Table of contents for 2024-04-26 in Cape Times

ESKOM has burnt diesel to the tune of R64.78 billion in order to keep the lights on during load shedding over the past five years. The power utility spent more than half the amount, totalling R44.63bn, in the last two financial years of 2022/23 and 2023/24. This was revealed by Pubic Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan who responded to parliamentary questions from DA MP Farhat Essack. Essack wrote to Gordhan asking about the amount of money spent on diesel for each of the past five years since May 2019 in the wake of Eskom’s increasing reliance on diesel to power its open-cycle gas turbines to plug the electricity generation gap. Gordhan said a total of R5.8bn was spent on diesel in 2019/20, R5.75bn the following year and R8.6bn in 2021/22. The…

Music enthusiasts and aspiring musicians are gearing up for a day of inspiration and learning as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) prepares to host a series of free-to-attend masterclasses at the Artscape Theatre Centre. Sponsored by the global streaming platform Spotify, with support from Artscape and Ozow, the masterclasses on May 4 promise to be an enriching experience for attendees, providing unique insights into the world of jazz music from renowned industry professionals. The line-up of masterclass instructors features a diverse array of talent, including highly acclaimed South African pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to jazz music, Nduduzo Makhathini. Darshan Doshi Trio featuring Mark Hartsuch and Tony Grey, led by the talented percussionist Darshan Doshi, is known for its dynamic fusion of jazz, Indian classical…

Kissing does not mean consent to sex, and no remains no, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled in a groundbreaking rape verdict. The court found that even in circumstances where consent has been given to a specific sexual act, it may also be withdrawn during the sexual act. This case raised important questions around how courts respond to matters of intimate partner violence. In October 2021, the Eastern Cape High Court acquitted Loyiso Coko, who had earlier been found guilty of raping his then-partner by the regional court. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in the lower court, but successfully turned to the high court to appeal his conviction. Although the complainant had said “no” to sexual intercourse and had cried in pain and tried to push the…

Diamond mogul and independent candidate in the upcoming general elections, Louis Liebenberg, has slammed the “unfair and unethical raids” on his wife’s Cape Town home and his business headquarters in Kempton Park. On Wednesday, the sheriff of the court in Cape Town conducted a raid at a property while a separate raid was also carried out at offices linked to Liebenberg in Kempton Park, following an order by FDG Liquidators, the liquidators of Liebenberg’s company Tariomix, better known as Forever Diamonds and Gold. According to reports, the liquidators were in search of movable and immovable assets funded by Tariomix investors. Speaking from his Kempton Park offices yesterday after having prised the gates of the offices open, Liebenberg said he was being unfairly targeted by the liquidators as these properties…

Being active citizens, voting and holding leaders accountable has never been more important NOW is the time to reimagine our open and democratic society that is 30 years old and vibrant with the aspirations expressed in the Constitution to “recognise the injustices of our past, honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land, respect those who have worked to build and develop our country, and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity”. Not too close to completely healing “the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”, and not too far from finishing laying “the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the…

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Rafah, killing at least six Palestinians, medics said yesterday, after saying it would evacuate civilians from the Gaza border city and storm it despite allies’ warnings this could cause mass casualties. In the seventh month of a devastating air and ground war against the Gaza Strip’s ruling Islamist group Hamas, Israeli forces also resumed bombarding northern and central areas of the enclave, as well as east of Khan Younis in the south. Israeli warplanes had hammered the north for a second day on Wednesday, shattering weeks of comparative calm there, and Israel said it was moving forward with plans for an all-out assault on Hamas holdouts in Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt. Escalating Israeli threats to invade Rafah, the last refuge for around…

New York’s highest court yesterday overturned disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on sex crime charges, a shock reversal in the landmark case that launched the #MeToo movement. In their 4-3 decision, judges cited errors in the way the trial had been conducted, including admitting the testimony of women who were not part of the charges against him. “Order reversed and a new trial ordered,” the ruling said. “The accused has a right to be held to account only for the crime charged and, thus, allegations of prior bad acts may not be admitted against them for the sole purpose of establishing their propensity for criminality,” wrote Judge Jenny Rivera, in an opinion for the majority. “The court compounded that error when it ruled that defendant, who had no…

