Table of contents for 2023-08-01 in Cape Times

SECRETARY to Parliament, Xolile George, said the restoration of buildings damaged by fire in the precinct last year was on track and would be completed in two years. “We are pleased where we are and at the same time we will not rest on our laurels. We want to remain committed to the timeline we communicated that by the end of November 2025 restoration must be completed and we will be committed to achieve just that,” George said when responding to questions during a media engagement with the Parliament Gallery Association. His comments came a day after reports at the weekend that 18 months after the fire razed the Old and New Assembly buildings, rubble had still not been removed. Yesterday, DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said her party had…

Money paid to evidence leaders at Pubic Protector’s inquiry ‘a cause for concern’ Evidence leaders in the parliamentary inquiry established to probe suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office have, as at March, been paid R4 million for their services This was disclosed by the chief parliamentary legal advisor, advocate Zuraya Adhikarie, during the media engagement with Secretary to Parliament Xolile George. The money paid to evidence leaders, advocates Nasreen Bawa and Ncumisa Mayosi, has been an issue of concern for some opposition parties who said that Mkhwebane’s legal fees were public knowledge yet this was not the case with the evidence leaders in the inquiry. Adhikarie said it was not that they did not want to divulge the information. She said the arrangement with all legal counsel…

GIVEN the legal and food security implications of the proposed Water Use Licence Applications, Amendment and Appeals Regulations published in May, Agri SA says it is essential that they are reviewed and substantially amended. Agri SA yesterday said it had submitted its comments on the proposed regulations. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the purpose of the amendments is to effect reforms in relation to equitable allocation of water use, as well as to amend the procedural requirements related to applications of new water use licences, including reviewing the time frames and fees linked to licence application processes. Comparative statistics drawn from issued water use licences to Historically Advantaged Individuals (HAI) and Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) since 1998 indicate that a total of 412 million cubic metres (m3)…

The City is offering a R100 000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for the murder of off-duty Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) officer, Toufiek Williams, who was shot and killed in Mitchells Plain on Sunday. The 37-year-old, attached to the Hanover Park LEAP deployment, was reportedly walking along with his young daughter when they got caught in gang crossfire. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said the shooting incident occurred on the corner of Trampoline and Cadillac Streets, Beacon Valley at about 12:30pm. “Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The suspects are yet to be arrested,” he said.…

ON SUNDAY, Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office voted on the charges she faces and broadly endorsed the independent panel’s findings led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde that there was first impression evidence of incompetence and misconduct on her part. That the majority of committee members also found Mkhwebane to have been negligent in her handling of her duties is shocking and predictable at the same time. No one reading the report will be surprised to discover that she badly governed her office during her term. The evidence is not concealed in private WhatsApp exchanges or secretly recorded conversations, but played out over several months in public view as a parade of equivocation, contradictions and dissimulation that nearly turned witnesses…

Cars were swept away in Beijing’s western suburbs yesterday as relentless rain since the weekend transformed roads into rivers, killing at least two and trapping hundreds, despite an overnight evacuation of tens of thousands from their homes. Hundreds of roads have become flooded in China’s capital, with videos posted by state media showing half-submerged vehicles in Mentougou district pulled along by fast-moving torrents as the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri dumped record rainfall on the city of nearly 22 million. Two bodies were found in a river during an emergency patrol in Mentougou as rescuers pulled hundreds to safety in other parts of the city. Besides Beijing, heavy rain continued to soak the neighbouring city of Tianjin as well as Hebei province in a region nearly the size of Britain in…

A father died and his 4-year-old daughter was badly injured in France after a bouncy castle in which they were playing at a water park was blown skyward by high winds, prosecutors said yesterday. The 35-year-old man had been taken to hospital with his child after the accident on Sunday at the water park in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in France’s southern Var region. He died later that day. The structure, some 20m long, lifted 50m off the ground at the Wonderland Waterpark, with both victims trapped inside, the prosecutor for the nearby town of Draguignan said in a statement. The daughter’s life remains in danger. | AFP…

Banyana Banyana ace Linda Motlhalo wears her heart on her sleeve whenever she puts on the national team jersey as she wants to set a good example for the next generation of players. Motlhalo has long been a fan favourite thanks to her magical feet, which have mesmerised defenders, scoring vital goals and showing silkly dance moves. But in Dunedin last week, Banyana’s fans witnessed both a delighted and vulnerable Motlhalo after the team’s 2-2 draw with Argentina in the World Cup group stage. Motlhalo scored her first ever goal in the global event, resulting in her weeping tears of joy. She then wept in pain after the final whistle as they drew the match, despite having had a 2-0 lead. The 25-year-old said she’s usually overwhelmed by emotions when…

