Table of contents for 2023-10-24 in Cape Times

TWO judges expressed their concern over the perception that some magistrates are keen to knock off early on a Friday to start the weekend and that they, thus, adjourn their courts early. This was after a magistrate was apparently hasty to go home at 3pm on a Friday. They also did not spare a senior prosecutor, who used “rude and unprofessional language” in a letter complaining about a magistrate. This came to the fore during a review application by the State in a case where four murder accused were given bail in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court in the Free State. The high court of that division was asked to look into the conduct of the magistrate. A senior prosecutor claimed that the magistrate who heard the bail application “does not…

THE national executive committee of the Black Lawyers Association received the news of the passing of Prof (Shadrack) Gutto with both shock and sadness. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Gutto family, friends and colleagues and many Africans here and in the diaspora, whose lives were touched by his revolutionary and justice-loving hands. Prof Gutto had a special relationship with the Black Lawyers Association through his trusteeship of the Black Lawyers Association, which he chaired at some point. We thus hold him in high regard as an outstanding African who made common cause with the oppressed and the downtrodden everywhere he pitched his revolutionary tent. From his life, we continue to learn that there is such a thing as a revolutionary intellectual. From his deeds we learn…

THE family of 9-year-old Mbongi Esau are struggling to come to terms with his death after his body was found in a river near his Macassar home. The extensive search came to an end late on Sunday after a member of the community found the child’s body. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said Macassar police have since opened an inquest docket for further investigation “The body of the 9-year-old child was discovered downstream late afternoon by a member of the community who formed part of the search party (that) resumed the search for the missing boy earlier in morning. “Police management applauded the efforts by a joint search party comprising various rescue teams and the community,” said Pojie. Mbongi, from Smartie Town, went missing at about 4.30pm on Thursday after he…

GIVEN ongoing challenges with partial load losses and showing little improvement since May, Eskom is looking to outside expertise for help. In an update on the Energy Action Plan, Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa yesterday said plans that had been put in motion were beginning to bear fruit. “We are beginning to illustrate how it is possible to come out of load shedding. For us to get to a period where we have 365 days of no load shedding, it starts with one day of no load shedding. We are getting closer to where we want to be. “We are not yet there, (but) we have turned a corner, the available generation is going up, consistent performance. We are beginning to bridge on a consistent basis 30 000 MW. The idea…

OPPOSITION parties that did not participate in last Thursday’s special sitting of the National Assembly in the Cape Town City Hall, for a debate and vote on the nomination of the new public protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, are threatening to reduce our representative democracy to a prank on the public. Disapprovingly, the DA, EFF, UDM, ATM, Cope and PAC members did not participate in the vote. In the coming weeks, South Africa will endure senseless chatter on the process and effects of sanctioning parliamentarians who spewed unpalatable insults at Gcaleka, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and other members of Parliament. Also, other senseless chatter will be about admonishing those absent from the opposition parties for failing to represent the people, as required by the Constitution. Regrettably,…

A Pakistani court indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and his deputy in an official secrets acts case yesterday, his party said, in another blow for the jailed former cricket star ahead of a general election expected in January. The charge is related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington early last year, which Khan is accused of making public. Khan denies that and said its contents appeared in the media from other sources. A special court indicted Khan and his party’s deputy leader, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Quershi, his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) told media, adding that the case would begin on Friday. It said it would challenge the indictment. Khan said the cable was proof of a US conspiracy to push…

Switzerland moved rightwards in an election on Sunday, giving the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) more seats in Parliament as concerns about rising immigration outweighed those about the environment, final results showed yesterday. While the swing was unlikely to alter the make-up of the country’s governing Federal Council consisting of seven members from four different parties, including two from the SVP, analysts said it pointed to a shift in the political climate. The result suggests a move away from progressive themes like the environment and transport, and a return to conservatism after a period marked by crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The SVP cemented its place as the biggest group in Parliament’s lower house, increasing its share of the vote to 28.6%. The outcome…

Buenos Aires: Preliminary results from Sunday’s presidential elections in Argentina have revealed that the two main candidates are heading for a run-off vote in November as neither could secure the threshold to be elected. With most of the ballots cast on Sunday now counted, neither left-wing candidate Sergio Massa nor the far-right Javier Milei could garner more than 45% of the votes. Frontrunner Milei was leading in the polls, but Massa, the incumbent Economy Minister, has received 36.2% of ballots so far. Milei has received 30.2% of the votes. Former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who had pledged to restore “order” to the country, garnered 23.8% of the votes. | IANS…

