Table of contents for 2023-08-10 in Cape Times

THE NATIONAL Treasury has launched its long-awaited Energy Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme (EBB), which will allow households and small businesses to borrow a maximum of R300 000 and R10 million, respectively, from commercial banks to miti- gate the impact of load shedding. The Treasury on Tuesday released the details of the EBB Loan Guarantee Scheme, which was supposed to be launched in April, and will be available until August 30 next year. In his February Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the scheme in a bid to incentivise renewable energy, rooftop solar and address energy-related constraints experienced by households and SMEs. In the scheme, the government will guarantee solar-related loans for small and medium enterprises on a 20% first-loss basis to encourage businesses and individuals…

The countdown to the Miss South Africa 2023 grand finale has begun. Miss South Africa 2022, Ndavi Nokeri, will crown her successor at the SunBet Arena at Time Square in Pretoria on Sunday. Following the last episode of Crown Chasers, where Keaoleboga Nkashe, 27, from Itsoseng in the North West, was eliminated from the competition, only seven women will walk the Miss SA ramp. Nande Mabala, Melissa Nayimuli, Jordan van der Vyver, Homba Mazaleni, Bryoni Natalie Govender, Anke Rothmann and Natasha Joubert are now competing to be the next Miss SA. Joubert, no stranger to the Miss SA platform, is a strong contender. She has won three challenges on Crown Chasers and could be the next Miss SA. However, many people think that the judges are favouring her. “Your…

THE Section 194 inquiry into Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane will meet tomorrow to consider correspondence and also adopt a draft report on its findings on the impeachment of the suspended incumbent. This comes almost two weeks after the inquiry met to deliberate on the evidence that was presented before it and found that evidence sustained the charges of misconduct and incompetence in some respects. According to the Z-list, a programme of parliamentary committees, the inquiry will hold a hybrid session with some MPs attending physically in one of the committee rooms and others attending virtually in the morning. The inquiry will consider “tabling of correspondence; consideration and adoption of the draft report (Part A & Part B) of the committee; adoption of minutes”. The report to be adopted will be…

IN a landmark judgment, the NPA has confiscated a 68-hectare farm in Stilbaai after successfully applying for its forfeiture to the State as it was used to sell drugs instead of conducting farming activities. Self-confessed drug dealer, Ruben Robertson, entered into a plea agreement with the State at the Riversdale Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to dealing drugs – mandrax and tik – from the farm colloquially known as Die Kliphuis and Die Bakkery where dealing went on day and night. Roberston, who faced six charges of dealing in drugs, will effectively serve one year behind bars after being served with a six-year imprisonment sentence, wholly suspended for five years, and was fined the amount of R1 335 which was paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account in terms of…

At the current rate of decline, more than 500 breeding pairs of African penguins in the wild may be obliterated this year and every year for the next decade, research has shown. By 2035, there probably won’t be enough breeding pairs left for the species to survive in the wild. While the South African government has maintained already existing fishing closures around some of the African penguin colonies to date, it’s far from enough to make a significant impact and stop the plunge toward extinction, according to the #NotOnOurWatch campaign (#NOOW), created by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation and partners including the Florida Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium and Australia’s Zoos Victoria. “If fisheries, the South African government, oil and shipping companies, management agencies, scientists, conservationists, international allies and the public work…

A 23-year-old College of Cape Town student who went missing while walking home during the taxi strike is receiving counselling after she was kidnapped and held captive in a shack with another woman before being released. Isabel Ndlovu was last seen leaving the college’s Wynberg Skills Centre, headed to her Khayelitsha home last Thursday. Her mother had phoned her from the United States and she confirmed that she was in a taxi home, however, the family said they never heard from her again. She was reported missing to police on Friday. It has been alleged Ndlovu was released by two kidnappers who snatched her near the Khayelitsha Site C taxi rank. She was allegedly held captive in a shack with another woman before she was released. Ndlovu’s brother-in-law, Phenius Dickens,…

A former rebel leader and politician in Niger has launched a movement opposing the junta that took power in a July 26 coup, a first sign of internal resistance to army rule in the strategically important Sahel country. Rhissa Ag Boula said in a statement seen yesterday that his new Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) aimed to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been in detention at his residence since the takeover. “Niger is the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by people charged with protecting it,” the statement said. The launch comes as diplomatic efforts to reverse the coup appeared stalled after the junta rejected the latest diplomatic mission and the army governments of neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which back the armed takeover, appealed to the…

