Innehållsförteckning för 2023-02-20 från Mercury

Heavy rains are wreaking havoc in many parts of the country, causing severe damage and affecting many people’s lives. The Department of Water and Sanitation warned residents along the banks of the lower Vaal and lower Orange rivers to evacuate to areas above the flood line as floodgates were opened to alleviate pressure at Vaal Dam and outflow at the Bloemhof Dam increased over the weekend. Certain areas surrounding the Vaal Dam and Vaal River, such as Parys in Gauteng, have been hard hit by floods. Properties, vehicles and infrastructure have sustained water damage. There have been no reports of lives lost. However, several people were rescued from the roofs of their homes by helicopter. Residents in some areas are reporting that the damage is the worst experienced since 1974.…

If you must say something, make it loving and beautiful and accurate; unless you’re making up a story for a child, in which case make it wild and wonderful and full of mystery, myth and energy. If you must say something, try to be affirming with the knowledge that everything you say exposes your inner world since we love, see and speak to a world not as it is, but as we are. If you must say something, try to avoid “you need”, and “you must”, and “you ought” when addressing adults as if you’re more qualified at life than they are. Yes, of course it’s okay to recommend things, but you know full well when suggestions dress up as manipulations. If you must say something, before it leaves…

It is time to remember “AKA”, so let us spare a thought for his fans and family. The request by the Gauteng government to use state funds for the funeral highlights what a depraved society we have become. The saying that a fish starts rotting from the head is so true. It has left many people wondering if the Gauteng government was serious when it wrote to the president requesting permission to use state funds to assist in funeral arrangements for the slain rapper. It was a wise decision by the president to turn down the request. Taxpayers will always be the cash cow to fill the gaping cracks caused by corruption. The Gauteng government needs to drive growth, development and tackle unemployment. I have the greatest of respect for…

The IFP has launched an online petition in protest of the recent 18.65% tariff hike granted to Eskom by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). The petition, which can be accessed at actnow.ifp.org.za, will run until mid-March. The IFP will then present the petition – on behalf of all signatories – to Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, President Ramaphosa and Nersa. We will request that in addition to reversing the proposed April 2023 price hike, no further increases will be granted to Eskom until load shedding is permanently suspended. The IFP maintains that this tariff hike is both irrational and unreasonable. South Africans simply cannot afford to pay more for power, particularly as the current supply provided by Eskom is unreliable. The plans proposed by President Ramaphosa to solve…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has ordered a skills audit of all government departments in the public service. Five years ago, Ramaphosa announced plans to introduce lifestyle audits for members of the Cabinet and public servants when he ascended to the Union Buildings but these have been stalled. Ramaphosa said he had given the departments nine months to do the audit. “We are taking steps to professionalise the public service across all spheres, to ensure the right people are in the right positions, that they are held accountable, and that they are empowered to provide the best possible service to the people,” he said. Ramaphosa also said he had directed all infrastructure and service departments to conduct skills audits within nine months. “These audits must not just tell us what…

An eThekwini Municipality protection officer driving a city vehicle, was among three men arrested in Dassenhoek last week. KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said police officers from the Provincial Vehicle and Trio Task Team made the arrests on February 16 after conducting an operation. She said the men were suspected of being involved in a robbery. Gwala said members of the community became suspicious and informed the police after they spotted men driving around the KwaNdengezi area over a period of two days. She said that on Thursday night the community heard gunshots, and some of them went to investigate and spotted the same vehicle with five occupants. “Three men jumped into the vehicle and drove off while the other two fled on foot on the railway…

The Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons is mooting a bail-funding scheme for prisoners who cannot afford to pay bail of less than R1 000 because of their financial circumstances. Inspecting judge Justice Edwin Cameron said the bail fund was partly modelled on funds operating successfully in several US jurisdictions. “We hope to take what is good in bail funding and hope to evade the potential difficulties,” he said. “The fundamental premise is that it is wicked and wrong for the system of administration of justice to free those who have money to pay bail, whereas those who simply from poverty cannot pay bail remain in what we all sadly know are very adverse conditions in remand centres in our country.” Justice Cameron, who presented the concept to Parliament’s Justice Portfolio Committee…

