Indholdsfortegnelse for 2022-06-30 i Cape Argus

Home safely after 111 days in captivity city businessman Ismail Rajah’s family were on their way to Dubai to transfer R8 million in ransom money for his freedom. But now four suspects are to appear in the Parow Magistrate’s Court today after a midnight raid on a house in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, led to the rescue of Rajah, whom they had allegedly kidnapped more than three months ago. On March 9, four men armed with AK47s arrived in an Audi Q7 outside Rajah’s business, Good Hope Construction, in Joubert Street in Parow. He was bundled into the vehicle, which then sped off towards De la Rey Road. The 69-year-old’s distraught family negotiated with the kidnappers, who allegedly demanded a R21 million ransom. According to information, two of Rajah’s…

The DA on Wednesday filed a formal complaint with the police, requesting that the ANC be “investigated for systemic and calculated racketeering activities over a multitude of years”. DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone, accompanied by the party’s national spokesperson Cilliers Brink, visited the Cape Town Central police station to lodge the complaint. They said they were there to present the police with what they said was more evidence to supplement papers they had filed in 2019 with regard to state capture. “We are laying charges against the entire organisation as a whole, and we name the national executive committee (NEC) and, particularly, former president Jacob Zuma, who was the head of the organisation at the time,” said Mazzone. In March 2019, the DA wrote to National Director of Public Prosecutions…

As the global community shifts away from the panic caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, experts are calling for calm as news of a second case of monkeypox has been confirmed in South Africa. Last week, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed the first case of the rare viral infection. The country’s patient zero is a 30-year-old Johannesburg resident diagnosed on June 22 with no recent travel history. The NICD’s executive director, Professor Adrian Puren, confirmed a second case identified through laboratory testing on Tuesday as a 32-year-old man from the Western Cape. Puren said there was no reported history of travel and contact tracing has begun. “Monkeypox has a low level of transmissibility. This case should not be a reason for panic.…

Tributes continue to pour in following the tragic deaths of 21 teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern in East London, Eastern Cape, on Sunday. Most of those who died were younger than 18, with the youngest being 13. The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) have called on law enforcement agencies to clamp down on all liquor outlets selling to under-aged children. The unions said taverns were by law not allowed to have patrons younger than 18 years of age. Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke, said: “We welcome the closure of this tavern by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board. However, their action has come too late. This tragedy could have been averted had they been on the ground monitoring taverns to ensure they abide by…

Having studied different religions, the infinite commonalities that exist suggests “ungodly” conduct amid religious people. It seems that they have many shared beliefs and aims but are unable to work towards a better reality for all. Sadly, some want to believe only they will enjoy salvation, and thus it seems like some seek ownership over God and want to limit divine mercy to themselves. Example: Christians won a major battle in the US. The Roe vs Wade case on abortion was reversed until each state can decide for itself. This suggests abortion may be banned in half of the US. No congratulations came from other religions, though these groups have similar opinions on abortion as Christians in the US. I believe, that should genuine Jewish people, Christians and Muslims behave…

In our country, we are constantly reminded how inefficient and weak our leaders are. If you start from the top to bottom, you will notice how leaders have failed our country. In Transport, our top guy calls himself Minister Fikile Mbalula. When he was minister of sport, he once called Bafana Bafana, and I quote: “A bunch of losers”. Let's look at Minister of Energy Gwede Mantashe and load shedding. A bunch of useless ministers Mr Ramaphosa surrounded himself with. Ministers that all have track records of abusing taxpayers’ money for self-enrichment. These are the leaders running our country. This once beautiful country is being slowly dismantled by our leaders. If we look throughout Africa and history, you can see how a continent so rich in natural resources is so…

“At certain points in human history, individuals emerge who teach us the power of dreams. They believe so profoundly in pursuing a dream, and they pursue it with such tenacity and success, that we begin to believe with them. They inspire hope and rekindle light even in the midst of great darkness.” – Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. On June 18, former president Thabo Mbeki celebrated his 80th birthday. The two things, among many, that came to mind, were his “I am An African” speech and his socio-political ideology of the African Renaissance. Like Richard Maponya, the Mbeki generation has been challenged to stand and be counted among nation-builders as he utilised the political platform to achieve that mission. Today, as he mulls over the years he has lived and the political…

For the brother of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Palestinian American reporter killed while covering an Israeli military raid in the West Bank, Joe Biden’s first visit as president to the region in July will be accompanied by a slim hope for justice. Anton Abu Akleh has been regularly in touch with representatives from the US government since May 11, when his sister, Shireen, a veteran Al Jazeera correspondent, was fatally shot in the back of the head while reporting on an early morning Israeli military raid in the Jenin Refugee Camp. He has been requesting the US to take over the investigation into his sister’s killing from the Israeli army, which he says is “trying only to protect their own soldiers”. As a US citizen, said Anton, her government…

