Table of contents for 2024-04-03 in Cape Times

from page 1 upon her constitutional right. Fortunately, the judiciary remains one of the strongest democratic institutions in South Africa and this was again evident in the court’s dismissal of her application.” Njau said ironically, as the head of Parliament, a legislative arm of the state responsible for making the law, the Speaker was expected to adhere to and respect the very law that Parliament had passed. Attorney Konrad Röntgen said Mapisa-Nqakula’s application to stay any and or all proceedings against her for the moment was unheard of. Reacting to the outcome, the ANC said: “The ANC is committed to respecting the laws of the country and allowing the justice process to take its course. As such, the ANC will enforce its integrity and step-aside policies to preserve the integrity…

Former president Jacob Zuma’s legal team yesterday were planning to write to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to appeal its decision to remove him from its list of candidates for Parliament for the May 29 elections. Last week, the IEC upheld an objection to Zuma’s candidature, essentially disqualifying him from standing for a legislative seat in the elections. This is due to his criminal conviction for contempt of court. Zuma and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) had until yesterday to appeal the decision at the Electoral Court. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Zuma had been briefed by his legal team, who were still finalising their grounds for appeal but the party was confident the IEC would receive the former president’s response ahead of the deadline. “We sent an…

UNIVERSITY of Fort Hare (UFH) staff members and Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes’s former bodyguard Anwar Khan are among 15 more suspects who appeared at the heavily guarded Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape yesterday. The suspects, facing charges of fraud, racketeering and corruption, were remanded and are expected back in court on Wednesday for formal bail applications. Police national top brass including Minister Bheki Cele, commissioner Fannie Masemola and UFH vice-chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu were among those who attended court proceedings. The arrests were made by the national police task team in various provinces including Gauteng, the Eastern and Western Cape as well as KwaZulu-Natal over the Easter weekend. The accused are: Isaac Plaatjies, Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Louis Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Gosain van der Haar, Thamsanqa…

The portfolio committee on justice and correctional services has halted its process to select the next Deputy Public Protector after a legal opinion found EFF member Busisiwe Mkhwebane had failed to declare a conflict of interest with two of the candidates. The committee was expected to select the Deputy Public Protector when Parliament’s legal adviser, Zingisa Zenani, tabled the findings of her report into Mkhwebane’s alleged conflict of interest. Members of the committee said Mkhwebane should have declared upfront her relationship with the two candidates. Zenani said Mkhwebane failed to declare that one candidate, Shadrack Tebeile, was representing her in her impeachment case. Mkhwebane has challenged her removal as Public Protector in the African Court on Human and People’s Rights. Tebeile is representing her on a pro bono basis. Mkhwebane…

The court case of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has elements of “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” about it. The theme is at the centre of George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, an allegory for the events leading up to the Russian Revolution and the early years of the Soviet Union. The phrase highlights the hypocrisy and corruption of the ruling class. Rightfully so, Mapisa-Nqakula, yesterday suffered a legal blow after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, dismissed her urgent application to interdict her impending arrest amid a corruption probe. The arrest had not been made, and as Judge Sulet Potterill said, much reliance was placed on the fact that Mapisa-Nqakula “has a right to legal representation”. Clearly, the National Director of Public Prosecutions and the…

The British government said JK Rowling should not be arrested for her transgender views after the Harry Potter author challenged Scotland’s new hate crime law with social media posts asserting that a number of trans women were men. Rowling, a prominent gender critical campaigner, made the comments on Monday, the day that the crime of “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity came into effect. Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf said the bill was about “protecting people from a rising tide of hatred”. “Unless your behaviour is threatening or abusive and intends to stir up hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new offences being created,” he said. Women are not protected as a group, but the Scottish National…