THE EFF was a breath of fresh air when it entered the political sphere 10 years ago. Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, having held a successful march from Joburg to Pretoria under the Economic Freedom theme, founded the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) soon after he was expelled from the ANC. By the time the party held its inaugural Tshela Thupa Rally at Lucas Moripe Stadium ahead of the 2014 general election, it was obvious that a giant had been born. The then newcomer went on to win 25 seats in the National Assembly in that election and has grown from strength to strength since then, making inroads in provincial legislatures and municipalities. The EFF’s arrival in Parliament coincided with the rocky path for the then president Jacob Zuma.…

NUSA DUA: Indonesian authorities repatriated alleged drug trafficker Antonio Strangio, an Italian and Australian dual national who was detained in Bali earlier this month, to Italy yesterday, authorities said. Interpol issued a red notice for Strangio, 32, in 2016 over the sale of 160kgs of marijuana and links to Italy’s “Ndrangheta” organised crime syndicate, police commissioner Anggaito Hadi Prabowo told reporters yesterday. “After coordinating with National Central Bureau in Rome, he must be sent to Italy immediately. He will be delivered from here to Italy, and there he will be called to account on his case until there is a ruling,” Anggaito said. Strangio, who claimed to have a property business in Australia, maintained his innocence, local media reported citing police. The authorities said three Indonesian police officials will take…

MUNICH: Ukrainian officials have urged US Congress members to press President Joe Biden’s administration to send F-16 jetfighters to Kyiv, saying the aircraft would boost Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian missile units with US-made rockets, lawmakers said. The lobbying came at the weekend on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in talks between Ukrainian officials and Democrats and Republicans from the Senate and House of Representatives. “They told us they want (F-16s) to suppress enemy air defences so they could get their drones” beyond Russian front lines, said Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut who flew US Navy fighters in combat. Biden last month said “no” when asked if he would approve Ukraine’s request for Lockheed-Martin-made F-16s. Four delegations from the Senate and House combined in the largest number…

Marcus Rashford showed Manchester United won’t be distracted by the race to buy the Old Trafford club as his double inspired a 3-0 win against Leicester yesterday. United owners the Glazer family are considering rival offers from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks, and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. Further bids could still be made amid reports United may be under new ownership within six weeks - but Erik ten Hag’s side have kept their focus firmly on the pitch. United sit third in the table, just five points behind leaders Arsenal, after a third win in their last four league matches. Ten Hag has played down his side’s hopes of catching Arsenal, who have a game in hand on United. But if United…

There should be transparency and oversight when President Cyril Ramaphosa makes a decision about allowances, benefits or tools of trade for ministers and their deputies. This is according to the DA, which wants Ramaphosa to inform the National Assembly when making any changes to the ministerial handbook. This emerged after the national legislature published a notice inviting the public to make written comments on a draft bill proposed by DA MP Leon Schreiber to amend the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act. Schreiber said there was no requirement for the National Assembly or Ramaphosa to consider relevant factors such as prevailing economic conditions or the comparative costs of different tools of trade. “In contrast to other remuneration decisions, there is no legal requirement for the president to report changes to…

Crime experts have raised concerns after third-quarter crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday revealed that the Inanda, uMlazi and KwaMashu police stations were among those in the country which had recorded high numbers of murders and rapes. In the period from October 1 to December 31 last year, Inanda police station recorded 87 murders and 83 rapes, KwaMashu police station 56 murders, and uMlazi police station 51 murders and 71 rapes. In the province as a whole, all major crime categories saw increases, with murder up by 8.3%, rape up by 13.3% and hijackings up by 19.8%. House robberies increased by 18.5% and business robberies went up marginally by 1.1%. Gareth Newham, head of the justice and violence prevention programme at the Institute for Security Studies,…

THE South African Rugby Union’s (Saru) decision to withdraw its invitation to the Israeli rugby team, “Tel Aviv Heat”, to participate in a provincial tournament in South Africa needs to be embraced and not criticised. South Africa’s solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle against the Israeli apartheid regime is to be commended. To support the Palestinian struggle for freedom is a moral duty. In South Africa, many boycott and sanction movements adopted non-violent approaches to support South Africa’s liberation organisations to pursue political and social transformation. One such movement that comes to mind is the British Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM). Through AAM’s dedication to stop the repressive laws of the apartheid system, the British public was sufficiently kept abreast about South Africa’s racial segregation policies. For example, after…

