Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-16 i Cape Argus

THE murder trial of slain “Steroid King” Brian Wainstein is hamstrung after the State’s star witness suffered an epileptic fit this week. The former bodyguard, who has spent months spilling the beans on the steroid trade, underworld dealings and the plotting of the murder, is unable to continue testifying and the matter has been postponed to next week. The bodyguard, who may not be named, has taken to the stand in recent months to tell a harrowing tale of how he turned on his former boss and plotted his murder. Wainstein was gunned down in his Constantia home in August 2017 as he lay sleeping next to his wife and child. In the mammoth underworld trial, the State has brought Wainstein’s former bodyguard to take the stand and outline his…

THE SA Revenue Service (Sars) says it will engage with representatives in the fuel industry to avert a crisis if there is a shortage of jet fuel (also known as kerosene). The move by Sars comes after a warning issued by the Fuels Industry Association of SA (FIA) over a looming fuel shortage. The association said the supply of aviation kerosene is facing severe threat and may soon run out. The main reason for the shortage is due to regulatory delays in the licensing of import storage facilities, it said. Sars clarified that it was not responsible for the industry’s shortcomings in meeting the licensing requirements outlined in the Customs and Excise Act. Phila Mzamo, spokesperson for FIA said “the Act does not provide for changes in the industry; for…

Last week, I was in Egypt to help the victims of the Gaza war and distribute goods on behalf of the Ottoman Heritage Trust in South Africa. Indeed, the Israeli occupation and crimes against humanity in Palestine have persisted for decades, marked by cycles of violence, suffering, and a profound humanitarian crisis. In recent years, discussions around “Israeli victory” have emerged, but such notions often obscure the deeper, more troubling realities of the situation. Casualties among Palestinian civilians are staggering, with thousands of lives lost and countless others disrupted. Families are shattered, communities are displaced, and the psychological scars run deep. In this context, any claims of victory ring hollow when weighed against the suffering endured by ordinary people. Warfare does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants; it leaves a…

This week, a 27-year-old man was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for being in possession of R6.9 million in US dollars. The case raises questions about how justice is applied, especially in a country where President Cyril Ramaphosa was found with millions in foreign currency hidden in his couch yet faced no real consequences. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said there was no prospect of securing a successful conviction because there was insufficient evidence. Conveniently, that luxury is not afforded to the young man caught with dollars. Ramaphosa enjoys immunity from prosecution, while this 27-year-old, with no political protection, is apprehended and charged. This young man should be let off the hook because the rules, as set by the NPA in Ramaphosa’s case, suggest that there is no longer…

A R360 million “overtime bill” for VIP Protection is pure thuggery from the South African ratepayer and R2 billion in total for the 2024/5 financial year is a sacrilege Are politicians’ lives suddenly more important to protect with bloated security details and exorbitant overtime bills than the South African public? The National Independent Congress of South Africa (Nicsa) condemns the irrational spending on overtime bills for VIP Protection units for politicians safety while the country languishes in the throes of rampant criminality. A total of R360m was spent over two financial years for overtime pay for members of these units, which is not only grossly excessive, but one has to question the reason for such expenditure when the SAPS is entrusted to ensure the safety and security of all…

Rand Water issued a warning to residents announcing that water storage could soon be depleted if timely action is not taken by the Johannesburg municipality. According to experts, Day Zero is looming, and while the metro is grappling with the worsening crisis, residents and businesses are left wondering when the taps will run dry. If that happens, Johannesburg will face its fourth water crisis in just a year. This is not a mere inconvenience; it’s a catastrophic threat to the city’s existence. As the city’s politicians have been saying, Johannesburg’s water infrastructure is crumbling. Leaking pipes, inadequate treatment plants, and inefficiencies in distribution networks have led to a staggering 36% of treated water being lost. This is unacceptable in a city where demand already outstrips supply. Climate change has exacerbated…

The Stormers must quickly find a solution for their scrum woes under European referees away from home because it has the potential to derail their cup hopes this season. For a second match on their United Rugby Championship (URC) tour, the Cape side was left frustrated with some calls around their scrums with referee Ben Whitehouse penalising them instead of rewarding them for dominating Edinburgh at times on Saturday. In their first tour match against the Ospreys, the Stormers scrum suffered under Irish referee Andrew Brace with calls that went against them in this facet of play and Brace failing to reward them at times. The URC, after approaches by the management of the Cape side, confirmed to them that they should have had at least four penalties for the…

