Indice dei contenuti per 2024-04-12 in Cape Times

The eThekwini Municipality’s poor service delivery performance sees the City coming in seventh place for this municipal function out of eight metros across the country. This is according to a municipal ranking report, known as the Governance Performance Index (GPI) released by Good Governance Africa recently. The report rates the overall performance of municipalities based on the assessment of key indicators. The report titled Good Governance Performance Index 2024 and was compiled with data sources primarily drawn for the period 2021-2023. These data sources include official reports like Stats SA reports and reports from government departments. It highlights the instability of the coalitions that govern the metros especially after 2021 local government elections as being among the contributing factors to their inability to perform at the expected levels. It…

THE City has “unlawfully” been overcharging Cape Town residents higher electricity tariffs than Nersa’s approved percentage for at least two years, in breach of its distribution licence condition. This is according to Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, in a parliamentary response to questions by GOOD Party MP and secretary-general Brett Herron. Herron’s questions come as the City implemented a 9.6% tariff increase for 2022/23 compared to the 7.47% increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), and for 2023/24 it implemented a 17.6% hike compared to the approved 15.1%. Herron also said the City had for the past two years been “quietly litigating, at ratepayers’ expense, against Nersa for court permission to ignore the nationally regulated tariff”. “The amount of money that the City is overcharging residents amounts…

Ten more suspects arrested in the University of Fort Hare (UFH) fraud and corruption case have been released on R50 000 bail each following their appearances at the Alice Magistrates' Court, sitting in Dimbaza. NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the State decided not to oppose bail against the 10 accused, after considering some recent developments about their circumstances relating to the case. The accused released on bail are Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Nkateko Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Thamsanqa Sonjica, Craig Retief, Bradley Conradie and Nthabiseng Makhoba. Bail conditions include that they should report to their respective nearest police stations on Wednesdays and surrender their passports to the investigating officer. The state is now opposing bail against three of the 15 persons apprehended. They are: Terrence Joubert, Anwar…

THE City is proposing new internal control interventions to reduce the impact of extortion on City projects, including placing any individuals assessed as high risk, who are connected to a specific tenderer, on the City’s “Red List”, and revoking awarded contracts. In a statement yesterday, the City said that in continued efforts to ensure it remains a top-performing metro with zero tolerance for corruption, the annual review of the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy proposes additional measures to reduce the risk of extortion impacting City projects. The proposed Supply Chain Management Policy Amendments are out for public comment until May 10. “The City is proposing changes to its Supply Chain Management Policy to improve alignment with existing legislation and to further enhance tender process efficiency and transparency. “Robust internal control…

The Husbands Holly Gramazio Double Day There’s something delightfully addictive about Holly Gramazio’s fiction debut, The Husbands, a bottomless champagne flute of a novel (with no hangover). In her long-time work as a successful game designer, Gramazio says she creates “art that gets people interacting with their surroundings in new ways”. The Husbands winks at a world of endless choices – dating apps, food deliveries, streaming, shopping, games – and wonders, why not romantic partners? (The AI Department is certainly at work on this.) The 31-year-old protagonist, Lauren, is single when she returns home to her empty South London flat after a bachelorette party for her best friend. Only, Lauren’s flat isn’t empty. A strange man greets her by name, sighs “Fun night?” and offers to make her a cup…

Legally Red Maurice Watkins Loot.co.za (R726) Hodder & Stoughton Dubbed the Henry Kissinger of the football world for his diplomatic skills, the man who hired Sir Alex Ferguson recalls his years at Manchester United. In his autobiography, written before his passing in 2021, the layers of secrecy are peeled back to expose the brilliance of a character who shaped the club's destiny. From the sacking of Tommy Docherty, through the late-night drive to Scotland to lure Alex Ferguson to the hot seat, to the courtroom defence of Eric Cantona for his “kung-fu kick” on an abusive fan, Maurice Watkins was the key figure behind the scenes at United. Yet he was also front and centre for the triumphs under Ferguson and the rise of players such as David Beckham and…

