Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-04-04 i Cape Argus

Premier calls it ‘formalising of corruption’ Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to exempt Eskom from the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and disclosing any of its irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its annual financial reports until 2025 has sparked outrage across the country. The notice of the exemption was gazetted on March 31 by Godongwana, but the power utility has defended the move, clarifying that expenses will now be reported in Eskom’s integrated Annual Report, as opposed to its Annual Financial Statements. The exemption was requested by Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana in the hope of restoring Eskom’s balance sheet and ultimately acquiring a better audit outcome through debt relief while shielding its financial irregularity from investors. Following National Treasury’s R254 billion debt relief for Eskom, which was…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who must be charged by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, has resentfully postponed his highly controversial judicial amendments. Netanyahu may be the longest-serving leader of apartheid Israel, but in the recent past he has been navigating, perhaps, one of the most turbulent periods in his political career. The massive demonstration in Tel Aviv and other parts of the country proves citizens’ dissatisfaction with his contentious judicial reform plans. One of the core grievances citizens of the Israeli regime have with Netanyahu’s failed coup against the country’s judiciary is that the overhaul will destroy the independence of the Supreme Court by giving the Knesset full control over the judiciary. Hence, political commentators have accused the ultra-right coalition Israeli regime of attempting a power…

After the recent chaotic council meetings in Johannesburg and on the East Rand, it seems one cannot rely on a plethora of small parties with the DA to unseat the ANC in the national elections next year. The policies of the ANC and the DA are not very different if implemented properly, with strong leadership to set an example and unite the country behind it. To prevent a minority government after next year’s elections, why shouldn’t the ANC and DA stand as a single entity while retaining their separate legal identities? This will also prevent an ANC-EFF takeover after the elections, which would decimate the country. But is there a true statesman around who could pull this off? It can work. The Republic will then be a post-Mandela surprise…

Okay, most South Africans will agree that the government is abysmal … Their track record in relation to implementing policies that ensure equality is best not spoken about. On the subject matter of redress, especially concerning the indigenous peoples, one can only begin to remain hopeful when your thirst for redress is quenched by their Kool-Aid. However, what about the other prominent stakeholder in the day-to-day lives of our people? Is South Africa’s private sector playing its part to address reconciliation with the first nations? As limited as the so-called state capture commission was, one factor emerging from it is that corporates are still consciously acting in ways that place greed over the well-being of the citizens of the country. In the ANC, they have a willing partner in corruption…

AS SOUTH Africa hurtles towards a water insecurity risk, the Water and Sanitation Department has said that 11 of its 14 large water projects across all provinces are behind schedule. This was revealed by Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu in Parliamentary replies. IFP member Sbuyiselwe Buthelezi had asked him for the total number of large water projects currently running in each province; whether projects were still undergoing planning and were under construction; and the number of projects that are currently behind schedule and how far behind schedule each project is. “The department currently has 14 large water projects running across different provinces across the country,” Mchunu said. “Ten infrastructure projects are under planning, while four are under construction. In terms of progress, 11 projects are behind schedule,” the minister…

School safety at some Western Cape schools is in the spotlight, following the recently released report “iSafety Ngoku, Seeking Sanctuary in Western Cape Schools”, by Equal Education (EE). The report findings, released on Friday, were based on school inspections in August and September 2019 at 40 Cape Town schools, across the four education districts. The schools are in the City Bowl, Elsies River, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Langa, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi and Strand. Some of the findings include: 40 schools had some form of fencing but some did not meet the 1.8 metre requirement or covered the entire perimeter; 29 schools had security guards but at all but two, the security guard was a community member or parent without formal training; 87% of schools had alarm systems but more…

Despite the big promises of the deal, the transfer of food to African countries and achievement of food security, the result of its work is so far only a small part of the grain that has reached the African continent from Ukraine and from EU ports. Regardless of the unblocking of 20 000 tons of fertilisers in the Netherlands as charitable assistance from the Russian group of companies Uralchem-Uralkali, 262 000 tons of fertilisers, as well as 25 million tons of agricultural products, are still retained in Europe. And periodic public statements by the foreign ministries of the EU countries about the beginning of sending delayed humanitarian aid to African countries are still hanging in the air. According to the recent statistics of the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, of…

