Indice dei contenuti per 2023-09-01 in Cape Times

MINISTER in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni appeared to be shifting the blame for the State’s failure to reclaim hijacked buildings in Johannesburg to NGOs she claimed litigated against many attempts to evict illegal occupants. In one of the country’s worst disasters, 74 people died and more than 40 were injured in a fire in a block of flats belonging to the City of Joburg in Marshalltown yesterday. Of those killed, about 24 were females, 40 males and 10 people whose genders were undetermined. Twelve were young children. The building previously housed the Usindiso Ministries Women’s Shelter before it fell into the hands of building hijacking syndicates. During her visit to the scene, Ntshavheni confirmed that the building was a heritage site. She said when the State organs try to evict…

THE DEPARTMENT of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) says it is assisting two Cape Town families whose loved ones are being held in a Cambodian prison for assault. The two men, Bradley Elias, 32, from Gordons Bay and Marshall Abrahams, 31, from Stellenbosch had accepted an opportunity to work overseas from a programme that recruited young people to work for a Chinese company in Cambodia last year. While there, they got into a dispute with the employer and ended up on the streets, according to their families. The two were arrested after they were involved in a brawl at a bar with another South African from Johannesburg. After their conviction, they were sentenced to a fine of R24 000 each or four years’ imprisonment. The fine had to be paid…

THE University of Fort Hare’s Student Representative Council (SRC) has detailed to Parliament how they had to scramble for food parcels for students who did not receive allowances for about two months. This saw classes at the university also being moved online, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education was told on Wednesday. The National Student Aid Financial Scheme (NSFAS) introduced direct payments, partnering with controversial banking service providers including Norraco, to ensure accountability for student allowances and to establish a better co-ordinated system of the transfer of funds to students. However, the new system has experienced a number of challenges, with students from different institutions embarking on protest action. University of Fort Hare SRC president Siphokazi Mbalo said in April that they met with NSFAS officials and rejected the direct…

Two wins in five days, two clean sheets and a rich harvest of five goals points to a dramatic upturn in form for Kaizer Chiefs, who suffered two defeats in their opening three Premiership matches this season. On Wednesday night, Chiefs defeated 10-man Stellenbosch FC 2-0 after brushing AmaZulu aside last Sunday with a 3-0 triumph. These back-to-back victories marked Chiefs’ first Premiership wins this season, and also marked Molefi Ntseki’s first Premiership successes as a coach in the top-flight league. In both matches, the losing sides enjoyed the greater share of possession and enjoyed more shots at goal. It does not suggest convincing performances, and Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker did not hesitate to say that even when his side were reduced to 10 players, they were better than Chiefs.…

Former energy minister Grant Shapps replaced Ben Wallace yesterday as Britain’s defence minister, a surprise move that reaffirmed London’s support for Ukraine while raising questions over his lack of experience of the military. Shoring up his team before a national election expected next year and after Wallace resigned, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will likely deploy Shapps’ talent for media communication in his efforts to overturn opposition Labour’s lead in the opinion polls. “I am looking forward to working with the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who defend our nation’s security. And continuing the UK’s support for Ukraine in their fight against Putin’s barbaric invasion,” Shapps said on X after his appointment was announced by the government. Britain, a key defence supplier for Ukraine, is trying to…

Hong Kong: China issued its highest typhoon warning yesterday as Super Typhoon Saola drew closer to Hong Kong and the mainland’s southern coast, with several cities delaying the start of the school year as a precaution. Saola’s wind speeds topped 200km/h by yesterday, with the storm around 370km southeast of the Chinese finance hub, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. It would bring “heavy squally showers and violent winds” today, the observatory said, adding that the threat level was expected to be upgraded to “T8 , the city’s third-highest, early in the morning. On the mainland, China issued the most severe warning in its four-tiered system. | AFP…

PORT-AU-PRINCE: The US embassy in Haiti said Americans there should leave the country “as soon as possible” amid the ongoing unrest and political turmoil. Last month, the US evacuated non-emergency government personnel and the family members of diplomats from the embassy in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, after Haitians flocked to the area outside the US embassy, seeking protection from heavy gunfire. Haiti has been overwhelmed by gang violence after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Armed gangs have since taken power in up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, with killings and rapes as they vie for control of territory. | Washington Post…

HAVING faced many hardships in the infancy of his dance career on home soil, ballet dancer extraordinaire Dr Johaar Mosaval broke barriers, to make his way gracefully through an illustrious career in the arts. Mosaval, born on January 8, 1928, in District Six, formed part of the colourful tapestry that wove together a vibrant community that was home to artists and creators who were ready to share their creative prowess on world platforms, but in their home country were denied the opportunity under the apartheid regime. Mosaval, one of nine children, died peacefully at the age of 95 on August 16, leaving a rich legacy in ballet and dance. He was the first black South African to become a senior principal dancer at the Royal Ballet – the highest rank…

