Tabla de contenidos para 2023-08-22 en Cape Times

In recent years, it seems everyone and their grandmother has been obsessing over maintaining a flawless complexion. So why is skincare booming? And, more importantly, could vitamin C be the ultimate secret to achieving the holy grail of skin health? The Gen Z and influencer community has been front and centre in embracing the idea that skincare isn’t just about tackling existing skin issues; it’s a form of self-care and self-love. And I can’t lie and not champion the idea of investing in ourselves, and that includes investing in our skin. The quest for a radiant complexion has given rise to an entire industry of innovative skincare products, from serums to toners and beyond, with social media influencers and beauty gurus showcasing their multi-step routines. Unveiling the ‘holy grail’…

Minister of Police General Bheki Cele and the national commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, yesterday delivered a message to members of the police and other law-enforcement agencies, including the SANDF and metro police, before the 6th BRICS Summit that is set to get under way in Sandton today. President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Xi Jinping of China, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend the summit alongside heads of state from the continent and other BRICS-aligned nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend virtually and will be represented in Joburg by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The SANDF has deployed troops to form part of the security detail. A security forces parade of law-enforcement agencies from various disciplines of the…

AT LEAST 15 people died as a result of contact with electricity this year, and a further 147 people suffered electricity-related injuries. This is according to Eskom’s senior manager for occupational health and safety, Miranda Moahlodi, who said the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo reported the most incidents. Eskom was observing Electricity Safety Month aimed at highlighting the dangers of illegal connections as well as a rise in criminal activity, such as vandalism of infrastructure and theft of electricity cables. Sandiswa Dayimani from Ethembeni in Dunoon said more needed to be done to educate residents about the dangers of electricity and promote responsible use. “In some areas illegal connections start fires and harm people and destroy a lot of informal households. “Sometimes people forget to switch off their stoves and…

IN ANOTHER online buying and selling scam in Brown’s Farm, Nyanga, two people were robbed of their belongings, just one day apart in separate incidents after following up on fake Marketplace deals. Woodstock resident, Brad Briscoe, had been interested in purchasing a generator. “I started up a conversation with a man on Marketplace about a generator he was selling. He seemed to be on the ball and well-written etc. When I asked where I could view the item he said we can meet at Juncxion Mall in Nyanga, as transport was an issue for him. “I messaged him on arrival and scoped the place out. Then the story changed, he then tells me he is not able to get the item to the car park but if I look across…

NTOMBI Ntuli’s life took a turn for the worst when she broke her leg while escaping a speeding car that almost knocked her down. We came across the Enseleni resident in Richard’s Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, being pushed in a wheelbarrow by her frail brother, Koto Ntuli. They were on their way to the hospital, which is several kilometres from her home. After being attended to, she was discharged to recover at home, where she shares a dilapidated rondavel with her brother and her three children aged 28, 15 and the youngest, 6 years old. Her family’s life is not easy, as they survive on the 15-year-old’s social grant. Koto Ntuli does some casual jobs, including gardening and cleaning yards. Ntuli, 56, was also a recipient of a disability grant for a…

The plans of eThekwini Municipality and the City of uMhlathuze to enhance access roads leading to the Durban and Richards Bay harbours respectively, with the aim of alleviating truck congestion, stand as a promising development poised to steer the nation’s economy towards a positive trajectory. During the recent BRICS/KwaZulu- Natal Trade and Investment seminar held in Durban, eThekwini’s municipal manager, Musa Mbhele, unveiled ongoing initiatives to upgrade the road infrastructure surrounding South Africa’s busiest ports. Thabane Zulu, the CEO of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), also shared plans for the expansion and development of the area. Mbhele highlighted, “among the pivotal projects in motion is the enhancement of the M7 and N2 interchange, a vital logistics route that is currently in the tender process”. “The project’s focus…

More than 10 000 people, many clad in bright yellow, gathered yesterday for a climactic show of support for Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa ahead of tense general elections. The country goes to the polls tomorrow for presidential and legislative elections, with Chamisa, 45, vying to defeat hardline 80-year-old head of state Emmerson Mnangagwa. The vote, taking place against a backdrop of discontent at Zimbabwe’s economic crisis, is being closely watched as a barometer of popularity for the Zanu-PF party, in power since independence 43 years ago. Supporters of Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) gathered in central Harare from where the Zanu-PF’s towering headquarters are visible. “Zimbabwe, our time has come. This is the time!” Chamisa told the crowd. “We are going to win with a big and wide…