Russia will build up forces at its western borders following Finland’s accession to the US-led Nato alliance, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu told the governing board of the ministry yesterday. Shoigu said Nato-member Poland had already announced plans to strengthen its military, and that he expected significant Nato forces and weaponry to be deployed in Finland, whose inclusion has almost doubled the length of Russia’s land border with Nato. “The collective West is waging a proxy war against Russia,” he said, according to his ministry, pointing to its “unprecedented support” for Ukraine in supplying tens of billions of dollars’ worth of weaponry to help Kyiv repel Russian forces. | Reuters…

MOSCOW: A blast rocked an optics and optical electronics factory in Sergiev Posad, a town 50km north-east of Moscow yesterday, injuring at least 45 people, local authorities said. Emergency services said the blast appeared to have occurred in a warehouse containing pyrotechnic equipment, Tass state news agency reported. Twenty-three people were admitted to hospital the Sergiev Posad mayor’s office said. The Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant produces optical equipment for industrial and health-care applications as well as for the Russian security forces. However, Tass cited emergency services as saying they did not believe the blast had been caused by a Ukrainian drone attack. | Reuters…

Nairobi: Ethiopian troops appeared to be pushing back militia fighters in the conflict-hit Amhara region, residents of two cities said yesterday, after local authorities reported that “relative peace” was being restored. Ethiopian Airlines also announced that it was resuming flights to the northern region’s capital Bahir Dar and the city of Gondar from today after suspending operations on Tuesday. The fresh unrest in Africa’s second most populous country comes just nine months after the end of a devastating two-year war in the neighbouring region of Tigray that also drew in fighters from Amhara. | AFP…

In a few short months, Jean Kleyn has completed a remarkable journey from having a faint chance of a recall to the Ireland squad to being picked for the Springboks at the World Cup in France. The Johannesburg-raised Kleyn played in the emerald green of Ireland at the 2019 World Cup, and he says the exchange for the green and gold of South Africa is a case of his journey with Rassie Erasmus going full circle. Speaking at the World Cup launch at the SuperSport studios on Tuesday, Kleyn said: “When I was a 22-year-old at the Stormers in 2016, I got a call from Rassie Erasmus asking me to come and play tighthead lock from him at Munster (where he was coaching). “I was young and unattached, and decided…

NEDBANK Group, presenting its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, on Tuesday, showed that South African household finances deteriorated significantly in the first half of the year. “Growth in real personal disposable income slowed further, constrained by modest job creation and hurt by persistently high inflation. “Double-digit increases in the prices of essentials and sharply higher interest rates significantly reduced income available for discretionary spending,” it said. Households were under pressure as the South African economy struggled to grow in the face of persistent domestic challenges. In the first quarter, the economy grew by a subdued 0.4% quarter-on-quarter, after having contracted by 1.1% in the final quarter of last year. The increase in the first quarter of 2023 mainly reflected the impact of the previous quarter’s…

Did you know that trees can release pollen all year round? While many people associate allergies with spring, the highest levels of tree pollen are found in late winter and early spring. The increased time spent indoors can also bring on allergy symptoms. The Allergy Foundation of South Africa says staying informed about pollen counts allows people with allergies to plan their outdoor activities accordingly, avoiding high-pollen weeks or ensuring they have antihistamines on hand. Identifying specific allergens can help patients avoid contact with them. Marli Botha, of Pharma Dynamics, says that indoors, we are exposed to allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mould and cockroach droppings, which can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes. In cold weather we use heaters, which…

AN investigation has been launched into the cause of a bus crash that led to the deaths of six pupils in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday. The pupils from Mchitheki High School in Nongoma were on an educational tour to Durban when the bus driver allegedly lost control on a bend and the vehicle crashed on the R618, near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve. KZN Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka said he had called on law-enforcement agencies to speed up the investigation into the possible cause of the crash. “Five people sustained fatal injuries on the scene (three females and two males), one died in hospital,” Hlomuka said. He said that the driver and another 34 pupils were taken to the KwaHlabisa Hospital. “The driver is believed to be…

ACTIVISTS say society is failing its youth because children are involved in violence in the taxi strike. In Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, a police station was set alight by a group of youths, and law enforcement officers and vehicles were pelted with stones. This as the Western Cape Education Department said 852 259 learners stayed home from school on Tuesday – 71% of the learners – as a result of the taxi strike. More than 90 schools closed due to safety concerns or low attendance. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said as a result of the damage caused by the fire, the Community Service centre in Kayamandi is not operational. “Reports suggested an unruly group of young people approached the SAPS office in Kayamandi on Tuesday and threw an explosive device in the…

