Tabla de contenidos para 2022-07-11 en Cape Times

THERE are over 30 cases subject to disciplinary action involving everything from financial misconduct to sexual harassment and fraud before the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This emerged following a parliamentary question by EFF MP, Andrew Arnolds, who wanted to know how many officials were currently subjected to disciplinary actions in DFFE; what the reasons were; and when suspensions would be instituted against each official. DFFE Minister Barbara Creecy said there were 36 cases under investigation and only one person out of the 36 had been suspended so far. “From the 36 cases, only one employee is currently on precautionary suspension. Suspension as a sanction from a disciplinary hearing process is implemented as soon as the director-general has approved the sanction pronounced by the chairperson, and…

Phakama Nzimande’s decision to fetch his jacket at home is the reason he is still alive today, after unknown gunmen opened fire, killing four people at the Samkelisiwe tavern in KwaNxamalala, Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, on Saturday evening. In widespread massacres at the weekend, 22 people died in three violent shootings in three provinces. In Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday at 8.30pm, two men entered the tavern and indiscriminately opened fire on the patrons, resulting in at least 12 people being shot and four dead. In Soweto, Gauteng, 15 people were massacred at the Nomzamo Tavern in Orlando East when unknown assailants opened fire on 23 people after midnight, leaving 10 others wounded and needing to be be rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. In East London, Duncan Village residents reacted…

A RESCUE operation in Parkwood for pitbull puppies that were being forced-trained to fight has led to more dogs being saved. Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA inspectors together with the City’s Animal Control Unit swooped on a property in the area on Thursday to investigate. SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said someone had shared video footage with them showing how the dogs were being treated. “The video footage shows how a group of youngsters, some as young as seven years of age, are enticing three pitbull terrier-type pups to attack each other. “The estimated age of the pups is approximately four months. “The pups were being trained to become fighting dogs. “When the pups did not want to attack each other, they were antagonised to continue fighting. The one…

THE ANC in the Western Cape legislature has accused the DA of overlooking more qualified candidates for the appointment of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning head. This comes after it emerged that Gerhard Gerber, the new head of the department, is the brother-in-law of Marius du Randt. Du Randt is the head of Ministry in Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development MEC Anton Bredell’s office. According to the ANC the appointment was a “textbook case of cronyism and nepotism”. The party is expected to request the Public Service Commission and the Employment Equity Commission to investigate the move. “It has also been confirmed that his appointment has been met with concern by many in the department who feel like a better qualified and more experienced candidate was overlooked in favour…

CURRENTLY we are living in intense times. With our focus squarely on finance and security, we shudder at the prospect of a new petrol hike, the deepening load shedding crisis, a new infectious disease arriving on our shores, an increase in crime, political instability and more. In other words, as South Africans we have a lot going on - a lot of outward “attention grabbing” incidents that drain us mentally and emotionally. We have become more moody and irritable as a result, and not without good reason. The world is demanding a lot from us (human beings) right now, and keeping one’s head above water is proving to be more difficult as we go along. So with all the madness, it is not impossible to forget one's own health in…

IT IS a perennial pastime of financial experts to speculate on the imminent demise of the US dollar as the predominant international currency and the global financial system’s currency of choice for both payment and reserve asset. This in contrast to the hope of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) emerging as an alternative international currency of first resort to many emerging markets to challenge and eventually replace the Washington Consensus and the post-World War II Bretton Woods arrangements that have governed the world’s financial architecture for the past 75 years, through the domineering role and use of the greenback. The dollar has no inalienable right to financial hegemony. Its dominance is a quirk of history tempered by the twin evils of imperialism and colonialism. But this hegemony has been diluting since…

The US and China held constructive talks on Saturday, the two sides said, after a meeting aimed at preventing bilateral tensions from spiralling out of control. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first talks since October in Bali, Indonesia, which hosted the G20 Summit. “Despite the complexities of our relationship, I can say with some confidence that our delegations found today’s discussions useful, candid and constructive,” Blinken said after five hours of talks. “The relationship between the United States and China is highly consequential for our countries but also for the world. We are committed to managing this relationship – this competition – responsibly,” he said. China’s foreign ministry said the two sides had broadly agreed to work to improve ties –…

