Table of contents for 2024-03-28 in Cape Times

MOMENTUM Metropolitan Holdings reported robust earnings for the six months to December 31 after most business units performed in line with management expectations in a tough economic and competitive environment, CEO Jeanette Marais said yesterday. She said they were proud of these results, as it was the first time since at least 2018 that all the business units had reported solid earnings contributions to the group, barring slightly lower earnings from Momentum Metropolitan Health. Normalised headline earnings increased 42% to R2.4 billion, and operating profit was up 69% to R2bn. Sales were strong with the group’s present value of new business premiums increasing 18% to R39.1bn. Marais said their model of empowered, accountable businesses again demonstrated resilience and agility, enabling the group to report robust earnings and solid financial…

from page 1 humanitarian concern for the citizens of this country, to accept responsibility to remedy this absolute travesty”. “The application for leave to appeal is simply a further example of the continued stance adopted by the various respondents of absolving themselves of the realities and their assertions of alleged ‘independence’, and due fulfilment of their executive duties in accordance with the Constitution, as well as the relevant empowering legislation, together with the stance adopted by (Eskom) by laying the blame squarely at the foot of the (president) and (government). “The affidavits filed by the respondents collectively attempt to further dilute the humanitarian crisis that exists and failed to address the simple fact that citizens’ fundamental rights are being infringed upon.”…

JUDGMENT was reserved in the case brought by the ANC against the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in which the governing party challenged the latter’s use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe, the abbreviation “MK” and the logo. The ANC has said the matter was about infringement of its trademark. The case was heard in the Durban High Court yesterday. Former president Jacob Zuma, who is leading and campaigning for the MK Party, was in court and addressed supporters who had gathered outside. The ANC also had its supporters at court. They were addressed by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. Advocate Gavin Marriott, for the ANC, argued that the MK Party was seeking to “ride on the coattails of the ANC’s heritage” to achieve the same advantage that the ANC enjoyed based on…

The Night Alphabet Joelle Taylor Loot.co.za (R260) Riverrun The Night Alphabet is a blend of memoir, fiction and poetry from one of the most talented literary stylists writing today. A woman walks into a tattoo parlour. But this is no ordinary woman, and this is Hackney in 2233. Jones’s body is covered in tattoos but she wants to add one final inking to her gallery – a thin line of ink mixed with blood that connects her body art together, creating a map. As the two artists set to work, Jones tells them the story behind each tattoo. As Jones is no ordinary woman, these are no ordinary stories: each one represents a doorway to a life Jones fell into, a “remembering”. Some of the lives were in the past,…

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? Nicci French Loot.co.za (R260) Simon & Schuster A NERVE-TINGLING and atmospheric thriller from Nicci French about two families shattered by tragedy and the secrets that have been waiting for decades to be revealed. On the day of Alec Salter’s 50th birthday party, his wife, Charlotte, vanishes. Most residents of the small English village of Glensted are at the party for hours before anyone realises she is missing. While Alec brushes off her disappearance, their four children – especially 15-year-old Etty – grow increasingly anxious as the cold winter hours become days and she doesn’t return. Then Etty and her friend Morgan find the body of Morgan’s father – and the Salters’ neighbour – Duncan Ackerley, floating in the river. The police conclude that Duncan and…

JUSTICE prevailed at the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court yesterday when Sandile Jegwa was handed a 20-year sentence for the premeditated killing of his girlfriend, Cleo Diko. Jegwa heard his fate in a packed courtroom. Diko’s decomposed body was found stuffed underneath a bed on January 27, 2023 in Mandalay. She had a rope tied around her neck, and her body was covered with tiles and cement. This followed a major search after Diko was reported missing in October 2022. Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm, said: “For 425 days, Cleo’s family and friends had to face this murderer time and time again, only to be met with multiple postponements and leave the courtroom with more questions than answers. “However, they refused to give up, and the court was packed to the rafters…

THE Western Cape Department of Health will challenge the interdict applications by five private security companies who are aggrieved at not being selected for the renewal of tenders at 258 hospitals. Attorney for the applicants, Mark Hess, said the tenders were estimated to be valued in excess of R2 billion over three years with the option of being extended by two years, and had been awarded to three private security companies. Phangela Private Security Services, Golden Security Services and Amazim-Zim Security and Private Investigators were the companies that got the nod to render services at hospitals in the province. The provincial Department of Health and Wellness said: “(We) can confirm that following the awarding of tenders for the provision of security services at healthcare facilities and health infrastructure throughout the…

