Table of contents for 2021-11-19 in Cape Times

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za INVESTEC plans to distribute a 15 percent stake in Ninety One to its shareholders, the group said yesterday in its results for the six months to September 30. Investec was previously the parent company of international asset management firm Ninety One, but had retained a 25 percent shareholding after the two businesses demerged last year. “Given the group’s strong capital generation, capital optimisation strategy, and in line with previous communication that 15 percent of Ninety One is surplus to our capital requirements, the board has resolved to distribute the 15 percent holding to shareholders, while retaining an approximate 10 percent interest,” Investec said in a statement yesterday. The distribution would be subject to regulatory, shareholder and other approvals. Investec chief executive Fani…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za AS CONTROVERSY about Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane’s participation at the Miss Universe pageant in Israel continues, the South African Friends of Israel (Safi) says Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa’s withdrawal of support for her was “hypocritical”. This, they say, was because another South African competitor, Jonathan "CactuarKiDD" Brown, attended the 13th Esports World Championships in Eilat, Israel, without opposition from the government, among other reasons. Mthethwa’s office did not respond to several requests for comment on the matter yesterday. The Miss South Africa Organisation did also not respond to requests for comment. “Safi welcomes the South African government’s support of attendance in Eilat, Israel, of a South African competitor (male) at the 13th Esports World Championships 2021. “Why then is the Minister…

Okuhle Hlati okhule.hlati@inl.co.za NEWLY elected Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been urged by political parties and civil organisations to be inclusive and equally serve communities. The 34-year-old was inaugurated yesterday during the City’s first council meeting where he secured 141 votes. There were 15 spoilt ballots and 20 abstentions. While DA federal chairperson Helen Zille and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde were among the guests, Hill-Lewis’s predecessor, Dan Plato, was not present. Eddie Andrews was announced as the new deputy mayor and Felicity Purchase was re-elected as council speaker. “We are going to expand the successful LEAP programme and invest in modern crime-fighting technology. We are going to release city-owned land and fight for the national government to do the same, so that we can deliver thousands of new…

| Staff writer Deep Collusion - Bain And The Capture Of South Africa Athol Williams Loot.co.za (R230) Tafelberg “WE make a big mistake to consider Bain simply another foreign company that extracted economic rents. I believe its involvement in bringing South Africa to its knees through state capture was much more insidious.” When Bain & Company partner Athol Williams reported his employer in October 2019 for withholding information on their complicity in state capture, he had no idea how far-reaching Bain’s collusion had been. Who would have suspected a prestigious global management consulting firm of misusing its business expertise and lending its reputation to the most profound attack on South Africa’s democracy? Drawing on his testimony before the Zondo Commission, Williams reveals the full extent of what Bain did…

| Orielle Berry Rediscover your Self-Confidence Rolene Strauss Loot.co.za (R215) Tafelberg THE beautiful and dynamic Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World in 2014. But as the seemingly perfect woman who flew to Paris in 2008 at 16 years old, to take part in a modelling competition, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In this motivational book, which also speaks of her personal life, Strauss reveals her journey to gain real beauty – beauty of the soul and mind in self-confidence and assuredness – something that only she could award herself. Yes, despite her titles and her accolades, the woman who went on to graduate as a medical doctor, had her own challenges and today practises what she preaches, working as a transformational coach, international speaker, entrepreneur, and is…

The hidden hand of foreign powers in the conflict in Ethiopia is just another example of the US and its allies seeking regime change in a country where the government is perceived to be too independent and not subservient to foreign interests. In the case of Ethiopia, it is all about safeguarding the interests of Egypt, which is livid that Ethiopia has succeeded in filling the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (Gerd) without having signed binding guarantees that it would provide a guaranteed amount of water to Egypt even in drought periods. The US has a vested interest in siding with Egypt, given its role as a US ally and interlocutor in the Israel/Palestine conflict. The US under Trump tried to broker a tripartite deal between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in…

Geneva: The UN warned yesterday that a surge in container freight rates could mean higher prices for consumers next year unless pandemic-fuelled problems are untangled. The UN’s trade and development agency (UNCTAD) said global import price levels could increase by 11% and consumer price levels by 1.5% between now and 2023. “Global consumer prices will rise significantly in the year ahead until shipping supply chain disruptions are unblocked and port constraints and terminal inefficiencies are tackled,” UNCTAD said in its Review of Maritime Transport 2021 report. Global supply chains faced unprecedented demand from the second half of 2020 onwards as consumers spent on goods rather than services during coronavirus lockdowns. But the upswing in demand hit several practical constraints, including container ship carrying capacity, container shortages, labour shortages, congestion at…

