Innehållsförteckning för 2022-11-03 från Cape Times

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Call for import duties on food and french fries to be reviewed urgently

THE GOVERNMENT needs to urgently review the impact of import duties on the increasing cost of food, and remove newly imposed duties on imported french fries, according to international trade consultancy XA Global Trade Advisors. This follows the recent imposition by the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) of provisional duties on frozen fries imported or originating from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The provisional duties imposed were as high as 190% in some cases. XA Global Trade Advisors chief executive Donald MacKay said yesterday the government could not continue to impose duty-upon-duty on food and expect it not to harm consumers. “Duties on fries specifically have increased the price of fries by 88%, from R16/kg in 2021 to R30/kg in 2022. Duties are not in the public interest, they…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Commission looks to Tribunal to fine Vita Gas for limiting access to LPG import facility

THE COMPETITION Commission wants to prosecute Vita Gas for limiting access to liquified petroleum gas (LPG) from import terminals in the Western Cape. Vita Gas imports LPG, propane, and butane into Southern Africa by ship. Vita Gas sells to any licensed customer that wishes to buy small or large volumes. The Competition Commission said last Friday it had referred to the Competition Tribunal a complaint against Vita Gas for the alleged abuse of market dominance in the supply of LPG from import terminals in the Western Cape. The Sunrise Energy terminal, located at Saldanha Bay, is the only LPG terminal in the Western Cape. The commission found that Vita Gas, by entering into an exclusive agreement with Sunrise Energy, which had contravened the Competition Act. The commission said it had…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Dis-Chem’s earnings rise by 44% for 2022 half-year as customers return to stores post-Covid

PHARMACY retailer Dis-Chem’s earnings grew by 44% for the half-year ended August 31, 2022, boosted by consumer shopping habits and routines, which were almost restored to pre-Covid levels. This despite the group coming under fire following a leaked letter last month by its chief executive Ivan Saltzman, in which he announced a moratorium on the hiring of white staff. Saltzman failed to address the issue in the firm’s interim results webcast. In its six months results released yesterday, the group said its headline earnings per share were 70.1 cents, a 44.3% hike from the prior comparable period. Retail revenue grew by 9.3% to R14.4 billion with comparable pharmacy store revenue at 3.6%. “If the contribution of Covid-19 vaccines and testing are excluded from both periods, retail revenue…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

I feel like I am being held hostage, Mkhwebane tells Parly inquiry

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s request to be excused from impeachment proceedings yesterday was again declined for the second day in a row. This after Mkhwebane poured her heart out over how she felt about the way she was treated during the inquiry, and that she was still waiting for reasons why she was not excused from the proceedings in the absence of her legal representative. She maintained there had not been any meetings scheduled for this week, except when she was to report on her legal representation on Tuesday. At the start of yesterday's proceedings, inquiry chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi allowed Mkhwebane to address the Section 194 Committee after he had received an email from her a few minutes earlier. Mkhwebane said she had made a specific request that if the…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Ipid’s report on Kinnear’s murder not properly classified, Parliamentary committee hears

THE investigation report relating to the murder of top cop Charl Kinnear, with information containing “matters of national security”, was not properly classified before it was submitted to the Portfolio Committee on Police (PCP). It would appear that the Minimum Information Security Standard (MISS) procedure was not followed when having the report – investigated by police watchdog Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) – properly classified before it was submitted to the PCP earlier this year. Yesterday, the PCP heard that only the cover page of the report was stamped “top secret” instead of the entire document. The report implicated a number of police officers, from low to senior ranks in management, alleged to be colluding with gangsters in the Western Cape. The report is deemed “top secret due to a…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

‘Protect Antarctica’s Southern Ocean’

As marine life in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica continues to be under threat due to climate change and commercial fisheries, a call has gone out for formal marine-protected areas and fishing bans. University of Pretoria (UP) macro-ecologist Dr Luis Pertierra, an expert on the natural value of the Antarctic, has added his voice to that of other leading international researchers who want formal marine-protected areas and fishing bans for earth’s most southern waters. He has also urged other scientists and conservation practitioners to add their voices to the call by signing a petition under the banner “Scientists uniting to protect Antarctica’s ocean”. Dr Pertierra, of UP’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, has co-authored a newly released policy forum titled “Protect global values of the Southern Ocean ecosystem” in…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Import duties could mean fries have had their chips

