Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2022-07-19 in Mercury

NEWLY elected caucus leader for the DA in eThekwini, Thabani Mthethwa, says he will use the position to fight to improve the lives of the municipality’s residents. He was elected by the party’s councillors yesterday. He contested the position against councillors Mzamo Billy, Shontel de Boer and Sakhile Mngadi. He replaces Nicole Graham, who resigned last month to pursue her studies in Australia. She will leave the council and the country at the end of this month. Mthethwa said that as part of holding the ANC accountable, he would harness the wide variety of skills in his caucus to make sure they were used optimally to serve the people of the city. “I am not leading alone in the DA; we have many skilled people, we will use those skills…

Britain’s Prince Harry spoke yesterday at the UN about seeking insight from the late Nelson Mandela during a time of global uncertainty and urged countries to take action on climate change. Accompanied by his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the couple were at the UN headquarters in New York to mark Nelson Mandela International Day, held annually on the former president’s birthday. In the UN General Assembly hall, he reflected on the legacy of Mandela who he said was “able to see the goodness in humanity, not because he was blind to the ugliness, the injustices of the world. He saw them clearly; he had lived them but he knew we could overcome them.” He also spoke about the despair and desperation in the world today. “How many of us…

Another Eskom? How wonderful! What will it be called? ANCOM after the ANC, RAMAKOM after President Ramaphosa, or will it be more appropriately called Corruptkom after South Africa’s trademark, corruption? In a wink, like magic, all our energy problems will be gone. The Mercury couldn’t have brought us better news to cheer us up on a blue Monday (“Ramaphosa: SA should adopt China’s model of power generation”). Another state-owned utility is the brainchild of Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, and it is backed by the president. But the DA has rejected the idea, saying the best the ANC can do in this time of crisis is to come up with “Alice in Wonderland fantasies”. But to be fair, we do need another power utility to compete with Eskom and make our…

The latest suggestion by Minister Gwede Mantashe to establish a second state-owned electricity (SOE) provider to provide competition for Eskom amazes me, considering the evident failure of the more prominent state-owned enterprises, including Eskom, the Post Office, SAA, etc. If Mantashe’s views have progressed to the extent that competition might lead to improved service delivery, there might be hope he could also progress further to realise that real competition can best be promoted by competing owners and management. If his main concern is the continued provision to the poor, then there is nothing to stand in the way of having: 1. An SOE to provide services to the poor and other willing users. 2. A privately owned and managed enterprise to serve the willing paying users. Incidentally, the better way…

THE lack of interest in maths and physical science among pupils at some public schools would see young South Africans unable to access jobs in the engineering, medical and science fields – a trend that could have dire implications for youth unemployment. Recently the Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, revealed in a written response that this year alone, 556 Grade 10 pupils, 5 601 Grade 11 pupils, and 3 373 Grade 12 pupils switched from maths to maths literacy. And between 2014 and 2022, 26 schools phased out maths and 23 schools phased out physical sciences. While statistics for other provinces were not immediately available, it is believed the practice is followed by schools across the country. Expert in education practices, lecturer Evan Ruthford, said the trend was…

Three suspects were arrested for poaching at Tala Game Reserve, outside Pietermaritzburg, after police and a private security company responded to the scene. The three suspects were found with a waterbuck carcass on Saturday. Shaheen Suleiman from Magma Security said that in the early hours of Saturday morning, the company was notified of suspicious activities at Tala Game Reserve. “Members proceeded to Tala Game Reserve and on their arrival they spotted the suspects. Members together with SAPS chased and caught the three men.” Suleiman added that one waterbuck carcass was found as well as the suspects’ vehicle. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed that police officers and Magma Security had responded to an incident at a game reserve. “Local police were alerted and the team proceeded to the game…

A 47-year-old man has appeared in court after he was arrested for allegedly raping a 92-year-old wheelchair-bound woman in Limpopo province. “The 47-year-old man appeared at the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court on charges of housebreaking and rape of a wheelchair-bound woman,” said National Prosecuting Authority Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. “It is alleged that the accused broke into the house of the victim in Hoveni village outside Tzaneen, through the window and raped her in the middle of the night,” she said. In June, police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the woman was sleeping when her house was broken into. “The suspect allegedly gained access into the victim’s room, where she had been sleeping, through a window and raped her. Police were called and immediately launched a manhunt for the…

