Table of contents for CT-2021-04-01 in Cape Times

Siphelele dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za THE WORLD Bank yesterday revised South Africa’s 2021 growth outlook to 3 percent from 2.6 percent earlier, charging that the recovery would be driven by a rebound in global activity from the continued vaccination drive. The bank said in an Africa’s Pulse report that the recovery would also be driven by higher demand for local commodity exports but warned that the country still faced serious impediments to sustained growth. The bank said restrictions imposed to curb a second wave of Covid-19, fiscal tightening, high unemployment, along with power cuts, would prevent a stronger recovery in gross domestic product (GDP). “South Africa’s real GDP is expected to rebound from an estimated 7 percent contraction in 2020 to growth of 3 percent in 2021, slightly up from…

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za ACCELERATE Property Fund, which has Fourways Mall as a flagship asset, will not pay a distribution for the periods ending September 30, 2020, and March 31, 2021, the group said in a pre-close update yesterday. Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) are required to pay at least 75 percent of distributable earnings to shareholders, but the group said it believed its Reit status would not be affected by the non-payment of distributions due to the lack of distributable earnings arising from Covid-19 relief granted to tenants, offshore profits not yet distri- buted to it, additional bad debt write-offs and other tax deductible items. Accelerate’s board had also decided to retain up to 25 percent of distributable income in the future, once the Fund returned to paying…

Francesca Villette francesca.villette@inl.co.za A SUPREME Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment that found against the National Credit Regulator (NCR) in relation to alleged excessive service fees by a credit provider will not have massive implications for consumers. This was according to the NCR, after the SCA dismissed its action against Getbucks, which the NCR charged had contravened Regulation 44 of the National Credit Regulations. The NCR in 2014 launched proceedings in the National Consumer Tribunal against Getbucks alleging that it had contravened Regulation 44 by charging excessive service fees. In response Getbucks launched high court proceedings, seeking an order prohibiting the NCR from prosecuting it in the tribunal, on the basis that Regulation 44 was unlawful/invalid because it had not been promulgated according to the correct procedure. The SCA recently held…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za THE Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has backtracked on its annual fee increase for doctors and dentists amid an outcry over what was described as an “insensitive” decision for practitioners already straining under the fight against Covid-19. The SA Medical Association Trade Union was up in arms this week after the HPCSA board took a decision to increase doctors’ and dentists’ annual statutory fees by 15%. The union charged that the decision was inconsiderate to the doctors who were currently grappling through the effects of Covid-19 and its economic ramifications. “If members do not register with the council, they will not be able to practise. “If doctors do not practise, then hospitals cannot employ doctors and eventually the health system will collapse. “If members can unite…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za A KUILS RIVER community project is blossoming, with hopes rising that a new flower and plant garden will create a ripple effect and inspire others in the neighbourhood. The project, started about a month ago on the corners of Amandel and Kerk roads in Kuils River, is the brainchild of resident Wouter de Vos who took notice of complaints about neglected spaces in the Kuils River area on social media. “I decided to get these concerned citizens on board to make a positive contribution and difference to our community. The process has since then started to grow into a life of its own as the space we used grew. “It started on one corner where residents were concerned about it looking neglected and the project spread to…

Okuhle Hlati okhule.hlati@inl.co.za WITH concerns of liquor stockpiling and an increase in movement and gatherings amid Covid-19, law enforcers have warned it will be all hands on deck ahead of the much-anticipated Easter weekend. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday announced the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption would be banned from tomorrow until Monday. On-site sales at restaurants, shebeens, and bars will be allowed, according to licensing conditions, until 11pm. Ramaphosa said this was due to the role of alcohol in fuelling reckless behaviour. However, Premier Alan Winde yesterday said he was not convinced that the temporary ban on off-site consumption would be effective. “Especially given the risks now being created by pre-purchasing and stockpiling of alcohol in the run-up to the long weekend. Our Department of Health does not…

THE PROFILER DIARIES Gerard Labuschagne Loot.co.za (R215) PENGUIN CLINICAL psychologist Dr Gerald Labuschagne spent more than 14 years working for the SAPS, most of it as head profiler. Many of the cases he tackled made media headlines. In his new book, The Profiler Diaries, he shares the highlights and the frustrations of his years in uniform. Labuschagne felt that writing his story was a personal journey, one he needed to tackle on his own. “It took a long time to get to the point of writing a book. Upon reflection, I realised that I needed to decompress from all those years of working cases and gain some distance first. As strange as that may sound, you can forget the finer details, and it is probably healthier to do so. “In…

