Tabla de contenidos para 2022-08-29 en Star

BEN LA GRANGE, the chief financial officer of what became South Africa’s biggest corporate fraud, Steinhoff, was censured on Friday by the JSE, fined R2 million and barred from holding a position in a listed company for 10 years. In October 2020, the JSE censured the European furniture retailer Steinhoff and imposed a R13.5m fine for its transgressions of listings requirements. Steinhoff first disclosed a hole in its accounts in December 2017, and subsequently more than R100 billion of accounting fraud between the 2009 and 2017 accounting years were discovered, involving a small group of top executives and outsiders. The JSE said La Grange should have known, for example, that a purported €23.5m (R395m) transaction between a Steinhoff subsidiary and some of its suppliers was not an actual…

THE winner of the men’s race in the 2022 Comrades Marathon says he plans to keep his day job as a security guard. Tete Dijana, 34, from Mafikeng, North West, won R260 000 and a gold medal. He won the race in a time of 5:30:38. This was his second attempt at the race. His first was in 2019, when he finished outside the top 10. The popular ultra-marathon returned after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19. Dijana told The Star’s sister paper The Mercury he did not expect to win. “I had that confidence (I could win), but I knew that sometimes things don’t always go according to plan. “When I entered the last 10km, I started to believe I could win and I kept looking behind me for…

ANYONE disqualified from receiving the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant as a result of earning more than R350 can breathe a sigh of relief as the new regulations will allow more people to receive grants. The Department of Social Development and the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) announced that the low number of approved applications for the Covid-19 SRD grant and public outcry over regulations that unfairly excluded applicants prompted it to make the necessary changes. Last month, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu gazetted changes to the R350 grant which increased the income threshold for the means test from R350 per month to R624. Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said this meant that applicants who had an inflow of funds in their bank accounts of less than R624 for…

As recently as 2020, soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo became the first to make $1 billion. All this money was made just for kicking a ball. Since then, many others have signed lucrative contracts, with loud cheers from their fans. One would even think that many of the fans, who are usually poor but full of mad passion, will also get their cut. But no, in fact, their heroes live generally in opulence and immorality while the “fanatics” are in debt. And now we hear the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will add R15 million to the money of R400 000 that each Banyana Banyana player will receive for winning the Wafcon 2022. I also noticed the new Miss SA will receive R1m, and maybe more, plus a new car,…

TURKISH President Tayyip Erdogan, who played an important role in the Ukraine-Russia grain deal last week, visited Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN secretary-general António Guterres in Lviv on August 18 to ratchet down the war with Russia. Erdogan mediated a peace treaty between Israel and Syria about the Golan Heights in 2008 and the Turkish leader played a major role in Iran’s Nuclear Swap Deal with the Western countries. But the powerful mediator Erdogan has never attempted to find a peace deal between Israel and Palestine. He only made several promises to visit Gaza – that never happened. The Palestinian people, who have lived through occupation, exile and war for a century, have always had great expectations from Türkiye due to historical ties as Ottoman Turks…

When I ran away from home there was no safety, and when I came to South Africa there was no safety either – it’s also happening here. These are the words of a 20-year-old Burundian woman who fled her home country to seek asylum in South Africa. Her experience – which she told us about in our research on women asylum-seekers and refugees in South Africa – is, sadly, not unique. Many women who flee violence in the hope of finding safety and protection in South Africa instead find themselves still vulnerable and at risk. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that South Africa currently hosts 250 000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Many more probably remain undocumented. And while there are still no accurate data about numbers of…

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Saturday introducing financial benefits for people who left Ukrainian territory to come to Russia, including pensioners, pregnant women and disabled people. The decree, published on a government portal, establishes monthly pension payments of 10 000 roubles (about R2 870) for people who have been forced to leave the territory of Ukraine since February 18. Disabled people will also be eligible for the same monthly support, while pregnant women are entitled to a one-off benefit. The decree says the payments will be made to citizens of Ukraine and the self-styled Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics – two breakaway Russian-backed entities in eastern Ukraine that Moscow recognised as independent in February in a move condemned by Ukraine and the West as illegal. On February…

