Indholdsfortegnelse for 2021-07-22 i Cape Argus

Given Majola given.majola@inl.co.za LIFE insurance company Metropolitan came out on top of the South African Customer Satisfaction Index for Life Insurance released yesterday, with Liberty and Discovery scoring their lowest scores since 2016. The index, conducted by Consulta, provides insights into the levels of customer satisfaction with South Africa’s major life insurers: 1Life Insurance, Absa Life, Discovery Life, FNB Life, Liberty, Metropolitan, Momentum, Old Mutual, Sanlam and Standard Bank. The model links customer expectations, perceived quality and perceived value to customer satisfaction, which, in turn, is linked to customer complaints, and recovery, as well as customer loyalty intentions. Metropolitan scored 83.2 points, Standard Bank 82.4, FNB Life 81.7 and 1Life Insurance 80.9, scoring above the industry par of 78.8 points. Absa Life scored 77.5 points, Momentum 79.5 points, Old Mutual…

Demi Lovato felt a “burst of confidence” after filming their first-ever sex scene for the upcoming NBC comedy series Hungry. They said they were left feeling “sexy” after the scene was over, despite initially having anxiety about filming. In a post on Instagram, they wrote: “I had a little anxiety going into it but the cast and crew were so professional and easy to work with, it calmed me down immediately. “I don't always feel good in my skin, so when I do, AND I feel sexy enough to post - I do just that! It's important to celebrate the little wins. Yay for this random burst of body confidence and yay for awkward hilarious sex.” Lovato has previously spoken about their battle with body image and self-confidence, especially in…

Tarryn-Leigh Solomons Tarryn-Leigh.Solomons@iinl.co.za NATIONAL Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi says despite numerous challenges the NPA will ensure that justice prevails and looting suspects are held to account. Last week saw 161 malls and shopping centres, 11 warehouses, eight factories and 161 liquor outlets and distributors in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng damaged. According to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure there were 118 incidents of public violence, arson, looting and other unrest-related instances recorded, and farms were also torched. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, together with the NPA and the Department of Correctional Services, briefed the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services on the prosecution plans for looters. Lamola said that to deal with the prosecution of people involved in recent…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za JAILED former President Jacob Zuma may today return to Nkandla in person to take part in the burial of his late younger brother, Michael Zuma. If he is granted permission, it will be the first time Zuma will make a public appearance since he was jailed at the Estcourt prison in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The appearance that could mean his supporters swarm Nkandla, would only happen if Zuma’s compassionate leave application to the Department of Correctional Services to be temporarily released was approved. By late yesterday, it was not clear whether the national department had given him the nod to the request. However, the department did confirm that Zuma had applied and his request was being considered by authorities and there was no final decision. The…

Colin Bosman | Newlands THE various security agencies who are shadow boxing about who said what regarding the alleged insurrection that took place recently are out of order and at fault. This humble writer suggested several months ago, in the columns of this noble media platform, that insurrection was taking place when public enemy number one Ace Magashule was creeping around in the shadows, meeting Jacob Zuma and others, plotting, planning and creating the atmosphere that resulted in events last week. Not one security agency did a thing back then despite the fact they must have all known about the nefarious shenanigans of Magashule. Police Minister Bheki Cele spent his time trying to disarm law-abiding honest citizens instead of doing his job and closing in on Magashule. He pussyfooted back…

Chris Marshall | Cape Town We can all see the symptoms of the disease that grips South Africa – poverty, crime, failing infrastructure, the homeless, the hopeless … But what are the causes? It is my sincere belief that the good intentions and fine ambitions of our new democracy have led to a catastrophic transfer of economic responsibility from the private sector to the public sectors. Those empowered by this process are ill equipped for these responsibilities. They have been manipulated by cynical forces wanting access to our wealth. Contractors, consultants, suppliers, bankers and other wealthy individuals and organisations, many in countries that seek to lecture us on their democratic credentials, exploit this weakness for their own gain with no regard for the devastation wreaked on our country…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za STAKEHOLDERS in the province’s green industry responded to the launch of the Empowerment of Women in the Green Industry Policy Assessment Report that aims to increase women leadership and participation in the green industry, as well as integrate gender and green industry policies. The assessment report was drafted in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), UN Women, and the German government. DTIC deputy minister Nomalungelo Gina said: “The issues that have surfaced here today ought to be carried through by all stakeholders during this month so that they do not remain within the elite and highly educated women only.” DTIC spokesperson Bongani Lukhele said some of the key…

