Table of contents for 2024-12-17 in Cape Times

The festive season is a time for celebration but, for some, it can also lead to excessive alcohol consumption. While social drinking might be a common feature of parties and gatherings, overindulgence can have severe consequences – one of the most dangerous being alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a person consumes more alcohol than their body can process. It’s a global concern, but in South Africa, where binge drinking is a significant public health issue, the risks are particularly high. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in November 2023, led by Dr Brian Lee, a transplant hepatologist at the University of Southern California, highlighted the global rise in alcohol consumption since the pandemic. This trend resonates in South Africa,…

MORE than 300 students who have successfully completed their degrees have been unable to graduate, as universities have withheld their certificates over unpaid fees and other issues. This was according to Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane in response to parliamentary questions by MK Party MP Mnqobi Prince Msezane who asked about the number of qualified students whose graduation certificates were withheld due to outstanding fees. "The recent audited data indicates that there are 320 students who have fulfilled requirements for their qualification, but respective universities have deferred awarding the qualification for several admin reasons. These reasons are mainly financial and disciplinary hearings,” Nkabane said. Msezane also questioned why her department had not prioritised clearing the debt to promote fair access to the job market and remove barriers for affected students,…

Investigators deployed to probe the cause of a collision that claimed 14 lives A Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) team dispatched to investigate Eastern Cape’s “deadliest” road accident was yesterday expected to do a reconstruction to determine how the crash led to the deaths of 14 people. The devastating head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a Mazda CX5 initially claimed 13 lives on the N9 just outside Graaff-Reinet. Hours later, officials confirmed the 14 fatalities, making the incident the deadliest this festive season in the Eastern Cape, according to traffic officials. “The information at hand states that the number of people who died increased to 14, all six occupants from the Mazda CX5 and eight from the Quantum taxi. Eleven other people suffered serious to light injuries and were…

YOUR Wednesday edition – “Sign Bela or else ... Sadtu warns Ramaphosa” refers. There seems to be a dysfunctional situation in government where Ramaphosa and his legal advisors agreed on a certain process. This agreement was struck at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). Now we have the union stepping in behind the President's back demanding that this agreement be broken and that the issue be revisited. We have had problems in the past where NEDLAC made representations to Parliament and Parliament itself has ignored these recommendations despite all of the parties agreeing on something different. NEDLAC is made up of the government, trade unions, employers and civil society. Millions are spent getting these agreements structured. It is now about time that we stop wasting…

As the City moves forward with desalination plans to bolster its drinking water supply, opposition parties contend the municipality should consider more cost-effective options. Recently, the City alongside industry leaders and experts, hosted an Energy Water Waste Forum (EWWF) event focusing on the New Water Programme (NWP). The NWP is part of the City’s 2030 strategy to increase drinking water supply by 300 million litres a day, with alternative sources in order to build resilience and security against seasonal droughts with billions budgeted for the plan. According to the City, the combination of initiatives – including desalination, water re-use, clearing of invasive plant species and groundwater schemes – make up the NWP. Currently, the City is in the feasibility study phase for its first permanent desalination plant, earmarked for the…

Tracing the sport’s evolution from colonialism to symbol of national pride and inclusivity THE mind boggles. They say politics and sports don’t or shouldn’t mix. As South Africans we are the living experience that our sport, especially rugby and cricket, has historically been mired in the politics of colonialism, race and white supremacy for over a century, only to be liberated in its transformative non-racial ethos after the onset of democracy in 1994. And in a post-apartheid dispensation, if we are not careful, that ethos of a truly non-racial sporting culture to include access to South Africans of all backgrounds and at all levels could be compromised by the excessive commercialisation of sport steeped in the single-minded pursuit of self-enrichment, wage inflation, excessive profits and corruption, at the expense of…

Britain’s Labour government has pared back an audit of relations with China, four sources with knowledge of the matter said, preparing the way for a less critical report that could help Prime Minister Keir Starmer focus on improving economic ties. The Labour Party said before taking power the audit would be Britain’s first in-depth, potentially year-long appraisal of relations and supply chains with a country considered by the security services as the nation’s biggest long-term threat. The government is now opting for a quicker and less in-depth approach, which will most probably end up being less critical of China, the sources said. Two of the sources pointed to Starmer’s growth agenda and plan to improve relations with an important trading partner for the decision. Asked about Reuters findings, a British…

