Inhoudsopgave van 2024-08-14 - Cape Times

A new mobile network virtual operator (MVNO) under the name C-CONNECT has been launched with the aim of bringing more competition to the South African mobile market. C-CONNECT, a SIM-only offering, is piggybacking on Cell C’s network and is backed by a venture capital and SIM card distributor, Basa. Blue Label Telecoms, which provides digital distribution of mostly prepaid products, is Cell C’s single largest shareholder. At the launch event yesterday, C-CONNECT COO Richard Anderson said previous MVNOs had approached the market in the wrong manner as they were only competing on price. “We’ve designed the product as we’ve designed it. We want to be different,” he said. C-CONNECT offers prepaid deals that reward users with 10% back whenever they buy airtime. Called Cha-Ching, these rewards can be used to…

In recent years, South Africa has seen a slight drop in overall death rates, but there’s a troubling trend that’s hard to ignore: non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer are on the rise. Statistics South Africa reveals a dramatic 58% increase in deaths from these conditions between 1997 and 2018. With diabetes now the second leading cause of death after tuberculosis and affecting 12% of adults, it’s clear that this silent epidemic is taking a heavy toll on our health and lives. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It’s a lifelong disease with no known cure, but it can be managed. Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in children and adolescents, affecting about one in 400 young…

THE Western World is imploding as a result of divisions in their societies. Never before in history have Americans been so divided. Gone are the days when the outgoing president shook the hand of the incoming president, wishing him luck and swearing allegiance to the country … instead the hand that should be held out in friendship is clasping a knife. England is tearing itself apart over internal differences with running battles in the streets as neighbour attacks neighbour. Austria turning to the political right, France is in political chaos and Bangladesh is collapsing while the Middle East is in crisis and the war in Ukraine is raging on with no end in sight. Children of 16 years old, are planning terrorist attacks in Austria. A youngster attempting to assassinate…

A former South African teacher and self-confessed paedophile is liable to be extradited to stand trial in Scotland. Iain Wares, 84, is sought by the prosecuting authorities in Scotland to stand trial on various counts relating to sexual offences, allegedly perpetrated on teenage boys at elite schools in the Edinburgh area during the 1970s. Wares challenged his extradition in the Western Cape High Court. The court found that he was liable to be extradited, but remitted the matter back to the justice minister for a final decision. He was partially successful in his review application as the court found that four of the charges he was due to face had lapsed in law. The court, however, found that the remaining three charges had not lapsed and if extradited, he…

Senegalese news organisations widely heeded a call yesterday for a news blackout to protest against economic measures by the new government which they say threaten the industry. Most newspapers did not publish and two popular radio stations played music instead of broadcasting the news. Television stations such as TFM, ITV and 7 TV demonstrated solidarity with the protest by displaying its slogan and image – three raised fists gripping a pencil. The Senegalese Council of Press Distributors and Publishers said in a joint editorial published on Monday that the freedom of the press was “threatened in Senegal”. The body, which groups editors of private and public companies, complained that the authorities, who came to power in April, were “freezing the bank accounts” of media companies for non-payment of tax. It…

Botswana gave a rapturous welcome to sprinter Letsile Tebogo yesterday as he returned home with the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. Families with children, elderly people and young supporters waved Botswana’s sky blue and black national flag as the Olympic team landed back in the capital, Gaborone. Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the small airport, benefiting from an impromptu half-day holiday declared by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to celebrate Tebogo’s success. Before greeting the athletes, Masisi danced on the tarmac as an aide held an umbrella to shelter him from the sun. Tebogo, 21, became the first African to win the men’s 200m, in an African record time of 19.46sec, when he powered past Americans Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles in Paris on August 8. His gold as well as…

London: The Church of England yesterday apologised to abuse survivors after a priest reportedly assessed as a possible risk to children received a pay out. Anglican church head Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, pictured, admitted the survivors had been “let down” and acknowledged the “concerning background” in the case of Canon Andrew Hindely. The Church confirmed that “a number of allegations were made about the clergyman over a number of years”, but said there had not been a criminal conviction or any finding of misconduct in independent church courts. Hindley, who was removed from office owing to ill health in 2021, had been subject to five police investigations into allegations of sexual assault, the BBC reported.…

Rome: Palermo police said yesterday they had carried out a raid in Brazil with their local counterparts to cripple the lucrative businesses of a leading member of Sicily’s Cosa Nostra. They arrested an Italian businessman from the Palermo area living in Natal in Brazil’s north-eastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, who is accused of helping a Mafia leader hide illegal gains by investing in business ventures in Brazil. The authorities seized financial assets worth E50 million (about R993m) and property belonging to 17 individuals, all of whom are under investigation, according to Palermo’s financial police.…