MANONO: Jason Kandeke and his sister Esther got out of the van and rushed into the arms of their weeping uncle and grandmother –the children’s first contact with their family since Congolese fighters killed their parents six years ago. Militias raided their village of Mingele in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Jason, now 12, and Esther, 14, fled and were taken in by villagers elsewhere. Earlier this year their carers were killed in another attack. A friend passed their details on to the Red Cross. They got on a plane with scores of other children and flew to their new home with their uncle, Jean Ilunga Kandeke, hundreds of kilometres away. “I’m really happy to be with my family. It was hard to lose my parents and now I’m really…

DAKAR: The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) executive board has approved a $638 million (about R11 billion) in funding for Benin under a 42-month arrangement to help the West African nation address pressing financing needs, the IMF said on Friday. The decision will enable an immediate disbursement of $143m, which Benin authorities intend to use for budget support, the IMF said. Like other countries in the region, Benin’s economy has been battered by global shocks including the cornavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and attacks by Islamist militants in the north of the country. |…

Gabadinho Mhango is gearing up for a new challenge at AmaZulu ahead of the new season following a torrid year out in the cold at former club Orlando Pirates. The 29-year-old forward is a proven goal scorer, speedy, tricky with an unrelenting desire to win and is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the PSL today. 'Gaba' had a magnificent 2019/20 season under coach Josef Zinnbauer recording 16 goals in 28 matches while donning the black and white of the Buccaneers. However, he followed that up with a significantly depleted return in goal involvements the year after that, managing the five goals in 22 games. An alarming drop off considering his talent. A turbulent campaign last time out was marred by issues off the field that evidently cost…

Newly promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest made their fifth signing since regaining their place among the elite, agreeing a reported £10million (about R202m) fee with Bayern Munich for Omar Richards. The 24-year-old English fullback signed a four year contract ending a one-year stay in Germany. He joined Bayern from second tier Reading, making 17 appearances and helping them to a 32nd Bundesliga title. “I’m thrilled to return to England by joining Nottingham Forest at such an exciting time,” said Richards, who was capped once by England at Under-21 level. The club has enjoyed an incredible last few months and there’s great ambitions for the Premier League return.” | AFP…

FUEL AND FOOD prices are soaring in Zimbabwe as elevated inflation and a runaway exchange rate ratchet up pressure on the government workers who have now given notice to strike. Zimbabwe is battling an economic crisis that the government of President Emerson Mnangagwa is struggling to turnaround. Harare has resultantly been forced to resort to tightening the monetary sector, instituting measures aimed at constraining US dollar purchases to promote the local unit of exchange, the Zimdollar. The Zimdollar is struggling to stay afloat. And with the petrol price set at US$1.77 and the price of diesel at US$1.80, food prices for commodities such as bread have been going up to around $1.20, with some shortages emerging after the government asked bakeries to keep the price low. Now, government workers that…

THE mother of Ashley Oosthuizen, a South African who has been sentenced to 25 years in a Thailand prison for alleged international drug trafficking, says she was disappointed that she was not able to see her daughter during a recent visit. Lynn Blignaut said she remained hopeful for her daughter’s release. Blignaut last saw Oosthuizen in 2019. After matriculating in 2017, Oosthuizen, 23, moved to Thailand to teach English on the island of Koh Samui. It was there that she apparently met an American teacher, Tristan Nettles, who soon became her boyfriend. When Oosthuizen was laid off during the pandemic, Nettles, who was alleged to have smuggled drugs on the island, had apparently offered her employment at his restaurant. Oosthuizen was arrested after she allegedly accepted and signed a package…

A FORMER City of Cape Town employee who was dismissed after allegedly assaulting a colleague in a work parking lot has failed in his effort in the Labour Court to have his dismissal reviewed. The former employee and maintenance staff member, identified as D Booysen in court documents, had been employed in the City for about 30 years when the alleged altercation occurred between him and an E Fisher. Responding to the judgment, the City of Cape Town said: “The City is pleased with the outcome of the Labour Court judgment. The judgment confirms the City’s strong stance against assault in the workplace as a form of misconduct. The City cannot condone this type of premeditated assault of one staff member against another and agrees with both the arbitrator and…