NEW IMPORT duties on frozen fries need to be reviewed, as industry players say this could impact rising food prices. XA Global Trade Advisors, who hosted a briefing on the matter yesterday, said the call comes on the back of the International Trade Administration Commission’s (ITAC) recent imposition of provisional duties on frozen fries imported or originating from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The provisional duties imposed are between 10% and 182% for some countries. “We cannot continue to impose duty-upon-duty on food and expect it not to harm consumers. “The duties on fries specifically have increased the price of fries by 88%, from R16/kg in 2021 to R30kg in 2022. “Duties are not in the public interest, they are just another form of tax that consumers have to bear…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Estina case involving Mosebenzi Zwane postponed

THE R280 million Estina fraud and corruption case involving former minister Mosebenzi Zwane has been transferred to the Bloemfontein High Court for trial. The matter will be heard on January 25. Zwane and his co-accused are charged with contravening the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption and money laundering. The charges stem from alleged looting of the Free State Department of Agriculture through a company called Estina. In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate national spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said: “On July 5, 2012, Estina (Pty) (Ltd) entered into an agreement with the Free State Department of Agriculture to establish and implement a dairy farm project in Vrede, to benefit previously disadvantaged farmers and to uplift the people of the Vrede area. In terms of the agreement, Estina…

1 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Our Struggle heroes belong in the annals of history

Rich contributions remain largely unrecorded IT IS unfortunate that we have a rich history that is not known because it is unrecorded, whether on purpose or not. We need to dig deep for the purposes of preservation and learning. How many people know that there were coloured compatriots who continued the battle in a certain period in the Struggle for freedom in South Africa? It is amazing how people of colour became educated, talented, and outstanding political beings out of a squeezed or repressive space. It is also impressive how smart they were in all respects. One of those people was Alfred “Touch” Hutchinson, born of coloured and Swazi parents in the then Eastern Transvaal. He obtained a BA degree in English and a teacher’s diploma from the pot that…

4 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Rassie can’t wait to be part of Springbok matchday set-up

HE won’t be a “waterboy” this time, but Rassie Erasmus cannot wait to be part of the Springbok matchday set-up for Saturday’s showdown with Ireland in Dublin. Erasmus will hope to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday in style with a Bok victory, having been at the same venue in 2017 when the South Africans went down 38-3. He had played a prominent role in helping the Boks pitch-side since Jacques Nienaber took over as coach following the 2019 World Cup, but a change in World Rugby regulations means that Erasmus is not allowed on the sidelines any longer as he is the director of rugby at SA Rugby. However, the former loose forward is delighted to play his part on Saturday again, following the end of his World Rugby…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Injury worries for Titans ahead of final

Multiply Titans 158/6 ITEC Knights 120/8 Titans won by 38 runs. THE Titans’ spin quartet tied the Knights in knots yesterday, earning the ‘Sky Blues’ a spot in the final of the CSA T20 Challenge for the second season in a row. After the bat-a-thon these two teams produced on Monday, when they shared a world record aggregate of 501 runs, yesterday afternoon’s semi-final was a more balanced affair that demanded greater patience from the batters. Cloudy overhead conditions aided the new ball, while the slowness of the surface meant once the ball got soft, the spinners could get some purchase. The Titans tweakers did a much better job than the Knights, and the depth at their disposal proved too much for the Free Staters. The Titans elected to bat,…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Transnet’s liquidity profile concerns the auditor-general

THE AUDITOR-general’s office has expressed concern at Transnet’s in- ability to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to make debt payments, its liquidity, resulting in its raising loans to make payments, a sentiment expressed by Moody’s Ratings Agency earlier this year. Briefing Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts yesterday, Modimela Singo, the acting business executive at the auditor-general (AG), said yesterday that Transnet’s financial report, in which it recently declared R5 billion profit from a fair value adjustment of its R9.8bn portfolio investments, had been done late. “The issue is that Transnet is not able to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to settle loan repayments. “It is not sustainable that Transnet has to raise loans to make repayments, even though it does have a R36bn domestic…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Fortress in danger of losing Reit status by the end of the month

THE JSE HAS given Fortress Reit (real estate investment trust) until November 30 to submit a compliant Reit dividend declaration, or its Reit status would be removed, the company said in an update yesterday. To retain its Reit status, a Reit must distribute at least 75% of its distributable profits to shareholders within four months of its financial year-end, subject to the solvency and liquidity test. Fortress’s board planned earlier this year to collapse the company’s dual-share structure into a single share, and so allow the declaration of a dividend, but this plan was not approved by shareholders. Fortress was required to submit a dividend declaration for its year ended June 30, 2022, to the JSE by October 31. Fortress, however, said its memorandum of incorporation (MOI) prevented the payment…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Cilo Cybin IPO closes tomorrow ahead of November 14 listing

