Содержание выпуска: 2024-12-18 — Cape Times

THE Department of Correctional Services would need an estimated R36 billion to build new prison facilities if it was to address the overcrowding at prisons which was averaging at around 46%. This was revealed by Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald when he was responding to parliamentary questions from Patriotic Alliance MP Marlon Vivienne Daniels, who asked about measures, particularly relating to building more prisons, that are in place to deal with overcrowding. Independent Media previously reported that the prison population stood at 154 327 against 107 582 bed spaces, resulting in an excess of 46 745 prisoners in August 2023. In his response, Groenewald said the need to increase the bed space capacity in prisons was receiving attention through the construction of new facilities, the upgrade of outmoded facilities, regaining…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said the provincial government remains concerned about spaza shops failing to comply with food safety regulations. This comes after inspections of spaza shops uncovered rotten meat, expired baby food and chips. These compliance inspections follow the recent rise in foodborne illnesses allegedly linked to products sold at these shops. The premier was speaking during a crime stats update at the Department of Public Works building in Mayville yesterday. “Provincial government remains concerned about the deaths as a result of consuming expired foods and snacks purchased at spaza shops that are mostly managed and run by foreign immigrants,” said Ntuli. “In two spaza shops that we visited in Gamalakhe (on the KZN South Coast), we were shocked to uncover rotten meat being kept in the refrigerator; expired…

Serial abalone poaching offender, Beiping Zhang has been denied bail at the Western Cape High Court after he was re-arrested in connection with abalone poaching in Durbanville. The repeat offender, who has been in the country illegally since mid-February when his visa expired, was chastised by high court Judge Mark Sher for his “actions (which) are motivated by commercial greed and gain”. Zhang, who was re-arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA), is currently awaiting trial where he faces four criminal charges. Zhang’s bail was revoked on August 21 this year after he was granted bail a year earlier, on August 3, 2023. Zhang was initially arrested with four others on July 26, 2023 in West Beach, Bloubergstrand on charges of contravening the MLRA. They were nabbed for…

WITH ALL fairness, it should be appreciated that students from the “oppressor’s camp” formed a body against oppression. Some would question why they must be applauded because, as part of the “oppressor’s camp”, they were cleaning their “mess”. But they were not forced, and the price they paid was not different from that of people of colour who were in the forefront in the Struggle. In the beginning, the National Union of South African Students (Nusas) was too much of a “softie”, and exclusive. Regardless of how it was perceived, either as a “softie” or “radical”, there was a lot it did. But as time progressed and with the intensification of the Struggle, they also gained momentum. It is also proper to not just look at Nusas as a…

Huge Israeli airstrikes killed extended families in homes in two parts of the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, while tanks in the south pushed towards a humanitarian zone on the Mediterranean coast, forcing displaced families to take flight again. Medics said at least 10 people were confirmed killed in an airstrike on a house in the Daraj suburb of Gaza City that destroyed the building and damaged nearby houses. Further north, in the town of Beit Lahiya which has been under Israeli siege since early October, at least 15 people were believed to be dead or missing under the rubble of a house hit by an airstrike around dawn, said medics. Rescuers were unable to reach the site to confirm the toll. At least 10 other Palestinians were killed in separate…

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago, the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of his 11-year papacy. In an excerpt published yesterday from his forthcoming autobiography, Hope, Francis said he was told by police after landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his events. “A woman packed with explosives, a young kamikaze, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up,” he wrote. “And a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent.” The book is to be published on January 14. | Reuters…

LONDON: Russian prosecutors have demanded prison terms of nearly six years each for three lawyers who represented Alexei Navalny, an ally of the late opposition leader said yesterday. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser are accused of taking part in an extremist organisation. They were arrested in October 2023 and added the following month to an official list of “terrorists and extremists”. Navalny, who died suddenly in an Arctic penal colony in February, was himself convicted of extremism and other charges, all of which he denied. Prosecutors say the lawyers passed information to and from Navalny while he was in prison. | Reuters…

