Содержание выпуска: 2021-12-02 — Cape Times

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za BUSINESS conditions in the manufacturing industry could remain subdued in the next six months in spite of the expected rebound of industrial activity in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Absa Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released yesterday re- corded a solid increase in November, rising to a five-month high following weak conditions in the third quarter. The PMI gained 3.6 points to remain in expansionary territory with 57.2 points in November, up from 53.6 points in October, and pointing to a faster expansion in manufacturing since June. Absa said this was the highest level for the headline PMI since before the third wave of Covid-19 infections and the social unrest shock that caused a R50 billion economic fallout in July. At 55.4…

Sacha van Niekerk sacha.vannieker@inl.co.za Vibrant flowers nestled among fresh herbs and crisp lettuce leaves all beautifully arranged before making their way from the garden to plate – this is the concept of edible landscaping, a method of gardening that is as much about aesthetics as it is is about functionality and sustainability. How fast we consume resources and generate waste is one of society’s main focuses at the moment. As the movement towards being more eco-friendly flourishes, people are learning that their day-to-day lifestyle choices make a significant impact on the environment. Most of these small changes can be made at home in ways such as recycling waste, composting and being more eco-aware when it comes to your gardening. How often do we dedicate a Sunday morning to trimming hedges,…

Staff writer AS ORGANISERS of the Ballito Rage cancelled the remainder of the popular event north of Durban after 32 guests and four staff tested positive for Covid-19, City officials said they were bracing for post-matric exam celebrations. Law enforcement agencies would increase patrols around the beach areas and the CBD, Long Street in particular, said safety and security Mayco member JP Smith. “We ask that matriculants who plan to celebrate take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe environment. The past year has been difficult, compounded by the approaching Covid-19 fourth wave. Let us all play our part and avoid possible high-risk areas. “The end of your school career is cause for celebration, particularly the final exams. However, we have seen our fair share of celebrations go south…

Francesca Villette francesca.villette@inl.co.za A REVIEW and audit of the fuel price was necessary, the AA said, after the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) made a shocking error that burnt holes in the pockets of South Africans. The DMRE announced on Monday that petrol across all grades would rise by 81c a litre from midnight yesterday. Some 12 hours later, around midday yesterday, the DMRE issued an erratum saying that petrol, both 93 and 95 ULP & LRP, would increase by 75c a litre instead. “The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy regrets to announce that the adjustment of petrol price announced on Monday, November 29, was erroneous. “The 6c difference is due to the fact that the adjustment of wages for service station workers had already been implemented…

Ingredients Method 2 cups (250g) fusilli pasta screws 2 (250g) chicken breasts, sliced into 2cm strips ½ tsp pepper, to season (optional) 1 punnet (250g) white button mushrooms, sliced ½ cup (125ml) mayonnaise 1 Knorrox Chicken Flavour Stock Cube Serving suggestion: Chopped parsley Boil the pasta in salted water for 7 minutes, ensuring the pasta has not completely softened. While the pasta is cooking, heat a medium-sized oiled pot over a high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes or until browned. Add in the chicken breast strips and continue frying until they start browning, approximately 5 minutes. Add pepper, if using. Place the Knorrox Chicken Flavour Stock Cube in ⅔ cup of boiling water and allow to dissolve. Add this to the chicken and stir to…

Marsha Dean marsha.dean@inl.co.za AN ELSIES River teacher with a passion for writing and educating people about the challenges communities face on the Cape Flats is gaining international recognition for his poetry collection, Ek slaan my oë op na die flatse. Last month, Nashville Blaauw’s book was published in an online US magazine, Without Borders, in an article on Afrikaaps and was translated into English by author Nathan Trantaal. Blaauw, an accounting and business studies teacher at Elsies River High School, has also been approached by Dr Peter Constantine from the University of Connecticut for the poems to be translated into modern Greek. “The book brings the reader to the conditions of the Cape Flats in Afrikaans, the language of the people here. It addresses social issues and how the…

Staff writer CITY rescue staff have been hailed for coming to the aid of two maintenance workers trapped in a storm water pipe in what has been described as a tense situation under the Weltevreden Bridge across the R300, near Mitchells Plain. They were taken to Vincent Pallotti Hospital in critical condition, according to safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith. He said firefighters responded to a confined space emergency just before 4pm on Tuesday and called for the technical confined space rescue team from Goodwood to assist Metro Emergency Medical Service. They were joined by Metro ambulance staff; Law Enforcement, Traffic Service and SAPS officers; as well as a private ambulance service. “Goodwood station commander Warren Sam took over as the incident commander and immediately enforced a confined…