They know they have big shoes to fill this weekend, but the Springboks will look to emulate last weekend’s performance, without putting too much pressure on themselves. Bok coach Rassie Erasmus made wholesale changes for the second Rugby Championship match in Perth on Saturday (kick-off 11.45pm) against Australia, with outside back Aphelele Fassi one of 10 new faces in the team. The fullback last played in the convincing win over Portugal in Bloemfontein and will be geared up to put in another strong performance to keep his name among the Boks’ No 15 conversation for the rest of the international season. After the 33-7 win in Brisbane that brought the world champions five points, Fassi believes they will face an improved Wallabies, who are looking for redemption after their dismal…

The Blue Bulls may have scored nine tries last weekend, but they know that they can’t afford to waste any opportunities in Friday’s Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Mbombela (5.15pm start). The Pretoria side were 24-7 up at half-time at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday, and completed a 55-21 victory against the hapless Welkom outfit. But captain on the day, Cornal Hendricks, said yesterday that coach Phiwe Nomlomo’s team had identified a few shortcomings that they will need to improve on to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches. They currently top the log with 26 points from five wins and a draw, three points ahead of the Lions. Jimmy Stonehouse’s Pumas outfit are notoriously tough customers at Mbombela Stadium, and will be keen to get going once more…

BRUCE Ramokadi, like most Orlando Pirates faithful no doubt, would love nothing more than to see the Buccaneers become the first South African team to add a second star above the club’s crest. “We were the first ones to be African champions and we must lead the way in winning a second. Pirates must do it before (Mamelodi) Sundowns,” said Ramokadi, who was in that history-making team of 1995 that won the continent’s premier knockout cup. A young attacker back then, the now-retired Ramokadi believes Jose Riveiro’s team have what it takes to conquer Africa like they did and he is hopeful that they learnt a valuable lesson from last season’s campaign. Pirates were knocked out of the competition in the preliminary round by Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties, the…

Productivity in South Africa’s mining sector slumped by 3.5% in June compared to the same period last year amid a weak global environment. Analysts said the key sector’s reclining output had a dragging effect on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter. Data from Statistics SA yesterday showed gold was the biggest contributor to the 3.5% plunge in mineral productivity after it fell by 12.6% year-on-year in June. Platinum Group Metals (PGM), battling low prices and roiled by retrenchments and reduced investment, also recorded a 5.8% slump in output in June. Investec chief economist, Annabel Bishop, said the contraction in mining output had come against the backdrop of a “weak global environment” characterised by low commodity prices, inflation and elevated interest rates. South Africa’s manufacturing production also…

POLICE have refused to shed light on the dismissal of Western Cape Crime Intelligence head Mzwandile Tiyo, saying this was an internal matter. The dismissal followed a Section 34 inquiry after allegations emerged that he lost both a laptop and a firearm and used crime-intelligence resources to find the people who had stolen them and assaulted them. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, said the dismissal of Tiyo was proof that misconduct would not be tolerated within the service. The police ministry declined to comment on the matter yesterday. Police minister spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: “This is an internal departmental matter. No comment will be provided at this stage.” Cameron said: “The dismissal of Tiyo is tangible proof that misconduct of any form will not be accepted…

IT IS EXPECTED that about R100 billion will be withdrawn from retirement funds by pensioners via the two-pot system in the fourth quarter of this year. Of this, about R20bn will flow to SARS. A position should be taken early on that such a tax windfall should not be squandered but should be earmarked for the government and its officials’ intended transformation projects. In this way, the government and its officials can legally benefit from pension funds and pensioners have the satisfaction that the taxes they have to pay again are used for socio- and economic projects that benefit their communities.…

Over the 10-year span of 2014 to 2024, gender disparity in unemployment rates has persisted across all education levels in South Africa. Women, irrespective of their educational background – whether they have less than a matric certificate, a matric certificate, other tertiary qualifications or a graduate degree – consistently face higher unemployment rates compared to men, according to Statistics SA. “Regrettably, women in South Africa continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of unemployment, underemployment and lower workforce participation compared to men. “This is partly because women are more likely to take on household duties, child-rearing and other responsibilities that limit their opportunities in the labour market,” Stats SA said in a report released yesterday. The trends in labour force participation and absorption rates for men and women from 2014 to…

At a time of great global uncertainty and heightened tension that threatens an all-out World War III – characterised in particular by this week’s grossly provocative assassinations of Hamas leader and top negotiator, Dr Ismail Haniyeh, and Lebanese Hezbollah commander Faud Shukr – the disintegration of multilateralism couldn’t be more blatant. Too many examples of competing geopolitical interests continue to pit nations and groupings against each other instead of uniting the international community under a common goal of peaceful coexistence. As Israel expected retaliation for the assassinations of the spelt out above, Washington was dispatching a dozen warships to the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. The legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to be felt across the Global South, where former imperial forces still hold sway…