Silas Rataza SCROLLING down my Facebook timeline, I often come across stories that are meant to convince you of something. Diets, products, events, pandemics, cures, bitcoin and politics are all topics you can come across in a day’s scroll on social media. For example, we have been inundated with tales and narratives during these days of Covid-19 and the introduction of fifth generation technology, often trying to convince one of some sort of theory or conspiracy. My grandparents’ generation used to call this propaganda. Yet today it is a bit more subtle. This promotion of certain information does not come through government spin doctors, as propaganda would have traditionally, but through media, and especially social media. At the same time, it would not be wrong to suggest that 21st…

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) urgently requires additional financing to tackle the crisis with internally displaced people in Mozambique after the attack on the Palma town last week, spokesperson Saviano Abreu told Sputnik yesterday. The town was attacked by Islamic State terrorists on March 24. As a result of the ambush, over 5 000 people fled the town, while many residents remain hiding in nearby forests. Over 50 people were reportedly killed. “The UN and humanitarian partners are on the ground and rapidly assisting people impacted by this terrible situation in Palma. However, we are overstretched and urgently need additional funding to respond to this new crisis,” Abreu said. The spokesperson also said the UN OCHA was concerned over the safety of civilians in Palma…

MOSCOW: US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has revealed, in his new memoir, Beautiful Things, that he did not do anything unethical when he was a member of the board of directors of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, which was involved in “the decade’s biggest political fable”. Covering the incident that triggered an impeachment inquiry into former president Donald Trump, in an 18-page chapter, Hunter said it was “most remarkable for its epic banality”. The tell-all memoir is expected to come to light on April 6.…

WASHINGTON: A 30-year-old man has been charged with breaking into the residence of Switzerland’s ambassador and assaulting him, according to law enforcement authorities and court documents. The suspect, Christian David Mandeville, was arrested on Monday afternoon after police said he refused to leave the residence. Documents filed in US District Court allege Mandeville forcefully pushed past the ambassador, Jacques Pitteloud, and fought with a uniformed Secret Service officer trying to arrest him. His initial appearance in a federal court had not been scheduled as of Tuesday. Mandeville’s mother said he had been experiencing mental health problems.…

EDWARD WEST edward.west@inl.co.za CEMENT and building materials group PPC’s shares shot up 18.23 percent on the JSE yesterday to R2.40 after it announced that it had made good progress in de-risking its balance sheet and improving its investment prospects. The group said that the removal of a potential $175 million (R2.61 billion)liability in PPC Barnett in Democratic Republic of Congo, and improved cement sales, cost reductions, better working capital management and cash preservation over 11 months to end-February 2021, meant that lenders had agreed to postpone by six months a R750m capital raise planned for yesterday. It said the need for the capital raise would also be reviewed should the South African business continue to de-gear as it had already done, the group said in an operational update.…

THE LAND and Agriculture Development Bank of South Africa said yesterday that a R7 billion equity appropriation announced in the February 24, 2021 Budget would be applied to bring the bank out of a default situation. “Land Bank continues to work with all of its lenders towards a Liability Solution that meets any conditions attached to this R7bn equity appropriation, and to bring Land Bank out of its event of default situation,” a statement said. The proposed Liability Solution would not require the Land Bank to have a credit rating and the credit rating service conducted through Moody’s was terminated. The bank’s listed notes remained suspended. | Edward West…

From page 1 Herron called for Winde to have Madikizela apologise to the legislature, apologise to him and step down. “Should Madikizela resist, the premier must fire him from his so-called ‘cabinet of integrity’.” Madikizela’s spokesperson, Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, referred questions to Premier Alan Winde. Winde’s spokesperson, Bianca Capazorio, said Winde will study the report with the province’s legal team. “Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has received a report from the public protector’s office on the investigation. “The premier and the province’s legal team will study the 36-page report and consider the contents thereof. “We will issue a more detailed statement in due course. “We note that the extent of the remedial action requested is limited to providing a report to the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, with comments from the…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za FORMER UCT employee, Professor Athol Williams, has accused the institution of launching a public attack on him after allegedly rejecting its cash offer. He said he believed the money was to make up for not being offered paid leave to complete a 700-page affidavit for the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. “On Monday, the UCT ombudsman offered me a cash payment which I refused. I told him I didn't want to gain anything personally ... The money could go to an NGO. I want UCT to address the concerns I raise for the good of the university and our country. “I even offered the ombudsman that the money could go to the ethic(s) institute I started which could pay student fees and research collaboration…

