Índice para 2021-09-28 em Cape Times

Bang Showbiz Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip “loved” things going “wrong” on royal engagements. The monarch and her late husband – who died in April aged 99 – couldn’t help but see the funny side when things didn’t run smoothly and would find it “exciting” if something didn’t go according to plan. Speaking in the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, which aired on Wednesday on BBC One, Prince William said of his late grandfather: “He enjoys playing practical jokes and foolery. He loved when things go wrong. “My grandparents love when things go wrong. You can imagine, they have lived a life where everything has to go right the whole time, so when things go wrong, theory both chuckle. Everyone else is mortified embarrassed. They love it.”…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za ARTS and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said there would be consequences for council members, senior management and staff implicated in the mismanagement of the Presidential Economic Stimulus Programme (Pesp) funds that were allocated by the National Arts Council (NAC) to help struggling artists. The industry has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting the government to institute relief. Pesp consisted of R300 million for job creation and job retention, with 5% being retained by the NAC for administrative purposes. To date, 1 309 applicants have benefitted from the programme. “Shortly after the money was given there were reports pointing to mismanagement of that fund and that necessitated that an investigation be done,” Mthethwa said. “The most important thing out of this is that consequence management is…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za WORKER unions have warned of a “looming war” after the City of Cape Town said yesterday that it will oppose a new salary and wage collective agreement for local governments. The City said residents cannot afford to pay more, adding that it was unfair for government workers to receive wage increases while many people have had reductions to their income. But unions have slammed the decision as an attempt to undermine workers’ rights and benefits. The City’s deputy mayor, Ian Neilson, said they took a clear stand throughout the bargaining process, led by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) – the employer body representing 257 municipalities in the country, that salary increases were not justified or affordable currently. He said the City’s Mayoral Committee had, therefore,…

INGREDIENTS METHOD 1 onion finely chopped 1 sweet potato diced ½ cup corn 1 cup frozen peas 2 tsp of flour Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup chicken stock Salt and pepper 2 tbs of butter 250g salmon fried in olive oil 250ml fresh cream Bacon and parsley for garnish 1tbs of butter 1 tsp of crushed garlic ½ cup of cheddar cheese In a heated pan with butter, sauté onion till soft. Add garlic and as soon as it releases the aroma, add sweet potato, and lower the heat. Add flour and stir till everything comes together. If it is too dry, add a teaspoon of butter. Season with salt and pepper and add chicken stock and continue to stir till you see that flour has completely dissolved and…

Staff writer PREGNANT women hospitalised for Covid-19 face higher risk of death than infected women admitted for other illnesses. So found a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, which also found that maternal tuberculosis, but not HIV co-infection or other comorbidities, was associated with admission for Covid-19. The study’s co-principal investigator and head of the Global Surgery Division at UCT, Associate Professor Salome Maswime, said the present national observational study assessing the symptoms and associations between Covid-19 in pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes shows that about 7.5% of all admitted women required invasive ventilation, three-quarters of whom were admitted specifically for the management of Covid-19. The researchers analysed data on pregnant women with Covid-19, hospitalised between April 14 and November 24 last year. A…

Dan Plato ignored sound planning principles and expert opinion CAPE Town’s mayor is on a propaganda offensive. Dan Plato wants to defend his administration’s decision to depart from multiple planning and environmental policies to approve the rezoning of land allowing the redevelopment of the River Club in Cape Town. The development is a massive mixed-use property and will house, among other things, Amazon’s new African Headquarters. In his decision, the mayor has ignored sound planning principles, his own experts’ opinion and much evidence. Now, he seeks to blame opponents of the development for the potential loss of thousands of jobs should the High Court find his decision-making was reviewable. This is unfortunate but not surprising coming from a politician whose administration has done everything possible to facilitate the private benefits…

Berlin: Germany yesterday braced for a period of political unpredictability after the Social Democrats narrowly won a general election but faced a rival claim to power from outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative camp. For a country synonymous with stability after 16 years of Merkel’s steady leadership, the coming weeks and months promise to be a rocky ride as both Finance Minister Olaf Scholz’s SPD and the conservatives led by Armin Laschet scramble for coalition partners. The power struggle risks putting Germany out of play in the international scene for some time, even though the upcoming COP26 climate summit will be demanding action from the world’s biggest powers. Europe’s largest economy will also hold the presidency of the G7 club of rich nations next year, and will need a government capable…