How Proteas players Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen performed in the MLC will give South Africa hope heading into the ODI World Cup while Lungi Ngidi’s lack of game remains a growing concern. From the moment South Africa concluded the 3-0 series sweep over the Netherlands in the last series of the summer, Proteas coach Rob Walter made it clear that every tournament players get to be part of must be used as preparation for the World Cup. Be it the IPL or any other league, the message was for each player to make the most of these tournaments as the World Cup looms. Walter told Independent Media after the Dutch series that even the players who won’t get much game time in these T20 tournaments will still…

GALE force winds have caused devastation in several parts of the Eastern Cape, leaving two people dead and several properties and roads severely damaged. This is after the SA Weather Service issued a level 5 warning for damaging winds until late into Sunday night. Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCM) spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, said a woman died in Potsdam village after a wall and roof collapsed while she was sleeping, and a young man was crushed to death when a tree collapsed on a shack in the Stoney Drift area. “Out of the 50 wards in the metro, 28 wards have been affected by the strong gale force winds and persistent rains which started in the early hours of Sunday. “The most severe impact is related to houses destroyed or roofs…

AN Eskom technician had a narrow escape from being abducted when he and colleagues were hijacked and robbed of their belongings while fixing an electrical problem in Zwezwe informal settlement, Harare in Khayelitsha. The technicians were executing their duties just before 5pm when they were robbed by three armed men on Sunday. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said a case of carjacking was registered for further investigation after the incident at 72 Block in Harare. “Preliminary investigation reveals that the complainant was busy fixing electricity in the area when he and his colleague were accosted by three unknown suspects who robbed them of their belongings and took the company vehicle, a Ford Ranger bakkie at gunpoint and sped off,” said Pojie. Eskom suspended operations with immediate effect after the incident, leaving…

The EFF marked its 10-year anniversary with a grand celebration at the FNB stadium over the weekend, symbolising the country’s evolving democracy. Founded by former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema on July 26, 2013, the event drew a massive crowd, filling the stadium’s 95 000 capacity. Malema’s impressive oratory skills were on full display, making the occasion an appealing and extravagant affair. The climax of the celebration was a dramatic moment when Malema was lifted into the air on stage, much to the delight of the enthusiastic audience, who had travelled from all corners of the country to receive their commander-in-chief’s marching orders. Regardless of one’s political stance on the EFF, it is essential to recognise that the existence of diverse political organisations is vital for the progress of…

Niger’s new junta yesterday accused France of seeking to “intervene militarily” to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum as tension mounted with the former colonial power and neighbours. Bazoum, a Western ally whose election just over two years ago was a watershed in Niger’s troubled history, was toppled on July 26 by the elite Presidential Guard. Guards chief General Abdourahamane Tiani declared himself leader – but his claim has been shunned internationally and the West African bloc Ecowas has given him a week to hand back power. Bazoum’s PNDS party yesterday warned Niger risked becoming a “dictatorial and totalitarian regime” after a series of arrests. Yesterday, Oil Minister Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, the son of influential former president Mahamadou Issoufou, and Mining Minister Ousseini Hadizatou were arrested, the party charged. nThe head…

Co-hosts Australia surged into the Women’s World Cup last 16 yesterday with Hayley Raso scoring twice in a 4-0 battering of Canada, as Nigeria joined them in the knockout phase. Olympic champions Canada were dumped out at the hands of a fired-up Australian team who knew they had to win in Melbourne to progress. They did it in style, their big victory putting them through as Group B winners, meaning they will probably avoid European champions England in the next round. That is likely to fall on Nigeria, who were held 0-0 by already-eliminated Ireland in Brisbane and finished second. Tony Gustavsson’s Australian team came into the clash with Canada under huge pressure following a stunning 3-2 loss to Nigeria that left their tournament hopes on a knife-edge. But rather…

A MOTHER who was hiding her son from her estranged husband – apparently all because she and the husband’s new girlfriend had a tiff on Facebook – will face 45 days in prison if she does not immediately divulge to the husband where the child is. The worried father turned to the Limpopo High Court, sitting in Polokwane, for an order holding the mother in contempt of court. While the parties are embroiled in divorce proceedings, a court last year ordered that the parents for now have joint custody and parental responsibilities for the child. The father said he saw his child last at the end of April, as the wife had moved the boy to an undisclosed location. This, he said, was to spite him as she and his…