HEARTS are sinking. Anxiety is building. On November 29, the country’s human rights activists and local fishing communities took the struggle to oppose the exploration of oil and gas to court. They are represented by the Border Deep Sea Angling Association, Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice and Greenpeace environmental organisation. This is part of mass demonstrations across the country to compel the government to prevent Shell and Impact Africa from starting seismic surveying in the Transkei Exploration Area, until they have obtained a legally valid environmental authorisation. Shell caused a public outcry when it announced it would start a three- dimensional seismic survey searching for oil and gas deposits from Morgan Bay to Port St Johns on December 1. Shell has appointed Shearwater GeoServices to conduct the survey,…

AT THE height of the July unrest which saw massive looting and the destruction of property, Police Minister Bheki Cele and other Cabinet members claimed that “12 instigators”, including “big names”, would be arrested because they were “known to the police”. While Cele would not be drawn into revealing the identity of the so-called big-names, his colleague, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for State Security, Zizi Kodwa, later implied in an interview with the SABC that former head of Military Intelligence, General Maomela “Mojo” Motau, was among them. When an angry Motau hit back by labelling Kodwa a “security risk” because he had told the Zondo Commission that he was “broke”, and challenged him to lay criminal charges against him if he meant what he said, the deputy…

The World Health Organization (WHO) agreed yesterday to launch negotiations on an international pact to prevent and control future pandemics as the world geared up to battle the new Omicron variant of coronavirus. Such an agreement to beef up measures against pandemics was expected to be ready in May 2024. It would cover issues from data sharing and genome sequencing of emerging viruses to equitable distribution of vaccines and drugs derived from research. “The adoption of this decision is cause for celebration and a cause for the hope we all need,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a meeting of health ministers. In the meantime, countries should abide by the WHO’s 2005 International Health Regulations, he said. The decision, entitled “The World Together”, was adopted by consensus at a special…

Two years after the Mexican drug lord nicknamed “El Chapo” began serving life behind bars in the US, his wife, who admitted taking part in his multibillion-dollar smuggling operation and aiding his notorious 2015 tunnel escape from a Mexican prison, was sentenced on Tuesday to 36 months in a federal penitentiary. Emma Coronel Aispuro, whose husband, Joaquín Guzmán Loera, reigned for years as boss of Mexico’s murderous Sinaloa Cartel, pleaded guilty in June to three charges in US District Court in Washington, including conspiracy to distribute 100 tons of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. “I address you today to express my true regret … and ask that you and all the citizens of this country forgive me,” Coronel, 32, told Judge Rudolph Contreras in Spanish. Speaking through an interpreter, she…

KUALA LUMPUR: Forced labour allegations against Malaysian firms are affecting foreign investors’ confidence in the Southeast Asian nation, a minister said yesterday, days after Dyson cut ties with Malaysian supplier ATA IMS over labour abuse claims. Dyson told Reuters last week it would sever ties with ATA, which makes parts for its vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, in six months following an audit of the Malaysian company’s labour practices and allegations by a whistleblower. ATA, which gets 80% of its revenue from the home appliance maker, reiterated it took the accusations seriously and that findings from a labour audit were inconclusive.…

TOKYO: A SIXTY-nine-year-old man survived 22 hours lost at sea off southern Japan, seated on the stern of his capsized boat and cloaked in a tarpaulin. The man remained almost monosyllabic as his rescuer clambered alongside him on the upturned hull. A rope was attached, and a coastguard launch reeled the upturned boat close enough for its crew to haul the man, and their crewmate aboard. The man, whose name has not been released by authorities, had been working alone on the boat for a port construction project off Yakushima when it capsized on Saturday afternoon.…

TALK is cheap but actions are priceless. That’s why Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has to bank on his team to back up his audacious comments - that they are on the same level as Mamelodi Sundowns - against Baroka FC tonight. Out in Liberia on Sunday, Ncikazi held court. After Pirates took a gigantic step towards qualifying for the group stage of the Confederation Cup with a 2-0 win over LPRC Oilers in the first leg of the play-offs, Ncikazi was clearly on cloud nine. He made claims that “we're on the level of Sundowns, but we even have more support than them". The latter might be true but for Ncikazi to say they are on par with a club that has won six titles - 11…

Francesca Villette Francesca.villette@inl.co.za OMICRON is driving the majority of Covid cases in the Western Cape, as the province is in an official resurgence. Speaking during a Covid-19 committee briefing on the readiness to manage the anticipated fourth wave, provincial head of health, Dr Keith Cloete, said there were an average of 100 new cases reported daily, as opposed to around 30 cases just 10 days ago. He added that admissions were showing possible signs of early increase, but it was too early to tell. “Scientists are still tracking to see whether it is more transmissible than Delta or Beta. “We expect the evidence to emerge over the next seven to 10 days. “It’s safe to say, as the sequencing catches up, the majority of the cases we currently see in…