THE DA’s motion of no confidence in embattled National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe-Mapisa Nqakula will present a true test for the ANC’s much-hyped renewal. Recent incidents, such as the voting against the establishment of a parliamentary committee that would look into the Phala Phala report, showed that there was nothing to get excited about insofar as the renewal project is concerned. However, this time around, it is a lot different. The motion against Mapisa-Nqakula is set to take place on the eve of the crucial May 29 election. That will be on the minds of the ANC MPs when they vote on the motion. The party knows that voting in favour of a motion led by the official opposition party will be detrimental. Mapisa-Nqakula’s woes did not begin yesterday. About three…

A US appeals court has kept on hold a Republican-backed Texas law that would let state authorities arrest and prosecute people suspected of illegally crossing the US-Mexico border – a statute that President Joe Biden’s administration has argued intrudes on the authority of the federal government. In a 2-1 ruling this week, a panel of the New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request by Texas to let the law take effect while the state’s appeal of a judge’s ruling blocking it plays out at the appellate court. The law, formally called SB 4, has become a flashpoint in a broader battle between Texas and the Biden administration over border security and immigration. It would make it a state crime to illegally enter or re-enter Texas from…

Organised crime rings who fuelled an “explosion” of human trafficking and cyber scam centres during the pandemic have expanded from Southeast Asia into a global network making up to $3 trillion (about R57 trillion) a year, the head of Interpol said yesterday. “Driven by online anonymity, inspired by new business models and accelerated by Covid, these organised crime groups are now working at a scale that was unimaginable a decade ago,” Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock said at the global police coordination body’s Singapore office. “What began as a regional crime threat in Southeast Asia has become a global human trafficking crisis, with millions of victims, both in the cyber scam centres and as targets.” The new cyber-scam centres, often staffed by unwilling staff trafficked with the promise of legitimate jobs,…

BANGKOK: Thailand’s parliament approved a marriage equality bill yesterday, a landmark step that moves one of Asia’s most liberal countries closer to becoming its third territory to legalise same-sex unions. The bill had the support of all of Thailand’s major parties and was more than a decade in the making. It still requires approval from the senate and endorsement from the king before it becomes law and would take effect 120 days later. The legislation was passed by 400 of the 415 MPs present and could see Thailand join Taiwan and Nepal in allowing same-sex unions. Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant LGBT social scene and campaigns to attract LGBT travellers. | Reuters…

QUITO: Forty-five mayors in Ecuador have requested police protection in the past year as violence grips the country, where 22 local officials have died in violent circumstances since 2023, the president of the Association of Ecuadorean Municipalities (AME) said. Officials have come under threat amid a national crackdown on criminal groups. President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in January and designated 22 gangs as terrorist groups after armed men stormed a television channel in Guayaquil and more than 100 prison guards were held hostage. Ports, including in Guayaquil, the largest city, have become hubs for drug smuggling. | Reuters…

A QUALITY controller at Eskom’s Kusile Power Station has been fired after he breached Eskom’s cardinal rule by handling or using his cellphone while driving a vehicle on site. The Johannesburg Labour Court made the ruling, after the company, SBX, who had employed him, took an earlier arbitration finding on review. During the arbitration proceedings before the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council, the bargaining council found that Simiso Nhlapo should have been given a second chance. The arbitrator in those proceedings ordered his reinstatement and a month’s backpay. Nhlapo was initially fired by his company following an internal hearing, but he won his case on arbitration. Unhappy with this, the company turned to the labour court. His services were terminated following a disciplinary inquiry into charges of misconduct. The…

An affidavit submitted by Warrant Officer Kumaran Pillay, the detective overseeing the investigation into the murders of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, has revealed that the five accused were present at the crime scene, and the vehicle and firearms used were traced back to them. Lindani Ndimande, 35, Lindokuhle Ndimande, 29, Siyanda Myeza, 21, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, 36, and Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, 30, face 10 charges, including two counts of murder, five of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of unlawful firearms and possession of unlawful ammunition. The State was yesterday presenting its opposition to bail for the accused, who had detailed their circumstances in affidavits to the court last week. All five said they intended to plead not guilty. Pillay’s affidavit was read out yesterday…