THE ANC has been dominating South African elections since 1994, though scholars argue that its limitations when it comes to dismantling colonialism and the debilitating socio-economic conditions confronting African people have led to a crisis for the party, which witnessed a massive drop in support in the 2019 general elections. That the ANC liberated South Africa from the shackles of apartheid and colonialism has been argued to be the significant factor for the party’s electoral dominance, notwithstanding the now vague and popular enunciations about corruption and lack of service delivery. However, political explanations which posit that the ruling party’s expansion of minimal welfare programmes – such as, but not limited to, the varieties of social grants – are a significant contributor to the ANC’s continued electoral dominance are not sufficient.…

Long-simmering tensions between China and its neighbours were in the spotlight yesterday as leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines gathered at the White House to push back on Beijing’s stepped-up pressure on Manila in the disputed South China Sea. US President Joe Biden announced new joint military efforts and infrastructure spending in the former American colony as he hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos jr and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington for a first-of-its-kind trilateral summit. Topping the meeting’s agenda was China’s increasing pressure in the South China Sea, which has escalated despite a personal appeal by Biden to Chinese President Xi Jinping last year. The Philippines and China had several maritime run-ins last month that included the use of water cannon and heated verbal exchanges. The…

Mae Sot: Myanmar junta troops have withdrawn from positions in a major trade hub near the Thai border after days of clashes, an ethnic armed group said yesterday, in another blow to the embattled military. On the border near the vital trading town of Myawaddy, there was shelling yesterday after hundreds of people queued the night before to seek safety in the kingdom. The country has been roiled with conflict since the army overthrew a democratically elected government in 2021, but the junta is facing its gravest threat yet after heavy losses in recent months. Anti-junta groups launched an assault on Myawaddy town this week. The town is an important possession for the cash-strapped junta. | AFP…

Washington: The White House yesterday announced a crackdown on firearms sales at gun shows and over the internet that evade US federal background checks. Vice-President Kamala Harris, who heads the White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention, said the move addressed the so-called “gun show loophole”. “For decades, many dealers who sell weapons someplace other than the traditional gun store... have gotten away without conducting background checks,” she said. “All gun dealers now must conduct background checks.” Gun violence is common in the US, where there are more firearms than people. | AFP…

From page 1 to produce legal advice in a month’s time and also expected to write a report for presentation to the board which would also be shared with Nzimande. South African Union of Students (SAUS) spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa welcomed the resignation of Khosa and the board being dissolved. However, he said their priority was students being funded. “We note the minister’s commitment to meet with us and other stakeholders. Until we are brought into confidence that students will receive their allowances soon and not affected by the recent decision we remain concerned.” Students had given NSFAS until today to resolve the issue of unpaid allowance. Outa’s investigations manager Rudie Heyneke said it was surprising that Khosa was referred to as an employee in the resignation announcement, given Khosa’s role…

THE top brass of Parliament’s political leadership are scheduled to undergo a lifestyle audit in the seventh national legislature following the general elections on May 29. This emerged from the review of the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests after reviewing the code of ethical conduct for MPs in both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces. In their report tabled to the Houses, committee co-chairpersons Bekizwe Nkosi and Lydia Moshodi made recommendations after the committee reviewed the 2014 code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members’ interests. Nkosi and Moshodi recommended the introduction of lifestyle audits for the top political leadership in Parliament. “Lifestyle audits will be risk based and not all disclosures will be audited,” reads their report. The recommendation comes hot on the heels of…

Decision to dissolve the board follows the resignation of the entity’s chairperson HIGHER Education Minister Blade Nzimande is expected to explain in the Government Gazette today the legal effect of placing the embattled National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration. He announced his decision to dissolve the NSFAS board after Ernest Khosa resigned as board chairperson. Nzimande held an urgent meeting with the board yesterday to share his intended actions. In the evening his spokesperson Veli Mbele said: “The purpose of the meeting was to communicate the Minister’s decision to dissolve the NSFAS Board, with immediate effect and place the institution under administration.” The last time the scheme was placed under administration was in 2018. Mbele said the decision was part of the set of interventions meant to improve…

