Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-02-23 i Mercury

In FREEZING Antarctic waters, amid bobbing chunks of floating ice, the hums, pitches and echoes of life in the deep are helping scientists understand the behavior and movements of marine mammals. “There are species which make impressive sounds, literally like Star Wars, they sound like spaceships,” said Colombian scientist Andrea Bonilla, who is carrying out research with underwater microphones off Antarctica’s coast. The biologist from Cornell University in New York submerges a hydrophone covered in titanium and attached to a buoy into the frigid water. The research also gives scientists data on how human activity and environmental pollution affect sea life in one of the best conserved parts of the planet. Bonilla describes the first time she heard whale song underwater as having “changed her life”. Whale communication has also…

WATER is life, and the provision of quality water that meets the required standards is important for a healthy society. After all, access to water is a human right, therefore people must be reliably provided with clean and healthy water in a sustainable manner. In order to ensure the provision of safe and quality water to communities, it is important to have the right, effective and efficient infrastructure. This, then, calls for the water supply infrastructure to be always in good condition to deliver quality services, which in this case is clean, quality water. To effectively supply sustainable quality water to communities requires proper operations and maintenance of water supply and delivery infrastructure. Proper operations and maintenance are critical to ensure that the water supply operations run smoothly from the…

HEY, it’s back to Six Nations rugby tomorrow and the damsels of the Club With No Name are already strumming at their knickers in anticipation. They’ve become accustomed to switching their allegiance between the Sharks, when they’re playing, and the Boks, when they’re playing. And now will they choose one of the Six Nations when it’s their turn to play? The Poms, the Scotties, the Paddies, the Welsh, the French and the Italians. So much rugby! Tomorrow it’s Ireland versus Wales in Dublin, where the Guinness will be flowing, to be sure, to be sure. I think my money would be on the Paddies. Then at Murrayfield, that splendid venue in Edinburgh, it’s England versus Scotland, an ancient enmity where anything could happen. Then on Sunday it’s France versus…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress to discuss relations between Pretoria and Washington. The visit by the US Congress delegation comes after two lawmakers tabled a bill calling for the review of relations between the two countries over South Africa’s foreign policy. South Africa had taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, calling for it to stop its attacks on Gaza. Ramaphosa received a bipartisan delegation at Tuynhuys in Cape Town. They discussed various issues, including the expansion of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), peace and security in Africa and the Middle East conflict. “The engagement also covered South Africa’s economic opportunities with a focus on the expansion of trade and investment ties,” the presidency said. “The African Growth and…

The bodies of two SANDF members killed by a mortar bomb explosion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived in Pretoria this week. The remains of Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono were returned during a handover ceremony involving their uniformed colleagues at Air Force Base Waterkloof, Pretoria, yesterday. Following a short prayer service, their flag-draped caskets were carried to vehicles on standby while military staff saluted the short procession. The pair lost their lives as a result of a mortar bomb blast at the South African military base in the DRC on February 14. They were attached to 1 South African Infantry Battalion, and deployed with 2 South African Infantry Battalion when they were killed. The South African contingent is part of an SADC…

Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Nontembeko Boyce, said that the opening of the legislature next week will also be used to celebrate the country’s thirty years of democracy. Boyce, addressing the media on the state of readiness for the event, said Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini would address the house on Tuesday and Premier Nomusa-Dube Ncube would deliver the State of the Province Address on Wednesday. Both events will be held at the Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg at a cost of R3.2 million. Boyce said the legislature precinct had space constraints and the chamber could hold 120 people, while the cricket stadium could accommodate the 2 500 attendees expected on both days. “His Majesty King Misuzulu has confirmed that he will address the House. We recognise that the guidance and…

CHIEF Justice Raymond Zondo and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola may have committed a gross disservice to South Africans in appointing retired Justice Zak Yacoob to look at appeals in the Constitutional Court. The appointment smacks of irregularity, no matter how one looks at it. Be it from a political alignment point of view or a judicial decorum point of view, it spells “irregular”. The Code of Judicial Conduct states, among others, that a judge must not become involved in any political controversy or activity unless it is necessary for the discharge of judicial office, or use or lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others. Justice Yacoob’s history of controversial incidents, including verbal altercations and alleged attempts to influence legal proceedings,…

