Table of contents for 2024-10-07 in Cape Times

MANZI says ‘Oasis Water does not possess any trade secrets, or confidential information’ As a legal battle between Oasis Water Holdings and a former franchisee continues over alleged breach of contract by Oasis, with court papers running into the hundreds of pages, the prepared water company’s CEO and founder has announced his departure on his LinkedIn account. About three weeks ago, Naas du Preez, Oasis Water Holdings director and founder said on his LinkedIn page, “after a journey of almost 19 years as the founder and director of Oasis Water Holdings, I’ve decided that this exciting chapter of my life has come to an end”. Du Preez added that he had achieved his goals, will remain a shareholder, and had already handed over his responsibilities in “an orderly manner before…

The global landscape has become tricky to navigate in recent years. Since Covid-19, and over the past two years of synchronised global central bank rate hikes, there has been an ongoing debate about whether these would result in a soft, hard, or no landing. Additionally, geopolitics continues to complicate the scene. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has started the process of resetting expectations through a massive stimulus package aimed at supporting aggregate demand. Given the multitude challenges, which are cyclical and structural in nature, it is important to reassess and position accordingly, using selective commodity exposure to express views on the most likely outcome, while being mindful of the tail risks. Gold on the rise: Pan African Resources (PAN) Gold has always been seen as a safe haven and desirable asset…

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says its legal team is studying the decision after the party’s last-minute court bid on Saturday to block today’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews failed. The party went to court on an urgent basis to prevent the interviews after the Western Cape High Court interdicted its parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, from participating in the interview process. Hlophe was impeached as a judge in March for gross misconduct and the JSC refused the MKP’s request last week to postpone the interviews. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party was disappointed with the outcome of the urgent application in the Johannesburg High Court. “The party applied to court to nullify the irrational decision of the JSC which has stubbornly refused to postpone the interviews, pending various related…

POLICE have been hailed for their swift action in the rescue of a British woman and the arrests of suspects in two separate kidnapping incidents days apart in the Western Cape. According to police spokesperson FC van Wyk, a manhunt was under way for suspects in connection with the abduction of an 84-year-old British woman in Robertson. She was later found by a multidisciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team including the provincial organised crime investigation unit, DPCI and Crime Intelligence. Van Wyk said a case of hijacking and kidnapping was opened on Friday at the Robertson local police station after the incident. “According to reports received, the incident occurred at about 12pm on La Chasseur Road. Intelligence led to the location of the victim on Saturday, at about 9am where she was…

Marches are expected across South Africa today as workers unite for a national day of action led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). The trade union federation said that the mass demonstrations, coinciding with World Day of Decent Work, were in response to the country’s deepening economic crisis, with joblessness, poverty, and inequality at the forefront of worker’ grievances. Cosatu KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize emphasised that they were prepared for the march. "We have invited people who will collect the memorandum and we have mobilised the workers," said Mkhize. "We expect this march to be very big. The only challenge that we are facing is that the transport [for workers] that we have is not enough. “We are receiving calls from all corners of the province,…

OUR thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families of the Lusikisiki massacre victims as they navigate a painful terrain of coming to terms with what has befallen them. It’s unimaginable that so many people, mostly belonging to one family could be killed in such a callous manner. Seventeen people were shot dead at the homestead on September 27. An eighteenth person was declared dead hours later. A two-month-old baby was among those who miraculously survived while 15 women were murdered. The incident happened as the family was preparing for a traditional ceremony. These ceremonies by their nature require that they be conducted in a peaceful environment. How this very important aspect escaped perpetrators shows how broken our societies have become. Secondly, disputes, however big or small, are resolved through…

