country. | Sputnik…

PROTEAS fast bowler Sisanda Magala is bringing valuable IPL experience into the one-day international squad that has gathered in Durban for a skills camp in preparation of the Australia series and 50-over World Cup. Following the Australia series in August and September, will be the ODI World Cup in India where 10 nations will lock horns in an attempt to win the prestigious trophy. One of the Proteas squad members in camp in Durban is Magala who is fresh from the IPL, where his team, the Chennai Super Kings won the title for a record-equalling fifth time. “The atmosphere there is incredible and it’s highly competitive,” Magala told Independent Media. “The crowd is amazing and the fields are small so you have to be spot on with your execution from…

DESIREE Ellis is anxious but extremely excited about leading Banyana Banyana to the Fifa Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. And the coach says her players are also chomping at the bit in anticipation of pitting their skills against the world’s best. Speaking to the media during their final open session prior to Banyana’s departure next week, Ellis was beaming – delighted to be leading a much more mature group to their second global showpiece. “I am extremely excited,” she responded to a question about how she feels ahead of yet another chance to coach her country’s national team on the greatest football stage. “I know what this team can do. I know what they are capable of and that’s where the excitement…

DAYS after the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal outlined a plan to erect statues of freedom fighters in the province and move those depicting colonial and apartheid figures to museums, the governing party received backing for a proposal to erect a statue of King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KZN Legislature. During a sitting of the KZN Legislature yesterday, members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) gave overall approval for the erection of the late king’s statue in front of the provincial parliament in Pietermaritzburg and supported the move for the statue of Britain’s Queen Victoria, which currently stands in the precinct, to be placed in a museum. The MPLs agreed that the late king had been a unifying figure in the province and deserved to be honoured. The debate was attended by reigning…

THE IFP in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature notes the calls from other parties who are appealing for the relocation of the KZN legislature to Ulundi. The IFP has long held – and expressed – the view that the legislature should relocate to the state-of-the-art facility in Ulundi, which was inherited from the erstwhile KwaZulu government. We are pleased that other parties are now also supporting this suggestion. The party has, on numerous occasions, stated its opposition to the R6.8 billion development of the KwaZulu-Natal government precinct in Pietermaritzburg. This would be a complete waste of taxpayers’ money, as a suitable facility already exists in Ulundi. This new precinct would amount to nothing more than wasteful expenditure. Our wish is that the billions earmarked for this project should instead be directed to…

Regrettably, I agree with Priyanka Singh regarding the poor and, dare I say, timid and lukewarm performance of the DA leadership in the region (The Mercury, June 28). I say this for two reasons. Firstly, we need a strong and vibrant opposition to the maladministration and depredations of the ANC-dominated eThekwini council, and secondly, having been a member of the DA in its various guises for five or so decades, I have been exposed to what strong leadership in the party has achieved in the past. As a member in various capacities, from being a DA election agent to door-to-door lobbying for votes during election time, as well as having six decades of professional civil engineering involvement in transport at all levels of government, I have had close contact with…

When conversations occur with strangers – a dwindling pronomen with humanity’s baptism into the internet, cellphones and obsessive scrolling – the “What do you do for a living?” question is often asked. People offer a version of “all I want to be is happy”. “What does that look like, what does that mean? How will you know when you are?” is met with confusion. I get the impression I am supposed to know, that there is common knowledge of what it means to be happy. I’d suggest happiness is the fruit of seeking and finding a meaningful place within a community. It is to “cut your coat according to your cloth”. It is a by-product of having several equal, respectful relationships – relationships where you are not in charge, calling…

The Zimbabwean government said it had taken note of the judgment by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, which ruled that the Department of Home Affairs’ decision to summarily terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid. However, in welcoming the ruling, the government of Zimbabwe said it was ready and willing to welcome its citizens who opted to return home after SA Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the ZEP would not be extended. Speaking to television channel Newzroom Afrika yesterday, Richard Mahomva, Zimbabwe’s director of international communications, said his government had taken note of the “phenomenal judicial position”. He said Harare would gladly take part in the consultation processes prescribed by the Pretoria court as South African authorities seek a solution in the 12…

Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for a man identified as Lucky Innocent Talemwa, after a woman was swindled of R1.6 million in a love scam. Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said a case of theft under false pretence was opened at Middelburg police station in April after the Mpumalanga woman reported that a man from Uganda, who she was in a relationship with, fled with her money. “The victim further alluded that the two were an item and it was during the course of their relationship that the man reportedly showed her a lot of black notes,” Mohlala said. “He then convinced her that in order for him to convert the black notes into real South African bank notes, he would need a lot of real South…

QUESTIONS have been raised around the delay in the implementation of section 154 intervention in eThekwini Municipality, with the ANC and its alliance partners Cosatu and the SACP raising concern about inaction on the matter. It was announced a few weeks ago that the provincial government would deploy experts to assist the city under section 154. The experts included former city manager Mike Sutcliffe. The attempts by the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi, to introduce the intervention process and the team to full council a few weeks ago stalled after councillors complained that proper processes had not been followed. They wanted the MEC to brief the executive committee first on the intervention before the matter was placed before full council. Since then, there has been…

