Table of contents for 2023-01-05 in Star

TOURISM authorities have condemned an alarming incident in which more than 20 gunmen held up a filling station that constantly serves international tourists who visit the mountainous Graskop town in Mpumalanga. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the armed robbery took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “More than 20 armed suspects who covered their faces with balaclavas stormed the filling station in Graskop, a top tourist destination in the province. The suspects initially posed as clients who wanted to refill at the fuel station at around midnight. When the fuel attendants offered assistance, the suspects held them at gunpoint, tying all of them up with cable ties.” Mohlala said no one was injured, but a cashier held hostage was ordered to show them where the drop-in-safe…

The office of the mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Mpho Phalatse, said the city had cancelled the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations, which bring hundreds of people to the city centre, because of advice from the South African Weather Services (SAWS). The New Year’s Eve celebrations are normally held in Newtown and would consist of various festivities, which include fireworks displays and musical entertainment. The Star understands that the City of Johannesburg has been battling financially and is redirecting funds to necessary projects. While the mayor confirmed that the city was experiencing a cash flow mismatch, she said cancelling the New Year’s Eve celebrations had come from good advice from the weather services. “The city has experienced a cash flow challenge arising from the council’s refusal to approve the…

There was a huge outcry after the Umhlathuze Traffic Department issued a 52-year-old man with a R2 000 fine for urinating in public view at the Richards Bay Boardwalk in KwaZulu-Natal. Social media users shone the spotlight on a variety of issues, including the availability of clean public toilets as well as contributory factors to uncleanliness in the province’s CBDs after it was posted and shared on Facebook yesterday. City of Umhlathuze spokesperson, Bongani Gina, confirmed the authenticity of the ticket issued on Tuesday. On Facebook, Fanzoh Sikwayo warned others who might find themselves in the same position. “This thing of this fine is tough. If you know you urinate in public, watch yourself you might end up having your fingerprints with authorities for something that could have been avoided.”…

Two people were treated for bite wounds after they were attacked by a seal pup while swimming at Clifton’s fourth beach on Tuesday. The City of Cape Town, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Cape of Good Hope SPCA have since urged beachgoers to keep a distance from marine and coastal wildlife after a video of the incident was widely shared on social media. The NSRI said reports indicate that there were similar incidents involving aggressive seals in Hout Bay and Yzerfontein and in recent months at Fish Hoek beach and at Noordhoek. “We are appealing to bathers and paddlers to stay clear of seals and avoid marine animals in their environment.” The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said they were investigating to ascertain possible reasons for the seal’s unusual…

Resolutions and predictions are frequent aspects of a new year, one certainty of 2023 is the continuation of the media information war. Expect fresh exposure of globalist collusion in suppressing dissenting challenges to the anointed narratives. The electronic media have become the most powerful means of population control. It is evident from the fact that six months since the rescinding of the mask mandate, thousands continue to wear masks despite the proven fact that masks do not impede viral penetration. But then the mass media have never purveyed that fact. The Biden regime has authorised $475 million (about R8 billion) expenditure urging the US population to get booster shots despite the mounting evidence that those shots are harmful to health and have already caused tens of thousands of deaths. But…

Myanmar’s junta said it would hold “free and fair” multiparty elections as it marked Independence Day yesterday, days after increasing democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi’s jail term to 33 years. Swaths of the Southeast Asian country have been engulfed by fighting between junta troops and anti-coup rebels since the military seized power almost two years ago. The junta, which recently wrapped up a series of closed-court trials of Suu Kyi, is preparing for fresh elections later this year that the US has said would be a “sham”. “Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair elections will be held in line with the 2008 constitution,” junta chief Min Aung Hlaing told troops and supporters in Naypyidaw. The junta-imposed state of emergency is due to expire…

Colombo: Crisis-hit Sri Lanka yesterday announced its first nationwide elections since its president fled and resigned in the face of widespread protests, in what will be a test of popularity for his successor. Local government polls will be held before the end of February. President Ranil Wickremesinghe faces potential embarrassment in the vote, as he was his party’s sole representative in parliament. The 73-year-old Wickremesinghe, a six-times prime minister, won a parliamentary vote to replace Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the backing of Rajapaksa’s SLPP party, but has no popular mandate. | AFP…

