Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-10-03 i Cape Argus

OVER the weekend, South Africa’s cream of the crop were honoured at the prestigious 17th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) ceremony. Co-hosted by actor Lawrence Maleka and former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, the night of glitz and glamour was one for the books as our favourite films, soapies, telenovelas, presenters, actors and actresses got the recognition they deserve over the two-night celebration. Aside from hosting, Maleka won his second Safta for Best Actor in a Telenovela for his role as Zolani in The River. Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, guests and the audience were entertained by legendary acts such as Ntokozo Mbambo and Tuks Senganga while current favourites such as Murumba Pitch, Jesse Clegg and Lwah Ndlunkulu also graced the stage. Leading the pack…

We are living in a sick world, where brazen maniacs are steering mankind into World War III with their sickening atrocities. The massacre of 57 worshippers in Pakistan on Friday was a grim reminder that terror respects no religion. The brutal conflict between between Armenia and Azerbaijan confirms the argument that the UN is an important institution in settling painful conflicts raging across the world. According to the Geneva Academy, there are 110 armed conflicts raging in many parts of the world. The UN says 100 civilians are killed every day in armed conflicts despite protections under International Law. In all recorded history, it is estimated that 1.1 billion soldiers died in battle. The sorrowful pictures of the mass killings of innocent people in the world’s war zones is beyond…

From US car factories to public sector workers in Nigeria and South Africa, strikes by trade unions continue unabated among the established sectors of the working class. In Detroit in the US, workers are resisting contract employment. In Nigeria, they are angry over the rising cost of living, and in South Africa, municipal workers are striking for better wages. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult to build sustainable worker organisations as companies employ more people on a casual basis in the digital age. Work has become more precarious, and workers are easily replaceable. In our new book, Recasting Workers’ Power: Work and Inequality in the Shadow of the Digital Age, we focus on workers’ power. The classic example of workers’ power is the strike: the collective withdrawal of labour to force…

Donald Trump gained more than $1 billion (about R19bn) by lying about the value of his assets to banks and insurers, lawyers for the New York state attorney general told a judge yesterday in a civil fraud case that could deal a major blow to the former president’s real estate empire. Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in state Attorney General Letitia James’ office, said in his opening statement in a downtown Manhattan courtroom that Trump described his finances to banks and insurers in a “materially inaccurate way” for a decade. Wallace said Trump did this to get better loan terms and lower insurance premiums, illegally generating more than $1bn of financial benefits. “This isn’t business as usual, and this isn’t how sophisticated parties deal with each other,” Wallace said. “These are…

New Zealand 321/6 Conway 78, Latham 52; Ngidi 3/33, Jansen 3/45 South Africa 211/4 De Kock 84*, Van der Dussen 51; Boult 2/20, Santer 1/29 New Zealand win by sevens runs on the DLS Method Despite losing their warm-up by seven runs on DLS method yesterday following rain ending the match in the 37th over of South Africa’s chase, the Proteas will take away lessons from their time out on the park against New Zealand after spending over a week in India without any action. In the build-up to yesterday’s warm-up match, coach Rob Walter emphasised their intention to use the game for the benefit of the team and to polish off areas they felt needed work. One particular area that needed attention was the bowling unit getting time…

MOWBRAY police are investigating the cause of a container truck that overturned, injuring nine people on the N2 highway in Cape Town. Motorists who were travelling on the N2 highway between Jan Smuts Drive and Raapenburg Road yesterday morning were exposed to a ghastly sight when a truck carrying a shipping container overturned on the road. According to bystanders, the truck had been driving alongside three police vehicles when it overturned. The truck’s yellow container flattened one police van and severely damaged the two others. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said in response to the incident that Mowbray police had registered a case of reckless and negligent driving for further investigation. Swartbooi said: “Please note that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. However, we can confirm that…

Labour federation Cosatu said the resignation of Transnet CEO Portia Derby came amid serious challenges with rail infrastructure due to vandalism, cable theft, and destruction. Derby was accused by labour unions and industry bodies of failing to turn around the fortunes of the entity. She resigned on Friday, having spent three years in the position. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks said the federation was extremely worried about the looming proposed retrenchments of up to 35 000 mine workers. “Several companies in the mining sector have announced plans to retrench workers. Glencore has announced that 214 jobs at its iMpunzi coal mine in Mpumalanga may be affected. Seriti Power has initiated the Section 189 process at its Klipspruit, affecting up to 800 jobs. Both companies have cited the massive reduction in shipping coal…

