Inhoudsopgave van 2022-11-18 - Mercury

SOUTH African markets followed global peers and ended yesterday in the red as investors continued to fret about how the looming global recession would affect appetite in local stocks. The JSE All Share Index fell 0.62% to 72 155.29 points by close of trading, mainly pushed down by tech stocks and resource-linked companies. South32 led the losses in the commodity stocks, losing 4.39% to R46.58 per share followed by Thungela Resources and Anglo American Platinum which lost 4.02% and 3.26% to R246.60 and R1 621.40 per share, respectively. The JSE’s shine darkened after the US markets also tumbled, with the Dow Jones losing 200 points and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq falling by more than 1% each. Investors have been worried over the prospect of an economic downturn…

On the Greek island of Naxos, two divers reeled in not the catch of the day but a jumble of cable, rope, fishing nets and old clothes from the sea floor. They are part of a dozen-strong team from Aegean Rebreath, marine conservationists who for the past five years have sought to preserve the azure waters that attract millions of holidaymakers. On a bright winter's day, they fished out tyres, chairs, cellphones, cutlery, CDs, and a broom, alongside dozens of cans and bottles. “We extracted more than a ton of marine waste from the port (in two days),” said George Sarelakos, the group’s co-founder and head. “The other side of the harbour is a real dumping ground.” Greece’s struggle with marine pollution is not new. Discarded fishing nets are a…

The biggest sporting tournament in the world is about to kick off. Fifa’s showpiece event, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is all set to dazzle football fans around the world from Sunday. Soccer stars from 32 qualifying nations will compete for the ultimate prize and glory in soccer’s biggest tournament. It could be the last World Cup for the famous duo of Ronaldo and Messi and, though they have enough trophies to fill two museums, they could exit soccer’s biggest stage without the biggest prize: the World Cup medal. It could also be Neymar’s last World Cup. An estimated one million soccer fans will converge on this little Middle East kingdom to support their countries and cheer their soccer idols. But it’s an expensive trip for these football fans. Accommodation…

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on Russia to pay reparations for the damages it inflicted on Ukraine. There were 94 in favour, with 14 against and 73 abstentions, including South Africa. Seventy-seven years after its founding, the UN is still largely the preserve of Western nations, adopting resolutions defending powerful nations and giving comfort to their political minions. One particular power, supported by a powerful superpower, violated 28 resolutions of the UN Security Council (which are legally binding on member-nations, UN Charter, Article 25). The UN’s foremost stated aim is “to maintain international peace and security”, a task that lies with its most powerful body, the Security Council. Most of the member nations of the UN were engaged, and some are still engaged, in conflicts that are…

KwaZulu-Natal’s top businesswomen were honoured at a glamorous gala evening in the Coastlands uMhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre last night. The KZN Top Business Women 2022, sponsored by DRG and BusinessFit SA, celebrated the achievements of women in business who were nominated by employers, employees, clients and other stakeholders. The KZN Top Business team interviewed all the women who participated on camera and in three webinars, which were held in the build-up to the event facilitated by guest speaker Zanele Luvuno, who is passionate about promoting women leaders. David White, CEO of DRG and BusinessFit, a key sponsor said: “We have been delighted to play a small role in this incredible initiative. Listening to the women’s stories and sharing in their passion and their purpose has been very exciting.” At…

MPUMALANGA Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has embarked on a week-long mission to the Russian Federation to address issues affecting more than 200 university students. The students, who are studying at 11 institutions of higher learning, have appealed for help after they said they were facing expulsion from universities and eviction from their residences. The issues was around payments being made to the tertiary institutions. According to Mpumalanga Education MEC Bonakele Majuba, the students are government-funded and specialise in different disciplines including aviation, engineering, medicine and information technology. The students said they were no longer receiving their stipends, and expressed fears of being expelled, evicted, and deported. They also said they faced a lack of food and accommodation due to delayed payments to the relevant institutions following the expiry of the implementing…