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, will today lead a delegation of South African ministers in a bilateral engagement with Mozambique. The objective of this meeting, which will be held in Malelane, Mpumalanga province, is to discuss the challenges faced by the neighbouring country as the post-election turmoil in Mozambique continues to cause disruption. Mozambique has been experiencing widespread incidents of violence and disruption to economic activity since the disputed results of the October 9 general election. According to the department, the South African delegation will consist of key officials from various departments and agencies, including Defence, Home Affairs, Trade, Industry and Competition, Police, Transport, the Border Management Authority (BMA), and the South African Revenue Services (SARS). “The Mozambican delegation will be led by Minister Veronica Dhlovo, who will…

If you’re gearing up for a night out, the excitement often centres around the drinks you’ll be enjoying. One trend that has captured many partygoers’ attention in recent years is the combination of alcohol and caffeinated energy drinks. While this may appear to provide a refreshing kick, medical professionals warn that the blend could come with significant risks. Medicine specialist Dr Nhlakanipho Mkhize took to TikTok to highlight the hazardous effects of mixing spirits with energy drinks, emphasising that high caffeine levels can lead to unintended consequences. “There’s this tendency of mixing spirits and energy drinks. I just want to warn you of the dangers of mixing these. I see this happening all the time,” he stated. “It’s very dangerous because alcohol is a suppressant and the energy drink is…

Nara Smith, the influencer known for her luxurious cooking videos and DIY lifestyle, has always been a beacon of inspiration in the wellness space. Her ability to whip up elaborate meals from scratch, and donning designer apparel, captivated her fans worldwide. However, beyond her glossy Instagram grid and seemingly perfect life, Smith recently opened up about an intensely personal and emotional health journey that has left her audience in awe of her resilience and vulnerability. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared a candid account of her battle with severe eczema, which later turned out to be a life-altering diagnosis of lupus. Smith’s health issues began three years ago, shortly after the birth of her second child. What started as a “small cracked patch of dry skin” quickly spiralled into…

AS the deadline for spaza shop owners and vendors to register passed yesterday, the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (Nitasa) has called for more time and greater education on food and health safety. President Cyril Ramaphosa had set a cut-off date for registrations following a surge in food-borne illnesses and pesticide-related deaths across the country. The Bergrivier Municipality said while it had 66 registered house shops, it held workshops in three different towns between December 10 and 12 to assist any future house shop owner to register. Bergrivier municipal manager, Hanlie Linde said: “The applications for house shops are in terms of the Land Use Planning Act and Zoning Schemes of the different towns. In Bergrivier Municipality there are 66 house shops that have legally applied. The municipality…

CYCLISTS using the Lower Church Street routes and in the vicinity of the railway have been urged to report incidents of crime to police as attacks have reportedly spiked in the area. Police confirmed a case of robbery with a firearm was opened for investigation at Woodstock police station after a 60-year-old cyclist was robbed of his personal belongings. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said: “Reports suggested that the complainant, a male aged 60, was cycling in Lower Church Street, Woodstock, on December 8, at around 6am. Unidentified armed males approached him and robbed him of his valuables at gunpoint. “The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.” Concerned cyclist, Neil Benjamin, said the section of road on the N1 between Lower Church Street turn-off to Woodstock has…

ACCUSED cop killer, Sive Sigobo will remain in custody until his next court appearance in connection with the murder of railway police officer Siyakubonga Mphakathi in Philippi in June 2022. Sigobo appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court yesterday following his rearrest. Sigobo was released from custody earlier this year when the matter was set to go to trial but was struck from the Western Cape High Court roll due to an administration issue. The matter was postponed to December 19 for a legal representative. Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said the Hawks' National Priority Violent Crime Investigation (NPVC) together with Cape Town Flying Squad and K9 Units traced and arrested Sigobo, 34, on Monday. “(He was arrested) for allegations of killing a police officer. This arrest follows after a warrant for…

State needs to put more effort into cultivating a culture of respect for the law I HAVE a cousin who, for almost five years, regularly commutes on the national highways (N1, N2, and N3). His approach to traffic fines is always the same. First notice, ignore. Second, ignore. Third – written entirely in capital letters and red – pass to me. He pleads with me to write a compelling representation to the municipal or magistrate’s court clerk to buy another month of non-payment before receiving a fourth notice, which he also ignores. After that, the notice would go to the prosecuting authority, which would send him an extremely unfriendly letter threatening court action if he did not pay up. He pays up. Ha! That will show them. This is the…

