Table of contents for 2024-09-19 in Cape Times

WHILE the Road Accident Fund (RAF) this week in presenting its annual financial report said it is not out of the woods yet, but heading in the right direction, the Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims expressed its concerns about its operations, including the thousands of unregistered claims. The chairperson of Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims, Pieter de Bruyn, addressed a letter to various stakeholders in response to the RAF’s attack on concerns raised by DA MP Chris Hunsinger, in which he said there is an urgent need to fix the broken fund. Hunsinger wrote a letter to the minister last week in which he drew her attention to the fact that the RAF seems to have halted payments for nearly four months. Hunsinger said…

Financial statements by the entity had not been fairly stated, says audit manager THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) has again failed to comply with prescribed accounting standards used in the country when submitting its 2022-23 financial statements for auditing to Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke. This emerged when the Office of the Auditor-General made a presentation on the RAF’s audit outcomes to the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) yesterday. Scopa heard that the RAF obtained a clean audit in 2019-20, then a disclaimer for the two following years and now an adverse opinion with findings. Lwazi Khuse, senior manager in charge of the audit of RAF, said they found that the financial statements produced by the entity had not been fairly stated. “They are not credible for the purpose of one…

I refer to the article “RAF alleges attorney only paid R10 400” of September 17 which contains an inaccurate statement regarding the fees that legal practitioners are entitled to in terms of the Contingency Fees Act 66 of 1997 (CFA). The RAF has consistently claimed that legal practitioners are entitled to and retain 25% of the amount recovered. This is incorrect. The CFA provides that a practitioner is legally only entitled to a contingency fee which does not exceed 25% of the amount recovered, or double his/her normal fee, whichever is the lesser amount. The 25% is not the fee but constitutes a cap on the maximum fee that may be charged. The determination of the normal fee is regulated by the rules of the courts in the form…

While South Africa’s land reform programme has not been all smooth sailing, it would be hasty to suggest that the process should be written off, the Vumelana Advisory Fund said yesterday. The non-profit, public-benefit organisation’s CEO, Peter Setou, said it was equally disingenuous to state that no success stories had emanated from the programme, which sought to redress past injustices that saw many communities forcibly removed from their ancestral land. “Despite the documented failures of the land reform programme, there is equally a body of evidence that attests to the success of the programme, in particular in the ecotourism sector,” Setou said. “As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, with a renewed focus on stimulating tourism, it is instructive to examine the impact of the land reform programme on tourism in…

SOUTH African film and television production company Rose and Oaks Media’s latest feature film, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, has received rave reviews and critical acclaim at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada. Directed by Embeth Davidtz, the film stands out as one of the major cinematic works of 2024, among other international films screened at the festival, which concluded on Sunday. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is based on the book of the same title, written by Alexandra Fuller, which is highly acclaimed and a New York Times best-seller. The film stars 8-year-old newcomer Lexi Venter as the lead character, Bobo. Embeth Davidtz portrays the role of Nicola, Bobo’s grief-stricken mother. Cast members include Zikhona Bali, Fumani N Shilubana, Rob van Vuuren…

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed US magician Rob Lake will grace South African stages with his jaw-dropping, mind-bending illusions in Cape Town’s Grand Arena and Montecasino's Teatro in Joburg. “Magic is my entire life, it’s all I have known. “Each moment on stage and every illusion is the culmination of thousands of hours of work. It is the result of years of training and practising. Creativity never stands still, and neither do I,” said Lake. He said he was looking forward to sharing his passion for magic and giving South African audiences a chance to experience the wonder and excitement that his show is known for. His tour starts in Cape Town on October 5 and 6, then moves to Johannesburg from October 9 to 27. His performances are characterised by…

On behalf of the ANC in KwaZulu- Natal, we wish to express our revolutionary appreciation to the Gordhan family. We thank you wholeheartedly for allowing members of the ANC and alliance partners to pay their last respects to the son of the soil. We can only imagine the severity of the pain that the entire family is experiencing at a loss so great that no one can heal. Judging by accounts given by his fellow comrades, diplomats and ordinary members of society over the past few days, it is clear the whole country has been shaken by the departure of Comrade Gordhan. The apartheid masters never imagined that today we would stand here and talk freely about an activist they once listed and banned under the Suppression of Communism Act.…