Chinese President Xi Jinping scolded Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in an on-camera dressing down at the G20 summit, an unusual public spat that could further complicate strained relations between the countries. Video recorded by reporters at the Bali summit for world leaders this week showed Xi appearing to upbraid Trudeau after details of talks between the two leaders were leaked to the media. Trudeau had raised with Xi the issue of what he called Chinese “interference” with Canadian citizens after Ottawa in recent weeks accused Beijing of meddling with its democratic and judicial systems. In the clip captured on the sidelines of the Indonesian summit, Xi tells Trudeau through an interpreter: “Everything we discussed has been leaked to the papers. That is not appropriate. And that’s not the way…

As its political stalemate festers, Libya risks sliding back towards civil war with diplomacy at a standstill, politicians thwarting progress towards elections and military leaders, including eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, threatening violence. A move by forces aligned with the Tripoli government this week to blockade a meeting by a legislative body, a bout of deadly fighting in August and Haftar’s warnings of a new war all underscore the risks. New UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily warned this week that “some institutional players are actively hindering progress towards elections”. In Tripoli, many people fear that gridlock raises the chances of violence, which has flared several times in the capital this year and always risks escalating into wider conflict. The prospects of more conflict are also high for an inattentive world. War could…

Washington: The US will have a divided government for the next two years as the Republican party finally secured the House of Representatives this week after polling in midterm elections closed. Democrats will control the Senate and the White House. The days of ambitious legislation for infrastructure, climate change and health-care extension are over. Republicans have threatened to launch congressional investigations into the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis on the southern border and of the Afghanistan exit. They also plan to probe his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings when the senior Biden was vice-president. | IANS…

Evan Roos has waited so long for a second Springbok cap that he even packed down in a new position in training ahead of tomorrow’s Test against Italy in Genoa (3pm kick-off). “I can cover at No 7, and if needed at six – and I even scrummed at lock today! I’m a bit short, but if they need me there, I’ll scrum – they must give me 21-inch studs and I’m there … I am trying to focus on eight as my main role, and seven secondary,” the Stormers star said this week. The 22-year-old Roos was one of the standout players in the Cape side’s journey to the United Rugby Championship title, and many rugby pundits clamoured for him to go straight into the Bok starting line-up against…

The eThekwini metro police has been accused of rounding up homeless people from the city centre and “dumping” them in smaller towns near Ballito this week. The allegations emerged on social media and messages that were seen by some city councillors. The Mercury spoke to two people, one of whom said he had engaged with the stranded people. He said he had been told directly by them that they had been transported to the area by the metro police. The other said he had seen complaints on social media from community members in the Ballito area. But eThekwini municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said it was not aware of the allegation, saying it sounded “far-fetched”. An oThongathi resident said he had bumped into a group of homeless people and they asked…

THE world reels in financial disarray caused by Putin’s war in Ukraine and aggravated in the case of Old Blighty by Brexit and five weeks of Liz Truss in No 10 punting Thatcherism on steroids; plus a kind of voodoo economics reminiscent of the casino. It spooked the markets. Inflation in Britain is now at its highest in 40 years, while the Paris Bourse has for the first time ever overtaken the London Stock Exchange in terms of value – due in part to Brexit. Yet an account comes this way from rural England that suggests a more practical approach to the crisis. The streets are deserted in Little Piddlington on the Marsh. Its inhabitants are also feeling the financial squeeze. A tourist driving through the village stops at the…

It is surprising that little critical attention has been devoted to the ANC’s adamant intention to impose National Health Insurance (NHI), despite the fact the socialised health system in the UK is collapsing. Among the 10 claims touting the NHI is that contributions would be less than what private medical aids charge. But what the NHI boffins do not consider is where the taxes required to fund this gargantuan health scheme will come from. For it is undisputed that emigration is steadily diminishing the taxpayers corps while the number of dependants on state welfare continues to expand. More than 10 years ago, then finance minister Trevor Manuel warned it was not possible to continue to fund welfare based on a diminishing taxpayer base. From its inception in the UK, it…

THE binds and double-binds we find ourselves in… Do you ever feel trapped between people or situations? Do you ever feel bogged down by the expectations others have of you? How do you respond? Do you flee, go silent, disappear, fight it out, or assume a martyr-like attitude as if you are somehow a victim? I can respond in all of the mentioned ways – and more. I try to avoid traps and relationship triangles so I spend quite some time in detailing the path that typically leads me into such traps. Here are signposts declaring “trap up ahead”: I have said “yes” to be nice when I really meant “no” or “give me some time to think about it”. I am trying to please people and be liked. I…