Nicola Daniels nicola.daniels@inl.co.za A DECISION as to whether the controversial Shell seismic survey on the country’s Wild Coast can proceed is expected to be delivered in the Makanda High Court tomorrow. This after four environmental and human rights organisations filed an urgent interim interdict against Shell to prevent the petroleum giant from commencing a seismic survey along the Wild Coast yesterday, citing harmful impact on marine life and in turn local communities. Judge Avinash Govindjee yesterday heard arguments from Border Deep Sea Angling Association, Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa and respondents, Shell and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The surveying ship, the Amazon Warrior, has already been spotted in the Eastern Cape, ready to look for potential oil or gas deposits. For the…

OWN Correspondent A PhD developed by Stellenbosch University's Dr Harlan Cloete has proved to be influential in the development of the new municipal staff regulations published by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma recently. The regulations, which focus on how municipalities should recruit, maintain and develop their staff, will come into effect on July 1 next year. ​Cloete, an extraordinary lecturer at SU's School of Public Leadership (SPL), completed his PhD, “Human Resource Development (HRD) in Local Government – a management perspective”, in 2016 under the supervision of Professor Frederick Uys. He then led a research team to investigate the challenges facing skills development facilitators (SDFs) in the implementation of skills development interventions in South African municipalities. As a result, he developed the HRD for good…

Odwa Mkentane odwa.mkentane@inl.co.za NTOMBOXOLO Xhobane moved out of her Khayelitsha home after her husband of 16 years, Simbongile, was found to be cheating on her with a neighbour. She had most recently been living in Delft before Simbongile allegedly stabbed her to death on Sunday, according to her family. He was arrested at the scene. “Like any other relationship, they had their issues. From my point of view I would not say that their relationship was toxic whatsoever, but as normal people they had disagreements now and then. “I found out that Simbongile had an affair back in Khayelitsha, where they used to live, and that resulted in my aunt moving out of the house and living peacefully in Delft,” said Ntomboxolo’s niece, Busiswa Goniwe. “On the day of the…

Siyabonga Hadebe I insist there is no single economic instrument or intervention that can reduce the high unemployment, underwhelming growth and low skills in South Africa. What we generally regard as the “triple curse” of unemployment, poverty and inequality represents colonial/apartheid continuities. The creation of the economy was founded on oppression, dispossession, exploitation and virulent exclusion. With regards to exclusion, the colonial and apartheid governments lumped the black population in native reserves (bantustans), thus creating surplus labour. The reasons for high unemployment and low skills are therefore historical, and form the base of what former president Thabo Mbeki called “a country with two economies”. One economy is highly developed and comparable to some of the best economies in the world, and has always been white-led. The other is underdeveloped…

Kiev: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday called for direct talks with Moscow as tensions mounted over claims that Russia is laying the groundwork for an invasion. Zelensky’s call came as Nato looks to counter what it says is a build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken set to meet Russia’s top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, in Stockholm today. “We must tell the truth that we will not be able to end the war without direct talks with Russia,” Zelensky said during an annual address to lawmakers in Kiev. “Let’s be honest, the war in Donbass has been going on for eight years,” Zelensky said, referring to eastern Ukraine.“We must talk, knowing that we have a strong and powerful army,” Zelensky added, saying…

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had a right to run for another presidential term, and he has not yet made a decision. Putin was asked if he planned to run for another term and what other goals he wants to achieve for Russia at the VTB Capital Investment Forum “Russia Calling!”. “I think my re-election is not Russia’s goal,” he replied. “As for my plans, the trick is that in accordance with the constitution I have the right to be elected for a new term. Whether I will do this or not, I have not decided for myself yet,” Putin said.…

Ethiopian soldiers supported by regional forces have recaptured territory from rebellious Tigrayan fighters, the prime minister’s office said yesterday, as a resident in one village told Reuters that Tigrayan forces had left his village. The announcement of territorial gains in Amhara follows news over the weekend that government forces had recaptured the town of Chifra in Afar region after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed left the capital, Addis Ababa, to direct fighting from the front lines last week. Gains by the military in Afar and Amhara would be a blow to Tigrayan forces, who had threatened to either advance further south through Amhara and march on the capital, or march east and threaten a road linking landlocked Ethiopia to the region’s main port. The year-old conflict between the federal government and…