We’ll look again in 12 to 18 months, confides deputy public enterprises minister Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Obed Bapela did not rule out yesterday the possibility of SAA getting another strategic equity partner should it get into financial difficulties. Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Bapela said in the trend where strategic equity partners have a stake in state-owned airlines, the state was a majority shareholder because their timing was perfect in terms of realising some troubles in the market and crowd in the private sector. He said the state would retain 60% of the shares as had initially been the case with the failed SAA-Takatso deal. “At the point of 12 to 18 months we will look at the market volatility and look at strategic equity partners that…

The Getaway list Emma Lord Loot.co.za (R175) Pan Macmillian AUTHOR Emma Lord's signature cheer, The Getaway List, is an uplifting and romantic read and a love letter to New York. The day of her high school graduation, Riley realises that she has spent the past four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer to stay with her best friend Tom and do everything on The Getaway List. Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since he moved away. But when she arrives in the city, their reconnection is effortless. As she, Tom and their new-found friends work…

IN my township experience, the Casspir, Nyala or whatever name the brute military vehicle was given, represents a bad period in our political history. Whenever they came into the black townships, it was not a time of merriment during which the occupants handed out sweets like confetti. More often than not, bullets were fired out of those vehicles, aimed at children armed with nothing more than stones. I accept, grudgingly, that this vehicle and period, could well represent halcyon days for other South Africans. This is the tale of the Bush Brothers: Life and Death Across the Border by Steve De Witt. De Witt does a cop-out very early in the book to say how he hated apartheid but he does not say why he couldn’t have conscientiously objected to…

MORE than a year after the Delft Symphony Way housing project was halted following the murder of City official Wendy Kloppers, the municipality is hoping to resume work this year. The supply chain management process to appoint a new contractor is under way with the appointment award expected by the end of the first quarter should there be no “unforeseen interruptions”. During a full Council meeting yesterday, Mayco member for human settlements Carl Pophaim voiced the commitment to try to continue with projects affected by extortion, violence and the construction mafia. “It is important to note that the Symphony Way project was stopped following the murder of a City official in 2023 and the continued violence and extortion that have impacted the project leading to the withdrawal of the contractor…

IN THE annals of South Africa’s tumultuous history, the names of Zibongile Dodo, Nontasi Shweni, Mountain Ngantweni, Bhidekile Ntsabo, Veyishile Qoba and Mqokeleli Nqulwana might not be as widely recognised as other prominent figures of the liberation Struggle. The individuals, known as the Langa Six, were members of the PAC Congress of Azania’s military wing, POQO, who were convicted for attacking police vehicles in Langa in 1962. Their sacrifices and contributions to the fight against apartheid, however, should not be relegated to the footnotes of history. The story of the Langa Six is one of courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom. The brave individuals, like many others before them, heeded the call to resist oppression and injustice, even in the face of grave danger. Their actions…

Israel bombed at least three homes in Rafah overnight, raising new fears among the more than a million people sheltering in the last refuge on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip that a long-threatened ground assault could be coming. One of the airstrikes killed 11 people from a family, health officials said. Mussa Dhaheer, looking on from below as neighbours helped an emergency worker lower a victim in a black body bag from an upper storey, said he had awakened to the blast, kissed his terrified daughter, and rushed outside to find the destruction. His father, 75, and mother, 62, were among the dead. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say. I can’t make sense of what happened. My parents. My father with his…

France has evacuated more than 170 nationals and about 70 people of other nationalities from violence-racked Haiti on French army helicopters, the foreign ministry said yesterday. They have all been taken to a “navy boat that will ferry them today to Fort-de-France” in the French overseas territory of Martinique, it said. About 1 100 French citizens live in Haiti, many of them holding dual nationality, according to the foreign ministry. Port-au-Prince has been rocked by street battles that erupted in late February, prompting the resignation earlier this month of the prime minister, Ariel Henry. His departure, a key demand by an alliance of armed gangs that now controls most of the capital, has not lessened the violence. Haitians are suffering food shortages during the wait for a new transitional government…

ALICE SPRINGS: Australia’s Outback capital Alice Springs introduced a two-week curfew for those under 18 yesterday, as authorities in the troubled community grappled with a recent surge in unrest. The town of 25 000, which sits in the middle of Australia, has long struggled with crime and social difficulties, fanned in part by tensions between the Aboriginal and white communities and problems with alcohol consumption. Recently it has been on edge since the death of a teenager, who died when the allegedly stolen car he was in crashed two weeks ago. A funeral was held for the teenager on Tuesday, with violence flaring afterwards. | AFP…