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has hired more staff. Earlier this year, it was reported that the directorate had an organogram for 5 332 posts but only 2 642 posts were filled, and of those, 1 500 were investigating officers. Briefing the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) this week, Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya said the unit had this month promoted 244 personnel, including those taken from the SAPS. He said they intended to appoint another 290 staff with effect from January 1. “We are currently doing a selection process where there are more than 50 000 applications that we must sift through,” he said. Lebeya said they were building the capacity of the DPCI to be able to respond to the volume of work on hand. “We…

The acting KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has condemned the attempted murder of Inkosi Patrick Sphamandla Khumalo of Amantungwa Traditional Council under the Amajuba District. According to reports, Khumalo was rushed to the hospital after he was attacked by gunmen near his home yesterday. Acting MEC for Cogta, Sipho Hlomuka said he condemned the continuing acts of criminality which sought to undermine traditional leaders and the role they played in our society. “We appeal to the conscience of our communities as these acts destabilise the institution of traditional leadership which also has a domino effect on development in our communities. “We urge the police and all law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in finding the perpetrators of these hideous crimes and bringing them to…

A 57-year-old man believed to be an employee of eThekwini Municipality was shot dead on Wednesday night. The Mercury understands he was employed in the Water Unit as a driver. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the man’s body was found seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle. “The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds.” Emer-G-Med paramedics who responded to the scene in Ubhejane Crescent in the Avoca Hills area said the man was declared dead on arrival of paramedics. This murder is the fourth violent death of a Water Unit employee this year. In February, Amos Ngcobo, a manager in the unit, was shot dead in his office in Springfield. Phumzile Qatha was shot dead in April this year outside the Ottawa depot. She was in charge of…

Seven men have been arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD)’s undercover reaction unit for conspiracy to commit a robbery and possession of three unlicensed firearms and ammunition in Fordsburg. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers received a tip-off about a group of individuals planning a robbery in the Fordsburg area, using a white Volkswagen Golf 7 GTi and a maroon Volkswagen Polo. “The white Volkswagen Golf 7 GTi, without front and back registration numbers, was intercepted. When stopped, three male occupants were found inside the vehicle,” said Fihla. “The vehicle and suspects were searched, an unlicensed 9mm pistol with the serial number filed off, a SAPS bulletproof vest, caps and badges were recovered. Whilst searching, it was discovered by the officers that the driver and owner of the…

IT’S been a while since we’ve had so much fun driving a car. And that’s exactly the point Toyota had in mind when they launched the new GR86 with the apt pay-off line of an “analogue car for the digital age” that sticks to the “Waku Doki” fun-to-drive brief. With a lower centre of gravity than its GT86 predecessor, tweaked Subaru- sourced horizontally opposed boxer engine and enhanced dynamics, the GR86 takes all the Toyota Gazoo Racing bits and bobs into a stylish well-balanced sports car aimed at unadulterated driving pleasure. Its short overhangs, wide and low stance, individually accentuated front and rear wings and functional aerodynamic features such as front air dam, air vents combined with aero fins and further aerodynamic enhancements under the car accentuate its pedigree. The…

Fresh Russian strikes hit cities across Ukraine yesterday, officials said, the latest in a wave of attacks that have crippled the country’s energy infrastructure as winter sets in and temperatures drop. The new barrage came with snow falling for the first time this season and after officials in Kyiv warned of a cold spell approaching. The salvoes of Russian missiles this week came as officials announced good news yesterday on the extension of the agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea, which aims to help the global supply of food. Yet the fresh strikes have pounded Ukraine and come on the back of another stark battlefield setback for Russian forces, which retreated from the southern city of Kherson. “Two cruise missiles were shot down over Kyiv. Information…

The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is setting up makeshift hospitals and quarantine sites with capacity for nearly 250 000 beds for Covid-19 infections, officials said yesterday, as cases across the country hit their highest level since April. China is battling Covid-19 outbreaks in numerous major cities, including Chongqing and the capital Beijing, while it takes steps to try to ease the burden of its strict zero-Covid-19 policy, which has caused severe economic damage and widespread frustration nearly three years into the pandemic. In the hard-hit central city of Zhengzhou, authorities said they would investigate the death of a 4-month-old whose father said she was denied timely treatment while they were in central quarantine, the latest such case to stir online anger. Guangzhou, a manufacturing hub home to 19 million…