IT WAS exactly two weeks ago that we called for those clamouring for violence, bloodshed and authoritarianism to read the room. Well, the room was not read, and two weeks later the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng economies have been set back by decades through massive losses as a result of the civil unrest that shook the country recently. Also, the loss of life has yet to be measured, with unconfirmed reports that the death toll is sitting in the hundreds. While the trails of fear, death and destruction are fresh in our minds, then comes, wait for it … the theatrics of a “coup attempt” and “insurrection”. How, for the life of us, did we get to this point? Alas, we did not expect anything new. The comedy of errors regarding…

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Ariel Henry, 71, who was appointed as Haiti’s prime minister two days before President Jovenel Moise was assassinated, has been formally sworn in to assume office. “The country is experiencing a crisis situation in all senses. We must restore the credibility and authority of the state … There is severe polarisation between different sectors of society. However, we need a durable solution for this multifaceted crisis,” Henry said shortly after the swearing-in ceremony. All those responsible for Moise’s assassination must be found and brought to justice, the prime minister added. Moise was shot dead at his residence on July 7. His wife Martine was wounded and airlifted to a US hospital.…

WYNONA LOUW wynona.louw@inl.co.za THE Free State Cheetahs secured a 38-21 victory over Western Province in an entertaining Currie Cup clash in Bloemfontein last night. The Cheetahs wasted no time as they scored in the very first play of the game thanks to some good interplay, passing and footwork, setting Duncan Saal up to put his pace to good use and finish off for a top try. While WP had most of the possession in the first half and had the upper hand at the set-pieces in the match, the hosts played a game that favoured them, while the visitors just couldn’t make use of their opportunities in a high-intensity first half. The Cheetahs’ defence was rock solid, while the experience of Ruan Pienaar was a major feature in the first…

GIVEN MAJOLA given.majola@inl.co.za BUSINESS chambers affiliated to the Small Business Institute (SBI) have partnered with GalaxyNova systems to facilitate collaboration between the business sector in local communities and municipalities. Local data centres will be established that use the GalaxyNova system to inform planning and actionable strategies for sustainable development and growth, fostering resilience in local economies. The data collected would include unique crime trends in each community, which would be used to identify and address the causes and assist in crime prevention, the SBI said in a statement yesterday. SBI chambers president Winda Austin-Loeve said yesterday that a significant number of the country’s municipalities were experiencing financial, political and management challenges. “Covid-19 also presents a deep and long-lasting economic crisis throughout South Africa’s economy, and as it affects businesses, it…

Jamal Grootboom jamald.grootboom@inl.co.za Local actress and presenter Pearl Thusi pleaded with Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, to support artists. The South African entertainment industry has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing lockdown. While it seemed that artists were getting on their feet following the second wave earlier this year, the recent move to lockdown level 4 has put a halt to most activity in the hospitality and entertainment industries. Taking the Twitter on Monday, the Behind The Story host pleaded with Mthethwa to offer support financially to the sector in the same way he offers messages of congratulations and condolences. Thusi said: “Dear Minister @NathiMthethwaSA, I say this in the sincerely way … artists are struggling … can you assist with actual…

Sisonke Mlamla sisonke.mlamla@inl.co.za DESPITE a lull in the taxi war gripping the city in the last 24 hours, the eerie unease is still keeping the majority of taxis and buses off the streets, leaving thousands of workers stranded. Good party secretary-general Brett Herron said there had been a collapse of public transport in the city. He said commuters, some of whom were queuing from 4am each weekday morning to make sure they get to work on time, were stranded by the failing public transport network. Herron said with Metrorail largely inoperable and completely unpredictable, trains were no longer an alternative choice for those who needed to get to work on time. “The MyCiTi Bus service is no longer servicing Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain since June 2019 and, I understand, is…

