Table of contents for 2023-04-28 in Star

MOBILE operator MTN was confident in its annual report, released on Wednesday, that it expected to ring in growth this year despite the global geopolitical and economic picture remaining volatile and challenging. The momentum of the economic recovery decelerated in 2022 with global gross domestic product growth slowing to 3.4% from 6% in 2021. Global inflation averaged 8.8% in 2022 from 4.7% in 2021 – the highest in about 25 years. These effects were exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, China’s zero Covid-19 policy as well as exchange rate volatility, which put additional strain on supply chains. The slowdown in sub-Saharan Africa was more moderate with growth of 3.6% down from 4.1% the prior year. Mcebisi Jonas, the chairperson of MTN, said on Wednesday: “MTN will continue to implement proactive…

After a gruelling season of national cyphers in Johannesburg, East London, Cape Town, and Oudtshoorn, the prestigious breaking competition, “Red Bull BC One” culminated in the crowning of South African champions B-girl Keisha “real name Lakeisha Dick) and B-boy Toufeeq (real name Toufeeq Baadjies). The two breakers from Cape Town impressed not only the judges but had the crowd begging for more as they danced their way to the 20th Red Bull BC One World Finals taking place in Paris later this year. IOL Entertainment had a front-row seat to all the action as the breakers went head-to-head with other finalists from across the country. The tension was palpable as competitors brought their A-game at the Sun Exhibits at Grand West in Cape Town. MC Melissa De Vries kept the…

Police have confirmed the arrest of two people suspected of murdering and mutilating the bodies of Nqobizitha Zulu and Tshiamo Rabanye. The children were killed after they were kidnapped in White City, Jabavu, last week on Wednesday. Their bodies were found the next day. Police, acting on an investigation at the house of one of the boys, said a 50-year-old woman and her 39-year-old partner were the suspects behind what members of the community believe to be an act of muti-related killings. On Wednesday, police spokesperson Brigadier Mavela Masondo said a team, put together by the provincial police commissioner in Gauteng, Lieutenant- General Elias Mawela, to investigate the two murders, had eventually cracked the case following the discovery of body parts at the residence of the woman. “On April 25,…

Yamikani Janet Banda, known as Lady Zamar, continues to face mob intimidation on social media following her sexual assault allegations levelled against Jabulani “Sjava” Hadebe. “You are cancelled” and “We haven’t forgot10” are subjects on placards in the picture posted, where she is at the helm of a parade. The Collide singer also holds a placard saying “World’s Gone Crazy”. Lady Zamar, who has kept her comment section locked on Twitter for some time, this time let remarks pour in after posting a picture that seemingly charts her life experience. In just a few years since her breakthrough, she went from being the most streamed artist to being detested on social media, making it difficult for her to post a picture without being vilified. Lady Zamar has had her share…

Many communities have on a daily basis experienced the scourge of crime, which is slowly but surely reaching crisis proportions, leaving many members of these communities at their wits’ end. Communities around Durban and its fringes have daily found themselves face to face with the menacing criminals who have put their lives at risk, day and night. The recent mass murder of 10 members of the Memela family of Imbali in Pietermaritzburg is a clear indication that crime has got out of hand, and the safety and security authorities have a mountain to climb in the fight against this epidemic. The criminals who attacked the family apparently indiscriminately shot anyone they met within the homestead, where even a 64-year-old and a 15-year-old boy were murdered. Sources revealed that the killing…

Neo Maema might be rubbing shoulders with one of his idols at Mamelodi Sundowns, but he’s not satisfied as he wants to improve week in and week out. After making a name for himself in the junior ranks of the now-defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, Maema made the big jump last season when he joined Sundowns. In the star-studded Masandawana team, Maema was expected to compete for a starting berth with role model Themba Zwane and journeyman Haashim Domingo, among others. And that daunting challenge could have ended with him spending most of the time on the bench, kicking his heels on the stands or, even worse, being loaned out without kicking a ball. But that wasn’t to be as Maema played a key role in Sundowns’ domestic treble last season as…

KAIZER Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has endorsed his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Ronwen Williams for the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award. After spending more than two decades at SuperSport United, Williams bid farewell to the club last season, joining crosstown rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on a bumper long-term deal. Despite being the Bafana Bafana captain and No 1, Williams was expected to struggle commanding a starting berth at Sundowns, who boasted a star-studded goalkeeping department, which included former African No 1 Denis Onyango. But that wasn’t the case. Williams quickly emerged as the club’s new No 1, leading the team to their record sixth Premiership title in a row, the MTN8 semi-finals, and both the Nedbank Cup and Caf Champions League last eight. Williams was so good in the league that…