Bamako: West African bloc Ecowas issued sanctions against members of Mali’s transitional government, including its prime minister, but not the colonel who led last year’s coup, according to a document from the bloc obtained by AFP. The sanctions issued by the Economic Community of West African States come after coups in August 2020 and May 2021 and the failure of the new regime to hold to a promise to stage elections by February 27 next year. Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was the most senior figure named in the new sanctions.…

story of the offshore companies created within Dubai’s corporate enclave casts fresh light on Dubai’s rise as one of the world’s financial capitals – and on the UAE’s role as a nexus for money laundering and other financial crimes, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) said in a report. The UAE is home to a thriving trade in financial secrecy. It offers shell companies that mask their real owners’ identities; dozens of internal free-trade zones that provide even more shadows for them to hide in; and a regulatory system known for what anti-corruption advocates call its “ask no questions, see no evil approach” to dealing with money tied to gold smuggling, arms trafficking and other crimes. The more than 11.9 million files in the Pandora Papers include some 190…

Jakarta: A senior Indonesian cleric has been arrested over allegations he raised funds for the al-Qaeda-linked terror network behind the Bali nightclub bombings and other attacks, police said. Ahmad Zain An-Najah, a member of top Islamic organisation the Indonesian Ulema Council, and two associates were charged with setting up a charity organisation that diverted money to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). “This institution was created to obtain funding under the cover of social and educational purposes, and part of the funds collected was used to mobilise JI,” national police spokesperson Rusdi Hartono told reporters on Wednesday.…

Wynona Louw wynona.louw@inl.co.za SPRINGBOK Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer says their friendly against the England Under-20 side is an opportunity for players to “stake a claim for future selection” – including for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand. Raubenheimer has selected Catha Jacobs to captain a fresh Springbok Women’s side in Sunday’s clash and has opted to grow experience as he handed 12 players their first start of the November tour for the match in London. The Springbok Women lost their tour-opener 46-3 to France in Vannes, before going down 29-19 to Wales in Cardiff last week. The run-on side also includes two uncapped players in Blue Bulls Women’s scrumhalf Rumandi Potgieter and EP Queens prop Monica Mazibukwana. Among the replacements, Tanya Scholtz – the only uncapped player on the…

WYNONA LOUW wynona.louw@inl.co.za THIS match was never going to lack any spice, but the recent developments will only make it hotter. With World Rugby having opted to give their verdict on SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ video-saga three days before the meeting between the Springboks and England, the Boks should be all kinds of fired-up for the clash … and what an in-your-face would it be if the Boks win this one regardless? Also, given what happened in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama and in the British & Irish Lions series, it’s no wonder Eddie Jones is so eager to go into the Six Nations with a “South African scalp”. So, with that said, here are three match-ups that will have a big say at Twickenham. Eben…

Banele Ginindza banele.ginindza@inl.co.za SOUTH Africa’s property sector experts said yesterday that a disappointed market would take the interest rate hike by the South African Reserve Bank in its stride as the sector had just returned to pre-Covid-19 levels, particularly in the R1 million-and-less house price market. The hike by the Monetary Policy Committee of the repo rate by 25 basis points pegs the rate at 3.75 percent, while the prime rate rises to 7.25 percent. Property analysts said the hike had not been unexpected, but would be a disappointment mostly to first-time home buyers. Mortgage group BetterBond said house price inflation was strengthening in most provinces and its application volumes had climbed by 16.6 percent in October year-on-year, while bond registrations increased by 94 percent…

Siphokazi Vuso and Baldwin Ndaba A DA-ActionSA marriage is imminent, says Cape Peninsula University of Technology political analyst Dr Kuhle Zwakala after it emerged that the parties were funded by the same donor – the Oppenheimer family. “ActionSA and the DA will be obligated to form a coalition where numbers permit. The egos of individuals in both parties, and their recent divorce, is what prevents them from reaching an agreement,” he said. He was reacting to the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC)release of its second quarter funding disclosures report which showed that the Oppenheimer family, businessman Martin Moshal and Naspers, owners of Media24, collectively donated more than R30 million to ActionSA and the DA ahead of this year’s local government elections. Moshal emerged as a key funder of the…

