Inhaltsverzeichnis für 2024-01-11 in Mercury

HOSKEN Consolidated Investments (HCI) said yesterday that its associate investment Impact Oil and Gas had entered into a farmout agreement with TotalEnergies in two Namibian offshore oil and gas exploration blocks, which are being brought into production. HCI is a 49% shareholder in UK-based oil and gas prospecting private company, Impact Oil and Gas. Impact is a 20% and 18.89% participant in Blocks 2913B and 2912, offshore Namibia, respectively. “This is a pivotal transaction for Impact that paves the way for its transition from an exploration company to a hydrocarbon producing company, through its participation in the development of the world-class Venus discovery,” Impact CEO Siraj Ahmed said in a statement on its website yesterday. The agreement provides Impact with a carry loan for all of Impact’s remaining development, appraisal…

Looking to spice up your gastronomic life? Well, look no further than chutneys. Besides being easy to prepare, these healthy accompaniments perk up the simplest of meals. Chutney is versatile and goes with loads of meals. It is used to provide balance to an array of other dishes or to highlight a specific flavour profile. Part of the condiment family, chutneys originated in South Asian cuisine but grew in popularity across the globe. Made from a blend of fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables that are either cooked down or blitzed together in their raw form. The ingredients are seasoned with spices that uplift every element for a sauce, making it the perfect accompaniment to savoury dishes. The roots of chutney date back as far as 500 BC in India. Bottling…

ANC members and political experts have questioned Fikile Mbalula’s suitability for the position of the party’s secretary-general (SG) following public utterances that have “undermined” and “damaged” the party at its most critical period. Mbalula has come under fire after he revealed that the ANC had lied in Parliament to cover-up that millions of rand in public funds were spent improperly on upgrading former president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home. During a recent press briefing Mbalula said the party’s MPs had lied to Parliament, saying a swimming pool was a fire pool. Mbalula’s comments were in response to Zuma’s announcement that he would be joining the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Analysts told The Mercury that public statements that have triggered internal spats between members, have distracted from the party’s birthday celebrations this…

Lies girls are fed and often appear to believe: Your body is more important than your brain, therefore focus on your body, not your brain. Your body will get you further than your brain. Your body is bait. Use it well for a fine catch (riches, status – things you can’t get alone). Other people are more important than you. You are on Earth to serve, particularly all males. Once a husband finds you, your greatest calling is to be a mother. If you have other ambitions you will compromise your mothering. Your only worthwhile ideas pertain to cooking, cleaning and childcare; leave thinking about sciences, technology and mathematics to males. Once you are in love you will give up yourself for your husband and your children. This is what…

The letters by L Oosthuizen and John Whitlock recently, based on untruths and distortion of history in support of apartheid Israel, cannot go unchallenged. To obtain a factual and unbiased report of the sad state of affairs, vis-à-vis the Palestinians, I suggest one studies the publication via Google viz: “The origin of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict” produced by Jews for Justice in the Middle East (Berkley CA, 2001). In summary, it traces its roots to the birth of Zionism in the 1890s, with its quest for a Jewish homeland which was later supported by Britain in the form of the infamous Balfour Declaration of 1917. Palestine, a country inhabited by almost 800 000 inhabitants, was chosen; yet it and other Arab states had been promised independence because they had allied themselves…

A South African African Defence Force (SANDF) member, accused of killing his wife in their Pinetown home this month, has appeared in court. Lwanda Mxolisi Zungu made his first appearance in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court this week. He is due back in court next week. On January 3, it was reported that Tania Msane Zungu was shot dead in her home in Padfield Park in Pinetown. ALS Paramedics’ Garrith Jamieson said paramedics arrived on the scene to find SA Police Service and private security companies already parked outside the home. “Paramedics were shown inside the house, where a female was found to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” Jamieson said. He said she died at the scene. The couple’s children, aged 15 and 13, and Tania’s mother were in the house…