JUBA: Youths attacked a village in eastern South Sudan and shot dead at least 12 people while 15 children are missing, officials said yesterday, as local conflicts continued to increase ahead of elections late this year. A civil war from 2013-18 caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and although the main belligerents have since been at peace, clashes continue among armed groups. Activists believe the recent rise in violence is at least partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed the present transitional government. In the latest incident on Sunday, youths attacked Ajwara village in Pibor’s Pochalla county. | Reuters…

THE HAGUE: Ukrainians can begin filing claims for damages they have suffered in Russia’s invasion at a newly established register based in The Hague, Ukrainian Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said yesterday. The register will initially focus on damage to real estate but should be expanded to include other kinds of material and other damage, Kuleba said at a conference organised by the Dutch government to discuss legal accountability. Ukraine wants to use frozen Russian assets to pay for war damages and reparations to victims. The World Bank estimated Kyiv would need $486 billion (R9 trillion) to rebuild the country. | Reuters…

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in for his third term yesterday in the country’s new capital, the largest of the mega-projects that have come to symbolise his rule while stretching the country’s finances. Sisi – who swept to victory in an election in December with 89.6% of the vote and no serious challengers –promised continued development, which many Egyptians say they feel excluded from, increased spending on programmes targeting the poor and engagement with the private sector. | Reuters…

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted out of selection for this year’s T20 World Cup to focus on regaining his fitness ahead of the summer’s Test fixtures, the country’s cricket board (ECB) said in a statement yesterday. England are the defending T20 world champions, having claimed their second title in 2022 in Australia. The ECB added that Stokes’ primary focus “is to get fully fit to bowl” for the coming Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. England’s Test captain last played a T20 international for England in the World Cup final in November 2022. “I’m working hard and focusing on building my bowling fitness back up to fulfil a full role as an all-rounder in all formats of cricket,” Stokes said in a statement. “Opting out of the…

SPEAR Reit has acquired a portfolio of 13 commercial properties from Emira Property Fund valued at R 1.15 billion. The acquisition by the JSE’s only regionally focused Reit consists of a diversified portfolio in the Western Cape, which is in line with Spear’s strategy of solely investing in the province. Emira said yesterday that the disposal was part of its strategy to recycle capital, and the proceeds would be used to recycle debt and fund new acquisitions. Emira CEO Geoff Jennet said the selling price had been agreed at a small discount to book value, which was expected for this type of portfolio sale. “Emira’s capacity to successfully trade out of assets underscores its astute capital allocation and value creation capabilities,” he said. “The proceeds of the transaction will…

As we accept the end of summer, we also bid farewell to the stone fruit season. This is the perfect time to put on your kitchen apron and make the most of the last fruits by stocking up your pantry for the upcoming winter months. Preserving fruits is actually quite simple, creatively fulfilling, and can be done with just a stove top. Stone fruits, such as plums, nectarines, and peaches, are perfect for creating a variety of jams, conserves, condiments and sweet and savoury sauces that capture their delightful flavours and juicy sweetness. Plums, with their vibrant colours and sweet-and-tart flavour, are especially versatile and pair well with a variety of herbs and spices. Whether it’s a smooth plum jam, a fruity plum conserve, or using them as hero ingredients…

from page 1 “Violence in South Africa is deeply embedded within the social fabric of the country. It has become normalised and widely accepted as a means of dealing with frustration and conflict. “Three socio-economic factors can initially be identified as playing an important role in the understanding of the incidence of crime,” she said. Unemployment, income levels, and the prevalent level of income inequality were factors, she said. “High levels of unemployment mean that the probability of gaining a legal income would be low, while high levels of illegal income simultaneously increases the payoff from criminal activity as well as increasing the opportunity cost of criminal activity.” Rakubu did not rule out corruption as one of the factors of violent crime in the country. “Corruption and increasingly sophisticated organised…