THIS year marks the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the AU. The OAU did not come into existence out of the blue. It was because of the Struggle the African people waged against the powerful colonial masters. The blood of thousands of African people was shed. They suffered all forms of pain, degradation and humiliation at the hands of people who presented themselves as civilised. African people were left with no choice but to fight back. Where would they get weapons to fight the heavily-armed, heartless and ruthless “civilised” people? First, they tried to reason and negotiated with the colonisers. Second, they went to the West, but unfortunately, this was where their tormentors came from. There were three powerful countries…

China’s top diplomat said yesterday that a new foreign relations law would help counter “bullying” from abroad after Beijing approved legislation it said would enhance its powers to counter sanctions. The US has imposed sanctions on a lengthy list of Chinese companies and individuals, accusing them of complicity in human rights abuses that Beijing has strenuously denied. The sanctions – particularly those restricting access to critical technology needed for semiconductors –have hit some Chinese firms hard, forcing them to slash jobs and freeze expansion plans. China’s top legislature passed the Law on Foreign Relations this week that defines the main principles and positions of Beijing’s international diplomacy and will come into effect on July 1. The law “clearly shows our opposition to hegemony, power politics ... and bullying”, China’s…

Myanmar anti-coup fighters briefly seized several border outposts after junta-aligned militia defected and joined the rebels, sparking days of heavy clashes, state media said yesterday. Fighting has ravaged swathes of the country since the military’s 2021 putsch, with some established ethnic rebel groups training and fighting alongside newer People’s Defence Forces (PDF) against the junta. Rugged Kayah state on the border with Thailand has become a resistance hot spot, hosting thousands of democracy protesters turned PDF fighters. Five border posts in the state manned by Border Guard Force (BGF) troops had come under “massive attacks” from anti-coup fighters between 13-19 June, state media said. Border Guard Forces are made up of former ethnic rebels now working with the military in exchange for local autonomy and lucrative business rights. They are…

LONDON: The UK said it backed an expanded UN Security Council, including a permanent spot for Africa, to reflect the current and future state of the world. The UK is a permanent member of the Security Council with China, France, Russia and the US, and sits with 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN general assembly for two-year terms. Developing nations have long complained about not having a say on the council, where the five permanent members wield veto power. The UK said that the overhaul also needed to be extended to the World Trade Organization to reflect the digital economy, and international financial institutions to address climate finance. | Daily Trust…

RUNAWAY leader and defending double world champion Max Verstappen bids to become the most successful driver in Austrian Grand Prix history this weekend as Red Bull plan a poignant ‘century’ celebration on home ground. The 25-year-old Dutchman, who leads this year’s title race by 69 points ahead of teammate Sergio Perez, shares the record of three Austrian wins with four-time world champion Alain Prost. Another win at the Red Bull Ring circuit would take him to four and be his seventh in nine races this year as well as the team’s 101st as they return to Austria for the first time since the death of owner Dietrich Mateschitz last October. “It’s going to be a bit special this time,” said team boss Christian Horner amid celebrations of the team’s 100th…

FRANCE’S top administrative court yesterday upheld a ban on women football players wearing Islamic hijab headscarves, after the issue was seized on by politicians claiming secularism was at risk. “Sporting federations whose task is to ensure the good functioning of public services ... can impose a neutrality requirement on their players in competitions and sporting events, to guarantee the smooth running of matches and any clashes or confrontation,” the Constitutional Council said in a statement. It found a French Football Federation (FFF) rule against “any sign or clothing clearly showing political, philosophical, religious or union affiliation” during play to be “appropriate and proportionate”. A group of Muslim women footballers called the “Hijabeuses” had launched the action against the FFF regulation. Judges found themselves under political pressure ahead of the ruling…

BLUE skies and mild temperatures have been forecast for tomorrow’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. After this week’s inclement weather, there was a worry that the event may be hampered, but South African Weather Services (Saws) forecaster Julius Mahlangu said no rain was expected. He said the midday temperature was expected to be 22°C. Stephen Marshall, Gold Circle events and marketing executive, said they were delighted to host a full-capacity event and were planning a big public entertainment programme. “The Ndlovu Youth Choir will perform the national anthem before the main race and we have a Gagasi FM takeover of the main public galaxy stage from 7-9pm featuring DJ Tira. The theme this year is ‘Out of this World’, which has been embraced by the fashion experience designers.” He added that this…

City parks and green spaces help counter heat, boost biodiversity, and instill a sense of calm in the urban jungle. They also help slow biological aging, with people who have access to green spaces found to be on average 2.5 years biologically younger than those who do not, according to a new study published this week in Science Advances. “Living near more greenness can help you be younger than your actual age,” said Kyeezu Kim, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Exposure to green spaces has previously been linked with better cardiovascular health and lower rates of mortality. It’s thought that more physical activity and social interactions are at play, but whether parks actually slowed down aging on a cellular level…

