Table of contents for 2022-07-07 in Mercury

SIRIUS Real Estate, owner and operator of branded business and industrial parks in Germany and the UK, has begun trading in its new financial as planned, chairperson Daniel Kitchen said yesterday. He said at the annual meeting that this was in spite of the economic uncertainty and inflationary environment in both markets. The share price traded 1.3 percent lower at R17.21 yesterday morning, having fallen some 45.28 percent from a peak early this year, despite the company expanding its focus into the UK last year and good recent financial results. Sirius’ portfolio comprises 140 assets let to 9 452 tenants with a total book value of more than €2 billion (R34bn). In its year to March 31 Sirius had generated a total 20 percent accounting…

FOR MUCH OF 2022, oil steadily rallied as investors piled into bets that the world’s most liquid commodity would surge as inflation climbed. On Tuesday, the trade showed its clearest signs yet of unravelling. Brent futures plunged by more than $10 (R164) a barrel, succumbing to the third-largest daily retreat on record. West Texas Intermediate fell below $100 for the first time since May 11. Prices slumped again yesterday. Months of dwindling liquidity, alongside technical selling and some producer hedging, contributed to the slide. But the real driver was concern about a recession and aggressive interest rate hikes, undermining the idea of oil prices being a means of hedging against inflation. “Recession fears likely pushed some investors out of the oil trade as inflation hedge,” said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst…

A 15-year study led by the Carnegie Institution for Science details the origins and diversity of every known mineral on Earth, a landmark body of work that will help construct the history of life, guide the search for new minerals and ore deposits, predict possible characteristics of future life, and aid the search for habitable planets and extraterrestrial life. In twin papers published by American Mineralogist and sponsored in part by Nasa, Carnegie scientists Robert Hazen and Shaunna Morrison detail a novel approach to clustering kindred species of minerals together or splitting off new species based on when and how they originated. Once mineral genesis is factored in, the number of “mineral kinds” – a newly coined term – totals more than 10 500, a number about 75% greater than…

It’s called pulling the wool over the eyes of the blind. During apartheid, the Nationalist government often resorted to presenting curious overseas dignitaries, who wished to know more about the well-being of non-whites in this country, with a “special” tour of the few elitist areas inhabited by black people, Indians and coloureds. These areas included Asherville, Reservoir Hills, Clare Estate, selected parts of Sydenham, uMlazi, Laudium, Lenasia, Soweto and the famous District Six in Cape Town. Some of these areas were once on par, with respect, to the high-living standards of any comparable “European” area. (I did say “once”!) Doctors Malan and Verwoerd and Mr Vorster personally escorted these overseas “doctors of philosophy and social science” to these classy abodes. The purpose was to impress the “natural, normal” world that…

After reading the story on our 100th People’s Train (The Mercury, July 5) I have come to the conclusion that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has once again exhibited a serious disconnect when he addresses the media/public. Our railway infrastructure is in tatters, we have worsening electricity load shedding and Mbalula waxes on as if everything is fine and dandy. He actually insults the country when he says we have made progress towards delivering a commuter railway system that is safe, efficient, affordable and reliable. Who exactly is he kidding ? The nation is forced to pay much higher transportation costs in the form of taxi fares and he seems completely oblivious to this fact. He is very economical with the truth!…

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is recovering at least R1.3 billion through the civil court and its tribunal linked to corruption and fraud in the infrastructure and construction sector. This was confirmed by Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille and head of the SIU advocate Andy Mothibi, who reminded the country about the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum launched last year. The forum was established to prevent and combat fraud and corruption in the infrastructure and construction sector, and today scores of cases have been brought to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police. Some are still being investigated. De Lille said the SIU had been assisting with cases within her department in terms of Section F of the presidential proclamations. These include capital projects delivered by the…

ANOTHER KwaZulu-Natal traditional leader has been killed, raising safety concerns among stakeholders. Ibambabukhosi (interim leader) Samson Dlani Buthelezi was gunned down yesterday morning at his home in Nquthu (near Dundee) by unknown gunmen and died on the scene. Buthelezi was designated as iso lesilo (chief) in the Jama Traditional Community in Nquthu and, according to Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka, served with diligence and commitment. His killing comes after the South African Local Government Association called on the government to provide protection for traditional leaders at a local government indaba in Durban on Tuesday. Hlomuka expressed shock at the traditional leader’s murder, saying it had left a gaping hole within the institution of traditional leadership in the province. “We wish to convey our condolences to His…