POLITICAL parties are expected to contest three wards in the Western Cape in the coming weeks, with the ANC expressing optimism as it introduced its candidates yesterday. The party held a briefing to officially announce its councillor candidates for the by-elections on April 24, saying a rigorous election process, including vetting, was undertaken. Other parties that will contest ward 9 in Oudtshoorn, ward 3 in Clanwilliam, Cederberg, and ward 11 in Malmesbury, Swartland, include the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and DA. ANC Western Cape head of elections Cameron Dugmore said while they were focused on the May 29 elections, the three wards were important. “Over the years, the ANC has been open and transparent in its selection process. It starts with our branch members meeting and proposing who should be the…

Judge leaves the way open for her to be arrested and brought before court While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is remaining mum over the fate of Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, it is expected that she will hand herself over to the police to be processed, before appearing before court on corruption and money laundering charges. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday struck her urgent application to halt her arrest from the roll. This was mainly as the court found that her application was not urgent. Although the NPA urged her two weeks ago to hand herself over to the police so that her case could be processed, this has not yet been done. Judge Sulet Potterill’s judgment, however, left the way open for her to be arrested and…

Relatives of murdered metro police officer Bianca Khuzwayo were at the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the appearance of the 27-year-old man charged with her murder. Fellow eThekwini metro police officer Constable Sizwe Ngema made a brief court appearance charged with Khuzwayo’s murder. She was stabbed to death on Sunday at a Durban CBD flat. Ngema faces charges of murder and theft. Sister publication The Mercury reported that Ngema allegedly shared graphic videos of the woman dying on social media. Khuzwayo and Ngema were in a relationship. In court, the State said they would be opposing bail as it was a serious offence related to domestic violence and gender-based violence. Ngema said he intends to apply for legal aid. The matter was adjourned to April 9 for further bail investigation,…

Tension between KwaZulu-Natal ANC chair Siboniso Duma and Zulu traditional prime minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi played out in front of crowds at an event in KwaCeza. Attending the King Dinuzulu commemorations, Zulu King Misuzulu and President Cyril Ramaphosa witnessed the altercation, for which Duma has since apologised, but the story does not end there. The unfolding saga goes far deeper than just a fallout between two individuals. It also occurs at an opportune time when some crucial decisions must be made regarding the mixed masala of politics and the tangled web of tribal issues. The scene in KwaCeza demonstrated that the trio of the ANC, IFP and toxic Zulu nationalism on the same platform spells disaster for Africans in the former Colony of Natal. The incident raises concerns about the potential…

Iran warned its arch foe Israel yesterday that it would retaliate after an air strike that killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals, and destroyed its consular annex building in the Syrian capital. Israel declined to comment on Monday’s strike in Damascus, which fuelled Middle East tensions already inflamed by the Gaza war and violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Iranian state media said 13 people were killed in the strike in which, according to Tehran’s ambassador, Israeli F-35 fighter-jets fired six missiles that levelled the five-storey consular building adjacent to the embassy. The building was reduced to a mountain of rubble by the blasts, which blew out windows in nearby buildings and incinerated cars parked on the roadside in a leafy and upscale suburb…

Senegal’s once jailed opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in yesterday as the West African nation’s fifth and youngest president, promising to restore stability and bring economic progress. The 44-year-old former tax inspector defeated Amadou Ba, the candidate of outgoing President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition, by a landslide in the first round of voting, reflecting high hopes for change in the country of around 18 million. Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger also sent representatives. The smooth transition was a welcome boost after three years of unprecedented political turmoil in Senegal that had raised concern about democratic backsliding…

Almaty: Kazakhstan said yesterday it had evacuated about 16 000 people after the worst flooding to hit the country in three decades. Waters are set to rise further as snow melts across the vast Kazakh steppe, the country’s meteorological agency has warned. “Rescue operations are continuing and around 16 000 people, including 6 000 children, have already been evacuated,” Kazakhstan’s emergency situations ministry said. It described the situation as “complicated” in five regions on the border with Russia, and said road links had been cut to 50 settlements. The Kazakh president reprimanded officials on Monday for being unprepared for the floods. | AFP…