Amapiano star Nkosazana Daughter, born Nolwazi Nzama, has filed a R13 million defamation lawsuit against Macgyver “Mac G” Mukwevho, who co-hosts Podcast and Chill with Sol Penduka. The legal action stems from controversial comments made during an episode in July when Mac G said the father of Daughter’s child was not Sir Trill, as many believed, but rather Master KG. His claim raised eyebrows, especially because it was made amid rampant rumours that Daughter was expecting a baby with Sir Trill. “Someone in Botswana told me and they are very close to Nkosazana Daughter. Apparently that’s not Sir Trill’s kid, it’s Master KG’s kid, bro. I kid you not,” MacG said at the time. Phenduka added fuel to the fire by suggesting that these paternity issues might have caused a…

THE unlicensed driver who was behind the wheel of a taxi that caused the death of two little sisters will soon know his fate. Likhona Mgidi appeared briefly in Mitchells Plain Regional Court yesterday. The 23-year-old was found guilty on two counts of culpable homicide last week, after he admitted to driving at an excessive speed and jumping a red robot, slamming the loaded Quantum taxi into the Opel Corsa car carrying little Nurah, 2, and Nishaat Thomas, 6. The children were with their dad and the family was metres away from their house on the corner of Merrydale Avenue and Wespoort Drive in Portlands, Mitchells Plain, when the crash occurred. Mgidi contested the allegation that he had stolen the taxi on the day of the accident, resulting in the…

THE Western Cape High Court has rejected the commercial squid fishing industry’s plea for increased fishing rights, instead backing the allocation of 15% of the total allowable effort (TAE) to small-scale fisheries. The ruling marks significant stability for South African small-scale fishing communities. Acting Judge Mas-udah Pangaker ruled against the South African Squid Management Industrial Association (SASMIA), backing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in their choice to allocate 15% of the TAE for squid fishing to small-scale fisheries. SASMIA represents commercial rights holders, boat owners, and traders in the South African squid fishing scene. DFFE Minister, Dion George, hailed the court’s ruling as a win for small-scale fishing cooperatives. He said squid was added on a temporary basis to the fishing rights distribution for specific small-scale…

The Cape SAJBD is countering a letter written by Shireen N which appeared in the Cape Argus on Wednesday 9th October. This letter was in response to our initial communication about the Jewish woman who was physically assaulted outside Parliament on 27 September. Firstly, her subject line is defamatory. We have never and will never support a genocide. During the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, we have continuously condemned the tragic loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives. Something which the anti-Israel movements fail to do. We have called for the return of all the hostages from Hamas and for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Shireen N writes “presented by the writer, who claims to represent the Jewish community.” The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has been in…

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) is saddened by the death of Tito Mboweni, the former governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and esteemed minister of finance. His contributions to South Africa’s economic landscape were transformative and will be remembered for years to come. Mboweni played a crucial role in shaping economic policies, promoting fiscal discipline and ensuring monetary stability. He was a key architect of reforms that enhanced the resilience of our economy. His leadership fostered a climate of confidence among investors and businesses. I first met Mboweni in the days after the ANC was unbanned and he returned from exile. He played a critical role in the development of ANC economic policy, being the pragmatic voice, informed by his studies at East Anglia University in England. I…

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said yesterday that Israel – and not the US – would decide how it would strike back after Iran fired around 200 missiles at his country earlier this month. The comments came as a top Iranian commander, whose absence sparked rumours that he could have been killed in an Israeli strike, appeared in public for the first time in weeks. Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah also exchanged fire as fighting raged in Lebanon, while humanitarian groups sounded the alarm about a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. On October 1, Iran launched a volley of about 200 missiles at Israel in response to an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan. Israel has…