It is patently clear that Andile Lili does not have a proper understanding of the practical reality of providing housing (The Mercury, July 12). If he did, he would not be so quick to criticise the progress made by the Western Cape government in responding to the housing needs of our citizens. The fact is that the Western Cape is working on a limited budget, with the provincial equitable share allocated to the province still largely based on outdated census data from 2011. The population in the province has grown considerably since the last census, with people from all across the country coming to the Western Cape in search of jobs and a better life – a life they can’t picture in ANC-run provinces. The provincial government also spent 100%…

Britain and France went on heatwave alert yesterday, bracing for record temperatures as south-west Europe wilted under a scorching sun, and ferocious wildfires devoured more forests. Forecasters said Britain could hit 40°C for the first time, which would cause havoc in a country unprepared for the onslaught of extreme heat. Britain’s current record temperature stands at 38.7°C. Scientists blame climate change and predict more frequent and intense episodes of extreme weather. Across the Channel, firefighters failed to contain two massive fires in France’s south-west that created apocalyptic scenes of destruction. Forecasters put 15 French departments on the highest state of alert for extreme temperatures, including in western Brittany where the Atlantic coastal city of Brest was expected to hit 40°C yesterday. Blazes in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain have destroyed…

Sri Lanka’s acting president renewed the country’s state of emergency yesterday ahead of a parliamentary vote to pick a new head of state, a poll in which he is a leading candidate. Ranil Wickremesinghe automatically became acting president when Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned last week after fleeing to Singapore. A state of emergency allows troops to arrest and detain suspects, and the president to make regulations overriding existing laws to deal with any unrest. One was already in place but parliament had not met to ratify the declaration as required, and Wickremesinghe extended it from Monday “in the interests of public security”, he said. Police and the military, armed with emergency powers, stepped up security in the capital ahead of yesterday’s election of a new president. Wickremesinghe, a six-time former prime…

Bangkok: Dozens of Thai democracy activists were targeted by the controversial Israeli spyware known as Pegasus at the height of intense anti-government protests, according to an international digital rights group report. Massive demonstrations engulfed Thailand’s capital Bangkok two years ago as thousands called for greater civil freedoms, and a loosening of strict lèse-majesté laws that prevent any criticism of the monarchy. The report by Canadian cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab in partnership with Thai groups iLaw and DigitalReach, identified some 30 activists, academics, lawyers and NGO workers whose mobile devices were affected. | AFP…

THE ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to fight tooth and nail for the removal of the governing party’s step-aside rule at the upcoming provincial elective conference set for this weekend. The province’s ANCYL’s interim task team co-ordinator, Mafika Mndebele, said they were concerned that the policy, in its current form was being used to purge members who held different political views. He was addressing ANC members who came out in their numbers to support the ANC’s eThekwini region chairperson, Zandile Gumede, when she appeared for the start of her fraud and corruption trial in the Durban High Court yesterday. The case, which involves 22 accused including business entities, was adjourned to July 27 for a pre-trial conference following challenges by some of the accused regarding their legal…

“I am in my late fifties. My father has been dead for over a decade. I wish I had good things to say about him as you so often say about your dad in your column. I have almost no good memories of him (my dad). Most of the memories involve alcohol and acts of rage and some violence. He was never violent with me directly. How do I ‘free him up’ in my head so I can move on with my life without the memories looking over my shoulder?” You are a fine candidate for a session of talk therapy. I suggest you locate a professional in your area and get to work. You refer to my father and that I write good things about him. My father was…

The routine reference to Ukraine as a “democracy” is problematic if one probes what actually goes on there. Democracies don’t have martial law. Ukraine does. Democracies don’t ban opposition parties. Ukraine does. Democracies don’t prohibit opposition media. Ukraine does. Democracies don’t torture political dissidents. Ukraine does. Here’s the proof: The Guardian – March 20: Zelenskiy “suspended” 11 opposition parties for reasons of “national security” and because they were “anti-Nato and pro-Russia”. The Guardian – March 20: Zelenskiy announced the merger of all TV channels to implement a “unified information policy”, thereby prohibiting dissenting opinions. Wsw.org – June 23: On June 20, the Administrative Court of Appeals banned 11 political parties as “anti-Ukrainian” thus endorsing the Ukrainian parliament’s May decision on banning. All property of those parties was confiscated by the…

“Robben Island has produced more millionaires and billionaires than any university in South Africa,” reads the wording of a social media post I received from numerous sources on WhatsApp. This post was so significant that even Herman Mashaba, president of ActionSA, received the forward, com mented and re-posted it on social media. Although Mashaba linked the post to university education, most of the ordinary people who received the post interpreted it to be about the rampant corruption among some of South Africa’s political elite. Regrettably, Robben Island, recognised as a key part of South Africa’s freedom history, is being linked to dishonesty, moral decay and leaders who carry out unethical and corrupt governance. State corruption has taken hold with utter disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, the working…