WINDHOEK: Namibian authorities are investigating a surge in rhino poaching that has seen 28 rhinos poached already this year, two-thirds of them in the Southern African country’s flagship Etosha National Park. It was particularly concerning that 19 rhinos were poached in Etosha this year, given the park is a focus for conservation efforts and a major international tourist attraction, the environment ministry said this week. Of the rhinos poached, 19 were critically-endangered black rhinos and nine near-threatened white rhinos. No suspects have been arrested yet. Sixty-seven rhinos were poached in Namibia in 2023. | Reuters…

The unpredictable 2023/24 Premiership season is expected to endure more twists and turns tonight as the KwaZulu-Natal-based clubs go on the hunt for much-needed points in the league. Golden Arrows, who have found a new lease of life under the returning Steve Komphela, will welcome CAF Champions League-chasing SuperSport United to Hammarsdale. The arrival of Komphela has also seen Arrows captain Nduduzo Sibiya rediscover his form, with the 28-year-old registering two goals and an assist in the last two games. Abafana Bes’thende and Matsatsantsa will kick off at 7.30pm at the Mpumalanga Stadium, at the same time Royal AM begin their crunch battle against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium. Back-to-back wins against Polokwane City and Richards Bay have revived Arrows’ top-three ambitions as they sit four points off Sekhukhune…

Cape Town Spurs are trying to shrug off a disappointing defeat as they turn their attention to today’s DStv Premiership clash against hosts Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm). Embattled Spurs have been going along swimmingly of later until they suffered a setback on Sunday when they allowed visitors Moroka Swallows to score a goal in the dying minutes of their match at Athlone. It happened on a day when the 16th-placed Spurs, with 12 points, were ideally placed to move off the bottom of the Premiership table for the first time this season. The previous day, the 15th-placed Richards Bay, with 14 points, suffered defeat against Golden Arrows, and Spurs needed a win to leapfrog the struggling KwaZulu-Natal side on the log. Spurs coach Ernst…

ACTIVISTS have welcomed UWC’s council decision to publicly call for an immediate ceasefire and aid to Gaza. UWC council chairperson Xoliswa Daku said yesterday that their stance followed a decision by the university’s Senate. Daku said they were affirming the institution’s “unwavering commitment to humanitarian values and social justice”. “Following an affirmative decision by the Senate, I hereby endorse the call for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Additionally, we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially with the Palestinian education sector, during these challenging times. “The decision reflects the university’s moral values, ethical commitments, and educational principles. We believe that by standing in solidarity with Palestinians and advocating for peace, we contribute to a more just and equitable society. Together, as a university…

THE City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 725 incidents over the Easter long weekend – a near 20% increase from 2023’s 2 294 incidents. This included 1 256 medical calls, 108 fire incidents, 301 cases of assault (up from 211 last year), 98 domestic violence cases (nearly 200% up from 33 the previous year) and 88 road accidents (up from 75 in 2023). “We were very concerned about the Easter weekend falling over a month-end period, and unfortunately far too many of the statistical indicators point once more to the use and abuse of alcohol. I am perplexed by the sharp increase in motor vehicle accidents and the number of incidents related to interpersonal violence calls,” said Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith. “On a lighter note,…

Three men charged with the murders of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane have denied that they had any links to the murders and said large payments made to them were business-related. Thabani Mkhwanazi, Siyanda Eddie Myeza and Lindokuhle Ndimande were applying for bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They sought to respond to allegations linking them to the murders which were contained in the affidavit of investigating officer Kumarasan Pillay. In his affidavit, presented to the court in support of the State’s opposition to bail, Pillay set out how the men had been linked to the crime through cellphone and banking records. Mkhwanazi and Ndimande said large payments they received from another accused, Mziwethemba Gwabeni, was for work that they had done over a period of time.…