To solve the electricity crisis we are in with the maximum speed, the National Planning Committee will hopefully be able to collectively look at what is on offer from qualified contenders and approve deals by consensus without the red tape and delays caused by conventional tenders. Details of all deals offered should be made public to keep the procedure transparent. The committee could bargain with the contenders and then choose the best option. If the president and a few senior Cabinet ministers are included with some outside members with technical expertise and there is full transparency there should be no room for allegations of corruption. When Jacob Zuma was president the Russians offered to put nuclear power stations in South Africa and as payment they would take a percentage of…

HAD the ANC government with Jacob Zuma as prime minister ruled in the UK, how long would it have lasted? Conversely, had the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson ruled in South Africa, how long would it have lasted? Easy answer. Zuma would have been out on his ear after one term – and he and his cronies would’ve still been behind bars for the unforgivable crime of capturing the state. On the other hand, in South Africa Boris would still have been in power, despite turning a blind eye to the misdemeanours of a few cabinet ministers. Okay, so he told a few fibs about the partying of his fellows during the lockdown situation. What Boris is guilty of is chicken feed compared to what Jacob orchestrated here. The reason…

Lawlessness in our country has reached an unprecedented level. At Enyobeni tavern in the Eastern Cape 19 children and teenagers died under mysterious circumstances. The youngest victim was 13 years old, raising questions about how children are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol at legal establishments. At least 14 people were killed in a mass shooting yesterday in a tavern in Soweto. On Saturday four people were killed at Sweetwaters Tavern, outside Pietermaritzburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for action after the killings, but questions will be raised about the police’s lack of awareness of the planning and preparation involved in the crimes. “As government, citizens and structures of civil society we must all work together even more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime…

Sri Lankan protesters yesterday refused to budge from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence, a day after they stormed his home, forcing him to flee with the navy and announce he would resign. “Our struggle is not over,” said student leader Lahiru Weerasekara, the day after Rajapaksa – currently taking refuge on a vessel offshore – said he would step down on Wednesday. “We won’t give up this struggle until he actually leaves.” The dramatic events on Saturday were the culmination of months of protests by people enraged by the South Asian island nation’s unprecedented economic crisis and the Rajapaksa clan’s incompetence and corruption. Hundreds of thousands massed in Colombo demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel that have brought the once-relatively rich economy to its knees and…

Washington: Elon Musk’s move to abandon his purchase of Twitter has been greeted with a mix of relief and disappointment across the political spectrum, with many criticising the Tesla founder but others applauding his “exposure” of the influential messaging platform. The announcement of the deal valued at $44 billion (R740bn) in April sparked fears the platform would see a surge in abuse and disinformation after Musk – a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist – said he would largely let anyone say anything allowed by law on Twitter. Musk’s announcement on Friday that he no longer wants to buy Twitter triggered celebration by advocacy groups that were against the deal. |…

ABIDJAN: Major cocoa buyers have agreed to pay a premium on cocoa sold by Ivory Coast and Ghana as part of a deal reached on Friday to combat poverty among farmers. Cocoa industry players will back a fixed “living income differential” of $400 a ton on all contracts sold by Africa’s two top global cocoa producers. Buyers will also pay a premium that will enable regulators in both countries to reach a target floor price of $2 600 per ton which should allow farmers to earn a minimum of 70% of the target floor price. The signatories include Hershey, Mars, Blommer Chocolate, Nestle, Sucden, Mondelez, Touton, Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Ferrero, Olam and Ecom Trading. |…

Bob Jungels won the ninth stage of the Tour de France at the end of a long solo mountain raid yesterday after Covid-19 almost prevented the Luxemburg rider from starting the race last week. The AG2R-Citroen rider tested positive on the eve of the start in Copenhagen last Thursday but was cleared to take part after a panel of doctors ruled that his viral load was low enough for him to ride. Jungels prevailed from the day's breakaway in searing heat in the Alps after resisting a fierce chase by France's Thibaut Pinot, who surrendered in the final kilometres and finished fourth. Jonathan Castroviejo took second place 22 seconds behind Jungels with fellow Spaniard Carlos Verona ending up third, a further four seconds adrift. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar retained the overall…