US national coach Gregg Berhalter, his future uncertain after a last-16 World Cup exit, admitted on Tuesday to kicking his girlfriend in a 1991 incident that US Soccer is investigating. After the US Soccer Federation was contacted during the recent World Cup in Qatar by “an individual” looking to “bring about the end of my relationship with US Soccer”, Berhalter released a statement with his now-wife Rosalind detailing the matter. “It was a shameful moment and one that I regret to this day,” Berhalter said. “There are zero excuses for my actions that night.” Berhalter said he was 18 and a college freshman and had dated Rosalind for four months when they were drinking at a bar. “Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside,” Berhalter said. “It…

ANC PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa will have his hands full this week as he launches his party’s 111th anniversary in a faction-riddled Free State that has failed to hold its elective conference four times due to divisions within the party. Ramaphosa kicked off the celebrations with a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Zaccheus Richard Mahabane, the third president of the ANC, in Seeisosville cemetery, Maokeng, yesterday. This is one of the events marked to drum up support for the main January 8 statement expected to take place at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Sunday. Ramaphosa proceeded to lay wreaths at the gravesite of Dr James Sebe Moroka at the embattled Mangaung region before meeting with local structures. The party in the Free State, where the ANC was formed in…

GAUTENG Education MEC Matome Chiloane said his department was doing its best to clear more than 4 700 appeals received for grades 1 and 8 before the commencement of the 2023 academic year. During a recent interview, Chiloane said the department had received 289 297 applications for placement, which accounted for 99.3% of the total number of applications received by the department for the academic year ahead. He said of that number, 2 848 pupils were still to be placed in Grade 8, while there were 350 Grade 1 pupils still to be placed. Despite it being less than a week before schools are due to reopen on January 11, the MEC said he was confident that his department would be able to place all pupils, including those…

Ingredients 30ml oil 8 pieces of chicken, with skin on (4 thighs and 4 drumsticks) 1 onion, cubed 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 45ml tomato paste 1 x Royco Butter Chicken Dry Cook In Sauce 125ml cream 125ml water Sides – rice, naan, sambal, raita Fresh coriander Method Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Put the oil into a large casserole dish. Heat over a high heat on the stove top. Once hot, add the chicken pieces, skin side down. Allow to colour nicely on all sides, then remove from the dish. Turn the heat down to medium, add the onions, fry for 5 minutes, then add the garlic. Fry for a further 2-3 minutes. Add the Royco Butter Chicken, cream and the water. Bring to a simmer then remove from…

THOSE still celebrating the new year should take heed of where they walk – as the court has turned down the claim of a man who was heading to a village bar and took a short cut next to his local Post Office. He fell into an uncovered stormwater drain and blamed the SA Post Office, the building which was located next to the ditch. He sued them for the damages he had suffered, but while he did succeed in his first legal round, two judges on appeal said he was the author of his own misfortune, and the Post Office did not owe him any duty of care. Deon Viviers was injured a decade ago, in 2012, in what was then known as Port Elizabeth. He fell into the…

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s loss of broad protections from prosecution when he stepped down on Sunday leaves him more exposed to criminal and electoral probes that could lead to his arrest or prevent him from running for office. Bolsonaro, a far-right nationalist, left Brazil for Florida on Friday after losing to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil’s most fraught vote in a generation. It remains unclear how long he plans to stay in Florida, which is home to his political idol, former US president Donald Trump. Bolsonaro’s US trip insulates him from any immediate legal jeopardy in Brazil, where he is under investigation in at least four criminal probes. Beyond that, his future may hinge on the path charted by crusading Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de…

MOGADISHU: Two car bombs detonated by al-Shabaab militants killed at least 35 people and flattened homes in central Somalia’s Hiraan region yesterday, a resident involved in the rescue operations said. It was the latest in a string of attacks launched by al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab since government forces and allied clan militias last year began pushing the insurgents out of territory they had long held. Mahas District Commissioner Mumin Mohamed Halane said that one bomb targeted his house and the other hit the home of a federal MP. Al-Shabaab’s media office claimed responsibility, saying it had targeted “apostate militias and soldiers” and put the number of dead at 87. | Reuters…