CILO CYBIN Holdings, which plans to list in the JSE’s main board on November 14, said yesterday that its initial public offering (IPO) to raise R500 million closes tomorrow. The company plans to acquire and invest in biotech, biohacking or pharmaceutical sector companies in the cannabis, psychedelics, wearable devices and custom nutrition markets. The results of the IPO are expected to be released on Tuesday. The company said in a statement that it had identified potential acquisitions in South Africa and the US. One of these was Cilo Cybin Pharmaceutical (CCP). Gabriel Theron, founder of Cilo Cybin Holdings, is also the founder and main shareholder in CCP. “CCP has a state-of-the-art cultivation, manufacturing and packaging facility in Midrand. “The vision of the company from the outset was not to…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

‘Science can be driving force behind economy,’ conference is told

USING science and innovation as a driving force behind stimulating economic growth in South Africa has been identified as an important strategy in fighting poverty, unemployment and inequality. This was highlighted during the first of the two-day 8th biennial conference, which started at the CSIR in Pretoria yesterday. Under the theme “Harnessing research, development and innovation for a robust South African economy”, the summit attracted 1 800 participants, including scientific experts, academia, industry leaders from around the world and members of the public. The conference is also expected to address challenges related to power outages, water cuts, climate change and the high unemployment rate, which have put pressure on an already volatile economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It will also look at the opportunity for South Africa to become…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Butternut cake

500g pack butternut cubes 3 large eggs 375ml caramel brown sugar 250ml sunflower oil 5ml mixed spice 30g candied citrus rind 100g plain unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped 5ml almond essence 500g self-raising flour Topping 1 tub cream cheese (150g) 200g icing sugar 30g brick margarine, at room temperature Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease 2 large non-stick loaf pans or one large ring pan. Using the grater blade fitted in a food processor, push the cubes continuously down the chute, onto the spinning blade. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar and oil until foamy. Measure all the remaining ingredients directly onto this mixture, including the grated butternut. Blend together gently but thoroughly. Pour into pan/s and bake for 50 minutes until browned. Turn out onto cooling rack after 5…

1 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Tongaat payment default puts 14 000 jobs at risk

TONGAAT Hulett Limited (THL) says its business rescue practitioners (BRP) are working on finding resolutions, as thousands of jobs in the sugarcane sector hang in the balance. “These are very complex circumstances and the BRPs are working hard to stabilise the situation, gather important information, meet with stakeholders, deal with critical issues, and the statutory duties required in terms of the Companies Act. “To the extent possible and practical in the circumstances, contracts and undertakings will be respected and will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Companies Act,” THL said. The SA Canegrowers Association this week said more than 14 000 jobs were on the line after THL missed the deadline to make payment of about R400 million to growers for sugar cane…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Race competitor liable for damages after colliding with pedestrian

A runner who participated in a popular ladies’ race along the Sea Point Promenade is being held liable for 30% damages after she collided with a pedestrian, whose fall resulted in hip replacement surgery. While running along the promenade in 2014, Kristine Kalmer collided with Jasmine Salie, who has since died due to other causes. Salie had been taking a leisurely stroll with her friend when she was knocked to the ground. Salie fractured her hip and was taken to hospital by ambulance where she subsequently underwent hip replacement surgery. She later sued Western Province Athletics (WPA), the race organiser and Kalmer jointly and severally for damages. The matter was heard in the Western Cape High Court for a second time after Judge Judith Cloete dismissed Salie’s claims with costs.…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

WC ‘experimental’ schools plan challenged

THE validity of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) collaboration and donor-funded schools, labelled as “experiments and a commodity-type education” by the opposition, is being challenged in the Western Cape High Court. Major changes to the Western Cape education law were made in 2016 through the Western Cape Provincial School Education Amendment Act of 2018. This paved the way for the introduction of two new types of public schools: collaboration and donor-funded (DFSs) schools. Education advocacy group, Equal Education (EE), has now taken the department to court, arguing that donors and private entities would have significant control over the schools in a way that undermined the principles of democratic governance and accountability. It claims the Act was inconsistent with the Constitution and in conflict with the South African Schools…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

China aims to balance energy needs with green decarbonisation targets

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his work report to the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress said the government prioritises environmental protection and sustainable green lifestyles. In his address to the Congress on October 16, he emphasised China’s commitment to the green transformation of its economy in line with achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. These goals will be accomplished, he stressed, by the development of low-carbon industries and a national sustainable lifestyle, which can only come about if the country improves the efficiency of its energy use and promotes clean energy alternatives, in particular, the “clean and efficient use of coal”. Xi also said harmony with nature is a key feature of “Chinese modernisation”. He noted in the report that the country should take…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Is Kolbe the Boks’ fallback guy?