Sheffield United were planning to party long into the night after clinching promotion back to the Premier League with a 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at a jubilant Bramall Lane on Wednesday. Paul Heckingbottom’s side saw off Albion thanks to goals from Sander Berge and Anel Ahmedhodzic, ensuring they earned the second automatic promotion spot behind Burnley in the Championship with three games to spare. Second-placed United sprinted to the finish line, with six wins from their last seven games as they moved seven points clear of third-placed Luton, who have just two matches left. The Blades were relegated from the top flight in 2021 and lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals against Nottingham Forest last season. But Heckingbottom, in his second season as United boss, has astutely guided…

PEP Guardiola labelled Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland as “extraordinary” after the Manchester City stars destroyed Arsenal in a 4-1 victory that put the champions in control of the Premier League title race. De Bruyne was at his masterful best as he put City ahead with a lung-bursting run and cool finish. The Belgium midfielder provided the cross for John Stones to head City’s second, and then netted again himself before Haaland wrapped up the crucial victory in the final seconds. “The connection between Kevin and Erling is extraordinary … Today, we tried to use it as much as possible,” Guardiola told BT Sport. Second-placed City are now just two points behind leaders Arsenal with two games in hand. If City win six of their last seven games, they…

Marcell Coetzee is about to celebrate his 32nd birthday – and what better way to do that than by helping the Bulls beat the Stormers? The regular Bulls captain has just completed a six-month sabbatical at Kobe Steelers in Japan, and posted on Instagram that he “can’t wait to see” his teammates in Pretoria. He is set to rejoin the Bulls on Monday ahead of next Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final against their arch-rivals, the defending champion Stormers, at Cape Town Stadium. Coetzee will be eager to get one over John Dobson’s team, who have been unbeaten in five matches against Jake White’s outfit in the URC since last year. The loose forward was not involved in the last encounter that the Stormers won 23-19 at Loftus Versfeld in…

Consumer prices could start slowing down in the three months to June after producer price inflation (PPI) in South Africa softened to its lowest in more than one year in March. This comes as consumer price inflation (CPI) in March remained sticky from 7% in February to 7.1% in March, putting food price inflation at a 14-year high of 14.4% year-on-year from 14% in February. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) on Wednesday said the annual producer price inflation for final manufacturing eased to 10.6% in March, down from 12.2% in February. This was below market forecasts of 10.95%, and was the lowest reading since February 2022. StatsSA said the main contributors to the headline PPI annual inflation rate were coke, petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products; food products, beverages and tobacco…

During the latter months of 2022 the Moti Group of Companies, which encompasses South African and Zimbabwean registered companies, realised that several thousands of it and its employees’ confidential and/or sensitive documents had been leaked to the media and other third parties. This set in motion an investigation which led to criminal charges in South Africa and Zimbabwe being filed against an admitted attorney and former employee of the group, Clinton van Niekerk. Van Niekerk, who was employed by Mazetti Management Services, resigned under suspicious circumstances. Van Niekerk was eventually arrested while boarding a flight at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban in what appears to have been an attempt to flee South Africa in order to avoid prosecution. Subsequent to his arrest, representatives of Van Niekerk launched an…

Pop Bottles is back this weekend with A-listers filling up the line-up. The popular lifestyle experience is set to explode in a series of events over the next few months, starting on Sunday, April 30, at the James & Ethel Grey Park in Melrose, Johannesburg. The event is best known for its hip hop and house playlists, and the organisers wanted to keep it authentic and added some hot amapiano and Afrobeats tunes into the mix. The line-up includes award-winning artist Blxckie alongside iconic DJs PH, KOTW, Milkshake and Ayanda MVP. New-generation masters of the decks Shilly Mingz, Devlin, Jovis and Slade are also included. Word on the street is that this event is set to be the best yet and the bar has been set quite high to guarantee…