Tunisians began voting yesterday in an election in which President Kais Saied is seeking a second term, with his main rival suddenly jailed last month and the other candidate heading a minor political party. Tunisia had for years been hailed as the only relative success story of the 2011 “Arab spring” uprisings for introducing a competitive, though flawed, democracy following decades of autocratic rule. However, rights groups now say Saied, in power since 2019, has undone many of those democratic gains while removing institutional and legal checks on his power. Saied, 66, has rejected criticism of his actions, saying he is fighting a corrupt elite and traitors, and that he will not be a dictator. Yesterday’s election pits Saied against two rivals: his former ally turned critic, Chaab Party leader…

Butler: Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the site of a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassin’s bullet almost killed him in July, questioning whether his opponents were responsible and declaring he would “never quit”. “Exactly 12 weeks ago this evening, on this very ground, a cold-blooded assassin aimed to silence me,” the Republican candidate told supporters after taking the stage behind bulletproof glass. Trump’s return to Butler came a month before the November 5 presidential election, the outcome of which US President Joe Biden suggested might not be peaceful. Security was tighter than Trump’s July rally, with sniper squads atop surrounding buildings, and a surveillance drone overhead. | AFP…

London: Four people, including a 2-year-old boy, were killed when a record of were killed when a record 973 migrants crossed the English Channel on small boats on Saturday, the highest single-day number this year. The UK Home Office reported that over 26 600 migrants have made the journey in 2024. The deaths were likely caused by overcrowding in dinghies. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the loss of life “appalling”. The government has pledged to combat people smugglers who organise these perilous journeys. Channel crossings remain a key political issue, with the government under pressure to reduce arrivals in small boats. | AFP…

The third and final One Day International (ODI) between the Proteas and Ireland will be a dead rubber, but South Africa is not leaving anything to chance as they aim for a series clean sweep. The Sheikh Zayed Stadium will host South Africa’s final match of their United Arab Emirates (UAE) tour today (1.30pm start SA time), and after having brushed Ireland aside in the first two matches, the Proteas bring with them confidence and momentum as they look to wrap up in style. Rassie van der Dussen took charge of the team in the second ODI after regular captain Temba Bavuma retired hurt as a result of a dive at the non-striker’s end. With that, he unfortunately re-injured an elbow he had an issue with previously. The 35-year-old will…

The Proteas Women’s team are preparing for a trial by spin when they face England in a crucial ICC Women's T20 World Cup match today (start 4pm). It will be the first time these two sides meet since the Proteas’ historic semi-final victory in last year’s T20 World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town. The conditions expected today in Sharjah will, however, be entirely different to that balmy afternoon under the watch of Table Mountain. The temperatures in the UAE have consistently hovered around the 40 degrees Celsius mark, while the humidity levels have also peaked. This has caused the pitch at the Sharjah International Stadium to dry out and has offered the spinners plenty of assistance thus far - as was also seen earlier this month when Afghanistan’s Men’s…

October 7th marks International Day for Decent Work with organised labour, led by Cosatu embarking upon a mammoth national strike across the nation. Whilst the 1st of May is better known as Workers’ Day, October 7th is celebrated by workers across the world, to say not only must we celebrate the struggles and sacrifices workers have had to bear for centuries, but also that we should not merely be content with what we have achieved. It is an occasion for workers to say we deserve better. It is our blood and sweat, our monies and ideas that make workplaces, public and private, successful. We deserve to work in decent environments, that motivate the cashier and the farmworker. We deserve to know that the safety of the mineworker and the train…

It’s no secret that doctors warn us about sugar. From childhood, we’ve been told to “cut down on sweets” to protect our teeth, manage weight, and prevent diabetes. But there’s another reason why health experts are increasingly pushing us to rethink our sugar habits – our mental health is at stake. At first glance, sugar seems harmless. It’s everywhere, from the sugary cereal we eat in the morning to the comforting desserts we indulge in after a long day. For many, sugary treats are not just food; they’re a source of joy, a way to celebrate, or even a quick fix for a bad mood. So, it’s easy to overlook the potential damage. But here’s the thing: while sugar can give us that temporary “high”, it often leads to long-term…