Israel launched deadly air strikes on Rafah yesterday, after threatening to send troops in to hunt for Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city where around 1.4 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Major powers trying to find a way to end the destructive Israel-Hamas war have so far failed, but a US envoy was in Israel yesterday in the latest attempt to secure a truce deal. International concern has spiralled over Gaza’s escalating civilian death toll and the desperate humanitarian crisis sparked by the war that followed Hamas’s October 7 attack against Israel. The war has also triggered mounting violence in the occupied West Bank, where three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on cars in a traffic jam yesterday, killing one person and wounding eight, including a pregnant woman. The attackers…

Hundreds of Kenyans paid their respects yesterday as the body of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who dreamed of breaking the race’s storied two-hour barrier, was driven to his home village for burial. Kiptum, 24, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed earlier this month when the runner lost control of the vehicle he was driving in the Rift Valley and crashed into a tree. The pathologist’s report said he died of head injuries. Singing hymns and holding hands, mourners accompanied the convoy carrying Kiptum’s flower-lined casket as it departed a morgue in Eldoret. The casket was opened for a viewing in the local county capital on its way to Chepsamo village. Kiptum’s father was with the late runner’s 7-year-old son, while women’s 1 500m world record holder Faith…

JAKARTA: Indonesia has been struck by a tornado of a scale previously unrecorded in the country that slightly injured at least 33 people and damaged buildings, government officials said. After the violent wind swept the town of Sumedang in West Java province on Wednesday, a climatologist at government research body BRIN, Erma Yulihastin, said the agency would “reconstruct and investigate the tornado”. In a post on X, she said it was similar to the violent winds that often occur in the northern hemisphere. Until now, only smaller tornadoes, known as “angin puting beliung” have been recorded in Indonesia. | Reuters…

CAPE CANAVERAL: A Houston-based company was set yesterday to land America’s first spaceship on the moon in more than 50 years, part of a new fleet of Nasa-funded, uncrewed, commercial robots meant to pave the way for astronaut missions this decade. Intuitive Machines will guide its lander Odysseus, orbiting at about 92km from the surface, to a gentle touchdown near the lunar south pole. As the vehicle approaches the surface, Odysseus will shoot out an external “EagleCam” that captures images of the lander in descent. Its destination, Malapert A, is an impact crater 300km from the lunar south pole. Nasa hopes to eventually harvest ice there for both drinking water and rocket fuel. | AFP…

With Kaizer Chiefs having endured tough times in recent seasons, interim coach Cavin Johnson is eager to bring back the smile of supporters by winning the Nedbank Cup. Chiefs endured a topsy-turvy first half of the season. They missed out on both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup, while they battled in the DStv Premiership too. That was a poor return on investment for the Amakhosi as they had hired a new coach in Molefi Ntseki, and signed a host of players to end an eight-season-long barren run. Chiefs had already restructured the technical team prior to the Africa Cup of Nations-enforced break, sacking Ntseki and replacing him with Johnson on an interim basis. The 65-year-old mentor seems to have brought a breath of fresh air to the team as…

Summer has definitely flexed its muscles these past few days. There have been game fish, flatfish and plenty of sunshine! Remember when rigging a circle hook that it can only work properly if it is allowed to do so. There are two important aspects that we need to consider. The first is that they need to be snelled onto the trace. This allows the line to exit on the hook point side on the eye, which enables the circle to turn better when setting. The other important consideration is to make sure the gape of the hook is not blocked by the bait. This was originally pioneered by the big game fishermen when they bridled their baits for marlin. Much the same applies. Make sure your bait does not obstruct…

On the face of it, Mamelodi Sundowns should secure their spot in the CAF Champions League knockout stage with victory over Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou tomorrow (6pm kick-off, SA time). The African Football League (AFL) champions made easy work of the Mauritanians in matchday one of the group stages when they sauntered to a 3-0 victory at Loftus Versfeld back in November. And with Nouadhibou seemingly the group’s whipping boys as they prop up the table, it makes sense to see a Sundowns win as the logical result. But sport can be fickle at the top, and so Rulani Mokwena and his team would do well not to take anything for granted, lest they slip on the potential banana skin that is their opponents tomorrow. Though they have been poor on…

Student Representative Councils (SRC) and political parties have raised fears about the delays in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payments, saying this may see some students missing the deadline for registration or unable to attend classes at higher education institutions. Durban University of Technology (DUT) students protested at Durban campuses on Wednesday over NSFAS allowances not being paid, accommodation issues and the looming closure of the registration process. On Monday, University of KwaZulu- Natal students protested at the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses, calling for the suspension of classes while challenges related to NSFAS allowances and registration are being resolved. The EFF Student Command at both universities had told The Mercury that the failure of NSFAS to pay allowances was impacting on several students. Buhle Mtshali, spokesperson for the…

