Indice dei contenuti per 2023-05-04 in Cape Times

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said the government was looking at all options to amend the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the country. This comes after the Presidency made an about-turn following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement last week that the ANC took a resolution to withdraw from the ICC. South Africa is caught in a difficult position as Russian President Vladimir Putin, against whom the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest, was due to visit the country as part of the BRICS summit later this year. Addressing the justice and correctional services portfolio committee on Tuesday, Lamola said South Africa was party to the Rome Statute of the ICC when it was ratified in 2000. He said the central feature…

“CELEBRITY” doctor Nandipha Magudumana was all smiles and blowing kisses as she appeared in court yesterday with five others over the elaborate escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. Magudumana appeared alongside Senohe Matsaora, Teboho Lipholo, Buty Masemola, and recently arrested former G4S control room operators Tieho Makhotsa and Anastassja Jansen, in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court. The case was postponed to May 11 and 12 for bail application after the State said they needed time to familiarise themselves with the case against Makhotsa and Jansen. “In respect of accused number one, three, four and six, the state was ready for bail application, until these new developments where accused seven and eight had to be added. “I must indicate that prior to us coming to court we had a little…

Housing in province in sharp decline HOUSING provision in the province has been on the decline over the past decade, with less housing opportunities made available annually to beneficiaries who have been on waiting lists for nearly three decades. A recent response to a parliamentary question posed to the provincial infrastructure department showed that housing opportunities have declined by about 4 000 since 2013 - where during the 2021/2022 financial year, a total of 11 451 housing opportunities were made available and in 2013/2014, 15 209 housing opportunities were made available in the province. MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, confirmed that 5 204 serviced sites were built and 6 247 houses were built in the 2021/2022 financial year. During 2013/2014 financial year, 2 528 serviced sites and 12 681 houses…

A young man who never troubled his family, but instead was respectful, humble and loved education. This is how the family of 22-year-old Kamva Dasi remembered their son whose life was “cut too soon”. The mourning family, friends, fellow students, UWC management and staff gathered at the ResLife Dining Hall yesterday where Dasi was honoured at a memorial service. The day started with an emotional wreath-laying ceremony led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius, and Student Representative Council president Mandla-Onke Notyawa near the new Unibell Residence where the third-year student was shot and killed on Saturday night during an armed robbery. Pretorius had to console Dasi’s friends, who struggled to contain their tears as they looked at the spot where their friend took his last breath. Dasi’s murder has sent shock…

Parliament should not delay the establishment of a portfolio committee to play an oversight role over the Presidency. Last week, the rules committee decided to set up a task team that will embark on a study tour to check how other countries have oversight on the Presidency. This after the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) indicated that its analysis had shown that in many instances the performance indicators of the Presidency were not included in the annual performance plan. “The question is thus whether not having an oversight mechanism or committee on the Presidency denies Parliament access to these reports and prevents MPs from engaging with the accounting officer,” reads a PBO presentation. While noting that various jurisdictions use a permanent or an ad hoc committee to play oversight on the…

ANC MP Faiez Jacobs is correct in asserting that the ANC needs to embrace minorities in South Africa in order to expand its support base and ensure its continued relevance in the political landscape. The party’s recent history has seen a loss of diversity and inclusivity in its leadership echelons, which has left minorities feeling ignored and unrepresented by the party. By returning to its non-racial roots, the ANC could attract a wider range of views and ideas, which would only benefit the party’s growth and development. It’s important to recognise that the ANC has been responsible for dividing the country by continuing to emphasise race. Today’s generation is less concerned with race-based politics and more concerned with things like opportunities, service delivery, quality education, and so on. In prioritising…

VATICAN: Pope Francis yesterday spoke to a top member of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) days after the pontiff made a comment about the Vatican being involved in a mission to try to end the war in Ukraine. Metropolitan (bishop) Anthony, effectively the ROC’s number two, was given pride of place at Francis’s general audience in St Peter’s Square and then was the first taken to greet the pope at the end. The pontiff spent longer chatting with Anthony than with others. On a recent return from a trip to Hungary, Francis was asked whether Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and ROC officials could accelerate a Ukraine peace process and arrange a meeting between the pope and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “There is a mission on course now … When…

