Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-08-10 i Mercury

THE NATIONAL Treasury has launched its long-awaited Energy Bounce Back Loan Guarantee Scheme (EBB), which will allow households and small businesses to borrow a maximum of R300 000 and R10 million, respectively, from commercial banks to miti- gate the impact of load shedding. The Treasury on Tuesday released the details of the EBB Loan Guarantee Scheme, which was supposed to be launched in April, and will be available until August 30 next year. In his February Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the scheme in a bid to incentivise renewable energy, rooftop solar and address energy-related constraints experienced by households and SMEs. In the scheme, the government will guarantee solar-related loans for small and medium enterprises on a 20% first-loss basis to encourage businesses and individuals…

Farming associations, economists and a civil society group that tracks food prices believe that this month’s hefty diesel price hike could lead to an increase in the prices of basic goods. Last week, both grades of petrol increased by 37 cents per litre, while diesel rose by between 71c (50ppm) and 72c (500ppm). Mervyn Abrahams, programme co-ordinator of the Pietermaritzburg Economic, Justice and Dignity Group said that the price increase for diesel was concerning as the diesel price and food prices were linked. “Most operations on farms require diesel and transporting of basic vegetables is done by trucks and any increase in the price of diesel affects both the farmers and road freight sector and any increases will be passed onto the consumer with higher food prices.” Abrahams said that…

AUGUST is a very special month. It is when we remember and pay tribute to all women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our democracy. As we celebrate women’s strength and resilience, we must not forget on the 9th of August 1956, 20 000 brave women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where they faced the might of white control. It is where we remember and pay tribute to the courageous women who wrote the history books in our country. We may have reached democracy, but we still have increased gender-based violence as men who are physically stronger take advantage of women. Much domestic violence is not reported because of fear and some are treated as unequal citizens. Let us all work together to ensure that women are always…

Tenants in the Western Cape are the most committed to paying their rent while, at the other end of the scale, the highest number of squatting tenants live in KwaZulu-Natal. TPN’s latest Residential Rental Monitor for the first three months of 2023 reveals that 5.09% of tenants in KZN are not paying their rent, an increase from 4.67% in the fourth quarter in 2022. Gauteng is only marginally behind in the number of squatting tenants at 4.58%. When it comes to rental payment performance by rental band, the report states that tenants paying R3 000 or less a month – the lowest rental band – continue to struggle to pay their rent, with a continued deterioration of tenants in good standing. Tenants paying between R7 000 and R12…

Right2Justice and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) have welcomed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande’s decision to place Unisa under administration. Nzimande this week said he had notified Unisa council chairperson James Maboa on August 4 of his intention to appoint an administrator. His decision comes after months of speculation on the future of the university which had been battling issues of maladministration, bullying and supply chain challenges. These were flagged by independent assessor, Professor Themba Mosia, and the Ministerial Task Team, chaired by Dr Vincent Maphai, in their report. In June, the DA called for the institution to be placed under administration following allegations of mismanagement made against Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, the paralysis of the university council, and human resource challenges,…

A KwaZulu-Natal cop accused of killing her policeman husband is expected to apply for bail next week. Nkosinathi Ntinga, stationed at KwaMbonambi police station, was kidnapped from his home in Phetane Reserve on August 1 and murdered. Police provincial spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said Ntinga had reportedly been at home with his wife, also stationed at KwaMbonambi police station, and a police clerk who was visiting the couple, when two gunmen barged in. They stole service pistols and kidnapped Ntinga and the clerk, using the clerk’s vehicle, while the wife was left in the home. Ntinga’s bullet-ridden body was found on the banks of the Msunduzi River. The vehicle was found in a sugar cane field, metres away. The clerk was found lying injured on the road. It is suspected he…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence that has been sparked by the taxi strike in Cape Town. He said violence would not solve the problems facing Cape Town and the taxi industry. The City and the taxi industry have been at loggerheads for almost a week. The taxi strike has seen at least two people killed, buses torched and businesses and schools affected. Ramaphosa, who was addressing Women’s Day celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria yesterday, said they had been forced to move the event from Cape Town. The government was supposed to commemorate Women’s Day in Khayelitsha, but the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announced that the event was moving to Pretoria because of security concerns. Ramaphosa called on the municipality and the South African National…

After threats from France and the Economic Community of West African States ( Ecowas), the military leadership of Mali and Burkina Faso notified the world community that any interference in the internal affairs of Niger would be regarded as a declaration of war on these states as well. A little later, Guinea joined Mali and Burkina Faso, pointing out that economic restrictions on the part of Ecowas were just as unacceptable as military intervention, since they would only lead to a humanitarian crisis that could go beyond the borders of Niger. The demonstration of solidarity between the three republics to the new government of Niger created a claim to legitimise its own independent policy at home without the consent and approval of France, as well as its Western allies, which…

