Table of contents for 2024-08-26 in Cape Times

Part of being a girly girl is getting your nails done and, just like glass skin, the glass nail is the most trending. This is because businesswoman Kylie Jenner once posted a picture of her almond-shaped glass nails on TikTok, and everyone loved them. Tips to achieve Jenner’s DIY nails: Identify your unique style Depending on your work, you can go short or long. Applying press-on nails seems easy but to last like acrylic nails, you must follow the correct steps: Prep nails: Trim to your desired shape and gently push back your cuticles. Shape nails with a file and buff to create a smooth surface. Cleanse your nails: Use soap and water, alcohol-based nail polish remover, or cleansing wipes. Apply a hydrator and sticky bond to ensure your press-on…

Transnet has said it would fully comply with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into property lease agreements dating back to state capture administration. The SIU has been galvanised into action by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of a proclamation giving the probe the green light. The investigation involves some of Transnet’s prime property leases and includes several high-value agreements, such as long-term leases for bulk fuel storage facilities at Transnet’s Ambrose Park Precinct in Durban, and the lease for the old Durban International Airport premises, as well as properties at Jukskei Park. Transnet national spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said, as with previous matters, they will comply fully with the investigation. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the investigation covered allegations of misconduct dating from January 1, 2014, to August 23, 2024, and…

The R1.6 million in kickbacks case of former sports minister Zizi Kodwa involving EOH boss Jehan Mackay was among a list of 673 Hawks high-profile arrests that were before courts. Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya yesterday unpacked achievements during the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. He said they were making significant inroads in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, thus ensuring accountability and justice for the victims. Most of the 167 arrests were effected in Gauteng, followed by 114 in KZN and the North West with 92 arrests. “These arrests targeted people involved in serious corruption, fraud, money laundering, police killings, cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, illegal mining, damage to essential infrastructure and crimes against the state. During these arrests, 68 firearms and 1 797 rounds of ammunition were seized.…

THE performance on Saturday, August 17, of the G&S Society’s production of The Yeoman of the Guard was a complete triumph. The final night of what had been a memorable run of this light romantic opera, thrilled an audience of devotees of the genre and critical music lovers alike. Director Kyla Thorburn had her sure hand on every aspect of the production from the grand tableaux to the intimate and soulful moments which are so much part of this show. Alastair Cockburn’s bright, sympathetic accompaniment, pleased one at every beat – and what a boon to have the full orchestra’s wonderful support. Strong singing from the leads and inventive choreography throughout held one’s attention – from the charm of the strolling players, Nicola de Jager and Brad Geswendt, to the…

Anyone with information that can assist police following the discovery of the body of an infant found washed up on Clifton beach on Saturday has been urged to contact authorities. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its Emergency Operations Centre was alerted by a member of the public after 11am to an infant washed up on Clifton 3rd Beach. NSRI Bakoven, a Clifton Surf lifeguard, Law Enforcement, Community Medics, police, EMS and others responded to the scene. “On arrival on the scene, the unidentified decomposed body of an infant was secured on the beach for police detectives before being taken into the care of police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. “Police have opened an inquest docket and are investigating. “NSRI commends the member of the public for raising…

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and the SACP have rejected the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) proposed cut of more than 2 000 teacher posts for next year. However, the department said its hands remained tied as budget cuts at national level were severely hampering their efforts provincially. According to Sadtu provincial secretary Sibongile Kwazi, they learnt about the proposed cuts during a consultation with the department. “Sadtu rejected the proposal and came up with a proposal to augment the finances for maintaining the current post basket,” Kwazi said. Measures proposed by the union included the termination of the Back on Track programme, which seeks to address learning losses due to the Covid-19 period. “The other area is the annual systemic evaluations. “The proposals fell on deaf…

ACTIONSA leader Herman Mashaba appears to have finally grasped the adage “there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests in politics”, judging by his newfound enthusiasm to work with the ANC and unseat the DA in some key metros. He is moving so fast that ActionSA has already secured a position of a Council speaker in the troubled City of Joburg and has already hinted at the possibility of removing the DA-led government in Tshwane and forming some partnership with the ANC in Ekurhuleni. How did we get to this point, especially with Mashaba’s firm objective to remove “the corrupt” ANC from public office? His party’s campaign before the May 2029 elections and the 2021 local government elections hinged on the ticket of not only slashing the…

A suspect in German police custody following a stabbing rampage in the city of Solingen that killed three people and injured eight is a 26-year-old Syrian man, authorities said yesterday. They were looking into his possible links with Islamic State. The incident, along with the militant group’s claim of responsibility, sparked concern among some politicians who urged enhanced security, tighter curbs on weapons, stiffer punishment for violent crimes and limits to immigration. The attack occurred during a festival on Friday evening in the Fronhof, a market square, where live bands were playing to celebrate Solingen’s 650-year history. Mourners have made a makeshift memorial near the scene. The suspect turned himself in late on Saturday and admitted to the crime, Duesseldorf police and prosecutors said. Friedrich Merz, a prominent politician who…