LONDON: Daniel Craig can see a long future for the Knives Out franchise. The James Bond actor is set to return as Detective Benoit Blanc in two sequels to Rian Johnson’s 2019 whodunit, after Netflix agreed a big-money deal for the rights and hinted that he could play the sleuth for years to come. Speaking at a Bafta: A Life In Pictures event, Daniel said: “I talked to Rian the other day; we’ve got this crazy deal with Netflix, that’s great. I said, ‘What’s beyond that?’ He said: ‘Do you want to do another one?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, if you will.’”…

The US Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public warning yesterday that a growing number of pain medications bought on the black market are laced with the synthetic opioid fentanylor and the stimulant methamphetamine, driving overdose deaths to record levels. DEA administrator Anne Milgram said: “We are in the midst of an overdose crisis, and counterfeit pills are driving much of it.” The US saw a record number of drug overdose deaths last year – more than 93 000, which marked an increase of almost 30% from 2019. Officials said the DEA hasn’t issued such a public safety alert since 2015, when the agency warned that agents were seeing an alarming amount of heroin laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl, even in much smaller amounts, is deadlier than street heroin. The new public…

PARIS: Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s personal guard contingent has been beefed up amid concerns he might be the target of attack or abduction by organised crime units, De Telegraaf newspaper reported yesterday. The measure was taken after the “spotters” hired by criminal organisations to prepare the ground for an attack or abduction – were seen around Rutte, the newspaper reported, adding that these “spotters” are affiliated with the Moroccan mafia. Rutte often uses a bicycle while moving around The Hague without personal protection. But now trained officers of the Royal and Diplomatic Protection Service will ensure his security.…

Lionel Messi is expected to play in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League clash against Manchester City tonight after taking part in a training session. The Argentine forward missed two Ligue 1 games with a bruised knee, but did not appear to be struggling with the injury yesterday morning. “We will confirm the starting XI (today),” coach Mauricio Pochettino told a news conference when asked about Messi ahead of the Group A clash at the Parc des Princes. “But I think he will be in the squad tomorrow.” Pochettino added that Messi, who joined the French club on a two-year contract from Barcelona, would need time to adjust in Paris. “He did 20 years in Barcelona, it’s normal he felt at home there and here, everything is new for him. He did…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za CAPE Town City coach Eric Tinkler believes Terrence Mashego’s call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia is much deserved, due to the defender’s impeccable work-ethic. Mashego has been brilliant during the early stages of the new season on the left-flank for City, showing great stamina to work the touchline while also offering plenty on attack with his pace on the ball. “As a club we are very happy that our players are making the senior national team. It is good for the club, and of course it is good for the players. Terrence has worked extremely hard to get where he is. Yesterday (Sunday) was a day off for everyone, except Terrence,” Tinkler told reporters ahead of his team’s…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za THE DEAL BETWEEN Fairvest Property Holdings and Arrowhead Properties (AHP) to create the biggest South Africa focused Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) took a step closer with yesterday’s joint announcement of terms of a proposed single step merger. On September 7, Fairvest shareholders voted in favour of the acquisition of AHP B ordinary shares in exchange for Fairvest shares, based on a ratio of 1.85 Fairvest shares per AHP share. If implemented, the share swop would result in Fairvest acquiring control of AHP – the combined group will have a R12.7 billion portfolio. As an alternative to the acquisition, the two companies were engaging about the possibility of a single-step merger – the Fairvest acquisition plan was only in the event that a single-step merger…

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Grimes have broken up after three years together, Page Six reported. The SpaceX founder confirmed that he and the Canadian singer are “semi-separated” but remain on good terms and continue to co-parent their one-year-old son, the epically named X Æ A-12 Musk. “We are semi-separated but still love each other, see each other frequently and are on great terms,” Musk told Page Six on Saturday. “It’s mostly that my work at SpaceX and Tesla requires me to be primarily in Texas or traveling overseas and her work is primarily in LA. “She’s staying with me now and Baby X is in the adjacent room,” Musk said. Page Six first revealed in May 2018 that Musk and Grimes were dating. They welcomed their son…

From page 1 “As Cosatu we will not sit with our arms folded, we cannot allow the City to step on the rights of workers. Samwu and Cosatu will oppose any exempt application the City will serve on SALGA,” he said. Stop CoCT founder Sandra Dickson said the City was holding the public’s inability to pay the increases forward “as an excuse for a one-sided decision taken by mayco”. “CoCT is stumbling from one extremely unpopular decision to the next. “This time it is an all or nothing approach to their employees. “This comes after a serious backlash from the public over tariff increases. “No negotiation in either situation, just one harsh one-sided decision by mayco,” Dickson said. The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) said it was…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za ON A VERY special birthday, Margaret Maritz from Touws River turned 115 years old with a bash at the old age home that included many of the town’s residents and a visit from Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu. Born in 1906, it is believed that Maritz is the oldest living resident in the Western Cape, after Delft resident Freddie Blom died last month at the age of 116. Sitting pretty in white donning a pink sash and pink crown, Maritz was relaxed and observant of her surroundings yesterday. She is not able to verbally communicate as well any longer. Described as a woman who commanded the same respect she showed others, Maritz had grown up assisting her parents with the upbringing of her 13 siblings. “We were…

