Table of contents for 2024-02-08 in Cape Times

Opposition warns against Sona being an ‘election speech’ similar to ANC Jan 8 statement AS THE term of the sixth administration draws to an end, pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver a State of the Nation Address (Sona) this evening that does not sing praises of the government’s achievements in the last three decades, but tackles the myriad challenges facing the country. This came out loud and clear yesterday when some opposition parties, civil society groups and unions shared their expectations of the Sona. Opposition parties believe it will be an “election speech” similar to his January 8 statement at the ANC anniversary celebrations. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, hinted that the 2024 Sona would provide a reflection of the past 30 years coupled with an account of…

THE families of South African engineers Frederik Potgieter, 54, from George, and Peter Huxham, 55, from Langebaan, continued to call for their release from an Equatorial Guinea prison, as tomorrow marks one year since the two were detained. Potgieter and Huxham were working for a Dutch company on an oil rig off the coast of Equatorial Guinea when they were arrested on charges of alleged drug trafficking at their hotel in Malabo on February 9 last year. They were arrested the night before they were due to fly back to South Africa following a five-week work rotation, their families explained. The families said they are being held in a prison reserved for political prisoners in Mongomo, having received a 12-year sentence, “damages” of $5 million (about R94m) each and additional…

Landowners at the Riverview Church of Christ in Lakeside have distanced themselves from a looming court battle instituted by the City to be heard at the Western Cape High Court next week. After entering into a leasing agreement with a storage company which moved about 100 storage containers onto the church premises – for which it has no zoning approvals – the landowners say they are “not directly involved in litigation” by the City. Deputy mayor and Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews said the matter is now before court for determination and is set to be heard on February 12. “The City has instituted legal proceedings in the Western Cape High Court for relief to enforce compliance with the City’s Municipal Planning By-law (MPBL) and Development…

The fundamental problem is corruption and inefficiency in the permits and visa section Legal grievances against the South African Department of Home Affairs, including contempt of court cases, are depressingly common. Too frequently the minister has to apologise to a court, or to ask for more time on behalf of the department. Most of the court cases involve the operations of the department regarding visas and permits for foreign visitors, immigrants and prospective refugees. Just a few months ago, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in legal papers: “I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere apology to the Chief Justice, all judges of the high court and Constitutional Court, the President of South Africa, Minister of Finance, Lawyers for Human Rights and its legal representatives and…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a visit to Israel yesterday voiced hope for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal but cautioned that more negotiations were needed. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but we are very much focused on doing that work and hopefully being able to resume the release of hostages that was interrupted” after a week-long truce in November, he said. As Blinken met Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, an Egyptian official told AFP that “a new round of negotiations” would start today in Cairo aimed at achieving “calm in the Gaza Strip”, now in its fifth month of war. A Hamas source with knowledge of the matter said the Palestinian militant group had agreed to the talks, with the goal of “a ceasefire,…

At least 24 people were killed yesterday by two separate bomb blasts outside the offices of election candidates in south-western Pakistan, on the eve of a national vote marred by violence and allegations of poll rigging. More than half a million security officers were being deployed before today’s election to deliver ballot papers. There have been multiple security incidents in the run-up to the vote, with at least two candidates shot dead and dozens more targeted in attacks across the country. The first blast killed 12 people near the office of an independent candidate in Pishin district, about 50km from the city of Quetta and 100km from the Afghan border. The police said 25 people were also wounded. A second blast in a bazaar killed 12 people near the election…

Dakar: Mali reaffirmed its exit “without delay” from the West African bloc Ecowas, saying it was not bound by the organisation’s one-year timeframe for withdrawal, according to a foreign ministry document seen by AFP yesterday. Bamako’s military government announced its withdrawal from Ecowas on January 28, along with Burkina Faso and Niger. But article 91 of the bloc’s treaty stipulates that member countries remain bound by their obligations for a period of one year after notifying their withdrawal. “The government of the Republic of Mali is no longer bound (by the) time constraints mentioned in article 91 of the treaty,” the foreign affairs ministry said. |…

