Table of contents for 2023-10-17 in Cape Times

THE FOSCHINI Group (TFG) has launched the first collection from its Sustainable Design Incubator programme, aimed at fostering sustain- able fashion practices and supporting young emerging designers. TFG CEO Anthony Thunström said in a statement yesterday: “With TFG’s commitment to job creation and the development of the South African design and manufacturing industry, our Sustainable Design Incubator provides an important platform to grow skills and provide experience for young designers. “TFG aims to empower talented South African designers by offering unrivalled access to the market and networking opportunities, which are vital for building successful and thriving fashion businesses,” he said. Leveraging TFG’s ecosystem, the selected designers’ ranges had launched on Bash, an online app that provides access to TFG stores and brand. TFG said the market access opportunity provided through…

A PACKET of chips that is cheaper than an apple leaves the poor with no option but to consume junk food, activists expressed as World Food Day was observed globally yesterday. In light of this, the People’s Health Movement SA (PHM) took to the streets in protest, urging the government to allocate more resources to the battle against food insecurity. The group, consisting mostly of women, gathered outside Parliament with hand-painted signs reading “healthy food for all” and “Let everybody eat healthy”. “We cannot celebrate World Food Day while we face a food crisis where nearly 20 million people go to bed hungry every single day. We produce enough healthy food to feed everyone. A third of this food – 10 million tons – is wasted every year,” PHM said.…

TRANSPORT Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has revealed that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has notched up R4.8 billion in 1 725 default judgments issued by various courts over the past three years. Chikunga said that the reasons for the default judgments were due to the RAF electing not to defend legal actions for claims that had become valid in terms of sections of the RAF Act. “These are claims that become valid because they were not objected to within the stipulated 60 days. “The RAF does not want to incur further legal costs in defending valid claims; as a result, the judgments are granted in default without incurring costs of defending attorney and counsel,” she said. Chikunga said in her written response to parliamentary questions from DA MP Alf…

NEARLY three decades into democracy, the majority of South Africans still suffer the injustices of an “ineffectual process of redistribution” with regards to land ownership. Recent Census data showed that the black African population remained the largest population in the country, but the 2017 Land Audit report - the most recent of its kind - revealed that the white population group owned 26 663 144 ha, or 72% of the total 37 031 283 ha of farms and agricultural holdings by individual landowners. This was followed by coloureds at 5 371 383 ha or 15%, Indians at 2 031 790 ha or 5%, Africans at 1 314 873 ha or 4%, other at 1 271 562 ha or 3%, and co-owners at 425 537 ha or 1%. High Commissioner…

CIVIL society organisations have expressed concern over proposed changes to the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, which they fear could lead to higher electricity costs, potentially impacting the most vulnerable, as it seemed written to favour energy suppliers and not consumers, they say. The bill aims to amend the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, to introduce a competitive market in the electricity sector through increased private-sector energy generation. Among others, the bill also seeks to provide for the establishment, duties, powers and functions of the Transmission System Operator SOC Ltd, “to provide for an open market platform that will allow for competitive electricity trading”. Last month, the portfolio committee on mineral resources and energy opened a call for comments on the proposed amendments, which closed on Friday. The Alternative Information and…

THE ANC has criticised the latest Western Cape Department of Infrastructure’s 2022/23 annual report, saying it highlighted the department’s “underwhelming” performance in the province. In the report tabled last Thursday, the department indicated that 26 000 people benefited from housing projects with 1 111 job opportunities created in the last financial year. A total of 7 808 housing opportunities were delivered, as well as 1 230 serviced sites, 5 380 units, 3 727 title deeds and 1 198 people benefited from the Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS), the department said. DA spokesperson on infrastructure, Matlhodi Maseko, said the department was making strides to enhance the quality of life for residents despite being faced with the challenge of extortion. “Persistent challenges stemming from external factors, like construction extortion and politically…

In pursuit of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and more specifically Goal 13, climate action, South Africa faces numerous challenges, from budget deficits to insufficient funding for critical initiatives like the Just Energy Transition (JET). As the government grapples with finding financial resources for these pressing needs, a new and innovative approach called Global Public Investment (GPI) emerges as a potential solution. GPI, championed by organisations such as Africa Monitor and Development Initiatives (DI), aims to mobilise resources from stakeholders and foster global solidarity to address the financing gap for sustainable development. African Monitor and DI hosted a round table on mobilising finance for sustainable development amid the ongoing discourse on reforming the global financial architecture. After this initial round table, African Monitor and DI are convening a follow-up…