IN A special report published earlier this week, it was revealed that the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has failed for nearly two years to appoint a Hawks watchdog. In terms of the SAPS Act, the minister must appoint a retired judge to lead the oversight of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. The Office of the DPCI judge is integral to the proper functioning of the Hawks. It stands as a first line of defence against malign external influences and political interference with the Hawks’ crucial mandate to investigate national priority offences and allegations of corruption. The special report revealed that Cele has frustrated the independent body at every turn, from refusing to properly finance and staff the Office of the DPCI judge,…

The state of Israel is the only Jewish nation in the modern period. The region that falls within its borders has a lengthy and rich history that dates from pre-biblical times (Britannica). Dear Mr President, Why indeed? Why not Sudan, Russia, Myanmar or scores of others? Do you also have their flags in your cupboard, which you can pull out for a good sound byte? Did you march against them, too? Of course, the obvious answer is in the clue above. But we know you’re not a racist. That’s the purview of white monopoly capitalists. So, really, why? It’s all about the money. Selling yourself to the highest bidder. Jews are fair game. After all, you can’t be accused of racism and hatred when it…

Greet all people with a smile, even if you’re faking it. It’s not insincerity; it’s being polite. It’s refusing to infect others with your inner discontent. Get rid of your discontent in private. Be as clear as possible with plans. This reduces possible hurdles and misunderstandings. Most people like straightforwardness and honesty more than they like complexities that are avoidable. Clarity now usually means fewer confusions later. Talk less. Listen more. Ask questions that assist others to talk more. Promote the dreams and desires of others. Move away from shifting every conversation to focus on you and your interests. Other people are interesting. Do simple things to lessen the load of others. Open doors, stand back, pick up after yourself, and say “please” and “thank you” a lot. Assume a…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has revealed that in spite of the many challenges, the government is serious and committed to implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan. President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to sign the NHI policy into law following its recent adoption by the National Assembly. Many civil society organisations and trade unions within the sector have been urging the president to sign it into law and bring a new health framework into the sector. During his Budget speech on Wednesday, the minister resolved to make the NHI a reality after he tabled his Budget allocation for the country’s ailing health sector which has been plagued by the unemployment of young doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Before Godongwana’s Budget speech, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa)…

A senior Nedbank employee who attempted to blame a “419 dating scam” for duping her into defrauding the bank of R5.2 million, has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Cape Town Regional Court. The court made the decision on the basis of evidence that between May and November 2015, Darlene Harrison, 49, an administrator at Nedbank’s Operations Centre and Investments Management, fraudulently released funds from investment accounts to external third-party bank accounts of people or beneficiaries who did not hold investment savings accounts with the bank. They were real-time transactions and payable immediately. Harrison’s exploits were discovered after a senior member requested to review two consecutive transactions she had processed, to the tune of R1.2m each on November 2, 2015, a move which ultimately raised the suspicion…

Private rail operator Traxtion Africa yesterday gave the thumbs up to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s plans to address South Africa’s increasingly unreliable logistics system, saying that private investment into the rail network would stimulate development. In his Budget speech on Wednesday, Godongwana highlighted the Freight Logistics Roadmap, which outlines immediate steps needed to improve port equipment, locomotive availability and network security. Godongwana said the roadmap would facilitate the introduction of competition and leverage the financial and technical support of the private sector. In this regard, Godongwana said third-party access to the freight rail network would be introduced by May 2024 to mitigate the logistics challenges emanating from Transnet’s operational failures. Traxtion CEO James Holley yesterday said they were expecting that the industry would announce the first investment into private freight…

Even if it means recycling worn-out promises, the party will not go down without a fight EVEN in a budget that sought to rehabilitate the ANC in the eyes of citizens, the party could not resist making the rich, politically connected elite richer while appeasing the poor with the patronage of social spending. Something worn out, something fresh. Something borrowed and something for appeasing first-time and disgruntled voters deserting the ANC en mass. Like a penitent spouse trying to renew some decidedly tattered wedding vows, this week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered a Budget dressed up as a plea for forgiveness and a cushioned launching pad for the ANC election manifesto. The government is desperate to present itself at the electoral altar on May 29, and on the 30th anniversary…

