Tabla de contenidos para 2024-06-26 en Cape Times

from page 1 be irrational to take a decision of such consequence based on incorrect or misleading findings. We have consistently called for a fair and thorough process during which all stakeholders, including current and former residents, can be given a proper chance to be heard. It is clear, up to this point, that many of these viewpoints have not been properly heard and considered. The Alumni Association therefore welcomes the call for further submissions. “If the Council had voted to endorse such a flawed report, it would have set a very dangerous precedent by which any activities could be subject to extreme sanction on the basis of little to no evidence of harm, without allowing due process to be followed. Wilgenhof is not a place of ‘white supremacy’ as…

THE failure to conclude the negotiations that will lead to the formation of a Government of National Unity has led to the eThekwini Municipality not being able to elect its new mayor. Thabani Nyawose, Speaker of the municipality, revealed yesterday that parties in the council had requested more time to finalise the negotiations around the formation of the GNU. At least 10 parties at national level are discussing how they should form the GNU. The outcome of these negotiations will cascade down to other spheres of government. It was expected that the new mayor would be elected during a council meeting yesterday. However, Nyawose said he planned to call a special council meeting either mid-July or end of July to elect the City’s first citizen. Front-runner for the post Cyril…

MK Party leader in Parliament outlines their plans to ‘work and stay out of petty politics’ In his first media engagement since assuming the role of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader in Parliament, ex-Western Cape High Court judge president John Hlophe maintained that the decision to impeach him was political. Asked if he would pursue the challenge of his impeachment as judge, Hlophe said he was now in Parliament to serve the people. “The decision to impeach me was a political decision. There was no law in it, so I am here as a politician to join other politicians,” he said. Hlophe was impeached earlier this year after ANC and DA MPs joined hands and voted in favour of a motion to remove him as the judge president of…

HOW can it be possible that ex-policeman Marius van der Westhuizen is going to be paroled after 13 years when he had a 24-year sentence for killing his three children to spite his wife? First, as this was premeditated, I think the 24-year term was too little, as what sort of a person shoots his children in cold blood to get back at his wife? The children were a 21-month old, a 5-year-old and a 16-year-old! What sort of person does this unless he is a psychopath who then shouldn’t be allowed out of gaol? I hope his ex-wife’s lawyers can appeal against this.…

1 tbs oil 6 large beef or mutton sausages, chopped into bite-size chunks 1 onion, peeled and chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped ¼ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 tbs plain (all-purpose) flour 600ml chicken stock 1 heaped tbs wholegrain mustard 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces 80ml double cream 2x rolls of ready-rolled puff pastry 1 small egg, lightly whisked Heat the oil in a wide, shallow, ovenproof casserole dish over a medium-high heat. Add the chopped sausage and fry for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the sausage is lightly browned. Remove the sausages from the pan and place them on a plate. Add the onion and carrots to the pan and fry for 5 minutes,…

THE three Gauteng men accused of using a dating app to lure a victim before he was held hostage in Woodstock are allegedly linked to two more cases in Cape Town. Mlungisi Mbutu, Bongani Zulu, and Zwelakhe Ngwenya were arrested for kidnapping and extortion during the Youth Day long weekend after a top multi-disciplinary team, led by the Hawks and the Western Cape Organised Crime Unit, received information about a possible kidnapping. This led them to a 50-year-old man who was found tied up in the main bedroom of the house the accused allegedly rented. It is reported that they made contact with the victim through the Grindr app; however, Grindr did not respond to enquiries by deadline. The suspects made their second appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court…

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille is yet to refute the letter bearing her signature spelling out her party’s demands from the ANC for it to be part of the Government of National Unity (GNU). In the absence of “fake news” declaration, it is safe to believe that Zille is demanding 12 Cabinet posts which, she wrote, should “rightly” include the position of deputy president “as is standard practice in similar governments around the world”. The hard line is seemingly intended to teach the ANC a lesson and the reality that it is no longer in charge of Parliament on its own. But should it have its way, the DA will basically be establishing a government within a government. There are other parties who have heeded the call to join…