African People’s Convention (APC) leader Themba Godi said he was concerned about South Africa’s handling of Vladimir Putin's visit and contradictions from the ANC on views related to the International Crimes Court (ICC). Earlier this week, statements made by the ANC, the secretary general of the ANC, and the president created confusion, making South Africa’s intentions to leave the ICC unclear. The court had issued a warrant of arrest for Putin. The Russian leader is expected to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa later this year. South Africa is one of a number of world states affiliated with the ICC. In the past, the ANC had threatened to leave the ICC after concerns were raised by the African Union (AU) about warrants of arrest issued for African leaders. “This…

MANY children missed out on essential vaccines during the pandemic, which increased their risk of contracting preventable diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria and others, says the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). As this is the African Vaccination Week, the institute said it was never too late for parents to take their kids to the nearest clinic and get vaccinated. “This week serves as a reminder to encourage us to get vaccinated and vaccinate our children against deadly diseases. Ensure you and your loved ones have been vaccinated against measles, rubella, the flu and polio,” said the NCID. Dr Melinda Suchard, head of the organisation’s Centre for Vaccines and Immunology, said the vaccination involved giving people small, harmless amounts of an infectious agent (for example, a virus) in order…

Sifiso Mkhwanazi, the 21-year-old man linked to the murder of at least one of six women believed to have been sex workers, briefly appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. His trial has been postponed to June 2. It is believed Mkhwanazi lured the women to his father’s panel-beating workshop in Selby Village, Johannesburg. Mkhwanazi was arrested after the discovery of six bodies at the panel-beating business on October 9, 2022. During his last court appearance, the State requested the postponement due to outstanding DNA results and CCTV footage. State advocate Tshepo Mahange kaMzizi said some of the bodies were in almost skeletal condition and beyond recognition. Four out of the six bodies have been positively identified by their family members, while the DNA of the other two…

Eleven United Rugby Championship (URC) players will strengthen the Lions as they host reigning champions the Pumas in the Currie Cup today (5pm kick-off). The Johannesburg side didn’t waste any time in bringing in their big guns as they look to find their way to the top of the competition’s points table, with the team in second last place after the first round of matches. It’s the perfect place, in front of their home fans at Ellis Park, to breathe new life into their campaign after suffering five losses in seven matches without their URC stars. Lions Currie Cup coach Mziwakhe Nkosi will hope that the players available to him will make an immediate statement, especially because the match is against the champions, who are on top of the log.…

ENGLAND star Stuart Broad claims Australia’s Ashes victory in 2021/22 does not count in his mind because Covid-19 restrictions made it impossible to function normally during the series. Australia powered to a 4-0 win on home turf against England, but Broad feels the strict Covid-19 regulations left the visitors dealing with an unfair disadvantage. Fast bowler Broad and his teammates were kept in a lengthy quarantine and a Covid-protected bubble throughout the tour. Now, with Australia set to visit England this year in the first Ashes since the “Covid series”, Broad has lit the fuse on a potentially explosive clash with his controversial jibe. “Nothing was harsher than the last Ashes series. But in my mind, I don’t class that as a real Ashes,” Broad told the Daily Mail yesterday.…

The results of the LIV Golf Adelaide event highlighted why some golfers are calling for changes to the Official World Golf Ranking system. Despite winning the event on Sunday, securing a $4million prize for first place, Talor Gooch saw his ranking drop two spots from No 57 to 59. LIV Golf, the controversial Saudi-backed league, applied for OWGR points in July, but the process can take up to a year or more. The Gira de Golf Professional de Mexicana tour – the most recent tour approved to receive OWGR points – went through a 16-month application process before receiving points in January. Dustin Johnson has also been on the losing end of the current situation. He was ranked 15th in the world when he went to LIV Golf and won…

After missing out on the South African championships earlier in the season, Kyle Blignaut proved that he means business in 2023 when he produced a 20-metre effort to win the shot put competition at the Athletics SA Grand Prix on Wednesday night. Blignaut, who finished sixth in the Tokyo Olympic final in 2021, has focused his preparations on the world championships in Budapest in August, stating on Instagram a few weeks ago: “Looking forward to hitting some big throws and PBs this season! Putting in a lot of hours to get where I want to be, and make sure that no stone is left unturned! #shotput #throwing #roadtobudapest” Well, the 23-year-old giant took a step forward on that journey on Wednesday night in Potchefstroom when he came up with a…