Policy analyst Nkosikhulule Nyembezi says the recent court decision dismissing the ANC’s appeal against a contempt of court ruling over the release of cadre deployment records affirmed that there would be “consequences for the ANC’s novel doctrine of total power with absolutely no responsibility”. The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg on Friday dismissed the ANC’s application for leave to appeal with costs after the party and its secretary-general Fikile Mbalula were found in contempt of court for not providing unredacted cadre deployment records. The ANC had complied with a Constitutional Court ruling in February and handed over documents to the DA. They accused the DA of deliberate misrepresentation, threats and false expectations of what might be contained in the records. The DA, however, approached the high court stating that most of…

Capetonians joined thousands of protesters in major cities around the world on Saturday demanding an end to bloodshed in Gaza and the wider Middle East ahead of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel today. The march from Hanover Street, District Six to Parliament led by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Cape Town and supported by civil society organisations, faith-based groups, human rights activists, and members of the public called for the implementation of the Apartheid Bill, and sanctions against Israel. The PSC campaign said its Apartheid Convention Bill, to be tabled in Parliament as a private member’s bill, was based on the 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (the Convention). “We have experienced the oppression and exploitation of European colonialism…

Western Cape pupils came out tops at the Sasol Foundation and Kagiso Trust National Skills Competition finals in Johannesburg. Learners and teachers from various schools across the country competed against each other and demonstrated their skills when it comes to welding, woodwork, civil services, automotive, electronics, construction, electrical work and engineering graphics and design (EGD) in August and September. The top pupils and teachers from each province competed for the accolade of national winner in each category last week, with prizes including apprenticeships worth approximately R300 000 from the Artisan Training Institute, scholarships worth R20 000 from CAD4ALL and StemLAB, as well as robotics kits, toolsets, courses and vouchers. Zinzan Arries from Bellville Technical High School came first in the civil services category. Eben von Goldfuss from Westcliff School of…

Israeli air attacks battered Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight and early yesterday, the most intense bombardment of the Lebanese capital since Israel sharply escalated its campaign against Iran-backed group Hezbollah last month. During the night, the blasts sent booms across Beirut and sparked flashes of red and white for nearly 30 minutes visible from several kilometres away. It was the single biggest attack of Israel’s assault on Beirut so far, witnesses and military analysts on local TV channels said. Yesterday, a grey haze hung over the city and rubble was strewn across streets in the southern suburbs, while smoke columns rose over the area. Videos posted on social media showed fresh damage to the highway that runs from Beirut airport through its southern suburbs into downtown. Israel said its air force…

At least five people have died and over 100 000 remain stranded as devastating floods ravage northern Bangladesh, officials said yesterday. In Sherpur, one of the hardest-hit northern districts, surging water levels have submerged new areas, displacing thousands of families. Local authorities fear widespread damage to agriculture, particularly rice fields. Many homes and roads are under several feet of water, cutting off villages. “I’ve never seen such flooding in my life,” said Abu Taher, a district resident. Army personnel, using boats and helicopters, have joined rescue efforts, delivering emergency supplies and evacuating those trapped. Collapsed bridges and submerged roads hinder local authorities’ access to affected areas. The low-lying nation of 170 million has experienced multiple floods this year, underscoring its vulnerability to climate change. A 2015 World Bank Institute analysis…

Sacramento: A critical shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids is affecting US hospitals following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Baxter International’s North Carolina plant. The facility, which produces 60% of the nation’s IV fluids, remains closed due to severe flooding and damaged bridges. Many hospitals expect to receive only 40% of their usual supply from Baxter. Healthcare systems are implementing conservation measures and exploring alternative hydration methods to cope with the shortage. Other manufacturers like Braun and ICU Medical are increasing production to meet demand. The Food and Drug Administration is working with Baxter and considering temporary IV fluid imports. | IANS…

