Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2023-11-22 in Cape Times

As the WORLD shifts to renewable energy options and companies target zero carbon goals, closer to home in South Africa, Zero Carbon Charge has started construction on a national network of 100% renewable energy-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This week, at a ceremony in Wolmaransstad in the North West province, Zero Carbon Charge broke ground on its first 100% renewable energy charging station in what the company says will become South Africa’s first national network of 120 solar-powered charging facilities spaced out at 150km intervals. This is a significant milestone in South Africa’s transition to EVs. “Unlike other charging stations that connect to Eskom’s grid (and thus use coal as their primary energy source), Zero Carbon Charge’s charging stations are powered by South Africa’s abundant and renewable supply of…

SOUTH Africa held an extraordinary BRICS virtual meeting yesterday, also attended by the six new member countries and chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said all members had agreed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could only be achieved by peaceful means. More than 11 000 residents of Gaza have been killed since October 7, when 1 200 people were killed in an attack by Hamas on Israel. Israel has been criticised by regional blocs and various countries for its attacks on Gaza. The meeting was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as well as leaders of new members Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina and the UAE to discuss the conflict that has…

Graft case against Koko, co-accused struck off the roll over unreasonable delays FORMER Eskom chief executive believes the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) misdirected itself when it “did somebody a favour” by charging him over the alleged R2.2 billion Kusile fraud and corruption case, which was struck off the roll yesterday. Koko was arrested in October last year along with his wife Mosima, and his stepdaughters Koketso Aren and Thato Choma. Also in the dock were Eskom project director at Kusile Hlupheka Sithole, lawyer Johannes Coetzee, Watson Seswai, and Lese’tsa Johannes Mutchinya who were facing fraud, corruption, and money laundering charges relating to the irregular awarding of multibillion-rand contracts for work at the Kusile Power Station to companies linked to Koko’s friends and family. Koko, who has over the years protested…

In a bid to assist local police, researchers used digital facial reconstruction to produce realistic facial images of five unidentified people whose remains were found in Philippi East, Mitchell’s Plain, Mowbray and Lentegeur from 2020 to 2022. An estimated 7 000 unidentified bodies in South Africa's medico-legal laboratories are waiting to be identified each year, said Dr Kathryn Smith, a visual and forensic artist and chairperson of the Department of Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University. The images are part of a public appeal for help in identifying these bodies, and the last chance for police in the province to bring closure to families who may be desperately searching for information about their loved ones' whereabouts. The public appeal is one outcome of a pilot study by the Western Cape Cold…

A National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student accommodation pilot project currently under way at TVET colleges is expected to be rolled out at universities in the 2024 academic year. According to the entity’s board chairperson, Ernest Khosa, lessons had been learnt from the damning Werksmans Attorneys and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi report. The forensic report found that there was no feasibility study before the implementation of the direct payment system, a critical part of the preparation for the execution of a project. “We took note of that finding and NSFAS is acting upon it. The pilot project at colleges which will also be implemented at universities followed a long process of investigations by NSFAS. The investigation into this project took different forms including direct consultations with stakeholders at a micro level…

Orlando Pirates star Thembinkosi Lorch must have breathed a sigh of relief when the Randburg Magistrate’s Court handed him a suspended jail sentence and imposed a fine of R100 000 for assaulting his girlfriend. Lorch was granted a three-year direct imprisonment order, which was suspended for five years, with conditions. In June, the court had found Lorch guilty of assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm. Generally, this crime carries a prescribed sentence of a fine or 18 months imprisonment, suspended for five years on condition that the person is not convicted of a similar charge during the period of suspension. The court was thus within the confines of the law in handing down the sentence to the footballer, coincidentally on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism…