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck the city of Hama in western Syria on Monday night, with residents across Syria, Jordan and Lebanon feeling the impact and tremors lasting into yesterday morning. Syria’s health ministry said about 65 people sustained minor to moderate injuries as they fled in panic following the earthquake. The Syrian civil defence operating in the northern opposition-held areas of the war-torn country said it had deployed to several areas but had not received any reports of damage. Syria’s National Earthquake Center said 13 tremors were recorded east of Hama city until yesterday. Jordan’s state news agency reported a 3.9 magnitude aftershock less than an hour after the initial quake. Residents across Lebanon felt the quake. Both Lebanon and Syria have been hit by Israeli air strikes over the…

Several leaders of Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema and hundreds of their supporters were released yesterday after mass arrests over a banned youth meeting in the southwest of the country, police and a party spokesperson said. Human rights organisations have criticised the arrests, with Amnesty International saying they were part of efforts to intimidate the opposition in the run-up to local government elections later this year and a national election in 2025. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken some steps to ease restrictions on the media and opposition since coming to power in 2021, but rights groups say arbitrary detentions have continued. Police banned the meeting in the city of Mbeya that Chadema’s youth wing planned to hold on Monday on the grounds that it was likely to “breach the…

The African Union’s health watchdog yesterday declared a public health emergency over growing mpox cases on the continent after an outbreak of the disease spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring countries. “I declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as a public health emergency of continental security,” Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said during an online media briefing.…

Istanbul: Türkiye said Horn of Africa rivals Somalia and Ethiopia made “notable progress” on the second round of talks in Ankara yesterday to overcome their differences. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mediated talks between his counterparts from two rival neighbours in Africa as Türkiye is pushing for diplomatic and economic influence on the continent. Türkiye has been carrying out shuttle diplomacy between Ethiopian and Somalia’s foreign ministers since Monday. “I am pleased to announce that the number and extent of issues we discussed, has increased significantly, compared to the first round,” Fidan said.…

On Saturday, Mia le Roux was crowned Miss South Africa 2024 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. Le Roux is the first differently abled Miss SA as she has impaired hearing. In her acceptance speech, the 28-year-old said she hoped her victory would help those who felt excluded from society to achieve their “wildest dreams, just like I am”. “With a humble and grateful heart, I accept the incredible responsibility of being your Miss South Africa 2024. It is an honour that fills me with immense pride and gratitude, and I am deeply touched by the trust and confidence that South Africa has placed in me. “Today, it is my turn to be your community, to be a voice for those who, like me, have experienced the challenges of…

A total of R14 billion has been earmarked by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department for the maintenance of water infrastructure as well as new infrastructure in the 2024/25 financial year. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said the R14.4bn allocation was made up of R6.8bn from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), R2.4bn in transfers to water boards and R5bn allocation from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Majodina responded to parliamentary questions from DA MP Stephen Moore, who enquired about plans to ensure that local and provincial governments earmarked funds for maintenance of infrastructure and new infrastructure. She said both her department and Cogta allocate grants to municipalities for water and sanitation infrastructure in the form of the RBIG…

State’s case against an accused once categorised as Western Cape’s ‘most wanted’ collapses in court “I have never experienced a witness like Mr Z in my career.” That is what Western Cape High Court acting Judge Mandy van Leeve said of a witness central to the State’s case against Yanga “Bara” Nyalara, who police once categorised as the Western Cape’s “most wanted”. Nyalara, along with co-accused Wanda Tofile, were yesterday acquitted of all 20 charges related to a Khayelitsha May 2021 mass shooting – yet another blow to the State involving a high-profile case in less than a week. The two were accused of killing 12 people and wounding six others in Site B. Their trial began less than a month ago at the Goodwood Prison Court, sitting as…

GOOD leader in Thursday’s Cape Times. There is no doubt the ANC has experienced the biggest decline in its share of votes in the metros. The reason being the people at long last got sick and tired of the ineptitude, dysfunction, instability and malfeasance across the board in our metros. How sad it was to see well-run entities such as Rand Water, Prasa and Eskom, run into the ground by the poor performance of the ANC comrades. Let’s not even mention hospitals, schools, shipping, service deliveries across the board, and crime. The most worrying thing is that most municipalities can’t even balance their books. A good example of comrades put into jobs they can’t execute. I’m hoping the DA, having joined the GNU, will show the ANC how good governance…