PARLIAMENT is yet to take decisive steps to uncover the truth about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s international Phala Phala farm robbery scandal, after a second attempt by opposition parties to have Ramaphosa be held accountable has been unsuccessful. All eyes remain on Ramaphosa as the nation eagerly awaits the truth about millions of US dollars allegedly “concealed” in furniture at his farm and which was stolen by a gang who broke into his Limpopo property two years ago. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula at the weekend confirmed she had declined a request by DA leader John Steenhuisen to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of theft at Ramaphosa’s game farm. She also declined a motion by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to remove the president in terms of…

The overloading of taxis is commonplace. This is especially the case in the early morning and late afternoon. It seems understandable that taxis try to accommodate passengers who have to rush to and from work, school, hospital or somewhere else when time is against them, and the flow of taxis covering that particular route is slow. In such instances, passengers are travelling at their own risk, since they usually insist they want to use the overloaded vehicle, given their time constraints. When passengers, however, have ample time to get to their destination, there is no excuse for them to board a full taxi. Overloading of taxis poses a serious safety risk. Unlike buses, minibuses are not made for, nor certified, to accommodate standing passengers. These are also not safe to…

Patriarchy and ageism now rear their heads in governing party THE ANC Youth League of Antony Lembede and Nelson Mandela and pivotal characters in the Struggle for independence like Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Mandela provide examples of how young people and women have historically been at the centre of revolutions. Over the years, however, the ANC has not created a political environment where women and young cadres are given the responsibility to lead the organisation, despite it having some of the most prominent and generally accepted women and young leaders in society within its ranks. The party is gearing up for its 55th National Conference where it will reflect on the five years since Nasrec; the reality that its hegemony in the political landscape of the country has…

Japanese police have admitted there were “problems” with security for former prime minister Shinzo Abe. The country was in mourning for Japan’s longest-serving premier and mourners gathered to pay their respects, with senior politicians dressed in black arriving at Abe’s Tokyo residence to offer condolences. But candidates also continued campaigning for the upper house election yesterday, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida insisting: “We must never allow violence to suppress speech during elections, which are the foundation of democracy.” The murder of Japan’s best-known politician has rattled the country and sent shockwaves around the world, particularly given the low levels of violent crime and strict gun laws. Police are still piecing together details of the man who shot Abe at close range on Friday, but the 41 year old named as…

The Conservative Party committee overseeing the contest to select British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s replacement will look to whittle it down to two names by July 20, one of its members said at the weekend. The so-called 1922 Committee will set out the exact rules and timetable for the contest this week after Johnson was forced to quit by his own party. Many lawmakers are pushing for a fast-tracked process. Four Conservative lawmakers have officially confirmed their desire to be the next leader, but about a dozen others are also expected to run for the job. Conservative lawmakers will hold a series of votes to reduce the field to two final candidates, who will then face a postal ballot of the wider Conservative Party membership. “Clearly what we would want…

NAIROBI: The Kenyan government and World Health Organization (WHO) launched a medical emergency hub in Nairobi on Saturday, the first in a network of African centres they say will hasten responses to regional emergencies. The facility will include a training centre, house a cadre of professionals that can respond to a medical emergency within its first 24 hours and stockpiles of medical equipment. The WHO said it wanted to help create these quick response teams in every African country. Kenya will become a regional hub for medical equipment, which will help neighbouring countries get required medicines faster. |…

Washington: News companies are facing an agonising challenge with more than 320 mass shootings across the US: deciding which atrocities warrant coverage and which don’t. NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt caught a train to Highland Park, Illinois, a day after an attack at a Fourth of July parade killed seven and wounded dozens. But he was providing coverage of only the deadliest of 14 mass shootings that took place over that holiday weekend, according to a tally by the Gun Violence Archive. Many journalists have a similar triage process: prioritising shootings based partly on death tolls and partly on a subjective sense of horror and shock. |…