Bangkok: Thai authorities raided an illegal bitcoin mine west of Bangkok after residents complained of frequent blackouts in the area for more than a month, local authorities said yesterday. Police and officials from the Provincial Electricity Authorities (PEA) raided the house in Ratchaburi town on Friday. “We found bitcoin mining rigs, pointing to people using this house to operate a mine and using power they didn’t fully pay for,” said Jamnong Chanwong, a chief district security officer. He said records showed that electricity consumption in the house was large, but they had paid for very little of it. | AFP…

KARACHI: Two bus accidents in northeast and southwest Pakistan killed at least 34 people yesterday, the authorities said. Twelve pilgrims died on the Makran Coastal Highway in the southwest, the interior ministry said, while a rescue official said 22 had died when their passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir. Rescue co-ordinator Rawalpindi Muhammad Usman said the second bus had 25 passengers, including six women and a child, of whom 22 had died and one was critically injured. All the bodies have been recovered from the ravine, he said. The interior ministry, however, said 29 had died in that crash. | Reuters…

Faye Tunnicliffe is hoping to earn a recall to the Proteas Women’s team after being awarded the Western Province T20 Women’s Player of the Year. Tunnicliffe has previously played three ODIs and 10 T20s for the Proteas, although her last appearance was against India in Lucknow back in 2021. The 25-year-old is, though, a much-improved cricketer from the rookie that first appeared on the international scene than when she debuted as a teenager in 2018. She was also the leading run-scorer for the SA Emerging XI that competed in the All-Africa Games in Ghana earlier this year. This experience has seen Tunnicliffe set herself the long-term goal of competing in the LA Olympics in 2028 when women’s cricket will be introduced for the first time. Equally, she is hoping that…

THE Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, which confirmed ownership of the property where the walls of four dams collapsed in Swartland near Malmesbury, has not yet been able to answer questions on whether regular maintenance was done amid calls for accountability. The department said the issue of maintenance is expected to be part of the investigation undertaken by the national Department of Water and Sanitation as the authority responsible for dam registration and dam safety. This after local and national government pointed fingers at each other over ownership and who was responsible for repairs after the dams breached and caused widespread flooding in parts of the surrounding areas. More than 100 residents have since been displaced and the community left with no water after pipes were damaged. Wouter…

AUGUST 24 is a very special day for the Ukrainian people. It was on this day in 1991 that Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union. History records that 90% of registered Ukrainians voted for independence in 1991, which was a resounding Yes vote in anyone’s book. Let us all drink a toast to the bravest nation on Earth … their fight for their freedom, democracy and way of life is legendary. The traditional toast in Ukraine is called “Budmo”, meaning “Let us be”. May the light shine on the Ukrainian people on their special day.…

THE article in Thursday’s paper is sad reading. It talks about the high mortality rates among men in our country, as well as the identity of children’s fathers being unknown. It’s interesting that 11% of kids do not have a living biological father. The statistics of children who have a living father, but who plays no part in their upbringing is in the millions. A total of 61% of SA households only have a woman figure at the helm. Either a gogo or the mother who was impregnated then left to look after the baby. We have the second-highest rate of absentee fathers in Africa. Where have we gone so wrong? We really need to start bringing back sex education in all our schools, otherwise this trend can only…

Makes about 24-30 1 extra large egg 125g butter, softened 65ml vegetable/sunflower oil 3/4 cup sugar 2 cups self-raising flour 2 cups cake flour 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 level tsp baking powder Cream together egg, sugar, butter and oil until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla essence. Sift in self-raising flour and plain flour and mix into creamed mixture to make a fairly stiff dough. Roll out dough to 3mm thick on a lightly floured surface and cut out shapes with flower shape biscuit cutter. For the coconut – cook 1 cup of coconut with half cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Place on hertzoggie baking sheet. Place half teaspoons of coconut boiled with sugar and water. Bake at 200ºC for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.…

THE Western Cape government has come in for criticism after it was revealed that not a single unit has been built under the Western Cape Inclusionary Housing Policy Framework, despite claims of a government committed to spatial transformation. GOOD Party’s secretary-general, Brett Herron, said MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell failed “dismally” in explaining why the framework had not been implemented in a meaningful manner yet since 2022 during a legislature debate. “When the provincial framework was first introduced in 2022, there was no doubt that it was once again a performative announcement, intended to create the illusion of a government that wanted to do something. This government has a remarkable talent for making promises that something meaningful is happening, but from which no impact or benefit is delivered. “That…

