Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-09-06 i Mercury

AUTOZONE’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) are confident they have secured an investor requiring the closure of only nine underperforming branches in southern Africa with the loss of 46 jobs, as labour demurs to the plan set for creditors’ approval next week. In a plan published for creditors’ scrutiny, Matuson and Associates BRPs Piers Marsden and Jenna Osborne said they were confident the plan, which would reward each AutoZone employee with R32 000 in hardship compensation, would gain traction with shareholders, creditors and workers. “If the sale process is implemented, the BRPs will seek to obtain the sale of the business or the divisions as going concern or through the acquisition of the company’s shares, thereby resulting in many jobs being preserved. Employees who are retrenched, if any, would be…

South African netizens are rooting for celebrated multimedia personality, Bonang Matheba to host the 2024 Miss Universe pageant. Matheba has successfully hosted numerous world-class events and beauty pageants over her two-decade-long career. They include the 2018, 2023 and 2024 Miss SA pageants, the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards pre-show, and the 2018 Global Citizen: Mandela 100 concert. Now fans are pushing for her to be allowed to host the prestigious Miss Universe beauty pageant. Taking to X, Luna M, known as @tiredfeminist_, posted: “I need Bonang to host Miss Universe soon! Yes her outfits eat, but she has perfected this gig so much, I can’t think of a better person.” @SelfieRunnerZA, then tagged Anne Jakrajutatip, CEO of JKN Global Group, who owns the Miss Universe Organisation, and asked her to…

OH BOY, it’s been a week of sleepless nights and worry. How did the Boks escape humiliation last week? What will happen tomorrow in Cape Town? Will the Boks assert themselves early against the All Blacks as they didn’t in Johannesburg? All kinds of questions arise. What went wrong? And how did we manage to win in the final minutes in spite of all that? What does Rassie have planned? It had better be something sensational. Those Kiwis will be smarting with resentment at how they blew it while ahead, in no uncertain terms, for most of the game. Pas op! They will be looking for revenge. Vas staan, Bokke! This is the moment of truth. Further glories probably lie ahead in the competition anyway. But these are the Kiwis.…

It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that we have learnt of the passing of Gregory Krumbock, a dedicated MP, the DA’s national campaign manager for the past two elections, a visionary strategist and a stalwart of the DA. Krumbock was not just a colleague; he was a friend, mentor and passionate advocate for democracy in South Africa. Krumbock’s journey with the DA and its predecessor, the Democratic Party, spanned more than three decades. His commitment to our values was unwavering, and his contributions to our cause were immeasurable. As the executive director of the Democratic Party in 1998, Krumbock played a pivotal role in managing the party’s 1999 general election campaign, laying the groundwork for our successes in the following years. Born on July 17,…

FORMER president Thabo Mbeki has suggested that the ANC’s step-aside rule must apply to any member who has corruption allegations levelled against them, even if that member is not formally charged. Mbeki said any allegation levelled against an ANC member tarnishes the party and that is why they must voluntarily step aside. The ANC’s step-aside rule requires members facing serious criminal charges to step down from their positions. The rule was adopted when former secretary- general Ace Magashule was facing corruption charges. Speaking at the Thabo Mbeki African School dialogue at Unisa on Wednesday, Mbeki gave an example of a former Free State provincial executive committee member who was an ANC member and also taxi owner, who voluntarily stepped aside, before the rule was enforced, to clear his name after…

A party held more than three years ago, during the Covid-19 pandemic, has returned to haunt a bank official who arranged the gathering (going against the bank’s Covid-19 policy) and posted pictures of the event on WhatsApp. Mmakgosi Morudu, the branch manager at Standard Bank’s Gezina, Pretoria branch, was subsequently dismissed by the bank for gross misconduct. Morudu took the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. The CCMA found the dismissal to be substantively unfair but procedurally fair. The commissioner ruled that Morudu should be reinstated and given a final written warning and three months’ backpay. Unhappy with the finding, the bank turned to the Johannesburg Labour Court, which ruled in its favour and concluded that Morudu should be fired. The bank said it had issued a…

In a webinar hosted by the South African Local Government Association (Salga) yesterday to unpack the Climate Change Act and its implications on municipalities, the senior researcher in the Climate Service group for The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Oscar Mokotedi said the Act will benefit the municipalities. “We do hope that the act will unleash resources to make sure that municipalities are in a position to address some of the challenges that they may have around capacity and capability,” he said. The Climate Act 22 of 2024 was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July this year. According to the act, municipalities must assess climate change risks and develop a response plan. It recognises that municipalities may need assistance in enhancing their technical expertise. The act…