NEW DELHI: India’s ruling party is projected to have lost two key provincial elections to the main opposition Congress party and its allies, exit polls showed, suggesting another setback after the party fared poorly in national elections. Local media reported that Congress had a clear advantage in exit polls in the northern state of Haryana, indicating an end to a decade of rule by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Exit polls, conducted by private polling firms have a patchy record in India, which analysts say poses a particular challenge due to its large and diverse voting population. | Reuters…

Aryna Sabalenka has set her sights on reclaiming the world number one spot and can close the gap on Iga Swiatek with a good run at the Wuhan Open, which is returning today after a five-year absence. Sabalenka is the top seed at Wuhan in the absence of Swiatek, who withdrew from the WTA 1000 tournament after announcing her split with her coach of three years, Tomasz Wiktorowski. Sabalenka, who was upset in the quarter-finals in Beijing last week by Karolina Muchova to end a 15-match win streak, can become the first three-time winner at Wuhan. But Sabalenka said yesterday in Wuhan that she cannot afford to put pressure on herself. “Of course this is something I really want to do (become number one), it is one of my goals,”…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Friday fined two banks, HSBC and Bidvest Bank, for non-compliance with the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (Fica) following inspections conducted by the banking sector regulator. The SARB said in a statement that it had imposed administrative sanctions on HSBC Bank, Johannesburg branch, because of its non-compliance with Fica, following an inspection by the central bank conducted in 2021. The Prudential Authority (PA), which operates within the administration of the SARB, supervises and enforces compliance with Fica-accountable institutions. “The administrative sanctions imposed on HSBC are due to its failure to comply with certain provisions of the FIC Act and consist of three cautions and a financial penalty totalling R9.5 million, of which R4m is conditionally suspended for a period of 36…

In the realm of herbs and spices, names can sometimes be misleading. Take, for instance, cilantro and culantro. Despite their similar names and related flavour profiles, the two plants are different. We delve into the similarities and differences between culantro and cilantro, demystifying any confusion surrounding the two aromatic herbs. Culantro is a herb native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and Latin America but is cultivated worldwide, mainly in the tropics. It is also known as Mexican coriander. Culantro is a versatile herb of unique flavour and aroma that adds depth and complexity to many dishes. Cilantro, on the other hand, is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and Asia and is popular in Indian and Arabic cooking. ​​ While both belong to the Apiaceae family of aromatic,…

Police minister tells mourners not to ‘worry’ about the charges against the three WHILE three suspects have been arrested and a fourth person of interest wanted in connection with the Lusikisiki 18 murders, the families of the victims have appealed for assistance to demolish the houses where the brutal murders took place. Hundreds of mourners including some Eastern Cape royal houses, residents, families, civil rights organisations and dignitaries from national and provincial government gathered at Lusikisiki College of Education yesterday for a mass memorial service. The Ngobozana village was left reeling after the family was almost wiped out when gunmen opened fire last week at two homesteads as their victims prepared for a traditional ceremony. Majority of those killed were women.According to their obituaries, they left behind parents, spouses, children,…

THE number of prisoners languishing in the country’s prisons serving life imprisonment has steadily grown from a few hundred in 1996 to close to 1 9 000 this year. Of the total number, only 3 270 lifers who qualified for parole consideration were still incarcerated as of March 2024. This emerged in the annual report for the 2023/24 financial year tabled by the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS) in Parliament. JICS said there were 18 795 prisoners serving life sentences as at the end of March 2024. “The total number of those serving life terms has seen a substantial upsurge. This surge not only mirrors the escalation of violent offences during this timeframe but also underscores the impact of minimum sentencing regulations on the overall growth of South Africa’s…

EDUCATORS around the country were honoured at the National Teaching awards for making a lasting impact in the lives of their learners. Coinciding with World Teachers’ Day on Saturday, the awards in Boksburg recognised teaching excellence in South Africa. “We are delighted that two of our Western Cape teachers were announced as winners, with a further two ranking in the top 3 in their categories,” Education MEC David Maynier said. Derek Swart of Paarl Boys’ High School was honoured with the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET) award went to Ethon Leigh Alexander from Fraaisig Primary School in Knysna. Swart has been at the helm of Paarl Boys’ High School for over two decades, leading with a clear vision and a steadfast commitment to…

