Indice dei contenuti per 2022-01-13 in Mercury

Reuters START-UPS raised more venture capital funding than ever last year and more cities around the world started to look like tech hubs – although Silicon Valley remains firmly in the lead. In 2021, investors more than doubled the amount of cash they handed out to start-ups, hitting $621 billion (R9.65 trillion) globally and shattering the previous year’s record, according to new data from research firm CB Insights. The US accounted for about half of the world’s funding total, with start-ups in the country raising about $311bn, according to the report. The Silicon Valley region and New York retained their top spots for both the most money raised and the most deals completed. Those tallies were helped along by a few big funding rounds for established companies. But…

Thabo Makwakwa thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za THE EFF yesterday condemned what it termed “nothing but a naked campaign” for the position of chief justice by Justice Raymond Zondo. The party was responding to the media briefing given by the acting chief justice in response to the article by Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu in which she took a swipe at the judiciary. “Inappropriately, Zondo seems to have taken a political debate, submitted to public discourse by someone who practises political oversight in this country, personally and inadvertently made our judiciary a participant in what is obviously an election battle within the ruling party,” the EFF said in the statement. The party added that Justice Zondo’s response was not only “a waste of our collective time, it is misguided, misplaced and only serves…

Tarryn-Leigh Solomons tarryn-leigh.solomons@iinl.co.za THE DA has made it its mission to tackle ANC cadre deployment, saying that there were numerous instances where the party’s cadre deployment committee had explicitly amended proposals. During a briefing yesterday, the opposition party’s spokesperson for public service, Leon Schreiber, announced that it would launch a formal complaint to the Public Service Commission (PSC) based on a compilation of evidence, requesting an investigation into all positions seemingly selected by the ANC’s cadre deployment committee in the administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Schreiber said the complaint would request that the PSC, as the constitutional custodian of the public service, investigate every one of the appointments contained in the committee’s minutes. “In cases where the PSC confirms illegality, the DA will insist that those appointment processes are rerun…

DHAYALAN MOODLEY | Mobeni Heights Another schooling year is about to commence in earnest, and it is worrying that parents have to pay exorbitant amounts for uniforms. In recent years we have experienced the unfortunate effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our education system and moreover, the adjustments pupils have had to make in order to stay abreast with the uncertainty and disruption it causes. The opening of schools in late January is certainly a relief for most cash-strapped parents. Parents are facing financial constraints, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. With the cost of living spiralling upwards, parents have the added burden of providing school uniforms that are highly priced. Furthermore, many schools will insist that only a few limited school suppliers will provide uniforms. This is…

Cambodia’s landmine-sniffing rat Magawa, who found more than 100 landmines and explosives during a five-year career, has died at the age of 8, leaving a lasting legacy of saved lives in the south-east Asian nation. Magawa, who died at the weekend, was the most successful “HeroRAT” deployed by charity APOPO, which uses African giant pouched rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis. “Magawa was in good health and spent most of last week playing with his usual enthusiasm, but towards the weekend he started to slow down, napping more and showing less interest in food in his last days,” the non-profit organisation said in a statement. Scarred by decades of civil war, Cambodia is one of the world’s most heavily landmined countries, with more than 1 000km² of land still contaminated.…

Nomonde Zondi nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za THE trial of two high-ranking police officers accused of accepting a bribe in a murder case of an ANC branch leader is set to resume in March. Lieutenant-Colonel Khephu Ndlovu of SAPS and Hawks Captain Bonginkosi Dlamini are both accused of accepting a bribe of R120 000 to allegedly tamper with the murder case involving the death of Thulani Nxumalo, who was killed in September 2018. He was shot dead at his home in KwaNdengezi, when he was returning from an ANC meeting. The two were arrested and are facing charges of bribery and defeating the ends of justice together with Felokwakhe Ndlovu, his wife Sibongile and their son Lindokuhle Ndlovu. All the accused have pleaded not guilty. Felokwakhe and Lindokuhle have been charged with Nxumalo’s murder.…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za OVERTIME pay has been approved for six Master of the Court offices across the country in a bid to address the backlogs which were worsened by the ransomware attack on the Justice Department’s information and communication technology systems. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said this in a written response to parliamentary questions from the DA’s justice and constitutional development spokesperson, Glynnis Breytenbach. She had written to the minister to ask about the steps his department was taking to attend to the backlog of matters at the Master’s offices. Lamola said it was difficult to ascertain the exact extent of the backlog, because many of the clients were walk-ins who could not be assisted when the systems were down. He said since the systems were restored,…

The 32nd New Year’s visit to Africa by the Chinese foreign minister Yi Xin A promise made, a promise kept On the morning of the first working day of the new year, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarked on his first trip abroad in 2022 – to Africa, of course, as always. It has been an unbroken tradition for 32 years, rain or shine, Ebola or Omicron. This is his second journey to Africa in a little over a month. In late November, Wang visited the continent for the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac). In his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping re- affirmed the spirit of China-Africa friendship and co-operation (sincere friendship and equality,…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za GO LIFE INTERNATIONAL, the Mauritius and JSE AltX-listed investment holding company, said yesterday that its headline loss per share for the nine months to end-November 2021 came to 0.005 US cents (0.078 SA cents) per share, but that it is restructuring and working on recapitalisation plans. The loss per share came to 0.006 US cents at the same time a year before. No revenue was disclosed. The com- pany fully impaired its subsidiaries during the year ended February 29, 2020. “The company has been through some tough times over the last two years. The board has dealt with many challenges and the asset base has been completely eroded,” the company said. New management had been secured as well as some interim funding. “However, as communicated in…