Those of you who read my column last week will know how I went from being a homeless couch surfer to a tenant of the state, and upon having that tenancy abruptly ended by the courts. I was about to experience my first day as a “rough sleeper”. That is how those who studied social services like referring to someone who is hardly able to get any sleep for fear of one threat or another. Early on in my tenure on the streets, I discovered why tik is the drug of choice for most of those seen as the chronically homeless: it keeps you awake! The other benefits are it suppresses hunger and gives you a ridiculous amount of energy. “Tik”, as we on the streets call crystal methamphetamine, but…

At least 10 million South Africans didn’t have enough food or money to buy food in 2019, according to the country’s statistics agency. This food insecurity remains a leading health problem unlikely to be eradicated any time soon. To support those affected, it’s important to understand how South African households cope with food insecurity. Existing research on this has been conducted sub-nationally. The focus has mostly been on the poorest regions of the country. The national picture of household food insecurity has not been clear. Our recent study investigated food insecurity and related coping strategies among South African households and their association with anxiety and depression. We have shown, for the first time, how the strategies that South African households commonly use to cope with food insecurity are associated in…

Former US president Donald Trump prepared to fly from Florida to New York City yesterday to face charges stemming from a probe into hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election, as security tightened in Manhattan. Trump was due to surrender at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office today and likely will be fingerprinted and photographed prior to his appearance before a judge at an arraignment proceeding where he will plead not guilty. Trump, a Republican who is seeking to regain the presidency in 2024, is the first former US president to face criminal charges. The specific charges included in the grand jury indictment have not been disclosed. Trump has said he is innocent, and he and his allies have portrayed the charges as politically motivated. In a…

The next time Aiden Markram bumps into former Proteas star Herschelle Gibbs, they will have a few extra things to talk about. Markram not only equalled Gibbs’ legendary 175 on Sunday in the Pink ODI at the Wanderers, but he also slayed the Netherlands to all parts. Gibbs famously butchered Dutch bowler Daan van Bunge for six sixes in one over of the 2007 World Cup clash in St Kitts. Markram did not quite match the mercurial Gibbs’ feat, but he did strike seven sixes on the day, including one massive hit into the Memorial Stand to bring up his 150. “His (Gibbs’) innings was probably a lot better than mine in terms of the match situation and the series context, but I watched that game when I was young…

The Stormers are currently in fine form, especially on home soil, in the two international club rugby competitions they are competing in. They have won a combined 22 home games on the trot in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup, and saw some success overseas too, with the latest being a draw with Irish powerhouse Leinster in the URC. This weekend, though, another tough match, against Exeter at Sandy Park, is on the cards in a quarter-final clash that could take them to the semi-finals of European elite club rugby. The Stormers disposed of another English club last weekend when they beat Harlequins in the Round of 16 to progress to the quarters. They scored some brilliant tries on Saturday afternoon at the DHL Stadium, but the playing…

Durbanville police have arrested two men, aged 30 and 25, a week after a house robbery and an attack on an 81-year-old man on Kliprug farm. Geza Fagyas was found by a security guard alongside the Contermanskloof Road on March 25. The Durbanville community police forum reported the attack, saying police were notified by security guards that they had found a man along Contermanskloof Road who was covered in blood and had a head wound. Transport was arranged for the victim to be taken to hospital. Police later discovered that the man had been assaulted and robbed of his belongings inside his house. It is unknown how entry was gained. Police found the house covered in blood. An axe and knives were found with blood on them and the…

A WHISTLE-blower’s explosive affidavit accuses Theewaterskloof’s director for community services, Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, of allegedly misusing taxpayers’ money to pay for two ANC councillors’ flights to the party’s policy conference held in Joburg last year. In an affidavit submitted to Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, the whistle-blower charged that Solomons-Johannes authorised payments for the flights of the councillors and an unexplained expenditure for a bodyguard. She relied on an email that was sent to a consultancy firm, allegedly by Solomons-Johannes. One of the councillors is with the Theewaterskloof Municipality, while the other works under the Overberg District Municipality. Bredell’s spokesperson Wouter Kriel hadn’t responded at the time of writing, despite numerous attempts for a response about the complaint. When the Cape Argus initially sent queries about…