THE massacre of five people, including two children, has shocked the community of Mbekweni. According to police spokesperson Andrè Traut, at about 11.15pm on Monday, police responded to a complaint of several gunshots fired at a residence in Chris Hani Street. There they discovered the bodies of three male victims aged 12, 14, and 34 and two women aged 32 and 39. “The motive for the multiple murder is yet to be determined, and arrests are yet to be effected. “At this stage there is no indication that the incident is linked to the taxi strike in the province,” Traut said. According to reports, the deceased are Simphiwe Solani, 12, Ntlantla Solani, 14, Chandre Horn, 32, Olwethu Sompani, 34, and Zimkhitha Solani, 39. Ward councillor, Luvuyo Bolani, said residents…

A COURT on appeal stepped in to safeguard the R2.28 million a woman had received from the Road Accident Fund after she was involved in an accident. The woman indicated that she had planned on dishing out at least R1m of the payout to her family and friends. The woman, who is not being identified due to her circumstances, was earlier declared unfit by a court to manage her own financial affairs, as she is illiterate and unable to understand and interpret financial advice. A neuropsychologist who examined her supported the appointment of a curator. It was found that her functional illiteracy was unrelated to the car accident. The court at the time appointed an advocate to act in her best interests and to make decisions regarding her financial affairs.…

China, South Africa join hands As developing countries with significant influence in the world, China and South Africa share a special bond of “comradeship plus brotherhood”. Our friendship was forged during the fight against imperialism, colonialism and racism, and has deepened in the process of win-win cooperation and common development. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa. Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership, and have become a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. In recent years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, our comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to move forward with higher quality, in a wider range and at a…

Thailand’s Pheu Thai party announced yesterday it had the support of six more parties in its attempt to form a government, still short of the required backing nearly three months after an election. Thailand has been under a caretaker government for 142 days and faces prolonged uncertainty after election winner Move Forward was blocked from forming a government by conservative legislators allied with the royalist military. Second-place Pheu Thai, a populist heavyweight with a history of animosity with the military, is trying to form a government without Move Forward and faces the same struggle to win support from a parliament over which the army has significant influence. “Pheu Thai hopes to ease political factionalisation and gain support from all members of parliament,” leader Cholnan Srikaew said. But it was unclear…

Pakistan’s parliament was due to be dissolved yesterday, ushering in a technocrat-led interim government to oversee an election that will not include the country’s most popular politician, Imran Khan. The country has been in political turmoil since the former international cricket star was booted from power in April last year, culminating in his being jailed for graft at the weekend following a months-long crackdown on his party. By law, elections should be held within 90 days of parliament’s dissolution, but the outgoing government has already warned they are likely to be delayed. The unlikely coalition between the country’s usually feuding dynastic parties –which came together to kick out Khan – has won little popular support during its 18 months at the helm of the world’s fifth-most populous country. The economy…

Damascus: A Syrian television journalist and two soldiers were killed when a roadside bomb exploded in the southern province of Daraa, state media reported. “Correspondent Firas al-Ahmad from (privately owned) Sama TV and two members of our armed forces were killed by an explosive device” as they returned from a counternarcotics operation in the province, state television said. “Terrorists” had planted the bomb, it added. Daraa was the cradle of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule but it returned to Damascus’s control in 2018 under a ceasefire deal backed by Russia. | AFP…

There’s a renewed sense of expectation around football in the Mother City. Not only are there three teams in the DStv Premiership for the first time in years but Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC are already showing early signs that they will not be taking a backward step to any of their opponents from up north. City have certainly put their lacklustre starts of the previous two seasons to pasture with a second consecutive victory yesterday afternoon as they triumphed 1-0 over Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium. Eric Tinkler’s men followed up their last-minute win over Polokwane City in the opening game of the season with another hard-earned victory against the Dube Birds. With youngster Taahir Goedeman in sparkling form in the midfield, and now adding the goals…

AS THE health-care landscape shifts towards preventive managed care, the emphasis on health checks and screenings is now of paramount importance. These proactive measures, conducted by medical professionals, aim to detect diseases and health conditions before symptoms manifest, ultimately making treatment easier and more effective. The clinical team at Bonitas Medical Fund highlights the crucial check-ups that women should prioritize for their well-being. Breast Cancer Starting from age 18, regular self-examinations of the breasts are recommended. If any changes are noticed or felt, immediate consultation with a doctor is crucial. Early detection can save lives. Some doctors suggest having a mammogram every two years from the age of 40, while others believe it should commence at the age of 50. Having a first-degree relative (such as a mother, sister, or…

