Mercuryの 2022-10-17 の目次

MINISTER in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said he was not informed about the break-in and theft of foreign currency on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo two years ago. DA MP Andrew Whitfield wrote to Gungubele enquiring whether he and the State Security Agency were informed of the theft of a large sum of foreign currency on Ramaphosa’s farm in February 2020 when the theft occurred. Whitfield also asked about the steps that were taken to report the crime through the official channels. In his written response, Gungubele said he was only appointed as a member of Cabinet on August 5, 2021, and was not informed of the theft. Former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser lifted the lid on the theft when he laid a…

As we approach the start of the matric examination period for 2022, I would like to wish the very best to all pupils. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the past three years have been challenging for the matric class of 2022 due to reasons like the hard lockdown, the revised curriculum, the hybrid model of teaching and other challenges. However, pupils have shown remarkable resilience and dedication in their studies. I have no doubt that this outstanding perseverance will definitely help towards achieving victory. The time to reap the fruits of hard work is now. Besides remaining focused on achieving good marks, pupils also need to look after themselves by leading a healthy lifestyle and increasing the remembrance of Almighty God. They need to be determined to do well by…

It has been wonderful to attend live concerts by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra again this year, all the more so since Covid restrictions were eased. Hopefully the number of concerts will increase again in 2023. However, I am sure I am not alone in wondering what has happened to the Steinway grand that was so generously gifted to the KZNPO by an anonymous benefactor in 2006. The “old” Bösendorfer (purchased at the time of the opening of the Playhouse complex in 1988) has been used in all concerts which have included a piano concerto on the programme this year. The Steinway was kept at the city hall, but it should not be difficult to move it across to the Playhouse. It is a pity that this fine instrument is no…

THE other evening I discovered an astonishing parallel of nomenclature and history. Probably not too many readers would be familiar with the town of York, lying quite near Maritzburg on the way to Greytown. Unfamiliar because although York was once a thriving, bustling little town, it has since failed to get anywhere near approaching in size York, the ancient capital in the north of England, after which it is named. Let’s not even talk about New York in America, also named after that city in England. In fact York, in KwaZulu-Natal, has become a ghost town – a church, a couple of trading stores, a few tumbledown houses and not much more. Livestock belonging to local farmers who have inherited rights to it still crop at the commonage. But that’s…

There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the 229 South African students studying at universities across Russia. Last week, Independent Media reported that the students faced eviction and possible expulsion because their rent and tuition fees were not paid. The Mpumalanga Department of Education now said it’s making every effort to ensure that their studies in the Russian Federation are at no stage compromised. Spokesperson Jasper Zwane said the department was working around the clock and in the best interest of students and would not rest until all issues were addressed within the stipulated time-lines. Zwane committed that no student would be evicted from their homes or expelled from universities. “To date, the department has been able to transfer stipends to almost all the students…

Thousands of residents in uMshwathi (Wartburg) outside Pietermaritzburg have been without water after water-tanker contractors were threatened by a business forum, who have demanded to be given part of the tender. The area falls under uMgungundlovu District Municipality. It is the district municipality’s responsibility to deliver the water. The business forum blocked the filling point for the water tankers last week and have demanded to be sub-contractors in the tender. UMgungundlovu District Municipality spokesperson Brian Zuma said yesterday that because of the business forums, the municipality had battled to deliver water to thousands of residents. “We are currently experiencing a disruption of water supply in the uMshwathi area, due to the blockage of water tankers from filling up at the water point in Trustfeed, by a business forum.” Zuma said…

Eskom announced that it suspended Stage 2 load shedding at midnight, but blackouts from 4pm could be expected this week until at least Wednesday. Eskom said it was implementing the continued load shedding to help manage emergency generation reserves in the evenings. Eskom announced on Friday that it was suspending load shedding for the weekend. However, the announcement was short-lived after the power utility said it would reinstate load shedding at 2pm on Saturday. This came after four generating units broke down at the Grootvlei, Camden and Medupi power stations. Eskom said yesterday that it would publish a further update on Wednesday, or as soon as any further significant changes had occurred. “Since yesterday afternoon two generation units at Grootvlei as well as a unit each at Kriel and Majuba…