The European Commission yesterday awarded contracts to push forward delayed plans for a €10.6 billion ($11.13bn) secure European satellite constellation in response to Elon Musk’s Starlink and other fast-growing internet networks. The multi-orbit array of more than 280 satellites known as IRIS² will provide an encrypted backbone for EU governments and public agencies, and develop new commercial services. “In an increasingly complex geopolitical world, ensuring resilient, secure and fast governmental communications is essential,” Josef Aschbacher, director general of the 22-nation European Space Agency, said in a statement, adding it would boost European competitiveness and create jobs. The project is the EU’s third major initiative in space after the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation network, which monitors climate change. It has been beset by differences over industrial work…

Paris: The tariffs that Donald Trump has threatened to impose on Canada would also cause problems to US states if he enacts them, said the head of the Canadian foreign investment promotion. “I think from a business perspective, no one will benefit from a tariff regime,” Laurel Broten, chief executive of Invest in Canada, said. Trump, who takes office in January, has threatened to slap 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, accusing both of allowing the US to be flooded with illicit drugs and undocumented migrants. Canada’s largest province, Ontario, said it would be prepared to cut off energy exports to the US if Trump made good on this threat. | AFP…

LONDON: Britain’s online safety regime came into force yesterday, requiring social media companies like Meta’s Facebook and ByteDance’s TikTok to take action to tackle criminal activity on their platforms and make them safer by design. Media regulator Ofcom said it had published its first codes of practice on tackling illegal harms such as child sexual abuse and assisting or encouraging suicide. Sites and apps have until March 16, 2025, to assess the risks illegal content poses to children and adults. The regulator will be able to issue fines of up to $22.3 million (about R399m) or 10% of a company’s annual global turnover if they fail to comply. | Reuters…

The Proteas’ ICC Champions Trophy campaign begins today at Boland Park. The preliminaries are short and sharp, with three matches here against next year’s hosts, followed only by a Tri-Series in Pakistan before the tournament in February. It hardly seems sufficient, but there’s no place to squeeze in anymore with an all-important two-match Test series, which will ensure qualification for the World Test Championship final, and Betway SA20 on the horizon. It allows little room for experimentation at this stage but coach Rob Walter will just have to find a way – even if it's without captain Temba Bavuma in Paarl today. “I won't be involved in the game (today),” Bavuma confirmed yesterday, with Aiden Markram set to take over the leadership duties. “That's more just from a load management…

SIX years after qualifying as an attorney, Siyabonga Galela has finally been admitted to practice as a legal practitioner, following financial difficulties which prevented her from receiving her certificate after she completed her degree. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) last week ruled in her favour, granting her admission to practise and authorising her enrollment as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa under the Legal Practice Act. At the time of her qualifying as an attorney, Galela launched an ex parte application for her admission as a legal practitioner to the high court in June 2023. She attached a statement of her academic record from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) which reflected that she had qualified for a Bachelor of Arts degree on December 19, 2018…

THE South African taxpayer has forked R37.2 million in the country’s litigation against Israel in the International Court of Justice over its violation of human rights in Gaza, Palestine. International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola disclosed this information when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Emma Powell about the amount his department contributed to the litigation. Lamola indicated at the time that it was not possible to provide conclusive details regarding the amount contributed by his department as the litigation was still ongoing. In a follow-up question, Powell asked if Lamola was now able to provide a detailed breakdown on all costs incurred by his department from January 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information was available. “The total payments made to date…

FIFTY-FOUR years of brutal Assad dynasty rule have come to an end and is an encouraging and long-awaited yearning of not only Syrians but also of conscientious people around the globe. Syrians living in Syria, exiled Syrians and Syrian refugees have all expressed their joy and happiness. Dictator Bashar al Assad fled the country and the country has fallen to multiple revolutionary groups that control different parts of it. Seeing Syrians pouring into the streets echoing the praises of Almighty God and with celebratory songs the fall of the Pharaoh of contemporary times whose father was also regarded as a warlord and oppressive ruler is an extraordinary victory for the people of Syria which needs to be celebrated. In 2013, on my humanitarian visit to Syria, I witnessed first-hand the…

THE City has cited safety as one of the contributing factors making it difficult for their teams to attend to basic service delivery-related complaints in Heinz Park, near Philippi. This is where residents are fed up with living in sewage filth, with drain water flowing in the streets and raising serious health concerns. They have described the situation as a complete breakdown of service delivery, particularly in waste management and sanitation. “Toilets in many homes have been non-operational for over three weeks due to blocked sewer lines. This has forced residents to live with overflowing sewage in their homes, creating an unimaginable health and dignity crisis. The situation is very bad, sewage is our biggest headache in this place. We call the City, reference after reference, it doesn’t end. Everything…