Tarryn-Leigh Solomons tarryn-Leigh.Solomons@iinl.co.za THE initial budget for upgrades at former president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead was estimated to be R27 million and ultimately stood at R216m. A specialist of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), who can not be named as the matter is being held in camera at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, made this revelation yesterday while testifying in the R155m civil recovery proceedings against Nkandla architect Minenhle Makhanya. The decision to proceed with the hearing in camera came as the Special Tribunal was alerted to the information detailing private security details which might jeopardise Zuma’s security. In March 2014, former public protector Thuli Madonsela released her final report on upgrades at Zuma’s Nkandla homestead. She found that Zuma and his family benefited from measures implemented in the name of…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za SELF-taught Congolese artist Peter Kamuanza is using his surreal artworks and everyday life to connect people from all walks of life. Kamuanza, 22, who goes by the name of Peter DK, started drawing at the age of 9. “It took a lot of practice and consistency, and improvement took place over the years,” he said. Kamuanza moved from Angola to South Africa with his family for a better education in 2008. His art, which he sketches using pencils, charcoal and paint, derives from hyper-realistic drawings of people, surrealism and everyday things. “I am inspired by the people around me and things that happen in my everyday life, whether it's good or bad. Drawing and painting brings me peace and hope for a better world than the one…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za THE release of an accused molester has triggered outrage in Athlone, where the 9-year-old girl victim is allegedly being further traumatised, as the 69-year-old man roams the streets freely. The 69-year-old priest is alleged to have sexually assaulted the child since she was 6 years old. The family of the girl said they do not want the man back in their community after he had been granted bail. The man is alleged to have gained the trust of the family by acting as a Good Samaritan. The girl’s grandmother, who cannot be named to protect the minor’s identity, said they were shocked when they learnt of the abuse. “He used to come to our home and has even fixed cupboards for me, or assisted with what we…

Okuhle Hlati okhule.hlati@inl.co.za FRIENDS and family of Jacquelene Mpontsana who was brutally killed, allegedly at the hands of her partner, will gather for her memorial service in Gugulethu this afternoon. The 40-year-old mother was doused with a flammable liquid suspected to be petrol, before being set alight last Monday following an argument with her boyfriend. The man, who is still in hiding had allegedly first assaulted Mpontsana for refusing to sleep with him before he proceeded to set her alight. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut confirmed the 38-year-old was yet to be arrested. Mpontsana worked for the Department of Community Safety and was responsible for inspecting police stations for their compliance to assist victims of gender-based violence. Her cousin Zoleka Qoba said the family was still trying to come to terms…

EVER since our liberators came to power in 1994, nothing was and will ever be spared by unco-operative forces to unseat them, by hook or by crook, even if it means taking our country down. Our country had numerous chances to correct its course away from narrow, selfish destinations, but 1994 was our last chance to set our course correctly once and for all. Unfortunately, what was decided at Codesa was not carried out by all participants. Some went there in bad faith only to carry on with their old ways. Unfortunately, it was never foreseen that things could go wrong as they did, as we can see all around us, begging the questions: Where did we go wrong? And, how do we correct it? Didn’t the Nobel Commission reward…

The UK government’s crash programme of visas for foreign poultry workers risks being too little, too late to avert food shortages. The government’s post-Brexit immigration and trade policies “risk crippling British food security”, and longer-term solutions are needed, British Poultry Council chief executive Richard Griffiths said yesterday. The announcement of a temporary visa scheme for 5 500 poultry workers and 5 000 lorry drivers for the three months to Christmas was “a positive step in the right direction”, he said. Nevertheless, there is a risk that this intervention comes too late.” “Supply chains are not something that can be switched on and off, so plans for production are already under way and the necessary cutbacks due to labour shortages have been made.” Trade groups are warning of Christmas shortages for…