LITERACY is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms and global citizenship. Put simply, it is the foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviours to participate fully and confidently in society. Considering this, it is imperative that we remind ourselves, on International Literacy Day on Sunday of the fundamentals required for a learner to become literate. Supporting learners on their journey to learn to read is important but it can feel overwhelming. As a mother of a foundation phase learner, I often think about the parents who do not have the understanding I have while supporting my son on his journey in learning to read. Teachers are doing the best they can to…

President Xi Jinping yesterday pledged to step up China’s support across debt-laden Africa with funding of nearly $51 billion (R904bn) over three years, backing for more infrastructure projects, and the creation of at least 1 million jobs. China was ready to step up co-operation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, Xi told delegates from more than 50 African nations gathered in Beijing for the three-yearly Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Summit. “China and Africa account for one-third of the world population. Without our modernisation, there will be no global modernisation,” Xi said. China, the world’s biggest bilateral lender, promised to carry out three times as many infrastructure projects across resource-rich Africa despite Xi’s avowed new preference for “small and beautiful” schemes based around selling advanced and green technologies…

The first legally binding international AI treaty was open for signing yesterday by the countries that negotiated it, including EU members, the US and Britain, the Council of Europe Human Rights organisation said. The AI Convention, which has been in the works for years and was adopted in May after discussions between 57 countries, addresses the risks AI may pose, while promoting responsible innovation. The AI Convention mainly focuses on the protection of human rights of people affected by AI systems and is separate from the EU AI Act, which entered into force last month. The EU’s AI Act entails comprehensive regulations on the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU internal market. The signatories can choose to adopt or maintain legislative, administrative or other measures to…

Dubai: The oil-rich United Arab Emirates yesterday announced the completion of the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, calling it a “significant step”. Abu Dhabi’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will produce 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually after its fourth and final reactor has entered commercial operation, the state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) said. It will generate 25% of the power needs of the hot, desert Gulf state, where air-conditioning is ubiquitous. The UAE has said its nuclear ambitions are for “peaceful purposes” and ruled out developing any enrichment programme or nuclear reprocessing technologies. | AFP…

London: A 14-year-old boy yesterday appeared before a court in central England charged with the murder of an octogenarian grandfather walking his dog in a park. The weekend incident, which saw Bhim Kohli, 80, die from injuries sustained during the Sunday attack, is the latest case of alleged youth violence that has shocked the UK. A number of teenagers have been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the past year, with dozens also charged with participating in anti-immigration riots last month. Four other children, a girl aged 14 and a boy and two girls aged 12, were arrested on suspicion of murder, but were later released. | AFP…

There has been a real mixed bag of weather this past week. The cold seems to be losing the battle to the spring warmth. The fishing has picked up and the change of season has begun. The couta and tuna have been keeping the offshore anglers very busy. The north has been the place to go, but the local waters have held some giants. The North Coast has been the place to be if you are looking for couta. Cape Vidal has come alive with fish and although most have been on the smaller side, the big fish are there. The shallower areas have held most of the smaller fish, so if the giants are what you are after and you don’t mind waiting it out, head to the deeper…

It was a five-star performance from Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt at the Cricket South Africa Awards in Midrand last night. Wolvaardt cleared the table by winning a full hand of awards, including the SA Women’s Cricketer of the Year award. The top-order batter also took the Women’s T20 Player of the Year, ODI Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and KFC Fans’ Player of the Year awards. Wolvaardt is a second-time winner of the SA Women’s Cricketer of the Year award after last being honoured in 2020. The men’s category sprung a surprise with Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen winning the SA Men’s Cricketer of the Year award for his performances across all three formats. It was 24-year-old Jansen’s first time winning the biggest individual prize in…

ZIMBABWE’S State-owned railway operator has opened its network up to private players, including a unit of South Africa’s Grindrod, as it seeks to boost freight volumes that had collapsed after decades of underinvestment, an official said. National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) hauled 12 million tons of cargo annually at its 1990s peak, but now manages less than 3 million tons owing to a lack of locomotives and poor maintenance of its rail infrastructure. The collapse also followed a sharp decline in agricultural and mineral output, triggered by the violent seizure of white-owned farms championed by Zimbabwe’s former leader Robert Mugabe in 2000. However, mineral output is on the rebound, mainly driven by chrome and lithium demand from China. Chinese companies such as Tsingshan Holdings, Sinosteel, Sinomine, Zhejiang…