NEDBANK Group, presenting its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, on Tuesday, showed that South African household finances deteriorated significantly in the first half of the year. “Growth in real personal disposable income slowed further, constrained by modest job creation and hurt by persistently high inflation. “Double-digit increases in the prices of essentials and sharply higher interest rates significantly reduced income available for discretionary spending,” it said. Households were under pressure as the South African economy struggled to grow in the face of persistent domestic challenges. In the first quarter, the economy grew by a subdued 0.4% quarter-on-quarter, after having contracted by 1.1% in the final quarter of last year. The increase in the first quarter of 2023 mainly reflected the impact of the previous quarter’s…

The IFP has described the latest talk of a split within the party’s leadership as the work of political forces that seek to gain from the party’s demise. This after rumours surfaced last week of a plot to unseat IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa by some party leaders who seek to position themselves before next year’s elections. The leaders were said to be planning a vote of no confidence against Hlabisa and the rest of the National Executive Committee in what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid. Wins recorded by the IFP in recent by-elections in many parts of the province are said to have emboldened those behind the move as they see themselves occupying positions of Members of Provincial Legislature or even Members of the Executive Council (MECs) after…

IN A country awash with violent crime that daily accounts for 70 murders, some of the views and warnings of so-called experts on how to go about self-defence will surely be welcomed by robbers and criminals (The Mercury, August 8). According to “legal expert” Mpumelelo Zikalala, self-defence is not allowed if you are defending your property. The import of his statement is that you are not allowed to deter a robber from helping himself to your possessions. This is great news for robbers. The initiative of the woman who, in her extreme fear of possible rape or murder, threw boiling water over her intruder as she screamed for help, should be applauded. Instead the report commiserates with the intruder because he died “in agony”. Too bad. Criminals need to be…

AS OUR country celebrates Women’s Day this week, the DA notes the significance of this occasion. Women remain the backbone of our nation, yet they remain a long way from being protected against crime and elevated from poverty. Gender-based violence continues to rise, as does teenage pregnancy, rape and many other social ills. Our country must adopt a practical way of uplifting women, rather than having them dependent on the state. One such example of how this can be done is through the avenue of sports. We are currently witnessing a season of wins from Banyana Banyana and from SA Netball and the DA congratulates these superb sportswomen. We acknowledge that their path to success has not always been easy. Women in sport have to work that much harder…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala says the government will need R1.6 trillion to invest in infrastructure. He said it had not invested in infrastructure projects in the past few years due to various challenges. State-owned entities have been punted to be the ones driving initiatives on infrastructure. Zikalala, who was replying to a parliamentary question from IFP MP Sanele Zondo, said the government would require huge resources to get more infrastructure projects in the pipeline. “South Africa has seen declining fixed capital investment and economic performance over the past decade. Analysis of this widening investment gap to National Development Plan targeted growth levels, shows that an additional R1.6 trillion investment is required by 2030, over and above that forecast for current public sector entities.” |…

Two suspects were killed in a shoot-out with police in the Amatikwe area in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal police said. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that on Monday night, four police officers were on duty doing routine patrols in a marked police vehicle along Mafukuzela Highway when they spotted a vehicle with no rear registration plate. “Police officers instructed the vehicle to pull over but the driver defied police’s orders and drove off,” he said. Netshiunda said the police officers gave chase in their vehicle. “And before they knew it, they found themselves under gunfire coming from the occupants of the vehicle. “The tactically-ready police officers returned fire and the driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed,” Netshiunda said. The driver and one passenger got out of the…

AN investigation has been launched into the cause of a bus crash that led to the deaths of six pupils in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday. The pupils from Mchitheki High School in Nongoma were on an educational tour to Durban when the bus driver allegedly lost control on a bend and the vehicle crashed on the R618, near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve. KZN Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka said that he had called on relevant law-enforcement agencies to speed up the investigation into the possible cause of the crash. “Preliminary reports have revealed that the bus ferrying schoolchildren from Mchitheki High School overturned on the R618, near the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve. The driver is believed to have lost control of the bus when he failed to negotiate…

China, South Africa join hands As developing countries with significant influence in the world, China and South Africa share a special bond of “comradeship plus brotherhood”. Our friendship was forged during the fight against imperialism, colonialism and racism, and has deepened in the process of win-win cooperation and common development. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa. Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership, and have become a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. In recent years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, our comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to move forward with higher quality, in a wider range and at a…