Reviewer: Jennifer Crocker The Man Who Died Twice Richard Osman Loot.co.za (R235) Viking/Penguin Books I FIRST got to know Richard Osman not as an author, but as one of the most hilarious hosts on BBC One’s quiz show Pointless. So, it was a great joy to find his second novel in The Thursday Murder Club series (well I sincerely hope there are going to be more). The story features as its main characters Elizabeth who was with MI5, Joyce her sensible and chatty friend, Ron who is up for almost everything and Ibrahim, a psychiatrist. They share their lives in a retirement village in Kent, where they do the usual things one does, but add some spice to their cardigan-lifestyle by solving the odd murder. This time around Elizabeth receives…

SALLY Cranswick’s stories are so breathtakingly rendered and crafted that they leave you wanting more. | Orielle Berry Women Out of Water – Short Stories Sally Cranswick Loot.co.za (R419) Modjaji Books From the opening (longer) story about an 85-year-old woman who tracks a stallion and looks back at a life where she gives up on independence to succumb to an existence as a farmer's wife, leading an isolated and lonely life, but being one with nature, she questions what she has committed herself to; this against the backdrop of searching for a free-spirited and wild stallion. Each of the nine stories tell us of women – women who have the power of strength as they are forced to leave their familiar lives and comfort zones. The stories tell of…

A WHITE coach stands up for his black captain against a white referee and World Rugby fines the black captain and tries to take the white coach out of the game with an immediate ban. The white referee continues to officiate in Test matches. The bigots who rule at World Rugby should be cancelled. Forget the attack on SA Rugby’s National Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, for a moment and digest that World Rugby’s paid-for consultant independents ruled against Springbok captain Siya Kolisi for stating he felt disrespected when asked if he felt disrespected for the way in which Australian referee Nic Berry treated him in the first Test between the British & Irish Lions and Springboks in Cape Town. World Rugby has accepted an “independent committee’s” recommendation to ban…

Activists in Sudan called yesterday for an escalation of protests against last month’s military coup, a day after the deadliest security crack-down to date on demonstrators demanding the restoration of a civilian government. The moves could deepen the divide between military leaders who seized power on October 25 and a large protest movement that has been taking to the streets since a popular uprising that toppled long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019. A group of neighbourhood resistance committees co-ordinating the protest movement in east Khartoum announced in a statement “open escalation” against the coup until its overthrow. “Now we are making consultations among the resistance committees about upping the escalation against the coup,” a senior member of the committees in the capital said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Medics aligned…

washington: White House press secretary Jen Psaki has suggested that among the main reasons driving the ongoing public criticism of Kamala Harris are sexism and racism that she faces as the first woman and woman of colour in the office. Speaking on the Politico podcast Women Rule on Wednesday, Psaki offered her view on the backlash targeting the vice-president, saying that Harris has “a lot” on her shoulders. “I do think that it has been easier and harsher from some in the right-wing who have gone after her because she is the first woman, the first woman of colour. I’m not suggesting anyone will acknowledge that publicly. So many firsts, right? It’s a lot to have on your shoulders. She is somebody at a much higher level than the rest…

Port-au-Prince: Gilbert Dragon, one of the suspects in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, who had been under arrest over his alleged involvement in the killing, has died of Covid-19 complications, the media reported yesterday. According to Haiti24, the suspect died of Covid-19 on Wednesday in a Port-au-Prince hospital where he was taken after showing breathing difficulties while in custody. Dragon’s death was confirmed by Pierre Rene Francois, an official from the Penitentiary Administration. Moise was shot dead at his residence on 7 July, while his wife sustained injuries and was hospitalised in the US.…

ATHENS: Greece yesterday ordered private sector doctors in five regions in the north of the country to assist its health system as it grapples with a surge in Covid-19 infections. The government had called on private sector doctors to help out earlier this month, as Greece’s public hospitals and intensive care wards have been overwhelmed by rising infections in recent weeks. The requisition order, published in the official government gazette, is effective for a month. Greece reported 6 682 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday and 87 deaths, bringing total infections to 853 841 since the pandemic began last year, while 17 012 people have died.…