SOUTH Africa’s economy is part of a diverse group of Sub-Saharan African economies known to be more impacted by global markets than their North African counterparts. Harnessing and taking advantage of the many opportunities to be found within local markets rely heavily on the ability to build investment portfolios that are resilient enough to outlast market shocks and volatility. Factors impacting local market The local investment landscape has seen its fair share of turbulence. The rise of geopolitical tensions in Europe – and most recently, the Middle East – has caused widespread uncertainty and disruption. During politically charged events and times of conflict, investors are more prone to make impulsive decisions to reduce their risk exposure. Large selloffs, for example, can in turn cause sharp declines in certain assets, further…

As October 30 draws near, thousands of Grade 12 pupils across South Africa are busy preparing to close the chapter on their secondary education by sitting for their final exams. Last year, over 890 000 full-time and part-time candidates took the matric exams, achieving a commendable pass rate of 82.9%. To replicate or even surpass this success, effective exam preparation is crucial. While making and memorising notes is important, a comprehensive strategy involves careful time management, understanding personal learning styles, and implementing lifestyle changes to ensure confidence when facing exam papers. Effective time management is a critical factor in exam preparation. Creating a study schedule that allocates time for each subject ensures a balanced coverage of the material. Start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses in each subject, and…

WITH the new Government of National Unity, the criminal justice system in the coumtry remains one of the most crucial areas for any society seeking peace. It would be in the best interest of the new government to direct its executive branch, especially the criminal justice system (police and courts), to prioritise violent crimes over other offences. The violent crime is well documented. It is common to hear people from outside South Africa express astonishment at how we manage to survive in a country that has level of violence comparable to war zones. South Africans have grown accustomed to this reality, while their political leaders pay only lip service to the fight against crime. We must first determine what type of crime we are addressing. In the simplest definition, a…

The SACP conveys a message of heartfelt condolences to the family of renowned radio and television broadcaster Thabiso Sikwane. It also sends its condolences to the media and journalism sector in which she served with diligence, and to the people of South Africa. With her grasp of the issues afflicting the people of South Africa, Sikwane inspired many younger media practitioners, particularly in progressive journalism. Through her work, the SACP hopes that more practitioners will take the baton and carry it forward. In paying tribute to Sikwane, the SACP calls for the qualitative transformation of the media in our country, to build a true people’s media in order to place the needs of the people, most of whom are the working-class and poor, at the centre of all discourse on…

Insurance companies say they have received significant interest in the two-pot system, with the South African Revenue Service (Sars) reporting that close to 2 500 tax withdrawal directives were processed on the first day that the system opened for applications on September 1. The two-pot system will allow workers to withdraw up to R30 000 from their retirement funds. Withdrawals from the fund will be taxed at the marginal tax rate with economists warning members of the public to be wary of the tax implication when making withdrawals from their retirement funds. Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that by Monday night, Sars had received 2 759 tax directives and the revenue service had already processed 2 424 tax directives by Tuesday morning. “This represents R103 million worth of withdrawals from…

TWO decades after he had been meted out four life imprisonment sentences on various charges of rape, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria has now ordered a prisoner’s immediate release from jail as the record of his trial proceedings during 2004 are missing. Mpho Kekae had been struggling to appeal his convictions and subsequent sentence for the past 15 years. His first bid to appeal was sent to court in 2009, but due to administrative and other problems, it simply could not get off the ground. The court was not able to decide his appeal on the facts before it, as there were no facts as contained in the trial record which formed the basis for his conviction 20 years ago. Three judges faced with Kekae’s appeal, remarked: “With the evidence…

The factors contributing to the entrenched nature of extortion in South Africa are linked to challenges such as corruption within the police service, a diminished public trust in government institutions and ineffective civil partnerships for the purpose of information sharing. This is according to Gareth Newham, director of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the Institute for Security Studies. While it is good news that the government is taking the crime of extortion seriously, he said the fact that it has taken so long for this long-standing problem to become a priority, shows that there are serious challenges in the state’s overall crime intelligence monitoring and response systems. Newham said extortion has been a problem in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape for well over a decade, affecting various sectors…

Southern Chinese provinces and cities braced for the arrival of super typhoon Yagi, shutting schools and postponing flights ahead of its expected landfall along Hainan’s subtropical coast in what could be the most powerful storm to hit China in years. Yagi is the Japanese word for goat and for the constellation of Capricornus, a mythical creature that is half goat, half fish. It has more than doubled its strength since devastating northern Philippines earlier this week. Packing maximum sustained winds of 209km/h near its eye, Yagi registers as the world’s second-most powerful tropical cyclone in 2024 so far, after the Category 5 Atlantic hurricane Beryl. Typhoons are becoming stronger, fuelled by warmer oceans, amid climate change, scientists say. Last week, Typhoon Shanshan slammed into southwestern Japan, the strongest storm to…

