Table of contents for 2023-04-03 in Star

Power utility warns it could report yet another record net loss before tax ESKOM has warned it could report yet another record net loss before tax of R32.4 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, after its half-year profit fell by nearly two-thirds. This would be Eskom’s sixth consecutive annual loss since 2018, following a loss of R12.3bn reported in 2022, which was down from a restated R25bn loss in 2021. The struggling power utility on Friday reported a decline in net profit after tax of R3.8bn for the six months ended September 30, 2022, down from R10.61bn a year before. Eskom said this decline in profit was driven by rolling power cuts, rising municipal debt, contracting sales volumes and poor plant performance, in spite of the…

The EUROPEAN Patent Office issued their annual Patent Index of 2022 on March 28, revealing some interesting information regarding the performance of various countries in terms of patent application in Europe. The registration of new patents is a very important indicator of the level of innovation in a country. It usually takes several years from the filing of a patent application before a product is launched on the market. It even takes about eighteen months after filing for patent applications to be published. Patent filings therefore provides an early insight into the latest innovation and inventions. Although 2022 was characterised by several global economic uncertainties, it seems from the number of patents as an early indicator of companies’ investment in research and development, that technical innovation remained robust with a…

l Ex-mayor not giving up on DA Former City of Joburg mayor Mpho Phalatse has lost the DA leadership contest with a disappointing 16%, while John Steenhuisen received 84% of the votes at the party’s elective conference in Joburg yesterday. Phalatse told The Star that she was happy for Steenhuisen and that she had sent him a message congratulating him on his second term as DA federal leader. Her loss did not come as a surprise. It was apparent that the DA delegates would judge her on her performance as mayor of the City of Joburg and her role as caucus leader of the DA. The party had been disgruntled with her relationship with an ActionSA member, and she was seen to be listening more to ActionSA in the Joburg…

TWO women dead, two killers applying for parole and two similar outcomes – both denied parole. This was the scenario last week when Donovan Moodley on Wednesday applied for parole. He was jailed for the death of Leigh Matthews in 2004. The parole board did not recommend parole, but because Moodley is serving a life imprisonment term, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola must speak the last word on whether he should be released on parole or not. Two days later, Oscar Pistorius was denied parole – a ruling made by the parole board itself as Pistorius is serving a determined sentence. In both cases, lawyer Tania Koen represented the victims’ families, who opposed parole at this stage. In Moodley’s case, Rob and Sharon Matthews, felt…

Marilyn Ngubane is the pageant director for Miss Pre-Teen RGP Gauteng, the first of its kind in the province, where beauty queens aged nine to 19 show off not only their beauty but also their entrepreneurial abilities in promoting small businesses in their regions. Her journey as a pageant director started in 2012, when she did her first beauty pageant, Miss Teen Queen SA, at the Dunkeld Bowling Club in Johannesburg. “The girls took to the streets on Oxford Road in Rosebank, all the way to Rivonia in Sandton, marching against gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse,” she said. The Miss Teen RGP title means “transformation” of a young girl who is becoming aware of her feminine power at a young age and utilises her voice to move…

The hearing on March 20 of the application by advocate Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan for the court to declare the private prosecution by former president Jacob Zuma against them unlawful and set aside echoed the President of the Republic of South Africa v Zuma and others heard on January 12, decided on January 16. In that case, President Cyril Ramaphosa lodged an urgent application to interdict the court from giving effect to the nolle prosecui certificate of November 21, 2022 and summons issued with regard to it relating to him. It was an interim interdict as part A in his application, pending the hearing of part B which asks the court to declare the summons, nolle prosecui certificate (as far as it relates to the president) and private…

Durban snake catcher Nick Evans has revealed that now is when one can see baby black mambas. “This is the time of year when we actually do get to see baby black mambas, and I’ve recently been called for two,” Evans said. “Just over a week ago, I pulled one out from under a gate motor in Newlands West. “Today (Thursday), I removed one from behind some pot plants in Northdene – thanks to “The Snake Man”, Jason Arnold, for the referral,” Evans said. He said the first mamba was 65cm long, and Thursday’s mamba was 56cm. “So yes, I’d say the first one’s a bit older. When they hatch, they’re 50-60cm,” Evans said. He said the picture with the young mamba gaping shows the characteristic black colour inside the…

Unfortunately, it is incumbent upon me to let you know that some employers do lie. South Africans are generally trusting. My experience has been that workers in most industries and across the hierarchy of their employment structures trust that their employers will treat them fairly and well. In my day-to-day dealings with individual employees, I find that when they report to me how the employer treated them unfairly, they are shocked. This is not to say that all or even most employers are dishonest, but it is incumbent upon every individual to check up on their circumstances and remain vigilant. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act makes it compulsory to receive a contract of employment (or a letter of appointment) and to receive a regular payslip on each payday.…