IF there is one area where Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber must have slight concerns as the Boks build towards the World Cup in 2023, then it surely must be at flyhalf. The No 10 stocks are thin at the moment, and against Wales in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, starting No 10 Elton Jantjies will be the only recognised specialist in that position. Nienaber, no doubt, continues with his plans for the position behind the scenes. Handre Pollard will become available for the second Test in Bloemfontein next week, while Johan Goosen is in the Bok set-up recuperating with injury. This weekend, however, it will be up to Jantjies to marshal the backline during the opening stages. Fullback Damian Willemse could slot into the position later, or…

CAPE Town-born former professional footballer Leroy Maluka has suggested that new Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has a lot to offer South African football. Riveiro was recently appointed new coach of the Buccaneers in a move that surprised many. The Spaniard had never before coached in South Africa and much of his work in football management has been in assistant roles. Maluka, who spent the bulk of his playing career in Finland, is one of the few South Africans who is familiar with Riveiro. The 36-year-old has also since forged a coaching career in Finland and earlier this year was appointed as assistant coach of Espoon Palloseurran Jalkapallary (EPS). Riveiro arrived with assistant coach Sergio Almenara and fitness trainer Miguel Bellver Esteve. Mandla Ncikazi, who co-coached the Sea Robbers along…

A Lesotho national is expected to appear in the Tulbagh Magistrate’s Court today after being arrested in connection with a massacre on the weekend in the Boland town, in which four people were killed. Police spokesperson Andre Traut said detectives from the Western Cape Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit conducted a search of all known drug dealers in the Marikana informal settlement. This led to the arrest of an undocumented 29-year-old Lesotho national. He is expected to be charged with four counts of murder and one of attempted murder. A spokesperson atthe Tulbagh police station confirmed that the matter was in the hands of the Provincial Crime organisation. Traut confirmed that police would continue to investigate further and they had not ruled out the possibility of further arrests being…

MUCH more work is needed following a watershed Constitutional Court judgment which has compelled the president and the Cabinet to amend legislation or pass new legislation that would effectively recognise and regulate Muslim marriages. This was the view expressed by the Women’s Legal Centre (WLC). The WLC had approached the Constitutional Court seeking relief in order to empower Muslim women after they go through an Islamic divorce known as “talaq”. WLC director Seehaam Samaai said they brought the case in the public interest, noting that there was a failure by the state. “We said there was an obligation on the state to enact legislation or to amend existing legislation to be able to protect the rights of Muslim spouses, but in particular Muslim women because we know that it’s…

As a teacher, I have always upheld the belief that all schools should represent the good things in society. It is like the family at home and its attachment to organisations, which represent only the good in society. What are these things in society which schools all over the world should encourage and nurture? Respect by all those who work in schools must be encouraged. Respect for the school buildings. We have too few schools in South Africa. Every year, education departments throughout SA struggle to accommodate our students in primary but especially at high schools. Therefore, everybody must play their role in seeing that their schools are well-maintained. I visited Mondale High, Spine Road High and Glendale High recently in Mitchells Plain. What struck me was not only were…

With Argentina and Iran’s application to become members of the group of emerging economies known as the BRICS, the Land Party urged BRICS to establish a military bloc that will protect the interests of BRICS partners. This call comes as Iran officially submitted an application on Monday to join Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Following the recent developments, the Land Party in South Africa released a statement this week welcoming Iran’s application to join the five-member nation bloc and said that it was long overdue as the Iranian nation shares common values with BRICS countries. The Land Party is a South African political party that advocates for policies inspired by policy decisions used in the economic development of the People’s Republic of China. “Values for peace, stability, prosperity…

Africa has great potential for drug discovery. The continent has natural resources, indigenous knowledge and human capacity. And it has the need: it bears more than 20% of the global disease burden. There are many internationally recognised African scientists undertaking cutting edge research. But a lack of resources makes it difficult to conduct world-class science. A team of African biochemists, cell biologists and bioinformaticians shares some thoughts on what it would take to establish an Africa-wide drug discovery ecosystem. The authors are the key members of the Covid Drug-Africa Consortium – the consortium for rapid Covid-19 drug development in Africa. Access to infrastructure, long-term funding and supply chain constraints are among the challenges. In South Africa, spending on research and development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP is low –…

BANYANA Banyana begin their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a Group C opener against defending champions and perennial nemesis Nigeria in Rabat on Monday. It is the start of the path to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and coach Des Ellis’s side must finish in the top four in Morocco to qualify automatically and avoid inter-continental play-offs. Ellis has named her squad, which is at full strength, bar the absence of winger Gabriela Salgado due to injury. Here are five players Banyana will rely on heavily for success at the continental finals… Noko Matlou Matlou is still going strong at the age of 36 and remains a cornerstone of the backline for Banyana, having started her international career as a striker. It…