London: British police said yesterday that they had dropped an inquiry into King Charles III’s charitable foundation, The Prince’s Trust, over claims of a cash-for-honours scandal involving a Saudi businessman. The probe was launched last year after the head of foundation, Michael Fawcett, resigned in 2021 following an internal investigation into the allegations. Tycoon Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz had donated large sums to restoration projects of interest to Charles. Fawcett, Charles’s long-standing former valet who was close to him for decades, was alleged to have co-ordinated efforts to grant a royal honour and even UK citizenship to Mahfouz, who had denied any wrongdoing. However, London’s Metropolitan Police force said that after investigating and consulting with prosecutors, it had decided to end the inquiry. | AFP…

Kyiv: Ukrainian forces have recaptured a clutch of territory around the eastern war-battered town of Bakhmut but made no major advances on the southern front, deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said yesterday. Kyiv launched a counter-offensive against Russian troops in June after stockpiling Western weapons and building up offensive infantry units but has conceded that progress has been slow. Bakhmut, an industrial town that was once home to some 70 000 people, was captured by Russian forces this summer. This came after months of costly fighting. | AFP…

Jakarta: Thousands of public employees in Indonesia’s capital, or half of its civil servants, were told to work from home starting yesterday in a two-month trial aimed at improving the city’s air quality, a government notice said. Jakarta and its surrounding cities form a megalopolis of about 30 million people, and its airborne concentration of the tiny particles known as PM 2.5 recently surpassed other heavily polluted cities such as Riyadh, Doha and Lahore. Activists blame the high levels of toxic smog on factories and coal-fired power plants near the capital, but the government has dismissed such claims, saying Jakarta’s recent worsening air pollution was mainly due to weather and traffic. | AFP…

Wales have named flyhalf Gareth Anscombe and No 8 Taulupe Faletau in their 33-player squad for the Rugby World Cup but there is no place for wing Alex Cuthbert in the selection named by coach Warren Gatland yesterday. The squad will be co-captained by hooker Dewi Lake and back row Jac Morgan, with centre George North to appear at his fourth World Cup. Gatland said the idea of co-captains was a new one for him but something he is eager to try. "They compliment each other well and are good mates," Gatland said. "It’s a good opportunity and something I’ve never done before. “Both of them have a big future ahead of them." Anscombe and Faletau have not played in any of Wales’ warm-up games due to injury but have…

THE ANC in the Dullah Omar region announced yesterday the names of 20 members who made it on to the regional executive committee as additional members. This after the delegates held a conference at the weekend. The results showed that the candidates who vied unsuccessfully for the top five positions made it on to the regional executive committee (REC). Dark horse Tshepo Moletsane, who was outclassed by Ndithini Tyhido for the chairperson position, came in the 12th position as an additional member. Chief whip in the Western Cape legislature, Pat Lekker, who lost to SACP deputy provincial secretary Sonwabile Ngxiza in the deputy chairperson contest, also made the cut in the REC when she came at number seven. Dee Badela, who contested unsuccessfully the regional secretary post, came top on…

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will be instituting civil litigation in connection with the City’s establishment of a temporary homeless persons' shelter in Strandfontein three years ago. This was revealed by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola when he responded to parliamentary questions from Good Party MP Brett Herron. Herron wrote to Lamola enquiring about the progress being made by the SIU regarding instructions to the State Attorney, after the anti-corruption body found irregularities in the establishment of the shelter. In his response, Lamola said the SIU briefed the Office of the State Attorney, who in turn briefed a suitable senior counsel on November 25, 2022. “Papers have been drafted and the institution of civil proceedings is imminent,” Lamola said. “Whereas the SIU is currently involved in discussions with…

AFFORDABLE housing in the Cape Town CBD remained unprioritised at the expense of a focus on luring international companies to the city. That’s the concern from housing activist organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU), in reaction to the 11th annual Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s (CCID) State of Cape Town Central City Report for 2022, showing that 22 buildings developments had recorded a net worth of R3.5 billion. Eight of these buildings were residential, six were commercial, four were mixed-use, two retail, one an aparthotel, and the other a parastatal building. Ndifuna Ukwazi said the delay in providing affordable housing in the city was “further entrenching spatial injustice”. NU spokesperson Yusrah Bardien said: “Neither the City, the province or the national government have built any affordable housing units in central Cape…

