Indholdsfortegnelse for 2023-08-17 i Mercury

RUSSIA and South Africa were discus- sing joint projects in the energy sector, including the construction of a gas power plant and supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) for new generating capacities, the Russian Energy Ministry said in a statement yesterday. Bilateral co-operation was discussed by Russian Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov and South African ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka shortly before a BRICS ministerial meeting on energy, to be held in Johannesburg on August 18. “Our countries are interested in developing mutually beneficial co-operation in the energy sector. Today, we are working out with our SApartners the possibility of building a gas power plant. We are already discussing the supply of equipment, the possibility of organising the supply of Russian LNG for effective operation of new generating…

A meagre 0.3% decrease in the unemployment rate is not enough to rescue South Africa from the doldrums of state grants and rising food prices. Whereas Stats SA indicates that 48 000 more KwaZulu-Natal people found jobs in the quarter ending June – long-term threats to our province’s economy remain unresolved. The DA has for years advocated for KZN’s ANC-run provincial government to literally put concrete action in place to bolster the economy and create jobs. A basic step would include getting to grips with the “construction mafia”, who disrupt established public sector and private developments. Fixing roads, creating sustainable rural economic hubs and even supplying water to areas can all unlock growth. Notably, the construction industry accounted for the large majority of job creation – the very sources of…

Azad Essa was appointed by Al-Jazeera media to cover the story of Marikana during 2012. In 2017, he insisted that I accompany him to the site of that terribly horrific massacre to check if there had been any improvement in the lot of the platinum mineworkers. It was horrific to witness the squalid conditions that even registered, full-time workers at the mine still had to endure. Shacks of the lowest quality, no electricity and crowded conditions were the order of that depressing day. The mound or koppie, on which the gun-driven shooting of protesting miners occurred, stood silently like an immortal sentinel. A witness of police brutality acting under instructions. It was basically all about a minimum wage. Thirty-four workers were mowed down. After dragging their heels for more…

Women continue to bear the brunt of South Africa’s disturbingly high unemployment statistics with an official unemployment rate of 35.7%, compared with men’s 30%. They also get the short end of the stick when it comes to pension contributions, paid leave, paid sick leave and UIF contributions. While the country’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.3% in Q2 2022, the rate among women increased by 0.3%, according to Statistics SA’s quarterly labour force survey for Q2 2023. Of the approximately 11 million women of working age in the country, only seven million are employed. Women remain the most financially vulnerable demographic, with research showing that even when they have access to a stable, guaranteed monthly income, they worry about covering their household expenses. Denise Neethling, marketing manager at earned wage access…

THE DA is taking the Msunduzi Municipality to task over its decision to sponsor the Royal AM Football Club. The party has sent a legal letter to the City warning it to cease and desist with the sponsorship deal said to be worth R27 million over a three-year period. Msunduzi took the decision to sponsor Royal AM, which is owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize and her son Andile Mpisane, after it terminated its agreement with Maritzburg United. United were relegated last season and the municipality said it had sought a deal with another Premier Soccer League team to ensure that top-flight football was played in the provincial capital. Even the sponsorship deal with the local Maritzburg United had faced opposition as some argued that the City had other pressing priorities…

accounts of certain individuals and entities, the FSCA refused to comment. “The FSCA is unable to comment further at this point due to this being the subject of various litigation processes. You may also engage the Banking Association South Africa (Basa) directly for their response to your questions,” read the FSCA media response. Basa did not respond to questions sent on Tuesday. South Africa’s leading banks have come increasingly under the spotlight for arbitrarily closing or threatening to close bank accounts as is the case with Independent Media, based on unproven reputational risk. Standard Bank is keeping open 30 of the Sekunjalo Group of companies accounts, including Independent Media’s, following a Constitutional Court challenge by the group. This comes after the Competition Appeal Court found no evidence that the banks…

In order to further promote economic development and to counter low levels of intra-Africa trade, Africa adopted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA ) in Kigali on March 21, 2018. The World Bank recently described the AfCFTA as a “game-changer” that would create a single, continent-wide market that unites 54 countries with a combined population of 1.3 billion and gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion (R65 trillion). As of February 2023, 46 of the 54 signatory countries in Africa (85.2%) have deposited their instruments of AfCFTA ratification. The AfCFTA represents a comprehensive plan that seeks to create a single, liberalised market for goods, services and labour. It would reduce barriers to trade and investment and boost competition, raising the attractiveness of Africa for regional value chains and to…

Russian drone strikes damaged grain silos and warehouses at the Ukrainian river port of Reni on the Danube, a vital wartime route for Ukrainian food exports, senior officials said yesterday. Russian strikes on port infrastructure on the Danube in recent weeks have piled pressure on Ukrainian food exports after Moscow quit a year-old deal that had allowed Kyiv to ship out grain via the Black Sea. “Russian terrorists attacked Odesa region twice last night with attack drones,” regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. “The main target is port and grain infrastructure in the south of the region.” Photos released by the governor showed the destroyed metal walls of storage facilities and piles of scattered grain and sunflowers. The strike targeted the port of Reni, the Ukrainian president’s chief of…