IF you had the opportunity to speak to Cheslin Kolbe privately and ask him what his favourite position in a rugby team would be, he would probably tell you fullback. Of course, he wouldn’t say that publicly, as most rugby players are trained to avoid saying what’s really on their minds, in case it may cause controversy or offend someone. Not that Kolbe doesn’t speak his mind when facing the media, but he is such a nice guy that he wouldn’t want any trouble with his coaches anyway. If you had to probe the 29-year-old a bit further on what jersey he prefers, he may also say No 10, as that is where he played most of school rugby at Brackenfell High, which is about a 35-minute drive away from…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Kane is the key to England’s chances

IF England manager Gareth Southgate could wrap one player in cotton wool before his squad board the plane for Qatar it would surely be captain and goal machine Harry Kane. Whatever combination of players Southgate selects elsewhere in his team, the one constant is that the 29-year-old Kane can be relied upon to put the ball in the back of the net. Kane scored 80 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Lithuania on his England debut in 2015 and has 51 goals from 75 appearances for his country - a ratio that puts him firmly in the 'world class' category. He won the Fifa Golden Boot award in his first World Cup tournament in 2018, bagging six goals as England progressed to the semi-finals before losing to Croatia.…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Tongaat’s BRP, industry go cap in hand to seek urgent bailout

So far the government remains aloof, and says that it doesn’t have funds TONGAAT Hulett’s Business Rescue Practitioners (BRP) and the South African Cane Growers Association (Sacga) have resolved to go cap in hand to ask the government to salvage the company, which currently facing costs close to R1 billion for payments to farmers for the months of September and October. Trevor Murgatroyd, Peter van den Steen and Gerhard Albertyn of Metis Strategic Advisors are the business rescue practitioners of Tongaat. After a meeting with them, Sacga announced that it had written to Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel and President Cyril Ramaphosa, among others, to request urgent engagements on the necessity of government financial intervention to ensure that…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Ardagh on track with Nigel expansion as it seeks to rectify supply shortfalls

TO MEET short-term glass supply shortfalls in South Africa, Ardagh Glass Packaging – Africa (AGP), a subsidiary of Ardagh Group, is on track with its Nigel 3 extension plan, which was ex- pected to be commissioned in late 2023. Earlier this year Ardagh completed its R18 billion acquisition of Consol with a R3bn Nigel extension plan in hand to broaden its Africa footprint. AGP said in a statement this week, it planned a further extension of its Nigel production facility in Gauteng to support customers’ current and projected demand growth over the next few years. This investment in a third furnace (N3) follows the recently commissioned Nigel 2 (N2). AGP said the lead time to build a new glass furnace was 18 to 24 months and it took…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

SAA audit kicks off four years later as business rescue stalled process

SAA’S AUDIT by the auditor-general (AG) is finally under way after it submitted its financial statements for the past four years last week. Backed up against the wall by parliamentarians in the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa), Fhumulani Rabonda, the deputy business executive at the AG’s office, and Modimela Singo, the acting business executive at the AG, said while SAA’s audit had got under way in August, after initial statements were submitted in May, the utility had subsequently resubmitted a fresh set of financial statements only last week. The audit, which will cover the financial years 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22, is expected to be completed in February or March next year. “We could not start the audit because the financial statements of subsidiary Airchefs and SAA were not…

3 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

DEVELOPER ‘LINKED’ TO FARMGATE CASH

A CAPE TOWN-based property developer has emerged as an alleged central figure in helping President Cyril Ramaphosa’s special adviser, Bejani Chauke, store more than $20 million (about R363m) in cash three weeks after the Phala Phala farm scandal was exposed. This is contained in a document apparently authored by former State Security Director General Arthur Fraser and forms part of UDM leader Bantu Holomisa’s submission to the independent parliamentary panel, established to determine whether Ramaphosa has a case to answer over the scandal. The letter, believed to have been intended to assist the Harks in their probe, claims that property mogul Zahir Vallie, owner of Z Prop, was contacted by Chauke three weeks after charges were laid against Ramaphosa. Chauke, according to the document is “said to have moved $20…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Vita Gas matter referred to Competition Tribunal