PROLONGED strike action by employees of the SA Revenue Service (Sars) could lead to poor tax collection and cause the South African economy to take a knock, warned public service unions. The Public Service Association (PSA) said South African exports were already feeling the pinch, with Sars workers being on strike at the borders. PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka said if the wage stalemate continued, it could have a big impact on tax collection and the economy. Sars employees have been on strike since July 12. Unions in this sector are asking for an increase of the consumer price index plus 7%, but Sars said it could only offer workers 1.39%. Unions are also demanding R2 000 cash gratuity for a successful tax collection year. “What we know is that the…

THE head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in KwaZulu-Natal and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provincial director of public prosecutions have confirmed in a joint statement that Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube was approached by investigators in connection with an inquiry. The statement said that there was an investigation inquiry registered in 2019 regarding the alleged misappropriation of drought-relief funds. “There have been investigations that were conducted from the onset and no suspect was ever identified.” It further said that Dube-Ncube had been approached, but it was only to obtain clarity on the information that had been received. “She was never identified as the suspect or potential suspect.” Regarding reports of a plot to use the investigation inquiry to thwart her chances at the ANC provincial conference, the…

THE SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) believes that while schools across the country still endure many inequalities, former president Nelson Mandela’s dream of equal education for all can be realised. The teacher union joined South Africans and the world in proudly celebrating Mandela’s birthday yesterday. Sadtu media officer Nomusa Cembi said Mandela had used his strong belief in education for all as a tool to change the lives of children. Looking at the state of education in South Africa, Cembi said there was still a long way to go because segregation and racism were still experienced in schools. “Schools in rural areas and townships are not as resourced as many others, particularly former Model C schools. So we still have unequal distribution of resources in our schools,” she said. Cembi…

Law must allow a plurality of parties and independent candidates to contest elections LAST week, South Africans were greeted by the news that deliberations on the Electoral Amendment Bill by Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee were almost complete. The next stage will consider a reworked bill, which includes all the finalised amendments. While we must commend that the bill is progressively shaping up, questions linger concerning why most political parties continue to push for the proposed retention of the unconstitutional three-month cooling-off period. The cooling-off clause will prevent a citizen from standing as an independent candidate if they have been a political party member within three months of the election they intend to contest. Here is the reason: to prevent those excluded from the party list from competing against their former…

Women who have to wear court- ordered surveillance tags that restrict their movement could struggle to access safe abortions as more US states crack down on the procedure following last month’s Roe v Wade reversal, campaigners say. The overturning of the landmark ruling leaves state governments to decide whether or not abortion is legal, and while some have reaffirmed the right, more than half of states are likely or certain to ban abortion in most or all cases. That means crossing state borders could be the only option for some abortion-seekers – something often impossible for the growing number of women wearing tracking tags while under house arrest, awaiting trial, or ahead of immigration proceedings. “Wearing an electronic monitor, sometimes you can’t even go outside the house, let alone to…

SEOUL: South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo in the hope that they can repair strained ties. Relations have been fraught for years over the bitter legacy of Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, with issues ranging from wartime forced labour to export controls. But both nations have the aim to improve relations. Park told Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi that he would try to resolve the forced labour issue before a ruling on compensation payments. The US has urged its key North Asian allies to co-operate over North Korea’s nuclear programme. | Reuters…

Beijing: Global heating is leading dozens of bat species to migrate to southern China and other south-east Asian countries, amid growing concerns that the climate crisis could fuel further deadly pandemics, reports said. A 2021 University of Cambridge study found that climate change may already have played a role in the emergence of the current pandemic, after researchers tracked large-scale changes in vegetation patterns across south-western Yunnan province and neighbouring Myanmar and Laos. It said an additional 40 bat species had moved into Yunnan during the past 100 years, bringing with them around 100 new coronaviruses. | IANS…

When current leader Jonas Vingegaard and defending champion Tadej Pogacar roll up the Champs-Elysees on Sunday, the cyclist in the yellow jersey will have endured an epic 21-day struggle for supremacy. Two-time defending champion Pogacar was billed as the nailed-on certainty in the run up, but for now the Slovenian sits second - 2.22 behind the Dane. Here, we looks at the factors most likely to settle the enthralling struggle. MENTALITY: Pogacar was dancing around playfully pouring water on stage winner Jasper Philipsen at the finish line on Sunday, like some teenager at a pool with his pals. On the same day, Vingegaard lost two teammates to injury. He also had to survive an early long range attack from his rival, but also a late fall. The Dane had…