Mthuthuzeli Ntseku mthuthuzeli.ntseku@inl.co.za THE ongoing taxi violence has resulted in the disruption of services at health facilities in some of the areas in the city. The Nyanga Clinic reopened yesterday after it was closed on Tuesday while Gugulethu Community Health Clinic in NY3 was operating on a reduced staff. Equal Rights Forum spokesperson in Nyanga Noluthando Jack said residents received notifications cancelling appointments for the collection of their medication. Gugulethu Development Forum health head of department Nowi Mdayi said the clinic was now operating for eight hours with only four nurses. She said midwife obstetric units would continue as a 24-hour service, while trauma patients were referred to Heideveld. “Our professional nurses and doctors do not reside in our area and can’t travel. As a result, people were not…

Kailene Pillay and Ntombi Nkosi BISHOP Rubin Phillip has added his voice to the growing calls for accountability in the aftermath of the unrest related murders, looting and destruction. Civil society organisations and political and community activists have also called for the arrests of those responsible for the murders. At least 220 people were killed in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng – with concerns over racial tension between African and Indian communities in KZN. Phillip, who serves as the deputy chairperson on the KZN Social Cohesion Council, said the racial divisions being reported in Phoenix, Durban, were not a true reflection of the entire community and that the “mischief makers” needed to be handed over to the police. Speaking to Independent Media yesterday, Phillip said reconciliation needed to be the principal…

Kevin Govender | Shallcross Well the master of geometry – too many sides and too many angles – has managed to buy another three weeks with delaying tactics re-packaged for an exculpatory exit from the arms deal corruption case. It is not supernatural, infallible sensors of avoidance that have served him well during his criminal career, but rather the backing of a good legal team – upon taking their advice, his performance has been likened to that of a trained seal. For now he remains behind bars. But what next? Will he come out a martyr and reinvent himself? Will he be like former Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, who was convicted and jailed in 2017 for over nine years on charges of money laundering and corruption? In…

IJ Saks | Table View THE LOOTING and burning of malls in the two provinces reminds one of a war zone. The one puzzling aspect of this act of terrorism is why the security forces first, wake up too late to quell this and second, why they stood by and allowed the malls to be looted and burnt down. Nowhere in the world would any country allow this to happen, only in South Africa. The president says they have 12 suspects, so why haven’t they been charged and arrested. We all know who they are, so to prevent this happening again, decisive action must be taken now, no lip service. South Africa is on the verge of no return.…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za CAPE Town-based, non-profit organisation 1000 women has launched its latest campaign, 1000 Women Restart. It focuses on empowering women, especially those who lost their jobs due to Covid-19. The organisation, well known for its programmes aimed to uplift gender-based-violence victims, said its latest campaign would offer comprehensive programmes designed to empower its members, and provide them with resources, skills and business mentorships. Founder of the 1000 Women Trust, Tina Thiart, said: “We are launching 1000 Women Restart, and we are inviting all women to join us. We want to inspire even more women who have suffered loss to restart by providing them with income-generating ideas or skills for better jobs.” The 1000 Women Trust will, over the next few weeks, host programmes and projects for women…

Division has been created between those favouring arrest of ‘corrupt’ and their supporters With the recent chaos, specifically in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, and the media focus on these areas pertaining to the violent riots and looting, it is easy to get wrapped up in some tunnel vision, focusing exclusively on these events. The danger of this, of course, is that one runs the risk of trying to make sense of these events in isolation. The events happening now have a historical context, particularly if we relate them to the prevailing political, economic, and social conditions. I will highlight, in particular, the following key factors: u The Covid-19 pandemic. u The political tumult emanating from the Zondo Commission, corruption allegations against high-profile political leaders, and the arrest and sentencing of Jacob…

At least 25 people have died in China’s flood-stricken central province of Henan, a dozen of them in a subway line in its capital that was drenched by what weather officials called the heaviest rains for 1 000 years. About 100 000 people have been evacuated in Zhengzhou, the capital, where rail and road transport have been disrupted, while dams and reservoirs have swelled to warning levels while thousands of troops launched a rescue effort in the province. City authorities said more than 500 people were pulled to safety from the flooded subway. “The water reached my chest,” a survivor wrote on social media. “I was really scared, but the most terrifying thing was not the water, but the diminishing air supply in the carriage.” The rain halted bus services…