Regardless of who the Sharks play in this week’s Heineken Cup quarter-final, they are sweating over the fitness of Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth, who did not come out for the second half of the 50-35 defeat of Munster at the weekend because of a shoulder injury. The concern is compounded by what looked like a serious shoulder injury to Etzebeth’s replacement in the same game, the up-and-coming Emile van Heerden. The word from the Sharks’ camp is that the two locks, as well as scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, were going for scans yesterday — all have shoulder problems — and that there is no clarity on the severity of the injuries. “We will assess the injuries and plan accordingly,” Director of Rugby Neil Powell said. “It is obviously not ideal to…

Toulouse (12) 33 Tries: Meafou, Lebel, Flament; Conversions: Ramos (3); Penalties: Ramos (4) Bulls (6) 9 Penalties: Smith (3) A combination of poor discipline, a bit of stage-fright and a powerful Toulouse outfit saw the Bulls knocked out of the Champions Cup in their last 16 clash in France yesterday. Having seen his team go into half-time just 12-6 down, coach Jake White would have had real hope that the Bulls could mount a fight for victory, and he was seen on TV laying down the law to the players in the change-room. But despite the rain clearing away for some sunshine in the southern French city, the Bulls capitulated to concede three tries in the second half as they slipped too many tackles and made…

THE COMPETITION Appeal Court on Friday heard closing arguments from three banks challenging a Competition Tribunal order to grant the Sekunjalo Group an interim order against closing its bank accounts. The three banks that made submissions are Mercantile Bank, a division of Capitec Bank; Access Bank; and Standard Bank of South Africa. This follows the September 2022 granting of interim relief to the Sekunjalo Group, preventing the three banks from closing the group’s bank accounts and ordering five other banks to reopen accounts that had been closed. At the time, the Sekunjalo Group argued that the banks’ closing the accounts, or refusing to provide bank ing and payment services, constituted an abuse of dominance; collusion; and coordinated conduct that lessened competition in contravention of the Competition Act. The six other…

THE Competition Appeal Court on Friday reserved judgment in the appeal brought by three banks to dispute the decision of the Competition Tribunal preventing them from closing the Sekunjalo Group’s bank accounts. The court’s Judge President Norman Manoim and his fellow judges, Dunstan Mlambo and Brian Spilg heard the appeals from Mercantile Bank, Access Bank and Standard Bank, and the replies from Sekunjalo over a day-and-a-half. The banks had challenged, among other things, the tribunal’s finding that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to warrant its decision to grant interim protection to Sekunjalo. This protection was granted based on Sekunjalo’s case and argument, which cited that the banks were acting in concert and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour when they decided to close the group’s banking accounts. Several banks had closed…

MULTIAWARD-winning singer, songwriter and rapper Bree Runway has partnered with popular alcohol beverage Captain Morgan to urge drinkers around the globe to limit their consumption. After the successful launch of Captain Morgan’s Spice On campaign in the summer of 2022, the latest global campaign features Bree Runway and her smooth, slow jam remix of the 1990s track Rhythm of the Night, encouraging people to sip slowly. Having burst on to the music scene with her own spin on iconic anthems, the English-Ghanaian artist boasts a long list of accolades. The star has been nominated for Best New International Act as well as the Brits Rising Star award, and in November last year she appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in the UK. Her distinctive genre-bending style has given…

Institutions and governments the world over collude to keep the masses of humanity in check and mostly in financial discomfort. The interest rate weapon is a blunt instrument, rendering swathes of indebted human beings useless. South Africans, already pummelled by ever-increasing prices, are now being institutionally destroyed with an additional interest rate hike. The banks are rubbing their hands as they earn monumental, additional interest from the monies they have lent for homes, cars, luxury goods, etc. The banks are pregnant with profits, over-capitalised in the extreme, yet the man in the street will suffer for an extended period, and in many cases lose homes and cars ... and, worst of all, peace of mind. Auction houses, many supported by these institutions, are preparing to meet their boom! Blessed are…