Poland’s prime minister said yesterday that the Polish and Ukrainian governments would meet in Warsaw on March 28, but did not accept a request by Ukraine’s president for urgent talks on border blockades by Polish farmers. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Wednesday for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Polish President Andrzej Duda and EU officials to come to the Ukrainian-Polish border to discuss the protests by farmers angered by what they say is unfair competition from Ukraine. Zelenskiy made it clear he wanted talks before tomorrow’s second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “I have agreed with the prime minister of Ukraine for a meeting between the two governments, which will take place in Warsaw on March 28, and I hope that by then technical talks will lead to a…

ChatGPT spewed nonsensical answers to users’ queries for hours on Tuesday into Wednesday before eventually returning to its senses. OpenAI, which makes the world-leading generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, said a software tweak had “introduced a bug with how the model processes language. We rolled out a fix and confirmed that the incident was resolved,” it added. ChatGPT was giving “peculiar” responses, generating non-existent words, incomplete sentences and general gobbledygook, developers using the tool said in a discussion forum on the OpenAI website. It wasn’t until more than 16 hours had passed that OpenAI updated the page with a message that ChatGPT was operating normally. OpenAI recently concluded a deal with investors that valued the start-up at $80 billion (about R1.5 trillion) or more. | AFP…

SEOUL: Emergency departments at all but one of South Korea’s biggest hospitals were on alert yesterday as trainee doctors vowed to stay off the job in protest at government plans to increase medical school admissions to boost the healthcare sector. The protests by almost two-thirds of the country’s young doctors, which began this week, has forced hospitals to turn away patients and cancel procedures. So far, more than 8 400 doctors have joined the walkout, the health ministry said. The government has threatened to arrest the doctors leading the walkout. Some doctors say the increase in admissions would compromise the quality of medical education. | Reuters…

DUBAI: Hundreds of buyers queued overnight outside a Dubai-based developer’s office for a chance to snap up luxury waterfront homes, the latest sign of a frenzy gripping one of the world’s hottest property markets. Government-backed Nakheel PJSC sold all houses on offer in the first two phases at the Bay Villas development within hours. The project on Dubai Islands will feature more than 500 homes, with prices starting at $1.2 million (about R23m) apiece. The most expensive properties will cost upward of $4m. Nakheel, the developer of Dubai’s artificial palm-shaped islands, last year launched a project that saw buyers queue up in 38°C heat for $5m homes. | The Washington Post…

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula played down the role of the party's deployment committee, saying it did not “micromanage” ministers or party president Cyril Ramaphosa. The committee’s role in deploying people to state-owned enterprises and other state entities has come into sharp focus in recent weeks when, after a lengthy court battle, the Constitutional Court ordered the ANC to hand over its deployment records, from 2013 onwards to the DA on Monday. Both the ANC and the DA made the documents publicly available on Tuesday. The Zondo Commission that investigated state capture found that documents submitted by the ANC regarding the deployment committee “make it clear that while ministers make recommendations to the deployment committee and seek permission to appoint their chosen candidates, it is the committee that will approve the…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has, in accordance with the Constitution, determined May 29 as the date for the national elections. On that day, millions of South Africans will head to the polling stations. With Indians making up just over 2.8% of the total population, it is time for us to vote wisely. With our economy spiralling downwards towards crisis and with unemployment rising, the battle to end corruption is a pipe dream. With most of the municipalities in failed status, we have a major problem. It’s cancer and South Africa is terminally ill. Given the collapse of service delivery, many eligible voters are asking whether it would be worth their while to place their crosses next to parties and candidates. Our hope is that if a new party is elected, hopefully…

Al Kuwait, the ship of horrors, docked in Cape Town. The ship reflects man’s inhumanity towards animals, who have no choice, other than to be processed in abattoirs, to feed millions of human beings in the Middle East. The appalling conditions on the ship begs the question about what kind of people own and manage such ships where excruciating pain and suffering imposed on the helpless animals is deemed to be okay. It is not okay. It can never be okay. Meat-eaters should take the time to consider that the steak on their plate was once a living being who deserved a better end to their miserable lives. For those of us who find the entire practice of slaughter, disgusting, becoming a vegetarian is such an easy option.…