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be a “free man”, his wife said yesterday, once a judge signs off on a plea deal with US authorities to bring his years-long legal drama to a close. Assange was released on Monday from a high-security British prison where he had been held for five years while he fought extradition to the US, which sought to prosecute him for revealing military secrets. He flew out of London to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific, where he will plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defence information, according to a court document. A charter plane carrying the 52-year-old landed in Bangkok around 12.30pm (05.30 GMT) yesterday for a scheduled refuelling stop. From…

A Chinese probe carrying samples from the far side of the moon returned to Earth yesterday, capping a technically complex 53-day mission heralded as a world first. The landing module of the Chang’e-6 spacecraft touched down at a predetermined site in Inner Mongolia, the China National Space Administration said, hailing the mission a “complete success”. It comes bearing soil and rocks from the side of the Moon facing away from Earth, a poorly understood region that scientists say holds great research promise because its rugged features are less smoothed over by ancient lava flows than the near side. Chang’e-6 blasted off from a space centre on the island province of Hainan on May 3 and descended into the moon’s immense South Pole- Aitken Basin almost exactly a month later. It…

WASHINGTON: The US surgeon general declared gun violence in the country a public health crisis yesterday, calling on Americans to act to prevent rising firearm-related deaths and its effects. Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy called for more research funding, better mental health access and other steps such as secure storage to reduce harm. The rate of firearm-related deaths has been rising, he warned, with more than half of those in 2022 driven by suicides followed by homicides and accidental deaths. It is the leading cause of death among US children and teens, and firearm-related fatalities have taken a disproportionate toll on black communities. | Reuters…

BRASILIA: An annual 2% levy on fortunes exceeding $1 billion is the starting point for a global proposal to increase the burden on undertaxed billionaires, French economist Gabriel Zucman said yesterday. Zucman, founder of the independent EU Tax Observatory, was commissioned by the Brazilian G20 presidency to present a report for discussion by finance ministers next month. He said implementing the rule would raise $200bn to $250bn annually in tax revenue from about 3 000 individuals. Extending the tax to those with over $100 million would generate an additional $100bn to $140bn, he said. | Reuters…

THE PRUDENTIAL Authority (PA) yesterday reported that it investigated 134 referrals alleging non-compliance with various laws such as the Insurance Act and levied administrative penalties totalling R2.7 million against four organisations under its ambit during the 2023/24 year. At the same time, the PA reported that two entities were under curatorship, while one institution was under statutory management, two under judicial management, and a further two in liquidation as the authority seeks to safeguard depositors and policy holders. In the annual report, CEO Nomfundo Tshazibana stated that the authority’s “experience with weak financial institutions continues to demonstrate that governance weaknesses and poor risk management result in financial losses, trust deficits and, ultimately, institutional failure”. However, South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kga-nyago said that there “currently appears to…

A little bit of history beckons this week when South Africa and Afghanistan battle it out for their maiden ICC World Cup final appearance. South Africa beat hosts West Indies by three wickets on Monday and finished top of Group B. All of Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh were still in it with a chance for the runners-up spot for Group A with the Proteas lying in wait. South Africa won all three of their Super Eight fixtures en route to their semi-final qualification, and – having had two attempts at glory in 2009 and 2014 only to fall short on both occasions – they’ll hope its third time lucky. Despite being unbeaten so far, the men in green and gold have survived a few close encounters on their way to…

THE traditional black and white scarf known as the keffiyeh is a symbol of Palestinian identity and is not a ‘political symbol’. The key, olive trees, watermelon, the Palestinian flag, and keffiyeh are not terror symbols, nor represent any terrorist group. The colours black, white, red and green are used to preserve the Palestinian civilisation, and for the newer generation of Palestinians to remember where their families come from and to never forget their villages. Between 1947 and 1949, the Zionist military destroyed hundreds of Palestinian villages, and more than 700 000 Palestinians were expelled or had to flee from their homes due to the establishment of apartheid Israel. Some Western and European countries are trying their best to suppress Palestinian colours and destroy Palestinian culture, traditions and even cuisines.…

