Cape Times 2022-06-23

THE Gauteng ANC leadership has vowed that delegates from its five regions would be part of the elective conference starting today in Benoni despite a court application challenging the outcome of the Sedibeng regional elective conference. Yesterday, provincial secretary Jacob Khawe made it abundantly clear that the Sedibeng regional executive committee, which was elected last month, would be part of the provincial elective conference at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni today until Sunday. Khawe made no reference to the court application lodged at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, in which more than 25 branches were challenging the credibility of the regional conference which was also held at the same venue on May 27 until 29. In the court application, the main applicant, Morena Mokuburg, is asking the…

Axed SANParks chief executive Fundisile Mketeni says he will fight his dismissal from the top job. Mketeni was fired earlier this month after allegations of assault and sexual harassment were levelled against him, and a probe by SANParks found him guilty on six of seven charges. A woman had lodged a complaint against him in May last year, alleging that he had touched her inappropriately and when she refused his advances, he had insulted and assaulted her. Mketeni and his co-accused were prosecuted and were found not guilty of the offence in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court last year. SANParks however said the decision by its Board to dismiss him was based on him being found guilty of six of the seven charges levelled against him. “The former CEO'S matter was…

ANYONE involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa was potentially involved in other crimes was not surprising. This is the view of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit animal rights organisation, in reaction to criminal investigations into Ramaphosa after millions of US dollars “concealed” in furniture on his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo were stolen - allegedly by a gang of Namibian nationals with the assistance of his domestic worker. Ramaphosa is being investigated for alleged money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping the suspects who were allegedly interrogated and breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, no 121 of 1998 (“Poca”) and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act No12 of 2004…

THE impending closure of the Langeberg and Ashton Foods (L&AF) fruit canning factory spells disaster for thousands of people who will be affected, Agri SA has said. Tiger Brands said an exhaustive process to find a buyer for the L&AF business through a local and global search was unsuccessful. It was anticipated that the consultation process with affected employees would be completed within 60 days, Tiger Brands said. Agri SA executive director Christo van der Rheede, on the back of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Masterplan, said a decision to close shop would have a devastating impact on more than 4 500 workers in the sector, and on the surrounding community. “Agri SA is deeply concerned about the recent commencement of a consultation period after Tiger Brands gave notice of its…

AFTER four years of hearing evidence about the entrenched corruption in the country's state-owned enterprises and government departments, alleged threats to members of the inquiry, the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma, and with more than R1bn spent, state capture commission of inquiry chairperson Raymond Zondo has no regrets. He said the commission was ready to deal with any review application brought against it by those aggrieved. Zondo handed over the last part of his report to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria last night. The final report dealt with matters of the SABC; Estina Dairy Farm; the Guptas’ Waterkloof landing; State Security Agency (SSA) among others entities (a breakdown of the reports can be found on www. iol.co.za). The handover was, however, marred by yet another…

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 4 carrots, rinsed well, halved and sliced 3 ribs celery, rinsed well, halved lengthwise and sliced into 6mm pieces 3 cans low-sodium cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 cups fresh spinach leaves In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until beginning to soften. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery and continue to cook, 6 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until just a small amount of crispness remains. Do not overcook at this point. Add 3 cups of water plus the…