India demolished two residential high-rise buildings outside New Delhi yesterday, in a dramatic spectacle carried live on television. The destruction of the 100m-high “Twin Towers” in Noida was also a rare example of India getting tough on corrupt developers and officials. The 32 floors, containing nearly 1 000 flats that have remained vacant for nine years, were brought down in seconds in implosions using 3 700kg of explosives. India’s Supreme Court ruled last year that the buildings breached safety regulations and that the developers had colluded with corrupt authorities.…

Sometimes there can be a myriad of reasons for a loss as comprehensive as the one suffered by South Africa in the second Test against England at Old Trafford, and sometimes there is just one. For the Proteas, it was the latter. “First innings runs kind of stabilises your game,” said captain Dean Elgar. “I didn’t think we batted particularly well.” There you have it. Not selection, not the toss, not the fact that he didn’t utilise his fast bowlers properly at a crucial stage after lunch on day two. The Proteas batted badly. There had been signs against New Zealand and then in the home series with Bangladesh that a corner had been turned. Batting collapses had been a regular feature when Ottis Gibson was coach and which continued…

REBOSIS Property Fund was suspended on the JSE on Friday after it went into business rescue because of provincial government and municipal delays in rent payments and the impact of rising interest rates on its debt. The share was suspended at 16 cents, after falling from 29c a year ago and after plunging from as high as R10.95 five years ago. It’s management had always cited its “sovereign tenants”, which make up more than 50 percent of its turnover, as a defensive aspect to its portfolio – as government tenants were once considered reliable – even in times of economic hardship. Its portfolio includes Baywest and Hemmingway Mall, office block 11 Diagonal Street in Johannesburg, Sunnypark Mall and Grand Central in Cape Town. Rebosis was established in…

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum changes its tune on backing Ramathuba over her statements THE Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) has changed its tune over supporting Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba following her controversial address to a foreign national who underwent surgery at Bela Bela Hospital earlier this month. Ramathuba’s filmed address went viral, sparking a heated debate on South Africa’s approach to illegal immigration. Some political parties have lambasted her while some sections of society have rallied behind her. Last week, ZEF also trended after one of its members Tino Mambeu was interviewed on eNCA, where he fully supported Ramathuba on behalf of Zimbabweans. “It would be unfair to say Dr Ramathuba was xenophobic in her statements. She just highlighted the sentiments of many South African politicians and the general masses…

THE SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it is investigating the death of PJ Simelane Secondary School learner Tiro Moalusi. Moalusi committed suicide by ingesting rat poison after a homophobic slur by a student teacher on August 16. The 15-year-old was laid to rest in Soweto on Thursday. SAHRC provincial manager Buang Jones said it was in public interest and the interest of the affected family to establish the circumstances that led to the death of the Grade 9 learner. Jones added that the SAHRC investigation has just commenced and followed hot on the heels of another investigation by the Gauteng Department of Education. “This case is important and the commission has determined it is in the public interest and that of the affected family to establish…

THE newly-elected ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial leadership yesterday paid a courtesy visit to former president Jacob Zuma at his Nkandla residence. The visit to the former head of state comes after a similar visit by the KZN leadership to former president Thabo Mbeki this month. Before the meeting, ANC KZN secretary-general Bheki Mtolo said the visit was in line with the party’s renewal project and the vision to build a compassionate and caring society. Among those who visited the former president was KZN provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma, Mtolo, Nomagugu Simelane, Sipho Hlomuka and Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba. Duma said part of the visit was to seek Zuma’s wisdom which is known by the party leaders. “It is well known that the former president is a wise man. We met him and he…

I believe when presidents take their oath of office, one of the many promises they make is to fulfil their duties towards their citizens. That essentially means provision of health, education, employment and to grow the economy of their countries, among other things, like safe environment, housing etc. We know that upon completing their medical training, doctors take the Hippocratic Oath of service, which essentially means doctors will take care of patients’ needs regardless of their social standing, religion, political or cultural beliefs. If all the presidents of all these countries had abided by the oath of service they took when sworn into office, would we be burdened with providing services to all the immigrants that have strangled and suffocated our schools and health facilities? Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba is…