As we pause to commemorate Reconciliation Day, we are called to reflect deeply on what this day signifies in the ongoing story of our nation. Reconciliation is not a mere observance – it is a profound act of courage, a testament to our shared humanity, and an unyielding commitment to the promise of a better tomorrow for all. Ours is a nation forged in the crucible of struggle and resilience. We have endured the brutality of colonialism, the dehumanising legacy of apartheid, and the inequalities that still challenge our progress. Yet, through these trials, we have shown that unity is not just an ideal but a powerful force capable of transforming pain into progress. Reconciliation Day is a reminder of this truth. It challenges us to confront the injustices of…

Emergency workers sought survivors yesterday and struggled to restore services in Mayotte, France’s poorest overseas territory, where hundreds or even thousands are feared dead from the worst cyclone to hit the Indian Ocean islands in nearly a century. Cyclone Chido devastated large parts of the archipelago off east Africa over the weekend with winds of more than 200km/h strewing homes over hillsides, and cutting phones, power and drinking water. With areas still inaccessible, France’s acting interior minister Bruno Retailleau said on arrival in the disaster zone that it would take days to find the full extent of damage and deaths. Teacher Hamada Ali said that streets were covered in mud and trees, people were sheltering in schools and bottled water was being used for cooking. “I saw someone injured by…

A Church of England bishop yesterday urged its incoming interim leader to quit over his handling of a sexual abuse case, only weeks after his predecessor was forced to resign as archbishop of Canterbury in a similar case. The BBC said Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, had in a previous diocese let a priest keep his job despite knowing that the church had barred him from being alone with children and that he had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim. Cottrell is due to take over temporarily next month from Justin Welby as archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of millions of Anglicans worldwide. The bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, was one of the first senior voices to urge Welby to step down and also called on Cottrell…

KHAN YOUNIS: Relatives of Palestinians killed by Israel in Khan Younis gathered around their white-shrouded bodies yesterday before carrying them to their graves. Palestinian health officials said on Sunday at least 20 people, including children, were killed in the strike at the school sheltering displaced families in the city in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said yesterday that it had struck Hamas militants operating from a compound that previously served as a UN-run school. It said the compound also served as a training camp to prepare and plan attacks against Israeli forces. | Reuters…

BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a parliamentary confidence vote yesterday, paving the way for snap elections in February intended to lead Germany out of a political crisis triggered by the collapse of his coalition. The departure last month of the neoliberal Free Democrats from the three-way coalition left Scholz’s Social Democrats and the Greens governing without a parliamentary majority just when Germany faces its deepest economic crisis in a generation. Scholz remains as caretaker leader until a new government can be formed. The campaign is turning to arguments over which urgent measures he should pass with opposition backing. | Reuters…

Premier League basement club Southampton on Sunday sacked manager Russell Martin after an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham. The club said in a statement they had taken the "difficult decision to part ways" with Martin after just one win in 16 games. Southampton, promoted last season, are rooted to the bottom of the table, nine points from safety. "We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our men's first team manager Russell Martin," the club said. "Going into the start of the season, we all knew the challenges that we would face this year as we readjusted to life in the top flight, competing in the best and most competitive league in the world. "However, the reality of our situation is clear. The…

Red has always been known as a dominant colour. Whether in a beauty product like lipstick or a fashion piece like a dress, it is always daring. While fashion trends evolve along with colours for the season, red remains at the top. “Red has always been a staple in the beauty scene, but something we would typically associate with the festive season. However, this year, it seems the vibrant colour is dominating hair and make-up trends in a way never seen before. “From Dua Lipa’s hot red hair to Taylor Swift’s iconic lip look, there’s no doubt that it has been the ‘it’ colour of 2024,” said Nick Drewe, a trend expert at Wethrift. In the past four years, we’ve seen a decline in people wearing lipsticks because of Covid…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to a “National Dialogue” next year to address the country’s ongoing challenges of racism, poverty, poor governance, slow land reform and corruption, among others. He made the announcement during the National Day of Reconciliation, held in Vredendal, Matzikama Local Municipality, under the theme “Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures”. The president noted that for much of South Africa’s history, December 16 stood as “a symbol of the wounds of our history”. “For some it was a celebration of victory. For others, it was a painful reminder of conquest and dispossession.” The president acknowledged the historical relevance of Vredendal, a symbolic location known as the Valley of Peace, and highlighted the plight of many of its inhabitants, particularly farmworkers. “Under the inhumane apartheid system…