LOS ANGELES: US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter asked a US judge yesterday to dismiss the criminal case accusing him of evading $1.4 million (about R26m) in taxes, arguing that prosecutors bowed to political pressure from Republican lawmakers investigating his father. Hunter Biden’s lawyers appeared before US District Judge Mark Scarsi in federal court in Los Angeles. Hunter Biden, 54, pleaded not guilty to failing to pay $1.4m in taxes between 2016 and 2019, while spending millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, exotic cars and other big-ticket items. His lawyer has said he paid back the money in full. The trial is due to start in June, a few months before Americans vote in a November presidential election that looks set to be a close contest between Joe Biden, himself…

Eddie Moore’s hundred powered Western Province to a 48-run bonus-point victory over the KZN Tuskers in the CSA T20 Challenge at Newlands yesterday. Province temporarily moved to second on the log, with the Lions in action last night against the Warriors in Johannesburg. Moore’s unforgettable summer continued as he smashed his way to his maiden T20 century. Following his debut Test match against New Zealand in February, the left-handed batter adds yet another milestone to what has been a memorable season. The Tuskers, who produced a great bowling performance when they beat the Lions by eight wickets on Saturday, offered a lot of boundary balls yesterday and couldn’t contain Moore as he swiftly made his way to a career-best T20 score of 101 off just 58 balls, which included 11…

THE lure of setting records, no matter how minor, is often the driving force behind sportsmen. Being champions is the ultimate goal, of course. But when that is beyond reach, there are low hanging fruits such as having a better season that the previous one. For Sekhukhune United, the past season was undoubtedly their best – Ba Bina Noko reaching the Nedbank Cup final, where they were defeated by Orlando Pirates, albeit in controversial fashion. The Buccaneers’ equalising goal was via a penalty given for a ‘questionable’ handball decision against Victor Letsoalo. For having reached the final, Sekhukhune got to play continental football, and they did fairly well to reach the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, producing some impressive home performances, but struggling on the road. The experience…

from page 1 “Having considered the petition of the former director-general, Mr Kgathatso Tlhakudi, the committee wishes to thank the Minister of Public Enterprises for his co-operation, and Mr Tlhakudi for entrusting Parliament with the responsibility to investigate this matter,” read the draft report. This portion of the report did not sit well with some MPs, who felt they did not receive joy from Gordhan. EFF MP Nqobile Mhlongo expressed her shock that Gordhan was thanked for being co-operative. “The minister was not really co-operative,” Mhlongo said, referring to when he was asked to come to scheduled meetings. ANC MP Nkosinathi Dlamini said the report should be adopted with amendments. He said Gordhan had seemed not to respond to their investigation. Committee chairperson Khaya Magaxa described interaction with Gordhan as…

THE DA in Beaufort West, in the Central Karoo, is hoping that the resignation of two Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillors and an ANC councillor will be an open door to win back the municipality. ANC ward 1 councillor Ralph Skuza, PA ward 3 councillor Eben Botha and PA ward 6 councillor Nicholaas Abrahams stepped down on Tuesday with immediate effect. Botha, the former mayor of the municipality, was accused of assaulting his fiancée about four months into the position but has repeatedly denied the allegations. In his resignation letter, seen by the Cape Times, he claims to have been subjected to extreme scrutiny, threats, rumours and damaging allegations. He said the allegations emerged publicly through a live video by PA president Gayton Mckenzie based on Whatsapp recordings where he “raised…

THE legal battle over an end to load shedding continues as the government and Eskom are seeking leave to appeal a landmark judgment which sought to compel it to exempt certain institutions from rolling blackouts. ActionSA lawyers vigorously opposed their application yesterday. This as Eskom in its arguments maintains it is “impossible to isolate particular categories of customers for immediate ‘exemption’ from load shedding”. The landmark ruling delivered by a full bench of the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in December last year ordered Eskom along with Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to take reasonable steps to exempt all public health institutions, including hospitals and clinics, public schools and police stations, including satellite stations, from the impacts of load shedding by the end of January. Arguments for the application for leave to…

For his new exhibition at Arsenale Institute for Politics of Representation in Venice, renowned South African artist William Kentridge collaborates with curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev to premiere his intriguing new nine-episode video series, Self-Portrait as a Coffee-Pot. The exhibition of thirty-minute episodes by Kentridge, that were originally intended as a series for online viewing, is an experiment in embodiment and phenomenological experience in the digital age, and a reflection on what might happen in the brain and in the studio of an artist, today. Innovative arthouse distributor Mubi has acquired global streaming rights for the nine-episode series, created and directed by Kentridge, known for his animated drawings for projection as well as his sculpture, theatre and opera productions over the last 40 years. Shot in his Johannesburg studio during and in…