THE first night of the prestigious SA Music Awards (Samas) was filled with stellar performances and memorable moments of triumph for all the artists who scooped awards. Presented by comedian Mpho Popps and musician Robot Boii, the duo kept audiences entertained in a show that was streamed on TikTok and YouTube. The night saw artists such as Master KG, Khuli Chana, Brian Temba, Puleng March, Ncebakazi Msomi, Reign Afrika, Mobi Dixon and Joda Kgosi take centre stage, enthralling audiences. RiSA chief executive Nhlanhla Sibisi said: “We are immensely proud of the recipients of these technical excellence awards. Their hard work and dedication to their craft has been acknowledged. ” Among some of the most popular winners was sultry vocalist Nomfundo Moh, who scooped the Best Afro Pop Album award for…

FEMALE researchers at the CSIR have shown that the nurturing spirit of a woman has a far-reaching impact that benefits not only their immediate communities, but the African continent as a whole. To commemorate Women’s Month, a team of female researchers at the CSIR unveiled some of their ground-breaking research, which seeks to address some of Africa’s prevalent health, food security and biomanufacturing challenges. This includes the work of senior researcher with the CSIR’s Advanced Functional Materials Group, Dr Bathabile Ramalapa, project leader on the biotherapeutics delivery platform. Ramalapa and her team are working on an advanced drug delivery system based on polymeric systems, which seek to create drug treatment that will be more affordable and suitable for the African climate and environ- ment. Ramalapa said the continent was faced…

WE ARE moving to the end of an August month that shines a spotlight on women. It can only be those who are naïve, who can contest the reality that gender disparity in our economy remains exceedingly huge. Women remain at the (bottom of the) totem pole of the economy. The gloomy picture becomes even worse when we drill down to the details of disaggregating gender dimensions according to the race ratio. Black African women remain at the worst and most unpalatable economic station in business ownership, compared to their white and Indian counterparts. While the B-BBEE policy has made some difference, as a midwife to economic transformation and pathways for women’s emancipation, artificial stumbling blocks and a male-dominated environment has, and continues to be, a major inhibition to the…

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has inducted 20 cardinals from around the world, choosing men who mostly agree with his vision of a more progressive and inclusive church and influencing their choice of his eventual successor. Francis, 85, presided at a ceremony known as a consistory on Saturday, telling the new cardinals to show concern for ordinary people despite the high rank that will bring them into contact with the powerful of the earth. Those under the age of 80 – 16 among the 20 cardinals – can enter a conclave to elect a new pope from among themselves after he dies or resigns. |…

BERLIN: A German tourist has been detained in Iran, the German foreign ministry said on Saturday, declining to give details beyond saying the man was receiving consular assistance. The Iranian interior ministry was not immediately available to comment on the detention. Last month, Iran said it had arrested a Swedish citizen on espionage charges. An Iranian court is also trying Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian charged with leading an armed opposition group. Last August, an Iranian court sentenced German-Iranian rights activist Nahid Taghavi to more than 10 years in prison on national security charges. |…

Jena Malone says it felt good to come out as pansexual. The Adopting Audrey star had “been thinking” about being open about being attracted to people of all genders before she made the declaration to her 300 000 followers on social media. The 37-year-old actress told The Hollywood Reporter: “It felt so nice. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. The sexual journey is so beautiful. I mean, all of the identity journeys are so cool. “I feel like I’m a little bit late to the game in being able to have less shame.” Malone admitted she had “been loving” getting to know herself better and how she fits into “the human experience”. She said: “I’ve been loving the process of learning more about myself and others through different…

THE president of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Ruth Ntlokotse said she would not vacate her position as the president of the federation in spite of calls for her to do so. This comes after the National Union of Metalworkers SA (Numsa) said last week it had been vindicated by a Labour Court ruling that upheld the decisions of the union’s elective congress, recently held in Cape Town. Ntlokotse had accused Numsa’s national office bearers (NOBs) of being in contempt of court after the union proceeded to the elective congress while there was an interdict. In spite of some Numsa leaders’ calls for Ntlokotse to vacate her office as Saftu president, she has dug in her heels. According to some Numsa leaders, she had to step down because…