British annual inflation stayed at 2.2% in August, official data showed yester- day, fuelling expectations that the Bank of England would decide against a successive interest-rate cut this week. The Consumer Prices Index matched July’s level, already above the BoE’s target of 2.0%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. Analysts said the latest data firmed expectations that the central bank would likely avoid cutting its key interest rate today, having reduced borrowing costs by 25 basis points in August for the first time in over four years. “A pause on interest rate cuts was already expected … and today’s release cements that view,” said Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics research group. “We continue to assume the next 25 basis-point rate cut will take place in…

LONDON: The global vaccine group Gavi will buy 500 000 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine, its first purchase of the shot to help battle an outbreak in parts of Africa, the group said yesterday. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global health emergency, with more than 25 000 suspected mpox cases globally and 723 deaths in Africa, this year, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gavi, a public-private alliance that co-funds vaccine purchases for low-income countries, will spend up to $50 million on the plan, which includes transportation, delivery and costs of administering the vaccines. The doses are due to be delivered this year.…

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands’ right-wing government says it has asked the EU for an opt-out on migration rules so it can implement a clamp-down on unwanted arrivals. In power since July, the government, led by Geert Wilders’ nationalist PVV party, aims to declare a national asylum crisis, allowing it to implement controls without parliamentary approval. Brussels is expected to push back, given that EU member states, including The Netherlands, had last year agreed on a new bloc-wide migration pact. EU data shows The Netherlands’ asylum applications match the bloc’s average. Ten member states had a higher proportion. | Reuters…

Ahead of the first bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan, the hope was to discover other players to win cricket games for South Africa. Everyone outside of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortjé and Tabraiz Shamsi. On the evidence of last night’s humiliating first defeat to Afghanistan, the road ahead to unearth this next crop of Proteas match winners seems a long one as they went down by six wickets. While the hot and humid conditions and a low and slow pitch at the Sharjah International Stadium were tailor-made for the Afghans, there is simply no excuse for the Proteas to be bowled out for just 106 in 33.3 overs. Even more so to be reduced to a…

THE KZN GROWTH Fund Agency (KZNGFA) has completed the automation of its funding application process with the launch of an online application portal (http://portal.kzngrowthfund.co.za), linked to the fund’s website. The KZNGFA is a development finance institution offering a minimum funding amount of R20 million to black-owned medium-to large-scale private sector projects throughout KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), which are ready to scale up and expand their operations in order to ensure economic development and job creation in the province. This as KZN is the second largest contributor (about 16%) to South Africa’s gross domestic product after Gauteng. Online submissions will save applicants’ time, while also supporting entrepreneurs with the funding process to ensure that all applications are submitted with all the necessary information, in order to speed up the adjudication of applications,…

THE decision by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to cancel a panel of attorneys that represented the entity in court proceedings without plan has come back to haunt it. There has been an increase in default judgments amounting to more than R4 billion issued against RAF since the termination of the panel of attorneys. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) yesterday informed the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) that the RAF’s rationale for such a decision was now subject of its investigation. “The total amount of default judgments issued against RAF for cost and fees from 2018 until second quarter of 2023 amounts to R4 780 244 641.47. A sharp increase in the default judgments is noted between 2021 and 2022,” said SIU chief investigator Leonard Lekgetho. Lekgetho cited a…

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is eyeing a former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) boss who it believes money from companies linked to a service provider that won a contract, and former employees who drew salaries after leaving the entity. SIU head Andy Mothibi said yesterday they were authorised earlier this year to probe the affairs of Prasa following recommendations by the Zondo Commission that President Cyril Ramaphosa institute an inquiry into why the entity was allowed to be in a state of ruin. Mothibi said their investigation was focusing on issues of maladministration and governance failures at Prasa. SIU chief national investigating officer Zodwa Xesibe said the investigation was looking into the tender awarding the supply of train locomotives to Swifambo Rail Leasing, an integrated security access…