Iraqi lawmakers have elected a new president who swiftly named a prime minister in the hope of ending a year of political gridlock and deadly violence. But major challenges lie ahead for the crisis-hit nation. Iraqi firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr’s movement said it refused to join a new government under prime minister-designate Mohammad Sudani. “We stress our firm and clear refusal for any of our affiliates to participate ... in this government formation led by the current candidate,” Mohammed Saleh al-Iraqi, an associate of Sadr’s, said on Twitter. On Thursday, the Iraqi parliament elected Abdul Latif Rashid, 78, as the country’s new president. He named Sudani as prime minister-designate and instructed him to form a government. Sudani’s nomination for the post of prime minister sparked protests in July. He…

Mogadishu: The Mogadishu government threatened to sanction businesses that pay extortion money to al-Shabaab, looking to choke a lucrative cash pipeline the Islamist militants use to fund a deadly insurgency. Somalia’s ministry of commerce and industry said the full force of the law would be brought against traders who pay the al-Qaeda ally, which experts say raises millions of dollars through a complex and extensive taxation system. The ministry said any business found to have paid or collaborated with al-Shabaab in any way would “face legal action” including having their government-issued trading permits revoked. |…

Momentum to legalise cannabis is increasing around the world. Recreational use of the drug, with some restrictions, is legal in countries such as Canada, Mexico and South Africa. Germany’s coalition government plans to join that list. In Bermuda, the idea was to bring British island territory’s drug laws into the 21st century. So the government in the Atlantic archipelago of 64 000 people approved legislation to liberalise the code. All that remained to enact it was the assent of the governor, the British monarch’s representative in the territory – usually a formality. But in “Mother Britain”, there was a problem. The foreign secretary had concluded that the bill would put Britain in violation of international drug control treaties that forbid signatories from permitting the recreational use of cannabis. And so…

A PIECE of land in La Mercy, north of Durban, has been earmarked by the eThekwini Municipality to be developed as a cemetery and could be ready for use as a burial site as early as January. Head of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, Dr Simphiwe Ndlovu said the city had acquired land in the north and was looking at other sites. He gave the details about the plans during a discussion on the city podcast, eThekwini Matters. The news has been welcomed by councillors who said they hoped it would solve the issue of burial space shortage that had been a problem for years. The city has in the past faced a serious challenge with the shortage of grave sites. In 2020 it was reported by…

The IFP has entered the fray on the controversial ministerial handbook, and its provisions, which have seen Cabinet members enjoying perks that include free water and electricity, and support staff at the taxpayer’s expense. This follows further revelations that President Cyril Ramaphosa had secretly altered the handbook in April to not only allow ministers and deputies free utilities, but to also have more support staff which sees the expenditure on the budget item rising to more than R80 million per year. It was reported yesterday that Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said after the outrage regarding the water and electricity bills issue, that a decision had been taken to review the handbook. The DA, who raised the alarm over the perks last week, yesterday charged that the alteration was used by…

The quality of air travel continues to deteriorate daily as more and more airlines crash economically, leaving behind surviving companies that not only grab the opportunity to scavenge on absolutely helpless travellers by increasing tariffs, but also viciously kick them in the ribs by applying a number of “add-ons” to the original fare. An extra fee is charged if you choose where you would like to be seated. An extra fee for checking in a suitcase. What’s next? A R50 surcharge if you wish to use the toilet? Why can’t all these ridiculous petty charges be incorporated directly into the main charge as before? One should observe how poor passengers try to fit in as much as possible into their cabin allowances, making it extremely uncomfortable for all. Exactly what…

Zimbabweans failed to commemorate Mental Health Day because of the appalling health-care system which has let down many people affected by mental health problems. It appears President Mnangagwa has no idea how dilapidated the health-care system is, which has caused many people to either die at home or go to other countries in search of better hospitals and medical treatment. He should tender his resignation or risk being ousted for his catalogue of failures regarding the economy, health care, human rights and infrastructural development. Zimbabweans cannot rely on neighbouring countries for treatment of mental health problems because this strains the health-care systems of neighbouring countries which were incapacitated by Covid-19. The major problems in Zimbabwe which cause mental illness are long-term stress, long-term physical health conditions, losing jobs, social disadvantage,…

