Índex per 2022-09-15 a Star

In a surprise move, the IFP has recalled one of its members in the Johannesburg Municipal Council after it was discovered he had voted for the removal of the former speaker of council, Vasco da Gama. This is not the first councillor to be dealt with by a party belonging to the ruling coalition in the City of Joburg. ActionSA had also recalled and expelled a councillor who had failed to show up on the day that the legislature was deciding on the motion of no confidence against Da Gama. IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said Sbusiso Phakathi had reneged from a party decision not to support the motion of no confidence against Da Gama. Phakathi was brought in front of a disciplinary committee which found him guilty of bringing…

A NINETEEN-year-old from Makhaza, Khayelitsha, is still recovering in hospital after she was gang-raped and assaulted, allegedly by an ex-lover and his friends, while she was walking home from a friend’s house on Sunday. The teen has been admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital, where doctors are nursing her broken jaw and head injuries. Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said two suspects, aged 23 and 25, had been arrested and were in custody. “A rape case was registered after a 19-year-old girl from Makhaza was allegedly raped in the early hours of Sunday in 41 blocks Makhaza, Khayelitsha. “According to reports, a group of suspects accosted the victim and took turns raping her. Once charged, they are expected to appear in Khayelitsha Magistrate’s court,” said Van Wyk. The survivor’s father, whose…

OPPOSITION parties in the City of Joburg have called for the suspension of Environment and Infrastructure Services MMC Michael Sun following allegations of animal poaching and reports that there was a warrant for his arrest in Taiwan. An international news agency reported that a warrant of arrest had been issued for Sun in Taiwan for his involvement in the inflation of prices in relation to wildlife trade. It is understood that Sun facilitated numerous transactions involving wildlife trade. The animals involved included giraffes and zebras. In some instances these animals would be used for meals such as soup. The opposition bloc in the city council said it was horrified by the allegations. Al-Jama-ah leader, Thapelo Amad, said Sun had been accused of a very sophisticated crime. He called on mayor…

Gospel star Pulane Maphari has been stripped of her award after the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) recently withdrew the Sama best contemporary faith album award that was awarded to her last month at the Sama28 for Sacrificial Worship. In a statement shared with The Star, RiSA revealed that Maphari repackaged, renamed and paraded an album she released in 2020 as a new body of work and submitted it for 2021 consideration with the same track listing. According to RiSA, taking such actions is in clear violation of the rules of the Sama and equals an automatic disqualification. Under General Rules: Eligibility for Entry Clause 5.1 states that an album must contain not less than four tracks of previously unreleased recorded performances (remixes are excluded). Clause 5.2 says 50%…

The UK and European countries have generously opened their borders to those fleeing the Ukraine violence. But how on Earth will their suffering end when the same Western world continues to fuel the flames by flooding their country with indecent amounts of offensive weapons? Who are the beneficiaries from a war in Ukraine? Yemen has been under a deadly military assault by its rich Arab neighbours for the past seven years. Where is the sympathy, the empathy and the aid for them? Why has the conflict not ended? Are the beneficiaries the same in both conflicts? They certainly are: the American, French, and British armaments industries. While the world empathises with the Ukrainian people, starving and battle-scarred Yemeni women and children continue to be denied significant aid from the UK,…

Narendra Modi's BJP-led government has again come under fire from human rights organisations for abuse of power under India’s draconian anti-terror law known as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). In its ratings CIVICUS Monitor has graded civic space in India as “repressed” while accusing the Modi regime of relentlessly persecuting farmers, journalists, right to information activists, human rights defenders and other critics. As is the case with most “anti-terror” laws imposed by the US on many countries, the UAPA not only criminalises fundamental right to association but blurs the distinction between legitimate political dissent and downright criminality. Analysts point out that by criminalising civil rights and the voices of activists, “political dissent suffers major delegitimisation since particular ideologies, groups and beliefs are rendered criminal”. This is primarily the result…