Its economy remains the ‘propeller’ for win-win co-operation The China Development Forum (CDF) 2024 was held in Beijing from March 24 to 25. On March 27, President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the US business, strategic and academic communities attending the CDF. The theme of the forum, “The Continuous Development of China”, not only describes China’s economic development over the long term, but also reflects the attention and expectations of all sectors for the long-term steady and high-quality development of the Chinese economy. Participants expressed their optimism about China’s economic prospects and their strong commitment to developing the Chinese market and pursuing close and long-term co-operation with China. China’s economy remains the “engine” of global prosperity as new quality productive forces bring strong vitality. The term “new quality productive…

One child was killed and two seriously wounded in a shooting at a school outside the Finnish capital yesterday, police said, with a 12-year-old fellow pupil suspected of the attack taken into custody. The arrest of the boy was made without further violence in the Helsinki suburb of Siltamaki, 4km south of the Viertola school in Vantaa district, police said. Education Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson broke down into tears while speaking to reporters hours after the attack in a country where gun violence among youths is rare. “One 12-year-old child will never again return home from school,” she said. A national day of mourning will be observed today, with government buildings flying the flag at half-mast, the interior ministry said. There were no other suspects, police said. They provided no details…

Kenyan public hospital doctors who have been on strike since last month convened in two major cities yesterday to discuss their grievances against the government. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, which represents over 7 000 members, went on strike on March 15 to demand payment of their salary arrears and the immediate hiring of trainee doctors. The arrears arose from a 2017 collective bargaining agreement. Doctors are also demanding adequate medical insurance cover for themselves and their dependants. They also want the government to address frequent delays of salaries and to start paying doctors who work in public hospitals as part of their degree courses. Minister of Health Susan Nakhumicha has said the government cannot afford to hire the trainee doctors due to financial pressure on the…

Port-Au-Prince: Gangs that control much of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince launched an attack on Monday, clashing with police in the city centre. Gunfire broke out in the area of Champ de Mars, a big public park near the National Palace, which is the old presidential residence, local people said. At least four officers were wounded, according to the Miami Herald. Haiti has had no president since the assassination of Jovenel Moise in 2021 and has no sitting parliament. Its last election was in 2016. It has been racked for decades by poverty, natural disasters, instability and gang violence. | AFP…

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis found an ally in his predecessor Benedict XVI when he spoke in favour of civil partnerships for same-sex couples, the pontiff said in a new book due out in Spain. The work is set for publication today. Francis has confirmed the Catholic church’s opposition to LGBT marriages, but has said same-sex couples have a right to be protected by civil union laws. A greater openness towards the LGBT community has been one of the hallmarks of his 11-year papacy, but the more conservative Benedict was not known as sympathetic to the cause. Nevertheless, Francis said Benedict stood up for him before an unnamed group of cardinals who had gone to him to complain about the pope’s “heresies” on civil partnerships. Benedict XVI “helped them distinguish things”…

Mikel Arteta said yesterday that Arsenal may have to win all of their nine remaining Premier League games if they are to be crowned champions as he prepares for the “most beautiful part of the season”. The second-placed Gunners are two points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of a busy April schedule following Sunday’s gritty goalless draw at title rivals Manchester City. Arteta, who is also preparing Arsenal for a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, urged his side to embrace the challenge, starting with today’s game at home to relegation-threatened Luton. “It’s going to have to be really close to that,” he told a pre-match media conference when asked if Arsenal need a 100% record from now on to finish top of the table. “When you see the level and…

The Beleaguered Blitzboks need all the help they can get and they have welcomed Dewald Human back with open arms for this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens. The experienced playmaker is over his injury and ready to make a difference to the fortunes of his struggling teammates. The popular Far East stop on the World Sevens Series will be special for the fleet-footed 28-year-old as he led the Blitzboks to Hong Kong in 2018 when a young team laden with talent surprised all by claiming third place. With the bulk of the main squad concentrating on the Commonwealth Games that year, a team with a youthful look travelled to Hong Kong. Human was the captain in only his third tournament. The squad included Ryan Oosthuizen, Zain Davids and Selvyn Davids, who…