Inhoudsopgave van 2022-11-03 - Cape Times

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s request to be excused from impeachment proceedings yesterday was again declined for the second day in a row. This after Mkhwebane poured her heart out over how she felt about the way she was treated during the inquiry, and that she was still waiting for reasons why she was not excused from the proceedings in the absence of her legal representative. She maintained there had not been any meetings scheduled for this week, except when she was to report on her legal representation on Tuesday. At the start of yesterday's proceedings, inquiry chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi allowed Mkhwebane to address the Section 194 Committee after he had received an email from her a few minutes earlier. Mkhwebane said she had made a specific request that if the…

THE investigation report relating to the murder of top cop Charl Kinnear, with information containing “matters of national security”, was not properly classified before it was submitted to the Portfolio Committee on Police (PCP). It would appear that the Minimum Information Security Standard (MISS) procedure was not followed when having the report – investigated by police watchdog Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) – properly classified before it was submitted to the PCP earlier this year. Yesterday, the PCP heard that only the cover page of the report was stamped “top secret” instead of the entire document. The report implicated a number of police officers, from low to senior ranks in management, alleged to be colluding with gangsters in the Western Cape. The report is deemed “top secret due to a…

As marine life in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica continues to be under threat due to climate change and commercial fisheries, a call has gone out for formal marine-protected areas and fishing bans. University of Pretoria (UP) macro-ecologist Dr Luis Pertierra, an expert on the natural value of the Antarctic, has added his voice to that of other leading international researchers who want formal marine-protected areas and fishing bans for earth’s most southern waters. He has also urged other scientists and conservation practitioners to add their voices to the call by signing a petition under the banner “Scientists uniting to protect Antarctica’s ocean”. Dr Pertierra, of UP’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, has co-authored a newly released policy forum titled “Protect global values of the Southern Ocean ecosystem” in…

NEW IMPORT duties on frozen fries need to be reviewed, as industry players say this could impact rising food prices. XA Global Trade Advisors, who hosted a briefing on the matter yesterday, said the call comes on the back of the International Trade Administration Commission’s (ITAC) recent imposition of provisional duties on frozen fries imported or originating from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The provisional duties imposed are between 10% and 182% for some countries. “We cannot continue to impose duty-upon-duty on food and expect it not to harm consumers. “The duties on fries specifically have increased the price of fries by 88%, from R16/kg in 2021 to R30kg in 2022. “Duties are not in the public interest, they are just another form of tax that consumers have to bear…

Rich contributions remain largely unrecorded IT IS unfortunate that we have a rich history that is not known because it is unrecorded, whether on purpose or not. We need to dig deep for the purposes of preservation and learning. How many people know that there were coloured compatriots who continued the battle in a certain period in the Struggle for freedom in South Africa? It is amazing how people of colour became educated, talented, and outstanding political beings out of a squeezed or repressive space. It is also impressive how smart they were in all respects. One of those people was Alfred “Touch” Hutchinson, born of coloured and Swazi parents in the then Eastern Transvaal. He obtained a BA degree in English and a teacher’s diploma from the pot that…

Multiply Titans 158/6 ITEC Knights 120/8 Titans won by 38 runs. THE Titans’ spin quartet tied the Knights in knots yesterday, earning the ‘Sky Blues’ a spot in the final of the CSA T20 Challenge for the second season in a row. After the bat-a-thon these two teams produced on Monday, when they shared a world record aggregate of 501 runs, yesterday afternoon’s semi-final was a more balanced affair that demanded greater patience from the batters. Cloudy overhead conditions aided the new ball, while the slowness of the surface meant once the ball got soft, the spinners could get some purchase. The Titans tweakers did a much better job than the Knights, and the depth at their disposal proved too much for the Free Staters. The Titans elected to bat,…

500g pack butternut cubes 3 large eggs 375ml caramel brown sugar 250ml sunflower oil 5ml mixed spice 30g candied citrus rind 100g plain unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped 5ml almond essence 500g self-raising flour Topping 1 tub cream cheese (150g) 200g icing sugar 30g brick margarine, at room temperature Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease 2 large non-stick loaf pans or one large ring pan. Using the grater blade fitted in a food processor, push the cubes continuously down the chute, onto the spinning blade. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar and oil until foamy. Measure all the remaining ingredients directly onto this mixture, including the grated butternut. Blend together gently but thoroughly. Pour into pan/s and bake for 50 minutes until browned. Turn out onto cooling rack after 5…

TONGAAT Hulett Limited (THL) says its business rescue practitioners (BRP) are working on finding resolutions, as thousands of jobs in the sugarcane sector hang in the balance. “These are very complex circumstances and the BRPs are working hard to stabilise the situation, gather important information, meet with stakeholders, deal with critical issues, and the statutory duties required in terms of the Companies Act. “To the extent possible and practical in the circumstances, contracts and undertakings will be respected and will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Companies Act,” THL said. The SA Canegrowers Association this week said more than 14 000 jobs were on the line after THL missed the deadline to make payment of about R400 million to growers for sugar cane…