Orlando Pirates produced a flimsy performance against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday night as they warmed up for their CAF Champions League opener this weekend. Despite dominating, Pirates had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate. Bandile Shandu opened the scoring for the visitors in Gqeberha during the first half but Chippa managed an equaliser through Goodman Mosele just past the hour mark, and both sides spurned scoring chances later in the match. The Chilli Boys showed loads of commitment throughout and kept their challenge alive with counter-attacks which Pirates battled to contain. The Buccaneers were handed five yellow cards and led the foul count 16-13, and these statistics point to the team’s exasperating outing against an average opposition. Pirates…

The past weekend showcased a dominant display of skill and determination as Port Natal District teams triumphed in the KZN pairs competitions; held at various Natal Inland Bowling Association clubs. With 10 women's teams from PNB clubs and an impressive 34 local men's teams participating, the stage was set for intense battles. The Women's tournament showcased 36 teams, divided into six sections for sectional play. Three Port Natal teams emerged victorious in their respective sections, earning spots in the play-offs. The road to victory was not without its challenges. Hillcrest BC's duo, Michelle Gerber and Brenda van Niekerk, faced a formidable challenge against the newly capped Protea Fran Baleri and her partner Desairee Maartens from Klipbank Bowling Club. Despite a valiant effort, Gerber and Van Niekerk missed a semi-final…

The ANC says the party wants to rekindle its relationship with members of the Indian and coloured communities. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, top officials and national executive committee deployees visited the Zulu king on Tuesday and met party structures in Durban yesterday. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC was the only organisation that had support in all communities nationally. She said the disconnect with minority communities was troubling to the governing party. “We are looking to rekindle our relationships with the Indian and coloured community that come from a progressive and historical tradition.” Bhengu-Motsiri said this statement would be viewed in light of the looming elections, but every party canvassing for votes would look at different constituencies. “The issue that is being flagged is the need for the ANC…

“I just want to be happy.” I hear it over and over again – usually with a little whine in the tone. It’s often whimpered as if happiness is some sort of award or a condition that may descend upon a person who is in the right place at the right time. Truth is, you have more of a chance of being struck by lightning than you have of being struck by happiness. Happiness has no victims. It’s a by-product. It grows out of purposeful living. Happiness remains out of control – even to the rich and powerful. You may have noticed its penchant for playing hide and seek with the rich and powerful. It’s yours when you fight and win the good fight over trying to be happy. It’s…

It was an amusing sight. Instead of the taxis giving the passengers a lift, they were given piggy-back rides on the tow trucks. But it wasn’t a pleasure trip around the city, but a ride to the police compound to be chained and locked till the owners settled the charges with the city police. Many would have said, “Serves them right.” For too long, the taxis have been a law unto themselves, flouting the rules of the road with impunity. Motorists all over the country know what a terrible nuisance and a danger taxis pose on the roads. The authorities have done little to regulate the powerful taxi cartel and make it comply with the rules of the road, like the rest of the motorists. Whenever the authorities tried to…

A business acquaintance has just been scammed by official-looking individuals, posing as representatives of the Labour Department. The individuals insisted that she purchase and display the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act and Tobacco Products Control Act or face a hefty fine and possible imprisonment. R1 850 later, it dawned on her that she had been scammed by the intimidating, professional thugs who took her cash and disappeared into thin air. The invoice and receipt were false, the cell numbers non-existent. Never allow yourself to be intimidated by the opportunist trash who walk the streets, seeking out small business owners. Rather call the Labour Department and confirm the bona fides of these people.…

A UN EXPERT in toxins and human rights has called on South Africa to intensify its efforts to tackle what he has termed “environmental racism” after an official visit to South Africa recently. The UN Special Rapporteur Marcos Orellana described some of what he saw and heard about the impact of extractives and pesticides during his visit as “a landscape scarred by abandoned mines and tailing dumps and acid mine drainage”. Orellana said the legacy of pervasive air, water and chemical pollution continued to disproportionately impact on marginalised and poor communities in South Africa. “South Africa must redouble its efforts to tackle the crude legacy of pre-1994 environmental racism, including the abhorrent practice of intentionally situating landfills and polluting industries along racial lines and in low-income and migrant communities,” he…

STAFF members working as security personnel and cleaners in the eThekwini Municipality will now be in-sourced by the metro. ActionSA put forward the motion for the staff to be insourced and it was approved during the council meeting on Tuesday. Their motion initially only spoke on security guards but was amended to include cleaners. The party said by insourcing the staff, it would end the exploitation they endured at the hands of labour brokers. It was not immediately clear how many staff members were affected and the related cost implications. ActionSA chairperson and councillor Zwakele Mncwango said they welcomed the victory of the motion they had tabled to the speaker, Thabani Nyawose. He thanked the ANC, IFP, EFF and other opposition parties yesterday for “doing the right thing” in supporting…

