Table of contents for 2023-05-16 in Cape Times

THE Section 194 Committee probing the fitness of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to hold office is expected to resume its proceedings tomorrow after granting her more time to obtain legal representation. The committee could not sit yesterday after postponing its scheduled hearing. The inquiry stalled at the end of March after the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) cited financial constraints in funding Mkhwebane’s legal fees, which escalated to R30 million. An additional R4m was secured to continue with the inquiry, but it did not proceed last week in order to afford Mkhwebane an opportunity to obtain legal representation. Yesterday, committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi confirmed that although the committee had indicated last week that it would meet yesterday, he had afforded Mkhwebane a further period to issue instructions to her…

ALTHOUGH they would not have minded a trip to Dublin for the United Rugby Championship (URC) final, the Cape Town mense come first, and the Stormers are thrilled they get to play another final in front of their faithful supporters. This time around, though, the coach of the reigning champions, John Dobson, wants to play the final on May 27 in front of a packed DHL Stadium where Irish finalists Munster will look to upset the apple cart. Dobson spoke of what it means to the team to have massive support after almost 45 000 supporters flocked to Green Point to support them against their arch-enemy the Bulls two weeks ago. But he was even more chuffed that more than 47 000 were at the semi-final against Connacht, who are…

In April I was invited by the consul-general of India in Durban to be a delegate at the “Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme”, which was held in India for 10 days and in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The programme was hosted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), a wing of the Indian government, it was aimed at bringing together young leaders from 75 democratic countries, in batches, and to celebrate India’s 75 years of democracy. I was selected to attend the programme as part of the 9-strong group of the Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme and together with young leaders from countries such as Brazil, Mongolia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal, Guyana, Croatia and of course South Africa. The delegates that I was to share the programme with, were from…

Mop-up operations and assessments are under way in Nelson Mandela Bay following heavy rainfalls at the weekend which left several areas flooded, with affected residents being accommodated in community halls and churches. More than 1 200 residents had to be evacuated from their homes due to flooding. By yesterday afternoon, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) said its Human Settlements Directorate had activated interventions, including the provision of temporary structures for Edongweni families to relocate to Motherwell to unlock permanent relocation while assessments continue. NMBM Mayco member for Safety and Security Lawrence Troon said: “Parallel to the important social interventions, infrastructure and engineering teams are on the ground draining the water and reopening some affected roads. “We appeal to communities to refrain from illegally dumping foreign objects into our infrastructure…

Two countries cannot afford to forget where they come from THIRTY years ago, in the early 1990s, Türkiye was shaken by an earthquake while South Africa was moving towards democracy. The country was undergoing a turbulent period, with threats from the military, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) onslaught, and the challenges of modernising the state. Meanwhile, anti-apartheid movements in South Africa were gaining momentum. Despite negotiations between the National Party and the ANC, violence persisted due to the right-wing militants’ resistance to change. Nelson Mandela and his inner circle’s leadership enabled South Africa to negotiate its way to the peaceful elections of April 27, 1994. In contrast, Türkiye’s political landscape was dark and constrictive under a military junta, leaving no time for Africa or Islam. However, the reformative ‘’Islamic…

One month since Sudan’s conflict erupted, its capital is a desolate war zone where terrorised families huddle at home as gun battles rage, while the western Darfur region has descended into deadly chaos. Khartoum residents have endured weeks of desperate shortages of food and basic supplies, power blackouts, communications outages and runaway inflation. The capital of 5 million, long a place of relative stability, has become a shell of its former self. Charred aircraft lie on the airport tarmac, foreign embassies are shuttered and hospitals, banks, shops and wheat silos have been ransacked by looters. Violence also renewed in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, leaving hundreds killed and the health system in “total collapse”, medics said. Fighting continued yesterday morning, with loud explosions heard across Khartoum and…

At least five people were killed, 13 injured and more than 1 000 buildings damaged when Cyclone Mocha pummelled western Myanmar yesterday. But refugee camps in south-east Bangladesh for Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar escaped the worst of the storm, although many bamboo huts were damaged, residents said. It was Myanmar’s strife-torn Rakhine State that bore the brunt of the storm, which unleashed winds of 210km/h that ripped roofs off homes and brought a storm surge that inundated the provincial capital of Sittwe on Sunday. More than 850 houses, 64 schools, 14 health facilities and seven communication towers in Myanmar were destroyed or damaged by the storm, one of the most powerful to hit the country in years. The UN humanitarian office said about 6 million people in the region were…

Belgrade: A girl who was wounded in an elementary school shooting in Serbia earlier this month died yesterday, state television said, becoming the tenth victim of the unprecedented massacre. On May 3, a 13-year-old allegedly brought his father’s gun to school and murdered eight of his fellow classmates and a security guard at an elementary school in downtown Belgrade. Seven people were wounded – six students and one teacher – including the girl, who was rushed to a Belgrade hospital and operated on by a team of brain surgeons, according to local media. Serbian ministry of health said the patient had sustained “severe head injuries”. | AFP…