Israeli forces kept up their bombardment of Gaza yesterday after diplomatic efforts to arrange a ceasefire to allow foreign citizens to leave and aid to be brought into the besieged Palestinian enclave failed. Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said overnight air strikes were the heaviest yet as the conflict entered its 10th day with an Israeli ground offensive of the densely populated coastal strip believed to be imminent. Bombing carried on through the day, they said, and many buildings were flattened, trapping yet more people under the rubble. Israeli officials issued multiple warnings of Hamas rocket fire into Israel. Diplomatic efforts have been underway to get aid into the enclave, which has endured unrelenting Israeli bombing since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1 300 people…

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday that he accepted his share of blame for the failure of a referendum question on indigenous recognition that could weaken his authority. More than 60% of Australians voted “no” in the landmark referendum on Saturday that asked whether to alter the constitution to recognise the country’s indigenous people, and create an advisory body that would have advised parliament on matters concerning the community. Albanese staked significant political capital on a “yes” vote, pushing ahead despite the opposition Liberal party opposing it. Only eight of 45 referendums have been successful in Australia’s history as a nation, none without bipartisan support. He faced Liberal leader Peter Dutton during parliamentary question time yesterday for the first time since the referendum failure. “We know that referendums are…

Nairobi: Facebook content moderators in Kenya said settlement talks to resolve a labour lawsuit against the social media behemoth’s parent Meta collapsed yesterday, setting the stage for a renewed court battle. In March, 184 moderators sacked by Sama, a company contracted by Meta to review Facebook posts, brought a lawsuit claiming unfair dismissal and alleging that workers in Kenya were subjected to inhumane conditions, including forced labour and irregular pay. A Kenyan court suspended the mass sacking in June and two months later allowed Meta and the moderators to pursue an out-of-court settlement. | AFP…

Jakarta: Indonesia yesterday amended the eligibility requirements to run for president and vice- president, creating an exception to the minimum age threshold that could pave the way for the incumbent’s son to enter the race. Ruling on petitions to change criteria, the Indonesian Concourt rejected a motion to drop the minimum age below 40, but narrowly approved an exception for candidates who have previously been elected to office. There has been speculation that President Joko Widodo’s son, 36, and Surakarta City mayor, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, will contest the presidential race as running mate to Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. | AFP…

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis will be watching the Sasol League National Champions closely this week ahead amid her team’s congested schedule. Banyana have had a memorable run in recent months. They won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown and made it to the last-16 of the World Cup. With those feats etching their names in the history books, they’ll surely be the team to beat in the Olympic Games and Wafcon qualifiers in the next few months. Their plans are bound to hit potholes here and there as they failed to exit the Cosafa Championships group stage on home soil after Ellis selected a largely inexperienced team. But they can’t afford to despair. The 14th edition of the Sasol Champs, which will be held in Bloemfontein from today…

IN WHAT is deemed to be a groundbreaking judgment, the court has ordered the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to financially compensate the widow and children of a man who had died by suicide after he was earlier involved in a motorbike accident. The Western Cape High Court found that although the man decided to take his own life, the accident left him in so much pain and mental despair that he was driven to suicide. Judge James Lekhuleni found that there was a proven link between the accident and the suicide and that the RAF was thus liable to pay spousal compensation to his family. “The evidence showed that the deceased was suffering excruciating pains arising from the motor vehicle accident. The court has little doubt that the injuries and…

Business community gives anti-extortion task teams ultimatum amid growing fears of construction gangs THE South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the 20 task teams that have been established to crack down on “construction mafia” gangs or face a backlash from business. President Cyril Ramaphosa told Parliament last week that the SAPS- established task teams would target the construction mafia and other organised criminal elements in the extortion of business across the country. The construction mafia were armed groups that emerged in Durban in 2014 targeting government construction projects and extorting large amounts of money from companies awarded tenders. They have links to organised crime and originally were linked to the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime reported that disruption and…

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) board has adopted and resolved to implement the recommendations by investigators, Werkmans Attorneys following a probe into its chief executive Andile Nongogo’s conduct in alleged tender irregularities. “The Board will issue a substantive statement on the next steps to be taken later in the week after further reflections and consultations. In the meantime, the Board will meet the Minister of Higher Education on 17 October 2023 to report on the steps to be taken and further recommendations emanating from the findings of the report,” NSFAS said in a statement yesterday. Nongogo was put on a leave of absence in August following an uproar over the direct payment system at NSFAS which left tens of thousands of students without allowances and subjected to evictions…