Staff writer DOMESTIC violence and abuse is a common talking point in South Africa, however, most of these conversations are centred on men as the abusers and not the victims, but that doesn’t mean that the tables aren’t sometimes turned. Beautiful Monster, a memoir by established creative director, award-winning designer and local author Jay Badenhorst, highlights the plight of men enduring long-term mental health consequences as a result of abuse. Badenhorst married his high school sweetheart in 2008 and documents his harrowing experiences in a dysfunctional relationship, as his story takes the reader through all the major life decisions and challenges that young couples face: financial stability, career setbacks, becoming parents and, in their case, starting a life in a new country. All of this unfolds against the dramatic backdrop…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za A HIGH-RANKING traffic chief accused of sexual harassment continues to work as “there has been no basis provided on which to suspend the alleged perpetrator”, while he is being investigated regarding the allegation. This was according to Transport MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela in response to a parliamentary question by Good Party MP Brett Herron about why the traffic official had not been suspended while a probe was conducted. An investigation commenced when the allegations emerged last year, almost two months after the official was appointed to a senior position. According to Herron, the GBV victim – having suffered trauma as a result of the alleged sexual harassment and not receiving any assistance from the department – was further victimised after allegedly being put through a “competency hearing”. Madikizela…

Staff writer SOUTH African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Edward Kieswetter welcomed the arrest of two convicted fraudsters who were on the run for eight years. A former Sars official, Rudi Willemse, and two financial advisers, Hein Fourie and Abraham van Wyk, were sentenced in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on July 30, 2004, to three years in prison on a charge of corruption and to seven years on a charge of fraud. Each accused was effectively sentenced to seven years direct imprisonment. The matter involved a refund for a false VAT input claim to the value of R2.7 million submitted on behalf of an entity called Elandslaagte Mining in Klerksdorp. The claim was submitted for the alleged purchase of mining equipment which never took place and the Sars officials were…

Reviewer: Jennifer Crocker LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND Rumaan Alam Loot.co.za (R260) BLOOMSBURY AMANDA, Clay, and their children Archie and Rose have booked a holiday. They’re hitting the road for a summer vacation away from New York, and have hired a house on Long Island. We meet them as they drive out of the city and towards the apparent paradise of an Airbnb, which is off the grid in so far as it has no cellphone access. Amanda is a working mother, who spends time on the trip, before they slip off the grid, making calls and taking calls from her office. Clay is a professor enjoying the dying moments of his summer vacation. The house, when they arrive, is beyond their dreams and far more upmarket than their home in…

WE head into the Easter long weekend with a reminder from health experts that this period may lead to a much-feared third wave of Covid-19 infections if lockdown regulations are not observed. It will come down to how we behave over the next few days, and understanding that, regrettably, our vaccine rollout suffered a major setback. South Africa has been hailed across the world for its proactive approach in introducing the lockdown, which gave our health-care facilities enough time to prepare. We dare not forget the hard lockdown that saw many of us confined to our homes, unable to do what we most enjoyed before Covid-19, like jogging, visiting our loved ones and bizarrely at a time being prevented from buying certain food and clothing items, as well as the…

A young couple has lodged a report with the police, claiming that the 19-year-old woman was gang raped by three men in the presence of her husband while they were on their way to meet relatives. The victim alleged that she was dragged to a nearby jungle and gang raped. Her husband was beaten by her attackers as he tried to fight them off. The couple were threatened and robbed. The woman said the men who gang raped her, also filmed the act.“They dragged us to a nearby jungle where they tore my clothes, raped me and filmed the act. We were thrashed and they said they would kill us if we said anything to anyone.” The woman said they were on their way to her in-laws’ home on a…

BANGKOK: Five Thai activists were indicted yesterday on charges of attempted violence against the queen during a pro-democracy demonstration last year, when a royal motorcade encountered dozens of protesters. Their lawyer Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen said prosecutors indicted the five under a section of the law that carries a minimum sentence of 16 years in prison for violence or attempted violence against the queen, heir-apparent or regent. “I did not have such intentions, nor was I trying to do so. I’ve reaffirmed these facts over the past few months,” said one of the accused.…

NEW YORK: Police have arrested a man suspected of attacking an elderly Asian woman in New York City and charged him with felony assault as a hate crime, the police department said. Police identified the suspect as Brandon Elliot, 38, who was already on lifetime parole for murdering his mother, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement to Reuters. Elliot was arrested and charged yesterday. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Force had been looking for the assailant since Monday, after a man punched and kicked a 65-year-old woman, knocked her to the ground and stamped at least three times on her head. He also made anti-Asian statements.…