CAIRO: Egyptian authorities were holding the founder of the country’s largest dairy products and juices producer and his son in conditions that amounted to torture because of their refusal to cede their assets, Amnesty International said yesterday. There was no immediate response to a request for comment to Egypt’s state information service. The arrests of Safwan Thabet, founder and former chief executive of Juhayna, in December, and of his son Seifeldin two months later, shook Juhayna, a household name in Egypt. The authorities accuse them of belonging to and financing a terrorist group – commonly a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood – according to state media. The Thabet family have denied any wrongdoing. Such charges had been widely deployed in a crackdown that has swept up dissidents from across…

BEIRUT: A probe into the catastrophic explosion at Beirut port was frozen yesterday when a former minister wanted for questioning as a suspect filed a case questioning the lead investigator’s neutrality, a judicial source said. The August 4, 2020, Beirut port blast killed more than 200 people. Judge Tarek Bitar was notified on Monday of the case against him filed by former interior minister and current member of parliament Nohad Machnouk. “Now the sessions will be cancelled and Judge Bitar will stop looking at the file until the court of cassation decides either to accept the case or reject it,” the source said.…

Vienna: The EU yesterday urged Iran to allow inspectors access to a nuclear site, while Tehran argued the facility was exempt from a recent agreement with the UN watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday it had been denied “indispensable” access to the Tesa Karaj centrifuge component manufacturing workshop near Tehran. Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, yesterday rejected the charge on Twitter. “During the discussions in Tehran and Vienna, Iran indicated that equipment related to this Complex are not included for servicing,” he wrote, referring to IAEA work on its surveillance equipment.…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za THE MULTIPURPOSE Reactor (MPR) to succeed the Safari-1 nuclear reactor at Pelindaba will secure South Africa’s position as one of the top four producers of radioisotopes in the world and further nuclear technology research in the country. This was according to South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) board chairperson David Nicholls, who yesterday in a statement welcomed Cabinet’s approval of the MPR reactor. There are 12 nuclear research reactors in Africa. The Safari-1 reactor near Pretoria, a 20MW light water-cooled research reactor, went critical on March 18, 1965. Nicholls said some 5 000 direct and 26 000 indirect jobs would be created during construction of the MPR. The tentative date of start of construction is 2025. It would provide employment to about 750 full-time employees…

Dineo Faku dineo.faku@inl.co.za MULTI-national diversified technology group 4Sight Holdings, which re-domi- ciled its operations from Mauritius to South Africa at the beginning of the year, surged by 14 percent on the JSE as the group recorded a 16.9 percent revenue growth during the six months ended June 2021. Later in the day the share closed 4.76 percent higher at R0.22 on the JSE yesterday 4Sight said the 16.9 percent in- crease in revenue to R291.1 million compared with the R249.1m in the same period in 2020 demonstrated the strength of the diversified growth profile. It said key initiatives included implementing an account-based marketing strategy with an intentional approach in identifying and engaging with the top tier accounts using personalised buying experiences. The group also segmented…

From page 1 The police and the SANDF were involved in the preparation of the report and appointed Makhanya as the project manager through the Department of Public Works. According to the witness, the project increased in scope, as did the budget. The regular scope changes increased and ultimately stood at R216m. The initial budget was estimated at R27m. The adjustments led to the loss of R155m beyond the scope and the budgeted amount. The private professional team was appointed in an irregular manner, according to the witness. A proper helicopter pad and upgrade of the security infrastructure at Zuma’s homestead were included, but were not in the original scope of the work. The funding of the project would come from the Department of Public Works, the witness said. The…

Okuhle Hlati okhule.hlati@inl.co.za THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) decision to approve the Karpowership SA projects has divided West Coast communities with opposing sides holding demonstrations yesterday. The regulator continues to face mounting pressure to provide reasons for its decision to give the green light to the multibillion rand projects in Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay, and Coega in the Eastern Cape. The projects will generate electricity from natural gas to be sent through transmission lines to substations linked to the national grid. During yesterday’s demonstrations, one group held placards reading “More investment in our areas and better lives for our people” and “Black Businesses support Karpowership”; while another group’s placards read “Who stole our Oceans?” and “No Drill, No Spill”. Black Women in Business chairperson Zharon Damonse said she…

Loyiso Sidimba and Baldwin Ndaba DELIVERING the ANCs manifesto and its pledge for the municipal polls at Church Square in Pretoria last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that the ANC will field candidates who are honest and competent in the November 1 local government elections. Ramaphosa promised that the ANC would be better and deliver services promptly and consistently. ”Many municipalities are confronted by corruption and mismanagement, which divert crucial resources needed to meet the needs of the people. “Over the past two years, we have made important progress in ending state capture and fighting corruption,” he said. “We have done this both within the government and within the ANC.” Ramaphosa said they would end the outsourcing of essential local government functions and labour broking, and to work to…