The upsetting truth has been coming for some time and now that it’s here, it’s time for those in power in South African football to accept it and seek to improve our game going forward, no matter the cost. After Bafana Bafana lived up to expectations by failing to qualify for the World Cup, all eyes were fixed on other nationalities to represent the DStv Premiership at the showpiece event in Qatar, starting on Sunday. Strangely, our hopes were put on Ghana, who shadily booted us out of the qualifying group stages before beating Nigeria in the play-offs. The masses were rallied behind Orlando Pirates’ Richard Ofori to make the final cut in Ghana’s squad and be the only player from the PSL in the Middle East. But that didn’t…

It will be another nine months before Rassie van der Dussen’s left forefinger functions properly again. But for now he can bat, and as far as the Proteas are concerned, that is all that matters. Van Der Dussen had his first serious innings in almost three months yesterday, spending around two hours at the crease in Potchefstroom, to score 45 for the DP World (Gauteng) Lions in their 4-Day Series clash with the North West Dragons. Van der Dussen injured the finger while fielding during the second Test against England in Manchester. The knuckle was effectively shattered when struck by the ball and he still can’t straighten it, but it’s good enough to bat. “I was expecting a lot more pain and discomfort, but it actually went Okay,” he said…

PARLIAMENT will consider the report of the three-member panel of experts, which will determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer on Phala Phala, on December 6. This will be just 10 days before the first day of the ANC elective conference, where Ramaphosa is expected to stand for re-election amid a cloud of alleged crimes on his farm two years ago. The turn of events came a day after National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula granted a 13-day extension to the panel to submit its report on November 30 and communicated her decision to the chief whips’ forum. The panel, which started its 30 days to do its work, was meant to submit its report yesterday. There were complaints raised by political parties after the extension was granted…

It is traumatising to note that Zimbabweans observed the International Day for Tolerance in anger as the government of Zimbabwe has failed to tolerate people with different views to the ruling party, Zanu-PF. Due to intolerance, political uncertainty remains high because of violent crimes such as assault, home invasions, arbitrary arrests, selective application and weaponisation of the law, persecution by prosecution, pre-trial incarceration and denial of bail. The Zimbabwean government coerced and manipulated the media so that it engages in indoctrination rather than critical journalism. Zimbabweans may be distressed by their country’s plight, but that distress does not outweigh the value of survival. Loyalty to the Zanu-PF party is frequently forced, and the police are overwhelmingly partisan in their punishments. Mnangagwa and the government have brewed mayhem in Zimbabwe and…

I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been on the water a couple of times: sailed on a pirate ship in South America, just north of Rio de Janeiro in 1994; went on a luxury cruise liner to Bazaruto Islands at the turn of the century and also went on a Buque Bus ferry from Buenos Aries, Argentina, to Montevideo in Uruguay. Each experience was exhilarating and memorable. There is something about the open expanse of sea that intrigues me. I could stand on the deck for hours and look out at an endless horizon and wonder what’s on the other side. Perhaps it’s the loneliness, supremacy and serenity of it all, its mysterious depths, that I find so alluring. But woven into the tapestry of imagination and desire are threads of…

Two jaguar cubs and their mother were set to be released into an Argentine national park this week after they were bred in captivity to help protect the species from threat of extinction. Mother Mbarete is returning to Ibera National Park in Argentina’s Corrientes province, this time with her cubs, following eight months in the El Impenetrable National Park in Chaco, where she mated with their father. The new cubs bring important genetic diversity to the population of 12 jaguars living in the park near Argentina’s borders with Brazil and Paraguay. The continent’s largest cat, only 200-250 jaguars live in Argentina today, occupying just 5% of the territory they once roamed in. | Reuters…