Authorities in Mayotte were racing yesterday to stop hunger, disease and lawlessness from spreading in the French overseas territory after the weekend’s devastating cyclone, while Mozambique reported dozens of deaths from the storm. Hundreds or even thousands could be dead in Mayotte, which took the strongest hit from Cyclone Chido, French officials have said. The storm laid waste to large parts of the archipelago off east Africa, France’s poorest overseas territory, before striking continental Africa. With many parts of Mayotte still inaccessible and some victims buried before their deaths could be officially counted, it may take days to discover the full extent of the destruction. So far, 22 deaths and more than 1 400 injuries have been confirmed, Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital Mamoudzou, told Radio France Internationale…

Germany’s conservative opposition, leading in the polls ahead of February 23 elections, yesterday outlined plans to shift the EU powerhouse firmly to the right on immigration, social and economic policy. Friedrich Merz, head of the Christian Democrats (CDU), is tipped to replace Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose term the conservatives have slammed as “three lost years” over the stuttering economy. A day after Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote he called to pave the way for the early elections, Merz claimed that the chancellor had “lost the confidence of a majority of the population a long time ago”. Merz – a rival of his party’s more moderate ex-chancellor Angela Merkel – has vowed to orchestrate a return to the CDU’s right-wing roots as he competes against the far-right Alternative…

BURUNDI: Mpox is present in almost every district in Burundi, a doctor warned yesterday, condemning authorities’ handling of the outbreak and refusal to communicate. In September, the East African nation was the second hardest-hit country on the continent after the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the UN warning that children were especially impacted by mpox. NGOs regularly denounce political repression and human rights abuses which have left people afraid of openly criticising the authorities. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close contact and can be deadly. | AFP…

ROME: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the European Court of Justice (ECJ) yesterday to dismiss objections to her government’s flagship plan to send sea migrants to Albania. EU judges have been asked to weigh in on the scheme by Italian courts, which have enraged Meloni by blocking the transfer of migrants to Italian-run detention centres in Albania, saying it was against EU law. Meloni said clarity was needed “on an issue which has been the subject of recent judicial measures with an ideological flavour.” If the ECJ were to confirm these measures, “that would risk compromising ... the repatriation policies of all member states” , she said. | Reuters…

If STELLENBOSCH FC are to match Mamelodi Sundowns, they will have their work cut out to contain Iqraam Rayners’ predatory instincts, which are as sharp as ever. Stellenbosch host Sundowns tonight in a Betway Premiership match at the Cape Town Stadium, starting at 7.30pm. It will be a rare Mother City appearance for Stellenbosch as local venues like the Danie Craven Stadium and the nearby Athlone Stadium have not been available. In recent weeks, Stellenbosch have played several home matches in Durban. The match, then, will not only be a homecoming for Stellenbosch but will also mark a welcome return for former Stellenbosch striker Rayners, who will lead the Sundowns attack. Rayners has had two spells with Stellenbosch after starting his pro career with Santos in the 2014 season. He…

Everything is bright and colourful as we approach Christmas. To celebrate this exciting season, The Body Shop has partnered with South African illustrator Russell Abrahams to design the brand’s first locally designed and produced advent calendar. Titled The Gift of Giving Good, the calendar celebrates South Africa’s diversity and cultural richness. Featuring bold and colourful artwork, it beautifully weaves together vibrant scenarios, local landmarks, and joyful characters that capture the spirit of the South African experience. Abrahams, known for his vibrant artworks, said he’s always wanted to work with the brand and is grateful that the collaboration came at the time where South Africans celebrate with their loved ones. “A bucket list project in the bag! I’ve always wanted to work on an advent calendar so when @thebodyshopsouthafrica family came…

THE closure of the Sekunjalo Group’s banking accounts by Nedbank and several other major banks is unjustified and irrational, the Competition Tribunal was told yesterday by the group in its urgent bid for these banks to reopen these accounts. This comes in the wake of the recent finding by the Competition Commission that these banks were guilty of colluding to push the Sekunjalo group out of the banking market. Sekunjalo and 27 of its companies are asking for an urgent interim order forcing these banks to reopen its bank accounts and to again do business with it until the conclusion of the referral by the Commission of its findings to the Tribunal, following the complaint filed by Sekunjalo which alleged prohibited practices by the banks. The Competition Commission in…