The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) has revealed that it has accepted an offer of R3.9 million for award-winning actress Moitheri “Terry” Pheto’s house in Bryanston. The proceeds of the house will return to the National Lottery Commission (NLC) for community development projects, it said. This was after the house was acquired by buyers at an auction on March 2. “On Monday, the SIU accepted an offer of R3.9 million for the home of Moitheri Pheto. The proceeds will return to the @SA_NLC for community development projects,” the SIU said. Last year, the SIU reported that the house was built with funds linked to the syphoning of NLC grant funding. The SIU allegedly swooped on multi- million rand properties, a luxury vehicle, and two seafood restaurants owned by Pheto, former Lottery…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena says his troops do not get enough credit, even after wrapping up the Premiership title with six games to go. Sundowns have been the team to beat this season as they dominated the title race on their way to their sixth league championship in succession. That became a reality on Saturday as they were crowned league champions without even breaking a sweat due to SuperSport United’s 1-1 draw with Chippa United. SuperSport dropped two points against the Chilli Boys and can only reach 58 points if they win their remaining six matches. Sundowns are already on 59. The Brazilians were busy with their CAF Champions League campaign as they hosted Coton Sport in their final group stage match on Saturday night. Having won that game…

LEWIS Hamilton was “super grateful” to take his first podium of the year in Australia on Sunday, and suggested Mercedes could close the gap on the dominant Red Bulls. The British star briefly led in Melbourne after starting third on the grid, before finishing second behind Max Verstappen, but ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. It was his best result of the year and hugely encouraging after a miserable season last year for his struggling team. “I didn’t expect to be second so I’m super grateful for it,” he said. “I’m driving as best I can and working as hard as I can but still, considering we’ve been down on performance and in straight pace, for us to be up there fighting with Aston is amazing. “We can close that…

MAMELODI Sundowns have set themselves up for a potential second Champions League semi-final appearance since they won the title in 2016. By topping their group, the Brazilians have avoided a clash with continental giants such as Morocco’s Wydad AC and Esperance of Tunisia. It definitely raises hope that coach Rhulani Mokwena and his team will bring an end to their unimpressive run of four quarter-final exits in the last six years where they were twice beaten by Al Ahly, and also lost to Petro Atletico and Wydad. They will have what should be a much easier quarter-final clash this time around, with Algerian teams JS Kabylie and CR Belouizdad, or Simba of Tanzania their potential opponents when the draw is conducted on Wednesday. Of course, nothing can be taken for…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has conceded that the team have endured their worst season since he joined the club. Having been at the club for two decades, playing for the team before cutting his coaching teeth in the their development ranks, Zwane finally ascended as Chiefs coach last year. The 49-year-old was tasked with changing the team’s fortunes and help end their seven-year trophy drought. But things haven’t gone according to plan. Chiefs are out of the Premiership title race as Mamelodi Sundowns are already champions, although they could still win the Nedbank Cup as they are into the quarter-finals. Their league campaign received a massive boost on Saturday, though, as they beat Stellenbosch FC 2-1 thanks to goals from Ashley du Preez and Keagan Dolly. However, Zwane admitted…

Private security firm Fidelty ADT has offered a R100 000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of escaped rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester. Also known as the “Facebook rapist”, Bester fled from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, managed by the G4S Correction Services (South Africa). “Help us bring this criminal to book. We are offering R100 000 to anyone who can provide us with information that leads to the successful arrest and conviction of Thabo Bester,” read the post on the company’s Facebook page. Bester was sentenced for the murder of model, Nomfundo Tyhulu, and the rapes of two women – all of whom he lured via Facebook under the pretence of being a model scout. Last year, the Department of Correctional Services issued a statement saying Bester…

The ANC’s top leadership will discuss former president Thabo Mbeki’s scathing letter to the party’s deputy president Paul Mashatile today. In the letter, Mbeki expressed his disdain for the way that the ANC handled President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Farm scandal, the Eskom motion and other matters. “I address this specific letter to you, recalling the position taken by Comrade President Ramaphosa late last year when he requested to be excused from meetings of the ANC NWC and NEC when they discussed the Phala Phala matter,” Mbeki said. “You will also recall that the Phala Phala matter broke in June 2022 when Arthur Fraser lodged his complaint against our president with the SAPS. “Since then, many questions relating to this matter have been posed in the public domain. So…

World Autism Awareness Month is celebrated globally in April every year. Autism is a lifelong disorder that impacts all areas of communication and social interaction and can manifest itself in numerous ways. Autism is increasing worldwide. It has been named a “quiet health crisis”, as it is believed it does not receive nearly as much attention as physical illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. Florence Dzedzemane, head teacher at the Thulasizwe Autism School in Orlando West, Soweto, said: “This represents not only a major gap in our health-care system but also a lost opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). “Needless to say, one of the greatest challenges we face is raising the funds necessary to provide the kind of specialised services they need…