We must have the courage to make drastic changes In 1979, Deng Xiaoping emphasised the goal of “Four Modernisations” and further proposed the idea of “xiaokang”, or moderately prosperous society. The announcement and implementation of the “Four Modernisations” resulted in what has come to be known as China’s rapid economy based on export-dependent growth. In fact, policies introduced at the time marked a beginning of “China’s open market system with Chinese characteristics”. Changes taking place in China since 1979, be they economic, political or towards international community, were driven and implemented under the “Reform and Opening-Up” policies. These policies were aimed at establishing internal markets and opening up to foreign investments. Prior to the Reform and Opening-Up policies, China’s real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita grew at a rate…

ABOUT 440 inmates were on the run after a suspected raid by Islamist Boko Haram militants on a prison in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, an interior ministry official said. The raid, and a separate ambush on an advance convoy of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who was not present, heading to his hometown in the northern state of Katsina, highlights Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, especially in northern regions where armed insurgents and gangs are rife. Shuaib Belgore, permanent secretary at the interior ministry, told journalists outside the Abuja prison – which has 900 inmates – that a security officer was killed during the raid and three others were injured. He said the suspected Boko Haram attackers came for members who were held in the prison. A total of 879 inmates fled, the…

SHANGHAI: Tens of millions of people were under lockdown across China yesterday and businesses in a major tourist city were forced to close as fresh Covid-19 clusters sparked fears of wider restrictions. Chinese health authorities have reported more than 300 infections in the historic northern city of Xi’an, with new clusters found in Shanghai, Beijing and elsewhere. The outbreaks have dashed hopes that China would move away from the strict virus curbs seen earlier this year, when millions were forced to stay home for weeks. Officials launched a new round of mass testing in more than half of the city’s districts. All karaoke bars were closed yesterday. | AFP…

IN light of the deaths of 21 young people at Enyobeni tavern in East London, the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority (KZNLA) has vowed to impose heavy penalties on liquor traders who violate their licence conditions. The KZNLA said it had strengthened its relationship with the Provincial Prosecuting Authority in an attempt to ensure that all cases in respect of the KZN Liquor Licensing Act were prosecuted. “The Prosecuting Authority is now working together with the KZNLA and the SAPS to conduct further training to ensure that cases are court-ready in order to secure convictions. Furthermore, the KZNLA works with the municipality to ensure compliance with all by-laws and all relevant legislations in KZN,” said Nomthandazo Dlamini, the authority’s acting communications manager. Dlamini said when licensed traders were found to be…

WE HACKS and scribblers are green with envy. The British politicos are stealing our thunder. They’re producing drama and comedy on a scale so outrageous that no publisher could accept it, being quite beyond realistic expectation. Consider: An MP resigns because he was watching porn on his cellphone in the House of Commons. Another resigns when he’s convicted of sexual assault on a male victim. Another – the Tory party’s deputy chief whip – is accused of “groping” male victims, while fired up on liquor, in the Carlton Club, HQ of Tory MPs and members of the House of Lords. (His name is “Pincher” – a marvellous piece of humour). But he says he’s not going to resign as an MP. There’s some confusion over what Prime Minister Boris Johnson…

After two years of major interruptions to the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a little over a million Muslims will attend the 2022 Hajj starting today. Just over a thousand South Africans will attended this year’s annual pilgrimage, less than half of pre-pandemic levels. Throughout the world, the number of visas granted for the pilgrimage has been decreased and access is restricted to pilgrims aged 18 to 65 who have been fully vaccinated against the virus and do not suffer from chronic ailments. Men wrapped in white seamless bath towels and women wearing mostly black cloaks will brave the hot desert weather conditions to complete the compulsory rituals of Hajj. Hajj is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam that teaches social cohesion, coexistence, togetherness,…

AS WE CELEBRATE Eid-Ul-Adha, let us solemnly remember the scores of millions of Muslims who were butchered in an orgy of hatred unprecedented in recorded history. Over the past 50 years, about 30 million innocent Muslims lost their lives because of their faith. The rights of Muslims are expendable, their blood is cheap. May Almighty Allah flood your life with happiness on this occasion, your heart with love, your soul with spiritual blessings. Your prayers and sacrifices will never go unanswered. May peace, safety, good health and prosperity be yours. May Allah flood your lives with love and happiness on this occasion, your heart with care and your mind with wisdom. We have been bestowed with a beautiful day by Allah. On this day, let us learn to accept all…