FORMULA One returns this weekend after a month’s break. Here, we look at five talking points ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix … Red Bull winging it Three races, three poles, three wins, two one-twos, two fastest laps – Red Bull arrive in Azerbaijan on a magical roll. Double world champion Max Verstappen kept his cool in Melbourne to fend off Lewis Hamilton and steer clear of the triple red-flag drama, while Sergio Perez sliced through the field from last to claim fifth, and the fastest lap, in the latest display of the Red Bulls’ speed supremacy over the rest of the grid. Team boss Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s “great patience” in not getting embroiled in a Mercedes dog fight at the start, and was nonplussed at Mercedes’ pace. With…

This would improve its generation capacity and ignite economic growth The SOUTH African mining industry has proposed that Eskom should sell or concession its “old” coal power plants to the private sector in a bid to improve its generation capacity and ignite economic growth. This bold proposal was made by the Minerals Council South Africa to the Standing Committee on Appropriations in Parliament on Wednesday during public hearings on the Eskom Debt Relief Bill. The Minerals Council represents more than 90% of the country’s mining production by value and represents an industry that is both a significant supplier of primary energy for electricity generation, and also a large consumer of electricity. Minerals Council senior economist Bongani Motsa said the private sector would be in a position to recapitalise Eskom’s old…

The new Shaka Ilembe trailer has viewers ready for the historical drama series to hit screens. June 18 may still be weeks away, but the excitement is bubbling. The latest trailer gives viewers a deeper look at what they can expect from the characters who will grace their screens every Sunday. Set in the 1700s, Shaka Ilembe is about the making of the African king, with iterations from his early childhood through to adulthood. The production has been six years in the making and features an all-star cast with the likes of Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi, Lemogang Tsipa (adult King Shaka), Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo. The trailer serves as an appetiser of what viewers can expect and there is plenty of drama in this top-notch production. Clips of…

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has provided clarity on shortages of condoms in the province, revealing the consequences that were expected, including an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The shortages have been experienced in five districts in Gauteng; Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng, and West Rand. Nkomo-Ralehoko has also responded to a question in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature about the distribution of condoms in the past five years. She said the supply of condoms was a transversal contract handled by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Treasury. ‘’As provinces, we can only make orders from the NDoH-approved suppliers, who have an allocated quota of the number of condoms they can supply to the provinces as part of the national contract.’’ “Gauteng is expected to receive…

Mojatau, 42, was killed over the weekend and was buried in Katlehong yesterday as South Africans observed Freedom Day. Mojatau and his friend were victims of a hijacking. Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Specialised Task Team (STT) officers, in conjunction with members of the Ekurhuleni Thathazonke Unit, arrested seven suspects in connection with murder and hijacking in the Phumula area. The suspects will appear at the Palm Ridge Court today. Mojatau’s family described him as a humble person who fought for his community. Friend and colleague Julius Mdluli told mourners that after Mojatau was shot, he did not die immediately. However, locals failed to call emergency services or help him. “We received a call from Gauteng EFF chairperson Nkululeko Dunga that Mojatau had been shot and left on the ground.…

A South African police officer has been recognised for her rescue efforts in Türkiye after the deadly earthquake that claimed thousands of lives earlier this year. Brigadier Vimla Moodley, head of the K9 unit that went to Türkiye, led a team of five sniffer dogs and their handlers. One of their remarkable feats was finding an 80-year-old Turkish woman alive in rubble, days after the quake. It was SAPS K9 dogs Donna and Optimus that found the woman. This week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bestowed a presidential award on Moodley for her rescue efforts. Gift of the Givers director Imtiaz Sooliman said there was no one more deserving. “Her dedication, compassion, care and professionalism did the K9 team, SAPS, and Gift of the Givers a huge credit in Türkiye.…

A discussion facilitated by the Dullah Omar Institute as part of Africa Criminal Justice Reform project at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) made an attempt to communicate the complications associated with prison numbers gangs, the language of sabela and how street gangs were moving in on prison rules. Focusing on the 26, 27 and 28 hierarchical structure, Heinrich Veloen used specific references pertaining to the use of sabela originally known as “Sesfanakaloku”, the lingua franca of South African mineworkers during the 19th century which has now evolved to the primary language spoken by numbers gang members. “The existence of the numbers is widely associated with ongoing patterns of conflict and violence in South African prisons – between inmates and warders, between inmates, as well as between rival prison…