A runner who participated in a popular ladies’ race along the Sea Point Promenade is being held liable for 30% damages after she collided with a pedestrian, whose fall resulted in hip replacement surgery. While running along the promenade in 2014, Kristine Kalmer collided with Jasmine Salie, who has since died due to other causes. Salie had been taking a leisurely stroll with her friend when she was knocked to the ground. Salie fractured her hip and was taken to hospital by ambulance where she subsequently underwent hip replacement surgery. She later sued Western Province Athletics (WPA), the race organiser and Kalmer jointly and severally for damages. The matter was heard in the Western Cape High Court for a second time after Judge Judith Cloete dismissed Salie’s claims with costs.…

THE validity of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) collaboration and donor-funded schools, labelled as “experiments and a commodity-type education” by the opposition, is being challenged in the Western Cape High Court. Major changes to the Western Cape education law were made in 2016 through the Western Cape Provincial School Education Amendment Act of 2018. This paved the way for the introduction of two new types of public schools: collaboration and donor-funded (DFSs) schools. Education advocacy group, Equal Education (EE), has now taken the department to court, arguing that donors and private entities would have significant control over the schools in a way that undermined the principles of democratic governance and accountability. It claims the Act was inconsistent with the Constitution and in conflict with the South African Schools…

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his work report to the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress said the government prioritises environmental protection and sustainable green lifestyles. In his address to the Congress on October 16, he emphasised China’s commitment to the green transformation of its economy in line with achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. These goals will be accomplished, he stressed, by the development of low-carbon industries and a national sustainable lifestyle, which can only come about if the country improves the efficiency of its energy use and promotes clean energy alternatives, in particular, the “clean and efficient use of coal”. Xi also said harmony with nature is a key feature of “Chinese modernisation”. He noted in the report that the country should take…

IF you had the opportunity to speak to Cheslin Kolbe privately and ask him what his favourite position in a rugby team would be, he would probably tell you fullback. Of course, he wouldn’t say that publicly, as most rugby players are trained to avoid saying what’s really on their minds, in case it may cause controversy or offend someone. Not that Kolbe doesn’t speak his mind when facing the media, but he is such a nice guy that he wouldn’t want any trouble with his coaches anyway. If you had to probe the 29-year-old a bit further on what jersey he prefers, he may also say No 10, as that is where he played most of school rugby at Brackenfell High, which is about a 35-minute drive away from…

THE Competition Commission has referred a complaint against Vita Gas to the Competition Tribunal, for the alleged abuse of market dominance in the supply of liquified petroleum gas (LGP) from import terminals in the Western Cape. The Commission said it found that Vita Gas, by entering into an exclusive agreement with the only LPG terminal facility in the Western Cape, was in contravention of sections of the Competition Act. “The Commission seeks to unlock competition and to facilitate new entry in the market for the supply of LPG in the Western Cape through this complaint referral. Naturally, exclusive agreements may, in certain circumstances, be anti-competitive and may impede the greater participation of new and emerging players. The Commission is of the view that this agreement prevents or excludes other LPG…

Stamp collectors and exhibitors from around the world will be arriving in Cape Town this month as efforts are in place to promote greater investment in education on philately in South Africa. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will be hosting the International Philatelic Exhibition at the CTICC from November 8 to 12. Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane said the collections will represent the efforts of collectors across the world. “The focus of the exhibition as contemplated in 2021 would be to promote greater investment in education on philately in South Africa and globally. “Philately, despite its long history, has enjoyed little popular attraction as a hobby. “It has also faced transformation challenges especially among the majority black Africans. “With this event, we also aim to demystify philately by popularising…

THE Nyanga and Stellenbosch initiation forums are up in arms, claiming the Stellenbosch Municipality has denied them access to the Ida’s Valley initiation site for the summer initiation season. The area had previously been used by the Basotho and Hlubi tribes for their annual summer initiation schools. However, the initiation forums said they were informed by the municipality last month that they would not gain access to the area this year, a decision they have rejected. The forums have vowed to protest at the municipal offices today to address the issue. Chairperson of the Nyanga Initiation Forum, Mark Khoabane, said they were told they were denied a permit to use the area as it has been flagged as a fire risk. “The Stellenbosch Municipality manager sent us a WhatsApp…

THE Department of Education says it is not concerned about the public sector workers’ plan to embark on industrial action as they don’t see it affecting learners sitting for the matric exams. Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said all five teachers’ unions in the sector made it public that they would not participate in a strike. This, he said, was confirmed during a meeting between the unions and the Department of Education on Saturday. “We are not worried about that,” Mhlanga said when asked about the industrial action plans. Public sector workers plan to embark on industrial action following the collapse of wage negotiations with the government. Last week, the Public Servants Association of South Africa rejected the government’s offer of a 3% salary adjustment and continuation of a cash gratuity…

FORTUNE Makaringe says he’s content with his role of being an impact player at Orlando Pirates even though he would like to start more games. After racking up 40 appearances for Pirates last season in all competitions, Makaringe has featured 10 times for his club out of 16 matches this term. But most of those appearances were from the bench, as he has only started four matches. This is due to new coach Jose Riveiro preferring to start new attacking maestro Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo. But with Pirates having everything to play for this weekend as they’ll host AmaZulu in the MTN8 final, Makaringe is putting the team first. “Last season, I was in a similar situation. I didn’t play as much as I played in the previous two seasons.…