PRAGUE: Czech authorities will destroy all 750 000 hens on a poultry farm at the centre of its worst outbreak of bird flu so far as the disease spreads. Bird flu was first detected last week at the farm, 150km west from Prague, nd authorities decided to cull up to 220 000 birds. But the Czech Republic’s State Veterinary Administration (SVS) said yesterday a further spread on the farm led to a decision to cull all the birds. Bird flu is pressuring already high food prices and triggering trade restrictions from countries that import poultry. | Reuters…

MANCHESTER United manager Erik ten Hag said his side cannot be considered title contenders yet this season, but the belief in the squad is growing after another victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Goals from Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford earned United a fourth league win in a row, closing the gap to leaders Arsenal to nine points. United struggled to their worst Premier League points total last season and have not won the English top-flight title since 2013, when Alex Ferguson was still in charge. “That’s a big step,” Ten Hag said when asked about United’s involvement in the title race. “No, but the belief is growing and that’s a good signal. We have to give every game 100% energy and focus and if you…

Clubs have been active in the transfer market looking to bolster their teams as they look to churn out strong performances and finish the season as high up the table as possible. Here, Eshlin Vedan looks at five of the top local transfers over the past month. Wayde Jooste Maritzburg United Maritzburg are once again fighting a relegation battle and need to now focus on avoiding the drop and preserving their top-flight status for another season. The versatile Jooste is one player who will add depth to their ranks. The 31-year-old has previously played for Orlando Pirates, Highlands Park, Golden Arrows and Bloemfontein Celtic. Sede Dion AmaZulu FC AmaZulu will be looking for a top-half finish this season. Romain Folz’s side will be looking to add more goals to their…

Local actor Sthembiso “SK” Khoza may have had a 2022 filled with headline-making drama, but that has not stopped him collecting accolades. Taking to his Instagram account, the multi-award-winning actor admitted he was honoured to have received all the awards throughout his career. In 2022, Khoza won Best Actor at the African Social Entertainment Awards and was nominated in the Drama Queen category at the 14th Feather Awards. He posted a video of himself holding his awards as his father stood beside him. “I am extremely honoured to have received all of these awards. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work, because I am very sure that every other nominee for these awards was as capable if not more, of winning these awards.” Among…

Azapo president Nelvis Qekema is planning to take Professor Edward Mitole to the cleaners after he allegedly stole his essay. The essay, titled “Pan Africanism and Black Consciousness: Solidarity and Synergies for Liberation”, according to Qekema, was published under the professor’s name on online media portal Modern Ghana on December 22. Qekema took to Facebook to expose the alleged personal intellectual theft and was supported by a number of users who claimed that they are also victims of other professors. “My heart is bleeding. A professor and dean of faculty of a Pretoria-based university stole my essay (Pan Africanism and Black Consciousness: Solidarity and Synergies for Liberation, May 30, 2014) and published it under his name on Modern Ghana,” wrote Qekema. However, speaking to Independent Media yesterday, Mitole, a PhD…

The Public Servants Association (PSA) blames Police Minister Bheki Cele for the shortage of alcohol testing kits during the festive season. National manager of the PSA, Claude Naicker, said Cele shamelessly blamed the procurement section without taking responsibility for the failure to adequately resource the department and ensure the filling of vacant positions as SAPS, like other government departments, experiences a chronic shortage of staff. The public and police raised concerns about the shortage of alcohol blood test kits for the December and January festive season. National police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said there was a global shortage of the vials, which are a component of the blood alcohol test kits that consists of chemicals to maintain the integrity of the sample until it is tested. Mathe said the supplier…