BEIJING: Major Chinese cities have issued heat advisories, with Beijing expected to swelter in 36°C temperatures yesterday, as China braces for record-breaking heat that could threaten electricity supply, crops and a fragile economy. China has suffered from heat waves in several regions since March, burdening the power grid as millions switch on air conditioners. The heat waves and resultant crop damage could drive up food prices, exacerbate inflation and put pressure on water reserves. Last year, a two-month stretch of record-breaking temperatures caused major rivers and waterways to dry up, severely impacting the Yangtze River. | Reuters…

When the sun sets on Saturday, either Orlando Pirates or SuperSport United will end up as runners-up in the Premiership. This will by no means be a sweeter finish than finishing top, which has already been claimed by Mamelodi Sundowns for a record sixth season in a row. But be that as it may, both teams can be proud of the shift that they’ve put in this season as they have punched above their weight to consolidate a top-three finish. Pirates lost in the Caf Confederation Cup final last season after finishing third the previous campaign. The Confederation Cup is not a competition that Pirates will feel that they belong in – having become the first South Africa team to win the Caf Champions League in 1995. Enter Jose Riveiro.…

EFF leader Julius Malema yesterday said the solution to the energy crisis was not a minister of electricity. Addressing the media after the party’s central command team meeting, Malema said his party would not push for powers to be given to Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. “Why must we ask for more powers for him? These (energy crisis) solutions require no new ministry. “We don’t want a minister of electricity. Take electricity from (Department of) Public Enterprises) and put it in Energy. That is where it is supposed to be,” he said. Malema said the EFF did not support Ramokgopa and he should go. “He is paid a lot of money we don’t have. The government needs every little cent we spend on Sputla, which is not going to…

Athandile Siyo IN WHAT experts say continues to confirm fears of collusion between prisoners and officials, two Cape Town prison warders are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates Court today for alleged corrupt activities. The warders, a warrant officer and a sergeant between the ages of 53 and 45, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption investigation team based in Bellville yesterday, after their morning parade. Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said the officers engaged in “hook-ups” with inmates in return for privileges. “Their arrest emanates from information received about suspected warders receiving money from inmates in January, this year.” The crimes were allegedly committed between March, 2020 and 2021. “This then led to the matter being reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team for further probing,” Hani…

Two rape and murder convicts, who perpetrated heinous crimes against their minor cousin during a weekend sleepover and buried her in a shallow grave, will serve more time behind bars after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) set aside their “lenient” sentences. This after the director of public prosecutions appealed against the sentences handed down by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, saying they were “too lenient and induced a sense of shock”. The two convicts, both cousins of the deceased minor, were arraigned on charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and rape. Both pleaded not guilty during the trial. The female cousin, aged 21 at the time of committing the crimes, denied all of the charges against her while the second accused, aged 17 at the time,…

DA leader John Steenhuisen has been accused of double standards and turning his back on calls for transparency over allegations of corruption in the DA-led City. This as the municipality has refused requests to release a report into the alleged million rand tender fraud scandal. The matter is currently in court, and last month the eight accused, including two City employees, failed to get their case struck from the roll in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Anti-crime activist Hanif Loonat assisted by Cape Coloured Congress (CCC) leader Fadiel Adams lifted the lid on the matter which led to the arrests. In a letter addressed to Steenhuisen, Loonat said: “Since you are an avid fighter for freedom of information and claim to be the stalwart on justice to rid South Africa…

Africa is a continent of immeasurable wealth – her people and all the teeming life in the Earth, air, and sea. Minerals are not the index of Africa’s wealth as we are constantly and daily brainwashed and indoctrinated into accepting as a cardinal truth by Europhiliac and Eurocentric African regimes and ruling classes. This is not to demonise western Europe, but to underscore how adopting colonial and capitalist values has always worsened things for the earth, land, water, ecology, women, children, our youth, miners, workers, and indeed all life. It is out of greed for more and for conquest of other peoples’ lands that colonialism spread to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, accompanied by slavery and mass genocide followed by predatory capitalism. Only a tiny number of wealthy…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on a visit to Britain yesterday won the promise of “hundreds” more missiles and drones – and said his coveted goal of enlisting Western fighter jets was drawing nearer. The visit came as a Russian missile strike killed four people and hit a hospital in eastern Ukraine, but also as Zelenskiy’s army readies a long-awaited counter-offensive against the Russian invaders with claimed gains around the flashpoint town of Bakhmut. After meeting UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Zelenskiy said he was “very positive” about creating a “jets coalition” in the war against Russia, with a decision expected “in the closest time”. Western nations have balked so far at providing advanced jets to help Ukraine take command of the skies against Russia, although Sunak said the UK was…