North Korea conducted a rocket launch believed to be carrying a satellite yesterday, South Korea and Japan said, in what would be Pyongyang’s third attempt to place a spy satellite in orbit this year. The Japanese government issued an emergency warning for residents in the south to take cover from the possible threat of a North Korean missile. Japan said over its J-Alert broadcasting system that North Korea appeared to have fired a missile, sending out the warning to residents in the southern prefecture of Okinawa. South Korea’s military said the rocket was believed to be carrying a spy satellite and was launched toward the south. North Korea had notified Japan it planned to launch a satellite between Wednesday and Dec. 1. Japan’s Coast Guard said on Tuesday the North…

Brazzaville: Thirty-seven youths were killed in a stampede overnight during an army recruitment drive in a stadium in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, officials said yesterday. Last week, the army announced it was recruiting 1 500 people aged between 18 and 25. Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso said 37 people had been killed in the tragedy with an unspecified number of other people injured. Residents said many people were still in the stadium when the stampede began. Some people had tried to force their way through gates, with many being trampled in the scramble. | AFP…

China said yesterday that it would be a “serious mistake” if Argentina were to cut ties, after the weekend presidential election victory in the South American country of a right-wing libertarian who has said he will not deal with communists. Argentinian president-elect Javier Milei has criticised China as well as Brazil, which are among his country’s most important trading partners. A few months ago, Milei even likened the Chinese government to an “assassin” and said the people of China were “not free”. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the development of relations with Argentina had been showing good momentum, and it would be a “serious mistake” for Argentina to cut ties with countries such as China and Brazil. Milei’s tough talk on China stands in sharp contrast with…

SENTIMENT in the business sector re- mained firmly in the contractionary terri- tory in the third quarter, as the majority of senior executives were dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions, especially the logistical nightmare caused by the congestion at the Port of Durban. The RMB/BER business confidence index, released yesterday eased to 31 points in the fourth quarter, down from 33 points in the previous three-month period, moving further into pessimistic territory below 50 points which separates expansion from contraction. The survey, which was conducted by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) on behalf of Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), covered 1 050 senior executives in the building, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and motor trade sectors between October 25 and November 13. The main drag on the…

CORONATION Fund Managers’ fund management earnings fell sharply by 57% to 165.2 cents per share in its 2023 year, mainly due to the impact of a write-down relating to a tax dispute with the SA Revenue Service (Sars). When adjusted for the tax matter, fund management earnings per share were down 4%. Fund management earnings are used by Coronation’s management to measure operating financial performance. The group’s directors said yesterday that the Constitutional Court had agreed to hear its case and an outcome might be only expected in the second half of the 2024 calendar year. “This dispute has no material impact on our long-term sustainability, and we remain a well-capitalised and successful business,” they said. The R716 million tax matter related to a dispute with Sars in…

With a shortage of traffic vehicles, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has partnered with the private sector to boost resources for patrols on busy roads during the festive season. The 2023/2024 campaign, themed “Masiphelele”, begins from December 1 until January 15. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will officially launch the road safety campaign on November 26 at the Tsakane Stadium on the East Rand. According to RTMC CEO advocate Makhosini Msibi, who briefed Parliament's portfolio committee on transport yesterday on the proposed road safety plan, they have set a target of 25% reduction in fatalities by 2024. “A three-phase approach will be implemented that includes intensifying education, communication and law enforcement interventions. We will intelligently deploy on areas identified as hot spots, and to mitigate these through appropriate operational and…

PARLIAMENT passed an amended draft motion of the EFF calling on the government to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel. In its amendment, the ANC called for a ceasefire to be agreed between Israel and Palestine and that they commit to binding UN-facilitated negotiations for “a just, sustainable and lasting peace”. The ANC and EFF massed 248 votes to ram through the motion with votes from the ATM, PAC and Al Jama-ah. However, the DA, IFP, Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and ACDP garnered 91 votes in opposing the motion. “The motion as amended is accordingly agreed to,” said House chairperson Cedric Frolick. The passing of the amended motion took place against the backdrop of Israel recalling its ambassador to South Africa, Eliav…