Baldwin Ndaba baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za UNDER pressure to act against the perpetrators of state capture, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks have swiftly appointed top officials to execute the arrests and prosecution of all those fingered in the Zondo Commission report. This was revealed in a joint statement issued by the NPA and Hawks yesterday and comes in the wake of pressure for action to be taken, from political parties, civil society organisations and labour movements. Last week, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, headed by Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, issued findings against various people, including former president Jacob Zuma. Justice Zondo ruled that South Africa had been captured by the Gupta family while Zuma was at the helm. In his initial report, Justice Zondo…

Shakirah Thebus shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za THE Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is gearing up to have its third satellite mission launched into space. SpaceX, founded by Pretoria-born Elon Musk, will be launching the constellation of satellites today from the Cape Canaveral launch site in the US, at 5.25pm South African time. The Marine Domain Awareness (MDASat) constellation, made up of the three locally produced nanosatellites, will have two main priorities, ocean economy and health care. CPUT’s acting chief engineer on the project, Nyameko Royi, said: “This mission will mark the first constellation of satellites developed and designed in Africa … This is a significant milestone for CPUT and South Africa.” The SpaceX mission name is Transporter-3 or ISILaunch 36P, and the rocket to be used is the Falcon 9. The Higher…

When relating to any relative – be it to one or many members of a family – ignoring, discounting blood-ties or invisible loyalties is done at your peril, even if it is at the family’s invitation. He or she who messes with or gets in the way of blood ties will pay a price. If a relationship is professional (helper, counsellor, coach, teacher, head of school, pastor, or health-care worker), or if it involves befriending or dating a member of a family, blood is and almost always will be thicker than non-blood. Any insertion by an outsider into the family that violates the invisible loyalties (even when invited) will get push-back. It is the emotional equivalent of swinging from live power-lines. The wise “outsider” – a paid professional, an educator,…

VENOLIN GOVENDER | Pietermaritzburg IN PIETERMARITZBURG we have seen storms wreak havoc to the extent of a power substation burning down. Many residents have had no electricity for weeks, some even had no water. We have all seen the people of the areas blame the ANC-led municipality and the mayor. However, these residents voted for the DA as they said nationally: “The DA gets things done.” So the manner the DA gets things done is to blame the ANC, as they always do. Residents mainly in Indian areas have voted for the DA and truth be told the DA sold the Indian voter to the EFF who hate Indians. The DA’s blame game needs to stop as they lie and mislead the voter yet they wield no power…

AT A TIME of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ambulance service in Wales is being plagued by “ridiculous” 999 calls. One person called to complain of having eaten a mouldy tomato, according to Sky News. Others had a paper cut, a wet plaster cast and a mom with diarrhoea. Of the 470 653 incidents recorded in the past 12 months, nearly a quarter were non-essential. “In the face of unprecedented demand, the ambulance service is reminding people only to call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency.” Oh, I dunno. Diarrhoea can be pretty urgent. Archaeology WHATEVER became of the archaeologist badger? He is thought to have unearthed the largest collection of Roman coins ever to have been discovered in northern Spain, according to the BBC. The treasure trove was discovered…

Zama Ngcoya zama.ngcoya@inl.co.za THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has called on members of the taxi industry and community members to play their part in ending the scourge of taxi violence. This comes after a 69-year-old taxi owner was shot dead on Gopalall Hurbans Road in the Tongaat CBD yesterday. The murder comes after another shooting on Saturday, when a 52-year-old taxi owner was shot and killed in front of his family in Cornubia, north of Durban. Santaco spokesperson Sifiso Shangase said it was disappointing that members were continuously losing their lives. “It is sad to hear that members are taking each other’s lives at this rate. We are constantly hearing that someone has been killed and it is slowly becoming a norm, one which is totally unacceptable,” he…

| African News Agency (ANA) At least 17 people were killed, while eight others escaped with injuries, in a head-on collision involving a 22-seater bus and a Toyota SUV on the N1 near the Mookgophong off-ramp in Limpopo on Tuesday night. Provincial transport authorities in Limpopo said it was alleged that the driver of the Toyota SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a burst tyre and collided head-on with the 22-seater bus. “The bus burst into flames and the 17 occupants trapped inside, including the driver, were burnt to death. The driver of the SUV was also killed on impact. Eight people survived, six are seriously injured and two escaped with minor injuries,” said Limpopo Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mike Maringa. Limpopo Transport and Community Safety…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za IS IT TIME for the South African government to end the National State of Disaster which was declared at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic on March 15, 2020? This is a question on the lips of some captains of industry as the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, is set to announce whether this will lapse or be extended on Saturday, January 15. The National State of Disaster has been renewed every month on the 15th since March 2020, restricting the number of people who can gather indoors or outdoors, imposing a curfew and costing businesses millions of rand in the process. The business sector said that it is ready to do away with all restrictions following the lifting of…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za Judgment was reserved in the Zulu royal family court case in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday. The court is seized with at least three matters related to the estate and the will of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and who should be his successor. The first issue relates to Queen Sibongile Dlamini-Zulu seeking 50% of the estate of the late king, as she argued that they were married in terms of civil rites. In the second matter, Queen Sibongile’s daughters, Princesses Ntombizosuthu Zulu-Duma and Princess Ntandoyenkosi, are contesting the validity of the will of on the basis that some of the signatures in it were allegedly forged. The other matter which came up before Judge Isaac Madondo was whether the court should grant an interdict to prevent…