LONDON: UK Home Secretary Priti Patel is to set off on a tour of European capitals this week as part of a scaled up effort to resolve the migrant crisis that had been plaguing the UK and souring relations with France, reported The Times. Furthermore, the UK is said to be mulling using its presidency in the G7 to summon an extraordinary meeting to discuss the Channel migrant issue after botched attempts to hammer out a bilateral fix to the crisis with France. Patel’s flurry of planned meetings comes after she had been disinvited to an emergency Calais meeting of European interior ministers on November 28 after 27 people died trying to cross to Britain in a dinghy.…

ZAAHIER ADAMS zaahier.adams@inl.co.za FORMER Proteas captain Faf du Plessis has revealed the details related to his omission from South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad, claiming Cricket SA had “unrealistic expectations”. Although retired from Test cricket, Du Plessis, 37, remained committed to playing white-ball cricket for the Proteas, which included the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month. The veteran was still in fine form, having been named player of the IPL final, which was staged in the UAE just days before the T20 World Cup got underway. However, it was seemingly Du Plessis’ commitments to the various T20 and T10 leagues around the world that he now earns his living from that created the dispute. There is another T20 World Cup in Australia next year though, but…

THE majority of players and staff from the Munster and Cardiff who have been stranded in South Africa because of Covid-19 restrictions said they will leave by today. Most of Munster’s squad departed from Cape Town on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Irish club. Cardiff, the last of four United Rugby Championship teams hit by travel bans, will leave today. But both clubs had to leave behind squad members who tested positive for the virus. Fourteen of the Munster squad remained in quarantine in Cape Town, while the Cardiff club said two of their party had to stay behind. “The wider Munster touring party departed Cape Town tonight after a group of 34 players and staff received negative results on completing a fourth round of PCR testing in…

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@inl.co.za THE EMERGENCE of the Omicron variant and subsequent travel bans have turned investors hawkish about the South African economy’s prospects to return to pre-pandemic levels in mid-2022. Uncertainty about the virulence of Omicron, its ability to resist vaccination and spread rapidly, among other things, have rocked global financial markets. As a result, investors have started revising downwards their economic growth forecasts for South Africa due to these headwinds. Fund managers have pointed to the new Covid-19 variant, cost-pushing inflation dynamics and unstable electricity supply as some of the risks to the economic outlook. Momentum Investments, which has more than R550 billion in assets under management, yesterday said subdued activity would have serious implications for the fiscus. Momentum economist Sanisha Packirisamy said growth was expected to soften…

Edward West edward.west@inl.co.za AFRICAN Equity Empowerment Investments (AEEI) halved its final dividend to 10 cents a share in the year to August 31, 2021, even though it held a strong balance sheet with R2.3 billion in cash. The total dividend for the year was up 33.3 percent to 40c. Net asset value per share decreased 12.25 percent to 1 102.54c after its investments were not spared from the negative impact of the pandemic on all global markets. The share price increased 53.9 percent to R1.40 in one deal on the JSE yesterday, Chief executive Valentine Dzvova said yesterday that while Premier Fishing and Brands had performed well, the technology business struggled with the loss of a large contract, some contracts not being renewed upon…

Loyiso Sidimba loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za FORMER State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser has been denied leave to cross-examine witnesses who implicated him in the commission of inquiry into state capture. Commission chairperson Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo dismissed Fraser’s application to cross- examine former SSA bosses Mzuvukile Maqetuka, Moe Shaik, Lizo Njenje and ex-Cabinet minister Dr Sydney Mufamadi, who chaired the high-level review panel on the SSA. Justice Zondo said Fraser did not specify in which parts of their affidavits they implicated him and that his own statements submitted to the inquiry should have been signed under oath. “I did consider the submissions that he (Fraser) submitted, but as I have indicated, I am satisfied that the applicant (Fraser) did not comply with the requirement of the rule in the way…

Siphokazi Vuso and Tarryn-Leigh Solomons YET another Western Cape municipality has caused outrage after it emerged that sexual harassment accused former Mossel Bay municipal manager Thys Giliomee has been appointed municipal manager for the DA-led Hessequa Municipality. Giliomee who takes up office next month, was placed on special, full-paid leave earlier this year pending an investigation into alleged misconduct in the form of sexual harassment during his tenure in the Mossel Bay Municipality. Giliomee is alleged to have sexually harassed a junior employee. After extensive negotiations, his contract was later terminated before he could face a disciplinary hearing. Outraged opposition parties yesterday vowed to challenge the appointment, accusing the DA of turning a “blind eye” on issues relating to gender-based violence when they involved their municipalities. This was in relation…