Its presidency sees it well placed to maintain core interests of developing world India assumes the G20 presidency at a challenging period in modern human history. Not since the end of the Cold War has the world been so fractured and polarised as a result of several simultaneous challenges. Thomas Friedman has described the current era as the “Age of Acceleration”. Several global issues are cascading on the human psyche, all at the same time, creating a dilemma on how to effectively address these challenges simultaneously. These include the advent of new technologies, climate change, biodiversity loss as well as globalisation. More recently, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have collectively contributed to a devastating impact on the global community. All of the above…

BERLIN: Germany’s cabinet passed a contentious bill yesterday to legalise recreational marijuana use and cultivation, potentially giving further momentum to a worldwide trend to liberalise cannabis laws. The legislation, which still has to pass through parliament, would allow adults to possess up to 25g of the drug, grow a maximum of three plants, or acquire weed at cannabis clubs. The centre-left government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes the law will curb the black market, protect consumers against contaminated marijuana and lessen the workload for the justice system. However, opposition policymakers warn that it will foment marijuana use and create even more work for authorities. | Reuters…

Gun battles between two leading armed groups in the Libyan capital Tripoli have killed 27 people and wounded 106, a toll update from the Emergency Medicine Centre said. The centre published the “provisional” toll on its Facebook page overnight. The clashes between the 444 Brigade and the Al-Radaa, two of the militias that have vied for power since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, erupted on Monday night and raged through Tuesday. The clashes were triggered by the detention of the head of the 444 Brigade, Colonel Mahmud Hamza, by Al-Radaa on Monday. Late on Tuesday, the social council in the suburb of Soug el-Joumaa announced that an agreement had been reached for Colonel Hamza to be handed over to a “neutral party”. | AFP…

If ministers saw to it that competent staff were appointed in their departments and ministries, and not cadres with no knowledge of their work, they would not speak the nonsense Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi does. She makes wild and ignorant statements that people are prevented from living out their cultural practices, such as slaughtering goats. Estate agents are believed to be deliberately excluded from selling and the charges imposed by the schemes are not regulated. Wrong! The minister clearly does not know what she is talking about. Neither do her officials who advise her. She and they are apparently not aware of the laws, such as the Sectional Title Act of 1986 and the Sectional Title Management Act of 2011 which contain strict provisions on the finances of such schemes.…

CONCERN over the exclusion of the public’s comments on the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill led to MPs staging a walkout this week, forcing deliberations in Parliament to abruptly adjourn. The meeting was scheduled to consider and adopt the draft report on the public hearings concerning the bill. DA members Baxolile Nodada and Marina van Zyl, along with ACDP MP Marie Sukers, staged the walkout before the deliberations could begin. Van Zyl said they had raised “very specific” questions regarding discrepancies in the numeric reporting, which showed numbers that were inconsistent in the report. “The number of submissions received during the public hearings are only 4 733, which, according to point 9, are only the written submissions. “The report further states that of the 26 593 public views,…

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) says its forensic auditors are continuing to audit companies in the province to ensure that the correct amounts of Covid-19 Ters monies were paid over to workers. The UIF held a briefing in Durban yesterday to outline the payments it had made in respect of the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (Ters) and other benefits. The UIF said from March 2020 to date, it had paid out R9.3 billion in Ters payments to 774 370 workers in KZN. In addition, R2.4bn was disbursed to 272 889 workers and their beneficiaries as normal benefits, including unemployment, maternity, illness and death, in the 2022/23 financial year. Also a sum of R17.7 million was paid to 5 571 workers in the province through the Workers Affected By Unrest (Wabu)…

CHILD rapist and porn ringleader Gerhard Ackerman’s 12 life terms accompanied by Judge Mohamed Ismail’s fitting description of him sends an encouraging message that the country’s courts have had enough of violence against women and children. They go a long way in restoring faith and trust in our justice system, which at times has been criticised for favouring the perpetrators rather than the victims of violence. Ackerman, arguably one of the most notorious sex offenders in South Africa’s history, was convicted on 700 counts of rape, child pornography and human trafficking – much to the relief of his young victims and the child rights activists following this case. The pain of his crimes will take his victims and families years to heal from, something that obviously has not fully struck…

Sydney: A man in Australia who sent his faeces and urine to Hollywood actors Leonardo Di Caprio and Jared Leto was sentenced yesterday to a two-year good-behaviour bond. Veronica Grey sent parcels from post offices around the state of Western Australia in February, a court in the town of Broome heard, and was found out after one of the packages ruptured and leaked onto a postal worker. Public broadcaster ABC said Grey, who identifies as male, had placed his faeces and urine inside 23 postal satchels, sent to the recipients as “valentine confectionary (sic)”. The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to five charges of using a postal service to menace, harass or cause offence, the court said. | AFP…

As Iranian seizures threaten oil tankers plying the Gulf, the US is raising its military presence – a move long demanded by Gulf Arab states who accused Washington of retreating from the region. Three thousand additional US personnel on troop-landing warships have already passed through the Red Sea, and US-led maritime forces are warning ships against approaching Iranian waters. The moves follow a spate of capture and attempted capture of ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the U-shaped gateway to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea that carries a fifth of world oil output. “There is a heightened threat, a heightened risk to regional mariners in terms of seizures” by Iran in the strait, said Commander Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. “Right now,…