Geneva: The likelihood of El Nino developing later this year is increasing, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said yesterday. This would have the opposite impacts on weather and climate patterns in many regions of the world to the long-running La Nina and would likely fuel higher global temperatures. There is a 60% chance of a transition from ENSO-neutral to El Nino during May-July 2023, and this will increase to about 70% in June-August and 80 % between July and September, according to the update. El Nino events are typically associated with increased rainfall while El Nino can also cause severe droughts. | IANS…

Washington: US drugmaker Eli Lilly yesterday announced its experimental Alzheimer’s drug significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline, results hailed as “remarkable” by experts. In a placebo controlled trial of nearly 1 200 people with early forms of the disease, donanemab slowed the progression of symptoms by 35% over 18 months, as measured by their ability to carry out daily tasks like managing finances, driving, engaging in hobbies and conversing about current events. This follows a 27% reduction in decline found for Biogen and Eisai’s lecanemab, and approved by the US in January. Lilly said it would rapidly submit its results to the US Food and Drug Administration. | AFP…

A boy gunned down fellow pupils in a Belgrade school yesterday morning in a pre-planned attack, shooting dead eight plus a security guard and wounding seven others, Serbian officials said. Using two handguns that belonged to his father, the 14-year-old fired first at the guard and three girls in the hallway and then entered a history class and shot the teacher and classmates, police said. The teacher and six pupils were hospitalised, some with life-threatening injuries. Veselin Milic, head of Belgrade police, said the attacker had two guns and two petrol bombs and had planned everything carefully. “He even had ... names of children he wanted to kill and their classes,” he told a press conference. Police said a seventh-grade student had been arrested after confessing to the shooting. An…

AT THE END of March this year, South Africa’s headline consumer inflation had risen for the second month in a row to 7.1% year-on-year from 7% in February, according to Statistics South Africa. Since peaking at 7.8% in July 2022, inflation has remained stubbornly high, putting ongoing pressure on retirees’ incomes. The effects of inflation should be factored in when choosing a product to provide an income throughout retirement. Inflation is typically measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which relates to a basket of goods that an average person will buy. But in retirement, it is important to recognise that a pensioner may also experience different types of inflation, like medical or lifestyle inflation (the rising medical or lifestyle costs associated with ageing), which can be greater than CPI.…

with barbed wire around to prevent invasion. “It seems to be a problem. People are invading open spaces to live, with even small children cooking food on the side of pavements. The situation is dire and is no longer a legal battle but has become a game of politics among authorities. Nobody wants to be held accountable, while vast spaces of open land stand vacant. Why can’t they make land available?” Whyte asked. The City said: “Not enough time has been provided for the City to get accurate consolidated figures over two financial years. In the absence of this, it is thus important to acknowledge that the City’s Human Settlements Directorate has in the past financial year spent more than 97% of its budget. “The housing delivery includes a range…

Just ONE municipality out of more than 100 has so far applied for debt relief assistance from the National Treasury, despite billions owed to Eskom. This came to light during a virtual media workshop on the municipal debt relief circular yesterday. The circular for the 2023/24 medium- term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) is part of a package designed to resolve Eskom’s financial and debt crisis. The circular aims to present a solution to defaulting municipalities’ failure to pay for electricity, and to address the consumer culture of not paying for services. Last month, the South African Local Government Association (Salga) welcomed the intervention, adding that municipalities owed Eskom R56.3 billion as of December 31 last year, while municipalities were owed R306bn. The Treasury said it was planning roadshows across…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana said yesterday that the National Treasury was in support of the 18% electricity tariff increase for municipal customers that will be effective from July because it was reflective of Eskom’s costs. Godongwana said he supported the tariff in the current economic environment precisely because he was dealing with Eskom debt. “It is quite important that in doing so Eskom moving forward become viable. I know it costs the economy but at the same time there is a need to balance the cost to the economy and the survival of the institution,” he said. Godongwana was responding during an oral question-and-answer session in the National Assembly. “The position I occupy suggests that I take a particular view precisely because of the financial sustainability I need…