THE Port Natal Champion of Champions tournament, held over the past weekend, proved to be a gripping and exhilarating event; showcasing the talents of the district's club singles champions. As each club's finest took to the greens, spectators were treated to a series of intense battles for the coveted title of ultimate singles champion. In the women's division, the spotlight shone on Susan Nel, Amanzimtoti BC’s women's singles champion. Demonstrating her international experience and precision, Nel earnied her a place in the semi-finals against Debra Joseph, from Hillary BC. With a comfortable margin Nel secured her spot in the final, where she faced the formidable Sarie Bissett, representing Bluff BC. The final match between Nel and Bissett was a mammoth battle, with the two competitors fiercely vying for the championship…

THE audit committee of eThekwini Municipality has urged the metro to urgently resolve the dispute with Durban ratepayer organisations that are withholding rates payments or risk a financial crisis. The chairperson of the audit committee, Siboniso Shabalala, issued the warning as he briefed the City’s Executive Committee regarding the latest audit committee report on Tuesday. The warning comes as the Westville Ratepayers’ Association (WRA) revealed that R400 000, meant to be paid for rates and services to the municipality, has been diverted to a trust account as part of the rates boycott by irate residents. Shabalala described the situation with ratepayers as concerning. “We are aware of the situation with the ratepayers, and we are calling on the municipality to quickly resolve the issue, or it could have serious financial…

I’M IN recovery mode from becoming an automobile-induced nervous wreck. My dashing VW Chico, which I have had about three-and-a-half years easily outpacing Maseratis and things, suddenly started behaving in a strange way. She would suddenly start honking her horn for no good reason, stationary or in motion. Very embarrassing. It seemed some sort of burglar alarm had been reactivated for no apparent reason. Also, a strange “shika-shika-shika” sound from the engine would come and go. I consulted a workshop. The unwanted cacophony of hooting was from a previously dormant alarm system, that would have to be silenced by an electrical engineer. So would the “shika-shika-shika”, which was caused by some kind of fault with the self-starter motor, which was illegally re-engaging with the engine. Okay, but there was lots…

AH WELL, it was a bit too far for Banyana Banyana. The Dutch were too strong for them. After beating Italy, they ran out of steam against the favourites. We must remember Banyana faced a team who were runners-up in the 2019 World Cup. So it was going to be tough. But they can still hold their heads up high. They did not crumble against the Dutch, but lost 2-0. Significantly all four African countries which qualified for the Fifa Women’s World Cup have been eliminated before the quarter final stage. First to go was Zambia, who couldn’t progress from the group gate when they finished third in the table. Then Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco faced their old colonial masters. Nigeria fought bravely against England to a goalless draw…

IT IS quite clear from incidents of property owners and civil society in general that people are now tired of being victims of crime. Fortunately, our laws in this country are clear when in comes to defending ones life, the life of others and protecting property. It must be said that when under attack by armed perpetrators it is traumatic and sometimes the punishment does not fit the crime when fear sets in. It must also be rationalised that a criminal might enter your home to commit a robbery, however, if given the opportunity to attack or if found in a situation of being captured the flight or fight response will be triggered. The attitude of fighting criminals is now coming to the fore. The risk we face in some…

The 12 accused in the Thabo Bester escape case appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The group appeared in relation to the escape of convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester. Bester was sentenced to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to murder and rape charges. In May 2022, the Department of Correctional Services reported that Bester died in his cell. However it was later found that he had faked his death and that the body found in his cell was that of Katlego Bereng. Bester and his co-accused, his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana; Zimbabwean national, Zanda Moyo; former G4S prison warder Senohe Matsoara; Magudumana’s father Zolile Cornelius Sekeleni; former Integritron Integrated Solutions camera technician Teboho Lipholo; suspended G4S employee Tieho Frans Makhotsa; former G4S guard Buti Masukela and…

WITH fears that prime land under their control could fall into the hands of other municipalities, eThekwini Municipality councillors are gearing up for a fight and have called on the Metro to provide residents with critical information to ensure they are well-versed on the impact of the proposed changes. The councillors called for the City to use all its public participation infrastructure to ensure that by the time public hearings are held residents would have been briefed on the proposals that are before the Demarcation Board. ANC councillor Nkosenhle Madlala called on the municipality to dominate the public information space. The City previously publicly stated it was against some of the proposals. The proposals before the board include key economic zones, such as King Shaka International Airport and parts of…

Recent judgments have vindicated the Sekunjalo Group, confirming that the company has not engaged in any wrongdoing. Despite facing various inquiries and hearings, including at the Mpati Commission, Western Cape High Court, Equality Court, and Competition Tribunal, none of these entities found any evidence of corrupt behaviour by Sekunjalo. However, the recent ruling by the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) is surprising, as it was based on procedural technicality. The CAC claims that the banks will suffer reputational risk by providing banking services to companies associated with the Sekunjalo Group, including Independent Media. This decision overlooks the fact that without banking services, the Sekunjalo Group of companies would suffer irreparable harm, and Independent Media’s reputation would also be damaged. The fairness of the rule of law comes into question. This is…