BEIJING: The US must allow the Investigation into Fort Detrick to trace the origin of the coronavirus, a foreign ministry spokesperson said yesterday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, as a joint open letter calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) to investigate the Fort Detrick lab has gained about 5 million signatures from Chinese netizens as of yesterday afternoon. His comments came after an open letter by Chinese netizens on Saturday published by the Global Times asked the WHO to investigate the US’s Fort Detrick lab for Covid-19 origins, generating over 750 000 signatures as of Monday. “Why can’t an origin study be conducted in the US as in China?” it asked.…

MIKE GREENAWAY mike.greenaway@inl.co.za SHUTTING down Springbok match-winner Cheslin Kolbe is a top priority for the Lions in Saturday’s first Test but the Boks face their own challenge in shutting down Kolbe’s opposite number Duhan van der Merwe. Lions boss Warren Gatland, speaking after naming Van der Merwe on the left wing in a strong Lions team, has warned his players to keep the ball away from Kolbe. “Stopping Cheslin is going to be a real challenge and the best way to do that is limit the possession he gets,” Gatland said. “Cheslin got one opportunity against us in that South Africa ’A’ game and made the most of it. We can’t afford to do what we did in that ’A’ game and kick the ball down his throat. So we…

Sisonke Mlamla sisonke.mlamla@inl.co.za PRINCIPALS, school management teams (SMTs) and non-teaching staff, are returning to school today, supposedly fully vaccinated, but with much trepidation. Progressive Principals’ Association spokesperson Anthea Adriaanse said they wanted to return to school with a positive disposition to lead effectively, however, each school has its own context and with it a range of challenges. She said some of the concerns were the impact of the ongoing taxi violence on staff and learners, and the fear of travelling and lack of other public transportation. Adriaanse said there is uncertainty regarding the return of all primary school learners from August 2, as most of the schools could not accommodate all learners adhering to social distancing. “Other concerns include clarity regarding teachers who were granted concessions to work off-site…

Kristin Engel kristin.engel@inl.co.za THIS year’s celebration of Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice), by Muslims, was greeted with extra caution due to the current Covid-19 alert level 4 regulations. Members and organisations in the Muslim community said the festival was particularly sombre as they were unable to attend their mosques or be with their extended families, and some were grieving for loved one’s that have lost their lives to Covid-19. Jabulani Community Organisation founder Yasmine Abrahams said it was an emotional day and that it was unfortunate they could not share it, especially the slaughter for their sacrifice, with their loved ones as usual. Public relations officer Salama Davids said their celebrations included the sacrificial animal slaughter at Platinum Farm, where the meat would be distributed to beneficiaries at the…

Zintle Mahlati zintle.mahlati@inl.co.za AFTER days of riots and looting that affected Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal last week, parliamentarians want an inquiry to get under way soon to investigate the origins of the violence and the security clusters' handling of the situation. Parliamentarians in the police committee yesterday visited Soweto, where much of the looting took place. The group inspected various malls, including Jabulani Mall, Protea Glen Mall and Maponya Mall. Some stores were still visibly damaged. Cedric Frolick, Parliament's House Chair, said three committees – police, defence and intelligence – would be drafting a report following the oversight visits to Gauteng and KZN. The committees are interested in what sparked the riots and also whether there were any lapses in the police’s. Frolick said after the short visits it was clear…

ONE thing all South Africans/Azanians can agree on is that our country is blessed with natural beauty and Thabo Mbeki summed it up in Parliament on May 8, 1996 when he said : “I owe my being to the hills and valleys ... ” Last week we were starkly reminded of all the inequalities in our country. Since 1652, when our land was invaded by colonialists we have struggled to provide a decent life for all in our country. We fought a long fight against colonialism because of its unjust ideology – one of conquering, raping the country of its resources and suppressing its inhabitants. In 1994, with the goodwill of the majority of South Africans a negotiated settlement was reached in which we were given hope of a better…