Malawi has started a mass vaccination drive to inoculate more than 9 million children against several life-threatening diseases, as it seeks to prevent a health crisis after deadly Cyclone Freddy. The cyclone killed more than 1 000 people in the southern African country, Malawi’s president said. It was one of the deadliest storms to hit Africa, ripping through Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar in late February and March. The one-week, nationwide vaccination drive will target children up to the age of 15 and deliver vaccines against typhoid fever, measles, rubella and polio, said partners including the World Health Organization, Unicef, and global vaccine alliance GAVI. Children will also be offered a vitamin A supplement, the agencies said. They said the typhoid vaccine would become routinely available for babies. Natural disasters and…

BANGKOK: Thailand’s two main opposition parties agreed yesterday to form a ruling coalition after they trounced in a weekend election military-backed rivals that have controlled government for nearly a decade. The Move Forward party and opposition heavyweight Pheu Thai dominated Sunday’s ballot in a rout of army-backed parties, but could face challenges in mustering enough support to vote in a prime minister, with parliamentary rules drafted by the military after a 2014 coup skewed in favour of its allies. Their alliance would need to ensure its efforts to form a new government would not be stymied by a junta-appointed Senate. | Reuters…

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron met billionaire businessman Elon Musk yesterday to discuss future investment projects, as the French leader hosts a conference aimed at persuading business leaders to put their money in France. Macron hosted the world’s second-richest man, who is the chief executive of electric car firm Tesla, social media company Twitter and cosmic exploration outfit SpaceX, six months after their last encounter in the US, his office said. They met at the Elysee Palace before heading to Versailles for the president’s Choose France conference where Macron seeks to drum up investment in the country. “We talked about the attractiveness of France and the significant progress in the electric vehicle and energy sectors,” Macron said. “We have so much to do together.” Macron confirmed the pair “also…

ALTRON Group’s strong annuity and defensive earnings-base saw it raise its dividend 17% to 35 cents for the year to February 28, in spite of increasingly tough trading conditions. Results for continuing operations were impacted by non-cash provisions relating to the City of Tshwane exposure and for excess inventory from the Gauteng Broadband Network contract that was not renewed. Continuing revenue increased 19% to R9.5 billion, while earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation rose 2% to R1.2bn. Continuing adjusted headline earnings per share was up 19% to 89c. A final dividend of 19c was declared, “The company has a strong balance sheet and remains highly cash generative with low gearing ratios, providing flexibility to pursue its growth strategy,” CEO Werner Kapp said. He said in a statement…

from page 1 of America is leading a global campaign to isolate and tarnish Russia’s image.” He accused the US of being among the countries using the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague as an instrument to pursue a narrow political agenda. “We as the EFF will be introducing a private members bill in Parliament to effect withdrawal of South Africa from the ICC, which has thus far proved a biassed instrument of global imperialism.” Malema said the ICC did not take to task former US presidents George Bush and Barack Obama for their involvement in the Iraq war and the Libyan conflict. “South Africa must withdraw from the ICC and the EFF will lead that effort,” he said, adding that all other African countries should follow suit.…

THE Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) student representative council (SRC) and university management were locked in a meeting until late yesterday over accommodation and student financial issues among others. CPUT was rocked with week-long violent protests relating to a number of student grievances including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s proposed new rule to defund students enrolled in courses under 60 credits. “As much as student issues are legitimate, it’s unfortunate that three buildings were scorched, including student accommodation. Attempts to burn a library (were) foiled when the fire was contained in the toilet,” said Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela. Manamela also refuted that some buses that were contracted to ferry students were involved in accidents in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. CPUT had taken the decision…

Bilateral goodwill meeting was ‘a long-standing arrangement’ THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has defended Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha’s trip to Russia, saying the bilateral meeting was planned well in advance. “It must be emphasised that the bilateral visit is a long-standing arrangement. The Chief of the SA Army received an invitation from his Russian counterpart for a Goodwill visit, the visit includes a call to the higher combined Army Academy and the Artillery Military Academy. “During this visit, the Chief of the SA Army will also have staff talks with military officials. It must be noted that South Africa has Military to Military bilateral relations with various countries in the continent and beyond. The SANDF receives numerous military delegations into the country…

CONDOLENCES are pouring in for ambassador Billy Masetlha, who died after a long illness on Sunday. Masetlha, 68, was South Africa’s ambassador to the Republic of Algeria at the time of his death. He served the government in various capacities, including as director- general of the National Intelligence Agency. Masetlha, who also served as director-general in the Home Affairs Department, was fired by former president Thabo Mbeki after a fallout in 2006. He was deeply involved in the anti-apartheid movement, including as a member of Umkhonto We Sizwe. Masetlha, who was exiled in Botswana and Zambia, was a founding member of the Congress of South African Students and also played a role in the formation of the Azanian Students’ Organisation. International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa…