A LOCAL bridge player has expressed deep disappointment after she was “expelled” from the club after she showed up in a pro-Palestine T-shirt to a social bridge session. Rona Holmes, who recently joined the Constantina Bridge Club, said she was aggrieved by the manner in which she was removed from the club for taking a stance against injustice. The club told the Cape Times that Holmes was not expelled, but that the members did not want to play with her. On November 13, Holmes said she was sworn at and told “no one wants you here”. “The past month, as the Israeli war on Gaza intensified, I have participated in Palestinian solidarity protests. I have worn Palestinian scarves and a Palestinian solidarity T-shirt ‘Unite against Apartheid Israel’ in my day-to-day…

AS SOUTH Africa’s political honeymoon at the global level slowly fades away, it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is engaged in a protracted struggle with the obligations imposed by international law. The country’s adherence to international legal norms has become a significant battle, giving rise to interesting questions about its ability to balance domestic imperatives with international obligations. Additionally, South Africa’s approach to international law has been influenced by its foreign policy priorities and political considerations. This article considers three examples where these tensions are particularly evident: the recent proposition to review the international treaty governing refugee protection, the decision to terminate bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and the indecision concerning the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Department of Home Affairs proposes to review the international refugee protection treaty, acknowledging…

Hopes mounted yesterday that dozens of hostages seized by Hamas could be released from war-torn Gaza, after the group’s leader and key mediator Qatar both said a truce agreement with Israel was in sight. “We are close to reaching a deal on a truce,” Ismail Haniyeh said, after US President Joe Biden indicated an accord was on the cards on Monday. In Qatar, foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said: “We are at the closest point we ever had been in reaching an agreement”. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy Hamas, kept tight-lipped after meeting families of some of the 240 hostages late on Monday. Hopes of a breakthrough have been mounting since Qatar on Sunday said only “minor” practical issues remained to secure a deal.…

MonroviA: Two people died and at least 20 were injured when a car ploughed into a crowd of supporters of Liberian president-elect Joseph Boakai, police and hospital staff said yesterday. Police said the driver fled after the incident, which happened on Monday evening, but gave no further details. Boakai’s Unity Party said it believed it was a deliberate act. Boakai’s party said the car drove into supporters celebrating outside its headquarters after Boakai was officially declared the winner of last week’s election. Liberia’s electoral commission said Boakai had won 50.64% of the vote, 1.28% more than outgoing president George Weah. | AFP…

London: Foreign workers will need a salary of more than £30 000 (R691 900) to come to Britain as ministers set out proposals to reduce net migration levels by raising the salary threshold for skilled professionals. The proposal comes ahead of tomorrow’s net migration data for the year ending June 2023, expected to stick at around 500 000. Presently, workers outside shortage occupations require a salary of at least £26 200 to take up jobs in the UK – a lot lower than the median wage of £33 000. The migration surge has been fuelled with the UK granting visas to more than 1.4 million migrants per year to work, study or escape conflict. | IANS…

The first images emerged yesterday of 41 men trapped for more than a week in a highway tunnel in the Indian Himalayas, showing them standing in the confined space and communicating with rescue workers. The men have been stuck in the 4.5km tunnel in Uttarakhand state since it caved on November 12 and are safe, authorities said, with access to light, oxygen, food, water and medicines. The authorities have not said what caused the cave-in, but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes and floods. Efforts to bring out the 41 men have been slowed by snags in drilling through the debris in the mountainous terrain. A 30-second video provided by authorities showed about a dozen of the trapped men standing in a semi-circle in front of the camera, wearing…

SUSPENSION for ten days with or without remuneration in February 2024, has been recommended as a sanction against EFF leader Julius Malema and five of his party MPs for disrupting the State of the Nation Address (Sona) earlier this year. The initiator of the hearing, Advocate Anton Katz, said this would be the appropriate sanction after the guilty finding against the EFF MPs. The second day of the hearing proceeded yesterday despite Malema and his colleagues walking out on Monday, likening the proceedings to a kangaroo court, and the EFF leader saying he would not be persecuted by a “white man”. Their application for postponement and a request for appointment of an independent person to preside over the hearing were refused. However, the hearing was told that their attorneys had…