SYDNEY: Australia will introduce laws giving workers the right to ignore unreasonable calls and messages from their bosses outside of work hours without penalty, with potential fines for employers that breach the rule. The “right to disconnect” is part of a raft of changes to industrial relations laws proposed by the federal government under a parliamentary bill, which it says would protect workers’ rights and help restore work-life balance. Similar laws giving employees a right to switch off their devices after hours are already in place in France, Spain and other countries in the EU. |…

SHARES in JSE-listed fintech company Lesaka Technologies – which announced the acquisition of Touchsides from Heineken this week – shed 4.5% yesterday after it announced that it remained in loss making during the quarter ended December. Lesaka closed yesterday’s session at R65.86, a fall of about 4.51% on the JSE and a retreat from the 15.18% rally it garnered on Tuesday. The company, which has a heavy presence across South Africa’s informal sector, said it had narrowed its quarterly loss by about 56% at R50.8 million for the period ended December 2023. In rand currency, Lesaka’s revenue for the period firmed up 13% to R2.7 billion compared with the same quarter period in 2022. Its operating income for the period at R42.5m compares with an operating loss of…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa, who is suffering from flu, will not announce the date of the 2024 elections when he delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona) in Parliament tonight. This is according to his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, following speculation and expectations in some quarters that Ramaphosa may or should announce the voting day. “If you count from (Thursday), the president will announce the election date within 15 days as of (Thursday), so that should put everyone’s mind at ease that the election date will be announced within 15 days as of tomorrow,” said Magwenya when briefing the media on Ramaphosa’s public programme yesterday. In terms of the Constitution, the elections should be held within three months after the end of term of the current administration – between May and…

A THIRD of South Africans who are registered to vote feel that there is no political party that represents their views. They feel uncertainty about the future and apprehension about the possible outcomes of the elections. This is according to market research company Ipsos which conducted its latest poll in South Africa from October 23 to December 1, 2023. The poll included 3 600 face-to-face interviews in the homes and home languages of respondents. About 42.3 million South Africans aged 18 years or older are eligible to cast their vote. However, as of yesterday the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) indicated that 27 485 679 South Africans are registered to vote – of whom 55.22% are female and 44.78% male. “The pivotal factor in this election hinges on voter…

500g frozen Mediterranean vegetables 350g tomato pasta sauce in a jar 500g gnocchi 2 heaped tbs pesto 215g Mozzarella, thinly sliced A few slices of Parma ham (optional) Combine the frozen vegetables, pasta sauce, gnocchi and pesto in a heatproof dish that fits in your air-fryer. You may need to split this into two containers, depending on the size of your air-fryer. Stir well so that all the gnocchi is coated. Preheat the air-fryer to 160ºC. Place the dish in the preheated air-fryer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place the thinly sliced Mozzarella over the top of the dish and cook for a further 10 minutes. If you wish, tear some slices of Parma ham over the top before serving.…

KWAZULU-NATAL senior magistrate Ashin Singh, who has been provisionally suspended pending confirmation by Parliament, has threatened to take his fight to the Equality Court over an affidavit that is being used to discipline him. Singh also wants the affidavit that allegedly implicated him of misconduct to be furnished to Parliament for consideration when his provisional suspension is confirmed or not. This comes after Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola wrote to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula notifying her of Singh’s suspension on recommendation of the Magistrates Commission after it received a number of complaints against him. In his letter, Lamola said Singh was served with a charge sheet containing four counts. This was after he allegedly sent inappropriate, concerning and threatening messages to journalists in July last year. This…

A SPECIAL Investigating Unit (SIU) probe has assisted the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in recouping more than R700 million from various institutions of higher learning across the country. The unit disclosed this yesterday as it provided an update to Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) on the progress of investigations into the financial aid scheme. According to the state’s anti-corruption agency, a total of R737 926 351 was recovered, the majority of which came from unallocated funds which amounted to R688 220 611.56. The remaining R49 705 739.60 was recovered following signed acknowledgement of debt agreements reached with beneficiaries. The unit explained that investigations into the affairs of the financial aid scheme had revealed that the large volume of unallocated funds was a result of poor control…