LOS ANGELES: President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden was set to stand trial in Los Angeles yesterday in a criminal case accusing him of failing to pay $1.4 million (R23m) in taxes. Biden has pleaded not guilty. He was charged last year as part of a probe of his finances and business dealings. The trial in Los Angeles federal court follows the younger Biden’s June trial conviction in Delaware for illegally buying a gun while using drugs, which he is appealing. That conviction means he could face a stiffer sentence if convicted in the tax case because he would be a repeat offender. The trial could shed light on Biden’s work with a Ukrainian natural gas company and his other business dealings while his father was vice president. |…

LONDON: British prosecutors said yesterday that they had discontinued indecent assault charges against former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein after concluding there was no realistic chance of securing a conviction. When it authorised charges against Weinstein two years ago, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service said the alleged assault had taken place in August 1996 in London. The accusation had involved a woman now in her fifties. Weinstein, 72, was found guilty of rape allegations and jailed for 23 years in the US in 2020. However, the New York Court of Appeals threw out the Manhattan conviction in April, finding that Weinstein did not get a fair trial. | Reuters…

It’s not every day that the All Blacks would leave Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara out of the starting line-up, but coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson believes that they can make a real difference off the bench in tomorrow’s Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks. Scott Barrett captains from No 4 and Jordie Barrett will start at inside centre in the side that Robertson announced yesterday, but big brother Beauden will have to weave his magic as a substitute at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (5pm). Beauden was at fullback in last week’s 31-27 defeat at Ellis Park, and used his speed and skills to unlock the Bok defence, including a try assist to wing Caleb Clarke. But Robertson picked a brand-new back-three yesterday, with Clarke ruled out with a sore back…

IN AN INCREASINGLY globalised world, international investments play a crucial role in diversifying portfolios, mitigating risks, and seeking growth opportunities beyond one’s domestic market. However, the landscape of international investing is fraught with complexities, particularly in regions where legislation prioritises political agendas over economic sustainability. International investments offer several key benefits. Investing across different geographic regions can reduce the risk of a portfolio being overly dependent on the economic conditions of a single country. This diversification can help protect investors from local economic downturns or political instability. International investments expose investors to different currencies, which can serve as a hedge against domestic currency devaluation and inflation. Despite the benefits, international investing can be challenging, especially when faced with stringent legislation that appear to be designed to protect political interests rather…

The weight-loss industry is a multi-billion dollar business, teeming with advice on how to lose weight, gain muscle, and achieve optimal health. However, not all of this advice is rooted in science. Many nutrition myths persist, leading to confusion and sometimes harmful practices. Myth No 1: Fresh fruits and vegetables are always healthier than canned, frozen, or dried varieties. According to a New York Times post, research has found that frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh. They can also be a money saver and an easy way to make sure there are always fruits and vegetables available at home Myth No 2: Plant milk is healthier than dairy milk There’s a common belief that plant-based milks, like those made from oats, almonds,…

The substance, or the activity, and the accompanying shame begin to rule. It – alcohol, “pot”, gambling, illicit sexual behaviour … you name it – can take over a person’s life and make a beggar out of anyone. The shakes, cravings, preoccupations with the drugs, drinks, over-the-counter drugs or gambling, then become central to a life hastily easing out of control. Relationships are threatened, jobs are on the line and children’s nerves, simply as a product of exposure to addictions, are shattered. And there is hope. There is hope for the man or woman who wants out from under the heavy rule of illegal substances or alcohol. There is hope for the adult who wants to live without drinking, who wants to be present and sober for their children…

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has noted with growing concern the recent attacks in the media against the legal profession by ministers, executives of statutory entities and senior members of the judiciary. The LSSA strongly condemns the recent spate of attacks on legal practitioners in the media. It is regrettable in the extreme that the legal profession is blatantly being used as a scapegoat for the challenges experienced by those entrusted with the management of government entities, who should instead be focusing on taking responsibility for the failures within their own organisations and on finding solutions within structures for the challenges they face. Targeting attorneys, advocates and others within the profession in this manner poses a threat not only to the individuals involved but to our profession as…