The church calls South Africa to watch and pray. The remembrance of the Crucifixion and the power of the Resurrection remain important periods of evaluation, reflection, and prayer. The call for Christians to serve with servanthood and joyful obedience remains relevant in 2023. In this Lenten time, we remain encouraged by the words of Christ Jesus, our Saviour: “Jesus answered: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’“ (John 14:6, NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV) The biblical truth, which teaches us that Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ will come again, continues…

I am heartbroken. The situation in Zimbabwe is unthinkable and unspeakable. Zimbabweans never expected this to happen. When one loses hope in one’s own country, the only option is to pray. President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Uebert Angel are into money laundering, according to Al Jazeera. Angel is a British-Zimbabwean businessman and the president appointed him as an ambassador. Zimbabwe is surviving on donations from across the world, but Angel is reportedly smuggling gold to Dubai using his diplomatic clearance. Yet he calls himself a Prophet for Spirit embassy. The world should not remain silent about what is happening in Zimbabwe. It should expose the mismanagement of the country by Mnangagwa and his government.…

RAMADAAN is a special time of the year. The Islamic holy month is more than just about fasting and prayer. It is a time for humanity, for giving and sharing among families, neighbours and with the poor. Not just for Muslims, but non-Muslims are invited to share in the culture, the customs and food during Ramadaan and Eid celebrations that follow. Once again, it has been heart-warming to see communities across Cape Town share their tables and food with their fellow citizens at mass iftar events organised in streets around the city. And all are invited to join these breaking-of-the-fast sunset meals, where you’ll savour the rich flavours of local kitchens, serving up such treats as samoosas, koesisters, daltjies and other savouries and sweets. It is a time for charity…

“That’s why he the GOAT.” That was how 200m world champion Noah Lyles described his training partner Wayde van Niekerk’s outstanding performance at the South African championships in Potchefstroom at the weekend. The 400m world record holder had social media abuzz with his terrific winning time of 44.17 seconds at the NWU McArthur Stadium on Saturday as he turned up the heat in the last 100m to stride away from world junior champion Lythe Pillay, who also produced an excellent display to set a new personal best of 44.80sec, which was also a world championship qualifying time. Van Niekerk’s effort was his best since 2017, when he sustained a serious knee injury during a touch rugby match at Newlands stadium that has kept him on the sidelines for long periods…

Chelsea sacked manager Graham Potter on Sunday after less than seven months in charge after a 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa at the weekend which left the London club 11th in the Premier League. According to bookmakers SkyBet, here are the contenders to replace Potter as Chelsea’s third manager this season. JULIAN NAGELSMANN Bayern Munich surprisingly parted ways with Nagelsmann last month with the club second in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League quarter-finals, replacing him with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. Nagelsmann, 35, led the Bavarians to their 10th straight Bundesliga title after taking over in 2021. He has previously managed RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim. He has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, who have Cristian Stellini in interim charge until the end of the season after…

Proteas Test batter Keegan Petersen has returned home to the Rocks and is hoping he can help them win some silverware next season. Petersen, 29, is a born-and-bred Bolander, having begun his first-class career at Boland Park more than a decade ago. The stylish right-hander forged fond memories at the Winelands venue, most notably when he struck a career-best 225 not out there. He, however, originally moved to Bloemfontein to play for the Knights before a moving to the Dolphins to further his career. Petersen enjoyed a successful period at Kingsmead, earning a Proteas Test cap in the process, and winning two Cricket South Africa 4-Day Series titles with the Durban-based team, including last season’s championship. But home is where the heart is for Petersen and he has opted to…

Chelsea’s interim coach Bruno Saltor said the players would be “sad” after the Premier League club sacked manager Graham Potter as he prepared the team to face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Potter was dismissed on Sunday, after a 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa the previous day. Big-spending Chelsea, who hired the Englishman to replace Thomas Tuchel last September, have just 10 wins from 28 league games this season and are 11th in the standings, 12 points outside the top four. There have now been 13 managerial departures in the English top flight this season – a new record. Julian Nagelsmann, who was sacked as Bayern Munich boss last month, is the favourite to be the next Chelsea boss. Bruno said yesterday that Potter’s dismissal had been “really difficult at every…