When will our leaders finally face the reality that political interference is partly to blame for the collapse of almost all of our state-owned enterprises? Sars is one of our most successful government entities. Why? Because it is left alone to carry out its designated functions. In First World countries, the civil service is left to run the country, while the politicians come and go according to the whims of whoever is the governing party of the day. Day-to-day running of the administrative functions of government is left in the hands of the professionals. What will our minister of electricity add to solve the technical problems at Eskom, other than to add to the political confusion which already reigns?…

THERE’S always something one reads in the paper that needs a response. Minister of Mineral Resources And Energy Gwede Mantashe (The Mercury, February 15) said: “Ramaphosa had identified load shedding as a crisis, but that it was solvable (don’t laugh). That the approach was to communicate a sense of urgency. We do not have 24 months to resolve load shedding.” He then, of course, took a swipe at opposition parties and said: “They never wanted to be involved in finding solutions.” Gosh, the pot calling the kettle black! The opposition parties have many times come up with solutions, but it is the ANC that refuses to listen. I have said many, many times, if only everyone could sit down around a table and find common ground. For goodness sake, we…

Three people were stoned to death after the body of an 8-year-old girl was found inside a pit toilet at Senotlelo in Vaalbank, Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said Nomsa Sambo was reported missing by her family at the Vaalbank police station on February 12. “Thereafter, information emerged about a man who was allegedly seen carrying Nomsa to his house. Police responded to the information and on Monday, February 13, officers took him in for questioning. “A kidnapping case was opened. However, the man denied all the allegations. There was insufficient evidence to charge him, hence he was later released,” he said. On Saturday morning, information surfaced that the body of the missing child was found inside a pit toilet. “Police from Vaalbank, as well as members from…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) wants South Africans to register online to vote in the national and provincial elections scheduled to take place in 2024. Themed “Your Vote Is Your Voice”, their registration campaign will be featured on print, electronic and digital media. “South Africans who are eligible to vote in these elections are encouraged to use this hassle-free and convenient way – the Electoral Commission’s Online Voter Portal – to register to vote in the elections,” said a commission statement. According to the IEC, the online voter registration campaign is scheduled to take place from February 20 to March 3. “This campaign, targeted at South Africans who are 16 years of age and older, forms part of a multi-faceted, year-long campaign by the commission to encourage and…

Climate change has an impact on the health of all life on our planet – from human and animal to vegetation. Primary health care is at the forefront of health-care services. Climate change not only has direct and indirect impacts on human health, but also threatens the capacity of health systems to give proper care and protect population health. The sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was released last year, states that climate change is the biggest challenge facing human health in the 21st century. Climate change continues unabated, and extreme weather events such as extreme temperatures, heatwaves, subtropical cyclones and progressive droughts have intensified and increased. Climate change, health and health-care services are related in three ways. First is the effect on morbidity…

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that the government has had conversations with Elon Musk about the use of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine. SpaceX this month said it has taken steps to prevent Ukraine's military from using the company's Starlink service for controlling drones in the region during the country's war with Russia. Asked during an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press with Chuck Todd that was to air yesterday on whether the US had asked Musk, the company's CEO, not to restrict the use of Starlink capabilities by Ukraine’s military, Blinken said: “I can’t share any conversations we’ve had other than to say we’ve had conversations.” SpaceX has privately shipped truckloads of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, allowing the country's military to communicate…

MANILA: A small plane with four people on board has crashed in the central Philippines and rescuers are searching for survivors, officials said. The Cessna 340 aircraft went missing early on Saturday morning shortly after departing for Manila from Bicol International Airport in Albay province, south of the capital, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said. The plane was carrying two passengers, a pilot and another crew member. A search-and-rescue team has identified a possible crash site near the airport, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said. “The problem is bad weather; it hampers visibility of the ground search.” Albay disaster officer Cedric Daep said the debris of a Cessna plane was found near the crater of the active Mayon volcano – that could erupt at any time” – but…