It has been almost four months since Israel launched ground operations in the Gaza Strip. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, more than 26 000 people have been killed as a result of Israeli attacks. The indiscriminate attacks by Israel are serious violations of human rights, which have been condemned by most of the international community. But Israel has been refusing a ceasefire till this day, insisting on the elimination of Hamas as the ultimate goal of its military operation. It disregards the two-state solution, which is the only solution supported by the UN Secretary- General and most nations globally. Against such a backdrop, on December 29 last year, South Africa filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, suing Israel for violating…

BRITAIN’S Prince William returned to work yesterday following his father King Charles III’s shock cancer diagnosis as his estranged brother Prince Harry prepared to fly home to the US after rallying to his father’s side. With Charles, 75, undergoing cancer treatment following Monday’s announcement and William’s wife Catherine recovering from abdominal surgery, the heir to the throne found himself thrust back to the frontline of royal duties. Charles’s eldest son, William, 41, had postponed public engagements to care for his wife, the Princess of Wales, and their three children after she was admitted to hospital on January 16 for an operation. But yesterday he was back on duty, hosting an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, west of London, for citizens being recognised for their community work and other good deeds.…

Zimbabwe moved to abolish the death penalty on Tuesday, as the govern- ment-backed legislation to do away with capital punishment nearly two decades after the last execution. The southern African country has not had a hangman since 2005, but men found guilty of aggravated murder can still be sentenced to death. Dozens of convicts are on death row. “Cabinet approved the abolition of the death penalty,” Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said in a statement, adding that after holding countrywide consultations, the government decided to support a new law to end the practice. “In view of the need to retain the deterrent element in sentencing murderers, it is expected that the new law will impose lengthy sentences without violating the right to life.” In the case of murders involving “aggravating circumstances”,…

Rio de Janeiro: São Paulo opened an emergency operations centre this week to deal with a surge in dengue fever cases that has hit Brazil and South America just as millions of tourists arrive for carnival celebrations. Cases of the mosquito-borne disease have also risen sharply in Argentina, where a record 10 000 cases were reported in the first three weeks of the year. Paraguay has declared a health emergency over dengue. It has registered 36 deaths since December, officials there said. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second-biggest city, after São Paulo, also declared a public health emergency on Monday. |…

Bafana Bafana crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations last night with their heads held high after losing 4-2 in a semi-final penalty shoot-out to Nigeria. Bafana had shown grit during regulation and extra time as they came from behind through Teboho Mokoena’s penalty to cancel out William Troost-Ekong’s spot-kick. But it was in the penalty shoot-out where the Super Eagles prevailed as they slotted in four against Bafana’s two to play in the ultimate footballing match in Africa – thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. While this loss meant Bafana will now challenge for a third-place finish for the first time in 26 years against DR Congo or hosts Ivory Coast on Saturday night, they’ll still be proud of their exploits. Bafana were barely tipped to…

Jaco Peyper’s appointment as the Springboks’ full-time national laws advisor comes at the right time, when the world champions will look to maintain their good disciplinary record of the last season or two – including the World Cup tournaments. Bar a couple of yellow cards and penalties against them, South Africa were among the best-disciplined sides at the Rugby World Cup in France last year, and they’ve remained in the good books of referees who have officiated in their games. In a move to keep showing their disciplined side on the field, Peyper has been added to the management and will look to bring a fresh dynamic to how they deal with officiating, keeping the relationship between the Boks, referees and World Rugby as spotless as possible. It’s no secret…

SOCIO-economic challenges are in the spotlight as President Cyril Ramaphosa tonight delivers this year’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), with participants in the youth sector calling for the president to outline an “actionable plan”. Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Em- ployment Portfolio head at Momentum Metropolitan, said young people were hoping for solutions to the many socio-economic challenges they were faced with as there had been many promises made in the previous address, which were not kept. “The Sona comes at a time when the youth of South Africa is still battling with high unemployment and this is parallel to challenges on access to tertiary education for the matric class of 2023,” he said. Ravi Naidoo, the CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES), said the prevailing economic environment in 2024,…

DEPUTY minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Dr Nobuhle Nkabane says a R25 million project for small-scale mining and the artisanal workforce will mostly benefit women. According to Nkabane, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) was also developing a Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Strategy for the mining industry with an intention to provide interventions which included equal opportunities, mainstreaming of gender equality, and barrier-free workplaces for a transformed mining industry. She was speaking at the Mining Indaba two days after the World Bank launched a report which found that gender discrimination, disregard for health, safety and social protection limited the right and economic opportunities for small-scale and artisanal women miners. The report advocates for gender-responsive legislation to safeguard women’s rights in mining and build a more…