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) has been instrumental in supporting farmers and communities. There are, however, concerns about its potential cancellation by the US due to the ANC government’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and foreign policy. This move would have far-reaching effects on the livelihoods of farmers and the overall development of KwaZulu-Natal. The Agoa has provided KZN’s farmers with access to the American market, allowing them to expand their businesses and improve their income. If the Agoa is cancelled, farmers would lose a valuable market outlet, leading to financial instability. This is particularly relevant when it comes to small-scale farmers who heavily rely on international trade, specifically citrus farmers. The impact of cancelling the Agoa would extend beyond the agricultural sector, affecting KZN’s entire economy. Supporting…

A City of Johannesburg official has been sentenced in the Brixton Magistrate’s Court for corruption. Hlengani Voster Maluleke, 41, an environmental inspector for the city was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Corruption Investigation Team based in Johannesburg. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the incident took place in July 2022. “The accused conducted environmental inspections at a Brixton store and inconsistencies were found in the store. He subsequently issued the store with a R5 000 fine on July 13, 2022.” On July 15, 2022, Maluleke visited the store again and demanded R1 000 to squash the fine. “The matter was reported to the Hawks for further exploration, which led to his arrest,” Nkwalase said. “He was released on bail of R1 000.” However, earlier this…

Most economists are predicting minimal relief for South African consumers, with a slight decrease in the petrol price and an increase in the diesel price next week. Economist Dawie Roodt said the petrol price was expected to decrease by 15 cents a litre, while he also anticipated a slight increase in the diesel price of about 15 cents a litre. “We can attribute these changes to the fact that the international price of Brent crude oil and the price of diesel went up a bit. It was fortunate that the rand appreciated against the US dollar which resulted in the decrease in the petrol price.” Roodt added that the petrol price decrease was very small. “I’m afraid the small decrease in the fuel price won’t be able to make much…

Three high-ranking police officials, two of whom have since retired, made their first appearance in court regarding corruption charges. Lieutenant-General Nneke Jim Ledwaba, 62; the former provincial commissioner of Limpopo police, Major- General Nyikeni Jackson Baloyi, 63; and Major-General Hlagodi Christina Morakaladi, 58, are accused of tampering with interview score sheets during job selection processes within the SAPS in 2016. They made their first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the corruption charges relate to the appointment of SAPS station commanders in 2016: “The three were members of the selection panel.” | Jolene Marriah-Maharaj…

The Hollywoodbets Durban July, internationally acknowledged as Africa’s greatest horseracing event, has stood the test of time. The July Handicap, as the race was first known, made its debut on Saturday, July 17, 1897, at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban. Since then, it has been run without interruption every year, even during the world wars. The race was first run for a stake of 500 sovereigns. Today, the stake is R5m. By this time, 126 years later, the economic implications of the Durban July are nothing short of remarkable. In tomorrow’s race day, a capacity crowd of up to 48 000 people, will flock through Greyville’s gates. The event will inject about R65 million into the eThekwini Municipality’s economy. Apart from the direct spend of R65m, it will also be…

The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern US continues to spread to other regions of the country, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts. The heat wave has scorched Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, among other southern parts. The heat dome was producing “dangerous heat and humidity in Texas and spread into the lower Mississippi River Valley”, according to the US National Weather Service. San Angelo in West Texas registered 45.5°C twice in June, the highest recorded there. The border town of Del Rio hit 46°C for the first time. The heat wave will expand across the southern Plains, the Deep South, the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast. | Xinhua…

JEDDAH: Saudi authorities were investigating yesterday after an assailant and a security guard were killed in an exchange of gunfire outside the US consulate in Jeddah, the gateway city for the massive hajj pilgrimage taking place in Mecca. The gunman and a Nepalese security guard both died after the exchange of fire outside the consulate on Wednesday evening, officials said. The shooting coincided with the final day of the hajj at nearby Mecca. More than 1.6 million foreign pilgrims arriving on planes and boats have streamed through coastal Jeddah en route to the rituals. The gunman’s nationality has not been revealed. US officials said no Americans were hurt and that the consulate had been secured. | AFP…

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka began a five-day bank holiday yesterday to allow the crisis-hit nation to restructure $42 billion(about R790bn) in domestic debt, reports said. The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since it won independence from Britain in 1948. There are fears that the restructuring plan could lead to volatility in financial markets. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reassured the public that the restructuring would “not lead to a collapse of the banking system”. Wickremesinghe’s office had said his cabinet had approved a restructuring proposal by the country’s central bank that will be submitted to parliament. | IANS…

Exciting news, it’s The Kingfisher’s birthday and to celebrate we are offering a massive discount of 25% on all products (this does however exclude Shimano rods and reels, they are less 15% and bait is nett). The sale started yesterday and runs to Sunday, there will be daily lucky draws, giveaways etc. This birthday sale will be across all The Kingfisher branches and Tackle Centre. The offshore has been up and down. The seas have been choppy but those that have launched have landed some good fish. The north coast has produced some fantastic fish with big tuna and some fat snoek being landed. The snoek have been around the Tongaat long beach area. The backline is a fantastic stretch to troll for both garrick and snoek. The snoek have…