Ten people were killed in a second day of air strikes on Ethiopia’s Tigray region yesterday, officials said, in attacks that came after authorities there expressed readiness for a ceasefire. Twin drone attacks hit a neighbourhood in Tigray’s capital Mekele, killing 10 and injuring more than a dozen others, two officials from the biggest hospital in the war-torn region said. The air raids follow an announcement by Tigrayan authorities on Sunday that they were ready for talks led by the AU to end almost two years of brutal warfare in northern Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government is still yet to officially comment on the overture, as the international community presses the warring sides to seize the opportunity for peace. “Death toll raised to 10,” Kibrom Gebreselassie, a senior official…

Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast that the upper catchments of the country’s eastern rivers may get affected due to increased flows in the coming days. According to a report, water flows may increase in the eastern rivers of Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab, and their associated tributaries and canals. The NDMA has notified officials to manage the evacuation of people from flood-prone areas, and the availability of shelter, food and medicines in those shelter camps. The death toll in Pakistan from this season’s monsoon rains since mid-June has risen to 1 481, with 12 748 injured. | IANS…

CRICKET South Africa start another new season for the sport with sponsors notably absent from all major domestic competitions. CSA’s ‘Summer of Cricket’ kicks off with an unglamorous Division 2 T20 Knockout competition that will be hosted in Pietermaritzburg and East London from September 30. The competition will also feature the SA Under-19 team, which is in desperate need of match time as it builds in the next World Cup cycle. As has become the norm for domestic competitions, all the tournaments are without sponsors – an indication of the economic hardships in SA that were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. CSA’s recent administrative problems didn’t help the situation either, and it is clear a lot of work is needed to rebuild relationships and trust. It was also notable that…

SOUTH African office and retail property vacancies are levelling off as more people return to the office and shop more, yielding good liquidity, Growthpoint Properties said yesterday. Growthpoint chief executive Norbert Sasse said the company was “steadily optimising our SA portfolio” on the back of a “strong balance sheet and good liquidity” across its segments. Its total dividend for the full year period to end June 2022 firmed by 8.4 percent to 128.4 cents per share while group property asset values grew by 5.2 percent to R160.8 billion. Soth African real estate investment trust funds from operations for Growthpoint ended the period 13.1 percent stronger at R5.3bn. It saw a 5.1 percent increase in distributable income per share of 155.6c for the reporting…

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is working around the clock to reclaim state property that landed in the wrong hands owing to corrupt government officials. The SIU and National Prosecuting Authority have obtained preservation of property orders for property associated with unlawful activity, perpetrated against state-owned land. The unit has vowed to proceed with civil litigation and to leave no stone unturned. It said corrupt officials had fraudulently transferred government properties to private persons and private entities. In an interview with a broadcaster yesterday, SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the state had lost access of R144 million due to these illegal transactions. “We have now preserved all four properties that we are talking about, one in the North West and three in Gauteng. We have also reserved about 17 bank…

The coronation of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is going ahead despite a last-minute court challenge by his half-brother, Prince Simakade Zulu, who wants him to be dethroned on the basis that the law was not followed in identifying Misuzulu as the king. Yesterday, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch and nation, announced that the coronation would take place at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on October 29. It is expected that the ceremony will be attended by international guests, including royal families from Africa and abroad. “On behalf of His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, it gives me tremendous pleasure to announce the date for the handing over ceremony of the certificate by the President of the Republic (Cyril Ramaphosa) to the King of the Zulu…

When the popular and much-loved music genre amapiano was introduced to the music scene many thought it would die down and be forgotten, but surprisingly it is showing no signs of slowing down, and neither are its artists. Music streaming giant Spotify has revealed the genre’s pre-eminent artists like Kabza De Small, whose latest album release shone on a billboard in Manhattan’s Times Square, make sure the sound stays alive in every corner of the country’s music scene. Last month, the genre dominated the Spotify Charts in the Top 5 Tracks and Top 5 Artists categories. Kabza De Small is also leading the pack on music that is making waves on Spotify, maintaining his consistency in the charts. The popular amapiano artist is placed on the top spot in the…