CYBERCRIME was, once again, the topic under the spotlight when the court found that there was a duty on a financial service provider to protect its clients against cyberfraud which, in the case of the Rotary Club of Rosebank, was the victim of the crime. The organisation lost R3.1 million when cybercriminals, purporting to act on instructions from the club, withdrew the millions. The money has vanished into the hands of the fraudsters. The good news for the Rotary Club, however, is that the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, ordered that the financial service provider had to reimburse the club in full. Judge Motsamai Makume found that the service provider and its officials who handled the club’s finances, were grossly negligent in not verifying the “instructions” by the club to transfer…

THE Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association (WIETA) says it is investigating whether a Cape Winelands farm violated housing and tenure and occupational health safety standards following concerns raised about the living conditions of farm workers. This after farm worker rights organisations expressed concern with what they said was the “inhumane” eviction of a family from Ongegund farm, describing it as reminiscent of apartheid-style forced removals. The WIETA, of which Ongegund is a member, said they were investigating the matter to ascertain whether the performance areas of housing and tenure and occupational health and safety within the WIETA standard have been violated. Its chief executive Linda Lipparoni said WIETA members were audited in an audit frequency cycle commensurate with the outcome of their audit findings. “Beyond the audit obligation, WIETA…

A RECENT bombshell from Japan’s nuclear agency, subtly unveiled on its website, has blown the lid off some troubling findings. The document corroborates Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (Tepco) internal probe of the Fukushima Unit 1 reactor in March, revealing damage to the concrete encasing its foundation. Sadly, the presence of elevated radiation levels within Unit 1 has hampered efforts to comprehensively assess the extent of the damage. To add to the woes, the Fukushima Unit 1 reactor finds itself in a bind with insufficient storage space for slurry, a waste product containing radioactive materials extracted from the accumulating contaminated water. The predicament poses a disconcerting threat that could derail the company’s decommissioning efforts. In light of the challenges, Japan must face up to its responsibilities, including temporarily halting the discharge…

Hundreds of Rohingya refugees were yesterday given shelter for three months in western Indonesia, the country’s immigration office said, after locals threatened to turn them back to sea for a third time. The group of 256 from the persecuted Myanmar minority were turned back twice last week by locals and, after they made land successfully at the third attempt on Sunday, residents protested their presence and threatened to put them back to sea again. But local authorities ordered a hold on them for two days while they waited in a temporary shelter in Bireuen district, Aceh Province. Yesterday, national officials ordered their relocation to a new shelter in Lhokseumawe, one of Aceh’s biggest cities. Authorities gave no details about what would happen to the refugees after their three-month stay expires.…

SAN FRANCISCO: Social media company X has sued media watchdog, Media Matters, saying it defamed the platform after a report released by it said ads for major brands had appeared next to posts touting Hitler and the Nazi party. X, formerly Twitter, has faced outrage since Media Matters published the report last week, which led IBM, Comcast and other advertisers to pull ads. In the lawsuit, X said Media Matters “manipulated” X by exclusively following users known for fringe content, and “resorted to endlessly scrolling and refreshing” the feed until it found ads next to extremist posts. Media Matters said the lawsuit was “meant to bully X’s critics into silence”. | AFP…

Malé: Rising sea levels threaten to swamp the Maldives and the Indian Ocean archipelago is already out of drinking water, but the new president says he has scrapped plans to relocate citizens. Instead, President Mohamed Muizzu promises that the low-lying nation will beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation – policies that environmental and rights groups warn could even exacerbate flooding risks. The chain of 1 192 tiny islands is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Former president Mohamed Nasheed warned citizens they might become the world’s first environmental refugees needing relocation to another country. | AFP…