A 12-YEAR-old girl is struggling to sleep and has not returned to school after she was raped, allegedly by four of her peers in Elsies River a week ago. According to the mother, who can’t be named to protect the child, the incident happened around 2pm while her daughter was on her way home from a friend. “The four boys aged between 14 and 16 attacked her and dragged her to a known local drug house and proceeded to rape her. “What hurts us the most is that this is not the first incident that happened in that house, and the community is quiet. I don’t know how many more girls should become victims before something is done. “My daughter struggles to sleep, eat and can’t even focus at school.…

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have obtained preservation orders from the court for four Limpopo-based properties and three luxury vehicles belonging to an entity linked to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) fraud and corruption. Last year, a crackdown on NLC fraud and corruption resulted in mass resignations of NLC officials who were implicated in a slew of corrupt activities linked to hijacked non-profit organisations as well as those belonging to close family and friends. Five key staff members at the commission were subsequently suspended, with others resigning en masse in the face of the crackdown led by the SIU. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago yesterday confirmed the latest preservation order, saying the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, had already granted the AFU and SIU preservation…

In the city, count was poorly planned, chaotic, and areas deemed ‘unsafe’ were not visited COUNTING the number of people who are homeless is hard. Having no fixed abode, they move around a lot. At night, while some are visibly sleeping in shop doorways or on grass verges, others hide themselves in bushes, down side alleyways and even tucked into storm drains. Internationally, there are two ways used to estimate the number of people who are homeless. One is a point-in-time count – a census to count the number of people found sleeping in an area. The other is counting the number of people accessing services such as a soup kitchen, who report they are homeless. StatsSA, through the national Census, is tasked with counting every single person residing in…

Hardline Republican Jim Jordan is set to take his sputtering bid for speaker to the floor of the US House of Representatives this week, hoping to bulldoze opposition from dozens within his own party by applying pressure in a series of public votes. The political civil war that has consumed House Republicans largely behind closed doors since former speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster on October 3 has already consumed two weeks that Congress could have spent funding federal agencies ahead of a November 17 shutdown deadline and aiding the war efforts of US allies Israel and Ukraine. With more than 50 Republicans opposed to Jordan, the show of dysfunction stands out for being driven by Republican infighting rather than Congress’ more customary partisan squabbles. House Republicans were meeting behind closed…

The EU and the US yesterday expressed concern about the “disproportionate use of force” to disperse opposition demonstrations in Madagascar, amid tensions ahead of presidential elections. The country’s top court last week ordered the vote be postponed by one week to November 16, after a presidential candidate was injured during one of almost daily protest rallies that have rocked the nation over the past two weeks. Representatives of the EU, US and seven other countries and international organisations, including France, Germany and Japan, said they were “worried” about the “tense political climate” in Madagascar. They stressed the importance of respecting freedom of expression, association and assembly, and called on all parties to “exercise the utmost restraint” and engage in dialogue. It came after a statement from the group last month…

ARRAS: A high school in Arras, northern France, where a French teacher was fatally stabbed on Friday, was evacuated yesterday following a bomb alert, according to reports. Friday’s attack, which prompted the government to put France on its highest security alert, came as a “jihadist atmosphere” had developed, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said over the weekend, after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel unleashed retaliatory strikes. While there were no classes scheduled yesterday at the Lycee Gambetta high school, its doors were open for pupils and staff to pay tribute to teacher Dominique Bernard, who was killed by a 20-year-old man in an attack. | Reuters…

LONDON: Donald Trump wants to give evidence in a London court to prove as false claims that Russia supported his 2016 election campaign, the former US president’s lawyers said yesterday as he bid to continue his case against a British private investigations firm. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is suing Orbis Business Intelligence for alleged data protection breaches over a dossier written by former British intelligence officer and Orbis co-founder Christopher Steele. The document made allegations about ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia, and said Trump engaged in “perverted sexual acts”. Many of the allegations were never substantiated. Trump wants compensation for reputational damage and distress. | Reuters…