JISLAAIK, Elton Jantjies, Zeenat Simjee really scrambled your brains. You took your eye off the rugby ball, and now there’s a situation. My kombers en jou matras en daar lê die ding… (My blanket and your mattress and there lies the thing.) Ja nee, if you want to pomp en tjomp, you must be discreet because the South African paparazzi are always on the lookout for scandal. Let’s blame this lapse in judgement on Mbombela’s fresh air inspiring irrational carnal desires. The bed and breakfast establishment embroiled in the unsavoury behaviour could offer midweek packages for errant lovers. Imagine that: “Eat Elton’s aphrodisiac soufflé and you will score a try.”…

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign spanned 70 long years, making her the UK’s longest reigning monarch. From the early age of 26 to the ripe old age of 96, she was indeed a queen for all seasons. No Hollywood or Bollywood actress could ever rival her. She was the star attraction in London. Like bees to honey, world leaders from far and wide came to London to pay homage to her. Prime ministers, presidents and political and religious leaders, all loved to meet with the queen, to have tea or dine with her. She was an irresistible attraction. It was an honour to be in her presence, to bow down before her, shake her royal hands and say proudly, “I met the queen”. For tourists, too, Buckingham Palace is a must…

US president Joe Biden’s invitation to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet at the White House, and the latter’s acceptance, are positive signs of renewed co-operation. But they do not suggest a return to the 1990s era of heady optimism between the two countries. These two diverse democracies are currently too divided domestically, amid new and escalating tensions globally that affect Africa. These negatives, however, add weight to the importance of the Biden- Ramaphosa meeting in Washington on September 16. There are four reasons for its political significance. Two speak to the two countries having a common agenda: both presidents are committed democrats operating in hostile environments. They are also committed to forging mutually beneficial ties. But there are two prominent issues that could be divisive, and about which…

BEIJING: Powerful gales and torrential rains battered Zhoushan in eastern China yesterday as Typhoon Muifa made landfall at the port city in what local media called the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Yangtze River Delta in a decade. Muifa landed as a strong typhoon, with the maximum wind speed reaching 151km/h, powerful enough to damage homes, topple trees and down power lines. Muifa was expected to spin across Hangzhou Bay to make its second landfall near Shanghai, before continuing north. Flights at Shanghai’s Pudong and Hongqiao airports were cancelled as a precaution. | Reuters…

TUNIS: Tunisia’s government and a powerful labour union have agreed a public sector wage increase over the next three years, part of their talks on wider economic reforms aimed at securing a foreign bailout for state finances. UGTT union officials and a state news agency said yesterday that the agreement would lift wages for state employees by 3.5% a year from 2022-25, a move that could ease escalating social and economic tensions. Union officials said the deal will be signed today. It was not initially clear whether the deal would also include agreement on cuts sought by the International Monetary Fund. | Reuters…

The last time Tamara Dey released music was in 2020 when she worked with Mobi Dixon on her single Lock Me Up and now, in 2022, she is back with a new tune, Disco Therapy. Dey released Lock Me Up in the middle of lockdown, independently. She is signed to record label The David Gresham Record Company and she’s working on crafting a new sound. Disco Therapy is an infectious dance song. Dey told IOL Entertainment that she wanted to get everyone out of their pandemic slumber and dancing. “I’ve been wanting to make music that is just uplifting and really musical and timeless. I think the world has been through a lot and I found myself moving more towards music that had all those elements and was healing and…