Loyiso Sidimba loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is hiring armed bodyguards to protect its more than 500 staff conducting investigations across the country. The close armed protectors would be deployed to guard SIU employees without delay and be expected to detect threats during an investigation. Their main objective would be to protect the employee and his or her immediate family. Among the SIU’s staff complement are a variety of skilled and semi-skilled professionals, including forensic lawyers, investigators, accountants, cyber-examiners and forensic data analysts. The SIU plans to appoint private companies that will be responsible for providing at least a minimum of five close armed protectors, as and when required by the unit. The close armed protection service must be provided to SIU employees based on a threat and risk…

MANSER AKOO | Chairperson, Clare Estate CPF AS THE chairperson of the Clare Estate community police forum (CPF), I congratulate Mr Z Soobrathi for securing the position of lieutenant-colonel. His achievement comes on the back of serving the Sydenham police precinct and its community with honour, pride, dedication and loyalty for the past 24 years, and prior to that, at Bayview SAPS for two years. He has 26 years’ service. I am certain that I speak for many in our police sector in Clare Estate. I have personally noted his willingness and devotion to our community. He has shown a fighting spirit and patience, and he has a determined character to serve and protect. Members of our community saw him as someone who embodied service delivery. He rode in his…

VIJAY SEWTAHAL | Clare Estate THE Zondo commission has recently handed over phase 1 of a three-part report to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The report apparently focuses on state-owned entities. There is damning evidence against alleged perpetrators of corruption, with many of them holding high positions in the government. We should bear in mind that all evidence presented by alleged state capturers and witnesses was done under oath and is binding. This means law-enforcement agencies, such as the National Prosecuting Authority, Asset Forfeiture Unit and Hawks, should be able to undertake prosecutions. This is wishful thinking because the wheels of justice all over the world turn at a snail’s pace and to bring these crooks to book will take years. In the interim, the president could give the state…

Yogashen Pillay yogashen.pillay@inl.co.za THE Department of Health said yesterday that it was up to sporting bodies to make submissions to the government if they wanted more fans to be allowed to attend sport events. According to the existing Covid-19 regulations only 2 000 fans are allowed at sporting events. As the country is in lockdown level 1, there have been calls for more sports fans to be allowed back into stadiums. The Department of Health said yesterday the final decision on allowing more fans at events lay with the National Coronavirus Command Council. But Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the Department of Health, said sporting bodies could make submissions if they wanted more fans to be able to attend events. “Sporting bodies need to send their submission for allowing more fans…

Seven suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of suspected stolen Transnet railway tracks in Camperdown outside Pietermaritzburg yesterday. The men were apprehended during a joint operation which included Magma Security & Investigations, Camperdown SAPS and the Hawks in Pietermaritzburg. Shaheen Suleiman, the owner of Magma Security & Investigations, said they received information at about 4.30am about three vehicles carrying suspected stolen railway tracks believed to be the property of Transnet. Suleiman said the vehicles were travelling from Richmond to Durban via Umlaas Road. The vehicles were stopped and cut-up railway tracks were found. | Karen Singh…

Lehlohonolo Mashigo lehlohonolo.mashigo@inl.co.za THE Public Servants’ Association (PSA) has raised concerns about the safety of its employees stationed at courts following recent attacks. The union in a statement called for the immediate upgrading of security measures at courts following these attacks and threats against employees and infrastructure. “The PSA applauds the police and security personnel who apprehended the suspect after the recent attack at the Constitutional Court,” said the statement. The PSA further appealed to the public to respect the courts that are tasked to ensure that civilians can claim their constitutional rights. Courts should be allowed to exercise independence in dealing with matters before them without interference, it said. “The PSA will call a special meeting of the Department of Justice chamber to discuss and ensure the safety of…

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s comments that the Zondo Commission reports into state capture should be used to unite the ailing party, rather than waging prosecutions on those implicated by it, undermine the efforts and resources that this country has invested in fighting corruption. In essence Mantashe says the ANC is above the country and rule of law, and that the cadres implicated in malfeasance should get away scot-free despite the billions of rand looted by individuals within or linked to his organisation. His comments are in stark contrast to his boss President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to end corruption in the public sector. Mantashe was called on by the Zondo Commission to account for the Bosasa-sponsored security upgrades at his private home. Could his comments be laying a foundation for defence…