A PRESERVATION order obtained by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) last year – in which R100 million in bank accounts linked to diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg was frozen following allegations of money laundering and running a Ponzi scheme – has been overturned by the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Judge SN Mokose found the State had to present facts to the court following its allegations that Liebenberg traded illegally in uncut diamonds. The judge said Liebenberg, his company Tariomix and his business partner Magdalena (Ronelle) Kleynhans should be offered the opportunity to place their versions before court. The NPA obtained the preservation order in March last year in chambers before a judge, without Liebenberg being notified of the application. Neither he nor Kleynhans thus had the opportunity to place their…

Iqbal Jassat writes (The Star, August 23) that South Africa prior to democracy, “stagnated” and decayed. True, but where is SA today? Sadly, the decay is visible, immoral and tragic. Is Jassat blind to what is happening to his country today, a failed state. He accuses others of racism, but ignores the racism in his own backyard. Accusations of Israeli racism and colonialism can only come out of ignorance and bigotry, and anyone who has read Jassat’s previous one dimensional and obsessive offerings will understand what racism and anti-Semitism is. To try to respond to his imaginary accusations is an exercise in futility and has been contested with logic and truth countless times. But let him dream on while the country he damns prospers as do all its inhabitants.…

MISS SA 2022 Ndavi Nokeri has been received with excitement, warmth and nothing short of a royal treatment on her homecoming tour in Limpopo. The Limpopo provincial government hosted several celebrations on different days as part of welcoming the beauty queen, where scores of people came out in celebration of her victory. Nokeri kicked off her celebrations and addressed what her win meant to her, giving dazzling looks for each day. “It is such an honour to be celebrated today. I want to say I am humbled and grateful for your presence. I do not take this for granted at all. “Standing here as a woman who comes from Ndaba village and being able to say that I am Miss SA is so assuring and reaffirming that it does not…

AFTER a two-year coronavirus-forced hiatus, Comrades Marathon returned with a bang yesterday, with South Africans male runners taking the first top 11 spots. The 95th edition of the ultimate human race brought smiles to locals in a weekend that could have otherwise been a sorry and sombre one. On Saturday morning, rugby supporters woke up bright and early to watch the Springboks take on the Wallabies in Adelaide. The team looked half-asleep in the early stages too, and the hosts caught Siya Kolisi and the boys napping too often, running away with the game before the Boks finally sprang to life towards the end. The frustrating defeat would set the tone for the day, and looked to have dampened the spirits of the national cricket team up north in England.…

Flights resumed and shops reopened in Libya’s capital Tripoli yesterday after clashes between backers of rival governments left least 32 people dead and sparked fears of major new conflict. Armed groups had exchanged fire damaging several hospitals and setting buildings on fire starting Friday evening – the worst fighting in the Libyan capital since a landmark 2020 ceasefire. A cautious calm had set in by Saturday evening, an AFP correspondent reported, and the health ministry said yesterday morning that 32 people had been killed and 159 wounded in the clashes. The fighting has raised fears of a wider conflict in Libya over the political stand-off between Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah in Tripoli and Fathi Bashagha, who seeks to install a new government in the capital. The fighting came after months…

BELGRADE: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has nominated Ana Brnabic, pictured, to serve another term as prime minister and to lead a new government through a time of war in Europe, global energy and inflation crises and tensions with Kosovo. The nomination came more than five months after their Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won the national election but the results were delayed by voting irregularities at one polling station. This prevented parliament from being convened. Brnabic, 46, became prime minister in 2020, She is the first woman and openly gay person to hold the office. |…

In many ways, you have to agree with Kwagga Smith’s comment that the players’ efforts in the Springboks’ 25-17 drubbing against Australia can’t be faulted. Smith, who replaced No 8 Duane Vermeulen early in the second half, was speaking after the Boks’ disaster of a performance in Adelaide, which saw the continuation of their horror run Down Under, where they haven’t won since 2013. Smith brought big energy to the hapless Bok side and scored their only two tries in the final five minutes. “You can’t fault the effort (of the players),” Smith said after the match. “We had opportunities to get points and will have to make those efforts better. We have to be more effective. “As a bench-sitter, I’m supposed to make an impact. I have to do…