THE horrific mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, that left 18 people dead and others wounded, is yet another reminder of the deep-seated violence plaguing the province. The victims, mainly women, were shot in what should have been a moment of community bonding in preparation for a traditional umemulo or ukukhululwa kwezila ritual. The tragedy marks another dark chapter in a province that has, in recent years, seen escalating violence, crime and insecurity. The calls for more effective policing in the wake of such a devastating event are predictable. After all, it is the police who must bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of citizens. The Eastern Cape, with its rocketing murder and sexual offence rates, demands urgent intervention. The mass shooting adds to the horrifying statistic…

The southern French city of Marseille has been shaken by two apparently drug-related killings, including the murder of a 15-year-old boy who was “stabbed 50 times” and burned alive, prosecutors said yesterday. Marseille, France’s second-largest city but also one of its poorest, is plagued by drug-related violence. The historic port city on the Mediterranean coast has in recent years witnessed a turf war for control of the highly profitable drug market between various clans including DZ Mafia and Yoda. The problem was once again thrust into public eye this week, with Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone telling a news conference yesterday that victims and perpetrators of such violence were getting increasingly younger. The 15-year-old teenager was murdered on Wednesday in a case Bessone described as one of “unprecedented savagery”. On Friday,…

North Korea is convening a key parliamentary meeting today to revise its constitution. The Supreme People’s Assembly is expected to remove unification-related clauses and clarify territorial boundaries, including the maritime border. This follows Kim Jong-un’s redefinition of inter-Korean relations as being between “two hostile states” nine months ago. Kim ordered a constitutional review, including removing peaceful unification clauses. South Korea’s unification ministry suggests North Korea may scrap previous inter-Korean agreements, including the 1991 Basic Agreement. The revision may remove references to shared ethnicity and race, focusing on forceful absorption of the South in case of conflict. North Korea may also ambiguously outline its maritime border position, leaving room for future legislative actions. Since 1972, North Korea has amended its socialist constitution 10 times, with the last revision in September last…

Frankfurt: The German government has revised its economic forecast, now expecting a 0.2% contraction this year, down from the previous 0.3% growth projection. Germany, the only major advanced economy to contract last year, continues to face challenges including weak consumer spending, an industrial slowdown and cooling export demand. Despite current difficulties, the government remains optimistic for next year, predicting 1.1% growth. Economy Minister Robert Habeck emphasised the importance of the proposed “growth initiative” in driving recovery. This includes tax relief, reduced energy prices for industry, and less bureaucracy. | AFP…

Bangkok: Flash flooding in popular Thai tourist hot spot Chiang Mai has killed three people, a health official said on Sunday, as visitors evacuated hotels through knee-high muddy water and shops closed in the city centre. Two elephants also drowned in rapidly rising floodwaters north of the city, their sanctuary said on Sunday. In the centre of Chiang Mai, people waded through brown floodwaters in the night bazaar, and water flowed into the central train station, which has now been closed. Thailand’s northern provinces have been hit by large floods since Typhoon Yagi struck the region in early September. | AFP…

Relebohile Mofokeng is the youngest jewel of Orlando Pirates. But that doesn’t bother him as he knows he must be at his best week in and week out. The 19-year-old yet again defied his age in the 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, coming off the bench to assist the second goal and score the winner. Prior to his cameo, Mofokeng sent the stadium into a frenzy when coach Jose Riveiro sat alongside him on the bench for final instructions. The Vaal-born attacker is not loved by chance. His match winning goal against Stellies is all but a replica of what he did in the Nedbank Cup final. Mofokeng also came off the bench against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Ke Yona Cup final and scored the winner in stoppage…