As jockeying for posts has delayed the announcement of the new Cabinet, we wonder whether a ministry of maritime affairs will be created to enhance the shipping industry, or whether we shall bumble along as before. But good news came last week when Transnet National Ports Authority announced that Durban-based Grindrod has been appointed as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a container terminal at Richards Bay. For years, shipping and logistics operators have called for this step, partly to relieve congestion at Durban and because Richards Bay is closer to the Gauteng industrial heartland, the source and destination of huge volumes of containerised cargo. Eventually, an anticipated 200 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (teus) a year will pass through the port. Scheduled to become operational in 2027, the project…

Illegally detained for 22 hours in a filthy cell after the police mistook pieces of glass for illicit diamonds, an Uber driver, who is also a motivational speaker, turned to the North West High Court, sitting in Mafikeng, to claim R150 000 in damages from the police. Judge Ronald Hendricks concluded that R60 000 in damages for unlawful arrest and detention was a fair amount to pay Tony Sethaba. While he gave a detailed account about what had happened during and after his arrest, the SAPS offered no defence. The police initially noted an intention to defend the claim but never forwarded a defence to the court. There was also no appearance for or on behalf of the SAPS by the state attorney. Sethaba testified that on the morning of…

UCT’s council has adopted two resolutions regarding the Gaza conflict, including in regard to research collaborations with members of the Israeli Defence Force and the wider Israeli military establishment. In terms of this resolution, no UCT academic may enter into relations, or continue relations with, any research group and/or network whose author’s affiliations are with the Israeli Defence Force, and/or the broader Israeli military establishment. UCT’s council held an ordinary plenary meeting on Saturday, and among the items on the agenda were two resolutions regarding the Gaza conflict which were passed by Senate at a meeting held in April and then tabled for council’s consideration. Council debated the resolutions and adopted each by majority decision. In terms of the first resolution, on the destruction of scholarship and education in Gaza,…

As South Africa waits with bated breath for the announcement of the new Cabinet, public frustration and anxiety are reaching a boiling point. The delays and heightened uncertainty come at a time when the nation is already grappling with significant political and social tensions, making the atmosphere akin to a dry powder keg waiting to explode. The anticipation for the Cabinet announcement has intensified public restlessness, with the nation seeking clarity and stability following a contentious election period. Many South Africans are expressing their impatience and concern over the delays, fearing that the prolonged uncertainty could exacerbate existing tensions. The situation has been fuelled by online threats, especially on X, against political party leaders and supporters, journalists and editors who have been exposing racism within political parties such as the…

Israeli forces killed at least 24 Palestinians in three separate airstrikes yesterday on Gaza City and the dead included a sister of Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the militant Islamist group Hamas, Gaza health officials and medics said. Israeli tanks also pressed deeper into western areas of Rafah in the south of the enclave overnight, blowing up homes, residents said. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit two schools in Gaza City, killing at least 14 people, medics said. Another strike on a house in the Shati (Beach) camp, one of the Gaza Strip’s eight historic refugee camps, killed 10 others. The house in Shati belonged to the extended family of Hamas political chief Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar. One of his sisters was killed along with other relatives, family…

LONDON: Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his wife to London yesterday, marking the start of a three-day state visit which included a military parade, carriage procession and state banquet. Charles’ son Prince William had earlier travelled to the hotel where the 64-year-old emperor and Empress Masako were staying, before the trio arrived for a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade. The two heads of state inspected the Guard of Honour before travelling to Buckingham Palace in a carriage. The emperor’s trip seeks to celebrate and deepen the military, cultural and scientific ties between the two countries, and takes place in the run-up to an election in Britain on July 4. | Reuters…

LONDON: The spread of mpox in Africa needs to be addressed urgently, the World Health Organization said yesterday, as scientists warned of the dangers of a new strain spreading in a hard-to-reach part of Democratic Republic of Congo. John Claude Udahemuka of the University of Rwanda, who has been working on an outbreak in South Kivu province in DRC, said the strain spreading there was extremely dangerous, with fatality rates of around 5% in adults and 10% in children. This year, around 7 850 mpox cases were reported in DRC, with 384 deaths. Mpox spreads through close contact and has been endemic in parts of Africa for decades. | Reuters…