More than 900 organisations including countries and prominent individuals are backing South Africa’s monumental genocide case against Israel. Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), Clayson Monyela, said the country’s significant legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), scheduled for today in The Hague, has garnered global attention. “Add #Venezuela, #Maldives & over 900 global movements, unions, political parties & organisations to the list. Senior leaders & politicians in Spain, Israel, Belgium etc have also publicly declared their support for South Africa’s case at the ICJ against Israel. “Over 900 movements, unions, political parties and other organisations calling on states to support South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel,” Monyela tweeted on Tuesday. It is reported that the ICJ will today and tomorrow host public hearings…

Over three weeks there were 1 390 reported murders and attempted murders in South Africa. Police said they had also recorded 8 001 assaults with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) cases, which was the leading offence among all crimes committed between December 17 last year and January 7. Further to this, 1 252 incidents of rape and 2 812 common assault cases were reported. There were also 3 973 people arrested for being found in possession of drugs. These were the grim statistics shared by the national police ministry on Tuesday, with National police commissioner Fannie Masemola adding that more than 40 000 people were arrested. “It is encouraging to note that from the peak of the holiday season in December to January 7, police have strengthened their…

Real estate professionals say while the Western Cape is drawing in luxury home buyers from Gauteng and abroad, South African expats are also snapping up property in the country’s economic powerhouse. Expats are returning to South Africa in droves and are not all settling in the Western Cape, according to Rory O’Hagan, Chas Everitt International’s principal in Hyde Park and Sandton. “A very large percentage is actually buying homes in Gauteng, and in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg in particular. We receive enquiries daily from South Africans of all ages who have been living and working abroad, sometimes for years, but are now returning to Johannesburg to take up corporate jobs or to establish new businesses.” Most of these expats, he said, were highly-skilled individuals with years of experience. Their…

The Global South gains momentum as the world moves faster towards multipolarity From December 27 to 28 last year, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in China. It was pointed out at the conference that given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. What is an equal and orderly multipolar world? Multipolarity is a fundamental trend in today’s world. Changes unseen in a century are accelerating, the dynamics of international forces are being profoundly adjusted, the Global South is gaining momentum, and the world is moving faster towards multipolarity. The accession of the AU to the Group of 20 (G20) is a vivid example…

Anti-apartheid photojournalist Dr Peter Magubane has been described as a real “Mkhonto” who used his camera instead of guns and spears to help bring down the cruel apartheid regime. Words such as distinguished lensman, fearless journalist, freedom fighter, stubborn, courageous, funny, charming, steadfast, intense and a true Capricorn were used to describe one of South Africa’s best-known Struggle photojournalists, who used his camera to expose to the world the brutal impact of the apartheid regime. President Cyril Ramaphosa accorded Dr Magubane a special provincial official funeral category in recognition for his contribution to the Struggle against apartheid. Ramaphosa, speaking at his funeral service at the Bryanston Methodist Church, recalled how Magubane used milk cartons, hollowed-out bread and bibles to conceal his camera in order to capture pictures to show the…

More than two years after a fire halted the operation of the largest conveyor belt at the Richards Bay Bulk Terminal, it is back to working order and will help alleviate truck congestion leading to the northern KwaZulu-Natal port. Last year, The Mercury reported on the significant truck traffic to the port that led to Transnet Port Terminals suspending the processing of trucks carrying coal. The conveyor belt has been out of operation since a major fire damaged three conveyor belts in 2021. Managing executive at the Richards Bay Terminals Thulasizwe Dlamini said that 400 coal trucks will be off the road due to the conveyor belt returning to operation. “The 2.2km conveyor belt has an output of more than three million tons per year. “The conveyor belt is able…

The SACP unwaveringly reiterates its position for the state to continue expanding access to college and university education and training for students from working-class and poor backgrounds, including through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Our position as the SACP is that the disbursement of NSFAS funds must be an exclusive preserve of the state, ideally through a state bank or a public development finance institution – with no involvement of private service providers. To set the record straight, the SACP has never approached or delegated any person to approach any entity, public or private, to request funds illegitimately. We both reject and denounce the allegation that NSFAS funded the party, with the contempt it deserves. The SACP has never received any funding in return of any favour…