Stuart Hess Aiden Markram admitted yesterday that despite his incredible run of form in first class cricket this season, he was still surprised to get called up to the South African One-Day squad for the series against Pakistan. Markram has made six centuries this season, five for the Titans in the domestic Four-Day series tournament, and one for the Proteas, in a gutsy fourth innings showing in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in February. “I’m glad that from the selectors and coaches point of view that they see me in the white ball plans,” said Markram. It’s been just under two years since Markram last played an ODI. That match was South Africa’s last in a disappointing World Cup campaign in England, in which the Proteas won just…

MAMELODI Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs have experienced contrasting fortunes in the Caf Champions League this season, but they are both aware of how invaluable three points could be in the penultimate round of group stage matches. Sundowns have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the Pan-African competition after a perfect record in Group B. They’ve beaten Al Hilal of Sudan, CR Belouizdad of Algeria and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their 12-point tally came after back-to-back wins against TP Mazembe. However, after the two-week international break, which broke the hearts of the South Africans after Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, Sundowns are hoping to avenge the country's defeat. Tomorrow afternoon, the Brazilians face Al Hilal, a team that…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za STEINHOFF International rose nearly 6 percent on the JSE yesterday morning after the troubled retailer received support from four large active claimant groups (ACGs) for the implementation of its proposal to resolve multi-jurisdictional legacy litigation against it. The group said that the four active claimants represented market purchases based in South Africa and abroad. It said the four, Burford Capital LLC, Deminor Recovery Services, SA/DRS Belgium SC and DRRT/Therium had promised to recommend that their respective constituents accept the group’s July 2020 global settlement proposal which was further revised early this year. The claims against Steinhoff stem from a December 2017 accounting scandal which led to a 95 percent collapse in its share price and shed more than R200 billion in market capitalisation, leading…

Sacha van Niekerk sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za Whether you’re in Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban, this list has you sorted for finding an array of delicious treats this coming Easter weekend. My Sugar Where: 77 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town. Visit: mysugar.co.za From chocolate bunnies to vegan chocolate and eggs in all shapes and sizes with vibrant hand-painted designs, My Sugar is the place to do all your Easter treat shopping. Its “smash eggs” are a favourite year round and consist of a hollow chocolate egg filled with delicious treats that you then use a mini wooden hammer to crack open. Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream Where: Various locations in Johannesburg and Florida Road, Durban. Visit: paulshomemade.com Known for its delicious ice creams, Paul’s also serves other amazing treats. The…

From page 1 “For the record, we wish to add that UCT supports the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture and all other efforts aimed at understanding and urgently re-mediating state capture and corruption. “As an institution, UCT has previously made a public call against state capture,” the university said in a statement. Williams’ resignation on September 14 last year was not forced and UCT had made a person available to resolve the issues he may have, said the institution. In response, Williams said: “Let me express my disappointment that UCT has sought to challenge my integrity, rather than address the ethical concerns I have raised with them, namely, their working with companies involved in state capture and their lack of support for whistle-blowers. “The claims in their statement…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za “AS long as God allows me to live, I will not eat pickled fish again until I have first served a bowl of pickled fish to others.” Retired police captain Keith Blake remembered saying these words 10 years ago, when he was inspired to launch the OtteryBoyz MCC Biker Club Pickled Fish Run. “One Good Friday our family had just eaten our pickled fish and I fell asleep. “Then I heard children from Freedom Park shouting, ‘Kaptein’, and I thought, ‘What’s going on?’ I went outside and there were about 15 children asking for pickled fish,” he said. “When we checked the bowl there was only sauce left, and I don’t give people scraps. “That day I looked at my wife and said, ‘As long as God…

Baldwin Ndaba baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule is keeping his cards close to his chest after an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) instruction three days ago. On Monday, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa told the nation that the party’s national body had taken a decision that all senior and provincial leaders facing criminal charges should step aside or face suspension. Outlining the resolution, Ramaphosa said: “All members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must step aside within 30 days, failing which they should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC constitution. “The meeting emphasised that the 30-day period will be to enable the implementation of the decision in line with the guidelines, not to review the decision.” Yesterday, Magashule made his first public appearance…

