Table of contents for 2024-09-24 in Cape Times

Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has warmly welcomed the announcement by Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, that Home Affairs offices will extend their operating hours to include Saturdays from September 21 to October 12. This comes after Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said that her department is ready to administer the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations for the class of 2024. Schreiber says the department’s offices will operate for five hours on Saturdays across all provinces, to offer temporary identity certificates, ID collection and applications services to matriculants so that they can write their final exams. These services are critical for matriculants, as valid identification is required for their exam participation. Gwarube commended the Department of Home Affairs for this timely intervention, emphasising the importance of interdepartmental…

SA has the potential to be a global success story As Chairman of Independent Media and IOL, I believe this editorial comes at a critical time, with media freedom and South Africa’s democracy under serious threat. Media serves as the cornerstone of any democracy. It holds power accountable and amplifies diverse voices. Without it, we risk allowing unchecked corruption and mismanagement to shape our future. South Africa has the potential to be a global success story, but only if we safeguard media freedom and create an environment that supports transparency and accountability. The Survé Family and Sekunjalo have invested approximately R1.4 billion in South African media businesses, spanning newspapers, radio, online platforms, magazines, and digital marketing. These investments have provided jobs for over a 1000 people. Despite the difficult landscape…

Serves: 4 Ingredients 2 x whole (+-350g each) lamb rumps, 20g harissa paste, 2ml rose syrup 2g salt, 2 x small vacuum bags Baharat, 125ml chicken stock - reduced by half, 80ml cream, 2g Baharat spice mix, 4g curry leaves 1g turmeric, Bukhara butter, 50g clarified butter, 2g coriander seeds- toasted, 1 x red chilli - chopped 5g curry leaves, 2g yellow mustard seeds, 1 clove garlic - chopped 1g cumin seeds - toasted, Harissa paste, 1 x red pepper - roasted, skinned and seeded, ½ tsp tomato paste, 1g garlic - creamed, ½ tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp cumin powder ¼ tsp smoked paprika,½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ lemon- juiced and zested Method Score fat on lamb. Rub in harissa paste, rose syrup and salt. Place it into a…

Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile this week issued an appeal to residents and victims of extortion to come forward with information. “The SAPS is aware of various claims in relation to extortion circulating on different social media platforms, but are convinced that not all these complaints and/or alleged crimes have been reported to the South African Police Service. “Through an analysis of reported crime, it became evident that not all extortion related crime is being reported to the SAPS. “Hence an appeal is made to those affected to report it through our toll-free number (0800 314 444). “Information shared on the toll-free number will be dealt with confidentiality,” said police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie. He said the task team is made up of experienced and highly trained detectives who are…

Umkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MK) Brian Molefe has delivered his first speech in Parliament, questioning how Eskom had requested an R8 billion clawback from a revenue determination that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) had previously approved. Molefe made the speech during a plenary sitting on Eskom and the electricity crisis. He noted that what members are considering whether a prediction error of R8 billion is acceptable or not, asserting it was “not a trivial matter and it cannot qualify to be called an error”. “It is a fundamental error in estimation and points to a fundamental flaw in the revenue estimation model of Nersa,” he explained. “More importantly it points to the fundamental flaw in the operating model of Eskom,” said Molefe. The former Eskom CEO said it…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently confiscated counterfeit products valued at R95,000. Authorities also apprehended three undocumented people during an operation in George, Western Cape. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Christopher Spies said on Monday, September 16, the Western Cape Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team, Public Order Police, Garden Route District Crime Combating Team and Brand Protectors raided a building on Hibernia Street in George. “The members confiscated toothpaste, deodorant, shoe polish and various cellular telephone accessories. Three undocumented persons (aged between 21 and 29) found on the premises were arrested,” Spies said. The suspects are still in police custody and will appear in court whenever charged. The South African Police Service (SAPS) recently confiscated counterfeit products valued at R95,000. Authorities also apprehended three undocumented people during an operation in…

The wise suggest wisdom is achieved when knowledge and experience culminate and the lessons of the past allows a mature person to think before responding. This does not apply to everyone. Thus, mature people are gentler and less likely to partake in activities that are needless or that will lead to confrontation. Life teaches that it is better to avoid futility. Historically, prophets said people would be led to hell-fire and would ask the angels why they were damned. Understanding this is vital as many wicked people believe they are decent humans. What am I talking about? You may be the type of person who prays, fasts, gives charity and so on, but you have some dangerous qualities that prevent your good deeds from benefiting you. For example, when you…

Announcing the cut, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said central banks were acting with caution. “The case for caution is further bolstered by the difficult and unpredictable geopolitical environment, with risks of inflationary shocks through trade restrictions and supply chain disruptions, among other factors. Overall, global conditions have become more favourable, but there are still risks.” The cut places the repo rate at 8%. Professor Bonke Dumisa, an independent economic analyst, said while many had been hoping for a 50 basis points cut, the committee had agreed on the 25 basis points. “We are reasonably happy with a 25 basis points repo rate cut. We do understand why the SARB had to be very cautious here.” Old Mutual group chief economist Johann Els said he believed conditions were ripe for a…

The South African Police Services (SAPS) have confirmed that Michael Lomas a fugitive wanted in connection with fraud and corruption at Eskom is being extradited back into the country. National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Lomas will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning at 9am. Lomas who faces allegations of fraud and corruption at power utility Eskom amounting to almost R1,5 billion was arrested in London in 2021. Mathe said an extradition order was granted in August 2024. Lomas will arrive in SA accompanied by SAPS Interpol SA and will be handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks). Police said Lomas is an ex-Eskom employee and is wanted in connection with the alleged fraud and corruption that took place between…

On other days the sun shines and the birds sing, making the day simply beautiful. What is important is that we take each day in its stride and try our very best not to become overwhelmed by the moment and always remember the Creator gave opportunity to say thanks. Where am I going with all this? As we go about our day we must spare a thought for those in hospitals struggling with difficult illnesses that cause great pain and suffering. We must also be grateful that we have no serious disabling physical/mental illness that causes us to become institutionalised or drug dependent. Across the world, millions of people are suffering from serious issues that would make our lives intolerable, but these people survive because they have spiritual strengths that…

The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety and the City of Cape Town on Tuesday announced plans to implement a “double-up trial redeployment” for Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) officers to combat organised crime and extortion syndicates in crime hot spots. They said Leap would redeploy members to focus on six precincts and the strategy would be assessed and revised after six months. These included Delft, Khayelitsha, Philippi East, Nyanga, Mitchells Plain and Gugulethu. A reaction unit of 120 members would also be used in Hanover Park, Manenberg, Atlantis, Kraaifontein, Elsies River and other areas which will not have permanently stationed Leap officers. However, they did not disclose how much this would cost. Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais said: “The Western Cape Safety Plan…