A VIBRANT virtuoso trio of artists are preparing to present a programme of famous arias and much-loved duets by Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini and other classical music greats this weekend. Soprano Lynelle Kenned, with tenor Luvo Maranti and the acclaimed Stefan Lombard on piano, will present Songscapes, on May 7, at 3pm at Christ Church Constantia, as part of the Christ Church Concerts event. Kenned and Lombard have long shared a special connection and are firm favourites among local audiences. Their collaboration started in 2014 with the UK tour of Cape Town Opera's Showboat. They have since jointly worked on various productions, which include David Kramer's Orpheus in Africa, Valentines under the Stars, Divas Unite and the Cape Philharmonic Community Gala Spectacular Concerts. They have developed a diverse repertoire suited to…

The mother of an 8-year-old boy whose neck was cut with a blade, allegedly by another pupil at a Grassy Park primary school, said she was not happy that the disciplinary process was being dragged out. The mother from Ottery said it wasn’t fair that a month had passed since the incident, while the Grade 3 pupil still attended the same school. Her son was standing in a queue waiting to wash his hands when the other pupil allegedly cut him. The mother, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of her child, said the situation was taking a toll on her son. “The last time we attended the school hearing, the child who stabbed my son was asked several questions which he lied when responding to, and…

Construction of a new school in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, has come to a grinding halt, with the provincial education department putting the blame on local football clubs. The first phase of the construction of the school was to be completed by January 18. Answering a legislature question recently, Education MEC, David Maynier said no capital expenditure was spent on the construction. “No construction has as yet taken place on the Blueridge PS (phase 1A) project due to the intimidation of personnel, vandalism and destruction of construction materials by members of the Oostenberg Football fraternity opposed to the proposed development,” said Maynier. However, local football clubs have denied this was the case, and they were being “painted in a bad light for their shortcomings”. A footballer and coach in the community, who…

The always-on, always-connected world implies we constantly communicate irrespective of our current state of mind. We surf social media when bored, happy, distracted, or angry. Each of these moods affects the type and level of our engagement. Every one of these engagements has the potential for embarrassment. Bored or excited people seeking attention may post carelessly, sparking a viral flame, and the digital world could converge on them. Your online engagement creates what we call a digital footprint. This digital footprint is often trackable, which means people can develop a profile of your online digital twin. This is what your future employer will look at, asking: “Does this person’s online behaviour fit into our company culture?” If not, you will not even make the shortlist. You are what you post.…

The UN called yesterday for security guarantees at “the highest level” to ensure desperately needed aid deliveries in conflict-torn Sudan, after six trucks carrying food aid to the Darfur region were looted. The UN’s top humanitarian official Martin Griffiths insisted on the need “to be sure we have the commitments publicly, clearly given by militaries, to protect humanitarian systems to deliver”. “We will need to have agreement at the highest level and very publicly,” he said via video link from Sudan. Griffiths arrived in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast early yesterday on an urgent mission to find ways to bring relief to the millions of Sudanese affected by the conflict that erupted nearly three weeks ago. Griffiths said he had been informed by the UN’s World Food Programme…

NEW YORK: A guitar smashed on stage by Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain is going under the hammer in the US later this month. The guitar has been put back together, but is no longer playable, said Kody Frederick of Julien’s Auctions, which expects it to fetch $80 000. “You can see the break that took place as he slammed down the guitar, where the neck here kind of connects, as well as on the bottom,” Frederick said. The auction, which opens in New York from May 19, includes a set list hand-written in pink marker for a 1991 gig in Seattle. It is expected to go for up to $6 000. | AFP…

BRASILIA: Brazilian police yesterday raided former president Jair Bolsonaro’s home and seized his cell phone as part of an investigation into his Covid-19 vaccination records. The investigation may answer questions about how Bolsonaro, who vowed never to get a Covid-19 vaccine, was registered as vaccinated in health records. The probe is one of many putting the former far-right leader under pressure, including investigations into alleged voter suppression, attacks on the legitimacy of Brazilian elections and embezzlement of foreign gifts. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing in those cases. | Reuters…