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will travel to Kyiv today to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a source said yesterday. Meloni, who took office in October, has said she planned to visit Kyiv before the February 24 anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Despite friction on the issue within her rightist ruling coalition and divided public opinion, Meloni has been a supporter of Ukraine. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the conservative Forza Italia party that is part of the country’s ruling coalition, last week said he would not seek a meeting with Zelenskiy if he were still head of government. He blames Zelenskiy for the ongoing war with Russia. Italy and France have recently finalised talks over delivery of an advanced air defence system to…

Loris Karius was backed by Jurgen Klopp to put his 2018 Champions League final nightmare behind him should Newcastle select the German goalkeeper for their English League Cup final against Manchester United. Karius (29) joined Newcastle on a short-term contract in September but has yet to make his debut for the northeast club. But that could come at Wembley on Sunday where Newcastle will be seeking their first major domestic trophy in 68 years. Karius last made a competitive appearance in Union Berlin's 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hoffenheim in February 2021. But he is best known in England for a calamitous display during Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final. He was blamed for the first and third goals Liverpool conceded, throwing the ball straight…

More than 65 000 meters across eThekwini Municipality have not been read for more than a year. Opposition parties said some residents who had been paying estimated bills had found themselves owing large amounts when their meters were read. A report tabled before the municipality’s finance committee recently detailed the extent of the problem when it came to reading water and electricity meters. It showed that there were more than 12 000 electricity meters and 53 341 water meters that had not been read for 365 days, with the result being that bills were being estimated for extended periods. This means that these customers are not paying the correct amounts monthly, which impacts on the City’s ability to collect for the services. The finance committee report showed that in…

HATS off to Prof Bonang Mohale, chairperson of Business Unity South Africa, for saying the quiet part out aloud: “We are not a failing state, but a failed state” (Business Report, February 17). This has been increasingly obvious countrywide, with the exception of the Western Cape, which has managed to withstand some of the ANC-inflicted looting and incompetence. The irony of this tragic situation is that before 1994, it was the ANC’s policy to make the country ungovernable. Nearly 30 years later, they have succeeded. All three levels of government are bloated by cadre deployment, profligate spending and arrogant indifference to the batho pele principle – “we serve”. What passes for government by the ANC is characterised by internecine warfare between factions that resort to killing to gain access to…

I am heartbroken because of the current situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the educational sector, where our golden treasures have been reduced to the extent that it sounds like you are cursed to be a teacher. The Zimbabwean government has failed the teachers and forgotten that the future is in their hands. Most of the teachers are teaching for the sake of the little money they are being offered by the current government. Zimbabwean teachers are really behind not because of a lack of knowledge, but because the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to provide the necessary equipment to them. As teachers, they should reconsider their vote and vote wisely. There is a need to limit the extent of damage to Zimbabwe which is now spilling into neighbouring countries…

A life sentence has been handed to a 38-year-old man who harassed his ex-girlfriend and eventually murdered her in October 2021, despite a protection order she had against him. The Madadeni Regional Court handed down the sentence to Thokoza Maxwell Ndlovu on Friday. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said: “Prior to the incident, the couple were in an intimate relationship. Ndlovu had paid lobola. “He and Phindile Misi Thwala lived together and Thwala suffered physical and financial abuse. She applied for a protection order and verbally told Ndlovu that she was ending their relationship. He refused to accept this and continued to harass her.” Thwala got into another relationship and was staying with her new boyfriend. On the night of the incident, her boyfriend was working night…

Denel Land Systems was correct in firing one of its managers for the sexual harassment of a woman working in his department, the Labour Court has said. It turned down an application by the former senior officer, only identified as Mr N, to have the ruling made by an arbitrator in this regard reviewed and set aside. The court confirmed the ruling made in arbitration, where it was found that the dismissal was both procedurally and substantively fair. A junior employee who worked in Mr N’s department claimed that he had on multiple occasions asked her on dates, which she politely rebuffed. She also claimed that he gave her looks that made her uncomfortable and commented about her physical appearance. The last straw, she said, was when Mr N sent…