CLIMBING up the ranks, newly- appointed SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) CEO Vusumuzi Mkhize has been passionate about education, human development and wellness. An educationalist by profession, he was appointed this week to take over from Lorinda Lynn, who was acting after the suspension of Chantal Kisoon due to racism allegations. However, Mkhize is adamant to make a change within the Chapter 9 institution, saying racism still affects people and injures their human dignity. “People live in poverty, we still have challenges of inequality. Most vulnerable people, such as women and children, are still exposed to high levels of violence. I believe that one can make a contribution towards advancing the realisation of their rights.” Mkhize’s hunger to learn drove him to obtain an education diploma, BA, honours and…

In the latest episode of “what not to do when visiting a game park” and “dumb ways to die“, a tourist had to be assisted after his car got stuck near a lion sighting at Kruger National Park (KNP). The tourist, in a private vehicle, decided to disregard SA National Parks (SANParks) rules and went off-road at the wildlife park. After veering off the designated road, the unlucky BMW driver got stuck and a ranger and other visitors had to intervene to help the distressed driver get back onto the road and out of harm’s way. According to a video posted by travel content creator, LostinAfrica.tv, on TikTok, they assisted the ranger to get the tourist and stuck vehicle out. “We had to go dig him out, luckily there was…

Endometriosis is a common condition in women where tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus, affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis. This condition affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, and with an estimated 200 million women worldwide live with it. On average, it takes about 7 – 10 years for a woman to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis. What are the symptoms? Painful menstrual cramps that can last for days; chronic pelvic pain; pain during sex; bowel and bladder problems, including constipation, diarrhoea and painful bowel movements; and infertility. The intensity of these symptoms varies and can be unpredictable, causing distress and affecting the quality of life. How is it diagnosed? By careful evaluation of symptoms and physical…

South Africans are bombarded daily with news of horrendous crimes committed without consequence; despite the severe impact these crimes have on our lives. Our news-feeds are rife with stories of how lawlessness reigns in every aspect of our society, and there seems to be absolutely no plan, nor political will, to change the status quo. Sadly, the result is that “lesser” crimes are ignored as society and the media have become more desensitised. To demonstrate this point I refer to a case that ActionSA was made aware of in January this year – the case of a building hijacker in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. This case exposed the all-encompassing systemic failures of our criminal justice system and the collapse of the rule of law. Initially, we thought it was a matter of…

The Emirates Lions’ season has taken on a competitive shape, one where in spite of off-field issues and a run of on-field failure earlier this year, the Joburgers get to finish the season fighting in not one, but two competitions. Over the next few weeks, Ivan van Rooyen and his charges will battle to secure season-defining objectives in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and EPCR Challenge Cup. They will have to tame fate as much as their own expectations, especially in the URC, where they have a slim chance of making the play-offs. For now, the Lions can revel in their most recent success – a fantastic 51-28 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday night in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup. It was all the more impressive as…

THE Stormers will not have a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup despite turning on the fireworks on Saturday and beating Harlequins 32-28. Instead, the men from Cape Town will have to catch a flight this week to Sandy Park in England where they will face Premiership side Exeter after the latter beat Montpellier in extra time yesterday to book a home quarter-final. For a good while, though, it looked like Cape Town Stadium would host a quarter-final when Montpellier led the English side, but the Frenchmen struggled in the second half to contain the home team and the draw off 33-33 saw Exeter advance after scoring more tries in the game. Stormers coach John Dobson on Saturday, joked that he is an out-and-out French supporter, but unfortunately for his…

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has expressed his happiness at his team’s recent rich vein of form after climbing to second place in the Premiership standings. The Buccaneers broke down a resilient Richards Bay with goals from Terrence Dvukamanja and Monnapule Saleng at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday. Riveiro’s men have managed nine victories in their last 11 outings, surging their way up to the only remaining CAF Champions League qualification spot, with SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs hot on their heels. The Spanish mentor revealed his happiness at his side’s recent consistency but highlighted his player’s ability to turn up on match days as a key point of motivation. “The results are there. Pirates are winning a lot of games but what’s important for me is what I…

JOE Willock and Callum Wilson scored to give Newcastle United a well-earned 2-0 victory over Manchester United yesterday, which lifted them into third place in the Premier League standings. Both teams have 50 points from 27 games but Newcastle have the better goal difference in the race to finish in the top four and qualify for the Uefa Champions League next season. Eddie Howe’s side dominated play at St James' Park, narrowly missing the target from several excellent chances. Their persistence was rewarded in the 65th minute when Allan Saint-Maximin’s headed cross found Willock for a close-range header. Wilson put the game to bed in the 88th minute, heading in a cross from Kieran Trippier. The victory was some sort of revenge for the Magpies losing 2-0 to Erik ten…