THE three suspects accused of luring men on Grindr are set to bring a bail application before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court this week, shortly after appearing on warrants of arrest in Gauteng. This came to light yesterday as Mlungisi Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya returned to court. The trio is accused of kidnapping, extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances and cyber crimes. They were arrested in Woodstock at a rental home, with a hostage tied-up. They were traced when the Hawks noticed strange transactions in the victim’s bank account. After their arrest, more victims came forward, alleging the trio also lured them using the Grindr dating app, before kidnapping, assaulting and robbing them. In August, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said the State had six cases against…

WHEN an 8-year-old autistic boy fled in fear of unleashed dogs along Melkbosstrand Beach, local fishermen became his unlikely heroes. Their quick thinking and understanding approach not only saved the day but also showcased the power of community and autism awareness. Grade R learner, Lucas Kannemeyer, was at the beach with his parents on Sunday, when he got spooked by two Scottish terriers and took off running along the coast. He ended up covering nearly 5kms from Eerste Steen to Melkbosstrand, feeling lost and scared. Fortunately, the local fishermen were close by and noticed the distressed young boy. Renato Carrico, one of the fishermen from the Nite Owl Angling group who helped, said they received a message about a boy who had run away. He recalled seeing the boy wearing…

THE Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation non-profit organisation (NPO) has expressed concern over plans to hire baboon rangers for the approaching summer season. This, after the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, said processes are under way to secure the services of rangers for December and the upcoming transitioning period starting on January 1. As things stand, the last day of employment for all baboon rangers, contracted by NCC Environmental Services, is November 30, the civil conservation NPO has noted. The rangers’ job is to keep troops out of the urban area and in their natural environment as far as possible. The task team announced on Monday that a Request for Quotation process, to ensure a presence of…

Please note that the letter from DA ward councillor Francine Higham(City is taking the concerns on Kloofnek Road seriously, September 30) is a huge lie! I contacted her more than a year ago to urge her to implement safety measures on Kloofnek Road, after an 18-wheeler crashed into the exact same block of flats. She was rude and dismissive, and absolutely nothing was done for an entire year! NOW, after countless more crashes, suddenly she gets on her high horse with “plans”. Why you publish her letter and excuses without fact-checking – Cape Talk Radio also had her on their show, so that info is freely available to the public – yet publish her letter? Could you please remedy or withdraw her letter asap. Unless, of course, you’re the…

The GOOD Party welcomes the Judicial Services Commission’s recommendation of Appeal Court judge Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana for the post of Western Cape Judge President. The stability and integrity of the Western Cape High Court is of critical importance as it is a regular first port of call for litigation involving parliament and legislative procedure. Judge Mabindla-Boqwana’s candidacy for the post was widely supported by professional legal bodies. She was particularly credited for the strength of her judgement writing; she will set a high standard for her Western Cape colleagues should her appointment be confirmed by the President, as expected. The fact that she is willing to accept a demotion, from the Appeal Court to head a provincial division of the High Court, is a strong indication of her commitment to justice…

With the Gauteng Department of Education’s R4.5 billion budget reduction, schools across the province are seeing the effects in their projected nutrition and transport programmes. Albeit to save more than 3 000 teaching jobs, schools in the lower quantiles are in particular heavily affected, relying on the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) for daily nutritional needs. Now, just a few weeks after the Gauteng Department of Education announced the budget reduction, which includes cuts to school nutrition and scholar transport programmes to save more than 3 000 teaching jobs, the Healthy Living Alliance (Heala) is hosting a conference aimed at improving the school food environment, particularly through the school nutrition programme. These budget cuts have raised widespread concern, of course. However, as Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised that while…

CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE (1) 1 Bassouamina 45+2 SOUTH AFRICA (1) 1 Mokwana 31’ Bafana Bafana missed out on an opportunity to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 finals with two games to spare after drawing with Congo-Brazzaville in Brazzaville last night. The result at Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium meant that Bafana dropped two points. Bafana didn’t pitch up last night, and were nowhere near as good as their performance in the first leg of this back-to-back qualifier, having won 5-0 in Gqeberha last Friday. Coach Hugo Broos will hope that his troops will seal their qualification in their next qualifier away to the table-topping Uganda early next month. Failure to do that, and they’ll have to wait for the very last qualifier against South Sudan at home, also next month, to…