A MAN, 34, about to board a bus out of Durban was arrested on charges relating to drug and firearm possession, police said. Spokesperson for the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said police were informed a man was due to leave the city en-route to Cape Town with the contraband in his possession. “The Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation, working together with National Intervention Unit and Crime Intelligence, carried out the arrest at the Durban Station,” Mhlongo said. “A disruptive operation was swiftly conducted and the suspect was spotted. He was searched and found in possession of mandrax tables as well as 41 rounds of live ammunition. The street value of the seized drugs is approximately R10 400. “The suspect was subsequently placed under arrest…

AS THE country celebrated Freedom Day, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called on all South Africans to consider that participation in elections by all eligible voters makes democracy vibrant and is a civic responsibility everyone bears. The commission joined the rest of the country in celebrating Freedom Day yesterday. This day recalls the historic day, 29 years ago, on April 27, 1994, when millions of people, young and old, stood in long queues to experience for the first time the constitutional right to vote alongside their previously disenfranchised countrymen and women. The SAHRC said Freedom Day also provides an opportunity for the country to take stock and reflect on the meaning of freedom, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. “In an era where there is rampant lawlessness…

Derek Hanekom is the new interim chairperson of SAA, a man of immense integrity who is the right choice to solve the crisis at the airline. Derek tried sincerely to make the ANC aware of its suicidal policies. Even in adversity he displayed leadership – that takes courage. He used the corridors of Parliament to report the truth as he saw it. He sadly witnessed the ANC become a movement that dispenses patronage to convert a once noble mass movement into a feudal oligarchy. In his quest for the truth, he was persecuted, lied to, lied against, betrayed and slandered as much as he is honoured, respected, revered, feared, loved and adored. Derek was not afraid to speak truth to power. His frequent encomiums on the virtues of honesty resonate…

“I gazed around myself, and my soul was wounded by human suffering. I then looked inside myself and saw that man’s troubles come from man himself.” – Alexander Radishchev, widely regarded as the first Russian political writer. “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” – Walt Kelly “I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means – except by getting off his back.” – Leo Tolstoy, Russian philosopher and author. The Czech statesman, author, poet, playwright, and former dissident, Vaclav Havel, wrote: “They say a nation has the politicians it deserves. In some sense, that is true. Politicians are a mirror…

Kaizer Chiefs kept their chances of playing continental football next season alive yesterday as they beat Chippa United 1-0 at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Ashley du Preez scored his side’s only goal in some style as Amakhosi remained fourth on the standings with 44 points, two behind Orlando Pirates, who have a game in hand. Speaking after the match, Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane was pleased with his team’s win, even though he feels that they need to improve in some areas heading to the last games of the season. “We want to keep improving. It’s great that we kept a clean sheet and got a goal. We need to improve some aspects, and make sure that we become a better team,” Zwane said on SuperSport. For Chippa United,…

Frank Lampard admitted angry Chelsea fans had every right to boo his team after they suffered a fifth successive defeat in a dismal 2-0 setback against Brentford on Wednesday. Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal and Bryan Mbeumo’s late strike condemned Lampard to his latest demoralising loss since replacing the sacked Graham Potter. Chelsea have failed to score in six of their last seven games, and are languishing in 11th place in the Premier League. They have not won in any competition since 11 March at Leicester City, a winless run that now stands at eight games. Six of those eight winless matches have come at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea supporters let rip after losing to west London neighbours Brentford, who have traditionally been in their shadow but are now above them…

AARON Ramsdale insists Arsenal will not surrender in the Premier League title race despite their calamitous 4-1 loss at Manchester City. The Gunners have ceded control of the title race to City after allowing Pep Guardiola’s side to move within two points on Wednesday. With two games in hand, City will lift a fifth title in six seasons if they win six of their last seven games. April has proved a painful month for Arsenal, with three successive draws preceding the chastening defeat at the Etihad Stadium. But Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale is not ready to throw in the towel just yet. “We’re going to be disappointed now, but we haven’t played nine months of Premier League football, and played the way we wanted to play, to give up with five…

Even if the two sides do not want to admit it outright, the Currie Cup derby between Western Province and the Blue Bulls tomorrow (6.30pm kick-off) could be a season-defining one for their respective United Rugby Championship (URC) campaigns. While both teams require a victory at Cape Town Stadium to stay among the top four on the log in the domestic competition, it will be equally, or even more, important for the sides to land that psychological blow ahead of the more prestigious derby between the Stormers and Bulls in the quarter-finals of the URC next weekend. Both Currie Cup teams are hoping for a win and to score the psychological edge over their opponents in order to stay in or close to the top four. That would place them…