Índex per 2022-11-09 a Star

THE SOUTH African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has confirmed that it will continue collecting e-tolls fees until the government decides otherwise. Sanral yesterday provided “clarity” on the next steps on Phase 1 of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme (GFIP), colloquially known as e-tolls. In a statement, Sanral said that the GFIP Phase 1 was funded as part of the toll portfolio and not as a ring-fenced project. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana last month announced that Sanral’s debt would be split 70/30 between the national and provincial governments, respectively. Sanral said the national government had affirmed that direct road user charges were the most effective, equitable and efficient way to finance road infrastructure. It said the decisions expected by the Gauteng government would include the treatment of legacy matters…

RENTAL property firm Hammerson’s share price surged almost 10% yesterday after it said rental collections had increased and were expected to improve even further. The shares traded at an intraday high of R4.87 but later closed lower at 7.32% up at R4.63. They have decreased by 21.02% in the past six months. In its third quarter trading, operational and rent collection update, the group said rent collections to date were at 93%. “Year-to-date, 221 leases have been signed, and this represents £17 million (R346.5m) of headline rent, 43% ahead of previous passing rent and 2% ahead of estimated rental value on a net effective basis.” More than half of leasing had been to non-fashion categories, including food and beverages, leisure and services. Best-in-class fashion brands and new concepts remained…

Disgruntled youth, women, veterans, alliance partners shun Ramaphosa IF ANC alliance partners have their way, President Cyril Ramaphosa will not be standing for a second term as party leader at the 55th party elective conference next month. This week, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national task team said it preferred Dr Zweli Mkhize to become president of the party. The ANC Women’s League was supposed to hold a press conference to announce its preferred candidate yesterday, but cancelled at the last minute. But insiders said it preferred Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma for the top job. At the same time, tripartite alliance partner SACP is considering entering the 2024 general election supported by Cosatu. The ANC Veterans League also hinted that Ramaphosa was not its preferred candidate. In a statement issued…

More than 1 000 matric learners failed to sit for their final year exams this week, due to violent protests that ripped through the Vosman area near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga. The protests, over a three-week water and electricity shortage, led to the N4 being shut down around Emalahleni, with three people reportedly being shot and injured. One 50-year-old woman died as a result. In the ensuing protests, children from six centres in the affected areas could not access their schools, leaving Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga with a serious decision to make. “The Department of Basic Education has noted with concern the continued community protests that are causing disruptions in the administration of the National Senior Certificate exams in some parts of the country. “At six centres in Nkangala District…

A TWENTY-five-year-old University Estate man says he was robbed of his dream of working for the police service after he was disqualified from writing an entry level test because of his tattoo. Joshua Obaray, who applied for the police trainee programme earlier this year, said he was hopeful for his future. “I applied to the programme and I received an invite to write the psychometric test. When I got there, they allowed us in but then they asked if there are any applicants with tattoos. There were about 10 to 13 of us. “We were sent to a room. Then a colonel came in, I can’t remember his name. The first thing he asked us was what did Minister of Police Bheki Cele say? Then straight after that he started…

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department said it has noted a video circulating on social media of a JMPD officer receiving about R1 800 from an unidentified motoroist. From the video footage, the officer in JMPD uniform is seen receiving money while sitting in a parked car. The motorist narrating in the video, while driving to the police officer and handing over the money, mentions repeatedly that he was going to handover R1 800 to the police officer. “I am going to enter his car now, and he is going to take the money,” the man says. As soon as he enters the police officer’s white vehicle, the stern officer asks him: “Why did you take so long?” JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said it was not known under what circumstances…