UK security services are “ready to deal” with the challenges presented by the coronation, the government said after the arrest of a man suspected of throwing shotgun cartridges into the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Police arrested the man, allegedly armed with a knife, on Tuesday, causing concern just days before King Charles III’s coronation, which will be attended by global royalty and world leaders. Security minister Tom Tugendhat sought to reassure the public yesterday, saying police were “all over” the challenges presented by the historic event. The Metropolitan Police said officers conducted a controlled explosion on a suspicious bag the arrested man was carrying “as a precaution”. It was not treating the matter as terrorism-related. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after…

While it received a R6.5 billion budget increase for the next three years, the Department of Defence said the overall shortfall was about 44% of its budget. Briefing the defence portfolio committee on the budget and annual plan, director of strategy and planning Michael Cox said due to the fiscal challenges and declining year-on-year defence baseline allocation over the years, the expected allocation to support implementation of the Defence Review 2015 hadn’t been realised. Cox said the department had been allocated R51bn over the next three years and its full cost was R91bn. The presentation to the portfolio committee highlighted the non-compliance with the national security strategy border safeguarding requirement for 22 sub-units and the establishment of a cyber warfare capability. There will also be inability to modernise and sustain…

The place, Thwala said, was packed with media people and others from a local chisanyama. Mandisa and Kelly comforted each other. Thwala testified that Kelly later got into a heated argument with other women, but that Mandisa was not part of the quarrel. Kelly refused to hand over Meyiwa’s ID to him later, despite a request by the deceased’s family, he said. However, she subsequently handed over the ID to one of Meyiwa’s relatives who arrived with the police and Thwala at Kelly and Senzo’s residence in Mulbarton. The family wanted the ID to facilitate the removal of Senzo’s corpse from the government mortuary to a private one. They also wanted Meyiwa’s belongings to be taken home to KwaZulu-Natal, but Kelly refused, saying it would be “Senzo himself who would…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, was yesterday forced to adjourn for a few minutes as the late footballer Senzo Meyiwa’s long-time friend, Mthokozisi Thwala, recounted how police tortured him, with his hands and legs bound together with a rope used for slaughtering cows. He broke down as he recalled that he “pee-ed” on a mat during an ordeal that lasted at least three to four hours while police forced him to admit he killed Meyiwa. Thwala started testifying about Meyiwa’s last moments before his death, saying his friend was still alive when he was rushed to hospital after being shot at his musician girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus. Five men – Bongani Ntanzi, Sifisokuhle Ntuli, Muzikawukhulelwa Sthemba Sibiya, Mthobisi Prince Ncube and Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa – are on trial…

30ml olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 medium red pepper, diced 100g chorizo, sliced 10 ml smoked paprika or regular paprika 2 cups paella rice (bomba or arborio) 1 litre warm chicken stock 400g boneless chicken, sliced into bite-size chunks 250g prawn tails (peeled or unpeeled) 1 cup frozen peas A handful of Italian parsley, chopped Lemon wedges, to serve In a large deep pan (at least 30cm) over medium heat, add the oil and fry the onion, red pepper, and chorizo together until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the paprika and fry for another minute. Pour the rice evenly over the surface of the pan, then add 3 cups of the stock and bring to a simmer. Add and spread the chicken chunks and cook for…

The 13th Shakespeare Schools Festival SA (SSFSA) is set for its longest season yet as it opens at the Star Theatre in District Six next week. With 38 confirmed groups performing the Bard’s works, this year’s fest – themed “Unplugged and Illuminated in 2023”, will run for three weeks as it showcases burgeoning young South African acting talent. “The SSFSA is passionate about building optimism among young people, especially post-pandemic, and the annual SSFSA has long been a catalyst for youth empowerment,” organisers said. “One of the unique aspects of this fest is that the plays are no more than 30 minutes in duration. “The full range of Shakespeare plays is on offer, with texts also available in isiXhosa and other South African languages. “Imaginations run wild and young people…