A brain injury specialist by profession and an author honing her writing style in suspense thrillers, Freida McFadden‘s Housemaid series is the gift that keeps on giving. While this second instalment of The Housemaid series can be read as a standalone, those who want to delve deeper into the housemaid’s world may find the series enhances the reading experience. Although I’m not a great fan of domestic thrillers, McFadden’s Housemaid’s Secret was worth the R290 price tag for 74 chapters. This book comes with a warning label – delving into sensitive topics such as abuse, violence against women and self-harm. However, McFadden handles them with care, ensuring readers are engaged without being overwhelmed by graphic details. Her books are making waves on TikTok, and everyone seems to be obsessed with…

Fangirl Down Tessa Bailey Loot.co.za (R195) Avon Books WELLS Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs and one remaining supporter. No matter how badly he plays, the redhead is always on the sidelines. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life. Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet, after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. A determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: that she be his new caddy, help him turn…

A GRANDSON of one of the 12 political prisoners who died in custody and were secretly buried in a whites-only cemetery at the time said his family was at peace following the unveiling of the memorial site where his grandfather was buried. Robben Island Museum (RIM) unveiled the “12 Disciples of Justice” at the Stikland cemetery on Tuesday, which included plaques with information about prisoners Mlungisi Mqalu, John Poni, Reuben Maliwa, Sipho Khalipha, Frank Mani, Matinise Batyi, Solomon Makisi, Charlie Mkhele, Lameki Kula, Jimmy Simon, Zincwasile Mvalwana and Mountain Langben – who all died between 1963 and 1968. Between 2010 and 2012 the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Missing Persons Task Team conducted a series of forensic excavation tests at the cemetery. There were no positive results from the excavation tests…

To keep in business, we need to fire the leaders and apply the principles of good governance If South Africa was run as a listed entity then according to the JSE listing requirements, it would have been de-listed years ago. In July 2021, I wrote that we had a leadership crisis. That has not changed, in fact if anything, it has deepened. In that same article, I referenced the state of our media and its role to play in ensuring that our fractured democracy has the chance to knit and bind through the telling of all sides of South Africa’s multi-layered story. The media have failed. Just as surely as our leaders. It is difficult for me as a media owner to come out and state this, but it is…

Authorities in Baltimore were focusing on expanding recovery efforts yesterday after a cargo ship slammed into a major bridge, causing it to collapse and leaving six people presumed dead. All six were members of a construction crew repairing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US East Coast city when the structure was sent careening into the Patapsco River at around 1.30am (7.30am SA time). A desperate search in near-freezing conditions managed to pull two people from the choppy waters, but after nearly 16 hours, officials said they had given up hope of rescuing the others. “At this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said. He added that responders were transitioning…

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s main bank issued a “last warning” yesterday to more than 5 000 customers accused of taking advantage of a technical glitch to fraudulently withdraw millions. About $19.5 million (R368m) was taken when the bank was updating a computer system in the country, meaning ATM and online transactions were not reflected in affected accounts for five hours overnight March 15-16, according to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. People rushed to ATMs and multiplied transfers after the glitch was widely shared online, especially in student groups. Some reports put the bank losses as high as $100m. About 80% of the money withdrawn or transferred has been repaid. | AFP…

Washington: The US yesterday launched a new initiative to boost imports of African foods – specialities like seafood, nuts and herbs – seeing untapped potential in items that benefit small-scale farmers. The new Africa Trade Desk aims to increase imports of African specialty foods into the US by $300 million (R5.6 billion) over the next 18 months, marking a 10% increase in the continent’s agricultural exports to the US. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the project at a trade event in Atlanta, focusing on South Africa. The focus will be on seafood, fruits, herbs, nuts, spices and juices. | AFP…

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, whose frail health has been a growing source of concern in recent weeks, appeared in better shape yesterday ahead of a busy Easter week schedule. The pontiff, 87, read out in full pre-prepared texts for his weekly audience, rather than delegating an aide to read most of them, and made a few off-the-cuff remarks. Francis made fresh appeals for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, The pope has been suffering from a cold, bronchitis and influenza for more than a month. | Reuters…