Deeply rooted social issues cannot be addressed by the justice system alone PROFOUND social, political, and legal transformations mark South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy. The end of apartheid in 1994 was not merely a political shift but a significant reconfiguration of the nation’s legal and social structures. Central to this transformation was the drafting of a new constitution, which is widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. The South African Constitution enshrines a broad spectrum of human rights, including gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights (SRR). The inclusion of these rights in the Bill of Rights was a ground-breaking step, signalling the country’s commitment to addressing the deep-seated gender inequalities that had been exacerbated by decades of apartheid. Under apartheid, women, particularly black…

Israel launched air strikes into Lebanon yesterday, saying it had thwarted a large-scale Hezbollah attack, while the Lebanese group announced its own cross-border raids to avenge a top commander’s killing. The Israeli military said its fighter jets had destroyed “thousands” of Hezbollah rocket launchers “aimed towards northern Israel, and some were aimed towards central Israel”. Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed Lebanese armed group, countered that Israel was making “empty claims” of having thwarted a larger attack, and said its own operation for yesterday “was completed and accomplished”. Hezbollah said its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was due to speak on the “latest developments”. The group has traded near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces throughout the Gaza war, in a campaign Hezbollah says is in support of Palestinian ally Hamas. But fears of a…

Ten people were killed in a landslide in northern Ethiopia’s Amhara region, according to local state media. The Amhara Media Corporation (AMC) reported on Saturday that “10 people have died in the disaster”, quoting local administrator Tesfaye Workneh who said four bodies had been pulled from the mud. The report did not indicate what time the landslide occurred on Saturday in the North Gondar zone in Amhara region. Eight people were seriously hurt in the incident and were receiving treatment, the AMC said. As many as 2 400 people had been displaced and were being sheltered in local social institutions, it added. The landslide is the latest of a series that have occurred in Ethiopia as a result of heavy seasonal rains. A UN humanitarian affairs report, citing the Ethiopian…

Brazzaville: Twenty-one cases of mpox have been recorded in Congo-Brazzaville, the country’s health minister said yesterday. Gilbert Mokoki said the country had “registered 158 suspect cases” since the beginning of the year, “21 of which we have confirmed”. Cases of the infectious disease have been surging in eastern and central Africa, but the virus has also been detected in Asia and Europe, with the World Health Organization declaring an international emergency. The virus has been reported in five of Congo-Brazzaville’s 15 regions. A new variant of mpox has swept across neighbouring DR Congo, killing more than 570 people this year. | AFP…

Vatican City: Pope Francis yesterday condemned the Ukraine government’s move to ban a Russia-linked branch of the country’s Orthodox Church. “Do not touch churches,” the pope said in his weekly prayers, one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed the ban into law. “In thinking of the law recently adopted in Ukraine, I fear for the liberty of those who pray,” he said. Zelenskiy signed the law on Saturday. Ukraine has been seeking to distance itself from the Russian church since 2014. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church broke away from Moscow in 2022, but Ukrainian officials accuse its clerics of staying loyal to Russia. | AFP…

THE KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) supplier, Thabang Mncwabe, has confirmed that from today about 60% of schools will not be supplied with food for the school meal scheme owing to non-payment by the Department of Education. Mncwabe said several service providers had not received payment for three months, leading to dire financial situations for them. He said the delay in payments posed a significant challenge, with some providers facing property repossession because of debts. “I can confirm that some schools will be affected (starting from today) because the department has not paid and did not communicate with us,” said Mncwabe. He said about 60% of the schools in the province would not receive food, but emphasised their commitment to providing nutritious food to children despite…

Withdraw dubious medico-legal claims within two weeks or else, warns Motsoaledi ELDERLY people taking care of their grandchildren in the absence of their mothers were tricked into signing Power of Attorney documents to sue the Health Department, while they were told they were signing SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) forms for child support grants. “This simply means that legal practitioners or their scouts were masquerading as social workers,” said Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. He made the remarks during a briefing at the weekend about the ongoing investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into medico-legal claims lodged against the Department of Health across the country. The SIU began their work in 2017, specifically looking into these medico-legal claims by targeting provinces with the highest share of claims. These were in…

ACCOLADES are being heaped on current Eskom CEO Dan Marokane for the remarkable reduction in load shedding this year. Without wanting to detract from the good work that he may be doing, attributing the turnaround to him is naive in the extreme. When Andre de Ruyter took over as Eskom CEO in January 2020, this energy behemoth was a sinking ship. Many years of poor management and a culture of entitlement among certain politicians had led to corruption, sabotage and low morale among senior management, which eventually filtered down to the general workers. The devastating results of this are well documented in De Ruyter’s Truth to Power. Salvaging this giant was never going to be a quick fix, and De Ruyter acknowledges this early on in his book. Being an…