A 54-year-old KwaZulu-Natal man pleaded guilty to killing his mother and sister, saying he believed they had “bewitched him”. Elias Delisani Mkhize pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week. He was represented by attorney Mzothando Tengwa. Mkhize pleaded guilty to shooting his mother Mathithi Mkhize and sister Celiwe Mkhize on December 20 last year in the Luzizi area, Mid-Illovo in the district of uMgungundlovu. He also admitted to decapitating both women. In a guilty plea before Judge Phumelele Shoba, Mkhize said he had seen his mother and sister leaving his home in the early hours of the morning of the murder, wearing black clothes. “I admit that I suspected that they were at my place to bewitch me and I took my unlicensed firearm and followed them,” he…

TWO Enyobeni tavern owners were found guilty of selling alcohol to teenagers at a fatal pens down party in June 2022. Nine girls and 12 boys, aged 13 to 17, died and four individuals were hospitalised after the incident. The East London Regional Court found Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu guilty of selling or supplying liquor to people under the age of 18 and of being responsible “for conniving with and permitting employees and agents to sell or deliver intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18”. They are expected to be sentenced today. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the pair pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and the matter went to trial. Tyali said senior State prosecutor (SPP) Thango Pangalela led evidence of nine witnesses,…

For the first time, two judges were impeached for misconduct this week. The National Assembly adopted the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services’ reports recommending the removal from judicial office of suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe and retired judge Nkola Motata on Wednesday. A total of 305 members voted for the removal of Hlophe and 27 members voted against. On the removal of Motata, 296 members voted for his removal, one against, and 13 abstained. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) found Hlophe guilty of attempting to influence two justices of the Constitutional Court to violate their oaths of office. This related to the 2008 case against Thint and former president Jacob Zuma. Motata was found guilty of gross misconduct following a drunk driving conviction in 2009. The…

The eThekwini Municipality has said that foreign objects disposed of by residents and businesses in sewer lines are causing blockages, leading to sewage spills at beaches. This comes after concern was raised again by opposition parties about high E coli levels at eThekwini beaches. The municipality’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said that on the last sampling run, the beach water quality results of 18 beaches were all excellent and within acceptable standards. “All 18 beaches are open. Only five swimming beaches that did not comply. (These) were the beaches closer to the uMngeni River and swimming at these five beaches was suspended.” Sisilana added that this was an isolated case caused by pollution coming down to the lower uMngeni River due to blocked sewer lines which had since been cleared, as…

South African football is again on a collision course with Nigeria. In the recent Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana lost 4-2 to the Nigerians in a penalty shoot-out when the semi- final ended 1-1 after extra time. Now Banyana Banyana could come up against the west African nation to decide their fate in trying to qualify for this year’s Paris Olympics. Banyana continue their journey this afternoon, when they take on Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in the first leg of the third round of the African qualification tournament. The second leg will be held next Tuesday in Mbombela, and if they get through these fixtures, they will go into the fourth and final round, where they will face the winner of Cameroon v Nigeria in early April. There…

Animal activists have fashion brands squarely in their sights this Milan Fashion Week, hoping to pressure Italian brands Max Mara and Fendi to give up fur in future collections. An activist from Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) stormed the Fendi runway on Wednesday brandishing a sign saying “Animals are NOT clothing”. And a coalition of pro-animal groups stepped up their campaign yesterday against Max Mara. Over 1 500 international fashion brands, including some of the most prestigious, have renounced fur in recent years, due to concerns about animal cruelty, changing trends and new synthetic alternatives. Yesterday a hot-air balloon with the message “Max Mara Go Fur-Free” floated above the company’s headquarters in Emilia Romagna for the second day running. The stunt was backed by the Fur Free…

San Francisco: US President Joe Biden called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a “crazy SOB” at a public fund-raising event this week, which the Kremlin decried as “shameful”. The 81-year-old leader has had harsh words for Putin since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, including calling him a “butcher” and a “war criminal”. “We have a crazy SOB like that guy Putin, and others,” Biden said at the event in San Francisco. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Biden’s invective was a huge shame for the US. “It is clear that Mr Biden is demonstrating Hollywood cowboy-style behaviour to serve domestic political interests,” he said. | AFP…

BEIJING: Five people were killed when an empty cargo ship struck a bridge in southern China yesterday, causing part of it to collapse, authorities and state media reported. The container vessel was travelling between the cities of Foshan and Guangzhou when it rammed into Lixinsha Bridge. The boat “came into contact with the bridge pillars, causing the roadway above to collapse”, it said The collision sent five vehicles tumbling off the bridge. The deceased included the driver of an empty bus, the driver of an electric scooter, and three people in a small goods vehicle, CCTV said. | AFP…