Siphokazi Vuso siphokazi.vuso@inl.co.za THE public (PP) protector’s office has directed Premier Alan Winde to submit a report to the Legislature by no later than 14 days on any action taken or to be taken after she found Transport and Public Works MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela had breached the Executive Ethics Code. This was revealed by Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka yesterday in a virtual quarterly update on a number of investigations that have been undertaken by her office. Good party secretary-general Brett Herron lodged a complaint in November 2019, alleging that Madikizela made false statements about him during the course of his speech in the debate of the Provincial Legislature on the Premier’s State of the Province Address (Sopa) on July 23, 2019. Madikizela stated that he wanted to deal with…

Athandile Siyo athandile.siyo@inl.co.za A SIMONDIUM resident near Paarl has discovered the decomposed body of a teenage girl on a farm. A neighbourhood watch member identified the teen as Nadine Philander. Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Edward Arendse said: “The body looked like it had been there for a long time and dogs had started to feast on it. At the moment it is not clear how she ended up there and the community is just traumatised. I’m very concerned with the level of crime in that community.” Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the decomposed body of an unidentified teenager was found on Monday at about 7pm. “A death inquest case has been opened for investigation after a decomposed body of a 17-year-old girl was found near a farm in Groot Drakenstein.” She…

Reviewer: Kristen Millares Young GIRLHOOD Melissa Febos Loot.co.za (R477) BLOOMSBURY I WISH I could have read Girlhood when I was young. While I am decades past the era investigated by essayist Melissa Febos, her third memoir resonated with my own fraught emergence under surveillance and scrutiny. Surviving myriad girlhood assaults and adult addictions, Febos forges a new path towards cyclical self-forgiveness modelled on the myth of Persephone, whose descent into the underworld leads back to the harvest and sowing for which her mother Demeter is known. To do so, Febos must repeatedly jettison the self-loathing that many mistake as "intrinsic to our survival”. Among such cherished and hurtful values are the “misapprehension of beauty as freedom, the idea that if a woman succeeded by the impossible terms of patriarchy she…

IT IS astounding how many proverbs there are which prove the point that use of force is hardly the best option the majority of the time. “Force is no argument”, “a forced kindness deserves no thanks”, “reason succeeds where force fails”, “you cannot force water up a hill”– these are American proverbs on the issue. It appears that the people’s wisdom has been unknown to the US leadership for decades. The reason we decided to bring up this matter is the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech entitled “A Foreign Policy for the American People”, which he delivered in Washington on March 3. Among other things, he said: “We will incentivise democratic behaviour. But we will not promote democracy through costly military interventions or by attempting to overthrow authoritarian…

THE White House yesterday unveiled an approximate $2 trillion (R29.53 trillion) jobs plan focused on infrastructure and the climate, a blueprint that represents President Joe Biden’s vision for how to reshape the US economy. Under what the administration calls the American Jobs Plan, Biden aims to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing problems, from climate change to decaying water systems to the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The administration’s promises are vast and may prove difficult to enact, even if the effort can get through Democrats’ extremely narrow majority in Congress. The plan, set to be introduced by Biden in Pittsburgh yesterday, says it will enable drivers across the country to find electric charging stations for their vehicles on the road. Every lead pipe in the country would be replaced. All…

In a turn of events that is likely to spark off the MeToo movement in the country, the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has asked the Home Ministry to take cognisance of allegations of sexual misconduct in a workplace raised by a former woman assistant vice-president of the City Bank. The City Bank, one of the leading banks in the country, is the sole franchisee of the American Express in Bangladesh and AMEX credit cards are one of its important lines of business. Monira Sultana Popy filed a complaint of sexual harassment against three top officials of the bank in Dhaka in August 2019 – after “failing to resist the continuous sexual advances and even attempts to rape”. The case named City Bank managing director Mashrur Arefin and two other…

BANGUI: Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera is expected to begin his second term in office after being sworn in this week. He has vowed to crack down on crime. Touadera was re-elected in January for another five-year term following a December 27 vote in which he secured more than 53% of the votes. He is expected to intensify the fight against armed groups controlling two-thirds of the country. He also faces a threat from an armed rebellion linked to the CAR’s former president, Francois Bozize.…

TOKYO: Japan will co-ordinate closely with the US and South Korea in dealing with North Korea, with the aim of resolving the issue of Japanese abducted by the North and denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, a top Japanese government spokesperson has said. North Korea test launched two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan last week, underscoring steady progress in its weapons programme and ramping up pressure on the new US administration as it reviews its North Korea policy. “Close co-ordination is indispensable in dealing with North Korea,” said Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.…