Ex-ANC minister Lindiwe Sisulu’a huff and puff regarding the Ukrainian/SA Association’s (Uaza) recent peaceful gathering is disingenuous and without merit. Sisulu’s pontificating attitude and her questioning the bona fides of Uaza is pie in the sky. She goes on singing the praises of Russia which has nothing to do with Uaza. Perhaps Lindiwe Sisulu should revisit the history of Ukraine that in fact housed, fed and educated thousands of ANC exiles during the apartheid era. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia became an independent state on its own as did Ukraine. It is incorrect and disrespectful of Lindiwe Sisulu to cast aspersions on Ukraine … history shows that Ukraine is not an aggressor but rather a victim of Russian aggression following its illegal invasion and occupation by…

THE Department of Employment and Labour believes the launch of a Labour Market Information System.Stat (LMIS.Stat) will be a game changer in how labour market information collected from different sources is disseminated. “The management of the labour market will never be the same following the launch by the Department of Employment and Labour of LMIS.Stat to improve knowledge collection, management, and access to labour market information and statistics,” said the department. Speaking at the launch in Birchwood, Boksburg yesterday, the department's chief director in the Labour Policy and Industrial Relations (LP&IR) branch, Sipho Ndebele, said the launch underscored a commitment to advancing the Department of Employment and Labour’s vision, focusing on delivering high-quality data and addressing critical issues in South Africa’s labour market and social protection systems. “As you are…

Poor delivery of basic services and poverty were among the major factors influencing young men and boys to join gangs. This is according to the Commission for Gender Equality’s latest report into gangsterism across the country titled: “Men, masculinities, and gangs: Investigating the persistence of male gangs in selected provinces of South Africa 2024”. The study looked at factors that contribute to the sustained perceived value of men and boys in joining gangs and unravel current interventions to address gangsterism. Participants included former gang members, experts from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), the SAPS, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders (Nicro), among others. In 2017, police noted that the number of identified gangs (groupings) in the respective provinces…

HEROES II Gala Concert at the Artscape Theatre will shine the spotlight on child hunger. The November 27 event will be used to generate funds to support the Peninsula School Feeding Association’s mission to eradicate hunger in schools across the Western Cape. Under the visionary direction of Regina Malan, this year’s concert promises to be a remarkable showcase of musical talent. Internationally acclaimed opera and musical theatre singer Lana English returns to the stage, alongside an exciting and diverse group of local artists. “This event not only promises exceptional entertainment but also supports the Peninsula School Feeding Association’s important work. It’s proof that music can inspire and drive meaningful change,” said English. The dynamic line-up of performers includes Sian Atterbury, Loren Erasmus, Moe-Ain Daniels, Victor Siljeur and Faried Swartz. Event…

THE signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill into law last week has given a glimpse of what lies ahead under the rule of the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU). It’s not a union of equals and all indications are that we must brace ourselves for a bumpy road. The ANC has used its dominance to continue with its programme of action, while the DA has been a moaner, boxed into submission whenever there are areas of disagreement. Safe to say, the DA has been the biggest loser in the GNU. Despite securing almost half the votes the ANC received, it has yet to show anything for that, let alone convince Cabinet colleagues on policy issues. It then begs the question: What is its real role in…

The EU has ignored fresh proposals from Chinese automakers aimed at resolving the dispute over Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in the European market, undermining efforts to ease tensions through dialogue. The decision to impose tariffs on China-made EVs, despite several offers from Chinese manufacturers, has sparked a new wave of outcry within the bloc. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, during a recent visit to China, voiced his opposition to the proposed EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, urging the EU to reconsider and seek a compromise with China to avoid a trade war. His concerns were echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also criticised the tariff plan. In May, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned against levying tariffs on Chinese EVs, saying “a wider trade war where we block each…