MUSIC lovers bore witness to the inaugural Tastic Heritage Festival, a magical and euphoric experience that was driven by heritage and diversity. Renowned artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai, alongside Ihashi Elimhlophe, Boom Shaka, Zoë Modiga, Dr Rebecca Malope, Black Motion, Thebe, The Soil, Trompies, Prince Kaybee, PJ Powers, demonstrated how cultural differences unite South Africans through music. Mazwai said: “There are several ways in which our culture, including our languages and cultural traditions, are vanishing. We need to stress such initiatives in our society and engage in them. Therefore celebrations like this one are fantastic in rekindling in people the desire to see themselves as joyful, jubilant individuals and to see their culture in a great, proud manner. “One of the factors that inspired me to get involved in…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed the timeline on when preservation orders were issued as part of its ongoing investigation into financial maladministration and corruption at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). Last week, IOL reported that famed actress Terry Pheto was one of the high-profile names implicated in the multimillion rand matter. The North Gauteng High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit a preservation order to seize items valued at more than R25 million. The NPA said nine luxurious residential estates in Pretoria, Centurion, Hartbeespoort and Johannesburg, one BMW 420i convertible and two Ocean Basket franchises worth more than R25m, were now under preservation. Others implicated include lawyer Lesley Ramulifho, Collin Mukondeleli Tshisimba, Fulufhelo Promise Kharivhe, AO Residence Trust represented by Mashudu Shandukani, Rasemate Family…

Professor Jasper Knight of Wits University’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, says earthquakes in South Africa are not a rare occurrence, however the two incidents of seismic activity in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend are unusual in location. On Sunday, the Council for Geoscience confirmed that an earthquake had occurred earlier that day. “At 9.29am, an earthquake registered a preliminary magnitude of 3.9 on the local magnitude scale as recorded by the South African Seismograph Network, with a preliminary epicentre in the Nkangala region of KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 40km north of Kokstad,” said spokesperson Mahlatse Mononela. The CGS said there was a separate earthquake on Saturday at 2.32pm. Mononela said the epicentre was approximately 40km north-east of Greytown and 30km east of Tugela Ferry, in KZN. “This earthquake also…

So much for being “a little bit smart now”, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos continues to contradict himself with his choice of opponents and selections. The silver-haired Belgian began his tenure last year, wasting no time in letting the football fraternity know he’ll mostly work with deserving youngsters. That decision yielded an impressive start to the World Cup qualifiers, before losing steam in the last match as Bafana failed to qualify for the finals – yet again. It was the beginning of a tough spell for the national team, which endured a four-match winless streak in all competitions. Lamenting the criticism he endured, Broos had a change of heart about the quality of his opponents and selections in the last Fifa break in September. He chose minnows Sierra Leone and…

Engineering and contracting group sells Australian investment for A$350m THE MARKET yesterday cheered the announcement by Murray & Roberts (M&R) that it had agreed to sell its Australian subsidiary, Clough, to Webuild for R4 billion as it pairs debt and secures an urgent working cash injection. The news sent its shares surging to an intraday high of R6.10, rising by a whopping 32%. The shares closed at R5.42 on the JSE yesterday. They have dipped by 57.22% in the past six months. Henry Laas, M&R group chief executive, said: “This is a critical step, as the ERI (energy, resources and infrastructure) platform is in immediate need of a significant cash injection to service their order book and commercial commitments, which Murray & Roberts is not able to provide.” Yesterday,…

US-BASED South African playwright Nadia Davids tells a compelling story of a family forced to confront generational traumas as a result of the ongoing worldwide refugee crisis in her latest theatre production, Hold Still, which is at the Baxter Theatre until November 19. At the helm of this production is celebrated South African choreographer and theatre-maker Jay Pather. Speaking to IOL Entertainment about her vision for the play, Davids shared: “As the writer, the text is my concern, and so I work to get that as sharp, focused, and polished as I can. “Then, I hand it over to the director and the cast. If it’s in the right hands, the staging reveals moments, themes, and connections that surprise even me. For a writer, it’s magic when this happens, and…

The SA Policing Union (Sapu) has rubbished remarks attributed to Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, saying police officers will not be allowed to take leave from December 5 until the end of January next year, in a bid to boost law enforcement over the festive season, which is often accompanied with a high crime rate. “Unilaterally to say no police officer will go on leave, that is irresponsible, unlawful and irrational. Policing always goes on. Maybe this is his first festive season, but he will come across our members on holiday at the beaches. They will go and greet him, saying ‘hi minister, we are on leave even though you said we are not supposed to go on leave’,” Sapu national spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. He said…