NAIROBI: Kenya’s military was deployed yesterday to rescue victims of heavy rains that have killed dozens of people across East Africa over the past month. At least 45 people have died in the floods in Kenya since March, including 10 since Monday, the Kenya Red Cross said. Large parts of Nairobi and other major towns are underwater, forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes. In Tanzania, the death toll from the rains has reached 155, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said yesterday. Hundreds of thousands have had to flee their homes in Burundi. Kenyan President William Ruto said the military was deployed to help with rescue operations. | Reuters…

LONDON: The Scottish National Party (SNP) will lead a minority government in Scotland, leader Humza Yousaf said yesterday, announcing the end of its coalition with the Green Party after a row about climate change targets. Scotland’s move to scrap its climate change goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 last week had put pressure on the coalition agreement which was struck in 2021. The centre-left, pro-independence SNP has led Scotland’s devolved government since 2011, but its poll ratings have waned in favour of UK-wide parties since a funding scandal and the resignation of a party leader last year. | Reuters…

IN THIS WEEK’S Personal Finance Saturday Page, we look at how the Pension Funds Adjudicator can help with unpaid pension contributions. Muvhango Lukhaimane, the Pension Funds Adjudicator, has recourse and can order employers to pay benefits that are due, and this order can be executed by a sheriff of the court. ■ On investing offshore, we answer whether an investor should wait for the rand to strengthen before taking their money offshore. ■ We also look at the world of cryptocurrency, and why there are fewer Bitcoin billionaires than you think. ■ South African learning institutions have been plagued with corruption for years. In this week’s edition, we look at how corruption at these learning institutions is much worse than anyone anticipated. ■ If you have…

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has roped in former president Thabo Mbeki to campaign in the province as the party battles to contain fierce competition from the DA, IFP, EFF and the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party. The ANC is roping in its heavyweights to bolster its campaign ahead of the May 29 polls with Kgalema Motlanthe, David Mabuza, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Baleka Mbete also expected to campaign for the party. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the province last week and is expected to return ahead of the elections to spearhead various campaigns that will include engagements with the business community. In KZN, the party has deployed its former chairs Willies Mchunu, Senzo Mchunu, Zweli Mkhize, Bheki Cele and S’bu Ndebele to bolster the provincial leadership, also roping in former health minister Nkosazana…

The harsh reality on the ground for millions of ‘free’ South Africans remains one of daily suffering, with shortages of housing and jobs A BETTER life for all? That is the question South Africans will be pondering as the country reflects on 30 years since the dawn of democracy. Tomorrow marks exactly 30 years since South Africans of all races cast their vote to usher-in what was then hoped to be a better future than life during apartheid. However, poverty, lack of affordable housing, access to education and healthcare, unemployment, crime, an electricity crisis and the lack of basic service delivery continue to be realities confronting the majority of citizens. In Cape Town, the scenic views of luxury are juxtaposed by mushrooming informal settlements with service delivery protests a regular…

“I hope I will (live to) see it,” said one of the oldest land claimants of the Protea Village community in Bishops Court, as the development project is on track to break ground before the end of this year. After nearly three decades since their successful 1995 restitution claim, the development will see the residents return to the homes they once occupied. The Protea Village community were indigenous to the land in Bishops Court, residing there for generations until they were forcibly removed between 1959 and 1970. After being forcefully displaced, families were scattered across the Cape Flats, from Steenberg to Parkwood and Manenberg, among others. Around 86 families opted for the restoration of their rights to the land and in 2006 the National Department of Public Works and the…

Fly Away Alan Haller Loot.co.za (R265) Meteoric The first book in the series following the life and adventures of Dr Sopwith Jones. The story explains why this South African bears such an unusual name, originated from the World War I fighter aircraft, the Sopwith Camel. We learn, too, how the Joneses, of Welsh heritage, migrated to South Africa and Sopwith’s introduction to the world of flying. Armed with a doctorate in aeronautical engineering, Sopwith leaves formal employment and develops a solar-powered Cessna 172, which attracts the attention of a corrupt South African government employee, who tries to claim the design for his own benefit. Sopwith flees South Africa rather than lose his dream. The British government, keen to benefit from his innovation, assists his flight, conveying him to England aboard…