This year’s budget deficit of the US is on track to top $1.9 trillion, or more than 6% of economic output, a threshold reached only around World War II, the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, The Wall Street Journal said this week. “Publicly held federal debt, the sum of all deficits, just passed $28 trillion or almost 100% of GDP,” it noted. “If Congress does nothing, the total debt will climb by another $22 trillion through 2034. Interest costs alone are poised to exceed annual defence spending.” Economists and policymakers already worry that the growing debt pile could put upward pressure on interest rates, restraining economic growth, said the report. Polls show the public is concerned about the deficit, but they also prefer politicians who dangle tax cuts,…

LISBON: Deadly wildfires in central and northern Portugal had pushed emergency services to the limit, and reinforcements were arriving yesterday from Spain and Morocco, the civil protection authority said. At least seven people have died in the Aveiro and Viseu districts, with dozens of houses destroyed and tens of thousands of hectares of forest consumed. More than 5 000 firefighters have been mobilised. Some of the fires across Portugal had been caused by arsonists, prompted by possible commercial interest, spite or criminal negligence, said climate expert Duarte Costa. Portugal’s national guard said they had arrested seven people. | Reuters…

AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah swore in a reformist government yesterday tasked with accelerating IMF-backed reforms and pushing through political and economic modernisation plans, officials said. The Harvard-educated prime minister, Jafar Hassan, headed the monarch’s office in his last job. Hassan has also overseen economic reforms as a deputy premier and as planning minister. Politicians say a key task is accelerating IMF-guided reforms and reining in $50 billion (R879bn) in public debt in a country with high unemployment and whose stability hinges on billions of dollars of foreign aid from Western donors. The conservative establishment had been blamed for obstructing modernisation advocated by the monarch. | Reuters…

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received a reprimand of sorts for not confessing that he was carrying an injury during the two Tests against the All Blacks. The 22-year-old has had surgery on a knee problem, and will next be available for the Boks when they tour the UK in November. Erasmus says he would have preferred the talented flyhalf to have confessed to his injury, but he understands why Feinberg-Mngomezulu chose to play on and not squander his big chance. “Sacha will only be ready for the end-of-year tour. He injured his knee before the first Test against the All Blacks and he played in that game,” Erasmus said after making 10 changes to the team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Santiago…

Stellenbosch FC have a mountain to climb if they wish to qualify for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, the second-tier competition of African club football. On Sunday, the Winelands upstarts will play AS Vita Club in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The match will be the second leg of the second preliminary round after Stellenbosch defeated the Congolese 2-0 in the first leg at the Cape Town Stadium last Friday. Stellenbosch may have caught a lucky break last week because AS Vita, former Champions League and Confederation Cup finalists, arrived in the Mother City in the early hours of Friday morning. AS Vita’s Abdeslam Ouaddou, the former Moroccan national team player, was visibly upset after the match and said his players had not recovered from their nightmare…

IN THE PRODUCT and marketing matrix, events are essential for the advancement of brand visibility, the cultivation of meaningful connections and the shaping of perceptions. Eventing agencies are responsible for transforming ideas into impactful experiences, providing a diverse selection of event types that are tailored to satisfy specific business objectives. At The Allure Group, we have successfully organised corporate conferences, award ceremonies, product launches, gala dinners, trade shows and internal corporate events. Experience has demonstrated that contemporary clients require assistance that transcends just logistical support. They are in search of agency partners who possess a flawless capacity to execute intricate events, strategic insights and creativity. Clients are prioritising: 1. The development of creative concepts. Clients desire an agency that can convert their vision into an engaging and innovative experience.…

THE entire world is at war, as nation upon nation seeks confrontation in the nuclear era. Another attempt is made on the life of former president Donald Trump. The enemies of freedom have pushed the false narrative that democracy is in decline because it is incapable of addressing people’s needs. In fact, democracy is in decline because its most prominent examples are not doing enough to protect it. Death, destruction and killings have destroyed many nations. Humanity has forgotten the fundamental concept of living in peace and harmony is founded upon the triad of tolerance, forgiveness and forgetting. It was iconic philosopher Bertrand Russell who offered these profound words of wisdom: “If a better and sane world is to grow out of the horror of futile carnage, men must…