Nonhlanhla Nozizwe Hlatshwayo nozizwe.hlatshwayo@inl.co.za THE LESBIAN, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) community in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the #LGBTI+equality project by the Commission of Gender Equality (CGE) to solicit comments on the state of their equality in the country. The commission announced that from tomorrow they would be putting up a questionnaire on their website for comments that would be used to identify key areas of intervention to ensure the queer community had equality. “The objective of the project is to assess the state of LGBTQI equality in South Africa 27 years after the achievement of democracy. While acknowledging the progress over the last decades of our democracy – equality in marriage, removal of sodomy laws, equal recognition of spousal benefits and inclusion of same-sex couples in adoption –…

Lisa Isaacs lisa.isaacs@inl.co.za DOLLY the sheep has a new lease on life and is adjusting to her new prosthetic leg at the Fallen Angels Pet Rescue farm in Melkbosstrand. The organisation was started in 2014 after the purchase of farmland in the area, and now is a fully blown rescue organisation with about 200 dogs and some farm animals. Fallen Angels Pet Rescue farm owner Gayle Basson took Dolly in last year during a trip to Sutherland. “A farmer told us about a sheep, her foot had been caught in a snare when she was just a few days old. She was rushed to a vet and they had to amputate the lower part of her leg,” Basson said. The farmer and his wife nursed the lamb and asked the…

Mayibongwe Maqhina mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za There is no shortage of land in Cape Town for well-located affordable housing, says Patricia de Lille, leader of the Good party. “A (local) government that was serious about implementing affordable housing would get on with it, using land already in their custody instead of lying that they are waiting for national government to release land,” she told the media yesterday during a visit to various sites in the city centre. The Good and the DA have been engaged in public spats over the release of state land for affordable housing. It started when DA mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to De Lille, in her capacity as Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, asking that the national government release Acacia Park to provide housing for the people rather…

It is time for President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the Zulu royal family succession dispute, or risk witnessing a messy battle that will tarnish the image of traditional leadership. Since the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini in March this year, the royal family has been embroiled in an unfortunate battle over who should succeed the late king. The installation of King Misuzulu has been vehemently opposed by some members of the royal family, with some recommending other family members as rightful successors to King Zwelithini. Last week there were allegations that King Misuzulu had been poisoned, worsening an already tense situation. It is clear to everyone who has been following the matters involving the Zulu royal family that they have not done a good job of dealing with the…

A Palestinian military court yesterday began the trial of 14 security officers charged with beating to death a prominent critic of President Mahmoud Abbas, in a case that has drawn widespread protests and calls for his resignation. Nizar Banat’s death following his arrest on June 24 has heightened criticism of Abbas’ Palestinian Authority and his security forces, who human rights groups say regularly arrest critics in the occupied West Bank. Abbas denies the charges. An autopsy carried out the day Banat died showed he was struck on the head and body with metal rods, leading to his death. The PA, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank, has vowed to hold those responsible to account. Appearing in yesterday’s court session in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the indicted…

Souad Hdidou is challenging social norms and busting stereotypes from behind the wheel as the only female taxi driver in the Moroccan capital of Rabat and one of a few in the country. Hdidou, 33, started work as a truck driver after dropping out of school and worked for a fish distribution company, but switched to taxis for the better pay and greater freedom, she said. “I’m the kind who likes challenges,” Hdidou said. She now earns enough to pay the mortgage on her flat near Rabat as well as supporting her family in the countryside and has built up a solid customer base. “Mothers often trust me to pick up their kids from school when they’re busy,” she said. “I also receive calls to pick up women at night…

HONG KONG: A man was sentenced to nine years in prison yesterday for stabbing Junius Ho, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in 2019. Tung Pak-fai, 31, has pleaded guilty to wounding Ho and his bodyguard with intent. In November 2019, when Ho was at his street stand in Tuen Mun, Tung appeared and stabbed Ho in the chest with a knife. Ho’s bodyguard was also hurt during the incident. The judge of the HKSAR High Court said that Tung had visited Ho’s street stands two days before he committed the crime, which is believed to be premeditated.…

SYDNEY: The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) announced the building of a new national park in Western Sydney that will become home to a number of locally extinct Australian wildlife species. NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the project commencing construction in early 2022 “will be the first national park declared in Western Sydney in over one decade”. “We are turning it into a special conservation area, which will be home to some of our most threatened animals,” said Kean. Among the species is the Australian eastern quoll, listed as “endangered” since 2005.…