DEAR grandchildren, I send various letters to you in this year of celebrating three decades of democracy and freedom in South Africa. On April 27, 1994 we participated, for the first time, in democratic elections. On Freedom Day, we commemorate the momentous occasion in our country’s history. Many people have made a lot of sacrifices so that we can have an inclusive, participatory and constitutional democracy. South Africa is a constitutional democracy. This means that our Constitution provides the vision, basic law and guardrails for our journey towards inalienable dignity for all; the healing of political, economic, ecological, societal, physical, psychological, moral, spiritual and historical wounds; reconciling justice and responsible freedom; and equality of worth and dignity and of access to the necessities of life. Our democracy is a participatory…

The US Supreme Court was hearing arguments yesterday on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution for acts taken while in office. The ruling by the nation’s highest court could have far-reaching implications for the extent of executive power – and Trump’s multiple legal issues as he seeks the White House again. And while most constitutional law experts expect Trump to suffer a legal defeat, he may already have scored a political victory. By taking the case, the court’s nine justices delayed, perhaps indefinitely, the start of Trump’s trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. John Sauer, representing Trump, told the court that “without presidential immunity from criminal prosecution there can be no…

Berlin: Former German tennis star Boris Becker has been discharged from bankruptcy by a London court following a deal with his debtors, the 56-year-old’s German lawyer said yesterday. Becker’s lawyer said the former tennis player had come to an agreement with insolvency administrators. The three-time Wimbledon winner was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in April 2022 for concealing £2.5 million (R59m)in assets and loans to avoid paying debts. Becker was released in December of the same year under a UK regulation for foreign prisoners and subsequently deported to Germany. He had been declared bankrupt in June 2017, owing creditors £50m over an unpaid loan of more than £3m on his estate on the Spanish island of Majorca. | AFP…

LONDON: British police said yesterday that they had arrested an additional individual over the deaths of five migrants who died attempting to cross the Channel from France on a small boat earlier this week. The deaths occurred when a boat carrying 112 people set out to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world on Tuesday. The 18-year-old from Sudan was arrested in Kent, southeast England, on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally, the National Crime Agency said. Three other men have also been arrested, but one, a 19-year-old from Sudan, has since been released without charge. | Reuters…

CLICKS, which has proven resilient through the tough economy due to the defensiveness of its core health and beauty business, is accelerating its expansion by opening 50 to 55 stores in the 2024 financial year. CEO Bertina Engelbrecht said yesterday they had expanded the footprint to 902 stores, with the opening of a net 41 new stores in the past year. A further 10 to 20 pharmacies were also planned to be opened this year. In the six months to end-February 2024, 27 pharmacies were opened, extending Clicks’ pharmacy presence to 718. Currently 51% of the country’s population live within 5 kilometres of a Clicks pharmacy. Engelbrecht said in an interview on the release of results for the six months to end-February that they would spend R920 million…

Build One South Africa (BOSA) Western Cape premier candidate Lumka Mquqo wants to make sure that people’s lives are valued and citizens receive the dignity they deserve. Speaking to “Cape Times”, outlining her and BOSA’s plan for the province, Mquqo said politics is too important to be left to politicians who have been doing it all along. “All of us must come out of our corners. Leaders who are trailblazers in different areas must come together to fix South Africa,” she said. “Enough is enough. Politicians are not supposed to be corrupt. We have democracy to uphold. There is integrity that comes when you are in government.” Mquqo, 35, was among the first group of 24 candidates BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane named as standing for elections to Parliament and provincial…

The Eastern Cape Health department says it “welcomes any move that promotes good and clean governance”, following the arrest of one of its officials, Sizwe Kupelo, on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering for allegedly submitting a fraudulent matric certificate. Kupelo made a brief appearance at Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape this week and was released on R30 000 bail. Hawks spokesperson, Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said: “It is alleged that during the month of March 2002, the suspect Sizwe Kupelo applied for employment at the office of the Premier in Bisho as a communications officer and was successfully employed in April 2002. “In November of the same year, he was allegedly appointed by the Department of Health in Bisho as a deputy director of communications.” In 2020, the Health…