While more than 70 000 beneficiaries are still waiting to receive their January social grants from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), the agency has blamed this failure on yet another glitch – the alleged misinterpretation or failure to verify beneficiary banking details. In September last year, another glitch left hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries without payment for weeks, and the fear for many of the unpaid child support grant recipients are that they would only receive their funds in February, if at all. For many mothers, the child support grant is their only income and Sassa’s payment failure places additional strain on them at the start of the school year when they have to purchase school uniforms, shoes and other supplies – never mind ensuring that their children…

More than 150 000 South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries did not receive their grants this month due to submitting erroneous banking information. National Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said it had received numerous calls from affected beneficiaries. Letsatsi confirmed that the number of affected beneficiaries remains at just above 150 000. He said this was due to incorrect banking details provided when beneficiaries were applying for grants or changing their methods of payment. This included the spelling of names or a change of surname following a marriage. “Sassa urges recipients to provide correct banking details when they apply for their social grants for the first time or when they amend their details,” he said adding that incorrect banking details may delay payment. Letsatsi further explained that bank verification was…

Ladysmith residents say the constant flooding and power outages were having a severe impact on the town. Angie Sheoraj, a resident in Ladysmith, said that residents were all affected by the floods. “I live very close to town and I’m lucky that my house is built above ground level so I don’t have the problem of water coming into my house but lots of people do. It’s also very difficult for people who work in town because every time it gets flooded the businesses close, which means no money for staff.” Another resident Rohini Devik Ram said that where she stays it always gets flooded. “Storm water drains are stuffed up and sewage is flowing all over. We are a low-lying area and get flooded first. We find fish and…

The 23-man Bafana Bafana squad selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations are finally pleased with their bonus settlement with the South African Football Association (Safa). According to national team captain Ronwen Williams, all parties have agreed to a deal that is to everyone’s satisfaction ahead of the kick-off of the continental showpiece. A lot of discussions were held in recent weeks regarding the players’ remuneration packages after Banyana Banyana’s spat with Safa ahead of their Fifa Women’s World Cup trip last year. However, it appears that Safa have avoided a similar issue this time round by handing Bafana an acceptable payment structure after a turbulent past 12 months. Speaking to the media on Tuesday in Johannesburg, Williams confirmed the team’s satisfaction and switched focus to matters on the…

Severe organisational challenges and poor working conditions pose a constant roadblock for traffic police in their work, compromising the safety of South Africa’s roads. Traffic departments have disorganised operational structures, preventing traffic officials from having a strategic, co-ordinated approach to policing our roads, and limiting their efficiency and impact. Additionally, they face unacceptable working conditions and con- ditions of service as they serve on the front lines to protect our communities and save lives. In response, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has proposed recommendations for the government to implement with urgency, beginning with nationalising the various traffic police and standardising their benefits and conditions of service. Popcru has identified the following issues and possible solutions to improve traffic officers’ efficiency and provide them with the support they…

THE EFF in the eThekwini Municipality wants the terms of reference of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) amended to ensure the committee has the capacity to hold errant officials accountable. Committee chair and EFF councillor Thami Xuma said the party had drafted a motion that called for changes to the committee. It plans to submit the motion to the office of speaker Thabani Nyawose. The motion, which is in a draft phase, is being scrutinised by the party’s legal experts to determine if it’s possible to amend the terms of reference of the committee. The motion reads: “The EFF Leadership in eThekwini believes that the institutional mechanisms of MPAC as a structure of accountability remains inherently weakened and therefore recommends that the Terms of Reference and mandate…