ZAAHIER ADAMS zaahier.adams@inl.co.za STELLENBOSCH FC are currently breathing the thin air of their lofty status in the Premiership, and are hoping they don’t suffocate when they face last season’s upstarts AmaZulu at the Danie Craven Stadium tomorrow. Stellies have enjoyed a dream start to the season prior to the international break, with Steve Barker’s side still unbeaten after 10 matches and firmly entrenched in second position on the Premiership log with 20 points. Considering their finish to the season last term, when they survived relegation to the second tier by the narrowest of margins, the Stellenbosch outfit are virtually in dreamland in regards to the way the 2021-21 campaign has begun. “As a football club we are very happy with the start we’ve had. We have 20 points after 10…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za LIBERTY Holdings said yesterday that it anticipated the deal for Standard Bank (SBG) to buy 100 percent of the insurance and investment group to be finalised in the first quarter of 2022. SBG and Liberty had enjoyed a “special relationship” since 1974, Liberty said in an operational update for the nine months to September 30. “The proposed transaction repre- sents a natural progression in this special relationship, increasing the integration and ability to collaborate to provide the best financial service offerings to clients through the most efficient means.” Liberty said positive sales trends seen in the first half of 2021 continued into the third quarter. Its Covid-19 pandemic reserve was being reassessed due to the 2020 and 2021 reserve being deleted from high mortality claims. Group…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za THE Sea Point, Fresnaye, Bantry Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association (SFB) are raising funds to pay heritage specialists to stop the demolition of a 1930s Tudor-style manor at 6 Kloof Street, Sea Point. The groups say it is part of the area’s architectural heritage. The building had been approved for total demolition by Heritage Western Cape (HWC), and there was a period of 14 working days in which to appeal. HWC confirmed: “Demolition cannot occur until the appeal period (14 working days from the date of decision by the Built Environment and Landscape Committee – BELCom) has expired, or, if an appeal is received, that appeal is heard.” SFB had initially opposed the application and now intend to appeal the decision and appoint two heritage specialists to…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za CONVICTED wife killer Jason Rohde will start serving his 15-year jail sentence, nearly three years after he was sentenced, following his bail bid in the Western Cape High Court being dismissed yesterday. Rohde is expected to report to officials to start serving his sentence by tomorrow. Initially sentenced in the Western Cape High Court on February 27, 2019, Rohde had applied to the high court for bail pending an application to the Constitutional Court for special leave to appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal relating to his appeal against his conviction and sentencing. Rohde’s legal team said they could not comment yesterday by deadline as they were awaiting instructions, and would peruse the judgment once it became available. Rohde, who maintained his innocence…

Harlan Cloete THE local government elections are done and dusted and soon the hard work will begin in all earnest for councillors in municipalities across the country. Councillors have an important role to play to ensure that the objectives of local government are met. These objectives include providing democratic and accountable government for local communities, ensuring sustainable provision of services to communities, promoting social and economic development, as well as a safe and healthy environment, and encouraging communities and their organisations to become involved in local government affairs. These objectives flow from our South African system of governance which encompasses three types of democracy. Constitutional democracy guarantees citizens their rights through a bill of rights. Representative democracy allows for direct election of individuals from communities to represent their interest…

| Julian Richfield THIS MUCH IS TRUE Miriam Margolyes Loot.co.za (R390) JOHN MURRAY HER life partner pleads: “Now, don’t let this book be like one of your Graham Norton interviews where all you do is talk smut – it’s got to be about things that matter.” The author of the autobiography This Much Is True (thankfully) says of it: “There will be some smut inevitably, and it might be a bumpy ride, but I promise you the REAL Miriam Margolyes.” And she certainly has delivered on that promise. Known globally for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, Miriam Margolyes OBE is a BAFTA Award winning actress, a veteran of stage and screen and an internationally acclaimed voice artist. I haven’t seen her in the Potter…