Special Action Committee gave the WCED until yesterday to put a moratorium on cuts A LEGAL showdown over the reduction of teacher posts looms large after the Special Action Committee through their lawyers demanded an immediate moratorium on the non-renewal of teacher contracts by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). The committee gave the department until yesterday to respond to the letter issued on December 12 and wants a review of the termination plan or the WCED will face court action. Education MEC David Maynier stated during a debate on the Education Adjustment Budget in the provincial legislature they could not save the 2 407 posts for the 2024/25 financial year citing the National Treasury’s budget cuts. “We were left with no choice other than to reduce the Basket of…

THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) says while they understand the need to curb road fatalities they were concerned about “severe” challenges traffic officers will face during the 46-day Festive Road Safety Campaign. According to the union, traffic officers remain short-staffed, under-resourced, overburdened and history might repeat itself in terms of timely compensation. The government's 46-day campaign started on December 1 with the aim to reduce the devastating toll of road accidents which claimed 1285 lives during the 2023 holiday period. Acknowledging the staggering statistics, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that the department would be implementing measures such as 24-hour traffic policing and intensified law enforcement, particularly in high-risk route zones. “Simply implementing 24/7 traffic policing is not enough to deal with the issues on our roads. The…

THE amount of major interceptions the Border Management Authority (BMA) has made thus far during the early days of this festive season suggests that the agency should be equipped with more resources. While it could be perceived as being in its infancy, the authority has proved its establishment may be what South Africa needed in its fight against illegal entry and exit of people and goods through the country’s borders, which are often described as porous. BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato and his team deserve all the applause for the recent breakthroughs resulting in foiling attempts to smuggle 47 undocumented people in just four days, the majority of them children. These include the arrest of a South African taxi driver at the Beitbridge border post while transporting 20 children…

China yesterday said claims that a businessman had used his links with Britain’s Prince Andrew to spy for Beijing were “preposterous” after the UK government voiced mounting concerns over the allegations. Details emerged last week about Andrew’s relationship with Yang Tengbo, a businessman and alleged spy, who has been banned from Britain. Asked about the case while on a visit to Norway, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was “concerned about the challenge that China poses” but defended his approach of “engagement” with Beijing. A spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry said yesterday that the “accusations of so-called Chinese espionage are preposterous”. “The development of China-UK relations is in the common interests of both countries and is also conducive to promoting world economic growth and responding to global challenges,” Lin Jian…

The EU will establish contacts with Syria’s new leadership and reopen its delegation in the country, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday. Kallas also said the EU would increase humanitarian aid to Syria. However, she warned of the risk of a resurgence by hardline Islamic State militants and said this must not happen. Kallas told the European Parliament that while the EU delegation, which is like an embassy, in Syria was not officially closed, there had not been an accredited ambassador in Damascus during the war in Syria. “We want this delegation to be fully operational again,” she said. Kallas said she had asked the EU’s delegation head to establish contact with the new leadership in Syria, the Hayat Tahrir…

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of Congo has increased its budget for 2025 by 25.8% compared to the previous year, driven by a projected increase in tax revenue and economic growth, according to a Senate document. The document showed spending would rise to 51.55 trillion Congolese francs from 40.99 trillion Congolese francs ($14.54 billion) last year. Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde said the budget reflected the government’s goal of boosting tax collection and revenues from internal resources. He said that access to basic services remains inadequate for many Congolese people. | Reuters…

Paris: A watch worn by French war-time hero and president Charles de Gaulle fetched more than half a million euros as part of an auction of his personal items in Paris, auction house Artcurial said yesterday. The $564 000 (R10 million) sale price on Monday evening set a worldwide record for a watch by 150-year-old French brand LIP. The manufacturer, based in Besançon in eastern France, still produces a “General de Gaulle” watch thanks to the patronage of the man regarded as the country’s greatest modern statesman. Monday’s auction of de Gaulle memorabilia by Artcurial, which included letters and a book manuscript raised millions. | AFP…