The English Premier League underlined its financial muscle as the European football market grew by 16% to €35.3 billion (about R691bn) in the 2022/23 season, according to Deloitte. The “big five” European leagues generated total revenue of €19.6bn, up 14% on the previous campaign, and reported an aggregate operating profit for the first time since 2018/19. Coffers were boosted by the lifting of all remaining coronavirus restrictions and the 2022 Fifa World Cup, held in Qatar, according to the Annual Review of Football Finance published by the Deloitte Sports Business Group. Revenue growth in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 was driven by various factors, including an uptick in matchday revenue and sponsorship deals. Premier League clubs’ revenue grew 11% to top £6bn for the…

All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo in today’s Euro 2024 match against Georgia after selfie-hunting pitch invaders in Portugal’s last game raised security concerns and forced Uefa to introduce stricter measures to protect the players. Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Türkiye was marred by at least six fans invading the pitch desperate to get photos with Ronaldo during and after the game in Dortmund on Saturday. The result secured Portugal qualification for the last 16 as Group F winners while Georgia need a win to reach the knockout stages. “Safety and security in the stadium, on the pitch and at team facilities are the ultimate priority for Uefa, DFB (the German Football Association) and Euro 2024,” Uefa said. “To this end, additional safety measures will be deployed in the stadiums…

Structural reforms being implemented under Operation Vulindlela (OV) will have to be carried over to the seventh administration of government and accelerated for South Africa to realise economic growth higher than 3%, no matter which parties form the Government of National Unity (GNU). This was expressed by outgoing Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo yesterday at the opening day of the National Treasury’s conference about the second wave of reforms. Masondo said the seventh administration had a unique opportunity to accelerate implementing structural reforms and turning the economy around without any pressure of wanting to win an election. “Reforms may be painful in the short term, but in the medium and long term, they may be beneficial. “So this is the right moment to really think on important reforms that need…

THE DA’s demands for 11 ministerial positions including the deputy president post fly in the face of the Constitution and labour law. That is how ANC alliance partner the SACP has reacted to reports that the DA demands were complicating the formation of a Cabinet, which President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to announce “soon”. SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo said yesterday that their political bureau on Monday emphasised the importance of meaningful consultation, building and maintaining national stability and certainty. “This requires decisiveness against any section that has resorted to trickery, brinkmanship and untenable demands to steal power and thus undermine the will of the people,” Mashilo said. He said their bi-monthly meeting concluded that “President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to move swiftly to appoint the deputy president, ministers and deputy ministers”.…

History will judge Pandor kindly I refer to the front-page article on Zizi Kodwa in yesterday’s paper. I have an article (“Groups dismayed at Joemat-Pettersson’s move to energy portfolio, Cape Times May 29, 2014) written by Melanie Gosling which quotes Zizi Kodwa as follows: “ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said: We do not determine an individual’s capabilities on the basis of past experience”. It would seem this attitude is currently prevalent in the about-to-be GNU. WHAT an incredibly sad day to read that Minister Naledi Pandor has bowed out of politics. What a loss this is to South Africa and the political scene. Pandor served with distinction, humility and aplomb… she enjoyed respect from all sides of the political divide during her tenure as minister of her four portfolios. Her…

HUMANITY watches in anguish and trepidation as dramatic world events escalate out of control. Israel and Lebanon are preparing for a military showdown that will kill thousands of people, create more refugees and widen the conflict, with grim consequences for all who live in the war-ravaged Middle East. It becomes imperative that the UN Security Council intervenes to prevent a monumental calamity for all the inhabitants in the zone of conflict. It is insane to increase the suffering of all innocent people who have played no role in all the gruesome military assaults. A global disaster such as a full-scale nuclear conflict awaits mankind. Man’s quest for superiority has made this era of Earth’s history the most perilous yet. The weapons of war continued to dismember civilians in an orgy…