THE 23rd annual PlatAfrica jewellery design and manufacturing competition winners were announced during a gala awards ceremony at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on October 28. Hosted by Anglo American Platinum, Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, the awards contribute to showcasing local jewellery manufacturing and design talent and building a pipeline of talent in the South African platinum jewellery design and manufacture industry by promoting skills development among local jewellers, artisans and students. The competition supports local beneficiation of jewellery for global consumers through locally sourced quality platinum as a jewellery metal of choice. PlatAfrica winners receive a cash prize, media exposure and the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses-paid design workshop at PGI India to learn more about the design and manufacturing of platinum jewellery in…

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has confirmed that a nationwide strike would take place tomorrow. The announcement follows disagreements over wage increases. In a statement issued by the PSA, it said it was aware that the government intended to implement a meagre 3% salary increase for public servants, despite reaching a deadlock with unions on the matter. PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka told broadcaster eNCA that the union had at first demanded a 10% increase. However, they dropped to 6.5%. “We actually dropped our demands significantly, even leaving out many other demands, including housing and medical, among other things. We only concentrated on the percentage and we said we are willing to settle at 6.5%, which is way below inflation. “We all knew at the beginning of the year that the…

Certain South African thespians have now become beneficiaries of Lotto monies … How did we come to this as pigs from all walks of life continue feeding at the trough of decadence and corruption? Franchises, buildings, flashy cars and clothes, jewellery and all the finer things in life ... that ill-gotten gains can buy you. Sadly, the public in general continues to invest monies, daily, in this poorly managed and out of control, money-making trap in the hope of catching the jackpot. The trash of humanity who control these monies are sharing it with their friends, relatives and bimbos like Terry Pheto. The Lotto should immediately be suspended until administrative mechanisms are put in place to protect the South African public from these diabolical fools.…

It was strange to see Makazole Mapimpi named among the Springbok replacements for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille (10pm kick-off), as he has started each of his 34 matches up to now. The 32-year-old speedster from Tsholomnqa in the Eastern Cape has a fine record of 22 tries since making his debut against Wales in 2018, and is a deadly finisher whenever he is near the whitewash, and is also a solid defender. Bok coach Jacques Nienaber, though, made an interesting call in announcing his team yesterday with a back-three of Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse – with Mapimpi on the bench. Damian Willemse is still at flyhalf after battling with his kicking game last week, Faf de Klerk gets an opportunity at scrumhalf after an…

There may be no traditional Newlands New Year Test match to look forward to this season, but SA20 has filled the void for cricket lovers with a mouth-watering tournament opener between MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals on January 10 at the foot of Table Mountain. The much-anticipated tournament fixture list for South Africa’s latest attempt at a global T20 tournament was released yesterday, with 33 matches set to be played at six venues across the country. The SA20 follows in the footsteps of the abandoned T20 Global League and the now-defunct Mzansi Super League. SA20 – which is headed by former Proteas men’s captain and Cricket SA director of cricket Graeme Smith – does, though, have the all-important support of local broadcast partner SuperSport and Viacom18 Sports, who recently…

The 2022 World Cup starts in Qatar in 11 days’ time, and from this week, Independent Media will break down each group, and the contenders most likely to progress to the knockout stages. Today, Eshlin Vedan takes a look at Group C. Argentina This will be the final chance for a 35-year-old Lionel Messi to win the World Cup with Argentina. The South American giants have arguably their best squad since the turn of the century, and along with Brazil, are one of the pre-tournament favourites to win the event. Also, for the first time since pre-2010, Argentina have a team capable of beating the big guns of world football without the presence of Messi. Messi will receive support in attack from the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala,…

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s actions spoke louder than his words yesterday when he stuck with Damian Willemse at flyhalf for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille (10pm SA time kick-off). Nienaber talked a lot about the goal-kicking issues that cropped up in last week’s 19-16 loss to Ireland in Dublin, and while acknowledging the importance of scoring points with the boot, he did at least infer why he decided to keep faith with Willemse in the No 10 jersey. “If you have a flyhalf who can kick for goal, it’s awesome. But he must have a good attack, drive the forwards forward, drive the game for us. He must have a good defensive kicking game… he must spot space. If he’s required to go into a ruck or breakdown, he…

EMERGING economy leaders yesterday called for the developed world to fulfil its pledges and commitments toward financing initiatives aimed at dealing with climate change. The world leaders were delivering their national statements during the first part of the high-level segment of the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) in Egypt yesterday. COP27 is a gathering of UN member states who have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to well below 2ºC and work hard to keep the 1.5ºC, in a bid to limit global warming. The Paris Agreement outlines long-term goals that guide governments towards limiting the global temperature increase to well below 2°C, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5°C. According to a recent report by UK NGO Debt…