THE Department of Basic Education (DBE) remains confident that this year’s matric results will be released in newspapers as they are challenging the Information Regulator of South Africa’s ban. The DBE argues that the ban is not in accordance with the law. It approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday and filed papers in efforts to set aside an Information Regulator’s (IR) enforcement notice which is instructing the department not to publish the results on media outlets. It accused the department of failing to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act in 2023. However, DBE's Elijah Mhlanga said the department has received consent from candidates who wrote their exams and a 2022 North Gauteng High Court decision also gives them a right to publish the results.…

THE headline in Thursday’s Cape Times says it all: “Western Cape schools are full.” We never learn, do we? I've been writing about this for years. We need to limit our numbers otherwise we can never play catch up. David Maynier (Education MEC) says they have built an additional six schools and 180 classrooms at existing schools, but we still can’t find space for the many who are flooding into the Western Cape. We face this crisis every year. I see Brett Heron of the Good Party moaning again but I don't see him coming up with answers? There are also always late registrations which add to the chaos as they are extras that weren’t thought about. Budget issues of course don't help and we know they have…

THIRTY years ago Ukraine signed a pledge with the UK, UK , France, China and Russia in which an agreement was reached that in return for support and the security of Ukraine by the signatories , Ukraine would give up its arsenal of nuclear weapons which in good faith they did. The agreement was known as “The declaration of State Sovereignty Pledge”. As history shows, this agreement was ignored when the invasion of the Donbas region by Russia in 2014 took place followed by the subsequent full scale assault on Ukraine by Russia in 2022. The signatories to the agreement have not stood by their word. The supply of money and weapons by the US, UK and France is not enough. France, UK and American defence troops need to be…

A JOINT operation involving the SAPS, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security has led to the arrest of two suspects – including a former school principal – in Gauteng for sexual grooming, possession, production, downloading, and distribution of child pornography. One of the suspects involved is a 49-year-old man in Vanderbijlpark who had allegedly sexually groomed, sexually assaulted and raped his girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter. Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said: “In the first operation, on Thursday, 12 December 2024, members from both the national and Gauteng provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (Seci) Unit and Forensic Social Work (FSW), together with the FBI, acted on information supplied through an international tip line. (The) investigation led the team to an address in Vanderbijlpark where they arrested a 49-year-old man…

As the festive season approaches, we are reminded of both the joy of togetherness and the shocking statistics that come with it. Recently, KwaZulu-Natal has witnessed a series of tragic accidents and yesterday, 15 lives were lost in the Eastern Cape when a minibus taxi collided with a private vehicle. These tragedies prompt the urgent question: what more must we do to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads? For far too long, South Africa has been synonymous with high levels of road fatalities – that must change. We cannot continue tolerating the deaths of our citizens at the hands of negligent driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and reckless truck drivers who seem to operate as if the rules of the road do not apply to them. Innocent lives are…

Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria’s new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad, ending decades of brutal rule and civil war. The lightning offensive that captured the capital Damascus on December 8 led to celebrations across the country and beyond. At Damascus university yesterday, Yasmin Shehab said that she and fellow students felt “optimistic”. “We feel liberated, and the chains have been broken,” she said. But the surprise ouster caught many governments by surprise, and has left them scrambling for a new policy. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group that led the offensive, is rooted in Al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, and is still designated a terrorist group by several Western governments. Diplomats, including UN envoy Geir Pedersen who was…

Nairobi: Human Rights Watch (HRW) yesterday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, at war with the army, of committing widespread sexual violence against women in southern Sudan. It is the latest such report by international monitors alleging sexual violence during Sudan’s 20-month war, which has led to what the US called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. In its new report, HRW said it had documented dozens of cases since September last year involving women and girls aged between seven and 50 who were subjected to sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual slavery, in South Kordofan state. | AFP…

JAKARTA: Indonesia will transfer Mary Jane Veloso, a Philippine woman sentenced to death in 2010 for drug trafficking, to her home country in the early hours tomorrow, a senior Indonesian official said. Jakarta agreed last month to repatriate Veloso, a former domestic helper and mother of two, who was arrested in Yogyakarta 14 years ago after being found with 2.6kg of heroin concealed in a suitcase. She received a last-minute reprieve from execution in 2015 after the late former President Benigno Aquino appealed to the Indonesian government, arguing she could be a vital witness in prosecuting drug syndicates. | Reuters…