Is there room for more women’s Test cricket? It was the burning question in the build-up to the one-off Test between South Africa and England – the Proteas’ first in eight years and just the 13th played by an SA team in 62 years. The future of women’s Tests is somewhat murky. Only England and Australia, as part of the women’s Ashes, play Tests with any regularity, and while broadly expressing support for more matches, even SA’s captain this week, Sune Luus, reckoned she would wait until after the match to make known her feelings about the format. The ICC’s independent chair Greg Barclay caused controversy with remarks in a recent interview with the BBC, hen he said he couldn’t “see women’s Test cricket evolving at any particular speed.” That…

After four people were killed in a tragic accident that could have been prevented, the drunk driver who caused their deaths is awaiting sentencing in the Wynberg Regional Court. Ncedo Baphi, a 32-year-old from Khayelitsha, yesterday appeared in court on charges of culpable homicide and driving under the influence after four people were tragically killed on the N2 in Athlone. The accident happened in the early hours of October 12, 2019 when two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on the N2, just before the Jakes Gerwel turn-off. Baphi was arrested on the scene for driving under the influence. In court, Baphi pleaded guilty on both counts and admitted to causing the deaths of Lucas and Sibusiso Gxowe, Sihle Hoyi and Bongiwe Mbolompo. He further admitted that he had…

The provincial Social Development Department spent more than R55 million on programmes to address rape, sexual assault and the abuse of women and children in the Province between 2019 and 2022. Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez revealed the amount in a written response to provincial ANC social development spokesperson Gladys Bakubaku-Vos, who had written to her asking for details about the prevalence of sexual violence in the Western Cape. Bakubaku-Vos also asked Fernandez for a breakdown of expenditure in each of the police precincts in the top 30 police stations where rape and sexual assaults were reported. In 2019 the budget for the programmes was R14.1 million; R14.4m in 2020 the same for 2021 and R13m in the current year. Fernandez said the amounts included programmes in Kraaifontein,…

“There is no crime America will not commit in order to maintain its political, cultural and military domination of those parts of the world where it predominates.” – Imam Khomeini to Hajj pilgrims on September 12, 1980. Muslims of the world can attest to the veracity of Imam Khomeini’s words of nearly a half century ago. Since those prescient words were uttered, the US, under the rubric of fighting terrorism, has shed blood and spread chaos in the Muslim world, the likes of which had not been seen since the Crusades. Among the crimes committed by the Washington regime are supporting a sanguinary 8-year war upon Iran; backing a brutal occupation of the Palestinian homeland by its Zionist collaborator; invading the sovereign nation of Iraq and subjecting its people to…

Civil society organisations have called on the Department of Social Development to withdraw its draft Non-Profit Amendment Bill 2021 and demanded that it engages with the sector and stakeholders. The public participation period for the bill ended two weeks ago. The bill seeks to amend the current Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) Act, 1997 which according to the department was meant to create an enabling environment in which NPOs could be formed and function optimally. The proposed amendment addresses the challenges faced by smaller NPOs, deals with abuse of NPOs and simplifies accessibility procedures. It also proposes the setting up of the NPO Registrar to strengthen the servicing, monitoring and promotion of transparency and accountability of the NPOs. Following the release of the draft in 2021, non-governmental organisation Inyathelo called a sector-wide…

I recently warned that we must not become desensitised to violent crime in the country. The same goes for the issue of the ever-increasing cost of living. Currently, a loaf of sliced bread will cost consumers around R18 per loaf at most retailers across South Africa. And two litres of fresh full cream milk will cost around R28. The average family buys bread and milk almost every day, bringing their monthly expense, for two of the most basic household items, to R1 380 a month. In South Africa, if you are living off social grants or state pension, you do not even receive close to the amount needed to buy bread and milk. This is unacceptable, basically anywhere in the world, but mostly so in a country like…

SHORTLY after midnight on Tuesday, in what could have been a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, a police task team raided a nondescript house in Khayelitsha and freed a businessman who had been held captive for more than three months. Details about the raid remain sketchy, but the motive for kidnapping Ismail Rajah, 69, is self-evident. He is a wealthy businessman whose family owns Good Hope Construction, a multimillion-rand company. In March Rajah was snatched outside his offices in Parow, and bundled into an Audi Q7. Initially, the kidnappers demanded R21 million, but then settled for just less than half of that. On Monday his sons were on their way to Dubai to deposit the money, but they were halted by the police who had positive leads on the identity…