THE ANC in Ekurhuleni was the biggest loser during the council vote for the mayor yesterday. The EFF used its kingmaker status in the municipality to re-elect Tania Campbell of the DA as mayor less than three weeks after the red berets played an instrumental role in her removal. Yesterday, the EFF – which abstained in the vote of no confidence against Campbell on October 26 – turned its back on the ANC after the party refused to endorse its provincial party leader Nkululeko Dunga as mayor-elect. The EFF and ANC had been engaged in a series of meetings since the mayoral seat became vacant. Last week, a special council meeting could not elect a mayor after some ANC councillors defied their provincial leaders over the nomination of Dunga minutes…

A pastor has been sentenced on multiple charges, including rape, and sexual assault, in the Oudtshoorn Regional Court. The pastor, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victims, was convicted on three counts of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault, and 26 charges of child pornography. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the pastor indecently assault and raped a girl, 13, at his house, office and church in 2003. The victim reported the matter to the police in 2018. The pastor also sexual assaulted and raped his 14-year-old adopted daughter in his house, office and church. The victim also reported the matter to the police in 2018. “He was also convicted on 26 counts of child pornography after downloading images from the internet. He denied that…

The EFF in Gauteng has rejected the call to refund those who paid e-tolls, calling them “arrogant” companies and people who thought they were above society’s genuine call for e-tolls to be scrapped. The party said they were the kind of people and companies that collaborated with and conformed to the apartheid regime, simply because it was given legitimacy by law. The EFF said people and companies who could neither think nor empathise with the masses should never be rewarded for their elitist behaviour. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), last month announced the scrapping of e-tolls in Gauteng. Godongwana announced that Sanral’s R47 billion Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) debt was to be transferred to the national and Gauteng governments. The EFF’s Gauteng provincial…

The next phase of Dane van Niekerk’s return following a long-term injury is to get more game time ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. The Proteas women’s captain was involved in both of the team’s most recent training camps in East London, with coach Hilton Moreeng expressing his delight with her progress as she builds back to full fitness. “She did play a few of the intra-squad matches, which was good, but most important for her now is that we get match time into her legs,” said Moreeng. Van Niekerk suffered a fractured ankle in a freak accident at home a few weeks before last season’s 50-over World Cup. She was not part of the team’s tour to England, but did feature in a few matches for the…

A year before the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks’ scrumhalf cupboard looked bare and devoid of experience. It was a key department then-Bok coach Rassie Erasmus focused on to build depth in one of the most important positions in the South African team. The Boks’ game revolves around the No 9 making most of the decisions. History has shown that when they have a brilliant operator at the base of the scrum, they can be unstoppable if they have the upper hand upfront. In 1995, the Boks had the late Joost van der Westhuizen, who won a World Cup and was part of the class of South African stars that demolished all-comers in 1998. In 2007, the Boks had the maestro Fourie du Preez, who with his educated kicking…

Ben Stokes warned yesterday that England must nullify the threat of Suryakumar Yadav in their T20 World Cup semi-final against India, saying the batter has “set the world alight”. India and England clash tomorrow at the Adelaide Oval for a place in the final at the MCG against Pakistan or New Zealand. The top-ranked Indians have been riding high on Suryakumar’s batting exploits, with the middle-order batsman in sparkling form with three half-centuries in Australia and 225 runs. “Suryakumar obviously came in and set the world alight. He is a fantastic player, and plays some shots where you sort of just scratching the head sometimes,” England all-rounder Stokes said. “He is in great form, but hopefully we can try and shut him down and not allow him to get on…

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the country’s lower house of Congress, and dedicated the honour to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna. “I feel like now I’m one of you,” the Mercedes driver said in a crowded session of Congress packed with admirers in Brasilia days ahead of this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix on November 11 in Sao Paulo. Hamilton delighted Brazilians by unfurling the Brazilian flag from his Mercedes during the slowing down lap after winning the last year at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit and later carrying the flag onto the podium. The lower house passed in June a bill to make the 37-year-old an honorary citizen that was proposed by congressman…