THE Council of Robben Island Museum (RIM) has declared 2023 the Year of the late Struggle icon Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, honouring his role and contribution in the Struggle for liberation, on the 45th anniversary of his death. Sobukwe, who founded and led the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), was banished to Robben Island as a “political prisoner” of a special type, 60 years ago. A commemoration of his legacy was held on Robben Island yesterday. RIM council chairperson Professor Saths Cooper, said Sobukwe was selfless and played an important role in the Struggle. “As a Council, we made a unanimous decision to declare 2023 as the Year of Robert Sobukwe, so we can create an array of touchpoints throughout the year, where we can honour this remarkable man who gave so…

THE Sentech Africa Tech Week has been described as a platform to grow young innovators on the African continent. During its first day yesterday, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele delivered the opening address, centred on the hopes for the future of all Africans and continental collaboration. Gungubele said it was critical to use the platform to position Africa as not just a consumer market, but a place where new ideas, innovations and policy positions originate. “This year's Sentech Africa Tech Week offers us a unique opportunity to learn and collaborate on how the latest technology trends and innovations in the African tech industry ought to be used to resolve the continent’s societal challenges. “This conference is therefore aligned with the government’s vision to use appropriate digital technologies for…

The crucial goal is to eliminate postcoloniality While April 27, 1994, saw the promise of the realisation of a nation that would finally become unified and equal, this promise seems to have only materialised through the government changing hands while the same systems of power and governance were retained. In present-day terms, this is regarded as postcoloniality. The continuation of coloniality is evident in how political will is enshrined in the highest binding law in the land, while the impoverished only continue to become more impoverished. This causes them distress when the political parties they vote into power end up being manipulators who only use their votes as a stepping stone to fatten their own pockets. Coloniality is defined as an oppressive mode of power being used to marginalise and…

Russia said yesterday it had shot down two drones aimed at Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Kremlin in what it called a “terrorist” assassination attempt against the Russian president. “Two unmanned vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin ... the devices were put out of action,” the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that this had happened during the night between Tuesday and yesterday. Ukraine has denied involvement. The remnants of the downed drones fell inside the Kremlin but did not injure anyone, the statement added. It said the operation was “a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin was working at his residence near Moscow yesterday and would still take part in a scheduled WWII…

NAIROBI: As the leader of a cult whose members allegedly starved themselves to death at his behest appeared in court in Kenya, autopsies revealed some of his victims may have been killed. A pathologist said that the bodies of at least two children exhibited signs of suffocation. In total, 110 bodies have so far been recovered from the graves in eastern Kenya. A court has ordered the detention of leader Paul Mackenzie until tomorrow. More than 460 people have been reported missing. Titus Katana, a former member who escaped from the group, said he had heard reports that his young son was only breast-fed once and was later suffocated. | Washington Post…

ROME: Police across Europe arrested more than 100 people yesterday in a crackdown that dealt a “serious blow” to the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia, with suspects accused of drugs and weapons trafficking with counterparts in Latin America. The swoop was part of an investigation spanning Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, Brazil and Panama, said EU law enforcement agency Europol. The network used Chinese money brokers in Italy and Colombia to arrange for funds to be moved to pay for drug deals. Profits were recycled through real estate, restaurants, hotels, car wash companies, supermarkets, and other commercial activities. | Reuters…

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad announced a truce around Gaza yesterday, after militants traded fire with Israel following the death in Israeli custody of hunger striker Khader Adnan from its ranks. One Palestinian was killed and five wounded in pre-dawn air strikes Israel carried out in retaliation for rocket fire from Gaza. But mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the UN succeeded in brokering a return to calm, sources in Islamic Jihad and fellow militant group Hamas said. Egypt corroborated the truce. Witnesses in the blockaded territory said that several rockets were fired at Israel. Yesterday calm had returned, with schools and shops open as normal. Life had also returned to normal in the areas of Israel bordering Gaza. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh demanded that Israel return the hunger striker’s body…