A LOCAL man who started an initiative to assist unemployed youth in his community obtain their driving licences, is set to leave for the Eastern Cape to help aspiring drivers in East London. Bongolwethu Nganya from Mfuleni saw the need to empower youth and started the initiative which seeks to assist them with obtaining their learner’s licencess, for free. Nganya, 28, said that as a young unemployed person himself, he had noted that a lot of young people who were also unemployed often turn to crime. He started the initiative in his own community before branching out to Khayelitsha to conduct free learner’s licence classes. Nganya said that it is an honour to have been called to assist in another province. “The community people who called me in East London…

SOUTH African universities are struggling to compete against rivals worldwide due to research performance which could be attributed to funding, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) found. According to the CWUR, the national picture was a cause for concern amid intensified global competition from well-funded institutions. CWUR published its 2023 Global 2000 list yesterday, one of the largest academic rankings of global universities. Out of the 20 531 institutions assessed, only the top 2 000 received a ranking over factors including quality of education , employability, quality of faculty and research performance. Despite UCT’s internal squabbles, it remained the best university in Africa and has been ranked at 267th position, up three places from last year. It improved in employability and research performance, but declined in the quality…

THE time has come for municipalities around the country to justify the steep tariff increases they impose on struggling ratepayers. All over the country, ratepayers are up in arms due to hefty tariff increases that have been proposed by various municipalities. These have been described by ratepayers’ associations as “unaffordable and unreasonable”, especially since most of the councils are battling with service delivery. In eThekwini Metro, for instance, ratepayers’ associations have joined forces to oppose these proposed tariff hikes. They have vowed to take the metro to court if the tariff increases are implemented, as they believe that they are placing an “unjustified burden on residents” of the city. Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg is another council that has seen ratepayers pitted against it over unaffordable tariff hikes. EThekwini Metro, which…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday emerged from his toughest election test unbowed and in a strong position to extend two decades of his Islamic-rooted rule by another five years in a historic May 28 runoff. The 69-year-old leader defied pollsters and his country’s most dire economic crisis since the 1990s to come within a fraction of a percentage point of winning Sunday’s presidential ballot. His right-wing party also retained control of parliament through an alliance with ultra-nationalists on a drama-filled night that concluded with Erdogan delivering a victory speech from a balcony to jubilant supporters. He even won in regions hit by a calamitous February quake that claimed more than 50 000 lives – and where anger at the government’s slow response to Türkiye’s worst disaster of modern…

WASHINGTON: The US has imposed entry restrictions on more Nigerians for undermining the democratic process during the African nation’s 2023 election cycle, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday. “These individuals have been involved in intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, and the manipulation of vote results,” he said. Nigeria’s election tribunal is this month set to hear opposition petitions challenging president-elect Bola Tinubu’s victory. He defeated Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who both want the tribunal to invalidate Tinubu’s victory, arguing the February vote was fraught with fraud. Tinubu, set to be sworn in on May 29, says he won fairly. | Reuters…

MOSCOW: Supporters of Pakistan’s ruling coalition staged a sit-in in front of the supreme court in Islamabad yesterday to protest against the release of former prime minister Imran Khan from custody. Khan, the leader of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was taken into custody on May 9 over a corruption case involving the Al-Qadir Trust, which he runs with his wife. Two days later, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared Khan’s arrest illegal and ordered his immediate release. The protesters reached the capital’s Red Zone, where government buildings are located. Police arrested one person who stole cellphones from protesters. | Sputnik…

LONDON: King Charles is said to dislike the idea of living at Buckingham Palace. The 74-year-old monarch, crowned on May 6, has access to more than 30 privately owned residences, but reportedly favours smaller options than the iconic London residence. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said: “Buckingham Palace is so huge and impersonal … It’s not his style.” Reports say he could can choose between Windsor Castle, Highgrove and Sandringham in England and is said to love Highgrove. | Bang Showbiz…

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has entered the final month of the season in the “best possible way”, manager Simone Inzaghi said yesterday ahead of the return leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against rivals AC Milan. Lukaku, on loan at Inter from Chelsea, has struggled with injuries and form this season, but has scored three goals in his last three games. Asked if the Belgian had returned to the level he displayed during his first spell at Inter - during which he scored 64 goals in two seasons and won the Serie A title - Inzaghi told reporters: “You know him, you know what he can do. “That’s what we expected during the year, unfortunately something unforeseen happened to both him and (Marcelo) Brozovic that took away two…