ESKOM has justified calling out the City of Tshwane for non-payment of a staggering R1.6 billion debt, saying it had previously taken the same stance against other defaulting municipalities. The embattled power utility was responding to questions regarding its recent media statement in which it singled out the Tshwane metro for its outstanding debt while not mentioning other municipalities in the same financial trouble with the entity. This was in light of the information that there were at least eight municipalities with outstanding debt for bulk power supply, and the metro was not the worst debtor as of July 20, 2022 when the parastatal published the media statement. Gauteng finance and e-government MEC Nomantu Nkomo- Ralehoko highlighted information regarding defaulting municipalities in written responses to questions posed at the legislature.…

Much as one would like to take pride in the government’s efforts to grow South Africa, the unfortunate facts speak differently. But, alas, how can it be different if the so-called top level politicians spend (or waste) their time in Parliament on rabble-rousing on negative issues. The majority of opposition parties believe that their duty as servants of South Africa is to harp on the president’s apparent (officially) unreported major financial loss through theft. The lame duck president appears to have forgotten that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”. The official unemployment rate in South Africa exceeds 30% while the extended rate (ie, no longer counting those who have lost all hope of ever being employed) exceeds 44%. Whilst all this talk goes on there is a…

I WILL, and have been, the first to admit I am a massive fan of the Springbok squad; and that it has real nation-building qualities. Siya Kolisi stands as one of the greatest Bok captains of all times, if not one of the most important. The role he has fulfilled as a leader has instilled hope in many South Africans, which is priceless. Many players within the Bok set-up are role-models we can aspire to – Makazole Mampimpi, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche spring immediately to mind. Meanwhile, the SA Rugby director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus – flawed as he can be – is a national treasure. Which brings me to Elton Jantjies, who is alleged to have had an affair with the Bok dietitian. He denies such claims. I…

THE withdrawal of Sibusiso Phakathi as an IFP councillor in the City of Joburg yesterday is an example of how tricky governing through coalitions can be. Phakathi voted in support of a motion of no confidence against the speaker of council, Vasco da Gama, thereby defying his party’s decision not to support the vote. Phakathi’s removal is part of the bigger political circus on display in Joburg and other metros nationally. There is a legal battle involving the council’s chair of chairs, Colleen Makhubele – a Congress of the People councillor – who appointed herself the council’s acting speaker. The court however on Tuesday declared she was not the acting speaker and therefore could not call a council meeting. The contest for the council’s second-most powerful position is red-hot. Of…

Washington: US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced legislation that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy across the country. The bill would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks gestation except in situations involving rape, incest, or risks to the life and physical health of the mother. Graham said that the measure “will put the United States abortion policy in line with other developed nations”. In June, the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v Wade legislation, which eliminated the constitutional protection of abortion rights for women. | IANS…

VETERAN coach Gavin Hunt is on a mission to prove his doubters wrong. Hunt will be looking to lead SuperSport United to their fourth consecutive Premiership victory on Saturday as they travel to FNB Stadium to face Kaizer Chiefs. After a slow start to the season, SuperSport’s rejuvenation has seen them move up to sixth on the league standings. A win against Chiefs could see them potentially move into the top four. Hunt’s return to SuperSport at the start of the campaign was met with scepticism by many. While he won three league titles with the club between 2007-2010, many suggested that he was past his best as a coach and that his tactics are outdated given his recent unsuccessful spells in charge of Chiefs and Chippa United. While Hunt…

DAN ‘Dance’ Malesela’s reported resignation from Royal AM has cast new doubts over the fashionable system of co-coaching in the Premiership. Yesterday news broke that Malesela was set to depart his post as one of the club’s three co-coaches and is rumoured to be heading back to Marumo Gallants. The 57-year-old mentor’s decision to leave Thwihli Thwahla sent shockwaves throughout the football fraternity, poking further holes into the pedigree and success of technical teams currently employing the ‘co-coaching’ structure. In the 10 months Malesela spent at the Bahlabane Ba Ntwa last season, he spearheaded their charge up the table and eventually finished in 10th on the DStv Premiership log and claimed the runners-up medal in the Nedbank Cup, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns. Malesela was thereafter shockingly released at the end…