SOUTH African junior mining companies will soon be able to apply for the Mining Exploration Fund after it was officially launched at the 2024 Mining Indaba conference. Having passed all the regulatory hurdles and approvals including from the Cabinet, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Industrial Development Corporation signed a memorandum of agreement marking the establishment of the exploration fund. The first application window for qualifying companies’ eligible miners will be announced soon. Funding criteria require applicants to comply with the South African mining regulatory requirements, including “but not limited to” the provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, the National Environmental Management Act, and the National Water Act. “We can’t overstate the significance of this industry to our economy. Mining is not only the…

WHILE the cause of death of a Leeu-Gamka teen and the hospitalisation of another person is under investigation, fumes from a generator may have been a contributing factor. Leeu-Gamka is currently one of the Central Karoo towns affected by an extended electricity outage following storm damage on Sunday. Meanwhile, Eskom has announced that storm-struck areas’s power will be fully restored by next Thursday after the first of three large teams arrived on site yesterday. The utility said in a statement: “Operators are currently securing and anchoring the existing line supported by local Eskom construction teams. While some of the remote farms around Sutherland and Buffelspoort have already been brought back online, there are customers in parts of these areas who are still affected. “The remaining Karoo towns of Roggeveld, Laingsburg,…

With elections looming, today’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) may be the last under the ANC majority in Parliament. The country is waiting to hear how the Ramaphosa-led administration intends to make up for the many setbacks that have had far-reaching implications for the economy. Forget the bullet trains and smart cities he once dreamt about, South Africans want answers on when load shedding will be a thing of the past. They want assurance that their grants will be paid in full next month. They want, in fact they are entitled, to know that there will be safe running water from their taps. They want to know that the corrupt government officials the ANC continues to shield will be arrested and face the full might of the law. They…

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned yesterday that the world is entering “an age of chaos” with a deeply divided Security Council unable to address critical issues such as the Israel-Hamas war. With the war in Gaza entering its fifth month yesterday, Guterres warned that if the Israeli armed forces press on into the southern city of Rafah, it would “exponentially increase what is already a humanitarian nightmare with untold regional consequences”. Israeli forces, in their campaign to destroy Hamas after its unprecedented attack on October 7, have relentlessly bombed the Gaza Strip and carried out a ground invasion, displacing over a million people southward. “It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages,” Guterres said during a speech to the General Assembly presenting his…

Geneva: Sudan’s warring sides have agreed to meet for talks on enabling desperately needed aid delivery in their conflict-torn country, the UN said yesterday. The UN also appealed for $4.1 billion (R26bn) to help civilians impacted by the brutal 10-month civil war in Sudan, warning the conflict had fuelled “epic suffering”. The brutal conflict that erupted in April last year between Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands, including between 10 000 and 15 000 in the western Darfur region, according to UN experts. |…

SANTIAGO: Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera died from asphyxiation due to submersion after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into Lake Ranco in southern Chile on Tuesday, the local prosecutor’s office reported yesterday. Chile’s Legal Medical Service, the state coroner’s office, in Valdivia, conducted the autopsy on Pinera, who died at the age of 74, before his remains were sent to receive state honours in the Chilean capital. Tatiana Esquivel, the local prosecutor where the accident happened, said they had not yet determined the cause of the accident but a specialised team was investigating the crash site. |…

Southampton booked an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Liverpool with a 3-0 win over Watford on Tuesday night, while Coventry’s 4-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday secured a date with history makers Maidstone. Saints forward Sekou Mara struck twice in the fourth-round replay at St Mary’s to secure the prized trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Championship high-fliers, unbeaten in their last 24 games in all competitions, took the lead when Che Adams teed up Mara in the 52nd minute. Mara doubled his tally six minutes later as the French youngster struck for the fifth time in his last nine appearances. Adams completed the comfortable dismissal of second-tier Watford with a clinical finish 14 minutes from full-time. Coventry will host National League South side Maidstone after Callum O’Hare’s double saw…