THE City says it is working to alleviate water table challenges after heavy rainfall affected cemeteries throughout Cape Town in recent weeks. Maitland Cemetery has been most affected by the recent adverse weather conditions and last weekend the cemetery was inaccessible due to higher- than- normal water tables, which resulted in 56 funerals taking place at the Welmoed Cemetery. Operational staff at Maitland were forced to decline some requests for the reopening of private graves for a second interment, as some sections of the cemetery reached water at a depth of less than one metre below the surface, the City said. Gate 4A area in particular exhibits a very high water table. “The Department regularly informs undertakers of the situation when they make their bookings regarding any challenges. They are…

Help! There’s A Guest At My Table! Annabel Frere Loot.co.za (R281) Penguin Random House A generation of young adults have come to know, love and depend on Help! There’s a Stove in My Kitchen, Annabel Frere’s first cookbook. That same generation has graduated to the young professionals who now need to entertain on a somewhat more sophisticated level. Annabel has been through all these stages with her own daughters and once again provides a repertoire of tasty and relatively simple recipes for events ranging from impromptu gatherings to well-organised occasions. Much emphasis is placed on good planning, as well as preparing foods in advance so that the cook can spend as much time with his or her guests, rather than in the kitchen on the day itself. Attention is also…

Women’s Month may be over, but the need for empowerment measures continues IN AN era characterised by many challenges and opportunities, the theme “Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment” for this year’s Women’s Month resonated deeply. Women’s socio-economic rights include the right to access economic opportunities, health care, education, and freedom from abuse and discrimination. As South Africa has committed to the globally agreed sustainable development goals, which include the furtherance of gender equality by 2030, it is crucial to prioritise the empowerment of women, recognising that their growth is the cornerstone of societal advancement. Historically, South Africa has experienced significant challenges in achieving gender equality. Although commendable strides have been made by the increasing number of women who hold seats at the national, provincial, and local levels of government…

More than four months into Sudan’s devastating war, arms dealers are struggling to keep up with demand for a trade that is booming, at a deadly cost. “A Kalashnikov? A rifle? A pistol?” said a 63-year-old dealer known as Wad al-Daou, offering his wares with a resounding laugh. “The demand for weapons has soared so high that we can’t possibly meet it,” he said at a market near Sudan’s borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea. Fighting broke out on April 15 between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war has killed thousands, displaced millions and flooded the arsenals of a country already awash with weapons. Arms dealers say prices have rocketed, while authorities loyal to the…

ABOUT 220 Israeli youngsters have announced their rejection of the mandatory military draft in protest against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, further raising concerns over the plan’s potential impact on the country’s military preparedness. The group, known as Youths Against Dictatorship, said this week that about 220 high school students have decided to reject the mandatory conscription due to the legal overhaul, which has sparked mass demonstrations across the country for 34 consecutive weeks. In July, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition passed a contentious law that revoked the Supreme Court’s authority to overturn government decisions. As a response, thousands of reservists have opted not to report to their military units. The recent letter from the teenagers highlights a worrying progression of the refusal, from reservists to regular soldiers. There…

MOSCOW: A video of Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin purports to show him in Africa only days before his death. “For those who are discussing whether I’m alive or not, how I’m doing – right now it’s the weekend, second half of August 2023, I’m in Africa,” Prigozhin says in the video published by the Grey Zone Telegram channel which is linked to his Wagner Group. “So for people who like to discuss wiping me out… everything’s okay,” he said. His “weekend” reference implied the latest clip must have been made on August 19 or 20, days before he and other top Wagner figures were killed in a plane crash north of Moscow on August 23. | Reuters…

BANGKOK: Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has submitted a request for a royal pardon, outgoing Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday, his latest move in a long-running power struggle with the country’s establishment. Thaksin made a dramatic homecoming last week after 15 years abroad where he lived in self-exile to avoid prison. He arrived on a private jet and was moved to a prison to serve an eight-year sentence for abuse of power and conflicts of interest from his time in power. Hours later, Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party won a parliamentary vote to become prime minister. | Reuters…

A “court order” allegedly submitted in attempts to clear Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) acting board chairperson and Central Energy Fund (CEF) director, Nkululeko Poya’s name, is fraudulent, the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) has confirmed. This comes after UDM leader Bantu Holomisa wrote to Police Minister Bheki Cele and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, asking them to investigate allegations that Poya submitted a fraudulent court order. Mantashe had in 2019 appointed Poya, the former Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) chief executive officer to the CEF board, which had raised concerns following allegations of maladministration and corruption. PetroSA is a subsidiary of the CEF, which is wholly owned by the state and reports to the Department of Energy. In the letter, Holomisa said: “You are called…

RESIDENTS say the murders of community leaders and activists Lubabalo Feketsha, Lulamo Fatyela and Luyanda Mtsila are a major blow to the fight against crime in Mfuleni. The three EFF and Ward 108 Shukushukuma Informal Settlement Committee members were shot and killed on Tuesday after it had reportedly been resolved to demolish the house of an alleged drug dealer in their ward. According to the police, members were called out to Shukushukuma Street on Tuesday night and discovered the bodies of two men with gunshot wounds. Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said a third man who was taken to hospital succumbed to his injuries. “All three deceased persons were between the ages of 31 and 39. Provincial serious violent crimes detectives are investigating the murders. No one has been arrested yet…