BRUSSELS: EU countries adopted a framework yesterday to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger in July. The new framework will allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian law, the EU Council said. The EU aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the west African regional body Ecowas. With the restrictive measures, the EU could freeze assets of targeted entities and individuals and hand them travel bans. | Reuters…

India’s Mohammed Shami was described as being “like a Ferrari” yesterday following his performance in the World Cup victory over New Zealand as a career which has witnessed a series of professional and private highs and lows took another twist. Shami claimed 5/54 as India made it five wins in five with a four-wicket victory over the Kiwis in Dharamsala to move closer to the semi-finals. The 33-year-old sat out the first four games of the tournament but seized his opportunity when all-rounder Hardik Pandya missed Sunday’s match through injury. Shami remains India’s most experienced quick in a fast bowling pack which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. “Mohammed Shami is like Ferrari. Whenever you take it out of the garage it will give u the same speed thrill and…

THE Home Affairs Department is considering opening some of its offices that have high volumes of uncollected IDs from September until December. This as the number of uncollected IDs stands at more than 500 000 across the country. Responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Thapelo Mogale, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said: “(The) total number of uncollected ID documents is 566 429. Out of 566 429 cases, there are 63 452 deceased cases, leaving a balance of 502 977 uncollected IDs.” Motsoaledi’s response showed that Gauteng led the pack with 111 841 uncollected IDs, followed by KwaZulu-natal with 68 337, Western Cape with 63 500 and Eastern Cape 61 839. There are 42 806 uncollected IDs in Limpopo, 34 986 in the Free State, 33 861 in North West,…

In one case, beneficiaries last received a payment in mid-2000s before a second until 2022 HUNDREDS of millions of rands in government funding meant to empower poor farm workers ended up benefiting farmowners. This was revealed when Corruption Watch (CW) hosted a listening session of its new podcast series titled Land and Corruption: Story of the Marginalised yesterday, and simultaneously released a research report addressing the intersection between land, corruption, and discrimination. CW’s work focused on the plight of people who live and/or work in farming communities, specifically in the Western Cape. The research builds on a 2019 CW report, Unearthing Corruption in the Land Sector, which illustrated the scale of the problem. Based on 706 submissions received in a six-year period between 2012 and 2018, that report found evidence…

YOUR October 19 edition, “employee axed for overdoing overtime claims” refers: It must be remembered by all employees that claiming extra overtime when it actually was not done or was not needed is, in fact, theft. Not only is it dishonest, but it breaks the trust relationship between the employer and employee. The general rule is that the trust relationship is the cornerstone of employment and if in any way breached would normally lead to dismissal. The case dealing with clocking for extra overtime was decided absolutely correctly and the lesson to be learnt is that trust is probably the most valuable asset an employee can gain from the employer.…

The return of the disputed 45 000 hectare tract of land located in the Kgalagadi National Park in the Northern Cape to the Khomani SAN community provides invaluable lessons on striking a delicate balance between promoting nature conservation and correcting past injustices arising from forced land removals. The Khomani San community is located in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and surrounds, and owns 45 000ha of land within the park and six farms south of it, totalling about 370 000ha. The park is a World Heritage Site. In a post-settlement agreement with SANParks, the conservation custodian of the land, facilitated by the Vumelana Advisory Fund, a non-profit organisation, the indigenous Bushman inhabitants have unrestricted access to the national park to practise their customs while contributing to the conservation…

Triple murder and six-time rape accused Johan Williams allegedly attempted to get rid of his victims’ personal belongings after they were seen in his presence, but never again. Yesterday the court heard, through witness evidence, how Williams allegedly threw the necklace of Chantelle Matthyssen – one of three murder victims – onto a roof of one of the homes where he had lived. Matthyssen’s mother, Carol Petersen, wrapped up her evidence to the court when she was re-examined by the State, following cross-examination. Petersen was asked about a submission made to the court that her daughter and Williams allegedly had sexual relations, but Petersen denied this. “She always called him uncle with great respect,” said Petersen, who added that Matthyssen and Williams never chatted via cellphone as he never had…

CALLS have been made for the provincial education department, communities, law enforcement authorities and Eskom to join forces to ensure that every matric learner has the best opportunity to succeed. A total of 921 000 candidates are expected to sit for their 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams across the country. More than 76 900 are from the Western Cape, this includes 64 105 full-time candidates and 12 798 are part-time. Pupils will sit for their practical exams Computer Applications Technology, today and Information Technology, tomorrow. Education MEC David Maynier said the written exams begin on Monday, and a total of 123 exam papers will be written during this period which ends on December 5 with Agricultural Technology. “The exams will be written at 469 exam centres, overseen by 1…