AS WE went to the polls in South Africa, my mind was on my grandparents. My grandfathers died before being endowed with the right to vote. Fortunately, my grandmothers lived to see the day where they could participate in deciding who should govern them. Yet many citizens across the globe continue to be denied the right to participate in elections. For example, the Brennan Center for Justice in the US reports that more than 11% of Americans, or 21 million eligible voters, do not have government-issued photo identification and are therefore disqualified from voting. Thirty-six states in the US, that is, the majority, have forced their citizens to obtain these government-issued IDs and often, as the Center explains, people cannot obtain these IDs because of underlying costs. Needless to…

BAFANA Bafana’s unhappiness about their heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Ghana in their final World Cup group stage qualifier last weekend has justification. The penalty that was scored by Andre Ayew should never have been awarded. But, on the other hand, the beautiful game is also a game of luck. This was not the first time that such decisions have been made in African football, and it was a no-brainer that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Fifa should have taken measures to implement VAR technology for the African qualifiers. This would have helped to show that Africa is on the same standard as its counterparts who have already employed the technology. While the technology does still have its flaws and detractors, the general consensus is that it overturns bad…

ZURICH: Switzerland’s financial regulator reprimanded two more Swiss banks for breaching their obligations to combat money laundering as it wrapped up a five-year investigation into banks’ dealings with people linked to Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA. The Finma watchdog contacted 30 Swiss banks during its investigation. It has already taken issue with two former CEOs of private bank Julius Baer and rapped Credit Suisse for anti- corruption failings. Finma has now reprimanded five banks in total since the investigation began in 2016. In the final case disclosed yesterday, the regulator criticised Banca Zarattini & Co SA and CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA. Finma found that both Banca Zarattini in the period between 2014 and 2018 and CBH Bank between 2012 and 2020 breached obligations to combat money laundering and their…

AS THE the new snow season starts, enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders can’t wait to rush to Chongli to hit the trails, among whom is an 11-month-old Wang Yuji who can barely walk. A video of a baby girl sliding down the hill on a snowboard went viral on the internet recently, attracting a lot of attention. Fan Xueyin, the mother of the toddler, said in an exclusive interview that it was little Yuji’s first time snowboarding. “Me and my husband were both born in the ’80s,” Fan said. “We live and work in Beijing. One of us works as a designer, the other works in the internet industry.” Despite not being professional athletes, Yuji’s parents love outdoor sports – cycling, camping and marathon, with the hope of stimulating their baby…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has introduced chemical castration as a possible punishment for serial rapists under a law that also calls for faster trials of suspected sexual offenders, a government official said yesterday. Parliament passed the law on Wednesday and it came into effect immediately, government official Waqar Hussain said. Chemical castration, carried out by the use of drugs and reversible, is practised in Poland, South Korea, the Czech Republic and some US states. Prime Minister Imran Khan said last year that he wanted to introduce the penalty amid a national outcry over increasing offences.…

JERUSALEM: An Israeli couple jailed in Istanbul for suspicion of espionage was released by Turkey and returned to Israel yesterday. “After joint efforts with Turkey, Mordi and Natali Oknin were released from prison and are on their way home to Israel,” the statement said. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid expressed their gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government “for their co-operation.” The couple was arrested for espionage last Friday after taking photos of the Ottoman-era Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.…

MIKE GREENAWAY mike.greenaway@inl.co.za WHEN World Rugby’s verdict on Rassie Erasmus broke at 7.30pm on Wednesday night in South Africa, I swear I could hear Eddie Jones groaning all the way from London ... Artful Jones, you see, is the master of mind games, and he more than anybody knows that the last thing England need is for the Springboks to grow an extra arm and leg because of a perceived sleight on a boss that has gone to war for them. Erasmus’ infamous video was essentially about addressing the wrongs perpetrated against his players in the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in July. He stuck his neck out for the players and now, four months later, World Rugby has brought down the guillotine. It is true that…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za PROTEAS’ Men’s Test captain Dean Elgar took a significant step in his preparation for the upcoming India series with his 44th First-Class century upon his return to the Titans team against Western Province at Newlands yesterday. Elgar had been hamstrung since playing in the Cricket SA T20 Knockout competition at the end of September, which forced him to miss the opening rounds of the new domestic Four-Day Series. In fact, Elgar’s last red-ball encounter was the second and final Test against the West Indies in St Lucia in June. However, the Test skipper showed that he was well over his injury by spending a large part of the day in compiling 117 off 159 balls (18x4). Elgar eventually fell to left-arm spinner Yves Kamanzi in an almost…