US Vice President Kamala Harris’s concluding remarks and acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention was broad entertainment with no constructive policies and implementation strategies. Like her predecessors, her speech did not dig beneath the surface and she satisfied the privileged class. Although Harris tried her best to be relevant, original and natural by naming experiences from her humble childhood and middle class lived realities, it was difficult not to think back to former president Barrack Obama’s speeches. For example, Obama repeatedly mentioned he will close down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but sadly his huge power as the president of the US to close down Guantanamo did not materialise. Since President Joe Biden relevantly dropped out of the presidential race and Harris was named as his replacement,…

GENERAL health impacts sexual health and vice versa, and with a sex-positive approach, education and opening up sexy, sensual conversations, women can empower themselves holistically. This is according to medical doctor, sexual medicine and wellness expert Dr Heather Baylock, who is among the speakers at the upcoming Cape Times, Cape Argus and Weekend Argus Women’s Wellness Experience. The event will be hosted at the President Hotel on September 28 between 10.30am and 2.30pm. Baylock said women have the right to safe, consensual and pleasurable sexual experiences. She said sexual wellness keeps anxiety and depression at bay, and it is good for our heads and our hearts. “Women who are sex and body-positive are more likely to attend to medical screening such as pap smears and mammograms,” she said. On how…

THE Hawks have launched a manhunt for three foiled cash-in-transit heist suspects released from custody when they were not brought to court within 48 hours, and has turned to the public for assistance in hopes of rearresting them. Thirty-seven-year-old Cassiem Feni, Tebogo Maluke, 51, and Avuyile Mjongwana, 23, are wanted in connection with a case of attempted murder, possession of prohibited firearms as well as ammunition and possession of explosives following an incident early this month. A multidisciplinary team including the Hawks, intelligence operatives and the Special Task Force raided a house in Khayelitsha on August 5 where they exchanged fire with a gang of about 13 people. Eight suspects were killed, while five others were arrested. This is after law enforcement acted on information about a planned heist that…

THE recently concluded third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee marks a critical juncture in China’s ongoing efforts to deepen reforms and further open its economy. As global economic growth slows and geopolitical tensions rise, China’s steadfast commitment to reform, openness, and modernisation not only serves its own development goals but also offers much-needed stability and opportunities to the world. During the session, the CPC Central Committee adopted a resolution that outlines a comprehensive approach to reforms, ranging from economic liberalisation to institutional strengthening. This roadmap reflects China’s determination to continue fostering a high-standard socialist market economy by 2035, laying the groundwork for China’s transformation into a great modern socialist country by mid-century. Crucially, the session highlighted China’s dedication to opening up its markets…

Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire founder and owner of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris after landing on a private jet late on Saturday and placed in custody, a police source said. The arrest of the 39-year-old technology billionaire prompted a warning yesterday from Moscow to Paris that he should be accorded his rights and criticism from X owner Elon Musk who said that free speech in Europe was under attack. There was no official confirmation from France of the arrest, which French and Russian media have also reported, saying that Durov was arrested shortly after arriving at Le Bourget airport on a private jet from Azerbaijan. France’s BFM and TF1 said that Durov, who has dual French and United Arab Emirates citizenship, was…

PARIS: The French capital yesterday celebrated the 80th anniversary of its liberation from German troops in World War II with tributes, military marches and the hoisting of a flag at the Eiffel Tower. On August 25, 1944, the 2nd French Armoured Division entered the capital under the command of General Philippe Leclerc de Hautecloque, ending 1 500 days of German occupation. Yesterday a parade, which organisers said was both “military and popular”, was to follow one of the itineraries of the French division from the south of the capital to its centre. A torch for the Paris Paralympics, which opens on Wednesday, was lit, followed by a flyover by the Patrouille de France, a unit of French fighter jets. | AFP…

Kabul: The UN mission in Afghanistan said yesterday it was “concerned” about a morality law recently ratified by the Taliban authorities, criticising in particular restrictions on women. The Taliban authorities last week announced the codification of a law with 35 articles detailing behaviour and lifestyle restrictions based on their strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. The law sets out punishments for non-compliance enforced by the morality police under the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Women have borne the brunt of restrictions the UN has labelled “gender apartheid”; criticism the Taliban dismissed. | AFP…

In the red zone of the awakening Phlegraean Fields, the most dangerous volcano in Europe, 2 000-year-old ruins are rising from the earth, thrust upward by hydrothermal force. The water line is receding at the docks as the ground rises. Thousands of earthquakes, including one that drove 1 500 people into temporary shelter, are sending shock waves of fear through coastal communities. Residents are now keeping emergency bags packed, preparing for larger quakes, or worse, an eruption some experts fear could prove devastating. Nearly 80 000 people blithely inhabit the sulfureous caldera, playing soccer in the streets and cooking rich ragus in apartments with majestic views of Capri and Ischia, the emerald isles across the Gulf of Naples. In total, an estimated 485 000 people live in the designated danger…