DESTRUCTION and mayhem achieve little apart from generating more costs. When infrastructure is damaged, it needs to be replaced. This means there will be less capital available to upgrade and develop. However, one can understand the frustration of those taking part in these actions. When one hears that ministers earn an inflated salary and then get all their freebies, including services, one can feel the anger. Then to get told that this is necessary because these poor ministers are on call 24/7. Really? Doing what? As one other contributor to the letters page mentioned, they arrive at the scene of a tragedy and smile and wave in their fancy cars, paid for by the taxpayers. To those who are participating in these protests, don’t destroy – it achieves nothing.…

A Hungarian Vizla puppy has become the subject of a legal wrangle in the Johannesburg High Court involving a breeder and the owner of another male dog. The male mated with the breeder’s dog who had the aim of producing a litter of highly sought-after puppies. In terms of the contract, the owner of the male, named Cody, was allowed to choose the best pup as payment. But the bone of contention in this case was that Charlie, the female, only produced one pup. Cody’s owner wanted to claim the pup, but Charlie’s owner refused under the circumstances. Aggrieved by this, Cody’s owner,Willie Wolmarans, turned to the court to force breeder Tania Davey-Smith to give him what he regarded as his pup. Wolmarans asked for an order…

During the Covid-19 pandemic, wealthy consumers not financially affected traded in luxury experiences for luxury items. This is because many people were confined to their homes, so as a means of escape, they spent money on opulent clothes, jewellery, shoes and accessories. Michael Zahariev, co-founder of Luxity, South Africa’s largest pre-owned luxury reseller, said this has led to a new movement and an entirely new and growing customer base. “Consumers shifted towards higher quality products that hold their integrity and value over time,” he said. “As the pre-owned market makes luxury more accessible and therefore widespread, this added to greater demand in atypical markets.” Luxity this month also released a new report, “The State of the Luxury Market in Africa 2022”. The fifth edition of the report tracked the state…

Police arrested a 23-year-old foreign woman at the OR Tambo International Airport in Joburg on Saturday after she allegedly attempted to smuggle drugs into the country. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda said information was gathered about the suspect who boarded a flight from Brazil to South Africa via Doha, Qatar. “Police found 3.6kg of cocaine with an estimated value of R1.4 million,” Netshiunda said. The suspect will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s soon. The arrest comes after a 69-year-old man was arrested at the airport on Wednesday. Netshiunda said the man was found in possession of 8kg of heroin. He said the man was intercepted as he attempted to board a flight destined for India. Last month, a 52-year-old man was arrested for drug trafficking following a bust at…

Gunmen shot dead 11 people at a Russian military training ground on Saturday, the defence ministry said, in the latest blow to President Vladimir Putin’s forces since the invasion of Ukraine. The state-owned domestic news agency RIA cited the ministry as saying 15 other people were wounded in the shooting in the south-western Belgorod region that borders Ukraine when two men gunned down a group who had volunteered to take part in the war. It said the two assailants – nationals from an unspecified former Soviet republic – had been shot dead. The attack took place a week after a blast damaged a bridge in Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. “During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in…

OSLO: Norway police arrested a Russian man at the airport in the Arctic town of Tromsoe and charged him with flying a drone, they said on Saturday, marking the second such arrest in one week. Police seized a large amount of photographic gear, including a drone and several memory cards, during Friday’s arrest of the 51-year-old, who had admitted to flying the drone in Norway, police said. Sanctions laws forbid Russian companies or citizens from operating aircraft in Norway. Norway has increased its alertness levels in response to a number of drone sightings close to its oil and gas infrastructure and to the leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.…

WASHINGTON: Former US president Barack Obama will campaign for Democratic Party candidates in Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin later this month and before the November 8 midterm elections that will determine control of the US Congress. Obama will canvas support for candidates for federal and state offices, appearing in Atlanta before travelling to Detroit and Milwaukee, his office said on Saturday. Republicans are predicted to win control of the US House of Representatives and possibly the US Senate as well. Several of them who want to upend the way votes are cast and counted are running for top election administrator offices. Obama will tell voters that Democrats are the party for protecting abortion rights but a main theme in his appearances will also be that Democrats can be better trusted to…