A husband who never had a fixed job during his marriage and apparently refused to look for work, while also cheating on his wife, will lose his 50% portion of her pension upon their divorce, and he will not receive monthly maintenance from her. The wife turned to the high court sitting in Bloemfontein to obtain a divorce from her husband. While the wife had no problem in dividing the assets of their household between her and her husband, she was adamant that he may not “be unduly enriched” by getting half of her pension. The wife, a police officer, said she had been working hard during their marriage to try and provide for the household, which included one child. This while the husband, according to her, sat around the…

How to Age Disgracefully Clare Pooley Loot.co.za (R255) Bantam When age makes you invisible, secrets are easier to hide. Daphne knows that age is just a number. She also knows that society no longer pays her any attention – something she’s happy to exploit to help her hide a somewhat chequered past. But finding herself alone on her 70th birthday, with only her plants to talk to and neighbours to stalk online, she decides she needs some friends. Joining a Senior Citizen's Social Club, she’s horrified at the expectation she’ll spend her time enduring gentle crafting activities. Thankfully, the other members – including a failed actor addicted to shoplifting and a prolific yarn-bomber – agree. After a tragic accident, the local council threaten to close the club – but they…

SO close, yet so far! That sums up Banyana Banyana’s successive failure to qualify for the Olympic Games after losing 1-0 on aggregate to Nigeria. The South African women’s national football team lost 1-0 in the first leg in Abuja last week and followed with a drab 0-0 draw in Tshwane on Tuesday in the return leg. The Queens of African football failed for the second time under coach Desiree Ellis to qualify for the Olympics. It was the same story for Tokyo four years ago. Whenever teams lose, coaches always have to take the blame for the failure and rightfully so should Ellis. Don’t get it wrong, she’s still the right woman for the job, but this failure should make her realise it is time she seriously start working…

A court in Vietnam handed the death sentence yesterday to real estate tycoon Truong My Lan for her role in a 304-trillion-dong(R234 billion) financial fraud case, the country’s biggest on record, state media said. Her trial, which began on March 5 and ended earlier than planned, was the result of a campaign against corruption that the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, had for years pledged to stamp out. Lan, the chairperson of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery and violations of banking rules at the end of a trial in the business hub of Ho Chi Minh City, state media said. “We will keep fighting to see what we can do,” a family member said. Before the verdict,…

ORENBURG: The Russian city of Orenburg battled rising water levels yesterday after major rivers across Russia and Kazakhstan burst their banks in the worst flooding seen in the areas in nearly a century. The deluge of meltwater has forced over 110 000 people from their homes in Russia’s Ural Mountains, Siberia and Kazakhstan as major rivers such as the Ural, which flows through Kazakhstan into the Caspian, overwhelmed embankments. Whole areas of Orenburg were underwater, and the Ural rose another 32cm to 10.54m, 124cm above the level considered by local authorities as safe. Officials warned the river would rise further. | Reuters…

NAIROBI: Moderna Inc has paused its efforts to build an mRNA manufacturing facility in Kenya while it determines future demand for Covid-19 vaccines on the African continent, the firm said yesterday. Moderna’s plan was part of efforts to widen access to vaccines that have remained out of reach to large parts of the world. Africa has been trying to reduce the continent’s reliance on the rest of the world for vaccines. Demand for Covid-19 vaccines in Africa has declined since the pandemic and is too little to support the viability of the $500 million (R9.3 billion) factory it planned to set up in Kenya, Moderna said. It said it was committed to ensuring access for Africa. | The Washington Post…

From page 1 “The City has further taken Nersa’s 22/23 and 23/24 tariff decisions on judicial review. “These processes are ongoing. It must also be noted that two high court judgments have ruled Nersa’s methodology to be unlawful. “Nersa must, in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, enable the City to recover the costs of running an electricity service. “At Nersa’s recommendation the City’s energy service would run a shortfall of more than R500m in the 2023/24 financial year, placing service delivery and the ending load-shedding programme at severe risk.” On accumulating hundreds of millions of rand in profits from overcharging customers for electricity, Van Reenen said: “This is false.” Stop COCT’s Sandra Dickson said: “Nersa and the current system of tariff setting simply do not work for residents and…