The City of Cape Town’s spatial planning and environment directorate is calling on residents in the southern suburbs to contribute towards the revision of the five-year estuarine management plan (EMP) for the Zandvlei Estuary in Muizenberg. The City’s environmental management unit, under the directorate, is responsible for the highly modified temporarily open-closed system estuary, which is impacted by the surrounding urban suburbs of Constantia, Plumstead, Tokai, Retreat and Muizenberg, which drain into the catchment. According to the City, the revised estuary management plan will provide short-, medium- and long-term management priorities and actions to maintain and enhance the estuarine function. “Updated plans will look to protect the critical biodiversity and existing urban infrastructure bordering the vlei and to enable recreational and educational uses for current and future generations,” the City…

The relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan is marked by a long and complex history, primarily centred on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The dispute has been a source of tension and conflict in the South Caucasus region for decades, and it remains a significant diplomatic and geopolitical challenge. The root of the Armenia-Azerbaijan relationship’s complexities lies in that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The conflict dates from the early 20th century but escalated in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Khojaly Genocide unfolded. In the same years, an Armenian terror organisation, Asala, killed many Turkish diplomats in Europe. Khojaly, a town in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, became the epicentre of a horrific tragedy in February 1992. As Azerbaijani forces attempted to regain control of the town, Armenian forces encircled Khojaly and launched an attack…

Why is society so paralysed and doing nothing about the wasteful defence sector, especially in these trying economic times? We are docile, and seem to have accepted as reality that the country should be throwing billions of rand down the drain in funding this sector. The defence budget has been increasing steadily and has hit R49 billion this year? But where are the tangible results that are brought about by this sector? Both internally and externally, the sector has failed dismally to be of any use. It failed to stop the riots and looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, indicating that it cannot be used for any civilian purpose, as also exemplified during the Covid crisis, when the army was deployed and committed serious atrocities and murder against civilians. The…

Kaizer Chiefs striker Ranga Chivaviro is ready to contribute to the club after spending most of his first days with the team in the medical room. Chivaviro joined Amakhosi this season on a two-year deal, having been one of the deadliest strikers on the continent last season, scoring 17 goals for Marumo Gallants in all competitions. But while his efforts for Gallants led the team to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals, his domestic efforts were futile as the club was relegated last season. And with Chiefs having beaten a lot of teams for his signature, including arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, he was expected to be the missing piece in Chiefs’ scoring puzzle. However, it wasn’t to be. He arrived injured before suffering another injury in their third league game against TS…

Jon Rahm was inspired by the legacy of Spanish Ryder Cup heroes as he played a crucial role in Europe triumphing over the US in Rome on Sunday. Rahm earned three points in the 16½-11½ victory to remind fans of his fellow countrymen Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia who have made history in the tournament. Garcia is the Ryder Cup's all-time points scorer with 28½ collected over 10 editions, while the late icon Ballesteros and Europe vice-captain Olazabal picked up 22½ and 20½ respectively. "Obviously, the Spaniards have a legacy to live up to. It's certainly not easy," Rahm said. "It's a lot to live up to and it's something that really inspires me, especially when Jose is around, right. “He always tells me little things to…

Manchester City’s shock 2-1 defeat to Wolves leaves the Premier League's top six separated by just three points. Tottenham took full advantage of City's first slip-up of the season to close within one point of the lead, but had luck and poor officiating on their side in a controversial 2-1 win over nine-man Liverpool. Arsenal also closed on City ahead of their showdown next weekend by cruising to a 4-0 win at Bournemouth. Aston Villa moved ahead of Brighton into fifth by thrashing the Seagulls 6-1. But it was another miserable weekend for Manchester United, who slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Here, we look at three talking points from the Premier League weekend. VAR costs luckless Reds Referees’ body PGMOL was forced into a swift apology…

tax authorities have been on their toes since the country was greylisted. They have been tightening their laws in order to adhere to the Financial Action Task Force recommendations. The intervention has caused a stir in most industries, including trusts administration. This in the form of “double” reporting to the Master of the High Court and the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has made the administration of trusts more administrative-intensive than before. There has been an abrupt change in the Trust Property Control Act. Section 11A of the TPCA requires trustees or trust administrators to establish and keep an up-to-date record of information relating to beneficial owners of trusts. Trustees are required to make their reporting submissions to the Master. The Master must keep a register in the prescribed…

Alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson have been sent to Pollsmoor Prison after a bid for Nicole’s freedom failed in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The notorious duo appeared alongside Johannes “Bal” Abrahams and Denver Booysen after they were busted by the Anti-Gang Unit over the weekend. Court hallways buzzed as heavily armed police officers stood guard and blocked access to the courtroom where Stanfield would appear. Journalists were taken to bathrooms to be searched shortly before the arrival of Police Minister Bheki Cele and provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile. On arrival in the dock, Stanfield was seen embracing Nicole as he lifted a black balaclava from his face. Addressing the court, the State prosecutor said the four suspects were facing charges of theft…

The driver of the Golden Arrow bus that overturned a week ago on Jakes Gerwel Drive has been suspended. The deadly accident took the lives of three people, while 21 other passengers were injured. The bus was en route from Mitchells Plain to Cape Town when it swerved on the wet road before it flipped over and crashed into a light pole. It is alleged that the bus driver was speeding when he lost control of the steering wheel. Yesterday, Golden Arrow confirmed to the Cape Argus’s sister newspaper, the Daily Voice, that the driver had been suspended. Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said: “The bus driver was suspended immediately (after the incident) and will be subjected to the company’s internal disciplinary processes. The SAPS has also opened a case…

Someone who takes the trouble to write a letter about something they have read usually responds passionately either in support of or against the view taken by the columnist or journalist. Yet a letter to the editor about one of my recent columns is so devoid of passion that it intrigued me to the point of writing this column. It is a letter that exemplifies how people often base their anti-homeless rhetoric on myths and prejudicial and preconceived ideas. The letter came from an ill-informed gentleman from Randfontein in reaction to my column titled “How the City of Cape Town discriminates against the homeless”. In his letter, the gentleman asks: “Why is it (homelessness) so rife in Cape Town and not in other municipalities?” It seems as if the writer’s…

LOTS to write about in the Cape Argus and Cape Times today (Cape Argus for me, Cape Times for my mother-in-law) but I’ll keep it light and mention just two items. First, the Cape Argus page one article, “Mafia taking over South Africa”, continues on page three with the headline, “SA a hotbed for organised crime”. I’m thinking, now that the Guptas have finished with us, perhaps the Mafia and ANC are squabbling over what’s left to plunder. Second, on page 4 we see, “Eskom predicts lower levels of load shedding for summer”. Good news! It must be true if Eskom says so. We all know how reliable they are. Ah, but wait! Hold your horses. I then read, in my mother-in-law’s Cape Times, “Eskom hints at yet another bleak…

Beleaguered Transnet’s decline is a runaway train with the government frantically trying to implement an effective strategy to prevent a dreadful tragedy with many casualties. A crash will exact a heavy blow on the economy, business and jobs with dire consequences. At the weekend, Transnet was forced to implement an emergency reshuffle of its executive with the appoint- ment of Michelle Phillips as acting group CEO while Hlengiwe Makhathini will act as group chief financial officer. Barely a month ago, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan asserted Transnet would be tabling a turnaround strategy amid the industry clamouring for the executive team’s resignation. Transnet has been facing severe problems due to vandalism, cable theft and destruction. Only a quarter of the rail lines are fully operational. The African Rail Industry Association…

Although history has taught cricket fans never to write off Australia at a World Cup, sceptics of their chances of winning the trophy for a sixth time in India in November have more than a little ammunition to call on. The decision to allow Travis Head to recuperate from his fractured hand in the first half of the tournament smacks of desperation for the runs the 29-year-old has been providing at the top of the order. “He’s a really important player for us and hopefully when he does come on line and is available, he can have a really big impact for us towards the back end of the tournament,” head selector George Bailey said after naming the final 15-player squad. Head will not be the only player in the…