WITH the introduction of cameras in taxis and a plan to introduce cashless payments soon, the taxi industry in KwaZulu-Natal is embracing technology. The South and North Beach Taxi Association in Durban announced this week that it was installing CCTV cameras in the taxis in its fleet. The 70 cameras currently installed will be operating 24 hours monitoring conduct of drivers and commuters said the association’s chairperson Yusuf Khalifa. He said they wanted all taxis in their fleet to have cameras by next month. Apart from being a security feature, he added it would also allow operators to monitor drivers’ behaviour as they would be notified about misconduct via an app. South African National Taxi Council provincial chairperson Sifiso Ntshangase said that they were looking into how commuters can pay…

The winner of the R74-million Powerball Plus jackpot from Durban has finally claimed his prize. The winner, who works in sales, said he planned to report for work and had no intention of quitting. “It still has to sink in,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday. The winner’s identity has been kept confidential. On Wednesday, National Lottery Ithuba said the winning ticket was purchased in Durban and urged players to check their tickets and proceed to their nearest National Lottery regional office to process their winnings. The winner, who is a father of four, said he went to check his ticket in one of the shops and was told he needed to go to an Ithuba office. “But at that time I didn’t know I won the…

MINISTER in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele could be subpoenaed if he does not accede to a request to brief the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) on the vetting of officials in state-owned entities (SOEs). This emerged when Scopa this week discussed a legal opinion from parliamentary legal services regarding the State Security Agency (SSA) 2014 Cabinet directive on vetting of SOE executives and their supply chain management officials. Last week, Gungubele initially agreed to brief the committee, then indicated his deputy Zizi Kodwa would do so only to make a dramatic U-turn citing the Intelligence Oversight Act which provides for him to report to the joint standing committee on intelligence (JSCI). This prompted Scopa to seek legal opinion, which gave the green light to re-invite him and subpoena him…

The Constitutional Court has reserved judgment in the case brought by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) to challenge the constitutionality of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) and the Aarto Amendment Act. The challenge brought the constitutionality of South Africa’s strict new driving laws into focus following January’s High Court ruling declaring parts of the legislation unconstitutional. The matter had to be sent to the Constitutional Court for the ruling to be confirmed. Aarto is the legislation that provides for the penalising of drivers and operators of motor vehicles who are guilty of traffic or road infringements through a system of demerit points that may lead to the suspension and ultimately the cancellation of a driving licence. It establishes a single national system for enforcement. In…

New strategies for development of China's education, science, technology, talents The report delivered by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the 20th national congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlined a vision for the nation as a modern socialist country, holds high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is strategically situated and profound. The discussion about education contains new ideas, new strategies, new connotations, and also puts forward new requirements. In past reports, like those delivered at the 18th or 19th national congresses, education was usually embedded in the module about improving people’s well-being and quality of life. This time, however, education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent development have been deployed systematically and synergistically, highlighting the importance of the strategies of invigorating the country through…

More than 150 countries have now signed up to a global pact to reduce methane emissions, 50 more than signed on when the initiative launched last year, the US and EU said yesterday. The pledge to cut emissions of greenhouse gas 30% this decade is seen as critical to global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. China and India, the top two methane emitters, have not signed up for the pact. The EU’s climate policy chief, Frans Timmermans, said yesterday at the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, that a lot of work was needed to turn a draft of a COP27 deal into something the nearly 200 countries at the climate summit can agree on. The draft document repeats many goals from last year’s UN climate talks while leaving…

YANGON: Myanmar’s military rulers granted amnesty to Sean Turnell, an Australian economist and former adviser to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, among nearly 6 000 prisoners to be freed to mark a national holiday, state media reported yesterday. Turnell and former British ambassador to Myanmar, Vicky Bowman, had been freed and had left Myanmar by plane, officials said. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military’s coup in February last year, when it arrested civilian leaders including Suu Kyi, ending a decade of tentative democracy. Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government said yesterday that the world should not be duped by the junta. | Reuters…

THE summer fish are here and the fishing has been good when the weather allows. There have been edibles and drag-peeling inedibles. The north coast has seen a lot of fish even though the fish have been patchy. Try to fish and move to find the fish. Bloody and fleshy baits are the way to go. The banks have produced diamonds recently, but you need to find them. Most of the north coast has seen good fishing off the points with sandies and honeycombs being the main bigger fish being caught. There have also been plenty of grey sharks on the lighter tackle. There has been an influx in reports of pompano being caught recently so get your sea lice and smaller prawn/chokka baits out. The central coast has been…