The ongoing criminal antics of the construction mafia and resultant extortion demands strong urgent action so they receive the required attention, with such acts being eliminated and offenders punished. Yes, there are impediments to such criminality coming to an end – sooner rather than later – such as, firstly, the reluctance of some witnesses to come forward for fear of reprisals, including death; inefficient and/or corrupt police, who are unashamed sell-outs and a disgrace to the force and must be rooted out; and, the under-performing NPA, headed by an inefficient advocate Shamila Batohi. Also, the fact that the wheels of justice grind so painfully slowly and that many people have little or no faith in the justice and policing systems, for good reason. Recently, at a women’s conference –…

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has set the end of the financial year in March next year as the target to have pit toilets at public schools eradicated. Gwarube said she wanted the implementing agents blacklisted for failing to deliver in order to spur up competition. “Since taking office I have prioritised strengthening efforts to address the critical issue of unsafe sanitation facilities in our public schools. In fact, I have made this a priority in the priorities of the seventh administration to make sure that we eradicate all pit toilets, in particular by the end of this financial year which ends in March because we know that the existence of pit toilets in our schools is not only a danger to our learners but also is an issue of…

As the opposition in eThekwini Municipality, we are deeply concerned about the precarious coalition arrangement between the DA, ANC, IFP, National Freedom Party (NFP) and the EFF. While coalitions in South Africa are not a new phenomenon, the lack of transparency and the weakening of opposition in this particular set-up raise significant questions about its stability and the motivations behind it. What is most striking, however, is the DA’s unusual silence about its coalition with the ANC in eThekwini. The DA has not shied away from publicly flaunting its coalition successes at the national and provincial levels. Yet, in eThekwini, where the coalition was established in plain sight during council proceedings, the DA has chosen to operate in silence. The discrepancy begs the question: Why the secrecy? Unlike its approach…

Palestinian medics said an air strike targeting a car in the occupied West Bank killed five people yesterday, while the Israeli military reported it hit “an armed terrorist cell”. “Five killed and (one) seriously wounded in a strike (on) a car in Tubas,” the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement, referring to an area that has been a focus of Israeli operations for more than a week. The Israeli military said its aircraft “conducted three targeted strikes on armed terrorists” in the Tubas area. It did not provide a toll but said the dead included Muhammad Zakaria Zubeidi, “a significant terrorist from the Jenin area”, also in the northern West Bank. It said Muhammad was son of Zakaria Zubeidi, a chief of the armed wing of Palestinian president…

Outrage and sorrow greeted the death yesterday of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who succumbed to severe burns after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend. It was the latest horrific act of gender-based violence in Kenya, where activists have warned of a rising femicide epidemic. Cheptegei’s death has been described as “senseless” and “a despicable crime”. The 33-year-old long- distance runner died at about 5.30am, the doctor treating her at a hospital in Eldoret in western Kenya said. “Her injuries were extensive and covered most parts of her body. It led to multiple organ failure,” said Kimani Mbugua, head of the intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Police have said the man who carried out the attack in her home in Endebess,…

PORT-A-PRINCE: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed yesterday to violence-ravaged Haiti to evaluate progress in wresting control from gangs that have taken over much of the impoverished Caribbean nation. Blinken arrives two months after Kenya sent police officers to launch a long-awaited international force aimed at restoring order. He was to meet members of a transitional council recently installed with regional support for Haiti, which has not held elections since 2016. Gangs have taken over 80% of Port-au-Prince. US President Joe Biden has committed $360 million to the mission, but says that he will not risk US troops. | AFP…

Brasília: More than 1 000 Brazilian municipalities were on alert yesterday due to very low humidity – in some cases comparable to that of the Sahara desert – as the country is gripped by a historic drought that has sparked major wildfires. Flames reached a protected forest on the outskirts of Brasilia, which was enveloped in smoke for the second time in two weeks, and where it has not rained in 130 days. The National Institute of Meteorology said that Brasilia and the southeast were among the worst affected by a “relative humidity of less than 12%”. This was “very dangerous” due to the “great risk of forest fires”, it said. | AFP…

As the dust settles on the 2024 league season, clubs across the region are celebrating hard-fought victories and well-earned promotions. The spotlight shines brightly on Westville Bowling Club, whose men’s first division team delivered a commendable performance, finishing a staggering 18,5 points ahead of Parkhill Bowling Club to claim the prestigious Homenet Cup. This victory is particularly special as Westville BC celebrate their 75th anniversary, making this season’s triumph a fitting tribute to their storied history. Matthew Mayo, president of Westville BC, shared his excitement, stating: “It has been a great year. The league win is brilliant and is symptomatic of the fun being had at Westville BC on and off the greens. It is also significant that it has happened 75 years after the club started. Thanks must go…