Overcoming Life’s Challenges Gordon Oliver Austin Macauly Publishers The Bard tells us that some men are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Gordon Oliver had greatness thrust upon him when he assumed the Cape Town mayoral chain in 1989 for a two-year term. This was a tumultuous time in our city and country, and Gordon, a thoroughly decent man from a humble background handled the tumult with grace and courage. This is his story. This slim volume is divided into three parts. For me the strongest and most interesting part is his time leading the city as mayor of Cape Town. I found it profoundly moving in parts to read about his struggles in doing the right thing, overcoming his self-doubts. His humility, decency…

The Psychology Of Money Morgan Housel Loot.co.za (R279) Harriman House I found The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel to be an eye-opening exploration of the connection between money and human behaviour. Housel’s use of real-life stories to illustrate key concepts really struck a chord with me. He emphasises the importance of recognising the emotional and psychological factors that influence our financial decisions, which I found particularly insightful. The author tries to present facts here through studies and real-life examples which is a good way to convince readers. One of the key ideas in the book is that money is more than just numbers, it is deeply emotional. Our feelings about money shape how we use it, whether we are aware of it or not. Understanding our own emotional relationship…

The Proteas have a forgettable history when it comes to World Cup cricket. The heartache and pain has been tangible from South Africa’s very first participation in the 50-over competition in Australia and New Zealand in 1992. They haven’t ever gone past the semi-final stage, but have yet another chance to turn the tables in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies. The event starts on June 2, with South Africa’s first game a day later against Sri Lanka at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in East Meadow, New York. So, with a new venue, perhaps a new broom should sweep clean through the Proteas team as well? Considering all the previous failures, Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter may opt to pick a new…

A long-awaited transitional ruling council was sworn in yesterday in violence-wracked Haiti, while the Caribbean nation’s embattled prime minister Ariel Henry submitted his formal resignation. The installation of the nine-member Presidential Transitional Council marks the first step to forming a new government after months of chaos following gang warfare. Images shared on social media showed the council members greeted with fanfare at the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, and the head of a party represented in the body confirmed that they had taken an oath of office. The council – made up of eight men and one woman – is to attend an official inauguration ceremony, which an official press invitation said would be held at the prime minister’s office, known as the Villa d’Accueil. Meanwhile, Henry – who had promised…

LONDON: Two million people across England and Scotland are still suffering from long Covid-19 symptoms, of whom 381 000 have had their day-to-day activities limited a lot, according to an official study published yesterday. Britain’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 3.3% of people surveyed between February 6 and March 7 reported having Covid-19 symptoms that had lasted more than four weeks. This was up slightly from the 2.9% of people who reported long Covid in a similar ONS survey in March 2023 which covered the whole UK. Yesterday’s data showed that 9.1% of people who were not working or looking for work reported long Covid symptoms. | Reuters…

NASSIRIYA: Iraq had hanged 11 militants sentenced to death on terrorism charges, local security officials said yesterday. The executions were carried out on Monday at a prison in the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya and all those executed were Iraqi nationals, said a prison police officer and a local security official. They said the 11 men were convicted of joining the Islamic State militant group and taking part in “terrorist actions”. Amnesty International raised concern that many more people may have been executed in secret given a “disturbing lack of transparency” regarding executions in Iraq in recent months. | Reuters…

When Jenny van Wyk sits down to watch the Telkom Netball League (TNL) in the coming weeks, she will have to do so without revealing her predisposition towards defending champions the Gauteng Jaguars. That will be difficult, because the Tshwane-based outfit are the undisputed queens of the TNL, and former coach Van Dyk is one of the reasons they have become so formidable in the past seven years. That is in the past for the highly rated Van Wyk, who was promoted to head coach of the Proteas earlier this year after the departure of Norma Plummer. She will now experience the TNL with a more critical eye as she searches across the teams for the next big star, the next X-factor, the next leader of the national team.…