The minibus taxi task team (MBTTT) is hoping to have ironed out remaining disagreements over taxi operating transgressions within the next month. This after a 3-day imbizo held in Rondebosch ended on Wednesday with an agreement that safeguards commuter safety and outlines a clear process for continued co-operation signed. In a joint statement issued by the task team comprising the City, Mobility Department and the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) yesterday, they stated they had systematically worked through the enforcement consequences for each of the operating licence conditions they had committed to collectively review. “The national Department of Transport was also included in this process. Through extensive consultation and earnest deliberation, we have found common ground on what are fair and rational consequences for most of the operating licence condition…

Hazelnut cranberry and pistachio chocolate bark Cupcakes & Couscous Teresa Ulyate Human & Rousseau (R450) “This book is a reflection of my cooking and eating style – a happy combination of nostalgia-inspired dishes and achievable new recipes.’’ From morning munching to fuss-free dinners and everything in between, these comforting recipes were created to be prepared and enjoyed together. In Cupcakes & Couscous, Teresa Ulyate spoils us with a treasury of tempting dishes. These accessible and tasty recipes for all occasions are perfect for working parents, foodies and home cooks. With pantry staples, hosting tips, menus and over 75 recipes for everything from braais and special occasions to simple suppers, snacks and sweet treats, this book is sure to become a reliable kitchen companion that inspires. 200g dark chocolate 150g white…

I hope this piece is not going to open healed wounds, but instead do what is intended to do, and that is the remembrance and commemoration of a youth who died on a good mission in South Africa. Amy Elizabeth Biehl came to study in South Africa as an exchange student. In a way, that was the beginning or birthing of a new country that many South Africans fail to make a reality. This was not only proved by her coming to the country, but by her attitude. The Bible says the reward for sin is death. But in Amy’s case the reward of righteousness was death. Thanks to her parents, who instead of being bitter with hatred responded the other way. They met the youths responsible for her death…

African leaders were working on a response yesterday to officers in Gabon who ousted President Ali Bongo and installed a general as head of state, the latest in a wave of coups in West and Central Africa that regional powers have failed to reverse. The takeover ends the Bongo family dynasty’s almost six decades in power and creates a new conundrum for a region that has struggled to deal with eight coups since 2020. Central Africa’s political bloc, the Economic Community of Central African States, condemned the coup in a statement, saying it planned an “imminent” meeting of heads of state to determine how to respond. It did not give a date. The AU’s Peace and Security Council was to meet yesterday to discuss the coup, a spokesperson for the…

The European rights court said yesterday that it would hear an appeal by sex workers against a French anti-prostitution law they say has shattered their livelihoods and driven them underground. Sex workers technically operate legally in France, but the country in 2016 moved against their clients by outlawing the purchase of sexual acts in the hope of curbing the sex trade. Arguing that their livelihood is unjustly threatened by the law, 260 sex workers backed by several groups filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2019, after exhausting all legal recourse in France. Sex workers and their associations regularly protest against the anti-prostitution law with action days and street marches. The court’s agreement to hear the case is in itself a victory, as it usually…

ATHENS: Greece’s prime minister said yesterday that the country would use drones and install temperature sensors in forests to improve preventive firefighting after criticism from climate activists over a devastating wildfire burning for almost two weeks. A wildfire in the north-eastern region of Evros, Europe’s deadliest blaze this summer, continued to burn for the 13th day yesterday after killing at least 20 people, destroying homes and scorching lush forests. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the authorities had initiated steps to acquire more than 100 drones. There were also plans to install the sensors at archaeological sites. | Reuters…

San Francisco: Federal prosecutors in the US are probing personal benefits Tesla allegedly paid to its chief executive Elon Musk to build a lavish “glass house” for him. According to a report, “Project 42” involves a large glass structure to be built in Austin, Texas, for Musk. The US Attorney’s Office has sought information about what benefits have been paid to Musk, how much Tesla spent on the project, and what the project was for. The project reportedly triggered an internal probe over concerns that Musk might be using company funds to build the house. There was a waterfall incorporated into the structure’s surrounding landscape in addition to a futuristic truck. Musk recently disclosed that he lived in a tiny $50 000 (R945 000) rented home in Boca Chica/Starbase, near…

The Proteas Women begin a new era under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt when they take on Pakistan in a historic first-ever T20 International at the National Stadium in Karachi today (4.30pm start). The South Africans have never played in Pakistan, with only Wolvaardt and former captain Sune Luus, having played in a couple of exhibition matches earlier this year. Although Wolvaardt has only been appointed on an interim basis for the Pakistan tour and the subsequent home series against New Zealand, the stylish right-handed batter possesses all the qualities to usher in a new generation of Proteas cricketers. The 24-year-old has earned the respect of both her senior and junior teammates through not only her world-class performances on the field, but also her work ethic at practice. Wolvaardt is…