THREE more rhinos have been killed in the Kruger National Park, according to South African National Parks (SANParks). The alleged poachers, who are all from Mozambique and in the country illegally, were arrested at the weekend after dogs were dispatched following the location of their tracks. SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla said yesterday that on Friday morning while a tourist was on safari at north Afsaal between Malelane and Skukuza in the park, he heard two gunshots and reported the matter to authorities. “In response, a helicopter, the K9 Unit and rangers were immediately dispatched to investigate the report. The helicopter flew over the area and located one fresh rhino carcass and an injured rhino lying next to the carcass. “Further investigations revealed a further two rhino carcasses in the immediate…

WHILE businesses have been feeling the pinch of stage 6 load shedding, Agri SA has raised concern that rolling blackouts will negatively affect farming operations and production. Christo van der Rheede, the executive director of Agri SA, said the impact of the power outages on the agricultural sector and the wider economy held serious implications for food security and social stability. “The extended period of level 6 load shedding threatens the viability of the sector. An escalation to level 7 and higher would be catastrophic and would pose a risk to the country’s national security.” Van der Rheede said that electricity was central to modern farming practices, and the recent increase in load shedding had seriously disrupted farming operations. “Pumping stations, irrigation, cooling and other systems all depend on power…

Amid soaring gas and oil prices and global shifts in energy markets, many decision makers in the private and public sectors in South Africa seem intent on investing in gas. But, if we really want long-term energy security – and a just transition to a low carbon economy – we must look to renewable energy. The Russian-Ukraine war is now in its fifth month. Beyond the human suffering and the displacement of millions of refugees, the conflict has also caused sharp increases in the price of gas and oil. In Europe, which until recently relied on Russia for 40% of its gas, prices have reached highs of €227 (about R3 800) per megawatt per hour in recent months. Unsurprisingly, Europe is now looking to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.…

Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says ending al-Shabaab’s violent insurgency requires more than a military approach, and his government will negotiate with the extremist group only when the time is right. He said the al-Qaeda affiliate responsible for deadly attacks across East Africa had developed a “coping mechanism” to military aggression and could not be eliminated by force alone. Al-Shabaab has been seeking to overthrow the foreign-backed government in Mogadishu for over a decade, and remains a potent threat despite efforts to defeat them militarily. Mohamud said past approaches to al-Shabaab had not worked, and his government was open to alternatives, including talks when appropriate. Al-Shabaab fighters were driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 by an AU force, but the group still controls swathes of countryside. |…

LANSING: Veteran guitarist Carlos Santana passed out on stage at a US concert this week after he was overcome by heat exhaustion and dehydration. The Grammy Award winner, 74, was performing at the outdoor Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan when the incident happened. He was taken to hospital and reportedly doing well. “To one and all, thank you for your precious prayers. Cindy and I we are good just taking it easy,” Santana said on Facebook, referring to his wife, drummer Cindy Blackman. “Forgot to eat and drink water so I dehydrated and passed out.” | Reuters…

Last weekend the men’s and women’s Veteran Singles started with the sectional round robin stages, which were played at several clubs in the Port Natal Bowls district. There were some notable winners and losers in the sectional play and the winners of each section will play in the knockout stages at Stella Park and Westville bowling clubs on Saturday from 9am. The semi-finals and finals will be played at Stella Park on Sunday from 9am. There were some of the familiar names that went through to the last 32 bowlers in the play-offs but it was nice to see some new bowlers who have migrated from other sports to bowls. These included Neil Tovey (Umhlali Country Club) from SA football, Lindsay North (Westville Country Club) from SA tennis and…

PROBLEMS with the ANC branch general meetings (BGMs) in which nominations for possible leaders should be made, have prompted the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to delay the governing party’s provincial elective conference by a further week. This means that instead of holding the conference on the weekend of July 15 to 17, the long-awaited conference will now take place a week later. The decision was confirmed by provincial spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela yesterday, and comes after appeals from regions, including the influential eThekwini Region, for an extension to allow the branch nominations process to be completed. “Yes, it is postponed for the next weekend, of July 22. There are branches that are still outstanding,” said Ntombela. The failure for the branches to hold meetings meant that the province did not reach…