Premiership teams are halfway through their pre-season preparations and are already building up a head of steam for what is expected to be one of the most interesting campaigns in recent years. AmaZulu are one of a number of teams that underwent massive changes with club president Sandile Zungu’s aspirations for the club clearly set. Zungu has made quite an impression since acquiring the status of Usuthu in 2020, frequently indicating his intent to uplift the Durban based-club towards higher honours, one that includes regularly competing for silverware. AmaZulu’s first-choice goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was one of the very first signings made by the club when Zungu arrived two years ago. The 31-year-old has revealed what has changed at the club since Zungu has been in charge. “He puts us under…

SUSPENDED ANC member Carl Niehaus says the campaign to have President Cyril Ramaphosa removed from office is gaining momentum, with many party members joining calls for his sacking. He was speaking following the march by dozens of ANC members to the Hawks headquarters in Durban yesterday. Ramaphosa has come under severe pressure after former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against him for not reporting a theft of $4 million from the Phala Phala farm in February 2020 and allegedly trying to cover it up. The march coincided with ANC eThekwini regional chairperson Zandile Gumede’s appearance at the Durban High Court yesterday. Niehaus said they were getting invites from other provinces to hold similar marches, and he was certain that by month-end the campaign would generate massive support. “Our…

WAS THIS golf tournament being played in the Karoo? No, it was the 150th Open, played at the Royal and Ancient at St Andrews, in Scotland. Sun-bleached dry grass, only the occasional smudge of green. Boy, it’s some heatwave they’ve been having in Britain. So different from the time I (ahem!) played at the Royal and Ancient about the same time of year. No, it wasn’t the Open. It was a last-minute thing. Motoring to Scotland with two buddies, all of us newly arrived in Old Blighty, we dropped in at the Royal and Ancient to pay our respects. To our astonishment, we discovered that outsiders could hire clubs and play a round. That’s what we did. We seemed the only ones on the course, which was not surprising.…

I wish I had the same enthusiasm for the James Webb outer space telescope as other people. There was a time when science meant everything to me. I used to draw my own comics in a serial form of: “Around the Planets in 80 days – starring The Falcon”. These types of serials that were circulated among primary and junior high school classmates and my many essays on the different planets, eventually resulted in my nickname “Space”. In the early eighties, I resigned from a lucrative job as an instruments engineer to teach physical science at various schools. My favourite topic was outer space and the speed of light, fascinating kids with the notion of seeing, with the naked eye, a star that wasn’t even there any more. I often…

Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh): Workers digging a toilet pit in a house in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh have unearthed gold coins from the British empire era, police said. The residents of the house and labourers kept quiet about the discovery last week. The police were alerted to the find at the weekend and officers seized the coins. The coins are dated from 1889 to 1912. Noor Jahan was having a pit dug for the construction of a toilet in her house. During the digging, the labourers found some coins in a copper vessel. According to the family, the labourers left work in the middle of the day. The next day, they returned and started digging again. In the meantime, a labourer told the woman’s son about the discovery. When…

As the country marks National Fertility Awareness Week, it has emerged that more than 15% of South Africans have had to deal with the issue at some point. The Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa said the awareness week from July 18 to 24 would culminate in the Fertility Show Africa 2022 at Sandton in Joburg, where various topics surrounding fertility would be discussed. The event is in its third year and is the only event of its kind on the continent. “It is suitable for anyone trying to conceive or on a journey to parenthood, and is free for all attendees – both online and at the live, in-person event,” the association’s director, Saskia Williams, said. She said different topics would be touched on every day leading to…

A Western Cape attorney has been convicted in the Bellville Serious Commercials Crimes Court of multiple charges of fraud after siphoning more than R3 million from his law firm’s trust account. Anthony Reynolds, 58, was convicted on Friday. The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Zinzi Hani, said Reynolds practised as an attorney between 2008 and 2018 and received funds on behalf of his clients which went into the firm’s trust account. He said the attorney did not use the funds for their intended purposes. Hani said a number of clients filed complaints with the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team. “An investigation by the Hawks revealed that Reynolds received proceeds from the sale of a number of immovable properties, but did not distribute the proceeds to his client. In another…