It’s appropriate that a domestic season that is set to be dominated by T20 cricket, kicks off the 2022-23 season with that particular format, with Cricket South Africa doing all it can to draw attention to the T20 Challenge. The eight Division One teams will spend the next three weeks in Potchefstroom. Over the next few weeks CSA are hoping that with tickets starting from R1, it can attract the local student population to occupy the grass embankments at the North West Oval. Besides DStv, which will broadcast the competition across its different package ranges, matches will also be shown on channels and streamed on apps in England, India and Australia. Although the Proteas are away at the T20 World Cup, because of the recent SA20 auction, the T20 Challenge…

Kaizer Chiefs suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, putting an end to their seven-game unbeaten run. A new-look Amakhosi team appeared to be heading in the right direction following an impressive run of performances. However a poor display against Chippa saw them suffer their first defeat at home this season. A huge chunk of coach Arthur Zwane's problems this season have been his side's inability to convert the simplest of chances in front of goal. It was a similar case on Saturday as some of the club's most clinical finishers were guilty of spurning numerous chances against Chippa. Zwane was a disappointed figure at the post-match press conference. The 49-year-old however vowed to not lose hope in his players as fixtures come…

ESKOM’S signing of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to lease land at Majuba and Tutuka power stations might snag on financial close as winners of bid window 5 under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme are still struggling with obtaining funding months after the bids were awarded. Energy analysts said the signing of lease agreements did not automatically guarantee funding for the projects by bid winners HDF Energy South Africa, Red Rocket SA, Sola Group and Mainstream Renewable Power Developments South Africa, which are all expected to add to the grid 24 months after they obtain the financial close. “It is anticipated the generators will be connected to the grid within 24 to 36 months from financial closure, subject to environmental, land zoning and other regulatory approvals,”…

ANC and SACP speakers at a memorial event for Struggle heroine Fatima Seedat yesterday warned that the party would not get support if leaders prioritised the fight for positions over the urgent needs of citizens. The ANC will hold its elective conference in December and concerns have been raised that the focus will be on leadership positions while policies that focus on transforming the economy and dealing with unemployment, inequality and poverty will largely be put aside. Family, friends and fellow activists gathered in Phoenix, north of Durban yesterday, to celebrate what would have been Seedat’s 100th birthday. Seedat and other woman leaders including Dora Tamana, Dorothy Nyembe, Fatima Meer and Florence Mkhize, led more than 20 000 people in the historic Women’s March to the Union Buildings in…

The pink ribbon symbol of breast cancer awareness is now 30 years old. Co-created by businesswoman Evelyn Lauder, the ribbon reminds women to get medical check-ups and appears on products sold with a promise that part of the proceeds will be donated to support breast cancer awareness or research. Lauder, who died in 2011, was inspired by the red ribbon symbol for Aids awareness, and founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993. “My mother said that there are more women diagnosed with breast cancer every day than there are people who are diagnosed with Aids, and it affects one in eight women,” said William P Lauder, executive chairperson of Estee Lauder Companies Inc and son of Evelyn, explaining the campaign. “And we know October now ... is Breast Cancer…

Hands are one of the most important parts of the body. They are critical as they help us in many different aspects of our lives. Hands are important for survival, but they can also be deadly if not taken care of. We need to take care of our hands and ensure that they are always clean to prevent the spread of diseases. Clean hands prevent the spread of diseases and save lives. That is the main reason we must regularly wash them with soap and water. Hand-washing with soap and water is an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent the spread of diseases. The regular and proper washing of hands is so important to save lives that in 2008, the UN proclaimed October 15 as Global Hand-washing Day, as…

ALTHOUGH thoughtful deliberations about the week ahead take time, the rewards usually far exceed the efforts required for good planning: Design and plan as much as can be designed and planned. Usually, a pencil and paper is all you will need. Decide early what kind of person you want to be. While no person can predict or control the future, you can take appropriate charge of some aspects of who and what you are and what you are becoming. As much as possible, take care of last week’s, last month’s, last year’s, unfinished business. This will permit you to enter the week with a relatively clean slate. Taking responsibility for your part in whatever “clean-up” is necessary will gain you respect and teach others to do the same. Define yourself,…