Staff writer IN light of having no real minstrel or Cape Malay Choir competitions for two years, 71-year-old Mogamat Allie Floris, formerly from Bo-Kaap – a living legend and stalwart of the Cape Malay Choirs, Kaapse Klopse and Moppie items – reflected on the colourful history of the Klopse in Cape Town. Fondly known as Boeta Allie, Floris, who lives in Bridgetown, has three children and seven grandchildren. “The Bridgetown Mosque was built in 1960. Prior to this, we would put up some tents and on significant nights, like in the month of Ramadaan, we would offer our prayers. We would do songs of praise every Thursday and Sunday. We belonged to the Habibia Brigade. My father, Abubakar, was a tailor and he would make things for the brigade.…

Chevon Booysen chevon.booysen@inl.co.za A CONVICTED sexual offender who received seven years’ imprisonment for the attempted rape of his minor nephew may face a lesser sentence due to “procedural irregularities” at the Khayelitsha Regional Court. This as the regional court magistrate referred the matter to the Western Cape High Court for special review after she had convicted and sentenced man to seven years instead of the prescribed five years allowed by the Criminal Procedure Act. The magistrate said she had in error imposed a seven-year sentence and realised her mistake when she returned to office and has sought in the review of the matter that the sentence be set aside and referred back to her so she may impose a just sentence. “In her covering letter motivating the request for a…

Odwa Mkentane odwa.mkentane@inl.co.za THE family of 3-year-old Kwahlelwa Mapolisa have demanded answers from authorities after the little boy suffocated when he fell into a hole along a railway track in Mbekweni, Paarl. Kwahlelwa was playing with his brother when he tried to fetch a ball that rolled into a hole along the railway track on Friday morning. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said it is believed that the boy suffocated. A death inquest case docket has been registered. Family spokesperson Mbulelo Ngalo said the family wanted to engage with whoever was responsible for the railway track. “The reason the railway track is not in good condition is that there are people in the area who dig soil from the track for building purposes, and that is being done illegally. “The children…

LAST week, South Africa detected a highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus and decided to bring it to the attention of the world. But instead of winning plaudits for its actions, what South Africa received in return was banishment as governments around the world shut down their borders to visitors from southern Africa. Whatever the rationale, to the Africans themselves, such an impulsive knee-jerk reaction to the Omicron variant is at best a sign of panic, and at worst smacks of discrimination. For the sake of argument, let us take both criticisms at face value. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the prohibition of travel imposed on his citizens is “not informed by science”. He is right. There is no evidence to show the new variant is any more deadly than the…

Pope Francis yesterday called for a renewed solidarity with those suffering from the HIV virus to guarantee care for those in the world’s poorest places. Speaking at his general audience, Francis said World Aids Day was an important occasion to remember people affected by the virus. In some areas of the world there is no access to essential care, he said. UNAIDS, the United Nations programme on HIV and Aids, said on Monday the Covid-19 pandemic was undercutting the Aids response in many places and services for people who use drugs for HIV were disrupted in 65% of 130 countries surveyed. “I hope there can be a renewed commitment of solidarity to guarantee efficient and equitable health care, (for those with HIV-Aids),” the pope said. The World Health Organization says…

LONDON: Sir Elton John has revealed a new documentary about the creation of The Lockdown Sessions. The Rocket Man hitmaker – who collaborated with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Stevie Nicks, Eddie Vedder, Charlie Puth and more on the collection – has dropped a three-part series to document the record. He wrote on Twitter: “Surprise! Just in time for the holidays, I’m taking you ‘Inside the Lockdown Sessions’. In the first episode, he admitted he “had no intention of making an Elton John record during lockdown”. The 74-year-old singer noted how he “made more calls during lockdown” than ever before, and it gave rise to plenty of exciting collaborations. He recalled: “Dua Lipa, you know, we became friends after she did the Oscar party. Never thought of doing a duet…

ABUJA: At least 20 people were killed and seven hospitalised after an overloaded boat capsized this week in Nigeria’s northern state of Kano. “The boat was ferrying about 50 people with some loads. “It capsized because of overloading. “Most of the passengers were Islamiyyah students,” the office of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said responding to the “state tragedy”. More casualties are expected, as rescuers search for more victims, his statement said. Boat accidents are common in Nigeria due to overloading and faulty operation.…

Dhaka: A Bangladesh mayor who refused to permit a mural depicting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s father on religious grounds was arrested yesterday, police said. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was independent Bangladesh’s first leader and since his daughter took power in 2009, authorities have erected more than 1 000 murals and monuments to venerate him. Scores of people have also been charged for defaming him under the country’s notorious internet laws. Abbas Ali, the mayor of western Rajshahi city, had an audio clip of his comments against a proposed Mujib mural go viral.“This is not correct according to Islamic sharia,” he said.…