Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-03-01 i Cape Argus

Calvin Ratladi said he is honoured to curate the five-day international theatre festival A Gathering in a Better World at The Market Theatre from next Wednesday to Sunday, March 5. It’s set to showcase and celebrate artists living with disabilities and those who are not. In a conversation with IOL Entertainment, Ratladi, who won the Outstanding Person with Disability Contributor Award at the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards, said the festival aimed to highlight inclusivity among all artists. “The inspiration comes from the need to create a network of artists living with disabilities and without, because mostly, people living with disabilities and without tend to work independently, therefore creating this exclusivity which we intend to put an end to through this project,” Ratladi said. “This festival negotiates the…

The Tip Trans Cape company has come to a standstill after its truck drivers refused to work because of a long-term dispute between them and their employers. Represented by their unions, the group of men were gathered outside the gate during their supposed working hours. Situated in Malmesbury Road, Klipheuwel, the company saw no movement today as its staff members chanted outside, carrying placards with messages such as “Injury on duty must be paid”, “Removal of camera in the cab”, “Registered in BEE but we don’t benefit” and “We want BEE money now”. Representing the workers, the general secretary of Transport Freight and General Workers Union (TFGWU), Bethuel Maake, highlighted that what they were doing was a peaceful strike that demanded co-operation from the employers to sit at the table…

Drivers across the country have woken up to increased fuel prices this morning with petrol having shot up by an eye-watering R1.27 a litre, taking the price of a litre of unleaded 95 petrol to R22.95 when filling up inland and R22.30 on the coast. This means that a 50 litre tank of fuel will now cost R61 more to fill, or R244 if filled four times during the month. Wholesale diesel prices have increased by 30 cents and 31 cents a litre for 500ppm and 50ppm, respectively. The increases, which came into effect at midnight, were first announced on Monday by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Mantashe said the price increase, which he referred to as “an adjustment”, was based on current local and international factors. Fuel…

Late payments by municipalities to Eskom and the Auditor-General of South Africa, as well as the related issues of unfunded and under-funded budgets at municipalities were yesterday flagged as issues of concern in the legislature. Provincial Treasury officials appeared before the standing committee on local government to explain their role in addressing the situation in four municipalities out of the 30 in the province in arrears with Eskom. The four municipalities were named as Matzikama, Cederberg, Kannaland and Beaufort West, and the Provincial Treasury said part of its strategy was to facilitate discussions between Eskom and the municipalities to negotiate credible and affordable payment arrangements. It said open, honest and frank conversations allowed all parties involved to understand that municipal sustainability was in the best interests of all concerned. Kannaland…

Muslims flocked to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to set sail to Robben Island in a celebration of the island’s Kramat as a symbol of struggle and faith. A Kramat, also known as a “Mazaar” or “Durga”, is a typically South African shrine that honours a holy person of Islam. The Kramat was built from 1967 to 1969, over the grave of Sayed Abdurahman Motura, a political prisoner brought to the Cape from Batavia, in the 18th century. It was opened in 1969. The Cape Mazaar Society said the shrine of Sayed Abduraghman Motura, also known as “Tuan Matarah”, was a symbol of the struggle for the establishment of Islam. It is an expression of Islam’s power, having survived all kinds of restrictions, prejudices, imprisonment and oppression in a…

After the incidents of unusual conflict between wild seals and people in Cape Town, Environment Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed there has been an increase in the number of incidents of aggression from seals towards humans over the past three years in False Bay, Hout Bay, Table Bay, and Camps Bay. During the recent summer holiday period, a number of peculiar seal incidents were reported across Cape Town. In one incident on January 2 a young seal exhibited unusually aggressive behaviour and attacked a child and other bathers at Clifton’s 4th Beach. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and associated stakeholders confirmed at least 26 incidents since 2021. This was revealed in the minister’s response to parliamentary questions by David Bryant, DA spokesperson on environment, forestry and fisheries…

The manner in which the Springboks won the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be hard to emulate in France later this year. From Rassie Erasmus taking charge in March 2018, to having a 50% win record at the end of that year – which led to calls for the former loose forward to be sacked – it was a tough road to the top. Captain Siya Kolisi was also injured, and there were some doubts about whether he would even make it to Japan 2019 on fitness grounds – not to mention some Bok fans questioning his place in the team anyway. Disaster struck as the South Africans lost their World Cup opener against the All Blacks, and then it became a fairytale of monumental proportions as they swept past…