THE Competition Commission has referred a complaint against Vita Gas to the Competition Tribunal, for the alleged abuse of market dominance in the supply of liquified petroleum gas (LGP) from import terminals in the Western Cape. The Commission said it found that Vita Gas, by entering into an exclusive agreement with the only LPG terminal facility in the Western Cape, was in contravention of sections of the Competition Act. “The Commission seeks to unlock competition and to facilitate new entry in the market for the supply of LPG in the Western Cape through this complaint referral. Naturally, exclusive agreements may, in certain circumstances, be anti-competitive and may impede the greater participation of new and emerging players. The Commission is of the view that this agreement prevents or excludes other LPG…

1 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

International exhibition in city seeks to put its stamp on philately

Stamp collectors and exhibitors from around the world will be arriving in Cape Town this month as efforts are in place to promote greater investment in education on philately in South Africa. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will be hosting the International Philatelic Exhibition at the CTICC from November 8 to 12. Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane said the collections will represent the efforts of collectors across the world. “The focus of the exhibition as contemplated in 2021 would be to promote greater investment in education on philately in South Africa and globally. “Philately, despite its long history, has enjoyed little popular attraction as a hobby. “It has also faced transformation challenges especially among the majority black Africans. “With this event, we also aim to demystify philately by popularising…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Initiation forums say SU barred them from valley

THE Nyanga and Stellenbosch initiation forums are up in arms, claiming the Stellenbosch Municipality has denied them access to the Ida’s Valley initiation site for the summer initiation season. The area had previously been used by the Basotho and Hlubi tribes for their annual summer initiation schools. However, the initiation forums said they were informed by the municipality last month that they would not gain access to the area this year, a decision they have rejected. The forums have vowed to protest at the municipal offices today to address the issue. Chairperson of the Nyanga Initiation Forum, Mark Khoabane, said they were told they were denied a permit to use the area as it has been flagged as a fire risk. “The Stellenbosch Municipality manager sent us a WhatsApp…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Department of Education says strike ‘won’t interfere with matric exams’

THE Department of Education says it is not concerned about the public sector workers’ plan to embark on industrial action as they don’t see it affecting learners sitting for the matric exams. Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said all five teachers’ unions in the sector made it public that they would not participate in a strike. This, he said, was confirmed during a meeting between the unions and the Department of Education on Saturday. “We are not worried about that,” Mhlanga said when asked about the industrial action plans. Public sector workers plan to embark on industrial action following the collapse of wage negotiations with the government. Last week, the Public Servants Association of South Africa rejected the government’s offer of a 3% salary adjustment and continuation of a cash gratuity…

1 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Miller: It won’t be long before Brevis is playing for Proteas

THE Proteas may be focused on a crunch T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan in Sydney today, but even they could not keep their eyes away from Dewald Brevis’ record-breaking masterpiece for the Titans earlier this week. Brevis shot the lights out with 162 off just 57 balls, and in the process shattered a number of records including a world best for the fastest 150 in T20 cricket, and it has certainly not gone unnoticed Down Under. The teenager has been touted to break into the Proteas squad in the near future and David Miller was certainly impressed by the youngster’s ability. “To do that in any format or any level of cricket is something special. He definitely has shown what he’s capable of. He’s a huge talent, and we…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Maketa steps up to go Down Under

MALIBONGWE Maketa is from the Eastern Cape where they boast about how hard they’re bred. He’ll need every bit of that toughness as he prepares to lead the Proteas Down Under for a three-match Test series in December as the national team’s interim head coach. Actually Maketa, 42, has already needed a thick skin just to deal with Cricket SA over the last few years where he went from Proteas assistant coach under Otis Gibson, to some undefined role for a few months, then sprung up as SA A coach, a job he’s continued with which has allowed him to work again with the senior men’s national team lately. He’s been with the squad in some capacity since the home series against Bangladesh in April and then worked with the…

2 min

Cape Times|2022-11-03

Makaringe ready to make an impact

FORTUNE Makaringe says he’s content with his role of being an impact player at Orlando Pirates even though he would like to start more games. After racking up 40 appearances for Pirates last season in all competitions, Makaringe has featured 10 times for his club out of 16 matches this term. But most of those appearances were from the bench, as he has only started four matches. This is due to new coach Jose Riveiro preferring to start new attacking maestro Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo. But with Pirates having everything to play for this weekend as they’ll host AmaZulu in the MTN8 final, Makaringe is putting the team first. “Last season, I was in a similar situation. I didn’t play as much as I played in the previous two seasons.…

2 min