Marc van Veen fails in bid to have fraud charges amounting to R146m in financial losses, permanently stayed IN AN attempt to evade prosecution for fraud charges amounting to R146 million in financial losses, a fund director's application to stop criminal proceedings against him was unsuccessful in the Western Cape High Court. In the country’s first hedge fund investigation, former director and controlling mind of Evercrest Capital (Pty) Ltd, Marc van Veen, will have to face the music in court even though the matter dates back 16 years to 2007. Van Veen has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, and in his court application it was submitted that “he is accordingly not able to properly adduce and challenge evidence as a consequence of his loss of certain faculties”. Van Veen…

1 x 400g can Rhodes Quality Chakalaka Mild & Spicy 600g plain flour 10ml salt 5ml sugar 1 x 10g packet dried yeast 15ml butter, melted 500ml lukewarm water 1 egg, whisked 250ml Cheddar cheese, grated Place the Chakalaka Mild & Spicy into a sieve over a bowl and leave to stand to drain the sauce. To make the bread dough, sift the flour, salt and sugar into the bowl of a mixer. Sprinkle over the yeast. Pour in the butter. Using the dough hook attachment and the mixer on a medium speed add enough of the water to bring together a soft dough. The dough must be able to knead easily and should not stick to hands or the bowl. Continue to knead the dough for about 10…

THE family of a girl allegedly sexually assaulted by a peer at a Cape Flats primary school has resorted to moving their child to another school after they said requests made to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to transfer the alleged perpetrator were not granted. GBV activist Reverend June Dolley-Major joined the girl’s parents yesterday for a picket and a meeting with WCED senior officials and psychologists. A memorandum of demands was also issued to the department, it included questions about how the decision was made to keep the alleged perpetrator at the same school as the victim. Dolley-Major said they saw no empathy from the senior officials during the meeting. “We were just told that all our questions will be responded to via email but said the decision…

China stands ready to work with peace-loving countries including South Africa This year, we celebrate the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). For 96 years, the heroic people’s army led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) has gone through wars and difficult times, won indelible achievements in national independence, people’s liberation and prosperity, served as a strong support to safeguard our national sovereignty, safety and development interests, made significant contributions in world peace and tranquillity. 1. Set a clear goal to build a world-class army A strong country must have a strong military, as only then can it guarantee the security of the nation. The CPC’s 20th National Congress has set the Party’s goal for military development in the new era. That is,…

Two men set the Qur’an alight outside parliament in Stockholm yesterday, at a protest similar to previous ones that have sparked tensions between Sweden and Middle Eastern countries. Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem stomped the Muslim holy book, and set its pages ablaze before slamming it shut, as they did at a protest outside Stockholm’s main mosque in June, sparking outrage in the Middle East. The duo also staged a similar protest outside Iraq’s embassy in Stockholm on July 20, where they stomped on the religious text but did not burn it. Swedish police granted a permit for the protest by campaigners hoping to see the Qur’an banned in the country, according to local media. “I will burn it many times, until you ban it,” said organiser Salwan Najem. As…

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The death toll in a suicide bombing of a political rally by a religious group allied to Pakistan’s government rose to 54 yesterday, compounding security concerns in the run-up to a general election in November. The bomber attacked Sunday’s gathering of the conservative Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, which is known for its links to hardline Islamists but which condemns militants seeking to overthrow the government. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Of more than 130 wounded people, 61 were under treatment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the blast as an attack on the democratic process. | Reuters…

The conclusion of last season has set the upcoming 2023/24 campaign up quite nicely with the DStv Premiership set to be really competitive. All three trophies remained in Gauteng with Mamelodi Sundowns clinching the league once more and Orlando Pirates taking the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles to Soweto. Clubs around the country have been working tirelessly to ready themselves for the new season with new faces joining the top flight from various provinces. The constantly progressing Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City will welcome the return of fellow Western Cape giant Cape Town Spurs (formerly Ajax Cape Town) to the top flight. The Urban Warriors have overcome several off-field disputes, management clashes and the daunting test of second-tier football to reclaim their spot amongst the elite. Spurs have made…

Max Verstappen is one race away from a record-equalling ninth win in a row and the Red Bull driver is finding dominance also brings more motivation for the future. The 25-year-old has questioned how long he might stay in the sport, saying last April in Azerbaijan that, "sometimes you get to a point in your career where maybe you want to do other stuff". Since those musings at a race won by Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, Verstappen has won every Grand Prix to go 125 points clear at the top - the equivalent of five victories - and take his career tally to 45 wins. Soon to be a triple world champion, Verstappen has a contract to the end of 2028 - by which time who knows how many wins…