The DNA backlog, which was initially more than 241 000, is now at 1 600, Police Minister Bheki Cele has said. Cele said this was a 99.3% reduction in the country’s DNA backlog figures. Cele announced on Friday that they had completed the building of the laboratory in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, which he said would drastically relieve pressure on the Western Cape laboratory. “Police are sharpening their responses to gender-based violence and femicide from an operational and legislative point of view. The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, also referred to as the DNA Act, will come into operation on March 3, 2023,” said Cele. The DNA Act was a crucial weapon in the police’s arsenal of crime-fighting tools against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), specifically with regard…

The uMlalazi Local Municipality mayor Theodorah Xulu on Saturday launched a gender-based violence (GBV) programme called #PhefumulaNdoda (breathe men). The municipality said GBV cases had escalated in the area and this prompted the mayor to establish a programme aimed at listening to men on why they commit gender-based crimes. However, during the programme, some men came forward to speak about the abuse they faced. According to the uMlalazi Local Municipality spokesperson Nonhlanhla Jele, one of the GBV victims was allegedly repeatedly beaten by his wife, an SAPS police officer. Jele said the man said he was beaten by his wife and threatened with a firearm. She said the programme showed that GBV was not specific to one gender. “We want to address this issue on the ground and we encourage…

ON WEDNESDAY, February 22, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presents what is arguably his and one of the ruling ANC government’s most important National Budgets, which primarily sets out the state of the nation’s finances and the revenue, expenditure and public debt service burden projections for the 2023/2024 financial year. Faced with poly-economic, governance, capacity, societal and delivery deficit prospects, Godongwana gave as a taster of what to expect on Wednesday, in his pre-budget Medium Term Budget Policy Statement last October, when his mood was somewhat sombre stating the obvious to millions of compatriots declaring: “South Africa’s economy has underperformed for many years. Several long-standing structural impediments continue to hamper growth. These include unreliable electricity supply, costly and inefficient ports and rail network, crime and corruption, weak state capacity, and…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will give a 27% discount to students travelling to China to pursue academic degrees, a PIA official has said. The PIA first announced 22% fare reductions for students in December last year to assist students flying to China. A customer care official at the PIA’s official helpline said the price of a regular ticket from Islamabad to Beijing is 272 000 Pakistani rupees (about R18 846), and the students can avail discounts on it. The official said the PIA currently flies to two destinations in China, including Beijing Capital International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Pakistani students who will be flying to China in the coming days termed the PIA’s discount a great help for them as the airlines’ fares had skyrocketed due to…

ADDIS ABABA: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for solidarity with Africa to address the multifaceted challenges engulfing the continent and its peoples. Terrorism, violence, insecurity, and conflict are arising across the continent, jeopardising human lives and rights while democratic gains are disappearing in some countries, he said. “A cost of living crisis – with rising food and energy costs, climate chaos causing floods and deadly droughts, and complex peace and security threats – including rampant terrorism are jeopardising people’s lives across the continent,” he said on Saturday. Guterres called for remedial measures to a dysfunctional and unfair global financial system that denies many African countries debt relief and concessional financing. Guterres also announced $250 million (R4.5 billion) to combat famine across Africa.…

The US held joint air exercises bilaterally with South Korea and Japan involving strategic bombers yesterday, a day after North Korea fired a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a “sudden launching drill”. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exercise, in which South Korea’s F-35A, F-15K and US F-16 fighters escorted American B-1B bombers, demonstrated the allies’ “overwhelming” defence capabilities. “(The exercise) strengthened the combined operation capability and affirmed the US’s ironclad commitment to the defence of the Korean Peninsula and the implementation of extended deterrence,” the South’s military said in a statement. Japan flew F-15s over the Sea of Japan with the US armed forces’ B-1 bombers and F-16s in tactical exercises, Japan’s Defense Ministry said. The air drills come a day after North Korea launched…

Mandla Ncikazi and Sergio Almenera have their work cut out for them as they’ll have to guide Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby without coach Jose Riveiro. The Sea Robbers took a huge step in their bid to qualify for the CAF Champions League next season as they beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at home on Friday night. Pirates’ win was propelled by Man of the Match Monnapule Saleng, who scored the first goal before setting up Terrence Dzvukamanja for the second. Tumelo Njoti scored the consolation for the visitors. With the match having gone according to script, credit went to Almenara and Ncikazi, who directed the show without master Riveiro, who watched from the stands as he served the first of his two-match ban. Riveiro put full trust in his…