More than a dozen calves at a New Zealand research farm wait to be fed Kowbucha, a punnily named probiotic that studies show reduces burps – or methane emissions. The Kowbucha powder is blended into a milk-like drink fed to the calves. It is part of a series of trials by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra to gauge how effective the probiotic is in reducing methane emissions. New Zealand has pledged to cut biogenic methane emissions by 10% on 2017 levels by 2030 and by up to 47% by 2050. The “true eureka moment” came when early trials suggested that calves emit up to 20% less methane when they receive the probiotic supplement, Fonterra said. “Probiotics are natural, cost effective, and doesn’t have any effect on the milk.” New Zealand…

Examinations watchdog Umalusi has warned pupils and teachers to refrain from all forms of cheating, including group copying, where teachers are sometimes implicated, as it gave the go-ahead for the national senior certificate (NSC) exams. The state of readiness for the end-of-year exams was announced by the CEO of Umalusi, Mafu Rakometsi, during a media briefing at Protea Hotel in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg on Friday. The 2022 NSC final exams are expected to run from October 31 to December 7. The National Certificate Vocational exams will start on October 24 to November 28, while the Nated (N2 – N3) ones are scheduled to take place between November 14 and 30. Addressing the briefing, Rakometsi sent a stern warning to all stakeholders about cheating. “Once again, as we have done…

THE eThekwini Municipality says it’s confident that by next month all repairs on damaged sewerage infrastructure will be completed and all Durban beaches will be open for swimming and other water-related activities. This after an alarm was raised this past week after videos shared on social media showed raw sewage from the Blackburn Pump station, in uMhlanga running into the nearby Ohlanga River. Raw sewage was also seen flowing into the uMngeni River which flows to the Blue Lagoon. EThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said estuary water near lagoons had shown significant improvement, but some beaches remain closed as a precautionary measure as advised by environmental affairs. Opposition parties have said eThekwini’s sewerage issues were much greater than what met the eye and the November deadline was impossible to meet…

Table Mountain has once again won the title as “Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction” at this year’s World Travel Awards, for the fourth time in a row. Table Mountain was in this category nominated alongside Lake Malawi, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Okavango Delta in Botswana, Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Robben Island, and V & A Waterfront. Cape Town also picked up the coveted honour of Africa’s Leading City destination. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company managing director Wahida Parker said they were beyond excited at the news. “The World Travel Awards is the gold standard in the travel world and acknowledges service excellence and responsible operators each year. Most of the nominees in our category were from Cape Town, which shows again what a wonderful and successful mix…

THE SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) says the Transnet workers’ strike will continue this week as no resolutions were reached in talks at the Transnet Bargaining Council last week. Transnet workers have been on strike for more than a week. At the bargaining council Transnet offered a 4.5% across-the-board increase in the current year, which would have been implemented from October 1, 2022. This would have been followed by a 5.3% increase in the 2023/24 financial year. The offer also included a 4.5% increase in the medical aid allowance in 2022/23, which would be adjusted in line with the across-the-board increase in the subsequent two years. Satawu said the proposal was below inflation and therefore it was rejected. “Our members feel that accepting anything below inflation will be…

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has ordered banks to deny foreign currency to businesses importing non-priority goods, in an effort to shore up dwindling foreign reserves in one of Africa’s major economies. The move effectively freezes the import of dozens of items such as alcohol and cars, as businesses must register with banks to obtain the foreign currency needed to bring goods into the country. In a letter to Ethiopia’s central bank, the Ministry of Finance said it had become necessary to restrict the use of foreign currency to importing food, medicine and medical equipment, and raw materials for manufacturing. |…

Thousands of supporters of two rival Tunisian opposition groups held parallel protests against President Kais Saied on Saturday, denouncing his moves to consolidate his political power as public anger grows over fuel and food shortages. The Islamist Ennahda party and the Free Constitutional Party have been bitter foes for years and although they remain opposed to each other, both are now most focused on combating the president, whom they accuse of an anti-democratic coup. “Tunisia is bleeding. Saied is a failed dictator. He has set us back for many years. The game’s over. Get out,” said Henda Ben Ali, a 53-year-old unemployed woman who was taking part in the Free Constitutional Party protest. Saied, who moved to rule by decree after shutting down parliament last year and expanding his powers…