A mother of two will this year be able to proceed with her damages claim against the doctor who treated her husband at a Durban hospital after he suffered permanent brain damage following cardiac arrest. The mother, who cannot be identified to protect her children, earlier turned to the high court in Pieter- maritzburg. A judge determined that the doctor, a locum hired by a firm of doctors, as well as the doctor’s firm, were 65% liable for the damages which she could prove that she had suffered as a result of her husband’s condition. Both the locum doctor and the firm who had hired him, however, turned to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to appeal against the judgment which found them liable. This meant that the woman’s claim…

The EFF’s electoral support at national level has shown growth from zero to 6.35% in 2014, and to 10.79% in the 2019 national and provincial elections. In the past two local government elections, in 2016 and 2021, the EFF has also shown a rise in electoral support, from 8.31% to 10.54% respectively. It is this EFF upward electoral trajectory, more especially within the black communities, that makes me envious of the support Julius Malema and EFF command. In the last national and provincial elections in 2019 the EFF obtained 1.8 million votes. This represented 10.79% of the eligible voters in South Africa. Although the EFF and Julius Malema’s electoral and personal support does not meet the required threshold to take over the country, except through coalition governments and/or agreements, it…

We must give thanks to farmers and farm hands for ensuring that, 28 years and eight months into our new order, we still enjoy food security in South Africa. The killing of farmers and the arbitrary treatment of farmworkers are barbaric and should be condemned by all who subscribe to civilisation. The majority of the population of this country who were systematically disadvantaged and marginalised continue to lament about our soil and the Constitution that is acclaimed the world over. If former prime minister Hendrik Verwoerd were to rise from the dead, he would applaud the ANC government for executing the apartheid master plan with precision. The Bantustan (homeland) system of hostels, shacks and now toilet-roomed (formerly four-roomed) township houses are thriving as transitional areas (reserves). The celebrated sabbatical period…

MOSCOW: Russia’s defence ministry yesterday blamed mobile phone use by its soldiers for a deadly Ukrainian missile strike that it said killed 89 servicemen, raising the reported death toll from 63. The New Year’s Eve strike has angered pro-war Russian commentators, with criticism directed at military commanders rather than Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has not commented publicly on the attack, which has dealt a further blow after major battlefield retreats. The Russian ministry said the main reason for the attack was mass use of cellphones by servicemen, which it said was illegal. | Reuters…

Exasperated Swallows FC coach Ernst Middendorp did not tip-toe his way through Tuesday’s post-match media conference. Instead, he climbed in boots and all and declared that Mamelodi Sundowns have already won the Premiership title even though the season has only reached the halfway mark. Middendorp’s lively media session followed his side’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of the defending champions at Loftus. His exasperation would have been fuelled by several refereeing decisions that went against his team, including a strong penalty appeal that was dismissed. “I said it at the beginning of the season, the resources of a team like Sundowns are phenomenal,” said Middendorp. “Let’s not make jokes about it because at the end of the season, and this is a clear opinion, Sundowns will be at least 20…

AMAZULU FC are set on ‘righting’ the wrongs of the first half of the DStv Premiership season. The KwaZulu-Natal based side have had an underwhelming league campaign but did enjoy an impressive run in the MTN8, eventually losing to Orlando Pirates in the final. Usuthu began the campaign under the stewardship of Brandon Truter. Following an accumulation of poor results, he was then replaced by Romain Folz, who is currently in the process of rebuilding the club. After four victories, four losses and six draws in the 14 matches they’ve played, Usuthu are looking to turn the corner in the second half of the season according to captain Makhehleni Makhaula. “As players, we've set ourselves targets for the upcoming five games and we are extremely focused on those. We were…

CHELSEA manager Graham Potter said forward Raheem Sterling has been through a challenging phase at the London club following his move from Manchester City but backed the England international to deliver more. Chelsea signed Sterling from City for about £47.5-million in July but his performances have been underwhelming with six goals in 21 games in all competitions this season. Sterling will face his former club City in the Premier League tonight at Stamford Bridge before the teams meet again in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. “It’s been a challenge for him but it’s been a challenging period for everybody,” Potter told reporters yesterday, as his team sit 11 points behind second-placed City. “There’s been a lot of change and a lot has happened, so in that…