Please, dismiss the idea of resilience and toughness as a man with a ball scoring an unforgettable try – although indeed he may be both resilient and tough. Some of the toughest people I know are slight women who’d confess to embodying zero athleticism. I’ve met 14-year-old girls with apparently more resilience and grit than adult and professional millionaire athletes. Grit, toughness, courage and resilience include: Holding on to yourself when things around you appear to be falling apart. Self-care when others appear not to care (about you). It’s getting an “above” view or objective view of what’s going on around you. Speaking up for yourself and others when the trend would prefer or appeal for your silence. It’s also, of course, knowing when not to speak at all. Remember,…

While there may well be other pressing issues for eThekwini to deal with, we, the residents of Bakerville Gardens, Newlands, do feel neglected. Our constant pleas to eradicate the ongoing sewage problem in Donkin Road and Barvale Drive have not had the desired remedial response. When workmen do arrive, they tinker around and then leave without fixing the problem, for whatever reason. The result is that we residents, and especially motorists, have to put up with an awful stink from the sections mentioned, bringing such filth into our properties. Perhaps our deputy mayor, Mr Philani Mavundla, who comes through as one with all hands on deck, could help by doing an inspection in loco. We are, after all, committed ratepayers who deserve better than the sewage spills that we are…

THE fixing of electrical faults in eThekwini Municipality could take longer than usual after the municipality’s electricity unit contractors downed tools this week in protest of poor working conditions. The contractors are electricians subcontracting work from main contractors who are employed by the municipality. The grievances include “cutting” the number of the contractors employed, failure to pay the contractors on time, randomly changing their working areas without consultation, and lack of safety when attending to faults. The contractors said they met with the city leadership on Monday at the Durban City Hall where they raised their grievances, and they met alone in the Montclair area to discuss the way forward on Tuesday. Sources in the municipality said the contractors were not employees of the municipality, and as such should address…

THOSE who still believe that President Cyril Ramaphosa and his bloated Cabinet are the right people to steer our sinking country out of the rough seas it finds itself in may have to re-evaluate their optimism. Until now, this administration has been sliding from one crisis to another, with no clear sign of how to tackle the problems South Africans were promised would be prioritised. His government is one of forgettable firsts; ​highest unemployment, especially among young people, and rocketing fuel prices and food, among others. Is it not now safe to say that Ramaphosa sold South Africans false hope? Accountability, transparency, fighting corruption are words that secured him the country’s highest office, yet none have materialised. Ramaphosa is no different from his predecessor Jacob Zuma, who believed the ANC…

Boris Johnson yesterday refused to quit as British prime minister, despite a slew of resignations from his scandal- hit government, piling on pressure as he faced a grilling from angry MPs. The 58-year-old leader’s grip on power appears to be slipping after 10 short minutes on Tuesday night, when Rishi Sunak resigned as finance minister and Sajid Javid as health secretary. Both said they could no longer tolerate the culture of scandal that has stalked Johnson for months, including lockdown lawbreaking in Downing Street that enraged the public. At the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions in parliament, MPs from all sides rounded on Johnson. But brushing off calls to resign, he told MPs: “Frankly, the job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when you have been handed a…

Ukraine had so far thwarted an attempted Russian advance into the north of its Donetsk region, but the city of Sloviansk and other civilian areas there were being heavily shelled, Ukrainian officials said yesterday. Russia has increased its focus on Donetsk, the southern part of which it and its proxies already control, after completing its seizure of the neighbouring Luhansk region with the capture of Lysychansk, much of which now lies in ruins. Moscow says fully pushing the Ukrainian military out of both regions is central to what it calls its “special military operation”, now four-months-long offensive. Donetsk and Luhansk comprise the Donbas, the eastern part of Ukraine that has witnessed the biggest battle in Europe for generations and which Russia wants to wrest control of for separatists it backs.…

IT is exactly a decade since Marcell Coetzee made his debut for the Springboks and three years since he last played a Test match so he can be excused for saying that his recall is as special as the first time. He is now 31 and has just 30 Tests to his name because of a combination of crippling injuries and confused coaches but just when the Springbok door seemed forever shut to him, suddenly he is starting against Wales in Bloemfontein on Saturday and he can’t quite believe it. “When I heard my name being read out a few weeks ago it was as unbelievable as the first time,” the genial giant smiled. “Believe me, you never take it for granted. I last played in 2019 (two matches) and…