AS South Africa observed National Women’s Day, marking the 67th anniversary of the women’s march of 1956 against racist apartheid laws, civic organisations made it a point to highlight the continued plight of women caught up in rising gender-based violence and its statistics. The use of court orders to “gag” or silence victims of gender-based violence has again taken centre stage, as a woman, supported by the Women’s Legal Centre (WLC), is waiting to hear the outcome of an appeal in the Johannesburg High Court to allow her to publicly speak about her alleged rape ordeal at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. The appeal seeks to overturn an order made by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court which had prohibited the woman through a protection order, from publishing or posting the rape…

Taxi bosses turn to court to have impounded vehicles released THE City has remained adamant that the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) empowered it to impound minibus taxis, and it has refused to release any of the impounded vehicles. This as Santaco, in a notice to operators last night, said it would be applying for an urgent interdict for the release of all vehicles that have been impounded and to interdict the City and the department of mobility from impounding more vehicles until all matters had been resolved. “The application will be lodged within 48 hours, and we will, therefore, not operate until this process is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience to our commuters.” Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has also ordered that the impounded minibus taxis at city depots…

DESPITE an extensive sea, air and shoreline search, there is still no sign of a missing fisherman after a vessel ran aground on the rocky Gouritz coastline on the South Cape Coast, killing four people. The NSRI said its Mossel Bay team was alerted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services at about 1.50am on Tuesday of a mayday distress call received on VHF marine radio. “Very little information could be determined from the distress call other than it was suspected to have been broadcast from the Gouritz area,” the NSRI said. “It was undetermined what the vessel’s name was and undetermined where exactly the vessel was nor the number of persons on the vessel could be determined.” While all efforts to reach the vessel by VHF marine radio failed, two local…

A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of Hartenbos businessman Desmond Share is expected back in court for a bail application next week. The search for Share, 53, ended tragically when his body was found with stab wounds at the weekend. Share was reported missing on August 1 after he did not show up for work. His vehicle was allegedly spotted at a petrol station near Buffeljagsrivier outside Swellendam. Initially, police said they were investigating a case of hijacking after suspects were captured on CCTV footage driving the branded vehicle. A 30-year-old suspect has since been arrested and appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to police spokesperson Chris Spies an investigation took the search party to bushes between Herbertsdale and Albertinia on…

Recent judgments have vindicated the Sekunjalo Group, confirming that the company has not engaged in any wrongdoing. Despite facing various inquiries and hearings, including at the Mpati Commission, Western Cape High Court, Equality Court, and Competition Tribunal, none of these entities found any evidence of corrupt behaviour by Sekunjalo. However, the recent ruling by the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) is surprising, as it was based on procedural technicality. The CAC claims that the banks will suffer reputational risk by providing banking services to companies associated with the Sekunjalo Group, including Independent Media. This decision overlooks the fact that without banking services, the Sekunjalo Group of companies would suffer irreparable harm, and Independent Media’s reputation would also be damaged. The fairness of the rule of law comes into question. This is…

ELEVEN corpses were found yesterday following a fire at a centre in eastern France where a group of adults with learning disabilities were taking their holidays. The toll is unlikely to climb further as authorities initially found nine bodies, but recorded 11 people missing in the town of Wintzenheim. President Emmanuel Macron described the disaster as a “tragedy”. The secretary general of the Haut Rhin prefecture in eastern France, Christophe Marot, said there was “little doubt” the missing had been in the burning building and had not been able to escape. “We have located nine bodies and we are still looking for two,” Philippe Hauwiller, who is leading the fire brigade search operation, told AFP. Deputy mayor Daniel Leroy said earlier three bodies had been found. This was done using…

LONDON: Around 230 workers at London Gatwick, Britain’s second busiest airport, will take eight days of strike action this month over pay disputes, the Unite trade union said yesterday, warning of flight disruptions during the peak summer travel period. Ground handlers, passenger assistance and other airport workers at Gatwick have been negotiating with various employers including Red Handling, Wilson James, Menzies and ASC, in separate pay disputes. Last month some planned strikes were called off after workers received improved pay offers. Gatwick airport did not immediately respond to a request for comment. | Reuters…

Tokyo: Japan’s second-oldest museum has raised $3.4 million through crowdfunding after reportedly being denied additional financial support to cover soaring utility bills to preserve its collection of animal and plant specimens. More than 30 000 people have donated a total of 480 million yen to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, easily surpassing the 100-million-yen target, campaign platform READYFOR said. The head of the 146-year-old museum, Kenichi Shinoda, said energy bills to keep some of its five million artefacts – ranging from dinosaur bones to stuffed bears – at constant temperatures and humidity levels were expected to almost double this fiscal year to more than $2.6 million. | AFP…