Ghalied Geduldt | Maitland DURING the State of Disaster, South Africans had to relinquish numerous basic rights. Of these rights, the right to vote is one of the most pivotal. It is the cornerstone of a democracy and the primary means at citizens’ disposal to keep politicians accountable. Just as citizens had to adapt and innovate so too should our political parties adapt to “the new normal”. I have noted that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been engaged in discussions with political parties. The electoral body should test the will of the people if we want to have the local government elections in October. During the level 5 lockdown last year, there were long queues outside the shops reminiscent of the queues outside voting…

Cometh Dube-Makholwa | Midrand THOSE responsible for the destruction of malls, businesses, warehouses, factories and all kinds of infrastructure cannot possibly be happy now, realising the impact of their senseless actions on all areas of humanity, if they still have a conscience. Mob psychology can drive people to do unthinkable things which, with hindsight, might haunt them so much that they may suffer from sleep deprivation. While the president has promised that reconstruction of buildings, businesses and infrastructure will be undertaken, we all know what a mammoth task it will be as the amount of destruction runs into billions, in a country that was already bankrupt long before the riots. Maybe this is the time for all those who have millions and billions stashed away in local and…

Mthuthuzeli Ntseku mthuthuzeli.ntseku@inl.co.za CONSERVATION groups are fuming over yet another “killing” of an adult baboon from the Simons Town Waterfall troop by the City/Cape Nature. Bolo was admitted to the SPCA two weeks ago for vision impairment treatment and cleared for released last week. However, conservation organisations said they were shocked to learn that he was euthanased on Tuesday. Conservation group Baboon Matters said Bolo was not not euthanised but killed. “The Waterfall troops have been sorely tempted by the rich rewards of easy foods at the SA Navy dock and barracks for many years, but recently food rewards seem to have soared. “In conjunction with a high staff turnover of the current service provider, the lure of rich rewards and inexperienced staff meant baboons could easily run down to…

Professor W Bernard Carlson Oil AND gas pipelines have become flashpoints in discussions of climate change. From the US’s Atlantic coast to the Dakotas, pipelines that would deliver fossil fuels to customers have sparked protests and legal challenges. The Keystone XL pipeline, designed to carry oil from Alberta’s tar sands to refineries on the US Gulf Coast, roiled US-Canadian relations for a decade before it was finally cancelled in 2021. Amid these debates, it’s easy to forget how heavily the US economy relies on existing energy pipelines. In 2020 some 135 000km of long-distance pipelines carried crude oil, while another 103 000km of pipe moved refined products, including gasoline and jet fuel. These systems typically draw attention only when they leak or are damaged. Petroleum currently supplies…

THE Philippines’ top judges have ruled that the International Criminal Court (ICC) can prosecute “government actors” for alleged crimes committed before the country withdrew from the tribunal – contradicting President Rodrigo Duterte’s assertion it has no jurisdiction. The Supreme Court ruling – made in March but released in full to the public yesterday – comes as prosecutors at the world’s only permanent war crimes court seek a full-blown investigation into Duterte’s drug war that activists estimate has killed tens of thousands of people. Duterte was elected in 2016 on a campaign promise to get rid of the country’s drug problem, and he openly ordered police to kill suspects if their lives were in danger. The president has said he would never co-operate with an ICC probe, claiming the tribunal has…

LAGOS: Police and government authorities have secured the release of 100 people, including women, children and nursing mothers, who were kidnapped from their village in north-western Nigeria over a month ago, a local police spokesperson said. The released captives had been abducted on June 8 from Manawa village in Zamfara state, Mohammed Shehu, the state’s police spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday. He said their release had been secured “without giving any financial or material gain”. “They will be medically checked and debriefed before (being) reunited with their respective families,” the statement added. Over 200 students as are still being held captive.…

Stuart Hess stuart.hess@inl.co.za NOLUBABALO Ndzundzu, the first black African woman to represent the South African women’s cricket side, said she felt humiliated after being told that if she spoke in her home language isiXhosa in front of her national teammates, she was being “rude”. Ndzundzu testified yesterday at Cricket SA’s Social Justice and Nation Building commission about her playing career that included making 16 appearances for South Africa in one-day internationals, and one in a Test against England in 2003. Ndundzu, who grew up in Masingata, near Qonce, described how she faced numerous challenges as a black woman, trying to play a game she first fell in love with as a youngster playing with her brothers. From the dangers of travelling late at night between her home town and East…