The Mossel Bay Regional Court has sentenced Johan Counter to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl. Counter admitted that he met the girl when he visited his nephew at Groot Sergfontein Farm on January 29, 2023. “He was drinking with his nephew and his friends, and the victim, 15, was also drinking with them,” NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said. At some time around midnight, she went outside the house where they were drinking, and Counter followed her. “He told her that they must find a spot where they could engage in sexual intercourse, but she refused. He grabbed and pushed her to a secluded area next to a water tank. She attempted to fight him off, but he overpowered her and raped her.…

Police opened fire on demonstrators trying to storm Kenya’s legislature yesterday, with at least five protesters killed, dozens wounded and sections of the parliament building set ablaze as MPs inside passed legislation to raise taxes. In chaotic scenes, protesters overwhelmed police and chased them away in an attempt to storm the parliament compound. Flames could be seen coming from inside. Police opened fire after tear gas and water cannons failed to disperse the crowds. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament. A paramedic, Vivian Achista, said at least 10 had been shot dead. Another paramedic, Richard Ngumo, said more than 50 people had been wounded by gunfire. He was lifting two injured protesters into an ambulance outside parliament. “We want to shut down parliament…

Ford Motor said yesterday that it was recalling 668 000 F-150 pick-up trucks worldwide from the 2014 model year because vehicles can unexpectedly downshift into the first gear causing a loss of driver control or rear-wheel lockup. A loss of signal can cause a transmission downshift, regardless of vehicle speed, the company told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dealers will update the powertrain control module software in the trucks. The Ford F-series pickup truck has been the best selling vehicle in the US for more than 40 years. This is the latest recall by the automaker over the issue since 2016 and comes after NHTSA in March opened an investigation into whether 2014 model trucks needed to be recalled after receiving complaints about trucks unexpectedly downshifting without warning.…

HONG KONG: Mitigation pleas for Hong Kong’s biggest national security trial against the city’s democratic opposition started yesterday, in what is to be the final stage before sentencing that could see some defendants jailed for life. The 47 democrats were among those arrested in early 2021 for taking part in an unofficial, non-binding poll to select candidates for a legislative election. They were charged with “conspiracy to commit subversion” . The case has drawn criticism from Britain, the US and Australia, which say the national security laws have been used to stifle dissent and curb freedoms guaranteed when Britain handed the financial hub back to China in 1997. | Reuters…

LONDON: Five more police officers allegedly placed bets on the timing of the UK general election, a force spokesperson said yesterday, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak withdrew support from two Conservative candidates over the scandal. Sunak is struggling to close his party’s 21-point average poll deficit to Keir Starmer’s Labour opposition before the July 4 vote. Sunak’s protection officer was arrested this month on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and hae been placed on restricted duties, the Met said. The five newly accused have not been arrested. Political bets are allowed in the UK but using insider knowledge to do so is against the law. | AFP…

Ukraine and Belgium go into their Euro 2024 clash today knowing that there is everything to play for and everything to lose as all teams in Group E are locked on three points heading into the final matchday. Belgium recovered from their opening loss to Slovakia to beat Romania 2-0 while Ukraine came from a goal down against Slovakia to win 2-1. There are all sorts of permutations and calculations to be made but both teams will know that a win guarantees a last-16 place and possibly top seeding in the group. Belgium looked like a wounded predator in their game against Romania, desperate to prove their best days are not behind them. No player exemplifies that more than Romelu Lukaku. The 31-year-old has had three goals disallowed by the…

AFTER an action-packed ODI series filled with a lot of disappointments, the Proteas women will shift their focus to the longer version of the game as they set their sights securing their second Test victory. The Proteas will go through another examination when they take on India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on Friday morning at 6am (SA time). South Africa suffered a heavy innings and 284-run defeat at the hands of Australia in February. Now they will take on India for the third time in their brief history in Test matches. India have won both previous encounters and these are the key Proteas players that could turn the tie in their favour. Marizanne Kapp The 34-year-old holds the record for the most runs scored in…