Prisoners who re-offend upon their release on the special remission programme will have to serve the new sentences imposed by courts. Their imposed sentences will be recalculated to cater for previous unexpired sentences. This was according to Justice and Correctional Service Minister Ronald Lamola when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Janho Engelbrecht. This week, the Cape Times reported that out of the 16 472 inmates who were released on the special remission programme, 433 had re-offended as of February 29 this year. There were two prisoners out of 326 who were granted special remission since October 2023, who were also re-arrested for committing offences. The special remission process was announced in August 2023 and ended on November 2. Among those released was former president Jacob Zuma.…

the Diary of a CEO Steven Bartlett Loot.co.za (R289) Ebury Edge Many successful individuals, like Steven Bartlett, a renowned entrepreneur, podcast host, and Dragon’s Den star, have felt a strong urge to create something exceptional, achieve greatness, or simply become the best version of themselves. In his compelling book, “The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life,” Bartlett offers timeless principles applicable to anyone, regardless of age, industry, or circumstances Imagine learning not just from Bartlett's own inspiring journey, but also from tens of thousands of individuals from different walks of life all across the world. Add to them interesting conversations with the world's top achievers from his well-known podcast. Through humorous anecdotes, honest reflections, and a touch of vulnerability, he equips you to craft a…

Deliver me Malin Persson Giolito Loot.co.za (R275) Simon & Schuster A gut-wrenching story of childhood friends torn apart by gang violence and class differences in Stockholm. Unlikely best friends since the age of 6, Billy and Dogge live in suburbs separated only by a highway, yet a world apart. From the outside, Dogge looks privileged: his family has a large home and plenty of money – at first. But his parents are addicts whose negligence becomes a form of abuse. Meanwhile, Billy’s family are poor first-generation immigrants unable to escape the no-go zone where they live, but their cramped apartment is nonetheless a bastion of love. A ruthless small-time crime boss seeks recruits, and both Dogge and Billy become runners by the time they’re 12. Fast cash, easy access…

Politicians across the globe are a breed unto themselves THE resignation of Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula as Speaker of the National Assembly and as a sitting ANC MP earlier this month, following allegations of soliciting bribes from a former military contractor and flouting anti-money laundering rules during her previous tenure as defence minister, symbolises a disconcerting trend of a resurgent global pandemic playbook of corruption in political governance and representation. Whether Mapisa-Nqakula was forced to resign or whether she willingly stepped up to clear her name, reputation and preserve her ministerial pension will become clearer on June 4 when her case resumes in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. True to the script of the Global Guild of Accused Politicians, she remains adamant that she has done nothing wrong and strongly rejects any…

Israel was on alert yesterday after its arch foe Iran threatened reprisals over a strike in Syria this month that killed two Iranian generals, and as the war against Hamas ground on in Gaza. Days after Israel strengthened its air defences and paused leave for combat units, the US also warned of the risk of an attack by Iran or its allied groups at a time Middle East tensions have soared. Iran is “threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel,” US President Joe Biden said, pledging “ironclad” support for its top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel’s military conduct in Gaza. Israel was widely blamed for an April 1 attack that destroyed Iran’s consulate building in Damascus and killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),…

A sweeping Russian missile attack on Ukraine destroyed the largest power generating plant in the Kyiv region as Vladimir Putin’s forces exploit gaps in the war-battered nation’s air defence as part of a renewed offensive. The strike set ablaze the turbine hall of the Trypilska plant about 45km south of the capital, according to Andriy Hota, the supervisory board chairperson of state-owned power producer Centrenergo. The facility was hit by six missiles yesterday, a source said. “We need to speak about air defence, it’s the biggest challenge today,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Lithuania yesterday, listing regions hit in the barrage. Centrenergo’s Hota said the company’s power generation “has been ruined” after attacks on its facilities. The Kremlin has intensified strikes on energy infrastructure. The missile and…

Bangkok: Massive heatwaves across East Asia and the Pacific could place millions of children at risk, the UN warned yesterday, calling for action to protect vulnerable people from the soaring temperatures. UN data showed over 243 million children across the Pacific and East Asia were estimated to be affected by heatwaves, putting them at risk of heat-related illnesses and death. Several countries in the region are smouldering in the summer heat, with temperatures nearing record levels as they regularly hit over 40°C. Local forecasters are predicting steeper rises in the coming weeks. The UN projected that over 2 billion children are expected to be exposed to heatwaves by 2050. | AFP…