HANGBERG and Imizamo Yethu residents have accused the City of “failing” to fulfil its constitutional mandate after their refuse had not been collected in more than a month. Imizamo Yethu community activist Amanda Thethi said flies and rats were rife, and posed a health hazard to children and the elderly. “Nothing is good. Trash is right in front of the shack and we live with young children. The entire July we have been living like this and another street was even closed due to the rubbish. Drains are a mess and sewerages are also overflowing. They just come to take pictures and disappear into the night, we never see any change.” Thethi said she had previously engaged urban mobility mayco member Rob Quintas, who promised that refuse would be removed…

A SQUABBLE at a KFC drive-through involving “drunk” patrons who blocked the driveway, drinking and dancing with loud music emanating from their vehicle, ended up in court as one of the patrons claimed damages from the fast-food outlet. Sakhe Tutshana, who is a male nurse, turned to the Mthatha High Court, where he claimed damages from KFC and one of its employees, Mncedisi Jola, whom he said assaulted him during the altercation. Jola, on the other hand, said Tutshana and various of the passengers in his car were unruly and drunk and made trouble while ordering their nine-piece bucket of chicken late at night. He said he acted in self defence as Tutshana assaulted him first. The court was told that patrons in a car behind that of Tutshana joined…

Was the EFF formed out of anger or a vendetta? This is not an easy question where one can jump for a “yes” or a “no”. Sometimes the answer is both. Julius Malema holds a grudge against certain people who he says expelled him from the ANC. Yet the very same EFF, when it suits them, say that the ANC took a collective decision, instead of one person taking responsibility. That is a contradiction. On top of that, they have a vendetta against the people they say ill-treated Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Yet Thabo Mbeki made it clear that the position was a decision of the ANC. Though this anger was not directly linked to their expulsion or them leaving, there is a link. From their analysis, Cyril Ramaphosa was one of…

A British nurse was jailed for life yesterday, with no prospect of release, for murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to kill six others while they were in her care. Lucy Letby, 33, was convicted of killing five baby boys and two baby girls, making her the UK’s most prolific child serial killer in modern history. She was arrested following a string of baby deaths at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in north-west England between June 2015 and June 2016. The prosecution said Letby attacked her vulnerable prematurely born victims, often during night shifts, by either injecting them with air, overfeeding them with milk or poisoning them with insulin. Following a trial that started in October, a jury at Manchester Crown Court ended more than 100…

Hundreds of Syrians took to the streets again yesterday in the country’s southern Sweida province, local media reported, as dire living conditions stoke discontent in regime-held areas. Rare protests have erupted in the country’s south in recent days after the government lifted fuel subsidies last week, dealing a blow to Syrians already struggling with the heavy toll that 12 years of war have exacted on the economy. A local news outlet posted videos showing hundreds of protesters gathered in the province yesterday, holding up banners and chanting anti-government slogans including “freedom” and “long live Syria, down with (President) Bashar al-Assad”. The protests come on the heels of a strike on Sunday against deteriorating living conditions and price hikes across Sweida province – the heartland of the country’s Druze minority –…

ROME: Pope Francis said yesterday that he was writing a follow-up to his landmark 2015 encyclical on the protection of the environment and the dangers of climate change “to bring it up to date”. He made the announcement in a brief, unprepared addition in a speech to a group of lawyers from Council of Europe countries. In the eight years since the document was published, the world has seen an increase in extreme weather, such as more intense heat waves, more frequent wildfires and more severe hurricanes. | Reuters…

LONDON: UK supermarket chain Morrisons said yesterday that it had joined forces with the state-run National Health Service (NHS) to put advice labels on underwear about the early warning signs of breast and testicular cancer. The initiative comes amid record waiting times for NHS treatment due to a pandemic backlog, repeated doctors’ strikes and long-term difficulties retaining staff. Morrison’s will initially place the advice labels in boxer shorts in its Nutmeg clothing line, followed by crop-top bras in coming months. The UK government said last week that cancer treatment targets in England would be streamlined from October. | AFP…

England went into the Women’s World Cup final dreaming of global domination, but their 1-0 loss to Spain - and the nature of it - was a reality check that will haunt them and Sarina Wiegman. England’s Dutch coach admitted Spain were the better team in front of nearly 76 000 in Sydney to lift the World Cup for the first time in their history on Sunday. Spain’s deserved triumph over the European champions came even with them missing several top players because of a mutiny in the camp that broke out 11 months ago. Fifteen players said in September last year that they no longer wished to represent their country because of numerous objections, chief among them to coach Jorge Vilda. Three returned for the World Cup but the…

Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has backed his roommate at the Bulls and the Boks, Canan Moodie, to hit the ground running at outside-centre on Friday night against the All Blacks. The 20-year-old Moodie was the surprise selection in the Bok team for the last warm-up game before the World Cup as coach Jacques Nienaber looks to add depth to the position following the injury to Lukhanyo Am. “I know what Canan is capable of doing,” said Arendse. “He has grown as a player, he is very competitive and I think he will do really well at 13. “I am very happy for him. “When we are in the room, he always says he would like to get an opportunity at 13. “Now he has the chance and I think he…

In this day and age, head coaches engage in quite a lot of unnecessary talk pre and post matches, but Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena has a different set of rules for himself and chooses to spend his time on the real business – the product displayed on the football pitch. It is quite clear as to why Mokwena and Sundowns are unbeaten in five matches this season: The standards are high at the Tshwane-based club. But what makes them a special unit is the mentality of coach Mokwena, who is somehow able to keep his players focused despite the abundance of success the club has enjoyed. Each opposition is treated with respect and is prepared for accordingly and with high intensity. Sundowns take on Richards Bay FC tomorrow and for…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the government is trying to rescue 23 South Africans stranded in Niger after the military seized power. President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the military in July and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has threatened to intervene and restore constitutional order. But Mali and Burkina Faso, who are ruled by the military, warned that if Ecowas intervened it would be a declaration of war on all three countries. A delegation from Ecowas was in the capital Niamey on Saturday in a last-ditch effort to find a solution to the crisis. Bazoum and his family have been detained by the military. The coup has been condemned by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the AU and several Western powers. US acting Deputy Secretary of…

‘Attempt to cleanse Cyril over Phala Phala pathetic’ OPPOSITION parties have rejected the findings of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) into the Phala Phala saga, saying it was an attempt to “cleanse” President Cyril Ramaphosa who this week will chair the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. SARB found no evidence that a sale was concluded and no exchange control regulations were contravened, following complaints relating to the stolen millions of rand (in US dollars) concealed in couches at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020. No criminal case was opened and Ramaphosa only spoke out about the incident after former head of the State Security Agency Arthur Fraser lodged a criminal complaint against him. Fraser claimed that Ramaphosa did not report the crime as legally required by public officials, and cited…

WHILE the Hawks have taken over the investigation into the torching of the Swellendam municipal head office building during protest action last week, a resident has denounced politicians using their issues for political gain. This, after the DA called for a probe into allegations it levelled against the ANC, accusing it of insinuating violence. Resident and community activist Thenjiwe Jack refuted that they were influenced by politicians or anyone else. “This is a struggle of the residents that got out of hand when the mayor and his officials failed to address the community. We will not allow this matter to be turned into a joke by politics. People really need service delivery and there are currently discussions about council offers in efforts to maintain peace and a resolution,” she said.…

A GRIEF-stricken family in Klawer have accused the police of dragging their feet in making an arrest following the death of their mother, whose body was found in a yard nearly seven months ago. It is alleged that the family of Maria Hollenbagh were called by a neighbour on February 3 and taken to their mother’s lifeless body. The family said they struggled to get closure on what happened and had had no feedback from the police. Hollenbagh’s daughter Stephanie said their mother was not sick. “Her sudden death was a shock to us and we believe she was sexually assaulted. We are still very confused and we want answers. The suspect is a (man) … We are angry that the alleged perpetrator is roaming freely while our mother was…

The Western Cape police multidisciplinary kidnapping task team has made a further breakthrough in the abduction case of a Welgemoed woman, with the arrest of a suspect who fled to the Eastern Cape. He was expected to appear in transit at the Maluti Magistrate’s Court on Monday and be transferred to the Western Cape where he will make his first appearance at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on August 22. According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the man was arrested on August 17 at around 5.30pm. “The Multidisciplinary Kidnapping task team successfully executed a warrant of arrest for the suspect. The operation received support from Cape Town CIG members and Maluti detectives at Herbron informal settlement in Maluti,” she said. He is the ninth suspect in the case. Eight of his…

Need for urgency to address poor governance problems, rising crime and corruption I AM pleasantly impressed that I am not alone in itching for an early national and provincial election following last week’s agreement by seven opposition parties involved in pre-election moonshot coalition talks, which re-branded their pre-election agreement as the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa and invited more parties to join the pact in a bid to secure a majority of votes needed to constitute a distinctive national and nine provincial governments after the poll. Last week, my snap poll of political science and law students at UCT and UWC found that seven in 10 of us think the president and premiers should dissolve the legislatures this year and call an election as soon as next February. Those commenting…

Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada yesterday. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until yesterday morning. The Los Angeles branch of the National Weather Service said overnight that multiple daily rainfall records in the region had been broken. With people already on edge ahead of the storm’s arrival, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted the southern California town of Ojai, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The deluge from Hilary swamped roads, transforming highways into rivers and stranding some motorists. The start of the public school year was widely delayed for a day, with class postponed…

Ugandan police announced the arrest of four people yesterday for allegedly engaging in same-sex activity, three months after the introduction of draconian anti-gay legislation sparked international outrage. The law, considered one of the harshest of its kind in the world, contains provisions making “aggravated homosexuality” a potentially capital offence and penalties for consensual same-sex relations of up to life in prison. Police said that the authorities had arrested four people including two women at a massage parlour in the eastern district of Buikwe on Saturday. The UN, foreign governments and rights groups have condemned the new legislation, which was signed into law in May. The World Bank announced it was suspending new loans to the east African nation, saying the law contradicts the lender’s values. But Uganda’s government is defiant.…

San Francisco: Elon Musk-run Tesla has admitted that a data breach that affected more than 75 000 employees was perpetuated by insiders in the company. In a data breach notice filed with attorney general of the US state of Maine, the electric car maker said an internal investigation revealed two former employees leaked over 75 000 individuals’ personal information to a foreign media outlet. This involved data for certain current and former employees. Tesla said it also obtained court orders that prohibit the former employees from further use, access, or dissemination of the data, subject to criminal penalties. Musk’s Social Security number was also included in the leak. | IANS…

Paris: Tens of millions of people in France sweated through a late summer heatwave yesterday, with record temperatures expected in the wine-growing Rhone valley region and a forest fire also blazing in the south-east. Temperatures are expected to peak today and tomorrow, with the most intense heat in the southern parts of the country where the mercury is already pushing past 40°C. Health authorities have placed 50 out of 96 departments in mainland France in the second-highest heat warning level, with some areas expected to be placed in the maximum red category. Around 260 firefighters are battling a fire near the village of Chanousse. | AFP…

Former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has joined Australia in a short-term advisory role in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup in France after accepting an invitation from Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. An Australia team spokesperson confirmed Hansen, who guided the All Blacks to their 2015 World Cup win in England, would be in camp this week ahead of Sunday’s warm-up Test against World Cup hosts France in Paris. Hansen is not being paid by Rugby Australia for what is expected to be a one-week stint, the spokesperson said. Jones and Hansen have battled from opposing coaches’ boxes throughout their long careers, most notably during the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Under Jones, England upset Hansen's All Blacks 19-7 in the semi-finals in 2019 before losing 32-12 to South…

Melvyn Jaminet’s 19-point haul for France at the weekend helped the injury-plagued fullback to secure a berth in the host nation’s 33-man squad for next month’s World Cup. Coach Fabien Galthie also included exciting 20-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey and newly capped loose forward Paul Boudehent when he revealed the squad on French television’s lunch time news yesterday. He is also gambling on the fitness of prop Cyril Baille, who suffered calf injury a fortnight ago in the warm-up Test win over Scotland at St Etienne, and Anthony Jelonch, who has been working his way back to fitness. Baille was originally ruled out for between four to six weeks but has remained with the French squad as the medical staff seek to hasten his recovery. Flanker Jelonch has not played since…

Eric Tinkler is no David Attenborough, but the Cape Town City coach certainly knows a thing or two about surviving in the jungle that is the Premiership. Tinkler’s team had been playing decently until Friday night’s venture to the unknown Tshwane University of Technology Stadium where City slumped to a 1-0 defeat to SuperSport United. It was City’s first defeat in the league this season, but more frustratingly for Tinkler was the fact that his team had moved away from their traditional strengths. “If you are a lion, then you must remain a lion,” Tinkler said. “Don’t change your skin and become a leopard. They hunt differently. We must keep hunting the way we hunt. “Yes, the pitch doesn’t help the brand of football that we try to play, but…

Stellenbosch FC are looking forward to returning to the comforts of home after a richly-rewarding week on the road. After opening their 2023/24 season with a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellies packed their bags for three consecutive away matches. It could potentially have unravelled after Steve Barker’s team fell at the first hurdle to DStv Premiership newcomers Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. But Stellies have shown great steel and skill over the course of the last two seasons and hit back with a morale-boosting MTN8 quarter-final win over SuperSport United, also in Polokwane. The winelands-based outfit’s character was, however, really put to the test on Friday evening they trailed Royal AM 1-0 at half-time. After being away from home for such…