IT COULD cost more than R100 million to restore the Howick Falls tourist site to its former glory. Umngeni Muncipality mayor Chris Pappas recently revealed that to fix the dilapidated state of some of the facilities in and around the site, as well as make new improvements, the projects could cost in the region of R109m. Currently, it is the uMgungundlovu District Municipality that is tasked with the responsibility of reviving the site. Umngeni Municipality has expressed concerns that this process is not moving fast enough on the part of the district, and warned that it may take over the rehabilitation and invite private partners to partner with it on the restoration work. There are several phases to restore the site that was once one of the premier tourist…

Durban North ward councillor Shontel De Boer says the closure of the Hyper by the Sea post office and its merger with the Durban North post office is tragic and it will put strain on the existing post offices. The SA Post Office announced that the Hyper by the Sea branch would be integrated with the Durban North post office from Saturday, July 23. De Boer said it was sad to see this post office close, especially as the loss of the vehicle licence renewal service would be a blow to the community. “The post office has been there for decades and the residents are not happy about the closure and have pleaded with me to try to keep it open. The Durban North post office is not up to…

THE controversial statement made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that alcohol should be banned in townships and rural areas should not go unchallenged. The police boss made the remarks in the wake of mass killings at various drinking spots in Gauteng and KZN last week. A total of 20 patrons were killed at taverns in Sweetwaters, in Pietermaritzburg, and Orlando West in Soweto by gunmen who indiscriminately opened fire. To support the call for a ban of alcohol in townships and rural areas, Mkhwanazi said these areas had been identified as major crime hot spots. While it is a fact that townships and rural areas have a high crime rate, Mkhwanazi’s call for a total liquor ban is an easy way out of what is essentially a socio-economic problem.…

Russian shelling in battle-scarred east Ukraine yesterday left six dead, Kyiv said, as the country was reeling from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decision to sack two senior law enforcement officials. EU foreign ministers were convening meanwhile to discuss toughening sanctions against Moscow and the bloc’s foreign policy chief warned of the “life and death” consequences of Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports. Rescue workers in blue helmets could be seen digging through debris and clearing rubble from the collapsed remains of a two-storey building in Toretsk in the industrial east that was struck by Russian artillery yesterday. “Rescuers found and recovered the bodies of five dead people in total. Three people were rescued from the rubble and one of them died in hospital,” the emergency services said, adding that…

The death toll from tribal clashes triggered by land disputes in south-eastern Sudan’s Blue Nile State has risen to at least 64, medical sources said yesterday, with the long festering tensions spreading into some other states. A curfew was imposed in two major towns of Blue Nile State and security forces deployed following fighting between the Hausa and Funj tribes that began last week. Medical sources in the state capital Damazine said at least 64 people had been killed and hundreds injured, amid a severe shortage in emergency medical supplies. In the city of Roseires, also in Blue Nile, clashes continued yesterday with several houses burned, witnesses said. Others said large groups of people had begun moving in cars and on foot to neighbouring Sennar state. Members of the Hausa…

LAS VEGAS: Jennifer Lopez wore “a dress from an old movie” to her wedding to Ben Affleck. The Marry Me star tied the knot with Ben Affleck in Las Vegas at the weekend and she’s treated fans to a glimpse of the “best possible” day they could ever have imagined. Jennifer, who first got engaged to Ben in 2002 before they split in 2004 and rekindled their romance last year, shared details of the nuptials in her On the JLo newsletter, including some pictures and videos of her dress. In a clip showing off her classic, boatnecked gown, she said: “I’ve had this dress for so many years, and I’ve just been saving it, and now I’m wearing it on my wedding day.” While at the Little White Wedding Chapel,…

London: British MPs yesterday told the government there was “no clear evidence” that its controversial policy to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda would stop Channel crossings in small boats. The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee said “much more clarity” was needed on the plan, including the price tag. It said numbers crossing from France in inflatable dinghies had increased since the policy was first announced. It attributed this to “scaremongering” by people-smuggling gangs warning migrants about the law change. Over 28 500 people – mostly young men – arrived in 2021. Some 13 000 arrived this year out of 60 000 expected. | AFP…

The last time the All Blacks lost a home series was in 1994 against France; and two weeks later they took out their frustrations on the Springboks, bouncing back strongly to win a series 2-0, with one Test drawn. History has a strange knack for repeating itself, but let’s hope that is not the case when the latest All Black team to be hurting from a home series defeat — this time to Ireland — arrives in South Africa shortly for two Rugby Championship matches against the Boks in a fortnight’s time. I have a feeling though, that things will be different this time and that the Boks have the forward arsenal to see off the Kiwis in Nelspruit and a week later at Ellis Park, because what was evident…