The Proteas women concluded a successful home series against New Zealand, winning the one-day international series while finishing the T20 series level at 1-1 with the visitors. It was not too long ago when South Africa were hit with multiple retirements in a short space of time, but the young team is finding their feet again on the world stage. When any team has to bid farewell to experienced players, it usually takes a lengthy period for the younger players to gel as a unit. In some cases, it takes years to rebuild and international cricket is often unforgiving to a team that is in a rebuilding phase. The Proteas have defied the odds and taken a relatively short period of time to find their feet again following the retirements…

TS Galaxy will enjoy a massive stroke of good fortune in their Carling Knockout clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium tomorrow. The Sundowns-heavy Bafana Bafana will play Ivory Coast in an international friendly today and the players will be returning home tomorrow. This means that seven Sundowns players in the national squad will not be available to play in tomorrow’s clash against TS Galaxy. The seven players away in Ivory Coast are captain Themba Zwane, first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and defenders Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana, as well as midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba. Make that eight Sundowns players because towering goalkeeper Denis Onyanga will be on duty for Uganda in an international friendly today. The absence of eight players from the Sundowns squad tomorrow will…

Ryder Cup stars Nicolai Hojgaard and Bob MacIntyre will continue their memorable year when they tee it up in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November. The duo formed part of Luke Donald’s triumphant European Team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club last month, both contributing points towards the stunning 16½-11½ victory in the Eternal City. Hojgaard and MacIntyre will join teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, as well as American pair Max Homa and Justin Thomas, in the field at Gary Player Country Club as Africa’s major returns for its 41st edition in Sun City. The $6-million event is the penultimate tournament on the 2023 DP World Tour schedule, carrying an increased number of Race to Dubai Ranking Points as the 66-man field vies for a place in the…

The team representing EFF member Luvuyo Ntakana who was assaulted during a violent protest outside Brackenfell High School in 2020 has served summons on two residents who were arrested for attacking him. Assault complaints were lodged against Dante van Wyk and Jaco Pretorius after the protest over alleged racism at the school, fuelled by reports that only white learners were invited to a matric farewell party. The incident, captured on video, showed Ntakana in a fist fight, allegedly with Pretorius and Van Wyk, among others, during the protest. Ntakana alleged the group hurled insults, including racial slurs, before threatening to shoot him while he was attending a school governing-body (SGB) meeting over alleged racism at the school. The two were arrested, and while Van Wyk was acquitted of all charges,…

Moreover, he chose his bed in his election of arbitration proceedings and that’s where he must lay. His attempt at invoking public policy considerations appears to be nothing more than a desperate and cynical attempt at extricating himself from liability,” said Saldanha. Attempts to get comment from Roux by deadline yesterday were unsuccessful. University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said: “Stellenbosch University welcomes the court’s order dismissing the application for leave to appeal against the previous ruling with awards in its favour on all its claims. The initial summons followed on SU’s commitment to good corporate governance. The university trusts that the eight-year case – which included, among other things, arbitration proceedings, a subsequent appeal and award by the appeal tribunal panel in favour of SU – will now be concluded with…

THEIR five-decade journey for justice has given the family of Imam Abdullah Haron space to move on, and the conviction that history books should be rewritten to show the pain suffered by families through the apartheid system. These were the sentiments of Muhammed Haron, son and one of three children of the late Imam, following last week’s ruling by Western Cape High Court Judge Daniel Thulare that the Muslim cleric had been murdered by the apartheid’s notorious Security Branch. While the road to justice was long, Haron said the family were “content and satisfied”. “Because it has been a long traumatic wait, and as a result of the wait, one has had to deal with these internal traumas … we have been able to deal with it, in our own…

THREE men who were allegedly collecting money from an informal business in Nyanga were shot an killed in a suspected business extortion incident on Sunday. According to police, the incident happened in Ntlangano Crescent where the victims were believed to have been ambushed in a possible extortion-related attack. The Nyanga Community Police Forum (CPF) said the men were not far from the shop when the shooting happened. CPF secretary Dumisani Qwebe said the trend of killing for extortion was getting out of hand. “Extortion is becoming a problem and innocent families become victims of such acts. “Every criminal is now jumping on this extortion bandwagon and it’s sad for those around because it increases the mass killings. “One of the residents I spoke to said she is even scared to…