A fellow crashed his car outside a Bass Pro Shop – fishing, hunting, boating and sporting gear – in Leeds, Alabama, in the US. But, according to Associated Press, he took the sporting side of things a little too far. He went inside the shop, stripped down to his birthday suit and plunged into the giant aquarium that is inside. It happened in front of startled shoppers. The fellow then did a “cannonball” leap into the aquarium, then stood under a waterfall. He left the water to yell at two officers, then dived back in. He eventually climbed over the side of the aquarium and fell to the concrete floor below. Police arrested him. He faces several charges including public lewdness, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Yes, sporting behaviour indeed.…

It is sad and disgusting the way politicians are so shameless and unethical. The secretary-general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, is reported to have revealed recently in a public platform that the ANC “lied and misled” Parliament to shield former president Jacob Zuma when he was confronted with challenges to explain the pool at his residence in Nkandla. What Mbalula does not realise is that with such an admission, if he had any scruples, he and his fellow travellers should resign from their posts for having engaged in this malfeasance. It is shocking that he thinks he can just admit this and go on as if nothing has happened as he believes he is telling the truth. Indeed, what is very disturbing is that if he can own up to…

WHILE a shotgun marriage is easy to achieve, a quick divorce, especially where there are financial disputes, is not that easy to obtain, a man who is suffering from stage four liver cancer found out. He approached the court on an urgent basis for a quick divorce as he wanted the “stress and shame” of being married to his wife out of his way as soon as possible. The man approached the Western Cape High Court via an urgent application and said that if he did not obtain a decree of divorce imminently, he would continue to be under undue strain in his day-to-day life. He wanted to move on with his life and have closure with the respondent, his wife. According to him the stress and shame of being…

Police have arrested five men, aged between 23 and 37, in connection with the murder of an Ermelo, Mpumalanga farmer. Jannie Weideman's body was discovered in the living room of his home by a neighbour in December. Police said Wiedeman's wife alerted the neighbour when she could not reach her 59-year-old husband. The wife had been away visiting family in Middleburg at the time. “Police in Ermelo were notified about the gruesome discovery, and an investigation was immediately instituted in order to trace the perpetrators,” said provincial spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli. He said during the farm attack, a safe for a rifle as well as jewellery worth more than R300 000 were taken. “A Toyota Hilux was also taken, and the vehicle was found abandoned in Breyten. The battery was…

South Africans, particularly the youth, have been urged to use the final and second round of the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) voter registration weekend on February 3 and 4, to register to vote in the general elections. The IEC said after the first registration weekend on November 18 and 19 last year, the voters’ roll contained 26.8 million voters, with 568 374 registering for the first time in that period. It said it was hopeful that the second registration weekend would build on and surpass the satisfactory turn-out recorded in November. Citizens aged 16 years and older can register to vote using a South African identity document (ID), either a green barcoded ID book, smartcard ID or a valid temporary ID certificate. “When registering, voters will need to…

THE National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) turned to the Labour Court in Johannesburg when hundreds of Dis-Chem workers were fired after a violent strike in 2019. About 800 workers lost their jobs at the time after they were found guilty of misconduct. This case concerned the fairness of the dismissal of 285 of those employees, all Nupsaw members. Between November 2018 and April 2019, approximately 2 500 Dis-Chem workers went on strike, which was marred by widespread violence. The union asked the Labour Court to review and set aside the arbitration award issued by a commissioner which earlier found the dismissals to be fair. It asked the court to remit the matter back to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for a rehearing…

THAT the ANC, on its 112 anniversary, is more preoccupied with party internal squabbles than how it plans to fix the mounting challenges – some of them historical – confronting the country should be enough reason for South Africans to look elsewhere insofar as who governs the country after this year’s elections. The divisions playing out in public suggest that the party which once carried the hopes and aspirations of the majority of this country, as demonstrated in the first democratic elections in 1994, no longer has a good story to tell. Nor does it have a clue about how to fix the challenges that South Africans long to have resolved. Perhaps it’s asking too much or being naive to think that the same people who have created the problems…