THE shocking and heart-breaking murder of three children in Southport, UK, was erroneously and unjustly linked to an asylum seeker. Instead of showing solidarity with the grief experienced by the families and communities affected by this heinous crime, supporters of the far right amplified these false claims about the identity of the murderer and posted inflammatory posts fuelling anti-migrant violence. Rabid racists caused damage to property, attacked religious institutions and instilled fear among innocent people. This unfounded anti-immigrant and racist-rioting on the streets of the UK is unacceptable and needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The flare-up of violence against asylum seekers and minority groups such as Muslims, has been fermenting due to years of calculated misinformation and Islamophobia by some sections of the mass media and…

THE City has condemned attacks on its law enforcement officers after one member was stabbed in the head and two others attacked with pepper spray while attempting to place a suspect in handcuffs on Monday. In another incident, an officer was hit by a passing vehicle during a checkpoint on the Klipfontein Service Road in Athlone yesterday morning. Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said Ghost Squad officers were on patrol on the N2 on Monday when they saw a motorist overtaking other vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway near Borcherds Quarry. “The officers indicated by means of blue lights, sirens and the public address system for the driver to pull over but he refused, resulting in a chase and officers calling for assistance,” Smith said. They…

PERHAPS it is too easy to register a political party in South Africa and contest an election. It could also be that political parties formed out of spite for another do not have much to offer once the anger has subsided. Even the EFF, which initially appeared to be a success after being established as a breakaway from the ANC, lost votes in the national polls. The demise of Cope is a classic example of a fall from grace, while the UDM has also not been a phenomenal success since it was founded. The miracle and disruptor of the 2024 general election, the MK Party of former president Jacob Zuma, may need to watch its step or risk disappearing into thin air too. If not in court appearing before the…

The US and European allies have called on Iran to “stand down”, as fears mounted of an imminent attack on Israel that could spark an all-out war in the Middle East. Tensions are soaring in the region, with the US rushing a missile submarine and an aircraft carrier group in a show of support for its key ally. Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah have vowed revenge for the killing of the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in Tehran, and of a Hezbollah commander in Beirut. International efforts to stave off an Iranian attack have intensified, with US President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Britain warning Tehran in a joint statement on Monday. “We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats…

Tokyo: Japan’s unprecedented megaquake advisory has prompted thousands of hotel cancellations in areas flagged as high-risk, dealing businesses a heavy blow in what would have been one of the busiest seasons, hoteliers said yesterday. The weather agency said last week a huge earthquake was more likely in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 jolt in the south on Thursday, which left at least 15 people injured. The advisory, the first of its kind, doesn’t mean a colossal tremor is imminent, but that the risk of such an event has now been elevated, if still low, the authorities said. In western Kochi, among the regions projected to be hit hardest, at least 9 400 people have cancelled their bookings for the annual Obon holiday, when many Japanese visit their home…

BERLIN: Border controls introduced by Germany could be extended beyond December 15 as they have proved successful in fighting smugglers and irregular migration, the German interior minister said. “For me, the border controls will remain as long as necessary,” Minister Nancy Faeser said yesterday in Goerlitz on the Polish border. This would probably be until the European asylum system takes effect. The EU agreed in December on new rules to handle arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants, a deal hailed as a breakthrough after almost a decade of feuds on the issue. It could take until the end of 2025 for the pact to take full effect.…

Frankfurt: A Norwegian traveller managed to board a plane at Munich airport without a ticket two days in a row – and even flew to Sweden on the second occasion, police said yesterday. The 39-year-old sneaked past security at Germany’s second-busiest airport for the first time on August 4. Passengers are supposed to scan boarding passes at an automatic gate but he stood close to another traveller and got through without one, the Bild daily reported. He then snuck past airline staff at the gate and boarded the plane. But the plane was fully booked and his deception was discovered .…

Manqoba Mngqithi is a candid coach. As such, he has revealed how one of his key players could potentially fail to reach his best due to “losing his cool” at times. Lucas Ribeiro was one of Mamelodi Sundowns’ best players last season as he made a seamless adaptation to the PSL after his move from Belgium. The Brazilian, who boasts great dribbling skills and an eye for goal, was so good that many tipped him to be nominated for the Footballer of the Season award. But it wasn’t to be. Ribeiro scored 16 goals and registered nine assists in 39 games last season, and has been heavily tipped to build on that momentum this season. Sundowns’ coach Mngqithi has lauded the impact of the 25-year-old on their set-up. “I think…

The South African football landscape has traditionally been tilted towards the so-called big clubs from Johannesburg. Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have always had deep pockets to financially outmuscle their rivals in the bid to lure the country’s top footballers. Over the past decade, Mamelodi Sundowns have taken this to a different level with Masandawana being bankrolled by one of Africa’s richest men, Patrice Motsepe. While this may be a global trend with the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain holding sway in their respective leagues due to the power of their cheque books, there certainly still has to be a space left open for the competition. And this brings me to Stellenbosch FC. The Winelands outfit are one of the best-run sporting fraternities in…