ANGER over the growing cost of living, foundering faith in governments and institutions, and instability in politics are some of the main factors expected to fuel ongoing incidences of strikes in South Africa, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2022. According to the report from insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), which looks at the top 10 risks countries faces, political risks and violence remain the fourth biggest risk in South Africa. The top 10 risks in South Africa were: 1 Cyber incidents (cybercrime, IT failure/outage, data breaches, fines and penalties), with a 50% risk. 2 Business interruption (supply chain disruption) at 44% risk. 3 Critical infrastructure blackouts ( power disruption) or failures (ageing dams, bridges, rail tracks) at 35% risk. 4 Political risks and violence ( political…

The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) has come on board supporting the efforts made by the City to help homeless individuals get off the street by offering transitional shelters. This comes after the City announced that it was granted the right to evict tent dwellers by the Western Cape High Court on February 20. The court order enabled the City to move people from municipal-owned public sites, road reserves and intersections in the CBD, which are, according to the City, impacting the safety of pedestrians, traffic and the occupants. According to CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos, the situation has become difficult and the council has worked to find solutions for the homelessness in the CBD and greater Cape Town. “There are people who have consistently refused help in the…

Public Protector of SA (PPSA) investigator Bianca Mvuyana was yesterday put on the spot over her testimony on Monday at the inquiry into suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office. Mvuyana, who was previously based at the PPSA’s headquarters, was summoned to testify last week. In her statement to the committee on Monday, Mvuyana said that some of the evidence regarding the Sars Investigating Unit has been grossly misrepresented. She also said she disagreed with some of the testimony given at the proceedings and the material findings of the High Court. The committee’s evidence leader, Nazreen Bawa, quizzed Mvuyana on whether there had been any accusations against her or previous witness, chief investigator Rodney Mataboge, of collusion or corruption in any of the court judgments that have been…

A dispute over control of a family trust set up in 2007 by an architect who divorced his wife in 2018 and removed her from the trust, leaving two new trustees in control, has been resolved by the Western Cape High Court. The applicants in the case were Cornelius Meier’s former wife Margo and the two eldest of their four children, who are also trustees. Cornelius had amended the terms of the trust a number of times. The first amendment in 2008 altered the beneficiaries named in the original trust deed to include Cornelius himself, Margo, their four children and any further children born of the marriage. This also gave the trustees absolute discretion in regard to the declaration and allocation of any benefits to the named beneficiaries. Cornelius,…

An enthusiastic Manchester United squad have settled down following the euphoria of winning their first trophy in six years to focus on their FA Cup clash with West Ham United, manager Erik ten Hag said yesterday. The Old Trafford side beat Newcastle United in the League Cup final on Sunday to lift a major trophy for the first time since the 2017 Europa League. “Of course, (Monday) the players were still enthusiastic and they had to celebrate this momentum,” Ten Hag said ahead of today’s fifth-round Cup tie against West Ham. “But, after we settled down, we get back to work. What we had to do was recovery and the ones who played less (in the final) did a good training session. “Nothing beyond, eh? Get back to work!” Ten…

A wounded Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg tomorrow hunting for a Clasico win to make coach Xavi Hernandez’s gamble at a critical moment of the season pay off. Despite missing injured duo Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, Xavi rested other important players in the 1-0 defeat by Almeria on Sunday, prioritising the Clasico cup clash and spurning the chance to stretch their LaLiga lead to 10 points on Madrid. Adding to Barca’s unease ahead of the Clasico, top scorer Robert Lewandowski has a hamstring strain and is set to miss out, although Ansu Fati is poised to return. After what Xavi described as the “worst performance of the season” at Almeria, Barcelona suffered their second consecutive loss as they were knocked out of the…

STAR Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams has played down “the revenge factor” ahead of Saturday’s return United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture against the Stormers in Cape Town. The Sharks lost 46-19 to the Stormers four weeks ago and if they are to turn the tables on the champions, it would be a huge upset and Williams is right that it would require more than just a desire for retribution. A return of their Springbok tight five would be a much greater help ... The Sharks bounced back from that loss to beat the Lions in Johannesburg before faltering at home last week against Ulster. “We’ve spoken about what went wrong against Ulster,” said Williams. “It is up to us as a group to come together. We have the belief to do…

THE COST of the average household food basket increased by R572.64 or 13.1% more from R4 355.70 February last year to R4 928.34 February this year, according to the February 2023 Household Affordability Index. This is according the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), a civil society initiative that focuses on issues of economic justice, the low-wage regime and on the increasing household affordability and food price crisis. The average cost of the foods prioritised and bought first in the household food basket decreased by R0.59 (0.0%) from R2 706.13 in January to R2 705.53 in February. PMBEJD said core foods were bought first to ensure that families did not go hungry while ensuring that meals could be cooked. When the prices of core foods increases, there is less…