The absence of eThekwini Municipality’s beaches from the latest Blue Flag programme represents a significant setback for Durban, affecting its potential for economic growth through tourism. The Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised initiative led by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), promoting environmental stewardship and advocacy. Back in 2001, Wessa took a pioneering role in South Africa by introducing and successfully implementing the Foundation for Environmental Education’s Blue Flag programme. This initiative’s primary objective is to acknowledge beaches that meet specific criteria, encompassing universal access, efficient waste management systems, the presence of interpretive signage, and control of domestic animals. For a considerable period, eThekwini Municipality’s beaches were proudly included in the esteemed ranks of internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, delighting both local and global visitors.…

Three nurses care for a 10-year-old girl at a clinic treating dozens of patients in Kano, northern Nigeria, amid the country’s worst diphtheria outbreak which has killed hundreds of people since the start of the year. The girl lies in a glass cubicle. “We have to admit her to the intensive care unit,” Usman Hassan, a medic in charge of the clinic at Kano’s largest hospital said. Nigeria is battling to contain the outbreak, which has killed around 800 people and infected 14 000. It has spread to almost half of the country’s 36 states, with Kano accounting for the bulk of cases and deaths. The clinic at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital is one of two health facilities run by the French medical charity MSF in Kano, the epicentre of…

NEW YORK: Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers have complained that prosecutors at his fraud trial are portraying the FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder as a “cartoon of a villain”, but have done little to counter unflattering depictions of him to the jury by his former colleagues. Defence lawyers have avoided challenging their accounts of Bankman-Fried angrily snapping at colleagues who questioned company decisions. They also did not challenge testimony by one of the witnesses that his quirky persona was mostly an act. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have said Bankman-Fried looted billions of dollars in FTX customer funds to prop up his crypto-focused trading firm, Alameda Research. He could spend decades in prison if convicted. | Reuters…

Dhaka: At least 15 people have been killed and 100 others injured in Bangladesh after two trains collided yesterday, with officials saying they fear the death toll will rise. The crash in the eastern city of Bhairab saw a freight train smash into a passenger train travelling in the opposite direction, derailing two passenger carriages, officials said. Bhairab lies 60km northeast of the capital Dhaka. Rescuers reported that they could still see bodies crushed and trapped under overturned coaches. At least 100 people were injured. The accident occurred when one train entered the same line as the other. Train accidents are common in Bangladesh. | AFP…

Temba Bavuma was so ill during the Proteas demolition of England this past weekend, that the South African skipper left Wankhede Stadium and retuned to the team’s hotel to rest, recuperate and watch his teammates emphatic victory. Bavuma’s availability for today’s crucial World Cup clash against Bangladesh remains in doubt but yesterday the team revealed that his condition is “improving”. The 33-year-old was ruled out of Saturday’s crushing 229-run triumph over England due to illness shortly before the toss, with Reeza Hendricks being rushed into action. Hendricks was a dutiful substitute with the classy right-hander setting up the Proteas’ victory over the reigning champions with a polished 85 upfront and would slot comfortably back in alongside Quinton de Kock at the top of the order again. It remains to be…

Jose Riveiro is thrilled that his Orlando Pirates players are always ready to raise their hands whenever they are called upon, saying that will only make them better as a team. Pirates continued with their domestic Cup competition dominance last Friday, beating Cape Town Spurs 2-0 to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout where they will face Richards Bay. It was an emphatic win for the Bucs that didn’t only add more misery to Spurs’ start to the season, but one that also kept their chances of winning a fourth successive Cup competition alive. Riveiro achieved the feat in some style with what could be largely be considered a “B team”, including handing first starts of the season to the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch and Evidence Makgopa. The…

The Proteas may be riding the crest of the wave after their comprehensive victory over England on Saturday but they face a tricky assignment against Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today. The Tigers have certainly stuck their claws into the South Africans in previous World Cup encounters, which have gone on to have disastrous effects for the Proteas. We take a look back at previous World Cup encounters between these two teams. ICC World Cup, Bloemfontein, February 22, 2003 Bangladesh 108 (Ntini 4/24) South Africa 109/0 (Kirsten 52*, Gibbs 49*) South Africa won by 10 wickets A home World Cup for the Proteas and a comprehensive victory in the City of Roses. Makhaya Ntini set it up with the ball before openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs clinically…

Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup yesterday. Chasing a 283-run target, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286/2 in 49 overs. Pakistan had made 282/7 in their 50 overs with 74 from skipper Babar Azam and 58 from opener Abdullah Shafique but the total did not prove tough enough for a clinical Afghanistan. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, with a 45-ball 48 not out, hit the winning boundary as Afghanistan improved upon their highest ODI chase of 274 against the UAE in Dubai in 2014. The win is Afghanistan's first-ever over Pakistan in eight ODIs and came eight days after their shock victory over…

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said the Tigers "still harbour the dream" of a World Cup semi-final as they prepare to face in-form South Africa. Bangladesh have lost three of their four World Cup games, including a seven-wicket defeat by India last time out, with the top four at the end of the 10-team group stage going through to the knockout stages. By contrast, South Africa go into today's match following a 229-run thrashing of England that got their campaign back on track after a shock loss to the Netherlands. Bangladesh, however, defeated the Proteas 2-1 in a ODI series in South Africa last year. But Shakib, aiming to be fit to face South Africa after missing the India match with a thigh injury, said yesterday: "We have to take…

THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Eastern Cape has given the national and provincial education departments six months to “rectify” their uniform policies and guidelines to accommodate gender non-conforming. This follows an enquiry and report on the regulation of learners’ appearances and school uniforms. In findings released recently, the SAHRC concluded that uniform policies that reinforced traditional gender norms led to discrimination and challenges for gender non-conforming and transgender students. “The enforcement of gendered school uniforms constitutes unfair discrimination, as it impairs human dignity, perpetuates stereotypes, and restricts learners’ rights to express their gender identity freely. “All learners must be allowed to wear any item of clothing that forms part of the approved school uniform regardless of their sex or gender/gender identity. “Gender-neutral uniform options must be…

We never thought we would get here, but the fact of the matter is that poor people can no longer afford to live in the country. Our options are zero, so I would advise that we make peace and accept that given the disproportionate nature of the development that we have witnessed in the country, poor people never really have been intended to participate in it. I don’t think that rich people should feel at risk because the poor are simply too malnourished, weak and sick to succeed in proper protest against any such reality. Those among the poor who might survive this calamity must prepare themselves that things ordinarily taken for granted will become as scarce as hen’s teeth. Sports and Recreation will probably lead to this, because now…

I READ in the Cape Times that Mr Supra Mahumapelo called on all black people to unite and dethrone the DA in the next elections in the Western Cape. He says the ANC has delivered its promises, even though to some extent it still needs to improve. Is he joking? This is a man, who under his premiership of the North West in 2018, President (Cyril) Ramaphosa placed the province’s financial and health departments under national administration. Then in May the entire provincial government was placed under administration. He was also accused of corruption in the Zondo commission. Mr Mahumapelo, the people in the Western Cape know when they are being well-led with good audits, good people in charge (no cadre deployment) service delivery, a good mayor etc. So your…

A MAN who murdered and dismembered his mother was handed a life sentence in the Free State High Court. Teboho Abram Mokoena, 31, killed his mother, 65-year-old Modiehi Anna Khodumo, in June last year. In addition to life imprisonment, Mokoena – a drug addict, according to court evidence – received a further five-year sentence for stabbing his father several times. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Judge Joseph Mhlambi slapped Mokoena with an additional 12 months’ imprisonment for malicious damage to property. Shuping said on June 7 last year, Mokoena’s father was looking for Khodumo at home. He found his son in the “garage packing the remains of (his) mother in a plastic bag”. When the father asked Mokoena what he was doing, Mokoena stabbed him several times. “The…

THE Plettenberg Bay Regional Court has sentenced a 40-year-old man to 15 years direct imprisonment for the attempted rape of his 10-year-old nephew, who is also his godson. The State alleged that the man from Kranshoek, who can’t be named to protect the identity of the victim, was with the boy at his sister’s house on September 28, 2022 when he tried to commit an act of sexual penetration. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the man confessed in his plea and sentencing agreement that he smoked tik on the day. While in the mother’s bedroom, he lowered the victim’s pants and his pants and attempted to penetrate the victim but was unable to as the boy started crying. The victim’s mother arrived and caught the accused in the act.…

“I AM being tortured. My back is full of weals.” Looksmart Ngudle died two days after dropping his comrade Govan Mbeki a note with those words written on it. It is unfortunate that the generations before 1994 were deprived of a rich history. Let aside the painful side of it. What was done to Ngudle was the beginning of what was to be suffered by the people who gave it their to the freedom and liberation of South Africa. It exposed the evilness and atrocities of the apartheid regime. Those still alive did not admit their involvement at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The first thing that needs to be applauded about this combatant is the fact he did not focus on his English name. Should he have done so,…

Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said yesterday that more than 5 000 people have been killed in the besieged Palestinian enclave since Israel launched its withering bombing campaign more than two weeks ago. Alarm has surged about the spiralling humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid the war sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack that, Israeli officials say, killed more than 1 400 people who were gunned down, stabbed or burnt by the Islamist militants. Hamas also took more than 200 hostages. On a day when Israel’s army reported more than 300 new strikes within 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry said the death toll had surged above 5 000, more than 2 000 of them children, in figures AFP has not been able to independently verify. Thousands of buildings have been…

Two Texas jurisdictions will consider measures this week to outlaw the act of transporting another person along their roads for an abortion, part of a strategy by conservative activists to further restrict abortion since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. Commissioners in Lubbock County are slated to vote on the proposal. A few hours north, the Amarillo City Council will weigh its own such law, which could lead to a future council or city-wide vote. Lubbock and Amarillo are the biggest jurisdictions of the 10 places in Texas that have considered restrictions on abortion-related transportation since the June 2022 end of Roe, which had granted a nationwide right to abortion. Five cities and counties in the state have passed bans. Lubbock and Amarillo are traversed by major highways…

NICOSIA: Police in Cyprus arrested 10 individuals yesterday suspected of running a crime gang trafficking migrants, as the island saw a fresh spike in arrivals at the weekend. Cyprus, which lies at the crossroads of three continents, has seen irregular migration rise since 2017. Cypriot officials have expressed concern that the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East could lead to a surge in people fleeing the area. About 264 Syrians arrived at the weekend after setting off from the Lebanese coast, the interior ministry said. Police said the trafficking suspects were arrested in the western Paphos district and one suspect was found with a large amount of cash. | Reuters…

Kano: Nigerian security personnel have arrested 76 young people, accusing them of organising a gay wedding in Gombe state, a security spokesperson said yesterday. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Nigeria under a 2014 law. Gombe is one of the majority-Muslim northern states where Islamic Sharia law runs parallel to the state justice system. An official paramilitary outfit on Saturday raided a resort in Gombe and rounded up suspects – 59 men and 17 women – over the “gay party”. The would-be groom was arrested; the bride-to-be fled with other guests. Homosexuality is punishable by death under Sharia in northern Nigeria, but that sentence has never been enforced. | AFP…

In his heyday, supremely gifted footballer Kaizer Motaung earned the moniker Chincha Guluva because of his ability to leave his markers in his slipstream, as they couldn’t live with his swift changes of direction when he set off on an attacking foray. The time is now long overdue for the Kaizer Chiefs supremo Motaung to apply that moniker to the day-to-day running of his club, otherwise the wave of hooliganism that reared its head for the umpteenth time this past weekend will continue in the future. The hooliganism has been orchestrated by frustrated Amakhosi fans who are now nine seasons without a trophy. The Chiefs coaches bear the brunt of the frustration. On Saturday, former coach Molefi Ntseki was for the third time escorted off the field by private security…

The Cricket South Africa 1-Day Cup will come full circle when Western Province host North West Dragons in the showpiece final at Newlands on Saturday. Province, who beat the Dragons in the opening game of the season at the JB Marks Oval, completed the league phase of the competition unbeaten to top the log with 30 points after defeating neighbours Boland Rocks in their last game by five wickets at Newlands on Sunday. The home team chased down the Rocks’ 255 all out in under 33 overs with David Bedingham smashing an unbeaten 108 off just 80 balls. Captain Kyle Verreynne (36) and Jonathan Bird (31) also made worthwhile contributions. The Rocks were pinned back in their innings through some canny medium-pace bowling from youngster Abdullah Bayoumy, who returned career-best…

Lando Norris took yet another second place at the US Grand Prix on Sunday, but feared his resurgent McLaren team may now have missed their best chance of a win this season. The 23-year-old Briton has finished runner-up five times this year and six times in a Formula One career that remains without a victory. Sunday’s latest second came when stewards disqualified Mercedes' seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton from that position long after the podium celebrations at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. If that was an unexpected bonus, with McLaren also overtaking Aston Martin for fourth place overall, Norris was still beating himself up for the one that got away two weeks earlier in Qatar, where he finished third after starting 10th. Australian rookie teammate Oscar Piastri won the sprint…