THREE awaiting trial inmates who were recaptured after escaping from the holding cells at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court last week found themselves in the dock again yesterday. Khumzi Ningo, Jody Adams and Elroy Geduld appeared in court where Ningo requested legal aid while Adams and Geduld told the court they will represent themselves. The three accused were among six awaiting trial prisoners who were being transported to a correctional holding facility after their respective court appearances on Wednesday, when they overpowered one of the police officers and escaped on foot. One of the escapees was arrested the same day. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said Adams and Geduld were also arrested on Wednesday by the Anti-Gang Unit, which spearheaded the search. Ningo was rearrested on Friday at 9.12pm. The two outstanding…

IN RECENT years, no other national team has exhibited the remarkable ability to bring a divided nation together quite like the Springboks. Their hard-fought victory over the host team, France, in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, with a nail-biting score of 29-28, was a true testament to their status as defending champions. In a thrilling encounter that featured seven tries, South Africa emerged victorious, captivating the hearts of not only their compatriots back home but those scattered around the globe. As Jacques Nienaber’s team battled their way to the semi-finals, the impassioned singing, chanting, and cheering of their partisan supporters created an electrifying atmosphere. The slender margin of victory, masterminded by Siya Kolisi’s leadership, achieved the feat of uniting the nation across racial lines. This was particularly significant in…

China yesterday began welcoming representatives of 130 countries for a conference that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war, as an increasingly assertive Beijing is asked to help de-escalate the violence. At the top of the invitation list to China’s Belt and Road Initiative forum is Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, on his first trip to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation. Leaders have begun to pour into the Chinese capital for a gala event marking a decade of the BRI, a key project of President Xi Jinping to extend China’s global reach. While China hopes the forum will help boost its international standing, Israel’s war with Palestinian militant organisation Hamas will continue to dominate the headlines. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned…

WARSAW: Poland’s liberal opposition yesterday celebrated exit polls showing it had won a parliamentary majority in elections on Sunday which saw the highest turnout since the fall of Communism. The surprise result would put an end to eight years of rule by the populist Law and Justice (PiS) party during which relations with the EU and Ukraine have fallen to new lows. The opposition, led by former EU chief Donald Tusk, had billed the parliamentary elections as the “last chance” to save democracy. The PiS government is based on traditional Catholic values and Poland has the EU’s most stringent abortion laws. Tusk has promised to liberalise them. | AFP…

MOSCOW: Russia expects a visit by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the two oil producers deepen their co-operation and Russian companies seek to invest more in the South American country, President Vladimir Putin’s oil point man said yesterday. Venezuela boasts the world’s largest proven oil reserves and Russia is the world’s second-largest oil exporter. Maduro is due to visit by the end of the year. Russia describes Venezuela as a key Russian partner in Latin America. Russian oil and gas joint ventures in Venezuela exceeded planned production by 16% for the first seven months of this year. | Reuters…

Cricket will feature as one of five new sports at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. A vote of the IOC’s session in Mumbai yesterday approved the inclusion of the game’s T20 format, together with baseball/softball, flag football, squash and lacrosse. The IOC’s executive board last week accepted a proposal by LA organisers for the five sports to be included. But the final choice still had to be voted on yesterday at the IOC session in Mumbai, one of the global centres for cricket, as India hosts the men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup. Only two delegates at the session voted against the new sports. Organisers have proposed a six-team event, in both men’s and women’s Twenty20 cricket, the shortest form of the game. The US is set to field…

With five South African-born players in his squad, the Netherlands coach Ryan Cook believes having the inside track on their rivals could spark another World Cup humiliation for the Proteas today. The Dutch famously defeated Temba Bavuma’s side at the T20 World Cup in Australia last year with SA-born Colin Ackermann hitting a match-winning 41. Johannesburg native Roelof van der Merwe, one of only 16 players to have played international cricket for two countries, then took a spectacular running catch to send back dangerman David Miller. “We know a lot of the players personally and professionally as well,” said Cook who also hails from SA. “We have done a lot of work with them in different teams that we’ve been involved in, so we get to know a little bit…

Stormers and Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat is expected to be fit and ready to lead the Stormers this weekend in Johannesburg when they take on the Lions in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship. Moerat (25) was recently made permanent captain after URC-winning prop Steven Kitshoff departed Cape Town for Ulster ahead of the new club rugby season. The Bok lock has captained the team before and has his sights set on continuing where Kitshoff left the team, but obviously, the goal of winning more trophies is at the top of the list. Although he was not part of the Stormers’ pre-season matches, he has been training full steam with the team for quite some time now and is ready to set foot on the pitch at Ellis…