Robbers in court as search continues HOPE is fast fading that missing German tourist Nick Frischke, 22, will be found alive after three of the five men arrested for being in possession of items belonging to him confessed to robbing and stabbing him. However, Frischke’s family remain hopeful of his safe return. Three of the suspects appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday where their case was rolled over to yesterday following their arrest over the weekend. The trio allegedly admitted to robbing Frischke, with the Hout Bay Community Police Forum (CPF) reporting that Frischke’s backpack and cellphone were recovered, as well as a kitchen knife. Two other suspects joined the trio and briefly appeared yesterday before Magistrate Goolam Bowa where the case was postponed to Monday for further…

Swift action saw metro police apprehend a suspect involved in an attempted hijacking in Mitchells Plain on Sunday. The City said metro police officers travelling on Highlands Drive, Mitchells Plain, towards the intersection at Jakes Gerwel Drive noticed an elderly man jumping out of a blue VW Golf hatchback, trying to get their attention. He shouted that he had been hijacked and needed assistance. “The man informed the officers that three suspects had attempted to hijack his vehicle and one had beaten him over the head with an unknown object. “He pointed at one of the suspects who ran into an oncoming vehicle when he saw the officers approaching. “As he fell down, a black bag fell under the vehicle,” the City said in a statement. Officers managed to apprehend…

HUMAN rights activist, writer and former Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs has joined renewed calls for the release of Kurdish political prisoner, Abdullah Öcalan. Sachs was the keynote speaker at the two-day International Conference for Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan: Peace and Stability in the World, co-hosted by the Kurdish Human Rights Action Group (KHRAG) and the Syrian Initiative for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. The conference commenced yesterday at the Fountains Hotel, Cape Town city centre, and saw ANC, SACP, Cosatu, and Nehawu members present in solidarity with and support of the 73-year-old’s release. Öcalan, a writer, activist, and political thinker, is one of the founding members and leaders of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – outlawed by Türkiye – leading efforts for Kurdish independence and statehood. In 1968, an…

THE Chapman’s Bay Estate Homeowners’ Association has lost its application to review and set aside an adjudication order by dispute resolution resource the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) on levies that the association imposed on a property. The original complaint at CSOS had been lodged by homeowner Willem Lötter, who purchased a vacant property in the estate and took transfer in January 2021. The property had originally first been transferred from the developer of the estate in August 2017 under an agreement with the association that imposed a penalty levy if a dwelling on the property was not completed within three years from date of transfer of the property from the developer. The clause states that construction must be completed within one year from the date of commencement unless an…

Allow us to add a voice to the unfortunate and well-calculated comments made by André de Ruyter. The comments were well calculated because it is clear that what he said was well-intentioned and carefully directed to pave his way out in a dramatic manner that would rescue his mangled reputation and dismal performance at Eskom. We salute and thank the Eskom board for its decisiveness in showing De Ruyter the door and expressing its view that the board was “aghast” at the interview and his comments. We, as members of the ANC, feel insulted by the statement made by De Ruyter that there is evidence that Eskom was a “feeding trough for the ANC”. The biggest problem is that he leaves everyone but himself to guess and provides no…

First Test, Day 1 South Africa 314/8 Markram 115, Elgar 71, De Zorzi 28; Joseph 3/60 A new era that promised so much for the first half of the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies descended into familiar problems for the Proteas at Centurion. Eight wickets – seven in a dramatic final session – lost for 79 runs saw the Proteas stumble to stumps at 314/8. Everything had looked so much easier when the Proteas’ prodigal son Aiden Markram was at the crease. Admittedly this West Indian bowling attack and mild-mannered Centurion surface Markram encountered did not severely test the limitations that had previously stalled his Test career, but this time it does all seem different. Honestly. His innings of 115 off 174 balls, including 18…

Formula One is going bigger, brighter and brasher this season with the Las Vegas Strip set to light up a record 23-race calendar and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen chasing a third championship in a row. The 25-year-old Dutch driver is favourite for the opener in Bahrain on Sunday (5pm SA time), with the sport hoping he has a harder time than last year when he won 15 of 22 races and took the title with four rounds to spare. Testing last week at Sakhir suggested Red Bull remain in pole position, but with Ferrari’s 2022 runner-up Charles Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz the closest challengers in what will be an intense development battle. If Ferrari, now under the management of French boss Fred Vasseur, get their act together and the…