POLICE say while their Extortion Task Team continues to make “steady” inroads in tackling the crime, there was a notable lack of cases getting reported to them. Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile this week issued an appeal to residents and victims of extortion to come forward with information. “The SAPS is aware of various claims in relation to extortion circulating on different social media platforms, but we are convinced that not all these complaints and/or alleged crimes have been reported to the SAPS. “Through an analysis of reported crime, it became evident that not all extortion-related crime was being reported to the police. Hence an appeal is made to those affected to report it through our toll-free number (0800 314 444).” Their task team counterparts in KwaZulu-Natal have also…

CAPE Town-based, Johannesburg-born contemporary artist Turiya Magadlela is currently hosting a solo exhibition of mixed media artworks titled In Our Barren Womb Boys Weep at the Kates-Ferri Projects art gallery in New York. The exhibition opened on September 9 and runs until October 5. “The title of my latest show In Our Barren Womb Boys Weep hints at a more complex way men relate to women, not just as a desire to return into their bodies via intercourse, but rather, a deeper, more unconscious and spiritual need to return to the place of creation,” said Magadlela. “The womb evokes the notion of birth, the beginning of life, or the coming back to life from death. The womb is mother Earth. In that sense, it is also a metaphor…

Thirty years into democracy, the issues related to heritage resources in public spaces continue to pose a challenge in defining our collective cultural identity and building a nation united in diversity. It might be time to move forward from the heritage narrative shaped by the colonial and apartheid eras to embrace the stories of the past three decades of democracy. After all, there are always two sides to every story. First, it is important to review the concept of heritage since the Venice Charter was adopted in 1964. There have been numerous conservation guidelines in the form of charters, recommendations and resolutions introduced and adopted by international heritage bodies such as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a professional association…

Thousands of hand-held pagers exploded in Lebanon and parts of Syria on Tuesday, injuring thousands and killing more than a dozen people. The pagers were commonly used by Hezbollah fighters, but some civilians were killed, including an 8-year-old girl. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed Israel, which has not commented. CCTV footage from Lebanon showed the devices exploding in civilian areas, including a grocery store. The Lebanese Ministry of Health has urged all citizens with pagers to dispose of the devices immediately. Former senior security policy analyst at the Office of the Secretary of Defence, Michael Maloof, told Sputnik’s The Final Countdown that the attack seemed to be a precursor to a larger attack by Israel on Lebanon. According to Maloof, the attack was designed not only to kill and…

MOSCOW: The 2024 Cloud City BRICS International Innovation Forum kicked off in Moscow yesterday that brings together more than 5 000 participants from over 30 countries. The event, also known as the BRICS Urban Future Forum, is attended by managers, entrepreneurs, urbanists, members of the scientific community and public organisations from former Soviet republics, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. They will “identify growth areas and create synergies among BRICS cities, organisations and companies”. This year’s forum is being held under the “Harmonious Development: The Future of BRICS Megacities” slogan. | Sputnik…

BEIJING: China announced steps against nine US military-linked firms yesterday over US weapons sales to Taiwan, freezing their property within China, in the latest move to put added pressure on the US to halt its arms sales to the island. China has called on the White House, an international backer and arms supplier for democratically governed Taiwan, to refrain from formal dealings with the island’s leadership. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory. The steps taken against the firms, including Sierra Nevada Corporation and Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, became effective yesterday and will freeze their property within China, the foreign ministry said. | Reuters…

The UN General Assembly was yesterday to adopt a Palestinian-drafted resolution that demands Israel end “its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months. The action will isolate Israel days before world leaders travel to New York for their annual UN gathering. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the 193-member General Assembly on September 26, the same day as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The draft resolution aims to welcome a July advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that said Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements is illegal and should be withdrawn. The advisory opinion – by the highest UN court, also known as the World Court – said this should be done “as rapidly as possible”, although the draft General…